bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental comparison of four FAIR arterial spin labeling techniques for quantification of mouse cerebral blood flow at 4.7 T
Authors: Kober Frank , Duhamel Guillaume , Cozzone Patrick J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPulsed arterial spin labeling (ASL) is an attractive and robust method for quantification of rodent cerebral blood flow (CBF) in particular, although there is a need for sensitivity optimization. Look–Locker flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) echo planar imaging (EPI) (LLFAIREPI) was expected to be a likely candidate for assessing sensitivity, although it has not yet been applied to rodents. In this study, the performance of two FAIR techniques and two Look–Locker FAIR techniques were compared in mouse brain at 4.7 T. FAIR‐EPI (single inversion time, FAIREPI‐1TI), FAIR‐EPI (eight inversion times, FAIREPI‐8TI), LLFAIREPI and Look–Locker FAIR gradient echo (LLFAIRGE) sequences were implemented with equal spatial resolution and equal FAIR preparation modules. Measurements were carried out sequentially on the brain in 10 healthy mice, and quantitative CBF maps were obtained after different acquisition times up to 23 min. All methods gave similar group variability in CBF. Especially at shorter acquisition times, LLFAIREPI gave lower relative variations in CBF within selected brain regions than the other techniques at the same acquisition time. The Look–Locker techniques, however, overestimated CBF compared with classical FAIR‐EPI, which was attributed to bulk flow in arterioles and T2 effects. The image quality with LLFAIREPI was less reproducible within the group. Both FAIREPI‐1TI and LLFAIREPI appear to be good candidates for serial rapid measurement of CBF, but LLFAIREPI has the additional advantage that apparent T1 can be measured simultaneously with CBF. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wave computations in irregular layered media using a semidiscrete finite element perturbation method
Authors: Ikeda I. , Tassoulas J. L. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA technique that takes into account nonparallel interfaces and lateral inhomogeneities as perturbations with respect to a reference, horizontally layered, laterally homogeneous medium and produces approximations of the perturbed wave motion with little additional computation effort is described. The formulation combines a perturbation method with a semidiscrete finite element technique, providing an approximate treatment of wave propagation in irregular layered media. Consistent transmitting boundaries and other semidiscrete hyperelements as well as Green's functions, already available for regular layered media, can be reformulated within the framework of the method. The method is relevant in problems of foundation dynamics, ground response to seismic waves and site characterization. Example problems are presented toward evaluation of the effectiveness of the method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serological proteome analysis to identify systemic candidiasis patients in the intensive care unit: Analytical, diagnostic and prognostic validation of anti‐Candida enolase antibodies on quantitative clinical platforms
Authors: Pitarch Aida , Jiménez Antonio , Nombela César , Gil Concha 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSystemic candidiasis (SC) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, because it generally affects patients with severe underlying diseases and its diagnosis is difficult and often delayed, resulting in delayed therapy. We used serological proteome analysis to screen serum anti‐Candida IgG antibody‐reactivity profiles in 24 patients under intensive care, 12 of which had confirmed SC (fungal cultures), and in 12 healthy subjects. A total of 15 immunogenic proteins from Candida albicans protoplast lysates were differentially immunorecognized by serum IgG antibodies from SC patients compared to controls. Two‐way hierarchical clustering and principal‐component analyses of these antibody‐reactivity patterns accurately differentiated SC patients from controls. Anti‐Eno1p IgG antibodies were found to be present at high abundance in SC patients and be an important molecular fingerprint in serum for SC diagnosis. Differential anti‐Eno1p IgG antibody reactivity was further validated by a tag capture ELISA and a Western blot assay in 45 SC patients and 118 non‐SC subjects. Both quantitative assays provided comparable analytical, diagnostic and prognostic performances, and verified initial proteomic‐profiling results. If confirmed in prospective cohort studies, these anti‐Eno1p IgG antibodies might be useful for SC diagnosis. However, these, at least as measured by these clinical platforms, appear to have limited prognostic value in SC patients.
