bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Joining of polymers and polymer–metal hybrid structures: Recent developments and trends
Authors: Amancio‐Filho S.T. , dos Santos J.F. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe development of new materials and fabrication techniques has become a matter of success for industrial sectors such as transportation. Polymers, polymeric composites, and polymer–metal structures are being increasingly employed in several products mainly due to the associated weight savings. The main joining methods for polymer and polymeric composites are mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding, and welding. On the other hand, polymer–metal structures are more difficult to join by traditional joining methods, mostly due to their strong dissimilar physical–chemical features. Constant efforts on developing improved alternative joining techniques for these hybrid structures, such as the FricRiveting and injection over molding, have contributed to the dissemination of such structures in industrial applications. This work shows that the field of joining of polymers, polymeric composites, and polymer–metal hybrid structures for industrial applications is still a growing research and development area. This is due to the increasing aspirations for more environmental‐friendly technologies and lightweight materials. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Expressing S-TRAIL as a Cellular Delivery Vehicle for Human Glioma Therapy
Authors: Menon Lata G. , Kelly Kathleen , Yang Hong Wei , Kim Seung-Ki , Black Peter M. , Carroll Rona S. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Glioblastoma is among the most aggressive and treatment resistant of all human cancers. Conventional therapeutic approaches are unsuccessful because of diffuse infiltrative invasion of glioma tumor cells into normal brain parenchyma. Stem cell-based therapies provide a promising approach for the treatment of malignant gliomas because of their migratory ability to invasive tumor cells. Our therapeutic strategy was to use human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) as a cellular vehicle for the targeted delivery and local production of the biologic agent tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) at the glioma tumor site. hMSCs were transduced with a lentivirus expressing secretable TRAIL (S-TRAIL) and mCherry (red fluorescent protein). Our results clearly demonstrate the retention of tumor tropic ability of hMSC S-TRAIL cells by in vitro and in vivo migration assays. In vitro assays confirmed the expression, release, and biological activity of S-TRAIL produced by hMSC S-TRAIL cells. For the in vivo assessment of therapeutic efficacy, hMSCs were injected ipsilateral to an established intracranial glioma tumor in a mouse xenograft model. Genetically engineered hMSC S-TRAIL cells were effective in inhibiting intracranial U87 glioma tumor growth (81.6%) in vivo and resulted in significantly longer animal survival. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated significant, eight fold greater tumor cell apoptosis in the hMSC S-TRAIL-treated group than in controls. Our study demonstrates the therapeutic efficacy of hMSC S-TRAIL cells and confirms that hMSCs can serve as a powerful cell-based delivery vehicle for the site-specific release of therapeutic proteins.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Assessing adolescents' anticipated behavioral and emotional responses to offers of alcohol and marijuana☆
Authors: Pristas Erica V. , Rosenberg Harold 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThe Adolescent Responses to Alcohol and Drug Offers Scale (ARADOS) is a self‐report questionnaire designed to assess a respondent's anticipated emotional reactions and intended use of cognitive‐behavioral refusal skills in response to an offer of alcohol or other drug. A sample of 267 students enrolled in the 11th and 12th grades of four public high schools located in northwest Ohio completed four versions of the ARADOS. Factor analyses of the 27 listed resistance responses suggested five clusters of items comprising internally consistent though inter‐correlated subscales (Inform others, Aggression, Verbal or nonverbal refusal, Deflection, Deception). Psychometric analyses revealed that ARADOS subscale scores often differed significantly as a function of drug type (alcohol or marijuana) and offerer (close friend or acquaintance), that resistance scores were generally consistent with participants' pre‐existing decision to accept or reject offers of alcohol or marijuana, and that anticipated use of resistance responses was significantly correlated with resistance responses used in the past. The ARADOS is a relatively short, easily‐scored, contextually‐sensitive, self‐administered questionnaire that could be used to evaluate education/prevention programs (and clinical interventions) designed to enhance adolescents' refusal of alcohol and drugs.
