bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced bone formation by transforming growth factor‐β1‐releasing collagen/chitosan microgranules
Authors: Lee Jue‐Yeon , Kim Kyoung‐Hwa , Shin Seung‐Yoon , Rhyu In‐Chul , Lee Yong‐Moo , Park Yoon‐Jeong , Chung Chong‐Pyoung , Lee Seung‐Jin 
Published: December 2005

AbstractCollagen/chitosan composite microgranules were fabricated as bone substitutes for the purpose of obtaining high bone‐forming efficacy. The microgranules have the flexibility to fill various types of defect sites with closer packing. The interconnected pores formed spaces between the microgranules, which allowed new bone ingrowth and vascularization. In addition, the transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1) was incorporated into the microgranules in order to improve bone‐healing efficacy. The collagen/chitosan microgranules were fabricated by dropping a mixed solution into a NaOH/ethanol solution. TGF‐β1 was loaded into the collagen/chitosan microgranules by soaking the microgranules in a TGF‐β1 solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations and experiments examining the release of TGF‐β1 from chitosan and the collagen/chitosan microgranules were performed. SEM was used to examine the cell morphologies on the microgranules and cell proliferation was evaluated using a dimethylthiazole tetrazolium bromide assay. The differentiated cell function was assessed by measuring the alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity as well as detecting an osteocalcin assay. The in vivo bone‐regeneration experiments were performed using a rabbit calvarial defect model. TGF‐β1 was released from the collagen/chitosan microgranules at a therapeutic concentration for 4 weeks. SEM indicated that the seeded osteoblastic cells were firmly attached to the microgranules and proliferated in a multilayer manner. The proliferation of the osteoblasts on the TGF‐β1‐loaded microgranules was the highest among the different types of microgranules tested. The ALPase activity and osteocalcin level of all the samples increased during the culture period, and the TGF‐β1‐loaded microgranules had a significantly higher ALPase activity and osteocalcin content than the other microgranules. The TGF‐β1‐loaded microgranules demonstrated a higher bone‐regenerative capacity in the rabbit calvarial defects after 4 weeks than the TGF‐β1‐unloaded microgranules. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
A physically meaningful method for the comparison of potential energy functions
Authors: Alonso José Luis , Echenique Pablo 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn the study of the conformational behavior of complex systems, such as proteins, several related statistical measures are commonly used to compare two different potential energy functions. Among them, the Pearson's correlation coefficient r has no units and allows only semiquantitative statements to be made. Those that do have units of energy and whose value may be compared to a physically relevant scale, such as the root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD), the mean error of the energies (ER), the standard deviation of the error (SDER) or the mean absolute error (AER), overestimate the distance between potentials. Moreover, their precise statistical meaning is far from clear. In this article, a new measure of the distance between potential energy functions is defined that overcomes the aforementioned difficulties. In addition, its precise physical meaning is discussed, the important issue of its additivity is investigated, and some possible applications are proposed. Finally, two of these applications are illustrated with practical examples: the study of the van der Waals energy, as implemented in CHARMM, in the Trp‐Cage protein (PDB code 1L2Y) and the comparison of different levels of the theory in the ab initio study of the Ramachandran map of the model peptide HCO‐L‐Ala‐NH2. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 238–252, 2006
Identification of basolateral membrane targeting signal of human sodium‐dependent dicarboxylate transporter 3
Authors: Bai Xueyuan , Chen Xiangmei , Feng Zhe , Hou Kai , Zhang Ping , Fu Bo , Shi Suozhu 
Published: December 2005

