bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigational Methods for Peroxisomal Disorders
Authors: Steinberg Steven , Jones Richard , Tiffany Carol , Moser Ann 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPeroxisomes play an important role in cellular metabolism. Defects in peroxisome assembly or of a single peroxisomal pathway are associated with a wide variety of inherited disorders, including X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy, Zellweger spectrum disorders, rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata, and Refsum disease. A group of peroxisome‐specific biomarkers has been shown to be characteristic of specific defects. Patients with defects in peroxisome fatty acid β‐oxidation accumulate very long–chain fatty acids (VLCFA), patients with defects in plasmalogen synthesis are deficient in erythrocyte membrane plasmalogens, and patients with mislocalized pipecolic acid oxidase accumulate pipecolic acid in body fluids. This unit describes three protocols that can be used to measure plasma VLCFA, erythrocyte plasmalogens, and plasma or urine pipecolic acid by capillary gas chromatography (GC) or GC‐mass spectrometry. These techniques can be used to identify the majority of patients with known neurogenetic peroxisome disorders. Curr. Protoc. Hum. Genet. 58:17.6.1‐17.6.23. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Flow Cytometric Immunophenotyping of Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Kraan Jaco , Gratama Jan W. , Haioun Corinne , Orfao Alberto , Plonquet Anne , Porwit Anna , Quijano Sandra , Stetler‐Stevenson Maryalice , Subira Dolores , Wilson Wyndham 
Published: July 2008

AbstractLeptomeningeal disease is an important adverse complication occurring in patients with B and T cell lymphomas and acute leukemias of lymphoid and myeloid origin. Recent reports suggest that multiparameter flow cytometry immunophenotypic assessment of spinal fluid samples could improve the efficiency of detection of CNS involvement, due to its high specificity and greater sensitivity. However, spinal fluid samples are frequently paucicellular with a rapidly decreasing cell viability. Staining of spinal fluid therefore requires dedicated sample storage/transport, staining, and preparation protocols. The Basic Protocol in this unit outlines a consensus multiparameter (3‐ to 8‐color) flow cytometry immunophenotypic protocol for the evaluation of CNS involvement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples by neoplastic cells. A Support Protocol describing the simultaneous assessment of surface and cytoplasmic antigens is also provided. Finally, in the Alternate Protocol, we describe a method to calculate absolute numbers of both normal and pathological cell subpopulations by adding counting beads to the assay. Curr. Protocol. Cytom. 45:6.25.1‐6.25.16. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Use of Spectral Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer to Detect Nitric Oxide‐Based Signaling Events in Isolated Perfused Lung
Authors: St. Croix Claudette M. , Bauer Eileen M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractFluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a fluorescence microscopy technique suitable for live cells and capable of detecting changes in the conformational state of a single protein or the distance between two interacting proteins when the proteins are conjugated with appropriate donor and acceptor fluorophores. Confocal‐based spectral detection systems enable the resolution of fluorescent images by providing full spectral information for each voxel of the image without switching of optical filters. Furthermore, using calibration spectra, it is possible to unambiguously separate the cross‐talk between overlapping donor and acceptor emissions. This unit describes the use of confocal‐based spectral imaging of nitric oxide (NO) sensitive FRET reporters in the vasculature of the intact, isolated perfused mouse lung. This type of in situ imaging approach allows the visualization and study of temporal molecular signaling events within the appropriate physiologic microenvironment of the intact, living organ. Curr. Protocol. Cytom. 45:12.13.1‐12.13.12. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Phase‐Transfer Catalysis
Authors: Albanese Domenico 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Phase‐transfer catalysis (PTC) is a powerful tool to carry out many organic reactions in a practical fashion, both in the laboratory and on the industrial scale. Significant cost savings and major process improvements can be achieved in reactions performed in water–organic solvent mixtures. Particularly striking is the possibility of replacing expensive solvents and dangerous bases that require strictly anhydrous conditions with aqueous bases and apolar, environmentally friendly, easily recyclable solvents. During the last decade notable results, both in terms of yields and stereoselectivity, were obtained in various reactions performed in the presence of chiral, nonracemic quaternary ammonium salts.
