bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurogenesis in the Dentate Gyrus Depends on Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling
Authors: Müller Stephan , Chakrapani Baby P.S. , Schwegler Herbert , Hofmann Hans-Dieter , Kirsch Matthias 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn the neurogenic areas of the adult rodent brain, neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferate and produce new neurons throughout the lifetime. This requires a permanent pool of NSCs, the size of which needs to be tightly controlled. The gp130-associated cytokines ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) have been implicated in regulating NSC self-renewal and differentiation during embryonic development and in the adult brain. To study the relevance of the two cytokines in vivo, we analyzed precursor cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of CNTF- and LIF-deficient mouse mutants. The number of radial glia-like NSCs, proliferative activity, and generation of new neurons were all reduced in CNTF−/− mutants but unaltered in LIF−/− animals. Conditional ablation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) gene under the control of the human glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter resulted in a reduction of neurogenesis similar to that in CNTF−/− mice. The size of the granule cell layer was decreased in both mutants. Treatment of neurosphere cultures prepared from adult forebrain with CNTF inhibited overall proliferative activity but increased the number of NSCs as indicated by enhanced secondary neurosphere formation and upregulated expression of stem cell markers. Knockdown of STAT3 with short interfering RNA inhibited CNTF effects on neurospheres, and knockdown of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) enhanced them. Our results provide evidence that CNTF-induced STAT3 signaling is essential for the formation and/or maintenance of the neurogenic subgranular zone in the adult dentate gyrus and suggest that CNTF is required to keep the balance between NSC self-renewal and the generation of neuronal progenitors.
Protective Behavioral Strategies and Negative Alcohol-Related Consequences in College Students
Authors: Araas Teresa E. , Adams Troy B. 
Published: November 2008

Objective: Alcohol abuse among college students is associated with a quality of life burden. The current study replicated and extended previous research on protective behavioral strategies (PBS) by examining relationships between PBS use and negative alcohol-related consequences. Method: A national sample of 29,792 U.S. college students who completed the National College Health Assessment during spring 2004 was included. Using a retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data, relationships between PBS use and negative alcohol-related consequences were examined. Results: Greater PBS use was associated with fewer negative alcohol-related consequences, while less frequent use of PBS was correlated with increased negative alcohol-related consequences. Discussion: The current study findings strongly support expanded educational alcohol-intervention programs promoting greater PBS use aimed at reducing or completely alleviating negative alcohol-related consequences (e.g., BASICS, ASTP). Future research should further investigate such PBS-based intervention programs, examine the existence of latent PBS, and study use of combined PBS.
Arcuate fasciculus tractography integrated into Gamma Knife surgery
Authors: Maruyama Keisuke , Koga Tomoyuki , Kamada Kyousuke , Ota Takahiro , Itoh Daisuke , Ino Kenji , Igaki Hiroshi , Aoki Shigeki , Masutani Yoshitaka , Shin Masahiro , Saito Nobuhito 
Published: November 2008

Object
To prevent speech disturbances after Gamma Knife surgery (GKS), the authors integrated arcuate fasciculus (AF) tractography based on diffusion tensor (DT) MR imaging into treatment planning for GKS.

Methods
Arcuate fasciculus tractography was retrospectively integrated into planning that had been previously performed by neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists. This technique was retrospectively applied to 12 patients with arteriovenous malformations adjacent to the AF. Diffusion tensor images were acquired before the frame was affixed to the patient's head and DT tractography images of the AF were created using the authors' original software. The data from DT tractography and stereotactic 3D imaging studies obtained after frame fixation were transported to a treatment planning workstation for GKS and coregistered so that the delivered doses and incidence of posttreatment aphasia could be assessed.

