bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biochemical Synthesis and Manipulation of a 70 nm DNA Linker for the Assembly of DNA‐Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Hazarika P. , Irrgang J. , Spengler M. , Niemeyer C. M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractDNA oligonucleotides are extraordinarily well suited as linkers for the programmable assembly of nanoparticles. To extend the scope of DNA‐directed particle assembly, a 70 nm DNA linker molecule for the DNA‐directed assembly of gold nanoparticles is synthesized by biochemical reactions. In particular, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent restriction and ligation reactions are employed to synthesize the DNA linker, comprising a 178 base pair (bp) double helical core region supplemented with two sticky‐end binding sites of 12 nucleotides in length, attached to one of the core‐forming strands. The linker is used for the assembly of DNA‐functionalized gold nanoparticles employing yet another biochemical reaction, namely covalent linkage through the enzyme DNA ligase. The resulting nanoparticle assemblies are characterized by using atomic force microscopy. The methodology described here represents a general way of synthesizing programmable DNA linker molecules with dimensions that exceed those presently available by using chemical synthetic methods, and thus, supplements the synthetic toolbox of nanobiotechnology to asses complex and functional nanoparticle/linker architectures for potential applications in sensing and materials science.
Luminescence Properties of Aminobenzanthrones and Their Application as Host Emitters in Organic Light‐Emitting Devices
Authors: Yu M.‐X. , Chang L.‐C. , Lin C.‐H. , Duan J.‐P. , Wu F.‐I. , Chen I‐C. , Cheng C.‐H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA series of aminobenzanthrone derivatives, possessing a keto and an amino group on the aromatic ring, are synthesized and their photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) properties are studied in detail. These compounds emit strongly in solution and in the solid state, with the emission maxima in the range of 528–668 nm resulting from charge‐transfer transitions from the amino group to the keto moiety. The emission wavelength depends greatly on the polarity of the solvent. A red shift of nearly 100 nm is observed from n‐hexane to dichloromethane for each of these compounds. The PL quantum yields of these molecules also depend tremendously on the solvent. The values are between 88 and 70 % in n‐hexane and decrease as the polarity of the solvent increases. The single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data reveal that the aminobenzanthrone planes of these molecules stack in the crystals in an antiparallel head‐to‐tail fashion. This strong dipole–dipole interaction accounts for the observed red‐shifted emissions of the aminobenzanthrone molecules in powders and in films relative to those in nonpolar solvents. Electroluminescent devices using aminobenzanthrone derivatives as the host emitters or dopants emit orange to red light in the range 590–645 nm. High brightness, current efficiency, and power efficiency are observed for some of these devices. For example, the device using N‐(4‐t‐butylphenyl)‐N‐biphenyl‐3‐benzanthronylamine as the emitter gives saturated red light with a current efficiency of 1.82 cd A–1, brightness of 11 253 cd m–2, and Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.64,0.36); the device using N‐(2‐naphthyl)‐N‐phenyl‐3‐benzanthronylamine as the emitter gives orange–red light with a current efficiency of 3.52 cd A–1, brightness of 25 000 cd m–2, and CIE coordinates of (0.61,0.38).
Cover Picture: n‐Channel, Ambipolar, and p‐Channel Organic Heterojunction Transistors Fabricated with Various Film Morphologies (Adv. Funct. Mater. 3/2007)
Authors: Shi J. W. , Wang H. B. , Song D. , Tian H. K. , Geng Y. H. , Yan D. H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSimultaneous introduction of short‐range repulsive interactions between dissimilar colloidal particles and attractive interactions between like particles provides a general new route to fabricating self‐organizing bipolar devices. By identifying combinations of conductive device materials between which short‐range repulsive forces exist in the presence of an intervening liquid, electrochemical junctions can be self‐formed, as reported by Chiang and co‐workers on p. 379.The relationship between the performance characteristics of organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) with 2,5‐bis(4‐biphenylyl)bithiophene/copper hexadecafluorophthalocyanine (BP2T/F16CuPc) heterojunctions and the thickness of the BP2T bottom layer is investigated. Three operating modes (n‐channel, ambipolar, and p‐channel) are obtained by varying the thickness of the organic semiconductor layer. The changes in operating mode are attributable to the morphology of the film and the heterojunction effect, which also leads to an evolution of the field‐effect mobility with increasing film thickness. In BP2T/F16CuPc heterojunctions the mobile charge carriers accumulate at both sides of the heterojunction interface, with an accumulation layer thickness of ca. 10 nm. High field‐effect mobility values can be achieved in continuous and flat films that exhibit the heterojunction effect.