Characterization of the Plasticized GAP/PEG and GAP/PCL Block Copolyurethane Binder Matrices and its Propellants
Authors: Sun Min Byoung 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThough glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) is a well‐known and promising energetic polymer, propellants based on it suffer from poor mechanical and low‐temperature properties. To overcome these problems, plasticized GAP‐based copolymeric binders were prepared and investigated through the incorporation of flexible‐structural polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) into a binder recipe under a Desmodur N‐100 polyisocyanate (N‐100)/isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) (2 : 1, wt. ratio) mixed curative system. The nitrate esters (NEs) or GAP oligomer were used as energetic plasticizers at various ratios to the polymers. The GAP/PCL binders held the plasticizers much more than the GAP/PEG binders did. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of segmented copolymeric binders were more dependent on the plasticizer level than the PEG or PCL content. The increase in the plasticizer content decreased the mechanical strength and modulus of binders, while the change of strain was modest. Finally, the NE plasticized GAP‐based solid propellants showed enhanced mechanical and thermal properties by the incorporation of PEG or PCL. The properties of GAP/PCL propellants were superior to those of GAP/PEG propellants.
Neurotoxic implications of the agonistic action of CS‐syndrome pyrethroids on the N‐type Cav2.2 calcium channel
Authors: Clark J Marshall , Symington Steven B 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Cismethrin (T‐syndrome) and deltamethrin (CS‐syndrome) pyrethroids have been previously shown to increase membrane depolarization and calcium influx, but only deltamethrin increased Ca2+‐dependent neurotransmitter release from rat brain synaptosomes. Deltamethrin's action was blocked by ω‐conotoxin GVIA, delineating a separate action at N‐type Cav2.2 channels that is consistent with the in vivo release of neurotransmitter. It is hypothesized that other CS‐syndrome pyrethroids will elicit similar actions at presynaptic nerve terminals.RESULTS: Nine additional pyrethroids were similarly examined, and these data were used in a cluster analysis. CS‐syndrome pyrethroids that possessed α‐cyano groups, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and esfenvalerate, all caused Ca2+ influx and neurotransmitter release and clustered with two other α‐cyano pyrethroids, cyfluthrin and cyhalothrin, that shared these same actions. T‐syndrome pyrethroids, bioallethrin, cismethrin and fenpropathrin, did not share these actions and clustered with two non‐α‐cyano pyrethroids, tefluthin and bifenthrin, which likewise did not elicit these actions. Deltamethrin reduced peak current of heterologously expressed wild‐type Cav2.2, increased peak current of T422E Cav2.2 and was 20‐fold more potent on T422E Cav2.2 than on wild‐type channels, indicating that the permanently phosphorylated form of Cav2.2 is the preferred target.CONCLUSIONS: Cav2.2 is directly modified by deltamethrin, but the resulting perturbation is dependent upon its phosphorylation state. The present findings may provide a partial explanation for the different toxic syndromes produced by these structurally distinct pyrethroids. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Resistance of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), larvae in Michigan to insecticides with different modes of action and the impact on field residual activity
Authors: Mota‐Sanchez David , Wise John C , Poppen Ryan Vander , Gut Larry J , Hollingworth Robert M 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: The codling moth is one of the principal pests of apple in the world. Resistance monitoring is crucial to the effective management of resistance in codling moth. Three populations of codling moth in neonate larvae were evaluated for resistance to seven insecticides via diet bioassays, and compared with a susceptible population. In addition, apple plots were treated with labeled field rate doses of four insecticides. Treated fruit were exposed to neonate larvae of two populations from commercial orchards.RESULTS: Two populations of codling moth expressed two‐ and fivefold resistance to azinphos‐methyl, seven‐ and eightfold resistance to phosmet, six‐ and tenfold resistance to lambda‐cyhalothrin, 14‐ and 16‐fold resistance to methoxyfenozide and sixfold resistance to indoxacarb, but no resistance to acetamiprid and spinosad. The impact of the resistance to azinphos‐methyl, measured as fruit damage, increased as the insecticide residues aged in the field. In contrast, fruit damage in methoxyfenozide‐ and lambda‐cyhalothrin‐treated fruit was observed earlier for resistant codling moth. No differences in efficacy were found for acetamiprid.CONCLUSIONS: Broad‐spectrum insecticide resistance was detected for codling moth. Resistance to azinphos‐methyl, lambda‐cyhalothrin and methoxyfenozide was associated with reduced residual activity in the field. Broad‐spectrum resistance presents serious problems for management of the codling moth in Michigan. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Peptides and pseudopeptides incorporating D‐Phe–Pro–Arg and Arg–Gly–Asp lead sequences as potential antithrombotic agents
