bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solvent extraction of gold(I) from alkaline cyanide solution by dibutylcarbitol (DBC) with n‐octanol
Authors: Lu Pan 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Currently, cyanidisation is preferred for the extraction of gold because it has a number of advantages over other methods. Gold(I) can be extracted with various extractants, but there are no reports on the extraction of gold(I) from cyanide solution by dibutylcarbitol (DBC). In this work the extraction of gold(I) from alkaline cyanide solution using DBC with n‐octanol was studied. Several factors affecting the percentage extraction of gold(I), including DBC concentration, diluent concentration, equilibrium time, phase ratio, pH and gold concentration in aqueous phase, were investigated.RESULTS: The results showed that 96.2% of gold(I) could be extracted using an organic phase composed of 40% (v/v) DBC, 50% (v/v) n‐octanol and 10% (v/v) odourless kerosene. The extraction was quite fast and equilibrium could be established within 2 min. Stripping of the gold‐laden organic phase was carried out using sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) and sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) solutions, with Na2S2O3 proving better than Na2SO3. The percentage stripping of gold(I) was 96.5% when the Na2S2O3 concentration was 4% (w/w), and the stripping capacity of gold(I) exceeded 311.3 mg L−1 when the phase ratio (A/O) was equal to 0.2.CONCLUSION: Gold(I) can be extracted from aqueous cyanide solution by DBC in the presence of n‐octanol and efficiently stripped by aqueous Na2S2O3 solution. This method has the potential for practical application in the extraction and separation of gold. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
The application of carbon isotope ratio mass spectrometry to doping control
Authors: Cawley Adam T. , Flenker Ulrich 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe administration of synthetic steroid copies is one of the most important issues facing sports. Doping control laboratories accredited by the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) require methods of analysis that allow endogenous steroids to be distinguished from their synthetic analogs in urine. The ability to measure isotope distribution at natural abundance with high accuracy and precision has increased the application of Gas Chromatography–Combustion–Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC–C–IRMS) to doping control in recent years. GC–C–IRMS is capable of measuring the carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) of urinary steroids and confirm their synthetic origin based on the abnormal 13C content. This tutorial describes some of the complexities encountered by obtaining valid δ13C measurements from GC–C–IRMS and the need for careful interpretation of all relevant information concerning an individual's metabolism in order to make an informed decision with respect to a doping violation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time‐dependent increases in protease activities for neuronal apoptosis in spinal cords of Lewis rats during development of acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Das Arabinda , Guyton M. Kelly , Matzelle Denise D. , Ray Swapan K. , Banik Naren L. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by axonal demyelination and neurodegeneration, the latter having been inadequately explored in the MS animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The purpose of this study was to examine the time‐dependent correlation between increased calpain and caspase activities and neurodegeneration in spinal cord tissues from Lewis rats with acute EAE. An increase in TUNEL‐positive neurons and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in EAE spinal cords suggested that neuronal death was a result of apoptosis on days 8–10 following induction of EAE. Increases in calpain expression in EAE correlated with activation of pro‐apoptotic proteases, leading to apoptotic cell death beginning on day 8 of EAE, which occurred before the appearance of visible clinical symptoms. Increases in calcineurin expression and decreases in phospho‐Bad (p‐Bad) suggested Bad activation in apoptosis during acute EAE. Increases in the Bax:Bcl‐2 ratio and activation of caspase‐9 showed the involvement of mitochondria in apoptosis. Further, caspase‐8 activation suggested induction of the death receptor–mediated pathway for apoptosis. Endoplasmic reticulum stress leading to caspase‐3 activation was also observed, indicating that multiple apoptotic pathways were activated following EAE induction. In contrast, cell death was mostly a result of necrosis on the later day (day 11), when EAE entered a severe stage. From these findings, we conclude that increases in calpain and caspase activities play crucial roles in neuronal apoptosis during the development of acute EAE. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Signaling pathways of bisphenol A–induced apoptosis in hippocampal neuronal cells: Role of calcium‐induced reactive oxygen species, mitogen‐activated protein kinases, and nuclear factor–κB
