bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An animal study of the effects on p16 and PCNA expression of repeated treatment with high‐energy laser and intense pulsed light exposure
Authors: Chan Henry H.L. , Yang C.H. , Leung Joseph C.K. , Wei W.I. , Lai K.N. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveNon‐ablative skin rejuvenation treatments that involve the use of laser/light sources together with cooling devices have gained much popularity in recent years due to the lack of down time that is associated with them. One important but neglected issue is long‐term safety. Does the repeated use of non‐ablative skin rejuvenation lead to photoaging? Are we creating another sun‐bed phenomenon? Recently, we performed an in vitro study to examine the effect of sub‐lethal QS 755 nm lasers on the expression of p16INK4a on melanoma cell lines, and found that sub‐lethal laser damage could increase DNA damage, which led to an increase in p16 expression. Our objective was to assess the cutaneous effect of repeated exposure to high‐energy lasers and intense pulsed light sources on male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice.Study Design/Materials and MethodsTwenty‐eight male ICR mice were divided into four groups. Other than the control group, all groups received either laser (585 nm pulsed dye laser or 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser) or intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment. All four groups were anesthetized with a mixture of Hypnorm/Dormicum before treatment. The animals were irradiated twice a week for 6 months. Signs of toxicity such as mortality and weight loss were checked once a week. Skin tumor formation was evidenced by lesions of greater than 1 mm in diameter that persisted for 2 weeks. At the end of the 6 months, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p16 in the mouse skin was determined by immunohistochemical staining and immunoblotting using specific monoclonal antibodies for mouse PCNA and p16. The results were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). Statistical difference was assessed by multiple ANOVA. A P‐value of <0.05 was considered to be significant.ResultsAt the end of the 6 months, none of the animals had developed any signs of toxicity such as mortality or weight lost. There was no evidence of tumor formation. There were significant elevations of p16 and PCNA in all treated groups as compared to the control group (ANOVA P < 0.05). This particularly applied to the group that was treated with the 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser.ConclusionThe repeated use of high‐energy laser and intense pulsed light source did not cause any toxicity in mice. The changes in p16 and PCNA imply that further studies are necessary to consider the implications of repeated exposure to longer wavelength radiation in human skin. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laser‐induced thermotherapy (LITT) elevates mRNA expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) associated with reduced tumor growth of liver metastases compared to hepatic resection
Authors: Isbert Christoph , Ritz Jörg‐Peter , Roggan André , Schuppan Detlef , Ajubi Navid , Buhr Heinz Johannes , Hohenberger Werner , Germer Christoph‐Thomas 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesProliferation and synthesis of hepatocellular tissue after tissue damage are promoted by specific growth factors such as hepatic tissue growth factor (HGF) and connective growth factor (CTGF). Laser‐induced thermotherapy (LITT) for the treatment of liver metastases is deemed to be a parenchyma‐saving procedure compared to hepatic resection. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of LITT and hepatic resection on intrahepatic residual tumor tissue and expression levels of mRNA HGF/CTGF within liver and tumor tissue.Study Design/Materials and MethodsTwo independent adenocarcinomas (CC531) were implanted into 75 WAG rats, one in the right (untreated tumor) and one in the left liver lobe (treated tumor). The left lobe tumor was treated either by LITT or partial hepatectomy. The control tumor was submitted to in‐situ hybridization of HGF and CTGF 24–96 hours and 14 days after intervention.ResultsVolumes of the untreated tumors prior to intervention were 38±8 mm3 in group I (laser), 39 ± 7 mm3 in group II (resection), and 42 ± 12 mm3 in group III (control) and did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). Fourteen days after the intervention the mean tumor±SEM volume of untreated tumor in group I (laser) [223 ± 36] was smaller than in group II (resection) [1233.28 ± 181.52; P < 0.001], and in group III (control) [978.92 ± 87.57; P < 0.003]. Forty‐eight hours after the intervention intrahepatic mRNA expression level of HGF in group II (resection) was almost twofold higher than in group I (laser) [7.2 ± 1.0 c/mf vs. 3.9 ± 0.4 c/mf; P<0.01]. Fourteen days after the intervention intrahepatic mRNA expression level of CTGF in group I (laser) was higher than in group II (resection) [13.89 ± 0.77 c/mf vs. 9.09 ± 0.78 c/mf; P < 0.003].ConclusionsLITT leads to a decrease of residual tumor growth in comparison to hepatic resection. Accelerated tumor growth after hepatic resection is associated with higher mRNA level of HGF and reduced tumor growth after LITT with higher mRNA level of CTGF. The increased CTGF‐mediated regulation of ECM may cause reduced residual tumor growth after LITT. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In Situ Synthesis of Mg/Si Polymer Composites via Emulsion Polymerization
