bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Ginkgo biloba extracts on NMDA‐activated currents in acutely isolated hippocampal neurons of the rat
Authors: Li Shao , Luo Jie , Wang Xi , Guan Bing‐Cai , Sun Chang‐Kai 
Published: July 2010

AbstractGinkgo biloba extracts (GBE) have long been used as a traditional herbal medicine for treating central nervous system diseases and peripheral vascular diseases, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Furthermore, traditional GBE is in the form of microsomes and only dissolves in organic solvents; its clinical applications have been greatly limited. Therefore, in the present study, nanometer GBE (nGBE) was prepared utilizing supercritical anti‐solvent (SAS) upon CO2‐supercritical fluid extraction (CO2‐SPF). Using whole‐cell patch clamp techniques, the effects of different preparations of GBE on N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA)‐activated currents (INMDA) from acutely isolated rat hippocampal neurons were investigated and the difference in protective potency between nGBE and mGBE evaluated. The results showed that the inward current activated by NMDA could be depressed by mGBE and nGBE. The inhibitory rates were 40% ± 17% and 64% ± 15%, and the half‐inhibition concentrations (IC50) were 0.0210 ± 0.0055 and 0.0262 ± 0.0038 mg/mL, respectively. In comparison, the modulatory effect of nGBE (dissolved in extracellular solution) on NMDA‐activated current was significantly greater than that of mGBE (dissolved in DMSO) (p < 0.05). This indicated that the modulatory effects of GBE on NMDA‐activated current may contribute to the neuroprotective effects of GBE and the modulatory effect of nGBE on NMDA‐activated current was greater than that of mGBE. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin gene expression in the murine pre‐adipocyte cell line, 3T3‐L1
Authors: Shimojo Yosuke , Kosaka Kunio , Shirasawa Takuji 
Published: July 2010

AbstractGanoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for the treatment of various diseases including cancer and atherosclerosis. In this study, the positive effect of G. lucidum on metabolic syndrome was investigated in more detail by the use of 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocyte cells. Treatment of 3T3‐L1 cells with G. lucidum extract (GE) significantly promoted adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin production in a dose‐dependent manner, as assessed by Oil‐Red O staining, quantitative RT‐PCR and ELISA. Treatment with GW9662, an inhibitor for peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma (PPARgamma), significantly attenuated GE‐dependent adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin gene expression, suggesting the involvement of PPARgamma. Moreover, a reporter gene assay using GAL4‐PPAR fusion proteins revealed that GE enhances GAL4‐PPARgamma and GAL4‐PPARalpha activities. These results indicate the presence of natural compounds possessing PPARgamma and PPARalpha activating properties in G. lucidum. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antimicrobial activity of terpenoids from Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. against cariogenic bacteria
Authors: Souza Ariana B. , Martins Carlos H. G. , Souza Maria G. M. , Furtado Niege A. J. C. , Heleno Vladimir C. G. , de Sousa João P. B. , Rocha Erilda M. P. , Bastos Jairo K. , Cunha Wilson R. , Veneziani Rodrigo C. S. , Ambrósio Sérgio R. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIn the present work, the anticariogenic activities of nine labdane type‐diterpenes and four sesquiterpenes were investigated. Among these metabolites, (‐)‐copalic acid (CA) was the most active compound displaying MIC values very promising (ranging from 2.0 to 6.0 µg/mL) against the main microorganisms responsible for dental caries: Streptococcus salivarius, S. sobrinus, S. mutans, S. mitis, S. sanguinis and Lactobacillus casei. Time kill assays performed with CA against the primary causative agent (S. mutans) revealed that, in the first 12 h, this compound only inhibits the growth of the inoculum (bacteriostatic effect). However, its bactericidal effect is clearly noted thereafter (between 12 and 24 h). Also, CA did not show a synergistic effect when combined with the anticariogenic gold standard (chlorhexidine, CHD) in the checkerboard assays against S. mutans. In conclusion, the results points out CA as an important metabolite in the search for new effective anticariogenic agents. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atmospheric tides over the Pyrenees: observational study and numerical simulation
Authors: Díaz de Argandoña J. , Ezcurra A. , Sáenz J. , Campistron B. , Ibarra‐Berastegi G. , Saïd F. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBarometric tides around the Pyrenees mountain range are analyzed by means of synoptic surface‐station data recorded during one year, surface data from the Pyrenees Experiment (PYREX) and the CRA/LA Very High Frequency (VHF) wind profiler installed in the north of the range. Tides are decomposed into their diurnal and semi‐diurnal components. Diurnal tides show a strong non‐migrating component and are very dependent on local conditions. Semi‐diurnal tides are more homogeneous and present a north–south asymmetry, also noted in the Alps. This cross‐range asymmetry could be related to some interference effect caused by the mountain range in the migrating semi‐diurnal tide wave. The asymmetry of the diurnal component presents a very strong seasonal variation, probably related to local diabatic effects. A three‐month long simulation has been carried out with the National Center for Atmospheric Research's Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) limited‐area model to try to reproduce the tide structure. The validation of the results with wind‐profiler data shows reasonable agreement with the observed diurnal tide and poorer results for the semi‐diurnal component. At surface level, however, the model reproduces some of the features of the observed semi‐diurnal tide, and especially the cross‐range asymmetry. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
