bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compression properties of polyvinyl alcohol – bacterial cellulose nanocomposite
Authors: Millon Leonardo E. , Oates Christine J. , Wan Wankei 
Published: April 2009

AbstractDespite the established use of total joint replacement for the treatment of advanced degeneration of articular cartilage, component loosening due to wear and osteolysis limits the lifespan of these joint prostheses. In the present study, nanocomposites consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers were investigated as possible improved cartilage replacement materials. Nanocomposites were synthesized by adding small amounts (<1%) of BC to PVA, and subjecting the mixture to thermal cycling. The mechanical properties of the resulting material were evaluated using unconfined compression testing. By the addition of BC nanofibers to the PVA matrix, a nanocomposite with a wide range of compressive mechanical properties control was obtained, with elastic modulus values similar to those reported for native articular cartilage. The nanocomposite also showed improved strain‐rate dependence and adequate viscoelastic properties. The PVA–BC nanocomposite is therefore a promising biomaterial to be considered as a possible replacement material for localized articular cartilage injuries and other orthopedic applications such as intervertebral discs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2009
Poly(para‐dioxanone)/inorganic particle composites as a novel biomaterial
Authors: Bai Wei , Chen Dongliang , Zhang Zhiping , Li Qing , Zhang Dujuan , Xiong Chengdong 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn this work, poly(para‐dioxanone) (PPDO) was mixed with 1% (by weight) calcium carbonate (CaCO3), beta‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP), or calcium sulphate dihydrate (CSD) by solution co‐precipitation. Samples were compression molded into bars using a platen‐vulcanizing press. The morphology, thermal and mechanical properties, and crystalline structure of the composites were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. All results suggest that three types of inorganic particle in this system promote the crystallinity of PPDO and act as an effective nucleating agent: the relative degree of crystallinity of PPDO increased from 30.74% to 100%, and the crystallization temperature of PPDO was increased by 18°C. On the other hand, the mechanical properties of PPDO were changed by the presence of inorganic particles: the tensile strength of PPDO/CSD increased by 11.46%. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2009
Cyto‐ and hemocompatibility of a biodegradable 3D‐scaffold material designed for medical applications
Authors: Milleret Vincent , Simonet Marc , Bittermann Anne Greet , Neuenschwander Peter , Hall Heike 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn this study, the polyester urethane Degrapol® (DP) was explored for medical applications. Electrospun DP‐fiber fleeces were characterized with regard to fiber morphology, swelling, and interconnectivity of interfiber spaces. Moreover, DP was assayed for cell proliferation and hemocompatibility being a prerequisite to any further in vivo application. It was shown that DP‐fiber fleeces produced at different humidity while spinning affects interconnectivity of interfiber spaces, such that the higher the humidity the looser the resulting fiber fleeces. When the spinning target was cooled with dry ice, the resulting DP‐fibers remained less fused to each other. However, permeability for fluorescent beads was not significantly increased. Fibroblast adhesion and proliferation occurred in a comparable manner on native as well as on fibronectin or collagen I adsorbed DP‐fiber fleeces. On DP‐surfaces fibroblasts proliferated equally well as compared with glass or PLGA surfaces or DP‐surfaces adsorbed with fibronectin or collagen I. In contrast, human umbilical vein endothelial cells proliferated only after adsorption of DP‐surfaces with fibronectin or collagen I, indicating that different cell types respond differently to DP‐surfaces. Furthermore, hemocompatibility of DP‐surfaces was found to be similar or better to PLGA or stainless steel, both medically used materials. These experiments indicate that DP‐fiber fleeces or surfaces might be useful for tissue engineering. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2009
Current SEC/PCAOB accounting and auditing issues
