bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insulin degrading enzyme is localized predominantly at the cell surface of polarized and unpolarized human cerebrovascular endothelial cell cultures
Authors: Lynch John A. , George Ana M. , Eisenhauer Patricia B. , Conn Kelly , Gao Wenwu , Carreras Isabel , Wells John M. , McKee Ann , Ullman M. David , Fine Richard E. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractInsulin degrading enzyme (IDE) is expressed in the brain and may play an important role there in the degradation of the amyloid beta peptide (Aβ). Our results show that cultured human cerebrovascular endothelial cells (HCECs), a primary component of the blood–brain barrier, express IDE and may respond to exposure to low levels of Aβ by upregulating its expression. When radiolabeled Aβ is introduced to the medium of cultured HCECs, it is rapidly degraded to smaller fragments. We believe that this degradation is largely the result of the action of IDE, as it can be substantially blocked by the presence of insulin in the medium, a competitive substrate of IDE. No inhibition is seen when an inhibitor of neprilysin, another protease that may degrade Aβ, is present in the medium. Our evidence suggests that the action of IDE occurs outside the cell, as inhibitors of internalization fail to affect the rate of the observed degradation. Further, our evidence suggests that degradation by IDE occurs on the plasma membrane, as much of the IDE present in HCECs was biotin‐labeled by a plasma membrane impermeable reagent. This activity seems to be polarity dependent, as measurement of Aβ degradation by each surface of differentiated HCECs shows greater degradation on the basolateral (brain‐facing) surface. Thus, IDE could be an important therapeutic target to decrease the amount of Aβ in the cerebrovasculature. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cerebrolysin decreases amyloid‐β production by regulating amyloid protein precursor maturation in a transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Rockenstein Edward , Torrance Magdalena , Mante Michael , Adame Anthony , Paulino Amy , Rose John B. , Crews Leslie , Moessler Herbert , Masliah Eliezer 
Published: March 2006

AbstractCerebrolysin is a peptide mixture with neurotrophic effects that might reduce the neurodegenerative pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have previously shown in an amyloid protein precursor (APP) transgenic (tg) mouse model of AD‐like neuropathology that Cerebrolysin ameliorates behavioral deficits, is neuroprotective, and decreases amyloid burden; however, the mechanisms involved are not completely clear. Cerebrolysin might reduce amyloid deposition by regulating amyloid‐β (Aβ) degradation or by modulating APP expression, maturation, or processing. To investigate these possibilities, APP tg mice were treated for 6 months with Cerebrolysin and analyzed in the water maze, followed by RNA, immunoblot, and confocal microscopy analysis of full‐length (FL) APP and its fragments, β‐secretase (BACE1), and Aβ‐degrading enzymes [neprilysin (Nep) and insulin‐degrading enzyme (IDE)]. Consistent with previous studies, Cerebrolysin ameliorated the performance deficits in the spatial learning portion of the water maze and reduced the synaptic pathology and amyloid burden in the brains of APP tg mice. These effects were associated with reduced levels of FL APP and APP C‐terminal fragments, but levels of BACE1, Notch1, Nep, and IDE were unchanged. In contrast, levels of active cyclin‐dependent kinase‐5 (CDK5) and glycogen synthase kinase‐3β [GSK‐3β; but not stress‐activated protein kinase‐1 (SAPK1)], kinases that phosphorylate APP, were reduced. Furthermore, Cerebrolysin reduced the levels of phosphorylated APP and the accumulation of APP in the neuritic processes. Taken together, these results suggest that Cerebrolysin might reduce AD‐like pathology in the APP tg mice by regulating APP maturation and transport to sites where Aβ protein is generated. This study clarifies the mechanisms through which Cerebrolysin might reduce Aβ production and deposition in AD and further supports the importance of this compound in the potential treatment of early AD. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preliminary studies by visible and near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy of juvenile and adult olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves
Authors: León Lorenzo , Downey Gerard 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe spectral properties of olive leaves were studied by visible and near‐infrared spectroscopy to discriminate between the juvenile and adult origin of leaf samples. Spectral data from 400 to 2500 nm were recorded on 18 leaf samples from juvenile (6) and adult (12) seedling plants using four different sample presentations to the instrument. Spectra of leaves were remarkably similar owing to dominant features related to absorption by photosynthetic pigments (visible) and water (near‐infrared), although high variability was observed for all the sample presentations tested. The fibre‐optic probe presentation provided the best procedure as it maximised (in relative terms) the spectral variability attributable to differences between seedlings and minimised that arising from the sampling procedure. Principal component analysis (PCA) performed with average values per seedling showed that two groups can be clearly observed according to the origin (juvenile or adult) of the samples. This method could provide a rapid screening technique useful as a selection tool in olive breeding programmes. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Seed treatments affect functional and antinutritional properties of amaranth flours
