bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facile Synthesis of Ternary Boron Carbonitride Nanotubes
Authors: Luo Lijie , Mo Libin , Tong Zhangfa , Chen Yongjun 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
In this study, a novel and facile approach for the synthesis of ternary boron carbonitride (B–C–N) nanotubes was reported. Growth occurred by heating simple starting materials of boron powder, zinc oxide powder, and ethanol absolute at 1150 °C under a mixture gas flow of nitrogen and hydrogen. As substrate, commercial stainless steel foil with a typical thickness of 0.05 mm played an additional role of catalyst during the growth of nanotubes. The nanotubes were characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, and EELS. The results indicate that the synthesized B–C–N nanotubes exhibit a bamboo-like morphology and B, C, and N elements are homogeneously distributed in the nanotubes. A catalyzed vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) mechanism was proposed for the growth of the nanotubes.
Synthesis and Properties of Lipoamino Acid–Fatty Acid Mixtures: Influence of the Amphiphilic Structure
Authors: Rondel Caroline , Alric Isabelle , Mouloungui Zéphirin , Blanco Jean‐François , Silvestre Françoise 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe acylation of amino acids by acid chlorides with from 8 to 12 carbon atoms in alkaline aqueous medium following Schotten–Baumann reaction results in sodium salts of a Nα‐acylamino acid and fatty acid mixture. The latter are present in a proportion from 40 to 60%. These compositions represent mixtures of amphiphilic anionic surfactants. Together they contribute to the properties of the formulation. Measurements of the surface‐active properties of these formulations, such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension at the CMC (ST), foaming capacity (FC) and foaming stability (FS), show that surfactant mixtures with the longest chain have the most desirable properties. They are comparable to commercial petroleum‐based surfactants. Thus, the CMC, ST and CM values of the formulation obtained starting from leucine and dodecanoyl chloride (310 mg/l, 30.1 mN/m and 200%, respectively) are similar to, and even better than, sodium dodecylsulfate (290 mg/l, 39.1 mN/m and 230%, respectively).
Common Variants of ABCB4 and ABCB11 and Plasma Lipid Levels: A Study in Sib Pairs with Gallstones, and Controls
Authors: Acalovschi Monica , Tirziu Simona , Chiorean Erica , Krawczyk Marcin , Grünhage Frank , Lammert Frank 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMost epidemiological surveys have confirmed the association of low HDL‐cholesterol and high triglyceride levels with cholesterol gallstones. Our objective was to analyze the relationship between plasma lipid levels and common polymorphisms of ABCB11 (encoding the bile salt export pump, BSEP) and ABCB4 (encoding the phospholipid transporter into bile, MDR3) genes. Plasma lipids were measured in 108 index patients of sib pairs with gallstones and in 260 controls. Using PCR‐based assays with 5′‐nuclease and fluorescence detection (TaqMan), the ABCB11 coding SNP p.A444V and four haplotype‐tagging SNPs covering the ABCB4 gene (c.504C > T, c.711T > A, p.R652G, rs31653 in intron 26) were genotyped. Plasma lipids were compared in carriers of the common versus rare allele of these polymorphisms using Student's t test and Pearson's correlation. BMI and triglyceride levels were higher and HDL‐cholesterol levels were lower in affected siblings than in controls. Among cases, triglyceride and cholesterol levels were higher in carriers of the common versus rare (hetero/homozygous carriers) allele of the SNPs p.A444V of ABCB11 and C.504C > T of ABCB4. HDL‐cholesterol was lower in carriers of the common allele of rs31653. In controls, significant differences of cholesterol and HDL‐cholesterol levels were found in carriers of ABCB4 polymorphisms. Our results do not support the hypothesis of a link between ABCB4 and ABCB11 polymorphisms, lithogenic dyslipidemia, and gallstone risk.