Hemoglobin SE disease—A concise review
Authors: Masiello David , Heeney Matthew M. , Adewoye Adeboye H. , Eung Shawn H. , Luo Hong‐Yuan , Steinberg Martin H. , Chui David. H.K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAn infant with Hb SE disease is reported. He was clinically well. Review of the literature shows that patients aged 18 and younger are usually well. On the other hand, more than half of those aged 20 and older developed sickling‐related complications, including potentially life‐threatening acute chest syndrome. These patients have 60–65% Hb S, similar to the percent Hb S in patients with Hb S/β+‐thalassemia. Their hematological features and clinical course appear to parallel those of Hb S/β+‐thalassemia. Patients have variable levels of anemia, and some develop clinical complications. With population migrations and increasing racial intermarriages, Hb SE disease is expected to be encountered more often around the globe. Patients with Hb SE disease should be followed and managed in a similar fashion as those with Hb S/β+‐thalassemia, and treated appropriately when they develop sickling‐related symptoms and complications. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Osteoporosis in young haemophiliacs from western India
Authors: Nair Anish P. , Jijina Farah , Ghosh Kanjaksha , Madkaikar Manisha , Shrikhande Mitu , Nema Manish 
Published: February 2007

AbstractArthropathies and joint deformities in patients with severe hemophilia result in prolonged immobilization, reduced physical activity, and predispose them for osteoporosis. This can lead to an increasing tendency of bone fragility and fractures in patients after trivial trauma. The aim of this study was to find out (i) the prevalence of osteoporosis in hemophilia patients and (ii) the association of osteoporosis with hemophilic arthropathy and related restricted physical activity. In this case–control study, 50 consecutive severe hemophilia patients aged between 20 and 50 years were evaluated for osteoporosis with measurement of bone mass density (BMD) by a DEXA scan and values were compared with that of 50 sex matched normal healthy controls. Major joints of the limbs were evaluated to determine the extent of joint damage and related disability. Forty‐two patients had severe hemophilia A and 8 patients severe hemophilia B (efficient factor activity < 0.01 U/ml). BMD values (gms/cm2) of lumbar spine and left hip of the patients were significantly lower than that of controls (0.825 vs. 0.939; P < 0.0001 and 0.725 vs. 0.938; P < 0.0001, respectively). The incidence of osteoporosis (T score: −2.5 or more) was significantly higher in hemophiliacs. Incidence of fractures in adult life was also significantly higher in hemophiliacs compared to controls (12% vs. 0%). There was statistically significant correlation between joint evaluation scores and BMD of hip, but not with that of the lumbar spine. There was no correlation between Hepatitis‐C virus status and BMD of any site. This shows that development of osteoporosis is a significant problem in patients with severe hemophilia in this country. Hence appropriate preventive measures such as early treatment and adequate mobilization, exercises, encouragement to participate in sporting activities, early assessment of bone density, and administration of anti‐osteoporotic therapy is recommended. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Desmosomes are unaltered during infections by attaching and effacing pathogens
Authors: Guttman Julian A. , Kazemi Pooya , Lin Ann E. , Vogl A. Wayne , Finlay B. Brett 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe human attaching and effacing (A/E) intestinal pathogens enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and the murine A/E pathogen Citrobacter rodentium cause serious diarrhea in their hosts. These bacteria alter numerous host cell components, including organelles, the host cell cytoskeleton, and tight junctions during the infectious process. One of the proteins that contribute to the intermediate filament network in host cells, cytokeratin‐18, is extensively altered during EPEC infections. Based on this, we tested the hypothesis that desmosomes, the only intercellular junctions that interact with intermediate filaments, are also influenced by A/E pathogen infections. We found that the desmosomal transmembrane proteins desmoglein and desmocollin, as well as the desmosome plaque protein desmoplakin, all