bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mutant androgen receptor accumulation in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy scrotal skin: A pathogenic marker
Authors: Banno Haruhiko , Adachi Hiroaki , Katsuno Masahisa , Suzuki Keisuke , Atsuta Naoki , Watanabe Hirohisa , Tanaka Fumiaki , Doyu Manabu , Sobue Gen 
Published: December 2005

AbstractObjectiveSpinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a hereditary motor neuron disease caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine tract in the androgen receptor (AR). The nuclear accumulation of mutant AR is central to the pathogenesis of SBMA. Androgen deprivation with leuprorelin inhibits mutant AR accumulation, resulting in rescue of neuronal dysfunction in a mouse model of SBMA. This study aimed to investigate whether mutant AR accumulation in the scrotal skin is an appropriate biomarker of SBMA.MethodsImmunohistochemistry of both scrotal skin and the spinal cord was performed on five autopsied SBMA cases. Neurological severity and scrotal skin findings were studied in another 13 patients. Five other patients received subcutaneous injections of leuprorelin and underwent scrotal skin biopsy.ResultsThe degree of mutant AR accumulation in scrotal skin epithelial cells tended to be correlated with that in the spinal motor neurons in autopsy specimens, and it was well correlated with CAG repeat length and inversely correlated with the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional scale. Leuprorelin treatment inhibited mutant AR protein accumulation in the scrotal skin of SBMA patients.InterpretationThese observations suggest that scrotal skin biopsy findings are a potent pathogenic marker of SBMA and can be a surrogate end point in therapeutic trials. Ann Neurol 2006
Lamellar morphology of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/poly(ether imide) blends studied via small‐angle X‐ray scattering
Authors: Chiu Hsiu‐Jung , Huang Jieh‐Ming 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe lamellar morphology of a melt‐miscible blend consisting of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) and poly(ether imide) (PEI) prepared by solution precipitation has been investigated by means of optical polarized microscopy (POM) and small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). From the observation under POM, it was suggested that PEI was predominantly segregated into the interlamellar and/or interfibrillar regions upon PTT crystallization since the PTT spherulitic morphologies of blends were volume‐filling. From results of SAXS data analysis, a larger amorphous layer thickness was identified in the blends, showing that some PEI was incorporated inside the interlamellar regions after crystallization. Despite the swelling of the amorphous layer, the amorphous layer thickness was relatively independent of the blend composition. It was concluded that amorphous PEI was located in the interlamellar regions of PTT as the weight fraction of PEI (wPEI) [≤] 0.1, while amorphous PEI was predominantly segregated into the interfibrillar regions of PTT as wPEI > 0.1, and the extent of interfibrillar segregation increased with increasing wPEI. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Synthesis and physical properties of liquid‐crystalline copolymers with azobenzene segments
Authors: Liu Jui‐Hsiang , Hsieh Ching‐Dong 
Published: December 2005

AbstractTo investigate the effects of photoisomerizable azobenzene segments on the liquid‐crystalline characteristics and thermal properties of polymers, a series of liquid‐crystalline homopolymers and copolymers with azobenzene segments was synthesized. The azobenzene contents of the copolymers were estimated with elemental analysis. The photoisomerization of the azobenzene derivatives was studied with ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The UV–vis absorption of the copolymers was found to be parallel with the content of the azobenzene segments. UV irradiation was found to cause a decrease in the copolymer transmittance around 355 nm due to the photoinduced isomerization from entgegen (E) to zusammen (Z). The phase‐transition temperatures and molecular weights of the polymers were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry and gel permeation chromatography, respectively. The variation in the phase‐transition temperature of the homopolymers before and after UV (365 nm) irradiation was investigated. The bended Z structure was found to disturb the order of the orientation of liquid crystals and to lower the phase‐transition temperature. The appearance of the polymer film was changed from opaque to clear after sufficient UV irradiation. The image recording of the polymer films was achieved after UV irradiation through a mask with pictures. The stability and reliability of the Nematic‐Isotropic phase transition of the homopolymers was evaluated with repeated cycles of 365‐nm UV irradiation and heating at 130°C. After the recycle phase transition was repeated nine times, no significant decay in the response and transmittance could be found. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2006
Whey protein concentrate hydrogels as bioactive carriers
