bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyvinylphosphonic acid copolymer hydrogels prepared with amide and ester type crosslinkers
Authors: Kusunoki Takayuki , Oshiro Masaru , Hamasaki Fumi , Kobayashi Takaomi 
Published: September 2010

AbstractCrosslinked hydrogels made of poly(vinylphosphonic acid‐co‐N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide) (P(VPA‐co‐MBAA)) and poly(vinylphosphonic acid‐co‐ethyleneglycol diacrylate) (P(VPA‐co‐EGDA)) were prepared by using precipitation polymerization in water medium. A comparison research was made between the resultant hydrogels containing different loads of vinylphosphonic acid segments when N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA) or ethyleneglycol diacrylate (EGDA) were used as comonomers. Morphological observations indicated that the resultant copolymer appeared as a fine powder at low VPA loadings and strongly aggregated at the high loadings; especially, a copolymer containing 63 mol % of VPA segments in P(VPA‐co‐MBAA) was observed to have a flake‐shaped appearance in its aggregated morphology. The resultant copolymer powders were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy and titrimetric analysis. Also, monomer reactivity ratios, r1 and r2, of VPA and MBAA or EGDA were estimated as 0.06 and 0.98 for VPA and MBAA and 0.05 and 1.82 for VPA and EGDA, respectively. This suggested that a large distribution of MBAA and EGDA was present in the resultant copolymer powders. Their crosslinked PVPA structure presented hydrogel properties having high water uptakes and an absorption mechanism independent from pH of bulk solution. The evidence showed that high VPA loadings could strongly interacted through hydrogen bonds between neighbor VPA segments even in the presence of water. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Melt index prediction by RBF neural network optimized with an adaptive new ant colony optimization algorithm
Authors: Li Jiubao , Liu Xinggao 
Published: September 2010

AbstractMelt index (MI) is a crucial indicator in determining the product specifications and grades of polypropylene (PP). The prediction of MI, which is important in quality control of the PP polymerization process, is studied in this work. Based on RBF (radial basis function) neural network, a soft‐sensor model (RBF model) of the PP process is developed to infer the MI of PP from a bunch of process variables. Considering that the PP process is too complicated for the RBF neural network with a general set of parameters, a new ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm, N‐ACO, and its adaptive version, A‐N‐ACO, which aim at continuous optimizing problems are proposed to optimize the structure parameters of the RBF neural network, respectively, and the structure‐best models, N‐ACO‐RBF model and A‐N‐ACO‐RBF model for the MI prediction of propylene polymerization process, are presented then. Based on the data from a real PP production plant, a detailed comparison research among the models is carried out. The research results confirm the prediction accuracy of the models and also prove the effectiveness of proposed N‐ACO and A‐N‐ACO optimization approaches in solving continuous optimizing problem. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Preparation and properties of unsaturated polyester nanocomposites based on silylated sepiolite nanofibers
Authors: Lu Panfang , Xu Jing , Liu Kaiping 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe novel surface‐modified sepiolite/unsaturated polyester (sepiolite/UP) nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization. Sepiolite fibers were first organo‐modified by grafting of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTS) containing a double bond onto the surfaces and used as nanofillers. The morphology of sepiolites and nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Moreover, the thermal properties were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the thermal degradation mechanism was discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Preparation, characterization, and swelling and drug release properties of a crosslinked chitosan‐polycaprolactone gel
Authors: Aroguz Ayse Z. , Baysal Kemal , Tasdelen Betul , Baysal Bahattin M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractFor applications in biotechnology to prepare biopolymers containing functional groups is essential. In addition, these materials have to be strong to provide physical support for practical applications. Recently, chitosan, polycaprolactone (PCL), and their various combinations were used for this purpose. In this work, we described the preparation and characterization of a new biodegradable polymeric gel containing chitosan and PCL. The gel preparation reactions were performed in suitable acetic acid solutions to obtain the products in high yields. A crosslinking agent was added to produce crosslinked gels. Swelling behavior of chitosan/PCL gels in different compositions was studied, and the results were compared. The chitosan/PCL gels show a rather large equilibrium swelling in water and in the phosphate buffered saline solution. Acrylic acid (AA) was added to these gels during preparation process to obtain a stable material for various applications. These polymeric gels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared. Their physical and morphological properties were investigated by using differential scanning calorimeter and scanning electron microscope techniques, respectively. Cell growth experiments indicate that chitosan, a positively charged polysaccharide, is not suitable for cell proliferation studies. On the other hand, the drug release studies were successful and, 59% of lidocaine, was released from a chitosan/PCL/AA hydrogel in buffer solution at pH = 7.4 at 37°C. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Intermolecular crosslinking of poly(acrylic acid) in aqueous solution by electron beam irradiation
