bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an active component of honeybee propolis attenuates osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption via the suppression of RANKL‐induced NF‐κB and NFAT activity
Authors: Ang Estabelle S.M. , Pavlos Nathan J. , Chai Lee Y. , Qi Ming , Cheng Tak S. , Steer James H. , Joyce David A. , Zheng Ming H. , Xu Jiake 
Published: August 2009

AbstractReceptor activator NF‐κB ligand (RANKL)‐activated signaling is essential for osteoclast differentiation, activation and survival. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a natural NF‐κB inhibitor from honeybee propolis has been shown to have anti‐tumor and anti‐inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of CAPE on the regulation of RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis, bone resorption and signaling pathways. Low concentrations of CAPE (<1 µM) dose dependently inhibited RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cell and bone marrow macrophage (BMM) cultures, as well as decreasing the capacity of human osteoclasts to resorb bone. CAPE inhibited both constitutive and RANKL‐induced NF‐κB and NFAT activation, concomitant with delayed IκBα degradation and inhibition of p65 nuclear translocation. At higher concentrations, CAPE induced apoptosis and caspase 3 activities of RAW264.7 and disrupts the microtubule network in osteoclast like (OCL) cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that inhibition of NF‐κB and NFAT activation by CAPE results in the attenuation of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, implying that CAPE is a potential treatment for osteolytic bone diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 642–649, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Live FISH: Imaging mRNA in living neurons
Authors: Simon Becky , Sandhu Maneek , Myhr Karen L. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis paper describes a novel technique to identify and study neurons that express specific mRNAs. The method is called Live FISH because it is like fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) but can be applied to living tissues. In Live FISH, molecular beacons, which fluoresce only in the presence of the complementary mRNA, are delivered by gene gun into living neurons. One of its many benefits over existing gene expression assays is that the neurons are alive. Because identified neurons are living, they can be targeted for subsequent single‐cell assays, such as electrophysiology. In addition, dye delivered with the molecular beacons illuminates dendritic morphology. Live FISH is cheaper than generating transgenic animals, and the endogenous mRNA is assayed without covalent modification or genetic manipulation. This report demonstrates the feasibility of Live FISH with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) mRNA in living mouse retinas, although molecular beacons can be rationally designed to any mRNA of interest. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Somatic Ca2+ signaling in cerebellar Purkinje neurons
Authors: Gruol D.L. , Netzeband J.G. , Nelson T.E. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractActivity‐driven Ca2+ signaling plays an important role in a number of neuronal functions, including neuronal growth, differentiation, and plasticity. Both cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ has been implicated in these functions. In the current study, we investigated membrane‐to‐nucleus Ca2+ signaling in cerebellar Purkinje neurons in culture to gain insight into the pathways and mechanisms that can initiate nuclear Ca2+ signaling in this neuronal type. Purkinje neurons are known to express an abundance of Ca2+ signaling molecules such as voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels, ryanodine receptors, and IP3 receptors. Results show that membrane depolarization evoked by brief stimulation with K+ saline elicits a prominent Ca2+ signal in the cytosol and nucleus of the Purkinje neurons. Ca2+ influx through P/Q‐ and L‐type voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels and Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release (CICR) from intracellular stores contributed to the Ca2+ signal, which spread from the plasma membrane to the nucleus. At strong K+ stimulations, the amplitude of the nuclear Ca2+ signal exceeded that of the cytosolic Ca2+ signal, suggesting the involvement of a nuclear amplification mechanism and/or differences in Ca2+ buffering in these two cellular compartments. An enhanced nuclear Ca2+ signal was more prominent for Ca2+ signals elicited by membrane depolarization than for Ca2+ signals elicited by activation of the metabotropic glutamate receptor pathway (mGluR1), which is linked to Ca2+ release from intracellular stores controlled by the IP3 receptor. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Single doublecortin gene therapy significantly reduces glioma tumor volume
