bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does information about the source of functional ingredients influence consumer perception of functional milk desserts?
Authors: Ares Gastón , Giménez Ana , Gámbaro Adriana 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: The aims of the present study were to study the influence of information about the source of two functional ingredients (antioxidants and fibre) on consumer perception of functional milk dessert concepts and to evaluate whether this influence depends on consumer attitudes towards health and hedonic characteristics of foods.RESULTS: Scores for expected liking decreased when information about the source of fibre or antioxidants was incorporated, which could be explained considering that when consumers knew the source of the functional ingredient they imagine the flavour of the source in the milk concept. This decrease in expected liking led to a decrease in consumer willingness to purchase, showing the importance of hedonic expectations on the acceptance of functional foods. Consumers with different attitudes towards health and hedonic characteristics of foods reacted differently towards information about the source of functional ingredients.CONCLUSION: Providing information about the source of functional ingredients would not be recommended as it might create negative taste expectations to consumers and a concomitant decrease in their willingness to purchase. These show that consumers would not compromise on the taste of milk desserts for health. Thus, the development of functional foods that taste worse than conventional ones may be a risky option. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Complexes of Cationic Block Copolymer Micelles with DNA: Histone/DNA Complex Mimetics
Authors: Talelli Marina , Pispas Stergios 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe formation of complexes between cationic polymeric micelles of PS‐b‐PQ2VP amphiphilic block copolymers and DNA molecules in aqueous solutions is investigated at pH = 7. The physicochemical characteristics of the “polyplexes” at different DNA/polymer ratios were characterized in terms of mass, size and charge using static, dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering and AFM. The complexes are spherical and assume their maximum size and mass around the charge stoichiometric ratio. After addition of increased amounts of salt in the solutions, partial dissociation of the systems was observed. The present systems can be considered as mimetics of histone/DNA complexes formed under physiological conditions in living cells.magnified image
Core‐Shell Nanoblends from Soy Protein/Polystyrene by Emulsion Polymerization
Authors: Liu Dagang , Tian Huafeng , Zeng Jian , Chang Peter R. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractNovel soy protein/polystyrene nanoblends with core‐shell structures were successfully prepared by introducing nano‐sized PS into soy protein through emulsion polymerization. The nanoblends showed core‐shell structures, with the core being of PS and the shell of sodium dodecane sulfonate and soy protein polypeptides, when investigated by electron microscopy. Nanoblends containing high levels of PS (>30%) exhibited characteristic infrared spectrum bands, X‐ray diffraction peak, and glass transition, since PS microsphere aggregated to form independent PS domains. Mechanical strength and water resistance were effectively improved by introducing PS. An effective structure‐performance relationship was thereby established to describe the nanoblends.magnified image
Developing anticancer chemotherapy services in a developing country: Hodgkin lymphoma experience
Authors: Chandra Jagdish , Naithani Rahul , Singh Varinder , Saxena Y.K. , Sharma Manoj , Pemde Harish 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveReporting on how the cancer treatment facilities were developed at a medical college hospital in India and the profile and outcome of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) at this new center were the objectives of the study.MethodsPatients under 18 years with a diagnosis of HL were evaluated using abdominal ultrasonography, CT scan examination of chest, abdomen and pelvis and bone marrow examination. Most patients were treated with combination chemotherapy. Departments of Radiodiagnosis and Pathology were involved for evaluation. Radiotherapy when required was made available at a nearby hospital.ResultsThirty‐five patients between 1.2 and 18 years (median age 7 years) were diagnosed as HL during the study period. Advanced disease (Stage IIb or more) was present in 83% cases. Mixed cellularity was the commonest histological subtype (50.5%). Primary therapy used was COPP in 29 (83%) cases. Of the 34 patients who received treatment 30 showed initial good response to therapy. One patient responded to ABVD after having progression on COPP. Of 31 responders, 4 relapsed. Twenty‐seven patients (80%) are surviving free of disease for a median follow up of 4.5 years (range 1.5–18 years). Chemotherapy was well tolerated. Febrile neutropenia occurred in four cases.ConclusionsPediatric HL in India was characterized by advanced disease at presentation. Mixed‐cellularity was the predominant histological subtype. An effective program was developed with initial attention to patients with HL. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:485–488. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nutritional status at diagnosis of children with malignancies in Casablanca
