bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protein oxidation markers in the serum and synovial fluid of psoriatic arthritis patients
Authors: Firuzi Omidreza , Spadaro Antonio , Spadaro Chiara , Riccieri Valeria , Petrucci Rita , Marrosu Giancarlo , Saso Luciano 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe role of oxidative stress has been studied in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory joint diseases to some extent, but its importance in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has rarely been investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze the levels of protein oxidation markers, sulfhydryl (SH) and carbonyl (CO) groups, in the synovial fluid (SF) and serum of PsA patients and compare them with the findings in RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. A total of 49 subjects with a knee‐joint effusion including 16  PsA, 18  RA, and 15 OA patients were studied. In all patients, the levels of SH groups measured in the serum and SF inversely correlated with the number of white blood cells (WBC) (P<0.05) and the percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) (P<0.01) in SF. Serum SH levels inversely correlated with serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P<0.02) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) (P<0.05) values. The SH levels in SF were significantly lower in patients affected by PsA and RA compared to OA cases (P<0.02). The serum SH levels in PsA were lower than OA (P<0.001) and higher than RA patients (P<0.05). The serum and synovial levels of CO groups in PsA, RA, and OA patients were similar. Our study provides novel evidence on the involvement of protein oxidation in PsA and confirms the important role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of RA. These data suggest that antioxidant agents can potentially be a useful addition to the conventional therapy in the management of these diseases. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:210–215, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Viral loads of cerebrospinal fluid in infants with enterovirus meningitis
Authors: Kawashima Hisashi , Ioi Hiroaki , Ishii Chiako , Hasegawa Yuka , Amaha Masahiro , Kashiwagi Yasuyo , Takekuma Kouji , Hoshika Akinori , Watanabe Yasuo 
Published: May 2008

AbstractFor a better understanding of the role of the viral load, free radicals, and cytokines in viral meningitis, we surveyed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from patients below 1 year of age who showed positive for enterovirus. In their first examinations interleukin (IL)‐6 and free radicals increased whereas pleocytosis was rarely observed. IL‐6 decreased within the short period. Viral loads and free radicals increased simultaneously. IL‐6 and free radicals of CSF are helpful for diagnosis and treatment of viral meningitis at an early stage. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:216–219, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study of serum argininosuccinate lyase determination for diagnosis of liver diseases
Authors: Feng Jia‐fu , Chen Ting‐mei , Wen Yang‐an , Wang Jian , Tu Zhi‐guang 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe objectives of this research were to establish an automatic analysis method for the determination of serum argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) and to investigate the value of serum ASL test in the diagnosis of various liver disorders. According to the chemical reaction catalyzed by ASL, an enzyme‐coupled reaction system was designed, and a methodology evaluation of this method was performed. A total of 291 patients with various liver diseases, 247 patients with nonliver disease and 32 healthy controls, were recruited, their serum levels of ASL and traditional hepatopathy markers, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TBil), were all determined, and their diagnostic values in liver diseases were analyzed and compared. Liver biopsy and the score of histopathological inflammation grading were performed in 31 patients with hepatopathy to explore the correlation between serum ASL level and hepatic histopathological change. A continuous monitoring assay method of serum ASL activity was established, which could be performed with automatic biochemistry analyzer. Methodological evaluation exhibited that the precision of this method was good indicated by the 4.0% intraassay coefficient of variation (CV), and 5.9% interassay CV. The mean recovery was 100.5%, linear range was from 0 to 167.7 U/L, and the lowest detection limit was approximately 0 U/L. All of the tested hepatopathy markers listed above were significantly increased in the liver disease group. However, levels of traditional markers of hepatopathy were all significantly increased at different degrees (all P<0.001) in patients with nonliver diseases; in contrast, there were no significantly increased ASL levels in all nonhepatopathy groups (P=0.335). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the sensitivity and specificity of ASL were 100% and 91.1% (cutoff value=8 U/L), respectively, in the assessment of liver diseases. In contrast, ALT levels were 97.6% and 24.7%, and AST levels were 83.8% and 28.3% (both cutoff values=40.0 U/L), respectively. A positive correlation (r=0.417, P=0.019) was observed between serum ASL levels (86.9±26.5) and scores of histopathological inflammation grading (SHIG) (9.83±3.36). The sensitivity and specificity of ALS is much higher than that of ALT and AST for the diagnosis of liver diseases. ASL may be a more valuable marker for estimating hepatopathy. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:220–227, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transplantation of urokinase‐type plasminogen activator gene‐modified bone marrow‐derived liver stem cells reduces liver fibrosis in rats
Authors: Sun Chao , Li Ding‐Guo , Chen Yuan‐Wen , Chen Ying‐Wei , Wang Bao‐Can , Sun Qiao‐Ling , Lu Han‐Ming 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundBone marrow‐derived liver stem cells (BDLSCs) are very robust cells that can differentiate into liver epithelial cells. These stem cells are promising targets for gene therapy treatment of liver diseases. Liver fibrosis results from chronic liver damage characterized by an accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and levels of urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) play an important role in ECM degradation. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of uPA gene‐modified BDLSC transplantation on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver fibrosis in rats.MethodsBDLSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of cholestatic rats. These stem cells were selected and proliferated in medium containing 5% cholestatic serum. BDLSCs transfected with adenovirus‐mediated human urokinase‐plasminogen activator were transplanted into rats with CCl4‐induced hepatic fibrosis. Liver function and the area of hepatic fibrosis were correlated with the development and prognosis of hepatic fibrosis.ResultsHepatocyte‐like colony‐forming units were formed by bone marrow cells after 2 weeks in culture. In the uPA gene‐modified BDLSC group, the areas of hepatic fibrosis were smaller and liver function was markedly ameliorated compared to controls. The expression of α‐smooth muscle actin protein, transforming growth factor‐β1 protein and collagen types I and III mRNA were downregulated. By contrast, the levels of matrix metalloproteinases‐2, ‐3 and ‐9 mRNA, hepatic growth factor mRNA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein increased.ConclusionsTransplantation of uPA gene‐modified BDLSCs may suppress hepatic fibrosis and ameliorate liver function. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic evaluation of the influence of Pseudomonas bacteria on aflatoxin B1 in the BioArena complex bioautographic system
Authors: Móricz Á. M. , Horváth E. , Ott P. G. , Tyihák E. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe mechanism of the antibacterial‐toxic effect of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was investigated in the BioArena complex bioautographic system that consists of planar liquid chromatographic development and biological detection. In this system, the killing‐inhibiting activity of AFB1 against Pseudomonas savastanoi (Psm) bacterial cells was visualised. The role of formaldehyde (HCHO) was suggested in the antibacterial‐toxic action of AFB1. Raman spectroscopy (RS) was used to investigate whether the excess HCHO found earlier in the AFB1 spot (comparing with background) originated partly from the demethylation of the toxin, or only from the enhanced demethylation of the normal cell ingredients because of the stress situation. Fourier transform (FT) Raman and surface‐enhanced FT‐Raman spectra were obtained in situ about the AFB1 chromatographic and background spots in bacteria‐free and inoculated thin layer chromatography (TLC) layers, and ex situ about their dried methanolic extract. The reduction of the δ CH3 band of AFB1 (1386 cm−1) in the presence of Psm can indicate the demethylation of aflatoxin at its methoxy‐group in BioArena. It seems from the Raman spectra that, apart from demethylation, aflatoxin does not suffer other structural changes. However, Psm can reduce the Raman activity of νCO bond of the pyran ring of AFB1, causing lower intensity and a broader band (1747 and 1754 cm−1). Psm can also disrupt the strong interactions between the AFB1 and the adsorbent layer through the νCO bond of the cyclopentene ring causing a blue‐shift (1667 → 1686 cm−1).The very reactive HCHO that originated from exogenous sources, e.g. from the demethylation of AFB1, has no determined biochemical pathway, so it means higher risk. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photoinduced second harmonic generation studies on Tris(thiourea)copper(I) perchlorate Cu(SC(NH2)2)3(ClO4)
