bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of Electrical Conductivity in Thermoelectric [Ca2CoO3]0.62[CoO2] Ceramics by Texture Improvement
Authors: Itahara Hiroshi , Sugiyama Jun , Tani Toshihiko 
Published: February 2005

In the preparation of textured ceramics of [Ca2CoO3]0.62[CoO2] (CCO-3-layer) by the reactive-templated grain growth (RTGG) method using β-Co(OH)2 templates, we have examined the effect of processing conditions on the orientation degree and thermoelectric properties of the resultant ceramics. All the RTGG-prepared ceramics showed a high degree of orientation with the Lotgering's factor reaching approximately 1. It was found, however, that texture differences detected by rocking curve measurement (in terms of the (004) plane of the CCO-3-layer) significantly affect the in-plane electrical conductivity, σ
a
b
. An increase in the orientation degree of β-Co(OH)2 templates in a green compact increased the orientation degree of the resultant CCO-3-layer ceramic that is formed on the templates by heat treatment. Furthermore, an increase in pressure and duration time of uniaxial pressing during heat treatment was found to increase the orientation degree of the CCO-3-layer ceramic. As a result, a ceramic with improved texture exhibited a rocking curve FWHM(004) of ∼6.0° (FWHM: full width at half maximum), and σ
a
b
(at 1060 K) of 2.61 ×104 S/m, which is approximately 1.7 times as large as that of the RTGG-prepared ceramic before refining the processing conditions.
The FcγRIIa polymorphism R/H131, autoantibodies against the platelet receptors GPIbα and FcγRIIa and a risk for thromboembolism in lupus anticoagulant patients
Authors: Schallmoser Katharina , Rosin Christiane , Knittelfelder Regina , Sailer Thomas , Ulrich Silvia , Zoghlami Claudia , Lehr Stephan , Pabinger Ingrid , Panzer Simon 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThere is a clear propensity of individuals with lupus anticoagulant (LA) for thromboembolic disease (TE). Yet, it is not clear how individuals at risk for TE can be differentiated from those who are not. The FcγRIIa receptor is the only Fc receptor expressed by platelets. As platelets can be activated via this receptor, we have compared gene frequencies of the FcγRIIa polymorphism R/H131 in 46 and 27 patients with (LA/TE+) and without TE (LA/TE-), respectively, in an exploratory study. Furthermore, we investigated the presence of autoantibodies against FcγRIIa and/or GPIbα, which is in close proximity to the FcγRIIa and interacts with it functionally, and a possible linkage of antibody formation to HLA class II alleles. The FcγRIIa-R/R131 genotype was significantly less frequent in patients with LA compared to controls (p< 0.025). These findings were due to an increased frequency of heterozygous patients in the LA/TE+ cohort (odds ratio 6.76, 95% confidence interval 1.55 – 62.03, p< 0.008). For the first time, heterozygosity, rather than homozygosity, can be linked to disease, which may be explained by the dual function of the FcγRIIa, namely binding of antibodies to platelets and thereby their activation, and, on the other hand, clearance of antibody coated platelets by the phagocyte system. There was no correlation between the presence of anti-FcγRIIa or anti GPIbα autoantibodies and the FcγRIIa -R/H131 polymorphism, nor the incidence of TE, nor HLA class II alleles.
Medical conditions increasing the risk of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Bonderman Diana , Jakowitsch Johannes , Adlbrecht Christopher , Schemper Michael , Kyrle Paul , Schönauer Verena , Exner Markus , Klepetko Walter , Kneussl Meinhard , Maurer Gerald , Lang Irene 
Published: February 2005

SummaryChronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is characterized by organized thromboemboli that obstruct the pulmonary vascular bed. Although CTEPH is a serious complication of acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism in 4% of cases, signs, symptoms and classical risk factors for venous thromboembolism are lacking. The aim of the present study was to identify medical conditions conferring an increased risk of CTEPH. We performed a case-control-study comparing 109 consecutive CTEPH patients to 187 patients with acute pulmonary embolism that was confirmed by a high probability lung scan. Splenectomy (odds ratio=13, 95% CI 2.7–127), ventriculoatrial (VA-) shunt for the treatment of hydrocephalus (odds ratio=13, 95% CI 2.5–129) and chronic inflammatory disorders, such as osteomyelitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, odds ratio=67, 95% CI 7.9–8832) were associated with an increased risk of CTEPH.
Do hormonal contraceptives stimulate growth of neurofibromas? A survey on 59 NF1 patients
Authors: Lammert Marge , Mautner Victor-Felix , Kluwe Lan 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
Background
Neurofibromas are benign tumors of the peripheral nerves and hallmark of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a tumor suppressor gene syndrome. Neurofibromas mostly start developing at puberty and can increase in size and number during pregnancy. Expression of progesterone receptors has been found in 75% of the tumors. Many female NF1 patients are thus concerned about the possibility that hormonal contraceptives may stimulate the growth of their neurofibromas.

Methods
A survey was carried out on 59 female NF1 patients who are practicing or have practiced hormonal contraception to examine the effect of the various contraceptives on the growth of neurofibromas.

Results
Majority (53 out of 58) of patients who received oral estrogen-progestogen or pure progestogen preparations reported no associated tumor growth. In contrast, significant tumor growth was reported by two patients who received depot contraceptive containing high dose of synthetic progesterone.

Conclusions
Oral contraceptives do not seem to stimulate the growth of neurofibromas in NF1 patients. High doses of progesterone might stimulate the growth of neurofibromas and deserve more caution.
Functional complementation of RNA interference mutants in trypanosomes
Authors: Rusconi Filippo , Durand-Dubief Mickaël , Bastin Philippe 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
Background
In many eukaryotic cells, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) triggers RNA interference (RNAi), the specific degradation of RNA of homologous sequence. RNAi is now a major tool for reverse-genetics projects, including large-scale high-throughput screens. Recent reports have questioned the specificity of RNAi, raising problems in interpretation of RNAi-based experiments.

Results
Using the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei as a model, we designed a functional complementation assay to ascertain that phenotypic effect(s) observed upon RNAi were due to specific silencing of the targeted gene. This was applied to a cytoskeletal gene encoding the paraflagellar rod protein 2 (TbPFR2), whose product is essential for flagellar motility. We demonstrate the complementation of TbPFR2, silenced via dsRNA targeting its UTRs, through the expression of a tagged RNAi-resistant TbPFR2 encoding a protein that could be immunolocalized in the flagellum. Next, we performed a functional complementation of TbPFR2, silenced via dsRNA targeting its coding sequence, through heterologous expression of the TbPFR2 orthologue gene from Trypanosoma cruzi: the flagellum regained its motility.

Conclusions
This work shows that functional complementation experiments can be readily performed in order to ascertain that phenotypic effects observed upon RNAi experiments are indeed due to the specific silencing of the targetted gene. Further, the results described here are of particular interest when reverse genetics studies cannot be easily achieved in organisms not amenable to RNAi. In addition, our strategy should constitute a firm basis to elaborate functional-dissection studies of genes from other organisms.
Omega-3 fatty acids decreased irritability of patients with bipolar disorder in an add-on, open label study
Authors: Sagduyu Kemal , Dokucu Mehmet E , Eddy Bruce A , Craigen Gerald , Baldassano Claudia F , Yıldız Ayşegül 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThis is a report on a 37-patient continuation study of the open ended, Omega-3 Fatty Acid (O-3FA) add-on study. Subjects consisted of the original 19 patients, along with 18 new patients recruited and followed in the same fashion as the first nineteen. Subjects carried a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and were visiting a Mood Disorder Clinic regularly through the length of the study. At each visit, patients' clinical status was monitored using the Clinical Monitoring Form. Subjects reported on the frequency and severity of irritability experienced during the preceding ten days; frequency was measured by way of percentage of days in which subjects experienced irritability, while severity of that irritability was rated on a Likert scale of 1 – 4 (if present). The irritability component of Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) was also recorded quarterly on 13 of the 39 patients consistently. Patients had persistent irritability despite their ongoing pharmacologic and psychotherapy.Omega-3 Fatty Acid intake helped with the irritability component of patients suffering from bipolar disorder with a significant presenting sign of irritability. Low dose (1 to 2 grams per day), add-on O-3FA may also help with the irritability component of different clinical conditions, such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder and other psychiatric conditions with a common presenting sign of irritability.
Correlation of sperm penetration assay score with polyspermy rate in in-vitro fertilization
Authors: Aoki Vincent W , Peterson C Matthew , Parker-Jones Kirtly , Hatasaka Harry H , Gibson Mark , Huang Ivan , Carrell Douglas T 
Published: February 2005