Authors: Lappan Uwe , Uhlmann Steffi 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPoly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was dissolved in water, and the solution was irradiated with high‐energy electrons. The formation of macroscopic gel was studied as a function of the radiation dose, the pH of the aqueous solution, and the concentration of added salt. Gelation by intermolecular crosslinking was found at low pH values of 2–4, whereas at pH greater or equal to 5, no gel was formed by electron beam irradiation. Nevertheless, by adding monovalent salt the gel formation was enhanced at intermediate pH values. The intermolecular crosslinking was assumed to be inhibited by electrostatic repulsive forces when the macromolecules of PAA are negatively charged and the ionic strength of the solution is low. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Dichotomous response to transforming growth factor β after T cell receptor activation by naive CD4+ T cells from DBA/1 mice: Enhanced retinoic acid receptor–related orphan nuclear receptor γt expression yet reduced FoxP3 expression
Authors: Morita Yoshiaki , Ismail Doaa M. , Elkon Keith B. , Chu Cong‐Qiu 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanism for biased interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) production by DBA/1 CD4+ T cells upon T cell receptor (TCR) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) stimulation.MethodsPurified naive CD4+ T cells were stimulated with anti‐CD3/CD28 under Th1, Th2, Th17, and induced T regulatory (iTreg) cell conditions. Cytokine production was assayed by intracellular staining and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of transcription factors was determined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and immunoblotting techniques.ResultsNaive CD4+ T cells from DBA/1 mice produced more IL‐17 under Th17 cell polarizing conditions as compared with those from C57BL/6 or BALB/c mice. Further investigation revealed no difference among the strains in terms of CD4+ T cell survival, upstream TCR signaling, or CD69 expression or in the phosphorylation of STAT‐3 and expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 that positively or negatively regulate IL‐17 cell production. However, DBA/1 CD4+ T cells expressed increased levels of retinoic acid–related orphan receptor γt (RORγt). Furthermore, under iTreg cell polarizing conditions, DBA/1 CD4+ T cells showed a strikingly reduced level of FoxP3 expression. When interferon‐γ and IL‐4 were blocked, FoxP3 expression increased but remained lower in DBA/1 CD4+ T cells following exposure to TGFβ as compared with C57BL/6 CD4+ T cells. Moreover, DBA/1 CD4+ T cells showed reduced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 under both Th17 and iTreg cell polarizing conditions.ConclusionThese results indicate that naive CD4+ T cells from DBA/1 mice have a dichotomous response to TGFβ: enhanced RORγt, yet reduced FoxP3, up‐regulation. This observation may help to elucidate the branch point of TGFβ signaling that leads to skewed Th17, but reduced iTreg, cell differentiation.
Contribution of H3K4 methylation by SET‐1A to interleukin‐1–induced cyclooxygenase 2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in human osteoarthritis chondrocytes
Authors: El Mansouri Fatima Ezzahra , Chabane Nadir , Zayed Nadia , Kapoor Mohit , Benderdour Mohamed , Martel‐Pelletier Johanne , Pelletier Jean‐Pierre , Duval Nicolas , Fahmi Hassan 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the role of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation in interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)–induced cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in human osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes.MethodsChondrocytes were stimulated with IL‐1, and the expression of iNOS and COX‐2 messenger RNA and proteins was evaluated by real‐time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction analysis and Western blotting, respectively. H3K4 methylation and the recruitment of the histone methyltransferases SET‐1A and MLL‐1 to the iNOS and COX‐2 promoters were evaluated using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The role of SET‐1A was further evaluated using the methyltransferase inhibitor 5′‐deoxy‐5′‐(methylthio)adenosine (MTA) and gene silencing experiments. SET‐1A level in cartilage was determined using immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe induction of iNOS and COX‐2 expression by IL‐1 was associated with H3K4 di‐ and trimethylation at the iNOS and COX‐2 promoters. These changes were temporally correlated with the recruitment of the histone methyltransferase SET‐1A, suggesting an implication of SET‐1A in these modifications. Treatment with MTA inhibited IL‐1–induced H3K4 methylation as well as IL‐1–induced iNOS and COX‐2 expression. Similarly, SET‐1A gene silencing with small interfering RNA prevented IL‐1–induced H3K4 methylation at the iNOS and COX‐2 promoters as well as iNOS and COX‐2 expression. Finally, we showed that the level of SET‐1A expression was elevated in OA cartilage as compared with normal cartilage.ConclusionThese results indicate that H3K4 methylation by SET‐1A contributes to IL‐1–induced iNOS and COX‐2 expression and suggest that this pathway could be a potential target for pharmacologic intervention in the treatment of OA and possibly other arthritic diseases.