Toward a taxonomy of adolescents with chronic pain: Exploratory cluster and discriminant analyses of the bath adolescent pain questionnaire
Authors: Vowles Kevin E. , Jordan Abbie , Eccleston Christopher 
Published: May 2009

AbstractEmerging evidence has indicated that adolescent chronic pain is a significant healthcare issue, the impact of which is determined by a complex interplay of biological, emotional, social, and familial factors. Recently, progress has been made in assessment of pain and functioning in adolescents with chronic pain. A next step is to evaluate whether discrete subgroups of patients exist and whether assessment measures can be used to determine subgroup membership for individual pain sufferers. The present study sought to address these two issues. A battery of questionnaires, including the bath adolescent pain questionnaire, was completed by 209 adolescents with chronic pain presenting for an assessment appointment. Results from cluster analyses indicated the presence of four distinct subgroups. Three clusters differed from one another along a single continuum of severity and the fourth was characterized by good family cohesion, moderate emotional difficulties, and significant difficulties with physical functioning. Follow‐up analyses indicated significant differences among the clusters across eight of nine measures of functioning including pain intensity, healthcare utilization, school attendance, amount of weekly exercise, depression, disability, social functioning, and catastrophic thinking. A discriminant analysis was able to correctly classify over 95% of participants into the correct cluster. These results provide strong support for the derived four cluster solution, which may be useful in both clinical and research settings, as it allows for individual adolescent pain sufferers to be classified into groupings according to the severity and type of difficulties being experienced.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for major psychiatric disorder: does it really work? A meta-analytical review of well-controlled trials
Authors: Lynch D. , Laws K. R. , McKenna P. J. 
Published: May 2009

BackgroundAlthough cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is claimed to be effective in schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder, there have been negative findings in well-conducted studies and meta-analyses have not fully considered the potential influence of blindness or the use of control interventions.MethodWe pooled data from published trials of CBT in schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder that used controls for non-specific effects of intervention. Trials of effectiveness against relapse were also pooled, including those that compared CBT to treatment as usual (TAU). Blinding was examined as a moderating factor.ResultsCBT was not effective in reducing symptoms in schizophrenia or in preventing relapse. CBT was effective in reducing symptoms in major depression, although the effect size was small, and in reducing relapse. CBT was ineffective in reducing relapse in bipolar disorder.ConclusionsCBT is no better than non-specific control interventions in the treatment of schizophrenia and does not reduce relapse rates. It is effective in major depression but the size of the effect is small in treatment studies. On present evidence CBT is not an effective treatment strategy for prevention of relapse in bipolar disorder.
Helicobacter pylori UreE, a urease accessory protein: specific Ni2+- and Zn2+-binding properties and interaction with its cognate UreG
Authors: Bellucci Matteo , Zambelli Barbara , Musiani Francesco , Turano Paola , Ciurli Stefano 
Published: May 2009

The persistence of Helicobacter pylori in the hostile environment of the human stomach is ensured by the activity of urease. The essentiality of Ni2+ for this enzyme demands proper intracellular trafficking of this metal ion. The metallo-chaperone UreE promotes Ni2+ insertion into the apo-enzyme in the last step of urease maturation while facilitating concomitant GTP hydrolysis. The present study focuses on the metal-binding properties of HpUreE (Helicobacter pylori UreE) and its interaction with the related accessory protein HpUreG, a GTPase involved in the assembly of the urease active site. ITC (isothermal titration calorimetry) showed that HpUreE binds one equivalent of Ni2+ (Kd=0.15 μM) or Zn2+ (Kd=0.49 μM) per dimer, without modification of the protein oligomeric state, as indicated by light scattering. Different ligand environments for Zn2+ and Ni2+, which involve crucial histidine residues, were revealed by site-directed mutagenesis, suggesting a mechanism for discriminating metal-ion-specific binding. The formation of a HpUreE–HpUreG protein complex was revealed by NMR spectroscopy, and the thermodynamics of this interaction were established using ITC. A role for Zn2+, and not for Ni2+, in the stabilization of this complex was demonstrated using size-exclusion chromatography, light scattering, and ITC experiments. A calculated viable structure for the complex suggested the presence of a novel binding site for Zn2+, actually detected using ITC and site-directed mutagenesis. The results are discussed in relation to available evidence of a UreE–UreG functional interaction in vivo. A possible role for Zn2+ in the Ni2+-dependent urease system is envisaged.
