bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of Erythropoietin and Its Receptor in the Human Retina
Authors: García-Ramírez Marta , Hernández Cristina , Simó Rafael 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to evaluate erythropoietin (Epo) and Epo receptor (EpoR) expression in the retina and in vitreous fluid from diabetic and nondiabetic donors. To gain insight into the mechanisms responsible for the regulation of Epo production in the retina, we also assessed retinal expression of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1α and HIF-2α).
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Eighteen postmortem eyes from 9 diabetic patients without clinically detectable retinopathy were compared with 18 eyes from 9 nondiabetic donors. mRNA of Epo, HIF-1α, and HIF-2α (quantitative RT-PCR) were measured separately in neuroretina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Epo and EpoR were assessed in the retina (immunofluorescence by confocal laser microscopy) and in the vitreous fluid (radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively).
RESULTS—Epo and EpoR mRNAs were significantly higher in the RPE than in the neuroretina. Higher expression of Epo was detected in the retinas (both in the RPE and in the neuroretina) from diabetic donors. By contrast, EpoR expression was similar in both groups. We did not find any difference in HIF-1α and HIF-2α mRNA expression between diabetic and nondiabetic donors (both in RPE and neuroretina). Intravitreal Epo concentration was higher in diabetic donors than in nondiabetic control subjects. However, EpoR concentrations were similar in both groups.
CONCLUSIONS—Epo overexpression is an early event in the retina of diabetic patients, and this is not associated with any change in EpoR. At this early stage, other factors apart from hypoxia seem to be more important in accounting for the Epo upregulation that exists in the diabetic retina.
Liver Enzymes Compared With Alcohol Consumption in Predicting the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Sato Kyoko Kogawa , Hayashi Tomoshige , Nakamura Yoshiko , Harita Nobuko , Yoneda Takeshi , Endo Ginji , Kambe Hiroshi 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE—It has been reported that moderate alcohol consumption decreased the risk of type 2 diabetes but that elevated liver enzymes increased it. The comparative importance of alcohol consumption and liver enzymes as predictors of type 2 diabetes remains unconfirmed.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The participants included 8,576 Japanese men, aged 40–55 years, without type 2 diabetes at entry. Type 2 diabetes was diagnosed if a fasting plasma glucose level was ≥126 mg/dl or if participants were taking oral hypoglycemic medications or insulin.
RESULTS—During the 4-year follow-up period, we confirmed 878 cases. In multivariate models, moderate daily alcohol consumption (16.4–42.6 g ethanol/day) decreased the risk of type 2 diabetes, and higher levels of γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased the risk. In joint analyses of alcohol consumption and liver enzymes, moderate drinkers with the lowest tertile of GGT had the lowest risk of type 2 diabetes. Compared with them, nondrinkers with the highest GGT had the highest risk of type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 3.18 [95% CI 1.75–5.76]). At every level of GGT, moderate or heavy alcohol drinkers (≥42.7 g ethanol/day) had a lower risk of type 2 diabetes than nondrinkers. The relationship of ALT and daily alcohol consumption with the risk of type 2 diabetes was almost the same as that of GGT.
CONCLUSIONS—GGT, ALT, and daily alcohol consumption were independently associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. Nondrinkers with the highest GGT or ALT had a high risk of type 2 diabetes.
Role of Adiponectin in Matching of Fetal and Placental Weight in Mothers With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Nelson Scott M. , Freeman Dilys J. , Sattar Naveed , Lindsay Robert S. 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE—To assess the association of fetal hormones with placental growth and fetal weight–to–placental weight ratio index (FPI) in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We conducted a prospective study using umbilical venous blood samples taken at birth from 122 offspring of mothers with type 1 diabetes (OT1D) and 46 control subjects.
RESULTS—Placental weight (P = 0.009) and gestation-adjusted birth weight (P &lt; 0.001) were increased in OT1D, but FPI was unaltered (P = 0.33). Placental weight correlated with birth weight (P &lt; 0.001) and cord leptin (P &lt; 0.001) in control subjects and OT1D, with further relationships with cord insulin, IGF-1, IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and triceps and subscapular thickness in OT1D. FPI was associated with adiponectin in both groups, even after adjustment for confounders.
