bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different biofilms, different disease? A clinical outcomes study
Authors: Foreman Andrew , Wormald Peter‐John 
Published: July 2010

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:A potential role for biofilms in Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) has been proposed, and the adverse impact they have on disease severity and postoperative outcomes has also been well described. Recent advances have allowed the species within the biofilms of CRS patients to be clearly characterized. This study investigates whether different biofilm species have different disease outcomes.Study Design:Retrospective review.Methods:Twenty‐four patients with medically recalcitrant CRS undergoing Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS), in whom we had previously characterized their biofilms using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), were reviewed a median of 11 months after their surgery. They were evaluated for preoperative disease markers and evidence of on‐going disease in the postoperative period.Results:Thirty‐seven biofilms were identified in the 24 patients. Almost half had polymicrobial biofilms. The presence of polymicrobial, rather than single‐species biofilms adversely affected preoperative disease severity but did not alter postsurgical outcome. Patients with single organism Haemophilus influenzae biofilms presented with mild disease symptomatically and radiologically and achieved normal mucosa a short time after their surgery. Conversely, patients with Staphlococcus aureus in their biofilm makeup had more severe disease and a more complicated postoperative course. The effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal biofilms is less clear.Conclusions:Different biofilm species are associated with different disease phenotypes. H. influenzae biofilms are typically found in patients with mild disease, whereas S. aureus is associated with a more severe, surgically recalcitrant pattern. Laryngoscope, 2010
Percutaneous injection laryngoplasty in the management of acute vocal fold paralysis
Authors: Damrose Edward J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with acute vocal fold paralysis treated with bovine collagen via percutaneous injection laryngoplasty under simple topical anesthesia.Study Design:Retrospective case series.Methods:The charts of 38 consecutive patients with acute unilateral vocal fold paralysis who underwent percutaneous injection laryngoplasty under simple topical anesthesia were reviewed. Symptoms and laryngeal function were assessed pre‐ and postinjection using the Glottal Function Index (GFI), GRBAS Dysphonia Scale, Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS), and maximum phonation time (MPT).Results:Mean GFI, GRBAS, FOSS, and MPT improved from 13.71 to 7.68, 7.24 to 3.95, 3.70 to 2.20, and 12.87 to 16.45, respectively (P ≤ .0001). There were no complications related to the procedure. In seven patients requiring tube feeding secondary to dysphagia and aspiration, injection was successful in restoring oral alimentation in only three patients, with the four failures occurring in patients with multiple cranial neuropathies.Conclusions:Percutaneous injection laryngoplasty is a viable option for immediate rehabilitation of acute vocal fold paralysis, and can be performed in the inpatient setting. With dysphagia and aspiration secondary to multiple cranial nerve palsies, medialization of the paralyzed cord alone may be insufficient to restore safe oral alimentation. Laryngoscope, 2010
Calculation of CLD Using Population Balance Equations of Generating Functions: Linear and Non‐Linear Ideal Controlled Radical Polymerization
Authors: Dias Rolando C. S. , Costa Mário Rui P. F. N. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractPopulation balance equations in terms of generating functions (GF) are used to predict chain length distributions (CLD) of linear and non‐linear ideal controlled radical polymerization (CRP) systems. It is here shown that under simplified conditions analytical solutions for the CLD can be found and moreover the fundamental CLD derived by H. Tobita in 2006 is a limiting case of the more general solutions here presented. In order to deal with more complex CRP systems, solutions based upon the numerical inversion of GF are presented. These studies are also extended to the non‐linear CRP of vinyl/divinyl monomers where multimodal CLDs are predicted to occur.magnified image
Early Stages of Growth of Plasma Polymer Coatings Deposited from Nitrogen‐ and Oxygen‐Containing Monomers
