bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutlin‐3 enhances sorafenib efficacy in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Vatsyayan Rit , Singhal Jyotsana , Nagaprashantha Lokesh Dalasanur , Awasthi Sanjay , Singhal Sharad S. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the top 10 cancers in USA. The renal tumors are highly angiogenic and are resistant to conventional interventions, particularly radiotherapy. The advent of multi‐specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib has improved the progression‐free survival in RCC, but overall survival in recurrent and metastatic RCC is still a concern that has lead to characterization of combinatorial regimens. Hence, we studied the effect of combination of nutlin‐3, an MDM2 inhibitor, which increases p53 levels, and sorafenib in RCC. Sorafenib along with nutlin‐3 synergistically inhibited the cell survival and enhanced caspase‐3 cleavage leading to apoptosis in RCC. Nutlin‐3 and sorafenib were more effective in reducing the migration of RCC, in combination than as single agents. Sorafenib and nutlin‐3 decreased the phosphorylation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 (VEGFR‐2) and ERK along with inducing p53 activity. The sorafenib and nutlin‐3 co‐treatment lead to enhanced levels of p53, p‐p53, and increase in the levels of p53 pro‐apoptotic effector PUMA, Bax, and decrease in the anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 levels. Importantly, our studies revealed that sorafenib alone can activate p53 in a concentration dependent manner. Thus, co‐treatment of nutlin‐3 with sorafenib leads to increased half‐life of p53, which in turn can be activated by sorafenib, to induce downstream pro‐apoptotic and anti‐proliferative effects. This is the first report showing the synergistic effect of sorafenib and nutlin‐3 while providing a strong clinical‐translational rationale for further testing of sorafenib and nutlin‐3 combinatorial regimen in human RCC. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Minimally invasive peripheral nerve surgery: Peroneal nerve neurolysis
Authors: Ducic Ivica , Felder John M. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground: Both patients and surgeons recognize the value of procedures that minimize scarring and tissue dissection. No previous reports have described a minimally invasive technique for peroneal nerve neurolysis, or evaluated its safety. Methods: The senior author's technique for a minimally invasive approach to neurolysis of the common, superficial, and deep peroneal nerves is presented. Safety of the technique was determined by review of records of all patients undergoing this procedure from 2003–2011, looking for major complications. Results: Using the minimally invasive approach to peroneal nerve neurolysis, average skin incision size is 3.5 cm for the common peroneal nerve, 4 cm for the superficial peroneal nerve, and 2.5 cm for the deep peroneal nerve. In 400 patients undergoing 679 total procedures, there were no nerve injuries, postoperative neuromas, or adjacent structures harmed. Conclusions: Peroneal nerve neurolysis can be accomplished safely and effectively via a minimal skin incision, improving aesthetic results and decreasing possible scar‐related complications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
Contralateral C7 nerve root transfer to neurotize the upper trunk via a modified prespinal route in repair of brachial plexus avulsion injury
Authors: Wang Shufeng , Yiu Hon‐Wan , Li Pengcheng , Li Yucheng , Wang Haihua , Pan Yongwei 
Published: October 2011

AbstractPurpose: In this report, we present our experience on the repair of brachial plexus root avulsion injuries with the use of contralateral C7 nerve root transfers with nerve grafting through a modified prespinal route. Methods: The outcomes of the contralateral C7 nerve root transfer to neurotize the upper trunk and C5/C6 nerve roots of the total or near total brachial plexus nerve root avulsion injury in a series of 41 patients were evaluated. The contralateral C7 nerve root that was dissected to the distal end of the divisions, along with the sural nerve graft, were placed underneath the anterior scalene and longus colli muscles, and then passed through the retro‐esophageal space to neurotize the recipient nerve. The mean length of the dissected contralateral C7 nerve root was 6.5 ± 0.7 cm, and the mean length of sural nerve graft was 6.8 ± 1.9 cm. The suprascapular nerve was neurotized additionally by the phrenic nerve or the terminal motor branch of accessory nerve in some patients. Results: The mean length of the follow‐up was 47.2 ± 14.5 months. The muscle strength was graded M4 or M3 for the biceps muscle in 85.4% of patients, for the deltoid muscle in 82.9% of patients, and for the upper parts of pectoral major in 92.7% of patients. The functional recovery of shoulder abduction in the patients with the additional suprascapular nerve neurotization was remarkably improved. Conclusions: The modified prespinal route could significantly reduced the length of nerve graft in the contralateral C7 nerve root transfer to the injured upper trunk in brachial plexus root avulsion injury, and it may improve the functional outcomes, which deserves further investigations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
Application of automated eightfold suppression of water and ethanol signals in 1H NMR to provide sensitivity for analyzing alcoholic beverages
Authors: Monakhova Yulia B. , Schäfer Hartmut , Humpfer Eberhard , Spraul Manfred , Kuballa Thomas , Lachenmeier Dirk W. 