CONCLUSIONS—Placental and fetal growth show a parallel increase in mothers with type 1 diabetes. The possible role of adiponectin in matching of fetal and placental growth merits further study.
Hypoglycemia Increases Serum Interleukin-6 Levels in Healthy Men and Women
Authors: Dotson Sarah , Freeman Roy , Failing Hannah J. , Adler Gail K. 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE—Inflammation may have a major role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of critical illness. Hyperglycemia increases levels of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and is associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality. Because hypoglycemia is also associated with adverse outcomes, we tested the hypothesis that hypoglycemia increases IL-6.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Seventeen healthy men and women participated in hypoglycemic and euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp studies (target blood glucose levels 2.7 and 5.0 mmol/l, respectively), separated by 1–3 months. IL-6, ACTH, and cortisol were measured at baseline and at 45, 75, 105, and 135 min after initiation of the insulin infusion.
RESULTS—IL-6, ACTH, and cortisol levels increased significantly (P &lt; 0.0001) during hypoglycemia but not euglycemia. IL-6 increased from mean ± SEM 1.0 ± 0.2 pg/ml at baseline to 2.6 ± 0.2 pg/ml after 135 min of hypoglycemia, whereas IL-6 levels were unchanged during euglycemia.
CONCLUSIONS—Hypoglycemia increases IL-6 levels in healthy individuals.
Serum Adiponectin and Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Saraheimo Markku , Forsblom Carol , Thorn Lena , Wadén Johan , Rosengård-Bärlund Milla , Heikkilä Outi , Hietala Kustaa , Gordin Daniel , Frystyk Jan , Flyvbjerg Allan , Groop Per-Henrik ,   on behalf of the FinnDiane Study Group
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether serum adiponectin is associated with progression of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic patients.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—This was a prospective follow-up study as a part of the nationwide Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study; 1,330 type 1 diabetic patients were followed for 5.0 ± 2.2 years. Patients were divided at baseline into three groups according to their urinary albumin excretion rate (AER) in three consecutive overnight or 24-h urine collections: 818 patients with normoalbuminuria (AER &lt;20 μg/min), 216 patients with microalbuminuria (20 μg/min ≤ AER &lt; 200 μg/min), and 296 patients with macroalbuminuria (AER ≥200 μg/min). Progression of albuminuria was the main outcome. Adiponectin was measured by a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay, and the values were log-transformed and adjusted for age, BMI, and sex before analysis.
RESULTS—Progression either to the next albuminuria level or to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) occurred in 193 patients. No difference in adiponectin concentrations was observed between progressors and nonprogressors in patients with normoalbuminuria or microalbuminuria. In the patients with macroalbuminuria, progression to ESRD was associated with higher adiponectin in the entire group (23.4 ± 17.1 vs. 16.0 ± 8.5 mg/l, P &lt; 0.001) and in men (P &lt; 0.001) and women (P &lt; 0.001) separately. Progression to ESRD was also associated with systolic blood pressure, insulin dose, A1C, serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, AER, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). When these covariates were inserted in a Cox regression analysis, A1C, triglycerides, eGFR, and adiponectin were significantly associated with progression from macroalbuminuria.
CONCLUSIONS—Increased serum adiponectin levels predict the progression from macroalbuminuria to ESRD in type 1 diabetic patients.
Plasma Connective Tissue Growth Factor Is an Independent Predictor of End-Stage Renal Disease and Mortality in Type 1 Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Nguyen Tri Q. , Tarnow Lise , Jorsal Anders , Oliver Noelynn , Roestenberg Peggy , Ito Yasuhiko , Parving Hans-Henrik , Rossing Peter , van Nieuwenhoven Frans A. , Goldschmeding Roel 
Published: May 2008

OBJECTIVE—We evaluated the predictive value of baseline plasma connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in a prospective study of patients with type 1 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Subjects were 198 type 1 diabetic patients with established diabetic nephropathy and 188 type 1 diabetic patients with persistent normoalbuminuria. Follow-up time was 12.8 years. Prediction of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and mortality by plasma CTGF was analyzed in conjunction with conventional risk factors.
