bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ovarian stromal blood flow following clomiphene citrate challenge test in infertile women
Authors: Ng Ernest Hung Yu , Tang Oi Shan , Chan Carina Chi Wai , Ho Pak Chung 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPurpose.To compare ovarian stromal blood flow indices in the follicular phase and after clomiphene citrate (CC) in infertile women.Methods.Pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and peak systolic blood flow velocity (PSV) of ovarian stromal vessels were determined by spectral Doppler analysis in the early follicular phase and on day 10 after CC. Serum follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol concentrations were determined.Results.A total of 69 infertile women were included in the analysis. No significant differences in the average PI, RI, and PSV of ovarian stromal blood flow were demonstrated in the follicular phase and after CC despite a significant increase in serum estradiol concentration after CC. Serum FSH concentration was similar in the follicular phase and after CC, while serum LH concentration was significantly higher after CC. In the right ovary, ovarian stromal blood flow was absent in 13 (18.8%) patients in the follicular phase and in 6 (8.7%) patients after CC, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. In the left ovary, ovarian stromal blood flow was absent in 13 (18.8%) and 12 (17.4%) patients in the follicular phase and after CC, respectively.Conclusion.Ovarian stromal blood flow indices were similar in the follicular phase and after CC. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Generation and validation of affinity reagents on a proteome‐wide level
Authors: Uhlén Mathias , Hober Sophia 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThere is a need for protein‐specific affinity reagents to explore the gene products encoded by the genome. Recently, systematic efforts to generate validated affinity reagents on a whole human proteome level have been initiated. There are several issues for such efforts, including choice of antigen, type of affinity reagent, and the subsequent validation of the generated protein‐specific binders. The advantages and disadvantages with the different approaches are discussed and the problems related to quality assessment of antibodies to be used in multi‐platform applications are addressed. This review also describes the efforts to create a virtual resource of validated antibodies using a community‐based portal and summarizes the status and visions for the publicly available human protein atlas (http://www.proteinatlas.org) showing the human protein profiles in a large number of normal and cancer tissues as well as a large set of human cell lines. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Substitution of amino acid 70 in the hepatitis C virus core region of genotype 1b is an important predictor of elevated alpha‐fetoprotein in patients without hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Akuta Norio , Suzuki Fumitaka , Kawamura Yusuke , Yatsuji Hiromi , Sezaki Hitomi , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Hosaka Tetsuya , Kobayashi Masahiro , Kobayashi Mariko , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPrevious studies identified amino acid (aa) substitutions of the hepatitis C virus core region of genotype 1b (HCV‐1b core region) and elevated serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels as predictors of poor virologic response to pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV), and also as risk factors for hepatocarcinogenesis. The present study evaluated the impact of aa substitutions of HCV‐1b core region on AFP, as a surrogate marker of hepatocarcinogenesis, on AFP levels in 569 Japanese patients with HCV‐1b but without HCC, and investigated the predictive factors of elevated AFP (≥11 µg/L). High AFP levels were detected in 27.4% of the patients. The rate of hepatocarcinogenesis in a group of 109 patients who received IFN monotherapy and followed‐up for 15 years, was significantly higher in patients with abnormal than normal AFP. Multivariate analysis of 569 patients identified fibrosis stage (F3,4), aspartate aminotransferase (≥76 IU/L), substitution of aa 70 (glutamine or histidine), and platelet count (<15.0 × 104/µl) as significant determinants of elevated AFP. In 49 patients with abnormal AFP levels and substitutions at aa 70 who were treated with PEG‐IFN + RBV, the rate of normalization of AFP was significantly lower in non‐virological responders (28.6%) than in transient (71.4%) and sustained (100%) virological responders. The results indicated that substitution of aa 70 of HCV‐1b core region is an important predictor of elevated AFP in non‐HCC patients, and that eradication of the mutant virus normalizes AFP. The results highlight the importance of eradication of mutant type virus of aa 70 for reducing the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis. J. Med. Virol. 80:1354–1362, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Potential of embryonic stem cell‐derived neurons for synapse formation with auditory hair cells