Cloning and Molecular Characterization of the Acyl‐CoA:Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) Gene from Echium
Authors: Mañas‐Fernández A. , Vilches‐Ferrón M. , Garrido‐Cárdenas J. A. , Belarbi E.‐H. , Alonso D. L. , García‐Maroto F. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBoraginaceae species, such as those from the genus Echium, contain high levels of the Δ6‐desaturated γ‐linolenic (18:3n‐6) and octadecatetraenoic (18:4n‐3) acids. These are unusual fatty acids among the plant kingdom that are gaining interest due to their benefits to human health. The potential utility of acyltransferases aimed at an increase in oil yield and fatty acid profiling has been reported. In this work, a gene encoding an acyl‐CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT, EC 2.3.1.20) was cloned from Echium pitardii. Genomic and cDNA sequences obtained revealed a gene structure composed of 16 exons, yielding a protein (EpDGAT) of 473 amino acids with high similarity to DGAT1 enzymes of plants. Protein features such as a predicted structure with a highly hydrophilic N‐terminus followed by 10 transmembrane domains, as well as the presence of diverse specific signatures, also indicate that EpDGAT belongs to the DGAT1 family. indeed. DGAT activity of the protein encoded by EpDGAT was confirmed by heterologous expression of the full‐length cDNA in a yeast mutant (H1246) defective in the synthesis of triacylglycerols. Fatty acid composition of the triacylglycerols synthesized by EpDGAT in H1246 yeast cultures supplemented with polyunsaturated fatty acids suggest a substrate preference for the trienoic fatty acids α‐linolenic acid (18:3n‐3) and γ‐linolenic acid over the dienoic linoleic acid (18:2n‐6). Site‐directed mutagenesis has revealed the presence of a critical residue (P178 in EpDGAT) within a reported thiolase signature for binding of acyl‐enzyme intermediates that might be involved in the active site of the enzyme. Transcript analysis for EpDGAT shows an ubiquitous expression of the gene which is increased in leaves during senescence.
Sterols and Oxidized Sterols in Feed Ingredients Obtained from Chemical and Physical Refining Processes of Fats and Oils
Authors: Ubhayasekera Sarojini J. K. A. , Dutta Paresh C. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe by‐products obtained from conventional chemical and physical refining processes for edible fats and oils are important sources of valuable fatty components such as sterols, tocopherols, fatty acids, etc., and are also used as ingredients in animal feed formulations. Reports on sterol composition and content are limited, and the levels of oxidized sterols in these valuable by‐products are unknown. This study analyzed by‐product fractions from European refineries intended for use as ingredients in animal feeds for their content and composition of sterols and sterol oxidation products. The complex mixtures of sterol oxidation products were separated and quantified by multidimensional capillary columns, a medium polar DB‐17MS and an apolar DB‐5MS, in GC and GC–MS. Sterol content ranged from 0.l to 3.4 and 0.03 to 5.0 g/100 g in the by‐product fractions collected from chemical and physical refining processes, respectively, while the corresponding ranges for sterol oxidation products were 0.02–17 and 0.02–1.5 mg/100 g.
Rapid Determination of Free Fatty Acid in Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Raman Spectroscopy and Multivariate Analysis
Authors: El‐Abassy Rasha M. , Donfack Patrice , Materny Arnulf 
Published: May 2009

AbstractWe introduce a visible Raman spectroscopic method for determining the free fatty acid (FFA) content of extra virgin olive oil with the aid of multivariate analysis. Oleic acid was used to increase the FFA content in extra virgin olive oil up to 0.80% in order to extend the calibration span. For calibration purposes, titration was carried out to determine the concentration of FFA for the investigated oil samples. As calibration model for the FFA content (FFA%), a partial least squares (PLS) regression was applied. The accuracy of the Raman calibration model was estimated using the root mean square error (RMSE) of calibration and validation and the correlation coefficient (R2) between actual and predicted values. The calibration curve of actual FFA% obtained by titration versus predicted values based on Raman spectra was established for different spectral regions. The spectral window (945–1600 cm−1), which includes carotenoid bands, was found to be a useful fingerprint region being statistically significant for the prediction of the FFA%. High R2 and small RMSE values for calibration and validation could be obtained, respectively.
