bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hormone replacement therapy, cardiovascular risk and diabetes
Authors: Mckenzie Joyce , Fisher Miles 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWomen with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to several factors including hypertension, an adverse lipid profile and endothelial dysfunction. Observational studies into the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on these factors suggested that women with diabetes could have most to gain from HRT effects on these parameters and on insulin resistance. Unfortunately, long‐term randomised controlled studies including the Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS) and the Women's Health Initiative Trial (WHI) have not confirmed these observations, and in the early years of use HRT may increase the risk of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident. Many of the studies have been carried out in the USA where the formulations of HRT differ from those used in Europe, and long‐term studies powered for cardiovascular outcomes are lacking with these preparations. The age at which HRT should be started could also have an impact on cardiovascular outcomes. Osteoporosis and the symptoms of the menopause remain common, and the place of HRT in treatment needs to be revised. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons.
Improving medication safety: influence of a patient‐specific prescriber feedback program on rate of medication reviews performed by Australian general medical practitioners
Authors: Roughead Elizabeth , Pratt Nicole , Peck Robert , Gilbert Andrew 
Published: May 2007

AbstractPurposeTo determine if patient‐specific prescriber feedback for general medical practitioners (GPs), supported by educational material mailed to their patients, would increase home medicines review (HMR) rates.MethodsAn observational study was conducted using the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) Pharmacy Claims Database. The intervention group (n = 40 270) included all veterans aged ≥65 years, dispensed ≥5 unique medicines each month over a 4 month period. Comparison group veterans (n = 49,227) were those who did not have ≥5 or more unique medicines dispensed each month, but did have at least one prescription each month and ≥20 prescriptions over 4 months, of which five were unique medicines, Intervention GPs (n = 11,384) were subdivided into 2 groups: GPs with intervention veterans (n = 2097) and GPs with both intervention and comparison group veterans (n = 9287). The comparison group of GPs (n = 3630) were primary prescribers to the comparison veterans only. Rates of HMRs pre and post‐intervention and the number of new GPs participating in HMR services were examined.ResultsThere was a significant increase in HMR rates in intervention group, from 2.2 per 1000 in the pre‐period to 4.6 per 1000 per month in the post‐intervention period (Rate Ratio (RR) 2.06, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (1.90, 2.22), p < 0.0001). HMR rates increased in the intervention group compared with the comparison group (p < 0.0001). HMR rates increased in the intervention group GPs compared with the comparison group (RR 1.79, 95% CI (1.58, 2.02), p < 0.0001).ConclusionPatient‐specific feedback provided to GPs, supported by educational material mailed directly to their patients increased HMR rates for targeted veterans and increased GP participation in the delivery of HMRs. Copyright © Commonwealth of Australia 2007. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
iTRAQ compatibility of peptide immobilized pH gradient isoelectric focusing
Authors: Lengqvist Johan , Uhlén Kristina , Lehtiö Janne 
Published: May 2007

AbstractImmobilized pH gradient isoelectric focusing (IPG‐IEF) has emerged as a highly promising alternative to strong‐cation exchange fractionation as the first dimension in shot‐gun proteomics. Herein is shown the compatibility of this method with iTRAQ isotope labeling for relative quantitation and validation of sequence matches from database searching.
Proteomic and peptidomic analysis of the venom from Chinese tarantula Chilobrachys jingzhao
Authors: Liao Zhi , Cao Jia , Li Shuiming , Yan Xiaojun , Hu Weijun , He Quanyuan , Chen Jinjun , Tang Jianzhou , Xie Jinyun , Liang Songping 
Published: May 2007

AbstractChinese tarantula, Chilobrachys jingzhao is one of the most venomous spiders in southern China and its venom is a mixture of various compounds with diversified biological activities. The proteome of C. jingzhao venom was analyzed by proteomic techniques. Proteins with molecular weight of over 10 kDa, indicated by gel‐filtration and SDS‐PAGE, were analyzed using 2‐DE and MALDI‐TOF/TOF and LC/ESI‐Q‐TOF MS. More than 90 proteins were detected, with 47 confirmed by sequence similarity search using mass spectrum driven basic local alignment search tool (MS BLAST). On the other hand, peptides with MW lower than 10 kDa were separated by HPLC and identified by MALDI‐TOF MS and Edman degradation sequencing. About 120 peptides were detected, 60 of which were fully or partially sequenced. Our results indicate that peptides with MW lower than 10 kDa are the major components in the crude venom of C. jingzhao. Like those of other tarantulas, these peptides are very likely to act on various ion channels. These results pave a way for further detailed structure–function correlation analysis of the individual toxins present in the venom of C. jingzhao.
