bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of fine structure and edge sharpness in fast‐spin‐echo carotid wall imaging: Measurements and comparison with multiple‐spin‐echo in normal and atherosclerotic subjects
Authors: Biasiolli Luca , Lindsay Alistair C. , Choudhury Robin P. , Robson Matthew D. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractPurpose:To test whether the k‐space acquisition strategy used by fast‐spin‐echo (FSE) is a major source of blurring in carotid wall and plaque imaging, and investigate an alternative acquisition approach.Materials and Methods:The effect of echo train length (ETL) and T2 on the amount of blurring was studied in FSE simulations of vessel images. Edge sharpness was measured in black‐blood T1 and proton‐density weighted (T1W and PDW) carotid images acquired from 5 normal volunteers and 19 asymptomatic patients using both FSE and multiple‐spin‐echo (Multi‐SE) sequences at 3 Tesla. Plaque images were classified and divided in group α (tissues' average T2 ∼40–70 ms) and group β (plaque components with shorter T2).Results:Simulations predicted 26.9% reduction of vessel edge sharpness from Multi‐SE to FSE images (ETL = 9, T2 = 60 ms). This agreed with in vivo measurements in normal volunteers (27.4%) and in patient group α (26.2%), while in group β the loss was higher (31.6%).Conclusion:FSE significantly reduced vessel edge sharpness along the phase‐encoding direction in T1W and PDW images. Blurring was stronger in the presence of plaque components with short T2 times. This study shows a limitation of FSE and the potential of Multi‐SE to improve the quality of carotid imaging. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:1136–1143. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of the bone morphogenetic protein binding protein spp24 (secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD) on the growth of human lung cancer cells
Authors: Lee Kwang‐Bok , Murray Samuel S. , Duarte M. Eugenia L. , Spitz Juliana F. , Johnson Jared S. , Song Kyung‐Jin , Brochmann Elsa J. , Taghavi Cyrus E. , Keorochana Gun , Liao Jen‐Chung , Wang Jeffrey C. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) contribute to the growth of some skeletal metastases through autocrine stimulation. Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kDa (spp24) has been shown to bind to both BMP‐2 and TGF‐β and to markedly inhibit the osteogenic properties of rhBMP‐2. We hypothesized that the addition of spp24 would sequester autocrine growth factors (especially BMP‐2) and reduce tumor growth in a system (A549 human non‐small cell lung cancer cell line) where autocrine stimulation by BMP‐2 is known to be important. A549 cells were injected into two sites (subcutaneous and intraosseus) in SCID mice with and without the co‐injection of BMP‐2 and spp24. Tumor growth after 8 weeks was assessed through gross examination, radiological imaging, and histological analysis. Spp24 attenuated the tumor growth enhancing effects of rhBMP‐2 and reduced the tumor growth when added to tumor cells that were not treated with BMP‐2. We conclude that spp24 can reduce A549 cell tumor growth in both soft tissue and intraosseus environments. We hypothesize that the mechanism for this inhibition is interruption of autocrine stimulation through the sequestration of BMP‐2. Spp24 can be developed into a therapeutic agent that can be employed in clinical situations where the inhibitions of BMPs and related proteins is advantageous. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1712–1718, 2011
Characterization of a Technosol developed from deposited flue‐dust slurry and release of inorganic contaminants
Authors: Rennert Thilo , Kaufhold Stephan , Händel Matthias , Schuth Stephan , Meißner Sylvia , Totsche Kai U. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA flue dust originaly enriched in metal sulfides evolved as a by‐product of Cu smelting. The dust was deposited as slurry in unsealed heaps. It is characterized by very high contents of toxic metals such as Pb and Zn. The slurry is a source of soil, sediment, and water contamination. We studied a Technosol profile developed from deposited flue‐dust slurry by means of chemical and mineralogical characterization (SEM‐EDX, XRD, FTIR, DTA‐MS, XRF, Pb isotopes), by open‐flow and closed‐flow column experiments on contaminant release under water‐saturated conditions, and by geochemical modeling to evaluate release processes and to quantify aqueous contaminant concentrations. Besides ash particles and quartz, the flue‐dust slurry contains Fe oxides, silicates, sulfates, and sulfides (in varying states of weathering). In both column approaches, metal concentrations exceed inspection values. The concentration patterns in both experimental column approaches indicate near‐equilibrium mineral dissolution. Geochemical modeling reveals partial dissolution of sulfates and precipitation of secondary carbonates. Their precipitation prevents complete sulfate dissolution, which would have led to even higher aqueous metal concentrations and contaminant export. The combination of detailed material characterization, column experiments, and modeling allows for quantitative and qualitative estimation of contaminant release into the soil solution.