Authors: Ilaš Janez , Hudecz Ferenc , Süli‐Vargha Helga , Kikelj Danijel 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPeptide leads D‐Phe–Pro–Arg for thrombin inhibition and Arg–Gly–Asp for antagonistic activity on fibrinogen receptor were combined in one molecule in order to produce compounds capable of acting both as thrombin inhibitors and as fibrinogen receptor antagonists. Peptide conjugate 7 possessing both leads joined by a tetraglycine linker as well as tripeptides and peptidomimetics with highly overlapped D‐Phe–Pro–Arg and Arg–Gly–Asp pharmacophore groups were prepared. Conjugate 7 was found to possess antagonistic activity on fibrinogen receptor, but was unexpectedly inactive as thrombin inhibitor. Compound 9 comprising of highly integrated D‐Phe–Pro–Arg and Arg–Gly–Asp pharmacophore groups was found to possess a moderate but well balanced thrombin inhibitory and fibrinogen receptor antagonistic activity. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioactive peptides derived from the Limulus anti‐lipopolysaccharide factor: structure‐activity relationships and formation of mixed peptide/lipid complexes
Authors: Mora Puig , De La Paz Manuela López , Pérez‐Payá Enrique 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe design of peptides that would interact and neutralise bacterial endotoxins or LPS could have benefited from the analysis of comparative structure–activity relationships among close‐related analogues. Here, we present a comparative structural characterisation of selected peptides derived from the LALF obtained by single‐amino‐acid replacement, which differ in biological activity. The peptides were characterised in solution using nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopies. Membrane mimetic peptide interactions were studied using fluorescence resonance energy transfer with the aid of extrinsic fluorescent probes that allowed the identification of mixed peptide/lipid complexes. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peptide fragment of the m3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor activates Gq but not Gi2
Authors: Kubota Makoto , Wakamatsu Kaori 
Published: March 2008

AbstractGq, a heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide‐binding protein, plays important roles such as the regulation of calcium mobilization and cell proliferation. This protein is considered as a promising drug target for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy. Selective activation of Gq would be quite useful for analyzing the role of Gq in signaling pathways. We synthesized m3i3c—a peptide with 16 amino acid residues that corresponds to the junction between the C‐terminus of the third intracellular loop and the sixth transmembrane helix (TM‐VI) of human m3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, which couples to Gq but not Gi2. At micromolar concentrations, this peptide was found to activate Gq but not Gi2. This peptide is the first small compound that selectively activates Gq but not Gi2. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Herbal and food folk medicines of the Russlanddeutschen living in Künzelsau/Taläcker, South‐Western Germany
Authors: Pieroni Andrea , Gray Charlotte 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAn urban ethnobotanical study was carried out among a community of Russlanddeutschen (Germans from Russia) who in recent years have moved from Russia and Central Asia to Künzelsau, a small town located in Württemberg, in South‐Western Germany. Thirty‐six in‐depth interviews were conducted with the women in this community, and 62 homemade medicinal preparations derived from 46 botanical species were recorded. As well as common medicinal plant uses that are well known in modern evidence‐based German and Western European phytotherapy, we were able to record traces of the community's Russian and Central Asian (Turkic) heritage through the very popular use of sorrel as a depurative or for preventing and treating colds and flu; the use of dill as a digestive; watermelon as a diuretic; birch to relieve rheumatism and arthritis; buckwheat as a tonic; rye‐based fermented beverages as a stimulant and as a depurative, diverse berries to prevent colds and flu; coriander as a digestive, and other medicinal foods. Traces of archaic German preparations were also recorded, which were probably Swabian in origin. Nearly half of the overall quoted items represented folk functional foods. The researchers believe that the findings in this study could stimulate public health policies aimed at improving both the phyto‐pharmacovigilance of lesser‐known herbal drugs, and the health and well‐being of migrants by promoting a better understanding of emic health beliefs and newcomers' healing strategies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aqueous extract of rhubarb stabilizes vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques due to depression of inflammation and lipid accumulation