Authors: Matsumoto Masahiro , Nakagawa Takayuki , Kojima Ken , Sakamoto Tatsunori , Fujiyama Fumino , Ito Juichi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractRecent studies have indicated that embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be a source for the replacement of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs), auditory primary neurons, and neurite projections from ESC‐derived neurons to auditory sensory epithelia. However, the potential of ESC‐derived neurons for synapse formation with auditory hair cells (HCs) has not been elucidated. The present study therefore aimed to examine the ability of ESC‐derived neurons to form synaptic connections with HCs in vitro. Mouse ESC‐derived neural progenitors expressing enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) were cocultured with explants of cochlea sensory epithelia obtained from postnatal day 3 mice. After a 7‐day culture, neurites of ESC‐derived neurons predominantly elongated toward inner hair cells (IHCs), which play a crucial role in sound transmission to SGNs. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed the expression of synapsin 1 and synaptophysin in the nerve endings of ESC‐derived neurons adjacent to IHCs, indicating the formation of synaptic connections. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated synaptic contacts between nerve endings of ESC‐derived neurons and IHCs. The present findings show that ESC‐derived neurons can make synaptic connections with IHCs. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flavor quality of fruits and vegetables
Authors: Kader Adel A 
Published: June 2008

AbstractFruits and vegetables are important sources of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. The relative contribution of each commodity to human health and wellness depends upon its nutritive value and per capita consumption; the latter is greatly influenced by consumer preferences and degree of satisfaction from eating the fruit or vegetable. Flavor quality of fruits and vegetables is influenced by genetic, preharvest, harvesting, and postharvest factors. The longer the time between harvest and eating, the greater the losses of characteristic flavor (taste and aroma) and the development of off‐flavors in most fruits and vegetables. Postharvest life based on flavor and nutritional quality is shorter than that based on appearance and textural quality. Thus, it is essential that good flavor quality be emphasized in the future by selecting the best‐tasting genotypes to produce, by using an integrated crop management system and harvesting at the maturity or ripeness stage that will optimize eating quality at the time of consumption, and by using the postharvest handling procedures that will maintain optimal flavor and nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables between harvest and consumption. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Permanganate transfer and reduction by D‐glucose in benzene–cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide aqueous solution: A kinetic study
Authors: Malik Maqsood Ahmad , Khan Zaheer 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe addition of cationic surfactant, cetlytrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB), in benzene and aqueous potassium permanganate solution brought the MnO from the aqueous phase to the organic phase. At 525 nm, the absorbance of the organic phase increased until it reached a maximum, and then decreased with [CTAB]. The effect of [CTAB] on the reduction of permanganate by D‐glucose in a benzene–CTAB system has been studied spectrophotmetrically. The observed effect on the rate constant is catalytic up to a certain concentration of CTAB; thereafter, a saturation phenomenon is observed with an increased concentration of CTAB. The oxidation reaction obeyed the first‐order kinetics with respect to the D‐glucose. On addition of H2SO4, there was a decrease in the rate constants. There is evidence for the existence of manganese as a water‐soluble colloidal MnO2. A detailed mechanism with the associated reaction kinetics is presented and discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 40: 496–503, 2008
Effects of fine‐dispersed PTFE on load carrying capacity of PEEK
Authors: Inami Shigeru , Takayanagi Satoshi , Kubo Tomoo , Nanao Hidetaka , Minami Ichiro , Mori Shigeyuki 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPoly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE)‐blended poly(ether‐etherketone) (PEEK)‐based materials for bearings was evaluated by ring‐on‐disc test equipment. The role of PTFE on load carrying capacities was studied from the viewpoint of tribochemistry. The load carrying capacities of PEEK‐based materials were improved by the addition of PTFE. The dispersion degree of PTFE in PEEK strongly affected the tribological properties. Time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to study the surface chemistry of the rubbed surface. The results indicate that the formation of boundary film composed of PTFE is beneficial to improve load carrying capacities. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐Organization of a Chiral D‐EAK16 Designer Peptide into a 3D Nanofiber Scaffold
Authors: Luo Zhongli , Zhao Xiaojun , Zhang Shuguang 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSelf‐assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds are an excellent material for applications such as tissue repair, tissue regeneration, instant stopping of bleeding, and slow drug release. We report a new self‐assembling peptide D‐EAK16 consisting purely of D‐amino acids. D‐EAK16 and L‐EAK16 display mirror‐image CD spectra at 20 °C. Like L‐EAK16, D‐EAK16 self‐assembles into nanofibers, thus demonstrating that chiral self‐assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds can be made from both L‐ and D‐amino acids. We also show that D‐peptide nanofibers are resistant to natural proteases and may thus be useful in biotechnology, nanobiotechnology, tissue repair and tissue regeneration as well as other medical applications.magnified image
Synthesis of Readily Recyclable Biobased Plastics by Diels‐Alder Reaction
Authors: Ishida Kazuki , Yoshie Naoko 
Published: June 2008

AbstractReadily recyclable biobased plastics were designed and synthesized utilizing the thermally reversible DA reaction. Furyl‐telechelic poly(butylene succinate) prepolymers (PBSF2) were extended with bis‐ and tris‐maleimide linkers (M2 and M3) by the DA reaction in the bulk state to produce linear and network polymers, respectively. The DA reaction was able to proceed at 25–80 °C, at which crystalline domains of PBSF2 were present. In the linear polymer system, the molecular weight in the reaction equilibrium was dependent on the chain length of the prepolymer, but almost independent of the reaction temperature. The cycle of DA and retro‐DA reactions was repeatable with no prepolymer deterioration.magnified image
