bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deposition of Well‐Defined Fluoropolymer Nanospheres on PET Substrate by Plasma Polymerization of Heptadecafluorodecyl Acrylate and Their Potential Application as a Protective Layer
Authors: Feng Jia Chun , Huang Wei , Fu Guo Dong , Kang En‐Tang , Neoh Koon‐Gee 
Published: February 2005

AbstractSummary: Fluoropolymer films consisting of well‐defined nanospheres were deposited via pulsed plasma polymerization of 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,10‐heptadecafluorodecyl acrylate (HDFA) on flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrates. The morphology of the nanostructured fluoropolymer films was studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The mean diameter (Dm) and standard deviation in diameter (SD) of the fluoropolymer nanospheres, as derived from the surface FESEM images of the films, were about 17 nm and 2 nm, respectively. The formation of highly uniform and well‐structured nanospheres was achieved through the removal of the reactive species and the monomer in‐between successive plasma bursts. The interspersed cleaning and monomer‐free purging process eliminated the post‐plasma polymerization effect (polymerization carried out by the persisting radicals and ions on the nanoparticle surface during the plasma‐off period) and allowed a better control of the particle growth. The chemical composition of the nanostuctured fluoropolymer films was studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The performance of the nanostructured fluoropolymer film as a barrier against water absorption and its effect on the transparency of the PET substrate in the visible region, upon prolonged exposure to water at an elevated temperature, were also evaluated.AFM image of the surface of the PET substrate covered with a fluoropolymer film of deposited nanospheres.imageAFM image of the surface of the PET substrate covered with a fluoropolymer film of deposited nanospheres.
Initiation and Microbial‐Disinfection Characteristics of Wide‐Gap Atmospheric‐Pressure Glow Discharge Using Soft X‐Ray Ionization
Authors: Ohkawa Hiroshi , Akitsu Tetsuya , Tsuji Masao , Kimura Hideo , Fukushima Kinpei 
Published: February 2005

AbstractSummary: A wide‐gap (up to 30 mm) radio frequency (RF) glow discharge was realized at atmospheric pressure, using soft X‐ray photo‐emission, pre‐ionization. The RF glow plasma was excited with an automated matching system, at industrial frequencies (13.56 and 27.12 MHz), in helium or helium‐diluted oxygen. Antibacterial effects were examined using spore‐forming bacteria: Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus subtilis, Geobacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus pumilis, and selected species of bacteria, a mold, and a yeast‐like fungus: Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Salmonella enteritidis, Enterobactor aerogenes, Lactobacillus plantarum, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger.Experimental comparison of disinfection time using dry‐heat treatment and plasma treatment at 90 °C.imageExperimental comparison of disinfection time using dry‐heat treatment and plasma treatment at 90 °C.
Access of Plasma Polymerization and Plasma Induced Vapor Phase Grafting Processes to High Aspect Ratio Trenches in Polymeric Microstructures Analyzed by XPS
Authors: Besch Wilfried , Schröder Karsten , Ohl Andreas 
Published: February 2005

