bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epoxy resin modified with soybean oil containing cyclic carbonate groups
Authors: Parzuchowski Pawel G. , Jurczyk‐Kowalska Magdalena , Ryszkowska Joanna , Rokicki Gabriel 
Published: August 2006

AbstractCarbonated soybean oil (CSO) containing five‐membered cyclic carbonate groups has been obtained in the reaction of epoxidized soybean oil with carbon dioxide in the presence of KI activated by 18‐crown‐6 under 6 MPa CO2 pressure at 130°C. The CSO was used for modification of bisphenol‐A based epoxy resin. The composition epoxide‐cyclic carbonate was cured using polyamine hardeners by one‐step and two‐step procedures. All cured compositions were characterized for their thermal and mechanical properties and compared with the parent epoxy network. The optimal properties were obtained for compositions containing CSO and cured by one‐step method when phase separation takes place. The mechanical properties were discussed in terms of morphology observed by SEM. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 2904‐2914, 2006
Investigation of correlations between mucoadhesion and surface energy properties of mucoadhesives
Authors: Xiang Jun , Li Xiaoling 
Published: August 2006

AbstractTo explore the correlations between mucoadhesion and the surface properties of mucoadhesive polymers, a series of polymer, poly[acrylic acid‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol) monomethylether monomethacrylate‐co‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate], poly(AA‐PEGMM‐DMEMA), was designed and synthesized as a model mucoadhesive in this study. Poly(AA‐PEGMM‐DMEMA) was prepared by free radical polymerization. The composition of the polymer was varied by changing the content of DMEMA from 0 to 2.9 mol %, while keeping the mole ratio of AA to PEGMM at constant 9:1. The contact angles of water, glycerol (GL), or diiodomethane (DIM) on the surface of polymers with different hydration levels were measured, respectively. Surface energy components of the Lifshitz–van der Waals and the Lewis acid–base interactions for the polymer were calculated, based on the measured contact angles of water, GL, and DIM. The free energy of mucoadhesion (ΔG) of the polymer on the buccal surface was estimated by interfacial free energy of a ternary system, consisting of mucin, polymer, and normal saline. The mucoadhesion of the polymer was measured after prehydration for 0, 5, and 180 min. It was found that Lewis acid–base interactions and Lifshitz–van der Waals interactions played different roles in the process of mucoadhesion. Increasing Lewis acid–base interaction between the polymer and the buccal mucosa led to a thermodynamically favorable adhesion process. Hydration could greatly affect mucoadhesion by changing the thermodynamic properties of the surface. Restricted hydration promoted the formation of mucoadhesive joints. The force of mucoadhesion was correlated mathematically with the effects of various interactions involved in the process of mucoadhesion. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 2608–2615, 2006
Geological and geophysical investigations in the Roman cemetery at Kenchreai (Korinthia), Greece
Authors: Sarris A. , Dunn R. K. , Rife J. L. , Papadopoulos N. , Kokkinou E. , Mundigler C. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe Kenchreai Cemetery Project (KCP) comprises an interdisciplinary archaeological research team that is exploring a major cemetery of Roman date in southern Greece. The cemetery is located on the Koutsongila Ridge just north of the ancient harbour of Kenchreai, the prosperous eastern port of Corinth. Surface remains that have been visible for centuries or exposed by looting include chamber tombs, cist graves and architecture. In 2004 KCP conducted geological and geophysical investigations to reconstruct the natural and settled landscape where ancient residents buried their dead. Geological study of the ridge and its vicinity has determined that the tombs are situated within a geologic unit particularly well suited for rock‐cut construction, and that tombs were intentionally cut into the bedrock so that the vaulted roofs corresponded with a particularly resistant calcareous horizon (caliche), which provided a stable ceiling for the subterranean chambers. Moreover, several metres of coastline have eroded into the Saronic Gulf since antiquity. A systematic geophysical survey using electromagnetic, magnetic, ground‐penetrating radar and gravity techniques was also carried out to map uncovered remains and to correlate visible with subsurface features. Several anomalies were identified that might represent previously unknown large structures and burial sites in the central and southern areas of the ridge. In addition, experimental tests using GPR and micro‐gravitometry demonstrated the efficacy of these methods for surveying rock‐cut tombs. The combined results of geological and geophysical investigation provide valuable information concerning local resource exploitation, structural distribution, and environmental change. These investigations model an innovative approach to the study of mortuary landscapes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A cluster‐based approach for efficient content‐based image retrieval using a similarity‐preserving space transformation method
