bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate/RhoA/Rho-Kinase Signaling Pathway in Corporal Fibrosis Following Cavernous Nerve Injury in Male Rats
Authors: Cho Min Chul , Park Kwanjin , Chai Ji Sun , Lee Sun Hee , Kim Soo Woong , Paick Jae-Seung 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Postprostatectomy erectile dysfunction (ED) is thought to be due primarily to injury to cavernous nerve (CN) during surgery. The molecular mechanisms leading to ED after CN injury are poorly understood.

Aim
We determined whether transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and RhoA/Rho-kinase (ROCK) signaling pathways were involved in corporal fibrosis after bilateral CN injury in rats.

Methods
Forty-eight 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into the following four groups: normal control group (C); sham surgery group (S); bilateral CN crush injury group (I); and bilateral CN transection group (T). Within each of the four groups, two subgroups were analyzed as a function of time (1 and 8 weeks postoperatively).

Main Outcome Measures
Penile tissue was processed for immunoblot (RhoA, ROCK1, phospho-myosin phosphatase target subunit [MYPT1]), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (TGF-β1, sphingosine kinase type 1 [SphK1], and S1P2), immunohistochemistry (alpha smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]), and Masson’s trichrome staining.

Results
At 1 and 8 weeks postoperatively, the I and T groups had a significantly decreased smooth muscle cell/collagen ratio, the expression of α-SMA and phospho-MYPT1 compared to the C group. Densitometry revealed a significantly higher expression of RhoA and ROCK1 in the T group compared to the C group at 1 and 8 weeks postoperatively. For the I group, the expression of RhoA significantly increased starting from 1 week postoperatively, but the expression of ROCK1 significantly increased as late as 8 weeks following injury. The expression of TGF-β1 and S1P2 mRNA in the I or T group remained significantly increased up to 8 weeks compared to the C group, despite significant reduction at 8 weeks compared to 1 week postoperatively. The expression of SphK1 mRNA in the I and T groups was significantly increased at 1 week but not 8 weeks postoperatively.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that S1P and RhoA/ROCK1 signaling may be involved in corporal fibrosis associated with loss of smooth muscle through coordination with TGF-β1 after CN injury.
Comparison of the First Intake of Vardenafil and Tadalafil in Patients with Diabetic Neuropathy and Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Kamenov Zdravko Asenov 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is one of the key pathogenetic factors for diabetic erectile dysfunction (DED).

Aim
The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the first intake of tadalafil and vardenafil in men with DN and DED.

Methods
In this comparative prospective randomized study were included 49 phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor-naïve men (80% type 2 diabetes). DN was assessed by a modified Neuropathy Disability Score (NDS ≥ 3). Each patient received two pills containing 20 mg of either tadalafil (N = 24) or vardenafil (N = 25). They had to be taken after discharge from the hospital at a time interval of at least 3 and 1 day, respectively, and 1 to 6 hours before the intended sexual activity.

Main Outcome Measures
The treatment efficacy was evaluated by the changes in the erectile domain of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Sexual Encounter Profile Question 2 (SEP2) and 3 (SEP3), and the Global Assessment Question (GAQ).

Results
For all patients, IIEF increased from 12.6 ± 6.8 to 19.6 ± 9.0 (P &lt; 0.001) points after treatment. The number of men with positive answers on SEP2 increased from 27 (55.1%) to 38 (77.6%), on SEP3 from 7 (14.3%) to 30 (61.2%). Thirty-one (63.3%) evaluated the effect of the drugs as beneficial (GAQ). No significant efficacy difference between tadalafil and vardenafil was observed. The initial indicators for DED, as well as the treatment efficacy, correlated highly significant with NDS. Both PDE5 inhibitors were well tolerated. Before entering the study, 28% of men have seen a physician, but only 57.1% of them have started treatment.

