bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental study of a hybrid platform for high‐tech equipment protection against earthquake and microvibration
Authors: Xu Y. L. , Yu Z. F. , Zhan S. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThis paper presents an experimental study to explore the possibility of using a hybrid platform to ensure the functionality of high‐tech equipment against microvibration and to protect high‐tech equipment from damage when an earthquake occurs. A three‐storey building model and a hybrid platform model were designed and manufactured. The two‐layer hybrid platform, on which the high‐tech equipment is placed, was installed on the first floor of the building to work as a passive platform aiming at abating acceleration response of the equipment during an earthquake and functioning as an actively controlled platform that intends to reduce velocity response of the equipment under a normal working condition. For the hybrid platform working as a passive platform, it was designed in such a way that its stiffness and damping ratio could be changed, whereas for the hybrid platform functioning as an active platform, a piezoelectric actuator with a sub‐optimal velocity feedback control algorithm was used. A series of shaking table tests, traffic‐induced vibration tests and impact tests were performed on the building with and without the platform to examine the performance of the hybrid platform. The experimental results demonstrate that the hybrid platform is feasible and effective for high‐tech equipment protection against earthquake and microvibration. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Collapse of Gran Dolina cave, Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain: Site formation processes of layer TD10‐1
Authors: Mallol Carolina , Roura Eudald Carbonell i 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe last hominin occupations of Gran Dolina cave at Atapuerca are represented by layer TD10‐1. This layer has yielded high densities of anthropogenic bone and lithic remains that suggest the existence of a referential hominin campsite. Micromorphological analysis was carried out in order to reconstruct site formation processes and to find traces of hominin activity in the sediments. Results show that TD10‐1 is an autochthonous deposit whose components are derived from a local, degraded cave entrance environment. The base of TD10‐1 represents a moist, semi‐sheltered environment associated with anthropogenic input and low sedimentary rates, while the rest of the deposit represents a non‐anthropogenic, more open environment with higher rates of sedimentation. The TD10‐1 archaeological assemblages have not undergone long transport or strong postdepositional disturbance. Further interdisciplinary analyses are needed to characterize the types and intensity of the hominin activities recorded in TD10‐1. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ABO‐incompatible kidney transplantation—Proposal of an intensified apheresis strategy for patients with high initial isoagglutinine titers
Authors: Wilpert Jochen , Geyer Marcel , Teschner Sven , Schaefer Tobias , Pisarski Przemyslaw , Schulz‐Huotari Christian , Gropp Anette , Wisniewski Ursula , Goebel Heike , Gerke Peter , Walz Gerd , Donauer Johannes 
Published: December 2007

AbstractSince Tydén's description of ABO‐incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantations based on antigen‐specific immunoadsorption (IA) and rituximab (Tydén et al., Am J Transplant 2005;5:145–148), this technique has been successfully adopted by many transplant centers worldwide. The majority of centers strictly adhere to the Swedish protocol and perform IAs with a target volume of 1.5–2 plasma volumes on preoperative days −6, −5, −2, and −1, and postoperative days +3, +6, and +9, respectively. Patients who initially present with an IgG anti‐A/B titer higher than 1:128 are not considered suitable candidates for ABOi transplantation by the Swedish protocol. Our center has gone beyond these suggestions and follows a slightly different strategy: We do not exclude patients with initial IgG anti‐A/B titers higher than 1:128 and we perform as many preoperative antigen‐specific extracorporeal treatments as needed to reach a threshold isoagglutinine titer of 1:4 or less. To intensify isoagglutinine clearance preoperatively, the total target volume per treatment was increased to 2.5–3 plasma volumes. Preconditioning IAs are performed every other day, instead of daily. Postoperatively we perform IAs only, if titers mandate us to do so (Wilpert et al., Nephrol Dial Transplant 2007;22:3048‐3051). We report on 11 “high‐titer patients” who entered our ABOi kidney transplant program with initial titers of 1:256 or above. Seven of 11 patients (64%) could successfully be transplanted with our modified ABO‐apheresis protocol. Four of 11 high‐titer patients did not reach target isoagglutinine titers of 1:4 or less and therefore did not undergo transplantation. We conclude that intensified preoperative IA renders a majority of high‐titer patients suitable candidates for ABOi kidney transplantation. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recruitment of immature neutrophils in peripheral blood following leukocytapheresis therapy for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Okawa‐Takatsuji Masako , Nagatani Katsuya , Nakajima Kyoichi , Itoh Kenji , Kano Toshikazu , Nagashio Chiaki , Takahashi Yuko , Aotsuka Shinichi , Mimori Akio 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe objective of this study is to evaluate the cellular mechanism underlying filtration leukocytapheresis (LCAP) therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirteen patients with refractory RA each underwent three sessions of LCAP. Before (pre‐) and after (post‐) the completion of the first LCAP session, peripheral blood was sampled and analyzed for neutrophil surface markers using flow cytometry. The surface antigens of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and neutrophils obtained at pre‐ and post‐LCAP were then analyzed using a fluorescence‐activated cell sorter. The American College of Rheumatology's criterion of a 20% improvement was achieved in six patients, but not in the other seven patients, after LCAP therapy. The post‐LCAP number of blood band form neutrophils with a bone marrow phenotype (CD49ddim+, low density) was higher among the responders than among the nonresponders, suggesting an association between the clinical response and the recruitment of bone‐marrow‐derived neutrophils. After the nonspecific absorption of WBCs during a 1‐h Cellsorba procedure, the number of PBMCs was consistently decreased, although the number of neutrophils that were affected by removal plus recruitment varied in a manner that was independent of efficacy. In contrast, the emergence of immature neutrophils in the peripheral blood was characteristic of the effective therapies. These cells were found after the 1st session of responders and also found following sessions of LCAPs. Immature neutrophils, which may be recruited from the bone marrow in the peripheral blood after the first session of LCAP, can predict the clinical efficacy of subsequent LCAP sessions. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of body condition in hinds of iberian red deer during gestation and its effects on calf birth weight and milk production
Authors: Carrión Déborah , García Andrés José , Gaspar‐López Enrique , Landete‐Castillejos Tomás , Gallego Laureano 
Published: December 2007

AbstractReproductive effort affects body reserves and subsequent ability to reproduce. In fact, the energy costs of gestation and lactation in hinds of red deer have a marked effect on maternal condition. The objectives of this study were to examine the development of hind monthly body condition during gestation in relation to reproductive rest, age and age class, just as its effects on total milk yield and calf birth weight. Eighty hinds of Iberian red deer were used as subjects during 2 years of study. They had ad libitum access to food and water. Animals were weighed weekly, and body condition was individually assessed. Milking was carried out under anesthesia with a milking machine followed by hand milking to collect the remaining milk.Age and reproductive rest influenced body condition, improving with age (coefficient: 0.10±0.01; P<0.001) and reproductive rest (mean±SEM, 3.75±0.05 vs. 3.25±0.02, with and without rest respectively; P<0.001). Hind age correlated positively with her body condition (R=0.62, P<0.001), however, when age class was included in the model, age was not significant. The greater the age class (up to age class 4) the greater the body condition; however, hinds of age class 5 had a lower body condition, but no significant differences were observed. Development of the body condition during gestation was different to age class 1 with respect to the others, just as between hinds that rested the preceding year and those that did not. J. Exp. Zool. 309:1–10, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retroviral‐based gene therapy with cyclooxygenase‐2 promotes the union of bony callus tissues and accelerates fracture healing in the rat