Authors: Tazi Illias , Hidane Zakia , Zafad Saadia , Harif Mhamed , Benchekroun Said , Ribeiro Raul 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIntroductionNutritional assessment is an essential component of the initial assessment of children with cancer. Malnutrition may be present at diagnosis due to the effects of the malignancy or, in low income countries (LIC), due to poverty and an inadequate diet.PurposeThe aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition at diagnosis in children with cancer in Morocco.ProcedureNutritional status of 100 children aged less than 18 years with newly diagnosed malignancy between January 2005 and January 2006 was evaluated by anthropometric and biochemical parameters before initiating therapy. We measured weight, height, weight‐for‐height using z‐scores index for children and body mass index for adolescents, triceps skinfold thickness and mid‐upper arm circumference, and serum albumin.ResultsA total of 100 patients were included. The mean age was 7 years (range 1 to 18 years). Sixty percent were boys. The diagnosis was: Burkitt lymphoma (n = 19), acute myeloblastic leukaemia (n = 18), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (n = 14), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 13), Ewing sarcoma (n = 7), nephroblastoma (n = 6), Hodgkin disease (n = 5), osteosarcoma (n = 5), retinoblastoma (n = 4), neuroblastoma (n = 3), germ cell tumor (n = 3), orbital lymphoma (n = 1), cerebral lymphoma (n = 1), ependymoma (n = 1). Incidence of malnutrition ranged from 20 to 50%, depending upon the measurement used.ConclusionThe prevalence of malnutrition in this study was high, so interventions are being implemented to improve the nutritional status of these patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:495–498. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Non‐ionic surfactants for enhancing electrospinability and for the preparation of electrospun nanofibers
Authors: Wang Shu‐Qiang , He Ji‐Huan , Xu Lan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Electrospinning is widely used to produce nanofibers; however, not every polymer can be electrospun into nanofibers. To enhance electrospinability, much effort has been made in designing new apparatus, such as vibration‐electrospinning, magneto‐electrospinning and bubble‐electrospinning.RESULTS: A representative non‐ionic surfactant, TritonR X‐100, is used to enhance electrospinability. The surfactant is added to an electrospun poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) polymer solution, and a dramatic reduction in surface tension is observed. As a result, a moderate voltage is needed to produce fine nanofibers, which are commonly observed during the conventional electrospinning procedure only at elevated voltage.CONCLUSION: The novel strategy produces smaller nanofibers than those obtained without surfactants, and the minimum threshold voltage is much decreased. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics and thermomechanical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube‐reinforced poly(ε‐caprolactone) composites
Authors: Xu Guoyong , Du Longchao , Wang Hu , Xia Ru , Meng Xiangchun , Zhu Qingren 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: The technological development of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) is limited by its short useful lifespan, low modulus and high crystallinity. There are a few papers dealing with the crystallization behavior of carbon nanotube‐reinforced PCL composites. However, little work has been done on the crystallization kinetics of melt‐compounded PCL/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) nanocomposites. In this study, PCL/MWNT nanocomposites were successfully prepared by a simple melt‐compounding method, and their morphology and mechanical properties as well as their crystallization kinetics were studied.RESULTS: The MWNTs were observed to be homogeneously dispersed throughout the PCL matrix. The incorporation of a very small quantity of MWNTs significantly improved the storage modulus and loss modulus of the PCL/MWNT nanocomposites. The nonisothermal crystallization behavior of the PCL/MWNT nanocomposites exhibits strong dependencies of the degree of crystallinity (Xc), peak crystallization temperature (Tp), half‐time of crystallization (t1/2) and Avrami exponent (n) on the MWNT content and cooling rate. The MWNTs in the PCL/MWNT nanocomposites exhibit a higher nucleation activity. The crystallization activation energy (Ea) calculated with the Kissinger model is higher when a small amount of MWNTs is added, then gradually decreases; all the Ea values are higher than that of pure PCL.CONCLUSION: This paper reports for the first time the preparation of high‐performance biopolymer PCL/MWNT nanocomposites prepared by a simple melt‐compounding method. The results show that the PCL/MWNT nanocomposites can broaden the applications of PCL. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Silica encapsulating lanthanum complexes using the sol–gel technique
Authors: Cazacu Maria , Vlad Angelica , Airinei Anton , Alexandru Mihaela 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Because of its properties, silica gel is an excellent host for different compounds. Many types of chemical species (organics, organometallics, proteins, enzymes, etc.) can be encapsulated in xerogels, and the sol–gel technique has been shown to be very useful for this aim.RESULTS: Some host–guest systems based on silica and complexed lanthanum were prepared in order to develop fluorescence properties. Three pathways were used to prepare such systems: (1) obtaining the lanthanum complex with a dimethylsiloxane‐based ligand and its incorporation into a silica network; (2) preparation of a silica network having hydroxyazomethine groups and in situ lanthanum complexation; and (3) preparation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/silica composites that possess hydroxyazomethine groups on the silica and in situ lanthanum complexation. The sol–gel technique was used in all cases.CONCLUSION: The photophysical properties of the prepared compounds were evaluated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The investigations revealed that the systems belonging to the second series are the most fluorescent. In the third series, the presence of PDMS provokes a decrease of the fluorescence intensity, until its complete quenching when the PDMS content exceeds a certain threshold value. However, there is a range of silica/PDMS ratio for which fluorescent free‐standing films can be obtained. The presence of complexed lanthanum induces changes in the morphology of the silica/PDMS matrix, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy studies. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Formation of pyrazol‐1,3,4‐thiadiazoles through 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions of 3‐thioxo‐[1,2,4]‐triazepin‐5‐one with nitrilimines: an experimental and computational study