Authors: Gunasekaran S. , Xiao L. , Ould Eleya M. M. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractTwo sets of heat‐induced hydrogels were prepared from whey protein concentrate (WPC), one set at a constant concentration [15% (w/v)] and varying pHs (pH 5.1–10.0) and the other set at a constant pH (10.0) and varying concentrations (12%, 15%, and 18%). At a given pH, the higher the protein concentration, the shorter was the gelation time and the larger were the equilibrium storage modulus (G) and failure stress. For a given protein concentration, the gelation kinetics and mechanical properties of WPC hydrogels were strongly pH dependent. The swelling behavior of WPC gels was studied at 37.5°C ± 0.5°C. The equilibrium swelling ratio (SR) was at the minimum when pH of the swelling medium was close to the isoelectric point (pI) of the whey protein, and when the swelling medium pH was far from the pI (from 6.0 to 10.0), the SR increased. In particular, when the pH was higher than the pI, the swelling was highly pH sensitive. The higher the WPC concentration used in preparing the hydrogel, the lower was the SR. The controlled drug release properties of the WPC hydrogels were studied using caffeine as the model drug. Consistent with the swelling behavior of the gels, release was slower when the pH of the medium was lower (pH 1.8) than when it was higher (pH 7.5). The SR and the drug release rate decreased significantly when the gels were surface‐coated with alginate. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Novel thermosetting resins for SMC applications from linseed oil: Synthesis, characterization, and properties
Authors: Lu Jue , Wool Richard P. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractNew thermosetting resins for applications of sheet‐molding compounds (SMCs) were successfully synthesized from linseed oil, which is the most molecularly unsaturated of all plant oils. The carbon–carbon double bonds were opened by epoxidation, followed by acrylation, and then maleinization, which provided more crosslink sites and added acid functionality on the triglyceride molecules to develop thickening. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the storage modulus of these new polymers was approximately 2.5 GPa at 30°C, and the glass‐transition temperature was above 100°C. During maturation the resins reached a molding viscosity quickly and stayed stable. Mechanical tests showed a flexural strength of 100 MPa and a flexural modulus of 2.8 GPa. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a single degradation ranging from 300°C–480°C, which was a result of the carbonization of the crosslinked network. These bio‐based resins are promising as replacements of some petroleum‐based resins in the SMC industry. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Review of thermally point‐bonded nonwovens: Materials, processes, and properties
Authors: Michielsen Stephen , Pourdeyhimi Behnam , Desai Prashant 
Published: December 2005

AbstractRecent research on all aspects of thermally point‐bonded nonwovens has led to considerable improvements in the understanding of material requirements for these nonwovens, the changes that occur during bonding, and the mechanical properties of the resultant nonwoven materials. This article will review (1) how the thermal bonding process transforms the material properties of feed fibers, (2) the implications for material selection, and (3) the resultant failure properties of the bonded nonwoven. The formation of a bond during thermal bonding follows in sequence through three critical steps: (1) heating the web to partially melt the crystalline region, (2) reptation of the newly released chain segments across the fiber–fiber interface, and (3) subsequent cooling of the web to re‐solidify it and to trap the chain segments that diffused across the fiber–fiber interface. The time scales for these processes closely match commercial practice. In addition, adequate pressure is required to compress the fibers that form the bond spots and enhance heat transfer to these fibers. However, pressures typically used in commercial practice are insufficient to increase the melting temperature significantly or to produce significant heating due to compression of the fibers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Modified silicone–PVDF composite hollow‐fiber membrane preparation and its application in VOC separation
Authors: Zhen Hanfei , Jang Steven M. J. , Teo W. K. , Li K. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractPolydimethylsiloxanevi–poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PDMSvi–PVDF) composite membranes were prepared using asymmetric PVDF hollow‐fiber membranes as the substrate where a very thin layer of silicone‐based coating material was deposited via a developed dip coating method. The preparation of the composite membranes under various conditions were investigated. In the optimal coating procedure, homogenous and stable oligo‐PDMSvi coating layers as thin as 1–2 μm were successfully deposited on the surface of PVDF membranes. The developed PDMSvi–PVDF composite membranes were applied for separation of a wide variety of volatile organic compounds (benzene, chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate, and toluene). The results showed that the PDMSvi–PVDF hollow‐fiber composite membranes that had been developed exhibited very high removal efficiency (>96%) for all the VOCs examined under favorable operating conditions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Miscibility studies on linseed oil epoxy blend with poly(methacrylic acid)
Authors: Ashraf S. M. , Ahmad Sharif , Riaz Ufana , Alam Manawwer , Sharma H. O. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractWith the aim to utilize a vegetable oil epoxy, a product from a sustainable resource, for improving the properties of polymethacrylic acid (PMAA), the blends of the latter with the epoxy of linseed oil were prepared in solution by mechanical mixing of the requisite amounts of the two components in dimethylsulphoxide. Freestanding films of the blend were cast. The miscibility of the two components was investigated by viscosity, ultrasonic, and density measurements which showed that the two components were semicompatible in solution. The compatibility in solid phase was also examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed that linseed oil epoxy (LOE) and PMAA were incompatible. The films of blend of all compositions were found to be sticky, which was caused by the oozing of LOE. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Bayesian conformational analysis of ring molecules through reversible jump MCMC