AbstractSummary: The results of scanning XPS investigations are reported. These were performed to investigate the access of different plasma processes to high aspect ratio trenches. Polystyrene test specimens containing special trench structures were treated by plasma polymerization or by plasma induced vapor phase grafting of allylamine. Highly resolved C1s peak spectra and the ratio of the nitrogen peak areas to the basic CHx peak were analyzed. Pulsed microwave and pulsed RF plasma polymerization of allylamine resulted in different inhomogeneous nitrogen content distributions on the side walls of the trenches. A depletion of the nitrogen content was observed for both processes. For the microwave process, the nitrogen content was also influenced by the aspect ratio, which varied from 2 to 10 for a trench depth of 3.5 mm. At the expense of chemical uniformity, a high N/C value was obtained by the pulsed MW plasma process. Vapor phase grafting of allylamine created inner surface functionalization which was rather uniform in terms of chemical composition and thickness.Scheme showing the analyzed part of the test specimen. It presents the side walls of the trench for measurement. The position of highly resolved C1s peak measurements is indicated as an open circle.imageScheme showing the analyzed part of the test specimen. It presents the side walls of the trench for measurement. The position of highly resolved C1s peak measurements is indicated as an open circle.
Photoacoustic and photoluminescence studies of H+ ion‐implanted n‐GaAs
Authors: Srinivasan R. , Sanjeeviraja C. , Ramachandran K. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe surface of silicon‐doped GaAs (100) grown by the vertical Bridgman method has been implanted with H+ ions at 30 keV for various doses from 1014 to 1017 cm–2 and studied using photoacoustic and photoluminescence spectroscopy to understand the effects of hydrogen ion implantation on GaAs:Si. The results are compared with Raman measurements. All the measurements confirm the sign change of charge carriers at a dose of 1015 cm–2. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ellipsometric spectroscopy on polycrystalline CuIn1–xGaxSe2: Identification of optical transitions
Authors: El Haj Moussa G. W. , Ajaka M. , El Tahchi M. , Eid E. , Llinares C. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractBulk materials have been synthesized by the Bridgman technique using the elements Cu, Ga, In, Se. Bulk samples have been characterized by EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectrometer), hot point, X‐ray diffraction, photoluminescence and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). The samples used were well crystallized and lended strong support to the achievement of a good stoechiometry. Energy levels above the gap in the band scheme were determined by measuring the dielectric function at ambient temperature for energies lying between 1.5 and 5.5 eV. Many transitions were observed above the gap for different samples of CuIn1–xGaxSe2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) alloy. Spectroscopic ellipsometry gave evidence for the interpretation of the choice of gap values which were compatible with that obtained from solar spectrum [1]. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Epitaxial Lift‐Off for large area thin film III/V devices
Authors: Schermer J. J. , Mulder P. , Bauhuis G. J. , Voncken M. M. A. J. , van Deelen J. , Haverkamp E. , Larsen P. K. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe present work describes the study and improvement of the Epitaxial Lift‐Off (ELO) technique, which is used to separate III/V device structures from their GaAs substrates. As a result the ELO method, initially able to separate millimetre sized GaAs layers with a lateral etch rate of about 0.3 mm/h, has been developed to a process capable to free entire 2″ epitaxial structures from their substrates with etch rates up to 30 mm/h. It is shown that with the right deposition and ELO strategy, the thin‐film III/V structures can be adequately processed on both sides. In this way semi‐transparent, bifacial solar cells on glass were produced with a total area efficiency in excess of 20% upon front side illumination and more than 15% upon back side illumination. The cell characteristics indicate that, once the thin film processing has been optimized, ELO cells require a significantly thinner base layer than regular III/V cells on a GaAs substrate and at the same time have the potential to reach a higher efficiency. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Numerical method based on Magnus expansion and a new shooting method for eigenvalues of Schrödinger equation
Authors: Liu Xue‐Shen , Ding Pei‐Zhu 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe one‐dimensional time‐independent Schrödinger equation is transformed into the Hamiltonian canonical equation by means of the Legendre transformation, the numerical method based on the Magnus expansion and the Taylor expansion of the matrix exponential are applied to the numerical solutions, and a new shooting method for eigenvalues is presented. The method is applied to the calculations of the one‐dimensional harmonic oscillator, a doubly anharmonic oscillator, and a Morse potential. The numerical results are in good agreement with the exact results. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
HGLM versus conditional estimators for the analysis of clustered binary data
Authors: Kang Weechang , Lee Moo‐Song , Lee Youngjo 
Published: February 2005

AbstractClustered binary data arise frequently in medical research such as cross‐over clinical trials and twin studies. For the analysis of such data either a random‐effects model or a conditional likelihood approach can be used. In this paper, we compare numerically the random‐effects model estimator and the conditional likelihood estimator and discuss their relative merits for the analysis of binary data. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixed modelling to characterize genotype–phenotype associations
Authors: Foulkes A. S. , Reilly M. , Zhou L. , Wolfe M. , Rader D. J. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractWe propose using mixed effects models to characterize the association between multiple gene polymorphisms, environmental factors and measures of disease progression. Characterizing high‐order gene–gene and gene–environment interactions presents an analytic challenge due to the large number of candidate genes and the complex, undescribed interactions among them. Several approaches have been proposed recently to reduce the number of candidate genes and post hoc approaches to identify gene–gene interactions are described. However, these approaches may be inadequate for identifying high‐order interactions in the absence of main effects and generally do not permit us to control for potential confounders. We describe how mixed effects models and related testing procedures overcome these limitations and apply this approach to data from a cohort of subjects at risk for cardiovascular disease. Four (4) genetic polymorphisms in three genes of the same gene family are considered. The proposed modelling approach allows us first to test whether there is a significant genetic contribution to the variability observed in our disease outcome. This contribution may be through main effects of multi‐locus genotypes or through an interaction between genotype and environmental factors. This approach also enables us to identify specific multi‐locus gentoypes that interact with environmental factors in predicting the outcome. Mixed effects models provide a flexible statistical framework for controlling for potential confounders and identifying interactions among multiple genes and environmental factors that explain the variability in measures of disease progression. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacological neutropenia prevents endothelial dysfunction but not smooth muscle functions impairment induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Pétrault Olivier , Ouk Thavarak , Gautier Sophie , Laprais Maud , Gelé Patrick , Bastide Michèle , Bordet Régis 
Published: February 2005

The polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) activation and mobilization observed in acute cerebral infarction contribute to the brain tissue damage, but PMN could also be involved in postischemic functional injury of ischemied blood vessel.
This study was undertaken to investigate whether pharmacological neutropenia could modify the postischemic endothelial dysfunction in comparison to smooth muscle whose impairment is likely more related to reperfusion and oxidative stress.
A cerebral ischemia–reperfusion by endoluminal occlusion of right middle cerebral artery (MCA) was performed 4 days after intravenous administration of vinblastine or 12 h after RP‐3 anti‐rat neutrophils monoclonal antibody (mAb RP‐3) injection into the peritoneal cavity, on male Wistar rats with 1‐h ischemia then followed by 24‐h reperfusion period. Brain infarct volume was measured by histomorphometric analysis and vascular endothelial and smooth muscle reactivity of MCA was analysed using Halpern myograph.
Neutropenia induced a neuroprotective effect as demonstrated by a significant decrease of brain infarct size. In parallel to neuroprotection, neutropenia prevented postischemic impairment of endothelium‐dependent relaxing response to acetylcholine. In contrast, smooth muscle functional alterations were not prevented by neutropenia. Ischemia–reperfusion‐induced myogenic tone impairment remained unchanged in vinblastine and mAb RP‐3‐treated rats. Postischemic Kir2.x‐dependent relaxation impairment was not prevented in neutropenic conditions. The fully relaxation of smooth muscle response to sodium nitroprusside was similar in all groups.
Our results evidenced the dissociate prevention of pharmacologically induced neutropenia on postischemic vascular endothelial and smooth muscle impairment. The selective endothelial protection by neutropenia is parallel to a neuroprotective effect suggesting a possible relationship between the two phenomena.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 1051–1058. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706124
The role of substance P in microvascular responses in murine joint inflammation
Authors: Keeble Julie , Blades Mark , Pitzalis Costantino , Castro da Rocha Fransisco Airton , Brain Susan Diana 
Published: February 2005

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious, inflammatory disease of the distal joints that has a possible neurogenic component underlying its pathology.
Substance P (SP), an endogenous neuropeptide that acts upon the neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor, is released from sensory nerves and is involved in neurogenic inflammation.
In this study, we have developed novel techniques to determine the contribution of SP to microvascular responses in a model of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)‐induced arthritis in NK1 knockout mice.
Detailed analysis in normal mice revealed that CFA (20 μg i.art.)‐induced plasma extravasation was raised from 18 to 72 h, when compared with intravascular volume. By comparison, knee swelling was sustained for 3 weeks. Neutrophil accumulation mirrored plasma extravasation. SP (10 pmol i.art.) caused significant acute plasma extravasation, but not other parameters, in wild type (WT), but not NK1 knockout mice. CFA (10 μg i.art.) induced a significantly decreased intravascular volume, presumably due to decreased blood flow, at early time points (5 and 7 h) in WT but not NK1 knockouts. Otherwise, similar responses in WT and NK1 knockout mice were observed. However, injection of SP into CFA‐pretreated joints caused a significant enhancement of plasma extravasation and knee swelling in the WT but not NK1 knockouts.
In conclusion, the present study has used novel techniques in WT and NK1 knockout mice to show that SP can modulate vascular tone and permeability in the inflamed joint via activation of the NK1 receptor and that SP‐induced responses are more pronounced where pre‐existing inflammation is present.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 1059–1066. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706131
Effects of serum from patients with chronic renal failure on rat hepatic cytochrome P450
Authors: Michaud Josée , Dubé Pierre , Naud Judith , Leblond Francois A , Desbiens Karine , Bonnardeaux Alain , Pichette Vincent 
Published: February 2005

