bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estrogen Effects on Skeletal Muscle Insulin-Like Growth Factor–1 and Myostatin in Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Tsai Wan-Jung A. , McCormick Kathleen M. , Brazeau Daniel A. , Brazeau Gayle A.
Published: May 2008

Previous work showed that estrogen replacement attenuates muscle growth in immature rats. The present study examined muscle insulin-like growth factor–1 (IGF-1) and myostatin expression to determine whether these growth regulators might be involved in mediating estrogen’s effects on muscle growth. IGF-1 and myostatin message and protein expression in selected skeletal muscles from 7-week-old sham-ovariectomized (SHAM) and ovariectomized rats that received continuous estrogen (OVX/E2) or solvent vehicle (OVX/CO) from an implant for 1 week or 5 weeks was measured. In the 1-week study, ovariectomy increased IGF-1 mRNA expression in fast extensor digitorum longus and gastrocnemius muscles; the increase was reversed by estrogen replacement. A similar trend was observed in the slow soleus muscle, although the change was not statistically significant. In contrast to mRNA, muscle IGF-1 protein expression was not different between SHAM and OVX/ CO animals in the 1-week study. One week of estrogen replacement significantly decreased IGF-1 protein level in all muscles examined. Myostatin mRNA expression was not different among the 1-week treatment groups. One week of estrogen replacement significantly increased myostatin protein in the slow soleus muscle but not the fast extensor digitorum longus and gastrocnemius muscles. There was no treatment effect on IGF-1 and myostatin expression in the 5-week study; this finding suggested a transient estrogen effect or upregulation of a compensatory mechanism to counteract the estrogen effect observed at the earlier time point. This investigation is the first to explore ovariectomy and estrogen effects on skeletal muscle IGF-1 and myostatin expression. Results suggest that reduced levels of muscle IGF-1 protein may mediate estrogen’s effect on growth in immature, ovariectomized rats. Increased levels of muscle myostatin protein may also have a role in mediating estrogen’s effects on growth in slow but not fast skeletal muscle.
Effects of Dexrazoxane and Amifostine on Evolution of Doxorubicin CardiomyopathyIn Vivo
Authors: Bjelogrlic Snezana K. , Radic Jelena , Radulovic Sinisa , Jokanovic Milan , Jovic Viktor
Published: May 2008

Doxorubicin is one of the most active drugs in oncology, with cardiotoxicity as a serious side effect of its application. The aim of this study was to investigate dexrazoxane and amifostine impact on the evolution of myocardial changes induced by doxorubicin. BalbC female mice were treated with doxorubicin only (10 mg/kg, single intravenous push), or with dexrazoxane (200 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [ip]) or amifostine (200 mg/kg, ip) 60 mins or 30 mins prior to treatment with doxorubicin, respectively. Blood sampling for determination of conventional serum-marker activity was performed 48 hrs later. The grade of histopathology changes was evaluated by light microscopy 1.5 and 3 months after treatments using the Billingham scoring method. Control groups consisted of nontreated mice. After doxorubicin-only treatment, the grade of heart tissue damage was found to increase in the period between 1.5 and 3 months. A similar but less intense progression was also detected in amifostine-pretreated animals, with significant difference among median Billingham scores between the two time points. The pretreatment with dexrazoxane suspended expansion of tissue lesions in time. Changes in serum enzyme activity revealed two correlations: the greater reduction in alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (α-HBDH) leakage is associated with a lower percentage of damaged tissue, and the creatine kinase to α-HBDH percent of difference ratio being greater than one is correlated with limited spreading of pathological lesions. Our results indicate that the development of doxorubicin-induced heart failure is based on a slow and persistent expansion of pathological process even long after the completion of the treatment. Dexrazoxane has proved to be successful and superior over amifostine against such an evolution of doxorubicin cardiomyopathy.
Effects of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibition in Bladder Damage Caused by Cyclophosphamide in Rats
Authors: Korkmaz Ahmet , Kurt Bülent , Yildirim Ibrahim , Basal Seref , Topal Turgut , Sadir Serdar , Öter Sükrü
Published: May 2008

It was previously shown that nitric oxide produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and peroxynitrite are responsible for cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced cystitis. Since endogenous production of peroxynitrite is known to lead to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation, in this study, the aim was to evaluate whether the PARP activation pathway is also included in the pathogenesis of CP-induced bladder ulceration in rats. A total of 48 male albino Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 served as control and was given 2 ml saline; four groups received a single dose of CP (200 mg/kg) with the same time intervals. Group 2 received CP only; Group 3, selective iNOS inhibitor 1400W (20 mg/kg); Group 4, peroxynitrite scavenger ebselen (30 mg/kg); and Group 5, PARP inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (20 mg/kg). CP injection resulted in severe cystitis with continuous macroscopic hemorrhage, strong edema, inflammation, and ulceration. Moreover, bladder iNOS activation and urine nitrite-nitrate levels were dramatically increased. Histologically, 1400W protected bladder against CP damage and decreased urine nitrite-nitrate levels and bladder iNOS induction. Ebselen has shown similar histologic results with 1400W without changing urinary nitrite-nitrate level and iNOS activity. Furthermore in the 3-aminobenzamide group, beneficial effects had also occurred including decreased ulceration. These results suggest that PARP activation involves pathogenesis of CP-induced bladder ulceration. Furthermore, PARP is not only important for ulceration but also for bladder edema, hemorrhage, and inflammation because of broken uroepithelial cellular integrity.
Mechanisms of Fibrogenesis
Authors: Kisseleva Tatiana , Brenner David A.
Published: May 2008