RESULTS—Plasma CTGF was higher in patients with nephropathy than in patients with normoalbuminuria (median 381 [interquartile range 270–630] vs. 235 [168–353] pmol/l). In patients with nephropathy, elevated plasma CTGF was an independent predictor of ESRD (covariate-adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.6 [95% CI 1.1–2.5]) and correlated with the rate of decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (cumulative R = 0.46). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for prediction of ESRD was 0.72. Plasma CTGF above a cutoff level of 413 pmol/l predicted ESRD with a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 63% and was associated with a higher rate of decline in GFR (mean ± SD 5.4 ± 4.9 vs. 3.3 ± 3.5 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year). Moreover, in patients with nephrotic range albuminuria (&gt;3 g/day), plasma CTGF was the only predictor of ESRD (covariate-adjusted HR 4.5 [2.0–10.4]). Plasma CTGF was an independent predictor also of overall mortality (covariate-adjusted HR 1.4 [1.1–1.7]). In contrast, in normoalbuminuric patients, plasma CTGF did not correlate with clinical parameters and did not predict outcome.
CONCLUSIONS—Plasma CTGF contributes significantly to prediction of ESRD and mortality in patients with type 1 diabetic nephropathy.
Differential correlates of reactive and proactive aggression in Asian adolescents: relations to narcissism, anxiety, schizotypal traits, and peer relations
Authors: Seah Suzanne L. , Ang Rebecca P. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis study investigated relationship between reactive and proactive aggression, and narcissism, anxiety, schizotypal traits, and interpersonal relations in a sample of 698 Asian adolescents from Grades 7 to 9. Proactive aggression was found to be significantly associated with narcissism, whereas reactive aggression was significantly associated with anxiety, schizotypal traits, and poor interpersonal relations. Study findings provide support from a cross‐cultural standpoint for differential correlates of reactive and proactive aggression and represent an initial attempt to illustrate the generalizability of existing findings on the distinction between the two subtypes in an Asian context. Implications for theory building of the reactive–proactive aggression typology are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 34:553–562. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Solvent‐etching preparation and enhanced emission of acetylferrocene organometallic nanoparticles
Authors: Yuan Pin‐Shi , Wu Qing‐Sheng 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA new type of acetylferrocene organometallic nanoparticles with the diameter of about 70 nm was prepared by a simple solvent‐etching method and characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X‐ray diffractometer. Their optical properties were presently studied by FT‐IR, UV–visible absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra. The fluorescence intensity was increased in the nanoparticles compared with that of bulk materials in solid state. The formation mechanism of the nanoparticles along with their optical properties is discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copper perchlorate hexahydrate: a highly efficient catalyst for the cyanosilylation of aldehydes
Authors: Majhi Anjoy , Kim Sung Soo , Kim Ho Sub 
Published: May 2008

AbstractCu(ClO4)2·6H2O has been found to be an efficient catalyst for cyanosilylation reaction of aldehydes in THF at room temperature with low catalytic loading (1.0 mol%) in short reaction time (mostly within 10 min). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic study of methacrylate copolymerization systems by thermoanalysis methods
Authors: Habibi Ali , Vasheghani‐Farahani Ebrahim 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe free‐radical solution copolymerization of isobutyl methacrylate with lauryl methacrylate in the presence of an inhibitor was studied with thermoanalysis methods. A set of inhibited polymerization experiments was designed. Four different levels of initial inhibitor/initiator molar ratios were considered. In situ polymerization experiments were carried out with differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, to determine the impact of the polymerization media on the rate of initiation, the kinetics of the initiator decomposition were followed with nonisothermal thermoanalysis methods, and the results were compared with in situ polymerization counterparts. The robust M‐estimation method was used to retrieve the kinetic parameters of the copolymerization system. This estimation method led to a reasonable prediction error for the dataset with strong multicollinearity. The model‐free isoconversional method was employed to find the variation of the Arrhenius activation energy with the conversion. It was found that robust M‐estimation outperformed existing methods of estimation in terms of statistical precision and computational speed, while maintaining good robustness. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Photocrosslinked electrospun chitosan‐based biocompatible nanofibers
