bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endoscopically Guided Sinus Cultures in Normal Subjects
Authors: Nadel Douglas M. , Lanza Donald C. , Kennedy David W. 
Published: October 2007

The study of healthy sinus flora has been pursued with Caldwell-Luc, antral puncture, and anterior rhinoscopy. Increasingly, nasal endoscopy has been used to obtain cultures, yet the significance of findings using this technique remains uncertain. Our ability to interpret the growing number of these cultures will be greatly enhanced by determining the results of this technique in patients without sinusitis. The goal of this study is to identify the bacterial flora of the sinuses in 25 healthy volunteers. Gram stain, aerobic, and anaerobic cultures were performed on swabs taken from the middle meatus and sphenoethmoid recesses. Eighteen cultures were sterile for aerobic organisms. Of the remaining 32 cultures, 41 isolates were retrieved. Predominant aerobes were S. aureus, Staphylococcus coagulase-negative, and diphtheroids; P. acnes was the predominant anaerobe.
Tesaglitazar, as add-on therapy to sulphonylurea, dose-dependently improves glucose and lipid abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wilding John PH , Gause-Nilsson Ingrid , Persson Anders 
Published: October 2007

This randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, mul-ticentre study investigated the effects of the dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α/γ agonist, tesaglitazar (0.5 and 1 mg), as add-on treatment in 568 patients with type 2 diabetes that was poorly controlled with sulphonylurea therapy titrated to the highest tolerated dose. There was a significant placebo-corrected reduction in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) from baseline to week 24 with tesaglitazar 0.5 mg and 1 mg (mean [95% confidence interval]: −0.93% [-1.09, −0.77] and −1.3% [-1.46, −1.14]; p<0.0001). Significant reductions were observed in insulin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride (all p<0.001) and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p<0.001). Tesaglitazar increased levels of HDL-cholesterol (p<0.0001), adiponectin (p<0.0001) and leptin (p<0.001), but was associated with dose-dependent increases in serum creatinine and decreases in haemoglobin. This study showed improvements in glycaemic control and dyslipidaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes poorly controlled with existing sulphonylurea therapy. Although tesaglitazar has now been discontinued from clinical development, these results remain relevant to future research into PPAR agonists.
Universal 2‐(4‐Nitrophenyl)ethyl and 2‐(4‐Nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl Protecting Groups for Nucleosides and Nucleotides
Authors: Pfleiderer Wolfgang 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA universal blocking group strategy for nucleobases is described, using the 2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)ethyl (NPE) group for O4‐T‐, O4‐U‐, O6‐dG‐, and O6‐G‐protection as well as the 2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (NPEOC) group for amino protection in dC, C, dA, A, dG, and G. Conversion into the corresponding 5′‐O‐dimethoxytrityl derivatives and subsequent phosphitylation to form the fully protected 3′‐O‐(2‐cyanoethyl‐N,N‐diisopropylphosphoramidites) and 3′‐O‐(2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)ethyl‐N,N‐diisopropylphosphoramidites) produces a new class of interesting building blocks for oligonucleotide synthesis. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 30:2.13.1‐2.13.25. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Universal and Recyclable Solid Support for Oligonucleotide Synthesis
Authors: Morvan François , Meyer Albert , Vasseur Jean‐Jacques 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis unit provides a modified phosphoramidite method to synthesize oligodeoxyribonucleotides onto a universal and reusable hydroxyl solid support thanks to the use of deoxyribonucleoside tert‐butyl and cyanoethyl phosphoramidites. The nucleoside tert‐butyl phosphoramidite allows the introduction of an H‐phosphonate diester linkage using the phosphoramidite method. After elongation, the H‐phosphonate diester linker is cleaved by transesterification under mild basic conditions to yield an oligonucleotide with free 3′‐ and 5′‐hydroxyls and the starting solid support. Thus, the solid support is easily recycled and used for a subsequent synthesis. In addition, a nucleoside tert‐butyl phosphoramidite could be introduced inside the oligonucleotide chain during the elongation to yield a second H‐phosphonate diester linkage. After elongation, the two H‐phosphonate diester linkages are cleaved, producing two oligonucleotides with free 3′‐ and 5′‐hydroxyls. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 30:3.16.1‐3.16.19. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Analysis of Regulated Secretion Using PC12 Cells
