bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of 1‐methylcyclopropene for alleviating chilling injury and lignification of bamboo shoot (Phyllostachys praecox f. prevernalis) during cold storage
Authors: Luo Zisheng , Xu Xiaoling , Yan Bifang 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: Bamboo shoot is sensitive to chilling, and low‐temperature injury is a major limitation to its long‐term storage. Studies on the causes of postharvest deterioration in bamboo shoot are few. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ethylene and 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) treatments on the physiological and biochemical responses of bamboo shoot and their ability as a postharvest tool to alleviate chilling injury and lignification of bamboo shoot during storage at 2 °C.RESULTS: Disease incidence, electrical conductivity (EC), respiration and ethylene production of control bamboo shoot increased after about 2–3 weeks of cold storage, associated with higher chilling injury (CI) index. Increased shoot firmness during cold storage was positively correlated with higher lignin and cellulose accumulation, and this accumulation of lignin in flesh tissue was also positively correlated with the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and peroxidase (POD). Ethylene treatment was associated with higher disease incidence, CI index, EC, respiration and ethylene production, enhanced lignin and cellulose accumulation and accelerated the activities of PAL, CAD and POD. In contrast, 1‐MCP treatment was associated with lower respiration, ethylene production, CI index and EC, reduced lignin and cellulose accumulation and retarded the activities of PAL, CAD and POD.CONCLUSION: The present findings throw light on the role of ethylene in postharvest physiological disorders such as chilling injury and lignification and suggest that 1‐MCP could be used commercially to control these disorders in bamboo shoot during cold storage. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Polymer Networks in Research and Application
Authors: Burchard Walther 
Published: September 2007

AbstractSummary: The present review presents an attempt to trace common aspects in the research on networks of very different origin, directed to industrial or biochemical applications. One major feature is the preparation of thermal, pH or ionic sensitive core/ shell structures. These elements proved to be significant in the field of reinforcement of rubbery materials as well as for suitable design of scaffolds for tissue engineering. Striking properties are reveal with examples of thermo‐ and magneto‐sensitive core/shell microgels. Two other instances of oscillating systems are discussed. One was directed to the development of nano‐scaled motors, the other to broadcasting biochemical relevant signals via oscillating Ca++ and H+ ions in vesicle/cytosol systems. Finally problems and progress in scaffold preparation are discussed.
Nanocomposite Gels: New Advanced Functional Soft Materials
Authors: Haraguchi Kazutoshi 
Published: September 2007

AbstractSummary: Nanocomposite gels (NC gels) consisting of poly(N‐alkylacrylamides) and exfoliated inorganic clay were prepared by in‐situ, free‐radical polymerization at high yield under mild conditions (near ambient temperature, without stirring). Various shapes and different surface forms of NC gels were readily obtained using corresponding vessels and templates, since NC gels were always mechanically tough. The view that polymer/clay networks are formed in NC gels was supported by dynamic viscoelastic and swelling measurements. The entirely different mechanical properties of NC gels, compared with conventional, chemically‐crosslinked hydrogels (OR gels), are discussed on the basis of their network structure. In addition to functions previously reported, NC gels exhibit further interesting characteristics, such as inherent incombustibility, good thermal conductivity, large heat capacity, they can be readily colored and fabricated as foams. NC gels can be utilized as environmentally‐friendly, soft materials from the viewpoints of resources and waste, as their primary component is water.
Programmed Ephemeral Gels: New Types of Biomaterials
Authors: Giraudier Sébastien , Picard Julien , Garde Véronique Larreta 
Published: September 2007

AbstractSummary: In various biological processes, a solid gel phase is produced which later dissolves. Similar ephemeral protein gels were obtained in vitro using two antagonistic enzymes, one generating and the other cleaving covalent bonds. Alternate sol/gel and gel/sol transitions should occur within such a system, generating transient gel phases. An experimental system consisting of gelatin, transglutaminase and thermolysin was first tested. The various gels obtained were programmed to dissolve after a determined time, without any change in temperature or medium composition, and constitute a completely new type of material which we term “Enzgels”. Varying temperature, but also the protein nature and concentration, the protease specificity, the ratio of the two antagonistic enzymes and, the activity of each enzyme, we were able to generate a full range of ephemeral gels with controlled life times and mechanistic properties.