Authors: Krishnakumar V. , Kalyanaraman S. , Piasecki M. , Kityk I. V. , Bragiel P. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe have established a possibility to obtain the photoinduced optical second harmonic generation in the initially centrosymmetric single crystals of tris(thiourea)copper(I) perchlorate crystallized in the monoclinic system with the space group P21/c. The second‐order susceptibility of the investigated crystal was measured by inducing the crystal by external laser field. The results obtained are interesting and discussed in detail. We have established that the optical second harmonic generation achieves its maximum (about 0.84 pm/V) at photoinducing power density about 1430 kW/cm2 for the fundamental wavelength 1064 nm. The maximal output second harmonic generation (SHG) was achieved at an angle of about 35° between the pumping and fundamental power beam's polarizations. Such maximum may be a consequence of a competition between the so formed anharmonic photothermal expansions and the thermal destruction that occurred because of the heating of the crystal surfaces. Our independent verifications have shown that the photoinduced surfaces were heated up to 8–12° C. This may cause occurrence of photothermal relaxation processes. The output SHG exists only immediately after the act of photoinduction. The obtained dependences are caused by specific features of the Raman spectra of the investigated crystals. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane‐ and Fullerene‐End‐Capped Poly(ε‐caprolactone)
Authors: Kai Weihua , Hua Lei , Dong Tungalag , Pan Pengju , Zhu Bo , Inoue Yoshio 
Published: May 2008

AbstractNovel fullerene‐ and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane‐ (POSS) double end‐capped poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) were successfully synthesized. The crystallization behavior of the fullerene‐ and POSS‐ double end‐capped PCL and the effect of aggregation of the POSS and fullerene moieties on the crystallization of PCL were thoroughly studied. The aggregation of the fullerene moieties has much larger confinement effect on the crystallization of PCL than that of POSS. The successful incorporation of two nano‐sized objects, that is, fullerene and POSS, into the PCL matrix may introduce their merits, so that PCL can attain multi‐functional properties.magnified image
Poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) Derivatives with Different Contents of cis‐Olefins and their Effect on the Optical Properties
Authors: Wang Fangfang , He Feng , Xie Zeng Qi , Li Yu Peng , Hanif Muddasir , Li Mao , Ma Yuguang 
Published: May 2008

AbstractSoluble poly[(2,5‐dihexyloxy‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene)‐alt‐(2,5‐diphenyl‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene)] (DPO‐PPV) with a majority of cis‐vinylenes (>87%) has been synthesized by the Wittig reaction. A series of DPO‐PPV derivatives with different contents of cis‐olefins from approximately 0.05% to 87% was successfully prepared using the photoisomerization technique. On the basis of 1H NMR, Fourier transform IR (FTIR), ultraviolet (UV), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, as well as fluorescence quantum efficiency measurements, the effect of cis‐olefins on the optical properties of the polymer in solution and in film was systemically studied. The results indicate that with a cis‐configuration above 75%, the luminescence of DPO‐PPV is decayed due to cis‐trans isomerization with rotational motions of the double bonds; however, the luminescence is dramatically improved on increasing of the trans‐configuration.magnified image
Novel Zirconocene Hydride Complexes in Homogeneous and in SiO2‐Supported Olefin‐Polymerization Catalysts Modified with Diisobutylaluminum Hydride or Triisobutylaluminum
Authors: Babushkin Dmitrii E. , Panchenko Valentina N. , Timofeeva Maria N. , Zakharov Vladimir A. , Brintzinger Hans H. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractReactive species in SiO2‐supported, zirconocene‐based olefin‐polymerization catalysts have been characterized by comparison of their UV‐vis spectra with those of related, NMR‐spectroscopically identified catalyst species in homogeneous solution. Neutral zirconocene dihydride complexes are found to arise in hydrocarbon solutions as well as on SiO2 supports when catalyst systems that contain rac‐Me2Si(ind)2ZrCl2 and methylaluminoxane (MAO) are modified by addition of diisobutylaluminum hydride or triisobutylaluminum. These complexes, tentatively formulated as adducts with Lewis‐acidic alkylaluminum species AlR2X, rac‐Me2Si(ind)2ZrH2 · {nAlR2X}, are reconverted into the initial reactive zirconocene cations upon addition of isobutene to these reaction systems.magnified image