Authors: Taupenot Laurent 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe catecholamine‐secreting PC12 cell line derived from the rat adrenal medulla has long been considered a model system for neurosecretion and neuronal differentiation. PC12 cells contain a large number of secretory granules (otherwise known as large dense‐core vesicles) for storage of small molecules, processing enzymes, neuropeptides, and peptide hormones. Secretory granule exocytosis in PC12 cells is tightly regulated by calcium and occurs in response to a secretagogue. This unit provides protocols for maintenance and transfection of PC12 cells. Several secretion assays are described to measure the release of secretory granule cargo molecules by detection of radioactive catecholamine, or by immunochemical or chemiluminescence detection of transfected regulated secretory proteins. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 36:15.12.1‐15.12.13. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Identifying Structural Noncoding RNAs Using RNAz
Authors: Washietl Stefan , L. Hofacker Ivo 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe functions of many noncoding RNAs and cis‐acting regulatory elements of mRNAs depend on a defined RNA secondary structure. RNAz predicts such functional RNA structures on the basis of thermodynamic stability and evolutionary conservation of homologous sequences. It can be used to efficiently filter multiple alignments for noncoding RNA candidates in genomic screens. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 19:12.7.1‐12.7.18. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Gene Expression Analysis of RNA Purified from Embryonic Stem Cells and Embryoid Body–Derived Cells Using a High‐Throughput Microarray Platform
Authors: Player Audrey , Wang Yonghong , Rao Mahendra , Kawasaki Ernest 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIn this unit, starting with purified RNA, experimental protocols for performing microarrray expression analysis of embryonic stem cell lines compared to their corresponding differentiated embryoidal bodies are described. Methods for data analysis are suggested, with the goal of determining which genes are differentially expressed between the preparations. As an example, the use of the Affymetrix microarray expression platform is described, but alternative experimental options for analysis of RNA transcript levels are also summarized. This unit suggests quality control metrics, summazrizes the critical parameters necessary for obtaining reproducible experimental results, and outlines quantitative PCR methods for validating microarray results. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 2:1B.2.1‐1B.2.36. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Inside Front Cover: Combinatorial Modification of Degradable Polymers Enables Transfection of Human Cells Comparable to Adenovirus (Adv. Mater. 19/2007)
Authors: Green J. J. , Zugates G. T. , Tedford N. C. , Huang Y.‐H. , Griffith L. G. , Lauffenburger D. A. , Sawicki J. A. , Langer R. , Anderson D. G. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractOn p. 2836, Daniel G. Anderson and co‐workers report the development of end‐modified poly(β‐amino ester)s that are able to deliver DNA to primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells at levels comparable to adenovirus at a Multiplicity of Infection between 100 and 500, and two orders of magnitude better than the commonly used non‐viral polymeric vector, poly(ethylene imine). Small structural changes were found to have dramatic effects on multiple steps of gene delivery including the DNA binding affinity, nanoparticle size, intracellular DNA uptake, and final protein expression. In vivo, these polymer modifications enhance DNA delivery to ovarian tumors.