Conclusions
In this study design, tadalafil and vardenafil are equally effective with the first intake in patients with diabetes and DN. Baseline indicators of erectile dysfunction and the ones verifying the effect of the treatment show significant correlation with the DN indicator—NDS. Tadalafil and vardenafil are well tolerated with no serious side effects.
Ice chemistry in massive young stellar objects: the role of metallicity
Authors: Oliveira J. M. , van Loon J. Th. , Sloan G. C. , Indebetouw R. , Kemper F. , Tielens A. G. G. M. , Simon J. D. , Woods Paul M. , Meixner M. 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
We present the comparison of the three most important ice constituents (water, CO and CO2) in the envelopes of massive young stellar objects (YSOs), in environments of different metallicities: the Galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and, for the first time, the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We present observations of water, CO and CO2 ice in four SMC and three LMC YSOs (obtained with Spitzer-IRS and VLT/ISAAC). While water and CO2 ice are detected in all Magellanic YSOs, CO ice is not detected in the SMC objects. Both CO and CO2 ice abundances are enhanced in the LMC when compared to high-luminosity Galactic YSOs. Based on the fact that both species appear to be enhanced in a consistent way, this effect is unlikely to be the result of enhanced CO2 production in hotter YSO envelopes as previously thought. Instead we propose that this results from a reduced water column density in the envelopes of LMC YSOs, a direct consequence of both the stronger UV radiation field and the reduced dust-to-gas ratio at lower metallicity. In the SMC the environmental conditions are harsher, and we observe a reduction in CO2 column density. Furthermore, the low gas-phase CO density and higher dust temperature in YSO envelopes in the SMC seem to inhibit CO freeze-out. The scenario we propose can be tested with further observations.
EVALUATION OF SOME PHYSICAL–CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF WHEAT, CASSAVA, MAIZE AND COWPEA FLOURS FOR BREAD MAKING
Authors: OLADUNMOYE O.O. , AKINOSO R. , OLAPADE A.A. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT Both the physical and chemical characteristics of flours affect their quality and the subsequent products from them. The comparative evaluation of particle size, moisture content, bulk density, color, water absorption capacity, pasting viscosity, fat and protein contents of wheat, cassava, maize and cowpea flours were determined using standard methods. Composite breads were produced from 50:30:20, 60:20:20, 70:20:10; 80:10:10, 85:10:5 and 90:5:5 ratio of wheat–cassava/maize–cowpea flours, respectively. Breads produced were subjected to sensory and proximate analyses. The particle size, moisture content, bulk density, water absorption capacity, fat and protein contents of wheat, cassava, maize and cowpea flours are as follows: 154–343 µm, 13.3–14.9% db, 327.4–497.5 kg/m3, 31.9–221.8 g/g, 1.01–2.3% and 2.6–19.39% . Wheat flour had the lowest pasting temperature of 56.1C. Significance differences at P < 0.05 were recorded between most of the properties of the flours. Composite bread of 85% wheat, 10% cassava, 5% cowpea; 90% wheat, 5% cassava, 5% cowpea; and 90% wheat, 5% maize, 5% cowpea were accepted by a sensory evaluation panelist. Substitution with cowpea fruit improved the protein content of the bread.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSIn developing countries such as Nigeria, this study is one of the efforts directed toward identifying nonwheat sources that could be used as substitutes to wheat flour in bread making, and hence affects savings in foreign exchange by reducing wheat importation. Published works on physical and chemical properties of cassava, maize and cowpea flours provides information for researchers on this area of study. With these, the behavior of flours can be predicted. All varieties of the three crops used for the experiment are commercially cultivated in Nigeria; hence the research findings can be easily adapted in commercial bread production. These will result in increased demand for the crops and processing equipment, and subsequently job opportunities will be created. The nutritive value of commercial bread will also be enhanced by the addition of cowpea flour.
FOOD APPLICATIONS OF A RICE BRAN OIL STRUCTURED LIPID IN FRIED SWEET POTATO CHIPS AND AN ENERGY BAR
Authors: JENNINGS BRENDA H. , SHEWFELT ROBERT L. , AKOH CASIMIR C. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACT A rice bran oil structured lipid (RBOSL) was synthesized from rice bran oil (RBO) and caprylic acid with Lipozyme RM IM as biocatalyst. Sweet potato chips (SPCs) were fried separately in RBOSL and RBO. Energy bars (EBs) were formulated with RBOSL or RBO. Triangle tests (TT) were conducted for SPCs and EBs to determine the panelists' ability to differentiate between SPCs and EBs prepared with RBO or RBOSL. Willingness to purchase (WTP) sensory analysis was also conducted. Fatty acid content, γ‐oryzanol, viscosity, free fatty acid (FFA) and p‐anisidine values for RBO and RBOSL were determined before and after frying. SPC color and oil uptake were also determined. TT results for SPCs showed no significant difference in SPCs fried in RBO and RBOSL (P > 0.05). TT results for EBs indicated a significant difference between RBO and RBOSL formulations (P ≤ 0.05). WTP (5‐point scale) sensory analyses of SPCs and EBs showed that the most frequent response was probably would buy.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSConsumer panels indicated a willingness to purchase both sweet potato chips and energy bars prepared with rice bran oil structured lipid (RBOSL). Improvements in the standardization and preparation procedures and changes in formulation would probably improve acceptability. These consumer panel results showed that products prepared with structured lipids, with improved nutritional or health‐promoting properties, may have viable commercial potential in foods. RBOSL that is liquid at room temperature can potentially be used in frying and baking applications.
Autoimmune disease as a risk factor for globus pharyngeus: a cross‐sectional epidemiological study
Authors: Masterson L.M. , Srouji I.A. , Musonda P. , Scott D.G.I. 
Published: December 2010

