bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Catalytic Activity and Performance of Copper‐Based Complexes Mediating Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Tsarevsky Nicolay V. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe factors affecting the performance of the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) catalyst, i.e., its activity, ability to control the polymerization, and its propensity to participate in side complexation or redox reactions are summarized in this brief review. The effect of the ligand, transferable halogen atom, and the reaction solvent can be understood and quantified by formally splitting the overall atom transfer equilibrium into contributing reactions, including the homolysis of a carbonhalogen bond, reduction of the halogen atom to a halide ion (electron affinity), oxidation of the lower oxidation state metal complex (activator), and formation of the radical deactivator via coordination of a halide anion to the higher oxidation state metal complex (halidophilicity).
Polymers with Esters of Phosphoric Acid Units: From Synthesis, Models of Biopolymers to PolymerInorganic Hybrids
Authors: Penczek Stanislaw , Pretula Julia B. , Kaluzynski Krzysztof , Lapienis Grzegorz 
Published: April 2012

AbstractSyntheses, some properties, and applications of the poly(alkylene phosphate)s prepared either by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) or by polycondensation are described mostly on the basis of the data from our laboratories. The ROP of some cyclic phosphates and H‐phosphonates are living and/or controlled process. Transesterification of the products of the reaction of an excess of dimethylphosphonate with glycols leads to polymers with Mn close to 5×104. Poly(alkylene phosphate)s with five or six atoms in repeating units bear resemblance to the main chains of nucleic and teichoic acids. These and similar poly(alkylene phosphate)s with different repeating units were used as liquid membranes for the efficient separation of cations as well as to modify the medium for CaCO3 crystallization. In this latter process, a diblock copolymer with ionic and nonionic block was used. Poly(alkylene phosphate)s constituted the ionic block and the nonionic block was formed from poly(ethylene glycol); together with CaCO3 polymerinorganic hybrids were formed.
Remifentanil impairs sperm motility reversibly in vitro
Authors: Xu Bo 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe study is to observe the effects of remifentanil on human sperm motility in vitro. After spermatozoa were washed and resuspended in Ham's F‐10 medium, the washed human sperm suspensions were treated in vitro with different concentrations of remifentanil for 30 min. Sperm motility was assessed by computer‐assisted sperm analysis at 5, 10, 15, and 30 min. Remifentanil significantly decreased (a + b) grade spermatozoa, between 5 and 10 min at the concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 μg L ‐ 1 in a dose‐dependent manner and effects no significant difference at 15 and 30 min as compared with control groups. The results suggest that there is indication that this drug has short‐term effect on sperm motility. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:176–177, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21408
Malabaricone C inhibits PDGF‐induced proliferation and migration of aortic smooth muscle cells through induction of heme oxygenase‐1
Authors: Lee Suhyun , Seo Juhee , Ryoo Sungwoo , Cuong To Dao , Min Byung‐Sun , Lee Jeong‐Hyung 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMalabaricone C (Mal‐C), isolated from nutmeg, is known to exert a variety of pharmacological activities. However, the effect of Mal‐C on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is unknown. This study examined the effect of Mal‐C on proliferation and migration of primary rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) as well as its underlying mechanisms. Treatment of RASMCs with Mal‐C induced both protein and mRNA expression of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Mal‐C‐mediated HO‐1 induction was inhibited by treatment with actinomycin D or by cycloheximide. SB203580 (a p38 inhibitor), SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor), U0126 (a MEK inhibitor), and N‐acetylcysteine (NAC, an antioxidant) did not suppress Mal‐C‐induced HO‐1 expression. In contrast, LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) blocked Mal‐C‐induced HO‐1 expression. Moreover, RASMCs treated with Mal‐C exhibited activation of AKT in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Treatment of RASMCs with Mal‐C increased nuclear translocation of nuclear factor‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), which is a key regulator of HO‐1 expression, and this translocation was also inhibited by LY294002. Consistent with the notion that HO‐1 has