Bulk High‐Impact Polystyrene Process, 1
Authors: Luciani Carla V. , Estenoz Diana A. , Meira Gregorio R. , García Nancy L. , Oliva Haydée M. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractIn relation to the bulk high‐impact polystyrene process, this work investigates the partition between phases of styrene and an initiator: tert‐butyl peroctoate. A Flory‐Huggins model was applied for predicting the phase separation point and the partitions of styrene and tert‐butyl peroctoate. For blends of styrene, polystyrene, and a styrene‐butadiene diblock copolymer, the model provides reasonable predictions of a ternary equilibrium diagram. For blends of styrene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, and tert‐butyl peroctoate, the partition of tert‐butyl peroctoate was measured at 25 °C. At emulated conversions of 13% or lower, equilibrium was reached after 1 h of mixing time. For the higher molar masses and conversion of 16%, equilibrium was not reached after 24 h of mixing time. To fit the equilibrium measurements, the solubility parameter of tert‐butyl peroctoate was adjusted.magnified image
Subdural motor cortex stimulation in Parkinson's disease does not modify movement‐related rCBF pattern
Authors: Strafella Antonio P. , Lozano Andres M. , Lang Anthony E. , Ko Ji Hyun , Poon Yu‐Yan , Moro Elena 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThere has been some evidence that electrical stimulation of the primary motor cortex (MCS) may relieve motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). This surgical technique is being studied as alternative for PD patients who are considered poor candidates for deep brain stimulation (DBS) of subthalamic nucleus (STN). In 4 PD patients with unilateral MCS, we used [15O] H2O positron emission tomography to measure changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) while testing motor performance with a joystick motor task during different stimulation frequencies, OFF‐condition, 50 and 130 Hz. We found that different stimulation settings did neither improve performance on joystick task nor modify the pattern of movement‐related rCBF. Similarly, no changes were observed in UPDRS motor score between Off and On stimulation while off medication. We conclude that while MCS may be a simpler and safer surgical procedure than DBS of STN, it failed to provide evidence of clear effect on motor performance and movement‐related activation pattern in patients with advanced PD. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Comparison of brain MRI and 18F‐FDG PET in the differential diagnosis of multiple system atrophy from Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kwon Kyum‐Yil , Choi Choong G. , Kim Jae S. , Lee Myoung C. , Chung Sun J. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractTo investigate the diagnostic value of brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F‐FDG PET) in the differentiation of multiple system atrophy (MSA) from Parkinson's disease (PD). Thirty‐five patients with MSA (23 MSA‐P and 12 MSA‐C) and 17 patients with PD were included in this study. Overall correct diagnosis rates between clinical and imaging diagnosis among MSA‐P, MSA‐C, and PD patients were 80% for visual MRI analysis, 88.5% for visual 18F‐FDG PET analysis, and 84.3% for SPM‐supported analysis of 18F‐FDG PET. The sensitivity of brain MRI, and visual and SPM analysis of 18F‐FDG PET in differentiating MSA from PD was 72.7%, 90.9%, and 95.5%, respectively, the specificity was 100% for each imaging analysis, the positive predictive value was 100% for each imaging analysis, and the negative predictive value was 60%, 81.8%, and 90%, respectively. Our results suggest that brain MRI and 18F‐FDG PET are diagnostically useful in differentiating MSA (MSA‐P and MSA‐C) from PD, and indicate that 18F‐FDG PET has a tendency toward higher sensitivity compared to brain MRI, but a larger longitudinal study including pathological data will be required to confirm our findings. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Short‐term continuous infusion of apomorphine hydrochloride for treatment of Huntington's chorea: A double blind, randomized cross‐over trial