Authors: Esseffar M. , Messaoudi M. El , Azzouzi S. , Jalal R. , Sáez J. A. , Domingo L. R. , Latorre J. , Liu‐González M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn this work the experimental results and the computational study of the title compounds and some ancillary compounds are reported. Two bicyclic pyrazol‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives were synthezised by reaction between 6‐dimethylaminomethylene‐3‐thioxo‐[1,2,4]‐triazepin‐5‐one 1 and several nitrilimines 2a–f to give corresponding spirocycloadducts 3a–f, which undergo a rapid rearrangement leading to the new bicyclic compounds, 4a–f and 5a–f. These obtained bicyclic products were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and finally by X‐ray crystallography. Theoretical calculations have been carried out using DFT methods to rationalize the formation of the two new bicyclic compounds. Two reaction types are involved in the formation of the compounds 4a–f and 5a–f. The first one is a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition (13DC) reaction between 1 acting as dipolarophile and 2a–f as dipoles. The results indicate that the cycloaddition between 1 and 2g, as model of 2a–c, takes place via a high asynchronous bond‐formation process. The regioselectivity obtained from the calculations is in complete agreement with the formation of the unique spirocycloadducts 3a–f. The second reaction leading to the formation of the final products is a domino process that is initiated by the quick and irreversible cleavage in a catalytic acid environment of triazepenic ring. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geometric constraints for porphyrin binding in helical protein binding sites
Authors: Negron Christopher , Fufezan Christian , Koder Ronald L. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHelical bundles which bind heme and porphyrin cofactors have been popular targets for cofactor‐containing de novo protein design. By analyzing a highly nonredundant subset of the protein databank we have determined a rotamer distribution for helical histidines bound to heme cofactors. Analysis of the entire nonredundant database for helical sequence preferences near the ligand histidine demonstrated little preference for amino acid side chain identity, size, or charge. Analysis of the database subdivided by ligand histidine rotamer, however, reveals strong preferences in each case, and computational modeling illuminates the structural basis for some of these findings. The majority of the rotamer distribution matches that predicted by molecular simulation of a single porphyrin‐bound histidine residue placed in the center of an all‐alanine helix, and the deviations explain two prominent features of natural heme protein binding sites: heme distortion in the case of the cytochromes C in the m166 histidine rotamer, and a highly prevalent glycine residue in the t73 histidine rotamer. These preferences permit derivation of helical consensus sequence templates which predict optimal side chain‐cofactor packing interactions for each rotamer. These findings thus promise to guide future design endeavors not only in the creation of higher affinity heme and porphyrin binding sites, but also in the direction of bound cofactor geometry. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Permeation of water through the KcsA K+ channel
Authors: Furini Simone , Beckstein Oliver , Domene Carmen 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPrevious studies have reported that the KcsA potassium channel has an osmotic permeability coefficient of 4.8 × 10−12 cm3/s, giving it a significantly higher osmotic permeability coefficient than that of some membrane channels specialized in water transport. This high osmotic permeability is proposed to occur when the channel is depleted of potassium ions, the presence of which slow down the water permeation process. The atomic structure of the potassium‐depleted KcsA channel and the mechanisms of water permeation have not been well characterized so far. Here, all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations, in conjunction with an umbrella sampling strategy and a nonequilibrium approach to simulate pressure gradients are employed to illustrate the permeation of water in the absence of ions through the KcsA K+ channel. Equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations (95 ns combined total length) identified a possible structure of the potassium‐depleted KcsA channel, and umbrella sampling calculations (160 ns combined total length) revealed that this structure is not permeable by water molecules moving along the channel axis. The simulation of a pressure gradient across the channel (30 ns combined total length) identified an alternative permeation pathway with a computed osmotic permeability of ∼(2.7 ± 0.9) × 10−13 cm3/s. Water fluxes along this pathway did not proceed through collective water motions or transitions to vapor state. All of the major results of this study were robust against variations in a wide set of simulation parameters (force field, water model, membrane model, and channel conformation). Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutations of the ALS gene endowing resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in Lolium rigidum populations