Authors: Nolsøe Kim , Kessler Mathieu , Pérez José , Madsen Henrik 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn this paper, we address the problem of classifying the conformations of m‐membered rings using experimental observations obtained by crystal structure analysis. We formulate a model for the data generation mechanism that consists in a multidimensional mixture model. We perform inference for the proportions and the components in a Bayesian framework, implementing a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) reversible jump algorithm to obtain samples of the posterior distributions. The method is illustrated on a simulated data set and on real data corresponding to cyclo‐octane structures. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction of Bovine Serum Albumin with Chrysotile: Spectroscopic and Morphological Studies
Authors: Falini Giuseppe , Foresti Elisabetta , Lesci Isidoro G. , Lunelli Bruno , Sabatino Piera , Roveri Norberto 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe biodurability of chrysotile fibers, which is related to their cytotoxicity and mutagenic responses, is strongly affected by the surface chemical adsorption of biological molecules. Natural chrysotile is a heterogeneous material in both structure and composition. The availability of synthetic stoichiometric chrysotile of constant structure and uniform morphology has allowed us to investigate its interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA). By using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), we have obtained the first morphological evidence of albumin adsorption onto chrysotile nanocrystals. FTIR spectroscopy was used to quantify modifications of BSA secondary structure that were induced by the surface interaction. The protein transition to β‐turns allows a stronger interaction between the protein hydrophilic side‐chains and the charged asbestos surface, which is consistent with hydrogen bonds involving the superficial OH groups. Synthetic stoichiometric chrysotile nanocrystals were shown to be an ideal reference standard with which to study the interaction of asbestos fibers with biological systems, in order to elucidate the chemical mechanisms of asbestos toxicity.
A Synthetic Camel Anti‐Lysozyme Peptide Antibody (Peptibody) with Flexible Loop Structure Identified by High‐Resolution Affinity Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Marquardt Andreas , Muyldermans Serge , Przybylski Michael 
Published: December 2005

AbstractWe describe the synthesis and characterisation of the fully functional molecular recognition structure of a 26‐amino acid residue peptide antibody, referred to as peptibody, designed from a monoclonal single‐domain antibody fragment derived from a camel heavy‐chain antibody. The CDR3 region (CDR=complementarity determining region) of the cAbLys3 camel antibody fragment, which binds to the active site of hen eggwhite lysozyme (HEL) and acts as a potent enzyme inhibitor by mimicking an oligosaccharide substrate, was prepared by solid‐phase peptide synthesis. To obtain a closed loop‐like structure resembling that in the crystal structure, N‐ and C‐terminal cysteine residues were added to the linear peptide and oxidised to a cyclic disulfide‐bridged peptide by using dimethylsulfoxide. A further, internal cysteine‐12 residue was acetamidomethyl‐protected to prevent possible oxidative byproducts. Affinity separation on a lysozyme microcolumn combined with MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry revealed that the peptide resumed high affinity to lysozyme only after deprotection of Cys‐12, suggesting the importance of this paratope sequence for epitope recognition. The complex of lysozyme and active peptibody was characterised directly by conducting high‐resolution ESI‐FTICR mass spectrometry, which provided a molecular comparison of affinities for linear and cyclic peptibodies.
Computational Study of Solvent Effects and the Vibrational Spectra of Anderson Polyoxometalates
Authors: Bridgeman Adam J. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe structures and vibrational frequencies of the type II Anderson heteropolyanions [TeMo6O24]6− and [IMo6O24]5−have been calculated by using density functional theory using a number of common functionals and basis sets. For the first time, Raman intensities have been calculated and the effect of solvent on the modeling has been investigated. The calculated IR and Raman spectral traces are in good agreement with experiment allowing the characteristic group frequencies for this class of polyoxometalate to be identified. The stretching vibrations of the molybdenum–oxygen bonds are predicted to occur at somewhat lower frequencies than in the type I polyoxometalates. Stretching of the heteroatom–oxygen bonds occurs at significantly lower frequencies than in the Keggin anions as a simple consequence of the higher coordination number of the central heteroatom in the Anderson systems. For the [Mo2O7]2− and [Mo6O19]2− ions, the relatively low negative charge leads to small structural changes when solvent is included. In these systems, solvent leads to an increase in the bond polarity and a decrease in the covalent bond orders, resulting in decreases in the calculated frequencies. For the Anderson anions, the higher negative charges leads to greater solvent effects with contraction of the clusters and increases in the frequencies of bands due to stretching of the two, cis‐related molybdenum–oxygen bonds.
