bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of high‐sensitivity IL‐6 measurement for clinical characterization of patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Lubrano Valter , Cocci Franca , Battaglia Debora , Papa Angela , Marraccini Paolo , Zucchelli Gian Carlo 
Published: May 2005

AbstractInterleukin 6 (IL‐6) may represent an early marker of inflammatory activation and may be useful to ameliorate risk stratification in patients with ischemic heart disease. The aim of this study was to verify the performance characteristics of an ultrasensitive immunoassay (Biosource International, Camarillo, CA) for high‐sensitivity (hs)‐IL‐6 measurement in comparison with hs‐R&D Systems (Abingdon, United Kingdom) and Immulite System (Diagnostic Products Corporation [DPC], Los Angeles, CA) methods in patients with ischemic heart disease. In addition, hs–C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) concentrations were measured, to evaluate the correlation with hs‐IL‐6 levels. We measured IL‐6 and CRP serum levels in 39 patients with ischemic heart disease and in 12 controls. Out of the 39 patients studied, 13 were affected by unstable angina, 13 by post–acute myocardial infarction (AMI) unstable angina, and 13 by stable angina. The imprecision profile and functional sensitivity were performed measuring 9 different serum pools in 10 runs. The Biosource method had the best performance characteristics as compared to the others. Mean IL‐6 level was higher in patients with unstable and post‐AMI unstable angina with respect to controls. CRP levels were elevated in patients with post‐AMI. In the whole population a high significant linear regression was observed between Biosource hs‐IL‐6 and hs‐CRP serum levels. The Biosource method for IL‐6 measurement is characterized by a high functional sensitivity that allows a better stratification of patients with ischemic heart disease. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 19:110–114, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of protein binding on acrolein turnover in vitro by oxazaphosphorines and liver microsomes
Authors: Baumann Frank , Schmidt Renate , Teichert Jens , Preiss Rainer 
Published: May 2005

AbstractFor a correct determination of acrolein amounts generated in in vitro turnover experiments with oxazaphosphorines, it is necessary to characterize the interaction of acrolein with liver microsomal proteins. Acrolein, a highly reactive metabolite of oxazaphosphorines, readily forms covalent adducts with proteins by electrophilic attack on nucleophiles, such as the sulfhydryl group of cysteine, imidazole group of histidine, and amino group of lysine. The current investigations were mainly directed toward determination of the degree of acrolein‐protein binding under conditions of in vitro experiments with liver microsome preparations. The acrolein concentration in protein dilution was determined by a fluorescence method. Moreover, the influence of sucrose and glycerine on the extent of acrolein‐protein binding commonly used for the stabilization of microsomal preparations during storage was investigated. The current investigations show evidence that the chemical reaction of acrolein with liver microsomal proteins strictly follows first order kinetics. The main part of the formed acrolein in the in vitro attempts is available as bound part. Results of these investigations indicate that the calibration should be carried out with mixtures from liver microsome preparations and known amounts of acrolein under the same conditions as the in vitro experiments to record the entirely formed acrolein part (free and bound) in oxazaphosphorine turnover experiments. Glycerine is recommended as a preservative to store liver microsomes instead of sucrose because the latter reacts with acrolein. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 19:103–109, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interferon‐gamma, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, and lipopolysaccharide promote chitotriosidase gene expression in human macrophages
Authors: Malaguarnera L. , Musumeci M. , Di Rosa M. , Scuto A. , Musumeci S. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractHuman chitotriosidase (Chit), a chitinolytic enzyme, is a member of the chitinase family. In human plasma, Chit activity has been proposed as a biochemical marker of macrophage activation in several lysosomal diseases. Recently we found that Chit activity is higher in patients affected by Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection, suggesting that Chit may reflect induction of an immunological response. To assess this hypothesis, we evaluated the CHIT1 mRNA levels in human monocytes/macrophages (HMMs) following treatment with interferon‐gamma (IFNγ), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNFα), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Stimulation of macrophages with INF‐γ, TNF‐α, and LPS resulted in an increase in Chit activity as well as the levels of CHIT1 mRNA as measured by quantitative real‐time PCR. The data presented in this article show that Chit plays a role in the response to the activation of INF‐γ‐, TNF‐α‐, and LPS‐driven macrophages, suggesting that the production of Chit by macrophages could have biological relevance in the immune‐response. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 19:128–132, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Validity of analysis of FMRP expression in blood smears as a screening test for Fragile X Syndrome in the Indian population