Authors: Santra Manoranjan , Zheng Xuguang , Roberts Cindi , Santra Sutapa , Lu Mei , Panda Swayamprava , Jiang Feng , Chopp Michael 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe employed lentivirus‐based doublecortin (DCX), as a glioma suppressor gene therapy in an intracranial glioma tumor xenograft model in nude rats. Single DCX‐expressing lentivirus was directly administered into the tumor on day 8 after U87 tumor cell implantation. DCX treatment significantly reduced U87 glioma tumor volume (∼60%) on day 14 after DCX lentivirus injection and significantly improved median survival of tumor‐bearing nude rats. DCX synthesis induced neuronal markers MAP2, TUJ1, and PSA‐NCAM and the glial marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the implanted U87 glioma tumors. DCX synthesis induced GFAP that colocalized with tubulin in the mitotic stage, inhibited cleavage furrow during cytokinesis, and blocked mitosis in glioma cells. DCX lentivirus infection did not induce apoptosis but significantly inhibited expression of the proliferation marker Ki‐67 and the blood vessel marker von‐Willebrand factor (vWF). U87 and other glioma cells except for brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs) do not express neuronal markers or both neuronal and glial markers. DCX‐synthesizing glioma cells express a phenotype of antiangiogenic BTSC‐like cells with terminal differentiation that causes remission of glioma cells by blocking mitosis via a novel DCX/GFAP pathway. Direct local delivery of lentivirus‐based DCX gene therapy is a potential differentiation‐based therapeutic approach for the treatment of glioma. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reticulon 3 is an interacting partner of the SALM family of adhesion molecules
Authors: Chang Kai , Seabold Gail K. , Wang Chang‐Yu , Wenthold Robert J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractSynaptic adhesion‐like molecules (SALMs) are a recently discovered family of adhesion molecules that is widely distributed in the central nervous system and has been implicated in neurite outgrowth and synapse formation. To identify proteins that interact with extracellular domains of SALMs, we carried out yeast two‐hybrid screening using the extracellular domain of SALM1 as bait. A clone encoding full‐length reticulon 3A1 was isolated. This interaction was shown to occur through the LRR domain, which is found on all SALMs. To determine whether this relationship also occurs in brain, we performed immunoprecipitation using antibodies to SALMs 1–4. A 19‐kDa band, identified as reticulon 3C, bound to all four SALMs, whereas a 90‐kDa band, which did not comigrate with any known reticulon 3 variant, bound to SALMs 2 and 3. These results show that reticulon 3 may play a role in the trafficking of the SALM family of adhesion molecules. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sodium‐calcium interactions with growth, water, and photosynthetic parameters in salt‐treated beans
Authors: Cabot Catalina , Sibole John V. , Barceló Juan , Poschenrieder Charlotte 
Published: August 2009

AbstractCalcium (Ca2+) amelioration of the plant's growth response to salinity depends on genetic factors. In this work, supplemental Ca2+ did not improve growth in Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Contender under high‐saline conditions and negatively affected several physiological parameters in nonsalinized plants. The response to supplemental Ca2+ was examined using plants grown in 25% modified Hoagland solution at different Na+ : Ca2+ ratios. In control plants (1 mM Ca2+; 1 mM Na+) surplus Ca2+ (4 or 10 mM) was associated with stomatal closure, decrease of hydraulic conductivity, sap flow, leaf specific dry weight, leaf K+ and leaf Mg2+ concentrations, and inhibition of CO2 assimilation. Leaf water content was enhanced, while water‐use efficiency and dry matter were unaffected during the 15 d experimental period. The Ca2+ effect was not cation‐specific since similar results were found in plants supplied with high external Mg2+ or with a combination of Ca2+ and Mg2+. Relative to control plants, salinization (50 and 100 mM NaCl) caused a decrease in dry matter, hydraulic conductivity, sap flow, leaf Mg2+ activity, and inhibition of stomatal opening and CO2 assimilation. However, NaCl (50 and 100 mM NaCl) enhanced leaf K+ concentration and water‐use efficiency. At 100 mM NaCl, leaf water content also significantly increased. Supplemental Ca2+ had no amelioration effect on the salt‐stress response of this bean cultivar. In contrast, the 50 mM–NaCl treatment improved stomatal conductance and CO2‐assimilation rate in plants exposed to the highest Ca2+ concentration (10 mM). Phaseolus vulgaris is classified as a very NaCl‐sensitive species. The similarities in the effects caused by supplemental Ca2+, supplemental Mg2+, and NaCl salinity suggest that P. vulgaris cv. Contender has a high non‐ion‐specific salt sensitivity. On the other hand, the improvement in gas‐exchange parameters in Ca2+‐supplemented plants by high NaCl could be the result of specific Na+‐triggered responses, such as an increase in the concentration of K+ in the leaves.
