bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A low dielectric constant polyimide/polyoxometalate composite
Authors: Tan Lin , Liu Shumei , Zeng Fang , Zhang Shukun , Zhao Jianqing , Yu Yin‐e 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA silane‐modified mono‐lacunary Keggin‐type polyoxometalate (POM), (Bu4N)4[SiW11O39{(CH2CHSi)2O}] (SiW11CHCH2), was obtained by reaction of vinyltrimethoxysilane with K8(SiW11O39) in acidic MeCN/H2O mixed solutions. Then, the modified polyoxometalate was physically blended with the pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA)‐4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) poly(amic acid) and the blends were thermally imidized to form polyimide/ polyoxometalate composites. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicates that the polyoxometalate clusters cannot form crystalline structures in the composite, suggesting that the blending leads to improved compatibility between the polymer matrix and the modified polyoxometalate. The EDS (W‐mapping) studies on the composite films reveal that the polyoxometalate clusters are well dispersed in the polyimide matrix. The physical incorporation of modified POM into polyimide remarkably reduced the dielectric constant of the latter from 3.29 to 2.05 when 20 wt% of SiW11CHCH2 was used. Besides, the addition of the modified POM into polyimide increased the storage modulus of polyimide without severely affecting its thermal properties. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Redox imbalance provokes deactivation of macrophages in sepsis
Authors: Chen Ting , Lin Xuzhu , Xu Jiafa , Tan Renxiang , Ji Jianguo , Shen Pingping 
Published: July 2009

AbstractSepsis accounts for the majority of deaths in critically ill patients. Symptoms of septic disease are often associated with monocyte/macrophage desensitization. In the current study, impaired macrophage function was determined in a sepsis mouse model with decreased cytokine release and weak phagocytosis, coinciding with ectopic elevation of serum‐ROS levels. Furthermore, in the experimental cell model, RAW264.7 macrophages displayed a “deactivated” phenotype, characterized by impaired inflammatory and phagocytosis function. Cellular anti‐oxidative proteins were further investigated; lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐ and H2O2‐treated cells exhibited lower ratio of reductive‐to‐oxidized glutathione as compared with LPS‐treated cells only, without inducing cell death. 2‐DE and MALTI‐TOF/TOF were employed to illustrate protein expression differentiation patterns. A total of 33 proteins were found to be differently expressed. Among them, 33% of proteins were associated with oxidative stress. We further investigated the role of the ROS/LPS/Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) axis in modulating the immunosuppression during sepsis. LPS‐ and H2O2‐treated macrophages demonstrated decreased cytokine release, whereas TLR4 expression was up‐regulated. Western blot analysis showed decreased levels of phosphorylation of MAP kinases and IκB. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay analysis demonstrated attenuated DNA‐binding activities of AP‐1 and NF‐κB, as compared with those of their control. Collectively, these findings indicate that ROS mediates critical aspects of innate immunity that result in an immunocompromised state through an imbalance of cellular oxidation/reduction during sepsis.
An integrated LC‐ESI‐MS platform for quantitation of serum peptide ladders. Application for colon carcinoma study
Authors: Bakun Magda , Karczmarski Jakub , Poznanski Jaroslaw , Rubel Tymon , Rozga Malgorzata , Malinowska Agata , Sands Dorota , Hennig Ewa , Oledzki Janusz , Ostrowski Jerzy , Dadlez Michal 
Published: July 2009

AbstractMounting evidence indicates that MS analysis of the human blood peptidome allows to distinguish between cancer and non‐cancer samples, giving promise for a new MS‐based diagnostic tool. However, several aspects of already published work have been criticized and demand for more methodical approach has been formulated. Motivated by this we undertook a systematic study of the plasma and serum peptidome using an integrated ESI‐LC‐MS‐based platform, equipped with new data analysis tools for relative and absolute peptide quantitation. We used a high resolution LC‐ESI‐MS to analyze well‐separated MS signals corresponding to peptides, and measured the variability of >1000 peptide signal amplitudes across a set of plasma and serum samples from healthy individuals. By spiking serum samples with known amounts of isotopically labeled versions of a selected set of peptides we measured the variability of their absolute concentration in this sample set and demonstrated a strong influence of clotting time on the concentration of these peptides in serum. Finally, we used this new LC‐ESI‐MS analytical platform for the differential analysis of healthy versus colon cancer serum samples and found that it was possible to distinguish the two groups with 89.8% sensitivity and 94.6% specificity.
