bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemical structure, thermal properties, and free‐surface energy parameters of coatings synthesized from poly(urethane‐dimethylsiloxane) anionomers
Authors: Król Piotr , Byczyński Łukasz 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPoly(urethane‐dimethylsiloxane) (PU‐PDMS) anionomers with increased hydrophobicity and fixed amount of elastic segments (51 wt %) at 3‐ and 4‐stage methods were obtained. The anionomers were synthesized from isophorone diisocyanate, poly(oxytetramethylene)diol, and α,ω‐polydimethylsiloxanediol (PDMS). 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (DMPA) was used as ionic center. The anionomers were extended with ethylenediamine (EDA) in water. 1H NMR and IR methods were employed to confirm the chemical structures of the anionomers. Suitable defined structural factors κ and α were calculated on the basis of selected bands of the spectra. The factors were employed to perform detailed quantity and polarity analysis of the anionomers structures. The free‐surface energy (FSE) of the anionomers was evaluated on the basis of physical model by Owens and Wendt. The effect of chemical structures on polarity of the materials was discussed. It was found that the FSE and its polar and dispersive components distinctly decrease with the increasing polisiloxane content in the anionomer chain. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Radiation‐processed polychloroprene‐co‐ethylene–propene diene terpolymer blends: Evaluation of blend morphology, miscibility, and physical properties
Authors: Dubey K. A. , Bhardwaj Y. K. , Panicker Lata , Chaudhari C. V. , Kumar Virendra , Goel N. K. , Sabharwal S. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe miscibility of polychloroprene rubber (CR) and ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM) was studied over the entire composition range. Different blend compositions of CR and EPDM were prepared by initially mixing on a two‐roll mill and subsequently irradiating to different gamma radiation doses. The blends were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, density measurement, hardness measurement, and solvent permeability analysis. The compatibility of the blends was studied by measuring the glass transition temperature and heat capacity change of the blends. The immiscibility of blends was reflected by the presence of two glass transition temperatures; however, partial miscible domains were observed due to inter diffusion of phases. Permeation data fitted best with the Maxwell's model and indicated that in CR‐EPDM blends, EPDM exists as continuous phase with CR as dispersed phase for lower CR weight fractions and phase inversion occurred in 40–60% CR region. It was observed that CR improved oil resistance of EPDM; however, the effect was prominent for blends of >20% CR content. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis, characterization, thermal, and viscoelastic properties of an unsaturated epoxy polyester cured with different hardeners
Authors: Worzakowska Marta 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe chemical modification of the structure of the unsaturated polyester obtained in poly condensation process of 1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, maleic anhydride, and ethylene glycol by well known conventional method of epoxidation with peracetic acid in mild conditions has been presented. The new material containing both epoxy groups and unsaturated double bonds in polyester chain was characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR spectra. The prepared unsaturated epoxy polyester was suitable material for further chemical modification. Both epoxy groups and unsaturated double bonds can be used as cross‐linking sites. Curing behavior, thermal, and visco‐elastic properties of the unsaturated epoxy polyester cured with different hardeners: 1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (THPA), hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA), and/or with vinyl monomer (styrene) using radical initiator—benzoyl peroxide (BPO) were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Dynamically vulcanized polypropylene/nitrile rubber blends: The effect of peroxide/bis‐maleimide curing system and different compatibilizing systems
Authors: Soares Bluma G. , de Oliveira Marlucy , Meireles Domenica , Sirqueira Alex S. , Mauler Raquel S. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn this study, the efficiency of dicumyl peroxide (DCP) in combination with N,N′‐m‐phenylene‐bis‐maleimide (BMI) as a crosslinking system for the polypropylene (PP)/nitrile rubber (NBR) (30 : 70 wt %) thermoplastic elastomers was investigated in the presence of compatibilizing agents. The compatibilization was carried out by maleic anhydride‐grafted‐PP (PP‐g‐MA)/amino compound and glycidyl methacrylate‐grafted‐PP (PP‐g‐GMA) with or without amino compound. They were employed in a proportion of 5 wt % together with different amounts of carboxylated NBR (XNBR). Excellent mechanical properties were achieved without the addition of compatibilizer, suggesting that BMI should act as compatibilizing agent. The other functionalized systems exerted an additional improvement on tensile properties and reprocessing ability. The mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties, oil resistance, and morphology were investigated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Feasibility and relevance of examining lymphoblastoid cell lines to study role of microRNAs in autism
Authors: Talebizadeh Zohreh , Butler Merlin G. , Theodoro Mariana F. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTo assess the feasibility and relevance of using lymphoblastoid cell lines to study the role of noncoding RNAs in the etiology of autism, we evaluated global expression profiling of 470 mature human microRNAs from six subjects with autism compared with six matched controls. Differential expression (either higher or lower) for 9 of the 470 microRNAs was observed in our autism samples compared with controls. Potential target genes for these microRNAs were identified using computer tools, which included several autism susceptibility genes. Our preliminary results indicate microRNAs should be considered and evaluated in the etiology of autism. In addition, analysis of this class of noncoding RNAs in lymphoblastoid cells has the potential to reveal at least a subset of brain‐related microRNAs implicated in autism. Subsequently, this model system should allow for detection of complex subtle changes in susceptibility genes/pathways contributing to autism.
