bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanoscale and customary non‐esterified sitosterols are equally enriched in different body compartments of the guinea pig
Authors: Keller Sylvia , Helbig Dorit , Härtl Albert , Jahreis Gerhard 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe impact of sitosterol formulation particle size on the intestinal sterol absorption and the sterol status in various tissues in Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs was investigated. Three groups of animals (six each) were fed a basal diet (“control”) or a basal diet containing either customary sitosterol (“customary”, particle size: 10 000–90 000 nm) or nanoscale sitosterol (“nanoscale”, particle size: 200–300 nm). The average daily sitosterol intake was 21 ± 7 mg (control), 154 ± 8 mg (customary), and 127 ± 18 mg (nanoscale) for 2 weeks. Sitosterol and cholesterol were analyzed in samples of plasma, blood cells, bile, liver, kidney, jejunal mucosa/serosa, cecum, colon and feces. Concentrations of sitosterol in all analyzed matrices increased significantly in the supplemented groups when compared to control group. No differences in the sitosterol concentrations in analyzed matrices occurred between nanoscale and customary group. The cholesterol concentrations in tissues remained unchanged. Fecal fatty acid and sterol distributions were modified during sitosterol intervention. Both particle sizes equally increased sitosterol levels in cholesterol‐metabolizing compartments in the guinea pig. No differences in body compartment accumulation and intestinal absorption of the different sitosterol particle sizes were observed.
Experimental validation of a new semi‐implicit CE–SE scheme for the calculation of unsteady one‐dimensional flow in tapered ducts
Authors: Torregrosa A. J. , Serrano J. R. , Arnau F. J. , Romero J. V. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThis paper presents an improvement in the conservation element–solution element (CE–SE) scheme for calculating one‐dimensional flow through tapered ducts. This new CE–SE scheme has been validated against experiments in tapered ducts with non‐steady flow using pressure impulses. This validation analyses scheme's ability to reproduce instantaneous pressure in time and frequency domains, mass conservation when the section of the duct changes (which was the main drawback of the original CE–SE scheme) and finally computational time. In order to quantify the improvement of the scheme, the calculations have been compared with experimental data and with the results provided by other schemes, such as the original CE–SE or total variation diminishing schemes. This comparison shows important improvements in mass conservation in relation to the original CE–SE and not significant penalties in computational time. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the modelling of non‐linear kinematic hardening at finite strains with application to springback—Comparison of time integration algorithms
Authors: Vladimirov Ivaylo N. , Pietryga Michael P. , Reese Stefanie 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe paper discusses the derivation and the numerical implementation of a finite strain material model for non‐linear kinematic and isotropic hardening. The kinematic hardening component represents a continuum extension of the classical rheological model of Armstrong–Frederick kinematic hardening. In addition, a comparison between several numerical algorithms for the integration of the evolution equations is conducted. In particular, a new form of the exponential map that preserves the plastic volume and the symmetry of the internal variables, as well as two modifications of the backward Euler scheme are discussed. Finally, the applicability of the model for springback prediction is demonstrated by performing simulations of the draw‐bending process and a comparison with experiments. The results show an excellent agreement between simulation and experiment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal serum ADAM12s as a marker of rare aneuploidies in the first or second trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Spencer Kevin , Cowans Nicholas J. , Stamatopoulou Anastasia 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo assess whether the maternal serum ADAM12s concentrations are altered in the first and second trimester of pregnancies complicated by rare aneuploides.MethodsADAM12s was measured by a semi‐automated time‐resolved immunofluorometric assay in a series of 60 first‐trimester cases with trisomy 13, 78 first‐trimester cases with Turner's syndrome, 38 first‐trimester cases with triploidy and 24 first‐trimester cases with sex aneuploidy—the cases were compared with the data from 389 first‐trimester controls. In the second trimester, a smaller number of 6, 7, 2 and 13 cases, respectively, were compared with the data from 341 controls. All data were expressed as multiple of the median (MoM) and corrected for maternal weight. Correlation with previously analysed markers (PAPP‐A, free β‐hCG and delta NT) was performed.ResultsThe first‐trimester median MoM ADAM12s was significantly lower than 1.0 in all types of rare aneuploidy with the possible exception of triploidy type II. A significant positive correlation with gestational age was reported for trisomy 13 and Turner's syndrome. ADAM12s was not significantly correlated with any other first‐trimester marker. In the second trimester, ADAM12s values were marginally increased in these rare aneuploidies.ConclusionsADAM12s has already been shown to be a possible early first‐ and second‐trimester marker of trisomies 21 and 18. Our data also show the possibility of levels of this marker being altered in the first and second trimester of pregnancies with rare aneuploidies. This may be a useful addition to screening strategies in the future. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expectations of general practitioners and specialist doctors regarding the feedback received after reporting an adverse drug reaction
Authors: Cornelissen Lotte , van Puijenbroek Eugène , van Grootheest Kees 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjectiveAim of this study is to gain insight in experiences and expectations of general practitioners and specialist doctors regarding the feedback information of the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb.MethodA questionnaire survey was conducted among a random sample of 400 doctors, divided in general practitioners and specialist doctors. Within these groups, a difference was made between those who reported only once and those who are frequent reporters. A structured questionnaire consisted of 23 questions about expectations, experiences, the influence of feedback information and what the doctors would like to change in the feedback from Lareb. A comparison between the groups will give insight in what they think separately and how Lareb can seize on their wishes.Key findingsThe response rate was 54.4% (n = 217) after one reminder. The respondents are satisfied with the feedback information and regarded the information of good quality. The expectations were higher on information about sources (significance 0.00, caused by specialist doctors who reported once) and co‐medication (0.025 caused by all groups). The experiences of the four groups were also very positive. They all find the feedback information of Lareb reliable, scientifically well considered and to the point.ConclusionsGeneral practitioners and specialist doctors are satisfied about the follow‐up information and they like to see the same format of information and communication in the future. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma Sterilisation within Long and Narrow Bore Dielectric Tubes Contaminated with Stacked Bacterial Spores
Authors: Pollak Jérôme , Moisan Michel , Kéroack Danielle , Séguin Jacynthe , Barbeau Jean 
Published: November 2007

AbstractCatheters, which comprise small diameter (≤4 mm), long (typically more than a meter), thermosensitive polymer tubings, are generally used only once. This is because conventional low temperature sterilisation techniques are considered inadequate for used catheters. The plasma sterilisation method proposed in the current paper should allow for the achievement of re‐sterilisation of catheters according to accepted regulations. The plasma process described enables one to sterilise, in less than 10 min, the inner part of a long 4 mm i.d. Teflon tube contaminated initially with 106 Bacillus atrophaeus spores. This result was obtained by achieving an argon discharge at reduced pressure (750 mTorr) within the hollow (dielectric) tube itself. The discharge was sustained using a microwave field‐applicator called a stripline, fully enclosing the tube to be treated. This linear field‐applicator yields a uniform plasma all along the tube, hence the uniform biocide action. The biocide agents are the vacuum ultra‐violet (VUV) photons, which include oxygen and nitrogen atomic lines, the N2 Lyman‐Birge‐Hopfield (LBH) bands, the UV photons emitted by the NOβ and NOγ molecular systems resulting from the contamination, even though at a very low‐level, of the argon gas (high purity argon is used) by air. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed no apparent damage to the external structure of the spores and to polystyrene microspheres exposed to plasma during the time required for reaching sterility.To check for sterility in such narrow bore tubes without having to cut them into two pieces, a procedure was developed to introduce and afterwards collect the bacterial spores used as bio‐indicators. This diagnostic procedure allowed, at the same time, the imaging of the microorganisms relatively efficiently with SEM, showing the eventual stacking of bacterial spores, a possible source of sterilisation failure.magnified image
Nonmedical prescribing: clinics for long‐term conditions
Authors: Lavender Graham 
Published: November 2007

AbstractOur series Nonmedical prescribing gives an overview of the work that can be done by nonmedical prescribers and what can be achieved. Here Graham Lavender, a supplementary pharmacist in Southampton, describes his role in managing patients with long‐term conditions. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd
The interaction of arginine‐ and tryptophan‐rich cyclic hexapeptides with Escherichia coli membranes
Authors: Junkes Christof , Wessolowski Axel , Farnaud Sebastien , Evans Robert W. , Good Liam , Bienert Michael , Dathe Margitta 
Published: November 2007

AbstractCyclization of R‐ and W‐rich hexapeptides has been found to enhance specifically the antimicrobial activity against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli. To gain insight into the role of the bacterial outer membrane in mediating selectivity, we assayed the activity of cyclic hexapeptides derived from the parent sequence c‐(RRWWRF) against several E. coli strains and Bacillus subtilis, L‐form bacteria, and E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mutant strains, and we also investigated the peptide‐induced permeabilization of the outer and inner membrane of E. coli. Wall‐deficient L‐form bacteria were distinctly less susceptible than the wild type strain. The patterns of peptide‐induced permeabilization of the outer and inner E. coli membranes correlated well with the antimicrobial activity, confirming that membrane permeabilization is a detrimental effect of the peptides upon bacteria. Truncation of LPS had no influence on the activity of the cyclic parent peptide, but the highly active c‐(RRWFWR), with three adjacent aromatic residues, required the complete LPS for maximal activity. Furthermore, differences in the activity of the parent peptide and its all‐D sequence indicated stereospecific interactions with the LPS mutant strains. We suggest that, depending on the primary sequence of the peptides, either hydrophobic interactions with the fatty acid chains of lipid A, or electrostatic interactions disturbing the polar core region and interference with saccharide‐saccharide interactions prevail in the barrier‐disturbing effect upon the outer membrane and thereby provide peptide accessibility to the inner membrane. The results underline the importance of tryptophan and arginine residues and their relative location for a high antimicrobial effect, and the activity‐modulating function of the outer membrane of E. coli. In addition to membrane permeabilization, the data provided evidence for the involvement of other mechanisms in growth inhibition and killing of bacteria. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermomechanical Formation and Recovery of Nanoindents in a Shape Memory Polymer Studied Using a Heated Tip
Authors: Yang Fuzheng , Wornyo Edem , Gall Ken , King William P. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThis paper investigates the thermomechanical formation and recovery of nanometer‐scale indents in a shape memory polymer (SMP), studied using a heated atomic force microscope (AFM) tip and hot‐stage atomic force microscopy. The material tested is a tert‐butyl acrylate (tBA)‐based polymer, which has a glass transition temperature of 60 °C. The AFM tip forms indents in the polymer in the temperature range 25–250 °C. The shape recovery of the indents is studied while the polymer is heated up to 100 °C. The temperature required for complete annealing of the indents depends upon the indentation formation conditions, with higher temperature formation corresponding to higher temperature recovery. SCANNING 29: 000–V000, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parkhaus CHL Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg: Verbunddecken mit Faserbeton
Authors: Brauch Jaques , Wolperding Gernot 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIn Luxemburg wurde für das “Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg” im Jahr 2006 in einer Bauzeit von acht Monaten ein Parkhaus gebaut, bei dem das erste Mal Stahlfaserbeton in Verbindung mit Verbunddecken eingesetzt wurde. Durch die gesparte Zeit für die Armierung wurde der Bauablauf verkürzt.Das 4‐geschossige Gebäude hat eine Grundfläche von 125 m × 43,6 m und ist im Bereich der Decken fugenlos. Es bietet in vier Ebenen 643 Stellplätze und auf dem Dach einen Landeplatz für einen Hubschrauber.
Zur praktischen Ermittlung der Verformungen von Verbundträgern und Flachdeckensystemen unter Berücksichtigung der Nachgiebigkeit der Verbundfuge
Authors: Hanswille Gerhard , Schäfer Markus 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBei Trägern und Flachdeckensystemen in Verbundbauweise wird die Verdübelung überwiegend mit duktilen Verbundmitteln, wie z. B. mit Kopfbolzendübeln, realisiert. Die Nachgiebigkeit der Verbundmittel kann insbesondere bei Trägern mit teilweiser Verdübelung und/oder unterbrochener Verbundfuge das Verformungsverhalten nennenswert beeinflussen. Bei Flachdeckensystemen ist wegen der speziellen Querschnittsgeometrie ebenfalls ein nennenswerter Einfluss der Nachgiebigkeit der Verbundmittel auf das Verformungsverhalten vorhanden. Da genauere Berechnungen unter Berücksichtigung der Nachgiebigkeit der Verdübelung im Allgemeinen relativ aufwendig sind, wird ein vereinfachtes baupraktisches Berechnungsmodell vorgestellt, mit dem der Einfluss der Nachgiebigkeit der Verbundfuge auf die Verformungen von Verbundträgern und Flachdeckensystemen einfach beurteilt werden kann.
