bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polysomnographic diagnosis of sleepwalking: Effects of sleep deprivation
Authors: Zadra Antonio , Pilon Mathieu , Montplaisir Jacques 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectiveSomnambulism affects up to 4% of adults and constitutes one of the leading causes of sleep‐related violence and self‐injury. Diagnosing somnambulism with objective instruments is often difficult because episodes rarely occur in the laboratory. Because sleep deprivation can precipitate sleepwalking, we aimed to determine the effects of 25 hours of sleep deprivation on the frequency and complexity of somnambulistic episodes recorded in the laboratory.MethodsThirty consecutive sleepwalkers were evaluated prospectively by video‐polysomnography for one baseline night and during recovery sleep after 25 hours of sleep deprivation. Ten sleepwalkers with a concomitant sleep disturbance were investigated with the same protocol.ResultsSleepwalkers experienced a significant increase in the mean frequency of somnambulistic episodes during postdeprivation recovery sleep. Postsleep deprivation also resulted in a significantly greater proportion of patients experiencing more complex forms of somnambulism. Sleep deprivation was similarly effective in 9 of the 10 patients presenting with a comorbid sleep disturbance. Combining data from all 40 patients shows that whereas 32 episodes were recorded from 20 sleepwalkers (50%) at baseline, recovery sleep resulted in 92 episodes being recorded from 36 patients (90%).InterpretationThe findings support the view that sleepwalkers suffer from a dysfunction of the mechanisms responsible for sustaining stable slow‐wave sleep and suggest that these patients are particularly vulnerable to increased homeostatic sleep pressure. Strong evidence is provided that 25 hours of sleep deprivation can be a valuable tool that facilitates the polysomnographically based diagnosis of somnambulism in predisposed patients. Ann Neurol 2008
Synthesis and rheological characterization of graft copolymers of butyl and hydroxyethyl methacrylates on starches
Authors: Gurruchaga Mariló , Echeverria Idoia , Goñi Isabel 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTo study the possibility of using some acrylic‐grafted polysaccharides as matrix tablets, graft copolymers of butyl methacrylate and hydroxyethyl methacrylate on starch and on hydroxypropyl starch were synthesized. In this work, the effects of the different chemical compositions of the various synthesized graft copolymers on the hydrophilicity and rheological characteristics were examined. Water absorption values that ranged from 5 to 45% were obtained. Rheological testing determined with dispersions (5% w/w) in water showed that the graft copolymers formed weak gels of high viscosity. Moreover, the synthesized powders showed good flow and good compaction. These measurements pointed toward the possibility of their application for drug release. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Preparation and characteristics of cross‐linkable polysulfone having methylene methacrylate side‐chain
Authors: Lee Eun Sang , Hong Sung Kwon , Kim Yong Seok , Lee Jae Heung , Won Jong Chan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPolysulfone (PSF)s are amorphous polymers which possess excellent thermal stability and good optical properties. But they have drawbacks such as poor chemical resistance and high thermal expension property. In this study, we introduced crosslinkable acrylic moiety in PSF with side‐chain using chloromethylation method. We prepared photosensitive PSF having methylene methacrylate side‐chain from chloromethylated polysolfone (CMPSF). And we performed solvent casting films of the polysulfone methylene methacrylate (PSFMM) and produced the crosslinked PSF films via UV expose. Their properties such as the thermal, optical, gas barrier properties, and chemical resistance were measured by TGA, DSC, TMA, UV‐transmittance, MOCON test, and solubility test. The crosslinked PSFMMs were insoluble in various protic and aprotic polar solvents. They have low CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) value and gas barrier property improved according to increase of crosslinkable moiety. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Preparation and application of polyurethane adhesives made from polyhydric alcohol liquefied Taiwan acacia and China fir
Authors: Lee Wen‐Jau , Lin Meng‐Shinan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTaiwan acacia (Acacia confusa) and China fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) were liquefied in polyethylene glycol (PEG)–glycerol cosolvent, with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) as a catalyst. The liquefied woods were blended with three kinds of isocyanate, such as poly‐4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI), Desmodur L (adduct of toluene diisocyanate with trimethylol propane), and Desmodur N (trimer of hexamethylene diisocyanate), to prepare polyurethane (PU) resins. From the results, China fir had better liquefaction effect than Taiwan acacia. Those PU resins prepared from liquefied wood blending with isocyanate could cure at room temperature. Their gel property was influenced by the type of isocyanate, the molar ratio of the functional group of isocyanate to liquefied wood [NCO/(OH+COOH)], and the rate of catalyst added. PU resins prepared from Desmodur L had an appropriate gel time for processing. But those prepared from PMDI had too short gel time to process. Contrary, the PU resins prepared from Desmodur N would take a longer time to gel. However, addition of catalyst could shorten the gel time significantly. FT‐IR analysis showed that a urethane bond had formed between the liquefied wood and isocyanate. When these PU resins were used as wood adhesives, liquefied wood blended with Desmodur L had better dry and wet bonding strength than others. Increasing the molar ratio of NCO/(OH+COOH) could increase the bonding strength. On comparing liquefied Taiwan acacia and China fir, the former had better bonding strength than the latter. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis, characterization, and swelling studies of pH‐ and thermosensitive hydrogels for specialty applications