In humans, chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with decreased hepatic drug metabolism, particularly that mediated by the cytochrome P450 (P450). The mechanisms remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the serum of patients with CRF on liver P450, and to evaluate whether renal replacement therapies (dialysis or transplantation) impede the inhibition of CRF serum on P450.
Rat hepatocytes were incubated for 24 h with serum from patients with severe CRF and from controls to measure (1) P450 level, (2) protein expression and mRNA levels of P450 isoforms and (3) metabolic activities of CYP3A and CYP1A. Similar experiments were performed with serum of patients once on chronic hemodialysis and after kidney transplantation.
In rat hepatocytes incubated for 24 h with serum from patients with CRF, P450 level and protein expression, as well as mRNA levels of P450 isoforms (CYP1A2, 2C6, 2C11, 2D1/2D2, 3A2 and 4A1/4A3), were decreased by more than 45% (P<0.001) compared to control serum, while the levels of CYP2E1 were not modified. CYP3A and CYP1A activities were decreased by 51 and 59% (P<0.001), respectively. The inhibitory effect of serum obtained from patients before first dialysis was similar after 1 or 6 months on chronic hemodialysis but was lost after successful kidney transplantation. In CRF serum, the fraction containing proteins between 10 and 15 kDa decreases P450.
Human uremic serum contains mediator(s) that decreases rat hepatic P450 activity and expression secondary to reduced gene expression. The inhibitory effect of serum persists even after initiation of dialysis, but disappears after normalization of renal function following kidney transplantation.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 1067–1077. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706138
Urinary responses to acute moxonidine are inhibited by natriuretic peptide receptor antagonist
Authors: El‐Ayoubi Rouwayda , Menaouar Ahmed , Gutkowska Jolanta , Mukaddam‐Daher Suhayla 
Published: February 2005

We have previously shown that acute intravenous injections of moxonidine and clonidine increase plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a vasodilator, diuretic and natriuretic hormone. We hypothesized that moxonidine stimulates the release of ANP, which would act on its renal receptors to cause diuresis and natriuresis, and these effects may be altered in hypertension.
Moxonidine (0, 10, 50, 100 or 150 μg in 300 μl saline) and clonidine (0, 1, 5 or 10 μg in 300 μl saline) injected intravenously in conscious normally hydrated normotensive Sprague–Dawley rats (SD, ∼200 g) and 12–14‐week‐old Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) dose‐dependently stimulated diuresis, natriuresis, kaliuresis and cGMP excretion, with these effects being more pronounced during the first hour post‐injection. The actions of 5 μg clonidine and 50 μg moxonidine were inhibited by yohimbine, an α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist, and efaroxan, an imidazoline I1‐receptor antagonist.
Moxonidine (100 μg) stimulated (P<0.01) diuresis in SHR (0.21±0.04 vs 1.16±0.06 ml h−1 100 g−1), SD (0.42±0.06 vs 1.56±0.19 ml h−1 100 g−1) and WKY (0.12±0.04 vs 1.44±0.21 ml h−1 100 g−1). Moxonidine‐stimulated urine output was lower in SHR than in SD and WKY. Moxonidine‐stimulated sodium and potassium excretions were lower in SHR than in SD, but not WKY, demonstrating an influence of strain but not of pressure. Pretreatment with the natriuretic peptide antagonist anantin (5 or 10 μg) resulted in dose‐dependent inhibition of moxonidine‐stimulated urinary actions. Anantin (10 μg) inhibited (P<0.01) urine output to 0.38±0.06, 0.12±0.01, and 0.16±0.04 ml h−1 100 g−1 in SD, WKY, and SHR, respectively. Moxonidine increased (P<0.01) plasma ANP in SD (417±58 vs 1021±112 pg ml−1) and WKY (309±59 vs 1433±187 pg ml−1), and in SHR (853±96 vs 1879±229 pg ml−1).
These results demonstrate that natriuretic peptides mediate the urinary actions of moxonidine through natriuretic peptide receptors.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 145, 50–56. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706146
Stimulation of protease‐activated receptor‐2 inhibits airway eosinophilia, hyperresponsiveness and bronchoconstriction in a murine model of allergic inflammation
Authors: De Campo Benjamin A , Henry Peter J 
Published: February 2005