Derivation and Propagation of hESC Under a Therapeutic Environment
Authors: Sidhu Kuldip S. , Walke Sarah , Tuch Bernard E. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe pluripotent nature of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) makes them very attractive as a source of various cell types that could be used therapeutically in regenerative medicine. However, eliminating all sources of contamination, animal‐derived or human cell–derived, during hESC derivation and propagation is necessary before hESC derivatives can be used clinically. Although there is continuing progress toward this goal, none of the methods to date to produce hESC lines under good manufacturing practices (GMP) has been published. The long‐term success for GMP compliance depends critically on maintaining and implementing a stringent quality control system which is also dictated by the regulatory authorities in different countries. In this unit, an approach is described based upon the experience of this author and others towards achieving clinical‐grade hESC lines systematically involving all the steps from start to finish under GMP environment. This unit provides a basic layout for GMP set up to achieve quality controls, a step‐by‐step guide to producing new hESC lines under defined conditions, and standard operating procedures used to achieve this outcome. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 6:1A.4.1‐1A.4.31. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Blood
Authors: Ma Yunglin D. , Lugus Jesse J. , Park Changwon , Choi Kyunghee 
Published: July 2008

AbstractEmbryonic stem (ES) cells can be maintained as pluripotent stem cells or induced to differentiate into many different somatic cell types. As ES‐derived somatic cells can potentially be used for cell transplantation or cell‐based therapy, ES cells have gained much scientific and general public attention. Successful derivation of blood from ES cells for tissue engineering will require a comprehensive understanding of inductive signals and downstream effectors involved in blood lineage development. Ideally, directed differentiation of ES cells into blood and isolation of pure hematopoietic progenitors will enhance our ability to utilize ES‐derived blood cells for future clinical applications. The protocols provided in this unit describe methods of maintaining and differentiating mouse ES cells as well as identifying and isolating hematopoietic progenitors by utilizing flow cytometry and progenitor assays. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 6:1F.4.1‐1F.4.19. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Isolation and Characterization of Endothelial Progenitor Cells from Human Blood
Authors: Mead Laura E. , Prater Daniel , Yoder Mervin C. , Ingram David A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCirculating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in adult human peripheral blood were originally identified in 1997 by Asahara et al., which challenged the paradigm that vasculogenesis is a process restricted to embryonic development. Since their original identification, EPCs have been extensively studied as biomarkers to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease in human subjects and as a potential cell therapeutic for vascular regeneration. Endothelial colony‐forming cells (ECFCs), which are a subtype of EPCs, were recently identified from circulating adult and human umbilical cord blood. In contrast to other types of EPCs, which display various monocyte/macrophage phenotypes and functions, ECFCs are characterized by robust proliferative potential, secondary and tertiary colony formation upon replating, and de novo blood vessel formation in vivo when transplanted into immunodeficient mice. In this unit, we describe detailed methodologies for isolation and characterization of ECFCs from both human peripheral and umbilical cord blood. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 6:2C.1.1‐2C.1.27. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Silk Fibroin‐Regulated Crystallization of Calcium Carbonate
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Shao Zhengzhong , Vollrath Fritz 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMollusk shell is one of the best studied of all calcium carbonate biominerals. Its silk‐like binder‐matrix protein plays a pivotal role during the formation of aragonite crystals in the nacre sheets. Here, we provide novel experimental insights into the interaction of mineral and protein compounds using a model system of reconstituted Bombyx mori silk fibroin solutions serving as templates for the crystallization of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). We observed that the inherent (self‐assembling) aggregation process of silk fibroin molecules affected both the morphology and crystallographic polymorph of CaCO3 aggregates. This combination fostered the growth of a novel, rice‐grain‐shaped protein/mineral hybrid with a hollow structure with an aragonite polymorph formed after ripening. Our observations suggest new hypotheses about the role of silk‐like protein in the natural biomineralization process, but it may also serve to shed light on the formation process of those ‘ersatz’ hybrids regulated by artificially selected structural proteins.
Low dose interleukin‐2 following intensification therapy with high dose cytarabine for acute myelogenous leukemia in first complete remission
Authors: Stone Richard M. , DeAngelo Daniel J. , Janosova Anna , Galinsky Ilene , Canning Christine , Ritz Jerome , Soiffer Robert J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe most important problem in the therapy of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is relapse after intensive therapy. We sought to determine if interleukin‐2 (low‐dose with intermittent boluses) administration could be feasibly administered after standard therapy to potentiate anti‐tumor immunity in a fashion analogous to the post‐allogeneic stem cell transplant “graft‐vs‐leukemic” effect. Adults with de novo AML received daunorubicin and cytosine arabinoside induction therapy. Patients achieving complete remission received high dose ara‐C (HIDAC) for three courses followed by low dose rIL‐2 (Amgen), administered by continuous infusion (450,000 U/m2/day) for 10 weeks with intermittent boluses (500,000/U/m2 over 2 hr) given in weekly intervals starting on Week 4. Of the 32 enrolled patients, 27 achieved CR; 8/11 who received rIL‐2 completed therapy. 6/11 are long term survivors (median follow‐up, 139 months). rIL‐2 was well tolerated and associated with a 5‐fold increase in circulating NK‐lymphocytes and a 3‐fold increase in circulating T‐cells. Mononuclear cells from patients receiving rIL‐2 exhibited enhanced cytolytic activity in vitro against cryopreserved autologous leukemia cells. This study supports further investigation of immunotherapy in the post‐intensive chemotherapy setting in the management of patients with AML. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Haplotype analysis at the FRAXA locus in an Indian population
Authors: Chakraborty S. Saha , Mondal Bama Charan , Das S. , Das K. , Dasgupta U.B. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe FRAXA locus is flanked by three polymorphic STR markers DXS548, FRAXAC1, and FRAXAC2. Allele frequencies of these markers were determined on a population representing the eastern part of India comprising of 69 normal controls and 69 unrelated subjects with mental retardation, among whom 21 were fragile X patients. These frequencies were compared with published data on other Indian population and the major populations of the world. The allele and haplotype distribution of the studied population were significantly different in some respects from the major populations of the world. The increase of heterozygosities in fragile X samples (DXS548 67.5%, FRAXAC1 63.5%, FRAXAC2 68.5%) relative to the controls (DXS548 63.3%, FRAXAC1 51.0%, FRAXAC2 67.2%) suggests a multimodal distribution of fragile X associated alleles. Haplotype analyses with DXS548 and FRAXAC1 markers revealed that haplotype distribution in the normal controls and fragile X groups were significantly different, suggesting a weak founder effect. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 3 Mb deletion in 14q12 causes severe mental retardation, mild facial dysmorphisms and Rett‐like features
Authors: Papa Filomena Tiziana , Mencarelli Maria Antonietta , Caselli Rossella , Katzaki Eleni , Sampieri Katia , Meloni Ilaria , Ariani Francesca , Longo Ilaria , Maggio Angela , Balestri Paolo , Grosso Salvatore , Farnetani Maria Angela , Berardi Rosario , Mari Francesca , Renieri Alessandra 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe present report describes a 7‐year‐old girl with a de novo 3 Mb interstitial deletion of chromosome 14q12, identified by oligo array‐CGH. The region is gene poor and contains only five genes two of them, FOXG1B and PRKD1 being deleted also in a previously reported case with a very similar phenotype. Both patients present prominent metopic suture, epicanthic folds, bulbous nasal tip, tented upper lip, everted lower lip and large ears and a clinical course like Rett syndrome, including normal perinatal period, postnatal microcephaly, seizures, and severe mental retardation. FOXG1B (forkhead box G1B) is a very intriguing candidate gene since it is known to promote neuronal progenitor proliferation and to suppress premature neurogenesis and its disruption is reported in a patient with postnatal microcephaly, corpus callosum agenesis, seizures, and severe mental retardation. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Constitutional H19 hypermethylation in a patient with isolated cardiac tumor
Authors: Descartes Maria , Romp Robb , Franklin Judy , Biggio Joseph R. , Zehnbauer Barbara 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBeckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is clinically and molecularly very heterogenous. Molecular findings characteristic of BWS have been reported in individuals with no or few associated features. We report on a child with isolated cardiac tumor and a constitutional H19 hypermethylation with none of the features of BWS. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antibacterial activity of cationically modified cotton fabric with carboxymethyl chitosan
Authors: El‐Shafei Amira M. , Fouda Moustafa M.G. , Knittel Dierk , Schollmeyer Eckhard 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA water‐soluble carboxymethyl chitosan was prepared with a view to develop a multifunctional finish on cotton. Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCTS) was synthesized by chemical reaction of chitosan with monochloroacetic acid under alkaline condition. The water soluble CMCTS was applied to cationized cotton with different concentrations. The treated fabrics were characterized through monitoring the textile physical properties and for the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli DSMZ 498 and Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341. The results obtained show that the physical properties of the treated fabrics are improved by increasing the CMCTS concentration, as well as the antibacterial activity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Characterization and solution properties of a partially hydrolyzed graft copolymer of polyacrylamide and dextran
Authors: Krishnamoorthi S. , Mal D. , Singh R. P. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractGraft copolymers of dextran (Dx) and polyacrylamide (PAM) were synthesized through the grafting of PAM chains onto a Dx backbone with a ceric‐ion‐induced solution polymerization technique. By the variation of the amount of the initiator (ceric ammonium nitrate), four different grades of graft copolymers were synthesized. The partial alkaline hydrolysis of Dx‐g‐PAM was carried out in an alkaline medium. Three grades of partially hydrolyzed products were synthesized through the variation of the amount of alkali. These hydrolyzed graft copolymers were characterized with elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, neutralization equivalent measurements, a rheological technique, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, viscometry, and X‐ray diffraction. The flocculation efficiency and viscosifying characteristics of the graft copolymers were enhanced upon their alkaline hydrolysis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008.
Synthesis and properties of novel phosphorus‐containing poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s
Authors: Chen Xiao‐Ting , Sun Hao , Tang Xu‐Dong , Wang Chun‐Ying 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA novel monomer, bis[4‐(4‐fluorobenzoyl)phenyl]phenylphosphine oxide, was synthesized through the reaction of bis(4‐chloroformylphenyl) phenyl phosphine oxide with fluorobenzene. Three poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s derived from bis[4‐(4‐fluorobenzoyl)phenyl]phenylphosphine oxide and different aromatic bisphenols were prepared by aromatic nucleophilic substitution reactions. The resulting polymers had inherent viscosities in the range of 0.55–0.73 dL/g. The structures of the poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s were characterized with Fourier transform infrared and 1H‐NMR. Thermal analysis indicated that the glass‐transition temperatures of the poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s were higher than 200°C, and the 5% weight loss temperatures in nitrogen were higher than 463°C. All the polymers showed excellent solubility in polar solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, and dimethylacetamide and could also be dissolved in chlorinated methane. The polymers afforded transparent and flexible films by solvent casting. Organic phosphorous moieties also imparted good flame‐retardancy to the polymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synergetic toughness and morphology of poly(propylene)/nylon 11/maleated ethylene‐propylene diene copolymer blends
Authors: Wang Biao‐Bing , Wei Li‐Xia , Hu Guo‐Sheng 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPolypropylene (PP)/nylon 11/maleated ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber (EPDM‐g‐MAH) ternary polymer blends were prepared via melt blending in a corotating twin‐screw extruder. The effect of nylon 11 and EPDM‐g‐MAH on the phase morphology and mechanical properties was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that there was apparent phase separation for PP/EPDM‐g‐MAH binary blends at the level of 10 wt % maleated elastomer. For the PP/nylon 11/EPDM‐g‐MAH ternary blends, the dispersed phase morphology of the maleated elastomer was hardly affected by the addition of nylon 11, whereas the reduced dispersed phase domains of nylon 11 were observed with the increasing maleated elastomer loading. Furthermore, a core‐shell structure, in which nylon 11 as a rigid core was surrounded by a soft EPDM‐g‐MAH shell, was formed in the case of 10 wt % nylon 11 and higher EPDM‐g‐MAH concentration. In general, the results of mechanical property measurement showed that the ternary blends exhibited inferior tensile strength in comparison with the PP matrix, but superior toughness. Especially low‐temperature impact strength was obtained. The toughening mechanism was discussed with reference to the phase morphology. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis and characterization of waterborne polyurethane adhesive from MDI and HDI
Authors: Du Hui , Zhao Yuhua , Li Qifeng , Wang Junwei , Kang Maoqing , Wang Xinkui , Xiang Hongwei 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA series of waterborne polyurethane adhesives (WPUAs) were prepared from diphenylmethane‐4,4′‐diisocyanate (MDI), 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), poly(1,4‐butanediol adipate) diol (PBA), 1,4‐butanediol (BDO), and internal‐emulsifying agents by the prepolymer mixing method. The viscosity, mechanical properties, thermal properties, and adhesion strength of the samples were measured. The structure–property relationship was discussed primarily. The results indicated that the MDI/HDI and PBA/BDO molar ratio influenced these properties. The WPUA exhibited excellent T‐peel strength and mechanical properties at a suitable MDI/HDI (or PBA/BDO) molar ratio. Moreover, higher MDI/HDI (or PBA/BDO) molar ratio resulted in higher thermal stability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Evolution of research activities and intellectual influences in information science 1996–2005: Introducing author bibliographic‐coupling analysis
Authors: Zhao Dangzhi , Strotmann Andreas 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAuthor cocitation analysis (ACA) has frequently been applied over the last two decades for mapping the intellectual structure of a research field as represented by its authors. However, what is mapped in ACA is actually the structure of intellectual influences on a research field as perceived by its active authors. In this exploratory paper, by contrast, we introduce author bibliographic‐coupling analysis (ABCA) as a method to map the research activities of active authors themselves for a more realistic picture of the current state of research in a field. We choose the information science (IS) field and study its intellectual structure both in terms of current research activities as seen from ABCA and in terms of intellectual influences on its research as shown from ACA. We examine how these two aspects of the intellectual structure of the IS field are related, and how they both developed during the “first decade of the Web,” 1996–2005. We find that these two citation‐based author‐mapping methods complement each other, and that, in combination, they provide a more comprehensive view of the intellectual structure of the IS field than either of them can provide on its own.
Undergraduate students' mental models of the Web as an information retrieval system
Authors: Zhang Yan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis study explored undergraduate students' mental models of the Web as an information retrieval system. Mental models play an important role in people's interaction with information systems. Better understanding of people's mental models could inspire better interface design and user instruction. Multiple data‐collection methods, including questionnaire, semistructured interview, drawing, and participant observation, were used to elicit students' mental models of the Web from different perspectives, though only data from interviews and drawing descriptions are reported in this article. Content analysis of the transcripts showed that students had utilitarian rather than structural mental models of the Web. The majority of participants saw the Web as a huge information resource where everything can be found rather than an infrastructure consisting of hardware and computer applications. Students had different mental models of how information is organized on the Web, and the models varied in correctness and complexity. Students' mental models of search on the Web were illustrated from three points of view: avenues of getting information, understanding of search engines' working mechanisms, and search tactics. The research results suggest that there are mainly three sources contributing to the construction of mental models: personal observation, communication with others, and class instruction. In addition to structural and functional aspects, mental models have an emotional dimension.