bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel electric elastomer based on starch/transformer oil drop/silicone rubber hybrid
Authors: Hao Limei , Ding Changlin , Zhao Xiaopeng 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe electrorheological fluid composed of starch particles and silicone oil/transformer oil was dispersed into 107 silicone rubber, and then two types of electric elastomers were prepared in the absence and presence of a curing electric field, respectively. The storage modules were measured using dynamic mechanical analysis with the round disk compression clamp. The results indicate that the storage modulus sensitivity of electric elastomers composed of pure transformer oil is the highest, that of electric elastomers composed of pure silicone oil takes second place, and that of electric elastomers composed of mixture oil is the smallest. For the given starch concentration, the storage modulus sensitivity attains a maximum value of 3.88 when the mass ratio between the transformer oil and 107 silicone rubber is 1. For the given mass ratio of 1, the effects of starch concentration and the presence or absence of the curing electric field on the storage modulus of electric elastomers were studied. When the starch concentration is 5 wt %, the storage modulus of the elastomer without the electric field (denoted as A‐elastomer) is 20.1 kPa, whereas that of the elastomer with the electric field (denoted as B‐elastomer) is 101.8 kPa. The storage modulus sensitivity attains a maximum value of 4.07. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Cocontinuous phase morphology of asymmetric compositions of polypropylene/high‐density polyethylene blend by the addition of clay
Authors: Dhibar Anup K. , Kim Jin Kon , Khatua Bhanu B. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA novel method of developing cocontinuous morphology in 75/25 and 80/20 w/w polypropylene/high density polyethylene (PP/HDPE) blends in the presence of small amount (0.5 phr) of organoclay has been reported. SEM study indicated a reduction in average domain sizes (D) of disperse HDPE when PP, HDPE, and the organoclay were melt‐blended simultaneously at 200°C. However, when the two‐sequential heating protocol was employed, (that is, the organoclay was first intercalated by HDPE chains at 150°C, followed by melt blending of PP at 200°C), very interestingly a cocontinuous morphology was found even for very asymmetric blend compositions. WAXD study revealed the intercalation of both PP and HDPE chains inside the clay galleries, when PP/HDPE and clay were melt‐mixed together at 200°C. However, when the two‐sequential heating protocol was used the organoclay platelets were selectively intercalated by the HDPE chains. Addition of SEPS in the blend decreased the D of HDPE domains in both the blending methods. Thus, the observed cocontinuous morphology in asymmetric composition of PP/HDPE blend in presence of clay is because of the barrier effect of the clay platelets in the HDPE phase that restrict the phase inversion into the domain/matrix morphology. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Polymerization of ethylene: Some aspects of metallocene catalyst stabilization under homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction conditions
Authors: de Freitas A. J. D. , dos Santos J. H. Z. , Meneghetti S. M. P. , Meneghetti M. R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe development of metallocene‐based catalysts is an important advance on the study of polyolefinic materials. However, due to the rather different conditions that are established in actual applications, only around 3% of these polymers are obtained from metallocene technology. In view of this, novel strategies must be developed to produce metallocene‐based catalysts that are more thermally stable, which is a fundamental requirement to establish metallocene technologies. Homogeneous and heterogeneous polymerizations of ethylene were compared, using the Ph2C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl2/MAO system. Homogeneous polymerizations were more active than the corresponding supported reactions. At low ethylene pressure, the addition of 1‐hexene increases the activity under homogeneous conditions. Nevertheless, this is not observed on the respective supported systems. At higher pressure conditions, all polymerizations attained higher yields. However, when the reaction temperature increases the activity significantly decreases under homogeneous conditions. Furthermore, when the polymerization was performed under heterogeneous conditions the deactivation was lower. The homogeneous and supported catalytic systems show different characteristics and, in all attempted reactions, immobilization of the molecular catalyst reduces the activity. However, the deactivation ratio was lower when the polymerization was performed under heterogeneous conditions. This means that immobilization of Ph2C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl2 on silica can improve the thermal stability of the catalytic species. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Fusion bonding of supercooled poly(ethylene terephthalate) between Tg and Tm