Published: October 2011

The 400 MHz 1H NMR analysis of alcoholic beverages using standard pulse programs lacks the necessary sensitivity to detect minor constituents such as methanol, acetaldehyde or ethyl acetate. This study investigates the application of a shaped pulse sequence during the relaxation delay to suppress the eight 1H NMR frequencies of water and ethanol (the OH singlet of both water and ethanol, as well as the CH2 quartet and CH3 triplet of ethanol). The sequence of reference measurement for frequency determination followed by the suppression experiment is controlled by a macro in the acquisition software so that a measurement under full automation is possible (12 min per sample total time). Additionally, sample preparation was optimized to avoid precipitation, which is facilitated by 1 : 1 dilution with ethanol and pH 7.4 buffer.Compared with the standard water presaturation pulse program, the eightfold suppression allowed a significantly higher setting of receiver gain without receiver overflow, which significantly increased the signal‐to‐noise ratio by an average factor of 10. The signal intensities increased by a factor of 20. The resulting limits of detection (below 1 g/hl of pure alcohol) now allow the control of legal requirements for minor compounds in alcoholic beverages. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subclinical autonomic dysfunction in spinobulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy disease)
Authors: Rocchi Camilla , Greco Viviana , Urbani Andrea , Di Giorgio Alessandra , Priori Marina , Massa Roberto , Bernardi Giorgio , Marfia Girolama A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Spinobulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an inherited adult‐onset motor neuron disease caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine tract within the androgen receptor. Autonomic nervous system involvement (ANS) is not considered part of SBMA. The aim of this study was to assess autonomic cardiovascular function in 5 SBMA patients. Methods: Five quantitative autonomic function tests (AFTs) were performed in 5 SBMA patients. Plasma noradrenaline (NA) concentration in patients and in 5 healthy subjects was also measured. Results: AFTs were abnormal in 4 of the 5 patients, and plasma NA concentration was significantly reduced in patients with respect to controls. Conclusion: The impairment of cardiovascular responses to AFTs in addition to reduced plasma NA concentration observed in our patients suggests subclinical involvement of the ANS in Kennedy disease. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Knee extensor strength exhibits potential to predict function in sporadic inclusion‐body myositis
Authors: Lowes Linda Pax , Alfano Lindsay , Viollet Laurence , Rosales Xiomara Quintero , Sahenk Zarife , Kaspar Brian K. , Reed Clark K. , Flanigan Kevin M. , Mendell Jerry R. , McDermott Michael P. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIntroduction: In this study we address the challenging issue of potential use of muscle strength to predict function in clinical trials. This has immediate relevance to translational studies that attempt to improve quadriceps strength in sporadic inclusion‐body myositis (sIBM). Methods: Maximum voluntary isometric contraction testing as a measure of muscle strength and a battery of functional outcomes were tested in 85 ambulatory subjects with sIBM. Results: Marked quadriceps weakness was noted in all patients. Strength was correlated with distance walked at 2 and 6 minutes. Additional correlations were found with time to get up from a chair, climb stairs, and step up on curbs. Conclusions: Quadriceps (knee extensor) strength correlated with performance in this large cohort of sIBM subjects, which demonstrated its potential to predict function in this disease. These data provide initial support for use of muscle strength as a surrogate for function, although validation in a clinical trial is required. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Time‐course analysis of injured skeletal muscle suggests a critical involvement of ERK1/2 signaling in the acute inflammatory response