Abstract

Background

The sperm penetration assay (SPA) is used to predict the fertilizing capacity of sperm. Thus, some programs rely on SPA scores to formulate insemination plans in conjunction with in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if a relationship exists between SPA scores and polyspermy rates during conventional IVF cycles.

Methods

A total of 1350 consecutive IVF patients using conventional IVF insemination were evaluated in the study. Oocytes were inseminated three hours post-retrieval by the addition of 150,000 to 300,000 progressively motile sperm. Approximately 18 hours after insemination, the oocytes were evaluated for fertilization by the visualization of pronuclei. The presence of three or more pronuclei was indicative of polyspermy. Polyspermy rates, fertilization success, embryo quality, and pregnancy rates were analyzed retrospectively to evaluate their relationship with SPA score, count, motility, number of progressively motile sperm inseminated, oocyte pre-insemination incubation time, patient age, and diagnosis.

Results

A significant positive relationship was observed between SPA score and polyspermy rate (rs = 0.10, p < 0.05). Patients with a normal SPA score had significantly higher polyspermy rates than those with abnormal SPA scores (6.3% ± 1.5% vs. 2.0% ± 0.7%, p < 0.05). Fertilization percentage was significantly lower in the group with severely abnormal SPA scores versus all other SPA groups (57.5% ± 2.1% vs. 70.2% ± 1.3%, p < 0.005). Although embryo quality was not affected, both clinical pregnancy and implantation rates improved slightly as SPA score increased. In addition, there was a decrease in the rate of spontaneous abortion as SPA score increased.

Conclusions

These data indicate SPA score is positively correlated with polyspermy rates and IVF fertilization percentage. Additionally, there is a slight increase in clinical pregnancy rates, and embryo implantation rates with increased SPA. Furthermore, there is a slight decrease in spontaneous abortions rates related to increased SPA.
Strain Measurement of Geogrids Using a Video-Extensometer Technique
Authors: Shinoda M , Bathurst RJ 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
The paper describes a novel technique to record displacements and compute local strains at the surface of typical geogrid soil reinforcement products using a noncontact high resolution digital CCD camera (video-extensometer) technique. Specimens of biaxial polypropylene (PP) geogrid, knitted polyester (PET) geogrid, and uniaxial high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geogrid were subjected to in-isolation wide-width strip tensile loading under constant rate of strain (CRS), constant load (creep), and stress relaxation load paths. The specimens were gripped using a set of split roller clamps. Targets painted on the surface of the specimens were tracked in both vertical and horizontal directions using a commercially available CCD camera with ancillary hardware and software. The paper examines repeatability of the test methodology and demonstrates the ability of the method to record strains at high resolution up to rupture and to identify nonuniform distribution of axial and lateral strains in geogrid specimens.
A probabilistic model for Latent Semantic Indexing
Authors: Ding Chris H.Q. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractLatent Semantic Indexing (LSI), when applied to semantic space built on text collections, improves information retrieval, information filtering, and word sense disambiguation. A new dual probability model based on the similarity concepts is introduced to provide deeper understanding of LSI. Semantic associations can be quantitatively characterized by their statistical significance, the likelihood. Semantic dimensions containing redundant and noisy information can be separated out and should be ignored because their negative contribution to the overall statistical significance. LSI is the optimal solution of the model. The peak in the likelihood curve indicates the existence of an intrinsic semantic dimension. The importance of LSI dimensions follows the Zipf‐distribution, indicating that LSI dimensions represent latent concepts. Document frequency of words follows the Zipf distribution, and the number of distinct words follows log‐normal distribution. Experiments on five standard document collections confirm and illustrate the analysis.
Sterically Hindered Carbonyl O‐Oxides and Dioxiranes − (6‐tert‐Butyl‐2,3,4‐trimethylphenyl)phenylcarbonyl O‐Oxide and (6‐tert‐Butyl‐2,3,4‐trimethylphenyl)phenyldioxirane
Authors: Schroeder Kerstin , Sander Wolfram 
Published: February 2005