Authors: Liu Yunfang , Yan Fangfang , Liu Yan , Zhang Cheng , Yu Huiming , Zhang Yun , Zhao Yuxia 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe study evaluated the effect of the traditional Chinese medicine rhubarb on the stability of atherosclerotic plaque. Atherosclerotic lesions were induced in rabbits through balloon injury with a high‐cholesterol diet and then were divided into a control group, a rhubarb group and a simvastatin group. At week 24 recombinant‐p53 adenoviruses were locally delivered to the atherosclerotic plaques. At week 26 plaque rupture was triggered by the intra‐arterial Chinese Russell's viper venom and histamine. Serological, ultrasonographic, pathologic, immunohistochemical and gene expression studies were performed. The results showed that the incidence of plaque rupture in the rhubarb group and the simvastatin group was significantly lower than that in the control group (42.86% and 35.71% versus 80.00%, both p < 0.05). Serum TC, LDL‐C (p < 0.05–0.01), IMT (both p < 0.01), PA (both p < 0.01), PB (%) (both p < 0.01) and the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR2, TLR4 and NF‐κB (p < 0.05, 0.01, respectively) in the rhubarb group and the simvastatin group were significantly lower than those in the control group. In contrast, AIIc% (both p < 0.05) in the two treatment groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. These results suggest that rhubarb has antiatherosclerotic and plaque‐stabilizing properties due to antiinflammation and lipid‐lowering effects. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiinflammatory activities of flavonoids and a triterpene caffeate isolated fromBauhinia variegata
Authors: Rao Yerra Koteswara , Fang Shih‐Hua , Tzeng Yew‐Min 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn the continuing search for novel antiinflammatory agents, six flavonoids, namely kaempferol (1), ombuin (2), kaempferol 7,4′‐dimethyl ether 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (4), isorhamnetin 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (5) and hesperidin (6), together with one triterpene caffeate, 3β‐trans‐(3,4‐dihydroxycinnamoyloxy)olean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid (7) were isolated from the non‐woody aerial parts ofBauhinia variegata. Compounds 1–7 were evaluated as inhibitors of some macrophage functions involved in the inflammatory process. These seven compounds significantly and dose dependently inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)‐γinduced nitric oxide (NO), and cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐αand interleukin (IL)‐12]. The concentration causing a 50% inhibition (IC50) of NO, TNF‐αand IL‐12 production by compounds 1, 2 and 7 was approximately 30, 50 and 10 µM, respectively, while at 50, 200 and 40 µM compounds 3, 4, and 5, 6 showed 15–30% inhibition, respectively. On the other hand, compounds 3 and 7 showed no inhibitory effect, while compounds 1, 4–6 reduced by around 10–30% the synthesis of NO by macrophages, when inducible NO synthase was already expressed with LPS/IFN‐γfor 24 h. These experimental findings lend pharmacological support to the suggested folkloric uses of the plantB. variegatain the management of inflammatory conditions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardioprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of oxymatrine against Ischemic myocardial injuries of rats
Authors: Hong‐li Sun , Lei Li , Lei Shang , Dan Zhao , De‐li Dong , Guo‐fen Qiao , Yan Liu , Wen‐feng Chu , Bao‐feng Yang 
Published: April 2008

AbstractOxymatrine has been demonstrated to have a variety of pharmacological actions. Accumulating evidence indicates that oxymatrine may exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. The study was designed to explore the possible role of oxymatrine against myocardial ischemic damage and several related signaling pathways as potential mechanisms. The protective properties of oxymatrine were studied in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction due to permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The results showed that administration of oxymatrine relieved myocardial injuries during ischemia, and this was achieved by protecting cardiomyocytes from apoptotic death. The beneficial effects of oxymatrine were likely mediated by an inhibition of lipid peroxidation (MDA production) and an increase in endogenous antioxidant activity (SOD), activation of the survival signaling molecule (Bcl‐2), and a reduction of apoptotic mediator (Fas) and intracellular Ca2+ overload. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving change tolerance through Capabilities‐based design: an empirical analysis