Authors: Szelenyi Eric r. , Urso Maria l. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIntroduction: The coupling and timing of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory processes in skeletal muscle injury is poorly understood. We investigated the temporal response and regulated processes of extracellular signal–regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), p38, and IkappaB kinase (IKK) α/β signaling pathways after traumatic injury. Methods: Traumatic freeze injury was delivered to the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle in C57BL/6J mice, and injured and uninjured TA muscles were analyzed 3–72 h into the recovery period. Results: Significant increases in pro‐inflammatory cytokine transcription accompanied IKKβ phosphorylation, robust ERK pathway activation, and reduced heat shock protein (Hsp) protein expression at 3–24 h. At 24 h, ERK activation was abolished concomitantly with a significant increase in mitogen‐activated protein kinase phosphatase‐1 (MKP‐1). After 24 h, cytokine transcription along with ERK1/2 and IKKβ phosphorylation remained suppressed, whereas Hsp protein expression rose to significant levels by 72 h and associated with IKKβ. Conclusions: Results indicate a bimodal regulation of ERK1/2 in acute inflammation in which it is supportive from 3 to 24 h, and suppressive from 24 to 72 h. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Autosomal recessive Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy caused by a novel mutation (R225Q) in the lamin A/C gene identified by exome sequencing
Authors: Jimenez‐Escrig Adriano , Gobernado Isabel , Garcia‐Villanueva Mercedes , Sanchez‐Herranz Antonio 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIntroduction: The aim of this study is to describe a new mutation in the LMNA gene diagnosed by whole exome sequencing. Methods: A two‐generation kindred with recessive limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy was evaluated by exome sequencing of the proband's DNA. Results: Exome sequencing disclosed 194,618 variants (170,196 SNPs, 8482 MNPs, 7466 insertions, 8307 deletions, and 167 mixed combinations); 71,328 were homozygotic and 123,290 were heterozygotic, with 11,753 non‐synonymous, stop‐gain, stop‐loss, or frameshift mutations occurring in the coding region or nearby intronic region. The cross‐referencing of these mutations in candidate genes for muscular dystrophy showed a homozygote mutation c.G674A in exon 4 of LMNA causing a protein change R225Q in an arginine conserved from human to Xenopus tropicalis and in lamin B1. Conclusions: This technique will be preferred for studying patients with muscular dystrophy in the coming years. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Perfluoropolyether polymers by UV curing: design, synthesis and characterization
Authors: Bongiovanni Roberta , Medici Andrea , Zompatori Alberto , Garavaglia Silvia , Tonelli Claudio 
Published: October 2011

AbstractPerfluoropolyether (PFPE) structures can be functionalized with acrylic groups using appropriate hydrogenated acrylic monomers: the macromers obtained are highly reactive under UV irradiation, and fluorinated polymers can be obtained. In the first part of this work is described the synthesis of new PFPE (meth)acrylic oligomers by extending OH‐terminated fluorinated chains with urethane groups and reactive acrylic functions. The photopolymerization reaction of each product is then reported followed by the characterisation of the main thermal, mechanical and surface properties of UV‐cured coatings. The polymers have good thermal resistance and fair mechanical and chemical resistance. More interestingly they show very low refractive index and low surface tension. For these latter properties the products can be advantageously used in highly demanding applications such as photonic devices and nano‐patterning. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and properties of optically clear silicone resin/epoxy resin hybrids
Authors: Zhang Ying , Yang Xin , Zhao Xiaojuan , Huang Wei 
Published: October 2011

AbstractOptically clear silicone/epoxy hybrid resins were synthesized. The silicone resin (SiR) carrying SiH, SiCHCH2 and SiOH groups was prepared by hydrolytic condensation. The blends of SiR and diglycidyl ether of hydrogenated bisphenol A (DGEHBA) were cured through platinum‐catalyzed hydrosilylation and aluminium acetylacetonate‐catalyzed polymerization. The curing process was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and rigid‐body pendulum rheometry. It was found that the ratio of SiR to DGEHBA plays a major role in the curing process. The SiOH groups of SiR assist polymerization of DGEHBA, and react with the epoxy resin to prevent phase separation. The cured hybrid resins are single‐phase materials with a transmittance of about 87% at 400 nm for a thickness of 3 mm using air as reference. UV resistance and thermal stability of the hybrids are largely dependent on the composition. The adhesive strength of the SiRs can be significantly improved by a small fraction of DGEHBA, with a marginal influence on UV resistance. However, increasing the epoxy proportion has a marked negative influence on thermal stability. Compounding stabilizers, especially thermal stabilizers, are essential, in particular for high epoxy content, if the hybrids are to be used for high‐brightness light‐emitting diode packaging. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of monomer composition on properties of copolyimides derived from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride/4,4′‐oxydianiline/1,3‐bis (4‐aminophenoxy)benzene
Authors: Wang Wei , Wang Daming , Jing Jing , Li Qingming , Jia He , Zhao Xiaogang , Chen Chunhai 
Published: October 2011

AbstractA series of uncontrolled molecular weight homopolyimides and copolyimides based on 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (s‐BPDA)/4,4′‐oxydianiline (4,4′‐ODA)/1,3‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)benzene (TPER) were synthesized. All the polyimides displayed excellent thermal stability and mechanical properties, as evidenced by dynamic thermogravimetric analysis and tensile properties testing. A singular glass transition temperature (Tg) was found for each composite from either differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) or dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), but the values determined from tan δ of DMA were much different from those determined from DSC and storage modulus (E′) of DMA. The Fox equation was used to estimate the random Tg values. Some composites exhibited re‐crystallization after quenching from the melt; upon heating, multi‐melting behavior was observed after isothermal crystallization at different temperatures. The equilibrium melting temperature was estimated using the Hoffman‐Weeks method. Additionally, DMA was conducted to obtain E′ and tan δ. Optical properties were strongly dependent on the monomer composition as evidenced by UV‐visible spectra. X‐ray diffraction was used to interpret the crystal structure. All the results indicated that composites with TPER composition ≥ 70% were dominated by the TPER/s‐BPDA polyimide phase, and ≤40% by the 4,4′‐ODA/s‐BPDA polyimide phase. When the ratio between the two diamines was close to 1:1, the properties of the copolyimides were very irregular, which means a complicated internal structure. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparative proteomic analysis of the Arabidopsis cbl1 mutant in response to salt stress
Authors: Shi Shanshan , Chen Wei , Sun Weining 
Published: October 2011

AbstractMany environmental stimuli, including light, biotic and abiotic stress factors, induce changes in cellular Ca2+ concentrations in plants. Such Ca2+ signatures are perceived by sensor molecules such as calcineurin B‐like (CBL) proteins. AtCBL1, a member of the CBL family which is highly inducible by multiple stress signals, is known to function in the salt stress signal transduction pathway and to positively regulate the plant tolerance to salt. To shed light into the molecular mechanisms of the salt stress response mediated by AtCBL1, a two‐dimensional DIGE proteomic approach was applied to identify the differentially expressed proteins in Arabibdopsis wild‐type and cbl1 null mutant plants in response to salt stress. Seventy‐three spots were found altered in expression by least 1.2‐fold and 50 proteins were identified by MALDI‐TOF/TOF‐MS, including some well‐known and novel salt‐responsive proteins. These proteins function in various processes, such as signal transduction, ROS scavenging, energy production, carbon fixation, metabolism, mRNA processing, protein processing and structural stability. Receptor for activated C kinase 1C (RACK1C, spot 715), a WD40 repeat protein, was up‐regulated in the cbl1 null mutant, and two rack1c mutant lines showed decreased tolerance to salt stress, suggesting that RACK1C plays a role in salt stress resistance. In conclusion, our work demonstrated the advantages of the proteomic approach in studies of plant biology and identified candidate proteins in CBL1‐mediated salt stress signaling network.