Abstract(6‐tert‐Butyl‐2,3,4‐trimethylphenyl)phenylcarbonyl O‐oxide (1b) was generated by photooxidation of diazo compound 6b in an organic glass and in solution and characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy and by its photo‐ and thermochemistry. With 4.5 min at 230 K the half‐life of 1b is considerably smaller than that of dimesityl ketone O‐oxide (1a). The only clearly detected thermal product of 1b is the corresponding ketone 3b. The isomeric (6‐tert‐butyl‐2,3,4‐trimethylphenyl)phenyldioxirane (2b) could also be synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. With a half‐life time of 20 min at 20 °C this dioxirane rearranges to the isochroman derivative 11 as the only product. Plausible mechanisms for this rearrangement, which involves the hydroxylation of a non‐activated C−H bond, are discussed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Recent Developments in Catalytic, Asymmetric α‐Halogenation: A New Frontier in Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: France Stefan , Weatherwax Anthony , Lectka Thomas 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe development of milder and more sophisticated halogenating reagents that offer significantly greater chemoselectivity and stereocontrol than diatomic halides has been critical to the realization of asymmetric α‐halogenation. Within the past few years several groups have reported catalytic, enantioselective methods for α‐halogenation achieved by utilizing the catalytic generation of either enolates (zwitterionic or metal‐based charge delocalized) or enamines. Most importantly, this recent work has greatly enhanced the synthetic utility of organic halogenations and, in doing so, opened up a promising new frontier in organic synthesis. This microreview presents recent advances in the area of catalytic, asymmetric α‐halogenations of carbonyl compounds. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Efficient Synthesis of Functionalised 4‐Hydroxycyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐ones by Cyclisation of 1,3‐Bis(silyl) Enol Ethers and 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Dianions with 1,2‐Diketones
Authors: Holtz Edith , Köhler Valentin , Appel Bettina , Langer Peter 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe cyclisation of 1,3‐bis(silyl) enol ethers and 1,3‐dicarbonyl dianions with 1,2‐diketones provides convenient access to functionalised 4‐hydroxycyclopent‐2‐en‐1‐ones. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Carbonyl Ylide Cycloadditions to C,C‐Double Bonds of Methylenecyclopropanes
Authors: Molchanov Alexander P. , Diev Vyacheslav V. , Magull Jörg , Vidović Denis , Kozhushkov Sergei I. , de Meijere Armin , Kostikov Rafael R. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe carbonyl ylide 1,3‐dipoles generated by dirhodium tetraacetate‐catalyzed decomposition from 1‐diazo‐5‐phenylpentane‐2,5‐dione (4) and 1‐(1‐acetylcyclopropyl)‐2‐diazo‐ethanone (5) cycloadd to substituted methylenecyclopropanes2a–e and bicyclopropylidene (3) to give substituted mono‐, di‐, and trispirocyclopropanated 8‐oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan‐2‐ones 7, 8, and 11 and 7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan‐2‐ones 10 and 12 in 6–75 % yields with different regio‐ and stereoselectivities. The structures of the two isomeric cycloadducts endo‐ and exo‐10d formed from the carbonyl ylide derived from 5 and methyl 2‐chloro‐2‐(cyclopropylidene)acetate (2d) were confirmed by X‐ray crystal structure analyses. (Diphenylmethylene)cyclopropane and trans‐3‐methylenecyclopropane‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (diethyl ester of Feist’s acid) did not undergo such cycloadditions, while methylenecyclobutane (13) afforded a mixture of [3+2] and [2+1] cycloadducts 14 and 15 in 28 and 29 % yields, respectively. The scope and limitations of these cycloadditions as well as the influence of different factors upon their regio‐ and stereoselectivities are discussed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
LAF‐4 is aberrantly expressed in human breast cancer
Authors: To Minh D. , Faseruk Stephanie A. , Gokgoz Nalan , Pinnaduwage Dushanthi , Done Susan J. , Andrulis Irene L. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractLAF‐4, which encodes a nuclear protein with transactivation potential, is fused to the MLL gene in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We identified LAF‐4 as a gene that is transcriptionally deregulated in breast tumors and thus may have a pathological role in mammary tumorigenesis. In line with the previous finding that LAF‐4 expression is tissue specific, we did not detect any LAF‐4 mRNA in normal mammary epithelial cell lines. However, 2 of 5 breast cancer cell lines were found to express LAF‐4 at both the RNA and protein levels. In 2 of 9 primary tumor‐normal pairs, the expression of LAF‐4 was clearly elevated in the tumor tissue. Using RNA in situ hybridization, we demonstrated that LAF‐4 is expressed in mammary tumor cells but not in normal acini. In a group of 64 primary human breast tumors, we found that LAF‐4 was overexpressed in approximately 20% of the cases. Although epigenetic changes may be involved in altered expression of some genes, differences in LAF‐4 expression were not associated with DNA methylation of the predicted promoter region. Our results suggest that LAF‐4 may be a proto‐oncogene that is transcriptionally activated in some cases of breast cancer. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Top‐down identification of endogenous peptides up to 9 kDa in cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue by nanoelectrospray quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Möhring Thomas , Kellmann Markus , Jürgens Michael , Schrader Michael 
Published: February 2005

