bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary hypertension of sickle cell disease: More than just another lung disease
Authors: Klings Elizabeth S. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPulmonary hypertension (PH) of sickle cell disease (SCD), as defined by a tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity by echocardiogram of ≥2.5 m/sec, occurs in approximately 1/3 of HbSS adults and is an independent risk factor for martality. Although studies of the past few years have greatly expanded our knowledge of the clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of PH in SCD, many questions remain. Two of the key issues addressed by manuscripts in the issue of the American Journal of Hematology are the prevalence of PH in the large African SCD population and the association of PH with renal disease and systemic hypertension. Because of its high impact on mortality, the assessment of PH in the African population is crucial from a public health standpoint. The association of PH with systemic disease in SCD suggests that a more widespread vasculopathy occurs in these patients that may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the observed increase in mortality. It is through studies such as these that a greater understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension is sickle cell disease can ve achieved. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Primary central nervous system vasculitis: analysis of 101 patients
Authors: Salvarani Carlo , Brown Robert D. , Calamia Kenneth T. , Christianson Teresa J. H. , Weigand Stephen D. , Miller Dylan V. , Giannini Caterina , Meschia James F. , Huston John , Hunder Gene G. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze the clinical findings, response to therapy, outcome, and incidence of primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) in a large cohort from a single centerMethodsWe retrospectively studied 101 patients with PCNSV, selected by predetermined diagnostic criteria, who were seen during a 21‐year period. This was a collaborative study by five departments at a large multispecialty clinic. Clinical findings and outcomes were compared among patients categorized by method of diagnosis, response to therapy, survival, and degree of disability. An annual incidence rate was calculatedResultsSeventy patients were diagnosed by angiography and 31 by central nervous system biopsy. Three histological patterns were observed during biopsy. Although most patients responded to therapy, an increased mortality rate was observed. Relapses occurred in one fourth of patients. Mortality rate and disability at last follow‐up were greater in those who presented with a focal neurological deficit, cognitive impairment, cerebral infarctions, and angiographic large‐vessel involvement but were lower in those with prominent gadolinium‐enhanced lesions when evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. The annual incidence rate of PCNSV was 2.4 cases per 1,000,000 person‐yearsInterpretationPCNSV is a rare disease that may result in serious neurological outcomes or death. Angiography and brain biopsy may complement each other when determining the diagnosis. Early recognition and treatment may reduce poor outcomes. PCNSV is a variable syndrome that appears to consist of several subsets of heterogeneous diseases. Ann Neurol 2007
Polymer nanocomposites based on needle‐like sepiolite clays: Effect of functionalized polymers on the dispersion of nanofiller, crystallinity, and mechanical properties
Authors: Bilotti E. , Fischer H. R. , Peijs T. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPolypropylene (PP)/sepiolite (Sep) nanocomposites are prepared by melt compounding in a mini‐extruder apparatus. The often used maleic anhydride‐modified polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA) is compared with two custom‐made functionalized polymers, PP‐acid and the di‐block copolymer PP‐PEO, with respect to the filler dispersion and filler reinforcement efficiency. For that purpose, morphological and mechanical studies are carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and mechanical tensile tests. In addition, the nanocomposites are characterized by wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) techniques, to assess the effect of the nanofiller on the crystalline structure of the PP matrix nano‐filler. The use of PP‐PEO and PP‐acid resulted in a better nanofiller dispersion compared with traditional PP‐g‐MA‐modified systems. Sepiolite acts as nucleating agent for the crystallization of PP and seems to lead to an orientation of the α‐phase crystals. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Evaluation of tribological performance of surface‐treated carbon fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic polyimide composite
Authors: Li Jian , Cheng Xian‐Hua 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe effect of surface treatment [rare earth solution (RES) and air oxidation] of carbon fibers (CFs) on the mechanical and tribological properties of carbon fiber‐reinforced polyimide (CF/PI) composites was comparatively investigated. Experimental results revealed that surface treatment can effectively improve the interfacial adhesion between carbon fiber and PI matrix. Thus, the flexural strength and wear resistance were significantly improved. The RES surface treatment is superior to air oxidation treatment in promoting interfacial adhesion between carbon fiber and PI matrix. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Effect on the anti‐felt properties of atmospheric pressure plasma treated wool
Authors: Cai Zaisheng , Qiu Yiping 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWool fabrics were treated with air/helium and oxygen/helium atmospheric pressure plasmas. Wetting properties, anti‐felt properties, solubility properties in an alkaline medium, and tensile strength loss of the wool fabric were measured. Surface morphology and chemical compositions of the wool fabric were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. Both air/helium and oxygen/helium plasmas greatly improved wool shrink‐resistance (11.67% and 10.98%, respectively) with very little damage to the wools, though plasma treatments alone could not reach wool fabric “machine washable” level of 8% shrinkage. The reason for the treated wool having higher anti‐felt property was that the plasma treatments produced physical etching action to generate fiber surface cracks and induced the oxidation reaction to enrich oxygen and nitrogen on wool surface. The wool samples pretreated with atmospheric pressure plasma and subsequently treated with Synthappret BAP showed area shrinkages of 5.64% (air/helium) and 5.23% (oxygen/helium), and thus met the machine washable requirement. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Morphology and nonisothermal crystallization of a polyacetal/poly(ε‐caprolactone) reactive blend prepared via a chain‐transfer reaction
Authors: Kawaguchi Kuniaki , Nakao Hiroaki , Masuda Eiji , Tajima Yoshihisa 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA polyacetal (POM)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) reactive blend prepared via a chain‐transfer reaction was investigated with respect to its morphology and nonisothermal crystallization, and the results were compared with those of a simple POM/PCL blend. The reactive blend had a microscopically phase‐separated morphology in which the diameter of the PCL microphase was below 100 nm, and it clearly yielded ring‐banded spherulites, whereas between the two blends, there were no significant differences in the diameters and polygonal edges of the spherulites and in the long period of the POM phases. The PCL part of the reactive blend crystallized within the confined microspace with about 10% lower crystallinity than that of the corresponding simple blend. A lower Avrami exponent and crystallization rate parameter of the PCL part were observed in the primary crystallization process of the reactive blend. In contrast, the crystallinity of the POM component and the nonisothermal crystallization kinetic parameters of the POM part showed no noticeable differences between the two blends at any given cooling rate. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effect of cell‐adhesive‐molecule‐coated poly(lactide‐ co‐glycolide) film on the cellular behaviors of olfactory ensheathing cells and Schwann cells
Authors: Park Ki Suk , Kim Su Mi , Kim Moon Suk , Lee Ilwoo , Rhee John Moon , Lee Hai Bang , Khang Gilson 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe surface properties of polymeric devices that are used to repair damaged nervous tissue are a point to be considered for axon regeneration in the nervous system. In this study, we investigated the interaction of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and Schwann cells (SCs) with poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) film surfaces coated with various cell‐adhesive molecules. We used cell adhesives such as fibronectin, fibrinogen, laminin, vitronectin, poly(d‐lysine), and poly(l‐lysine) to coat PLGA film surfaces. We cultured 1 × 104 cells/cm2 (OECs or SCs) on coated or uncoated PLGA film surfaces, and then we examined the cell attachment and proliferation by cell count and scanning electron microscopy observation. In addition, we evaluated relative messenger RNA expression of neuronal cell‐adhesion molecules by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cell count results revealed differences caused by initial cell adhesion related to protein adsorption on the PLGA surface. In addition, neurite outgrowth and the proliferation rate of OECs or SCs revealed differences according to the presence of serum in the medium. As a result, we recognized that the attachment and proliferation of OECs or SCs were affected by specific cell‐adhesive molecules. In conclusion, the selection of optimal adhesive molecules is an important consideration for manufacturing nerve guidance and neural cell cultures for tissue‐engineered nerve regeneration. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Separation and recovery of gold(III) from base metal ions using melamine–formaldehyde–thiourea chelating resin
Authors: Aydın Abdülhakim , İmamoğlu Mustafa , Gülfen Mustafa 
Published: October 2007

AbstractMelamine–formaldehyde–thiourea (MFT) chelating resin has been prepared. Au3+ ions uptake behavior and selectivity of the chelating resin were investigated by both batch and column methods. MFT resin showed higher affinity toward Au3+ compared with base metal ions, Cu2+ and Zn2+. The highest Au3+ uptake values were obtained at pH 2 and Au3+ adsorption capacity of the resin was calculated as 48 mg Au3+/g resin (0.246 mmol Au3+/g resin) by batch method. It was concluded that Au3+ ions could be selectively concentrated from the solution including Cu2+ and Zn2+ base metal ions by column method. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effects of water on the long‐term properties of Bis‐GMA and silylated‐(Bis‐GMA) polymers