Authors: Pankow Oliver , Schmidt‐Naake Gudrun 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: Different styrene‐ and acrylate‐based organic‐inorganic polymer composites incorporating magnesium hydroxide were successfully synthesized using MPTMS as a coupling agent and MgCl2 as an inorganic precursor. The polymer composites were prepared by free‐radical emulsion polymerization following different procedures. The samples were investigated by means of FT‐IR spectroscopy, XRD, TGA, DSC, and rheometry. It is shown that the preparation method does only affect the ratio of organic to inorganic component, but not the chemical structure of the composites. The obtained polymer composites consist of Mg(OH)2 particles which are linked covalently via MPTMS groups to the polymer backbone.Scheme of Mg(OH)2 crosslinked with MPTMS units as proposed for the emulsion polymer composite.magnified imageScheme of Mg(OH)2 crosslinked with MPTMS units as proposed for the emulsion polymer composite.
Polyimide Fibers Obtained by Spinning Lyotropic Solutions of Rigid‐Rod Aromatic Poly(amic ethyl ester)s
Authors: Neuber Christian , Schmidt Hans‐Werner , Giesa Reiner 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: Fibers were spun from a lyotropic solution of a high‐molecular‐weight (η = 5.89 g · dL−1), rigid‐rod, fully aromatic polyimide precursor polymer in a dry‐jet, wet‐spinning process in NMP. Acetone was identified as the coagulant of choice since fibers could be drawn extensively in this solvent, resulting in improved mechanical properties (tensile modulus: E = 17 GPa, strength at break: σbreak = 400 MPa, elongation at break: εbreak = 5.3%) and orientation, which was shown by WAXS patterns. SEM images showed a layered, skin‐core morphology without any visible fibrillation. Additional processing of these fibers by step‐wise hot‐drawing up to 400 °C under tension rendered oriented polyimide fibers with excellent mechanical properties. (E = 68 GPa, σbreak = 700 MPa, εbreak = 1%). An analysis of the WAXS diffraction patterns showed an improved orientation of the fibers in the axial and lateral directions; however, probably due to the CF3 side groups, the lateral distance was still too large for crystallization. SEM images of these imidized fibers showed, for the first time, a fibrillar morphology in addition to the typical, skin‐core, sheet‐like morphology.SEM image of the hot‐drawn fiber PI 4 (12). The image shows a skin‐core morphology which was delaminating into ribbons during preparation.magnified imageSEM image of the hot‐drawn fiber PI 4 (12). The image shows a skin‐core morphology which was delaminating into ribbons during preparation.
Core‐Sheath Structure in Electrospun Nanofibers from Polymer Blends
Authors: Wei Ming , Kang Bongwoo , Sung Changmo , Mead Joey 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: Electrospinning of polymer blends offers the potential to prepare functional nanofibers for use in a variety of applications. This work focused on control of the internal morphology of nanofibers prepared by electrospinning polymer blends to obtain core‐sheath structures. Polybutadiene/polystyrene, poly(methylmethacrylate)/polystyrene, polybutadiene/poly(methylmethacrylate), polybutadiene/polycarbonate, polyaniline/polycarbonate, and poly(methylmethacrylate)/polycarbonate blends were electrospun from polymer solutions. It was found that the formation of core‐sheath structures depends on both thermodynamic and kinetic factors. Incompatibility and large solubility parameter difference of the two polymers is helpful for good phase separation, but not sufficient for the formation of core‐sheath structures. Kinetic factors, however, play a much more important role in the development of the nanofiber morphology. During the electrospinning process, the rapid solvent evaporation requires systems with high molecular mobility for the formation of core‐sheath structures. It was found that polymer blends with lower molecular weight tend to form core‐sheath structures rather than co‐continuous structures, as a result of their higher molecular mobility. Rheological factors also affect the internal phase morphology of nanofibers. It was observed the composition with higher viscosity was always located at the center and the composition with lower viscosity located outside.TEM image of electrospun polybutadiene/polycarbonate nanofibers at 25/75 wt.‐% ratio after staining by osmium tetroxide. The dark regions are polybutadiene and the light region is polycarbonate.magnified imageTEM image of electrospun polybutadiene/polycarbonate nanofibers at 25/75 wt.‐% ratio after staining by osmium tetroxide. The dark regions are polybutadiene and the light region is polycarbonate.