Megadroughts in North America: placing IPCC projections of hydroclimatic change in a long‐term palaeoclimate context
Authors: Cook Edward R. , Seager Richard , Heim Richard R. , Vose Russell S. , Herweijer Celine , Woodhouse Connie 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIPCC Assessment Report 4 model projections suggest that the subtropical dry zones of the world will both dry and expand poleward in the future due to greenhouse warming. The US Southwest is particularly vulnerable in this regard and model projections indicate a progressive drying there out to the end of the 21st century. At the same time, the USA has been in a state of drought over much of the West for about 10 years now. While severe, this turn of the century drought has not yet clearly exceeded the severity of two exceptional droughts in the 20th century. So while the coincidence between the turn of the century drought and projected drying in the Southwest is cause for concern, it is premature to claim that the model projections are correct. At the same time, great new insights into past drought variability over North America have been made through the development of the North American Drought Atlas from tree rings. Analyses of this drought atlas have revealed past megadroughts of unprecedented duration in the West, largely in the Medieval period about 1000 years ago. A vastly improved Living Blended Drought Atlas (LBDA) for North America now under development reveals these megadroughts in far greater detail. The LBDA indicates the occurrence of the same Medieval megadroughts in the West and similar‐scale megadroughts in the agriculturally and commercially important Mississippi Valley. Possible causes of these megadroughts and their implications for the future are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CNT Based Elastomer‐Hybrid‐Nanocomposites with Promising Mechanical and Electrical Properties
Authors: Fritzsche Juliane , Lorenz Hagen , Klüppel Manfred 
Published: August 2009

AbstractCNT based elastomer‐hybrid‐nanocomposites prepared by melt mixing have been investigated showing promising results in technologically relevant electrical, mechanical, and fracture‐mechanical properties. It is demonstrated that the incorporation of CNT in silica‐filled natural rubber results in a good dispersion of the CNT. The materials show an enhanced mechanical stiffness and tensile strength, an increased modulus, and a high electrical conductivity with quite low amounts of CNT, though the tear resistance under dynamical loading is slightly reduced. Using DMA and dielectric spectra, a better understanding of the conduction mechanism, the polymer/tube interaction, and the filler networking in CNT nanocomposites is achieved.magnified image
Plasma Functionalization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Bucky Papers and the Effect on Properties of Melt‐Mixed Composites with Polycarbonate
Authors: Pötschke Petra , Zschoerper Nicolas Peer , Moller Björn P. , Vohrer Uwe 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMultiwalled carbon nanotubes in the form of bucky papers were modified using Ar/O2 plasma and thereafter melt‐mixed into polycarbonate. The effect of plasma modification on the nanotubes was followed by XPS, indicating the formation of carboxylic or ester groups at the nanotube surfaces. In the melt‐mixed nanocomposites, the modified nanotubes exhibited a better macrodispersion and better phase adhesion to the matrix as evidenced by morphological investigations. The electrical percolation threshold was not altered and occurred below 0.5 wt.‐% nanotubes. The mechanical properties were improved by having higher values of stress at yield, stress beyond the yield point, and strain at break illustrating the effect of both better dispersion and enhanced phase adhesion.magnified image
Annular Multi‐Shelled Spherulites in Interiors of Bulk‐Form Poly(nonamethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Chen Yu‐Fan , Woo Eamor M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMorphology of crystallized spherulites in poly(nonamethylene terephthalate) (PNT) in bulk forms, instead of thin‐film forms, was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarized‐optical microscopy (POM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ring textures were found to exist on the fractured surfaces or microtomed films from bulk PNT samples. By further SEM and TEM examinations, the fracture surfaces and microtomed films from the interior of the bulk display similar ring‐banded patterns as those in thin films cast on glass slides. Although the cast PNT thin films in two‐dimensional growth are known to display both Type‐1 ring bands as majority and Type‐2 ring bands as minority, this study further shows that the interior of PNT bulk exhibits mainly Type‐1 (single rings with narrower spacing than Type‐2) ring bands, and Type‐2 spherulites exist sporadically in three‐dimensional forms. From these analyses on the ring bands in the interiors of bulk‐form PNT crystallized at several specific temperatures, it can be proposed that the growth of spherulites in three dimensions is layer‐by‐layer, packing into a multi‐shells structure in three‐dimensional ring‐banded spheres.magnified image