Epiphyseal stapling of the proximal tibia for idiopathic genu valgum
Authors: Courvoisier Aurélien , Eid Ahmad , Merloz Philippe 
Published: May 2009

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of hemiepiphysiodesis with a single medial staple of the proximal tibia in idiopathic genu valgum angular correction. Methods A retrospective review was performed identifying nine adolescents (18 knees) treated for idiopathic adolescent genu valgum by means of a bilateral hemiepiphysiodesis with a single staple of the proximal tibia. The intermalleolar distance (IMD) and hip–knee–ankle angle were measured at skeletal maturity. Results The IMD and hip–knee–ankle angle were reduced in all patients at skeletal maturity. Conclusion Hemiepiphysiodesis with a single medial staple of the proximal tibia seems to be a reliable and safe alternative method to achieve correction of an idiopathic genu valgum.
Position‐based beliefs: The center‐stage effect
Authors: Valenzuela Ana , Raghubir Priya 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThis paper examines the existence and consequences of consumers' position‐based beliefs about product layouts. We propose that consumers believe that options placed in the center of a simultaneously presented array are the most popular. This belief translates into their choosing options placed in the center more often than those on the sides of a display: the center‐stage effect (Studies 1 and 5). Results are driven by inferences of product popularity rather than higher levels of attention to products in a given position (Studies 2 and 3). The preference for middle options is accentuated when people explicitly take into account other people's preferences, increasing the need to choose a popular option (Study 3), but attenuated when layout‐based information is not diagnostic (Study 4). Increasing the accessibility of own preferences for the intrinsic attributes about the products reduces the use of position‐based beliefs to make judgments and attenuates the center‐stage effect (Study 5). Theoretical implications for marketplace meta‐cognitions, visual information processing, position effects, and the use of overall cognitive beliefs versus perceptual attention and memory‐based individuating information to make judgments are discussed.
The response of sound scatterers to El Niño- and La Niña-like oceanographic regimes in the southeastern Atlantic
Authors: Ostrowski Marek , da Silva José C. B. , Bazik-Sangolay Bomba 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Ostrowski, M., da Silva, J. C. B., and Bazik-Sangolay, B. 2009. The response of sound scatterers to El Niño- and La Niña-like oceanographic regimes in the southeastern Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1063–1072. Oceanographic conditions off Angola alternate seasonally between upwelling in the austral winter and El Niño-like intrusions and downwelling in summer. During winter in regions deeper than 30 m, the water column consists of a top layer of warm, tropical water overlying cold, nutrient-rich, and hypoxic South Atlantic Central Water (SACW). Closer inshore the water becomes well mixed. In the stratified region, acoustic backscatter at 38 kHz matches the oceanographic structure. It is strong in the top layer, but declines sharply in the SACW. During summer, the water column is continuously stratified, and the SACW is absent from the shelf. The backscatter reveals multiple thin layers extending across much of the shelf. The scattering layers are often perturbed by internal waves. The combined evidence from multiple acoustic surveys and the existing synthetic-aperture radar imagery suggests that tidal internal waves are a pervasive phenomenon in Angolan waters.
Gene expression profiling of advanced‐stage serous ovarian cancers distinguishes novel subclasses and implicates ZEB2 in tumor progression and prognosis
Authors: Yoshihara Kosuke , Tajima Atsushi , Komata Dai , Yamamoto Tadashi , Kodama Shoji , Fujiwara Hiroyuki , Suzuki Mitsuaki , Onishi Yoshitaka , Hatae Masayuki , Sueyoshi Kazunobu , Fujiwara Hisaya , Kudo Yoshiki , Inoue Ituro , Tanaka Kenichi 
Published: May 2009

To elucidate the mechanisms of rapid progression of serous ovarian cancer, gene expression profiles from 43 ovarian cancer tissues comprising eight early stage and 35 advanced stage tissues were carried out using oligonucleotide microarrays of 18 716 genes. By non‐negative matrix factorization analysis using 178 genes, which were extracted as stage‐specific genes, 35 advanced stage cases were classified into two subclasses with superior (n = 17) and poor (n = 18) outcome evaluated by progression‐free survival (log rank test, P = 0.03). Of the 178 stage‐specific genes, 112 genes were identified as showing different expression between the two subclasses. Of the 48 genes selected for biological function by gene ontology analysis or Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, five genes (ZEB2, CDH1, LTBP2, COL16A1, and ACTA2) were extracted as candidates for prognostic factors associated with