Authors: Shah Biren , Raghavan Vijay , Dhatric Praveen , Zhao Xiaoquan 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe techniques of clustering and space transformation have been successfully used in the past to solve a number of pattern recognition problems. In this article, the authors propose a new approach to content‐based image retrieval (CBIR) that uses (a) a newly proposed similarity‐preserving space transformation method to transform the original low‐level image space into a high‐level vector space that enables efficient query processing, and (b) a clustering scheme that further improves the efficiency of our retrieval system. This combination is unique and the resulting system provides synergistic advantages of using both clustering and space transformation. The proposed space transformation method is shown to preserve the order of the distances in the transformed feature space. This strategy makes this approach to retrieval generic as it can be applied to object types, other than images, and feature spaces more general than metric spaces. The CBIR approach uses the inexpensive “estimated” distance in the transformed space, as opposed to the computationally inefficient “real” distance in the original space, to retrieve the desired results for a given query image. The authors also provide a theoretical analysis of the complexity of their CBIR approach when used for color‐based retrieval, which shows that it is computationally more efficient than other comparable approaches. An extensive set of experiments to test the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed approach has been performed. The results show that the approach offers superior response time (improvement of 1–2 orders of magnitude compared to retrieval approaches that either use pruning techniques like indexing, clustering, etc., or space transformation, but not both) with sufficiently high retrieval accuracy.
Determination of myoseverin embryotoxic potential by using FETAX
Authors: Vismara Claudio , Bacchetta Renato , Muzio Andrea Di , Mantecca Paride , Tarca Silvia , Vailati Giovanni , Colombo Roberto 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBACKGROUND: Since MYS is a microtubular poison with a reversible activity, Xenopus blastulae were exposed to MYS to verify the eventual drug‐related developmental suspension and the reversibility of this effect. METHODS: Lethal and teratogenic effects of myoseverin (MYS) were evaluated using the FETAX. Embryos were exposed to different MYS concentrations from stage 8 to stage 47. RESULTS: Probit analysis gave 12.14 µM LC50 and 7.67 µM TC50 from which 1.58 T.I. is derived. Several malformations were observed such as facial abnormalities, abnormal tail flexure, heart ventricle chamber enlargement and external appendix. MYS led to an arrest of living embryo development. Before MYS removing, exposed blastulae showed the lack of mitotic spindles along with different nuclei alterations. Living embryos, moved in control solution, mainly died around the hatching showing severe malformations likely ascribable to the altered planes of newly occurring mitosis. CONCLUSION: In spite of the low T.I, MYS has to be considered a highly teratogenic compound. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 77, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk of congenital anomalies in pregnant users of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs: a nested case‐control study
Authors: Ofori Benjamin , Oraichi Driss , Blais Lucie , Rey Evelyne , Bérard Anick 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBACKGROUND: Many women take non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during pregnancy but the risks for the infant remain controversial. We carried out a study to quantify the association between those women prescribed NSAIDs in early pregnancy and congenital anomalies. METHODS: A population‐based pregnancy registry was built by linking data from three administrative databases in Quebec between 1997–2003. The inclusion criteria were mothers of live singleton infants, between 15–45 years of age, covered by the RAMQ drug plan ≥12 months before and during pregnancy, and prescribed an NSAID or other medications during pregnancy. We selected as cases infants with any congenital anomaly (ICD‐9; 740‐759) diagnosed in the first year of life. Up to 10 controls, defined as infants with no congenital anomalies detected were selected for each case. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. RESULTS: Within the registry, 36,387 pregnant women met the inclusion criteria. We identified 93 births with congenital anomalies in 1056 women (8.8%) who filled prescriptions for NSAIDs in the first trimester of pregnancy, compared to 2478 in 35,331 (7%) women who did not. The adjusted OR for any congenital anomalies for women who filled a prescription for NSAIDs in the first trimester was 2.21 (95% CI=1.72–2.85). The adjusted OR for the anomalies related to cardiac septal closure was 3.34 (95% CI=1.87–5.98). There were no significant associations with anomalies of other major organ systems. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that women prescribed NSAIDs during early pregnancy may be at a greater risk of having children with congenital anomalies, specifically cardiac septal defects. Birth Defects Research (Part B), 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Subcellular mobility of the calpain/calpastatin network: an organelle transient
