bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rheological and thermal properties of glycidyl azide polyol‐based energetic thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers
Authors: You Jong‐Sung , Noh Si‐Tae 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of polyol on glycidyl azide polyol (GAP)‐based energetic thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (ETPEs). Briefly, a series of GAP/polyol‐based ETPEs (GAP/polyol ETPEs) with different copolyol ratios and hard segment contents were synthesized using GAP‐diol with common polyol and 4,4‐methylenebis(phenylisocyanate)‐extended 1,5‐pentanediol as soft and hard segments, respectively, by solution polymerization in dimethylformamide. The three types of polyols used were poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMG), polycarbonate‐diol (PCL‐diol) and polycaprolactone‐diol (PCD‐diol). The synthesized GAP/polyol ETPEs were identified and characterized using Fourier transform infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and rheometric mechanical spectrometry. For GAP/PCL ETPEs with lower hard segment content, DSC results showed that the GAP segment failed to interact with either the PCL segment or PCL melting. In addition, the results of DMA showed that the presence of PCL segments in ETPEs improved the storage modulus below the melting temperature of the PCL block. Further, the crystalline PCL segments were attributed to reinforcing the ETPEs in a manner similar to that of the hard domain. As the hard segment content increased in the GAP/polyol ETPEs, both GAP/PTMG ETPEs and GAP/PCL ETPEs exhibited microphase separation transitions, while rheological experiments demonstrated a sudden decrease in complex viscosity in neighboring microphase separation transitions. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis, photophysical properties and microphase separation of all‐conjugated diblock copolymers with hydrophilic side chains
Authors: Zhang Xueqin , Yang Weiwei , Kong Fan , Yang Hong , Lin Baoping 
Published: June 2012

AbstractA series of new all‐conjugated diblock copolymers, poly(2,5‐dioctyloxy‐p‐phenylene)‐block‐poly(3‐methoxyethoxyethoxy‐methylthiophene) (PPP‐b‐P3MEEMT), with hydrophilic side‐chains have been synthesized by quasi‐living Grignard metathesis polymerization. The narrow polydispersity indices of the block copolymers are in the range 1.32–1.40. The block ratios in the obtained diblock copolymers can be well defined by the feed ratios of the monomers. Photoluminescence results reveal that resonance energy transfer occurs from the PPP block to the P3MEEMT block in dilute solution. Differential scanning calorimetry shows that both PPP and P3MEEMT blocks in the copolymers produce crystalline regions and lead to microphase separation as indicated by two endothermal transitions, corresponding to the melting peaks of the PPP and P3MEEMT blocks, respectively. The formations of microphase‐separated nanostructures in annealed copolymer films are also observed using transmission electron microscopy. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Cysteine‐rich domains related to Frizzled receptors and Hedgehog‐interacting proteins
Authors: Pei Jimin , Grishin Nick V. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractFrizzled and Smoothened are homologous seven‐transmembrane proteins functioning in the Wnt and Hedgehog signaling pathways, respectively. They harbor an extracellular cysteine‐rich domain (FZ‐CRD), a mobile evolutionary unit that has been found in a number of other metazoan proteins and Frizzled‐like proteins in Dictyostelium. Domains distantly related to FZ‐CRDs, in Hedgehog‐interacting proteins (HHIPs), folate receptors and riboflavin‐binding proteins (FRBPs), and Niemann‐Pick Type C1 proteins (NPC1s), referred to as HFN‐CRDs, exhibit similar structures and disulfide connectivity patterns compared with FZ‐CRDs. We used computational analyses to expand the homologous set of FZ‐CRDs and HFN‐CRDs, providing a better understanding of their evolution and classification. First, FZ‐CRD‐containing proteins with various domain compositions were identified in several major eukaryotic lineages including plants and Chromalveolata, revealing a wider phylogenetic distribution of FZ‐CRDs than previously recognized. Second, two new and distinct groups of highly divergent FZ‐CRDs were found by sensitive similarity searches. One of them is present in the calcium channel component Mid1 in fungi and the uncharacterized FAM155 proteins in metazoans. Members of the other new FZ‐CRD group occur in the metazoan‐specific RECK (reversion‐inducing‐cysteine‐rich protein with Kazal motifs) proteins that are putative tumor suppressors acting as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases. Finally, sequence and three‐dimensional structural comparisons helped us uncover a divergent HFN‐CRD in glypicans, which are important morphogen‐binding heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Such a finding reinforces the evolutionary ties between the Wnt and Hedgehog signaling pathways and underscores the importance of gene duplications in creating essential signaling components in metazoan evolution.