progression‐free survival. The relationship between high ZEB2 or low CDH1 expression and shorter progression‐free survival was validated by real‐time RT‐PCR experiments of 37 independent advanced stage cancer samples. ZEB2 expression was negatively correlated with CDH1 expression in advanced stage samples, whereas ZEB2 knockdown in ovarian adenocarcinoma SKOV3 cells resulted in an increase in CDH1 expression. Multivariate analysis showed that high ZEB2 expression was independently associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, the prognostic effect of E‐cadherin encoded by CDH1 was verified using immunohistochemical analysis of an independent advanced stage cancer samples set (n = 74). These findings suggest that the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition‐related genes such as ZEB2 and CDH1 may play important roles in the invasion process of advanced stage serous ovarian cancer. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Glypican‐3 expression is correlated with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shirakawa Hirofumi , Suzuki Hitomi , Shimomura Manami , Kojima Motohiro , Gotohda Naoto , Takahashi Shinichiro , Nakagohri Toshio , Konishi Masaru , Kobayashi Nobuaki , Kinoshita Taira , Nakatsura Tetsuya 
Published: May 2009

The relationship between overexpression of glypican (GPC)‐3 that is specific for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the prognosis has not yet been clarified. We attempted to determine the expression profile of GPC3 in association with the clinicopathological factors by immunohistochemical analysis in HCC patients and investigated the potential prognostic value of GPC3 by comparing the survival rate between the GPC3‐positive and GPC3‐negative HCC patients. Primary HCC tissue samples (n = 107) obtained from patients who had undergone hepatectomy between 2000 and 2001 were analyzed. GPC3 expression was less frequently observed in well‐differentiated HCC than in moderately and poorly differentiated HCC, the difference in the frequency being statistically significant. GPC3‐positive HCC patients had a significantly lower 5‐year survival rate than the GPC3‐negative HCC patients (54.5 vs 87.7%, P = 0.031). Among 80 of the 107 (74.6%) patients with initial treatment who underwent hepatectomy, none of GPC3‐negative HCC patients (n = 16, 20.0%) died during the follow‐up period. No deaths were noted in the GPC3‐negative HCC patients among the 71 (88.7%) patients with moderately and poorly differentiated HCC. Multivariate analysis identified GPC3 expression (P = 0.034) as an independent prognostic factor for the overall survival. We showed that GPC3 expression is correlated with a poor prognosis in HCC patients. (Cancer Sci 2009)
‘I felt I have grown up as an adult’: caregiving experience of children affected by HIV/AIDS in China
Authors: Zhang L. , Li X. , Kaljee L. , Fang X. , Lin X. , Zhao G. , Zhao J. , Hong Y. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground  The growing global epidemic of HIV/AIDS has a significant impact on the lives of both people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members including children. Children of parents with HIV/AIDS may experience an increased responsibility of caregiving in family. However, limited data are available regarding the caregiving experience and its impact on psychosocial well‐being among these children. This study was designed to address these issues by using qualitative data collected from children affected by HIV/AIDS in China.Methods  The qualitative data were collected in 2006 in rural central China, where many residents were infected with HIV/AIDS through unhygienic blood collection procedures. In‐depth individual interviews were conducted by trained interviewers with 47 children between 8 and 17 years of age who had lost one or both parents to AIDS.Results  Findings of this study suggest that many children affected by AIDS had experienced increased responsibilities in housework and caregiving for family members. Such caregiving included caring for self and younger siblings, caring for parents with illness and caring for elderly grandparents. Positive impacts from children's participation in family caregiving included personal growth and emotional maturity. Negative consequences included physical fatigue, psychological fear and anxiety and suboptimal schooling (dropping out from school, repeated absence from school and unable to concentrate in class).Conclusion  While the increased caregiving responsibilities among children reflected some cultural beliefs and had some positive effect on personal growth, the caregiving experience generally negatively effected the children's physical and mental health and schooling. The findings in the current study suggest that community‐based caregiving support is necessary in areas with high prevalence of HIV and limited resources, especially for the families lacking adult caregivers. In addition, social and psychological support should be made available for children participating in family caregiving.
