bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum pro-hepcidin concentrations and their responses to oral iron supplementation in healthy subjects manifest considerable inter-individual variation
Authors: Luukkonen Susanna , Punnonen Kari 
Published: November 2006

AbstractHepcidin participates in the regulation of iron homeostasis and its precursor pro-hepcidin can be measured in serum. We evaluated pro-hepcidin serum concentrations in healthy subjects and the possible effects of iron supplementation on the results. The results suggest extensive physiological variation in serum pro-hepcidin concentrations between healthy subjects with no symptoms or signs of anaemia, infections, inflammations, chronic disease or other interpretative factors. Before pro-hepcidin measurements can be used in clinical practise, further investigations are required to identify the physiological factors affecting normal serum pro-hepcidin variations in healthy subjects. The responses of serum pro-hepcidin to a 100-mg oral dose of iron also showed considerable inter-individual variation. In male subjects, no systematic changes in serum pro-hepcidin concentrations were found and the increase in serum iron was fairly modest. In nine out of the ten female subjects who had rather low amounts of storage iron, iron supplementation was followed by an increase in both serum iron and serum pro-hepcidin concentrations. There were considerable inter-individual differences in the timing and magnitude of the response. We also evaluated the conceivable influences of sample storage and freeze-thaw cycles on the results of serum pro-hepcidin ELISA. We did not observe any changes in the results after serum samples were frozen and thawed up to four times and/or stored at room temperature for up to 6h.Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:1361–2.
MTRR 66A>G polymorphism in relation to congenital heart defects
Authors: van Beynum Ingrid M. , Kouwenberg Margreet , Kapusta Livia , den Heijer Martin , van der Linden Ivon J.M. , Daniels Otto , Blom Henk J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractClin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:1317–23.
Recurrent Infections, Hypotonia, and Mental Retardation Caused by Duplication of MECP2 and Adjacent Region in Xq28
Authors: Friez Michael J. , Jones Julie R. , Clarkson Katie , Lubs Herbert , Abuelo Dianne , Bier Jo-Ann Blaymore , Pai Shashidhar , Simensen Richard , Williams Charles , Giampietro Philip F. , Schwartz Charles E. , Stevenson Roger E. 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to describe the neurologic and clinical features of affected males from families with X-linked patterns of severe mental retardation, hypotonia, recurrent respiratory infection, and microduplication of Xq28 that consistently includes the MECP2 (methyl-CpG binding protein 2) gene.
STUDY DESIGN. To identify duplications, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification of the MECP2 gene was performed on male probands from families with X-linked mental retardation. The males either had linkage to Xq28 or had a phenotype consistent with previous reports involving Xq28 functional disomy. After detection of a duplication of MECP2, additional family members were tested to confirm the MECP2 duplication segregated with the affected phenotype, and X-inactivation studies were performed on carrier females.
RESULTS. Six families with multiple affected males having MECP2 duplications were identified by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and the carrier mothers were subsequently shown to have highly skewed X inactivation. In 5 of 6 families, the microduplication extended proximally to include the L1 cell adhesion molecule gene. The primary clinical features associated with this microduplication are infantile hypotonia, recurrent respiratory infection, severe mental retardation, absence of speech development, seizures, and spasticity.
CONCLUSIONS. Although many of the phenotypic features of our patients are rather nonspecific in cohorts of individuals with syndromic and nonsyndromic mental retardation, the proneness to infection is quite striking because the patients had normal growth and were not physically debilitated. Although the etiology of the infections is not understood, we recommend considering MECP2 dosage studies and a genetics referral in individuals with severe developmental delay and neurologic findings, especially when a history of recurrent respiratory ailments has been documented.
Separation Preconcentration Method for Platinum and Rhodium from Environmental Samples Using a Chelating Resin
Authors: Bosch Ojeda C. , Sánchez Rojas F. , Cano Pavón J.M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA method of determining trace levels of platinum and rhodium in different samples was investigated. The method involves separation and preconcentration of the platinum and rhodium from the matrix by flow injection (FI) on‐line coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with Zeeman effect background correction. Platinum and rhodium were adsorbed on a microcolumn packed with 1,5‐bis(di‐2‐pyridyl)methylene thiocarbohydrazide immobilized on silica gel (DPTH‐gel). The sorbed metals were directly eluted with nitric acid into the graphite furnace and determined by AAS.