Development and validation of an HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of tocopherols, tocotrienols and carotenoids in cereals after solid‐phase extraction
Authors: Irakli Maria N. , Samanidou Victoria F. , Papadoyannis Ioannis N. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe increasing interest in antioxidant properties of cereal and cereal‐based products has prompted the development of a simple and reliable HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of important phytochemicals like tocopherols (T), tocotrienols (T3) and carotenoids. Separation was carried out on a Nucleosil 100 C18 column, 5 μm (250 mm×4.6 mm) thermostated at 25°C, using a linear gradient elution system starting with methanol and ending with a mixture of methanol–isopropanol–acetonitrile. All separated compounds including the internal standard (α‐tocopherol acetate) were eluted within 16 min and detected by dual detection: fluorescence for tocopherols and tocotrienols at 290 nm excitation and 320 nm emission and UV–vis photodiode array detection for lutein and β‐carotene at 450 nm. Detection limits ranged from 0.2 μg/g (β‐carotene) to 1.60 μg/g (α‐tocopherol). The intra‐ and inter‐assay coefficients of variation were calculated by using cereals with different levels of lipophilic antioxidants. The extraction method involved sample saponification and clean‐up by solid‐phase extraction (SPE). The extraction recoveries obtained using OASIS HLB SPE cartridges and dichloromethane as eluent were in the range of 90.2–110.1%, with RSD lower than 10%. The method was successfully applied to cereals: durum wheat, bread wheat, rice, barley, oat, rye, corn and triticale.
Quantitation of free and total bisphenol A in human urine using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Fox Stephen D. , Falk Roni T. , Veenstra Timothy D. , Issaq Haleem J. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBisphenol A (BPA) is employed in the synthesis of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins and is widely used in consumer products including as a coating for the inside of almost all food and beverage containers and thermal‐imaging paper. Bisphenol A is considered to have important health implications because it possesses weak estrogenic activity and can leach from storage containers resulting in its consumption by both humans and animals. It is metabolized in the body and excreted into urine as a glucuronide derivative. In this report, we present an accurate, selective, sensitive, and reproducible high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) method for the quantitation of BPA in human urine, which is not prone to exogenous contamination. BPA‐glucuronide is hydrolyzed enzymatically, extracted with toluene, derivatized with dansyl chloride, and the BPA‐(dansyl)2 derivative is analyzed using reversed‐phase HPLC/MS/MS. Calibration was linear to 50 ng/mL with a limit of quantitation of 50 pg/mL and a limit of detection of 5 pg/mL.
