bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ion currents involved in oocyte maturation, fertilization and early developmental stages of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis
Authors: Tosti Elisabetta , Gallo Alessandra , Silvestre Francesco 
Published: April 2011

AbstractElectrophysiological techniques were used to study the role of ion currents in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis oocyte plasma membrane during different stages of growth, meiosis, fertilization and early development. Three stages of immature oocytes were discriminated in the ovary, with the germinal vesicle showing specific different features of growth and maturation. Stage‐A (pre‐vitellogenic) oocytes exhibited the highest L‐type calcium current activity and were incompetent for meiosis resumption. Stage‐B (vitellogenic) oocytes showed a progressive disappearance of calcium currents and the first appearance of sodium currents that remained high during the maturation process, up to the post‐vitellogenic stage‐C oocytes. The latter had acquired meiotic competence, undergoing spontaneous in vitro maturation and interacting with the spermatozoon. However, fertilized oocytes did not produce normal larvae, suggesting that cytoplasmic maturation may affect embryo development. In mature oocytes at the metaphase I stage, sodium currents were present and remained high up to the zygote stage. Oocytes fertilized in the absence of sodium showed significant reduction of the fertilization current amplitude and high development of anomalous “rosette” embryos. Current amplitudes became negligible in embryos at the 2‐ and 4‐cell stage, whereas resumption of all the current activities occurred at the 8‐cell embryo. Taken together, these results suggest: (i) an involvement of L‐type calcium currents in initial oocyte meiotic progression and growth; (ii) a role of sodium currents at fertilization; (iii) a role of the fertilization current in ensuring normal embryo development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:854–860, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variational principles in dissipative electro‐magneto‐mechanics: A framework for the macro‐modeling of functional materials
Authors: Miehe C. , Rosato D. , Kiefer B. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis paper presents a general framework for the macroscopic, continuum‐based formulation and numerical implementation of dissipative functional materials with electro‐magneto‐mechanical couplings based onincremental variational principles. We focus on quasi‐static problems, where mechanical inertia effects and time‐dependent electro‐magnetic couplings area priorineglected and a time‐dependence enters the formulation only through a possible rate‐dependent dissipative material response. The underlying variational structure of non‐reversible coupled processes is related to a canonical constitutive modeling approach, often addressed to so‐called standard dissipative materials. It is shown to have enormous consequences with respect to all aspects of the continuum‐based modeling in macroscopic electro‐magneto‐mechanics. At first, thelocal constitutive modelingof the coupled dissipative response, i.e. stress, electric and magnetic fields versus strain, electric displacement and magnetic induction, is shown to be variational based, governed by incremental minimization and saddle‐point principles. Next, the implications on the formulation ofboundary‐value problemsare addressed, which appear in energy‐based formulations as minimization principles and in enthalpy‐based formulations in the form of saddle‐point principles. Furthermore, thematerial stabilityof dissipative electro‐magneto‐mechanics on the macroscopic level is defined based on the convexity/concavity of incremental potentials. We provide a comprehensive outline of alternative variational structures and discuss details of their computational implementation, such as formulation of constitutive update algorithms and finite element solvers. From the viewpoint of constitutive modeling, including the understanding of the stability in coupled electro‐magneto‐mechanics, anenergy‐based formulationis shown to be the canonical setting. From the viewpoint of the computational convenience, anenthalpy‐based formulationis the most convenient setting. A numerical investigation of a multiferroic composite demonstrates perspectives of the proposed framework with regard to the future design of new functional materials. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling dynamic crack propagation using the scaled boundary finite element method