Bracciano's Lake Waters: An Experimental Survey on the Surface Layer Pollution
Authors: Catalani Alessia , Medici Franco , Rinaldi Gilberto 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe chemical and trophic conditions of the surface waters of the lake Bracciano, near Roma, have been investigated all through the year 2005. Electrical conductivity, pH, alkalinity, hardness, total nitrogen, phosphorus content, chloride, fluoride and sulphate ions were measured. The results were compared with similar analyses formerly carried out by different authors, to achieve a right evaluation of the actual quality of the surface waters of the lake Bracciano all over the year 2005.
Measurements and CFD simulations of gas holdup and liquid velocity in novel airlift membrane contactor
Authors: Jajuee Babak , Margaritis Argyrios , Karamanev Dimitre , Bergougnou Maurice A. , Karimian S. A. Mohsen 
Published: November 2006

AbstractLiquid velocity and gas holdup were measured in a 690L pilot‐scale rectangular airlift contactor, divided into aerated and nonaerated sections by two vertical rectangular polyester textile membranes. Horizontal flow through the porous membranes complicates flow fields to such an extent that conventional models cannot predict thoroughly velocity profile in the contactor. Experimental data obtained from laser doppler velocimetry (LDV) method were compared with numerical finite volume method (FVM), in order to determine the velocity profile in the downcomer zone of the contactor. In formulating the data, a realistic set of boundary conditions was implemented in the numerical method, resulted in satisfactory agreement between theory and experiment. The effects of the distance between the rectangular membranes and air bubble size on the velocity profile were also studied. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Time‐resolved chemiluminescence study of the TiO2 photocatalytic reaction and its induced active oxygen species
Authors: Min Lingyue , Wu Xing‐Zheng , Tetsuya Shimada , Inoue Haruo 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe time‐resolved chemiluminescence (CL) method has been applied to study the TiO2 photocatalytic reaction on a µs–ms timescale. The experimental set‐up for time‐resolved CL was improved for confirmation of the unique luminol CL induced by the photocatalytic reaction. The third harmonic light (355 nm) from an Nd:YAG laser was used for the light source of the TiO2 photocatalytic reaction. Luminol CL induced by this reaction was detected by a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and a preamplifier was used for amplifying the CL signal. Experimental conditions affecting the photocatalytically induced CL were discussed in detail. The involvement of active oxygen species such as ·OH, O2·− and H2O2 in the CL was examined by adding their scavengers. It is concluded that ·OH was greatly involved in the CL on a µs–ms timescale, especially in time periods <100 µs after illumination of the pulse laser. On the other hand, CL generated by O2·− began to increase after 100 µs and became dominant after 2.5 ms. A small part of the CL might be generated by H2O2 on the whole µs–ms timescale. A CL reaction mechanism related with ·OH and dissolved oxygen was proposed to explain the photocatalytically induced luminol CL on a µs–ms timescale, especially in periods <100 µs. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pentazocine monitoring in rat hair and plasma by HPLC‐fluorescence detection with DIB‐Cl as a labelling reagent
Authors: Wada Mitsuhiro , Kurogi Rie , Kaddoumi Amal , Nakashima Mihoko N. , Nakashima Kenichiro 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPentazocine (PZ) in rat hair and plasma was determined by HPLC–fluorescence detection with 4‐(4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)benzoyl chloride (DIB‐Cl) as a labelling reagent and cyclazocine (CZ) as an internal standard (IS). PZ and IS extracted from hair or plasma sample were derivatized with DIB‐Cl and the resulted solution was cleaned up with solid phase extraction. The isocratic separation of DIB‐PZ and ‐CZ within 20 min could be achieved by a Wakopak Handy‐ODS column (250 × 4.6 mm i.d.) using a mobile phase composed of 0.1 mol/L acetate buffer (pH 6.2):acetonitrile (25:75, v/v). The detection limits of PZ at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 for rat hair and plasma were 0.18 ng/mg and 0.57 ng/mL, respectively. Reproducible and precise results could be obtained by an IS method with RSD values less than 6.6% for within‐ and between‐day measurements. The method was successfully applied for the monitoring of PZ levels in Zucker rat hair and plasma samples after a single administration of 25 mg/kg PZ. Moreover, incorporation rates of PZ into black and white hair of Zucker rat were evaluated. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HPLC determinations of enantiomeric ratios