Authors: Ravindran M. Shyla , Patel Zareen M. , Adhia Rashmi A. , D'souza Aruna K. , Babu Shiny 
Published: May 2005

AbstractMolecular diagnosis of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is carried out by PCR or Southern blot analysis on DNA isolated from leukocytes. These DNA analyses are time consuming and expensive, making it impractical for mass screening programs. We have recently standardized and tested the diagnostic potential of a rapid antibody test on blood smears, based on the presence of FMRP, the protein product of the FMR1 gene, in lymphocytes from normal individuals and the absence of FMRP in lymphocytes in patients with FXS. This test is essentially similar to the one developed at Erasmus University in the Netherlands, with suitable modifications. The diagnostic power of the antibody test is perfect for males, whereas the results are less specific for females. The cutoff value for affected male individuals, expressed as the percentage of FMRP‐positive cells, was 20%. In normal individuals, the cutoff value was 85%. The results of the antibody test correlated well with that of Southern blots. Sensitivity of the test was 100% and specificity was 97.5%. This noninvasive test requires one or two drops of blood and is rapid, simple, and cheap, making it an ideal choice for large screening large groups of male mental retardates and neonates for FXS in developing countries such as India. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 19:120–123, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of potassium as an ionic signal in the regulation of cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum response to salinity and osmotic stress
Authors: Bhargava Santosh 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSpontaneously occurring thallium‐resistant (Tl+‐R) mutant of diazotrophic, heterocystous cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum is described in which Tl+‐R phenotype is the cause of defective salinity‐inducible K+ uptake activity and proline uptake activity. The results indicate that mutant strain is more sensitive to salinity and osmotic stresses than its parent. The mutational inactivation of salinity‐inducible proline uptake was found associated with increased sensitivity of the cyanobacterial photosynthetic O2 evolution and nitrogenase activity under salinity and osmotic stresses. It is suggested that in the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum K+ functions as a primary osmolyte which is associated with salinity‐inducible proline uptake leading to the acquisition of salt tolerance in the cyanobacterium. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Metathetic Selective Degradation of Polyisoprene: Low‐Molecular‐Weight Telechelic Oligomer Obtained from Both Synthetic and Natural Rubber
Authors: Solanky Shailendra Singh , Campistron Irène , Laguerre Albert , Pilard Jean‐François 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSummary: Degradation studies of cis‐1,4‐polyisoprene were carried out using first and second generation Grubbs catalysts to achieve end‐functionalized acetoxy oligomers in both an organic solvent and a latex phase at room temperature. Well‐defined acetoxy telechelic polyisoprene structures were obtained in a selective manner with a range of $\overline M _{\rm n}$ from 10 000 to 30 000, with a polydispersity index of around 2.5.Structure produced by the metathetic depolymerization of hydroxy telechelic cis‐1,4‐polyisoprene.magnified imageStructure produced by the metathetic depolymerization of hydroxy telechelic cis‐1,4‐polyisoprene.
Synthesis and Characterization of Macrocyclic Vinyl‐Aromatic Polymers.
Authors: Alberty Kurt A. , Hogen‐Esch Thieo E. , Carlotti Stephane 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSummary: Matching macrocyclic and linear polystyrenes (PS) were synthesized by the initiation of styrene with 2,7‐dimethyl‐3,6‐diphenyloctane dianion lithium salt followed by high dilution coupling with 1,4‐bis(bromomethyl)benzene or protonation. Liquid chromatography at the critical condition shows the presence of less than 4% of linear PS impurities in the fractionated cycles. SEC studies confirm that the ratios of apparent MWs of cyclic and linear PS increase from about 0.7 to more than 0.9 as MWs decrease. Fluorescence studies show that the monomer emissions at 285 nm strongly increase with decreasing MW whereas those of the linear polymers are not significantly affected. This may be due in part to the increased rigidity of the smaller cycles that decreases the rate of radiation‐less deactivation.Dependence of 〈G〉 on number average MW.magnified imageDependence of 〈G〉 on number average MW.