Authors: Ciesielski Jack T. , Weirich Thomas R. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn the midst of the recent financial turmoil, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants held its annual Securities and Exchange Commission/Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Developments Conference last December. Of special note were the many warnings and reminders to wake up auditors. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phosphorylation regulates the ferritoid–ferritin interaction and nuclear transport
Authors: Beazley Kelly E. , Nurminskaya Maria , Linsenmayer Thomas F. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractFerritin is an iron‐sequestering protein that is generally cytoplasmic; however, our previous studies have shown that in avian corneal epithelial (CE) cells ferritin is nuclear. We have also observed that this nuclear localization involves a tissue‐specific nuclear transporter that we have termed ferritoid, and that nuclear ferritin protects DNA from oxidative damage. Recently we have determined that ferritoid functions not only as a nuclear transporter, but also, within the nucleus, it remains associated with ferritin as a heteropolymeric complex. This ferritoid–ferritin complex has unique properties such as being half the size of a typical ferritin molecule and showing preferential binding to DNA. It is likely that the association between ferritoid and ferritin is involved both in the nuclear transport of ferritin and in determining certain of the properties of the complex; therefore, we have been examining the mechanisms involved in regulating the association of these two components. As the ferritoid sequence contains six putative phosphorylation sites, we have examined here whether phosphorylation is one such mechanism. We have determined that ferritoid in the nuclear ferritoid–ferritin complexes is phosphorylated, and that inhibition of this phosphorylation, using inhibitors of PKC, prevents its interaction with ferritin. Furthermore, in an experimental model system in which the nuclear transport of ferritin normally occurs (i.e., the co‐transfection of COS‐1 cells with full length constructs for ferritin and ferritoid), when phosphorylation sites in ferritoid are mutated, the interaction between ferritoid and ferritin is inhibited, as is the nuclear transport of ferritin. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 528–536, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prediction of octanol–water partition coefficients of organic compounds by multiple linear regression, partial least squares, and artificial neural network
Authors: Golmohammadi Hassan 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) study was performed to develop models those relate the structure of 141 organic compounds to their octanol–water partition coefficients (logPo/w). A genetic algorithm was applied as a variable selection tool. Modeling of logPo/wof these compounds as a function of theoretically derived descriptors was established by multiple linear regression (MLR), partial least squares (PLS), and artificial neural network (ANN). The best selected descriptors that appear in the models are: atomic charge weighted partial positively charged surface area (PPSA‐3), fractional atomic charge weighted partial positive surface area (FPSA‐3), minimum atomic partial charge (Qmin), molecular volume (MV), total dipole moment of molecule (μ), maximum antibonding contribution of a molecule orbital in the molecule (MAC), and maximum free valency of a C atom in the molecule (MFV). The result obtained showed the ability of developed artificial neural network to prediction of partition coefficients of organic compounds. Also, the results revealed the superiority of ANN over the MLR and PLS models. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Insights into docking and scoring neuronal α4β2 nicotinic receptor agonists using molecular dynamics simulations and QM/MM calculations
Authors: Sgrignani Jacopo , Bonaccini Claudia , Grazioso Giovanni , Chioccioli Matteo , Cavalli Andrea , Gratteri Paola 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA combined quantum mechanical (QM)‐polarized docking and molecular dynamics approach to study the binding mode and to predict the binding affinity of ligands acting at the α4β2‐nAChR is presented. The results obtained in this study indicate that the quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics docking protocol well describes the charge‐driven interactions occurring in the binding of nicotinic agonists, and it is able to represent the polarization effects on the ligand exerted by the surrounding atoms of the receptor at the binding site. This makes it possible to properly score agonists of α4β2‐nAChR and to reproduce the experimental binding affinity data with good accuracy, within a mean error of 2.2 kcal/mol. Moreover, applying the QM‐polarized docking to an ensemble of nAChR conformations obtained from MD simulations enabled us to accurately capture nAChR‐ligand induced‐fit effects. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Xylitol production by liquid emulsion membrane encapsulated yeast cells