Authors: Lee Soyoung , Suk Kyoungho , Kim In Kyeom , Jang Il‐Sung , Park Jin‐Woo , Johnson Victor J. , Kwon Taeg Kyu , Choi Byung‐Ju , Kim Sang‐Hyun 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIn the present study, we investigated the neurotoxicity of bisphenol A [BPA; 2,2‐bis‐(4 hydroxyphenyl) propane] and the underlying mechanisms of action in mouse hippocampal HT‐22 cells. BPA, known to be a xenoestrogen, is used in the production of water bottles, cans, and teeth suture materials. BPA‐treated HT‐22 cells showed lower cell viability than did controls at concentrations of BPA over 100 μM. BPA induced apoptotic cell death as indicated by staining with Hoechst 33258, costaining with Annexin V/propidium iodide, and activation of caspase 3. BPA regulated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing intracellular calcium. BPA activated phosphorylation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB. Pretreatment with specific inhibitors for calcium, ROS, ERK, and JNK decreased BPA‐induced cell death; however, inhibitor for NF‐κB increased BPA‐induced cell death. The results suggest that calcium, ROS, ERK, and JNK are involved in BPA‐induced apoptotic cell death in HT‐22 cells. In contrast, an NF‐κB cascade was activated for survival signaling after BPA treatment. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurodevelopmental abnormalities in neurosphere‐derived neural stem cells from SMN‐depleted mice
Authors: Shafey Dina , MacKenzie Alex E. , Kothary Rashmi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder caused by depletion of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein and characterized by degeneration of α‐motor neurons in the spinal cord. We investigated the morphology and differentiation of neurosphere‐derived neural stem cells (NSCs) generated from the brains of a hypomorphic series of SMA mice. Neurospheres from the Smn−/−;SMN2 mice, which represent a model of very severe SMA, produced NSCs with increased proliferation during growth and differentiation. These cells produced fewer Tuj1‐positive neuronal cells, which displayed morphological alterations and had fewer and shorter neurites. The decrease in the number of Tuj1‐positive cells was not a result of enhanced apoptosis but was accompanied by an increase in the number of nestin‐positive cells. These results provide insight into the most severe model of SMA, in which SMN is nearly completely depleted, and suggest that SMN has a role in neurodevelopment as well as in neuromaintenance. Our work raises the possibility that SMN depletion affects neurodevelopment and neuromaintenance to varying extents, leading to SMA pathogenesis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in Central‐European soil‐moisture availability and circulation patterns in 1881–2005
Authors: Trnka Miroslav , Kyselý Jan , Možný Martin , Dubrovský Martin 
Published: June 2008

AbstractRelationships between the soil moisture availability atmospheric and the atmospheric circulation in Central Europe were analyzed for the period 1881–2005. The analysis was based on the Hess‐Brezowsky catalogue of circulation types and series of weekly self‐calibrated Palmer Z‐index (scZ‐index) and Palmer Drought Severity index (scPDSI) at seven stations where high‐quality daily data had recently become available. The results show that the large scale droughts during spring months (MAM) were associated with east (E), south (S), and south‐east (SE) Grosswettertypen (GWT), whereas during summer (JJA) and the whole growing season, i.e., April‐September (VEG), the Central Europe high pressure systems (HM) and east (E) GWT were conducive to drought. Statistically significant drying trends were noted at a majority of the stations, especially during MAM and JJA over the whole period for which the scPDSI and scZ‐index series were available (1875–2005). Although almost no statistically significant tendencies were found prior to 1940, after this year a significant tendency towards more intense drought was present at all sites. The largest drying trend was noted during the VEG and AMJ seasons. The overall drying trend might be associated with shifts in the GWT frequency, especially during AMJ. Although the aggregate frequency of occurrence of drought conducive GWT (i.e. E, S and HM) remained stable at approximately 30% up to the 1940s, afterwards a steady increase to the present 55% is observed. Higher frequencies of S and HM types drove the observed increase of drought conducive GWT at the expense of N types that are associated with wet conditions. The long‐term shifts in the frequency of circulation types conducive to drought explain more than 50% of the long‐term variations of both scZ‐index and PDSI values over the territory of the Czech Republic, and they are likely to affect neighboring regions as well. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