Comparison of Styrene with Methyl Methacrylate Copolymers on the Adhesive Performance and Peeling Master Curves of Acrylate Pressure Sensitive Adhesives
Authors: Gower Mark D. , Shanks Robert A. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSummary: Styrene (S) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymers were prepared with acrylates, such as butyl acrylate, 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate and acrylic acid, for application as pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA). The copolymer compositions were designed to provide constant glass transition temperature. The PSA were tested using peel adhesion resistance, static shear resistance, loop tack and DMA. Time‐temperature‐superposition (TTS) was used to construct peel resistance master curves to compare copolymers containing S and MMA, and obtain a structural interpretation of the PSA performance. The TTS master curves were combined for related copolymer series to obtain composition super master curves. The super master curve construction demonstrated the comonomer composition dependence of the PSA performance and distinguished copolymers containing S from those containing MMA. Composition related performance was exhibited by static shear and loop tack, the latter in relation to the concentration shift factors. DMA results confirmed the adhesive performance interpretations. Composition super master curves suggested differences in the relative mobility of S and MMA copolymers. Chain branching and entanglements were more significant with MMA than with S copolymers. DMA and static shear resistance confirmed the peel resistance results. S copolymers decreased the loop tack consistent with their higher molecular weight and lower polydispersity, with fewer low molecular weight fractions contributing to the tack. MMA copolymers dissipated more energy under high stress than S copolymers.Example peel master curve for formulation AA4M91‐2 (reference temperature: T0 = 298 K).magnified imageExample peel master curve for formulation AA4M91‐2 (reference temperature: T0 = 298 K).
Novel Poly(butylene succinate)‐Based Ionomers with Sulfonated Succinate Units: Synthesis, Morphology, and the Unique Nucleation Effect on Crystallization
Authors: Ishida Kazuki , Han Sang‐Il , Inoue Yoshio , Im Seung‐Soon 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSummary: Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and PBS‐based ionomers (PBSi's) with 0.3 and 1.2 mol‐% of sodium sulfonated succinate unit were synthesized. The existence of ionic aggregates in the ionomer matrices was indicated by melt viscosity and glass transition data. It seems that the ionic aggregates have two opposing roles in crystallization: one is the induction of nucleation and the other is the interference with lamellar growth. Because of these two contrary effects, the crystallization behavior of the ionomers exhibited measurably different cooling rate‐dependencies than that of the parent PBS. The rate varied distinctly with ionic content.Spherulitic morphologies of PBS and PBSi's measured with polarizing optical microscopy.magnified imageSpherulitic morphologies of PBS and PBSi's measured with polarizing optical microscopy.
Ethylene–Propylene Copolymerisations: Effect of Metallocene Structure on Termination Reactions and Polymer Microstructure
Authors: Tynys Antti , Saarinen Tapio , Hakala Kimmo , Helaja Tuulamari , Vanne Tiina , Lehmus Petri , Löfgren Barbro 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSummary: Ethylene–propylene (EP) copolymerisations were performed with two sterically different metallocenes activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) in an attempt to better understand the effect of catalyst structure on termination reactions and polymer microstructure. The metallocene precursors under investigation were rac‐dimethylsilylbis(2‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1‐indenyl)zirconium dichloride (1) and a more sterically hindered counterpart rac‐dimethylsilylbis(2‐isopropyl‐4‐[3,5‐dimethylphenyl]indenyl) zirconium dichloride (2). For both catalyst systems, the most common termination mechanism was chain transfer to aluminium. In addition, for polymer samples polymerised with 1/MAO, chain growth was terminated by chain transfer to Zr metal in propylene‐rich polymerisations and by chain transfer to ethylene monomer in ethylene‐rich polymerisations. The steric hindrance of 2 was able to suppress the chain transfer to the ethylene monomer, and chain transfer to Zr metal was also found in the ethylene‐rich polymerisations. The greater steric hindrance of 2 also affected the EP copolymer microstructure: regioregularity in the propylene‐rich copolymers was greater and isotacticity less with 2/MAO than with 1/MAO.The catalyst precursors used: rac‐dimethylsilylbis(2‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1‐indenyl)zirconium dichloride (1) and rac‐dimethylsilylbis(2‐isopropyl‐4‐[3,5‐dimethylphenyl]indenyl) zirconium dichloride (2).magnified imageThe catalyst precursors used: rac‐dimethylsilylbis(2‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1‐indenyl)zirconium dichloride (1) and rac‐dimethylsilylbis(2‐isopropyl‐4‐[3,5‐dimethylphenyl]indenyl) zirconium dichloride (2).