Results
The AF could not be depicted in 2 patients who initially presented with motor aphasia caused by hemorrhaging from arteriovenous malformations. During the median follow-up period of 29 months after GKS, aphasia developed in 2 patients: 30 Gy delivered to the frontal portion of the AF caused conduction aphasia in 1 patient, and 9.6 Gy to the temporal portion led to motor aphasia in the other. Speech dysfunction was not observed after a maximum radiation dose of 10.0–16.8 Gy was delivered to the frontal fibers in 4 patients, and 3.6–5.2 Gy to the temporal fibers in 3.

Conclusions
The authors found that administration of a 10-Gy radiation dose during GKS was tolerated in the frontal but not the temporal fibers of the AF. The authors recommend confirmation of the dose by integration of AF tractography with GKS, especially in lesions located near the temporal language fibers.
Thermophoresis of axisymmetric aerosol particles along their axes of revolution
Authors: Chang Yu C. , Keh Huan J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe axisymmetric thermophoretic motion of an aerosol particle of revolution in a uniformly prescribed temperature gradient is studied theoretically. The Knudsen number is assumed to be small so that the fluid flow is described by a continuum model. A method of distribution of a set of spherical singularities along the axis of revolution within a prolate particle or on the fundamental plane within an oblate particle is used to find the general solutions for the temperature distribution and fluid velocity field. The jump/slip conditions on the particle surface are satisfied by applying a boundary‐collocation technique to these general solutions. Numerical results for the thermophoretic velocity of the particle are obtained with good convergence behavior for various cases. For the axisymmetric thermophoresis of an aerosol spheroid with no temperature jump and frictional slip at its surface, the agreement between our results and the available analytical solutions is very good. The thermophoretic velocity of a spheroid along its axis of revolution in general increases with an increase in its axial‐to‐radial aspect ratio, but there are exceptions. For most practical cases of a spheroid with a specified aspect ratio, its thermophoretic mobility is not a monotonic function of its relative jump/slip coefficients and thermal conductivity. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Studies on morphology, mechanical, thermal, and dynamic mechanical behavior of extrusion blended polypropylene and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in presence of compatibilizer
Authors: Mandal P. K. , Chakraborty D. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractPolypropylene was melt blended in a single screw extruder with thermo tropic Vectra B‐950 liquid crystalline polymer (copolyester amide) in different proportions in presence of 2% of EAA, ethylene‐acrylic acid copolymer (based on PP) as a compatibilizer. The mechanical properties of such compatibilized blends were evaluated and compared in respect of their Young's Modulii, Ultimate tensile strength, percent elongation at break, and toughness to those of Pure PP. The Morphology was studied by using a polarizing light microscope (PLM) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The Thermal characterization of these blends were carried out by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC).The mechanical properties under dynamic conditions of such compatibilized blends and pure PP were studied by dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). Mechanical analysis (Tensile properties) of the compatibilized blends displayed improvements in Modulii and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of PP matrix with the incorporation of 2–10% of LCP incorporation. The development of fine fibrillar morphology in the compatibilized PP/LCP blends had large influence on the mechanical properties. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) studies indicated no remarkable changes in the crystalline melting temperature of the blends with respect to that of pure PP. However, an increase in the softening range of the blends over that of PP was observed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Spectral, thermal, and photoreactivity studies on epoxy resin containing benzylidene units in the main chain
Authors: Balakrishnan P. S. , Murugavel S. C. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractA photosensitive epoxy resin was synthesized from bis(4‐hydroxy ‐3‐methoxy benzylidene) acetone and epichlorohydrin using solution polycondensation method. The prepared epoxy resin was characterized by UV, IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the epoxy resin was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis. The glass transition temperature of the polymer was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The photocrosslinking property and photopolymerizing ability of the epoxy resin were studied in film and solution state using UV spectroscopy. The effect of photo acid generator and sensitizer on photosensitivity of the resin was also investigated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Effects of different parameters on the characteristics of chitosan–poly(acrylic acid) nanoparticles obtained by the method of coacervation
Authors: Davidenko N. , Blanco M. D. , Peniche C. , Becherán L. , Guerrero S. , Teijón J. M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractChitosan–poly(acrylic acid) polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles were prepared by coacervation under mild experimental conditions without the use of any organic solvents or surfactants. The influence of some experimental parameters such as the pH of the polyelectrolyte solutions, their concentrations, and the purification procedure on the particle dimensions and their size distribution was studied in detail. The physicochemical properties of the obtained complex were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. It was found that for solution concentrations below 0.1 wt %, it was possible to obtain suspensions of nanometer‐sized particles. Furthermore, it was established that the pH values of the reactant solutions had a great influence on both the particle size and the yield of the complex that was formed. The most convenient pH values for obtaining chitosan–poly(acrylic acid) particles with a nanometric size and optimum yield (near 90%) were found to be 4.5–5.5 for chitosan and 3.2 for poly(acrylic acid). Additionally, the effects of dialysis and ultrasonic treatment on the stability of complex suspensions, prepared under different experimental conditions, were clarified so that recommendations could be made to bring this system into practical use. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Flame‐retardant and mechanical properties of high‐density rigid polyurethane foams filled with decabrominated dipheny ethane and expandable graphite
Authors: Ye Ling , Meng Xian‐Yan , Liu Xing‐Mao , Tang Jian‐Hua , Li Zhong‐Ming 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe article reported the flame‐retardant and the mechanical properties of expandable graphite (EG), an intumescent type, and decabrominated dipheny ethane (DBDPE), a gas‐phase type of flame‐retardant‐containing high‐density rigid polyurethane foams (RPUF) with a constant density of 0.5g/cm3. The results indicated that both EG and DBDPE could effectively interdict the burning of RPUF, besides, the EG exhibited more effective flame retardancy than the DBDPE. When the flame‐retardant loadings were 20 wt %, the LOI value of DBDPE‐filled RPUF increased to 33 vol %, while, surprisingly, the EG‐filled RPUF reached 41 vol %. Unfortunately, when they were both simultaneously added into RPUF, there was not any flame‐retardant synergistic effect. Although EG had outstanding flame retardancy, the compressive strength and modulus of 20 wt % EG‐filled RPUF dropped to only 9.1MPa and 229.7MPa respectively, which were lower than those of DBDPE (12.4 MPa and 246.8 MPa). The phenomena were ascribed to the different flame‐retardant mechanisms of EG and DBDPE, which were verified by scanning electronic microscope (SEM) observation of the burned surfaces. Besides, the dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) demonstrated that the additions of EG and DBDPE made the glass transition temperature shift to the high temperatures, and the EG‐filled RPUF had the higher storage modulus. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Development of polyurethane‐based sheets by phase inversion method for therapeutic footwear applications: Synthesis, fabrication, and characterization
Authors: Saraswathy G. , Gopalakrishna Gautham , Das B. N. , Radhakrishnan Ganga , Pal S. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIt has been proved that polyurethane (PU) foam and viscoelastic PUs are offering better cushioning and shock absorption properties than other materials such as foam rubbers, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, and polyvinyl chloride which are used currently as insole materials in therapeutic footwear for diabetic and orthopedic patients to “offload” or redistribute high pressure under the foot. The aim of this research work was to prepare viscoelastic materials based on PUs having the highest degree of phase separation that provides for the elastomeric nature of these polymers. Polymer structures with a high concentration of amide groups can be made with the addition of hydrazine or a diacid hydrazide to a diisocyanate. We had prepared various PUs by chain extending the isocyanate‐terminated prepolymer with terepthalic dihydrazide, 5‐hydroxy isothalic dihydrazide, and 1,4‐butanediol. Polymers were developed into sheets by phase inversion method using dimethyl formamide as solvent and water as nonsolvent. To improve the mechanical properties of PU sheets the polymer solution was blended with polyester‐based PU Desmopan 8078 (CPU) in 1 : 1 ratio and the solution mixture was developed into sheet by the same method. Further PU sheets based on only CPU were also developed with various concentrations of PU. The synthesized PU and their blends with CPU were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermo gravimetric analysis, gel permeation chromatography, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Morphological characteristics of PU sheets were studied by scanning electron microscopy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Stereochemical elucidation of complex α‐methyl and β‐methylene carbon resonances in poly(2‐hydroxy ethyl methacrylate‐co‐methacrylonitrile) by 2D NMR
Authors: Hooda Sunita , Kumar Goyal Ashok , Brar A. S. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractCopolymers of 2‐hydroxy ethyl methacrylate and methacrylonitrile (H/M) of different composition were synthesized by free radical bulk polymerization using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator under nitrogen atmosphere. The copolymers composition were calculated from 1H and quantitative 13C{1H}NMR spectra. The complete spectral assignment of complex and overlapped α‐methyl and β‐methylene carbon regions in 13C{1H} NMR spectrum in term of compositional and configurational sequences of H/M copolymers were done with the help of two‐dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) and total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Preparation and characterization of exfoliated organic montmorillonite/poly(3,4‐ethyldioxythiophene) nanocomposites
Authors: Han Yongqin , Lu Yun 
Published: November 2008

AbstractMontmorillonite, organically modified by octadecylammine salt, has been adopted to successfully fabricate the exfoliated organic montmorillonite/poly(3,4‐ethyldioxythiophene) (OMMT/PEDOT) nanocomposites by in situ polymerization in aqueous media. Hydrochloric acid, 1,5‐naphthalenedisulfonic acid, and sodium benzenesulphonate have been employed to activate the polymerization of 3,4‐ethyldioxythiophene by offering active sites on the layers of montmorillonite. The resulting exfoliated nanocomposites have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and electrical conductivity measurement and showed controllable conductivity in the range of 10−7 to 10−2 S/cm and improved thermal stability compared with pure PEDOT. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Study on transparent poly(propylene) nucleated by the “in situ” reaction products of dehydroabietic acid and sodium stearate
Authors: Dou Qiang , Wang Jingbo 
Published: November 2008

AbstractDehydroabietic acid (DHA), sodium stearate (NaSt), DHA/NaSt (1/1 wt/wt) mixture, the reaction products of DHA/NaSt (1/1 wt/wt) mixture after heating at 220°C for 10 min and sodium dehydroabietate (DHAA‐Na) were qualitatively analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and wide angle X‐ray diffractometry (WAXD). The crystallization behavior, spherulitic morphology, optical and mechanical properties of iPP samples nucleated by DHA, NaSt, DHA/NaSt (1/1 wt/wt) mixture, and DHAA‐Na under the same concentration (0.3 wt %) were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized light microscope (PLM), optical and mechanical measurements. The results showed that an “in situ” reaction occurred between DHA and NaSt, and an effective transparent nucleating agent (DHAA‐Na) was produced during the melting blending of iPP and DHA/NaSt (1/1 wt/wt) mixture in the twin screw extruder. The crystallization onset and peak temperatures, the gloss and the mechanical properties were improved markedly; the crystallization half‐time, the spherulitic size, and the haze were reduced substantially when iPP samples are nucleated by DHA/NaSt (1/1 wt/wt) mixture. The optimum composition ratio of DHA/NaSt should be kept at ≈ 1/1 wt/wt and above 0.4 wt %/0.4 wt %. The DHA/NaSt bi‐component nucleator was effective for iPP with different MFR values. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Lack of effects on fertility and developmental toxicity of a quadrivalent HPV vaccine in Sprague‐Dawley rats