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2011, 36, 24–29Objective:  To assess the prevalence and severity of globus‐type symptoms in individuals who have a prior diagnosis of autoimmune disease.Design:  Cross‐sectional questionnaire.Participants and setting:  One hundred and nine patients with autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondarthritis, connective tissue disease, systemic vasculitis) and 41 patients with non‐autoimmune disease (osteoarthritis/osteoporosis) attending a rheumatology tertiary referral clinic at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The results from this study were compared to previous published figures in patients with globus pharyngeus (n = 105) and normal population (n = 174).Main outcome measures:  Glasgow Edinburgh Throat Scale questionnaire; Reflux Symptom Index; Anxiety/Depression Scale.Results:  Patients with autoimmune disease demonstrate a significantly higher prevalence for 5/10 symptoms on the Glasgow Edinburgh Throat scale score when compared to the non‐autoimmune control group (P ≤ 0.01). This significant difference increases to 9/10 symptoms when compared to published results for the normal population (P = 0.01). No significant difference was found when comparing the autoimmune and non‐autoimmune control group reflux symptom index (P = 0.64) or anxiety depression scale (P = 0.71).Conclusion:  Patients with autoimmune disease have a significantly increased prevalence of globus symptoms when compared to the healthy population. A further prospective study is required to decipher the effect of pharmacotherapy as a possible causative factor.
Efficacy of Oral Famotidine and 2 Omeprazole Formulations for the Control of Intragastric pH in Dogs
Authors: Tolbert K. , Bissett S. , King A. , Davidson G. , Papich M. , Peters E. , Degernes L. 
Published: December 2010