Authors: Sirisansaneeyakul Sarote , Chainoy Rittikorn , Vanichsriratana Wirat , Srinophakun Thongchai , Chisti Yusuf 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Liquid emulsion membrane (LEM)‐encapsulated live cells can be used to produce various products. This work reports on LEM‐encapsulated cells for producing xylitol and models the production process.RESULTS: Encapsulated cells of Candida mogii ATCC 18364 were used to produce xylitol from xylose. Soybean oil LEM consisting of 5% (w/v) lanolin and microwaxes was found most suitable for this process. The LEM‐encapsulated cells were immobilized in a tubular biocatalytic loop. Xylitol was produced under oxygen‐limited and aerobic conditions. Xylitol productivity and yield were 0.005 g L−1 h−1 and 0.52 g g−1, respectively, for oxygen‐limited operation. Under aerobic conditions, xylitol productivity increased greatly to 0.022 g L−1 h−1, but yield on xylose declined to 0.49 g g−1. A mathematical model successfully described substrate consumption and product formation in the LEM‐immobilized cell system.CONCLUSION: Potentially, immobilized cell LEM systems are useful for certain fermentations and they can be successfully modeled, as shown by the example of xylitol from xylose process. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Exploiting olive oil mill effluents as a renewable resource for production of biodegradable polymers through a combined anaerobic–aerobic process
Authors: Beccari M. , Bertin L. , Dionisi D. , Fava F. , Lampis S. , Majone M. , Valentino F. , Vallini G. , Villano M. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: The performance of a three‐stage process for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioproduction from olive oil mill effluents (OME) has been investigated. In the first anaerobic stage OME were fermented in a packed bed biofilm reactor into volatile fatty acids (VFAs). This VFA‐rich effluent was fed to the second stage, operated in an aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR), to enrich mixed cultures able to store PHAs. Finally, the storage response of the selected consortia was exploited in the third aerobic stage, operated in batch conditions.RESULTS: The anaerobic stage increased the VFA percentage in the OME from 18% to ∼32% of the overall chemical oxygen demand (COD). A biomass with high storage response was successfully enriched in the SBR fed with the fermented OME at an organic load rate of 8.5 gCOD L−1 d−1, with maximum storage rate and yield (146 mgCOD gCOD−1 h−1 and 0.36 COD COD−1, respectively) very similar to those obtained with a synthetic VFA mixture. By means of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis, different bacterial strains were identified during the two SBR runs: Lampropedia hyalina and Candidatus Meganema perideroedes, with the synthetic feed or the fermented OMEs, respectively. In the third stage, operated at increasing loads, the maximum concentration of the PHA produced increased linearly with the substrate fed. Moreover, about half of the stored PHAs were produced from substrates other than VFAs, mostly alcohols.CONCLUSION: The results obtained indicate that the process is effective for simultaneous treatment of OME and their valorization as a renewable resource for PHA production. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence and canonical supremacy: An analysis of how George Herbert Mead demoted Charles Horton Cooley in the sociological canon
Authors: Jacobs Glenn 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis analysis assesses the factors underlying Charles Horton Cooley's place in the sociological canon as they relate to George Herbert Mead's puzzling diatribe—echoed in secondary accounts—against Cooley's social psychology and view of the self published scarcely a year after his death. The illocutionary act of publishing his critique stands as an effort to project the image of Mead's intellectual self and enhance his standing among sociologists within and outside the orbit of the University of Chicago. It expressed Mead's ambivalence toward his precursor Cooley, whose influence he never fully acknowledged. In addition, it typifies the contending fractal distinctions of the scientifically discursive versus literary styles of Mead and Cooley, who both founded the interpretive sociological tradition. The contrasting styles and attitudes toward writing of the two figures are discussed, and their implications for the problems of scale that have stymied the symbolic interactionist tradition are explored.