Authors: Jin Yu , Yang Dongzhi , Zhou Yingshan , Ma Guiping , Nie Jun 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe electrospun fibers chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA) were crosslinked by the incorporation of photocrosslinking agent poly(ethyleneglycol)‐600‐dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) and photoinitiator 2‐hydroxy‐1‐[4‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanone (HEPK) into the spinning solutions and a subsequent irradiation by UV light. The photocrosslinking process of CS‐based nanofibers was studied by the Fourier transform infrared spectra, and the water resistance was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water swelling measurement. The results indicated that the water resistance of photocrosslinked CS‐based nanofibers was improved obviously and the swelling ratio decreased with the increasing content of PEGDMA/HEPK. When the concentration of crosslinking agent was 20 wt %, the swelling ratio value decreased to half of that in none crosslinking CS/PVA nanofiber membranes, further increasing the concentration of crosslinking agent to 50 wt %, the swelling ratio value was one eighth of the none crosslinking CS/PVA nanofiber membranes. Cytotoxicity evaluation by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay indicated that the photocrosslinked CS‐based fiber membranes were nontoxic to L929 cells. Results from cell culture SEM imaging showed that cells which exhibited the spindle shape could grow properly on the surface of nanofibrous structure of the CS/PVA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
μ‐Gels as support materials for dinuclear olefin polymerization catalysts
Authors: Schilling Marc , Görl Christian , Alt Helmut G. 
Published: May 2008

Abstractμ‐Gels which consist of poly(organosilicon) networks can be employed as efficient support materials for ethylene polymerization catalyst precursors. Alkylaluminum cocatalysts can be fixed on the μ‐gel surfaces using the PHT (“partially hydrolyzed trimethylaluminum”) method. The influence of different aluminum/water ratios on the ethylene polymerization properties of these heterogeneous systems is investigated. Dinuclear silicon bridged zirconium complexes are used as catalyst precursors yielding polyethylenes with broad or bimodal molecular weight distributions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Mechanical behavior and microhardness of swollen natural rubber loaded with carbon black
Authors: Abu‐Abdeen M. , Almulhem Abdalaziz A. , Sedky A. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe mechanical behavior and microhardness characteristics of a natural rubber vulcanizate loaded with 40 phr high abrasion furnace carbon black swollen in kerosene were studied. The measured parameters (i.e., the Young's modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break) varied with the swelling time in kerosene. The hardness degree decreased as the swelling time in kerosene increased. Different models were applied to describe this mechanical behavior. The Mooney–Rivilin relation agreed with the experimental data at low extension ratios, whereas the Blatz relation agreed at high extension ratios only. The strain rate sensitivity was taken into account to describe this mechanical behavior. The strain energy density as a function of the swelling time in kerosene was calculated with three different equations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis and properties of organic/inorganic hybrid nanoparticles prepared using atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Wang Tzong‐Liu , Ou Chia‐Chih , Yang Chien‐Hsin 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe synthesis of organic/inorganic hybrid materials was conducted by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene and methyl methacrylate (MMA) from the surface of silica colloids. Colloidal initiators were prepared by the functionalization of silica nanoparticles with (3‐(2‐bromoisobutyryl)propyl) dimethylethoxysilane (BIDS). Well‐defined polymer chains were grown from the nanoparticle surfaces to yield individual particles composed of a silica core and a well‐defined outer polystyrene (PS) or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) layer. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and solid state 13C and 29Si‐NMR spectroscopy confirmed the successful modification of nanosilica surfaces. Subsequent grafting of polymers on silica surfaces by ATRP was also performed with success based on FTIR and NMR data. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and silicon mapping showed both hybrid materials were homogeneous dispersion systems. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDS) analysis indicated that the BIDS initiator was covalently attached on surfaces of silica nanoparticles and ATRP of styrene and MMA were accomplished. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results displayed higher thermal stabilities for both nanohybrids in comparison with the linear‐type vinyl polymers. Contact angle measurements revealed the nanomaterials character for both silica‐based hybrid materials. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Modification induced by alpha particle irradiationin Makrofol polycarbonate