AbstractSodium‐dependent dicarboxylate transporters (NaDC) include low‐affinity NaDC1 and high‐affinity NaDC3. Despite high similarities structurally and functionally, both are localized to opposite surfaces of renal tubular cells. The molecular mechanisms and localization signals leading to this polarized distribution remain unknown. In this study, distribution of NaDC3 in human kidney tissue was firstly observed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Then, EGFP‐fused wild‐type, NH2‐ and COOH‐terminal deletion and point mutants of NaDC3, and chimera between NaDC3 and NaDC1, were generated and transfected into polarized renal cells lines, LLC‐PK1 and MDCK. Their subcellular localizations were analyzed by laser confocal microscopy. Immunolocalization results revealed that NaDC3 was expressed at basolateral membrane of human renal proximal tubular epithelia. Confocal examinations showed that wild‐type NaDC3 was targeted to the basolateral membrane of MDCK and LLC‐PK1. Deletion mutations indicated that the basolateral targeting signal of NaDC3 located within a short sequence AKKVWSARR of its amino‐terminal cytoplasmic domain. Addition of this sequence could redirect apical NaDC1 to the basolateral membrane of LLC‐PK1. Point mutagenesis revealed that mutation of either of two hydrophobic amino acids V and W in this short sequence largely redirected NaDC3 to both apical and basolateral surfaces of LLC‐PK, indicating that the two hydrophobic amino acids are critical for the basolateral targeting of NaDC3. Our studies provide direct evidence of the localization of NaDC3 at the basolateral membrane of human renal proximal tubule cells and identify a di‐hydrophobic amino acid motif VW as basolateral localization signal in the N‐terminal cytoplasmic domain of NaDC3. J.Cell.Physiol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fiducial markers for MR histological correlation in ex vivo or short‐term in vivo animal experiments: A screening study
Authors: Rouvière Olivier , Reynolds Carol , Le Yuan , Lai Jinping , Roberts Lewis R. , Felmlee Joel P. , Ehman Richard L. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractPurposeTo test injectable fiducial markers for magnetic resonance (MR) histological correlation in ex vivo or in vivo animal experiments.Materials and MethodsA total of 35 potential markers were tested ex vivo in pork muscle. The end‐points were: 1) visibility, size, and shape on MR images and at macroscopic examination; 2) 24‐hour stability; and 3) microscopic appearance. Selected markers were injected in vivo (rabbit's muscle and breast tumor tissue) to test their three‐hour in vivo stability and their potential toxicity. Finally, different dilutions of the two best markers were assessed again through the same screening tests to determine whether their size on MR images could be customized by dilution.ResultsTwo fluid acrylic paints containing inorganic pigments were found to be potentially interesting markers. On MR images, they created well‐defined susceptibility artifacts. The markers made with iridescent bronze paint (iron oxide coated mica particles) were readily visible on microscopy and their size on MR images could be customized by dilution. The iridescent stainless steel paint (iron, chromium, nickel) created ex vivo the smallest markers in tissue but needed colloidal iron staining to be visible on microscopy and could not be easily diluted.ConclusionFluid acrylic paints are potentially interesting markers for MR histological correlation. Further studies are needed to assess their long‐term properties. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MR histological correlation: A method for cutting specimens along the imaging plane in animal or ex vivo experiments
Authors: Rouvière Olivier , Reynolds Carol , Hulshizer Thomas , Rossman Phillip , Le Yuan , Felmlee Joel P. , Ehman Richard L. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractPurposeTo assess a method aimed at cutting histological specimens along the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging plane.Material and MethodsThe method is performed in two steps: the imaging plane (defined by three acrylic paint markers) is made horizontal under MR guidance by using a mobile platform that can be rotated in three directions (PlaneFinder device [PFD]); then, the specimen is embedded in wax and cut horizontally. Three‐dimensional images parallel to the markers' plane were obtained on 31 pork muscles containing a central hole with a pyramidal shape, with a technique of reference (RT images) and with PFD (PF images), before and after fixation. The last 17 fixed specimens were cut in the markers' plane (tissue section [TS] images). The central hole area (CHA) in the markers' plane was used to compare RT, PF, and TS images. Using a workstation, PF images were rotated and translated to estimate the shift along each direction that could explain the entire CHA difference between RT, PF, and TS images (maximum error, worst‐case scenario).ResultsExcellent correlation was found between RT and PF images (r = 0.989, slope = 1.0175), PF and TS images (r = 0.991, slope = 1.0058), and RT images on fresh specimens and TS images (r = 0.979, slope = 1.0732). For each step, the maximum angle error was ≤ 3° in 88–95% of the specimens.ConclusionOur methodology can be used to cut specimens along the imaging plane with high accuracy. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multislice, dual‐imaging sequence for increasing the dynamic range of the contrast‐enhanced blood signal and CNR of myocardial enhancement at 3T
Authors: Kim Daniel , Axel Leon 
Published: December 2005