remain unchanged during EPEC infection in vitro. This evidence is corroborated by the unaltered localization of desmoglein and desmoplakin in vivo in mice infected with C. rodentium for 7 days. Electron microscopic analysis of 7‐day C. rodentium‐infected murine colonocytes also show no observable differences in the desmosomes when compared to uninfected controls. Our data suggest that, unlike tight junctions, the desmosome protein levels and localization, as well as desmosome morphology, are unaltered during A/E pathogenesis. Anat Rec 290:199–205, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nerve terminal contributes to acetylcholine receptor organization at the dystrophic neuromuscular junction of mdx mice
Authors: Marques Maria Julia , Taniguti Ana Paula Tiemi , Minatel Elaine , Neto Humberto Santo 
Published: February 2007

AbstractChanges in the distribution of acetylcholine receptors have been reported to occur at the neuromuscular junction of mdx mice and may be a consequence of muscle fiber regeneration rather than the absence of dystrophin. In the present study, we examined whether the nerve terminal determines the fate of acetylcholine receptor distribution in the dystrophic muscle fibers of mdx mice. The left sternomastoid muscle of young (1‐month‐old) and adult (6‐month‐old) mdx mice was injected with 60 μl lidocaine hydrochloride to induce muscle degeneration‐regeneration. Some mice had their sternomastoid muscle denervated at the time of lidocaine injection. After 10 days of muscle denervation, nerve terminals and acetylcholine receptors were labeled with 4‐Di‐2‐ASP and rhodamine‐α‐bungarotoxin, respectively, for confocal microscopy. In young mdx mice, 75% (n = 137 endplates) of the receptors were distributed in islands. The same was observed in 100% (n = 114 endplates) of the adult junctions. In denervated‐regenerated fibers of young mice, the receptors were distributed as branches in 89% of the endplates (n = 90). In denervated‐regenerated fibers of adult mice, the receptors were distributed in islands in 100% of the endplates (n = 100). These findings show that nerve‐dependent mechanisms are also involved in the changes in receptor distribution in young dystrophic muscles. In older dystrophic muscles, other factors may play a role in receptor distribution. Anat Rec 290:181–187, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A randomized controlled trial of early intervention with intraarticular corticosteroids followed by sulfasalazine versus conservative treatment in early oligoarthritis
Authors: Marzo‐Ortega Helena , Green Michael J. , Keenan Anne‐Maree , Wakefield Richard J. , Proudman Susanna , Emery Paul 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the outcome after 52 weeks of early intervention with intraarticular corticosteroid injections followed by sulfasalazine versus conservative therapy in patients with recent‐onset oligoarthritis in a randomized controlled trial.MethodsPatients with ≤4 joints with clinical synovitis (disease duration ≤12 months) were randomized to early intervention (EI) with intraarticular methylprednisolone into all synovitic joints or to conservative treatment (CT) with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs alone. Sulfasalazine was administered in both groups for persistent disease or disease that evolved into a polyarthritis. Primary outcome was complete response (CR) defined as the absence of synovitis at 52 weeks. Secondary outcomes included CR at weeks 4 and 12, function (Health Assessment Questionnaire), pain (0–100‐mm visual analog scale), and work status.ResultsFifty‐nine patients (34 men, 25 women; mean age 32.9 years; median early morning stiffness 30 minutes) were randomized. At baseline, two‐thirds reported that they were work impaired. At 52 weeks, 81% of patients in the EI group achieved CR compared with 57% in the CT group (χ2 = 3.833, 1 df, P = 0.05). In addition, 45% of patients in the EI group received sulfasalazine as opposed to 14% in the CT group (χ2 = 5.156, 1 df, P = 0.019). There were no differences in physical disability or work impairment between the treatment groups.ConclusionOligoarthritis has a significant impact on function and work ability. Patients treated with EI using intraarticular corticosteroids followed by sulfasalazine therapy if resistant demonstrated reduced synovitis 12 months after treatment compared with those initially treated with more conservative therapy.