Human airway smooth muscle promotes eosinophil differentiation
Authors: Fanat A. I. , Thomson J. V. , Radford K. , Nair P. , Sehmi R. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryIntroduction
Human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells in culture synthesize cytokines and chemokines that may orchestrate the tissue homing and in situ differentiation of haemopoietic progenitor cells from the peripheral circulation.Objective
To study the effect of a supernatant from cultured HASM cells on the differentiative and transmigrational responses of haemopoietic progenitor cells.Methods
HASM cells were grown to confluence and stimulated with a cytomix of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IFN‐γ. Peripheral blood‐derived progenitors from atopic asthmatics (n=12) and non‐atopic controls (n=11) were grown in a methylcellulose culture with a supernatant from stimulated HASM cells to assess clonogenic potential. The ability of HASM cells to stimulate directional migration and adhesion to fibronectin of blood progenitors was also investigated.Results
HASM cells stimulated significant growth of eosinophil/basophil colony forming units (Eo/B CFUs) from blood progenitor cells from both groups of subjects. This activity was significantly attenuated in the presence of anti‐IL‐5 and anti‐granulocyte macrophage‐colony forming factor blocking antibodies and by pre‐treatment with SB202190 [p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor]. An src kinase (srcK) inhibitor (Pyrazolopyrimidine 1) was less effective at attenuating IL‐5‐ and HASM‐stimulated Eo/B CFU growth from both groups of subjects. Examination of the phosphorylation of these kinases in CD34+ cells following co‐incubation with the major constituents of HASM showed activation of p38 MAPK but not that of the srcK pathway. The HASM supernatant had no significant effect on the migrational and adhesive responses of haemopoietic progenitor cells in vitro.Conclusion
We have shown that HASM cell‐derived cytokines promote eosinophil differentiation that is dependent on p38 MAPK but not on the srcK pathway. This study shows that a major structural cell of the lungs, airway smooth muscle, has the capability to direct eosinophil differentiation and maturation from progenitor cells, which in turn may perpetuate an eosinophilic inflammation and consequently tissue remodelling in patients with chronic asthma.
Efficacy and safety of bilastine 20 mg compared with cetirizine 10 mg and placebo for the symptomatic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group study
Authors: Kuna P. , Bachert C. , Nowacki Z. , Van Cauwenberge P. , Agache I. , Fouquert L. , Roger A. , Sologuren A. , Valiente R. ,   The Bilastine International Working Group
Published: May 2009

SummaryBackground
Bilastine is a new non‐sedative H1 receptor antagonist, indicated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) (seasonal and perennial).Objective
To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of bilastine 20 mg vs. cetirizine 10 mg and placebo in relieving the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).Methods
Overall, 683 SAR patients, aged 12–70 years, were randomized to a double‐blind treatment with bilastine 20 mg, cetirizine 10 mg or placebo, once daily for 14 days, in 61 centres across Europe. Patients recorded reflective (over the past 12 h) and instantaneous nasal (obstruction, rhinorrhoea, itching and sneezing) and non‐nasal (ocular tearing, redness and itching) symptom scores (NSS and NNSS, respectively) twice daily, according to a pre‐determined severity scale to provide reflective and instantaneous total symptom scores (TSS). The primary efficacy measure was the area under curve (AUC) of reflective TSS over 14 days of treatment (TSS‐AUC0−14 days). Secondary efficacy measures included mean change from baseline in TSS, NSS and NNSS; discomfort caused by AR; and investigator's clinical global impression of the treatment. Safety was assessed according to adverse events (AEs), laboratory tests and electrocardiograms.Results
The mean TSS‐AUC0−14 days (score × day) was reduced in bilastine‐ and cetirizine‐treated groups to a similar and significantly greater extent, compared with placebo (76.5, 72.3 and 100.6, respectively; P<0.001). Similarly, bilastine and cetirizine were comparable and significantly superior to placebo for all secondary outcomes. While all treatments were well tolerated and the AE profiles of bilastine and placebo were similar, significantly fewer patients in the bilastine‐treated group experienced somnolence (1.8%; P<0.001) and fatigue (0.4%; P=0.02) than patients in the cetirizine‐treated group (7.5% and 4.8%, respectively).Conclusions
Bilastine 20 mg once daily was significantly superior to placebo and comparable to cetirizine 10 mg in relieving symptoms of SAR, although it demonstrated a significantly better AE profile than cetirizine.