Polythiophenes Containing Oligo(oxyethylene) Side Chains as a Thin Film on a ZnSe Single Crystal Surface
Authors: van Beek Rick , Jenneskens Leonardus W. , Zdravkova Aneliya N. , van der Eerden Jan P. J. M. , van Walree Cornelis A. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSummary: Two polythiophenes, containing either one (PTT) or two (PBTT) 2,5,8‐trioxanonyl side chains per repeating unit, were synthesized with the objective of developing hybrid inorganic/organic semiconductor systems. From absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry it appears that introduction of a second 2,5,8‐trioxanonyl side chain on a repeating unit leads to a very short conjugation length. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) performed on composites of the two polythiophenes and a ZnSe single crystal reveals excellent wetting of the crystal by the polymers, leading to the formation of thin films. For the PTT/ZnSe composite, good contact between the constituents is substantiated by a red‐shift of the PTT absorption relative to that of PTT on quartz. Fluorescence measurements indicate the occurrence of energy transfer from ZnSe to PTT, which might imply that there is electronic contact between ZnSe and PTT. Because of its highly distorted backbone, neither a significant red‐shift compared with a film on quartz nor excitation energy transfer was found for the thin film of PBTT deposited on ZnSe. Nevertheless, it is shown that the presence of polar 2,5,8‐trioxanonyl side chains guarantees strong binding of polythiophenes to the ZnSe surface.AFM contact mode topographical image of a PBTT film cast onto a ZnSe single crystal.magnified imageAFM contact mode topographical image of a PBTT film cast onto a ZnSe single crystal.
Chain Dynamics of Poly(oxyethylene) in Nanotubes of α‐Cyclodextrin by Solid‐State 2H NMR
Authors: Girardeau Tom E. , Leisen Johannes , Beckham Haskell W. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSummary: Solid‐state 2H NMR spectroscopy was used to examine the chain dynamics of perdeuterated poly(oxyethylene) (d‐POE) inside α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) nanotubes. The nanotubes were prepared by aqueous self‐assembly of α‐CD onto either low‐molecular‐weight (1.5 kg/mol) or high‐molecular‐weight (25.8 kg/mol) monodisperse d‐POE. At a given temperature, POE chain segments exhibit faster dynamics when included inside the CD nanotubes as compared to the bulk. Even at 150 K, when no large‐angle dynamics are detected in bulk POE, evidence for chain motions in the nanotube‐confined POE is observed. The 2H line shapes representing this motion were modeled by a discrete 3‐site jump using a ln‐Gaussian distribution of correlation times. An activation energy of 15 ± 1 kJ/mol was determined and the motion envisioned as gauche defects propagating along the primarily trans chains included within CD nanotubes. As the nanotube length decreased, the jump angle became much less defined and more isotropic motions were observed for POE segments at elevated temperatures (>270 K).
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Polymerization Kinetics and Characterization of Dual Cured Polyurethane‐Acrylate Nanocomposites for Laminates
Authors: Bertoldo Monica , Bronco Simona , Narducci Piero , Rossetti Stefano , Scoponi Marco 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSummary: Four different types of montmorillonites have been dispersed by sonication at 50 °C into a propoxylated aromatic epoxy diacrylate oligomer to achieve interlayered or exfoliated nanocomposites. A thermally‐induced crosslinking reaction, forming a polyurethane network in the presence of 7 wt.‐% of a montmorillonite, has been promoted by addition of an allophanate modified polyisocyanurate based on hexamethylene diisocyanate. The kinetic behavior of the network formation has been studied at 25, 40 and 60 °C by following the disappearance of the isocyanate vibrational band found at 2 270 cm−1. A tight crosslinked polyurethane acrylate network has been achieved by a subsequent dual UV curing promoted by a photoinitiator mixture (0.6 wt.‐%) added to the reactive mixture because of further reactions occur to the acrylate double bonds. The photopolymerization kinetic has been investigated on the different thermally treated polyurethane nanocomposite networks by Real Time FTIR spectroscopy monitoring the changes of the IR band at 810 cm−1 assigned to the acrylate double bond vibrations. The influence of the different montmorillonite clays on the final nanocomposite morphology has been investigated by using XRD and SEM. Finally, the use of these mixtures as internal layer between two modified surface PET films has been also studied for the laminate production. The based‐PET laminate films have been characterized by determining the bending resistance and optical properties as a function of different nanofillers.Bending resistance of the dual cured nanocomposite laminates containing 7 wt.‐% as a function of nanofiller types.magnified imageBending resistance of the dual cured nanocomposite laminates containing 7 wt.‐% as a function of nanofiller types.
