bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the gastrin‐releasing peptide receptor gene in Italian patients with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Seidita G. , Mirisola M. , D'Anna R.P. , Gallo A. , Jensen R.T. , Mantey S.A. , Gonzalez N. , Falco M. , Zingale M. , Elia M. , Cucina L. , Chiavetta V. , Romano V. , Cali F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe gastrin‐releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) was implicated for the first time in the pathogenesis of Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by Ishikawa‐Brush et al. [Ishikawa‐Brush et al. (1997): Hum Mol Genet 6: 1241–1250]. Since this original observation, only one association study [Marui et al. (2004): Brain Dev 26: 5–7] has further investigated, though unsuccessfully, the involvement of the GRPR gene in ASD. With the aim of contributing further information to this topic we have sequenced the entire coding region and the intron/exon junctions of the GRPR gene in 149 Italian autistic patients. The results of this study led to the identification of four novel point mutations, two of which, that is, C6S and L181F, involve amino acid changes identified in two patients with ASD and Rett syndrome, respectively. Both the leucine at position 181 and the cysteine at position 6 are strongly conserved in vertebrates. C6S and L181F mutant proteins were expressed in COS‐7 and BALB/3T3 cells, but they did not affect either GRP's binding affinity or its potency for stimulating phospholipase C‐mediated production of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate. In summary, our results do not provide support for a major role of the GRPR gene in ASD in the population of patients we have studied. However, there is a potential role of C6S and L181F mutations on GRPR function, and possibly in the pathogenesis of the autistic disorders in the two patients. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) birth patterns and human presence in zoological settings
Authors: Wagner Katherine E. , Ross Stephen R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn response to work demonstrating a negative correlation between human staff activity and parturition in laboratory‐managed primates, this study examined the distribution of 231 captive chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) births that occurred in accredited American zoological institutions by the day of the week on which the birth was discovered. We hypothesized that if chimpanzee parturition patterns displayed sensitivity to human presence, then fewer births per day would be reported during the weekend period, when the visitor density was high, as compared with the lower density working week. Analyses indicated that chimpanzee births were randomly distributed throughout the week. In the context of the questionable sensitivity of primate parturition to external influence, results suggest that variations in human presence do not affect the fine‐level timing of birth in chimpanzees managed in a zoological setting. Am. J. Primatol. 70:703–706, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Heparin‐coated poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate/albumin) hydrogel networks:In vitrohemocompatibility evaluation for vascular biomaterials
Authors: Bayramoğlu Gülay , Yılmaz Meltem , Batislam Ertan , Arıca M. Yakup 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHuman serum albumin (AL) containing poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA; in tube form with an inner diameter of 6 mm) was synthesized for blood‐contacting hydrogel networks via UV‐initiated photopolymerization at 25°C. Tensile and breaking tests of pHEMA and pHEMA–AL‐1–4 hydrogel networks were studied at their equilibrium water content. The mechanical strength of the hydrogel networks was found to be lowered by an increase in the ratio of AL in the polymer networks. To increase the blood compatibility and prevent thrombus formation, the surface of the pHEMA and pHEMA–AL‐3 hydrogel compositions were coated with heparin (HEP). Contact‐angle studies showed that the polarities (%) of the pHEMA–AL‐3 and pHEMA–AL‐3–HEP hydrogel networks were significantly increased in comparison with that of pure pHEMA. The fibrinogen adsorption and platelet adhesion were also reduced after the incorporation of AL and HEP into/onto hydrogel networks in comparison with the pure pHEMA control. Blood compatibility tests of the prepared hydrogel networks, which were intended to be used as blood‐contacting materials, were examined with various parameters, such as the hemolytic activity, prothrombin time, activated thromboplastin time, and loss of blood cells in blood. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Electrical properties of poly(phenylene sulfide)/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites prepared by simple mixing and compression
Authors: Yang Jinghui , Xu Tao , Lu Ai , Zhang Qin , Fu Qiang 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPoly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) conductive composites were prepared through the simple mixing of PPS granules with MWNT powder and subsequent compression. The electrical properties as a function of MWNT loading clearly showed a low percolation threshold of about 0.22 vol % and a high critical exponent value of 3.55 for composites prepared by this method. A comparison study with composites prepared via melt mixing was also carried out, where a random dispersion of MWNTs was achieved. There existed a striplike morphology of MWNTs in the PPS matrix and MWNTs were selectively located in strips caused by compression. The effects of temperature and pressure on the conductivity of the PPS/MWNT composites as prepared via simple mixing and compression are discussed. In addition, the conductivity also showed a dependence on the flow direction of the compression, with higher conductivity in the direction parallel to the flow direction than in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction. So the relationship of the processing and morphological properties was investigated in detail. The possible conductive mechanisms of conventional melt blending and preparation via sample mixing and compression are also discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Preparation and characterization of films based on crosslinked blends of gum acacia, polyvinylalcohol, and polyvinylpyrrolidone‐iodine complex