Confined crystallization of PVDF and a PVDF‐TFE copolymer in nanolayered films
Authors: Mackey Matt , Flandin Lionel , Hiltner Anne , Baer Eric 
Published: October 2011

AbstractLayer‐multiplying coextrusion was used in conjunction with isothermal recrystallization to study the confined crystallization of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinylidene fluoride‐tetrafluoroethylene (PVDF‐TFE) using polycarbonate (PC) and polysulfone (PSF) as confining materials. Three layered systems were produced (PC/PVDF, PSF/PVDF, and PC/PVDF‐TFE) with layer thicknesses ranging from 525 to 28 nm. The crystal morphology was affected by both layer thickness and recrystallization temperature. Specifically, increased recrystallization temperature and decreased layer thickness facilitated the formation of high aspect ratio in‐plane crystals in both PVDF based polymers. On the other side of the spectrum, thicker layers and lower recrystallization temperatures produced on‐edge PVDF crystals and isotropic PVDF‐TFE crystals. The morphology was correlated with oxygen permeability, which decreased by almost two orders of magnitude compared with the bulk. A variety of crystal structures were obtained and explained with nucleation and diffusion theory. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011
The influence of solid‐state microstructure on the origin and yield of long‐lived photogenerated charge in neat semiconducting polymers
Authors: Reid Obadiah G. , Malik Jennifer A. Nekuda , Latini Gianluca , Dayal Smita , Kopidakis Nikos , Silva Carlos , Stingelin Natalie , Rumbles Garry 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe influence of solid‐state microstructure on the optoelectronic properties of conjugated polymers is widely recognized, but still poorly understood. Here, we show how the microstructure of conjugated polymers controls the yield and decay dynamics of long‐lived photogenerated charge in neat films. Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) was used as a model system. By varying the molecular weight, we drive a transition in the polymer microstructure from nonentangled, chain‐extended, paraffinic‐like to entangled, semicrystalline (MW = 5.5–347 kg/mol). The molecular weight range at which this transition occurs (MW = 40–50 kg/mol) can be deduced from the drastic change in elongation at break found in tensile tests. Linear absorption measurements of free‐exciton bandwidth and time‐resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) measurements of transient photoconductance track the concomitant evolution in optoelectronic properties of the polymer as a function of MW. TRMC measurements show that the yield of free photogenerated charge increases with increasing molecular weight in the paraffinic regime and saturates at the transition into the entangled, semicrystalline regime. This transition in carrier yield correlates with a sharp transition in free‐exciton bandwidth and decay dynamics at a similar molecular weight. We propose that the transition in microstructure controls the yield and decay dynamics of long‐lived photogenerated charge. The evolution of a semicrystalline structure with well‐defined interfaces between amorphous and crystalline domains of the polymer is required for spatial separation of the electron and hole. This structural characteristic not only largely controls the yield of free charges, but also serves as a recombination center, where mobile holes encounter a bath of dark electrons resident in the amorphous phase and recombine with quasi first‐order kinetics. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011
Determination of volume fractions and ligand layer thickness of polymer/CdSe quantum dot blend films by effective medium approximations
Authors: Schädel Martin , Jeltsch Krischan F. , Niyamakom Phenwisa , Rauscher Frank , Zhou Yunfei , Krüger Michael , Meerholz Klaus 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe investigate hybrid organic/inorganic films using different polymers and CdSe quantum dots (QD) and nanorods (NR) with hexanoic acid (HA)‐treated hexadecylamine (HDA) or pyridine as the capping ligands. The volume ratios of the polymer:nanoparticle (NP) blends are studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry and transmission intensity data. Effective medium approximation based on the results of the pristine films is applied. With this routine, the polymer/NP volume ratio of the blend can be identified. In combination with the mass ratio of the components, the mass density of the NP including the inorganic crystalline core and the organic ligand layer is obtained. A geometrical model for QD and NR allows for the estimation of the ligand layer thickness. We find pyridine and HDA after HA treatment to be 0.9 and 0.6 nm on the QD surface, respectively. By contrast, the effective thickness of the organic ligand is 3.0 nm on the investigated NR. In both cases, the organic layer is thicker than a monolayer of the expected pyridine due to the presence of extant synthesis ligands as a result of incomplete ligand exchange. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 000: 000–000, 2011