Authors: Hood Joshua L. , Brooks William H. , Roszman Thomas L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractCalpain (Cp) is a calcium (Ca2+)‐dependent cysteine protease. Activation of the major isoforms of Cp, CpI and CpII, are required for a number of important cellular processes including adherence, shape change and migration. The current concept that cytoplasmic Cp locates and associates with its regulatory subunit (Rs) and substrates as well as translocates throughout the cell via random diffusion is not compatible with the spatial and temporal constraints of cellular metabolism. The novel finding that Cp and Rs function relies upon tenacious hydrophobic interactions with organelle membranes offers a unifying explanation for the paradoxical and puzzling features of Cp activation and regulation such as how nM concentrations of intracellular Ca2+ can activate Cp molecules requiring μM to mM concentrations of Ca2+ for in vitro activation, and how this protease can spatially and temporally locate specific substrates and translocate throughout the cell. We hypothesize that Cp and its regulatory moieties associate with organelles to facilitate the activation of this protease resulting in the cleavage of substrates and aid in its translocation throughout the cell. BioEssays 28: 850–859, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The structure and synthesis of the fungal cell wall
Authors: Bowman Shaun M. , Free Stephen J. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe fungal cell wall is a dynamic structure that protects the cell from changes in osmotic pressure and other environmental stresses, while allowing the fungal cell to interact with its environment. The structure and biosynthesis of a fungal cell wall is unique to the fungi, and is therefore an excellent target for the development of anti‐fungal drugs. The structure of the fungal cell wall and the drugs that target its biosynthesis are reviewed. Based on studies in a number of fungi, the cell wall has been shown to be primarily composed of chitin, glucans, mannans and glycoproteins. The biosynthesis of the various components of the fungal cell wall and the importance of the components in the formation of a functional cell wall, as revealed through mutational analyses, are discussed. There is strong evidence that the chitin, glucans and glycoproteins are covalently cross‐linked together and that the cross‐linking is a dynamic process that occurs extracellularly. BioEssays 28: 799–808, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tissue fusion and cell sorting in embryonic development and disease: biomedical implications
Authors: Pérez‐Pomares José M. , Foty Ramsey A. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThroughout embryonic development, segregated epithelial and/or mesenchymal cell populations make contact and fuse to shape new tissue units. This process, known as tissue fusion, is a key event in many essential morphogenetic mechanisms and its disruption can lead to congenital malformations. Another mechanism whereby complex tissues can arise involves a cell sorting process in which originally intermixed cells de‐mix to generate distinct phases or layers. Different organisms use a combination of tissue fusion and cell sorting to acquire shape. Although the two processes appear to differ mechanistically, they are intricately linked inasmuch as they both involve the same molecular determinants and contribute to the same body plan. We aim to discuss the role of adhesion molecules and cell dynamics in tissue fusion and cell sorting, providing examples of their impact in embryonic development. Finally, we will advance the concept that malignant invasion may be viewed as cell sorting in reverse. Supplementary material for this article can be found on the BioEssays website (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0265‐9247/suppmat/index.html). BioEssays 28: 809–821, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectrin mutations in spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA)
Authors: Bauer Peter , Schöls Ludger , Riess Olaf 
Published: August 2006

AbstractRecently, βIII spectrins have been recognized as ataxia disease genes, with the identification by Ikeda and co‐workers of pathogenic mutations in the SPTBN2 gene in three large (and mapped) SCA5 families of American and European origin.(1) With their discovery, the large “Lincoln” family has been traced back to the underlying genetic defect for the slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia. In addition, the involvement of this component of the cytoskeleton directs attention towards the possible role of organelle stability during neurodegeneration. The findings suggest that the mechanical properties of neurons and their dynamics may be as important as altered Ca2+ homeostasis, transcriptional dysregulation, and impaired protein degradation in neurodegeneration conditions. BioEssays 28: 785–787, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Does apoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF) have both life and death functions in cells?