Synthesis of Five‐Arm Star Polymers with an Inositol Core by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerisation at Ambient Temperature
Authors: Kimani Solomon M. , Moratti Stephen C. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: A novel hydroxyl‐functionalised initiator for atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) was synthesised by esterification reaction of a non‐reducing sugar, meso‐inositol. Due to steric hindrance, one of the six hydroxyl groups present in the sugar was not derivatised to the corresponding 2‐bromoisobutyrate. The macroinitiator was used in ambient temperature ATRP of a hydrophobic monomer, methyl methacrylate (MMA) and a hydrophilic monomer, oligoethylene glycol methacrylate (OEGMA) using tri(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (TEGMME) as the polymerisation solvent and CuCl/CuCl2/PMDETA as the catalytic system. Under these conditions, polymerisation proceeded on to high conversion while maintaining low polydispersity giving well‐defined five‐arm star polymers. Hydrolysis under basic conditions was carried out to deduce the number of linear chains that were attached to the sugar.Five‐arm star polymer.magnified imageFive‐arm star polymer.
Self‐Assembled, Thermosensitive PCL‐g‐P(NIPAAm‐co‐HEMA) Micelles for Drug Delivery
Authors: Li Yong‐Yong , Zhang Xian‐Zheng , Cheng Han , Zhu Jing‐Ling , Cheng Si‐Xue , Zhuo Ren‐Xi 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: A novel thermosensitive amphiphilic copolymer (PCL‐g‐P(NIPAAm‐co‐HEMA)) comprised of hydrophobic PCL segments and hydrophilic P(NIPAAm‐co‐HEMA) segments was designed and synthesized. The structure of the copolymer was characterized by FT‐IR, 1H NMR and GPC analysis. The copolymer may self‐assemble into micelles in water and the resulting micelles demonstrated temperature sensitivity with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 33 °C. The critical micellar concentration (CMC) obtained from surface tension measurements and the fluorescence method was around 30 mg · L−1. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the micelles exhibit a nanospheric morphology within a narrow size range of 150–160 nm. A cytotoxicity study showed that the PCL‐g‐P(NIPAAm‐co‐HEMA) copolymer exhibits good biocompatibility. The controlled drug release of the resulting micelles was investigated and it was found that micelles loaded with prednisone acetate showed improved drug release behavior due to the special micellar structure.Self‐assembly of the PCL‐g‐P(NIPAAm‐co‐HEMA) copolymers.magnified imageSelf‐assembly of the PCL‐g‐P(NIPAAm‐co‐HEMA) copolymers.
One‐Pot Difunctionalization of Poly(ω‐pentadecalactone) with Thiol‐Thiol or Thiol‐Acrylate Groups, Catalyzed by Candida antarctica Lipase B
Authors: Takwa Mohamad , Simpson Neil , Malmström Eva , Hult Karl , Martinelle Mats 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: An enzymatic one‐pot procedure has been developed for the synthesis of difunctional polyesters containing terminal thiols and acrylates. Candida antarctica lipase B was used as a catalyst for the ring‐opening polymerization of ω‐pentadecalactone. The polymerization was initiated with 6‐mercaptohexanol, then terminated with γ‐thiobutyrolactone or vinyl acrylate to create two types of difunctional polyesters with a very high content of thiol‐thiol or thiol‐acrylate end‐groups.Difunctionalization of poly‐PDL.magnified imageDifunctionalization of poly‐PDL.