AbstractPurposeTo develop a multislice, first‐pass perfusion imaging sequence for increasing the effective dynamic range of the contrast‐enhanced blood signal and the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) of myocardial wall enhancement.Materials and MethodsA hybrid echo‐planar imaging (EPI) pulse sequence was modified to acquire data for both the arterial input function (AIF) and the myocardium, using two different saturation‐recovery time delays (TDs) and spatial resolutions, after a single saturation pulse. Five healthy subjects were scanned at 3T in three short‐axis levels of the heart per heartbeat during passage of a high‐dose bolus of contrast agent. The T1‐weighted signal‐time curve of the blood was converted to AIF using empirical conversion tables derived from phantom experiments.ResultsIn all subjects the calculated AIF was consistently less distorted and higher for the short‐TD protocol than for the long‐TD protocol (peak concentration: 5.0 ± 1.0 mM vs. 3.0 ± 0.6 mM; P < 0.01). A combination of EPI, long TD, high‐dose bolus of contrast agent, and 3T imaging yielded relatively strong peak enhancement in the myocardium (CNR = 11.9 ± 3.3).ConclusionOur dual‐imaging approach at 3T seems promising for acquiring both a relatively accurate AIF and a high CNR of myocardial wall enhancement in multiple slices per heartbeat. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wine produced by immobilized cells on dried raisin berries in sensory evaluation comparison with commercial products
Authors: Tsakiris Argiris , Kourkoutas Yiannis , Dourtoglou Vassilis G , Koutinas Athanasios A , Psarianos Constantinos , Kanellaki Maria 
Published: December 2005

AbstractComparative sensory evaluation of wines produced by immobilized cells of Uvaferme 299 on dried raisin berries and free cells using the Saint Denis grape variety and of commercial Greek products (‘Biblia Chora’ rosé wine produced from the Syrah grape variety, ‘Palivos’ and ‘Strofilia’ rosé wines both produced from the Agiorgitiko grape variety) was carried out. Sensory evaluation was conducted twice by 11 tasters previously trained and a method for panel validation was proposed. Subsequently, the wines were evaluated for their aroma intension, aroma complexity, aroma elegance and overall quality. Duncan's multiple range test clearly showed that there were statistically significant differences between wines produced using different grape varieties and fermentation conditions. Linear regression analysis of the results was performed in order to investigate which sensory parameter had a significant effect on the overall quality and it revealed that only aroma elegance affected significantly the overall quality. Wine produced by immobilized cells scored a statistically higher value for its overall quality than the wine produced by free cells. Finally, discriminant sensory evaluation revealed a gooseberry, cherry, mint aroma for ‘Biblia Chora’ wine and a citrus, rose aroma for ‘Strofilia’ and ‘Palivos’ wines. Wines produced using immobilized and free cells were characterized by a fruity, banana‐like aroma, and a herbaceous note was predominant. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of agglomerative hierarchical clustering to identify consumer tomato preferences: influence of physicochemical and sensory characteristics on consumer response
Authors: Serrano‐Megías Marta , López‐Nicolás Jose Manuel 
Published: December 2005