protective effects against VSMCs, Mal‐C remarkably inhibited platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐induced proliferation and migration of RASMCs. However, inhibition of HO‐1 significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Mal‐C on PDGF‐induced proliferation and migration of RASMCs. Taken together, these findings suggest that Mal‐C could suppress PDGF‐induced proliferation and migration of RASMCs through Nrf2 activation and subsequent HO‐1 induction via the PI3K/AKT pathway, and may be a potential HO‐1 inducer for preventing or treating vascular diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2866–2876, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ric‐8: Different cellular roles for a heterotrimeric G‐protein GEF
Authors: Hinrichs M.V. , Torrejón M. , Montecino M. , Olate J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractSignaling via heterotrimeric G‐proteins is evoked by agonist‐mediated stimulation of seven transmembrane spanning receptors (GPCRs). During the last decade it has become apparent that Gα subunits can be activated by receptor‐independent mechanisms. Ric‐8 belongs to a highly conserved protein family that regulates heterotrimeric G‐protein function, acting as a non‐canonical guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEF) over a subset of Gα subunits. In this review we discuss the roles of Ric‐8 in the regulation of diverse cell functions, emphasizing the contribution of its multiple domain protein structure in these diverse functions. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2797–2805, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antithrombotic and profibrinolytic activities of eckol and dieckol
Authors: Kim Tae Hoon , Ku Sae‐Kwang , Bae Jong‐Sup 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn order to develop new anticoagulant agents, two single compounds (eckol and dieckol) were isolated from Eisenia bicyclis and examined their anticoagulant activities by monitoring activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT) as well as cell‐based thrombin and activated factor X (FXa) generation activities. And the effects of eckol and dieckol on the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI‐1) and tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA) were tested in tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Data showed that eckol and dieckol prolonged aPTT and PT significantly and inhibited thrombin and FXa activities. They also inhibited the generation of thrombin or FXa in HUVECs. In accordance with these anticoagulant activities, eckol or dieckol showed anticoagulant effect in vivo. Furthermore, eckol and dieckol inhibited TNF‐α induced PAI‐1 production and the ratio between PAI‐1 and t‐PA was found to be significantly decreased by eckol and dieckol. Surprisingly, these anticoagulant and profibrinolytic effects of dieckol were better than those of eckol indicating that hydroxyl group in eckol positively regulated anticoagulant function of eckol. Therefore, these results suggest that eckol or dieckol possesses antithrombotic activities and provides a possibility to develop as an agent for the anticoagulation. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2877–2883, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Junctophilin 2 knockdown interfere with mitochondrium status in ESC‐CMs and cardiogenesis of ES cells
Authors: Liang Xingguang , Mei Yuqin , Huang Xin , Shen Guofang , Zhu Danyan , Yu Yongping , Wang Jianan , Lou Yijia 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn the present study, we explored the possible links between Junctophilin 2 (Jp2) and the mitochondrium‐sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) interaction in embryonic stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (ESC‐CMs), as well as the role of Jp2 in cardiogenesis of ES cells. We found that Ca2+ transient was abnormal and mitochondria were de‐energized within siJp2 ESC‐CMs. The essential juxtaposition structure of mitochondrium with SR was destroyed accompanied by selectively downregulation of Pgc‐1α, Nrf‐1, and Mfn‐2. Impaired co‐localization of the JP2 and sarcomeres (α‐Actinin or Troponin‐T) appeared in embryoid bodies (EBs) after Jp2 knockdown. Calsequestrin2 and ryanodine receptor 2 within SR were expressed as early as the initiation of differentiation, while triadin and caveolin3 within t‐tubules (TTs) did not appear until the terminal, indicating that JP2 probably did not contribute to anchoring the SR to TTs at the early cardiogenesis stage as usual. In addition, Jp2 knockdown selectively decreased gene transcription toward cardiogenesis (Brachyury, Isl1, and Nkx2.5), subsequently weaken EB beating activity by 60%. Taken together, reducing JP2 expression in ESC‐CMs resulted in impaired mitochondrial status due to either abnormal cellular Ca2+ homeostasis or disturbing of juxtaposition. A sensitive time window of JP2 necessary in cardiac differentiation was found at early stage via an extra non‐TTs/SR anchor‐dependent role. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2884–2894, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
