bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The sulphur isotope and hydrochemical characteristics of Skeiðarársandur, Iceland: identification of solute sources and implications for weathering processes
Authors: Robinson Zoe P. , Fairchild Ian J. , Spiro Baruch 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe hydrochemistry of sulphur in the active outwash plain of Skeiðarársandur, SE Iceland shows considerable variety reflecting differences in sources and processes, and is investigated in this article using δ34S values of dissolved sulphate and igneous sulphide minerals, δ18OH2O, and ionic concentrations in waters. Seawater‐derived sulphate is a notable component only in the lower sandur (δ34SSO4 = +6·8‰ VCDT). δ34SSO4 in the Skeiðará glacial melt river range from +3·4 to +8·8‰δ34S. The higher values occur during a flood event and reflect geothermal sulphate contributions from the Grímsvötn caldera. ‘Kettle‐hole lakes’ formed since the November 1996 jökulhlaup form important ecological niches and show evidence of coupled sulphide oxidation and carbonate and possibly silicate dissolution and have the lowest δ34SSO4 values (average −0·8‰) attributed to higher proportions of sulphide oxidation‐derived SO42− and/or bacterially mediated sulphide oxidation. The hydrochemistry of eastern sandur groundwater is influenced by a hydrothermal source of reduced sulphur from the Grímsvötn caldera or a localized area of geothermal springs, and contrasts with the hydrochemistry of the majority of groundwaters and the Sulá and Gígjukvísl rivers in western and central Skeiðarársandur. These have lower [Ca2+ + Mg2+], [Na+ + K+] and SO42− concentrations and δ34S values consistent with sulphate derived from the oxidation of igneous sulphides. In comparison to catchments dominated by atmospherically transported sulphate, catchments such as this where the sulphur system is dominated by internal sources (rock‐derived and geothermal) will not be sensitive to the temporal decreasing trends in contributions from long‐range airborne sulphate resulting from reductions of sulphur emissions in North America and Europe. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional impact of sequence variation in the promoter region of TGFB1
Authors: Healy Jasmine , Dionne Joëlle , Bélanger Hélène , Larivière Mathieu , Beaulieu Patrick , Labuda Damian , Sinnett Daniel 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPathological deregulation of the transforming growth factor, beta 1 (TGFB1) pathway has been implicated in the development of several major diseases, including cancers. Regulatory variation in the TGFB1 gene may lead to altered TGFB1 expression and activity, and thus, modulate an individual's susceptibility to disease. Here, we performed a study of the functional relevance of cis‐acting regulatory variation in the proximal promoter region of the TGFB1 gene. In a previous study, 9 promoter polymorphisms were identified in the 2kb region upstream of the transcription start site and 9 distinct promoter haplotypes were inferred from a panel of individuals from 5 distinct continental population groups. Following experimental validation, we found that the 2 major haplotypes significantly influenced TGFB1 transcriptional activity in an allele‐specific manner and that 3 of the SNPs (−1886G>A, −509C>T and −1550DEL/AGG) altered DNA‐protein complexe formation. Though the biological relevance of these findings remains to be verified, our study suggests that polymorphisms in the TGFB1 promoter could indeed influence gene expression and potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of TGFB1 related diseases. © 2009 UICC
The dual EGFR/HER‐2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor lapatinib sensitizes colon and gastric cancer cells to the irinotecan active metabolite SN‐38
Authors: LaBonte Melissa J. , Manegold Philipp C. , Wilson Peter M. , Fazzone Will , Louie Stan G. , Lenz Heinz‐Josef , Ladner Robert D. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractMembers of the human epidermal receptor (HER) family are frequently associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis in multiple malignancies. Lapatinib is a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER‐2. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of lapatinib, alone and in combination with SN‐38, the active metabolite of irinotecan (CPT‐11), in colon and gastric cancer cell lines. Concentration‐dependent antiproliferative effects of both lapatinib and SN‐38 were observed in all colon and gastric cancer cell lines tested but varied significantly between individual cell lines (lapatinib range 0.08–11.7 μM; SN‐38 range 3.6–256 nM). Lapatinib potently inhibited the growth of a HER‐2 overexpressing gastric cancer cell line and demonstrated moderate activity in gastric and colon cancer cells with detectable HER‐2 expression. The combination of lapatinib and SN‐38 interacted synergistically to inhibit cell proliferation in all colon and gastric cancer cell lines tested. Cotreatment with lapatinib and SN‐38 also resulted in enhanced cell cycle arrest and the induction of apoptosis with subsequent cellular pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrating that lapatinib promoted the increased intracellular accumulation and retention of SN‐38 when compared to SN‐38 treatment alone. Finally, the combination of lapatinib and CPT‐11 demonstrated synergistic antitumor efficacy in the LoVo colon cancer mouse xenograft model with no apparent increase in toxicity compared to CPT‐11 monotherapy. These results provide compelling preclinical rationale indicating lapatinib to be a potentially efficacious chemotherapeutic combination partner for irinotecan in the treatment of gastrointestinal carcinomas. © 2009 UICC
Antitumor activity of delimotecan against human metastatic melanoma: Pharmacokinetics and molecular determinants
Authors: Bigioni Mario , Parlani Massimo , Bressan Alessandro , Bellarosa Daniela , Rivoltini Licia , Animati Fabio , Crea Attilio , Bugianesi Rossana , Maggi Carlo Alberto , Manzini Stefano , Binaschi Monica 
Published: June 2009

AbstractDelimotecan (MEN 4901/T‐0128) is a new cytotoxic prodrug constituted by a camptothecin analog (T‐2513) bound to carboxymethyl dextran through a triglycine linker. A significant antitumor activity of delimotecan against human metastatic melanoma xenograft model Me15392 is reported. Dacarbazine, the drug approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, was ineffective in this melanoma model. Pharmacokinetic studies, together with the expression analysis of mRNA for enzymes involved in delimotecan metabolism, showed that T‐2513 and other cytotoxic metabolites of delimotecan (SN 38 and T‐0055) are generated in greater quantities in the tumor tissue than in toxicity target tissues, such as liver, thus accounting for the antitumoral activity. Moreover, we demonstrated that human metastatic melanoma cells are able to phagocytose delimotecan and cleave it to release the cytotoxic moieties T‐2513 in the tumoral environment. Further flow cytometric analysis showed a higher recruitment of macrophages in xenografted human metastatic melanoma, when compared with other human tumors. Thus, the antitumoral activity of delimotecan exerted on metastatic melanoma is due to several factors: (i) the ability of melanoma cells to phagocytose and metabolise delimotecan; (ii) the accumulation of delimotecan in tumoral mass; (iii) the recruitment of macrophage cells to the melanoma nodule and (iv) the expression in melanoma cells of a pattern of enzymes that converts delimotecan into cytotoxic metabolites. Based on these results, delimotecan might be exploited as a new anticancer agent for the therapy of metastatic melanoma because of its high efficacy and good selectivity, and therefore clinical trials for this indication are warranted. © 2009 UICC
Histogram‐based filtering for quantitative 3D retinal angiography
Authors: Kolbitsch Christoph , Schmoll Tilman , Leitgeb Rainer A. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractDoppler Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (D‐FDOCT) can be used to visualise and measure ocular blood flow in the retina of the human eye. This has the potential to diagnose illnesses such as macula degeneration or diabetic retinopathy early on because these medical conditions cause a pathological change in the retinal vasculature and perfusion. Here we are presenting a method to separate quantitative blood flow information from static tissue. Our approach is demonstrated on retinal D‐FDOCT volume scans taken at the optic nerve head (see figure) and near the fovea with a high speed CMOS‐based FDOCT system. The advantage of this method is the small post‐processing effort together with the immediate availability of segmented quantitative Doppler flow maps. The performance of the filtering technique is also compared to spatial frequency filtering methods. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Study of the electrospun PLA/silk fibroin‐gelatin composite nanofibrous scaffold for tissue engineering