Improved outcome in 445 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis in a German vasculitis center over four decades
Authors: Holle Julia U. , Gross Wolfgang L. , Latza Ute , Nölle Bernhard , Ambrosch Petra , Heller Martin , Fertmann Regina , Reinhold‐Keller Eva 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the long‐term outcome in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) over 4 decades in an academic hospital unit specializing in rheumatology.MethodsWe included 290 patients, divided them into 2 cohorts, and compared them with the historical cohort of 155 patients. Comparisons were retrospective regarding disease manifestations, therapy, mortality, and incidence of malignancies. The historical cohort (cohort 1) included 155 patients diagnosed between 1966 and 1993, cohort 2 included 123 patients diagnosed between 1994 and 1998, and cohort 3 included 167 patients diagnosed between 1999 and 2002.ResultsOver time, the interval between first symptoms and diagnosis was reduced by half (from 8 months to 4 months). Organ manifestations were similar in the 3 cohorts, and more than 80% of patients still required cyclophosphamide (CYC); however, the median cumulative dose was reduced significantly (from 67 gm in cohort 1 to 36 gm in cohort 2 and to 24 gm in cohort 3). The standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) declined (from 2.1 in cohort 1 to 1.41 in cohort 2 and to 1.03 in cohort 3), with fewer deaths related to WG and/or therapy (86.4% in cohort 1, 76.9% in cohort 2, 50% in cohort 3), decreasing relapse rates (63.9% in cohort 1, 51.2% in cohort 2, 35.3% in cohort 3), and no increased rate of malignancies. Compared with young females, young males had a considerably higher SMR (8.87 [95% confidence interval 4.05–16.8]) and more frequent renal manifestations (54.4% versus 33.8%).ConclusionMortality of WG patients declined over the last 4 decades, probably due to improved diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and increased awareness of WG, which led to earlier diagnosis and therapy, reduction in relapse rates, and lower cumulative CYC dose with fewer deaths related to therapy.
Anatomical Sciences Education Vol.3, Issue 5, 2010 Cover Image
Authors: Skinder‐Meredith Amy E. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSpeech and Hearing Science students at Washington State University are shown drawing the bones and muscles involved in respiration on t‐shirts worn by their classmates. In this issue of ASE, Dr. Skinder‐Meredith shares a variety of multimodal learning activities she uses to help her students learn about anatomy during the physiological functions of respiration, phonation, articulation, resonance, and swallowing.
Randomized clinical trial of Chinese herbal medications to reduce wound complications after mastectomy for breast carcinoma
Authors: Chen J , Lv Q , Yu M , Zhang X , Gou J 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
Ischaemia and necrosis of skin flaps is a common complication after mastectomy. This study evaluated the influence of anisodamine and Salvia miltiorrhiza on wound complications after mastectomy for breast cancer.

Methods
Ninety patients undergoing mastectomy for breast carcinoma were divided into three groups. Group 1 received routine wound care, group 2 received intravenous Salvia miltiorrhiza after surgery for 3 days and group 3 similarly received intravenous anisodamine. Skin flaps were observed on postoperative days 4 and 8; areas of wound ischaemia and necrosis were graded and adverse events recorded.