Perceptual metrics of individuals with autism provide evidence for disinhibition
Authors: Tannan Vinay , Holden Jameson K. , Zhang Zheng , Baranek Grace T. , Tommerdahl Mark A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAdults with autism exhibit inhibitory deficits that are often manifested in behavioral modifications, such as repetitive behaviors, and/or sensory hyper‐responsiveness. If such behaviors are the result of a generalized deficiency in inhibitory neurotransmission, then it stands to reason that deficits involving localized cortical–cortical interactions—such as in sensory discrimination tasks—could be detected and quantified. This study exemplifies a newly developed method for quantifying sensory testing metrics. Our novel sensory discrimination tests may provide (a) an effective means for biobehavioral assessment of deficits specific to autism and (b) an efficient and sensitive measure of change following treatment. The sensory discriminative capacity of ten subjects with autism and ten controls was compared both before and after short duration adapting stimuli. Specifically, vibrotactile amplitude discriminative capacity was obtained both in the presence and absence of 1 sec adapting stimuli that were delivered 1 sec prior to the comparison stimuli. Although adaptation had a pronounced effect on the amplitude discriminative capacity of the control subjects, little or no impact was observed on the sensory discriminative capacity of the subjects with autism. This lack of impact of the adapting stimuli on the responses of the subjects with autism was interpreted to be consistent with the reduced GABAergic‐mediated inhibition described in previous reports. One significant aspect of this study is that the methods could prove to be a useful and efficient way to detect specific neural deficits and monitor the efficacy of pharmacological or behavioral treatments in autism.
The course and branching pattern of pudendal nerve in fetus
Authors: Kocabiyik Necdet , Tatar Ilkan , Yalcin Bulent , Ozan Hasan 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe pudendal nerve is a considerably large branch of the sacral plexus. There are many articles in the literature concerning the pudendal nerve in adults, but as far as we know, there is none on the branching pattern and variations in pudendal nerve anatomy in fetus. This study investigates the pudendal nerve trunking with respect to the piriformis muscle in 25 formalin‐fixed fetuses (50 sides of pelves, 15 females, 10 males), ranging from 20 to 37 weeks of gestation. We investigate pudendal nerve trunking in four types: Type I‐a is defined as single‐trunk with the inferior rectal nerve branching proximal to the dorsal nerve of penis/clitoris (38%), Type I‐b is also single‐trunk with the dorsal nerve of penis/clitoris branching proximal to the inferior rectal nerve (24%), Type II is double‐trunk with medial trunk as an inferior rectal nerve (34%), and Type III is triple‐trunk (4%). We measured the average diameter of the main trunk of pudendal nerve in Type I‐a and I‐b groups to be 0.98 ± 0.33 mm. We also measured the average length of the pudendal nerve trunks before the dorsal nerve of penis/clitoris branch to be 7.35 ± 3.50 mm. There was no significant statistical difference in the average length, diameter, number of trunks, and pudendal nerve variations between male and female and also right and left sides of the pelves. This first and detailed fetal study of pudendal nerve trunking with respect to the piriformis muscle would be useful for educational anatomy dissections and anatomical landmark definitions for relevant clinical procedures. Clin. Anat. 21:691–695, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reduced Cbl phosphorylation and degradation of the ζ‐chain of the T‐cell receptor/CD3 complex in T cells with low Lck levels