Authors: Gui‐Bo Yin , You‐Zhu Zhang , Shu‐Dong Wang , De‐Bing Shi , Zhi‐Hui Dong , Wei‐Guo Fu 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIn this article, a nanofibrous composite scaffold of poly L‐lactic acid(PLA)/silk fibroin(SF)‐gelatin was fabricated by multilayer electrospinning. To investigate the feasibility of PLA/SF‐gelatin use as scaffolds, the porosity and mechanical properties were examined; in particular, the biocompatibilities were evaluated in vivo and in vitro by the means of cell adhesion and cytotoxicity testing, short‐term subcutaneous implantation testing, and acute hemolysis testing according to the requirements of ISO 10993. The results showed the scaffold achieved the desirable levels of pliability (elastic up to 7.3% strain) and the appropriate breaking strength (2.22 MPa). The porosity of the SF‐gelatin layer was 87% and the pore diameter was 142 nm. After 12 days of cultivation, SEM observation demonstrated the scaffold was nontoxic, biocompatible, and capable of supporting 3T3 mouse fibroblasts attachment, spreading, and growth. The hemolysis test proved the scaffolds with hemolytic rates from 3.1 to 4.5%. The subcutaneous implantation test indicated minor inflammatory reactions surrounding the scaffolds and biodegradation were initially observed in about 3 months. The desired porous structure, strong and pliable properties, combined with the ability of PLA/SF‐gelatin scaffold to support cell growth in vitro, especially excellent biocompatibility in vivo, suggested potential application for tissue engineering scaffolds. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2010
Collagen density significantly affects the functional properties of an engineered provisional scaffold
Authors: Abreu Eduardo L. , Palmer Matthew P. , Murray Martha M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe formation of a provisional scaffold is essential in wound healing. However, for tissues inside of joints, this process is impeded by the synovial fluid environment and wound healing is significantly impaired as a result. Therefore, development of substitute provisional scaffolds which are effective in the intra‐articular environment is of great interest. Collagen‐platelet hydrogels have recently been found useful as substitute provisional scaffolding materials. In this study, our hypothesis was that increasing the collagen density in the hydrogel would result in physiologic changes that would be likely to affect their function as provisional scaffold substitutes. The primary functional outcome measures were modulus of the hydrogel, platelet activation, fibroblast proliferation, and scaffold retraction. Increased collagen density resulted in collagen‐platelet hydrogels with a higher storage modulus. Platelet activation was not found to be dependent on the collagen density within the range tested. Increasing the collagen density had a suppressive effect on both fibroblast proliferation and scaffold retraction. These studies suggest that the collagen density may be able to significantly influence the function of collagen‐platelet hydrogels used as substitute provisional scaffolds. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Influence of interaction energy between Si‐doped diamond‐like carbon films and bacteria on bacterial adhesion under flow conditions
Authors: Shao Wei , Zhao Qi , Abel Eric W. , Bendavid Avi 
Published: June 2009

AbstractDiamond‐like carbon (DLC) films, especially modified DLC films with doped elements as biomaterials for medical devices have been attracting great interest. In this article, the bacterial adhesion behavior on DLC films, Si‐doped DLC films, and stainless steel 316L was investigated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 33347, which frequently causes medical device‐associated infections. This was done under laminar flow conditions in a flow chamber at 37°C. The contact angles of the coatings and the biofilm were measured. Polar liquids of distilled water and ethylene glycol, and apolar liquid of diiodomethane were used as a probe for surface free energy calculations. The electron donor component γ− of surface energy of Si‐doped DLC films increased with increasing the silicon content in the DLC films. The experimental results showed that the surface energy of the coatings and the interaction energy between the coatings and bacteria in water had significant influences on bacterial adhesion. The extended DLVO theory was used to explain the adhesion behavior. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Intravital fluorescent microscopic evaluation of bacterial cellulose as scaffold for vascular grafts