Assessing disability and quality of life in systemic sclerosis: Construct validities of the Cochin Hand Function Scale, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Systemic Sclerosis HAQ, and Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey
Authors: Rannou François , Poiraudeau Serge , Berezné Alice , Baubet Thierry , Le‐guern Véronique , Cabane Jean , Guillevin Loïc , Revel Michel , Fermanian Jacques , Mouthon Luc 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the construct validity of the Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS) and the relevance of using aggregate scores for the scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (sHAQ) and Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) in systemic sclerosis (SSc).MethodsWe evaluated 50 patients with SSc (mean ± SD age and disease duration 54 ± 12 years and 9 ± 8 years, respectively), of which 26 had limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and 23 diffuse SSc (dSSc). Quality of life was assessed by the SF‐36, global disability by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and sHAQ, and hand disability by the CHFS. Construct validity was assessed by convergent and divergent validity (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient) and factor analysis.ResultsThe CHFS had good construct validity and its total score explained 75% of the variance of the HAQ. The HAQ had better construct validity than the aggregate sHAQ and their scores correlated well (r = 0.88). The aggregate sHAQ was no better than the HAQ in discriminating between lcSSc and dSSc. SF‐36 physical and mental components had acceptable convergent and divergent validity. Factor analysis of the 8 subscales extracted 3 factors explaining 72% of the variance, which differed from the a priori stratification with physical and mental subscales extracted in the same factor.ConclusionIn patients with SSc, the CHFS has good construct validity, the HAQ should be preferred over the aggregate sHAQ for assessing physical functioning, and use of SF‐36 physical and mental components aggregate scores is questionable.
Epidemiology and clinical course of Behçet's disease in the Reggio Emilia area of Northern Italy: A seventeen‐year population‐based study
Authors: Salvarani Carlo , Pipitone Nicolò , Catanoso Maria Grazia , Cimino Luca , Tumiati Bruno , Macchioni Pierluigi , Bajocchi Gianluigi , Olivieri Ignazio , Boiardi Luigi 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiology and clinical course of Behçet's disease (BD) over a 17‐year period in a defined area of northern Italy.MethodsAll patients with incident BD diagnosed over a 17‐year period (from January 1, 1988 to December 31, 2004) living in the Reggio Emilia area were identified through the following sources: physicians at Reggio Emilia Hospital, medical practitioners, and community‐based specialists. We identified all patients registered in a centralized index and in the Reggio Emilia district database for rare diseases. Patients were followed up from the time of diagnosis until either their death or April 1, 2005.ResultsEighteen patients (9 men and 9 women) had complete BD. Mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 33 ± 7 years. The incidence rate of BD was 0.24 per 100,000. The prevalence of BD on January 1, 2005 was 3.8 per 100,000. No patients died during the followup period. Although all patients developed oral ulceration during the disease course, 22.2% had no oral lesions at disease onset. Eye disease occurred in 55.6%. Ocular disease was more common in men and appeared at disease onset or within the first few years of disease onset (median 3 years). Only 1 patient had loss of useful vision in at least 1 eye at the end of followup. In all affected patients, visual acuity improved once treatment was started.ConclusionThis population‐based study is the first to report the prevalence and incidence of BD in Italy. In Italian patients, BD is nonfatal and the prognosis of eye disease is good.