AbstractA multiple regression model was developed to predict the acceptability of the four tomato varieties studied (Aranka, Cherry, Beef and Pitenza). Agglomerative hierarchical clustering showed the presence of four consumer clusters. One cluster preferred small tomatoes (Aranka and Cherry) and another cluster the larger tomatoes (Beef and Pitenza). In the sensorial analysis Aranka was the preferred variety, scoring more highly in taste, odour, acidity, sweetness and hardness. In the physicochemical analysis Aranka also obtained the highest values for titratable acidity (TA) and sugars (SSC), confirming that these parameters are important in tomato flavour. Lower values for both sets of parameters were reflected by lower consumer acceptability, with Beef and Pitenza receiving the lowest score for these flavours attributes (except odour). A significant correlation between the sensorial and physicochemical parameters was also observed: odour was positively correlated with calibre, while taste, acidity, hardness and acceptability were negatively correlated with calibre, pH and SSC/TA and positively correlated with SSC and TA. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
In Situ Compatibilization of PS/EPDM Blends during Ultrasonic Extrusion
Authors: Li Jiang , Guo Shaoyun , Slezák Radek , Hausnerová Berenika 
Published: December 2005

AbstractSummary: In this paper, high power ultrasound was introduced into polystyrene (PS)/ethylene‐propylene diene monomer (EPDM) (80/20) blend melts during extrusion. The structure and properties of PS/EPDM blends treated ultrasonically, such as their mechanical properties, phase morphology, dynamic rheological behavior and the size distribution fractal dimension of dispersed particles, as well as the interfacial tension between the PS and EPDM phases, were studied. The experimental results indicated that ultrasonic treatment could improve the compatibility of PS/EPDM blends. This is attributed to the formation of a copolymer of PS and EPDM by the combination of different macroradicals, resulting from the homolytic cleavage of polymer chains induced by ultrasonic irradiation. The disproportional termination of the macroradicals leads to the degradation of PS and EPDM. Some properties, like mechanical and linear viscoelastic characteristics, were affected by both ultrasonic compatibilization and degradation. These properties depended strongly on the ultrasonic intensity, ultrasonic treatment time and number of extrusions (repeated extruded times).Differential particle size distribution of the dispersed phase in PS/EPDM blends.magnified imageDifferential particle size distribution of the dispersed phase in PS/EPDM blends.
A New Method to Prepare Maleic Anhydride Grafted Poly(propylene)
Authors: Qiu Wulin , Hirotsu Takahiro 
Published: December 2005

AbstractSummary: A new method to prepare maleic anhydride grafted poly(propylene) (MAPP) was developed successfully. The grafting reaction of maleic anhydride (MA) onto poly(propylene) (PP) was performed with the aid of ball‐milling, and the grafting mechanism was proposed based on the experimental results. MAPP was prepared by ball‐milling of PP powder, MA, and peroxide initiator in balls‐containing jars with a planetary ball mill for a certain time. Factors were considered on reaction time, rotational speed of the mill, cyclic milling mode, kind and concentration of peroxide, and concentration of MA. Results show that MAPP obtained contains the main structures of end‐grafting type (both single and oligomeric) and bridge‐grafting type. Compared with the conventional melt‐mixing method, MAPP obtained through the ball‐milling method reveals alleviated degradation of PP or even increased molecular weight of resultant MAPP. This novel method has also the advantages of lower process temperature and solventless, energy efficient, low cost and simple running process. Furthermore, it is very easy to get purified products.Key steps for preparing MAPP through ball‐milling.magnified imageKey steps for preparing MAPP through ball‐milling.
The history of the Drug Utilization Research Group in Europe
Authors: Bergman Ulf 
Published: December 2005

AbstractFollowing the recommendations from a World Health Organization (WHO)/Euro symposium Consumption of drugs in 1969, a common classification system for drugs was developed, the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC), and a technical unit of comparison, the Defined Daily Dose (DDD), as a comparative unit of drug use. This was found to be robust across therapeutic classifications, dosing forms and diverse populations. To maintain and develop the ATC/DDD system a WHO‐Collaborating Centre was established in Oslo. As this was found to be of global interest the centre now reports to the WHO headquarters in Geneva.An informal WHO Drug Utilization Research Group (WHO‐DURG), later the EuroDURG, has by now met 28 times in Europe. Since 1994 in Stockholm all these meetings have been with ISPE (International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology) when meeting in Europe.The main focus was initially to improve drug utilization through cross‐national drug utilization studies based on the ATC/DDD methodology as they revealed large differences between and within countries that could not easily be explained by morbidity differences alone. These observed differences have led to the expansion of the area to include social, economic and qualitative methods with a more generalized public health focus. One of the most recent contributions was the development of drug use quality indicators. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Herbal products: behaviors and beliefs among Italian women
Authors: Zaffani Silvana , Cuzzolin Laura , Benoni Giuseppina 
Published: December 2005