Authors: Li Ruihua , Yao Donggang , Sun Qunhui , Deng Yulin 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBecause of its slowly crystallizing nature, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) can be supercooled into an amorphous glass by rapid quenching. Upon reheating between Tg and Tm, the amorphous PET are subjected to two competing processes: rubber softening and crystallization. Fusion bonding of two such crystallizable amorphous polymer sheets in this processing temperature window is thus a complex process, different from fusion of purely amorphous polymer above Tg or semicrystalline polymer above Tm. In this study, the interfacial morphological development during fusion bonding of supercooled PET in the temperature window between Tg and Tm was studied. A unique double‐zone interfacial morphology was observed at the bond. Transcrystals were found to nucleate at the interface and grow inward toward the bulk and appeared to induce nucleation in the bulk to form a second interfacial region. The size and morphology of the two zones were found to be significantly affected by the fusion bonding conditions, particularly the fusion temperature. The fusion bonding strength determined by the peeling test was found to be significantly affected by the state of crystallization and the morphological development at the bonding interface. Based on the interfacial morphology observed and the bonding strength measured, a fusion bonding mechanism of crystallizable amorphous polymer was proposed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
The CCL5/CCR5 axis promotes interleukin‐6 production in human synovial fibroblasts
Authors: Tang Chih‐Hsin , Hsu Chin‐Jung , Fong Yi‐Chin 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectiveCCL5 (RANTES) was originally identified as a product of activated T cells and plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response. This study was undertaken to investigate the intracellular signaling pathways involved in CCL5‐induced interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) production in human synovial fibroblasts.MethodsCCL5‐mediated IL‐6 expression was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The mechanisms of action of CCL5 in different signaling pathways were studied using Western blotting. Knockdown of CCR5 and protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) protein was achieved by transfection of small interfering RNA (siRNA). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to study in vivo binding of c‐Jun to the IL‐6 promoter. Transient transfection was used to examine IL‐6 and activator protein 1 (AP‐1) activity.ResultsOsteoarthritis synovial fibroblasts (OASFs) showed significant expression of CCL5 and CCR5, and expression was higher than that in normal synovial fibroblasts. Stimulation of OASFs with CCL5 induced concentration‐ and time‐dependent increases in IL‐6 production. CCL5‐mediated IL‐6 production was attenuated by CCR5 monoclonal antibody, CCR5 inhibitor (Met‐RANTES), and CCR5 siRNA. Pretreatment with a PKCδ inhibitor (rottlerin), a c‐Src inhibitor (PP2), or an AP‐1 inhibitor (tanshinone IIA) also blocked the potentiating action of CCL5. Treatment of OASFs with CCL5 increased the accumulation of phosphorylated c‐Jun in the nucleus, AP‐1 luciferase activity, and c‐Jun binding to the AP‐1 element on the IL‐6 promoter. CCL5‐mediated AP‐1 luciferase activity and c‐Jun binding to the AP‐1 element were inhibited by Met‐RANTES, rottlerin, and PP2.ConclusionThe present results suggest that the interaction between CCL5 and CCR5 increases IL‐6 production in human synovial fibroblasts via the PKCδ/c‐Src/c‐Jun and AP‐1 signaling pathways.
Therapeutic effect of tolerogenic dendritic cells in established collagen‐induced arthritis is associated with a reduction in Th17 responses
Authors: Stoop Jeroen N. , Harry Rachel A. , von Delwig Alexei , Isaacs John D. , Robinson John H. , Hilkens Catharien M. U. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectiveTolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen‐presenting cells with an immunosuppressive function. They are a promising immunotherapeutic tool for the attenuation of pathogenic T cell responses in autoimmune arthritis. The aims of this study were to determine the therapeutic action of tolerogenic DCs in a type II collagen–induced arthritis model and to investigate their effects on Th17 cells and other T cell subsets in mice with established arthritis.MethodsTolerogenic DCs were generated by treating bone marrow–derived DCs with dexamethasone and vitamin D3 during lipopolysaccharide‐induced maturation. Mice with established arthritis received 3 intravenous injections of tolerogenic DCs, mature DCs, or saline. Arthritis severity was monitored for up to 4 weeks after treatment. Fluorescence‐labeled tolerogenic DCs were used for in vivo trafficking studies. The in vivo effect of tolerogenic DCs on splenic T cell populations was determined by intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry.ResultsTolerogenic DCs displayed a semi‐mature phenotype, produced low levels of inflammatory cytokines, and exhibited low T cell stimulatory capacity. Upon intravenous injection into arthritic mice, tolerogenic DCs migrated to the spleen, liver, lung, feet, and draining lymph nodes. Treatment of arthritic mice with type II collagen–pulsed tolerogenic DCs, but not unpulsed tolerogenic DCs or mature DCs, significantly inhibited disease severity and progression. This improvement coincided with a significant decrease in the number of Th17 cells and an increase in the number of interleukin‐10–producing CD4+ T cells, whereas tolerogenic DC treatment had no detectable effect on Th1 cells or interleukin‐17–producing γ/δ T cells.ConclusionTreatment with type II collagen–pulsed tolerogenic DCs decreases the proportion of Th17 cells in arthritic mice and simultaneously reduces the severity and progression of arthritis.