IL‐17 mediates estrogen‐deficient osteoporosis in an Act1‐dependent manner
Authors: DeSelm Carl J. , Takahata Yoshifumi , Warren Julia , Chappel Jean C. , Khan Taimur , Li Xiaoxia , Liu Caini , Choi Yongwon , Kim Youngmi Faith , Zou Wei , Teitelbaum Steven L. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractEstrogen‐deficient osteoporosis may be an inflammatory disorder and we therefore asked if IL‐17 participates in its pathogenesis. Deletion of the principal IL‐17 receptor (IL‐17RA) protects mice from ovariectomy (OVX)‐induced bone loss. Further supporting a central role of IL‐17 in its pathogenesis, OVX‐induced osteoporosis is prevented by a blocking antibody targeting the cytokine. IL‐17 promotes osteoclastogenesis by stimulating RANK ligand (RANKL) expression by osteoblastic cells, mediated by the IL‐17RA SEFIR/TILL domain. Estrogen deprivation, however does not enhance IL‐17RA mRNA expression by osteoblasts or in bone, but augments that of Act1, an IL‐17RA‐interacting protein and signaling mediator. Similar to IL‐17RA−/− mice, those lacking Act1 are protected from OVX‐induced bone loss. Also mirroring IL‐17RA‐deficiency, absence of Act1 in osteoblasts, but not osteoclasts, impairs osteoclastogenesis via dampened RANKL expression. Transduction of WT Act1 into Act1−/− osteoblasts substantially rescues their osteoclastogenic capacity. The same construct, however, lacking its E3 ligase U‐box or its SEFIR domain, which interacts with its counterpart in IL‐17RA, fails to do so. Estrogen deprivation, therefore, promotes RANKL expression and bone resorption in association with upregualtion of the IL‐17 effector, Act1, supporting the concept that post‐menopausal osteoporosis is a disorder of innate immunity. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2895–2902, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The influence of obesity on the assessment of carotid intima‐media thickness
Authors: Gállego Pérez‐Larraya Jaime , Irimia Pablo , Martínez‐Vila Eduardo , Barba Joaquín , Guembe María Jesús , Varo Nerea , Castellano José María , Viñes José Javier , Díez Javier 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground.The assessment of carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) may improve cardiovascular risk prediction. The optimal protocol for CIMT measurement is unclear. CIMT may be measured in the common carotid artery (CCA), carotid bifurcation (CB), and internal carotid artery (ICA), but measurements from CB and ICA are more difficult to obtain. We studied the influence of body mass index (BMI) and atheroma plaques on the capacity to obtain CIMT measurements at different carotid sites.Methods.Using an automatic system, CIMT was measured in 700 subjects aged 45–75, in the near and far walls of CCA, CB, and ICA bilaterally. The presence of atheroma plaques, BMI and vascular risk factors were recorded.Results.CIMT measurements in CCA were possible in all except one subject. It was not possible to obtain CIMT measurements at CB or ICA in 24.1% of normal weight and 58.8% of obese subjects. The likelihood of obtaining CIMT measurement at all carotid sites decreased as the BMI increased. Atheroma plaques in a carotid segment did not preclude CIMT measurement at this site.Conclusions.CIMT measurements in distal carotid segments are more challenging in obese subjects. Measuring CIMT at CCA remains feasible in obese subjects and should be the primary endpoint in these subjects. Nevertheless, CB and ICA measurements, when feasible, would improve risk classification. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 40:479–485, 2012
Agenesis of the ductus venosus—A case with favorable outcome after early signs of cardiac failure
Authors: Hofmann Sigrun R. , Heilmann Antje , Häusler Hans J. , Kamin Gabriele , Nitzsche Katharina I. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAbsence of the ductus venosus (ADV) is a rare vascular anomaly. Its prognosis depends on the pathway of the umbilical flow to the systemic venous circulation, and the presence or absence of associated structural or chromosomal anomalies, sometimes resulting in hydrops fetalis. In cases with isolated ADV in the absence of associated anomalies, survival rates are as high as 85%, depending on the shunt situation. Here, we report a patient with ADV and extrahepatic umbilical vein drainage with favorable outcome after intrauterine reversal of early signs of cardiac failure. Diagnosis was made after the appearance of moderate cardiomegaly in the 25th gestational week. Thus, in the case of cardiomegaly with or without further signs of cardiac failure, ultrasound imaging of the venous duct should be considered. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013
