bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Co3O4 Nanoparticles Using the Cage-Shaped Protein, Apoferritin
Authors: Tsukamoto Rikako , Iwahori Kenji , Muraoka Masahiro , Yamashita Ichiro 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
The one-pot synthesis of cobalt (Co) oxide nanoparticles in the apoferritin cavities was studied. A detailed survey revealed that the optimum conditions are mixing 3 mM Co(II) ion with 0.5 mg/mL apoferritin in 100 mM HEPES pH 8.3 buffer solution followed by the oxidation of Co(II) ion by the addition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at 50 °C. Under these optimum conditions, Co oxide cores were formed in almost all the apoferritin cavities in a spatially selected manner. The selection of the buffer reagent was critical to synthesizing the Co oxide cores and the elevated temperature was effective for the fast synthesis. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) proved that the cores contain cobalt atoms. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) structure study revealed the core structure as Co3O4, which was consistent with the lattice images of the cores observed by high resolution TEM. The biological process presented in this paper provides a simple and mass-producible method for producing homogenous Co3O4 nanoparticles.
DNA-templated Cooperative Formation of the Luminous Lanthanide Complex and Its Analytical Application to Gene Detection
Authors: Kitamura Yusuke , Ihara Toshihiro , Tsujimura Yusuke , Tazaki Masato , Jyo Akinori 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 1,10-phenanthrorine (phen) were covalently attached to the 5′ and 3′ ends of two different oligonucleotides (ODNs), respectively. The sequences of the ODN conjugates were designed to contiguously hybridize on the target DNA with their auxiliary units facing each other, providing a microenvironment to accommodate the lanthanide ions. The characteristic emissions of the Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions were clearly observed in the presence of the full-matched target DNA. On the other hand, the emissions from the mixed solutions with the mutant containing one base displacement were marginal.
Assessment of osteoarthritis after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament
Authors: Hart A. J. , Buscombe J. , Malone A. , Dowd G. S. E. 
Published: October 2005

We used single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to determine the long-term risk of degenerative change after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Our study population was a prospective series of 31 patients with a mean age at injury of 27.8 years (18 to 47) and a mean follow-up of ten years (9 to 13) after bone-patellar tendon-bone reconstruction of the ACL. The contralateral normal knee was used as a control. All knees were clinically stable with high clinical scores (mean Lysholm score, 93; mean Tegner activity score, 6). Fifteen patients had undergone a partial meniscectomy and ACL reconstruction at or before reconstruction of their ACL. In the group with an intact meniscus, clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) were found in only one patient (7%), who was also the only patient with marked isotope uptake on the SPECT scan compatible with OA. In the group which underwent a partial meniscectomy, clinical symptoms of OA were found in two patients (13%), who were among five (31%) with isotope uptake compatible with OA. Only one patient (7%) in this group had evidence of advanced OA on plain radiographs. The risk of developing OA after ACL reconstruction in this series is very low and lower than published figures for untreated ACL-deficient knees. There is a significant increase (p < 0.05) in degenerative change in patients who had a reconstruction of their ACL and a partial meniscectomy compared with those who had a reconstruction of their ACL alone.
Ten-year in vivo wear measurement of a fully congruent mobile bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
Authors: Price A. J. , Short A. , Kellett C. , Beard D. , Gill H. , Pandit H. , Dodd C. A. F. , Murray D. W. 
Published: October 2005