Authors: Gamel Tamer H , Linssen Jozef P , Mesallam Ahmed S , Damir Ahmed A , Shekib Lila A 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe effects of seed treatments, including cooking, popping germination and flour air classification, on the functional properties and antinutritional factors of Amaranthus caudatus and Amaranthus cruentus seeds were studied. Thermal treatments increased the water absorption with a maximum value of 5.1 and 6.3 g g−1 in flour of popped seeds of both species. Generally, fat absorption increased after the treatments. Air classification and germination followed by drying at low temperature increased the foam stability of the flours, while thermal treatment and germination followed by drying at higher temperatures reduced the foam stability. All treatments except air classification decreased the emulsion stability. Also, all treatments except germination followed by drying at 30 °C increased the flour dispersibility, whereas the soluble nitrogen index was increased in the germinated seed flours and decreased in thermal treated seeds and air‐classified flours. Air classification increased the contents of phenolic compounds and phytate and decreased the contents of enzyme inhibitors, whereas the thermal treatments reduced the contents of phenolic compounds, phytate and enzyme inhibitors to a greater extent for cooking than for popping. Germination followed by drying reduced the level of phenolic compounds, phytate and enzyme inhibitors. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Chemometric evaluation of relationships between retention and physicochemical parameters in terms of multidimensional liquid chromatography of peptides
Authors: Baczek Tomasz 
Published: March 2006

AbstractStatistical evaluation of relationships between chromatographic retention and physicochemical descriptors of peptides was performed. The relationships describing retention were derived for a set of 98 structurally diversified peptides chromatographed on HPLC columns using acetonitrile and water with the addition of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid as the mobile phase. It was found with the aid of multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and factor analysis that the retention contributions of the amino acids comprising the individual peptide and the physicochemical parameters describing the bulkiness properties of peptides have the greatest influence on the retention of peptides, independent of the stationary phase used. Retention data were determined on six physicochemically different HPLC columns with the aid of experiments performed with various gradient times and column temperatures. Moreover, PCA permitted differentiation of the RP‐HPLC columns used in terms of their similarities and dissimilarities in respect of peptide separations.
Determination of beef tallow in lard through a multidimensional off‐line non‐aqueous reversed phase–argentation LC method coupled to mass spectrometry
Authors: Dugo Paola , Kumm Tiina , Fazio Alessia , Dugo Giovanni , Mondello Luigi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe presence of tallow in lard is not easy to determine, due to the similarity of the composition of these two animal fats, which differ mainly in the distribution of fatty acids (FA) in the three positions of the glycerol molecule. The determination of the composition of the triacylglycerol (TAG) fraction of lard, tallow, and their mixtures was investigated by HPLC in combination with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI‐MS). The presence of tallow in lard was determined through the study of the sn‐POP/sn‐PPO ratio by multidimensional HPLC. The off‐line bidimensional system was attained through the coupling of non‐aqueous reversed phase (NARP)‐HPLC and silver ion (Ag)‐HPLC. The primary column eluate was fractionated and the fraction containing POP/PPO isomers was injected onto the secondary column, allowing the separation of positional isomers, unresolved in the first dimension. Peak assignment was carried out by combining retention data with APCI‐MS spectral information. The fatty acid distribution along the glycerol backbone, determined by Ag‐HPLC, was confirmed through diglyceride ion ratios derived from APCI‐MS analysis. Method validation was carried out in preliminary applications on standard TAGs. The analytical results obtained show that even a 5% addition of tallow to lard modifies the distribution of positional isomers.
Two‐dimensional and serial column reversed‐phase separation of phenolic antioxidants on octadecyl‐, polyethyleneglycol‐, and pentafluorophenylpropyl‐silica columns
Authors: Blahová Eva , Jandera Pavel , Cacciola Francesco , Mondello Luigi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe separation selectivity of octadecyl‐silica (C18) and of bonded pentafluorophenylpropyl‐silica (F5) and PEG‐silica columns was compared for natural phenolic antioxidants. The separation selectivities for phenolic antioxidants on C18 and F5 columns are strongly correlated, but low selectivity correlation indicating strong differences in the retention mechanism was observed between the C18 and PEG columns. Hence, the combination of a C18 and a PEG column is useful for separation of phenolic antioxidants that are not fully separated on single columns. Two‐dimensional comprehensive liquid chromatography using a short PEG‐silica column in the first dimension and a conventional C18‐silica in the second dimension has the advantage of on‐column focusing of the fractions transferred onto the C18 column in the second dimension, as a weaker mobile phase is used in the first dimension than in the second dimension. However, a stop‐flow set‐up in the first dimension system is necessary after the transfer of each fraction to the second dimension. Peak capacity is considerably larger but the separation time is much longer than with serially coupled PEG and C18 columns, which were employed for separation of beer and hop extract samples in connection with coulometric detection.
Upregulation of dopamine D2 receptors in dopaminergic drug‐naive patients with parkin gene mutations
Authors: Scherfler Christoph , Khan Naheed L. , Pavese Nicola , Lees Andrew J. , Quinn Niall P. , Brooks David J. , Piccini Paola P. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractMedicated patients with Parkinsonism and parkin gene mutations have been reported to show a significant decrease in striatal dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) in comparison to medicated idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) patients with similar age and disease severity. The aim of this study was to verify whether the genetic defect per se is responsible for this decrease. We have studied with [11C]raclopride (RAC) positron emission tomography (PET) in a group of 14 sporadic patients with parkin‐linked Parkinsonism, 6 of whom had never received levodopa or dopamine agonists. The remaining 8 patients had been treated with levodopa for at least 5 years. Presynaptic striatal [18F]dopa storage was not significantly different between these two groups of patients. In untreated parkin‐positive patients, significant putaminal increases in RAC‐binding potential (BP) were found in comparison to an age‐matched healthy control group by using a classical region of interest approach and statistical parametric mapping. In contrast, levodopa‐treated parkin‐positive patients showed significant decreases in RAC‐BP in the caudate and putamen when compared to an age‐matched healthy control group. The RAC PET findings revealed that striatal D2R upregulation occurs in dopaminergic drug‐naive parkin‐positive patients, in a similar fashion to the upregulation reported in drug‐naive IPD. D2R downregulation observed in medicated parkin‐positive patients, therefore, is not caused primarily by the genetic defect itself. Parkin‐positive patients appear to have a greater susceptibility to the exposure to dopaminergic medication than IPD patients, which in turn might be an indirect effect of their genetic mutation. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Lack of G2019S LRRK2 mutation in a cohort of Taiwanese with sporadic Parkinson's disease
Authors: Fung Hon‐Chung , Chen Chiung‐Mei , Hardy John , Hernandez Dena , Singleton Andrew , Wu Yih‐Ru 
Published: March 2006

AbstractMutations in the leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene have been shown to cause autosomal dominant and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). We report here the frequency of a common heterozygous mutation, 2877510G>A, which produces a glycine‐to‐serine amino acid substitution at codon 2019 in idiopathic Taiwanese PD. The extreme rarity of the G2019S mutation in our population suggests the occurrence of this mutation resulted from a common European founder. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Psychological adjustment has a greater effect on health‐related quality of life than on severity of disease in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Suzukamo Yoshimi , Ohbu Sadayoshi , Kondo Tomoyoshi , Kohmoto Junko , Fukuhara Shunichi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the effect of psychological adjustment to Parkinson's disease (PD) on the health‐related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with this condition. One hundred eighty‐three patients (77 male, 106 female; mean age, 65.8 years) were evaluated using the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ‐39) and the Japanese version of the Nottingham Adjustment Scale (NAS‐J). Multiple regression analysis was performed using age and sex as the explanatory variables. Comparisons were made of changes in R2 when severity and psychological adjustment subscales were added. In addition, comparisons were made of HRQL scores between groups with different levels of psychological adjustment. R2 was higher when psychological adjustment was included in comparison with severity in the some subscales (emotional well‐being, stigma, social support, cognition, communication, and bodily discomfort). HRQL was significantly lower in the low‐adjustment group compared with other groups. Psychological adjustment had a greater effect than severity of disease on several subscales in the HRQL of patients with PD. This finding suggests that, in addition to any suppression of the progression of symptoms, psychological intervention may also be effective in enhancing the HRQL of patients with PD. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Rheumatology telephone helplines: Patient and health professionals' requirements
Authors: Brown Susan J , McCabe Candy S. , Hewlett Sarah , McDowell Jackie A. , Cushnaghan Janet , Breslin Anne M. , Stafford Sue , Carmichael Charlotte R. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjectives: The aim of this study was to ascertain patients' and health professionals' requirements from a rheumatology helpline and how such a service should be delivered.Methods: Self‐completed questionnaires were administered to both users of rheumatology helplines, patients and health professionals (HPs), and providers of rheumatology services at five UK NHS trusts. Additional data were sought from experts in the field. Information was elicited on access to the service, preferred waiting time for response to a call, acceptability of an answerphone and choice of HP responding. Quantitative data were analysed using percentages and Chi‐squared tests. Open questions were analysed as free text responses, and organized into clusters of themes.Results: A total of 607 questionnaires were returned, 523 from users (411 patients, 112 health professionals) and 84 from providers. There were no significant differences across the five Trusts. The top six reasons for patients contacting the helpline were: advice on changes in condition, drug information, understanding symptoms, blood results, information on diagnosis, and appointment queries. All groups recommended a return call on the same day and were happy to leave an answerphone message. HP users requested additional access via e‐mail and fax. Rheumatology practitioners were deemed the most appropriate personnel to staff a helpline.Conclusions: The findings of this study have contributed a valuable insight into the essential components of a rheumatology helpline service from a user and provider perspective. These data will add to existing recommendations for the management of a rheumatology helpline service and ultimately contribute to a proposal for national guidelines. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of diblock copolymers by combining stable free radical polymerization and atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Shi Yan , Fu Zhifeng , Li Bingyi , Yang Wantai 
Published: March 2006

AbstractA stable nitroxyl radical functionalized with an initiating group for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), 4‐(2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyloxy)‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (Br‐TEMPO), was synthesized by the reaction of 4‐hydroxyl‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy with 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionyl bromide. Stable free radical polymerization of styrene was then carried out using a conventional thermal initiator, dibenzoyl peroxide, along with Br‐TEMPO. The obtained polystyrene had an active bromine atom for ATRP at the ω‐end of the chain and was used as the macroinitiator for ATRP of methyl acrylate and ethyl acrylate to prepare block copolymers. The molecular weights of the resulting block copolymers at different monomer conversions shifted to higher molecular weights and increased with monomer conversion. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2468–2475, 2006
Electrochemical polymerization of aniline in the SDS/n‐C5H11OH/H2SO4(aq) lyotropic liquid crystal
Authors: Guo Rong , Li Zhong Chun , Liu Tian Qing 
Published: March 2006

AbstractElectrochemical polymerization of aniline was performed by the method of ultramicroelectrode cyclic voltammetry in the lamellar liquid crystal and hexagonal liquid crystal of SDS/n‐C5H11OH/H2SO4(aq) system. The results indicate that the electrochemical polymerization of aniline can be catalyzed by the SDS/n‐C5H11OH/H2SO4(aq) lyotropic liquid crystal. The polymerization potential of aniline is smaller in the lyotropic liquid crystal system than that in the 0.10 mol L−1 sulfuric acid solution. The catalytic efficiency and polymerization rate of aniline increase with then‐pentanol content, but decrease with the increase of the SDS content or [PhNH2/H2SO4(aq)] content. Moreover, the catalytic efficiency of the lamellar liquid crystal exceeds that of the hexagonal liquid crystal in the SDS/n‐C5H11OH/H2SO4(aq) system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2388–2394, 2006
Polymerization of vinylidene fluoride with perfluoropolyether surfactants in supercritical carbon dioxide as a dispersing medium
Authors: Galia Alessandro , Giaconia Alberto , Scialdone Onofrio , Apostolo Marco , Filardo Giuseppe 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe heterogeneous polymerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF) was investigated at 50 °C with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as a dispersing medium and diethylperoxidicarbonate as an initiator in the presence of different perfluoropolyether surfactants. When FLK 7004A ammonium carboxylate salts were used at a 5% (w/w) concentration with respect to VDF, with an initial pressure of 31–45 MPa and with an olefin concentration of about 5.5 mol/L, monomer conversions up to 63% were obtained, corresponding to a final solid content higher than 200 g/L, and the polymer was collected at the end of the process in the form of a white powder completely composed of microspheres. The effects of the density of the polymerization mixture, the monomer loading, and the surfactant concentration were studied. Collected experimental results suggest that Fluorolink ammonium perfluoropolyether carboxylic salts are the most effective surfactants yet tested in the dispersion polymerization of VDF in scCO2. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2406–2418, 2006
Structural analysis of aggregates formed by a thermoresponsive homopolymer in dilute aqueous solutions
Authors: Matsuda Yasuhiro , Kawata Takefumi , Sugihara Shinji , Aoshima Sadahito , Sato Takahiro 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe aqueous solution of a thermoresponsive polymer, poly[2‐(2‐ethoxy) ethoxyethyl vinyl ether] poly(EOEOVE), contains a tiny amount of large polymer aggregates at low polymer concentrations far below the lower critical solution temperature (∼40 °C). The molar mass Mw,slow, radius of gyration 〈S2〉, and hydrodynamic radius RH,slow of the aggregating component of poly(EOEOVE) were obtained by simultaneous static and dynamic light scattering as functions of the polymer concentration and temperature, while the weight fraction wslow of the component was estimated by size‐exclusion chromatography. The Mw,slow dependencies of 〈S2〉 and RH,slow, as well as the ratio 〈S2〉/RH,slow, indicated that the poly(EOEOVE) aggregate takes a sparsely branched polymer‐like conformation. We have analyzed the structure of the aggregate, using the branched polymer model of random type. The Mw,slow dependence of 〈S2〉 obtained was favorably compared with this model with reasonable structural parameters. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1179–1187, 2006
The methodological potential of focus groups in population geography
Authors: Skop Emily 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWithin population geography, the last decade has seen an explosion in qualitative work in terms of the types of work, the topics addressed, and the potential theoretical consequences. Yet focus groups have received less attention as an alternative method. This paper highlights the particular promises, challenges, and practicality of doing focus group research in population geography. I begin by addressing how this research method answers ongoing pleas within the subdiscipline for non‐essentialist ways of thinking about taken‐for‐granted social categories and labels. I then outline two other promising outcomes of this method, including the potential for unique and spontaneous group interactions, and the potential for the empowerment of participants. I use the rest of the paper to provide a review of some of the methodological details of focus group research, with the idea of encouraging more population geographers to engage with this method. Throughout, I contend that focus groups have the capability to further our understanding of population processes, and to connect population geography research to ongoing debates within the broader discipline. Observations stem from an extensive review of existing focus group research, along with my own focus group research conducted with residents living in multiracial suburban communities. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.