Enhanced Solubilization of Bovine Serum Albumin in Reverse Micelles by Compressed CO2
Authors: Feng Xiaoying , Zhang Jianling , Chen Jing , Han Buxing , Shen Dong 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe effect of compressed CO2 on the solubilization of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in water/sodium bis‐(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT)/isooctane reverse micelles was studied by observing phase behavior and recording UV‐visible spectra under different conditions. The pH values within the water cores of reverse micelles at different CO2 pressures were also determined. The solubilization capacity of the reverse micelles for the protein increased considerably as CO2 pressure increased within the low‐pressure range, but decreased at higher CO2 pressures, so that the micelles eventually lost their ability to solubilize the protein. The effect of CO2 on the stability of the reverse micelles played an important role in the relationship between pressure and protein solubility. A “multicomplex” model was proposed to explain these effects. The different solublization capacities within different pressure ranges demonstrates the unique advantage of using compressed CO2 in the extraction of proteins with reverse micelles.
Electrochemistry and Photophysics of Donor‐Substituted Triarylboranes: Symmetry Breaking in Ground and Excited State
Authors: Stahl Rainer , Lambert Christoph , Kaiser Conrad , Wortmann Rüdiger , Jakober Ruth 
Published: December 2005

AbstractWe synthesized a series of amino substituted triarylboranes (TABs) 1–3 by copper(I)‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions. The title compounds were investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and UV‐visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Electrochemical oxidation of tris(4‐carbazolyl‐2,6‐dimethylphenyl)borane (3) leads to the formation of an electroactive polymer film on the electrode surface. The charge‐transfer (CT) absorption band of all three TABs shows a pronounced negative solvatochromism, while the emission is positively solvatochromic. By combining Jortner's theory, AM1 computations, and electrooptical absorption measurements (EOAM), this unexpected behavior was shown to be due to a dipole inversion upon S0→S1 excitation. Furthermore, polarized steady‐state fluorescence spectroscopy and EOAM prove that the ground‐state geometry of 3 is of lower symmetry than D3 and that the excitation energy can be transferred from one subchromophore to another within the lifetime of the excited state. Exciton‐coupling theory was used to quantitatively analyze this excitation transfer.
One‐Electron Redox Processes during Polyoxometalate‐Mediated Photocatalytic Reactions of TiO2 Studied by Two‐Color Two‐Laser Flash Photolysis
Authors: Tachikawa Takashi , Tojo Sachiko , Fujitsuka Mamoru , Majima Tetsuro 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe one‐electron redox processes of several compounds during polyoxometalate (POM)‐mediated photocatalytic reactions of TiO2 were investigated using the two‐color two‐laser flash‐photolysis technique. The efficiency of the one‐electron oxidation of aromatic sulfides by the trapped hole (htr+) or the surface‐bound OH radical (OHs.) is found to be significantly enhanced due to electron transfer from the conduction band (CB) of TiO2 to the POM. The efficiency of the electron transfer from the CB of TiO2 to the POM decreases in the order H2W12O406− < SiW12O404− < PW12O403−, that is, it depends on the reduction potential (Ered) of the POMs. Electron injection from PW12O404− in the excited state (PW12O404−*) to the CB of TiO2 was clearly observed using the two‐color two‐laser flash‐photolysis technique. Storage of electrons in the TiO2/PW12O403−/methyl viologen (MV2+) ternary system was also achieved upon two‐color two‐laser irradiation.
Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Cyclizations of 1,6‐Enynes: Alkoxycyclizations and exo/endo Skeletal Rearrangements
Authors: Nieto‐Oberhuber Cristina , Muñoz M. Paz , López Salomé , Jiménez‐Núñez Eloísa , Nevado Cristina , Herrero‐Gómez Elena , Raducan Mihai , Echavarren Antonio M. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractGold(I) complexes are the most active catalysts for alkoxy‐ or hydroxycyclization and for skeletal rearrangement reactions of 1,6‐enynes. Intramolecular alkoxycyclizations also proceed efficiently in the presence of gold(I) catalysts. The first examples of the skeletal rearrangement of enynes by the endocyclic cyclization pathway are also documented. Iron(III) is also able to catalyze exo and endo skeletal rearrangements of 1,6‐enynes, although the scope of this transformation is more limited. The gold(I)‐catalyzed endocyclic cyclization proceeds by a mechanism different from those followed in the presence of PdII, HgII, or RhI catalysts.
Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclopropanation of Dienynes
Authors: Nieto‐Oberhuber Cristina , López Salomé , Muñoz M. Paz , Jiménez‐Núñez Eloísa , Buñuel Elena , Cárdenas Diego J. , Echavarren Antonio M. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractGold(I) complexes are the most active catalysts for the biscyclopropanation of dienynes to form tetracyclic compounds. PtII and ZnII are also able to promote the biscyclopropanation, although less efficiently. The configurations obtained in all cases with the use of gold(I) catalysts can be explained by the pathway proceeding through anti cyclopropyl gold carbenes. Similar intermediates are most probably involved in reactions catalyzed by RuII and PtII. Two different cyclopropanation pathways have been found; they depend on the structures of the cyclopropyl gold carbenes (anti or syn) and the relative arrangements of the metal carbenes and the alkenes.