Authors: Ooi E. T. , Yang Z. J. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis study presents a novel application of the scaled boundary finite element method (SBFEM) to model dynamic crack propagation problems. Accurate dynamic stress intensity factors are extracted directly from the semi‐analytical solutions of SBFEM. They are then used in the dynamic fracture criteria to determine the crack‐tip position, velocity and propagation direction. A simple, yet flexible remeshing algorithm is used to accommodate crack propagation. Three dynamic crack propagation problems that include mode‐I and mix‐mode fracture are modelled. The results show good agreement with experimental and numerical results available in the literature. It is found that the developed method offers some advantages over conventional FEM in terms of accuracy, efficiency and ease of implementation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular polymers from derivatives of α‐amino‐ε‐caprolactam: A bio‐based material
Authors: Tarkin‐Tas Eylem , Lange Christopher A. , Mathias Lon J. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractHydrogen‐bonded supramolecular polymers were prepared from the derivatives of α‐amino‐ε‐caprolactam (ACL), obtained from a renewable resource. Several self‐complimentary bis‐ or tetra‐caprolactam monomers were synthesized by varying the number of carbons of the spacer between the hydrogen‐bonding end groups. Physical properties of these hydrogen‐bonded polymers were clearly demonstrated by differential scanning colorimetry, solid‐state NMR, and X‐ray powder diffraction analyses. The supramolecular behavior was also supported by fiber formation from the melt for several of these compounds, and stable glassy materials were prepared from the physical mixtures of two different biscaprolactams. The self‐association ability of ACL was also used by incorporating ACL at the chain ends of low‐molecular weight Jeffamine (Mn = 900 g/mol) using urea and amide linkages. The transformation of this liquid oligomer at room temperature into a self‐standing, transparent film clearly showed the improvement in mechanical properties obtained by the introduction of terminal hydrogen‐bonding groups. Finally, the use of monomers with a functionality of four gave rise to network formation either alone or combination with bifunctional monomers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Association of psychosocial risk screening in pediatric cancer with psychosocial services provided
Authors: Kazak Anne E. , Barakat Lamia P. , Hwang Wei‐Ting , Ditaranto Susan , Biros Daniel , Beele David , Kersun Leslie , Hocking Matthew C. , Reilly Anne 
Published: April 2011

AbstractObjective: How screening for psychosocial risk in pediatric oncology may relate to the number and type of psychosocial services provided is a critical step in linking screening with treatment. We predicted that screening at diagnosis would be associated with the delivery of more psychosocial services over 8 weeks and that these services would be consistent with Universal, Targeted, or Clinical psychosocial risk level based on the Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health Model (PPPHM).Methods: Parents of children newly diagnosed with cancer received either the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT; n = 49) or psychosocial care as usual (PAU; n = 47), based on their date of diagnosis and an alternating monthly schedule. Medical record review and surveys completed by social workers and child life specialists were used to determine psychosocial services provided to patients and their families over the first eight weeks of treatment.Results: As predicted, families in the PAT condition received more services than those in PAU based on social worker and child life specialist report and medical record review. Within the PAT group, families at the Targeted and Clinical levels of risk received more intensive services than those at the Universal level.Conclusions: This initial report shows how psychosocial risk screening may impact psychosocial care in pediatric cancer, supporting the importance of screening as well as matching services to risk level. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined treatment targeting HIF‐1α and Stat3 is a potent strategy for prostate cancer therapy
Authors: Reddy Kavitha Ramasamy , Guan Yongli , Qin Guoting , Zhou Zhou , Jing Naijie 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe Stat3 pathway and the hypoxia‐sensing pathway are both up‐regulated in prostate cancer. Stat3 is a specific regulator of pro‐carcinogenic inflammation and represents a promising therapeutic target. Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1)α, which mediates the cellular response to hypoxia, has been demonstrated to be over‐expressed in many human cancers and is associated with poor prognosis and treatment failure in clinic. To develop a potent strategy to increase therapeutic efficacy and reduce drug resistance in prostate cancer therapy, we combined two anti‐cancer agents: T40214 (a p‐Stat3 inhibitor) and JG244 (a HIF‐1α inhibitor) together to treat nude mice bearing human prostate tumor (DU145) and immunocompetent mice (C57BL/6) bearing murine prostate tumor (TRAMP‐C2).METHODSWe employed in vitro and in vivo assays, including Western blots, cell cycle analysis, immunohistochemistry, TUNEL and xenograft models to determine the drug efficacy and mechanism of combination treatment of T40214 and JG244.RESULTSWe found that compared to treatment by T40214 or JG244 alone, the combination treatment using T40214 and JG244 together significantly suppressed growth of human or murine prostate tumors. Also, compared with apoptotic cells induced by T40214 or JG244 alone, the combined treatment greatly increased apoptosis in DU145 (P < 0.006) and TRAMP‐C2 tumors (P < 0.008).CONCLUSIONSOur results suggested that combination treatment including a HIF‐1α/2α inhibitor not only has therapeutic efficacy in targeting HIF‐1α/2α, but also could reduce the hypoxia‐induced drug resistance to other therapies (e.g., T40214) and enhance drug efficacy. This approach could make prostate cancer treatments more effective. Prostate 71:1796–1809, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A security enhanced authentication and key distribution protocol for wireless networks
Authors: Lv Chao , Ma Maode , Li Hui , Ma Jianfeng , Niu Ben 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTAuthentication and key distribution (AKD) protocols become more and more important in the design of wireless networks. Especially, the communication efficiency and security are the critical factors. In this paper, we first analyse the vulnerabilities of an AKD protocol for wireless networks under three types of attacks. Then, we propose an enhanced AKD protocol to overcome those vulnerabilities with the security functionality to prevent those malicious attacks. Security analysis and formal verification mainly using Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications toolkit show that the proposed protocol is secure against those attacks. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance analysis of Alamouti scheme with transmit antenna selection in non‐identical Nakagami‐m fading channels
Authors: Coşkun Ahmet F. , Kucur Oğuz , Altunbaş İbrahim 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTIn this paper, error performances of multiple‐input multiple‐output systems that employ Alamouti‐coded transmission with transmit antenna selection are examined for binary phase‐shift keying, binary frequency‐shift keying, M‐ary phase‐shift keying, and M‐ary quadrature amplitude‐modulation signals in independent but non‐identically distributed flat Nakagami‐m fading channels. Exact symbol error rate expressions are derived by using the moment‐generating function‐based analysis method. Upper bound expressions have been obtained in order to examine the asymptotic diversity order of transmit antenna selection/Alamouti scheme. Also, outage probability analysis of investigated systems has been given in order to examine the system capacity. Monte Carlo simulations have validated the analytical symbol error rate performance results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preoperative Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Predicts Advanced Lymph Node Metastasis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Hsu Po‐Kuei , Lin Ko‐Han , Wang Shyh‐Jen , Huang Chien‐Sheng , Wu Yu‐Chung , Hsu Wen‐Hu 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to study whether positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) findings are associated with lymph node staging, as outlined by the 7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).MethodsA series of 76 ESCC patients undergoing esophagectomy were included in this study. The relation between PET/CT findings [maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax)] and pathologic lymph node status (N stage) was studied.ResultsThe SUVmax of extra‐tumor uptake, but not that of the main tumor, was significantly associated with the N classification. N2/N3 disease was observed in 61.1% of patients with an SUVmax for extra‐tumor uptake of >4.9, whereas only 17.2% of patients with an SUVmax of extra‐tumor uptake of <4.9 were classified as N2/N3 The number of PET abnormalities (NPAs) was also significantly associated with the N classification. Patients with three or more NPAs had a 65% chance of being classified as N2/N3, whereas patients with one or two NPAs had less than a 20% chance of being classified as N2/N3.ConclusionsThe SUVmax of extra‐tumor uptake and the NPAs were significantly associated with the N classification outlined by the 7th edition of the AJCC TNM staging system. PET/CT does help identify patients with advanced lymph node metastasis (N2/N3 stage) instead of simply indicating nodal involvement.