Synthesis of Novel Water‐Soluble Aminodeoxychitin Derivatives
Authors: Pourjavadi Ali , Seidi Farzad , Salimi Hamid 
Published: November 2007

AbstractEight new chitin derivatives have been synthesized via SN2 reaction of primary and secondary amines with tosylchitin. The products were characterized using FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. A degree of substitution ˜ 1 was achieved through this process. These materials are soluble in water at room temperature, which enable their further applications in the future.
Comparison Between Granular Starch Hydrolyzing Enzyme and Conventional Enzymes for Ethanol Production from Maize Starch with Different Amylose: Amylopectin Ratios
Authors: Sharma Vivek , Rausch Kent D. , Tumbleson Mike E. , Singh Vijay 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe effect of enzyme treatments (granular starch hydrolyzing and conventional enzymes) and different amylose: amylopectin ratios of maize starch on ethanol production was evaluated. For starch treatments, amylose: amylopectin ratios were prepared by mixing commercially available Hylon VII (70% amylose and 30% amylopectin) and Amioca (˜100% amylopectin) starches. For maize treatments, waxy, high amylose and regular dent hybrids were used to represent varying amylose: amylopectin ratios. All hydrolyses followed by fermentations were conducted at 15% solids content. Differences were observed in ethanol yields among granular starch hydrolyzing and conventional enzymes. Differences also were observed in ethanol yields between different amylose: amylopectin ratios for pure starch and maize samples. For starch samples, final ethanol concentrations varied from 2.2 to 9.1% (v/v) for fermentation with granular starch hydrolyzing enzyme and from 6.7 to 9.3% (v/v) for conventional enzymes. Higher ethanol concentrations were observed for Amioca starch for both enzymes. For maize samples, final ethanol concentrations were highest for waxy maize for both granular starch hydrolyzing (8.2%, v/v) and conventional (8.2%, v/v) enzymes. Lowest ethanol concentrations were observed for high‐amylose maize samples for granular starch hydrolyzing (6.3%, v/v) and conventional (5.2%, v/v) enzymes.
Screening for trisomy 21 during the routine second‐trimester ultrasound examination in an unselected Chilean population
Authors: Parra‐Cordero M. , Quiroz L. , Rencoret G. , Pedraza D. , Muñoz H. , Soto‐Chacón E. , Miranda‐Mendoza I. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of a detailed ultrasound examination during the second trimester as a screening test for Down syndrome in an unselected Chilean population.MethodsThis was part of an ongoing longitudinal study. Included were 3071 women with singleton pregnancies who underwent routine ultrasound examination between 21 + 0 and 25 + 6 gestational weeks as a screening test for chromosomal abnormalities and major congenital structural defects, and who were diagnosed as having trisomy 21 or being chromosomally normal. Maternal age, and eight soft markers and cardiac defects associated with Down syndrome were evaluated as a screening test using logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe incidence of Down syndrome was 0.6%, and the mean maternal age was 29.4 ± 6.2 years. At least one of four soft markers (absent nasal bone, nuchal edema, short femur, echogenic foci) and/or cardiac defects was present in 77.8% of Down syndrome fetuses and in 3.1% of normal fetuses. Furthermore, with a false‐positive rate of 1%, the detection rate using the combined model of ultrasound markers and maternal age was 72.2%.ConclusionsSecond‐trimester ultrasound markers are able to detect over 70% of Down syndrome fetuses with only a 1% false‐positive rate. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An interlaboratory comparison of bone lead measurements via K‐shell x‐ray fluorescence