Authors: Rivera‐Torres Filiberto , Vera‐Graziano Ricardo 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBis‐GMA (2,2‐bis‐[4‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methacryloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane) is a viscous hygroscopic monomer which is used with triethyleneglycol‐dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) for dental restorations. Bis‐GMA was silylated with dimethyl‐isopropyl‐siloxane and further polymerized in order to increase water resistance and viscosity. The viscosity of the silylated monomer, Sil·Bis‐GMA, was 50 times lower than that of the parent monomer. After 1 month in water, poly(Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA) absorbed 2.6% water and the silylated polymer, poly(Sil·Bis‐GMA), only 0.56%. During this process water extracted residual monomer from each polymer. The behavior of water sorption and desorption as a function of time in poly(Sil·Bis‐GMA) was completely different from that shown by poly(Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA). The difference is discussed in terms of diffusion coefficients. Initially, water advancing contact angles (θADV) were 75° and 95°, respectively. After 1 month in water both polymers showed a reduction of about 20° in θADV. In poly(Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA), the reduction in θADV obey to water absorption and bulk plasticization; it showed a reduction of 15°C in glass transition temperature, Tg. In contrast, the reduction in θADV in poly (Sil·Bis‐GMA) obeyed to water adsorption and reorientation of the molecules at the surface in contact with the water phase; it only showed a change of 2°C in Tg. Contact angle hysteresis provided further evidence about plasticization. According to our results poly(Sil·Bis‐GMA) is more stable in water than poly(Bis‐GMA/TEGDMA). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
FTIR, 1H‐NMR spectra, and thermal characterization of water‐based polyurethane/acrylic hybrids
Authors: Pardini O. R. , Amalvy J. I. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPolyurethane (PU) polymer was synthesized following a prepolymer mixing process, by polyaddition of isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (DMPA). The PU anionomer having 2‐ethoxymethacrylate terminal groups was dispersed in water by prior neutralization of carboxylic acid groups of DMPA with triethylamine (TEA), chain extended with hydrazine (HZM) in water and a dispersion polymerization with methyl methacrylate/n‐butyl acrylate/acrylic acid mixture was performed. The above polymerization reactions lead to the formation of PU/acrylic hybrids having a chemical bond between PU and acrylic moieties. Acrylic content was varied from 0 to 50 wt % and samples were purified to eliminate oligomers and impurities before characterization. The FTIR and 1H‐NMR spectra of these purified hybrid samples were obtained and bands and peaks assignments were discussed. Thermal properties (DSC and TGA) were also discussed. Breaking hydrogen bonds is the main reason for changes in properties with increasing acrylic content. Particle size data of dispersions is also presented and discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
A novel direct aerodynamically assisted threading methodology for generating biologically viable microthreads encapsulating living primary cells
Authors: Arumuganathar Sumathy , Irvine Scott , McEwan Jean R. , Jayasinghe Suwan N. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn a recent discovery, coaxial electrospinning was explored to encapsulate living organisms within a continuous bio‐polymeric microthread from which active biological scaffolds were fabricated (Townsend‐Nicholson and Jayasinghe, Biomacromolecules 2006, 7, 3364). The cells were demonstrated to have gone through all expected cellular activity without their viability being compromised. These biologically active threads and scaffolds have direct and tremendous applicability from regenerative to therapeutic medicine. Currently these post‐processed cells as composite threads and scaffolds are being investigated in‐depth at a cellular level to establish if the processing methodology has any affect on the cellular make‐up. We now demonstrate a competing non‐electric field driven approach for fabricating composite threads and scaffolds influenced only by a differential pressure. We refer to this novel composite thread to scaffold fabrication methodology as coaxial aerodynamically assisted bio‐threading (CAABT). Our investigations firstly, demonstrate that this technique can process handle living organisms without biologically perturbing them in anyway. Secondly the process is elucidated as possessing the ability to form composite active threads from which biologically viable scaffolds are formed. Finally our study employs florescent activated cell sorting (FACScan), a method by which the cellular dynamics and viability are quantified on control and threaded cellular samples at two prescribed time points. In parallel with FACScan, optical comparison of cellular morphology at three time points within a period of three weeks is carried out to photographically observe any changes in the post‐processed cellular phenotype. Our developmental investigations into this novel aerodynamically assisted threading methodology has unearthed a unique biomicrofabrication approach, which joins cell electrospinning in the cell threading to scaffold fabrication endeavor. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Establishing the optimal sizes of different kinds of biorefineries
Authors: Wright Mark , Brown Robert C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis paper explores the factors that influence the optimal size of biorefineries and the resulting unit cost of biofuels produced by them. Technologies examined include dry grind corn to ethanol, lignocellulosic ethanol via enzymatic hydrolysis, gasification and upgrading to hydrogen, methanol, and Fischer Tropsch liquids, gasification of lignocellulosic biomass to mixed alcohols, and fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass to bio‐oil. On the basis of gallons of gasoline equivalent (gge) capacity, optimally sized gasification‐to‐biofuels plants were found to be 50–100% larger than biochemical cellulosic ethanol plants. Biorefineries converting lignocellulosic biomass into transportation fuels were found to be optimally sized in the range of 240–486 million gge per year compared to 79 million gge per year for a grain ethanol plant. Among the biofuel options, ethanol, whether produced biochemically or thermochemically, is the most expensive to produce. Lignocellulosic biorefineries will require 4.7–7.8 million tons of biomass annually compared to 1.2 million tons of corn grain for a grain ethanol plant. Factors that could reduce the optimal size of lignocellulosic biorefineries are discussed. © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Modeling Disease Incidence Data with Spatial and Spatio Temporal Dirichlet Process Mixtures