The current anatomical description of the inferior glenohumeral ligament does not correlate with its functional role in positions of external rotation
Authors: Moore Susan M. , Stehle Jens H. , Rainis Eric J. , McMahon Patrick J. , Debski Richard E. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the strain distribution in the inferior glenohumeral ligament at 0°, 30°, and 60° of external rotation with an anterior load applied to the joint. Five cadaver shoulders were dissected free of all soft tissue except the glenohumeral capsule and a 7 × 11 grid of strain markers were affixed to the inferior glenohumeral ligament. The location of these strain markers was then determined for a reference strain configuration and while a 25 N anterior load was applied to simulate a clinical exam for instability. The magnitude and direction of the maximum principal strains were then determined at each joint position. For all specimens, the magnitude of the maximum principal strains were significantly greater for 30° and 60° of external rotation when compared to 0° of external rotation. Furthermore, when comparing 30° to 60° of external rotation, three of the five specimens were significantly different. Additionally, the previously described regions of the inferior glenohumeral ligament could not be identified with a qualitative evaluation of the strain distribution pattern for each specimen at all external rotation angles. This indicates that our current description of the three regions of the inferior glenohumeral ligament does not correspond to its functional role. Additionally, the directions of the maximum principal strains across the inferior glenohumeral ligament became more aligned with one another as external rotation was increased. The complex strain distributions observed indicates that future studies should treat the inferior glenohumeral capsule as a continuous sheet of fibrous tissue. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Stability of protein‐stabilised β‐carotene nanodispersions against heating, salts and pH
Authors: Chu Boon‐Seang , Ichikawa Sosaku , Kanafusa Sumiyo , Nakajima Mitsutoshi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Milk proteins are used in a wide range of formulated food emulsions. The stability of food emulsions depends on their ingredients and processing conditions. In this work, β‐carotene nanodispersions were prepared with selected milk‐protein products using solvent‐displacement method. The objective of this work was to evaluate the stability of these nanodispersions against heating, salts and pH.RESULTS: Sodium caseinate (SC)‐stabilised nanodispersions possessed the smallest mean particle size of 17 nm, while those prepared with whey‐protein products resulted in larger mean particle sizes (45–127 nm). Formation of large particles (mean particle size of 300 nm) started after 1 h of heating at 60 °C in nanodispersions prepared with SC. More drastic particle size changes were observed in nanodispersions prepared with whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. The SC‐stabilised nanodispersions were fairly stable against Na+ ions at concentrations below 100 mmol L−1, but drastic aggregation occurred in ≥ 50 mmol L−1 CaCl2 solutions. Aggregation was also observed in whey protein‐stabilised nanodispersions after the addition of NaCl and CaCl2 solutions. All sample exhibited the smallest mean particle size at neutral pH, but large aggregates were formed at both ends of extreme pH and at pH around the isoelectric point of the proteins.CONCLUSION: The nanodispersions prepared with SC were generally more stable against thermal processing, ionic strength and pH, compared to those prepared with whey proteins. The stable β‐carotene nanodispersions showed a good potential for industrial applications. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Basmati rice: its characteristics and identification
Authors: Kamath Shashikala , Stephen JK Charles , Suresh S , Barai BK , Sahoo AK , Radhika Reddy K , Bhattacharya Kshirod R 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Basmati comprises a small group of premium aromatic rice from India (and Pakistan), prized in international trade. These varieties have not so far been fully characterized physicochemically. To address this gap, all available recognized as well as unrecognized varieties/lines of basmati and its derivatives (crosses) were exhaustively studied for their physical, chemical and cooking properties over eight years.RESULTS: It was found that all five basmati land races (‘traditional’ varieties) had similar properties. They had substantial σ1 distal end (DE) shape of brown and milled rice; good aroma; intermediate amylose (∼230 g kg−1), alkali score and viscogram breakdown (BDr); and they yielded a high elongation ratio (>1.9) and good ‘rings’ after cooking. The 23 Indian crossbred (basmati derivative) varieties/lines (plus 13 supermarket samples of Pakistani basmati) studied were different. Each of them differed in at least two or three and sometimes several of the above properties from the land races.CONCLUSION: These results provided a framework of what constituted basmati properties and a benchmark to decide how close a cross was. Additionally, the varying combinations of the observed values of the ten or more key indices enabled any of the above varieties/lines to be identified by simple physicochemical techniques. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Parotid and cervical nodal status predict prognosis for patients with head and neck metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ch'ng Sydney , Maitra Aloka , Allison Robert S. , Chaplin John M. , Gregor Reinhold T. , Lea Rodney , Tan Swee T. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe appreciation of parotid involvement being an independent prognostic factor for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is relatively new. A more comprehensive clinical staging system that separates parotid (P) from neck (N) disease, and further stratifies the N category has been proposed [O'Brien et al., Head Neck 2002; 24: 417–422]. This paper presents the clinical outcome of patients with head and neck metastatic cutaneous SCC treated at the four major head & neck surgical oncology centers in New Zealand and tests the proposed staging system, with modifications for pathological staging.MethodsPatients treated with a curative intent from 1990 to 2005 were identified and re‐staged. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and curves were compared with the log‐rank test. Multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model was performed to assess the impact of each proposed P and N sub‐group, and other parameters.Results and ConclusionsOne hundred and seventy patients were identified. The 5‐year disease‐specific survival rate was 69%, and the loco‐regional recurrence rate was 36%. The presence of parotid (P < 0.01) or neck (P = 0.01) disease, immunosuppression (P < 0.01) and the uptake of radiotherapy (P < 0.01) impacted significantly on survival. Increasing P or N category worsened the prognosis significantly. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;98:101–105. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphology and Motional Heterogeneity in PS/PMMA Diblock Copolymers Studied by 1H and 13C Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Gandhi Sonia , Melian Claudiu , Demco Dan Eugen , Brar Ajaib Singh , Blümich Bernhard 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe domain thicknesses and the heterogeneity of the chain dynamics of PS‐b‐PMMA diblock copolymers with different molar masses was studied by 1H and 13C solid‐state NMR. The chain dynamics heterogeneity of different components and inside the interfacial region was investigated by different NMR methods, including 1H residual second van Vleck moments of PS and high‐resolution 13C longitudinal magnetization relaxation. The effect of changes in the morphology on chain dynamics heterogeneity is demonstrated. The interplay between microscopic and mesoscopic properties of diblock copolymer is helpful for a better assessment of their role in the mechanical properties of these systems.magnified image
End‐Grained Wood/Polyurethane Composites, 3 – Isocyanate‐Free Route
Authors: Persenaire Olivier , Alexandre Michaël , Degée Philippe , Dubois Philippe 
Published: June 2008

AbstractEnd‐grained wood/polyurethane composites were obtained by a water‐based one‐pot process free of diisocyanates. Wood was impregnated with both PEG and CBC‐functionalized PEG as a coupling agent. A thorough study of the CBC‐mediated end‐groups conversion of PEG was achieved. It came out that functionalization conditions strongly affected the polyurethane chain extension and its grafting onto the wood structure. Antiswelling efficiency measurements showed that the one‐pot procedure allowed to reach comparable dimensional stabilization than the diisocyanate‐based process previously described. Morphological analysis demonstrated that such an improvement was attributable to the formation of cell wall‐bulked WPCs.magnified image
Control of Bubble Size and Location in Nano‐/Microscale Cellular Poly(propylene)/Rubber Blend Foams
Authors: Nemoto Tomoyuki , Takagi Jun , Ohshima Masahiro 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPlastic foam with nano‐/micro‐scale cellular structures was prepared from a poly(propylene) (PP)/propylene‐ethylene copolymer (PER) blend by controlling bubble nucleation sites and bubble growth in disperse PER domains. Batch foaming experiments using a CO2 pressure quench method were conducted at room temperature. The bubble size and location were highly controlled in disperse PER domains by exploiting the differences in CO2 solubility and viscoelasticity between the PER domains and the PP matrix. The average cell diameter of PP/PER blend foams can be controlled within 0.5–2 µm by the PP/PER ratio, depressurization rate, and foaming temperature.magnified image