Titanium‐Catalyzed Norbornene Oligomerization. Isolation of a Crystalline Heptamer with a 2,3‐exo‐Disyndiotactic Structure
Authors: Porri Lido , Scalera Valerio N. , Bagatti Matteo , Famulari Antonino , Meille Stefano V. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: Norbornene (NB) was oligomerized at 0 °C using AlEt2Cl‐TiCl4 at a monomer/titanium molar ratio of about 11. The oligomerization product consists of a fraction soluble in diethyl ether, amorphous by X‐ray examination, and of a crystalline fraction, insoluble in diethyl ether. The crystalline fraction was shown by powder X‐ray diffraction to consist of a NB heptamer. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis indicated that the heptamer had a stereoregular 2,3‐exo‐disyndiotactic structure. The heptamer adopts a strained, highly irregular, folded conformation in the crystalline state. Structural differences with respect to NB oligomers obtained with zirconocene catalysts are discussed.A view of the molecular structure of the crystalline NB heptamer.magnified imageA view of the molecular structure of the crystalline NB heptamer.
Synthesis of Block Copolymers Modified with Phosphonate Ester Groups Using Nitroxide‐Mediated Radical Polymerization
Authors: Britze Antje , Moosmann Katrin , Jähne Evelin , Adler Hans‐Jürgen , Kuckling Dirk 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: Phosphonate groups were introduced into block copolymers of styrene derivatives either as single end‐groups or as small blocks using nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization. In order to combine the hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments, block copolymers with N,N‐dimethyl acrylamide were synthesized. After hydrolysis to phosphonic acid groups, adsorption of the polymer onto metal oxides was possible.Conversion of the phosphonate groups by transesterification with trimethylbromosilane (TMBS), followed by hydrolysis of the silylester group.magnified imageConversion of the phosphonate groups by transesterification with trimethylbromosilane (TMBS), followed by hydrolysis of the silylester group.
Regioregularity in Poly(3‐alkoxythiophene)s: Effects on the Faraday Rotation and Polymerization Mechanism
Authors: Koeckelberghs Guy , Vangheluwe Marnix , Doorsselaere Kim Van , Robijns Elke , Persoons André , Verbiest Thierry 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: Poly(3‐alkoxythiophene)s with different degrees of regioregularity were prepared using three different methodologies. It is shown that their Faraday rotation is highly dependent on the degree of regioregularity. The origin of the differences in regiospecificity of the methodologies is discussed.Structure of the polymer pol 3.magnified imageStructure of the polymer pol 3.
Screening for Lrrk2 G2019S and clinical comparison of Tunisian and North American Caucasian Parkinson's disease families
Authors: Ishihara Lianna , Gibson Rachel A. , Warren Liling , Amouri Rim , Lyons Kelly , Wielinski Catherine , Hunter Christine , Swartz Jina E. , Elango Ramu , Akkari P. Anthony , Leppert David , Surh Linda , Reeves Kevin H. , Thomas Siwan , Ragone Leigh , Hattori Nobutaka , Pahwa Rajesh , Jankovic Joseph , Nance Martha , Freeman Alan , Gouider‐Khouja Neziha , Kefi Mounir , Zouari Mourad , Ben Sassi Samia , Ben Yahmed Samia , El Euch‐Fayeche Ghada , Middleton Lefkos , Burn David J. , Watts Ray L. , Hentati Faycal 
Published: November 2006

AbstractMutations in the leucine‐rich repeat kinase‐2 gene (LRRK2) are responsible for some forms of familial as well as sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of a single pathogenic mutation (6055G>A) in the kinase domain of this gene in United States and Tunisian familial PD and to compare clinical characteristics between patients with and without the mutation. Standardized case report forms were used for clinical and demographic data collection. We investigated the frequency of the most common substitution of LRRK2 (G2019S, 6055G>A) and its impact on epidemiological and phenotypic features. The frequency of mutations in Tunisian families was 42% (38/91) and in U.S. families 2.6% (1/39), with the unique opportunity to compare homozygous (n = 23) and heterozygous (n = 109) Tunisian carriers of G2019S substitutions. Individuals with G2019S substitutions had an older age at onset but few other differences compared with families negative for the substitution. Patients with LRRK2 mutations had typical clinical features of PD. Comparisons between individuals with heterozygous and homozygous LRRK2 mutations suggested that gene dosage was not correlated with phenotypic differences; however, the estimated penetrance was greater in homozygotes across all age groups. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Evidence‐based guidelines for using the Short Form 36 in cervical dystonia