Polyethylene particulate wear debris continues to be implicated in the aetiology of aseptic loosening following knee arthroplasty. The Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty employs a spherical femoral component and a fully congruous meniscal bearing to increase contact area and theoretically reduce the potential for polyethylene wear. This study measures the in vivo ten-year linear wear of the device, using a roentgenstereophotogrammetric technique. In this in vivo study, seven medial Oxford unicompartmental prostheses, which had been implanted ten years previously were studied. Stereo pairs of radiographs were acquired for each patient and the films were analysed using a roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis calibration and a computer-aided design model silhouette-fitting technique. Penetration of the femoral component into the original volume of the bearing was our estimate of linear wear. In addition, eight control patients were examined less than three weeks post-insertion of an Oxford prosthesis, where no wear would be expected. The control group showed no measured wear and suggested a system accuracy of 0.1 mm. At ten years, the mean linear wear rate was 0.02 mm/year. The results from this in vivo study confirm that the device has low ten-year linear wear in clinical practice. This may offer the device a survival advantage in the long term.
Finite-element analysis of failure of the Capital Hip designs
Authors: Janssen D. , Aquarius R. , Stolk J. , Verdonschot N. 
Published: October 2005

The Capital Hip implant was a Charnley-based system which included a flanged and a roundback stem, both of which were available in stainless steel and titanium. The system was withdrawn from the market because of its inferior performance. However, all four of the designs did not produce poor rates of survival. Using a simulated-based, finite-element analysis, we have analysed the Capital Hip system. Our aim was to investigate whether our simulation was able to detect differences which could account for the varying survival between the Capital Hip designs, thereby further validating the simulation. We created finite-element models of reconstructions with the flanged and roundback Capital Hips. A loading history was applied representing normal walking and stair-climbing, while we monitored the formation of fatigue cracks in the cement. Corresponding to the clinical findings, our simulation was able to detect the negative effects of the titanium material and the flanged design in the Capital Hip system. Although improvements could be made by including the effect of the roughness of the surface of the stem, our study increased the value of the model as a predictive tool for determining failure of an implant.
The use of a virtual three-dimensional model to evaluate the intraosseous space available for percutaneous screw fixation of acetabular fractures
Authors: Attias N. , Lindsey R. W. , Starr A. J. , Borer D. , Bridges K. , Hipp J. A. 
Published: October 2005

We created virtual three-dimensional reconstruction models from computed tomography scans obtained from patients with acetabular fractures. Virtual cylindrical implants were placed intraosseously in the anterior column, the posterior column and across the dome of the acetabulum. The maximum diameter which was entirely contained within the bone was determined for each position of the screw. In the same model, the cross-sectional diameters of the columns were measured and compared to the maximum diameter of the corresponding virtual implant. We found that the mean maximum diameter of virtual implant accommodated by the anterior columns was 6.4 mm and that the smallest diameter of the columns was larger than the maximum diameter of the equivalent virtual implant. This study suggests that the size of the screw used for percutaneous fixation of acetabular fractures should not be based solely on the measurement of cross-sectional diameter and that virtual three-dimensional reconstructions might be useful in pre-operative planning.
Shift from Conn’s syndrome to Cushing’s syndrome in a recurrent adrenocortical carcinoma
Authors: Barzon L , Masi G , Fincati K , Pacenti M , Pezzi V , Altavilla G , Fallo F , Palù G 
Published: October 2005

Objective: Adrenocortical tumors may originate from the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, or zona reticularis and be associated with syndromes due to overproduction of mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, or androgens respectively. We report an unusual case of recurrent adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), which seems to contradict the paradigm of functional adrenal zonation.
Case report: A male patient presented with severe primary aldosteronism due to an ACC, which relapsed after adrenalectomy and adjuvant mitotane therapy. After removal of the tumor recurrence and eight cycles of chemotherapy with etoposide, doxorubicin and cisplatin, the patient presented again with ACC masses, but in association with overt Cushing’s syndrome and normal aldosterone levels.
Methods and results: Extensive pathologic examination showed that this shift in steroid hormone production was paralleled by an attenuation of tumor cell atypia and polymorphism, whereas gene expression profile analysis demonstrated a change in expression of adrenal steroidogenic enzymes. Moreover, cancer progression was associated with overexpression of the inhibin-α subunit, which could have contributed to the phenotypic changes.
Conclusions: This case of recurrent ACC demonstrates that adrenocortical cells can reverse their differentiation program during neoplastic progression and change their specific hormone synthesis, as a consequence of modifications in the expression profile of steroidogenic enzymes and cofactors. We hypothesize that this shift in steroid hormone secretion is a consequence of chromosome amplification induced by chemotherapy. These findings, besides opening new perspectives to study adrenocortical cell plasticity and potential, demonstrate how conventional clinical and pathologic evaluation can be combined with genomic analysis in order to dissect thoroughly the biology of cancer.
Efficacy and safety of Monascus purpureus Went rice in subjects with hyperlipidemia
Authors: Lin Cheng-Chieh , Li Tsai-Chung , Lai Ming-May 
Published: October 2005