A novel androgen‐dependent prostate cancer xenograft model derived from skin metastasis of a Japanese patient
Authors: Kimura Takahiro , Kiyota Hiroshi , Nakata Daisuke , Masaki Tsuneo , Kusaka Masami , Egawa Shin 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe incidence of, and mortality from, prostate cancer (PCa) has increased in Asian countries over the past decades, partly due to a change in dietary habits. Recent reports have revealed differences in the molecular basis of PCa among people of differing racial or ethnic backgrounds. PCa xenograft models established from Asian patients would be useful for understanding the basis of PCa in Asian populations; we therefore established and characterized a novel PCa xenograft model, JDCaP, from a metastatic skin lesion of a Japanese hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) patient.METHODSSkin metastatic tissue derived from poorly differentiated prostatic adenocarcinoma in a 61‐year‐old Japanese male was transplanted to nude mice and JDCaP was established by serial passage. Expression of androgen receptor (AR) and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and the AR sequence was analyzed. Hormone sensitivity of JDCaP was investigated in vivo by orchiectomy followed by administration of steroid hormones, including testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and hydrocortisone. Therapeutic effects of leuprorelin acetate, bicalutamide, flutamide, diethylstilbestrol (DES), and estradiol were investigated.RESULTSJDCaP expressed wild‐type AR and PSA and showed androgen dependence. Only testosterone administration maintained tumor proliferation after orchiectomy. Administration of leuprorelin acetate, bicalutamide, and flutamide inhibited tumor growth. DES and estradiol also demonstrated significant antitumor effects.CONCLUSIONSJDCaP expresses wild‐type ARs and exhibits androgen dependence despite its origin from a HRPC patient. The model may be useful to elucidate the molecular basis of PCa in Asian populations and to develop prevention and therapeutic strategies. Prostate 69: 1660–1667, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro propagation and characterization of neoplastic stem/progenitor‐like cells from human prostate cancer tissue
Authors: Guzmán‐Ramírez Natalia , Völler Maureen , Wetterwald Antoinette , Germann Markus , Cross Neil A. , Rentsch Cyrill A. , Schalken Jack , Thalmann George N. , Cecchini Marco G. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDAccording to the cancer stem cell hypothesis, tumor growth is sustained by a subpopulation of cancer stem/progenitor‐like cells. Self‐renewal and high clonogenic potential are characteristics shared by normal stem and neoplastic stem/progenitor‐like cells. We investigated whether human prostate cancer specimens contain cells with these properties.METHODSSelf‐renewal and clonogenic potential were assessed by serial passaging of spheres and colony formation, respectively. Gene expression was analyzed by real time PCR. Protein expression was detected by immunocytochemistry. The neoplastic nature of the cells was verified by detection of the TMPRSS2/ERG gene fusion expression.RESULTSThe epithelial fraction isolated from surgical specimens generated colonies in 68% (19/28) of the patients. Laminin adhesion selected for cells with high clonogenic potential. The epithelial fraction from 85% (42/49) of the patients generated primary prostaspheres. Serial passaging of prostaspheres demonstrated their self‐renewal capacity, which is also supported by their expression of the stem cell markers Oct‐4, Nanog, Bmi‐1, and Jagged‐1 mRNA. Cells derived from prostaspheres were more clonogenic than the parental epithelial fraction. The pattern of mRNA expression in prostaspheres resembled that of the basal compartment of the prostate (CK5+/CK14+/CK19high/CK18−/low/c‐met+/AR−/low/PSA−/low), but also included stem cell markers (CD49b+/CD49f+/CD44+/ΔNp63+/Nestin+/CD133+). The distribution of marker expression in prostaspheres suggests their heterogeneous cell composition. Prostaspheres expressed significantly higher PSCA mRNA levels than the epithelial fraction.CONCLUSIONHuman prostate cancer specimens contain neoplastic cells with self‐renewal and clonogenic potential, which can be enriched and perpetuated in prostaspheres. Prostaspheres should prove valuable for the identification of prostate cancer stem/progenitor‐like cells. Prostate 69: 1683–1693, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of ACINUS, caspase‐3, and TUNEL as apoptotic markers in determination of tumor growth rates of clinically localized prostate cancer using image analysis