Patients with early rheumatoid arthritis who smoke are less likely to respond to treatment with methotrexate and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors: Observations from the Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Swedish Rheumatology Register cohorts
Authors: Saevarsdottir Saedis , Wedrén Sara , Seddighzadeh Maria , Bengtsson Camilla , Wesley Annmarie , Lindblad Staffan , Askling Johan , Alfredsson Lars , Klareskog Lars 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether cigarette smoking influences the response to treatment in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsWe retrieved clinical information about patients entering the Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis (EIRA) early RA cohort from 1996 to 2006 (n = 1,998) who were also in the Swedish Rheumatology Register (until 2007). Overall, 1,430 of the 1,621 registered patients were followed up from the time of inclusion in the EIRA cohort. Of these, 873 started methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy at inclusion, and 535 later started treatment with a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor as the first biologic agent. The primary outcome was a good response according to the European League Against Rheumatism criteria at the 3‐month visit. The influence of cigarette smoking (current or past) on the response to therapy was evaluated by logistic regression, with never smokers as the referent group.ResultsCompared with never smokers, current smokers were less likely to achieve a good response at 3 months following the start of MTX (27% versus 36%; P = 0.05) and at 3 months following the start of TNF inhibitors (29% versus 43%; P = 0.03). In multivariate analyses in which clinical, serologic, and genetic factors were considered, the inverse associations between current smoking and good response remained (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for MTX response 0.60 [95% CI 0.39–0.94]; adjusted OR for TNF inhibitor response 0.52 [95% CI 0.29–0.96]). The lower likelihood of a good response remained at later followup visits. Evaluating remission or joint counts yielded similar findings. Past smoking did not affect the chance of response to MTX or TNF inhibitors. Evaluating the overall cohort, which reflects all treatments used, current smoking was similarly associated with a lower chance of a good response (adjusted ORs for the 3‐month, 6‐month, 1‐year, and 5‐year visits 0.61, 0.65, 0.78, 0.66, and 0.61, respectively).ConclusionAmong patients with early RA, current cigarette smokers are less likely to respond to MTX and TNF inhibitors.
Physical activity levels and functional performance in the osteoarthritis initiative: A graded relationship
Authors: Dunlop Dorothy D. , Song Jing , Semanik Pamela A. , Sharma Leena , Chang Rowland W. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectivePhysical activity improves function in adults with arthritis, but it is unknown if there is a graded relationship between physical activity and functional benefit. This study was undertaken to examine the cross‐sectional and longitudinal relationship between self‐reported physical activity and observed functional performance in adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsThe Osteoarthritis Initiative cohort included 2,589 patients with knee OA (2,301 with longitudinal followup data) who were ages 45–79 years at baseline. Prospective annual functional performance was assessed for 2 years using timed 20‐meter walk tests. We used linear regression to estimate differences across physical activity quartiles in subsequent function (baseline and 1‐year activity predicts 1‐year and 2‐year function, respectively) adjusted for demographic factors (age, sex, race/ethnicity, education level, and marital status) and health factors (OA severity, knee symptoms, knee pain, knee injury, body mass index, comorbidity, depression, smoking, alcohol use, and other joint pain).ResultsIncreasing physical activity levels had a significant graded relationship to functional performance. Adults in physical activity quartile groups from least active to most active had an average gait speed of 4.0, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.5 feet/second, respectively, at baseline (P for trend < 0.001) and 4.0, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.5 feet/second, respectively, after 1 year (P for trend < 0.001); increasing trends remained significant after adjusting for covariates. Findings were similar within sex and age groups.ConclusionThese prospective data indicate a consistent graded relationship between physical activity level and better performance in adults with knee OA. These findings support guidelines that encourage patients with arthritis who cannot attain minimum recommended physical activity to be as active as possible.