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the lipid-lowering effect of Monascus purpureus Went rice on serum lipids in patients with hyperlipidemia, and to assess its safety by reporting adverse events and clinical laboratory measurements.
Design and methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. In all, 79 patients (aged 23–65 years) with a mean baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level of 5.28 mmol/l (203.9 mg/dl) received a twice daily dose of placebo or Monascus purpureus Went rice (600 mg) for 8 weeks.
Results: At week 8, Monascus purpureus Went rice therapy reduced LDL-C by 27.7%, total cholesterol by 21.5%, triglycerides by 15.8% and apolipoprotein B by 26.0%. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels were increased by 0.9 and 3.4% respectively (not significant). No patient in the Monascus purpureus Went rice treatment group had an alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or creatine phosphokinase (CPK) measurement that was ≥ 3 times the upper limit of normal at week 4 and week 8.
Conclusion: Monascus purpureus Went rice significantly reduced LDL-C, total cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B levels, and was well tolerated in patients with hyperlipidemia. However, this study only provides data from an 8-week trial and long-term safety and efficacy data are needed.
The tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α system is activated in accordance with pulse pressure in normotensive subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: González-Clemente J M , Giménez-Pérez G , Richart C , Broch M , Caixàs A , Megia A , Giménez-Palop O , Simón I , Mauricio D , Vendrell J 
Published: October 2005

Objective: Pulse pressure (PP) and inflammation are important predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD), even in the normotensive. The age-related increase in PP can be diagnosed up to 20 years earlier in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) than in the general population. Some evidence suggests that PP can stimulate inflammation. Our aim was to study the relationship between PP and plasma inflammatory proteins in normotensive subjects with T1DM.
Design: This was a cross-sectional study of a group of normotensive (<140/80 mmHg) subjects diagnosed with T1DM 14 years before. None of them had clinically proven CVD or inflammatory conditions or were on antiplatelet, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory or lipid-lowering treatment.
Methods: The following information was recorded: sex, age, body-mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), PP, mean blood pressure (MBP), smoking, alcohol intake, insulin dose, lipid profile, HbA1c, microvascular complications, and plasma concentrations of soluble receptor types 1 and 2 of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2, respectively), interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, adiponectin and leptin.
Results: A total of 112 subjects were evaluated (aged 27.4±6.6 years, 52.7% women, BMI: 20.4±2.7 kg/m2, WHR: 0.82±0.09, SBP: 112±12 mmHg, DBP: 68±9 mmHg, PP: 45±9 mmHg, MBP: 82±9 mmHg, HbA1c: 8.2% (7.3–9.0%), 41.1% microvascular complications). After adjusting for potential confounders, only inflammatory markers of the TNF-α system correlated significantly with PP (Pearson correlation coefficient between sTNFR1 and PP: r = 0.215, P = 0.030; and between PP and sTNFR2: r = 0.238, P = 0.020).
Conclusion: In normotensive subjects with T1DM after 14 years of diagnosis, the activation of the TNF-α system is positively associated with PP levels. This finding might suggest a pathogenic role of the TNF-α system in the development of cardiovascular disease in T1DM.
The Imposter: A Motivational Strategy to Encourage Reading in Adolescents
Authors: Curran Michael J. , Smith Elizabeth C. 
Published: October 2005