Synthesis, Characterization, and Photopolymerization of Novel Phosphonated Resins, 2
Authors: Senhaji Omar , Monge Sophie , Chougrani Kamel , Robin Jean‐Jacques 
Published: June 2008

AbstractNew phosphonated cross‐linked polymers were synthesized from telomers obtained by reaction between 10‐undecenol and dialkyl hydrogenphosphonates. Telomers were studied using MALDI‐TOF MS. It was proven that side products were produced, corresponding to cross‐esterification reactions of dialkyl hydrogenphosphonate on telomers and to radical additions of telomer on 10‐undecenol. The same behavior was also observed with allyl alcohol. Telomers were then converted to resins by methacrylation reactions. Finally, photopolymerization of the different resins synthesized was achieved and influence of the nature of the phosphonate group (diester, monoacid and diacid) was also evaluated.magnified image
Time‐Resolved Synchrotron SAXS Observations on Sheared Syndiotactic Poly(propylene) Crystallization Process
Authors: Wen Huiying , Jiang Shichun , Men Yongfeng , An Lijia , Wu Zhonghua , Okuda Hiroshi 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe in situ crystallization kinetics of syndiotactic poly(propylene) (sPP) has been investigated by synchrotron small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). The structure evolutions during the isothermal crystallization of sPP with different shear rates have been observed. The results show that shear accelerates the process of crystallization kinetics. Even under low shear rate, the lamellae can be distinctly oriented. In contrast, the lamellar parameters such as the long period, lamellar thickness, and the scattering invariant Q can change obviously only under high shear rate. A mesomorphic structure proposed by Strobl is adopted to elucidate the differences of shear effects with low and high shear rates. Based on all the analysis we are convinced that a relatively stable mesomorphic structure forms before shear is composed and the shear effects on the mesophase will be retained to a certain extent until crystallization is finished.magnified image
Consumer learning and the effects of virtual experience relative to indirect and direct product experience
Authors: Daugherty Terry , Li Hairong , Biocca Frank 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe Internet has the ability to serve as a more powerful medium than traditional print or broadcast media because consumers are able to interact with products in 3D multimedia environments, thus simulating a new form of experience—a virtual experience. However, very little research has explored the impact of this new type of experience, especially in combination with indirect (advertising) and direct (product trial) experience. Therefore, this study presents the findings from two laboratory experiments designed to empirically test both the single and sequential impact of consumer exposure to indirect, direct, and virtual experiences on brand attitude, product knowledge, and purchase intention when evaluating a digital video camcorder. The results indicate that exposure to a virtual experience preceding both indirect and direct product experience is more effective at influencing brand attitudes. The research proposition is that virtual experience from 3D product visualization is more similar to direct experience than to indirect experience in terms of consumer learning. Implications for business‐to‐consumer Internet marketing and e‐commerce are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Click Assisted One‐Pot Multi‐Step Reactions in Polymer Science: Accelerated Synthetic Protocols
Authors: Lundberg Pontus , Hawker Craig J. , Hult Anders , Malkoch Michael 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPresently, the majority of reports deal with combining chemical reactions, in a stepwise fashion, to obtain well‐defined polymers. In the future, chemists need to address new challenges such as increase in the range of available efficient reactions, developing libraries of compatible one‐pot reactions, and the application of obtained materials in key industries. Indeed, the rising importance of the click concept has now devised robust synthetic approaches in various fields of research. The unique selectivity of the click reaction is today a new found toolbox for scientists to investigate one‐pot multi‐step systems. Several accelerated protocols have elegantly been reported to obtain a library of advanced polymers.magnified image
Effect of Microstructures on the Phase Transition Behavior of P(CL‐GL)‐PEG‐P(CL‐GL) Triblock Copolymer Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Jiang Zhiqiang , You Yujing , Gu Qun , Hao Jianyuan , Deng Xianmo 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAmphiphilic poly[(ε‐caprolactone)‐co‐glycolide]‐block‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly[(ε‐caprolactone)‐co‐glycolide) [P(CL‐GL)‐PEG‐P(CL‐GL)] triblock copolymers with different average lengths of caproyl sequences (LCL) were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization at different temperatures. A 25% aqueous solution of the copolymer with LCL = 11.0 formed a gel, owing to strong crystallinity‐induced hydrophobicity at low temperature, and underwent a gel‐sol transition (UCST behavior) when the temperature was increased to 40 °C. In contrast, the solution of copolymer with LCL = 6.7 underwent a sol‐gel transition (LCST behavior) due to micelle aggregation. However, a clear sol‐turbid sol phase transition was observed for the copolymer with more random microstructures (LCL = 5.2).magnified image
Psychological features of patients with complex regional pain syndrome type I related dystonia