Authors: Ravichandar Ramya , Arthur James D. , Bohner Shawn A. , Tegarden David P. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe introduce a Capabilities‐based approach for constructing large‐scale systems such that they are change‐tolerant. The inherent complexity of software systems increases their susceptibility to change when subjected to the vagaries of user needs, technology advances, market demands, and other change‐inducing factors. Despite the inevitability of change, traditional requirements engineering strives to develop systems based on a fixed solution; a mostly unsuccessful approach as evidenced by the history of system failures. In contrast, we utilize Capabilities—functional abstractions that are neither as amorphous as user needs nor as rigid as system requirements—to architect systems that accommodate change with minimum impact. These entities are designed to exhibit the desirable characteristics of high cohesion, low coupling, and balanced abstraction levels and are generated by a two‐phased process called Capabilities Engineering. Phase I mathematically exploits the structural semantics of a function decomposition graph—a representation of user needs—to formulate change‐tolerant Capabilities. Phase II optimizes these Capabilities to comply with schedule and technology constraints. In this paper, we present the overall framework of this process and detail the algorithm to identify Capabilities. In addition, we empirically evaluate the change tolerance of Capabilities resulting from Phase I. For this we examine the ripple effect of needs change on a real‐world Course Evaluation System based on the original requirements‐based design and the corresponding Capabilities‐based design. Our experimental results indicate, with statistical significance, that the Capabilities‐based design is less impacted by change and thereby improves the change tolerance of the system when subjected to needs volatility. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morphological, Physicochemical and Textural Properties of Starch Separated from Chinese Water Chestnut
Authors: Lan Wang , Zhihua Yin , Yun Zhang , Bijun Xie , Zhida Sun 
Published: April 2008

AbstractChinese water chestnut starch (CWCS) was isolated and its composition, morphological, physicochemical and textural properties investigated. Chinese water chestnut starch granules were round, oval and polyangular in shape, with volumetric mean diameter (D50) 8.46 μm. CWCS had an A‐type crystal pattern and an apparent amylose content of 32.1%. Compared with tapioca and maize starch, CWCS exhibited moderate swelling power and turbidity and high stability against freeze‐thaw treatment. Chinese water chestnut starch showed the highest peak (7957 mPa s), breakdown (4169 mPa s) and final viscosity (4816 mPa s), intermediate setback viscosity (1028 mPa s) and pasting temperature (68.7°C), and lowest enthalpy (10.8 J/g) of gelatinization of the three starches studied. The effect of food additives (NaCl, sucrose and glycerol monostearate) and heating processes (direct heating, steam heating, microwave heating and autoclaving) on the CWCS gel was determined by a texture analyzer. The CWCS gel hardness and gumminess proportionally increased with the concentration of starch gels, ranging from 6% to 16%, but gel springiness and cohesiveness changed indistinctively. CWCS gels with added NaCl gave inconsistent results, but for the most part, they showed similar or increased gel hardness and gumminess as compared with the control. CWCS gels with added glycerol monostearate had lower gel hardness and gumminess than the control. The addition of sucrose (< 15%, w/v) resulted in increased gel hardness and gumminess, but 20% sucrose decreased these features. Both microwave and steam heating on the one hand and autoclaving and directly heating on the other gave rise to similar gel hardness and gumminess, the values of the two groups being significantly different from each other.
An Adaptive Neuro‐Fuzzy Inference System for Modeling Mechanical Properties of Tapioca Starch‐Poly(Lactic Acid) Nanocomposite Foams
Authors: Lee Siew Yoong , Hanna Milford A. , Jones David D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTapioca starch, poly(lactic acid) and Cloisite 30B nanocomposites foams, with clay contents of 1, 3, 5 and 7% (w/w), were prepared by a melt‐intercalation method. Multiple inputs single output models were developed to predict radial expansion ratio, unit density, bulk compressibility and spring index of the nanocomposite foams. An individual ANFIS model was developed for each mechanical property using clay content, temperature, pressure and torque as input parameters. All models preformed well with R2 values > 0.71. All models had very low root mean squared error values.