Fibrogenesis is a mechanism of wound healing and repair. However, prolonged injury causes deregulation of normal processes and results in extensive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and fibrosis. The current review will discuss similarities and differences of fibrogenesis in different organs and systems and focus on the origin of collagen producing cells. Although the relative contribution will vary in different tissues and different injuries, there are three general sources of fibrogenic cells: endogenous fibroblasts or fibroblast-like cells, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, and recruitment of fibrocytes from the bone marrow.
Nuclear Factor-κB Activation: From Bench to Bedside
Authors: Sethi Gautam , Sung Bokyung , Aggarwal Bharat B.
Published: May 2008

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a proinflammatory transcription factor that has emerged as an important player in the development and progression of malignant cancers. NF-κB targets genes that promote tumor cell proliferation, survival, metastasis, inflammation, invasion, and angiogenesis. Constitutive or aberrant activation of NF-κ is frequently encountered in many human tumors and is associated with a resistant phenotype and poor prognosis. The mechanism of such persistent NF-κB activation is not clear but may involve defects in signaling pathways, mutations, or chromosomal rearrangements. Suppression of constitutive NF-κB activation inhibits the oncogenic potential of transformed cells and thus makes NF-κB an interesting new therapeutic target in cancer.
Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone I (LHRH-I) and Its Metabolite in Peripheral Tissues
Authors: Walters Kathryn , Wegorzewska Iga N. , Chin Yue-Pui , Parikh Manan G. , Wu T. J.
Published: May 2008

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) was first isolated in the mammalian hypothalamus and shown to be the primary regulator of the reproductive system through its initiation of pituitary gonadotropin release. Since its discovery, this form of LHRH (LHRH-I) has been shown to be one of many structural variants with a variety of roles in both the brain and peripheral tissues. Enormous interest has been focused on LHRH-I and LHRH-II and their cognate receptors as targets for designing therapies to treat cancers of the reproductive system. LHRH-I is processed by a zinc metalloendopeptidase EC 3.4.24.15 (EP24.15) that cleaves the hormone at the fifth and sixth bond of the decapeptide (Tyr5-Gly6) to form LHRH-( 1 – 5 ). We have previously reported that the autoregulation of LHRH gene expression can also be mediated by its processed peptide, LHRH-( 1 – 5 ). Furthermore, LHRH-( 1 – 5 ) has also been shown to be involved in cell proliferation. This review will focus on the possible roles of LHRH and its processed peptide, LHRH-( 1 – 5 ), in non-hypothalamic tissues.
Homeobox Gene Prx1 Is Expressed in Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells and Transactivates Collagen α1(I) Promoter
Authors: Jiang Feng , Stefanovic Branko
Published: May 2008

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are mesenchymal cells of the liver, which are normally in quiescent state and synthesize tracing amounts of extracellular matrix proteins. Upon fibrogenic stimulus, HSCs become activated and increase synthesis of type I collagen 50–100 fold. Prx1 and Prx2 are two homeobox transcription factors which are required for mesenchymal tissue formation during embryogenesis. The present study shows that Prx1 mRNA is expressed in in vivo and in vitro activated HSCs, but not in quiescent HSCs. Prx1 is also expressed in fibrotic livers, while it is undetectable in normal livers. Overexpression of Prx1a in quiescent HSCs cultured in vitro induced collagen α1(I) mRNA and TGFβ3 mRNA expression. Prx1 transactivated TGFβ3 promoter 3 fold in transient transfection experiments. In the whole liver, Prx1a induced expression of collagen α1(I), α2(I), α1(III) and α-smooth muscle mRNAs, which are the markers of activation of HSCs. Prx1 also increased expression of collagen α1(I) mRNA after acute liver injury. This suggests that Prx1a promotes activation of HSCs and expression of type I collagen. Several regions in the collagen α1(I) promoter were identified which mediate transcriptional induction by Prx1. The regions are scattered throughout the promoter and individually have modest effects; however, the cumulative effect of all sequences is >50 fold. This is the first description of the effects of Prx1 in HSCs and in the liver, and identification of the two Prx1 target genes, which play a pivotal role in development of liver fibrosis, is a novel finding for liver pathophysiology.
DA-6034, a Derivative of Flavonoid, Prevents and Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium–Induced Colitis and Inhibits Colon Carcinogenesis
Authors: Nam Su Youn , Kim Joo Sung , Kim Jung Mogg , Lee Jong Yeul , Kim Nayoung , Jung Hyun Chae , Song In Sung
Published: May 2008