F‐Chord: Improved uniform routing on Chord
Authors: Cordasco G. , Gargano L. , Negro A. , Scarano V. , Hammar M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe propose a family of novel Chord‐based P2P schemes retaining all positive aspects that made Chord a popular topology for routing in P2P networks. The schemes, based on the Fibonacci number system, allow to simultaneously improve on the maximum/average number of hops for lookups and the routing table size per node. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2008
Hyperglycemia during induction therapy is associated with increased infectious complications in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Sonabend Rona Y. , McKay Siripoom V. , Okcu M. Fatih , Yan Jinrong , Haymond Morey W. , Margolin Judith F. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackgroundChildren with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) are at high risk for developing hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemic adult ALL patients have shorter remissions, more infections, and increased mortality. No corresponding data are available in children. We hypothesized that children with ALL who become hyperglycemic during induction chemotherapy have an increased risk for infection during their first year of treatment.ProcedureWe conducted a retrospective chart review of 135 patients diagnosed with ALL during 1999–2001 at Texas Children's Hospital. Infectious outcomes during the first year of therapy were compared in three groups patients based on blood glucose concentrations during induction therapy: euglycemic (<140 mg/dl), mild hyperglycemic (MH) (140–199 mg/dl) and overt hyperglycemic (OH) (blood glucose >200 mg/dl).ResultsSeventy‐five (56%) patients met criteria for either MH (21%) or OH (35%). Hyperglycemia was more prevalent in older children (P < 0.001) and those at risk for being overweight (BMI% >85%) at diagnosis (P < 0.01). Patients with MH and OH were 2.5 times (95% CI 1.0–6.2) and 2.1 times (95% CI 1.0–4.6) more likely to have documented infections, respectively. Patients with OH were 4.2 times (95% CI 1.5–12) more likely to have bacteremia/fungemia, 3.8 times (95% CI 1.2–11.6) more likely to have cellulitis, and 4.0 times (95% CI 1.7–9.3) more likely to be admitted for fever and neutropenia than the euglycemia group.ConclusionHyperglycemia, especially when overt, may be a previously unrecognized risk factor of infectious complications in children with ALL during the first year of treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:387–392. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patient awareness of prognosis, patient–family caregiver congruence on the preferred place of death, and caregiving burden of families contribute to the quality of life for terminally ill cancer patients in Taiwan
Authors: Tang Siew Tzuh , Liu Tsang‐Wu , Tsai Chun‐Ming , Wang Cheng‐Hsu , Chang Gee‐Chen , Liu Li‐Ni 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectives: The main goal of end‐of‐life care is to achieve the best quality of life (QOL) for patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of (1) the patients' awareness of their prognosis, (2) the extent of patient–family caregiver congruence on the preferences for end‐of‐life care options, and (3) the perceived caregiving burden of family caregivers when they provide end‐of‐life care to their dying relative, on the QOL for terminally ill cancer patients in Taiwan.Methods: A total of 1108 dyads of patient–family caregiver from 24 hospitals throughout Taiwan were one‐time surveyed. Predictors of the QOL were identified by multiple regression analysis.Results: Controlling for the effects of age, financial status, and symptom distress, a novel finding of this study was that the patient awareness of prognosis, patient–family caregiver congruence on the preferred place of death, and the subjective family caregiving burden had a significant impact on the QOL of Taiwanese terminally ill cancer patients.Conclusions: QOL is not only related to the unavoidable decline in physical condition and daily functioning of the dying patient but is also related to domains that, as death approaches, have the potential to show improvement through the efforts of health‐care professionals, such as presenting prognostic information to optimize the patients' understanding and assists them with psychological adjustments, facilitating patient–family caregiver congruence on the end‐of‐life care decision regarding the place of death and lightening the caregiving burden of family caregivers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.