Dual catalyst bed for the oxidation of CH4 simultaneously to C2H4 and syngas
Authors: Hu Changwei , Wu Jingjing , Zhang Haili , Qin Song 
Published: October 2007

AbstractDual catalyst bed system was introduced into the conversion of methane in one reactor simultaneously to ethylene and syngas with appropriate concentrations, which could be used for further production of propanal via hydroformylation. To avoid the over consumption of O2 on the first catalyst bed, the moderately active catalyst Co/γ‐Al2O3 for methane partial oxidation was employed, followed by Na2WO4/Mn/SiO2 catalyst, which was one of the most effective catalysts for the oxidative coupling of methane. The distribution of products could be tuned by controlling the relative dosages of the two catalysts and the reaction conditions. A mixture with the desired composition of CO/H2/C2H4 = 1.1/1/1.2 was achieved, with the total yield of CO and C2H4 of about 18.5%, under the following optimized conditions: F = 150 cm3/min, CH4/O2 = 3, M1:M2 = 0.01 g:0.16 g (1: Co/γ‐Al2O3; 2: Na2WO4/Mn/SiO2). © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Prolonged half‐life of argatroban in patients with renal dysfunction and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome being treated for heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia
Authors: Athar Uzma , Husain Juhi , Hudson Jane , Lynch Jennie , Gajra Ajeet 
Published: October 2007

AbstractArgatroban is a direct thrombin inhibitor approved for the treatment of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) type II. Argatroban is predominantly metabolized in the liver. It is widely believed that no dosage adjustment is required in patients with renal insufficiency, making it a preferred agent in patients on renal replacement therapy (Reddy and Grossman, Ann Pharm 2005;39:1601–1605). The elimination half‐life of argatroban is ∼50 min. Lupus anticoagulants can cause baseline elevation of the PTT and hence it is difficult to monitor the effects of anticoagulants such as heparin, lepirudin, or argatroban in patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Heparin levels may be used as an alternative for heparin monitoring but plasma levels of argatroban are not commercially available. A chromogenic antifactor IIa assay could be useful for monitoring argatroban in the presence of a lupus anticoagulant, but it is not widely available at present. We report a patient with end‐stage renal disease, maintained on peritoneal dialysis with HIT, who demonstrated a markedly prolonged half‐life when treated with argatroban despite the discontinuation of therapy. This case also demonstrates the lack of guidelines for the monitoring of argatroban therapy in the presence of an underlying lupus anticoagulant. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The identification of microdeletion syndromes and other chromosome abnormalities: Cytogenetic methods of the past, new technologies for the future
Authors: Shaffer Lisa G. , Bejjani Bassem A. , Torchia Beth , Kirkpatrick Susan , Coppinger Justine , Ballif Blake C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractChromosome analysis is an important diagnostic tool in the identification of causes of mental retardation, developmental delay, and other developmental disabilities. Cytogenetic approaches have revealed the chromosomal basis of a large number of genetic syndromes. The recent use of microarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) has accelerated the identification of novel cytogenetic abnormalities. We present the results of array CGH in 8,789 clinical cases submitted for a variety of developmental problems. Of these cases, 6.9% showed clinically relevant abnormalities, 1.2% showed benign copy‐number variants (polymorphisms), 2.5% showed recurrent alterations of unclear clinical significance—many of which are likely to be polymorphisms—and 1.4% showed novel alterations of unclear relevance. Although cytogenetic methods, including array CGH, have great potential for identifying novel chromosomal syndromes, this high‐resolution analysis may also result in diagnostic challenges imposed on laboratories and clinicians regarding findings of unclear clinical significance. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mother–offspring associations in Northern muriquis, Brachyteles hypoxanthus