Repression of tau hyperphosphorylation by chronic endurance exercise in aged transgenic mouse model of tauopathies
Authors: Leem Yea‐Hyun , Lim Hwa‐Ja , Shim Sun‐Bo , Cho Joon‐Yong , Kim Bum‐Soo , Han Pyung‐Lim 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe present study was undertaken to investigate whether chronic endurance exercise affects tau phosphorylation levels in the brain with Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐like pathology. To address this, the transgenic (Tg) mouse model of tauopathies, Tg‐NSE/htau23, which expresses human tau23 in the brain, was chosen. Animals were subjected to chronic exercise for 3 months from 16 months of age. The exercised Tg mouse groups were treadmill run at speeds of 12 m/min (intermediate exercise group) or 19 m/min (high exercise group) for 1 hr/day, 5 days/week, during the 3‐month period. Chronic endurance exercise in Tg mice increased the expression of Cu/Zn‐superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and also their enzymatic activities in the brain. In parallel, chronic exercise in Tg mice up‐regulated the expression of phospho‐PKCα, phospho‐AKT, and phospho‐PI3K, and down‐regulated the expressions of phospho‐PKA, phosphor‐p38, phospho‐JNK, and phospho‐ERK. Moreover, chronic exercise up‐regulated both cytosolic and nuclear levels of β‐catenin, and the expression of T‐cell factor‐4 (Tcf‐4) and cyclin D1 in the brain. As a consequence of such changes, the levels of phospho‐tau in the brain of Tg mice were markedly decreased after exercise. Immunohistochemical analysis showed an exercised‐induced decrease of the phospho‐tau levels in the CA3 subregion of the hippocampus. These results suggest that chronic endurance exercise may provide a therapeutic potential to alleviate the tau pathology. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurovascular effects of CD47 signaling: Promotion of cell death, inflammation, and suppression of angiogenesis in brain endothelial cells in vitro
Authors: Xing Changhong , Lee Sunryung , Kim Woo Jean , Wang Hui , Yang Yong‐Guang , Ning MingMing , Wang Xiaoying , Lo Eng H. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe concept of the neurovascular unit emphasizes that common signals and substrates underlie the physiology and pathophysiology of neuronal and endothelial compartments in brain. Recent data suggest that activation of the integrin‐associated protein CD47 promotes neuronal cell death. Is it possible that CD47 may also negatively affect cerebral endothelial cells? Exposure of wild‐type primary mouse cerebral endothelial cells to the CD47 ligand thrombospondin 1 (TSP‐1) induced an increasing amount of cell death, whereas cytotoxicity was significantly decreased in cerebral endothelial cells derived from CD47 knockout mice. The specific CD47‐activating peptide, 4N1K, similarly induced cell death in human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Promotion of inflammation was also involved because lower TSP‐1 was able to up‐regulate the adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1. Finally, CD47 signaling may suppress angiogenesis because 4N1K significantly inhibited endothelial cell migration and tube formation in vitro. We conclude that CD47 signaling can negatively affect the viability and function of cerebral endothelial cells, further supporting the notion that CD47 may be a potential neurovascular target for stroke and brain injury. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Climate change and the precipitation variations in the northwestern Himalaya: 1866–2006
Authors: Bhutiyani M. R. , Kale V. S. , Pawar N. J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractUsing available instrumental records, this paper examines the variation of precipitation from 1866 to 2006 in the northwestern Himalaya (NWH). The study indicates no trend in the winter precipitation but significant decreasing trend in the monsoon precipitation during the study period. Periodicities on a multi‐decadal scale (29–34 years and 58–64 years) obtained in power spectrum analyses point towards epochal behaviour in the precipitation series. Analyses of the temperature data show significant increasing trends in annual temperature in all three stations in the NWH during the data period. Warming effect is particularly noteworthy during the winter season. Negative relationships between mean winter air temperature and snowfall amounts recorded at different meteorological stations in this period reveal strong effect of rising temperatures on the decreasing snowfall component in total winter precipitation, reducing effective duration of winter on the windward side of the Pir Panjal Himalayan Range.The study also shows influence of global teleconnections [North‐Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) during winter months and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) during the monsoon months] on precipitation fluctuations in the NWH. The teleconnections that appear to exist between the precipitation and the temperature until the late 1960s seem to have weakened considerably in the last three decades. This may be ascribed to the diminishing effect of the natural factors such as quasi‐biennial oscillations (QBO), El Niño Southern Oscillations (ENSO), double sunspot cycles (Hale), etc., in this period. Role of increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere cannot be ruled out. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Emulsifying properties of gum kondagogu (Cochlospermum gossypium), a natural biopolymer