Authors: Vitale Carmine , Marconi Stefano , Di Maio Luigi , De Michele Giuseppe , Longo Katia , Bonavita Vincenzo , Barone Paolo 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWe evaluated tolerability and the efficacy of continuous infusion of apomorphine hydrochloride on involuntary movements and mood disorder in Huntington's disease (HD) patients in a pilot, single center, double‐blind, randomized, crossover, and controlled versus placebo study. Nine patients with a molecular diagnosis of HD were screened for response to acute apomorphine injection. Four of them, not ameliorating at the acute test, were discontinued. Five patients, responding to acute apomorphine, received continuous infusion of either apomorphine or placebo for 5 days. After 2 days of washout, the alternative treatment was administered. Primary endpoint measures were scores of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS “motor section”) and of the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). Secondary endpoint measures were the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAD) score and safety parameters. Both UHDRS and AIMS scores significantly decreased in all patients after apomorphine. The beneficial effect of apomorphine was recorded throughout the 5 treatment days. The HAD score did not change after infusion of either treatment. No serious adverse events were reported by either group during the study. Our results suggest that continuous infusion of apomorphine might be considered for the treatment of involuntary movements in some HD patients. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Decreased cortical inhibition and yet cerebellar pathology in ‘familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy’
Authors: van Rootselaar Anne‐Fleur , van der Salm Sandra M.A. , Bour Lo J. , Edwards Mark J. , Brown Peter , Aronica Eleonora , Rozemuller‐Kwakkel Johanna M. , Koehler Peter J. , Koelman Johannes H.T.M. , Rothwell John C. , Tijssen Marina A.J. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractCortical hyperexcitability is a feature of “familial cortical myoclonic tremor with epilepsy” (FCMTE). However, neuropathological investigations in a single FCMTE patient showed isolated cerebellar pathology. Pathological investigations in a second FCMTE patient, reported here, confirmed cerebellar Purkinje cell degeneration and a normal sensorimotor cortex. Subsequently, we sought to explore the nature of cerebellar and motor system pathophysiology in FCMTE. Eye movement recordings and transcranial magnetic stimulation performed in six related FCMTE patients showed impaired saccades and smooth pursuit and downbeat nystagmus upon hyperventilation, as in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6. In FCMTE patients short‐interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) was significantly reduced. Resting motor threshold, recruitment curve, silent period, and intracortical facilitation were normal. The neuropathological and ocular motor abnormalities indicate cerebellar involvement in FCMTE patients. Decreased SICI is compatible with intracortical GABAA‐ergic dysfunction. Cerebellar and intracortical functional changes could result from a common mechanism such as a channelopathy. Alternatively, decreased cortical inhibition may be caused by dysfunction of the cerebello‐thalamo‐cortical loop as a result of primary cerebellar pathology. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
The REM sleep behavior disorder screening questionnaire—A new diagnostic instrument
Authors: Stiasny‐Kolster Karin , Mayer Geert , Schäfer Sylvia , Möller Jens Carsten , Heinzel‐Gutenbrunner Monika , Oertel Wolfgang H. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractMany patients with assumed idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) may actually represent an early clinical manifestation of an evolving neurodegenerative disorder, such as the α‐synucleinopathies, Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy. Early detection of these patients is clinically relevant for long‐term prospective as well as future neuroprotective studies. For this purpose, we validated a 10‐item patient self‐rating questionnaire (maximum total score 13 points) covering the clinical features of RBD. The RBD screening questionnaire (RBDSQ) was applied to 54 patients with polysomnographically confirmed RBD (29 men; mean age 53.7 ± 15.8 years), 160 control subjects (81 men; mean age 50.8 ± 15.5 years) in whom RBD was excluded by history and polysomnography (PSG, control group 1) and 133 unselected healthy subjects (58 men; mean age 46.9 ± 12.3 years; no PSG, control group 2). In most subjects (n = 153) of control group 1, other sleep‐wake disturbances were present. The mean RBDSQ score in the RBD group was 9.5 ± 2.8 points compared with 4.6 ± 3.0 points in control group 1 (P < 0.0001). Considering an RBDSQ score of five points as a positive test result, we found a sensitivity of 0.96 and a specificity of 0.56. The RBDSQ poorly discriminated patients with the most challenging differential diagnoses such as sleepwalking or epilepsy. In control group 2, the mean RBDSQ score (2.02 ± 1.78) was significantly lower than in the RBD group (P < 0.0005), revealing a specificity of 0.92. Due to its high sensitivity, the RBDSQ appears to be particularly useful as a screening tool. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Towards a resource management and service deployment framework