Authors: Tolentino Karynna , Roper James J. , Passos Fernando C. , Strier Karen B. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractMaternal care of offspring is ubiquitous among primates, but its duration varies across species due to factors such as dispersal patterns and social dynamics, which influence opportunities for and potential benefits of maternal investment in older offspring, respectively. We examined mother‐offspring associations in wild northern muriquis (Brachyteles hypoxanthus), in which males are philopatric, females typically disperse before puberty, and social relationships among and between males and females are egalitarian. Associations were systematically recorded between ten mothers, each with two–six offspring in the study group, and all group members from August 2003–May 2004 at the RPPN‐Feliciano Miguel Abdala in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Infants of both sexes received similarly high percentages of their mothers' association time. Mothers without infants also maintained strong associations with their youngest juvenile sons. Mothers did not spend consistently more time associating with either juvenile or adult sons than daughters. Our finding of non‐preferential associations between muriqui mothers and their older male offspring suggests that extended maternal investment in offspring may be of minimal value in their egalitarian society compared with its value for species living in hierarchical societies. Am. J. Primatol. 70:301–305, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sorption of binary liquid mixtures in methacrylate‐based biomaterials; Simultaneous determination of the diffusion coefficients and the uptake fraction at equilibrium of the components of ethanol‐water mixtures by a new iterative method
Authors: Sideridou Irini D. , Papanastasiou Georgios E. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe present investigation is concerned with the development of a new iterative method permitting, for a Fickian sorption of a binary liquid mixture in thin polymer sheets, the simultaneous determination of the self‐diffusion coefficients of the components of the mixture, and their uptake fractions at equilibrium. The approach is based on a new equation describing a parallel Fickian sorption of the components of the mixture into thin polymer sheets. The procedure was tested with ideal and Monte Carlo simulated data. The method, applied to ideal simulated data that corresponded to various values of D1, D2 and f, perfectly extracted the desired parameters. The application of the method to Monte Carlo simulated data revealed that this method is fairly applicable even when the simulated data are considerably obscured by “noise”. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to the experimental data concerning the sorption kinetics of ethanol–water mixture (75 vol % in EtOH) at 37°C in thin polymeric sheets of triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Use of a biomaterial as a thickener for textile ink‐jet printing
Authors: Yuen C. W. M. , Ku S. K. A. , Kan C. W. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe feasibility of using chitosan as a thickener in the pretreatment print paste for textile ink‐jet printing was explored. An orthogonal analysis was used to determine the optimum conditions for using chitosan as a thickener in the pretreatment print paste and the effects of different process factors for achieving the best color yield in textile ink‐jet printing. With the help of the orthogonal analysis, the importance of different process factors was found to be in the order of (1) the amount of urea used, (2) the amount of chitosan used, (3) the amount of sodium bicarbonate used, and (4) the steaming time. On the basis of the results of the orthogonal analysis, the optimum conditions for using chitosan as a thickener for the pretreatment print paste were concluded to be 40 mL of chitosan, 10 g of urea, 8 g of sodium bicarbonate, and 5 min of steaming. According to an analysis of the results of different color fastness tests, chitosan could principally work as a pretreatment print paste thickener. However, the final color yield obtained from chitosan‐containing cotton fabrics depended greatly on the stage of the chitosan application. Nevertheless, the color fastness properties and the outline sharpness of the prints of cotton fabric were greatly improved by the chitosan treatment. A two‐bath chitosan treatment was developed to separate the chitosan from sodium bicarbonate and urea before it was padded onto the fabric surface to minimize the neutralization effect. On the basis of the results for the highest color yield obtained on the cotton fabric, it was confirmed that the two‐bath chitosan treatment was successfully developed. In addition, chitosan could impart higher antibacterial properties with a slight reduction in the tensile strength of the cotton fabric. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Development of correlation between potassium hydroxide number and conductivity of concentrated natural rubber latex
Authors: Walpalage S. , Ganga I. , Silva K. M. D. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIncrease in the ion concentration in the medium was found to increase conductivity and potassium hydroxide number (KOH No) in natural rubber latex (NRL). Addition of long chain fatty acids can increase the ion concentration in the medium and stability of NRL. A series of concentrated natural rubber latex samples from three different areas with different soils and climatic conditions were tested for the parameters such as KOH No and conductivity. They have been measured over a period of 62 days, upon addition of soap to natural rubber latex concentrate. The result showed that there was a strong positive linear correlation between conductivity and KOH No. The regression equation to express the relationship between the variables has also been found. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Silica fiber–polybenzoxazine–syntactic foams; Processing and properties