An Improved Non‐Isothermal Kinetic Model for Prediction of Extent of Transesterification Reaction and Degree of Randomness in PET/PEN Blends
Authors: Golriz Mahdi , Khonakdar Hossein Ali , Jafari Seyed Hassan , Oromiehie Abdolrasoul , Abedini Hossein 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAn improved non‐isothermal kinetic model was developed based on mass balance and Arrhenius laws using a second‐order reversible reaction capable of predicting the extent of transesterification reaction (X) and the degree of randomness (RD) in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/poly(ethylene naphthalene‐2,6‐dicarboxylate) (PEN) blends prepared by a twin screw micro‐compounder over a full composition range under different processing conditions. The experimental values of X and RD were determined by 1H‐NMR and a direct relationship between them developed. The model constants were tuned by an optimization method using half of the experimental data, with the other half used for verification. Good agreement was found between the experimental and theoretical data in the verification stage and, therefore, it was concluded that the model is capable of predicting the extent of transesterification reaction with a high level of confidence for a wide range of processing conditions. Similarly to the experimental results, the model showed that, among all parameters affecting the extent of transesterification reaction, the time and temperature play the major role, whereas the blend composition does not have a significant role.magnified image
Phase Transitions in Melts of Alternating Rodlike Copolymers: Monte Carlo Simulation by the Wang‐Landau Approach
Authors: Berezkin Anatoly V. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA lattice model of a melt of rigid copolymeric molecules is proposed. The density of states is calculated for alternating AB‐copolymers with block lengthslAandlB. The system under consideration exhibits behavior similar to the two‐dimension Ising model. In the case oflA = lB ≤ 2 there is a second‐order order‐disorder phase transition in the system. Copolymers with longer blocks demonstrate two second‐order phase transitions, or a single first‐order phase transition. The critical temperatures of these transitions are found in analytical form.magnified image
Equilibration and Deformation of Amorphous Polystyrene: Scale‐jumping Simulational Approach
Authors: Mulder Tim , Harmandaris Vagelis A. , Lyulin Alexey V. , van der Vegt Nico F. A. , Vorselaars Bart , Michels Matthias A. J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA polymer sample‐preparation method (extended‐chain condensation, ECC) based solely on molecular‐dynamics simulations has been compared to a connectivity‐altering Monte Carlo method (coarse‐grained end‐bridging, CGEB). Since the characteristic ratio for the CGEB samples is closer to the experimental value, ECC results in polymer structures that are too compact. The stress–strain relations are different in the strain‐hardening regime. For CGEB samples, a stronger strain hardening is observed and the strain‐hardening modulus is more realistic; for the CGEB polystyrene (PS) sample GR = 9 ± 1 MPa is found versus GR = 4 ± 2 MPa for the ECC samples. These differences have to be attributed to a steeper increase in the contributions to the total stress from bond‐ and dihedral angles for CGEB than for ECC samples.magnified image
A two‐scale model for liquid‐phase epitaxy
Authors: Eck Ch. , Emmerich H. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe study a model for liquid‐phase epitaxy that is based on a continuum description of the transport processes in the liquid and a Burton–Cabrera–Frank (BCF) model for the growth of the solid by epitaxy. In order to develop a model that is capable to incorporate structures of a very small scale in the solid phase within a computation for a technically relevant macroscopic length scale, we apply homogenization methods. The result of the homogenization procedure is a two‐scale model that consists of macroscopic equations for fluid flow and solute diffusion in the fluid volume, coupled to microscopic BCF models for the evolution of the microstructure in the solid phase. The obtained two‐scale model is justified by an estimate for the model error that is valid under appropriate assumptions on the regularity of the solutions. This estimate is proved for a phase field approximation of the BCF model. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behaviour of the Landau–Lifschitz equation in a ferromagnetic wire
Authors: Sanchez David 