Authors: Porter Alan G. , Urbano Alexander G.L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractApoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF) is expelled from mitochondria after some apoptotic stimuli and translocates to the nucleus, which may contribute to DNA and nuclear fragmentation in some non‐physiological mammalian cell deaths. Conversely, the requirement for mitochondrial AIF in oxidative phosphorylation and energy generation provides a plausible explanation for the embryonic lethality or neurodegeneration that has been found in different AIF‐deficient mouse models. These findings may help illuminate the ability of mitochondrial AIF to suppress cytoplasmic stress granule formation and to promote the tumorigenic growth of cancer cells. AIF is ideally located in the mitochondrion to perform a vital normal function in energy production. Once it translocates to the nucleus, however, the cell might die either of energy failure or nuclear fragmentation (or both). We propose that the main function of AIF is to support energy production in both normal and transformed cell physiology, whereas nuclear‐translocated AIF might contribute to stress‐induced or pathological cell death in certain scenarios. BioEssays 28: 834–843, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sorting out Sox10 functions in neural crest development
Authors: Kelsh Robert N. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractFor both vertebrate developmental and evolutionary biologists, and also for clinicians, the neural crest (NC) is a fundamental cell population. An understanding of Sox10 function in NC development is of particular significance since Sox10 mutations underlie several neurocristopathies. Surprisingly, experiments in different model organisms aimed at identifying Sox10's role(s) have suggested at least four distinct functions. Sox10 may be critical for formation of neural crest cells (NCCs), maintaining multipotency of crest cells, specification of derivative cell fates from these cells and their differentiation. Here, I discuss this controversy and argue that these functions are, in part, molecularly interrelated. BioEssays 28: 788–798, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐throughput localization of organelle proteins by mass spectrometry: a quantum leap for cell biology
Authors: Tan Denise J.L. , Martinez Arias Alfonso 
Published: August 2006

AbstractCells are the fundamental building blocks of organisms and their organization holds the key to our understanding of the processes that control Development and Physiology as well as the mechanisms that underlie disease. Traditional methods of analysis of subcellular structure have relied on the purification of organelles and the painstaking biochemical description of their components. The arrival of high‐throughput genomic and, more significantly, proteomic technologies has opened hereto unforeseen possibilities for this task. Recently two reports(1,2) show how much can be gleaned from the combination of analytical centrifugation, mass spectrometry and advanced statistical techniques focused on a high‐throughput analysis of the content and organization of plant and animal cells. The results reveal intriguing possibilities for the future and the possibility of mapping much of the known proteome onto our current map of the cell. BioEssays 28: 780–784, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The RNA‐binding protein HuD: a regulator of neuronal differentiation, maintenance and plasticity
Authors: Deschênes‐Furry Julie , Perrone‐Bizzozero Nora , Jasmin Bernard J. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractmRNA stability is increasingly recognized as being essential for controlling the expression of a wide variety of transcripts during neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. In this context, the role of AU‐rich elements (ARE) contained within the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of transcripts has now emerged as key because of their high incidence in a large number of cellular mRNAs. This important regulatory element is known to significantly modulate the longevity of mRNAs by interacting with available stabilizing or destabilizing RNA‐binding proteins (RBP). Thus, in parallel with the emergence of ARE, RBP