Authors: Chauhan Ghanshyam S. , Chauhan Sandeep 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn this article, we describe a novel pH‐and temperature‐sensitive and moderately salt tolerant hydrogels based on acrylic acid (AAc) and methacrylic acid (MAAc) by employing a novel research plan. AAc and MAAc have been converted to N‐isopropylacrylamide (N‐i‐PAAm) and N‐isopropyl methacrylamide (N‐i‐PMAAm), respectively, via amidation with isopropyl amine, followed by polymerization to respective polymers. These polymers were further converted into networks in the presence of AAc and MAAc and N,N‐methylene bisacrylamide (N,N‐MBAAm). The networks thus formed consist of both amides and carboxylic acid groups. Characterization of these networks has been carried out by nitrogen analysis, FTIR, NMR, and scanning electron microscopy for the investigation of different structural aspects of the synthesized polymers. Swelling studies of these networks have been carried out as a function of time, temperature, pH, and in the presence of additives, sodium dodecyl sulfate, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, and 5% NaCl solution. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Amorphous orientation and its relationship to processing stages of blended polypropylene/polyethylene fibers
Authors: Trottier Amy M. , Zwanziger J. W. , Murthy N. Sanjeeva 
Published: March 2008

AbstractChanges in the molecular orientation, melting behavior, and percent crystallinity of the individual components in a fibrous blend of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) that occur during the melt extrusion process were examined using wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The crystalline orientation of each component was found using Wilchinsky's treatment of uniaxial orientation and described by the Hermans–Stein orientation parameter. The amorphous orientation was found by resolving the X‐ray diffraction pattern in steps of the azimuthal angle into its iPP and HDPE crystalline and amorphous reflections. The utility of DSC and WAXD analyses to capture the effects of small differences in processing, and the use of these results as fingerprints of a particular manufacturing process were demonstrated. Major increases in the melting temperatures, percent crystallinities, and molecular orientations of the iPP and HDPE components occurred during the main stretching stage of the melt extrusion process. The annealing stage was found to have little to no effect on the melting behavior and molecular orientation of these components. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
A SAXS–WAXD study on the mesomorphic‐α transition of isotactic polypropylene
Authors: Marega Carla , Causin Valerio , Marigo Antonio 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe smectic‐α transition of iPP was studied by wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). WAXD and SAXS patterns were taken at different temperatures during the transition. Two different approaches were taken in the analysis of SAXS data: the correlation function and a fitting method based on theoretical distribution models. Up to 80°C just smectic phase was observed, whereas beyond that temperature α lamellae appeared and the two populations of lamellae were found to coexist in the sample. The new α phase population stemmed from within the preexistent smectic stacks, according to a lamellar insertion model. α lamellae thickened to a larger extent than the smectic phase, that just underwent thermal expansion. Results were consistent with a mechanism of transformation involving a rearrangement of the chains without a melting‐recrystallization process. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Microencapsulation of doxycycline into poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) by spray drying technique: Effect of polymer molecular weight on process parameters
Authors: Patel Pradip , Mundargi Raghavendra C. , Babu V. Ramesh , Jain Dharmendra , Rangaswamy Vidhya , Aminabhavi Tejraj M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPoly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) polymers with three different molecular weights were prepared, and microparticles were produced by spray drying and water‐in‐oil‐water (w/o/w) double emulsion techniques to encapsulate 86% of doxycycline (DXY), an antibiotic drug, for the use of periodontitis. Placebo and drug‐loaded microspheres and pristine DXY were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which indicated no chemical interactions between DXY and PLGA. X‐ray diffraction of drug‐loaded microspheres confirmed the molecular level dispersion of DXY in PLGA. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed spherical nature and smooth surfaces of the microspheres. Mean particle size as measured by laser light scattering technique ranged between 10 and 25 μm. In vitro release of DXY performed in 7.4 pH media continued up to 72 h and depended on molecular weight of PLGA and extent of DXY loading. Antimicrobial studies performed on one formulation and placebo microspheres suggested that drug concentrations during in vitro release are above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Staphylococcus aureus growth. Overall, the release studies depended on the molecular weight of PLGA, extent of drug loading, and the method used to prepare microspheres. Statistical analyses of release data performed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method agreed well with experimental observations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites
Authors: Hu Guangjun , Feng Xiyan , Zhang Shimin , Yang Mingshu 
Published: March 2008

AbstractCrystallization behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PET/MWNTs) composites have been investigated under isothermal conditions and in comparison with the conventional nucleating agents, sodium benzoate, and micrometric carbon/glass fibers. In the PET/MWNTs composites, MWNTs promote the crystallization of PET as a heterogeneous nucleating agent, and the nucleation efficiency is greatly enhanced when MWNTs was homogeneously dispersed in PET matrix. In comparison with pure PET, spherulites size of PET/MWNTs composites is significantly reduced, and the shape becomes quite irregular. TEM images indicate that MWNTs bundles locate in the center of spherulites of PET and act as nuclei. Fold surface free energy during nucleation process for MWNTs nucleated PET is just half of pure PET, suggesting that MWNTs are efficient nucleating agents for PET. The sequence of nucleating ability of is given as follows: sodium benzoate>MWNTs>talc>carbon fibers≈glass fibers. The nucleation in the presence of sodium benzoate is a chemical nucleation process that may cause severe degradation of PET, but MWNTs nucleate PET through “particle effect,” which does not affect the molecular weight of PET. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Simultaneous enhancement in strength and elongation of waterborne polyurethane and role of star‐like network with lignin core
Authors: Cui Guojuan , Fan Honglei , Xia Wenbing , Ai Fujin , Huang Jin 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe have reported that a star‐like network structure with lignin as center in polyurethane resulted in the simultaneous enhancement in mechanical strength and elongation. In this study, we aimed to enhance the mechanical properties of waterborne polyurethane by adding nitro‐lignin (NL) to form analogical star‐like network. It was found that the resultant material has optimal mechanical performances when the NL content is 3.0 wt %, i.e., its apparent mechanical strength and elongation increased by about 80% at one time. Especially, its real mechanical strength reaches 71.3 MPa at this time, which is 3.6‐fold over that of neat waterborne polyurethane material. The simultaneous enhancements in strength and elongation are attributed to the forming of star‐like network in the composites. The stiffness of lignin improved the mechanical strength, while the entangling and crosslinking in polyurethane component increased the elongation. However, higher NL loading and lower grafting level induced the forming of supramolecular NL aggregates, and hence greatly inhibited star‐like network, resulting in lower mechanical strength and elongation. However, the Young's modulus of the material is enhanced with an increase of rigid supramolecular aggregates. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Electrostatic contribution to the energy of binding of aromatic ligands with DNA
Authors: Kostjukov V. V. , Khomytova N. M. , Davies D. B. , Evstigneev M. P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe method of solution of the nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann equation was used to calculate electrostatic energy of binding of various aromatic ligands with DNA oligomers of different length. Analysis of the electrostatic contribution was made in terms of a two‐step DNA binding process: formation of the intercalation cavity and insertion of the ligand. The total electrostatic energy was also partitioned into components: the energy of atom–atom coulombic interactions and the energy of interaction with surrounding water. The results indicate that electrostatic interactions are, as a whole, unfavorable to the intercalation process and that a correct analysis of structure‐energy interrelation for Ligand‐DNA interactions should only be accomplished at the level of the components rather than at the level of total electrostatic energy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 89: 680–690, 2008.This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
The intracellular and nuclear‐targeted delivery of an antiandrogen drug by carrier peptides
Authors: Hodoniczky Jason , Sims Colette G. , Best Wayne M. , Bentel Jacqueline M. , Wilce Jacqueline A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractCell permeable carrier peptides are currently of interest for their potential to improve the delivery of bioactive molecules into cells and to specific cellular compartments. We have investigated the activity of a derivative of the antiandrogen drug, bicalutamide, attached to the cell‐permeable carrier peptide penetratin®. We have used both disulfide (labile) and thioether (nonlabile) linkages to attach the bicalutamide derivative to the peptide in order to assess whether one type of chemistry has advantages over the other. In addition we have added a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) to the carrier peptide to investigate whether localization of the drug to the nucleus of the cell affects the activity of the drug. Biotin‐labeled peptides were used to demonstrate that the carrier peptide is rapidly accumulated inside cultured cells, and