Authors: Wipf Peter , Werner Stefan , Twining Leslie A. , Kendall Christopher 
Published: November 2006

AbstractEvaporative light‐scattering detection (ELSD) is widely applied in the HPLC analysis of organic compounds lacking a UV chromophore. However, this detection method is generally unsuitable for determination of enantiomeric ratios (er). The er calculated from a UV trace and an ELS trace of the same compound differs significantly. Because of the nonlinear concentration response of the ELS detector, a compound with an er of 95:5 appears to be enantiomerically pure by ELS detection. It is possible to obtain a calibration curve and to calculate a correction factor, but this procedure is time consuming and therefore not very practical for routine analyses. In contrast, a charged aerosol detector allows a very accurate determination of the enantiomeric ratios. Like the ELS detection, the CA detection is independent of the chromophore properties of the substrate. Therefore, we recommend the use of CA instead of ELS detection for determination of the enantiomeric ratios of non‐UV active compounds. Chirality, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fast methods of enantiopurity determination for the Soai reaction: Towards a general enantioenrichment detector?
Authors: Welch Christopher J. , Biba Mirlinda , Sajonz Peter 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe Soai reaction system possesses a remarkable combination of characteristics (enantioselective autocatalysis, strong positive nonlinearity leading to asymmetric amplification, ability to be triggered by wide variety of exogenous enantioenriched materials) that make it a potential starting point for a generalized detector for enantioenrichment. In this study we apply standard approaches used in pharmaceutical process research to the problem of developing a rapid method for analysis of the enantiopurity of the Soai reaction product. Several methods for rapid analysis (<1 min per sample) are described, including an approach using chiral supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and an approach using achiral chromatography with circular dichroism (CD) detection. Some thoughts on incorporation into a device for generalized enantioenrichment detection are presented. Chirality, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Theoretical Determination of the Vibrational Raman Optical Activity Signatures of Helical Polypropylene Chains
Authors: Lamparska Ewa , Liégeois Vincent , Quinet Olivier , Champagne Benoît 
Published: November 2006

AbstractRaman and vibrational Raman optical activity (VROA) spectra of helical conformers of polypropylene chains are simulated using ab initio methods to unravel the relationships between the vibrational signatures and the primary and secondary structures of the chains. For a polypropylene chain containing three units, conformational effects are shown to lead to more acute signatures for VROA than for Raman spectra. In addition to regular polypropylene chains, which can display right and left helicities with the same probability, chirality and therefore helicity are enforced by substituting one chain end with a phenyl group. The simulations predict that the threefold helical structures, which correspond to (TG)N conformations of the backbone, have a specific VROA backward signature in the form of an intense couplet around 1100 cm−1. This couplet is associated with collective wagging and twisting motions, while most of its intensity comes from the anisotropic invariants combining normal coordinate derivatives of the electric dipole–electric dipole polarizability and of the electric dipole–magnetic dipole polarizability. A similar signature has already been found in model helical polyethylene chains, whereas it is very weak in forward VROA.