CD34 is a Key Regulator of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Trafficking to Bone Marrow and Mast Cell Progenitor Trafficking in the Periphery
Authors: NIELSEN JULIE S. , MCNAGNY KELLY M. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTCD34 is a cell‐surface sialomucin widely used for hematopoietic stem cell purification and as a marker of most vascular endothelial cells, including those of capillaries in the majority of tissues. Surprisingly, despite extensive research, the function of this sialomucin has remained elusive, with proposed roles ranging from enhancing proliferation or inhibiting differentiation to acting as a proadhesive L‐selectin ligand. Here, we review our recent studies, which suggest that CD34 does, indeed, play a role in leukocyte and HSC trafficking, but that this is through its action as a regulated blocker of cell adhesion and enhancer of migration.
Ecological Conservation: The Problems of Targeting Policies and Designing Instruments
Authors: Clark C. D. , Russell C. S. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThree decades of effort to control the obvious and familiar forms of pollution has produced a policy toolkit of theoretical power and practical flexibility. However, the toolkit is not as well-suited to addressing the challenges posed by preserving ecological diversity and integrity. This paper aims to illuminate some of the obstacles to policy design for ‘ecological conservation’ by: (1) identifying a number of analytical characteristics that were key to creating successful policy in the pollution control setting; (2) considering the applicability of these characteristics to the ecological conservation setting; and (3) discussing the implications of these differences for policy design. The paper concludes with recommendations on sidestepping these difficulties.
Association of polymorphisms in genes involved in lipoprotein metabolism with plasma concentrations of remnant lipoproteins and HDL subpopulations before and after hormone therapy in postmenopausal women
Authors: Lamon‐Fava Stefania , Asztalos Bela F. , Howard Timothy D. , Reboussin David M. , Horvath Katalin V. , Schaefer Ernst J. , Herrington David M. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryObjective  A high degree of inter‐individual variability in plasma lipid level response to hormone therapy (HT) has been reported. Variations in the oestrogen receptor α gene (ESR1) and in genes involved in lipid metabolism may explain some of the variability in response to HT.Subjects  Postmenopausal Caucasian women (n = 208) participating in a placebo‐controlled randomized trial of 3·2 years of hormone therapy (HT).Methods  Plasma triglyceride (TG), remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP‐C), and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels and HDL subpopulations were assessed at baseline and at follow up. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ESR1 and in the ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), hepatic lipase (LIPC), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and scavenger receptor class B type I (SRB1) genes were assessed for their association with baseline plasma levels and HT‐related changes in levels of RLP‐C and HDL subpopulations.Results  Carriers of the ESR1 PvuII or IVS1‐1505 variants had lower plasma TG concentrations and higher plasma HDL‐C and α‐1 and preα‐1 HDL particle levels at baseline and showed greater increases in HDL‐C, apo A‐I and α‐1 particle levels after HT than wild‐type carriers. Carriers of the N291S and D9N variants in the LPL gene had significantly higher remnant lipoproteins and lower α‐2 HDL particle levels at baseline. The CETP TaqIB SNP was a significant determinant of baseline plasma HDL‐C and HDL subpopulation profile.Conclusions  Single nucleotide polymorphisms in ESR1, CETP and LPL had significant effects on baseline plasma levels of TG‐rich and HDL subpopulations. With the exception of ESR1 SNPs, variation in genes involved in lipid metabolism has a very modest effect on lipoprotein response to HT.