Authors: Parsons P. J. , Bellis D. J. , Hetter K. M. , Geraghty C. , Berglind N. A. , Ginde N. R. , Mata P. , Todd A. C. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBone lead measurements assess chronic exposure and can be obtained via a noninvasive analytical technique based on K‐she ll x‐ray fluorescence (KXRF) spectrometry. While KXRF has been practiced by a number of laboratories around the world, this technique has not, until now, undergone an assessment of interlaboratory agreement. The study described here provides such an assessment via circulation of nine bare tibiae selected from a repository of bones that were derived from lead‐dosed goats. Fifteen KXRF systems were used by ten participating laboratories, to make five measurements on each of the nine caprine tibiae. Reported bone lead concentrations ranged from the KXRF detection limit to 63 µg g−1 bone mineral. None of the data from the ten participant laboratories was found to be a statistical outlier. However for each of the nine tibiae, differences between the 15 reported bone lead concentrations were statistically significant. The standard deviations of the five replicate KXRF‐measured concentrations ranged, across all laboratories and all tibiae, from 0.5 to 6.5 µg g−1, bone mineral. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) and ethanol on the Albino rat testis: A scanning electron microscopic approach
Authors: Sivasankaran T.G. , Udayakumar R. , Elanchezhiyan C. , Sabhanayakam Selvi 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe effects of sildenafil citrate with ethanol on the rat testis was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Male Albino rats were divided into 8 groups, each being treated for a maximum of 45 days as follows. In the 4 short‐term treatment groups, control rats were administered normal saline orally, whereas experimental animals were fed sildenafil citrate (Viagra) 1 μg/g with 18% ethanol (5 g/kg body weight), which was given orally as a single dose. After 1, 2.5, 4 and 24 h the rats were killed. In the 4 long‐term treatment groups, daily continuous doses of drug and ethanol with a single dosage were given for 15, 30 and 45 days and the animals killed 4 h after the last dosage. Changes in the testis were compared with the normal healthy rat testis. The use of a scanning electron microscope for evaluation of the changes in the testis is more suitable for observation of the surface and morphological shapes of the tissue structures.
Adenovirus‐mediated RNA interference against collagen‐specific molecular chaperone 47‐KDa heat shock protein suppresses scar formation on mouse wounds
Authors: Wang Zuolin , Li Lin 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIt has been shown in many investigations that the abnormally increasing production and deposition of collagen is one of the important mechanisms of pathological scars and other fibrotic diseases [Wang Z, Inokuchi T, Nemoto TK, Uehara M, Baba TT. Antisense oligonucleotide against collagen‐specific molecular chaperone 47‐kDa heat shock protein suppresses scar formation in rat wounds. Plast Reconstr Surg 2003 May; 111(6):1980–7; Obayashi K, Akamatsu H, Okano Y, Matsunage K, Masaki H. Exogenous nitric oxide enhances the synthesis of type I collagen and heat shock protein 47 by normal human dermal fibroblasts. J Dermatol Sci 2006 Feb; 41(2): 121–6 [e pub. 2005 Sep 19]; Kakugawa T, Mukae H, Hayashi T, Ishii H, Nakayama S, Sakamoto N, et‐al. Expression of HSP47 in usual interstitial pneumonia and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. Respir Res 2005 Jun;14(6): 57; Razzaque MS, Taguchi T. The possible role of colligin/HSP47, a collagen‐binding protein, in the pathogenesis of human and experimental fibrotic diseases. Histol Histopathol 1999 Oct; 14(4): 1199–1212; Sharp PA. RNA interference—2001. Genes Dev 2001 Mar 1; 15(5): 485–90; Ohashi S, Abe H, Takahashi T, Yamamoto Y, Takeuchi M, Arai H, et‐al. Advanced glycation end products increase collagen‐specific chaperone protein in mouse diabetic nephropathy. J Biol Chem 2004 May 7; 279(19): 19816–23 [epub 2004 Mar 5]]. RNA interference is the process that double‐stranded RNA induces the homology‐dependent degradation of cognate mRNA mediated by 21–23 nucleotide short interfering RNA (siRNA). In this study, we investigated the effect of HSP47‐specific siRNA on the fibroblast cells, and then constructed adenovirus containing siRNA against HSP47 to inhibit the formation of scar in animal model. In this pilot study, HSP47 was targeted by this vector. Our results showed that the HSP47‐specific siRNA could inhibit the expression of HSP47 at the level of mRNA and protein. Furthermore, adenovirus‐mediated transfer of siRNA against HSP47 could inhibit the expression of type I collagen and the formation of scar tissue in animal model. It is likely that the inhibition of HSP47 by RNA interference (RNAi) could be developed as a powerful approach to prevent the scar formation.