Authors: Vasilev Krasimir , Michelmore Andrew , Martinek Petr , Chan Joseph , Sah Vasu , Griesser Hans J. , Short Robert D. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractUltrathin functional coatings deposited by plasma polymerization have utility in nano‐ and microtechnologies, however, until now very little has been reported to validate the widely held view that these coatings can be deposited onto any type of substrate, without substrate influence. In order to ascertain the role of the substrate in the early stages of plasma growth we address the growth rate and chemistry of plasma polymer coatings from two nitrogen‐ and two oxygen‐containing monomers during the first stages of deposition onto gold and onto thiol MUA‐coated gold surfaces. SPR thickness measurements and XPS analyzes indicate the substrate must be taken into account when ultrathin plasma polymer coatings are used for surface modification and we speculate on why this should be so.magnified image
Association of three different congenital malformations in a same pulmonary lobe in a 5‐year‐old girl
Authors: Carsin A. , Mely L. , Chrestian M.A. , Devred Ph. , de Lagausie P. , Guys J.M. , Dubus J.C. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWe report the case of a 5‐year‐old girl with persistent chest X‐ray abnormalities following an episode of pneumonia who has a complex congenital pulmonary malformation comprising of a congenital pulmonary airway malformation, an intralobar sequestration and two bronchogenic cysts, all present within the same lobe. The observation suggests a common embryological origin of these malformations. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2010; 45:832–835. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Backbone cyclic insulin
Authors: Andersen Asser S. , Palmqvist Eva , Bang Susanne , Shaw Allan C. , Hubalek Frantisek , Ribel Ulla , Hoeg‐Jensen Thomas 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackbone cyclic insulin was designed and prepared by reverse proteolysis in partial organic solvent of a single‐chain precursor expressed in yeast. The precursor contains two loops to bridge the two chains of native insulin. The cyclisation method uses Achromobacter lyticus protease and should be generally applicable to proteins with C‐terminal lysine and proximal N‐terminal. The presence of the ring‐closing bond and the native insulin disulfide patterns were documented by LC–MS peptide maps. The cyclic insulin was shown to be inert towards degradation by CPY, but was somewhat labile towards chymotrypsin. Intravenous administration of the cyclic insulin to Wistar rats showed the compounds to be equipotent to HI despite much lower insulin receptor affinity. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Magnetic properties of rutile TiO2‐1/6 from first‐principles calculations
Authors: Han Guang‐bing , Hu Shu‐jun , Yan Shi‐shen , Kang Shi‐shou , Mei Liang‐mo 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBased on first‐principles LDA + U calculations, the magnetic properties of undoped rutile TiO2 with high oxygen deficiency are theoretically investigated. Rather than a tunable parameter, the value of U is determined by constrained‐density‐functional calculations. The oxygen vacancies (Vo) can lead to a strong ferromagnetic coupling, which is mediated by the donor impurity state (F‐center) (mainly in the vicinity of Vo) and 90° cation–ation–cation superexchange interaction alternately in the large displacement direction of the Ti atom. This long‐range ferromagnetic mechanism in magnetic semiconductors was not yet reported previously. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The effect of fenugreek on the gene expression of arachidonic acid metabolizing enzymes
Authors: Varjas Timea , Nowrasteh Ghodratollah , Budán Ferenc , Horváth Gábor , Cseh József , Gyöngyi Zoltán , Makai Sándor , Ember István 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe main bioactive compounds of Trigonella foenum graecum L. (fenugreek) seeds are protodioscin, trigoneoside, diosgenin and yamogenin, which have anticarcinogenic potency through inhibition of cell proliferation and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.The effect of fenugreek on ALOX and COX genes was examined in AKR/J H‐2k mice exposed to dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA), a potent carcinogen. The expression pattern of these genes was determined by detecting the mRNA expression in various tissues (the lungs, liver, spleen and the kidneys) in four groups of mice. Two groups were fed with normal and two of them with fenugreek containing nutriment. Each group divided into DMBA treated and control groups. Mice were autopsied on day 7 after DMBA treatment for mRNA isolation. Fenugreek consumption itself did not change gene expression compared with the control group. DMBA could increase the expression of ALOX12, ALOX15, ALOX5 genes mainly in all organs. Fenugreek consumption was generally protective in each organ in a different manner. DMBA treatment increased COX2 gene expression, but fenugreek was protective in all tissues examined. In COX1 gene, the fenugreek diet could suppress the expression, except for spleen, independently from carcinogen exposure. Therefore by inhibiting the arachidonic acid metabolism fenugreek may prevent tumorigenesis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silymarin potentiates the antinociceptive effect of morphine in mice
Authors: Malekinejad Hassan , Taheri‐Broujerdi Maysam , Moradi Masumeh , Tabatabaie Seyed‐Hamed 
Published: July 2010

AbstractSilymarin is a natural flavonoid found in the seeds of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Accumulating evidence indicates that silymarin exerts preventive/protective effects in animals and humans against many diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of silymarin in the tail flick and writhing reaction assays. To understand the mechanism of the antinociceptive effect, the interaction of silymarin and morphine on acetic acid‐induced reaction was examined. Moreover, the effect of naloxone as a narcotic receptor antagonist on silymarin‐induced antinociception was studied. The antioxidant potency of silymarin was assessed by measuring the level of total thiol molecules in serum and the free radical scavenging activity. Silymarin lowered significantly (P< 0.05) the latency time in the tail flick test in a dose‐dependent fashion. In the writhing reaction assay, silymarin dose‐ and time‐dependently decreased the number of acetic acid‐induced contractions. Silymarin also enhanced the morphine produced antinociceptive effect, while pretreatment with naloxone resulted in antagonism of the silymarin‐induced antinociceptive effect, significantly (P< 0.05). Additionally, silymarin elevated the total thiol molecule level in the serum, which latter antioxidant property was confirmed by the concentration‐dependent radical scavenging activity. The data suggest that the silymarin antinociceptive effect may be attributed to its interaction with the opioid system and its antioxidant capacity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms involved in the metabolism of corynoline, and assessment of its herb–drug interactions
Authors: Fang Zhong‐Ze , Zhang Yan‐Yan , Ge Guang‐Bo , Liang Si‐Cheng , Sun Dong‐Xue , Zhu Liang‐Liang , Dong Pei‐Pei , Cao Yun‐Feng , Yang Ling 
Published: July 2010

AbstractCorynoline, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the genusCorydalis, has been demonstrated to show multiple pharmacological effects including inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, inhibition of cell adhesion, fungitoxic and cytotoxic activity. The present study focused on its metabolism and metabolism‐based herb–drug interactions. After corynoline was incubated with human liver microsomes (HLMs) in the presence of NADPH, two metabolites (M‐1 and M‐2) were formed. Chemical inhibition experiments and assays with recombinant CYP isoforms showed that CYP2C9 was mainly involved in the formation of M‐1 and CYP3A4 mainly catalysed the production of M‐2. Among seven major CYP isoforms tested, corynoline showed strong inhibitory effects on the activities of CYP3A4 and CYP2C9, with an IC50of 3.3 ± 0.9 µmand 31.5 ± 0.5 µm, respectively. Kinetic analysis showed that inhibition of CYP3A4 by corynoline was best fit to a noncompetitive manner withKiof 3.2 µm, while inhibition of CYP2C9 by corynoline was best fit to a competitive manner withKiof 6.3 µm. Additionally, corynoline exhibited time‐dependent inhibition (TDI) toward CYP3A4. The inactivation kinetic parameters (KIandkinact) were calculated to be 6.8 µmand 0.07 min‐1, respectively. These data are of significance for the application of corynoline and corynoline‐containing herbs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving performance and fostering accountability in the public sector through system dynamics modelling: From an ‘external’ to an ‘internal’ perspective
Authors: Bianchi Carmine 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis paper aims to outline the benefits justifying a tailored approach to System Dynamics (SD) modelling in the public sector, to improve performance and foster decision makers' accountability. The need of combining an ‘internal’ with an ‘external’ perspective (in respect to decision makers) in developing SD models is claimed. Different levels of intervention (i.e. macro, micro and meso) are discussed. Two case studies are analysed. The first one demonstrates how a dynamic resource‐based view (DRBV) can support an analysis of the impact of back and front office units on a public sector organization's performance drivers. The second case shows how SD modelling based on a DRBV can also be applied to improve performance on a political level. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What can system dynamics learn from the public policy implementation literature?
Authors: Wheat I. David 
Published: July 2010

AbstractMore often than not, system dynamics model‐based public policy analysis is limited to testing parameter changes instead of designing and testing new stock‐and‐flow policy structures. That is problematic because improvements in behaviour require improvements in structure. This paper considers how the public policy implementation literature could improve the operational thinking skills required for designing policy structure for public sector models. A familiar model of a public health problem is used to illustrate the recommended approach. And an instructional training strategy is offered for teaching and learning to think operationally during the policy‐design stage of modelling. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Small Synthetic Cripto Blocking Peptide Improves Neural Induction, Dopaminergic Differentiation, and Functional Integration of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Lonardo Enza , Parish Clare L. , Ponticelli Salvatore , Marasco Daniela , Ribeiro Diogo , Ruvo Menotti , De Falco Sandro , Arenas Ernest , Minchiotti Gabriella 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Cripto is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored coreceptor that binds Nodal and the activin type I (ALK)-4 receptor, and is involved in cardiac differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Interestingly, genetic ablation of cripto results in increased neuralization and midbrain dopaminergic (DA) differentiation of mESCs, as well as improved DA cell replacement therapy (CRT) in a model of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, we developed a Cripto specific blocking tool that would mimic the deletion of cripto, but could be easily applied to embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines without the need of genetic manipulation. We thus screened a combinatorial peptide library and identified a tetrameric tripeptide, Cripto blocking peptide (BP), which prevents Cripto/ALK-4 receptor interaction and interferes with Cripto signaling. Cripto BP treatment favored neuroectoderm formation and promoted midbrain DA neuron differentiation of mESCs in vitro and in vivo. Remarkably, Cripto BP-treated ESCs, when transplanted into the striatum of PD rats, enhanced functional recovery and reduced tumor formation, mimicking the effect of genetic ablation of cripto. We therefore suggest that specific blockers such as Cripto BP may be used to improve the differentiation of ESC-derived DA neurons in vitro and their engraftment in vivo, bringing us closer towards an application of ESCs in CRT.
Inducible Gene and shRNA Expression in Resident Hematopoietic Stem Cells In Vivo
Authors: Laurenti Elisa , Barde Isabelle , Verp Sonia , Offner Sandra , Wilson Anne , Quenneville Simon , Wiznerowicz Maciej , MacDonald H. Robson , Trono Didier , Trumpp Andreas 
Published: July 2010

AbstractHematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are probably the best understood somatic stem cells and often serve as a paradigm for other stem cells. Nevertheless, most current techniques to genetically manipulate them in vivo are either constitutive and/or induced in settings of hematopoietic stress such as after irradiation. Here, we present a conditional expression system that allows for externally controllable transgenesis and knockdown in resident HSCs, based on a lentiviral vector containing a tet-O sequence and a transgenic mouse line expressing a doxycyclin-regulated tTR-KRAB repressor protein. HSCs harvested from tTR-KRAB mice are transduced with the lentiviral vector containing a cDNA (i.e., Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)) and/or shRNA (i.e., p53) of interest and then transplanted into lethally irradiated recipients. While the vector is effectively repressed by tTR-KRAB during homing and engraftment, robust GFP/shp53 expression is induced on doxycyclin treatment in HSCs and their progeny. Doxycylin-controllable transcription is maintained on serial transplantation, indicating that repopulating HSCs are stably modified by this approach. In summary, this easy to implement conditional system provides inducible and reversible overexpression or knock down of genes in resident HSCs in vivo using a drug devoid of toxic or activating effects.