A study on precursors to blocking anomalies in climatological flows by using conditional nonlinear optimal perturbations
Authors: Jiang Zhina , Wang Donghai 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis work explores the inverse problem of what are the precursors to a given blocking anomaly in climatological flow over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, respectively. Blocking anomaly in geopotential height field is specified as a dipole structure which is dominated by a strong positive anomaly centred at about 60°N and a weak negative anomaly south of it. The method of conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation (CNOP) is applied to investigate the above problem by using a T21L3 quasi‐geostrophic model and its tangent linear and adjoint versions.Results show that both for the Atlantic and Pacific blockings, the precursors are baroclinic synoptic‐scale wave train disturbances, whose maximum amplitudes are located upstream of the corresponding blocking regions. The disturbances, which mostly focus on the northward flanks of the corresponding Atlantic and Pacific upper‐level jet, take on a northeast‐southwest trend. However, the leftover parts located in the southward flanks of the corresponding upper‐level jet take on a northwest‐southeast trend. This structure is favourable for the precursors to gain more kinetic energy from the horizontal shear of the basic flow. Further energy analysis reveals that the available potential energy contributes more to the initial precursors, and with time, the kinetic energy dominates the structures. With the help of potential vorticity analysis, it is shown that the planetary‐scale eddy feedback seems to advect anticyclonic (cyclonic) vorticity to the high pressure (low trough) region of blocking, and thus it promotes the onset of blocking. In addition, more specific differences for the precursors to blocking anomalies over the two oceans are compared. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Instituting a robot‐assisted surgery programme at a tertiary care cancer centre
Authors: duPont Nefertiti C. , Guru Khurshid A. , Iskander George B. , Odunsi Kunle , Lele Shashikant B. , Rodabaugh Kerry J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe initial experience of a gynaecological oncology robotic surgery programme at a tertiary care cancer centre is described.MethodsA retrospective study was performed to evaluate the perioperative outcomes of 76 patients offered robot‐assisted surgery.ResultsSeventy‐three patients underwent robot‐assisted surgery; three cases were converted to laparotomy; 51% of patients underwent treatment for endometrial cancer; 18% had ovarian cancer risk reduction surgery; and 8% were treated for uterine leiomyomata. Median body mass index (BMI) was 30. Median estimated blood loss, operative time, and length of stay were 150 ml, 195 min and 1 day, respectively. The total major complication rate was 6.8% and the total minor complication rate was 15.1%.ConclusionRobot‐assisted surgery is safe and appropriate for gynaecological patients undergoing surgical management. A gynaecological oncology robot‐assisted programme can be easily established in a tertiary care cancer centre. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Respiratory motion control for stereotactic and robotic liver interventions
Authors: Widmann Gerlig , Schullian Peter , Haidu Marion , Wiedermann Franz J , Bale Reto 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackgroundControl of respiratory motion is an essential prerequisite for stereotactic computer‐assisted and robotic interventions in the liver.MethodsThe respiratory motion control error (RMCE) of temporary disconnections of the endotracheal tube (ETT) in anaesthetized patients has been evaluated during computer tomography (CT)‐guided liver punctures. Two arterial and portal phase contrast‐enhanced planning CTs were obtained during one ETT disconnection. After liver puncture, a native control CT was performed during a second ETT disconnection. By image fusion, the Euclidean errors of corresponding external and internal targets were calculated as baseline measures. RMCE was obtained by subtracting the Euclidean error during one ETT disconnection from the Euclidean error during two ETT disconnections.ResultsIn 26 patients, the overall mean RMCE showed 1.98 ± 0.93 (range 0.44–4.02) mm for external targets and 1.41 ± 0.75 (range 0.46–3.18) mm for the internal targets, without significant difference in means (p = 0.558). No complications were noted.ConclusionsTemporary ETT disconnections are safe and may control respiratory motion for liver interventions within 4 mm. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recombination among picornaviruses