Measurement of space charge distributions in PLZT using Kerr effect
Authors: Wong Kiing Ing 
Published: June 2012

AbstractKerr effect technique is an optical measurement technique used to determine space charge distributions of a dielectric liquid under applied electric stress. In other words, such measurement can be used to study the conduction mechanisms of a dielectric liquid, such as charge injection threshold, bulk electric field stress, and aging. In this study, an instrument was set up to measure the absolute value of the electric field distributions in lead–lanthanum–zirconium–titanium (PLZT). PLZT was selected for the study of the instrumentation because the material has a high Kerr constant. In the experiment, charge injection threshold and bulk field strength of PLZT were measured under low applied voltages. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Estimation of spectral transmission of dried seaweed from its digital image
Authors: Nagai Fukutaro , Noro Yuichi , Takeo Takashi , Ito Haruhiko 
Published: June 2012

AbstractEstimation of spectral transmission characteristics of dried seaweed has been made starting with its digital image, that is, the RGB values. The present estimation method has steps comprising the capture of a digital transmission image and evaluation of the optical transmission characteristics of a seaweed sample for learning. Next, an estimation equation based on the information derived from the learning data is established, and an optical transmission curve of the seaweed sample is generated with the RGB values of its digital image according to the estimation equation. With this method, optical transmission curves have been estimated at the wavelength range 400–700 nm with a root mean square error of about 2%. In addition, the pigment content of seaweed has been also estimated successfully by means of the estimated transmission curve, though the result is only semiquantitative. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Autonomous decentralized system for torque control of high‐power permanent magnet synchronous motor
Authors: Hao Shuanghui , Tang Zili , Hao Minghui , Mizugaki Yoshio 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAn autonomous decentralized system (ADS) for the control of a high‐power permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) presented in this paper. The system decentralizes a centralized control system into several autonomous subsystems. Thus the power supply and power electronic devices of the control system can be replaced by smaller ones, thereby obtaining better fault tolerance of the system. The subsystems are connected only through the data field, which, in this paper consists of feedback elements and communication modules. This structure enables the autonomous controllability and autonomous coordinability of the system. The mathematical model of the PMSM with decentralized stator coils is proposed. This model takes into account the self‐ and mutual inductance of the coil, as well as the effect of the stator slot‐pitch angle. In addition, an autonomous algorithm for the torque control of the PMSM with decentralized stator coils is proposed, and the fault‐tolerance design is developed. Experimental results of the torque control and fault‐tolerance control confirm the validity of the proposed system. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Low fish intake is associated with low blood concentrations of vitamin D, choline andn-3 DHA in pregnant women
Authors: Wu Brian T. , Dyer Roger A. , King D. Janette , Innis Sheila M. 