Authors: Vegi Ganga Modi Naidu , Sistla Ramakrishna , Srinivasan Palaniappan , Beedu Sashidhar Rao , Khar Roop K , Diwan Prakash V 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Natural polymers are widely used as emulsifying agents in the food and pharmaceutical industries because of their low cost, biocompatibility and non‐toxic nature. In the present study, emulsifying properties of the novel natural biopolymer gum kondagogu (GKG) were investigated. GKG solutions of different concentrations (0.1–0.6% w/v) were prepared in water and emulsified with liquid paraffin oil (40% v/v) in a high‐speed homogeniser. Flow properties of the emulsions were measured using a rheometer. Emulsion stability and droplet size distribution were determined by visual observation, photomicrography and laser‐scattering particle size distribution analysis.RESULTS: The emulsions prepared with GKG showed pseudoplastic behaviour. The size of oil droplets and the viscosity of emulsions at concentrations of 0.4–0.6% w/v showed little change over time (up to 30 days), indicating that the emulsions were stable. Measurements of the zeta potential of emulsions adjusted to different pH, with and without added electrolyte, showed that the stabilisation of emulsions with GKG was due to mutual repulsion between electrical double layers of particles and adsorption of macromolecules on oil droplets.CONCLUSION: The results of this experimental investigation show that GKG is a good emulsifying agent even at low concentrations, with many potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Capillary electrophoresis applied to proteomic analysis
Authors: Fonslow Bryan R. , Yates III John R. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn the postgenomic era, proteomics has become a dominant field for identifying and quantifying the complex protein machinery of the cell. The expression levels, posttranslational modifications, and specific interactions of proteins control the biology of such processes as development, differentiation, and signal transduction. Studies of the proteins involved in these processes often lead to a better understanding of biology and of human disease. Powerful separation techniques and sensitive detection methods enable researchers to untangle these complicated networks of processes. CE coupled with either MS or LIF are two of the techniques that make this possible. This review will cover proven CE‐based methods for proteomics on the cell and tissue level and their application in biological and clinical studies, relevant new developments in enabling technology such as microfluidic CE‐MS demonstrated on model systems, and comment on the future of CE in proteomics.
Quantitative relationship and application of 3‐benzylketoimine metal dichlorides in the analysis of volatile hydrocarbons
Authors: Wawrzyniak Rafal 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe paper concerns the analysis of volatile hydrocarbons on newly designed and produced capillary columns. According to the type of coating used, the columns are of the PLOT type, and according to the adsorbate‐adsorbent type interactions they belong to the category of complexation GC. The adsorbent used was silica, whose surface was modified with bonded 2‐(3‐triethoxysilylpropylimino)‐3‐(benzyl)‐pentanone‐4 to change the adsorption characteristics. The presence of the ketoimine group of strongly electron‐accepting properties permitted the binding of transition metals. The metal ions are capable of interacting selectively with nucleophilic compounds including olefins. The transition metal ions used for sorbent modification were copper(II) chlorides and nickel(II) chlorides. The supported adsorbent was immobilised by bonding the modified silica to the column walls by a film of poly(dimethylsiloxane). Due to this strategy, the coating was very stable, no sorbent loss from the column was observed and the column could be washed with solvent. Besides exemplary separations, the paper quotes retention parameters of the group of compounds analysed and presents a discussion of the specific interactions between the adsorbate and adsorbent.