Authors: Ahmad Syed Ishraque , Hasan Nazim , Zainul Abid C. K. V. , Mazumdar Nasreen 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn an attempt to develop iodine‐release systems based on polymeric blend for biomedical applications, our research group prepared blends of gum acacia (GA), polyvinylalcohol (PVA), and polyvinylpyrrolidone‐iodine (PVP‐I) complex. The blends of GA/PVA and GA/PVA/PVP‐I prepared from the aqueous solutions of the polymers were crosslinked with glutaraldehyde to increase the water resistance of the films and to improve their thermal and mechanical properties. The crosslinked GA/PVA and GA/PVA/PVP‐I blend films were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, DSC, and TGA. The swelling behavior of the prepared blends was investigated and crosslinked GA/PVA blend films were found to be pH sensitive. The properties of PVP‐I containing blends differed from those prepared without it probably due to the formation of an intermolecular interaction between PVP‐I and the hydroxy‐polymers. The results indicated that after crosslinking the blends showed improvement in water resistance, thermal, and mechanical properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Lack of effect of butylparaben and methylparaben on the reproductive system in male rats
Authors: Hoberman Alan M. , Schreur David K. , Leazer Tyra , Daston George P. , Carthew Philip , Re Thomas , Loretz Linda , Mann Peter 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Parabens are widely used preservatives in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, and approved as food additives. Parabens have been considered safe for these uses for many years. Recently, adverse effects on male reproductive parameters in rats have been reported when parabens were given orally for 8 weeks starting at three weeks of age. Our studies used two representative parabens, methyl‐ and butylparaben, to try to replicate these studies and thereby evaluate potential reproductive effects in male Wistar rats. METHODS: Diets containing 0, 100, 1000 or 10,000 ppm of either butyl‐ or methylparaben were fed to male rats for eight weeks. Rats were 22 days of age at the start of exposure. Parameters evaluated included organ weights, histopathology of reproductive tissues, sperm production, motility, morphology and reproductive hormone levels (butylparaben only). RESULTS: None of the parameters evaluated for either paraben showed compound‐ or dosage‐dependent adverse effects. Metabolism experiments of butylparaben indicate that it is rapidly metabolized by non‐specific esterases to p‐hydroxybenzoic acid and butanol, neither of which is estrogenic. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to methyl‐ or butylparaben in the diet for eight weeks did not affect any male reproductive organs or parameters at exposures as high as 10,000 ppm, corresponding to a mean daily dose of 1,141.1±58.9 or 1,087.6±67.8 mg/kg/day for methyl‐ and butylparaben, respectively. The rapid metabolism of parabens by esterases probably explains why these weakly estrogenic substances elicit no in vivo effects when administered by relevant exposure routes (i.e., topical and oral). Birth Defects Research (Part B) 2008. 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Arabidopsis class VIII myosin ATM2 is involved in endocytosis
Authors: Sattarzadeh Amirali , Franzen Rainer , Schmelzer Elmon 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMembers of the class XI of the myosin superfamily comprising higher plant, actin‐based molecular motors have been shown to be involved in peroxisome and Golgi vesicle trafficking comparable to yeast and animal class V myosins. The tasks of the second class of myosins of higher plants, class VIII, are unclear. In this study the class VIII myosin ATM2 from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana was selected for the examination of cargo specificity in vivo. Fluorescent protein‐fusion plasmid constructs with fragments of the ATM2 cDNA were generated and used for Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐based transient transformation of Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The resulting subcellular localization patterns were recorded by live imaging with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) in epidermal leaf cells. Expression of a nearly full‐length construct displayed labeling of filaments and vesicles, a head + neck fragment led to decoration of filaments only. However, expression of fluorescent protein‐tagged C‐terminal tail domain constructs labeled vesicular structures of different appearance. Most importantly, coexpression of different RFP/YFP‐ATM2 tail fusion proteins showed colocalization and, hence, binding to the same type of vesicular target. Further coexpression experiments of RFP/YFP‐ATM2 tail fusion proteins with the endosomal marker FYVE and the endosomal tracer FM4‐64 demonstrated colocalization with endosomes. Colocalization was also detected by expression of the CFP‐tagged membrane receptor BRI1 as marker, which is constantly recycled via endosomes. Occasionally the ATM2 tail targeted to sites at the plasma membrane closely resembling the pattern obtained upon expression of the YFP‐ATM1 C‐terminal tail. ATM1 is known for its localization at the plasma membrane at sites of plasmodesmata. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuronal assemblies of the Drosophila mushroom body