Previously, we have shown that DA-6034, a synthetic derivative of flavonoid eupatilin, inhibited NF-κB activation in colon epithelial cells and prevented trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid–induced rat colitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effect of DA-6034 on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)–induced colitis and on inflammation-related cancer. C57BL/6 mice were given 4% DSS for 5 days with and without DA-6034 in the acute preventive model. In the acute therapeutic model, mice were given 4% DSS for 5 days followed by rectal administration of DA-6034. Colitis was quantified by body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and histology. In the inflammation-related cancer model, mice were given a single intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane, then three cycles of 2% DSS for 5 days, then 2 weeks of free water consumption. Apoptosis was determined by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assay, and the expression of Ki-67, phospho-κB kinase α (IKKα), and COX-2 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. In both the acute preventive and acute therapeutic models, DA-6034 significantly attenuated DSS-induced weight loss, an increase in DAI, and a shortening of colon length. DA-6034–treated mice maintained crypt architecture and revealed a scanty infiltration of inflammatory cells in both the preventive and therapeutic models. In the inflammation-related cancer model, DA-6034 reduced the number of colon tumors and ameliorated weight loss and shortening of colon length. DA-6034 strongly enhanced apoptosis and inhibited the expression of COX-2 and phospho-IKKα in inflammation-related colon cancer models. Our results suggest that DA-6034 prevents acute murine colitis and inhibits inflammation-related colon carcinogenesis. DA-6034 could be a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel disease.
Engineering Redox-Sensitive Linkers for Genetically Encoded FRET-Based Biosensors
Authors: Kolossov Vladimir L. , Spring Bryan Q. , Sokolowski Anna , Conour John E. , Clegg Robert M. , Kenis Paul J. A. , Gaskins H. Rex
Published: May 2008

The ability to sense intracellular or intraorganellar reduction/oxidation conditions would provide a powerful tool for studying normal cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Genetically encoded biosensors enable monitoring of the intracellular redox environment. We report the development of chimeric polypeptides useful as redox-sensitive linkers in conjunction with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). α-helical linkers differing in length were combined with motifs that are sensitive to the redox state of the environment. The first category of linkers included a redox motif found in the thioredoxin family of oxidoreductases. This motif was flanked by two α-helices of equal length. The second and third categories of redox linkers were composed of α-helices with embedded adjacent and dispersed vicinal cysteine residues, respectively. The linkers containing redox switches were placed between a FRET pair of enhanced cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins and these constructs were tested subsequently for their efficacy. A robust method of FRET analysis, the ( ratio) A method, was used. This method uses two fluorescence spectra performed directly on the FRET construct without physical separation of the fluorophores. The cyan/yellow construct carrying one of the designed redox linkers, RL5, exhibited a 92% increase in FRET efficiency from its reduced to oxidized states. Responsiveness of the cyan-RL5-yellow construct to changes in the intracellular redox environment was confirmed in mammalian cells by flow cytometry.
Blockade of Chronic High Glucose–Induced Endothelial Apoptosis bySasa borealisBamboo Extract
Authors: Choi Yean-Jung , Lim Hyeon-Sook , Choi Jung-Suk , Shin Seung-Yong , Bae Ji-Young , Kang Sang-Wook , Kang Il-Jun , Kang Young-Hee
Published: May 2008

Hyperglycemia is a causal factor in the development of diabetic vascular complications including impaired vascular smooth muscle contractility and increased cell proliferation. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of Sasa borealis water-extract (SBwE) on chronic hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC). HUVEC were cultured in 5.5 m M low glucose, 5.5 m M glucose plus 27.5 m M mannitol as an osmotic control, or 33 m M high glucose for 5 days in the absence and presence of 1–30 μg/ ml SBwE. Caspase-3 activation and Annexin V staining revealed chronic high glucose–induced endothelial apoptotic toxicity with a generation of oxidants detected by DCF-fluorescence, and these effects were reversed by SBwE at ≥1 μg/ml in a dose-dependent manner. Cytoprotective SBwE substantially reduced the sustained high glucose–induced expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and attenuated the formation of peroxynitrite radicals. The suppressive effects of SBwE were most likely mediated through blunting activation of PKCβ2 and NADPH oxidase promoted by high glucose. In addition, this bamboo extract modulated the high glucose–triggered mitogen-activated protein kinase–dependent upregulation of heat-shock proteins. Our results suggest that SBwE suppressed these detrimental effects caused by PKC-dependent peroxynitrite formation via activation of NADPH oxidase and induction of nitric oxide synthase and heat-shock protein family that may be essential mechanisms responsible for increased apoptotic oxidative stress in diabetic vascular complications. Moreover, the blockade of high glucose–elicited heat-shock protein induction appeared to be responsible for SBwE-alleviated endothelial apoptosis. Therefore, SBwE may be a therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of diabetic endothelial dysfunction and related complications.
Nuclear Receptors and Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Wang Kun , Wan Yu-Jui Yvonne
Published: May 2008

