bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
T-Cell Promiscuity in Autoimmune Diabetes
Authors: Li Li , Wang Bo , Frelinger Jeffrey A. , Tisch Roland 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE—It is well established that the primary mediators of β-cell destruction in type 1 diabetes are T-cells. Nevertheless, the molecular basis for recognition of β-cell–specific epitopes by pathogenic T-cells remains ill defined; we seek to further explore this issue.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—To determine the properties of β-cell–specific T-cell receptors (TCRs), we characterized the fine specificity, functional and relative binding avidity/affinity, and diabetogenicity of a panel of GAD65-specific CD4+ T-cell clones established from unimmunized 4- and 14-week-old NOD female mice.RESULTS—The majority of GAD65-specific CD4+ T-cells isolated from 4- and 14-week-old NOD female mice were specific for peptides spanning amino acids 217–236 (p217) and 290–309 (p290). Surprisingly, 31% of the T-cell clones prepared from 14-week-old but not younger NOD mice were stimulated with both p217 and p290. These promiscuous T-cell clones recognized the two epitopes when naturally processed and presented, and this dual specificity was mediated by a single TCR. Furthermore, promiscuous T-cell clones demonstrated increased functional avidity and relative TCR binding affinity, which correlated with enhanced islet infiltration on adoptive transfer compared with that of monospecific T-cell clones.CONCLUSIONS—These results indicate that promiscuous recognition contributes to the development of GAD65-specific CD4+ T-cell clones in NOD mice. Furthermore, these findings suggest that T-cell promiscuity reflects a novel form of T-cell avidity maturation.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring: The Future of Diabetes Management
Authors: Burge Mark R. , Mitchell Stephen , Sawyer Alison , Schade David S. 
Published: May 2008

In BriefContinuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology has the potential to revolutionize diabetes care in the near future because of the real-time feedback it provides about therapeutic interventions and variations in lifestyle or dietary intake. In short, CGM has made the attainment of near-normal blood glucose concentrations an achievable goal for most patients with diabetes. Several challenges remain to be addressed, however, including the high cost of the devices, limitations in approved clinical uses, and insurance coverage for the technology. This article reviews the CGM technology currently available in the United States, its approved uses, and its limitations.
Diabetes Technology During the Past 30 Years: A Lot of Changes and Mostly for the Better
Authors: Deeb Larry C. 
Published: May 2008

In BriefDuring the past 30 years, diabetes management has witnessed changes in glucose measurement, insulin administration, and types of insulins. These changes have improved the lives of people with diabetes. This article is a critical review of these changes and an assessment of the current state of diabetes care and technology.
Novel [Ruthenium(substituted‐tetramethylcyclopentadiene) (2‐quinolinecarboxylato)(allyl)] Hexafluorophosphate Complexes as Efficient Catalysts for Highly Regioselective Nucleophilic Substitution of Aliphatic Allylic Substrates
Authors: Zhang Hui‐Jun , Demerseman Bernard , Toupet Loïc , Xi Zhenfeng , Bruneau Christian 
Published: May 2008

AbstractStable [ruthenium(R‐substituted‐tetramethylcyclopentadiene)(2‐quinolinecarboxylato)(1‐R′‐substituted‐allyl) hexafluorophosphate (R=Me, R′=H, Me, n‐Pr, Ph; R=t‐Bu, R′=Me) and [ruthenium(pentamethylcyclopentadiene)(2‐quinolinecarboxylato)(1‐n‐propylallyl)] tetrafluoroborate (4′a), as allylruthenium(IV) complexes, have been synthesized in one step, starting from [ruthenium(R‐substituted‐tetramethylcyclopentadiene)tris(acetonitrile) hexafluorophosphate or tetrafluoroborate complexes, quinaldic acid, and allylic alcohols. Single stereoisomers are obtained and the X‐ray single crystal structure determinations of 3b (R=t‐Bu, R′=Me) and 4′a allow one to specify the preferred arrangement. Complexes 3a (R=R′=Me) and 3b are involved as precatalysts favoring the formation of branched products in regioselective nucleophilic allylic substitution reactions, starting from ethyl 2‐(E)‐hexen‐1‐yl carbonate and chlorohexene as unsymmetrical aliphatic allylic substrates. Phenols, dimethyl malonate, and primary (aniline) and secondary (pyrrolidine, piperidine) amines have been used as nucleophiles under mild basic conditions. For the first time, the regioselectivity in favor of the branched product obtained from purely aliphatic allylic substrates is close to the high regioselectivity previously reached starting from cinnamyl‐type substrates in the presence of ruthenium catalysts.