Authors: Singh Swaroop S. , Mehedint Diana C. , Ford O. Harris , Jeyaraj D. Antony , Pop Elena A. , Maygarden Susan J. , Ivanova Anastasia , Chandrasekhar Rameela , Wilding Gregory E. , Mohler James L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe balance between apoptotic and proliferative processes determines the enlargement of a tumor. Accurate measurement of apoptotic and proliferative rates from diagnostic prostate biopsies would allow calculation of tumor growth rates in a population‐based prostate cancer (CaP) study. Automated image analysis may be used if proliferation and apoptotic biomarkers provide clearly resolved immunostained images.METHODSClinical CaP aggressiveness was assigned as low, intermediate or high using clinical criteria for 46 research subjects with newly diagnosed CaP. Diagnostic biopsy sections from the research subjects were dual‐labeled for proliferation biomarker, Ki‐67 and apoptotic biomarker, apoptotic chromatin condensation inducer in the nucleus (ACINUS). Apoptotic biomarkers, caspase‐3 and terminal deoxyribonucleotidyltransferase mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) were labeled separately. Images from immunostained sections were analyzed using automated image analysis and tumor growth rates computed. Association between clinical CaP aggressiveness and tumor growth rates was explored.RESULTSSixteen subjects had high, 17 had intermediate, and 13 had low clinical CaP aggressiveness. Positive immunostaining was localized to the nucleus for Ki‐67, ACINUS, and TUNEL. A statistically significant linear trend across clinical CaP aggressiveness categories was found when tumor growth rates were calculated using ACINUS (P = 0.046). Logistic regression and ROC plots generated showed ACINUS (AUC = 0.677, P = 0.048) and caspase‐3 (AUC = 0.694, P = 0.038) to be better predictors than TUNEL (AUC = 0.669, P = 0.110).CONCLUSIONSACINUS met the criteria for automated image analysis and for calculation of apoptotic rate. Tumor growth rates determined using automated image analysis should be evaluated for clinical prediction of CaP aggressiveness, treatment response, recurrence, and mortality. Prostate 69: 1603–1610, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A warfarin decision aid for patients on long‐term therapy
Authors: Osborne Peter , Dabin Sam , Rose Peter 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe decision of whether to continue anticoagulation therapy can be difficult and there are currently no widely available tools to help reassess patient suitably. Here, the authors introduce a simple warfarin decision aid that may be of benefit to other clinicians. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd.
Targinact: targets opioid‐induced constipation
Authors: Simpson Karen , O'Connell Nicola 
Published: July 2009

AbstractTarginact, licensed for severe pain, is a formulation of prolonged‐release oxycodone with the addition of naloxone to improve opioid‐induced bowel dysfunction. Here, the authors discuss the clinical data relating to its efficacy and adverse effects, and describe its place in treatment. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd.
Aromaticity of ionic structures: Investigation and application of NICS value and 4n + 2 rule
Authors: Xu Shuhong , Wang Chunlei , Cui Yiping 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAt DFT/B3LYP/6‐31G** theoretical level, C6H and C (n = 0, −2, and +2), C6H and C (n = 0, ±2, ±4, and ±6), C6H (n = 0–6), as well as C6H6‐A and C6‐A (A = Be, B, N, O, Mg, Al, Si, S, and Fe) structures were investigated. Comparing NICS values of C6H and C (n = 0, −2, and +2), we discovered that C6H, C6H were antiaromatic, and C6H6, C6, C, C had aromaticity with negative NICS values. According to research of C6H and C (n = 0, ±2, ±4, ±6), C6H (n = 0–6), we sustained that their σ and π orbit were different and the locations of electrons were difficult to confirm in ionic structures. Thus, neither 4n + 2 rule nor NICS values can precisely estimate the aromaticity of ionic structures. Besides, through WBI (NBO) research of C6H6‐A and C6‐A (A = Be, B, N, O, Mg, Al, Si, S, and Fe) structures, we found that C6H6 was easy to accept electrons, contrarily, C6 was prone to bestowing electrons. Moreover, C6H6 took the symmetrical carbon atoms form feeble interaction or bond, and C6 used all carbon atoms to impact with other atom. C6H6 generated two contrapuntal single bonds with oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen atoms, whereas C6 molecule formed double bond with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, two conjoint single bonds with sulfur atom. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Correlations between quantum chemical indices and the pKas of a diverse set of organic phenols