Authors: Esguerra Maricris , Fink Helen , Laschke Matthias W. , Jeppsson Anders , Delbro Dick , Gatenholm Paul , Menger Michael D. , Risberg Bo 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAlthough commonly used synthetic vascular grafts perform satisfactorily in large caliber blood vessels, they are prone to thrombosis in small diameter vessels. Therefore, small vessels might benefit from tissue engineered vascular grafts. This study evaluated bacterial cellulose (BC) as a potential biomaterial for biosynthetic blood vessels. We implanted the dorsal skinfold chambers in three groups of Syrian golden hamsters with BC (experimental group), polyglycolic acid, or expanded polytetrafluorethylene (control groups). Following implantation, we used intravital fluorescence microscopy, histology, and immunohistochemistry to analyze the biocompatibility, neovascularization, and incorporation of each material over a time period of 2 weeks. Biocompatibility was good in all groups, as indicated by the absence of leukocyte activation upon implantation. All groups displayed angiogenic response in the host tissue, but that response was highest in the polyglycolic acid group. Histology revealed vascularized granulation tissue surrounding all three biomaterials, with many proliferating cells and a lack of apoptotic cell death 2 weeks after implantation. In conclusion, BC offers good biocompatibility and material incorporation compared with commonly used materials in vascular surgery. Thus, BC represents a promising new biomaterial for tissue engineering of vascular grafts. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
The action of zymosan on octanoate transport and metabolism in the isolated perfused rat liver
Authors: Derbocio Alice M. , Lopez Carlos H. , Bracht Lívia , Bracht Adelar , Ishii‐Iwamoto Emy L. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe effects of zymosan on transport, distribution, and metabolism of octanoate in the perfused rat liver were investigated using the multiple‐indicator dilution technique. Livers were perfused with 300 µM octanoate in the absence or in the presence of 100 µg/mL zymosan. Tracer amounts of [1‐14C]octanoate, [3H] water, and [131I]albumin were injected into the portal vein, and the effluent perfusate was fractionated. The normalized dilution curves were analyzed by means of a space‐distributed variable transit time model. Zymosan decreased the space into which octanoate undergoes flow‐limited distribution, possibly the first cellular exchanging pool represented by plasma membranes and their adjacencies. However, the rate of transfer of octanoate from the plasma membrane into the rest of the cell was not modified as indicated by the similar values of the influx rates and also the net uptake of octanoate per unit of accessible cellular volume. However, when referred to the wet weight of the liver, the net uptake of octanoate was 37.5% reduced, a value corresponding to the diminution of the cellular accessible space. It can be concluded that an exclusion of a fraction of the liver parenchyma from the microcirculation is the main mechanism by which zymosan reduces the metabolism of exogenous octanoate. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 23:155–165, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20269
Studies on mode of action of hexaammine co(III) chloride against diethylnitrosamine‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice
Authors: Naura Amarjit S. , Sharma Rajeshwar 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe recently reported the anticarcinogenic potential of hexaammine cobalt(III) chloride, a synthetic complex of cobalt, on diethylnitrosamine (DENA)‐induced carcinogenesis. The present study was conducted to ascertain the possible mode of action of this compound on DENA‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male BALB/c mice. Time course evaluation of liver injury markers showed that the low dose of the compound is more effective in ameliorating DENA‐induced changes when administered for longer duration of time. Long‐term exposure of the compound significantly reversed the levels of diacylgylcerol (DAG) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) induced by DENA, thus suggesting that the compound may hinder the process of chemical carcinogenesis potentially by downregulating the signal transduction mechanism involving DAG and NOS. Furthermore, short‐term intraperitoneal injection of the compound to mice 26 weeks after DENA initiation reduced the cell viability count in preneoplstic liver lesions in a dose‐dependent manner. In conclusion, our results showed that anticarcinogenic effects of hexaammine cobalt(III) chloride result from its influence on signal transduction events mediated through DAG together with its direct cytotoxic action against preneoplastic hepatic lesions induced by DENA in mice. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 23:193–201, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20280
Photopheresis therapy for problematic renal allograft rejection
Authors: Jardine Meg J. , Bhandari Sunil , Wyburn Kate R. , Misra Ashish K. , McKenzie Paul R. , Eris Josette M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground: Photopheresis is an immunomodulatory therapy for the treatment of T cell‐mediated disorders. It has been used for rejection prophylaxis in cardiac transplantation, adjuvant treatment of bronchiolitis obliterans in lung transplantation, treatment of graft verse host disease, and in a small number of cases, for treatment of acute rejection in renal transplantation. Little is known of long‐term outcomes following the use of photopheresis in solid organ transplantation. Methods: We report prospective follow‐up of our consecutive experience of the use of photopheresis as adjuvant/salvage therapy for problematic rejection in patients undergoing renal transplantation. Transplant graft survival, infective and malignant outcomes were reported. Results: A cohort of 10 renal transplants recipients received photopheresis therapy for therapy‐resistant rejection. Conventional therapy included an average of 6.2 g pulse methyl‐prednisolone and 17.1 days antilymphocyte therapy. The cohort received additional photopheresis therapy when the unresponsive nature of their rejections raised concerns of graft loss. Median follow‐up censored for patient loss was 66.7 months following photopheresis commencement. Rejection resolved in association with photopheresis use in all 10 patients. Six patients continued to have stable graft function (median serum creatinine: 191.5 μmol/L) at a median follow‐up of 71.0 months. There has been one patient death from sepsis and two from malignancy with functioning grafts while one graft has been lost to disease recurrence. Conclusion: Photopheresis may have a role as an adjuvant or salvage antirejection therapy in solid organ transplantation. Furthermore, evaluation in randomized controlled clinical trials is required to evaluate its potential. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of β‐1,4‐galactosyltransferase I in rat Schwann cells
Authors: Yang Huiguang , Yan Meijuan , Cheng Chun , Jiang Jing , Zhang Lili , Liu Jie , Zhou Zhengming , Shen Aiguo 
Published: June 2009

AbstractGlycosylation is one of the most important post‐translational modifications. It is clear that the single step of β‐1,4‐galactosylation is performed by a family of β‐1,4‐galactosyltransferases (β‐1,4‐GalTs), and that each member of this family may play a distinct role in different tissues and cells. In the present study, real‐time PCR revealed that the β‐1,4‐GalT I mRNA reached peaks at 2 weeks after sciatic nerve crush and 3 days after sciatic nerve transection. Combined in situ hybridization for β‐1,4‐GalT I mRNA and immunohistochemistry for S100 showed that β‐1,4‐GalT I mRNAs were mainly located in Schwann cells after sciatic nerve injury. In conclusion, β‐1,4‐GalT I might play important roles in Schwann cells during the regeneration and degeneration of the injured sciatic nerve. In other pathology, such as inflammation, we found that LPS administration affected β‐1,4‐GalT I mRNA expression in sciatic nerve in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, and β‐1,4‐GalT I mRNA is expressed mainly in Schwann cells. These results indicated that β‐1,4‐GalT I plays an important role in the inflammation reaction induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Similarly, we found that β‐1,4‐GalT I in Schwann cells in vitro was affected in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner in response to LPS stimulation. All these results suggest that β‐1,4‐GalT I play an important role in Schwann cells in vivo and vitro during pathology. In addition, β‐1,4‐GalT I production was drastically suppressed by U0126 (ERK inhibitor), SB203580 (p38 inhibitor), or SP600125 (SAPK/JNK inhibitor), which indicated that Schwann cells which regulated β‐1,4‐GalT I expression after LPS stimulation were via ERK, SAPK/JNK, and P38 MAP kinase signal pathways. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 75–86, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How Shriners Hospitals for Children found the formula for performance excellence
Authors: Noble Roger 
Published: June 2009

AbstractFragmented, people‐intensive processes and entrenched cultural issues are among the thorny realities of cost and quality improvement in healthcare settings. The unconventional hybrid approach of Shriners Hospitals for Children goes to the heart of the problem and also entailed a “middle‐out” deployment that tackled the politics of change. The author describes the strategy for building buy‐in and participation among clinicians and other staff and for demonstrating the program's potential benefits in order to eventually win board‐level endorsement. The program, which integrates a portfolio of improvement methodologies, project management training and tools, and change agents and change leaders from across the organization, is already producing measurable gains for the health system. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.