Authors: Tanaka Nobuaki K. , Tanimoto Hiromu , Ito Kei 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe mushroom body (MB) of the insect brain has important roles in odor learning and memory and in diverse other brain functions. To elucidate the anatomical basis underlying its function, we studied how the MB of Drosophila is organized by its intrinsic and extrinsic neurons. We screened for the GAL4 enhancer‐trap strains that label specific subsets of these neurons and identified seven subtypes of Kenyon cells and three other intrinsic neuron types. Laminar organization of the Kenyon cell axons divides the pedunculus into at least five concentric strata. The α′, β′, α, and β lobes are each divided into three strata, whereas the γ lobe appears more homogeneous. The outermost stratum of the α/β lobes is specifically connected with a small, protruded subregion of the calyx, the accessory calyx, which does not receive direct olfactory input. As for the MB extrinsic neurons (MBENs), we found three types of antennal lobe projection neurons, among which two are novel. In addition, we resolved 17 other types of MBENs that arborize in the calyx, lobes, and pedunculus. Lobe‐associated MBENs arborize in only specific areas of the lobes, being restricted along their longitudinal axes, forming two to five segmented zones in each lobe. The laminar arrangement of the Kenyon cell axons and segmented organization of the MBENs together divide the lobes into smaller synaptic units, possibly facilitating characteristic interaction between intrinsic and extrinsic neurons in each unit for different functional activities along the longitudinal lobe axes and between lobes. Structural differences between lobes are also discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:711–755, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Performance analysis of wireless multihop diversity systems
Authors: Michalopoulos Diomidis S. , Tsiftsis Theodoros A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe study the performance of multihop diversity systems with non‐regenerative relays over independent and non‐identical Rayleigh fading channels. The analysis is based on the evaluation of the instantaneous end‐to‐end signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), depending on the type of the relay and the diversity scheme used. A closed‐form expression is derived for the average end‐to‐end SNR, when fixed‐gain relays and a maximal ratio combiner are used; also, an analytical expression formula for the average symbol‐error rate (ASER) for the above case is presented. The results show that, as expected, multihop diversity systems outperform conventional telecommunication systems in terms of ASER when the same amount of energy is assumed to be consumed in both cases. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A high‐performance polycarbonate electrophoresis microchip with integrated three‐electrode system for end‐channel amperometric detection
Authors: Wang Yurong , Chen Hengwu , He Qiaohong , Soper Steven A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA fully integrated polycarbonate (PC) microchip for CE with end‐channel electrochemical detection operated in an amperometric mode (CE‐ED) has been developed. The on‐chip integrated three‐electrode system consisted of a gold working electrode, an Ag/AgCl reference electrode and a platinum counter electrode, which was fabricated by photo‐directed electroless plating combined with electroplating. The working electrode was positioned against the separation channel exit to reduce post‐channel band broadening. The electrophoresis high‐voltage (HV) interference with the amperometric detection was assessed with respect to detection noise and potential shifts at various working‐to‐reference electrode spacing. It was observed that the electrophoresis HV interference caused by positioning the working electrode against the channel exit could be diminished by using an on‐chip integrated reference electrode that was positioned in close proximity (100 μm) to the working electrode. The CE‐ED microchip was demonstrated for the separation of model analytes, including dopamine (DA) and catechol (CA). Detection limits of 132 and 164 nM were achieved for DA and CA, respectively, and a theoretical plate number of 2.5×104/m was obtained for DA. Relative standard deviations in peak heights observed for five runs of a standard solution containing the two analytes (0.1 mM for each) were 1.2 and 3.1% for DA and CA, respectively. The chip could be continuously used for more than 8 h without significant deterioration in analytical performance.
Microfluidic chip of fast DNA hybridization using denaturing and motion of nucleic acids
Authors: Chung Yung‐Chiang , Lin Yu‐Cheng , Chueh Chuang‐Di , Ye Chuan‐You , Lai Li‐Wei , Zhao Qiaole 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis study presents the effect of fluidic temperatures and velocities on improving DNA hybridization. The efficiency of hybridization could be improved by introducing elevated temperature in the hot region and velocity in the cold region. Compared with the conventional methods, this hybridization microchip was able to increase the hybridization signal 4.6‐fold within 30 min. The 1.4‐kb single‐stranded target DNA was tested. The increasing tendency of the fluorescence intensity was apparent when the temperature was higher than 82°C, and the fluorescence intensity reached an asymptotic value at T >90°C. A mathematical model was proposed to relate the fluorescence intensity of DNA hybridization with the hot‐region temperature and the cold‐region velocity. Based on these results, the new hybridization chip with the processes of temperature and velocity differences will improve efficiency of DNA detection. The microchip combined with hot‐region temperature and cold‐region bulk flow velocity effects could provide additional efficiency in DNA hybridization.