Population history in social spiders repeated: colony structure and lineage evolution in Stegodyphus mimosarum (Eresidae)
Authors: JOHANNESEN JES , WICKLER WOLFGANG , SEIBT UTA , MORITZ ROBIN F. A. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractSocial cooperative spiders from diverse taxonomic families share life‐history and demographic traits, including highly inbred colony structure. The combination of traits suggests constrained pathways for social evolution in spiders. The genus Stegodyphus has three independently evolved social species, which can be used as replicate samples to analyse population constraints in evolutionary time. We tested colony structure and population history of the social S. mimosarum from South and East Africa using mitochondrial DNA variation, and we compared the results to published data for the independently evolved social congener S. dumicola. S. mimosarum had many and diverse haplotypes (5–7% sequence divergence for ND1) but colonies were monomorphic and genealogically similar haplotypes occurred in abutting regions. These findings are nearly identical to results for S. dumicola and imply similar colony‐level processes over evolutionary time in independently evolved social species. These population dynamics are discussed with respect to the apparent lack of cladogenesis in social spiders.
Identification of a regulatory loop for the synthesis of neurosteroids: a steroidogenic acute regulatory protein‐dependent mechanism involving hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis receptors
Authors: Meethal Sivan Vadakkadath , Liu Tianbing , Chan Hsien W. , Ginsburg Erika , Wilson Andrea C. , Gray Danielle N. , Bowen Richard L. , Vonderhaar Barbara K. , Atwood Craig S. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBrain sex steroids are derived from both peripheral (primarily gonadal) and local (neurosteroids) sources and are crucial for neurogenesis, neural differentiation and neural function. The mechanism(s) regulating the production of neurosteroids is not understood. To determine whether hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis components previously detected in the extra‐hypothalamic brain comprise a feedback loop to regulate neuro‐sex steroid (NSS) production, we assessed dynamic changes in expression patterns of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein, a key regulator of steroidogenesis, and key hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal endocrine receptors, by modulating peripheral sex hormone levels in female mice. Ovariectomy (OVX; high serum gonadotropins, low serum sex steroids) had a differential effect on StAR protein levels in the extrahypothalamic brain; increasing the 30‐ and 32‐kDa variants but decreasing the 37‐kDa variant and is indicative of cholesterol transport into mitochondria for steroidogenesis. Treatment of OVX animals with E2, P4, or E2 + P4 for 3 days, which decreases OVX‐induced increases in GnRH/gonadotropin production, reversed this pattern. Suppression of gonadotropin levels in OVX mice using the GnRH agonist leuprolide acetate inhibited the processing of the 37‐kDa StAR protein into the 30‐kDa StAR protein, confirming that the differential processing of brain StAR protein is regulated by gonadotropins. OVX dramatically suppressed extra‐hypothalamic brain gonadotropin‐releasing hormone 1 receptor expression, and was further suppressed in E2‐ or P4‐treated OVX mice. Together, these data indicate the existence of endocrine and autocrine/paracrine feedback loops that regulate NSS synthesis. Further delineation of these feedback loops that regulate NSS production will aid in developing therapies to maintain brain sex steroid levels and cognition.
Decrease of optic disc cupping and pallor of ocular hypertensives with timolol therapy
Authors: Schwartz Bernard , Lavin Philip , Takamoto Takenori , Araujo Daniel F. , Smits Gerard 
Published: May 2009

Abstract. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether timolol drops compared to placebo drops had a significant effect on optic disc cupping and pallor in ocular hypertensives.Methods: Thirty‐seven ocular hypertensives were randomly assigned to placebo or 0.5% timolol drops to both eyes in a double masked clinical trial. Measurements of ocular pressure and photographs of the optic disc for cupping by photogrammetry and pallor by computerized image analysis were made at about 3 month intervals, for 18 to 24 months of follow‐up.Results: None of the subjects developed visual field loss when tested with the Goldmann perimeter by kinetic and static means at six month intervals. Subjects treated with timolol developed a significant decrease in ocular pressure and a significant decrease in optic disc cupping with a smaller decrease in pallor compared to subjects treated with placebo. Multivariate analyses indicated that the decrease of optic disc cupping and pallor was not associated with the ocular pressure on treatment or the decrease in ocular pressure during the trial.Conclusion: Timolol treatment was associated with a decrease in optic disc cupping and pallor. The effect of timolol appears to be related to mechanisms other than the decrease in ocular pressure.