Outer membrane proteome ofActinobacillus pleuropneumoniae: LC‐MS/MS analyses validatein silicopredictions
Authors: Chung Jacqueline W. , Ng‐Thow‐Hing Christopher , Budman Lorne I. , Gibbs Bernard F. , Nash John H. E. , Jacques Mario , Coulton James W. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe Gram‐negative bacterial pathogenActinobacillus pleuropneumoniaecauses porcine pneumonia, a highly infectious respiratory disease that contributes to major economic losses in the swine industry. Outer membrane (OM) proteins play key roles in infection and may be targets for drug and vaccine research. Exploiting the genome sequence ofA. pleuropneumoniaeserotype 5b, we scannedin silicofor proteins predicted to be localized at the cell surface. Five genome scanning programs (Proteome Analyst, PSORT‐b, BOMP, Lipo, and LipoP) were run to construct a consensus prediction list of 93 OM proteins inA. pleuropneumoniae. An inventory of predicted OM proteins was complemented by proteomic analyses utilizing gel‐ and solution‐based methods, both coupled to LC‐MS/MS. Different protocols were explored to enrich for OM proteins; the most rewarding required sucrose gradient centrifugation followed by membrane washes with sodium bromide and sodium carbonate. This protocol facilitated our identification of 47 OM proteins that represent 50% of the predicted OM proteome, most of which have not been characterized. Our study establishes the first OM proteome ofA. pleuropneumoniae.
Effect of nanoplatelet dispersion on mechanical behavior of polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Boo Woong J. , Sun Luyi , Liu Jia , Moghbelli Ehsan , Clearfield Abraham , Sue Hung‐Jue , Pham H. , Verghese N. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBy manipulating processing conditions, three levels of exfoliation of synthetic α‐zirconium phosphate (α‐ZrP) nanoplatelets in epoxy matrices have been achieved. Transmission electron microscopy and wide angle X‐ray diffraction were utilized to confirm the three different levels of exfoliation of nanoplatelets in epoxy/α‐ZrP nanocomposites. As expected, it was found that modulus and strength of the nanocomposite are affected by how well the nanoplatelets disperse. It was also found that the operative fracture mechanisms depend strongly on the state of the nanoplatelets dispersion. The crack deflection mechanism, which leads to a tortuous path crack growth, was only observed for poorly dispersed nanocomposites. Delamination of intercalated nanoplatelets and crack deflection were observed in a moderately dispersed system. In the case of fully exfoliated system, the crack only propagated in a straight fashion, which indicates that the fully exfoliated individual nanoplatelet can not affect the propagation of crack at all. The implication of the present findings for structural applications of polymer nanocomposites is discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1459–1469, 2007
Specific essential work of fracture of polyurethane thin films with different molecular structures
Authors: Chen Haibin , Wu Jingshen 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA series of polyurethane (PU) thin films with different hard‐to‐soft segment ratios were synthesized in our laboratory. The molecular and morphological structures of the PU films were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), wide‐angle x‐ray diffraction, dynamic mechanical analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The PU films showed a single glass transition when the hard‐to‐soft segment ratio varied from 1:2 to 1:8, suggesting no significant phase separation between the hard and soft segments. FTIR and SAXS results disclosed that the PU films had a network structure with the physical crosslinks formed via the intermolecular hydrogen bonds established between the hard segments. The fracture toughness of the ductile PU films was characterized with the essential work of fracture method under different conditions. It was found that the specific essential work of fracture was a function of the chain length between crosslinks and independent of the test temperature when fracture occurred at a temperature below the glass transition temperature. The physical meaning of this fracture parameter was proposed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1418–1424, 2007