The Imposter is a strategy that encourages a focused approach to reading among adolescents. Contradictions or other types of conceptual flaws are inserted into a reading passage. The reader, knowing that flaws are hidden in the text, attempts to discover the errors. The reader then justifies his or her identification of flaws based on the concepts developed in the reading. In other words, the reader must demonstrate why the identified aspect or passage does not fit with the rest of the text.This article suggests several guidelines for implementing the strategy. The Imposter has wide applicability in subject matter text as well as across reading levels. Four examples are given—including readings from mathematics, chemistry, art, and English literature—which demonstrate not only the content and reading level of the passage, but also the degree of subtlety involved in the inserted flaw.
Nanofiber Generation of Gelatin–Hydroxyapatite Biomimetics for Guided Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Kim H.‐W. , Song J.‐H. , Kim H.‐E. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe development of biomimetic bone matrices is one of the major goals in the bone‐regeneration and tissue‐engineering fields. Nanocomposites consisting of a natural polymer and hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocrystals, which mimic the human bone matrix, are thus regarded as promising bone regenerative materials. Herein, we developed a biomimetic nanocomposite with a novel nanofibrous structure by employing an electrospinning (ES) method. The HA precipitate/gelatin matrix nanocomposites are lyophilized and dissolved in an organic solvent, and then electrospun under controlled conditions. With this process, we can successfully generate a continuous fiber with a diameter of the order of hundreds of nanometers. The internal structure of the nanofiber features a typical nanocomposite, i.e., HA nanocrystals well distributed within a gelatin matrix. These nanocomposite fibers improve the bone‐derived cellular activity significantly when compared to the pure gelatin equivalent. This method of generating a nanofiber of the biomimetic nanocomposite was effective in producing a biomedical membrane with a composition gradient, which is potentially applicable in the field of guided tissue regeneration (GTR).
Studies on Simulated Ageing of Paper by Photochemical Degradation
Authors: Campanella Luigi , Battilotti Massimo , Costanza Cecilia 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe study of the ageing of two paper types was performed on monitoring it during a simulated process by means of the measure of the photocatalytic degradation of the paper cellulose. Such evaluation was possible due to the combined responses of a photosensor based on titanium dioxide in suspension, of an enzymatic biosensor based on superoxide dismutase (SOD), of a specific conductivity sensor and of an enzymatic biosensor based on glucose oxidase.
Headspace Solid Phase Micro Extraction GC‐ECD Determination of Volatile Organic Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Soils
Authors: Pastore Paolo , Favaro Gabriella , Badocco Denis , Lavagnini Irma 
Published: October 2005

AbstractSoil samples were suspended in a suitable aqueous solvent and a solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibre was used to sample the headspace (HS) for five volatile chlorinated compounds (VOX). Their determination was made by GC‐ECD technique in the splitless mode. Preliminary studies on the effects of methanol and of the sand/clay ratio on the fibre extraction were made. Four experimental factors, namely, extraction time, extraction temperature, pH and NaCl %, able to affect distribution of the analytes among the four different phases, were varied in suitable ranges. A multivariate approach applied to the face centred cube (FCC) experimental design, was used to try to optimise the overall sample response. The suitable set of factors found for the determination of chloroform, 1,2‐dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, 1,1,2‐trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2‐tetrachloroethane, was a compromise among the relevant optimal factor sets of the single analytes. Detection limits of 0.003 ng, 0,022 ng, 0,001 ng, 0,015 ng and 0,002 ng were found respectively for the five cited analytes. The method was successfully used to determine the analyte contents in two real soils sampled in an industrial area.
Composition of Aqueous Solutions Containing Sodium Glycocholate and Glycodeoxycholate
Authors: Bottari Emilio , Festa Maria Rosa 
Published: October 2005