AbstractPurposeThe use of phytotherapy is growing worldwide, but the popular perception is that this kind of approach is natural and therefore safer than traditional medicine; for this reason the use is frequently not communicated to the doctor. Instead, even if many herbal remedies are benign in nature, some of these therapies have potentially harmful side effects or adverse interactions with other medications. So, the purpose of our study was to analyze the behavior patterns and decision‐making modalities about herbal remedy use among a sample of Italian women.MethodsDuring a 5‐month period, interviews to women attending the outpatient ambulatory of an urban university general hospital were made on the basis of a pre‐structured 25‐item questionnaire.ResultsAmong a random study population of 1044 subsequent patients, 491 women (47.03%) reported to have been taking one or more herbal products in the last year, sometimes used during pregnancy or given to their children (35.23%). The 10 most frequently used herbal products reported were propolis, aloe, valerian root, blueberry, fennel, dandelion, mallow, arnica, thyme, and Echinacea. The major purposes for using these products were to stimulate the immune system and to cure respiratory problems. 47/491 (9.57%) women reported side effects, but only 36% referred to the doctor. In most of the cases, herbal products were taken in combination with drugs (44.61%) or homeopathic treatments (11.81%). The majority of our women did not obtain information about this kind of therapy from a health care provider (72.71%).ConclusionsThe present survey highlights the general use of phytomedicines by a sample of Italian women, the potential risk of their confidence with the ‘natural world,’ and the lack of discussion on this argument with doctors and pharmacists. This suggests the importance of training for health care providers and the need of informational programs for consumers. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in new drug interactions for pharmaceutical products in Japan
Authors: Yoshida Naoko , Yamada Akito , Mimura Yasuhiko , Kawakami Junichi , Adachi Isao 
Published: December 2005

AbstractPurposeThe aim of the present study was to elucidate the trends in drug interactions for pharmaceutical products in Japan by examining safety profile updates.MethodsAll 12 422 prescription drugs currently on the Japanese market were included in the study. Revisions to their product information (or package insert: PI) were investigated from January 2000 to December 2003. The publication ‘Drug Safety Update,’ which is a summary of the revisions made to the precautions in PIs and is issued by The Society of Japanese Pharmacopoeia and The Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Associations of Japan under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), was used as a data source. The revised drug interactions were categorized according to measures, mechanisms, and evidence from published references.Results and ConclusionsThe results revealed 426 new interactions, including 75 contraindicative combinations, during the survey period. About 45% and 27% of the new interactions involved metabolic and pharmacological processes, respectively, with metabolic interactions involving cytochrome P450 3A4 being the dominant reason for the revision of PIs. Only 37% of the new interactions cited scientific journals and/or books, and 58% of these references cited were published more than 5 years prior to the date of revision. In conclusion, metabolic interactions were the major reasons for the update of safety information after 2000. Published references should be provided in order to assist with clinical management and avoid the undesirable effects of new drug interactions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tailored amphiphilic star‐shaped light‐harvesting copolymers
Authors: Chen Ming , Ghiggino Kenneth P , Thang San H , Wilson Gerard J 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAmphiphilic star‐shaped light‐harvesting copolymers comprising six diblock arms of styryl coumarin (St‐Coumarin) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) surrounding a ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridyl) energy‐trap core have been synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The mechanism of excitation energy transfer (EET) from initially excited St‐Coumarin chromophores to the Ru(II) trap has been investigated and is concluded to occur mainly through a single‐step induced dipole–dipole process. Incorporation of the NIPAM sequences results in enhanced EET efficiencies and confers water solubility to the polymers. The photophysical behavior of the copolymers is reported; marked differences are exhibited in aqueous solution when compared to organic solutions. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry