bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radioprotective effects of Daflon against genotoxicity induced by gamma irradiation in human cultured lymphocytes
Authors: Hosseinimehr Seyed Jalal , Ahmadi Amirhossein , Mahmoudzadeh Aziz , Mohamadifar Soheila 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe ability of Daflon to protect against genotoxicity induced by gamma irradiation has been investigated in vivo and in vitro in cultured lymphocytes from healthy human volunteers. Peripheral human blood samples were collected predose (10 min before) and 1, 2, and 3 hr after a single oral ingestion of 1000 mg of Daflon. At each time point, whole blood was exposed in vitro to 150 cGy of cobalt‐60 gamma rays, and then the lymphocytes were cultured with mitogenic stimulation to determine the micronuclei in cytokinesis‐blocked binucleated cells. For each volunteer, the results showed a significant increase in the incidence of micronuclei after exposure to gamma irradiation as compared to control unexposed samples. As early as 1 hr after Daflon administration, a significant decrease in the incidence of micronuclei was observed in comparison with similarly irradiated lymphocytes collected before administration. The maximum protection was reached 1 hr after administration of Daflon with a significant decrease in the frequency of micronuclei of 40%. These findings suggest the possible application of Daflon for the protection of human lymphocytes from the genetic damage and side effects induced by gamma irradiation. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simple formulas for the dynamic stiffness of pile groups
Authors: Taherzadeh Reza , Clouteau Didier , Cottereau Régis 
Published: May 2009

AbstractSimple formulas are derived for the dynamic stiffness of pile group foundations subjected to horizontal and rocking dynamic loads. The formulations are based on the construction of a general model of impedance matrices as the condensation of matrices of mass, damping, and stiffness, and on the identification of the values of these matrices on an extensive database of numerical experiments computed using coupled finite element–boundary element models. The formulations obtained can be readily used for the design of both floating piles on homogeneous half‐space and end‐bearing piles and are applicable for a wide range of mechanical and geometrical parameters of the soil and piles, in particular for large pile groups. For the seismic design of a building, the use of the simple formulas rather than a full computational model is shown to induce little error on the evaluation of the response spectra and time histories. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sediment transport due to tree root throw: integrating tree population dynamics, wildfire and geomorphic response
Authors: Gallaway J. M. , Martin Y. E. , Johnson E. A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA field study was conducted to analyze root throw and associated sediment transport in Hawk Creek Watershed, Canadian Rockies. A large crown fire in 2003 allowed the opportunity to study pre‐fire and post‐fire root throw. Based on field data, a significant relation was found between gradient and root plate volume, as well as individual root plate dimensions. Given that tree diameters increase as trees age and that a relation in the field data was found between tree diameter and root plate volumes, sediment transport due to root throw is expected to change in response to forest disturbance and stand age. Sediment disturbance, which is the amount of sediment upheaved during tree topple and does not take into account transport distance, shows higher values on steeper gradients. Sediment transport was notable for the steepest plots, with pre‐fire values of 0·016 cm3 cm–1 a–1and post‐fire values of 0·18 cm3 cm–1 a–1. A tree population dynamics model is then integrated with a root throw transport model calibrated for the Canadian Rockies to examine the temporal dynamics of sediment transport. Fire is incorporated as a disturbance that initiates development of a new forest, with the model cycling through generations of forest. Trees fall according to an exponential rate that is based on time since death, resulting in a time lag between tree mortality and sediment transport. When values of time‐since‐previous‐fire are short, trees are generally <13 cm, and minimal sediment is upheaved during toppling. If trees reach a critical diameter at breast height (dbh) at time of fire, a pulse of sediment occurs in the immediate post‐fire years due to falling of killed trees, with tree fall rates decreasing exponentially with time‐since‐fire. A second pulse of root throw begins at about 50 years after the previous fire, once new recruits reach a critical dbh and with initiation of competition‐induced mortality. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrochemical Evaluation of Porous Non‐Platinum Oxygen Reduction Catalysts for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: Olson T. S. , Blizanac B. , Piela B. , Davey J. R. , Zelenay P. , Atanassov P. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA porous non‐platinum electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), obtained by pyrolysing a cobalt porphyrin precursor, was evaluated by electrochemical means. The reactivity of the non‐platinum ORR catalyst was investigated with a rotating disc electrode (RDE) experimental set up. RDE data were collected in an acidic electrolyte containing N2, O2, CO and under mixed reactant O2/methanol conditions. The electrochemical performance of such‐obtained non‐platinum catalyst is discussed and compared to platinum‐based ORR catalysts. Based on the results collected here, we are able to propose and test possible proton exchange fuel cell (PEFC) operating conditions where non‐platinum ORR catalysts can be utilised. Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) data demonstrating a superior performance of the non‐platinum catalyst relative to platinum black, often perceived as the state‐of‐the‐art oxygen–reduction catalyst for the DMFC cathode is presented.