Optimal Period for the Prophylactic Administration of Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitor for Patients with Esophageal Cancer Undergoing Esophagectomy
Authors: Iwahashi Makoto , Nakamori Mikihito , Nakamura Masaki , Ojima Toshiyasu , Naka Teiji , Yamaue Hiroki 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe present study was designed to determine the optimal period for the prophylactic administration of the neutrophil elastase inhibitor, Sivelestat, in patients undergoing transthoracic esophagectomy. Sivelestat is reported to be effective in patients who undergo esophagectomy by providing an increased oxygenation ability and suppressing the serum inflammatory cytokines in the postoperative period. However, the optimal period for the prophylactic administration of Sivelestat remains to be elucidated.MethodsThe 30 patients who underwent esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer were enrolled in one of two groups. The initial 15 patients were assigned to group A and received intravenous infusion of Sivelestat sodium hydrate until postoperative day (POD) 2, and the subsequent 15 patients were assigned to group B and received Sivelestat until POD 5. Historical controls without Sivelestat administration were used. The postoperative courses and serum inflammatory cytokines were evaluated.ResultsSivelestat improved oxygenation in the postoperative period; however, there were no differences between the two groups in terms of duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and postoperative change of oxygenation. In addition, there were no differences in the postoperative changes in the serum interleukin (IL)‐6 and high mobility group box chromosomal protein 1. Although the serum IL‐8 on POD 3 was lower in group B than in group A, the neutrophil elastase showed no difference between these groups. None of the patients in either group suffered respiratory complications.ConclusionsThe two‐day administration of Sivelestat initiated immediately after intrathoracic manipulation was found to be sufficient for prophylactic use to prevent pulmonary complications by suppressing hypercytokinemia after esophagectomy.
Tetradecylthioacetic Acid Increases Hepatic Mitochondrial β‐Oxidation and Alters Fatty Acid Composition in a Mouse Model of Chronic Inflammation
Authors: Burri Lena , Bjørndal Bodil , Wergedahl Hege , Berge Kjetil , Bohov Pavol , Svardal Asbjørn , Berge Rolf K. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe administration of tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA), a hypolipidemic and anti‐inflammatory modified bioactive fatty acid, has in several experiments based on high fat diets been shown to improve lipid transport and utilization. It was suggested that increased mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation in the liver of Wistar rats results in reduced plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) levels. Here we assessed the potential of TTA to prevent tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α‐induced lipid modifications in human TNFα (hTNFα) transgenic mice. These mice are characterized by reduced β‐oxidation and changed fatty acid composition in the liver. The effect of dietary treatment with TTA on persistent, low‐grade hTNFα overexpression in mice showed a beneficial effect through decreasing TAG plasma concentrations and positively affecting saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid proportions in the liver, leading to an increased anti‐inflammatory fatty acid index in this group. We also observed an increase of mitochondrial β‐oxidation in the livers of TTA treated mice. Concomitantly, there were enhanced plasma levels of carnitine, acetyl carnitine, propionyl carnitine, and octanoyl carnitine, no changed levels in trimethyllysine and palmitoyl carnitine, and a decreased level of the precursor for carnitine, called γ‐butyrobetaine. Nevertheless, TTA administration led to increased hepatic TAG levels that warrant further investigations to ascertain that TTA may be a promising candidate for use in the amelioration of inflammatory disorders characterized by changed lipid metabolism due to raised TNFα levels.
Aerobic Exercise Improves Reverse Cholesterol Transport in Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Transgenic Mice
Authors: Rocco D. D. F. M. , Okuda L. S. , Pinto R. S. , Ferreira F. D. , Kubo S. K. , Nakandakare E. R. , Quintão E. C. R. , Catanozi S. , Passarelli M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe analyzed the effect of a 6‐week aerobic exercise training program on the in vivo macrophage reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in human cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transgenic (CETP‐tg) mice. Male CETP‐tg mice were randomly assigned to a sedentary group or a carefully supervised exercise training group (treadmill 15 m/min, 30 min sessions, five sessions per week). The levels of plasma lipids were determined by enzymatic methods, and the lipoprotein profile was determined by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). CETP activity was determined by measuring the transfer rate of 14C‐cholesterol from HDL to apo‐B containing lipoproteins, using plasma from CETP‐tg mice as a source of CETP. The reverse cholesterol transport was determined in vivo by measuring the [3H]‐cholesterol recovery in plasma and feces (24 and 48 h) and in the liver (48 h) following a peritoneal injection of [3H]‐cholesterol labeled J774‐macrophages into both sedentary and exercise trained mice. The protein levels of liver receptors were determined by immunoblot, and the mRNA levels for liver enzymes were measured using RT‐PCR. Exercise training did not significantly affect the levels of plasma lipids or CETP activity. The HDL fraction assessed by FPLC was higher in exercise‐trained compared to sedentary mice. In comparison to the sedentary group, a greater recovery of [3H]‐cholesterol from the injected macrophages was found in the plasma, liver and feces of exercise‐trained animals. The latter occurred even with a reduction in the liver CYP7A1 mRNA level in exercised trained animals. Exercise training increased the liver LDL receptor and ABCA‐1 protein levels, although the SR‐BI protein content was unchanged. The RCT benefit in CETP‐tg mice elicited by exercise training helps to elucidate the role of exercise in the prevention of atherosclerosis in humans.