Mannose‐binding lectin gene polymorphisms and the development of coal workers' pneumoconiosis in Japan
Authors: Wang Xintao , Ohtsuka Yoshinori , Kimura Kiyonobu , Kaji Hiroshi , Saito Junpei , Tanino Yoshinori , Ishida Takashi , Munakata Mitsuru 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundInfection, immunity and genetic factors play roles in the development of coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). We investigate whether the genetic polymorphisms of mannose‐binding lectin (MBL), one of the key molecules of innate immunity, is associated with the susceptibility to CWP.MethodMBL2 polymorphisms (codon54, promoter ‐221, and ‐550) were assessed for 197 patients with CWP (119 with nodular CWP and 78 with PMF) and 153 unexposed regional controls. Serum MBL concentrations were measured in 119 CWP patients.ResultsThree polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium for all study populations. The MBL2 genotype and haplotypes were associated with lower serum MBL levels. The frequency of such MBL2 genotype and haplotypes were significantly higher in patients with CWP compared to controls, whereas these distributions were not different between patients with nodular CWP and those with PMF.ConclusionMBL2 polymorphisms and haplotypes may be one of the genetic determinants for the susceptibility of CWP. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:548–553, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ordered subsets linkage analysis of antisocial behavior in substance use disorder among participants in the collaborative study on the genetics of alcoholism
Authors: Jacobson Kristen C. , Beseler Cheryl L. , Lasky‐Su Jessica , Faraone Stephen V. , Glatt Stephen J. , Kremen William S. , Lyons Michael J. , Tsuang Ming T. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractHeterogeneity in complex diseases such as Substance Use Disorder (SUD) reduces the power to detect linkage and makes replication of findings in other populations unlikely. It is therefore critical to refine the phenotype and use methods that account for genetic heterogeneity between families. SUD was operationalized as diagnosis of abuse or dependence to alcohol and/or any one of five illicit substances. Whole‐genome linkage analysis of 241 extended pedigree families from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism was performed in Merlin using an affected sibship design. An Ordered Subsets Analysis (OSA) using FLOSS sought to increase the homogeneity of the sample by ranking families by their density of childhood and adult antisocial behaviors, producing new maximum Nonparametric Lod (NPL) scores on each chromosome for each subset of families. Prior to OSA, modest evidence for linkage was found on chromosomes 8 and 17. Although changes in NPL scores were not statistically significant, OSA revealed possible evidence of linkages on chromosome 7, near markers D7S1795 and D7S821. NPL scores >3.0 were also observed on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 9, and 14. However, the number of families used in these latter subsets for linkage may be too small to be meaningful. Results provide some evidence for the ability of OSA to reduce genetic heterogeneity, and add further support to chromosome 7 as a possible location to search for genes related to various SUD related processes. Nonetheless, replication of these results in other samples is essential. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transcranial color doppler study for reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes
Authors: Chen Shih‐Pin , Fuh Jong‐Ling , Chang Feng‐Chi , Lirng Jiing‐Feng , Shia Ben‐Chang , Wang Shuu‐Jiun 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjectiveReversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes (RCVS) are characterized by thunderclap headaches and reversible cerebral vasoconstrictions. No systematic studies on cerebral hemodynamics have been published.MethodsPatients with RCVS were consecutively recruited. Sequential transcranial color‐coded sonography studies were performed on the middle cerebral artery (MCA) for 3 months. Mean flow velocities (VMCA) and Lindegaard Index (LI) were recorded and compared with those of controls.ResultsThirty‐two patients (all female; average age, 49.7 ± 6.8 years) were enrolled. Four developed of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, and two of them, ischemic strokes. One hundred and twenty‐six sonography studies were performed on 57 eligible MCAs. The mean maximum VMCA (109.5 ± 30.8cm/sec) and LI (2.2 ± 0.7) of RCVS patients exceeded those of controls (VMCA: 66.3 ± 9.5cm/sec, p < 0.001; LI: 1.4 ± 0.3, p < 0.001). The VMCA and LI levels were still at their plateau at the mean time (day 22 after headache onset) of headache resolution. Fifteen (46.9%) patients had VMCA exceeding 120cm/sec, and 5 (16%) had LI exceeding 3. Patients fulfilling the criteria of subarachnoid hemorrhage mild vasospasm (n = 4; 13%), that is, both VMCA greater than 120cm/sec and LI greater than 3, had a greater risk of posterior leukoencephalopathy (75 vs 4%; p = 0.003) and ischemic strokes (50 vs 0%; p = 0.01) than those without.InterpretationPatients with RCVS experienced prolonged vasoconstriction, making the risk for posterior leukoencephalopathy and ischemic strokes outlast headache resolution. Patients fulfilling mild vasospasm criteria for subarachnoid hemorrhage carry a high risk. Ann Neurol 2008