Authors: Yu Qin , Han Heping , Powles Stephen B 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: In the important grass weed Lolium rigidum (Gaud.), resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides has evolved widely in Australia. The authors have previously characterised the biochemical basis of ALS herbicide resistance in a number of L. rigidum biotypes and established that resistance can be due to a resistant ALS and/or enhanced herbicide metabolism. The purpose of this study was to identify specific resistance‐endowing ALS gene mutation(s) in four resistant populations and to develop PCR‐based molecular markers.RESULTS: Six resistance‐conferring ALS mutations were identified: Pro‐197‐Ala, Pro‐197‐Arg, Pro‐197‐Gln, Pro‐197‐Leu, Pro‐197‐Ser and Trp‐574‐Leu. All six mutations were found in one population (WLR1). Each Pro‐197 mutation conferred resistance to the sulfonylurea (SU) herbicide sulfometuron, whereas the Trp‐574‐Leu mutation conferred resistance to both sulfometuron and the imidazolinone (IMS) herbicide imazapyr. A derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (dCAPS) marker was developed for detecting resistance mutations at Pro‐197. Furthermore, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) markers were developed for detecting each of the six mutant resistant alleles. Using these markers, the authors revealed diverse ALS‐resistant alleles and genotypes in these populations and related them directly to phenotypic resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides.CONCLUSION: This study established the existence of a diversity of ALS gene mutations endowing resistance in L. rigidum populations: 1–6 different mutations were found within single populations. At field herbicide rates, resistance profiles were determined more by the specific mutation than by whether plants were homo‐ or heterozygous for the mutation. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Switching from the unfolded to the folded state of the helix‐loop‐helix domain of the Id proteins based on the O‐acyl isopeptide method
Authors: Kiewitz Sebastian D. , Kakizawa Taeko , Kiso Yoshiaki , Cabrele Chiara 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe inhibitors of DNA binding and cell differentiation Id1–4 are helix‐loop‐helix (HLH) proteins that negatively regulate DNA transcription by forming inactive dimers with ubiquitous and tissue‐specific bHLH proteins, including E47 and MyoD, respectively. Their highly conserved HLH domains are essential for heterodimerization, but can also self‐associate to highly stable, α‐helix‐rich structures at low micromolar peptide concentrations. Here, we show that the introduction of an O‐acyl isodipeptide unit involving the putative N‐cap serine residue of the C‐terminal helix completely abrogates the propensity of the Id HLH analogue for any secondary and tertiary structure, resulting in a random coil, as shown by CD measurements in nonbuffered aqueous solutions. However, the HLH fold reappears as soon as an O → N intramolecular acyl migration, which occurs spontaneously under physiological conditions, restores the native N‐cap serine residue. These results show that changes addressing the N‐terminus of the C‐terminal helix can dramatically influence the HLH structure, and suggest that local interactions at the junction between the loop and the C‐terminal helix might be crucial during the HLH folding process. Furthermore, the present study contributes to the evaluation of the O‐acyl isodipeptide unit as a powerful tool to introduce a conformational switch into peptides. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Indium tin oxide thin films prepared by ion beam assisted deposition technique at different ion beam currents
Authors: Meng Lijian , Gao Jinsong , Teixeira V. , dos Santos M. P. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIndium tin oxide (ITO) films have been deposited onto glass substrates at room temperature by ion beam assisted deposition technique (IBAD) at different ion beam currents (80–120 mA). The effect of the ion beam current on films properties has been studied. The films prepared at low ion beam current (80 mA) show an almost amorphous structure. As the ion beam current is increased, films show a preferred orientation along the (222) direction. AFM measurements show that the surface RMS roughness of the film increases as the current goes up. The optical properties have been studied by measuring the transmittance. It has been found that the film prepared at 100 mA current has the highest transmittance. The optical constants of the films have been calculated by fitting the transmittance. The Hall measurements also showed that the film prepared at 100 mA current has one of the lower electrical resistivities. FTIR measurements show that the film prepared at 100 mA current has the highest infra‐red reflectance. All the measurements show the 100 mA ion beam current can produce good quality ITO films. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Patterned transparent zinc oxide films produced by sol–gel embossing
Authors: Rao J. , Winfield R. J. , Koh L. H. K. , O'Brien S. , Crean G. M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA low cost zinc oxide embossing technique is reported as a method of fabricating structures relevant to a variety of applications. A zinc based sol–gel material was prepared from zinc acetate [Zn(C2H3O2)2], monoethanolamine [H2NC2H4OH] and isopropanol. The sol–gel was cast into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mould a track design, placed in contact with the substrate and dried under vacuum at 70 °C for 3 hours. The formed track pattern was further densified to provide a stable conductor film that retained the embossed shape. An optimum Zn sol–gel content of 0.6 M was identified. The embossed films had a transparency of greater than 83% in the visible region. The optical bandgap energy was evaluated to be 3.306 eV. The influence of ZnO sol–gel film synthesis and embossing parameters on the microstructure, morphology and optical transparency of fabricated structures is described. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)