Treatment of poor-risk myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia with a combination of 5-azacytidine and valproic acid
Authors: Kuendgen Andrea , Bug Gesine , Ottmann Oliver G. , Haase Detlef , Schanz Julie , Hildebrandt Barbara , Nachtkamp Kathrin , Neukirchen Judith , Dienst Ariane , Haas Rainer , Germing Ulrich , Gattermann Norbert 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
5-azacytidine (AZA) has become standard treatment for patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Response rate is about 50% and response duration is limited. Histone deactylase (HDAC) inhibitors are attractive partners for epigenetic combination therapy. We treated 24 patients with AZA (100 mg/m2, 5 days) plus valproate (VPA; continuous dosing, trough serum level 80–110 μg/ml). According to WHO classification, 5 patients had MDS, 2 had MDS/MPD, and 17 had acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Seven patients (29%) had previously received intensive chemotherapy, and five had previous HDAC inhibitor treatment. The overall response rate was 37% in the entire cohort but significantly higher (57%) in previously untreated patients, especially those with MDS (64%). Seven (29%) patients achieved CR (29%) and two PR (8%), respectively. Hematological CR was accompanied by complete cytogenetic remission according to conventional cytogenetics in all evaluable cases. Some patients also showed complete remission according to FISH on bone marrow mononuclear cells and CD34+ peripheral blood cells, as well as by follow-up of somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations. Four additional patients achieved at least marrow remissions. Factors influencing response were AML (vs. MDS), marrow blast count, pretreatment, transfusion dependency, concomitant medication with hydroxyurea, and valproic acid (VPA) serum level. This trial is the first to assess the combination of AZA plus VPA without additional ATRA. A comparatively good CR rate, relatively short time to response, and the influence of VPA serum levels on response suggest that VPA provided substantial additional benefit. However, the importance of HDAC inhibitors in epigenetic combination therapy can only be proven by randomized trials.
Bounds for the multiplicities of the roots of a complex polynomial
Authors: Bonciocat A. I. , Bonciocat N. C. , Zaharescu A. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe refine a result of Dubickas on the maximal multiplicity of the roots of a complex polynomial, and obtain several separability criteria for complex polynomials with large leading coefficient. We also give p-adic analogous results for polynomials with integer coefficients.
OTTOMAN MODERNITY, COLONIALISM, AND INSURGENCY IN THE INTERWAR ARAB EAST
Authors: Provence Michael 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe foundations of both Arab and Turkish nationalism lay in the late Ottoman mass education and conscription project and in the region-wide struggle against colonial rule in the 1920s and 1930s. The anticolonial insurgencies of the 1920s and 1930s have passed into history as the formative expressions of new nations: the Turkish War of Independence, the Iraqi revolt of 1920, the Syrian Battle of Maysalun, the Great Syrian Revolt, and the Palestinian uprisings of 1920, 1929, and 1936. But all insurgents of the 1920s had been Ottoman subjects, and many and probably most had been among the nearly three million men mobilized into the Ottoman army between 1914 and 1918. The Ottoman State, like all 19th-century European powers, had made mass education and conscription a centerpiece of policy in the decades before the Great War.