Prolonged exposure to homocysteine results in diminished but reversible pancreatic β‐cell responsiveness to insulinotropic agents
Authors: Patterson Steven , Scullion Siobhan M. J. , McCluskey Jane T. , Flatt Peter R. , McClenaghan Neville H. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackgroundPlasma homocysteine levels may be elevated in poorly controlled diabetes with pre‐existing vascular complications and/or nephropathy. Since homocysteine has detrimental effects on a wide diversity of cell types, the present study examined the effects of long‐term homocysteine exposure on the secretory function of clonal BRIN‐BD11 β‐cells.MethodsAcute insulin secretory function, cellular insulin content and viability of BRIN‐BD11 cells were assessed following long‐term (18 h) exposure to homocysteine in culture. RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis were used to determine the expression of key β‐cell genes and proteins. Cells were cultured for a further 18 h without homocysteine to determine any long‐lasting effects.ResultsHomocysteine (250–1000 µmol/L) exposure reduced insulin secretion at both moderate (5.6 mmol/L) and stimulatory (16.7 mmol/L) glucose by 48–63%. Similarly, insulin secretory responsiveness to stimulatory concentrations of alanine, arginine, 2‐ketoisocaproate, tolbutamide, KCl, elevated Ca2+, forskolin and PMA, GLP‐1, GIP and CCK‐8 were reduced by 11–62% following culture with 100–250 µmol/L homocysteine. These inhibitory effects could not simply be attributed to changes in cellular insulin content, cell viability, H2O2 generation or any obvious alterations of gene/protein expression for insulin, glucokinase, GLUT2, VDCC, or Kir6.2 and SUR1. Additional culture for 18 h in standard culture media after homocysteine exposure restored secretory responsiveness to all agents tested.ConclusionThese findings suggest that long‐term exposure to high homocysteine levels causes a reversible impairment of pancreatic β‐cell insulinotropic pathways. The in vivo actions of hyperhomocysteinaemia on islet cell function merit investigation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Associations among family‐of‐origin food‐related experiences, expectancies, and disordered eating
Authors: Annus Agnes M. , Smith Gregory T. , Fischer Sarah , Hendricks Megan , Williams Suzannah F. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjective:The study reported here integrates research on family‐of‐origin learning experiences and adult eating/thinness expectancies in the study of risk for eating disordered behavior.Method:A sample of women manifesting a wide range of eating disordered behaviors (n = 66) were compared in their retrospective reports of family learning, current eating and dieting expectancies, and current eating disordered behaviors.Results:History of food‐related teasing from friends and family, negative maternal modeling, and friends' criticism of eating all related to both adult disordered behavior and adult eating and thinness expectancies. Tests of mediation supported the putative mediation by expectancies of the relationships between early experiences and adult disordered behavior.Conclusion:Family‐of‐origin learning experiences may influence adult eating disordered behavior by contributing to the formation of expectancies for reinforcement from eating and from thinness. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
Synthesis of 2‐[11C]methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol to measure the pharmacokinetics of an antitumor drug candidate, 2‐methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol
Authors: Mun Jiyoung , Voll Ronald J. , Goodman Mark M. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract2‐Methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol, an endogenous estrogen metabolite, showed cytotoxicity in various cancer cell lines and also has antiangiogenic and proapoptotic activities. Clinical I and II trials of 2‐methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol for multiple myeloma, advanced solid tumors, metastatic breast and prostate cancer are underway. We prepared 2‐[11C]methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol to measure the pharmacokinetics and organ distribution of 2‐methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol in clinical trials. 2‐[11C]Methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol was synthesized from a precursor, 2‐hydroxy‐3,17β‐O‐bis(methoxymethyl)estradiol, in two steps with over 99% radiochemical purity. The overall reaction time was 45 min and the decay‐corrected radiochemical yield was 32.9%. The distribution coefficient (logP7.4) of 2‐[11C]methoxy‐3,17β‐estradiol at pH 7.4 was measured as 2.95. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Schichtbildung beim Feuerverzinken zwischen 435°C und 620°C in konventionellen Zink‐Schmelzen – eine ganzheitliche Darstellung
Authors: Thiele M. , Schulz W.‐D. , Schubert P. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractFür vier typische Baustähle mit unterschiedlichem Silizium‐Gehalt sowie Emaillierstahl wird das Schichtwachstum und die Struktur der sich bildenden Überzüge in Abhängigkeit von der Tauchdauer, der Schmelztemperatur und der thermischen Vorbehandlung untersucht. Die Ergebnisse werden unter Bezug auf die experimentell bestimmte Wasserstoffeffusion der Stähle diskutiert. Für den Temperaturbereich von 435°C bis 620°C wird eine Übersicht vorgestellt, die für den Praxisbetrieb im Normal‐ und Hochtemperaturbereich anwendbar ist.