Authors: Chrysoulas Christos , Haleplidis Evangelos , Kostopoulos Giorgos , Haas Robert , Koufopavlou Odysseas 
Published: September 2007

AbstractOwing to the increase in both heterogeneity and complexity in today's networking systems, the need arises for new network‐based services architectures. They must provide flexibility and efficiency in the definition, deployment and execution of the services and, at the same time, handle the adaptability and evolution of such services. In this paper we present an approach that applies a Web‐service‐based resource management framework. It enables the provision of parallel applications as QoS‐aware applications, whose performance characteristics may be dynamically negotiated between a client application and service providers. Our component model allows context dependencies to be explicitly expressed and dynamically managed with respect to the hosting environment, computational resources and dependencies on other components. In such a model the resource management, in terms of representation, allocation and management of the resources, plays a vital role regarding the efficiency of the entire dynamic service deployment architecture. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The extended finite element method in thermoelastic fracture mechanics
Authors: Duflot Marc 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe extended finite element method (XFEM) is applied to the simulation of thermally stressed, cracked solids. Both thermal and mechanical fields are enriched in the XFEM way in order to represent discontinuous temperature, heat flux, displacement, and traction across the crack surface, as well as singular heat flux and stress at the crack front. Consequently, the cracked thermomechanical problem may be solved on a mesh that is independent of the crack. Either adiabatic or isothermal condition is considered on the crack surface. In the second case, the temperature field is enriched such that it is continuous across the crack but with a discontinuous derivative and the temperature is enforced to the prescribed value by a penalty method. The stress intensity factors are extracted from the XFEM solution by an interaction integral in domain form with no crack face integration. The method is illustrated on several numerical examples (including a curvilinear crack, a propagating crack, and a three‐dimensional crack) and is compared with existing solutions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved mechanical properties and structure of PP/nano‐CaCO3 blends prepared by low‐frequency vibration injection molding
Authors: Xueqin Gao , Jing Xu , Zhanchun Chen , Cong Deng , Kaizhi Shen 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBACKGROUD: Melt vibration technology was used to prepare injection samples of polypropylene (PP)/nano‐CaCO3 blends. It is well known that nano‐CaCO3 particles are easy to agglomerate owing to their large surface energy. Improving the distribution of nano‐CaCO3 particles in PP/nano‐CaCO3 blends is very important for enhancing the mechanical properties. In this work, low‐frequency vibration was imposed on the process of injection molding of PP/nano‐CaCO3 blends. The aim of importing a vibration field was to change the crystal structure of PP as we studied previously and improve the distribution of nano‐CaCO3 particles. Furthermore, the mechanical properties were improved.RESULTS: Through melt vibration, the mechanical properties of PP/nano‐CaCO3 samples were improved significantly. Compared with conventional injection molding, the enhancement of the tensile strength and impact strength of the samples molded by vibration injection molding was 17.68 and 175.96%, respectively. According to scanning electron microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry measurements, it was found that a much better dispersion of nano‐CaCO3 in samples was achieved by vibration injection molding. Moreover, the crystal structure of PP in PP/CaCO3 vibration samples changed. The γ crystal form was achieved at the shear layer of vibration samples. Moreover, the degree of crystallinity of PP in vibration samples increased 6% compared with conventional samples.CONCLUSION: Concerning the microstructure, melt vibration could effectively change the crystal structure and increase the degree of crystallinity of PP besides improving the distribution of nano‐CaCO3 particles. Concerning the macrostructure, melt vibration could enhance the mechanical properties. The improvement of mechanical properties of PP/nano‐CaCO3 blends prepared by low‐frequency vibration injection molding should be attributed to the even distribution of nano‐CaCO3 particles and the formation of γ‐PP and the increase of the degree of cystallinity. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Intrinsic factor and vitamin B12 complex‐loaded poly[lactic‐co‐(glycolic acid)] microspheres: preparation, characterization and drug release