Metal/Ceramic Interface Properties and Their Effects on SOFC Development
Authors: Tietz F. , Nikolopoulos P. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractDevelopment of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) involves multidisciplinary research, which needs input from many directions. As an example, this contribution describes the influence of basic metallurgical experiments on the selection or the modification of specific materials used in SOFCs. Wettability studies, although typically regarded as model experiments, give clear indications of the combinations of materials, which show better compatibility and might be more successfully integrated in SOFC designs, especially when metal/ceramic interfaces are involved. Various material combinations, i.e. anode cermets, glass/steel and ceramic/silver/steel compounds, are discussed in more detail showing the impact of fundamental studies on the SOFC development actually applied. This work gives a short overview on the basic aspects of selected material combinations.
Preparation and Properties of Cross‐linked Sulphonated Poly(sulphide sulphone) Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Xu N. , Guo X. , Fang J. , Yin J. , Yuan M. , Chen B. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA series of cross‐linked sulphonated poly(sulphide sulphone) (SPSSF) membranes have been prepared via a polyphosphoric‐acid‐catalysed condensation reaction at 180 °C for a period of time (1.5–5.0 h) and the resulting cross‐linking bonds are the highly stable sulphonyl groups. The cross‐linking density could be controlled by regulating the reaction time. Cross‐linking caused significant enhancement in the mechanical properties and large reduction in both water uptake (WU) and methanol permeability. The SPSSF‐60 membrane (the numeral 60 refers to the degree of sulphonation), e.g. had a tensile strength increased from 16 to 27 MPa (wet membranes) after cross‐linking for 5 h, while the WU substantially decreased from 320 to 58 wt.‐% and the methanol permeability decreased from 1.9 × 10–6 to 2.7 × 10–7 cm2 s–1 (30 °C). Single cell test on hydrogen/oxygen revealed that the cross‐linked SPSSF‐50 (1.5 h) membrane displayed higher open circuit voltage (OCV, 1.02 V), higher maximum output power density (1.32 W cm–2) and significantly slower OCV decay rate than the uncross‐linked SPSSF‐40 membrane under the same operating conditions despite their similar ion exchange capacities. The cross‐linked SPSSF‐60 (5.0 h) and SPSSF‐50 (1.5 h) membranes showed significantly better fuel cell performance than Nafion 212.
A Novel Cell‐Array Design for Single Chamber SOFC Microstack
Authors: Liu Mingliang , Lü Zhe , Wei Bo , Huang Xiqiang , Chen Kongfa , Su Wenhui 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA novel design of single chamber solid oxide fuel cell (SC‐SOFC) microstack with cell‐array arrangement is fabricated and operated successfully in a methane–oxygen–nitrogen mixture. The small stack, consisting of five anode‐supported single cells connected in series, exhibits an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 4.74 V at the furnace temperature of 600 °C and a maximum power output of 420 mW (total active electrode area is 1.4 cm2) at the furnace temperature of 700 °C. A gas mixture of CH4/O2 = 1 leads to best performance and stability.
Detecting the effects of spatial variability of rainfall on hydrological modelling within an uncertainty analysis framework
Authors: Younger P. M. , Freer J. E. , Beven K. J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractSpatial patterns of rainfall are known to cause differences in observed flow. In this paper, the effects of perturbations in rainfall patterns on changes in parameter sets as well as model output are explored using the hydrological model Dynamic TOPMODEL for the Brue catchment (135 km2) in southwest England. Overall rainfall amount remains the same at each time step so the perturbations act as effectively treated errors in the spatial pattern. The errors were analysed with particular emphasis on when they could be detected under an uncertainty framework.Higher rainfall perturbations (multipliers of × 4 and greater) in the low lying and high areas of the catchment resulted in changes to event peaks and accompanying compensation in the baseflow. More significantly, changes in the effective model parameter values required by the best models to take account of the more extreme patterns were able to be detected by noting when distributions of parameters change under uncertainty. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eradication of Helicobacter pylori prevents cancer development in subjects with mild gastric atrophy identified by serum pepsinogen levels
Authors: Yanaoka Kimihiko , Oka Masashi , Ohata Hiroshi , Yoshimura Noriko , Deguchi Hisanobu , Mukoubayashi Chizu , Enomoto Shotaro , Inoue Izumi , Iguchi Mikitaka , Maekita Takao , Ueda Kazuki , Utsunomiya Hirotoshi , Tamai Hideyuki , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Iwane Masataka , Takeshita Tatsuya , Mohara Osamu , Ichinose Masao 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA longitudinal cohort study was conducted in Helicobactor pylori‐infected middle‐aged Japanese males to evaluate the preventive effects of H. pylori eradication on the development of gastric cancer according to the extent of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). The extent of CAG was monitored by baseline serum pepsinogen (PG) levels. We followed 3,656 subjects with persistent H. pylori infection and 473 subjects with successful H. pylori eradication for cancer development for a mean (SD) of 9.3 (0.7) years. Groups with and without extensive CAG were categorized based on PG test‐positive criteria to detect extensive CAG of PG I ≤ 70 ng/ml and PG I/II ratio ≤ 3.0. During the study period, 5 and 55 gastric cancers developed in H. pylori‐eradicated and the noneradicated subjects, respectively, indicating no significant reduction in cancer incidence after H. pylori eradication. Among the noneradicated subjects, 1,329 were PG test‐positive and 2,327 were PG test‐negative. Gastric cancer was confirmed in 30 and 25 subjects, respectively. Among subjects whose infection was eradicated, 155 were PG test‐positive and 318 were PG test‐negative. Of these subjects, gastric cancer was confirmed in 3 and 2 subjects, respectively. Significant reduction in cancer incidence after eradication was observed only in PG test‐negative subjects (p < 0.05; log‐rank test). The results of this study strongly indicate that cancer development after eradication depends on the presence of extensive CAG before eradication and that H. pylori eradication is beneficial to most PG test‐negative subjects with mild CAG as defined by the aforementioned criteria. © 2009 UICC
Assessment of irrigation water allocation based on optimization and equitable water reduction approaches to reduce agricultural drought losses: The 1999 drought in the Zayandeh RUD irrigation system (IRAN)
Authors: Moghaddasi M. , Morid S. , Araghinejad S. , Alikhani M. Agha 
Published: May 2009

AbstractDrought is common to Iran and the agricultural sector is its main victim. Reducing demand for irrigation water is considered the best management practice to alleviate losses. An equitable water reduction approach has been traditionally applied in the management of irrigation systems. This research work examines and compares this approach with that based on the optimization method to manage agricultural water demand during drought to minimize damage. To evaluate these methodologies, the 1999 drought in the Zayandeh Rud irrigation system was selected and the required models developed. In the optimization method, crop growth stages and their sensitivity to water stress at different stages are embedded in the calculations. The results show that the optimization method resulted in 42% more income for the agricultural sector using the same amount of water allocated in the 1999 drought. This difference emphasizes the importance of water allocation with respect to growth stages rather than simply cutting allocations on an equitable basis to combat water scarcity. However, managing the system using the optimization method is more complex and requires a new framework and planning to make it operational. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Yield, water use and yield response factor of flue‐cured tobacco under different levels of water supply at various growth stages
Authors: Çakir Recep , Çebi Ulviye 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe study aiming to determine the effect of different irrigation regimes and water stress imposed at different growth stages on water use and leaf yield of flue‐cured tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum L.), was carried out during the period of 2000–03. The field trials were conducted on a silty loam Entisol soil, poor in organic matter and rich in potassium on the fields of the Atatürk Soil and Water Resources Research Institute in Kırklareli. A randomised complete block design with three replications was applied and K‐326 Virginia tobacco cultivar was used in the experiment. Three known stages of the plant, vegetative (V), yield formation (F) and ripening (R), were considered and a total of 14 (including rain‐fed) irrigation treatments were applied. All the experimental treatments were irrigated on the same day in each growth stage with the amount of water required to fill the 0–90 cm soil depth to field capacity, and three levels of water amount reductions (0, 40 and 60%) were applied at each development stage. A single irrigation was applied during the second part of the vegetative stage, while subsequent water applications were at the 50 and 70% depletion level during the yield formation and ripening stages, respectively. Results of the 3‐year study show that either total irrigation water amounts and number of applications, or leaf yields are closely related to precipitation rate and distribution during the growing year. While the seasonal irrigation amounts applied in the adequate irrigation treatment (VFR) were greater (945 and 815 mm respectively in the drier experimental years of 2000 and 2001), they were much lower (587 mm) during the rainy year of 2003. The highest leaf yields in the range of 5170–6050 kg ha−1 were obtained from the fully irrigated programme (VFR), from treatments with 40% reduction in irrigation water amount at any stage (V1FR; VF1R, VFR1) and irrigation programme (FR) including omitted irrigation at vegetative stage and fully irrigated during the next two stages. It was also determined that close linear relationships exist between seasonal evapotranspiration rate and leaf yield, and seasonal evapotranspiration deficit and relative yield reduction, during each of the experimental years. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of microRNAs in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure
Authors: Wang Nan , Zhou Zhen , Liao Xinghua , Zhang Tongcun 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous, highly conserved, small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression post‐transcriptionally. Recent studies have demonstrated that miRNAs are aberrantly expressed in the cardiovascular system. The implications of miRNAs in cardiovascular disease have recently been recognized, representing the most rapidly evolving research field. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies in mice models have identified distinct roles for specific miRNAs during cardiac hypertrophy, heart failing, and myocardial infarction. In the present article, the currently relevant findings on the role of miRNAs in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure will be summarized and the target genes and signaling pathways linking these miRNAs will be discussed. Furthermore, we focus on the use of miRNA mimics and antagonists (antagomirs) as tools for disease therapy in the cardiovascular system in the future. Taken together, the recent studies showed that miRNAs are key regulators of gene expression in cardiovascular biology and suggested the potential importance of miRNAs as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(6): 566–571, 2009
The role of the neutral amino acid transporter B0AT1 (SLC6A19) in Hartnup disorder and protein nutrition
Authors: Bröer Stefan 
Published: May 2009

AbstractHartnup disorder (OMIM 234500) is an autosomal recessive disorder, which was first described in 1956 as an aminoaciduria of neutral amino acids accompanied by a variety of symptoms, such as a photo‐sensitive skin‐rash and cerebellar ataxia. The disorder is caused by mutations in the neutral amino acid transporter B0AT1 (SLC6A19)1. To date 21 mutations have been identified in more than twenty families. SLC6A19 requires either collectrin or angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 for surface expression in the kidney and intestine, respectively. This ties SLC6A19 together with more complex functions such as blood‐pressure control, glomerular structure, and exocytosis. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(6): 591–599, 2009
p38 Mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐dependent regulation of SRC‐3 and involvement in retinoic acid receptor α signaling in embryonic cortical neurons
Authors: Chai Zhi , Yang Lihong , Yu Baofeng , He Quanren , Li Wan‐I , Zhou Ran , Zhang Ting , Zheng Xiaoying , Xie Jun 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAppropriate retinoic acid (RA) signaling is essential in the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Previous studies have shown that RA activates p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)‐3 in tumor cells in vitro. It is unknown whether the activation of p38 MAPK and SRC‐3 is involved in RA‐mediated CNS development. The current study investigated a possible role for p38 MAPK in the regulation of (SRC)‐3 phosphorylation/degradation and in retinoic acid receptor (RAR)α signaling in mouse fetal cortical neurons treated with all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Results showed that ATRA treatment rapidly activated p38 MAPK, which in turn resulted in phosphorylation with subsequent degradation of SRC‐3. Inhibition of p38 MAPK by SB203580 blocked the phosphorylation and degradation of SRC‐3. The binding of RARα to retinoic acid responsive element (RARE) was rapidly increased in neurons following ATRA treatment. Inhibition of p38 MAPK significantly enhanced the RARα‐RARE binding activity, but had no effects on ATRA‐induced decrease of RARα. Treatment of the fetal cortical neurons with ATRA significantly increased the expression of HOXd3, a retinoid‐target gene. The increase of HOXd3 expression was augmented when p38 MAPK activity was inhibited by a specific inhibitor, SB203580. Results suggest that ATRA activates the p38 MAPK signal pathway with resultant degradation of SRC‐3, and that p38 MAPK is involved in the regulation of RARα‐mediated signaling in developing neurons. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(6): 670–678, 2009
Unraveling the mysteries of endostatin
Authors: Fu Yan , Tang Huadong , Huang Yujie , Song Nan , Luo Yongzhang 
Published: May 2009

AbstractEndostatin, a 20‐kDa C‐terminal proteolytic fragment of collagen XVIII, is a specific endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor discovered more than a decade. The structure, stability, and mechanism of actions of endostatin have been extensively investigated during the past 12 years, among which controversial reports remain unclarified. The mysteries include the following: 1) Why controversial efficacies were observed with endostatin regarding tumor inhibition? Particularly, why does an N‐terminal modified endostatin show good clinical responses in China, whereas the clinical trials of the wild type endostatin were terminated at the early stage of phase II in the USA? 2) What is the contribution of zinc‐binding to the stability and biological functions of endostatin? 3) Why does insoluble endostatin shrink tumors? 4) How to ensure that endostatin is correctly refolded? 5) How does endostatin exert its biological functions? Recent progress regarding the biophysical properties, biological functions, signaling pathways, and clinical trials of endostatin are reviewed here. Surprising findings show that the integrity of the N‐terminal sequence, the capability of zinc‐binding, and the correct folding are three essential elements for assurance of structural stability and biological functions of endostatin. This review provides clues to understand the mysteries of endostatin and its derivatives. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(6): 613–626, 2009
Regulation of DGK‐θ
Authors: Tu‐Sekine Becky , Raben Daniel M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractDiacylglycerol kinases are important regulators of lipid signaling and, consequently, important regulators of many diglyceride‐dependent and PA‐dependent proteins. Research over the last twenty years has clearly demonstrated that individual DGK isoforms can be connected with disparate cellular processes, indicating the presence of a sophisticated regulatory network for diglyceride and phosphatidic acid signaling through the regulation of individual DGK isoforms. This review presents the progress on the characterization of a primarily neuronal isoform DGK‐θ, and examines current data on the primary structure, regulation and potential cellular functions of this enzyme. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 548–552, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.