Involvement of PPARα and PPARγ in apoptosis and proliferation of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells
Authors: Maggiora Marina , Oraldi Manuela , Muzio Giuliana , Canuto Rosa Angela 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs) mediate the effects of various ligands, known as peroxisome proliferators, a heterogeneous class of compounds including industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biomolecules such as fatty acids and eicosanoids. Among peroxisome proliferators, fibrate derivatives are considered specific ligands for PPARα, whereas eicosanoids, such as PGJ2, for PPARγ. The study aimed to clarify the relation between PPARs and apoptosis or proliferation on the same type of cells, using clofibrate as specific ligand of PPARα and PGJ2 as specific ligand of PPARγ. The cells used were human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. The results showed that PPARα protein content increased in HepG2 cells treated with clofibrate, causing apoptosis in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent way, as evidenced by the citofluorimetric assay and determination of BAD, myc and protein phosphatase 2A protein content. It also emerged that PPARγ increased in the same cells when treated with a specific ligand of this PPAR; in this case the increase of PPARγ did not cause an increase of apoptosis, but a time‐ and concentration‐dependent inhibition of cell proliferation, evidenced by decreased cell numbers and increased number of cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cycle. It may be concluded that PPARα is chiefly related to apoptosis and PPARγ to cell proliferation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
C‐terminal neurofilament phosphorylation fosters neurofilament–neurofilament associations that compete with axonal transport
Authors: Lee Sangmook , Sunil Neethu , Shea Thomas B. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractNeurofilaments (NFs) associate with each other and with other cytoskeletal elements to form a lattice that supports the mature axon. Phosphorylation contributes to formation of this structure by fostering cation‐dependent interactions among NF sidearms. By inducing NF bundling, phosphorylation impedes their axonal transport. To examine the impact of the known NF kinase cdk5 on these phenomena, transfected cells with constructs expressing GFP‐tagged NF‐H sidearms (lacking the rod domain to preclude assembly) with and without site‐directed mutagenesis of 7 cdk5 consensus sites, and monitored the impact on NF transport and association with the axonal NF bundle. These mutations did not alter transport but pseudo‐phosphorylated mutants displayed a greater association with axonal NF bundles. By contrast, these same mutations in full‐length NF‐H altered NF transport as well as bundling. Since isolated sidearms cannot assemble, they can only interact with NFs via a single sidearm–sidearm interaction, while assembled NFs can form multiple such interactions. These finding suggest that individual sidearm–sidearm interactions are dynamic and do not persist long enough to slow NF transport, and that bundle formation and maintenance depends upon both the long half‐life of NF polymers and the establishment of multiple phosphorylation‐dependent sidearm‐mediated interactions among NFs. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Target Profiling of a Small Library of Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) Inhibitors using Chemical Proteomics
Authors: Raijmakers Reinout , Dadvar Poupak , Pelletier Sarah , Gouw Joost , Rumpel Klaus , Heck Albert J. R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractInhibitors of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) are widely used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. The commercially available inhibitors are effective, well‐tolerated drugs, but differ in their phosphodiesterase specificity. To explore and manipulate the specificity of PDE5 inhibitors, a small library of four inhibitors was synthesized using the structure of known PDE5 inhibitors as a scaffold. Their inhibitory potency towards PDE5 and related family members was evaluated. Next, they were immobilized on a matrix to perform affinity pull‐down assays in rat testis tissue, followed by mass spectrometric (MS) analysis. By using unique peptide spectral counts of identified proteins in the MS analysis, we were able to assess the relative binding of these inhibitors to a large set of proteins, allowing the determination of their selectivity profiles in vitro. For selected proteins of interest, the results were verified using quantitative isotopic dimethyl labeling and immunoblotting, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). For the PDE5 inhibitors, our data reveal that even slight chemical modifications can bias their selectivity significantly towards other interacting proteins, opening up the potential of these compounds to be used as scaffolds for the development of inhibitors for new protein targets. In a broad sense, we demonstrate that the combination of chemical proteomics and unique peptide spectral counting allows for the confident and facile analysis of the differential interactome of bioactive small molecules.
Elevated plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 levels predict decreased survival in castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients
Authors: Oh William K. , Vargas Roberto , Jacobus Susanna , Leitzel Kim , Regan Meredith M. , Hamer Peter , Pierce Karen , Brown‐Shimer Sheryl , Carney Walter , Ali Suhail M. , Kantoff Philip W. , Lipton Allan 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND.Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) has paradoxical multifunctional roles in tumorigenesis: inhibition of the catalytic activity of matrix metalloproteinases and apoptosis as well as promotion of angiogenesis and tumor growth. Elevated TIMP‐1 levels have been associated with a poorer prognosis in multiple cancers.METHODS.Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid plasma TIMP‐1 was determined in 362 castration‐resistant prostate cancer (PC) patients using a TIMP‐1 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. All patients with castration‐resistant PC and available plasma were identified from an institutional database. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox modeling on plasma TIMP‐1 tertiles.RESULTS.Patients were evaluated in pilot (n = 60) and primary (n = 302) sets. Median follow‐up from diagnosis was 5.8 and 6.6 years, respectively. Median plasma TIMP‐1 levels were 335 and 183 ng/mL in the pilot and primary sets, respectively. Overall survival was significantly shorter with each higher tertile of TIMP‐1 in both datasets (P<.001). For the primary cohort, hazard ratio of (HR) death and median survival by plasma TIMP‐1 tertile levels were: low, HR 1.0, 43 months; middle, HR 1.7, 27 months; high, HR 2.4, 19 months. In the primary set, significant covariates in the adjusted Cox regression model were: TIMP‐1 level (mid or high vs low tertile), prostate‐specific antigen (>20 vs ≤20 ng/mL), alkaline phosphatase (>102 vs ≤102 U/L), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (1 + vs 0), and Gleason score (7 or 8 vs ≤6).CONCLUSIONS.Elevated plasma TIMP‐1 levels predicted decreased survival in metastatic castration‐resistant PC patients, independent of known prognostic markers. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.