Detailed ultrasound screening in the second trimester: Pictorial essay of normal fetal anatomy
Authors: Tan Sinan , Ipek Ali 
Published: April 2012

AbstractToday, ultrasound is the main diagnostic tool in the prenatal detection of congenital abnormalities. Therefore, ultrasound examination should be offered to all pregnant women. A detailed sonographic examination of the fetus is usually performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. The accurate recognition of normal fetal anatomy is very important for the detection of both minor and major defects. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to show fetal anatomic structures, which have to be examined between the 18th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy, and present their standard measurements systematically and thoroughly in accordance with sonographically obtained ideal sections. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2012
The effects of aging on quantitative sonographic features of rotator cuff tendons
Authors: Yu Tung‐Yang , Tsai Wen‐Chung , Cheng Ju‐Wen , Yang Yun‐Ming , Liang Fang‐Chen , Chen Chien‐Hung 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPurpose.Grayscale analysis is a practical, objective, and easy way to quantify echogenicity during ultrasonography. The purpose of the current study was to measure the changes in thickness and echogenicity that result from aging of the rotator cuff and long head of the biceps tendons.Methods.The study comprised 45 volunteers, aged between 20 and 84 years and without history of shoulder pain. Participants were divided into three groups: young, middle‐aged, and old. All subjects underwent standard ultrasonography of both shoulders. Tendon thickness and tear were recorded, and images in both transverse and longitudinal scans were taken for grayscale analysis. To reduce the attenuation effect from skin and subcutaneous fat, we used the ratio of echogenicity of the tendon to that of the reference muscle and compared the tendon echogenicity among the different age groups. Sonographic findings were also correlated with age.Results.The supraspinatus tendon was significantly thicker in elderly participants and this was positively correlated with age. Moreover, the echogenicity ratio of the supraspinatus tendon decreased in the elderly group and showed a negative correlation with age. There was a higher prevalence of supraspinatus tendon tears in the older participants.Conclusions.Our results indicate that supraspinatus tendons became thickened, hypoechogenic, and more likely to tear with age. The study presents a simple and useful method to investigate the echogenicity of the rotator cuff quantitatively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 40:471–478, 2012
Sonographic features of histopathologically benign solid breast lesions that have been classified as BI‐RADS 4 on sonography
Authors: Taskin Fusun , Koseoglu Kutsi , Ozbas Serdar , Erkus Muhan , Karaman Can 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPurpose.To describe the sonographic (US) features associated with ultrasonography BI‐RADS category 4 lesions that have a benign histopathological outcome.Methods.One hundred seventy‐two histopathologically proven benign lesions in 169 patients, which had been classified as BI‐RADS category 4 with ultrasonography, were retrospectively evaluated. Ultrasonography and histopathology findings were analyzed. The frequency of sonographic findings according to the histopathological diagnosis was determined.Results.Among the 172 lesions, there were 66 (38%) fibroadenomas, 31 (18%) sclerosing adenoses, 24 (14%) fibrocystic changes, 16 (9%) mastitis/inflammations, 9 (5.5%) intraductal papillomas, 8 (5%) focal fibroses, 4 (2.5%) atypical ductal hyperplasias, 4 (2.5%) fat necroses, 2 (1%) phyllodes tumors, 1 (0.5%) tubular adenomas, 1 (0.5%) epidermal inclusion cysts, and 6 (3.5%) “other benign lesions.” The most frequent sonographic findings were heterogeneity, indistinct margin, microlobulation in fibroadenomas; heterogeneity, irregular‐indefinite margin, and antiparallel orientation in sclerosing adenosis; heterogeneity, microlobulation, and acoustic shadowing in fibrocystic changes.Conclusions.BI‐RADS category 4 lesions demonstrate more than one suspicious ultrasonography feature, and biopsy is necessary to diagnose malignancy captured in 33% of lesions in this study. At this time, any lesion with more than one suspicious BI‐RADS US feature cannot avoid a diagnostic biopsy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2012
Systemically alendronate was incorporated into dental tissues but did not cause morphological or mechanical changes in rats teeth