Authors: Reedijk Wouter B. , van Rijn Monique A. , Roelofs Karin , Tuijl Jolien P. , Marinus Johan , van Hilten Jacobus J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate psychological features in severely affected patients with complex regional pain syndrome type I‐ (CRPS‐I) related dystonia. Personality traits, psychopathology, dissociative experiences, the number of traumatic experiences, and quality of life were studied in 46 patients. Findings were compared with two historical psychiatric control groups [54 patients with conversion disorder (CD) and 50 patients with affective disorders (AD)] and normative population data. The CRPS‐I patients showed elevated scores on the measures for somatoform dissociation, traumatic experiences, general psychopathology, and lower scores on quality of life compared with general population data, but had significantly lower total scores on the measures for personality traits, recent life events, and general psychopathology compared with the CD and AD patients. Rates of early traumatic experiences were comparable with the CD and AD patients, and the level of somatoform dissociation was comparable to the CD patients, but was elevated in comparison to the AD patients. Early traumatic experiences were reported in 87% of the CRPS‐I patients and were found to be moderately related to somatoform dissociative experiences, indicating that early traumatic experiences might be a predisposing, although not a necessary factor for the development of CRPS‐I‐related dystonia. Although the psychological profile of the patients with CRPS‐I‐related dystonia shows some elevations, there does not seem to be a unique disturbed psychological profile on a group level. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Distribution of motor impairment influences quality of life in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Stewart Kim C. , Fernandez Hubert H. , Okun Michael S. , Jacobson Charles E. , Hass Chris J. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe evaluated the relationship between upper extremity (UE) and lower extremity (LE) motor impairments in Parkinson's disease (PD) to overall disability and quality of life (QoL) measures. A total of 639 patients who were diagnosed with idiopathic PD were administered the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), QoL, activities of daily living (ADL), and behavioral scales. Composite UE and LE scores from the motor section of the UPDRS were correlated with ADL, QoL, and behavioral measurement scores while controlling for disease duration. Patients with greater UE and LE motor impairments had lower QoL scores. However, LE impairments had a greater influence than UE impairments across all QoL measures. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
MR spectroscopy in monitoring the treatment of Wilson's disease patients
Authors: Tarnacka Beata , Szeszkowski Wojciech , Golebiowski Marek , Czlonkowska Anna 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) for monitoring therapy in Wilson's disease (WD) patients. Voxels were located in the globus pallidus (right, left). We followed 17 newly diagnosed WD cases for 1‐year period. During this observation period, 6 neurological and 9 hepatic patients improved, while 2 neurological patients deteriorated. The pretreatment 1H‐MRS analysis showed a statistically significant lower level of mI/Cr, NAA/Cr, and higher Lip/Cr in all WD patients with improvement compared with controls. In patients with hepatic signs, a statistically significant increase of mI/Cr and Glx/Cr was observed in the second (1 year posttreatment) 1H‐MRS. In patients with neurological improvement after treatment in the follow‐up 1H‐MRS, a statistically significant increase of NAA/Cr was noted. During neurological deterioration, a decrease of Glx/Cr and NAA/Cr was seen, in contrast to another neurologically impaired patient with liver failure exacerbation, where a decrease of mI/Cr and increase of Glx/Cr was observed. The alternations of NAA/Cr ratio in neurologically impaired patients and mI/Cr and Glx/Cr in patients with liver failure could be a sensitive marker of the clinical recovery and deterioration in those WD patients. 1H‐MRS is a technique that can be used for accurate monitoring of treatment efficacy in WD patients. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
A Jacobi spectral Galerkin method for the integrated forms of fourth‐order elliptic differential equations
Authors: Doha Eid H. , Bhrawy Ali H. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis article analyzes the solution of the integrated forms of fourth‐order elliptic differential equations on a rectilinear domain using a spectral Galerkin method. The spatial approximation is based on Jacobi polynomials P (x), with α, β ∈ (−1, ∞) and n the polynomial degree. For α = β, one recovers the ultraspherical polynomials (symmetric Jacobi polynomials) and for α = β = ∓½, α = β = 0, the Chebyshev of the first and second kinds and Legendre polynomials respectively; and for the nonsymmetric Jacobi polynomials, the two important special cases α = −β = ±½ (Chebyshev polynomials of the third and fourth kinds) are also recovered. The two‐dimensional version of the approximations is obtained by tensor products of the one‐dimensional bases. The various matrix systems resulting from these discretizations are carefully investigated, especially their condition number. An algebraic preconditioning yields a condition number of O(N), N being the polynomial degree of approximation, which is an improvement with respect to the well‐known condition number O(N8) of spectral methods for biharmonic elliptic operators. The numerical complexity of the solver is proportional to Nd+1 for a d‐dimensional problem. This operational count is the best one can achieve with a spectral method. The numerical results illustrate the theory and constitute a convincing argument for the feasibility of the method. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2009