Authors: Santhosh Kumar K. S. , Reghunadhan Nair C. P. , Ninan K. N. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPolybenzoxazine filled with chopped silica fibers and their syntactic foams of varying composition and densities were processed. The composition and density variations were achieved by regulating the relative concentrations of silica fiber and glass microballoons (MB). The variation of tensile, compressive, and flexural properties with change in composition was investigated. For the silica‐fiber filled materials, the property attained a maximum at about 40% volume content of fiber, and thereafter, the properties showed a diminishing trend. The incorporation of microspheres significantly lowered the strength of silica filled materials. However, the decrease in the specific flexural strength was less pronounced and the strength was unaffected beyond a certain microsphere content. During processing and mechanical testing, a large quantity of fibers was fractured, which reduced the strength of silica filled systems. The diminution in material strength on embedding microspheres is attributed to the presence of stress concentrating loci as evidenced from SEM analysis. The various factors leading to the property variation with composition are discussed with microscopic analyses, like clustering of fibers, crack propagation, fiber pull out, and debonding of fibers from resin phase. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed an improved damping property for the filled materials in contrast to the unfilled polymer. The Tg (deduced from tan δ maximum from DMTA) decreased in silica fiber containing materials and on incorporating the MB, the values reverted back to that of the neat polymer. Both silica and MB conferred better thermal and thermooxidative stabilities to the polybenzoxazine. However, the degradation mechanism is nonoxidative in nature. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis of tercopolymer BA–MMA–VTES and surface modification of nano‐size Si3N4 with this macromolecular coupling agent
Authors: Xia Ru , Li Minghua , Zhang Yuchuan , Zhu Qingren , Qian Jiasheng 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA new macromolecular coupling agent butyl acrylate (BA)‐methyl methacrylate (MMA)‐vinyl triethoxy silane (VTES) tercopolymer was synthesized using solution polymerization initiated by free radical initiator benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP). Dodecylthiol is choosed as the chain transfer to control the molecule weight of this tercopolymer. The terpolymer's molecular structure was confirmed by FTIR and NMR, and its average molecular weight was determined by GPC. In this work, the tercopolymer BA–MMA–VTES is used for surface modification of silicon nitride (Si3N4) nanopowder. The structure surface properties and thermal stability of modified nano‐Si3N4 were systematically investigated by FTIR, TGA, TEM, and size distribution analyzer. The results show that the macromolecular coupling agent bonds covalently on the surface of nano‐sized Si3N4 particles and an organic coating layer is formed. The optimum loading of this macromolecular coupling agent BA–MMA–VTES tercopolymer is 5% (wt %) of nano‐sized Si3N4. TEM also reveals that modified nano‐Si3N4 possesses good dispersibility. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Melt viscosity reduction of polycarbonate with low molar mass liquid crystals
Authors: Motong Noppawan , Thongyai Supakanok , Clarke Nigel 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe phase behavior and rheological behavior of low molar mass liquid crystal (LLC) and polycarbonate blends is firstly reported. The results of small angle light scattering (SALS) indicate that the LLC is miscible in the mixture for weight fractions of LLC less than 6%. Mixtures of two different liquid crystals with two different molecular weight of polycarbonate were prepared inside the miscible regime of the blends. Both the complex and steady shear viscosities of the blends were found to be significantly decreased upon addition of small amounts of liquid crystal (1% by weight). At low shear rate, the steady state shear viscosity was similar to the pure polycarbonate, whilst, at higher shear rates, three further regimes of behavior, as has been described for liquid crystals and liquid crystal polymers, were found despite the low concentration of LLC; hence, the rheological properties of the blends can be significantly modified by small concentrations of LLC (as low as 1%). The decrease in melt viscosity of polycarbonate that we observe upon addition of LLC is not due to lubrication effects at the interfaces, as shown by reproducible oscillatory shear flow sweeps. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008