Results
There was no difference in demographic characteristics between the groups. At 4 days after surgery the rate of ischaemia and necrosis in groups 2 and 3 was significantly reduced compared with that in control group 1 (median wound score 6·80 versus 23·38, P = 0·002, and 3·76 versus 23·38, P &lt; 0·001, respectively). This improvement in groups 2 and 3 continued to postoperative day 8 (both P &lt; 0·001), but wound scores at this stage were better in group 3 than in group 2 (1·82 versus 6·92 respectively; P = 0·022). The volume of wound drainage was lower in group 3 than in group 1 (P = 0·004). The incidence of adverse effects was highest in group 3, and two patients in this group discontinued treatment. No significant complications were noted in group 2.

Conclusion
Anisodamine and S. miltiorrhiza were both effective in reducing skin flap ischaemia and necrosis after mastectomy, although anisodamine was associated with a higher rate of adverse effects.
Renal cytokines improve early after bariatric surgery
Authors: Bueter M , Dubb S S , Gill A , Joannou L , Ahmed A , Frankel A H , Tam F W K , le Roux C W 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundBariatric surgery has been suggested to improve arterial hypertension and renal function. This prospective controlled observational study aimed to investigate changes in renal inflammation, renal function and arterial blood pressure before and after bariatric surgery.MethodsBlood pressure was measured, and urine and blood samples were collected from 34 morbidly obese patients before and 4 weeks after bariatric surgery. Serum levels of cystatin C, creatinine, albumin, cholesterol and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured, along with urinary cytokine/creatinine ratios for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP) 1, chemokine ligand (CCL) 18 and CCL-15.ResultsMean(s.e.m.) bodyweight dropped from 124·1(2·6) to 114·8(2·4) kg (P &lt; 0·001) and mean arterial blood pressure decreased from 105·7(1·8) to 95·5(1·2) mmHg (P &lt; 0·001) in 4 weeks. Systemic and urinary inflammatory markers improved, with a reduction in serum CRP level (P &lt; 0·001), and decreased urinary MIF/creatinine (P &lt; 0·001), MCP-1/creatinine (P &lt; 0·001) and CCL-18/creatinine (P = 0·003) ratios. In contrast, urinary CCL-15/creatinine ratios did not change and the glomerular filtration rate, measured by serum cystatin C, was unchanged (P = 0·615).ConclusionSurgically induced weight loss contributed to a decrease in blood pressure and markers of renal inflammation. The reduced levels of CRP and urinary cytokines suggest that bariatric surgery attenuates systemic and renal inflammatory status.
Differential sublocalization of actin variants within the nucleus
Authors: Kandasamy Muthugapatti K. , McKinney Elizabeth C. , Meagher Richard B. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractConventional actin has been implicated in various nuclear processes including chromatin remodeling, transcription, nuclear transport, and overall nuclear structure. Moreover, actin has been identified as a component of several chromatin remodeling complexes present in the nucleus. In animal cells, nuclear actin exists as a dynamic equilibrium of monomers and polymers. Actin‐binding proteins (ABPs) such as ADF/cofilin and profilin play a role in actin import and export, respectively. However, very little is known about the localization and roles of nuclear actin in plants. In multicellular plants and animals, actin is comprised of an ancient and divergent family of protein variants. Here, we have investigated the presence and differential localization of two ancient subclasses of actin in isolated Arabidopsis nuclei. Although the subclass 1 variants ACT2 and ACT8 and subclass 2 variant ACT7 were found distributed throughout the nucleoplasm, ACT7 was often found more concentrated in nuclear speckles than subclass 1 variants. The nuclei from the act2‐1/act8‐2 double null mutant and the act7‐5 null mutant lacked their corresponding actin variants. In addition, serial sectioning of several independent nuclei revealed that ACT7 was notably more abundant in the nucleolus than the subclass 1 actins. Profilin and ADF proteins were also found in significant levels in plant nuclei. The possible functions of differentially localized nuclear actin variants are discussed. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assembly of filopodia by the formin FRL2 (FMNL3)