are also gaining recognition for their pivotal role in regulating expression of a variety of mRNAs. In the nervous system, the member of the Hu family of ARE‐binding proteins known as HuD, has recently been implicated in multiple aspects of neuronal function including the commitment and differentiation of neuronal precursors as well as synaptic remodeling in mature neurons. Through its ability to interact with ARE and stabilize multiple transcripts, HuD has now emerged as an important regulator of mRNA expression in neurons. The present review is designed to provide a comprehensive and updated view of HuD as an RBP in the nervous system. Additionally, we highlight the role of HuD in multiple aspects of a neuron's life from early differentiation to changes in mature neurons during learning paradigms and in response to injury and regeneration. Finally, we describe the current state of knowledge concerning the molecular and cellular events regulating the expression and activity of HuD in neurons. BioEssays 28: 822–833, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hypothesis Tests for and against a Simple Order among Proportions Estimated by Pooled Testing
Authors: Tebbs Joshua M. , Bilder Christopher R. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe use of pooled testing as a means of estimating the prevalence of rare traits has received considerable attention in recent years, particularly in the areas of public health, genetics, animal‐disease assessment, and plant pathology. In pooled‐testing applications, observations are made on pools of individuals amalgamated together. In this paper, we examine order‐restricted hypothesis tests involving k > 2 binomial proportions estimated by pooled testing, extending the earlier work of Tebbs and Swallow (2003, Biometrika, 90, 471–477 and Biometrical Journal, 45, 618–630). In particular, we focus on (i) testing the equality of proportions versus an isotonic alternative and (ii) testing for a violation of isotonicity. We propose new tests for each scenario and provide results which characterize the small‐sample performance of our procedures. We illustrate our methods using two data sets; one from an observational HIV study and one from an agricultural experiment. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Role of fatty acids in the transition from anaerobic to aerobic metabolism in skeletal muscle during exercise
Authors: Hirabara Sandro M. , Silveira Leonardo R. , Abdulkader Fernando R. M. , Alberici Luciane C. , Procopio Joaquim , Carvalho Carla R. O. , Pithon‐Curi Tania C. , Curi Rui 
Published: August 2006

AbstractIn moderate physical exercise, the transition from predominantly anaerobic towards predominantly aerobic metabolism is a key step to improve performance. Increase in the supply of oxygen and nutrients, such as free fatty acids (FFA) and glucose, which accompanies high blood flow, is required for this transition. The mechanisms involved in the vasodilation in skeletal muscle during physical activity are not completely known yet. In this article, we postulate a role of FFA and heat production in this process. The presence of uncoupling protein‐2 and ‐3 (UCP‐2 and ‐3) in skeletal muscle, whose activity is dependent on FFA, suggests that these metabolites can act as mitochondrial uncouplers in this tissue. Evidence indicates however that UCPs act as uncouplers only when coenzyme Q is predominantly in the reduced state (i.e. under nonphosphorylation conditions or state 4 respiration) as is observed in resting muscles and in the beginning of physical activity (predominantly anaerobic metabolism). The increase in the lipolytic activity in adipose tissue in the beginning of physical activity results in elevated plasma FFA levels. The FFA can then act on the UCPs, increasing the local heat production. We propose that this calorigenic effect of FFA is important to activate nitric oxide synthase, resulting in nitric oxide production and consequent vasodilation. Therefore, FFA would be important mediators for the changes that occur in muscle metabolism during prolonged physical activity, ensuring the appropriate supply of oxygen and nutrients by increasing blood flow at the beginning of exercise in the contracting skeletal muscles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.