Background:Little is known about the efficacy of commonly used acid suppressants on intragastric pH in dogs.Objective:To compare the effect of oral famotidine, 2 formulations of omeprazole, and placebo on intragastric pH in dogs with a catheter‐free, continuous pH monitoring system.Animals:Six healthy adult mixed‐breed colony dogs.Methods:Utilizing a randomized, 4‐way cross over, open‐label study, dogs were administered famotidine PO (1.0–1.3 mg/kg q12h), omeprazole tablet (1.5–2.6 mg/kg q24h), omeprazole reformulated paste (RP) (Gastrogard, 1.5–2.6 mg/kg q24h), and placebo for 7 days followed by a 10‐day washout period. Radiotelemetric pH capsules were placed with gastroscopy assistance to continuously record intragastric pH for 4 days (days 4–7 of dosing). The percentage of time that intragastric pH was ≥3 and ≥4 was compared among treatment groups using repeated measures of analysis of variance. Tukey's Studentized range test was used to determine which groups were different with α= 0.05.Results:Mean ± SD percent time intragastric pH was ≥3 and ≥4 was 22 ± 8% and 14 ± 6% for famotidine, 63 ± 14% and 52 ± 17% for omeprazole tablet, 54 ± 17% and 44 ± 18% for omeprazole RP, and 6 ± 6% and 5 ± 5% for placebo. Both omeprazole formulations significantly increased intragastric pH compared with famotidine and placebo, but omeprazole tablet and RP was not significantly different from each other.Conclusion:Oral omeprazole tablet and RP provide superior gastric acid suppression to famotidine, and should therefore be considered more effective for the treatment of acid related disorders in dogs.
Influence of thePhotorhabdus luminescensPhosphomannose Isomerase Gene,manA, on Mannose Utilization, Exopolysaccharide Structure, and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Amos Matthew R. , Sanchez-Contreras Maria , Jackson Robert W. , Muñoz-Berbel Xavier , Ciche Todd A. , Yang Guowei , Cooper Richard M. , Waterfield Nicholas R. 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTExtracellular polysaccharide (EPS) is produced by diverse bacterial pathogens and fulfills assorted roles, including providing a structural matrix for biofilm formation and more specific functions in virulence, such as protection against immune defenses. We report here the first investigation of some of the genes important for biofilm formation inPhotorhabdus luminescensand demonstrate the key role of the phosphomannose isomerase gene,manA, in the structure of functional EPS. Phenotypic analyses of amanA-deficient mutant showed the importance of EPS in motility, insect virulence, and biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces as well as the requirement of this gene for the use of mannose as the sole carbon source. Conversely, this defect had no apparent impact on symbiosis with the heterorhabditid nematode vector. A more detailed analysis of biofilm formation revealed that themanAmutant was able to attach to surfaces with the same efficiency as that of the wild-type strain but could not develop the more extended biofilm matrix structures. A compositional analysis ofP. luminescensEPS reveals how themanAmutation has a major effect on the formation of a complete, branched EPS.
Spatial distribution and morphology of shoots in the variant crown form of Rhododendron reticulatum
Authors: Yoshimura Kenichi 
Published: December 2010

Rhododendron reticulatum D. Don ex G.Don is a common understory shrub in western Japan that exhibits highly plastic crown architecture and occurs in various light environments. I investigated how functional differentiation and spatial distribution of long and short shoots contribute to the plasticity of crown architecture of R. reticulatum. Crown form was derived from the crown depth/width ratio. Crown depth/width ratio was higher in sun-lit crowns. In crowns with higher depth/width ratio, long shoots were distributed in upper positions of the crown. Long shoots grew vertically and horizontally. In crowns with lower depth/width ratio, long shoots were arranged in the outer position of the crown and grew outward. Within neighboring shoots, long shoots had less mass than their paired short shoots. Results suggest that long shoots of R. reticulatum function to expand the crown and to reduce leaf overlap in multilayer crowns, which are found in high-light environments, while both long and short shoots function to minimize leaf overlap in monolayer crowns, which are found in shaded environments. Plasticity of crown architecture by altering shoot position and shoot morphology allows growth under various light environments in the forest understory.
Total phenolics and individual phenolic acids vary with light environment inLindera benzoin
Authors: Ingersoll Christine M. , Niesenbaum Richard A. , Weigle Caitlin E. , Lehman Julia H. 
Published: December 2010

The understory shrub Lindera benzoin L. experiences lower rates of herbivory in sun environments than in shade environments. The production of secondary metabolites (e.g., phenolic compounds with known plant defense properties) is one likely contributor to these observed differences in herbivory. This work determined the total phenolic content as well as the concentrations of several individual phenolic acids in L. benzoin leaves found in sun and shade habitats. Total phenolic concentrations were determined to be higher in leaves from sun plants than in those from shade plants (47.5 ± 2.4 vs. 28.6 ± 1.3 gallic acid equivalents, respectively). High-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection was used to separate and quantify several individual phenolic acids, and specific compounds were identified based on their retention times and ultraviolet spectra. The concentrations of vanillic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, and ferulic acids were shown to be statistically higher in leaves from sun plants than in those from shade plants (P < 0.05), whereas 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and caffeic acid were not significantly different in L. benzoin leaves from sun versus shade habitats.
Temperatures in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere from OSIRIS observations of O2 A-band emission spectra
Authors: Sheese P. E. , Llewellyn E. J. , Gattinger R. L. , Bourassa A. E. , Degenstein D. A. , Lloyd N. D. , McDade I. C. 
Published: December 2010