Human Embryonic Stem Cells as Models for Aneuploid Chromosomal Syndromes
Authors: Biancotti Juan-Carlos , Narwani Kavita , Buehler Nicole , Mandefro Berhan , Golan-Lev Tamar , Yanuka Ofra , Clark Amander , Hill David , Benvenisty Nissim , Lavon Neta 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Syndromes caused by chromosomal aneuploidies are widely recognized genetic disorders in humans and often lead to spontaneous miscarriage. Preimplantation genetic screening is used to detect chromosomal aneuploidies in early embryos. Our aim was to derive aneuploid human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines that may serve as models for human syndromes caused by aneuploidies. We have established 25 hESC lines from blastocysts diagnosed as aneuploid on day 3 of their in vitro development. The hESC lines exhibited morphology and expressed markers typical of hESCs. They demonstrated long-term proliferation capacity and pluripotent differentiation. Karyotype analysis revealed that two-third of the cell lines carry a normal euploid karyotype, while one-third remained aneuploid throughout the derivation, resulting in eight hESC lines carrying either trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome), 16, 17, 21 (Down syndrome), X (Triple X syndrome), or monosomy X (Turner syndrome). On the basis of the level of single nucleotide polymorphism heterozygosity in the aneuploid chromosomes, we determined whether the aneuploidy originated from meiotic or mitotic chromosomal nondisjunction. Gene expression profiles of the trisomic cell lines suggested that all three chromosomes are actively transcribed. Our analysis allowed us to determine which tissues are most affected by the presence of a third copy of either chromosome 13, 16, 17 or 21 and highlighted the effects of trisomies on embryonic development. The results presented here suggest that aneuploid embryos can serve as an alternative source for either normal euploid or aneuploid hESC lines, which represent an invaluable tool to study developmental aspects of chromosomal abnormalities in humans.
Loess
Authors: Gijbels Irène , Prosdocimi Ilaria 
Published: July 2010

AbstractLinear least squares regression is among the most well known classical methods. This and other parametric least squares regression models do not perform well when the modeling is too restrictive to capture the nonlinear effect the covariates have on the response. Locally weighted least squares regression (loess) is a modern technique that combines much of the simplicity of the classical least squares method with the flexibility of nonlinear regression. The basic idea behind the method is to model a regression function only locally as having a specific form. This paper discusses the method in the univariate and multivariate case and robustifications of the technique, and provides illustrative examples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.This article is categorized under:Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Density Estimation
RNA in evolution
Authors: Lehman Niles 
Published: July 2010

AbstractRNA has played a variety of roles in the evolutionary history of life on the Earth. While this molecule was once considered a poor cousin of the more influential polymers in the cell, namely DNA and proteins, a string of important discoveries over the last 50 years has revealed that RNA may in fact be the cornerstone of biological function. In particular, the finding that RNA can be catalytic, and thus possess both a genotype and a phenotype, has forced us to consider the possibility that life's origins began with RNA, and that the subsequent diversification of life is aptly described as a string of innovations by RNA to adapt to a changing environment. Some of these adaptations include riboswitches, ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), RNA editing, and RNA interference (RNAi). Although many of these functions may seem at first glance to be recent evolutionary developments, it may be the case that all of their catalytic activities trace their roots back to a primordial ‘RNA World’ some four billion years ago, and that RNA's diversity has a continuous thread that pervades life from its very origins. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.This article is categorized under:

RNA Evolution and Genomics > RNA and Ribonucleoprotein Evolution
RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems
RNA-Based Catalysis > Miscellaneous RNA-Catalyzed Reactions
A micromechanically motivated higher‐order continuum formulation of linear thermal conduction
Authors: Temizer İ. , Wriggers P. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractA higher‐order continuum theory of linearized thermal conduction is developed where a rigid heat conductor is modeled as a material of grade‐2 with a view towards capturing the thermal effects in BGK‐Burnett type formulations for microfluidic flows. The construction is based on a second‐order thermal homogenization framework which leads to the identification of a thermal dissipation potential that is a function of the higher‐order gradients of the temperature. The dissipation potential delivers the expressions for the higher‐order fluxes and forms the basis of a discussion regarding the satisfaction of the second law of thermodynamics. Further restrictions on the constitutive expressions arise from material symmetry considerations. Strong and weak formulations of the associated boundary value problem are derived based on an appropriate identification of the boundary conditions. The methodologies employed and the implications of the theory are reminiscent of similar approaches in linearized elasticity formulations and are compared with micromorphic and Cahn‐Hilliard type formulations.