Published: June 2012

Several studies have investigated the potential health benefits, including those associated with neurological function, of then-3 fatty acid DHA. This has arisen in part because of the association between higher intakes of fish, which is a major dietary source of DHA, and reduced disease risk. In addition to DHA, fish also provides choline and vitamin D. The objective of the present study was to assess whether women in the first half of pregnancy with low fish intake also had low blood concentrations of vitamin D, choline and DHA. A total of 222 pregnant women at 16 weeks of gestation were examined for dietary intake, erythrocyte (phosphatidylethanolamine PE) DHA, plasma free choline and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Women who consumed ≤ 75 g fish/week (n56) compared to ≥ 150 g fish/week (n116) had lower dietary intake of DHA, total choline and vitamin D (P< 0·001), and lower erythrocyte PE DHA (5·25 (sd1·27), 6·83 (sd1·62) g/100 g total fatty acid, respectively,P< 0·01), plasma free choline (6·59 (sd1·65), 7·40 (sd2·05) μmol/l, respectively,P= 0·023) and 25(OH)D (50·3 (sd20·0), 62·5 (sd29·8) nmol/l, respectively,P< 0·01). DHA intake was positively related to the intake of vitamin D from foods (ρ 0·47,P< 0·001) and total choline (ρ 0·32,P< 0·001). Dietary intakes and biomarkers of DHA, choline and vitamin D status were assessed to be linked. This raises the possibility that unidentified concurrent nutrient inadequacies might have an impact on the results of studies addressing the benefits of supplemental DHA.
Differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into ear auricle cartilage in rabbits
Authors: Bahrani H , Razmkhah M , Ashraf M J , Tanideh N , Chenari N , Khademi B , Ghaderi A 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground:Adipose-derived stem cells have been reported as a novel candidate for the repair of cartilage injuries in vivo.Methods:In order to assess their differentiation ability, adipose-derived stem cells isolated from rabbit fat tissue were injected into the midportion of a surgically created rabbit ear auricle cartilage defect. After several months, the auricles were resected, histopathologically assessed and compared with a control group.Results:Histopathological examination of auricles removed three, four and five months after injection showed islands of new cartilage formation at the site of the surgically induced defect. Six months after injection, we observed well-formed, mature cartilaginous plates that completely filled the defect in the native cartilage. In the control group, there was no significant growth of new cartilage.Conclusion:The results of this study suggest the great potential of adipose-derived stem cells to repair damaged cartilage tissue in vivo.
Infection-induced colitis in mice causes dynamic and tissue-specific changes in stress response and DNA damage leading to colon cancer
Authors: Mangerich Aswin , Knutson Charles G. , Parry Nicola M. , Muthupalani Sureshkumar , Ye Wenjie , Prestwich Erin , Cui Liang , McFaline Jose L. , Mobley Melissa , Ge Zhongming , Taghizadeh Koli , Wishnok John S. , Wogan Gerald N. , Fox James G. , Tannenbaum Steven R. , Dedon Peter C. 
Published: June 2012

Helicobacter hepaticus
-infected
Rag
2
-/-
mice emulate many aspects of human inflammatory bowel disease, including the development of colitis and colon cancer. To elucidate mechanisms of inflammation-induced carcinogenesis, we undertook a comprehensive analysis of histopathology, molecular damage, and gene expression changes during disease progression in these mice. Infected mice developed severe colitis and hepatitis by 10 wk post-infection, progressing into colon carcinoma by 20 wk post-infection, with pronounced pathology in the cecum and proximal colon marked by infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages. Transcriptional profiling revealed decreased expression of DNA repair and oxidative stress response genes in colon, but not in liver. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed higher levels of DNA and RNA damage products in liver compared to colon and infection-induced increases in 5-chlorocytosine in DNA and RNA and hypoxanthine in DNA. Paradoxically, infection was associated with decreased levels of DNA etheno adducts. Levels of nucleic acid damage from the same chemical class were strongly correlated in both liver and colon. The results support a model of inflammation-mediated carcinogenesis involving infiltration of phagocytes and generation of reactive species that cause local molecular damage leading to cell dysfunction, mutation, and cell death. There are strong correlations among histopathology, phagocyte infiltration, and damage chemistry that suggest a major role for neutrophils in inflammation-associated cancer progression. Further, paradoxical changes in nucleic acid damage were observed in tissue- and chemistry-specific patterns. The results also reveal features of cell stress response that point to microbial pathophysiology and mechanisms of cell senescence as important mechanistic links to cancer.