Multiple Molecular pathways explain the anti‐proliferative effect of valproic acid on prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Shabbeer Shabana , S.Q. Kortenhorst Madeleine , Kachhap Sushant , Galloway Nathan , Rodriguez Ron , Carducci Michael A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBACKGROUNDValproic acid (VPA), is a drug approved by the FDA for epilepsy and bipolar disorders. It is a known Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor (HDACI). We tested VPA, for its anti‐proliferative activity in prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines in vitro and in vivo.METHODSDU‐145 and PC‐3 PCa cell lines were cultured with different doses of VPA. Cells were examined for their viability, cell cycle status and expression of cell cycle arrest, and proliferation markers. Nude mice bearing xenografts of human PCa cell lines, DU‐145, and PC‐3, were administered VPA in their drinking water.RESULTSVPA displayed a dose‐ and time‐dependent anti‐proliferative effect on DU‐145 and PC‐3 PCa cell lines in vitro. A sustained effect of the drug was seen on cell cycle arrest even at 24 hr after removal of the drug, after which the effects returned to the basal state. Administration of 0.4% w/v VPA in drinking water (resulting in 0.4 mM VPA, in plasma) was effective in inducing growth arrest, cell death, and senescence in vivo and was also anti‐angiogenic. The activation of all or some of these anti‐proliferative pathways may be contingent on acetylation status of histones, confirmed by detection of increased acetyl‐H3K9 in VPA‐treated samples when compared with untreated controls. Pharmacodynamic studies showed an increase in expression of p21 and decrease in PCNA in xenografts of VPA‐treated mice compared with protein expression in untreated controls.CONCLUSIONSVPA may be functioning as an HDACI to inhibit growth of PCa cells in vitro and in vivo by modulating multiple pathways including cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and senescence. Prostate 67: 1099–1110, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk‐adjusted output feedback receding horizon control of constrained linear parameter varying systems
Authors: Sznaier M. , Lagoa C. M. , Ozay N. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractIn the past few years, control of linear parameter varying (LPV) systems has been the object of considerable attention, as a way of formalizing the intuitively appealing idea of gain scheduling control for nonlinear systems. However, currently available LPV techniques are both computationally demanding and (potentially) very conservative. In this paper, we propose to address these difficulties by combining receding horizon and risk‐adjusted techniques. The resulting controllers are guaranteed to stabilize the plant and have computational complexity that increases polynomially, rather than exponentially, with the prediction horizon. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vascular Corrosion Casting Technique Steps
Authors: Verli Flaviana Dornela , Rossi‐Schneider Tissiana Raquel , Schneider Felipe LuÍs , Yurgel Liliane Soares , de Souza Maria Antonieta Lopes 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe vascular corrosion casting technique produces a replica of vascular beds of normal or pathological tissues. Once associated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), this technique provides details of the three‐dimensional anatomic arrangement of the vascular replica, which is the main advantage of this method. The present study is intended to describe the steps of the vascular corrosion casting technique and the different ways to perform them. them. SCANNING 29: 000‐V000, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stiffness variation in the interphase of amine‐cured epoxy adjacent to copper microstructures
Authors: Chung Jaeun , Munz Martin , Sturm Heinz 
Published: May 2007

AbstractIn an effort to expand the understanding of the mechanical properties of the polymeric interphase on a metal surface, a composite consisting of epoxy and copper was prepared and analyzed. Scanning force microscopy‐based force modulation microscopy (SFM‐FMM) was employed along with dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX). Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)‐based epoxy resins were applied with amine curing agents. The samples were made taking advantage of electron beam lithography (EBL) in order to produce sharp edges of copper structures and a flat surface suitable for the SFM‐FMM analysis, which was able to depict the stiffness within the interphase. It is considered significant information because the mechanical characteristic within the narrow interphase was revealed. Comparing with DMA and EDX, the stiffness information of SFM‐FMM demonstrated a matching correlation and agreement in terms of preferential adsorption of the curing agent in the vicinity of the interface. The stiffness profiles of the two epoxy systems turned out to be different, and it shows the material dependence of the interphase characteristics. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grafting of nanoporous alumina membranes and films with organic acids