Time resolved images from the center of the Galaxy appear to counter General Relativity
Authors: Dowdye E. H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIntense observations of the galactic center since 1992 have revealed the presence of a supermassive object located there, some 26 000 light years from Earth. The mass of the galactic center was determined using time resolved astrometry over a time span of 13 years, from 1992 to present. The observations clearly show that the stars in the immediate vicinity of the supermassive galactic center, denoted as Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), move along purely Keplerian orbits around Str A*. Observation of the rapidly moving stars permitted astrophysicists to determine a mass for the galactic center of around 3.6 million solar masses. Time resolved images of the Keplerian motions of these stars has exhibited to date no evidence of distortions in the images due to gravitational light bending effects, as predicted by General Relativity. In this paper, a well known tool commonly used by astrophysicists for estimating the effect of gravitation on light rays was examined. The results reveal flaws in the understanding of fundamental principles in mathematical physics applied to gravitational effects on rays of light, as predicted by General Relativity, at the site of a point‐like gravitating masses such as the galactic center mass. Application of the Gauss Law to point‐like gravitating masses shows that a requirement for the colinear alignment of the light source, the lensing and the observer is not necessary for an observation of gravitational lensing as predicted by General Relativity. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical observations of the Be/X‐ray transient system KS 1947+300
Authors: Kızıloğlu Ü. , Baykal A. , Kızıloğlu N. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractROTSE‐IIId observations of the Be/X‐ray transient system KS 1947+300 obtained between September 2004 and December 2005 make it possible to study the correlation between optical and X‐ray activity. The optical outburst of 0.1 mag was accompanied by an increase of the X‐ray flux in the 2004 observations. A strong correlation between the optical and X‐ray light curves suggests that the neutron star directly accretes from the outflowing material of the Be star. The nearly zero time lag between X‐ray and optical light curves suggests a heating of the disk of Be star by X‐rays. No optical brightening and X‐ray enhancement was seen in the 2005 observations. There is no indication of an orbital modulation in the optical light curve. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A photometric study of the contact binary AZ Virginis
Authors: Liu Q. , Yang Y. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractNew light curves and photometric solutions of the contact binary AZ Vir are presented in this paper. The light curves appear to exhibit a typical O'Connell effect, with Maximum I being 0.021 mag (V) and 0.023 mag (B) brighter than Maximum II, respectively. From the observations, six times of minimum light were determined and from the present times of minimum light and those collected from the references, the light elements of the system were improved. The light curves were analyzed by means of the Wilson‐Devinney program. The results suggest that AZ Vir is a W‐subtype contact binary with a mass ratio of q = 0.623(2). The asymmetry of the light curves is explained by star spot models. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Estimation of galactic model parameters with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the metallicity distribution in two fields in the anti‐centre direction of the Galaxy
Authors: Ak S. , Bilir S. , Karaali S. , Buser R. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe estimated the galactic model parameters from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data reduced for two fields in the anti‐centre direction of the Galaxy, l = 180°, and symmetric relative to the galactic plane, b = +45° (north field) and b = –45° (south field). The large size of each field, 60 deg2, and the faint limiting apparent magnitude, g0 = 22, give us the chance to determine reliable parameters for three components, thin and thick discs and halo, in the north and south hemispheres of the Galaxy, except the scale lengths for two discs which are adopted from Jurić et al. (2005). Metallicities were evaluated by a recent calibration for SDSS, and absolute magnitudes of stars with 4 < M (g) ≤ 8 were derived as a function of (g – r)0 colour and metallicity. A χ2 method was employed to fit the analytical density laws to the observational‐based space densities with the addition constraint of producing local densities consistent with those derived from Hipparcos. Conspicuous differences could not be detected between the corresponding galactic model parameters for the thin disc of north and south fields, and our results are consistent with the ones in the literature. The same case is valid for the halo, especially the axis ratios for two fields are exactly equal, κ = 0.45, and close to the one of Jurić et al. (2005). However, we revealed differences between the scale heights and local space densities for the thick disc of the north and south fields. The metallicity distribution for unevolved G type stars with 5 < M (g) ≤ 6 shows three substructures relative to the distance from the galactic plane: for z * < 3 kpc, the metallicity gradient for two fields is d[M/H]/dz ∼ –0.20(±0.02) dex kpc–1, consistent with the formation scenario of the thin disc. For 5 < z * < 10 kpc, d[M/H]/dz ∼ –0.03(±0.001) dex kpc–1 for two fields, confirming that the metallicity gradient for the halo component is close to zero. However, the tendency of the metallicity for stars with 3 < z * < 5 kpc, corresponding to the transition region from thick disc to halo is different. For the north field d[M/H]/dz = –0.36(±0.12) dex kpc–1, whereas it is half of this value for the south field, d[M/H]/dz = –0.18(±0.01) dex kpc–1. The origin of this conflict is probably due to the different structure of the thick disc in opposite latitudes of the Galaxy. When we combine these substructures, however, we find a smooth metallicity gradient for two fields, –0.30(±0.04) dex kpc–1. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)