that the incorporation of an NLS in the sequence results in its nuclear targeting. The bicalutamide derivative linked to carrier peptides via a disulfide‐linkage exerted no greater antiproliferative effect in LNCaP cells, than the bicalutamide derivative alone. The bicalutamide derivative linked to the carrier peptide by a non‐labile thioether linkage showed a similar activity profile. When the construct includes a nuclear targeting sequence, however, a markedly increased antiproliferative effect was observed. This study has thus shown that the activity of bicalutamide may be enhanced by the nonlabile attachment of a cell‐permeable and nuclear‐targeted peptide, which has implications for the development of novel antiandrogens for the treatment of prostate cancer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 90: 595–603, 2008.This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Intimate coupling of photocatalysis and biodegradation in a photocatalytic circulating‐bed biofilm reactor
Authors: Marsolek Michael D. , Torres César I. , Hausner Martina , Rittmann Bruce E. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractCoupling advanced oxidative pretreatment with subsequent biodegradation demonstrates potential for treating wastewaters containing biorecalcitrant and inhibitory organic constituents. However, advanced oxidation is indiscriminate, producing a range of products that can be too oxidized, unavailable for biodegradation, or toxic themselves. This problem could be overcome if advanced oxidation and biodegradation occurred together, an orientation called intimate coupling; then, biodegradable organics are removed as they are formed, focusing the chemical oxidant on the non‐biodegradable fraction. Intimate coupling has seemed impossible because the conditions of advanced oxidation, for example, hydroxyl radicals and sometimes UV‐light, are severely toxic to microorganisms. Here, we demonstrate that a novel photocatalytic circulating‐bed biofilm reactor (PCBBR), which utilizes macro‐porous carriers to protect biofilm from toxic reactants and UV light, achieves intimate coupling. We demonstrate the viability of the PCBBR system first with UV only and acetate, where the carriers grew biofilm and sustained acetate biodegradation despite continuous UV irradiation. Images obtained by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy show bacteria living behind the exposed surface of the cubes. Second, we used slurry‐form Degussa P25 TiO2 to initiate photocatalysis of inhibitory 2,4,5‐trichlorophenol (TCP) and acetate. With no bacterial carriers, photocatalysis and physical processes removed TCP and COD to 32% and 26% of their influent levels, but addition of biofilm carriers decreased residuals to
2% and 4%, respectively. Biodegradation alone could not remove TCP. Photomicrographs clearly show that biomass originally on the exterior of the carriers was oxidized (charred), but biofilm a short distance within the carriers was protected. Finally, we coated TiO2 directly onto the carrier surface, producing a hybrid photocatalytic‐biological carrier. These carriers likewise demonstrated the concept of photocatalytic degradation of TCP coupled with biodegradation of acetate, but continued TCP degradation required augmentation with slurry‐form TiO2.Biotechnol. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 83–92. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The roles of galactitol, galactose‐1‐phosphate, and phosphoglucomutase in galactose‐induced toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: de Jongh Willem A. , Bro Christoffer , Ostergaard Simon , Regenberg Birgitte , Olsson Lisbeth , Nielsen Jens 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe uptake and catabolism of galactose by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is much lower than for glucose and fructose, and in applications of this yeast for utilization of complex substrates that contain galactose, for example, lignocellulose and raffinose, this causes prolonged fermentations. Galactose is metabolized via the Leloir pathway, and besides the industrial interest in improving the flux through this pathway it is also of medical relevance to study the Leloir pathway. Thus, genetic disorders in the genes encoding galactose‐1‐phosphate uridylyltransferase or galactokinase result in galactose toxicity both in patients with galactosemia and in yeast. In order to elucidate galactose related toxicity, which may explain the low uptake and catabolic rates of S. cerevisiae, we have studied the physiological characteristics and intracellular metabolite profiles of recombinant S. cerevisiae strains with improved or impaired growth on galactose. Aerobic batch cultivations on galactose of strains with different combinations of overexpression of the genes GAL1, GAL2, GAL7, and GAL10, which encode proteins that together convert extracellular galactose into glucose‐1‐phosphate, revealed a decrease in the maximum specific growth rate when compared to the reference strain. The hypothesized toxic intermediate galactose‐1‐phosphate cannot be the sole cause of galactose related toxicity, but indications were found that galactose‐1‐phosphate might cause a negative effect through inhibition of phosphoglucomutase. Furthermore, we show that galactitol is formed in S. cerevisiae, and that the combination of elevated intracellular galactitol concentration, and the ratio between galactose‐1‐phosphate concentration and phosphoglucomutase activity seems to be important for galactose related toxicity causing decreased growth rates. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 317–326. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.