Authors: Cheow Pui‐Sze , Liu Lingyan , Toh Chee‐Seng 
Published: May 2007

AbstractIn this study, direct surface grafting of nanoporous alumina membranes and glass‐supported alumina films was carried out with three different fluorinated organic acids: trifluoroacetic acid, perfluoropentanoic acid and 2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzoic acid. Elemental surface composition and chemical environment of alumina were investigated using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Alumina surfaces grafted with fluoro‐organic acids exhibited increased hydrophobic properties compared to ungrafted surfaces when measured using goniometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). This work describes the evidence for surface chemical modification of alumina using direct reaction with organic acids. An AFM study of the adsorption of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules on the fluoro‐organic‐acid‐grafted surfaces is reported. The results show that an ordered arrangement of immunoglobulin G structures with in‐filling of pores could be achieved only on the more hydrophobic fluoro‐organic‐acid‐grafted alumina membranes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Baseline patient characteristics and mortality associated with longitudinal intervention compliance
Authors: Lin Julia Y. , Ten Have Thomas R. , Bogner Hillary R. , Elliott Michael R. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractLin et al. (http://www.biostatsresearch.com/upennbiostat/papers/, 2006) proposed a nested Markov compliance class model in the Imbens and Rubin compliance class model framework to account for time‐varying subject noncompliance in longitudinal randomized intervention studies. We use superclasses, or latent compliance class principal strata, to describe longitudinal compliance patterns, and time‐varying compliance classes are assumed to depend on the history of compliance. In this paper, we search for good subject‐level baseline predictors of these superclasses and also examine the relationship between these superclasses and all‐cause mortality. Since the superclasses are completely latent in all subjects, we utilize multiple imputation techniques to draw inferences. We apply this approach to a randomized intervention study for elderly primary care patients with depression. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in echogenicity in the fetal brain: a prevalence study in fetuses at risk for preterm delivery
Authors: Rosier‐van Dunné F. M. F. , van Wezel‐Meijler G. , Odendaal H. J. , van Geijn H. P. , de Vries J. I. P. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo study the incidence of echodensities in the periventricular white matter, ventricular system, basal ganglia and thalamus of the brain in fetuses at risk for preterm delivery.MethodsThis was a prospective study of 124 fetuses with a gestational age between 26 and 34 weeks in pregnancies affected by either pregnancy‐induced hypertensive disorders or preterm labor. Transvaginal ultrasound examination of the fetal brain in coronal and sagittal planes was performed weekly until delivery and the neonatal brain was examined within 24 h after delivery.ResultsIn 66% of all fetuses, echodensities were found in one or more areas of the brain. They were present in the periventricular area in 52% of cases, the intraventricular area in 18% and in the basal ganglia and thalamus area in 28%. Changes in echogenicity were seen throughout the entire gestational‐age period studied. Of the periventricular echodensities that exceeded in echodensity that of the choroid plexus, at least 50% persisted after delivery; at least 38% of the intraventricular echodensities and at least 32% of the basal ganglia and thalamus echodensities persisted after delivery.ConclusionsIn high‐risk fetuses, echodensities are a frequent finding in several areas in the brain. How far these echodensities are related to future outcome of the infant needs to be investigated. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peroxisomal metabolism is regulated by an oxygen‐recognition system through organelle crosstalk between the mitochondria and peroxisomes
Authors: Fujimura Shuki , Nakagawa Tomoyuki , Ito Takashi , Matsufuji Yoshimi , Miyaji Tatsuro , Tomizuka Noboru 
Published: May 2007

AbstractIn the present study using Pichia methanolica, it was found that expressions of methanol‐metabolic enzymes were strictly regulated by the presence of oxygen, and that induction of alcohol oxidase (AOD) isozymes was completely dependent on oxygen concentrations. A proportion of AOD‐isozyme species responded to oxygen conditions, e.g. in a low oxygen condition, Mod1p was dominant, but with an increase in the oxygen concentration, the ratio of Mod2p increased. The Km value of Mod1p for oxygen was ca. one‐seventh lower than that of Mod2p (0.47 and 3.51 mM, respectively). This shows that Mod1p is suitable at low oxygen concentrations and Mod2p at high oxygen concentrations. Also, zymogram changes for AOD isozymes were observed by inhibition of respiratory chain activity. These indicated that P. methanolica has the ability to recognize oxygen conditions and the respiratory chain should participate in the sensor for available oxygen. These facts indicate that there is organelle crosstalk between mitochondria and peroxisomes through nucleus gene regulation in order to control the consumption balance of available oxygen between the mitochondrial respiratory chain and peroxisomal AODs. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reliable cell disruption in yeast
Authors: Stowers Chris C. , Boczko Erik M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe report the results of an optical assay to determine the degree of cell wall disruption in yeast. The results indicate that cell wall disruption with glass beads yields reproducible results that can be modelled with an integral measure of time to failure that implies a decreasing failure rate. It is shown that a standard protocol results in only 60% disruption, with a relatively large coefficient of variation. The data show that the yield of total RNA harvested is proportional to the degree of cellular disruption, and that there is no loss of RNA quality with > 90% disruption. The data also show that cell disruption of a synchronous culture varies with the cell cycle. We speculate that the decreasing failure rate is related to the cell cycle phase‐dependent disruptability. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Marginal zinc deficiency in rats decreases leptin expression independently of food intake and corticotrophin-releasing hormone in relation to food intake
Authors: Kwun In-Sook , Cho Young-Eun , Lomeda Ria-Ann R. , Kwon Soon-Tae , Kim Yangha , Beattie John H. 
Published: May 2007

Zn deficiency reduces food intake and growth rate in rodents. To determine the relationship between Zn deficiency and the regulation of food intake, we evaluated leptin gene expression in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), and hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH) and hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (hNPY) of rats Zn-deficient only to show reduced food intake and growth rate but not food intake cycling. Growing male Sprague-Dawley rats (240 g) were randomly assigned to one of four dietary groups: Zn-adequate (ZA; 30 mg/kg diet), Zn-deficient (ZD; 3 mg/kg diet), pair-fed with ZD (PF; 30 mg/kg diet) and Zn-sufficient (ZS; 50 mg/kg diet) (n 8), and were fed for 3 weeks. Food intake and body weight were measured, as were blood mononuclear cells and pancreas Zn levels. eWAT leptin, hCRH and hNPY mRNA levels were determined. Food intake was decreased by about 10 % in ZD and PF rats compared to ZA and ZS rats. Growth and eWAT leptin mRNA levels were unaffected in PF rats but were significantly (P < 0·05) decreased in ZD rats. However, hNPY showed a tendency to increase, and hCRH significantly (P < 0·05) decreased, in both ZD and PF rats. These results suggest that while leptin gene expression may be directly affected by Zn, hNPY and hCRH are likely responding to reduced food intake caused by Zn deficiency.
‘A Picturesque but Hopeless Resistance’: Rehe in 1933
Authors: PHILLIPS RICHARD T. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe Japanese invasion of Rehe in 1933 proved to be a walkover, despite the intense rhetoric of resistance which had characterised statements by leaders in north China in early 1933. This article looks at the local context of the governorship of Tang Yulin, at the role of Zhang Xueliang and regional leaders, and at the central government's involvement, principally through Song Ziwen (T.V. Soong), in order to understand China's failure in Rehe. This failure strongly influenced the subsequent Tanggu truce and affected the careers of Song and Zhang in the short term, but did not deter Jiang Jieshi from continuing his anti-communist encirclement campaigns.