Accurate quantitation of salivary and pancreatic amylase activities in human plasma by microchip electrophoretic separation of the substrates and hydrolysates coupled with immunoinhibition
Authors: Maeda Eiki , Kataoka Masatoshi , Yatsushiro Shouki , Kajimoto Kazuaki , Hino Mami , Kaji Noritada , Tokeshi Manabu , Bando Mika , Kido Jun‐ichi , Ishikawa Mitsuru , Shinohara Yasuo , Baba Yoshinobu 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA high‐performance determination system for α‐amylase isoenzyme activities in human plasma involving microchip electrophoresis with a plastic chip was developed. The combination of microchip electrophoresis for substrate and hydrolysate separation and an immunoinhibition method for the differentiation of isoenzyme activities using antihuman salivary amylase (S‐AMY) mAb allowed the highly selective determination of amylase isoenzyme (S‐AMY and pancreatic amylase (P‐AMY)) activities even in a complex matrix such as a crude plasma sample. We used 8‐aminopyrene‐1,3,6‐trisulfonic acid (APTS)‐labeled maltohexaose (G6) as a substrate. Amylase in a human plasma sample hydrolyzed APTS‐G6 into APTS‐maltotriose (G3) and G3, which was measured as the fluorescence intensity of APTS‐G3 on microchip electrophoresis. A double logarithm plot revealed a linear relationship between amylase activity and fluorescence intensity in the range of 5–500 U/L of amylase activity (r2 = 0.9995, p<0.01), and the LOD was 4.38 U/L. Amylase activities in 13 subjects determined by the present method were compared with the results obtained by conventional methods with nitrophenylated oligosaccharides as substrates, respectively. Good correlations were observed for each method on simple linear regression analysis (both p<0.01). The reproducibilities of within‐days for total amylase and P‐AMY were 2.98–6.27 and 3.83–6.39%, respectively, and these between‐days were 2.88–5.66 and 3.64–5.63%, respectively. This system enables us to determine amylase isoenzyme activities in human plasma with high sensitivity and accuracy, and thus will be applicable to clinical diagnosis.
Alternating current electrokinetic separation and detection of DNA nanoparticles in high‐conductance solutions
Authors: Krishnan Rajaram , Sullivan Benjamin D. , Mifflin Robert L. , Esener Sadik C. , Heller Michael J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn biomedical research and diagnostics, it is a significant challenge to directly isolate and identify rare cells and potential biomarkers in blood, plasma and other clinical samples. Additionally, the advent of bionanotechnology is leading to numerous drug delivery approaches that involve encapsulation of drugs and imaging agents within nanoparticles, which now will also have to be identified and separated from blood and plasma. Alternating current (AC) electrokinetic techniques such as dielectrophoresis (DEP) offer a particularly attractive mechanism for the separation of cells and nanoparticles. Unfortunately, present DEP techniques require the dilution of blood/plasma, thus making the technology less suitable for clinical sample preparation. Using array devices with microelectrodes over‐coated with porous hydrogel layers, AC electric field conditions have been found which allow the separation of DNA nanoparticles to be achieved under high‐conductance (ionic strength) conditions. At AC frequencies in the 3000 Hz to 10 000 Hz range and 10 volts peak‐to‐peak, the separation of 10‐µm polystyrene particles into low field regions, and 60‐nm DNA‐derivatized nanoparticles and 200‐nm nanoparticles into high‐field regions was carried out in 149 mM 1×PBS buffer (1.68 S/m). These results may allow AC electrokinetic systems to be developed that can be used with clinically relevant samples under physiological conditions.
Italy's renewable water resources as estimated on the basis of the monthly water balance
Authors: Salvati Luca , Petitta Marco , Ceccarelli Tomaso , Perini Luigi , Di Battista Federica , Scarascia Maria Elisa Venezian 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID) and the Italian National Committee of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ITAL–ICID) decided it would be worth extending a previous paper on Italy's available water resources to a detailed study on the partitioning of precipitation between evaporation, groundwater storage (saturated and unsaturated zone) and runoff with the aim of estimating the potentially renewable water resources of the country. The information is gained through a water balance model approach, using monthly climate data from the time series 1971–2000 estimated over 544 grid points of the whole of the Italian territory, made available by the CRA–Central Office for Crop Ecology (CRA–UCEA). The goal of this study was to evaluate the fraction of precipitation that does not return to the atmosphere through the evaporation process or remains in soil storage and that includes both surface and subsurface runoff including effective infiltration. The results obtained by using a GIS system may provide useful information on the evolution of the hydroclimatic conditions in Italy and a picture of the runoff amounts in terms of time and space. This information can be used for national planning purposes and for activating strategies to protect and conserve water resources, especially with regard to irrigation management. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.