AbstractRecent work on protein and peptide biomarker patterns revealed the difficulties in identifying their molecular components, which is indispensable for validation of the biological context. Cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue are used as sources to discover new biomarkers, e.g. for neurodegenerative diseases. Many of these biomarker candidates are peptides with a molecular mass of <10 kDa. Their identification is favourably achieved with a ‘top‐down’ approach, because this requires less purification and an enzymatic cleavage will often not yield enough specific fragments for successful database searches. Here, we describe an approach using quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) as a highly efficient mass spectrometric purification and identification tool after off‐line decomplexation of biological samples by liquid chromatography. After initial peptidomic screening with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) TOFMS, the elution behaviour in chromatography and the exact molecular mass were used to locate the same signals in nanoelectrospray measurements. Most of the peaks detected in MALDI‐TOFMS could be retrieved in nanoelectrospray quadrupole TOFMS. Suitable collision energies for informative fragment spectra were investigated for different parent ions, charge states and molecular masses. After collision‐induced dissociation, the resulting fragmentation data of multiply charged ions can become much more complicated than those derived from tryptic peptide digests. However, the mass accuracy and resolution of quadrupole TOF instruments results in high‐quality data suitable for determining peptide sequences. The protein precursor, proteolytic processing and post‐translational modifications were identified by automated database searches. This is demonstrated by the exemplary identifications of thymosin beta‐4 (5.0 kDa) and NPY (4.3 kDa) from rat hypothalamic tissue and ubiquitin (8.6 kDa) from human cerebrospinal fluid. The high data quality should also allow for de novo identification. This methodology is generally applicable for peptides up to a molecular mass of about 10 kDa from body fluids, tissues or other biological sources. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peptidomic analysis of the larval Drosophila melanogaster central nervous system by two‐dimensional capillary liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Baggerman Geert , Boonen Kurt , Verleyen Peter , De Loof Arnold , Schoofs Liliane 
Published: February 2005

AbstractPeptides are the largest class of signalling molecules found in animals. Nevertheless, in most proteomic studies peptides are overlooked since they literally fall through the mazes of the net. In analogy with proteomics technology, where all proteins expressed in a cell or tissue are analyzed, the peptidomic approach aims at the simultaneous visualization and identification of the whole peptidome of a cell or tissue, i.e. all expressed peptides with their post‐translational modifications. In this paper we describe the analysis of the larval fruit fly central nervous system using two‐dimensional capillary liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC/Q‐TOF‐MS/MS. Using the central nervous systems of only 50 larval Drosophila as starting material, we identified 38 peptides in a single analysis, 20 of which were not detected in a previous study that reported on the one‐dimensional capillary LC/MS/MS analysis of the same tissue. Among the 38 sequenced peptides, some originate from precursors, such as the tachykinin and the IFamide precursor that were entirely missed in the first study. This clearly demonstrates that the two‐dimensional capillary LC approach enhances the coverage of the peptidomic analysis. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.