It is well known that the steroid hormone glucocorticoid and its nuclear receptor regulate the inflammatory process, a crucial component in the pathophysiological process related to human diseases that include atherosclerosis, obesity and type II diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and liver tumors. Growing evidence demonstrates that orphan and adopted orphan nuclear receptors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, liver x receptors, the farnesoid x receptor, NR4As, retinoid x receptors, and the pregnane x receptor, regulate the inflammatory and metabolic profiles in a ligand-dependent or -independent manner in human and animal models. This review summarizes the regulatory roles of these nuclear receptors in the inflammatory process and the underlying mechanisms.
Cordyceps sinensis Health Supplement Enhances Recovery from Taxol-Induced Leukopenia
Authors: Liu Wei-Chung , Chuang Wei-Ling , Tsai Min-Lung , Hong Ji-Hong , McBride William H. , Chiang Chi-Shiun
Published: May 2008

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the health food supplement Cordyceps sinensis (CS) to ameliorate suppressive effects of chemotherapy on bone marrow function as a model for cancer treatment. Mice were treated with Taxol (17 mg/kg body wt) one day before oral administration of a hot-water extract of CS (50 mg/kg daily) that was given daily for 3 weeks. White blood cell counts in peripheral blood of mice receiving Taxol were at 50% of normal levels on day 28 but had recovered completely in mice treated with CS. In vitro assays showed that CS enhanced the colony-forming ability of both granulocyte macrophage colony forming unit (GM-CFU) and osteogenic cells from bone marrow preparations and promoted the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells into adipocytes, alkaline phosphatase–positive osteoblasts, and bone tissue. This result could be attributed to enhanced expression of Cbfa1 (core binding factor a) and BMP-2 (bone morphogenetic protein) with concurrent suppression of ODF (osteoclast differentiation factor/RANK [receptor activator of NF-κB]) ligand. In summary, CS enhances recovery of mice from leukopenia caused by Taxol treatment. It appears to do so by protecting both hematopoietic progenitor cells directly and the bone marrow stem cell niche through its effects on osteoblast differentiation.
Structural and Functional Analysis of Domains Mediating Interaction Between the Bagpipe Homologue, Nkx3.1 and Serum Response Factor
Authors: Zhang Yan , Fillmore Rebecca A. , Zimmer Warren E.
Published: May 2008

Nkx3.1 is a member of the NK2 class of homeodomain proteins and is expressed in development, being an early marker of the sclerotome and prostate gland. It has been shown to be a critical factor for prostate differentiation and function. Previous studies suggested that Nkx3.1 interacts with Serum Response Factor (SRF) to transactivate the Smooth Muscle γ-Actin (SMGA) promoter. In studies presented here, we examined the molecular mechanisms underlying the functional synergy of these factors upon SMGA transcription. We demonstrate that full length Nkx3.1 physically interacts with SRF in the absence of DNA and that these factors are able to co-associate in cellular context using a mammalian two-hybrid system. The segment of SRF responsible for Nkx3.1 interaction was mapped to a ~30 amino acid region (AAs 142–171) at the N-terminal segment of the MADS box. Two separate regions of Nkx3.1 were found to mediate interactions with SRF. Interestingly, recognized domains of NK2 proteins, namely the TN, homeodomain DNA binding segment, and the NK2-SD do not participate in SRF interactions. One of the Nkx3.1 SRF binding domains was mapped to the N-terminal of the protein consistent with recent studies of these proteins using NMR spectroscopy by Gelmann and colleagues ( 1 ). A second SRF binding region was mapped to amino acids C-terminal to the homeodomain. Structural predictions indicate that both of the SRF interacting segments are largely hydrophobic in character and β-strand in structure. With co-transfection transcriptional analyses we found that interaction between SRF and Nkx3.1 as well as DNA binding by both factors was required for the observed transcriptional synergy. Thus our studies have identified novel protein-protein interacting domains within Nkx3.1 and SRF that operate in concert with their respective DNA binding domains to mediate functional transcriptional synergy of these factors to regulate SMGA gene activation.
Improving mediation quality: You, too, can do this in your area
Authors: Lande John
Published: May 2008

Following up on the recent release of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution's mediation quality report, task force member and regular Alternatives contributor John Lande, of Columbia, Mo., discusses how to use the report's “Tool Kit for Improving the Quality of Mediation in Your Geographic or Practice Area.” The tool kit is a step‐by‐step guide to holding focus groups that analyze the nitty gritty of mediation work, and producing a study that allows for application.
There's still time to register for Vienna: CPR's Fourth Annual European Congress is May 15–16
Authors: Bleemer Russ
Published: May 2008

The full agenda for CPR's Fourth Annual European Congress, set for May 15‐16 in Vienna, and registration details. Also, CPR's online CLE seminar debut, and a training update.
Effect of polyurethane‐based macromonomers in the dispersion polymerization of styrene
Authors: Kim So Yeun , Lee Kangseok , Jung Hyejun , Shim Sang Eun , Choe Soonja
Published: May 2008