Authors: Kottas Athanasios , Duan Jason A. , Gelfand Alan E. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractDisease incidence or mortality data are typically available as rates or counts for specified regions, collected over time. We propose Bayesian nonparametric spatial modeling approaches to analyze such data. We develop a hierarchical specification using spatial random effects modeled with a Dirichlet process prior. The Dirichlet process is centered around a multivariate normal distribution. This latter distribution arises from a log‐Gaussian process model that provides a latent incidence rate surface, followed by block averaging to the areal units determined by the regions in the study. With regard to the resulting posterior predictive inference, the modeling approach is shown to be equivalent to an approach based on block averaging of a spatial Dirichlet process to obtain a prior probability model for the finite dimensional distribution of the spatial random effects. We introduce a dynamic formulation for the spatial random effects to extend the model to spatio‐temporal settings. Posterior inference is implemented through Gibbs sampling. We illustrate the methodology with simulated data as well as with a data set on lung cancer incidences for all 88 counties in the state of Ohio over an observation period of 21 years. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Long‐distance corticocortical GABAergic neurons in the adult monkey white and gray matter
Authors: Tomioka Ryohei , Rockland Kathleen S. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA subgroup of GABAergic neurons has been reported to project over long distances in several species. Here we demonstrate that long‐distance cortically projecting nonpyramidal neurons occur in monkeys in both white and gray matter. Nonpyramidal neurons were first identified morphologically. Visualization of Golgi‐like details was achieved by retrograde infection from injections of an adenovirus vector, producing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under control of a neuron‐specific promoter. Injections in areas V1, V4, TEO, and posterior TE resulted in EGFP‐expressing nonpyramidal neurons up to 1.5 cm distant from the injections, mainly in the white matter. Some neurons occurred in the gray matter, mainly in layer 3, but also in layers 5 and 6, and, very occasionally, layer 1. As control, we injected cholera toxin subunit B, a standard retrograde tracer, in V4, and observed a similarly wide distribution of neurons in the white matter. Second, the GABAergic identity of EGFP‐expressing nonpyramidal neurons was established by colabeling for EGFP and GAD67 in selected tissue sections. Most neurons positive for EGFP and GAD67 were positive for somatostatin (SS; 90%). Of those neurons positive for EGFP and SS, almost all were also positive for neuronal nitric oxide synthase or m2 muscarinic receptor, but only 23% were also positive for calretinin. None were positive for parvalbumin. We conclude that long‐distance projecting GABAergic neurons 1) are phylogenetically conserved, although in monkeys most gray matter neurons are in the upper layers, and 2) are heterogeneous in terms of their neurochemistry, location, and potentially function. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:526–538, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cellular and subcellular localization of the GABAB receptor 1a/b subunit in the rat periaqueductal gray matter
Authors: Barbaresi Paolo 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe inhibitory effects of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurotransmission in the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) are mediated, at least partly, by metabotropic GABAB receptor subtypes whose cellular and subcellular localization is still unknown. We performed immunohistochemical experiments with an antibody against GABAB receptor subtype 1a/b (GABABR1a/b) by using light and electron microscopy. On light microscopy, GABABR1a/b immunoreactivity (IR) was in all columns, defined by cytochrome oxidase histochemistry. Neuropil labeling was strongest in the lateral portion of dorsolateral PAG. Labeled neurons, albeit not numerous, were in ventrolateral, dorsal, and medial subdivisions and were sparser in dorsolateral PAG. Labeling was mostly on the soma of PAG neurons. Sometimes GABABR1a/b IR spread along proximal dendrites; in these cases bipolar neurons were the most common type. On electron microscopy, GABABR1a/b IR was mainly on dendrites (54.92% of labeled elements) and axon terminals (21.90%) making synapses with labeled and unlabeled postsynaptic elements. Presynaptic labeling was also on unmyelinated and myelinated axons (overall 8% of all labeled elements). Postsynaptically, GABABR1a/b IR was at extrasynaptic sites on dendritic shafts; spines were always unlabeled. On axon terminals, GABABR1a/b IR was on extrasynaptic membranes and sometimes on presynaptic membrane specializations. Of the labeled elements, 13.03% elements were distal astrocytic processes (dAsPs) surrounding both symmetric and asymmetric synapses whose pre‐ and postsynaptic elements were often labeled. Immunoreactive dAsPs were around the soma and dendrites of both labeled and unlabeled neurons. These findings provide insights into the intrinsic PAG organization and suggest that presynaptic, postsynaptic, and glial GABAB receptors may play crucial roles in controlling PAG neuronal activity. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:478–492, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.