One‐Dimensional V2O5@Polyaniline Core/Shell Nanobelts Synthesized by an In situ Polymerization Method
Authors: Li Guicun , Zhang Chuanqin , Peng Hongrui , Chen Kezheng 
Published: August 2009

AbstractUniform one‐dimensional V2O5@polyaniline core/shell nanobelts have been fabricated by a simple in‐situ polymerization method in the absence of any surfactant and additional initiator. The influences of pH and additional initiator on the morphology of the resulting products are investigated. The pH value is important for the formation of V2O5@polyaniline core/shell nanobelts, which preserve the original morphology of V2O5 nanobelts. With a decrease in the pH value to 0 the original morphology of the V2O5 nanobelts is destroyed. When ammonium peroxydisulfate is used, some separated polyaniline nanofibers are formed. The formation of the V2O5@polyaniline core/shell nanobelts can be related to the in‐situ polymerization of aniline monomer by etching V2O5 nanobelts. The electrochemical lithium intercalation/deintercalation of V2O5@polyaniline core/shell nanobelts is investigated by cyclic voltammograms.magnified image
Synthesis of CdSe–Poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) Nanocomposite by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Potential Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Wang Tzong‐Liu , Yang Chien‐Hsin , Shieh Yeong‐Tarng , Yeh An‐Chi 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA hybrid inorganic–polymer nanocomposite using CdSe nanocrystals with high electron mobility has been successfully synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). First the hydroxyl‐coated CdSe nanoparticles (i.e., CdSe–OH) were prepared via a wet chemical route. A polymerization initiator was then prepared for ATRP of N‐vinylcarbazole. FT‐IR, 1H NMR, and XRD analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of CdSe–poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) nanohybrid. UV–Vis spectra and photoluminescence data revealed that grafting of PVK onto the surface of CdSe nanocrystals would reduce the band gap of PVK and cause the red shift of emission peak. TEM and SEM micrographs exhibited CdSe nanoparticles that were well‐coated with PVK polymer.magnified image
H2O, H2, HF, F2 and F2O nuclear magnetic shielding constants and indirect nuclear spin–spin coupling constants (SSCCs) in the BHandH/pcJ‐n and BHandH/XZP Kohn–Sham limits
Authors: Kupka Teobald 
Published: August 2009

AbstractGood performance of segmented contracted basis sets XZP, where X = D, T, Q and 5, for obtaining H2O, H2, HF, F2 and F2O nuclear isotropic shielding constants in the BHandH Kohn–Sham basis set limit was shown. The results of two‐ and three‐parameter complete basis set limit extrapolation schemes were compared with experimental results, earlier literature data and benchmark ab initio results. Similar convergence patterns of shieldings obtained from calculations using general purpose XZP basis sets and from polarization‐consistent basis sets pcS‐n and pcJ‐n, where n = 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, designed to accurately predict magnetic properties were observed. On the contrary, the SSCCs were more sensitive to the XZP basis set size and generally less accurate than those estimated using pcJ‐n basis set family. The BHandH density functional markedly outperforms B3LYP method in predicting heavy atom shieldings and SSCCs values in the studied systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stochastic identification of elastic constants for anisotropic materials
Authors: Furukawa Tomonari , Pan Jan Wei 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis paper presents an energy‐based characterization technique that stochastically identifies the elastic constants of anisotropic materials by modeling the measurement noise and removing its effect unlike conventional deterministic techniques, which deterministically identify the elastic constants directly from noisy measurements. The technique recursively estimates the elastic constants at every acquisition of measurements using Kalman Filter. Owing to the non‐linear expression of the measurement model, a Kalman gain has been newly derived and achieves optimal estimation. Since the variances in addition to the means are computed, the proposed technique can not only identify the elastic constants but also describe their certainty as an additional advantage. The validity of the proposed technique and its superiority to the conventional technique were first demonstrated via parametric studies of low‐dimensional problems. The proposed technique was then successfully applied to the identification of elastic constants of an anisotropic material. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymerization kinetics and microstructure of waterborne acrylic/alkyd nanocomposites synthesized by miniemulsion