Temperatures in the mesosphere – lower thermosphere region (MLT) have been derived from the Optical Spectrograph and InfraRed Imaging System (OSIRIS) observations of O2 A-band (b1Σ g+ –X3Σ g– )O–O emission spectra. The observed OSIRIS spectra are inverted pixel by pixel, producing inverted volume emission rate spectra at altitudes between 90 and 110 km, which are compared to modelled temperature dependent O2 A-band spectra. The estimated accuracy of the retrieved temperatures is approximately ±2 K near 90 km and up to ±6 K at higher altitudes. The developed temperature retrieval technique is presented, and some initial retrieval results are briefly discussed.
Fabrication of boron carbonitride (BCN) nanotubes and giant fullerene cages
Authors: Sun Guifang , Gao Faming , Hou Li 
Published: December 2010

Boron carbonitride (BCN) nanotubes have been successfully prepared using NH4Cl, KBH4, and ZnBr2 as the reactants at 480 °C for 12 h by a new benzene-thermal approach in a N2 atmosphere. As its by-product, a new form of carbon regular hexagonal nanocages are observed. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), transmission electron diffraction (TED), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The prepared nanotubes have uniform outer diameters in the range of 150 to 500 nm and a length of up to several micrometerss. The novel carbon hexagonal nanocages have a typical size ranging from 100 nm to 1.5 µm, which could be the giant fullerene cages of [Formula: see text] (N = 17∼148). So, high fullerenes are observed for the first time. The influences of reaction temperature and ZnBr2 on products and the formation mechanism of BCN nanotubes are discussed.
A Common End Point Theorem for Set-Valued Generalized "Equation missing" -Weak Contraction
Authors: Abbas Mujahid , Ðorić Dragan 
Published: December 2010

AbstractWe introduce the class of generalized "Equation missing"-weak contractive set-valued mappings on a metric space. We establish that such mappings have a unique common end point under certain weak conditions. The theorem obtained generalizes several recent results on single-valued as well as certain set-valued mappings.
Nakiterpiosin Targets Tubulin and Triggers Mitotic Catastrophe in Human Cancer Cells
Authors: Wei Jen-Hsuan , Seemann Joachim 
Published: December 2010

Abstract
Agents that interfere with mitotic progression by perturbing microtubule dynamics are commonly used for cancer chemotherapy. Here, we identify nakiterpiosin as a novel antimitotic drug that targets microtubules. Nakiterpiosin induces mitotic arrest and triggers mitotic catastrophe in human cancer cells by impairing bipolar spindle assembly. At higher concentration, it alters the interphase microtubule network and suppresses microtubule dynamics. In the presence of nakiterpiosin, microtubules are no longer arranged in a centrosomal array and centrosome-mediated microtubule regrowth after cold depolymerization is inhibited. However, centrosome organization, the ultrastructure of Golgi stacks, and protein secretion are not affected, suggesting that the drug has minimal toxicity toward other cellular functions. Nakiterpiosin interacts directly with tubulin, inhibits microtubule polymerization in vitro, and decreases polymer mass in cells. Furthermore, it enhances tubulin acetylation and reduces viability of paclitaxel-resistant cancer cells. In conclusion, nakiterpiosin exerts antiproliferative activity by perturbing microtubule dynamics during mitosis that activates the spindle assembly checkpoint and triggers cell death. These findings suggest the potential use of nakiterpiosin as a chemotherapeutic agent. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(12); 3375–85. ©2010 AACR.