Authors: Nouh S. A. , Mohamed Amal , El Hussieny H. M. , Hegazy T. M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMakrofol DE 1‐1 CC polycarbonate samples were exposed to alpha particles of initial energies at levels between 5.1 and 34 MeV. The modifications induced in polycarbonate samples due to the alpha particle irradiation have been studied through different characterization techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy, intrinsic viscosity, and color difference studies. The infrared spectroscopy indicated that the intensities of the characteristic absorption bands decrease with increasing the deposited alpha energy in the range 5.1–8.4 MeV, indicating that the degradation is the dominant mechanism at this range. At the same time, an increase in the OH groups was observed at the same energy range 5.1–8.4 MeV due to the degradation of carbonate group and the H abstraction from the polymer backbone to form hydroxyl groups. The degradation reported by IR spectroscopy enhanced the degree of ordering in the degraded samples as revealed by XRD technique. Additionally, this degradation decreases the intrinsic viscosity from 0.56 to 0.43 at 35°C, indicating a decrease in the average molecular mass. The non irradiated Polycarbonate polymer is nearly colorless. It showed significant darkness sensitivity towards alpha particle irradiation, indicated by an increase in the color intercept L* from 33.6 to 36.7. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Citation counting, citation ranking, and h‐index of human‐computer interaction researchers: A comparison of Scopus and Web of Science
Authors: Meho Lokman I. , Rogers Yvonne 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis study examines the differences between Scopus and Web of Science in the citation counting, citation ranking, and h‐index of 22 top human‐computer interaction (HCI) researchers from EQUATOR—a large British Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration project. Results indicate that Scopus provides significantly more coverage of HCI literature than Web of Science, primarily due to coverage of relevant ACM and IEEE peer‐reviewed conference proceedings. No significant differences exist between the two databases if citations in journals only are compared. Although broader coverage of the literature does not significantly alter the relative citation ranking of individual researchers, Scopus helps distinguish between the researchers in a more nuanced fashion than Web of Science in both citation counting and h‐index. Scopus also generates significantly different maps of citation networks of individual scholars than those generated by Web of Science. The study also presents a comparison of h‐index scores based on Google Scholar with those based on the union of Scopus and Web of Science. The study concludes that Scopus can be used as a sole data source for citation‐based research and evaluation in HCI, especially when citations in conference proceedings are sought, and that researchers should manually calculate h scores instead of relying on system calculations.
Negative emotion does not enhance recall skills in adults with autistic spectrum disorders
Authors: Deruelle C. , Hubert B. , Santos A. , Wicker B. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractRecent empirical findings suggest a significant influence of emotion on memory processes. Surprisingly, although emotion‐processing difficulties appear to be a hallmark feature in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), their impact on higher‐level cognitive functions, such as memory, has not been directly studied in this population. The aim of this study was to address this issue by assessing whether the emotional valence of visual scenes affects recall skills in high‐functioning individuals with ASD. To this purpose, their recall performance of neutral and emotional pictures was compared with that of typically developing adults (control group). Results revealed that while typically developing individuals showed enhanced recall skills for negative relative to positive and neutral pictures, individuals with ASD recalled the neutral pictures as well as the emotional ones. Findings of this study thus point to reduced influence of emotion on memory processes in ASD than in typically developing individuals, possibly owing to amygdala dysfunctions.