Authors: Kreye W. C. , Seybold Paul G. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn earlier studies (Gross and Seybold, Int J Quantum Chem, 2001, 85, 569; Gross et al., Int J Quantum Chem, 2002, 90, 445), it was shown that variations in several calculated quantum chemical charge and energy parameters were strongly correlated with the pKa variations in a set of substituted phenols. Here, we examine whether this approach can be extended to the pKas of a diverse set of more complex organic phenolic compounds. Three levels of theory were tested: (1) the RM1 semiempirical method, with and without the SM5.4 solvent model, (2) density functional theory at the B3LYP/6‐311G** level, and (3) single‐point B3LYP/6‐31+G* calculations with the self‐consistent reaction field SM8 solvent model. The best results were obtained with quantum chemical indices calculated using the SM8 solvent model. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009
Resuspension phenomena of benthic sediments: The role of cohesion and biological adhesion
Authors: Righetti Maurizio , Lucarelli Corrado 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe incipient motion conditions of benthic sediments are analysed and an original parametrization for the critical shear stress is proposed. Starting from momentum balance considerations on a single sediment floc, the Shields dimensionless mobility parameter in incipient motion conditions is expressed also as a function of both cohesive and adhesive forces that concur to stabilize the superficial layer of the benthic sediment. The entrainment model is validated on the basis of laboratory experiments carried out on natural benthic sediments sampled from three alpine Italian lakes, having different trophic conditions and different compositions of the bed. The experimental results show that the cohesive effects decrease as the sediment water content increases. Moreover the role of bioadhesion is experimentally evaluated: the critical shear stresses of ‘living’ sediments are higher than that measured on similar but ‘dead’, poisoned sediments. This stabilizing effect shows a variation in time on a seasonal time scale, accordingly to the literature indications where biological adhesion is related to phytoplankton and bacteria activity, the life and growth of which obviously depends on seasonal variations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of factors affecting the ratio of microcystin to chlorophyll‐a in cyanobacterial blooms using real‐time polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Ha Joo H. , Hidaka Taira , Tsuno Hiroshi 
Published: July 2009

AbstractChlorophyll‐a concentration has been used as an indicator to estimate microcystin levels in water bodies. This study examined the microcystin to chlorophyll‐a ratio in a fishpond in Japan. The ratio varied spatially and temporally during the six‐month field survey, which is consistent with reports by other researchers. We investigated the causes of the variability of the ratio by quantifying microcystin synthetase (mcy) A gene with real‐time PCR, so as to observe the growth of microcystin‐producing cyanobacteria and Microcystis strains in natural cyanobacterial blooms. The application of real‐time PCR enabled corroboration of the relationship between the toxigenicity and the toxicity of the blooms. The microcystin to chlorophyll‐a ratio was influenced by the combined effects of the durability of the toxic bloom, and the quantity of microcystin‐producing cyanobacteria carrying the mcy A gene, especially toxic Microcystis strains. Cyanobacterial blooms produced more microcystin when high concentrations of microcystin‐producing Microcystis aggregated in a stationary state with low growth rates. The variable toxicity of blooms needs to be reflected in accurate and efficient alert systems for toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 26: 21–28, 2011.
Differentiation between microcystin contaminated and uncontaminated fish by determination of unconjugated MCs using an ELISA anti‐adda test based on receiver‐operating characteristic curves threshold values: Application to Tinca tinca from natural ponds
Authors: Moreno Isabel María , Herrador M Ángeles , Atencio Loyda , Puerto María , González A. Gustavo , Cameán Ana María 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) anti‐Adda technique could be used to monitor free microcystins (MCs) in biological samples from fish naturally exposed to toxic cyanobacteria by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve software to establish an optimal cut‐off value for MCs. The cut‐off value determined by ROC curve analysis in tench (Tinca tinca) exposed to MCs under laboratory conditions by ROC curve analysis was 5.90‐μg MCs/kg tissue dry weight (d.w.) with a sensitivity of 93.3%. This value was applied in fish samples from natural ponds (Extremadura, Spain) in order to asses its potential MCs bioaccumulation by classifying samples as either true positive (TP), false positive (FP), true negative (TN), or false negative (FN). In this work, it has been demonstrated that toxic cyanobacteria, mainly Microcystis aeruginosa, Aphanizomenon issatchenkoi, and Anabaena spiroides, were present in two of these ponds, Barruecos de Abajo (BDown) and Barruecos de Arriba (BUp). The MCs levels were detected in waters from both ponds with an anti‐MC‐LR ELISA immunoassay and were of similar values (between 3.8–6.5‐μg MC‐LR equivalent/L in BDown pond and 4.8–6.0‐μg MC‐LR equivalent/L in BUp). The MCs cut‐off values were applied in livers from fish collected from these two ponds using the ELISA anti‐Adda technique. A total of 83% of samples from BDown pond and only 42% from BUp were TP with values of free MCs higher than 8.8‐μg MCs/kg tissue (d.w.). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 26: 45–56, 2011.
Three‐dimensional ultrasound features of the polycystic ovary in Chinese women
Authors: Lam P. , Raine‐Fenning N. , Cheung L. , Haines C. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjectivesTo quantify the three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound characteristics of ovaries in Chinese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and to compare these with previous data on a Caucasian cohort with PCOS.Methods3D pelvic ultrasound was performed in 40 Chinese women with PCOS and 40 controls. Ovarian volume, stromal volume and echogenicity, and antral follicle count (AFC) were measured and ovarian blood flow was quantified using both 3D power Doppler and two‐dimensional (2D) pulsed wave Doppler. These data were compared with previously published data on a Caucasian cohort with PCOS.ResultsCompared with controls, women with PCOS had a higher AFC (median (range), 15 (11–30) vs. 5.5 (1–10) per ovary, P < 0.01), ovarian volume (12.32 (8.10–16.16) mL vs. 5.64 (2.62–8.81) mL, P < 0.01) and stromal volume (9.74 (6.44–13.56) mL vs. 4.07 (1.52–6.67) mL, P < 0.01) but were comparable in stromal echogenicity and ovarian blood flow as measured by 3D power Doppler or 2D pulsed wave Doppler indices. However, in comparison with a previously reported Caucasian cohort with PCOS, the ovaries of Chinese women with PCOS had a significantly smaller stromal volume (median (range), 9.74 (6.44–13.56) mL vs. 10.79 (5.65–17.12) mL, P < 0.05), were less echogenic as reflected in a lower mean gray value (22.43 (13.13–35.50) vs. 32.36 (19.35–53.71), P < 0.01), and had reduced ovarian blood flow as reflected in a lower flow index (30.19 (23.32–44.88) vs. 33.54 (21.88–51.65), P < 0.05).ConclusionBased on 3D ultrasound measurements, Chinese women with PCOS have an increased stromal volume compared with controls. However, their stromal volume, echogenicity and vascularity is significantly lower than that in Caucasian women with PCOS. The possible etiology for these differences is discussed. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Octopus: monitoring, visualization, and control of sensor networks
Authors: Jurdak Raja , Ruzzelli Antonio G. , Barbirato Alessio , Boivineau Samuel 
Published: July 2009

AbstractSensor network monitoring and control are currently addressed separately through specialized tools. However, the high degree of coupling of network state to the physical environment in which the network is deployed demands that users can monitor the network and respond to network state changes continuously. This paper presents the open‐source Octopus visualization and control tool. Octopus is a protocol‐independent tool that provides live information about the network topology and sensor data in order to enable live debugging of deployed sensor networks. It enables operators to reconfigure the network behavior, such as switching between time‐driven, event‐driven, and query‐driven modes or between awake and sleep modes of one, many, or all nodes through its graphical interface. Octopus also supports changing duty cycles of nodes, data reporting period, or sensing thresholds in event‐driven networks. Reconfiguration of nodes is achieved through short request messages that support typical reconfiguration options without the overhead of epidemically sending new program images over the air. Our empirical tests showcase Octopus's capacity to debug application behavior and to characterize heterogeneous network performance under multiple settings, as a step toward establishing a rules database that relates data delivery to network‐level parameters, and toward enabling autonomous network reconfiguration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.