Authors: Cano Stefan J. , Thompson Alan J. , Bhatia Khailash , Fitzpatrick Ray , Warner Thomas T. , Hobart Jeremy C. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe aimed to provide evidence‐based guidelines for using the Short Form 36 (SF‐36) as an outcome measure in cervical dystonia (CD). To do this, we tested the hypothesized relationships between items, scales, and summary measures of the SF‐36 using psychometric analyses in data from a postal survey of 235 people with CD. Although the majority of subscales performed adequately, the Role Physical and Role Emotional subscales had substantial floor and/or ceiling effects. Evidence did not support computing SF‐36 Physical and Mental Component Summary scores. We propose guidelines that include the recommendation that these subscale and summary scores should be reported with caution. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Sumanirole versus placebo or ropinirole for the adjunctive treatment of patients with advanced Parkinson's disease
Authors: Barone Paolo , Lamb Janice , Ellis Amanda , Clarke Zoe ,   Sumanirole for Advanced Parkinson's Disease Study Group
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe aims of this study were to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of sumanirole, a highly selective D2 dopamine receptor agonist, versus placebo in subjects with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), and to demonstrate noninferiority of sumanirole to ropinirole. In this flexible‐dose, randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, parallel‐group study, 948 subjects were treated with sumanirole 1 to 48 mg/day, ropinirole 0.75 to 24 mg/day, or placebo. Treatment consisted of 13 weeks of dose escalation, 26 weeks of maintenance, and 1 week of tapering. Approximately 70% of subjects treated with either sumanirole or ropinirole completed the study. Statistical significance (P < 0.0001) was achieved when both sumanirole and ropinirole groups were compared with placebo, with mean differences of −7.7 and −8.8 on combined sum of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part II (average on and off) and part III total scores at the end of maintenance. Noninferiority of sumanirole to ropinirole was also demonstrated, with a sumanirole minus ropinirole difference of 1.17 (90% CI: −0.56 to 2.89). Both dopamine agonists, sumanirole and ropinirole, were statistically superior compared with placebo as adjunctive therapy for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, based on UPDRS II + III total score. Noninferiority of sumanirole to ropinirole was established, with comparable tolerability profiles. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Convergence rates toward the travelling waves for a model system of the radiating gas
Authors: Nishikawa Masataka , Nishibata Shinya 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe present paper is concerned with an asymptotics of a solution to the model system of radiating gas. The previous researches have shown that the solution converges to a travelling wave with a rate (1 + t)−1/4 as time t tends to infinity provided that an initial data is given by a small perturbation from the travelling wave in the suitable Sobolev space and the perturbation is integrable. In this paper, we make more elaborate analysis under suitable assumptions on initial data in order to obtain shaper convergence rates than previous researches. The first result is that if the initial data decays at the spatial asymptotic point with a certain algebraic rate, then this rate reflects the time asymptotic convergence rate. Precisely, this convergence rate is completely same as the spatial convergence rate of the initial perturbation. The second result is that if the initial data is given by the Riemann data, an admissible weak solution, which has a discontinuity, converges to the travelling wave exponentially fast. Both of two results are proved by obtaining decay estimates in time through energy methods with suitably chosen weight functions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Laplace and the linear elasticity problems near polyhedral corners and associated eigenvalue problems
Authors: Meyer Arnd , Pester Cornelia 
Published: November 2006

AbstractFor domains with concave corners, the solutions to elliptic boundary values have the typical rα‐singularity. The so‐called singularity exponents α are the eigenvalues of an eigenvalue problem which is associated with the given boundary value problem. This paper is aimed at deriving the mentioned eigenvalue problems for two examples, the Laplace equation and the linear elasticity problem.We will show interesting properties of these eigenvalue problems. For the linear elasticity problem, we explain in addition why the classical symmetry and positivity assumptions of the material tensor have to be used with care. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The total ponderomotive force and inhomogeneity indicators
Authors: Langemann Dirk 
Published: November 2006

AbstractDroplets on outdoor high‐voltage equipment suffer a total ponderomotive force which is non‐vanishing in general. We show that this force can be given as a series of inhomogeneity indicators of the undisturbed electric field in the absence of the droplet. We use 2d and 3d Fourier techniques to prove the series expansion as a relation between the solutions of two Poisson's equations on different domains. The order of magnitude of the terms in the series expansion is discussed. It is found that the expansion converges fast in applicatory cases. The results are applied for droplets on a realistically shaped insulator. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.