Hereditary optic neuropathies share a common mitochondrial coupling defect
Authors: Chevrollier Arnaud , Guillet Virginie , Loiseau Dominique , Gueguen Naïg , Pou de Crescenzo Marie‐Anne , Verny Christophe , Ferre Marc , Dollfus Hélène , Odent Sylvie , Milea Dan , Goizet Cyril , Amati‐Bonneau Patrizia , Procaccio Vincent , Bonneau Dominique , Reynier Pascal 
Published: May 2008

AbstractHereditary optic neuropathies are heterogeneous diseases characterized by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells leading to optic nerve atrophy and impairment of central vision. We found a common coupling defect of oxidative phosphorylation in fibroblasts of patients affected by autosomal dominant optic atrophy (mutations of OPA1), autosomal dominant optic atrophy associated with cataract (mutations of OPA3), and Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, a disorder associated with point mutations of mitochondrial DNA complex I genes. Interestingly, the energetic defect was significantly more pronounced in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy and autosomal dominant optic atrophy patients with a more complex phenotype, the so‐called plus phenotype. Ann Neurol 2008
Heart and vessel pathology underlying brain infarction in 142 stroke patients
Authors: Ogata Jun , Yutani Chikao , Otsubo Ryoichi , Yamanishi Hiromichi , Naritomi Hiroaki , Yamaguchi Takenori , Minematsu Kazuo 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjectiveThis study was designed to determine the histopathological characteristics of cardiac and vascular lesions responsible for various subtypes of ischemic stroke.MethodsPostmortem pathological examination was performed on 142 patients who died within 30 days of the onset of ischemic stroke in the National Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan.ResultsThe numbers of cases with autopsy‐proven diagnoses of atherothrombotic, cardioembolic, and lacunar strokes, ischemic stroke of other determined causes, and ischemic stroke of undetermined cause were 17, 107, 2, 12, and 4, respectively. Thrombi that developed at the culprit plaques of the cerebral arteries were responsible for atherothrombotic stroke. In 70% of the cases with cardioembolic stroke, the presence of thrombi as potential embolic sources were confirmed in the heart or, in some cases, in the venous circulation of patients with patent foramen ovale and tetralogy of Fallot.InterpretationIn most atherothrombotic strokes, fibrin‐ and platelet‐rich thrombi of various thicknesses develop at the culprit plaques of the cerebral arteries, which are finally occluded with fibrin‐ and red‐cell–rich thrombi (red thrombi). In most cardioembolic strokes, red thrombi generated in the heart or peripheral veins are dislodged to embolize the cerebral arteries. Ann Neurol 2008
Effect of infarcts on dementia in the Baltimore longitudinal study of aging
Authors: Troncoso Juan C. , Zonderman Alan B. , Resnick Susan M. , Crain Barbara , Pletnikova Olga , O'Brien Richard J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo define the magnitude and mechanism of the effect of brain infarcts on the odds of dementia in a prospective study.MethodsWe examined the effects of brain infarcts and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology on the risk for dementia in 179 subjects from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging Autopsy Program. All subjects had longitudinal clinical and cognitive evaluations, and underwent postmortem examination of the brain.ResultsBrain infarcts were common in our cohort, and both symptomatic and asymptomatic infarcts conferred a significant increase in the odds of dementia. Risk factors for stroke in the absence of an infarct did not increase the odds of dementia, which was quantitatively related to the number but not the size of hemispheral infarcts; deep subcortical infarcts conferred no increased risk for dementia. The contribution of microscopic infarcts to dementia was significant and equivalent to that of macroscopic infarcts. In subjects with intermediate AD pathology scores, a single macroscopic hemispheral infarct was sufficient to cause dementia. A logistic regression model of the effect of infarcts and AD pathology on dementia indicated that AD pathology alone accounts for 50% of the dementia seen in this cohort, and that hemispheral infarcts alone or in conjunction with AD pathology account for 35%.InterpretationCerebrovascular disease is a significant and potentially preventable cause of dementia in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Burden and location of infarcts are significantly associated with cognitive decline. Ann Neurol 2008