Authors: Rundle Charles H. , Strong Donna D. , Chen Shin‐Tai , Linkhart Thomas A. , Sheng Matilda H.‐C. , Wergedal Jon E. , Lau K.‐H. William , Baylink David J. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBackgroundAn in vivo gene therapy strategy was developed to accelerate bone fracture repair.MethodsDirect injection of a murine leukemia virus‐based vector targeted transgene expression to the proliferating periosteal cells arising shortly after fracture. Cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) was selected because the transgene for its prostaglandin products that promote angiogenesis, bone formation and bone resorption, are all required for fracture healing. The human (h) Cox‐2 transgene was modified to remove AU‐rich elements in the 3′‐untranslated region and to improve protein translation.ResultsIn vitro studies revealed robust and sustained Cox‐2 protein expression, prostaglandin E2 and alkaline phosphatase production in rat bone marrow stromal cells and osteoblasts transgenic for the hCox‐2 gene. In vivo studies in the rat femur fracture revealed that Cox‐2 transgene expression produced bony union of the fracture by 21 days post‐fracture, a time when cartilage persisted within the fracture tissues of control animals and approximately 1 week earlier than the healing normally observed in this model. None of the ectopic bone formation associated with bone morphogenetic protein gene therapy was observed.ConclusionsThis study represents the first demonstration that a single local application of a retroviral vector expressing a single osteoinductive transgene consistently accelerated fracture repair. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laparoscopic pancreas‐ and spleen‐preserving D2 lymph node dissection in advanced (cT2) upper‐third gastric cancer
Authors: Hur Hoon , Jeon Hae Myung , Kim Wook 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesAlthough the laparoscopic assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) has been performed in upper gastric cancer, dissection of lymph nodes No. 10 and 11d without resection of the distal pancreas and the spleen has been hard to accomplish, because of the possibilities of injury to splenic vessels and parenchyma of the spleen or pancreas. Herein, we present successful results in laparoscopic pancreas‐ and spleen‐preserving D2 lymph node dissection in advanced upper gastric cancer.MethodsBetween March 2004 and May 2007, 18 clinical T2 patients who underwent LATG with D2 lymph node dissection for upper gastric cancer were enrolled.ResultsWe used the technique of encircling and pulling the splenic artery with umbilical tape and that helped us complete dissection of lymph nodes No. 10 and 11d without distal pancreatectomy or splenectomy. The mean operative time was 370 min without any perioperative complications or conversion to an open procedure.ConclusionsLaparoscopic extended lymph node dissection without pancreatectomy or splenectomy can be adapted to the patients with clinical T2 upper gastric cancer. The techniques like taping of the splenic artery can be a useful tip for surgeons who wish to perform laparoscopic complete D2 lymph node dissection in advanced upper gastric cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:169–172. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Capillary high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for rapid analysis of pinane monoterpene glycosides in Cortex Moutan
Authors: Song Yue , He Qing , Li Ping , Cheng Yi‐Yu 
Published: December 2007

AbstractIn this study, a rapid and reliable assay has been developed for quantification of pinane monoterpene glycosides in Cortex Moutan; it is based on capillary high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (capillary HPLC–ESI MS). This method utilizes capillary HPLC for the separation of seven pinane monoterpene glycosides in a methanol extract of the botanical sample followed by negative ion electrospray ionization and single ion monitoring (SIM). The compounds of interest in the sample were unambiguously identified on the basis of information about retention time and quasi‐molecular ions ([M–H]–) or adduct ions ([M+HCOO]–). Validation parameters of the method were established. The linearity range was 1.01–105.5 μg/mL with the square of correlation coefficients lying in the range of 0.9965–0.9997, limits of detection were on the fmol level, the average recoveries varied between 91.8 and 101.0%, and good precision values (RSD, 1.2–4.91%) for peak area were obtained. After validation, the applicability of the method for determination of these pinane monoterpene glycosides in Cortex Moutan has been demonstrated.