Published: May 2008

AbstractFollowing a suggestion from A. Thiaville and J. Miltat, whose work and experiments are about ferromagnetic thin layers and nanowires, we study in this paper the behaviour of the Landau–Lifschitz equation in a straight ferromagnetic wire. As the diameter of the domain and the exchange coefficient in the equation simultaneously tend to zero, we perform an asymptotic expansion to precise the solution for well‐prepared initial conditions and are led to consider 2D exterior problems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Boundary derivatives of the phases of inner and outer functions and applications
Authors: Qian Tao 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe prove that boundary derivatives of the phases of inner functions exist and are positive almost everywhere, but those of outer functions, on the other hand, have zero mean on the boundary. The concepts and results have definitive applications to the definitions of instantaneous frequency and mono‐components complying with requirements in physics and contemporary study of analytic signals. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of carbon nanotube agglomeration on the thermal and mechanical properties of polyethylene oxide
Authors: Narh Kwabena A. , Jallo Laila , Rhee Kyong Y. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe effects of agglomerated versus deagglomerated multiwalled carbon nanotubes on the thermal and mechanical characteristics of polyethylene oxide were studied. The specimens were prepared via solution‐sonication method, using two procedures. In the first procedure, CNT‐PEO solutions were prepared with as‐received MWCNTs, before sonication using an ultrasonic bath; in the second procedure, aggregated MWCNTs were first deagglomerated using high‐intensity ultrasonic processor, before mixing with the PEO. The two solution preparation procedures did result in significant thermal property differences such as increased transition temperature and crystallinity, but only one mechanical property can be conclusively associated with the sample preparation method—the breaking strain which was marginally higher for nanocomposites containing deagglomerated CNTs, although in all cases the breaking strains were much lower for nanocomposites than for unfilled polymer. However, the overall results confirm the effectiveness of CNTs both as nucleation agents for semicrystalline polymers, and as fillers for enhancement of mechanical properties of the matrix polymer. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Influence of interfacial phenomena on the mechanical properties of particulate composite membranes
Authors: Pal Rajinder 
Published: May 2008

AbstractNew models are proposed to describe the mechanical behavior of particulate composite membranes. The mechanical properties of particulate composite membranes are strongly influenced by interfacial phenomena. When adhesion between the filler particles and matrix is poor, the mechanical properties of composite membranes deteriorate with the addition of filler to the matrix. The addition of filler particles to the matrix has a reinforcement effect when adhesion between the particles and matrix is good. The presence of interphase (interfacial shell) around the particles can strongly influence the mechanical properties of particulate composite membranes. Some of the key factors affecting the mechanical properties of composite membranes are interphase‐to‐matrix moduli ratio, core‐to‐shell moduli ratio, and shell‐to‐core radii ratio. Theproposed models are verified using 15 sets of experimental data on the mechanical properties of particulate composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Enabling controlled dispersion in polyethylene nanocomposites using small‐angle scattering
Authors: Xiao Zhicheng , Li Ying , Akpalu Yvonne A. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn this article, we present some key results that demonstrate the useful application of light scattering to characterize the dispersion of nanoparticles in polymer matrix, using polyethylene nanocomposite as an example. Our results show that the dispersions of nanoparticles in polyethylene nanocomposite, that influence the thermomechanical properties of polyethylene nanocomposites, can be characterized by using small angle light scattering. This proposition is motivated by recent synthetic and morphological characterization progress towards achieving ideally dispersed polyethylene nanocomposites. Our results are significant because it is shown that using light, size and shape features that correlate well with the scanning electron microscopy observations of nanoparticle dispersion can be obtained using our unique vertical light scattering set‐up. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers