bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tautomerism and the Protonation/Deprotonation of Isocytosine in Liquid‐ and Solid‐States Studied by NMR Spectroscopy and Theoretical Calculations
Authors: Dračínský Martin , Jansa Petr , Ahonen Kari , Buděšínský Miloš
Published: January 2011

Isocytosine crystallizes as a 1:1 ratio of two tautomers in a manner similar to that of the guanine and cytosine pairs in DNA. The solid‐state NMR chemical shifts of crystalline neutral isocytosine, the sodium salt of isocytosine, and those of isocytosine hydrochloride were measured and related to the NMR parameters in aqueous and organic solutions. The experimental chemical shifts were compared with those calculated by three different methods: (1) calculations on isolated molecules, (2) calculations on isocytosine clusters of various sizes, and (3) infinite crystal calculations, that is, the gauge‐including projector‐augmented wave (GIPAW) method. The data obtained with the GIPAW method were in best agreement with the experimental data.
Full‐scale study on combustion characteristics of an upholstered chair under different boundary conditions—Part 2: Ignition at the backrest top
Authors: Xie Q. Y. , Zhang H. P. , Han Z. F. , Mei P.
Published: January 2011

The objective of this work is to investigate the effects of both boundary conditions and ignition positions on the combustion characteristic of a combustible item in a room. A series of full‐scale experiments were carried out in an ISO 9705 fire test room with an upholstered chair at three typical locations, i.e. the middle of side wall, room center and room corner. Here, ignition was achieved through a BS No. 7 wooden crib at the top of the backrest. The results show there were two peak heat release rates (HRRs) when the chair is at the room corner. However, when the chair was placed at the room center, only one peak HRR was observed. In addition, the peak HRR for the chair at the room center, about 800 kW, was much higher than that of the chair at the room corner, about 600 kW. Taken together with earlier work, in which the igniting crib was placed on the chair seat, the results show that the ignition positions, as well as the boundary conditions, influence the combustion behavior of upholstered furniture in a room. Finally, it is suggested that the chair burning would develop more slowly when it is ignited at the backrest than at the seat. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dissipative particle dynamics for complex geometries using non‐orthogonal transformation
Authors: Abu‐Nada Eiyad , Kumar Anurag , Asako Yutaka , Faghri Mohammad
Published: January 2011

Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) was applied to fluid flow in irregular geometries using non‐orthogonal transformation, where an irregular domain is transformed into a simple rectangular domain. Transformation for position and velocity was used to relate the physical and computational domains. This approach was described by simulating fluid flow inside a two‐dimensional convergent–divergent nozzle. The nozzle geometry is controlled by the contraction ratio (CR) in the middle of the channel. The range of Reynolds number and CR, in this paper, was Re = 10hbox−−200 and CR = 0.8 and 0.6, respectively. The DPD results were validated against in‐house computational fluid dynamic (CFD) finite volume code based on the stream function vorticity approach. The results revealed an excellent agreement between DPD and CFD. The maximum deviation between the DPD and CFD results was within 2%. Local and average coefficients of friction was calculated and it compared well with the CFD results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facilitating democracy: Centers and institutes of public deliberation and collaborative problem solving
Authors: Carcasson Martín
Published: January 2011

Campus‐based centers and institutes serve as hubs for local dialogue, deliberation, and collaborative problem solving.
Power, privilege, and the public: The dynamics of community‐university collaboration
Authors: White Byron P.
Published: January 2011

The dynamics of institutional power need to be addressed through structural practices that support prospects for authentic, democratic partnerships.
Methods for Biochemical Model Decomposition and Quantitative Submodel Comparison
Authors: Mizera Andrzej , Czeizler Elena , Petre Ion
Published: January 2011

Comparing alternative models for a given biochemical system is in general a very difficult problem: the models may focus on different aspects of the same system and may consist of very different species and reactions. The numerical setups of the models also play a crucial role in the quantitative comparison. When the alternative designs are submodels of a reference model, for example, knockdown mutants of a model, the problem of comparing them becomes simpler: they all have very similar, although not identical, underlying reaction networks, and the biological constraints are given by those in the reference model. In the first part of our study, we review several known methods for model decomposition and for quantitative comparison of submodels. We describe knockdown mutants, elementary flux modes, control‐based decomposition, mathematically controlled comparison and its extension, local submodel comparison and a discrete approach for comparing continuous submodels. In the second part of the paper we present a new statistical method for comparing submodels, which complements the methods presented in the review. The main difference between our approach and the known methods is related to the important question of how to chose the numerical setup in which to perform the comparison. In the case of the reviewed methods, the comparison is made in the numerical context of the reference model, i.e., in each of the alternative models both the kinetics of the reactions and the initial values of all variables are chosen to be identical to those from the reference model. We propose in this paper a different approach, better suited for response networks, where each alternative model is assumed to start from its own steady state under basal conditions. We demonstrate our approach with a case study focusing on the heat shock response in eukaryotes.
RNA Interference‐Based Computing in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Benenson Yaakov
Published: January 2011

Development of synthetic biological pathways is contingent upon the availability of general‐purpose, programmable tools to process molecule‐encoded information in live cells. A few years ago we introduced a comprehensive design framework for biological computing in mammalian cells that utilizes the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. Our method exploits the relatively simple structural requirements of the RNAi to engineer increasingly complex molecular logic circuits. This led to a scalable and intuitive method to perform logic integration of transcription factors, and first steps toward sensing and integrating mRNA signals.
The Class Basis of Switzerland's Cleavage between the New Left and the Populist Right
Authors: Oesch Daniel , Rennwald Line
Published: January 2011

This article argues that a full grown cleavage has surfaced in Swiss politics, separating a libertarian‐universalistic (the New Left) from a traditionalist‐communitarian camp (the Populist Right). Based on survey data of Switzerland's parliamentary election 2007, it examines the cleavage's micro‐foundations and shows that the class constituencies of the New Left (the Social‐Democratic and Green Parties) and the Populist Right (the Swiss People's Party) present the almost exact mirror image of each other. The former draws disproportionate support from the salaried middle class, notably socio‐cultural professionals, whereas the latter is rallied by small business owners, production and service workers. Although anchored in the employment structure, this divide is not primarily about the economy and resources, but about culture and identity. It thus strongly correlates with opposing cultural attitudes. While small business owners and workers prefer cultural demarcation and defend national traditions, salaried professionals strongly favour international integration and multi‐culturalism.
So Close But So Far: Voting Propensity and Party Choice for Left‐Wing Parties
Authors: Bochsler Daniel , Sciarini Pascal
Published: January 2011

While the bulk of the literature focuses on the vote for parties from different blocs, the purpose of our article is to study the vote for two parties that are ideologically very close to each other: The Social Democrats and the Greens in Switzerland. To that end, we develop a two‐step model, where voters first make a selection of parties that are acceptable to them and then make their electoral choice out of this set of acceptable alternatives. We use voting propensities as a measure of the first, consideration step and we show that they strongly depend on the distance between voters and parties on the Left–Right scale. With regard to the second, choice stage of the electoral process we hypothesize about the factors that may account for the varying ability of the two parties to convert potential voters into real voters. Our empirical tests provide encouraging support for our hypotheses regarding the impact of socio‐demographic variables and issue voting. Strategic considerations, by contrast, do not seem to matter.
Decomposing the Vote: Individual, Communal, and Cantonal Sources of Voting Behavior in Switzerland
Authors: Steenbergen Marco R.
Published: January 2011

This article considers individual, communal, and cantonal sources of voting behavior in the 2007 National Council elections in Switzerland. Using hierarchical linear models, it is shown how the vote propensity for the five main parties (CVP, FDP, Greens, SP, and SVP) varies across individuals, communes, and cantons. Key explanatory factors at each of these levels are explored, as well as cross‐party differences in the effects of these factors.
Comparing Candidates and Citizens in the Ideological Space
Authors: Leimgruber Philipp , Hangartner Dominik , Leemann Lucas
Published: January 2011

Little is known about the ideological relationship between the Swiss political elite and the general public. Based on the Selects 2007 candidate and voter surveys, we compare the value orientations of both groups by applying ordinal factor analysis. First, we test whether political leaders or their supporters are more ideologically polarized. Second, we investigate whether ideological congruency between the electorate and representatives varies from party to party. Third, we examine whether winning candidates are ideologically more remote from their party supporters than unsuccessful candidates. We find that ideological polarization is larger within the political elite than within the general public. As a consequence, representatives of parties with rather extreme value orientations represent the moderate electorate rather poorly. Similarly, successful candidates are found to be more distant from their party supporters than unsuccessful candidates. These findings challenge traditional spatial voting theory but accord nicely with the directional model of voting behavior.
Einleitung: Berufsbildungs‐ und Hochschulpolitik in der Schweiz, Österreich und Deutschland
Authors: Trampusch Christine , Busemeyer Marius R.
Published: January 2011

Politikwissenschaftliche Bildungsforschung hat bislang vier Schwerpunkte: Vergleichende Policy‐Analyse, Prozesse der Internationalisierung und Europäisierung, Arbeiten der vergleichenden politischen Ökonomie sowie Studien zu den Effekten von Bildungsinstitutionen und ‐politiken. Auf der Grundlage einer dichten Analyse der gegenwärtigen Transformation und Reform von Bildungs‐ und Ausbildungssystemen in der Schweiz, Österreich und Deutschland ergänzen die Artikel‐ und Forumsbeiträge dieses Sonderheftes diese Perspektiven um drei spezifische Punkte, die in der zukünftigen Forschung zum Wandel von Bildungssystemen vertieft werden sollten: erstens die Untersuchung der Wechselwirkungen zwischen Bildungspolitik und der föderalen Entscheidungsarena, zweitens die Analyse des Einflusses von Machtverteilung und der Dynamik politischer Koalitionen auf Reformen und drittens die Unterscheidung zwischen Reformpolitik und Prozessen des institutionellen Wandels.
Europe à la Carte? Swiss Convergence towards European Policy Models in Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training
Authors: Bieber Tonia
Published: January 2011

In the last decade, European education has experienced far‐reaching transformation through the international initiatives of the Bologna process in higher education (HE) and the Copenhagen process in vocational education and training (VET) for enhancing European cooperation. This study investigates the mostly underresearched effects of these initiatives on Switzerland to discern whether Swiss HE and VET policies have converged towards European models, and which mechanisms were influential. It combines research on Europeanization and convergence and uses process‐tracing based on expert interviews and document analysis. Results reveal that Swiss HE policy strongly converged towards the Bologna model, while the development of a partial convergence of VET policy towards the model of the Copenhagen process can be observed. The study demonstrates the impact of domestic politics on shaping Europeanization effects and reconstructs the processes through which the initiatives took effect through transnational communication.
Hydrostatic pressure independently increases elastin and collagen co‐expression in small‐diameter engineered arterial constructs
Authors: Crapo Peter M. , Wang Yadong
Published: January 2011

Prior studies have demonstrated that smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix production increase with hydrostatic pressure in vitro. We have engineered highly compliant small‐diameter arterial constructs by culturing primary adult baboon arterial SMCs under pulsatile perfusion on tubular, porous, elastomeric scaffolds composed of poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS). This study investigates the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the biological and mechanical properties of PGS‐based engineered arterial constructs. Pressure was raised using a downstream needle valve during perfusion while preserving flow rate and pulsatility, and constructs were evaluated by pressure–diameter testing and biochemical assays for collagen and elastin. Pressurized constructs contained half as much insoluble elastin as baboon common carotid arteries but were significantly less compliant, while constructs cultured at low hydrostatic pressure contained one‐third as much insoluble elastin as baboon carotids and were similar in compliance. Hydrostatic pressure significantly increased construct burst pressure, collagen and insoluble elastin content, and soluble elastin concentration in culture medium. All arteries and constructs exhibited elastic recovery during pressure cycling. Hydrostatic pressure did not appear to affect radial distribution of SMCs, collagens I and III, and elastin. These results provide insights into the control of engineered smooth muscle tissue properties using hydrostatic pressure. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 2011.
Covalently immobilized glycosaminoglycans enhance megakaryocyte progenitor expansion and platelet release
Authors: Kishore Vipuil , Eliason James F. , Matthew Howard W. T.
Published: January 2011

Application of umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation in adults as a treatment post‐chemotherapy is hampered due to delayed platelet recovery. A potential solution suggested is the transfusion of ex vivo expanded megakaryocytes (Mks) from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Alternatively, large‐scale production of platelets in vitro has also been attempted with the goal of transfusing them into patients with thrombocytopenia. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have been shown to influence the proliferation and differentiation of HSCs. This study sought to examine the effects of immobilized GAGs on the expansion, apoptosis, and platelet release activity of CD41a+ Mk progenitors in vitro. Freshly isolated HSCs from UCB were cultured in serum‐free media supplemented with thrombopoietin on GAG‐derivatized chitosan membranes for 17 days. Controls consisted of uncoated and chitosan‐coated wells. Wells were demidepopulated at periodic intervals and analyzed by flow cytometry. Heparin and dermatan sulfate surfaces significantly enhanced total cell and Mk cell expansion (p < 0.05) compared to both the controls. The apoptotic Mk fraction was significantly lower on GAG surfaces (p < 0.05) compared to the polystyrene control during the early stages of the culture (days 7 and 11). However, by day 17, the apoptotic Mk fraction was comparable on all surfaces. The cumulative number of platelets generated on dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate surfaces was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than on both the controls. These results suggest that immobilized GAGs delay Mk apoptosis and thereby enhance Mk expansion and platelet production. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 2011.
Donor survey to assess facial flushing during automated red cell collections and medication use
Authors: Eder Anne F. , Mitchell Tanya , Dy Beth , Herron Ross M. , Ellen Wissel Mary , Lightfoot Thomas , Jo Drew Mary , Mair David ,   American Red Cross Regional Blood Centers
Published: January 2011

Background: We conducted a donor survey to assess the occurrence of facial flushing and other symptoms during automated 2‐U red cell collections (2RBC) and plateletpheresis (PLT) procedures and evaluated the possible association of the reactions with angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or with the collection technology. Methods: An online survey was developed using Zoomerang to capture details of the donors' experience and medication use after 2RBC or PLT donations in regional blood centers of the American Red Cross. Results: Between 12/16/09 and 4/19/10, 1,299 donors in five American Red Cross blood center regions completed an online survey (739 2RBC, 4.2% total registrations; 560 PLT, 2.3% total registrations). Facial flushing was reported by 29 donors, and was more likely associated with 2RBC than PLT procedures (3.0% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.03). Facial flushing with 2RBC donation was reported by eight of 72 (11%) donors on ACE inhibitors; and 14 of 667 (2%) donors who were not taking ACE inhibitors (P = 0.001). The incidence of facial flushing reactions with PLT donation was less than 2% whether donors reported ACEI inhibitor use or not. More than 95% of the donors reported their intent to donate again, regardless of symptoms. Conclusion: Facial flushing was more often reported by 2RBC donors taking ACE inhibitors than other donors [11% vs. 2%; P = 0.001]; and was uncommon among PLT donors, irrespective of ACE inhibitor use (<2%). All blood donors should be informed of the potential for common, minor side effects of the collection procedure and the possible but rare occurrence of more medically serious complications. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Single region of interest versus multislice T2* MRI approach for the quantification of hepatic iron overload
Authors: Meloni Antonella , Luciani Antongiulio , Positano Vincenzo , De Marchi Daniele , Valeri Gianluca , Restaino Gennaro , Cracolici Eliana , Caruso Vincenzo , Dell'Amico Maria Chiara , Favilli Brunella , Lombardi Massimo , Pepe Alessia
Published: January 2011

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of the single ROI approach for the detection of hepatic iron burden in thalassemia major (TM) patients in respect to a whole liver measurement.

Materials and Methods

Five transverse hepatic slices were acquired by a T2* gradient‐echo sequence in 101 TM patients and 20 healthy subjects. The T2* value was calculated in a single region of interest (ROI) defined in the medium‐hepatic slice. Moreover, the T2* value was extracted on each of the eight ROIs defined in the functionally independent segments. The mean hepatic T2* value was calculated.

Results

For patients, the mean T2* values over segments VII and VIII were significantly lower. This pattern was substantially preserved in the two groups identified considering the T2* normal cutoff. All segmental T2* values were correlated with the single ROI T2* value. After the application of a correction map based on T2* fluctuations in the healthy subjects, no significant differences were found in the segmental T2* values.

Conclusion

Hepatic T2* variations are low and due to artifacts and measurement variability. The single ROI approach can be adopted in the clinical arena, taking care to avoid the susceptibility artifacts, occurring mainly in segments VII and VIII. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:348–355. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Off‐resonance Raman analysis of wurtzite CdS ground to the nanoscale: structural and size‐related effects
Authors: Chi T. T. K. , Gouadec G. , Colomban Ph. , Wang G. , Mazerolles L. , Liem N. Q.
Published: January 2011

Different techniques were used to follow the transformation of CdS platelets during grinding and under hydrostatic pressure. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the platelets included zinc blende (cubic) CdS nanodomains dispersed in a wurtzite (hexagonal) single‐crystalline matrix. Extended grinding led to a decrease of the grain size and to a progressive transformation of the hexagonal stacking into a cubic one. The same phase transition was observed up to 9 GPa under hydrostatic pressure.

Off‐resonance Raman spectra collected at different stages of the transition led us to connect band groups that were usually overlooked (in resonance conditions) or considered separately. They all probe the stacking disorder and their intensity can be related to the density of stacking faults. Off‐resonance Raman spectroscopy offers a way of probing the optical properties of CdS (and, more generally, layered semiconductors) as a function of the structure and of the confinement of vibrations by structural defects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Soil salinity development in the yellow river delta in relation to groundwater dynamics
Authors: Fan X. , Pedroli B. , Liu G. , Liu Q. , Liu H. , Shu L.
Published: January 2011

The Yellow River Delta occupies an important position in the global ecosystem because of its valuable wetland habitat resources for migratory birds on the Eastern Pacific migration route. However, it has suffered from severe land degradation because of soil salinization. This paper assesses the distribution maps of saline soils during the past two decades, using field observations at three points in time using remote sensing images for the same periods, in combination with spatial models. Soil salinization appears to have expanded from the coastline to inland areas of the Yelow River Delta at a surprising speed during that period. The spatio‐temporal dynamics of the groundwater table and total dissolved solids (TDS) during the last 20 years were analyzed using maps based on Kriging interpolation. Kriging helped substantially to improve the accurateness of the predicted values of soil salt content, using a random subsample of the observation points as validation basis. Correlation analysis of the spatial data revealed that the distribution and evolution of saline soils are closely related to the dynamics of groundwater: the aggravation of soil salinization is associated with a rising groundwater table and increasing TDS. Insufficient recharge of the groundwater with fresh surface water due to reduced Yellow River discharge and subsequent seawater intrusion are therefore serious environmental problems in the Yellow River Delta ecosystem. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Homogeneous Sulfation of Xylan from Different Sources
Authors: Daus Stephan , Petzold‐Welcke Katrin , Kötteritzsch Manuela , Baumgaertel Anja , Schubert Ulrich S. , Heinze Thomas
Published: January 2011

Xylan sulfates have been prepared under homogeneous reaction conditions in DMF/LiCl applying SO3/pyridine and SO3/DMF. The degree of substitution (DSSulfate) of the products obtained was determined by elemental analysis. DSSulfate reached values of up to 1.90 applying a molar ratio of 3 mol sulfating agent per anhydroxylose unit. The structure of the xylans and of the xylan sulfates was studied in detail by one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry.

magnified image
Iterative solutions for zeros of multivalued accretive operators
Authors: Song Yisheng
Published: January 2011

Strong convergence of two iterative schemes is proved to approach some zero of multivalued accretive operators in a Banach space. The first one is a regularization method for Rockafellar's proximal point algorithm of the resolvent and the second one is a kind of Halpern type iteration process of the resolvent. © 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Upregulation of the EP1 receptor for prostaglandin E2 promotes skin tumor progression
Authors: Surh Inok , Rundhaug Joyce , Pavone Amy , Mikulec Carol , Abel Erika , Fischer Susan M.
Published: January 2011

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been shown to promote the development of murine skin tumors. EP1 is 1 of the 4 PGE2 G‐protein‐coupled membrane receptors expressed by murine keratinocytes. EP1 mRNA levels were increased ∼2‐fold after topical treatment with 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) or exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, as well as increased ∼3‐ to 12‐fold in tumors induced by 7,12‐dimethyl‐benz[a]anthracene (DMBA) initiation/TPA promotion or by UV exposure. To determine the effect of EP1 levels on tumor development, we generated BK5.EP1 transgenic mice that overexpress EP1 in the basal layer of the epidermis. Skins of these mice were histologically indistinguishable from wild type (WT) mice and had similar levels of proliferation after TPA treatment. Using a DMBA/TPA carcinogenesis protocol, BK5.EP1 mice had a reduced tumor multiplicity compared to WT mice, likely due to the observed down‐regulation of protein kinase C (PKC). However, the BK5.EP1 mice had an ∼8‐fold higher papilloma to carcinoma conversion rate. When DMBA/anthralin was used, BK5.EP1 mice produced more tumors than WT mice, as well as a ninefold increase in carcinomas, indicating that the tumor response is dependent on the type of tumor promoter agent used. Additionally, although almost undetectable in WT mice, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) was expressed in the untreated epidermis of BK5.EP1 mice. While TPA highly induced COX‐2 in WT mice, COX‐2 expression in the BK5.EP1 mice did not change after TPA treatment; PGE2 levels were likewise affected. These data indicate that EP1 is more important in tumor progression than in tumor promotion and that it indirectly regulates COX‐2 expression. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activation and up‐regulation of translation initiation factor 4B contribute to arsenic‐induced transformation
Authors: Zhang Yong , Wang Qing , Guo Xiaoling , Miller Robert , Guo Yinglu , Yang Hsin‐Sheng
Published: January 2011

Arsenic is a known human carcinogen. However, the mechanism of how arsenic induces cell transformation remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that long‐term exposure to sodium arsenite at low‐dose (2 µM) increases cell proliferation and neoplastic transformation in a mouse epidermal cell model, JB6 promotion‐susceptible cells. The phosphorylation of AKT and its downstream targets, 70‐kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) and translation initiation factor 4B (eIF4B), are increased in the arsenite treated cells, indicating that long‐term arsenite treatment activates AKT–p70S6K signaling pathway. In addition, long‐term exposure to arsenite up‐regulates eIF4B expression and increases the rate of translation. Knockdown of eIF4B expression resulted in inhibition of arsenic‐induced cell proliferation, transformation, and translation. Moreover, the expression of c‐Myc which is up‐regulated by long‐term arsenite treatment is inhibited by eIF4B knockdown. Taken together, these results indicate that activation and up‐regulation of eIF4B contributes to arsenic‐induced transformation in JB6 cells. Mol. Carcinog. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diclofenac, a selective COX‐2 inhibitor, inhibits DMH‐induced colon tumorigenesis through suppression of MCP‐1, MIP‐1α and VEGF
Authors: Kaur Jasmeet , Sanyal S.N.
Published: January 2011

Angiogenesis is a physiological process involving growth of new blood vessels from pre‐existing ones; however, it also plays a critical role in tumor progression. It favors the transition from hyperplasia to neoplasia, that is, from a state of cellular multiplication to uncontrolled proliferation. Therefore targeting angiogenesis will be profitable as a mechanism to inhibit tumor's lifeline. Further, it is important to understand the cross‐communication between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)—master switch in angiogenesis and other molecules in the neoplastic and pro‐inflammatory milieu. We studied the role of two important chemokines [monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐lα] alongwith VEGF and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)‐induced chemopreventive effect in experimental colon cancer in rat. 1,2‐Dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 30 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously (s.c.) once‐a‐week) for 18 wk was used as pro‐carcinogen and diclofenac (8 mg/kg body weight, orally daily) as the preferential cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitor. Expression of COX‐2 and VEGF was found to be significantly elevated in the DMH‐treated group as compared to the control, which was lowered notably by Diclofenac co‐administration with DMH. Gelatin zymography showed prominent MMP‐9 activity in the DMH‐treated rats, while the activity was nearly absent in all the other groups. Expression of MCP‐1 was found to be markedly increased whereas MIP‐1α expression was found to be decreased in colonic mucosa from DMH‐treated rats, which was reversed in the DMH + Diclofenac group. Our results indicate potential role of chemokines alongwith VEGF in angiogenesis in DMH‐induced cancer and its chemoprevention with diclofenac. Mol. Carcinog. ©2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CacyBP/SIP protein promotes proliferation and G1/S transition of human pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Chen Xiong , Mo Ping , Li Xiaohua , Zheng Peichan , Zhao Lina , Xue Zengfu , Ren Gui , Han Guohong , Wang Xin , Fan Daiming
Published: January 2011

Calcyclin‐binding protein or Siah‐1‐interacting protein (CacyBP/SIP), a component of the ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis, could participate in beta‐catenin degradation, which was found to be related to the malignant phenotypes of pancreatic cancer previously. However, the role of CacyBP/SIP itself in pancreatic cancer has not been investigated. In the present study, CacyBP/SIP expression was assayed and manipulated to reveal the potential mechanism in pancreatic cancer carcinogenesis. Here, we show that CacyBP/SIP is over‐expressed in pancreatic cancer cells. Down‐regulation of CacyBP/SIP by small interference RNA (siRNA) severely suppresses the proliferation and tumorigenesis in pancreatic cancer. G1/S transition arrest induced by inhibition of CacyBP/SIP is at least partly mediated by down‐regulation of Cyclin E and CDK2 as well as up‐regulation of p27 and Rb. Collectively, CacyBP/SIP as an enhancer of pancreatic cancer malignance might develop into another possible therapeutic target. Mol. Carcinog. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Grape seed extract upregulates p21 (Cip1) through redox‐mediated activation of ERK1/2 and posttranscriptional regulation leading to cell cycle arrest in colon carcinoma HT29 cells
Authors: Kaur Manjinder , Tyagi Alpna , Singh Rana P. , Sclafani Robert A. , Agarwal Rajesh , Agarwal Chapla
Published: January 2011

Abnormalities in cell cycle progression provide unlimited replicative potential to cancer cells, and therefore targeting of key cell cycle regulators could be a sound cancer chemopreventive strategy. Earlier, we found that grape seed extract (GSE) increases Cip/p21 protein level and inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in human colon carcinoma HT29 cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism of GSE‐induced p21 upregulation and its role in biological efficacy of GSE are not known, which were investigated here. GSE treatment of HT29 cells resulted in a strong dose‐ and time‐dependent phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), consistent with p21 induction. The inhibition of sustained ERK1/2 activation by GSE using pharmacological inhibitors abrogated GSE‐induced p21 upregulation. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with N‐acetylcysteine inhibited GSE‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation as well as p21 upregulation, suggesting the involvement of GSE‐induced oxidative stress as an upstream event. Consistent with this, GSE also decreased intracellular level of reduced glutathione. Next, we determined whether GSE‐induced signaling regulates p21 expression at transcriptional and/or translational levels. GSE was found to increase the stability of p21 message with resultant increase in p21 protein level, but it did not alter the protein stability to a great extent. Importantly, knock‐down of p21 abrogated GSE‐induced G1 arrest suggesting that p21 induction by GSE is essential for its G1 arrest effect. Together, our results for the first time identify a central role of p21 induction and associated mechanism in GSE‐induced cell cycle arrest in HT29 cells. Mol. Carcinog. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Helicoid end‐to‐side and oblique attachment technique in repair of the musculocutaneous nerve injury with the phrenic nerve as a donor: An experimental study in rats
Authors: Yan Yu‐Hui , Yan Ji‐Geng , Matloub Hani S. , Zhang Lin‐Ling , Hettinger Patrick , Sanger James , Jaradeh Safwan S.
Published: January 2011

The purpose of this study was to identify if a modified end‐to‐side repair can achieve equal results of nerve regeneration compared to an end‐to‐end repair using donor phrenic nerves in repair of the musculocutaneous nerve and also pulmonary protection. Eighteen rats were divided into three groups of six each comparing two nerve graft techniques: helicoid end‐to‐side plus distal oblique repair vs. traditional end‐to‐end repair, using a donor phrenic nerve. The saphenous nerve was used as a graft between the phrenic nerve and the musculocutaneous nerve. The third group was used as control; the musculocutaneous nerve was transected without any repair. Three months postoperatively, electrophysiology, tetanic force, moist muscle weight, histology, nerve fiber counting, and chest X‐ray were evaluated. All results have shown that this modified end‐to‐side repair was superior to the end‐to‐end repair. The former did not compromise the diaphragm function, but the latter showed an elevation of the diaphragm. Little recovery was seen in the third group. The conclusion is that this modified end‐to‐side repair can replace the traditional end‐to‐end repair using donor phrenic nerves with better results of nerve regeneration without diaphragm compromise. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2011.
Use of 1‐desamino‐8‐D‐arginine vasopressin in microsurgical reconstruction in a patient with von Willebrand's disease
Authors: Mithani Suhail K. , Davis Jared M. , Rodriguez Eduardo D.
Published: January 2011

A 19‐year‐old male patient with type 1 von Willebrand's disease underwent two separate superficial inferior epigastric artery free flap tissue transfers and three revision procedures for reconstruction of a postextirpative mid‐facial defect. Intravenous 1‐desamino‐8‐D‐arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) was administered as bleeding prophylaxis prior to incision for free tissue transfer. For each debulking procedure, DDAVP was administered by intranasal sprays in minutes prior to incision and redosed 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. There were no incidents of either thrombosis or bleeding. This outcome indicates that 0.3 μg/kg intravenous DDAVP may be effective as bleeding prophylaxis for patients with mild and quantitative defects in von Willebrand factor undergoing microvascular reconstruction. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2011.
Hyaluronic acid biodegradable material for reconstruction of vascular wall: A preliminary study in rats
Authors: Pandis Laura , Zavan Barbara , Bassetto Franco , Ferroni Letizia , Iacobellis Laura , Abatangelo Giovanni , Lepidi Sandro , Cortivo Roberta , Vindigni Vincenzo
Published: January 2011

The objective of this preliminary study was to develop a reabsorbable vascular patch that did not require in vitro cell or biochemical preconditioning for vascular wall repair. Patches were composed only of hyaluronic acid (HA). Twenty male Wistar rats weighing 250–350 g were used. The abdominal aorta was exposed and isolated. A rectangular breach (1 mm × 5 mm) was made on vessel wall and arterial defect was repaired with HA made patch. Performance was assessed at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks after surgery by histology and immunohistochemistry. Extracellular matrix components were evaluated by molecular biological methods. After 16 weeks, the biomaterial was almost completely degraded and replaced by a neoartery wall composed of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, collagen, and elastin fibers organized in layers. In conclusion, HA patches provide a provisional three‐dimensional support to interact with cells for the control of their function, guiding the spatially and temporally multicellular processes of artery regeneration. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2011.
Rectal distension: The effect on bladder function
Authors: Panayi D.C. , Khullar V. , Digesu G.A. , Spiteri M. , Hendricken C. , Fernando R.
Published: January 2011

Aims

To assess how rectal distension affects urodynamics parameters and diagnosis.

Methods

Thirty women underwent filling cystometry with a rectal balloon inserted and filled with 150 ml of normal saline and repeated without the balloon distended. The volume at which first desire, strong desire and bladder capacity were reported by the women was recorded as well as urodynamics diagnosis. Women were randomized, using the closed envelope method, into having the rectal balloon distended during the first or during the second filling phase. Women with any bowel disease, history of bleeding per rectum were excluded, or women with any contraindication to undergoing urodynamics, or insertion of a device per rectum. All women of a reproductive age underwent pregnancy test and excluded if found to be pregnant.

Results

Thirty patients were recruited, 16 reported mixed urinary incontinence (53%), 5 (17%) had isolated overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms and 9 (30%) reported isolated stress urinary incontinence. Patients with distended rectum had statistically significant lower bladder volumes at which first (46% reduction) and strong desire (33% reduction) was felt and reduced maximum bladder capacity (26% reduction) when compared to the rectum being undistended. In four patients (13%) with a history of OAB a diagnosis of detrusor overactivity was found with the rectum was distended but not when the rectum was empty.

Conclusion

Rectal distension alters bladder sensation and in some cases urodynamics diagnosis. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:344–347, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
L‐carnitine improves oxidative stress and suppressed energy metabolism but not renal dysfunction following release of acute unilateral ureteral obstruction in rat
Authors: Moosavi S. Mostafa Shid , Ashtiyani Saeed C. , Hosseinkhani Saman
Published: January 2011

Background and aim

We recently showed that L‐carnitine reduced oxidative stress and suppressed energy metabolism, while α‐tocopherol only prevented redox imbalance, in the obstructed kidney of rats subjected to 24‐hr of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of both compounds on disturbed renal hemodynamics, solutes‐excretion, and urine‐concentrating ability as well as renal oxidative stress and suppressed metabolism at early hours following release of 24‐hr UUO.

Methods

UUO was induced in anaesthetized rats that received L‐carnitine, α‐tocopherol or their vehicles in four different groups. Each rat was re‐anaesthetized, prepared for renal functional measurements, and its ureteral obstruction was released at 24‐hr. Then, urines of both kidneys were separately collected during 30–90 min of post‐release, with taking blood samples at beginning and end of it. Finally, both kidneys were removed and preserved at −80°C for future measuring their levels of ATP and ADP as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP). There were also sham and control groups.

Results

Post‐obstructed kidney (POK) of vehicle‐treated groups compared to equivalent kidney of sham group had lower ATP, ATP/ADP, FRAP, creatinine clearance, absolute Na+‐ and K+‐excretion, and effective free‐water reabsorption, but higher MDA and ADP. L‐carnitine could improve oxidative stress and suppressed energy metabolism and α‐tocopherol normalized redox state, but both compounds did not have any effects on altered functional variables of the POK.

Conclusion

Oxidative stress and suppressed energy metabolism may not be involved in the development of renal dysfunction during acute ureteral obstruction. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:480–487, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coital incontinence: Relation to detrusor overactivity and stress incontinence
Authors: El‐Azab Ahmed S. , Yousef Hosam A. , Seifeldein Gehan S.
Published: January 2011

Aims

The aim was to assess functional (demographic, clinical, and urodynamic) and anatomical (described by MRI) abnormalities associated with coital incontinence (CI).

Methods

All consecutive sexually active women with urinary incontinence (UI) were invited. Women were asked if they experience urine leakage during sex; and its timing: during penetration (CIAP) versus during orgasm (CIAO). All women were studied with urodynamics. Pelvic MRI was done for selected group of women. MRI examination was done using 1.5 T superconducting magnet, supine, and during two phases: static and dynamic, using multiplanar T2‐weighted turbo spin‐echo and single short T2‐wighted images.

Results

Ninety women with UI; 60 had CI while 30 had no CI. Prevalence of CI was significantly higher among women with stress incontinence (SUI) (89.4%) compared to those with detrusor overactivity (DOA) (33.3%); P = 0.000. Factors significantly associated with CI were parity, prolapse, and SUI. Among studied MRI variables, no factor was significantly associated with CI. CI showed significant positive correlation with severity of SUI (r = 0.327, P = 0.05) and significant negative correlation with Abdominal leak point pressure (r = −0.362, P = 0.01). Amplitude of unstable detrusor contraction as measured by urodynamics did not correlate with severity of CI.

Conclusions

CI seems to be in the spectrum of SUI and POP. CI is almost invariably a symptom of SUI with urethral sphincter incompetence, even when it occurs during orgasm. Many women with DOA leak during sex; however, the potential role of associated urethral incompetence should be considered. 30:520–524, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Frequency offset dependence of adiabatic rotating frame relaxation rate constants: relevance to MRS investigations of metabolite dynamics in vivo
Authors: Mangia Silvia , Liimatainen Timo , Garwood Michael , Tkac Ivan , Henry Pierre‐Gilles , Deelchand Dinesh , Michaeli Shalom
Published: January 2011

In this work, we investigated the frequency‐offset dependence of the rotating frame longitudinal (R1ρ) and transverse (R2ρ) relaxation rate constants when using hyperbolic‐secant adiabatic full passage pulses or continuous‐wave spin‐lock irradiation. Phantom and in vivo measurements were performed to validate theoretical predictions of the dominant relaxation mechanisms existing during adiabatic full passage pulses when using different settings of the frequency offset relative to the carrier. In addition, adiabatic R1ρ and R2ρ values of total creatine and N‐acetylaspartate were measured in vivo from the human brain at 4 T. When the continuous‐wave pulse power was limited to safe specific absorption rates for humans, simulations revealed a strong dependence of R1ρ and R2ρ values on the frequency offset for both dipolar interactions and anisochronous exchange mechanisms. By contrast, theoretical and experimental results showed adiabatic R1ρ and R2ρ values to be practically invariant within the large subregion of the bandwidth of the hyperbolic‐secant pulse where complete inversion was achieved. However, adiabatic R1ρ and R2ρ values of the methyl protons of total creatine (at 3.03 ppm) were almost doubled when compared with those of the methyl protons of N‐acetylaspartate (at 2.01 ppm) in spite of the fact that these resonances were in the flat region of the inversion band of the adiabatic full passage pulses. We conclude that differences in adiabatic R1ρ and R2ρ values of human brain metabolites are not a result of their chemical shifts, but instead reflect differences in dynamics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of myocardial blood flow and flow reserve in rats using arterial spin labeling MRI: comparison with a fluorescent microsphere technique
Authors: Jacquier Alexis , Kober Frank , Bun Soksithikun , Giorgi Roch , Cozzone Patrick J. , Bernard Monique
Published: January 2011

To quantify noninvasively myocardial blood flow (MBF) and MBF reserve in isoflurane‐anesthetized rats using the Look‐Locker flow‐alternating inversion recovery gradient‐echo arterial spin labeling technique (LLFAIRGE‐ASL), and to compare the results with the fluorescent microsphere (FM) technique. Male Wistar rats (weight = 200–240 g, n = 21) were anesthetized with 2.0% isoflurane. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded. In seven rats, MBF was assessed on a Bruker Biospec 4.7T MR system using an ECG‐ and respiration‐gated LLFAIRGE‐ASL (pixel size = 234 × 468µm2, TE = 1.52ms) at rest and during adenosine infusion (140 µg/kg/min). A mixture of 200 000 FM was injected into a second group of rats at rest and during adenosine infusion (n = 7 each), under similar physiologic conditions. Hearts and skeletal muscle samples were processed for fluorescence spectroscopy. Two‐tailed unpaired, paired Student's t‐test and ANOVAwere used to compare groups. MBF measured with LLFAIRGE‐ASL was 5.2 ± 1.0 mL/g/min at rest and 13.3 ± 3.0 mL/g/min during adenosine infusion. Results obtained with fluorescent microspheres yielded 5.9 ± 2.3 mL/g/min (nonsignificant vs. LLFAIRGE‐ASL, p = 0.9) at rest and 13.1 ± 2.1 mL/g/min (nonsignificant vs. LLFAIRGE‐ASL, p = 0.4) during adenosine infusion. Myocardial blood flow reserve measured using LLFAIRGE‐ASL and FM were not significantly different (2.5 ± 0.6 vs. 2.4 ± 0.9, respectively; p = 0.8). Hemodynamic parameters during the experiments were not different between the groups. The myocardial blood flow reserve determined under isoflurane anesthesia was 2.5 ± 0.6, which was not different from the value obtained with FM. LLFAIRGE‐ASL provided MBF maps with high spatial resolution in rats under isoflurane anesthesia. LLFAIRGE‐ASL is a noninvasive measure to assess myocardial blood flow reserve and provides an interesting tool for cardiovascular research. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.