O2‐consumption, blood flow and PO2 in bone
Authors: Bingmann D. , Wiemann M. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractOsteocytes are bone cells encapsulated in a mineralized matrix. Since they are connected to nutrient blood vessels via narrow canaliculii which provide narrow, tortuous and often long diffusion pathways, the question arises as to how osteocytes are sufficiently supplied with O2 and metabolites. Furthermore, different oxygen partial pressures (PO2) ‐ resulting from O2 supply and local oxygen consumption ‐ may influence cellular proliferation and differentiation. In this context, O2 consumption rates of bone cells were measured and results were related to published blood flow values. This should allow to estimate mean venous PO2 and PO2 distribution in bone. O2 consumption of bone cells inside spongious calvarial fragments of neonatal rats and adult guinea pigs were measured polarographically in a thermostabilized recording chamber containing Hepes‐buffered saline. PO2 declined linearly as long as the PO2 ranged above 20 mmHg. At 27°C and 37°C, the O2 consumption rate of calvarial fragments from adult animals amounted to 0.06 and 0.1 ml/100 g✶min, respectively. Calvaria from newborn rats showed 5‐fold higher values. At 45 °C, oxygen consumption was irreversibly abolished. The blood flow to bones amounts to 5–6 ml/100 g✶min being equivalent to an oxygen delivery of about 1 ml/100 g✶min. Based on the hemoglobin‐oxygen binding curve and on an O2 consumption of 0.1 ml/100 g ✶ min, venous PO2 calculates to ca. 60 mmHg. This appears to be a luxurious oxygen supply in bone. With respect to the long diffusion pathways, however, high PO2 values appear necessary to ensure sufficiently steep PO2 gradients for the the supply of cells remote from nutrient vessels. The resulting local oxygen gradients may orchestrate proliferation and differentiation of bone cells via oxygen‐dependent gene expression. Based on these considerations a model is proposed which comprises known factors influencing blood flow and oxygen tension in bone.
Impact of maternal circulating cholesterol and gestational diabetes mellitus on lipid metabolism in human term placenta
Authors: Marseille‐Tremblay Charles , Ethier‐Chiasson Maude , Forest Jean‐Claude , Giguère Yves , Masse André , Mounier Catherine , Lafond Julie 
Published: December 2007

AbstractMaternal hypercholesterolemia (HC) during pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are associated with disturbance of fetal development which may also modify key features of placental functions. In this study, we evaluated the impact of maternal hypercholesterolemia on placental cholesterol and lipid metabolism in 59 women classified in two groups according to the median concentration of plasma total cholesterol (6.42 mM). The impact of GDM was also evaluated on the metabolism of placentas obtained from 7 insulin‐treated GDM and 7 non‐GDM women. We showed that high maternal circulating cholesterol is associated with a significant increase in the LDL‐cholesterol, ApoB‐100 and triglyceride concentrations in the maternal blood. However the level of cholesterol in the venous cord blood and placenta remains unchanged in response to modification in maternal cholesterol profile. The levels of Fatty acid synthase (FAS) and SREBP‐2 expressions in placenta are significantly increased in the HC group while expression of both sterol regulatory element‐binding proteins‐1 (SREBP‐1) and HMG‐CoA reductase (HMGR) are not modified. GDM is not associated with modification in the maternal lipid profile but it increases the concentration of inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β and TNF‐α) in placenta which correlates with a dramatic induction of FAS expression without affecting the expression of mature SREBPs proteins. In conclusion, our study suggests that in placenta, expressions of key proteins involved in de novo lipid synthesis are affected by changes in maternal metabolism (HC and GDM) that may subsequently affect fetal development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1054–1062, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular cloning of Plk1 and Nek2 and their expression in mature gonads of the teleost fish Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Matsuoka Yoh , Kobayashi Tohru , Kihara Kazunori , Nagahama Yoshitaka 
Published: December 2007