Thermoresponsiveness of Integrated Ultra‐Thin Silicon with Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogels
Authors: Yu Cunjiang , Pan Yuping , Ma Huan , Ma Teng , Zhang Jiaping , Song Yanmei , Kalani M. Yashar S. , Dai Lenore , Jiang Hanqing 
Published: April 2011

AbstractStimuli‐sensitive polymer materials have limited device functionality, design and manufacturing flexibility although they are pushed to enable smart device applications. Here we demonstrate the capability of integrating thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels with silicon nanoribbons, and enable the stiff silicon ribbons to become adaptive and drivable by the soft environmentally sensitive substrate, such as becoming mechanically stretched and compressed on temperature change. These and related soft/hard smart devices and systems may open new opportunities in biomedical applications. magnified image
Polymer Brushes by the “Grafting to” Method
Authors: Zdyrko Bogdan , Luzinov Igor 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis paper focuses on the attachment of densely grafted polymer layers (polymer brushes) to various inorganic and polymeric substrates by the “grafting to” method. A brief overview of synthesis of polymer brushes by the method is first provided, with emphasis on chemical approaches to polymer attachment. The second part of the paper covers the synthesis of polymer layers via a recently developed macromolecular anchoring layer approach. Several examples of application of the grafting technique are presented for generation of hydrophobic, hydrophilic, gradient, and switchable surfaces. magnified image
Modulation of dysarthropneumophonia by low‐frequency STN DBS in advanced Parkinson's disease
Authors: Moreau Caroline , Pennel‐Ployart Odile , Pinto Serge , Plachez Audrey , Annic Agnes , Viallet François , Destée Alain , Defebvre Luc 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackground:Parkinsonian dysarthria (as typically characterized by hypophonia, monotony of pitch, and rhythm abnormalities) is often accompanied by gait disturbances. The long‐term effect of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) on dysarthria remains unclear.Methods:Given STN DBS's known improvement of gait disorders, we analyzed speech intelligibility and aerodynamic and acoustic parameters in 11 advanced PD patients in three double‐blind, randomized conditions: “defined Off,” 60 Hz STN DBS and 130 Hz STN DBS.Results:An improvement in aerodynamic speech parameters during 60 Hz STN DBS was accompanied by significant clinical benefit.Conclusions:Chronic treatment with low‐frequency STN DBS may have a beneficial impact on dysarthropneumophonia, even in advanced PD patients. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Wine drinking and essential tremor: A possible protective role
Authors: Nicoletti Alessandra , Mostile Giovanni , Cappellani Roberto , Contrafatto Donatella , Arabia Gennarina , Lamberti Paolo , Marconi Roberto , Morgante Letterio , Barone Paolo , Quattrone Aldo , Zappia Mario 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible association of cigarette smoking, coffee drinking, and wine consumption with essential tremor using a matched case–control design. Cases and controls were enrolled from 6 Movement Disorder centers in central‐southern Italy. Essential tremor was diagnosed according to Bain's criteria. Three unrelated healthy controls (not affected by neurological disorders) per each enrolled case, matched by sex and age (±5 years), were selected. A standardized questionnaire was administered to record demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data. All cases and controls underwent a standard neurological examination. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using conditional logistic regression for the matched cases and controls. Eighty‐three patients with essential tremor (38 men and 45 women; mean age, 68.2 ± 8.6 years) and 245 matched control subjects (113 men and 132 women; mean age, 68.4 ± 9.7 years) were enrolled in the study. Multivariate analysis showed a significant negative association between essential tremor and wine consumption preceding the onset of disease (adjusted odds ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.08–0.64; P = .0005) with a significant dose effect (1–2 glass of wine per day: odds ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.10–0.95; P = .04; more than 3 glass of wine per day: odds ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.03–0.62; P = .01). In our sample no association between essential tremor and cigarette smoking or coffee drinking was found. Our data suggest a negative association between wine drinking and essential tremor, which could be explained by the long‐term neuroprotective effect of its antioxidant components. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Experimental and theoretical NMR and IR studies of the side‐chain orientation effects on the backbone conformation of dehydrophenylalanine residue
Authors: Buczek Aneta M. , Ptak Tomasz , Kupka Teobald , Broda Małgorzata A. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractConformation of N‐acetyl‐(E)‐dehydrophenylalanine N′, N′‐dimethylamide (Ac‐(E)‐ΔPhe‐NMe2) in solution, a member of (E)‐α, β‐dehydroamino acids, was studied by NMR and infrared spectroscopy and the results were compared with those obtained for (Z) isomer. To support the spectroscopic interpretation, the ϕ, ψ potential energy surfaces were calculated at the MP2/6‐31 + G(d,p) level of theory in chloroform solution modeled by the self‐consistent reaction field‐polarizable continuum model method. All minima were fully optimized by the MP2 method and their relative stabilities were analyzed in terms of π‐conjugation, internal H‐bonds and dipole interactions between carbonyl groups. The obtained NMR spectral features were compared with theoretical nuclear magnetic shieldings, calculated using Gauge Independent Atomic Orbitals (GIAO) approach and rescaled to theoretical chemical shifts using benzene as reference. The calculated indirect nuclear spin‐spin coupling constants were compared with available experimental parameters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Whether, when, and who to disclose bad news to patients with cancer: a survey in 150 pairs of hospitalized patients with cancer and family members in China
Authors: Li Juan , Yuan* Xiang Lin , Gao Xian Hua , Yang Xiao Mei , Jing Peng , Yu Shi Ying 
Published: April 2011

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to determine how to disclose bad news to patients with cancer in China.MethodsOne hundred fifty pairs of hospitalized patients and their family members were investigated using a self‐designed questionnaire.ResultsMore patients than their families believed that patients should be informed of their illnesses (98.0% vs 66.7%, p < 0.001), that patients should be informed of their condition completely (69.3% vs 18.7%, p < 0.001), that patients should be informed as soon as the diagnoses were confirmed (49.3% vs 14.7%, p < 0.001), and that patients should be informed by doctors (55.3% vs 10.7%, p < 0.001). κ coefficients between patients and their families on “whether, when and who to disclose” ranged from −0.084 to 0.004. Univariate logistic analyses demonstrated that farmer patients and patients with lower education and lower income were less likely to prefer to be informed completely; farmer patients and patients without an intended curative operation history were less likely to prefer to be informed immediately and directly by doctors. Multivariate analyses showed that farmer patients were less likely to prefer to be informed completely, immediately, and directly by doctors.ConclusionsThere was poor or slight concordance in disclosure preferences between patients with cancer and their families. More patients than their families wanted to be informed completely, immediately, and directly by doctors. Farmer patients with cancer were less likely to prefer to be informed completely, immediately, and directly by doctors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An inferential procedure for the probability of passing the USP dissolution test
Authors: Chiang Chieh , Chen Chen‐Fang , Huang Meng‐Yang , Liu Jen‐Pei 
Published: April 2011

AbstractDissolution is one of the tests that is required and specified by the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary (USP/NF) to ensure that the drug products meet the standards of the identity, strength, quality, purity, and stability. The sponsors also establish the in‐house specifications for the mean and standard deviation of the dissolution rates to guarantee a high probability of passing the USP/NF dissolution test. However, the USP/NF dissolution test is a complicated three‐stage sampling plan that involves both the sample mean dissolution rate of all units and the dissolution rate of individual units. It turns out that the true probability of passing the USP/NF dissolution is formidable to compute analytically even when the population mean and variance of dissolution rates are known. It is not clear that previously proposed methods are the estimators of the true probability for passing the USP dissolution test. Therefore, we propose to employ a parametric bootstrap method in conjunction with the Monte Carlo simulation to obtain the sampling distribution of the estimated probabilities of passing the USP/NF dissolution test and hence the confidence interval for the passing probability. In addition, a procedure is proposed to test whether the true probability of passing the USP/NF dissolution test is greater than some specified value. A numerical example illustrates the proposed method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Amphiphilic Polythiophene for Cell Imaging and Monitoring the Cellular Distribution of a Cisplatin Anticancer Drug
Authors: Tang Hongwei , Xing Chengfen , Liu Libing , Yang Qiong , Wang Shu 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA new amphiphilic conjugated polythiophene derivative (PT–Boc) is synthesized via Suzuki coupling reaction. The amphiphilic characteristic makes it form nanoaggregates in water, in which hydrophobic moieties come together to form the inner core. The polymer shows good photostability and no toxicity to human lung epithelial (A549) cells even at a high concentration (100 μg mL−1). It therefore meets the crucial requirement for cellular imaging and other biological applications. The anticancer drug cisplatin is used as a model, and is linked to polythiophene to obtain a conjugate ‘PT–Pt’ by coordinated interactions between cisplatin and the amine groups of the polythiophene side chain. The PT–Pt can be used for monitoring the cellular distribution of cisplatin by fluorescence microscopy. The amphiphilic polythiophene provides a platform for fluorescent imaging of drugs and biological molecules in living cells.
Probing the Collapse Dynamics of Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Brushes by AFM: Effects of Co‐nonsolvency and Grafting Densities
Authors: Sui Xiaofeng , Chen Qi , Hempenius Mark A. , Vancso G. Julius 
Published: April 2011

AbstractCollapse of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) brushes in the mixed solvent system (water/methanol 50% v/v) is studied by in‐situ atomic‐force microscopy (AFM). PNIPAM brushes with three different grafting densities and similar chain lengths are synthesized via surface‐initiated atom‐transfer radical polymerization. By changing the solvent from water to a water/methanol (50% v/v) mixture, the polymer brushes switch from a swollen to collapsed state. AFM force measurements using a silica colloidal probe attached to the tip are employed to obtain the Young’s moduli of the polymer brushes in different solvation states. The collapse dynamics of the brush is followed by monitoring the pull‐off force (adherence) in situ. The modulus of the swollen high‐density polymer brush is four times lower than that of the same brush in the collapsed state. It is shown that in the case of the high‐density polymer brush with a thickness (tin water) of 900 nm, the collapse takes place in a time scale of ~25 s, whereas the collapse occurs faster for the medium‐density brush (tin water = 630 nm) and much more rapidly for the low‐density brush (tin water = 80 nm). This difference in the response kinetics is primarily ascribed to the time needed for solvent exchange in the polymer brushes.
Vaults Engineered for Hydrophobic Drug Delivery
Authors: Buehler Daniel C. , Toso Daniel B. , Kickhoefer Valerie A. , Zhou Z. Hong , Rome Leonard H. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe vault nanoparticle is one of the largest known ribonucleoprotein complexes in the sub‐100 nm range. Highly conserved and almost ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotes, vaults form a large nanocapsule with a barrel‐shaped morphology surrounding a large hollow interior. These properties make vaults an ideal candidate for development into a drug delivery vehicle. In this study, the first example of using vaults towards this goal is reported. Recombinant vaults are engineered to encapsulate the highly insoluble and toxic hydrophobic compound all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) using a vault‐binding lipoprotein complex that forms a lipid bilayer nanodisk. These recombinant vaults offer protection to the encapsulated ATRA from external elements. Furthermore, a cryo‐electron tomography (cryo‐ET) reconstruction shows the vault‐binding lipoprotein complex sequestered within the vault lumen. Finally, these ATRA‐loaded vaults show enhanced cytotoxicity against the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. The ability to package therapeutic compounds into the vault is an important achievement toward their development into a viable and versatile platform for drug delivery.
D‐cycloserine facilitates extinction of cocaine self‐administration in c57 mice
Authors: Thanos Panayotis K. , Subrize Mike , Lui Wendy , Puca Zachary , Ananth Mala , Michaelides Michael , Wang Gene‐Jack , Volkow Nora D. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Cocaine is a highly addictive drug of abuse for which there are currently no medications. In rats and mice d‐cycloserine (DCS), a partial NMDA agonist, accelerates extinction of cocaine seeking behavior. Since cues delay extinction here, we evaluated the effects d‐cycloserine in extinction with and without the presence of cues. Methods: Two doses of DCS (15 and 30 mg/kg) were studied in C57 mice. Mice self‐administered cocaine (1 mg/kg) for 2 weeks and then underwent a 20‐day extinction period where DCS was administered i.p. immediately following each daily session. Extinction was conducted in some mice with the presence of cocaine‐paired cues; while others were in the absence of these cues. Results: DCS treated mice (either dose) showed significantly reduced lever pressing during extinction with cue exposures when compared with vehicle treated mice. Without cues, animals showed much lower levels of lever pressing but the differences between vehicle and DCS were not significant. Conclusion: DCS accelerated extinction with the presence of cues, but there were no differences on extinction without cues as compared with vehicle. These findings are consistent with DCS disrupting the memory process associated with the cues. Since drug cues are significantly involved in relapse, these findings support research to assess the therapeutic potential of DCS in cocaine addiction. Synapse 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.