Authors: Harris Elizabeth S. , Gauvin Timothy J. , Heimsath Ernest G. , Higgs Henry N. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractActin‐dependent finger‐like protrusions such as filopodia and microvilli are widespread in eukaryotes, but their assembly mechanisms are poorly understood. Filopodia assembly requires at least three biochemical activities on actin: actin filament nucleation, prolonged actin filament elongation, and actin filament bundling. These activities are shared by several mammalian formin proteins, including mDia2, FRL1 (also called FMNL1), and FRL2 (FMNL3). In this paper, we compare the abilities of constructs from these three formins to induce filopodia. FH1‐FH2 constructs of both FRL2 and mDia2 stimulate potent filopodia assembly in multiple cell types, and enrich strongly at filopodia tips. In contrast, FRL1 FH1‐FH2 lacks this activity, despite possessing similar biochemical activities and being highly homologous to FRL2. Chimeric FH1‐FH2 experiments between FRL1 and FRL2 show that, while both an FH1 and an FH2 are needed, either FH1 domain supports filopodia assembly but only FRL2's FH2 domain allows this activity. A mutation that compromises FRL2's barbed end binding ability abolishes filopodia assembly. FRL2's ability to stimulate filopodia assembly is not altered by additional domains (GBD, DID, DAD), but is significantly reduced in the full‐length construct, suggesting that FRL2 is subject to inhibitory regulation. The data suggest that the FH2 domain of FRL2 possesses properties not shared by FRL1 that allow it to generate filopodia. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of kinesin superfamily genes in cultured hippocampal neurons
Authors: Silverman M. A. , Kaech S. , Ramser E. M. , Lu X. , Lasarev M. R. , Nagalla S. , Banker G. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe nature of the different kinesin family members that function in a single, specific neuron type has not been systematically investigated. Here, we used quantitative real‐time PCR to analyze the developmental expression patterns of kinesin family genes in cultured mouse hippocampal neurons, a highly homogeneous population of nerve cells. For purposes of comparison, we also determined the set of kinesins expressed in embryonic and adult hippocampal tissue. Twenty kinesins are expressed at moderate‐to‐high levels in mature hippocampal cultures. These include 9 plus‐end directed kinesins from the Kinesin‐1, ‐2, and ‐3 families that are known to mediate organelle transport and 6 other members of the Kinesin‐3 and ‐4 families that are candidate organelle motors. Hippocampal cultures express high levels of a Kinesin‐13, which regulates microtubule depolymerization, and moderate‐to‐high levels of Kinesin‐9 and ‐14 family members, whose functions are not understood. Twelve additional kinesins, including 10 known mitotic kinesins, are expressed at moderate levels in embryonic hippocampus but at very low levels in mature cultures and the adult hippocampus. Collectively, our findings suggest that kinesins subserve diverse functions within a single type of neuron. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A phase 2 study of estramustine, docetaxel, and bevacizumab in men with castrate‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Picus Joel , Halabi Susan , Kelly W. Kevin , Vogelzang Nicholas J. , Whang Young E. , Kaplan Ellen B. , Stadler Walter M. , Small Eric J. ,   for Cancer and Leukemia Group B
Published: September 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND:The use of docetaxel prolongs survival for patients with castrate‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with bevacizumab may further enhance the antitumor effect of docetaxel and estramustine in patients with CRPC.METHODS:This cooperative group trial enrolled men with CRPC. Patients received oral estramustine 280 mg 3 times daily on Days 1 through 5 of every cycle plus 70 mg/m2 docetaxel and 15 mg/kg bevacizumab on Day 2 every 3 weeks. Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) values were monitored every cycle, and imaging studies were obtained every 3 cycles. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival (PFS), and the secondary objectives were safety, PSA decline, measurable disease response, and overall survival.RESULTS:Seventy‐nine patients were enrolled; and 77 patients received a median of 8 cycles and were evaluable. A 50% PSA decline was observed in 58 patients (75%). Twenty‐three of 39 patients with measurable disease had a partial response (59%). The median PFS was 8 months, and the overall median survival was 24 months. Neutropenia without fever (69%), fatigue (25%), and thrombosis/emboli (9%) were the most common severe toxicities. Twenty‐four of 77 patients were removed from protocol treatment because of disease progression, 35 of 77 patients were removed because of a physician or patient decision, and 15 patients were removed secondary to toxicity.CONCLUSIONS:The combination of docetaxel, estramustine, and bevacizumab was tolerable but complicated by toxicity. Although the endpoint of PFS did not meet the desired level, encouraging antitumor activity and overall survival were observed. Further phase 3 evaluation of the role of bevacizumab in CRPC is ongoing. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.