AbstractPolo‐like kinase 1 (Plk1) and NIMA‐related kinase 2 (Nek2) are serine/threonine kinases that are involved in the G2/M phase transition of the cell cycle in vertebrates. Although they also play critical roles in the regulation of spermatogenesis and oogenesis, their characterization in meiosis has not been elucidated fully, particularly in teleost fish. To investigate the evolutionary significance of serine/threonine kinases in the reproductive system of fish, we cloned the cDNAs of Plk1 and Nek2 from a Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) testicular cDNA library. Tilapia Plk1 encodes a protein of 582 amino acids that shares 75% homology with human Plk1, while tilapia Nek2 encodes a putative protein of 446 amino acids that shares 70% homology with human Nek2. Analyses of tissue distribution by RT‐PCR and Southern blotting revealed that Plk1 and Nek2 are strongly expressed in the ovary and testis. Northern blot analysis revealed two Nek2 transcripts in the ovary and testis with different expression patterns, which indicates the presence of two structural variants for tilapia Nek2. Moreover, the localization of Plk1 and Nek2 mRNAs in tilapia gonads was determined by in situ hybridization analysis. In the ovary, Plk1 and Nek2 were expressed predominantly in oocytes. In the testis, on the other hand, Plk1 was expressed in primary spermatocytes, while Nek2 was generally expressed in primary and secondary spermatocytes. These results suggest that Plk1 and Nek2 are key factors in the progression of meiosis in fish. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 989–1001, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phase diagram and entropic interaction parameter of athermal all‐polymer nanocomposites
Authors: de Luzuriaga Alaitz Ruiz , Etxeberria Agustín , Rodríguez Javier , Pomposo José A. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractAn entropic model is introduced for the prediction of the χ interaction parameter and phase diagram of athermal all‐polymer nanocomposites (chemically identical polymer‐nanoparticle/linear‐polymer blends). According to this model, dilution of contact (hard sphere‐like) nanoparticle/nanoparticle interactions upon mixing plays a key role in explaining the miscibility behavior of athermal all‐polymer nanocomposites in the presence of unfavorable chain expansion (or contraction) effects. The new model is valid both for the cases of chain stretching and chain contraction and provides an appropriate capture of entropy changes accompanying the mixing of chemically identical nanoparticles and polymers. A good agreement was found between predicted χ interaction parameter (χcal =  −2.3 × 10−3) and reported small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experimental data ($\bar \chi _{\exp } $ ∼ −2 × 10−3) for 211 kDa cross‐linked poly(styrene) (PS)‐nanoparticles dissolved in 473 kDa deuterated linear‐PS. In addition, the miscibility boundary calculated from the model for PS‐nanoparticle/linear‐PS nanocomposites (ϕ1 = 0.02) compared very favorably to that experimentally found. For this system, the spinodal line in the polymer radius of gyration (Rg) versus nanoparticle radius (a) phase diagram was found to follow the simple scaling law: $R_{\rm g}^{{\rm sp}} \approx 0.27a^{3/2} $, $R_{\rm g}^{{\rm sp}} $ being the polymer radius of gyration at which the second derivative of the free energy of mixing vanishes. Finally, the model has been employed for the prediction of the entropic χ interaction parameter, the miscibility behavior, and the melting point depression of athermal poly(ethylene) (PE)‐nanoparticle/linear‐PE nanocomposites using recent chain dimension data from Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, where chain stretching or chain contraction effects were observed depending on nanoparticle size. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface properties of hydrosilylated polyolefins annealed in supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Zhu S.‐H. , Tzoganakis C. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractTwo hydrosilylated polyolefin compounds are obtained by reacting polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) with di‐ and multi‐functional hydride‐terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (dH‐PDMS and mH‐PDMS), respectively. The PDMS‐rich surface layers on these two samples show different Si concentrations but similar thicknesses. Samples of these materials are annealed in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) at various temperatures and pressures for different periods of time. On the PP/dH‐PDMS sample, an increase in the annealing temperature does not affect the Si concentration up to 120°C. However, the Si concentration is sharply reduced at T = 150°C at which point the surface appears to be covered by SiO2 particles. Annealing the PP/dH‐PDMS sample for short times leads to submicron scale SiO2 particle formation on the surface. The particles form aggregated clusters that spread all over the surface uniformly when the annealing time is extended. However, Si concentration on the PE/mH‐PDMS sample surface is enhanced as the annealing temperature increases, reaching a maximum at an annealing temperature of 100°C. No particle formation is observed on the PE/mH‐PDMS sample surface. The contact angle of both samples is found to increase with annealing temperature. Increasing the scCO2 pressure leads to a higher Si concentration on the surfaces of both samples. On the other hand, increasing the CO2 pressure leads to opposite trends in contact angle with the PP/dH‐PDMS sample exhibiting an increasing contact angle and the PE/mH‐PDMS sample exhibiting a decreasing one. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.