Authors: David Wise L. , Wolf Jayanthi J. , Kaplanski Catherine V. , Pauley Cindy J. , Ledwith Brian J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases, with approximately half of the HPV‐infected people being adolescents and young adults. A recently developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine, GARDASIL®, has been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of a number of HPV‐mediated diseases. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential effects of the vaccine on female fertility and F1 development, growth, behavior, and reproductive performance. In addition, anti‐HPV antibodies in the F0 females and F1 offspring were measured during the study. Two groups of 65 virgin Sprague‐Dawley rats were administered two or four intramuscular injections of the vaccine (full human dose of 0.5 mL at 5 and 2 weeks prior to mating, on Gestation Day [GD] 6, and Lactation Day [LD] 7; or GD 6 and LD 7 only). Additional groups of rats were administered phosphate‐buffered saline or Merck Aluminum Adjuvant (MAA) at the same four times. All females were mated to males of the same stock. Cesarean sections were performed on 22/group on GD 21, 22/group were allowed to deliver, and remaining females used for blood collections or replacements. F0 female fertility parameters were evaluated. An extensive number of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal parameters were evaluated in the F1 generation. There were no unscheduled deaths during the study. There was no evidence of toxicity in the F0 females given either MAA or vaccine. There were no effects on the fertility or reproductive performance of the F0 females. There was no evidence of developmental toxicity to the F1 generation, including fetal body weight and morphology, postnatal growth and development, behavior, and reproductive performance. The quadrivalent vaccine induced a specific antibody response to the four HPV types in the F0 female rats following one or multiple injections. Antibodies against all four HPV types were transferred to the F1 generation during gestation and/or lactation, likely via the placenta and milk, respectively. The passively transferred antibodies persisted up to Postnatal Day 77 when they were last measured. These results demonstrate that this quadrivalent HPV vaccine had no detectable adverse effects in either the treated F0 female rats or the F1 generation. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 83:561–572, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multimedia presentations on the human genome
Authors: Kano Kei , Yahata Saiko , Muroi Kaori , Kawakami Masahiro , Tomoda Mari , Miyaki Koichi , Nakayama Takeo , Kosugi Shinji , Kato Kazuto 
Published: November 2008

AbstractGenome science, including topics such as gene recombination, cloning, genetic tests, and gene therapy, is now an established part of our daily lives; thus we need to learn genome science to better equip ourselves for the present day. Learning from topics directly related to the human has been suggested to be more effective than learning from Mendel's peas not only because many students do not understand that plants are organisms, but also because human biology contains important social and health issues. Therefore, we have developed a teaching program for the introduction to genome science, whose subjects are focused on the human genome. This program comprises mixed multimedia presentations: a large poster with illustrations and text on the human genome (a human genome map for every home), and animations on the basics of genome science. We implemented and assessed this program at four high schools. Our results indicate that students felt that they learned about the human genome from the program and some increases in students' understanding were observed with longer exposure to the mixed multimedia presentations.
Differential Inhibitory Activities and Stabilisation of DNA Aptamers against the SARS Coronavirus Helicase
Authors: Shum Ka To , Tanner Julian A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe helicase from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV) possesses NTPase, duplex RNA/DNA‐unwinding and RNA‐capping activities that are essential for viral replication and proliferation. Here, we have isolated DNA aptamers against the SARS‐CoV helicase from a combinatorial DNA library. These aptamers show two distinct classes of secondary structure, G‐quadruplex and non‐G‐quadruplex, as shown by circular dichroism and gel electrophoresis. All of the aptamers that were selected stimulated ATPase activity of the SARS‐CoV helicase with low‐nanomolar apparent Km values. Intriguingly, only the non‐G‐quadruplex aptamers showed specific inhibition of helicase activities, whereas the G‐quadruplex aptamers did not inhibit helicase activities. The non‐G‐quadruplex aptamer with the strongest inhibitory potency was modified at the 3′‐end with biotin or inverted thymidine, and the modification increased its stability in serum, particularly for the inverted thymidine modification. Structural diversity in selection coupled to post‐selection stabilisation has provided new insights into the aptamers that were selected for a helicase target. These aptamers are being further developed to inhibit SARS‐CoV replication.