Authors: Methi Trond , Berge Torunn , Torgersen Knut Martin , Taskén Kjetil 
Published: September 2008

AbstractT cells with short interfering RNA‐mediated Lck‐knockdown (kd) display paradoxical hyper‐responsiveness upon TCR ligation. We have previously reported a possible mechanism for T‐cell activation in cells with low levels of Lck depending on Grb2‐SOS1 recruitment to the zeta‐chain of TCR/CD3 (Methi et al., Eur. J. Immunol. 2007, 37: 2539–2548). Here, we show that short interfering RNA‐mediated targeting of Lck caused a dramatic reduction in c‐Cbl phosphorylation and a general reduction in protein ubiquitination after TCR stimulation. Specifically, this resulted in reduced ubiquitination of the zeta‐chain, yet internalization of TCR/CD3 appeared to be normal after receptor engagement. However, zeta‐chain levels were elevated in Lck‐kd cells, and confocal microscopy revealed reduced colocalization of CD3‐containing vesicles with endosomal and lysosomal compartments. We hypothesize that prolonged stability of internalized T‐cell receptor complex may result in extended signaling in T cells with low Lck levels.
ERK5 regulation in naïve T‐cell activation and survival
Authors: Ananieva Olga , Macdonald Andrew , Wang Xin , McCoy Claire E. , McIlrath Joanne , Tournier Cathy , Arthur J. Simon C. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractERK5 has been implicated in regulating the MEF2‐dependent genes Klf2 and nur77 downstream of the TCR and the maintenance of expression of CD62L on peripheral T cells. Based on this data, knockout of ERK5 would be predicted to compromise T‐cell development and the maintenance of T cells in the periphery. Using an ERK5 conditional knockout, driven by CD4‐CRE or Vav‐CRE transgenes resulting in the loss of ERK5 in T cells, we have found that ERK5 is not required for T‐cell development. In addition, normal numbers of T cells were found in the spleens and lymph nodes of these mice. We also find that TCR stimulation is not a strong signal for ERK5 activation in primary murine T cells. ERK5 was found to contribute to the induction of Klf2 but not nur77 mRNA following TCR activation. Despite the reduction in Klf2 mRNA, no effect was seen in ERK5 knockouts on either the mRNA levels for the Klf2 target genes CD62L, CCR7 and S1P, or the cell surface expression of CD62L. These results suggest that while ERK5 does contribute to Klf2 regulation in T cells, it is not essential for the expression of CD62L or T‐cell survival.
Retraction: T‐bet expression by dendritic cells is required for the repolarization of allergic airway inflammation
Authors: Heckman Karin L. , Radhakrishnan Suresh , Peikert Tobias , Iijima Koji , McGregor Hugh C. , Bell Michael P. , Kita Hirohito , Pease Larry R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe following article from the European Journal of Immunology, T‐bet expression by dendritic cells is required for the repolarization of allergic airway inflammation by Karin L. Heckman, Suresh Radhakrishnan, Tobias Peikert, Koji Iijima, Hugh C. McGregor, Michael P. Bell, Hirohito Kita and Larry R. Pease published online on 15 September 2008 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief, Foo Yoo Liew and Wiley‐VCH. The retraction has been agreed as the results published in the article are unreliable and cannot be reproduced.