Effectiveness of web‐based tailored smoking cessation advice reports (iQuit): a randomized trial
Authors: Mason Dan , Gilbert Hazel , Sutton Stephen 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAimsTo determine whether web‐based tailored cessation advice, based on social cognitive theory and the perspectives on change model, was more effective in aiding a quit attempt than broadly similar web‐based advice that was not tailored.DesignParticipants were allocated randomly to one of two groups, to receive either a cessation advice report and progress report that were tailored to individual‐level characteristics or a cessation advice report that presented standardized (non‐tailored) content. Tailoring was based on smoking‐related beliefs, personal characteristics and smoking patterns, self‐efficacy and outcome expectations.SettingParticipant enrolment and baseline assessments were conducted remotely online via the study website, with the advice reports presented by the same website.ParticipantsParticipants (n = 1758) were visitors to the QUIT website who were based in the United Kingdom, aged 18 years or over and who smoked cigarettes or hand‐rolled tobacco.MeasurementsFollow‐up assessments were made at 6 months by telephone interview. The primary outcome measure was self‐reported 3 months prolonged abstinence, and secondary outcomes were 1 month prolonged abstinence, 7‐day and 24‐hour point prevalence abstinence.FindingsThe intervention group did not differ from the control group on the primary outcome (9.1% versus 9.3%; odds ratio = 1.02 95% confidence interval 0.73–1.42) or on any of the secondary outcomes. Intervention participants gave more positive evaluations of the materials than control participants.ConclusionsA web‐based intervention that tailored content according to smoking‐related beliefs, personal characteristics and smoking patterns, self‐efficacy and outcome expectations, was not more effective than web‐based materials presenting broadly similar non‐tailored information.
Systematic review: the applications of nanotechnology in gastroenterology
Authors: Brakmane G. , Winslet M. , Seifalian A. M. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryBackgroundOver the past 30 years, nanotechnology has evolved dramatically. It has captured the interest of variety of fields from computing and electronics to biology and medicine. Recent discoveries have made invaluable changes to future prospects in nanomedicine; and introduced the concept of theranostics. This term offers a patient specific ‘two in one’ modality that comprises of diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Not only nanotechnology has shown great impact on improvements in drug delivery and imaging techniques, but also there have been several ground‐breaking discoveries in regenerative medicine.AimGastroenterology invites multidisciplinary approach owing to high complexity of gastrointestinal (GI) system; it includes physicians, surgeons, radiologists, pharmacologists and many more. In this article, we concentrate on current developments in nano‐gastroenterology.MethodsLiterature search was performed using Web of Science and Pubmed search engines with terms – nanotechnology, nanomedicine and gastroenterology. Article search was concentrated on developments since 2005.ResultsWe have described original and innovative approaches in gastrointestinal drug delivery, inflammatory disease and cancer‐target treatments. Here, we have reviewed advances in GI imaging using nanoparticles as fluorescent contrast, and their potential for site‐specific targeting. This review has also depicted various approaches and novel discoveries in GI regenerative medicine using nanomaterials for scaffold designs and induced pluripotent stem cells as cell source.ConclusionsDevelopments in nanotechnology have opened new range of possibilities to help our patients. This includes novel drug delivery vehicles, diagnostic tools for early and targeted disease detection and nanocomposite materials for tissue constructs to overcome cosmetic or physical disabilities.
Relationship between serum thyrotropin concentrations and metformin therapy in euthyroid patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Díez Juan J. , Iglesias Pedro 
Published: June 2012

SummaryAimA thyrotropin(TSH)‐lowering effect of metformin therapy has been recently reported in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypothyroidism. We aimed to evaluate the interplay between metformin therapy and serum TSH concentrations in a group of patients with T2D and normal thyroid function.Patients and methodsEight hundred and twenty‐eight euthyroid patients with T2D (53% women, mean age 65·9 years, median duration of diabetes 10 years) were retrospectively evaluated. There were 250 patients on metformin treatment (30·2%). Serum concentrations of TSH were measured in all subjects.ResultsPatients on metformin treatment exhibited significantly higher TSH levels [1·63 (1·11–2·24) mU/l] than those found in patients without metformin [1·40 (1·01–2·24) mU/l, P = 0·009]. We found no significant differences in TSH levels in patients who were on therapy with other oral antidiabetics, antihypertensive drugs or hypolipidemic agents in relation to subjects not taking these drugs. Serum TSH was significantly related to gender, body mass index, hyperlipidaemia and the presence of goitre and diabetic macroangiopathy. In multiple regression analysis with TSH as dependent variable, goitre was negatively related to TSH values. Metformin therapy was a nonsignificant variable in this model.ConclusionIn summary, this is the first survey analysing the relationship between metformin and thyroid function in a large cohort of patients with diabetes. Our data do not support the presence of an independent and significant relationship between TSH values and metformin treatment in euthyroid patients with T2D.