Investigations on the protection effect of filling materials for post‐tensioning systems under construction conditions
Authors: Mietz J. , Burkert A. , Burkert A. , Eich G. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAbout the long‐term protection behaviour of corrosion protection materials (filling materials) for prestressed systems under critical environmental conditions is only little known. The corrosion protection effect is usually based on theoretical considerations and is proven by short‐term tests. The selection of the different products is mainly made according to economical or workability criteria. In a research project the barrier effect of different commercial corrosion protection materials (waxes as well as oil‐based greases) against water, their tendency for undercutting as well as their additional corrosion protection effect were investigated. The exposure tests were carried out with non‐stressed as well as stressed prestressing steel specimens which were subjected to critical conditions (condensed water, artificial soil solution, direct soil contact). Parallel to these long‐term exposure tests the applicability of different electrochemical techniques and their significance with respect to testing the corrosion protection ability and water absorption was evaluated. Within the project a suitable method for simple testing the performance of corrosion protection materials under real conditions was developed. By means of a small compact cell submicroscopical reactions of the used sensors could be measured. The high sensitivity of this measuring technique enables the detection of degradation processes at thin protection layers.
Interest in participating in clinical research: A study of essential tremor patients
Authors: Louis Elan D. , Applegate LaKeisha M. , Rios Eileen 
Published: November 2006

AbstractEnrolling essential tremor (ET) patients in clinical research can be challenging. Investigators can maximize recruitment by targeting patient subgroups with greater interest in participation. Nothing has been published on factors that are associated with higher levels of interest in participation. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with higher levels of interest in participating in clinical research on ET. A total of 149 ET patients were questioned about level of interest in participating in future research. Two questions were used, although one was of primary interest. Interest was rated from 0 to 10 (maximal). Data were collected on demographic factors, family history, and tremor‐related disability. Tremor severity was assessed. The mean level of interest was 8.0 ± 2.3. Level of interest was not related to age of tremor onset, tremor duration, tremor severity, extent of tremor‐related disability, or use of tremor medication. Level of interest was related to family history of tremor (P < 0.05), concern that other family members might develop tremor (P < 0.05), >2 versus 0 live births in women (P < 0.05), the view that the tremor worsens with age (P < 0.05), and presence of head tremor (P = 0.05). A variety of factors were identified that were associated with greater interest in participating in clinical research. These observations should be assessed in additional patient samples. Investigators may use our observations to identify and target patients for clinical trials and other research. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Abnormal plasticity of the sensorimotor cortex to slow repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with writer's cramp
Authors: Bäumer Tobias , Demiralay Cüneyt , Hidding Ute , Bikmullina Rosalia , Helmich Rick C. , Wunderlich Silke , Rothwell John , Liepert Joachim , Siebner Hartwig R. , Münchau Alexander 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPrevious studies demonstrated functional abnormalities in the somatosensory system, including a distorted functional organization of the somatosensory cortex (S1) in patients with writer's cramp. We tested the hypothesis that these functional alterations render S1 of these patients more susceptible to the “inhibitory” effects of subthreshold 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) given to S1. Seven patients with writer's cramp and eight healthy subjects were studied. Patients also received rTMS to the motor cortex hand area (M1). As an outcome measure, short‐latency afferent inhibition (SAI) was tested. SAI was studied in the relaxed first dorsal interosseous muscle using conditioning electrical stimulation of the index finger and TMS pulses over the contralateral M1. Baseline SAI did not differ between groups. S1 but not M1 rTMS reduced SAI in patients. rTMS had no effects on SAI in healthy subjects. Because SAI is mediated predominantly at a cortical level in the sensorimotor cortex, we conclude that there is an abnormal responsiveness of this area to 1 Hz rTMS in writer's cramp, which may represent a trait toward maladaptive plasticity in the sensorimotor system in these patients. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society