Two different polyurethane‐based macromonomers, a polyurethane macromonomer with methacrylamide (PUM‐M) and a polyurethane macromonomer with acrylamide (PUM‐A), were synthesized from poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) of various molecular weights and two different amides, methacrylamide and acrylamide, and they were used for the dispersion polymerization of styrene. The structures of the macromonomers and polystyrene (PS) particles were verified with 13C‐NMR and Fourier transform infrared. The weight‐average molecular weights of the PS particles increased with the macromonomer concentration but decreased with the PEG molecular weight. The average diameter of the PS particles increased with the PEG molecular weights but decreased with the macromonomer concentration. The thermal stability of PUM‐A–PS was enhanced, and its grafting ratio with 30 wt % PUM‐A was much higher than that of PUM‐M–PS. Thus, this study suggested that the polyurethane‐based macromonomers act not only as reactive stabilizers but also as grafting agents in the dispersion polymerization. In addition, the acrylamide end group provided better thermal stability than methacrylamide. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Molecular imprinted Nylon‐6 stir bar as a novel extraction technique for enantioseparation of amino acids
Authors: Zhu Xiaolan , Zhu Qingsheng
Published: May 2008

The flexibility and simplicity of stir bar sorption extraction (SBSE) have been combined with the selectivity of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP). Stir bars were coated reproducible with a 160‐μm film formed from a formic acid solution of Nylon‐6 polymer either nonimprinted or imprinted with L‐glutamine. Time sorption profiles were measured for the extraction of L‐glutamine at the concentration of 20–500 μmol L−1 levels with both types of films in order to compare sorption characteristics. The results indicated that the MIP coated layer showed remarkable high affinity towards L‐glutamine and equilibrium adsorption was attained rapidly (60 min) in contrast to conventional bulk molecularly imprinted polymer in which equilibrium adsorption was normally attained after 16–24 h. The imprinted stir bar was also shown a high degree of selectivity toward L‐glutamine compared to its isomer and analogues, while a reference stir bar prepared without the imprinting molecule was not shown any selectivity towards the enantiomers. Evidence was also presented by FT‐IR analysis that the amide‐hydrogen‐bonding interaction between L‐glutamine and amide groups in MIP‐film was originated for L‐glutamine recognition. The scanning electron microscope photographs showed that visible pores structure could be detected in the L‐glutamine imprinted Nylon‐6 film. Compared with traditional MIP and SBSE, the MIP‐coated film showed not only the high selectivity, but also the rapid equilibrium adsorption. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Study of different effects on foaming process of biodegradable PLA/starch composites in supercritical/compressed carbon dioxide
Authors: Hao Ayou , Geng Yuanyuan , Xu Qun , Lu Zhanyong , Yu Long
Published: May 2008

Microcellular foaming of biodegradable and biocompatible PLA/starch composites in supercritical/compressed CO2 has been studied. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential application of this kind of materials in medical materials or drug containers. The rate of CO2 uptake and CO2 equilibrium concentration in PLA/starch composites were studied by performing sorption and desorption experiments. The effects of a series of variable factors, such as saturation time and saturation temperature on the foaming morphology were studied through SEM observation and density measurement. The experimental results show that, while keeping other variables unchanged, longer saturation time leads to reduced bulk foam densities and different saturation pressures result in different bulk foam densities. The crystallinity of PLA–starch sample was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. It indicates that the foaming treatment with supercritical CO2 increased the crystallinity of PLA/starch composites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Quantitative comparisons of search engine results
Authors: Thelwall Mike
Published: May 2008

Search engines are normally used to find information or Web sites, but Webometric investigations use them for quantitative data such as the number of pages matching a query and the international spread of those pages. For this type of application, the accuracy of the hit count estimates and range of URLs in the full results are important. Here, we compare the applications programming interfaces of Google, Yahoo!, and Live Search for 1,587 single word searches. The hit count estimates were broadly consistent but with Yahoo! and Google, reporting 5–6 times more hits than Live Search. Yahoo! tended to return slightly more matching URLs than Google, with Live Search returning significantly fewer. Yahoo!'s result URLs included a significantly wider range of domains and sites than the other two, and there was little consistency between the three engines in the number of different domains. In contrast, the three engines were reasonably consistent in the number of different top‐level domains represented in the result URLs, although Yahoo! tended to return the most. In conclusion, quantitative results from the three search engines are mostly consistent but with unexpected types of inconsistency that users should be aware of. Google is recommended for hit count estimates but Yahoo! is recommended for all other Webometric purposes.
Democratic theory in library information science
Authors: Buckland Michael K.
Published: May 2008

A recent article by Joseph Buschman regrets that democratic theory is an unfinished idea. The argument appears to assume an essential relationship between library and information science (LIS) and democratic theory. Libraries services are important for undemocratic purposes also, and like other sociotechnical systems, partake on the cultural context in which they are deployed.
Loss aversion, diminishing sensitivity, and the effect of experience on repeated decisions
Authors: Erev Ido , Ert Eyal , Yechiam Eldad
Published: May 2008

Three experiments are presented that explore the assertion that loss aversion and diminishing sensitivity drive the effect of experience on choice behavior. The experiments are focused on repeated choice tasks where decision makers choose repeatedly between alternatives and get feedback after each choice. Experiments 1a and 1b show that behavioral tendencies that were previously interpreted as indications of loss aversion in decisions from experience are better described as products of diminishing sensitivity to absolute payoffs. Experiment 2 highlights a nominal magnitude effect: A decrease in the magnitude of the nominal payoffs eliminates the evidence for diminishing sensitivity. These and related previous results can be captured with a model that assumes reliance on small samples of subjective experiences, and an increase in diminishing sensitivity with payoff variability. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo Mutational Analysis of the Mupirocin Gene Cluster Reveals Labile Points in the Biosynthetic Pathway: the “Leaky Hosepipe” Mechanism
Authors: Wu Ji'en , Hothersall Joanne , Mazzetti Carlo , O'Connell Yvonne , Shields Jennifer A. , Rahman Ayesha S. , Cox Russell J. , Crosby John , Simpson Thomas J. , Thomas Christopher M. , Willis Christine L.
Published: May 2008