siRNA stabilization prolongs gene knockdown in primary T lymphocytes
Authors: Mantei Andrej , Rutz Sascha , Janke Marko , Kirchhoff Dennis , Jung Ulrike , Patzel Volker , Vogel Uwe , Rudel Thomas , Andreou Ioanna , Weber Martin , Scheffold Alexander 
Published: September 2008

AbstractRNA interference (RNAi)‐mediated knockdown of target gene expression represents a powerful approach for functional genomics and therapeutic applications. However, for T lymphocytes, central regulators of immunity and immunopathologies, the application of RNAi has been limited due to the lack of efficient small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery protocols, and an inherent inefficiency of the RNAi machinery itself. Here, we use nucleofection, an optimized electroporation approach, to deliver siRNA into primary T lymphocytes with high efficiency and negligible impairment of cell function. We identify siRNA stability within the cells as the critical parameter for efficient RNAi in primary T cells. While generally short‐lived and immediately lost upon T‐cell activation when conventional siRNA is used, target gene knockdown becomes insensitive to cell activation and can persist for up to 2 wk in non‐dividing cells with siRNA stabilized by chemical modifications. Targeting CD4 and the transcription factor GATA‐3, we show that the use of stabilized siRNA is imperative for functional gene analysis during T lymphocyte activation and differentiation in vitro as well as in vivo.
Enhanced B‐cell activation mediated by TLR4 and BCR crosstalk
Authors: Minguet Susana , Dopfer Elaine P. , Pollmer Careen , Freudenberg Marina A. , Galanos Chris , Reth Michael , Huber Michael , Schamel Wolfgang W. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDespite the important role of B lymphocytes as a bridge between the innate and the adaptive immune system, little is known regarding lipopolysaccharide (LPS) recognition, activation of signalling networks or conceivable cooperation between LPS and the B‐cell antigen receptor (BCR). Here, we show that primary B cells can efficiently discriminate between different LPS chemotypes, responding with at least 100‐fold higher sensitivity to rough‐form LPS compared with smooth‐form LPS. Using genetically modified mice, we demonstrate that B lymphocytes recognize all LPS chemotypes via Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4). In addition, we dissect the signalling pathways that lead to CD69 upregulation upon TLR4 and BCR activation in primary B cells. Our data suggest that TLR4 and BCR induce CD69 transcription via two distinct sets of signalling molecules, exerting quantitative and qualitative differences in B‐cell activation. Finally, we show that simultaneous stimulation of TLR4 and BCR additively elevates B‐cell activation. In contrast, co‐engagement of TLR4 and BCR by antigen‐coupled LPS synergistically enhances activation of B cells, pointing out attractive targets for signalling crosstalk in B lymphocytes.
Engagement of the EP2 prostanoid receptor closes the K+ channel KCa3.1 in human lung mast cells and attenuates their migration
Authors: Mark Duffy S. , Cruse Glenn , Cockerill Sarah L. , Brightling Chris E. , Bradding Peter 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHuman lung mast cells (HLMC) express the Ca2+‐activated K+ channel KCa3.1, which plays a crucial role in their migration to a variety of diverse chemotactic stimuli. KCa3.1 activation is attenuated by the β2‐adrenoceptor and the adenosine A2A receptor through a Gs‐coupled mechanism independent of cyclic AMP. Prostaglandin E2 promotes degranulation and migration of mouse bone marrow‐derived mast cells through the Gi‐coupled EP3 prostanoid receptor, and induces LTC4 and cytokine secretion from human cord blood‐derived mast cells. However, PGE2 binding to the Gs‐coupled EP2 receptor on HLMC inhibits their degranulation. We show that EP2 receptor engagement closes KCa3.1 in HLMC. The EP2 receptor‐specific agonist butaprost was more potent than PGE2 in this respect, and the effects of both agonists were reversed by the EP2 receptor antagonist AH6809. Butaprost markedly inhibited HLMC migration induced by chemokine‐rich airway smooth muscle‐conditioned media. Interestingly, PGE2 alone was chemotactic for HLMC at high concentrations (1 µM), but was a more potent chemoattractant for HLMC following EP2 receptor blockade. Therefore, the Gs‐coupled EP2 receptor closes KCa3.1 in HLMC and attenuates both chemokine‐ and PGE2‐dependent HLMC migration. EP2 receptor agonists with KCa3.1 modulating function may be useful for the treatment of mast cell‐mediated disease.