Authors: Nelson‐Filho Paulo , Lucisano Marília Pacífico , Da Silva Raquel Assed Bezerra , Da Silva Roberto Santana , Serra Mônica Campos , Gerlach Raquel Fernanda , Neto Francisco Carlos Rehder , Carneiro Zumira Aparecida , Zamarioli Ariane , Morse Leslie , Battaglino Ricardo 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis study evaluated the effect of the systemic use of sodium alendronate in rats in vivo. Forty‐five Wistar rats aged 36 to 42 days and weighing 200 to 230 g were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 20), which received distilled water, and an experimental group (n = 25), which received 2 weekly doses of 1 mg/kg of chemically pure sodium alendronate. The animals were killed after 60 days of treatment. The tibias were removed for analysis of bone mineral density by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Then, the maxillary incisors were extracted for analysis of the mineralized dental tissues using fluorescence spectroscopy (FS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), bright field microscopy (BFM), and cross‐sectional microhardness (CSMH) testing. DXA and CSMH data were subjected to statistical analysis by Kruskal‐Wallis test (5% significance level). The experimental group presented higher bone mineral density than the control group by DXA. FS analysis revealed presence of alendronate in the mineralized dental tissues of the specimens of the experimental group. Significant morphological differences were not found by SEM and BFM. Enamel and dentin (100 and 300 μm from the dentinoenamel junction) CSMH data did not show significant difference between the control and experimental groups. Based on the obtained results, we conclude that while alendronate increased the bone mineral density and was incorporated into the mineralized dental tissues it did not cause significant alterations in the morphology and microhardness of rat incisor enamel and dentin. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:1265–1271, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) BZLF1 gene promoter variants and comparison of cellular gene expression profiles in Japanese patients with infectious mononucleosis, chronic active EBV infection, and EBV‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Imajoh Masayuki , Hashida Yumiko , Murakami Masanao , Maeda Akihiko , Sato Tetsuya , Fujieda Mikiya , Wakiguchi Hiroshi , Daibata Masanori 
Published: April 2012

AbstractEpstein–Barr virus (EBV) genotypes can be distinguished based on gene sequence differences in EBV nuclear antigens 2, 3A, 3B, and 3C, and the BZLF1 promoter zone (Zp). EBV subtypes and BZLF1 Zp variants were examined in Japanese patients with infectious mononucleosis, chronic active EBV infection, and EBV‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The results of EBV typing showed that samples of infectious mononucleosis, chronic active EBV infection, and EBV‐associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis all belonged to EBV type 1. However, sequencing analysis of BZLF1 Zp found three polymorphic Zp variants in the same samples. The Zp‐P prototype and the Zp‐V3 variant were both detected in infectious mononucleosis and chronic active EBV infection. Furthermore, a novel variant previously identified in Chinese children with infectious mononucleosis, Zp‐V1, was also found in 3 of 18 samples of infectious mononucleosis, where it coexisted with the Zp‐P prototype. This is the first evidence that the EBV variant distribution in Japanese patients resembles that found in other Asian patients. The expression levels of 29 chronic active EBV infection‐associated cellular genes were also compared in the three EBV‐related disorders, using quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Two upregulated genes, RIPK2 and CDH9, were identified as common specific markers for chronic active EBV infection in both in vitro and in vivo studies. RIPK2 activates apoptosis and autophagy, and could be responsible for the pathogenesis of chronic active EBV infection. J. Med. Virol. 84:940–946, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Creative Thinking: Processes, Strategies, and Knowledge
Authors: Mumford Michael D. , Medeiros Kelsey E. , Partlow Paul J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCreative achievements are the basis for progress in our world. Although creative achievement is influenced by many variables, the basis for creativity is held to lie in the generation of high‐quality, original, and elegant solutions to complex, novel, ill‐defined problems. In the present effort, we examine the cognitive capacities that make creative problem‐solving possible. We argue that creative problem‐solving depends on the effective execution of a set of complex cognitive processes. Effective execution of these processes is, in turn, held to depend on the strategies employed in process execution and the knowledge being used in problem‐solving. The implications of these observations for improving creative thinking are discussed.