A common feature of the mupirocin and other gene clusters of the AT‐less polyketide synthase (PKS) family of metabolites is the introduction of carbon branches by a gene cassette that contains a β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylglutaryl CoA synthase (HMC) homologue and acyl carrier protein (ACP), ketosynthase (KS) and two crotonase superfamily homologues. In vivo studies of Pseudomonas fluorescens strains in which any of these components have been mutated reveal a common phenotype in which the two major isolable metabolites are the truncated hexaketide mupirocin H and the tetraketide mupiric acid. The structure of the latter has been confirmed by stereoselective synthesis. Mupiric acid is also the major metabolite arising from inactivation of the ketoreductase (KR) domain of module 4 of the modular PKS. A number of other mutations in the tailoring region of the mupirocin gene cluster also result in production of both mupirocin H and mupiric acid. To explain this common phenotype we propose a mechanistic rationale in which both mupirocin H and mupiric acid represent the products of selective and spontaneous release from labile points in the pathway that occur at significant levels when mutations block the pathway either close to or distant from the labile points.
C3‐symmetrical self‐assembled structures investigated by vibrational circular dichroism
Authors: Smulders Maarten M. J. , Buffeteau Thierry , Cavagnat Dominique , Wolffs Martin , Schenning Albertus P. H. J. , Meijer E. W.
Published: May 2008

We demonstrate by using vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy that it is possible to investigate the chirality of a supramolecular polymeric system in relatively dilute solutions. Chiral C3‐symmetrical discotic molecules, based on a trialkylbenzene‐1,3,5‐carboxamide, form supramolecular columnar stacks with a right‐handed helical structure in solution due to intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The handedness of the supramolecular chirality is determined using electronic spectroscopy measurements. Under dilute conditions (at 10−3 M concentrations), it was also possible to probe the hydrogen bonding moieties with IR and VCD spectroscopy on these self‐assembled structures. In combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we could verify the preference for a right‐handed chirality in the helical stacks and the nonplanar orientation of the carbonyl groups present in the molecule. This chiral arrangement is in agreement with the structure determined for a related benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxamide by X‐ray diffraction. Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Baseline Scintigraphic Abnormalities by Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Predict Echocardiographic Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Adelstein Evan C. , Saba Samir
Published: May 2008

Background

Significant myocardial scar in the posterolateral left ventricle (LV) has been associated with a diminished response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with coronary artery disease, but the effects of resting perfusion abnormalities in nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) are yet to be described.

Hypothesis

We sought to characterize the effect of myocardial perfusion abnormalities upon echocardiographic outcomes of CRT in patients with NICM.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients (mean age 64.4 ± 13.3; 71.4% male; mean left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 20.2 ± 6.9%) with NICM who underwent CRT implantation and Thallium‐201 single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) were included. MPI studies were read quantitatively, assigning each of 17 myocardial segments a perfusion score (0–4) and cumulatively generating a summed perfusion score (SPS). The LV lead position was determined by chest radiography. Echocardiograms were performed both before and after (median 12 mo) CRT in 15 patients.

Results

Echocardiographic response, defined as ≥ 15% relative increase in LVEF, was documented in 8 (53.3%) of 15 patients. All patients (5/5) with an SP ⩽6 responded to CRT, whereas only 30.0% (3/10) with an SPS ≥ 6 responded (odds ratio 3.33 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.29‐8.59]; p = 0.01). All nonresponders had inferior perfusion defects. Defect density adjacent to the LV lead tip had little demonstrable effect upon CRT efficacy.

Conclusions

The presence of significant myocardial perfusion defects negatively influences echocardiographic response to CRT in NICM. These findings warrant prospective confirmation and histopathological correlation with explanted hearts. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Gustafsson Bjorn I. , Kidd Mark , Chan Anthony , Malfertheiner Max V. , Modlin Irvin M.
Published: May 2008

Bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (BP‐NETs) comprise ≈20% of all lung cancers and represent a spectrum of tumors arising from neuroendocrine cells of the BP‐epithelium. Although they share structural, morphological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features, they are separated into 4 subgroups: typical carcinoid tumor (TC), atypical carcinoid tumor (AC), large‐cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), and small‐cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), which exhibit considerably different biological characteristics. The clinical presentation includes cough, hemoptysis, and obstructive pneumonia but varies depending on site, size, and growth pattern. Less than 5% of BP‐NETs exhibit hormonally related symptoms such as carcinoid syndrome, Cushing, acromegaly, and SIADH. SCLC is the most common BP‐NET, while LCNEC is rare, ≈10% and ≤1%, respectively, of all lung cancers. Both SCLC and LCNEC progress rapidly, are aggressively metastatic, and exhibit a poor prognosis. The incidence of BP‐carcinoids (TC and AC) in the US was 1.57 of 100,000 in 2003 (an unexplained and substantial increase over the last 30 years, ≈6% per year). No curative treatment except for radical surgery (almost never feasible) exists. The slow‐growing TC exhibit a fairly good prognosis (≈88%, 5‐year survival), whereas AC demonstrate a 5‐year survival of ≈50%, and the highly malignant LCNEC and SCLC5‐year survival of 15% to 57% and <5%, respectively. This review provides a broad overview on BP‐NETs and focuses on the evolution of the disease, general features, and current diagnostic and therapeutic options. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Cytoreductive surgery (peritonectomy procedures) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the treatment of diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis from ovarian cancer
Authors: Di Giorgio Angelo , Naticchioni Enzo , Biacchi Daniele , Sibio Simone , Accarpio Fabio , Rocco Monica , Tarquini Sergio , Di Seri Marisa , Ciardi Antonio , Montruccoli Daniele , Sammartino Paolo
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND.

Because of scarce data from larger series and nonhomogeneous selection criteria, further information is needed on peritonectomy with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in managing patients with ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis.

METHODS.

In an open, prospective, single‐center nonrandomized phase 2 study conducted from November 2000 to April 2007, 47 patients with primary advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer and diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis were enrolled; 22 underwent primary and 25 secondary cytoreduction plus immediate HIPEC followed by systemic chemotherapy.

RESULTS.

The overall mean Sugarbaker peritoneal cancer index was 14.9 (range, 6–28). A mean of 6 surgical procedures were required per patient (range, 4–10). In 87.3% of the patients debulking achieved optimal cytoreduction (Sugarbaker completeness of cytoreduction [CC] score 0–1), whereas in 12.7% it left macroscopic residual disease (CC‐2 or CC‐3). Major complications developed in 21.3% of the patients and the in‐hospital mortality rate was 4.2%. The mean overall survival was 30.4 months, median survival was 24 months, and mean disease‐free survival was 27.4 months. Five‐year survival was 16.7%. Univariate (log‐rank test and analysis of variance) and multivariate analyses (Cox proportional‐hazard model) identified the CC score as the main factor capable of independently influencing survival.

CONCLUSIONS.

Peritonectomy procedures combined with HIPEC offer promising long‐term survival in patients with diffuse peritoneal ovarian carcinomatosis. They achieve high adequate primary and secondary surgical cytoreduction rates with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Influence of lithium ions on the NLO properties of KDP single crystals
Authors: Shirsat M. D. , Hussaini S. S. , Dhumane N. R. , Dongre V. G.
Published: May 2008

Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (KDP) and its isomorphous deuterated form are popular due to their applications in frequency converters and electro‐optic modulation. Different attempts have been made to dope KDP with inorganic additives, organic materials and amino acids. Since many of the metal ions possess more electro negativity which increases the non centrosymmetry, it is of interest to dope them in KDP. The influence of lithium ion (Li+) on NLO properties of KDP crystal has been studied in the present investigation. Single crystal of Lithium ion doped Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (KDP) was grown by slow evaporation technique. The enhancement in SHG efficiency after addition of ion Lithium (Li+) was observed by Kurtz Powder SHG test. It was found that the SHG efficiency of KDP after addition of Lithium ion is 1.33 times more than pure KDP. The crystal structure and cell parameters of grown crystal were determined by X‐ray diffraction. The Energy Dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX) gives the chemical composition of grown crystal. The functional groups were identified by FT‐IR spectral analysis. The presence of Lithium in the material of grown crystal was detected by Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The optical absorption and transmission studies were done by UV‐Visible spectral analysis. The grown crystal was subjected to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Photoconductivity and photoluminescence in chemically deposited (Cd‐Zn)S:CdCl2,Tb films
Authors: Bhushan S. , Pillai S.
Published: May 2008

Results of SEM, EDX and XRD studies, Optical Absorption spectra, Photoconductivity (PC) rise and decay, PC excitation spectra and Photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra are presented for (Cd‐Zn)S:CdCl2, Tb films prepared by chemical deposition method on glass substrates either at room temperature (RT) or at 60 °C in a water bath (WB). SEM studies show ball type structure which is related to layered growth. EDX measurements show excess of Cd in such preparations along with the presence of Tb. XRD studies show prominent diffraction lines of CdS and ZnS along with lines of CdCl2 and impurity. The values of strain (ε), grain size (D), and dislocation density (δ) are evaluated from XRD studies and the nature of crystallinity of the films are discussed. Optical Absorption spectra also show the presence of Tb in the lattice corresponding to the transition 7F6(4f8) → 5D0(5d14f7) of Tb3+ ions. From results of optical absorption spectra, the band gaps are determined, whose values are quite similar to those obtained from PC excitation spectra. Sufficiently high photo current (Ipc) to dark current (Idc) ratios with a maximum value of the order of 106 are observed. This high photosensitisation is related to increase in mobility and lifetime of carriers due to photo excitation. PL emission spectra consist of peaks due to transitions in Tb levels. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Hydrothermal synthesis and structure of a 2D supramolecular framework with right‐ and left‐helices based on mixed ligands
Authors: Ma Lufang , Wang Liya , Wang Yongwei , Hu Jiangliang
Published: May 2008