An emerging body of evidence indicates that PGE2 has a privileged anti‐inflammatory role within the airways. Stimulants of protease‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR2) inhibit airway smooth muscle tone in vitro and in vivo predominantly via cyclooxygenase (COX)‐dependent generation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Thus, the current study tested the hypothesis that PAR2‐induced generation of PGE2 inhibits the development of allergic airways inflammation and hyperresponsiveness.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid recovered from ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitised and ‐challenged (allergic) mice contained elevated numbers of eosinophils, which peaked at 48 h postchallenge. Intranasal (i.n.) administration of a PAR2‐activating peptide (PAR2‐AP) SLIGRL (25 mg kg−1, at the time of OVA challenge) caused a 70% reduction in the numbers of BAL eosinophils (compared to the scrambled peptide LSIGRL, 25 mg kg−1).
Pretreatment of allergic mice with either indomethacin (1 mg kg−1, dual COX inhibitor) or nimesulide (3 mg kg−1, COX‐2‐selective inhibitor) blocked SLIGRL‐induced reductions in BAL eosinophils.
I.n. SLIGRL, but not LSIGRL, inhibited the development of antigen‐induced airways hyperresponsiveness. The inhibitory effect of SLIGRL was blocked by indomethacin.
Exposure of isolated tracheal preparations from allergic mice to 100 μM SLIGRL was associated with a 5.0‐fold increase in PGE2 levels (P<0.05, compared to 100 μM LSIGRL). SLIGRL induced similar increases in PGE2 levels in control mice (OVA‐sensitised, saline‐challenged).
I.n. administration of PGE2 (0.15 mg kg−1) to allergic mice significantly inhibited eosinophilia and airways hyperresponsiveness to methacholine.
In anaesthetised, ventilated allergic mice, SLIGRL (5 mg kg−1, i.v.) inhibited methacholine‐induced increases in airways resistance. Consistent with this bronchodilator effect, SLIGRL induced pronounced relaxation responses in isolated tracheal preparations obtained from allergic mice. LSIGRL did not inhibit bronchomotor tone in either of these in vivo or in vitro experiments.
In summary, a PAR2‐AP SLIGRL inhibited the development of airway eosinophilia and hyperresponsiveness in allergic mice through a COX‐dependent pathway involving COX‐2‐mediated generation of the anti‐inflammatory mediator PGE2. SLIGRL also displayed bronchodilator activity in allergic mice. These studies support the concept that PAR2 exerts predominantly bronchoprotective actions within allergic murine airways.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 1100–1108. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706150
Sulfur‐containing amino acids block stretch‐dependent K+ channels and nitrergic responses in the murine colon
Authors: Park Kyu Joo , Baker Salah A , Cho Sang Yun , Sanders Kenton M , Koh Sang Don 
Published: February 2005

Efforts to determine the role of stretch‐dependent K+ (SDK) channels in enteric inhibitory neural responses in gastrointestinal muscles are difficult due to a lack of blocking drugs for SDK channels.
SDK channels are blocked by sulfur‐containing amino acids. These compounds reduced the open probability of SDK channels in on and off‐cell patches of murine colonic myocytes. L‐Methionine was the most selective and had little or no effect on other known K+ conductances in colonic myocytes.
Application of L‐cysteine, L‐methionine or DL‐homocysteine depolarized intact muscles and enhanced spontaneous contractions. D‐Stereoisomers of these amino acids were less effective than L‐stereoisomers.
Pretreatment of muscles with tetrodotoxin, NW‐nitro‐L‐arginine or 1H‐[1,2,4] oxadiazolo [4,3‐a] quinoxalin‐1‐one reduced the depolarization responses to these compounds, suggesting that spontaneous neural activity and release of NO tonically activates SDK channels.
Nitrergic responses to nerve stimulation were reduced by sulfur‐containing amino acids.
These data suggest that nitrergic inhibitory junction potentials are mediated, in part, by activation of SDK channels in murine colonic muscles.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 1126–1137. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706154