Effect of the Addition of Toluene on the Structure and Properties of Styrene‐Isoprene‐Butadiene Rubber/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang Zhenjun , Zhang Lina , Li Yang 
Published: May 2005

AbstractSummary: Styrene‐isoprene‐butadiene rubber/montmorillonite nanocomposites were synthesized by the addition of toluene into clay and living anionic polymerization. These silicate layers (B‐M) were exfoliated within 30 min after polymerization initiation, whereas the layers in the nanocomposites prepared without using toluene (A‐M) were only partially exfoliated and not well‐dispersed in the matrix. The results of TEM and X‐ray diffraction revealed disperse silicates and a strong interaction between the terpolymer matrix and clay in the B‐M nanocomposites. The B‐M‐exfoliated nanocomposites exhibited higher decomposition and glass transition temperatures, storage moduli, tensile strengths and elongations at the break than those of the pure terpolymer and A‐M. With an organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) content of 3 wt.‐%, the exfoliated nanocomposite exhibited the best thermal stability and mechanical properties. In addition, GPC and 1H NMR results showed that the introduction of OMMT caused a slight increase in the $\overline M _{\rm w}$ of terpolymer, but hardly affected the microstructure of the terpolymer independent of the preparation method. Thus, the addition of toluene plays an important role in enhancing the dispersion of OMMT, which leads to the improvement of the structure and properties of the B‐M nanocomposites.TEM image of the SIBR/MMT nanocomposite.magnified imageTEM image of the SIBR/MMT nanocomposite.
Bandwidth limitation of two‐port fed and self‐phased quadrifilar helix antennas
Authors: Amin M. , Cahill R. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe bandwidth of a resonant quadrifilar helix antenna (QHA) is shown to be strongly dependent on the design of the feed network. In this paper, we compare the impedance and radiation‐pattern performance of two QHAs driven by different feed arrangements. A qualitative explanation for the difference in the behaviour of the antenna is given by observing the amplitude and phase distribution of the current in the helices. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 46: 11–15, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20886
Dual‐mode microstrip bandpass filter using circular patch resonator with two transmission zeros
Authors: Li JiaLin , Chen JianXin , Wang JianPeng , Xue Quan , Shao Wei , Xia Lei , Xue LiangJin 
Published: May 2005

AbstractA microstrip dual‐mode bandpass filter (BPF) using a circular patch resonator is investigated in this paper. Unlike the conventional dual‐mode patch‐resonator bandpass filter studied in the literature, the introduced filter is perturbed by one circular hole in the northeast area of the patch. The filter has a simple topology and can implement elliptic‐function response characteristics. An experimental filter is optimally designed and fabricated, for the first time, in order to demonstrate the idea. Both the calculated and measured results are presented. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 46: 28–30, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20891
Dual‐band dual‐circularly‐polarized sector antenna for GPS and DAB systems
Authors: Lee Byungje , Harackiewicz Frances J. , Kong Ki‐Hyun , Byun Joonho , Yang Sung‐Hyun 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe concept of a dual‐band dual‐circularly‐polarized antenna for GPS (Global Positioning System, 1575 MHz) and DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting, 1452–1492 MHz) system is proposed. The generation of circular polarizations and reduction of an overall antenna‐element dimension are achieved by placing a partially filled high‐permittivity dielectric bar under the radiating edges of the patch. A patch‐antenna element based on the proposed method and a conventional antenna element with an air layer filling the whole volume under the patch are compared, and antenna‐dimension reduction of more than 30% is achieved using the proposed method. Finally, a sector‐type antenna is designed by employing the space‐diversity technique with the proposed antenna elements. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 46: 43–46, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20896