An exploration of the cobalt‐OH‐BDC‐bpp system under hydrothermal conditions, has led to the isolation of a novel framework [Co(OH‐BDC)(bpp)0.5(H2O)]n (OH‐BDC = 5‐hydroxyisophthalic acid, bpp = 1,3‐bi(4‐pyridyl)propane). Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis reveals that it crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n. a = 10.235(8) Å, b =17.882(14) Å, c = 14.291(11) Å, β = 92.107(9)°.The cobalt ions are linked into an extended helical chain via OH‐BDC and mono‐coordinated bpp ligands through hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Further these helical chains are united together through the bridging bpp to form a 2D layer and the adjacent chains possess the opposite chirality. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of a 3‐D supramolecular Cu/Mn complex with pydc
Authors: Wu Jian
Published: May 2008

A supramolecular compound, {[CuMn(pydc)2(H2O)5]·2H2O} (1) (pydc = pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylate dianion), has been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis reveals that it crystallizes in the triclinic space group P‐1, a = 8.4763(17) Å, b = 9.7715(19) Å, c = 13.909(3) Å, α =101.234(3)°, β =102.520(3)°, γ= 97.375(4)°. Two mixed‐metal ions exhibit similar coordinated geometries with octahedron. 1 possesses a 3‐D unusual supramolecular network featuring 1D water tape. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
MAEAM investigation of the structural stability and theoretical strength of Fe crystals under uniaxial loading
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Min , Wang Jing‐Zhou , Xu Ke‐Wei
Published: May 2008

The structural stability and theoretical strength of BCC crystal Fe under uniaxial loading have been investigated with the modified analytic embedded‐atom method (MAEAM). Even if an orthorhombic path is applied, the deformation is spontaneous along the tetragonal path till Milstein modified Born criterion B22‐B23>0 is violated at λ1=0.9064 in the compressive region. The branched orthogonal path with lower compressive stress σ1 and energy E is preferred over the conventional tetragonal Bain path. A stress‐free FCC phase with the local maximum energy of ‐4.2186eV appearing either in compressive region (orthorhombic path) at λ1=0.8923 or in tensile region (tetragonal path) at λ1=1.2619 is unstable and would slip spontaneously into its near neighbor stress‐free mBCT phase with the local minimum energy of ‐4.2270eV. The initial BCC phase with the lowest energy of ‐4.280eV is the most stable in correspondence with the actual behavior of Fe. Furthermore, the stable region ranges from ‐79.7eV/nm3 to 30.6eV/nm3 in the theoretical strength or from 0.9064 to 1.1788 in the stretch λ1 correspondingly. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells induced from rat embryonic neural precursor cells followed by flow cytometry
Authors: Lü He‐Zuo , Wang Yan‐Xia , Li Ying , Fu Sai‐Li , Hang Qin , Lu Pei‐Hua
Published: May 2008

Previous studies have shown that a cell‐intrinsic timer might determine when oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) isolated from the central nervous system (CNS) stop dividing and initiate differentiation in a defined environment. In this report, the proliferation and differentiation of OPCs induced from neural precursor cells (NPCs) were analyzed by flow cytometry combined with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester labeling and propidium iodide staining, respectively. When OPCs were cultured in OPC‐medium, more than 30% of cells were in S‐ and G2/M‐phases, and continuously self‐renewed without differentiation. After exposure to thyroid hormone, there was an obvious decrease in the fraction of cells in both S‐ and G2/M‐phases (<10%). Furthermore, the OPCs no longer proliferated, but differentiated into oligodendrocytes. The dynamic proliferation and differentiation characteristics of OPCs induced from NPCs and analyzed by flow cytometry were similar to those of OPCs isolated from the CNS and analyzed by other methods. These studies indicated that the proliferation and differentiation of OPCs can be followed simply and rapidly by flow cytometry. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Implications of starvation‐induced change in right dorsal anterior cingulate volume in anorexia nervosa
Authors: McCormick Laurie M. , Keel Pamela K. , Brumm Michael C. , Bowers Wayne , Swayze Victor , Andersen Arnold , Andreasen Nancy
Published: May 2008

Objective:

Converging evidence suggests a role for the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa (AN). This study sought to determine whether ACC volume was affected by starvation in active AN and, if so, whether this had any clinical significance.

Method:

Eighteen patients with active AN and age‐ and gender‐matched normal controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sixteen patients (89%) with AN had intelligence quotients (IQ) testing at intake, 14 (78%) had repeat MRIs after weight normalization, and 10 (56%) had outcome data at 1‐year posthospitalization.

Results:

Right dorsal ACC volume was significantly reduced in active AN patients versus controls and was correlated with lower performance IQ. While ACC normalization occurred with weight restoration, smaller change in right dorsal ACC volume prospectively predicted relapse after treatment.

Conclusion:

Reduced right dorsal ACC volume during active AN relates to deficits in perceptual organization and conceptual reasoning. The degree of right dorsal ACC normalization during treatment is related to outcome. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008