Studies on glass transition temperature of mono and bilayer protein films plasticized by glycerol and olive oil
Authors: Ghanbarzadeh Babak , Oromiehi A. R. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThermomechanical and thermal properties of whey protein, maize prolamin protein (zein), and the laminated whey protein–zein films were studied. The dynamic mechanical (thermal) analysis (DMTA) results showed that the single zein film had higher Tg than single whey protein and zein–whey laminated films. The shift in the Tg values of films from 31.2°C in whey protein film and 88.5°C in the zein film to 82.8°C in the laminated whey protein–zein films may be implied some interaction formation between the two polymers. The small tan δ peaks were observed at −50°C in zein–glycerol films and at −22.37°C in the whey protein films and can be related to β‐relaxation phenomena or presence of glycerol rich region in polymer matrix. Zein‐olive oil and zein–whey protein–olive oil films showed tan δ peaks corresponded the Tg values at 113.8, and 92.4°C, respectively. Thus, replacing of glycerol with olive oil in film composition increased Tg. A good correspondence was obtained when DSC results were compared with the tan δ peaks in DMTA measurements. DSC thermograms suggested that plasticizers and biopolymers remained a homogeneous material throughout the cooling and heating cycle. The results showed that Tg of zein–glycerol films predicted by Couchman and Karasz equation is very close to value obtained by DSC experiments. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Reaction kinetics of dicyclohexylmethane‐4,4′‐diisocyanate with 1‐ and 2‐butanol: A model study for polyurethane formation
Authors: Moravek Scott J. , Storey Robson F. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractReactions of dicyclohexylmethane‐4,4′‐diisocyanate (H12MDI) with 1‐ or 2‐butanol in N,N‐dimethylformamide using dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL), stannous octoate (SnOct), or triethylamine (TEA) as catalyst were conducted in stirred reactors at 40°C. Reactor contents were circulated through an external loop containing a temperature‐controlled FTIR transmission cell; reaction progress was monitored by observing decrease in height of the isocyanate peak at 2266 cm−1. Catalyzed reactions were second order as indicated by linear 1/[NCO] plots; uncatalyzed reactions yielded nonlinear plots. In all cases, the reaction with a primary alcohol was faster than that with a secondary alcohol. DBTDL dramatically increased the reaction rate with both primary and secondary alcohols. For [DBTDL] = 5.3 × 10−5 mol/L (300 ppm Sn) the second‐order rate constant, k, was 5.9 × 10−4 (primary OH) and 1.8 × 10−4 L/(mol s) (secondary OH); for both alcohols, this represents an increase in initial reaction rate on the order of 2 × 101 when compared with the uncatalyzed reactions. The second‐order rate constant was observed to increase linearly with DBTDL concentration in the range 100–700 ppm Sn. SnOct and TEA showed little to no catalytic activity with the primary alcohol and only a slight increase in reaction rate with the secondary alcohol. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Dynamically vulcanized PP/EPDM blends: Influence of curing agents on the morphology evolution
Authors: Nicolini Adriana , de Campos Rocha Tatiana Louise Ávila , Maldaner Jacobi Marly Antonia 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThermoplastic vulcanizates (TPE‐Vs) are a special class of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), where the rubber phase is dynamically crosslinked in the presence of a thermoplastic matrix. The goal of this work is to compare the behavior of two curing agents systems, conventional peroxide named Peroximon and bismaleimide/dicumyl peroxide, in TPE‐Vs based on PP/EPDM 35/65 w/w. It was also investigated the TPE‐Vs morphological evolution and samples was collected at different times during the mixture and dynamic crosslinking. The materials were characterized by some techniques, which allowed investigating mechanical, morphological, hardness, and swelling properties. Considering the used curing agents contents, the TPE‐Vs obtained by using Peroximon presented lower tensile strength, lower swelling degree, and remarkable lower deformation than those obtained with BMI/DCP system. The hardness properties were not significantly affected by the content of the curing agent, showing only a slight decrease when the Peroximon content was increased. The study of the evolution of morphology showed the rubber phase undergoes crosslinking after adding the curing agent. It could be observed by the increase of the torque and by the appearance of domains in the micrographs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Holographic‐polymer‐dispersed liquid crystals doped with poly(vinyl carbazole)–fullerene
Authors: Kim Eun Hee , Woo Ju Yeon , Kim Byung Kyu 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe effects of poly(vinyl carbazole) (PVK) doped to a poly(urethane acrylate) matrix in holographic‐polymer‐dispersed liquid crystals were studied. With the addition and increasing amounts of PVK, the driving voltage and rising time of the films decreased because of the increased effective local electric field across the liquid crystal (LC) droplet. Off‐state diffraction efficiency was increased with the addition and increasing amounts of PVK presumably because of the increased elasticity of the polymer matrix, which augmented the phase separation of the polymer and LC by effectively squeezing the LC molecules out of the polymer matrix. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Preparation of di‐butyryl‐chitin scaffolds by using salt leaching method for tissue engineering and their characteristics
Authors: Özdemir Dicle , Schoukens Gustaaf , Göktepe Özer , Göktepe Fatma 
Published: May 2008

AbstractScaffolds are used as support material in treatment of damaged tissues such as cartilage and bone. With the help of scaffolds, damaged tissues can be cured in shorter period with less pain. Chitin is one of the most important scaffold materials curing the damaged tissues while providing a support for related part of the body during healing period. It is biocompatible and biodegradable; however it can not be solved by common solvents leading to the major drawback for this kind of applications. Therefore di‐butyril‐chitin (DBC), which is a chitin derivative and can be solved easily in solvents like acetone, ethanol, and methanol, is preferred for scaffold production instead of chitin. In this study, DBC scaffolds were produced for orthopedic applications and their structural and mechanical properties such as porosity, elasticity, compressibility, and strength were tested to confirm their suitability for such end‐uses. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Lignins as macromonomers for polyurethane synthesis: A comparative study on hydroxyl group determination
Authors: Cateto Carolina Andreia , Barreiro Maria Filomena , Rodrigues Alírio Egídio , Brochier‐Salon Marie Christine , Thielemans Wim , Belgacem Mohamed Naceur 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe hydroxyl group contents of four technical lignins [Indulin AT (Meadwestvaco), Alcell (Repap), Curan 27‐11P (Borregaard LignoTech), and Sarkanda (Granit SA)] were investigated in view of their valorization as polyols in polyurethane synthesis. The different hydroxyl group contents were determined by the following methods: titration and 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, and 31P‐NMR spectroscopy. The titration method chosen was on the basis of a standard method commonly used to characterize commercial polyols for polyurethanes synthesis. The values of the total and phenolic hydroxyl contents determined by the different techniques were found to be in good agreement. For the total hydroxyl contents, coefficients of variation of 5.6% (Alcell), 3.2% (Indulin AT), 2.3% (Sarkanda), and 6.2% (Curan 27‐11P) were established. For the phenolic hydroxyl contents, a good correlation was observed between data obtained from 31P‐NMR and 13C‐NMR for all lignin samples, except for the Sarkanda lignin, for which a relatively high coefficient of variation (12.6%) was found. For softwood lignins (Indulin AT and Curan 27‐11P), the phenolic hydroxyl content determined by 1H‐NMR was always lower than that deduced from 31P‐NMR and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Role of polymer–salt–solvent interactions in the electrospinning of polyacrylonitrile/iron acetylacetonate
Authors: Du Jinmei , Zhang Xiangwu 
Published: May 2008

AbstractElectrospinning is a process of producing ultrafine fibers by overcoming the surface tension of a polymer solution with electrostatic force. In this study, iron acetylacetonate was added to a polyacrylonitrile solution, and the role of polymer–salt–solvent interactions in the electrospinning of the ultrafine fibers was investigated. The polymer–salt–solvent interactions were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; and the solution viscosity, conductivity and surface tension were measured in solutions with different salt concentrations. The formation of polymer–salt–solvent interactions increased the solution viscosity, conductivity, and surface tension values at low salt concentrations. At high concentrations, the solution viscosity and surface tension decreased, but the conductivity remained relatively constant. The polymer–salt–solvent interactions influenced the structures of the electrospun fibers by changing the balance among the solution viscosity, conductivity, and surface tension. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008