Fertility Therapies, Infertility and Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Nurses' Health Study II
Authors: Lyall Kristen , Pauls David L. , Spiegelman Donna , Santangelo Susan L. , Ascherio Alberto 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground:  An increasing number of women are utilizing fertility treatments, but little is known about their relation to autism spectrum disorders (ASD).Methods:  To determine the association between maternal fertility therapy use and risk of having a child with ASD, we conducted a nested case‐control study within the Nurses' Health Study II (n = 116,430). Maternally reported diagnoses of ASD were confirmed through a supplementary questionnaire and, in a subgroup, the Autism Diagnostic Interview‐Revised. Controls were randomly selected by frequency matching to case children's year of birth. Associations were examined by self‐reported infertility and type of therapy using conditional logistic regression.Results:  In all, 9% of the 507 cases and 7% of 2,529 controls indicated fertility therapy use for the index pregnancy. No significant associations with self‐reported fertility therapies or history of infertility were seen in primary analyses. In subgroup analyses of women with maternal age ≥35 years (n = 1,020), artificial insemination was significantly associated with ASD; ovulation inducing drug (OID) use was significantly associated in crude but not adjusted analyses (odds ratio 1.81, 95% CI 0.96–3.42). Results were similar by diagnostic subgroup, though within the advanced maternal age group, OID and artificial insemination were significantly associated with Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not‐otherwise specified, but not autistic disorder.Conculsion:  Assisted reproductive therapy and history of infertility did not increase risk of having a child with ASD in this study. However, the associations observed with OID and artificial insemination among older mothers, for whom these exposures are more common, warrant further investigation.
TLR Signalling and Adapter Utilization in Primary Human In vitro Differentiated Adipocytes
Authors: Brenner C. , Simmonds R. E. , Wood S. , Rose V. , Feldmann M. , Turner J. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractToll‐like receptors (TLRs) are central to innate immunity and yet their expression is widespread and not restricted to professional inflammatory cells. TLRs have been reported on adipocytes and have been implicated in obesity‐associated pathologies such as diabetes. Why TLRs are found on adipocytes is not clear although one hypothesis is that they may coordinate energy utilization for the energy intensive process of an immune response. We have explored TLR signalling in primary human in vitro differentiated adipocytes and investigated the specific adapter molecules that are involved. Only lipopolysaccharide (LPS), poly(I:C), Pam3CSK4 and MALP‐2 could induce the production of IL‐6, IL‐8 and MCP‐1 by adipocytes. Poly(I:C) alone caused a strong induction of type I interferons, as assessed by IP‐10 production. Using siRNA, it was confirmed that LPS‐dependent signalling in adipocytes occurs via TLR4 utilizing the adapter molecules MyD88, Mal and TRIF and caused rapid degradation of IκBα. Pam3CSK4 signalling utilized TLR2, MyD88 and Mal (but not TRIF). However, the response to poly(I:C) observed in these cells appeared not to require TRIF, but MyD88 was required for induction of NFκB‐dependent cytokines by Poly(I:C). Despite this, IκBα degradation could not be detected in poly(I:C) stimulated adipocytes at any time‐point up to 4 h. Indeed, IL‐6 transcription was not induced until 8–16 h after exposure. These data suggest that Pam3CSK4 and LPS signal via the expected routes in human adipocytes, whereas poly(I:C)/TLR3 signalling may act via a TRIF‐independent, MyD88‐dependent route.