Glucose deprivation inhibits multiple key gene expression events and effector functions in CD8+ T cells
Authors: Cham Candace M. , Driessens Gregory , O'Keefe James P. , Gajewski Thomas F. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe recently reported that differentiation of CD8+ T cells from the naïve to the effector state involves the upregulation of glucose‐dependent metabolism. Glucose deprivation or inhibition of glycolysis by 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (2‐DG) selectively inhibited production of IFN‐γ but not of IL‐2. To determine a more global role of glucose metabolism on effector T‐cell function, we performed gene array analysis on CD8+ effector T cells stimulated in the presence or absence of 2‐DG. We observed that expression of only 10% of genes induced by TCR/CD28 signaling was inhibited by 2‐DG. Among these were genes for key cytokines, cell cycle molecules, and cytotoxic granule proteins. Consistent with these results, production of IFN‐γ and GM‐CSF, cell cycle progression, upregulation of cyclin D2 protein, cytolytic activity, and upregulation of granzyme B protein and also conjugate formation were exquisitely glucose‐dependent. In contrast to glucose, oxygen was little utilized by CD8+ effector T cells, and relative oxygen deprivation did not inhibit these CTL functional properties. Our results indicate a particularly critical role for glucose in regulating specific effector functions of CD8+ T cells and have implications for the maintenance of the effector phase of cellular immune responses in target tissue microenvironments such as a solid tumor.
Transgenic expression of Spi‐C impairs B‐cell development and function by affecting genes associated with BCR signaling
Authors: Zhu Xiang , Schweitzer Brock L. , Romer Eric J. , Sulentic Courtney E. W. , DeKoter Rodney P. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSpi‐C is an Ets family transcription factor closely related to PU.1 and Spi‐B. Expression of Spi‐C is developmentally regulated in the B‐cell lineage, but its function remains unknown. To determine the function of Spi‐C in B‐cell development, we generated mice expressing a B‐cell‐specific Spi‐C transgene under the control of the IgH intronic enhancer. Spi‐C transgenic mice had 50% fewer B cells than wild‐type littermates. Flow cytometric analyses showed that splenic transitional B cells and bone marrow pre‐B or immature B cells from transgenic mice were dramatically reduced compared with those of wild type. Both nonspecific and Ag‐specific serum IgM levels were significantly increased in transgenic mice, while serum IgG levels were significantly decreased compared with wild type. Spi‐C transgenic B cells proliferated poorly after stimulation by anti‐IgM or anti‐CD40 in vitro, although they responded normally to LPS stimulation. Using real‐time RT‐PCR, we found that several BCR signaling‐related mediators were downregulated at pre‐B‐cell and mature B‐cell stages in transgenic mice, while an inhibitor of BCR signaling was upregulated. Taken together, these data indicate that ectopic expression of Spi‐C can impair B‐cell development and function by affecting genes associated with BCR signaling.
B‐cell clonal diversification and gut‐lymph node trafficking in ulcerative colitis revealed using lineage tree analysis
Authors: Tabibian‐Keissar Hilla , Zuckerman Neta S. , Barak Michal , Dunn‐Walters Deborah K. , Steiman‐Shimony Avital , Chowers Yehuda , Ofek Efrat , Rosenblatt Kinneret , Schiby Ginette , Mehr Ramit , Barshack Iris 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn studies of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), research has so far focused mainly on the role of T cells. Despite evidence suggesting that B cells and the production of autoantibodies may play a significant role in IBD pathogenesis, the role of B cells in gut inflammation has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In the present study we used the new approach of lineage tree analysis for studying immunoglobulin variable region gene diversification in B cells found in the inflamed intestinal tissue of two ulcerative colitis patients as well as B cells from mucosa‐associated lymph nodes (LN) in the same patients. Healthy intestinal tissue of three patients with carcinoma of the colon was used as normal control. Lineage tree shapes revealed active immune clonal diversification processes occurring in ulcerative colitis patients, which were quantitatively similar to those in healthy controls. B cells from intestinal tissues and the associated LN are shown here to be clonally related, thus supplying the first direct evidence supporting B‐cell trafficking between gut and associated LN in IBD and control tissues.