Authors: Demir Serap , Ogan Ayşe , Kayaman‐Apohan Nilhan 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND: Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin required by all mammals. Absorption of vitamin B12 is facilitated by binding of intrinsic factor–vitamin B12 complex to specific receptors in the ileum. In humans a deficiency of this vitamin or a lack of intrinsic factor leads to pernicious anaemia. The major objective of the present study was to prepare intrinsic factor–vitamin B12 complex‐loaded poly[lactic‐co‐(glycolic acid)] (PLGA)‐based microparticles and to investigate their release kinetics.RESULTS: PLGA copolymer was synthesized by the ring‐opening polymerization method and characterized using gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H NMR. The glass transition temperature measurement showed a single Tg at 40 °C. The intrinsic factor–vitamin B12 complex‐loaded PLGA microspheres were prepared by a water‐in‐oil‐in‐water double emulsion solvent extraction/evaporation technique. An environmental scanning electron microscopy investigation demonstrated that the PLGA particles had a mean particle diameter of 38 µm. Interestingly, different drug release patterns (bi‐ and triphasic ones) were observed for vitamin B12‐loaded and intrinsic factor–vitamin B12 complex‐loaded microspheres. In contrast to the rapid release of vitamin B12 by itself, in vitro release tests showed that intrinsic factor and vitamin B12 in the complex were released from PLGA microspheres in a sustained manner over 15 days.CONCLUSION: PLGA microspheres can be an effective carrier for the intrinsic factor–vitamin B12 complex. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
A sweat test centered protocol for the disclosure and diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in a newborn screening program
Authors: Doull I.J.M. , Hall S.J. , Bradley D.M. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractPediatric Pulmonology 2007;42(9):773–778. DOI 10.1002/ppul.20664 © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prolylproline unit in model peptides and in fragments from databases
Authors: Hudáky Ilona , Perczel András 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe prolylproline sequence unit is found in several naturally occurring linear and cyclic peptides with immunosuppressive and toxic activity. Furthermore, Pro–Pro units are abundant in collagen, in ligand motifs binding to SH3 or WW domains, as well as in vital enzymes such as DNA glycosylase and thrombin. In all these sequence units a special role is dedicated to conformation in order to successfully fulfill the appropriate biological function. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the basic conformational properties of Pro–Pro is expected to reveal the versatile structural role of this sequence. PCM (polarizable continuum model) calculations on the basis of ab initio and density functional theory investigations using the model peptide HCO–L‐Pro–L‐Pro–NH2 are presented. Cis–trans isomerism, backbone conformation and ring puckering are studied. A systematic comparison is made to experimental data gained on L‐prolyl–L‐proline sequence units retrieved from the Protein Data Bank as well as from the Cambridge Structural Database. PCM data are in good agreement with high‐resolution X‐ray crystallography. Population data derived from energy calculations and those gained directly from statistics predict that 87% of the Pro–Pro sequence units adopt elongated structures, while 13% form β‐turns. Both approaches prefer the same 6 out of the 36 ideally possible backbone folds. Polyproline II unit (tϵLtϵL), other elongated structures (cϵL tϵL, tϵL tαL and tϵL tγL), type VIa (tϵL cαL) and type I or III β‐turns (tαL tαL) altogether describe 96% of the prolylproline sequences. In disordered proteins or domains, Pro–Pro sequence units may sample the various conformers and contribute to the segmental motions. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.