AbstractComposition and existence range of aggregates formed by sodium glycocholate and glycodeoxycholate contemporary present in aqueous micellar and premicellar solutions were investigated. Solubility measurements of lead (II) glycocholate and glycodeoxycholate give analytical concentration of lead (II) and glycocholate and glycodeoxycholate, respectively. Electromotive force measurements provide the free concentration of hydrogen, sodium and lead (II) ions. Experimental data obtained at 25 °C and at three different concentrations of N(CH3)4Cl, used as a constant ionic medium, can be explained by assuming the presence of aggregates of different composition depending on the reagent and ionic medium concentrations. Next to two species containing only glycocholate or glycodeoxycholate, the presence of aggregates formed with the contemporary participation of both bile anions in different ratios was assumed. Species with the hydrogen ion participation are not present in appreciable quantity in the investigated concentration range. As expected, the size of aggregates increases by increasing reagent and ionic medium concentration. Most of the species can be explained with a “core + link” mechanism, where all the glycocholate aggregation numbers are even, while those of glycodeoxycholate are always multiple of three. Analogy and difference with aggregates formed by the two bile anions separately are discussed.
A Method for Risk Assessment for Three Contaminated Sites in Northern Italy
Authors: Critto Andrea , Nadal Nadia , Carlon Claudio , Marcomini Antonio 
Published: October 2005

AbstractA stepwise human health risk assessment procedure carried out using American Society for Testing and Materials methodology was applied to three contaminated sites located in northern Italy: an uncontrolled landfill, an abandoned industrial site and an industrial waste contaminated land. Two different tiers of analysis were performed by means of the analytical model RBCA Tool Kit and the numerical model API‐DSS, respectively. The latter was applied according to both a deterministic and a probabilistic risk analysis. The comparison of the two approaches highlighted the great benefit provided by probabilistic analysis for the risk assessment based on site specific parameters and more complex models, in particular for groundwater exposure route. Finally, the risk‐based site specific target levels were compared to the generic regulatory threshold limits fixed by the Italian regulation. The comparison showed the regulatory limits generally too restrictive for non‐carcinogenic substances but less protective for carcinogenic chemicals, outlining the need of a site‐specific risk assessment especially for carcinogenic substances.
Direct Gravimetric Measurements of the Mass of the Antarctic Aerosol Collected by High Volume Sampler: PM10 Summer Seasonal Variation at Terra Nova Bay
Authors: Truzzi Cristina , Lambertucci Luca , Illuminati Silvia , Annibaldi Anna , Scarponi Giuseppe 
Published: October 2005

AbstractAn on‐site procedure was set up for direct gravimetric measurement of the mass of aerosol collected using high volume impactors (aerodynamic size cut point of 10 μm, PM10); this knowledge has hitherto been unavailable. Using a computerized microbalance in a clean chemistry laboratory, under controlled temperature (±0.5 °C) and relative humidity (±1 %), continuous, long time filter mass measurements (hours) were carried out before and after exposure, after a 48 h minimun equilibration at the laboratory conditions. The effect of the electrostatic charge was exhausted in 30‐60 min, after which stable measurements were obtained. Measurements of filters exposed for 7‐11 days (1.13 m3 min−1) in a coastal site near Terra Nova Bay (December 2000 – February 2001), gave results for aerosol mass in the order of 10‐20 mg (SD ∼2 mg), corresponding to atmospheric concentrations of 0.52‐1.27 μg m−3. Data show a seasonal behaviour in the PM10 content with an increase during December – early January, followed by a net decrease. The above results compare well with estimates obtained from proxy data for the Antarctic Peninsula (0.30 μg m−3), the Ronne Ice Shelf (1.49 μg m−3), and the South Pole (0.18 μg m−3, summer 1974‐1975, and 0.37 μg m−3, average summer seasons 1975‐ 1976 and 1977‐1978), and from direct gravimetric measurements recently obtained from medium volume samplers at McMurdo station (downwind 3.39 μg m−3, upwind 4.15 μg m−3) and at King George Island (2.5 μg m−3, summer, particle diameter <20 μm). This finding opens the way to the direct measurement of the chemical composition of the Antarctic aerosol and, in turn, to a better knowledge of the snow/air relationships as required for the reconstruction of the chemical composition of past atmospheres from deep ice core data.