Increase of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in ocular hypertensives with timolol therapy
Authors: Schwartz Bernard , Takamoto Takenori , Lavin Philip , Smits Gerard 
Published: May 2009

Abstract. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether timolol drops compared to placebo drops had a significant effect on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in ocular hypertensives.Methods: Thirty‐seven ocular hypertensives were randomly assigned to receive placebo or 0.5% timolol drops to both eyes for 18 to 24 months in a double masked clinical trial. Measurements of ocular pressure and photographs of retinal nerve fiber layer using stereophotogrammetric techniques were made at about 3 month intervals for 18 to 24 months of follow‐up.Results: None of the subjects developed visual field loss when tested with the Goldmann perimeter by kinetic and static means at six month intervals. Subjects treated with timolol had a significant decrease in ocular pressure and developed a significant increase in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness compared to subjects treated with placebo. Multivariate analyses indicated that the increase of retinal nerve layer thickness was not associated either with the ocular pressure on treatment or the decrease in ocular pressure on treatment.Conclusion: Timolol treatment was associated with an increase of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. The effect of timolol appears to be related to mechanisms other than the decrease in ocular pressure.
Temporal corneal phacoemulsification combined with separate‐incision superior trabeculectomy vs standard phacotrabeculectomy. A comparative study
Authors: Rossetti L. , Bucci L. , Miglior S. , Orzalesi N. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe aim of the study was to compare functional and refractive outcome after temporal approach phacoemulsification combined with superior trabeculectomy against that of standard superior phacotrabeculectomy in patients affected by cataract and uncontrolled glaucoma.Fifty patients undergoing combined surgery were randomly allocated to receive either a standard superior phacotrabeculectomy (group A) or a temporal via clear cornea phacoemulsification combined with a separate superior trabeculectomy (group B).Short‐term and long‐term mean IOP reductions were similar in the two groups though, at 2 years, more patients in the standard phacotrabeculectomy group had need of medical therapy to control their ocular pressure (p=0.04). Group B had less surgically induced astigmatism than group A (p=0.05). There was no significant difference in ocular inflammation and complication rates between the 2 groups.
Ultrabiomicroscopic study of the effects of brimonidine, apraclonidine, latanoprost and ibopamine on the chamber angle and ciliary body
Authors: Presti L. Lo , Morgese A. , Ravot M. , Brogliatti B. , Carenini B. Boles 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe authors used the Zeiss Humphrey (Mod840, 50MHz) ultrabiomicroscope to evaluate the changes that Brimonidine, Apraclonidine, Latanoprost and Ibopamine cause in the anterior chamber and on the ciliary body of healthy subjects. The eyes of 60 volunteers, separated into 4 groups according to drug instilled, were studied and the parameters analyzed were: anterior chamber depth (ACD), pupillary diameter (PD), angle opening at 500 microns from the scleral spur (AOD500), trabecular iris angle (TIA) and iris thicknesses (ID1 and ID3).The study showed the miotic effect of Brimonidine (S) that was accompanied by an angle opening (S). Apraclonidine and Latanoprost caused no statistically significant changes in the angle or in the ciliary body. Ibopamine caused mydriasis (S).The UBM, therefore, showed itself to be useful also in the study of the mechanism of action of drugs on the angular structures and on the ciliary body.