Authors: Goikoetxea Monika , Minari Roque J. , Beristain Itxaso , Paulis María , Barandiaran María J. , Asua José M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWaterborne acrylic‐alkyd nanocomposites are expected to combine the positive properties of alkyd resins and acrylic polymers. In this work, the kinetics of the miniemulsion polymerization used to synthesize these nanocomposites and the effect of the process variables on the polymer architecture and particle morphology was investigated. It was found that resin hydrophobicity and the type of initiator strongly affected the microstructure of these materials. The mechanisms responsible for these effects were discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4871–4885, 2009
Synthesis and properties of fluorine‐containing amphiphilic graft copolymer P(HFMA)‐g‐P(SPEG)
Authors: Xiong Sheng‐Dong , Li Ling , Wu Shui‐Lin , Xu Zu‐Shun , Chu Paul K. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA series of amphiphilic graft copolymers P(HFMA)‐g‐P(SPEG) comprising poly(hexafluorobutyl methacrylate) (PHFMA) backbones and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains were synthesized by copolymerization of HFMA and SPEG macromonomer with the p‐vinylbenzyl end group. The SPEG macromonomer was synthesized by reacting Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG) with p‐chloromethylstyrene in THF in the presence of NaH. The macromonomer and amphiphilic graft copolymer were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 19F NMR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the amphiphilic graft copolymer was measured by surface tension technique. The results showed that the CMC decreased with increasing HFMA contents in the graft copolymers. The interaction between P(HFMA)‐g‐P(SPEG) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS). The fluorescence spectrum showed that the fluorescence intensity of BSA increased with increasing content of HFMA in P(HFMA)‐g‐P(SPEG) and concentration of P(HFMA)‐g‐P(SPEG) in the P(HFMA)‐g‐P(SPEG)/BSA solution. TEM micrographs showed that P(HFMA)‐g‐P(SPEG) mainly formed core‐shell structure micelles. When BSA was added, the micelles changed from a core‐shell structure into a worm‐like, vesicle‐like and hollow‐like structure with different initial concentrations of the copolymer. The size distribution of the micelles increased proving that the copolymer micelles encapsulated the bovine serum albumin. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4895–4907, 2009
Fabrication and properties of hollow poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐Ag nanocomposite spheres
Authors: Xie Lin , Chen Min , Wu Limin 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis article presents a strategy for the fabrication of hollow poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)‐Ag nanocomposite spheres. In this approach, the thermosensitive PNIPAM hollow spheres were first synthesized via a one‐pot “self‐removing” process and then used as supporters for the coordination and in situ reduction of Ag+ ions. The results show that these hollow PNIPAM‐Ag nanocomposite spheres still have typical thermal sensitivity, and importantly, these spheres have very good and controllable catalytic activity with five stages of variation versus temperature. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4919–4926, 2009
Tridentate anilido‐aldimine magnesium and zinc complexes as efficient catalysts for ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and L‐lactide
Authors: Tsai Yueh‐Hsuan , Lin Chia‐Her , Lin Chu‐Chieh , Ko Bao‐Tsan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA novel tridentate anilido‐aldimine ligand, [o‐C6H4(NHAr)HCNCH2CH2NMe2] (Ar = 2,6‐iPr2C6H3, L‐H, 1), has been prepared by the condensation of N, N‐dimethylethylenediamine with one molar equivalent of 2‐fluoro‐benzaldehyde in hexane, followed by the addition of the lithium salt of diisopropylaniline in THF. Magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) complexes supported by the tridentate anilido‐aldimine ligand have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Reaction of L‐H (1) with an equivalent amount of MgnBu2 or ZnEt2 produces the monomeric complex [LMgnBu] (2) or [LZnEt] (3), respectively. Experimental results show that complexes 2 and 3 are efficient catalysts for ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (CL) and L‐lactide (LA) in the presence of benzyl alcohol and catalyze the polymerization of ε‐CL and L‐LA in a controlled fashion yielding polymers with a narrow polydispersity index. In both polymerizations, the activity of Mg complex 2 is higher than that of Zn complex 3, which is probably due to the higher Lewis acidity and better oxophilic nature of Mg2+ metal. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4927–4936, 2009