Authors: Lukashev A.N. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractPicornaviruses are small non‐enveloped positive strand RNA viruses that can cause a wide range of clinical manifestations in humans and animals. Many of these viruses are highly diversified and globally prevalent. Natural recombination has been reported in most picornavirus genera and is a key genetic feature of these infectious agents. In several socially relevant picornavirus genera, such as enteroviruses, aphthoviruses, parechoviruses and cardioviruses, recombination, combined with dynamic global epidemiology, maintains virus species as a worldwide pool of genetic information. It can be suggested that on a short time scale recombination acts to promote virus diversity, and new recombinant forms of picornaviruses emerge frequently as ‘snapshots’ of this global pool. On a longer time scale, recombination maintains stability of a gene pool of a species by shuffling sequences and thus limiting divergence and speciation. This review covers existing evidence of recombination in most genera of the family Picornaviridae and possible implications for diagnostics, epidemiology and classification. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The implementation and structuring of divestitures: the unit's perspective
Authors: Moschieri Caterina 
Published: July 2010

AbstractExisting literature on value creation of divestitures focuses on their antecedents, typically relating them to the parent company's financial performance. Whether and how divestitures can create value for the divested unit remains unclear. This paper presents an exploratory study based on multiple cases, to examine which factors of the implementation and structuring of a divestiture may increase the performance of a divested unit. The emergent granular framework consists of previously unreported aspects of the divesting process and provides new insights into divestitures and their outcomes. Results indicate that antecedents alone may be insufficient for understanding the outcomes of divestitures. Different combinations of understanding of the rationale for the divestiture and perceived capabilities in the divesting process affect perceptions of divestiture feasibility. Sense of opportunity emerges as the key element of the divesting process for the success of divested units. Factors that participate with sense of opportunity in determining the success of divested units are further considered in the theoretical framework. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Who gets the carrot and who gets the stick? Evidence of gender disparities in executive remuneration
Authors: Kulich Clara , Trojanowski Grzegorz , Ryan Michelle K. , Alexander Haslam S. , Renneboog Luc D. R. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis paper offers a new explanation of the gender pay gap in leadership positions by examining the relationship between managerial bonuses and company performance. Drawing on findings of gender studies, agency theory, and the leadership literature, we argue that the gender pay gap is a context‐specific phenomenon that results partly from the fact that company performance has a moderating impact on pay inequalities. Employing a matched sample of 192 female and male executive directors of U.K.‐listed firms, we corroborate the existence of the gender pay disparities in corporate boardrooms. In line with our theoretical predictions, we find that bonuses awarded to men are not only larger than those allocated to women, but also that managerial compensation of male executive directors is much more performance‐sensitive than that of female executives. The contribution of attributional and expectancy‐related dynamics to these patterns is highlighted in line with previous work on gender stereotypes and implicit leadership theories such as the romance of leadership. Gender differences in risk taking and confidence are also considered as potential explanations for the observed pay disparities. The implications of organizations' indifference to women's performance are examined in relation to issues surrounding the recognition and retention of female talent. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Are family‐friendly workplace practices a valuable firm resource?
Authors: Bloom Nick , Kretschmer Tobias , Van Reenen John 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWe study the determinants and consequences of family‐friendly workplace practices (FFWP) using a sample of over 450 manufacturing firms in Germany, France, U.K., and U.S. We find a positive correlation between firm productivity and FFWP. This association disappears, however, once we control for a measure of the quality of management practices. We further find that firms with a higher proportion of female managers and more skilled workers, as well as well‐managed firms, tend to implement more FFWP. Conversely, a firm's environment does not have a significant impact on the FFWP it provides. © 2010 The Authors. Strategic Management Journal published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Fabrication of a 3D Nanoscale Crossbar Circuit by Nanotransfer‐Printing Lithography
Authors: Stuart Colin , Park Hee‐Kun , Chen Yong 
Published: July 2010

AbstractNanotransfer‐printing lithography simplifies the fabrication of a 3D nanoscale crossbar circuit. Gold nanowires 100 nm in width and with 100 nm spacing are printed onto a polymer layer of electrically switchable, LiClO4‐doped poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2′‐ethylhexyloxy)‐p‐phenylene vinylene] mixed with an epoxy. The transfer process can be repeated to obtain a multilayer nanoscale crossbar structure. This process paves the way toward fabricating 3D circuits with ultrahigh device density and neuromorphic architectures.
Effect of selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation therapy for twin–twin transfusion syndrome on pulmonary valve pathology in recipient twins
Authors: Moon‐Grady A. J. , Rand L. , Lemley B. , Gosnell K. , Hornberger L. K. , Lee H. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the impact of selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (SFLP) on pre‐existing pulmonary valve pathology in the recipient twin in twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).MethodsWe evaluated preoperative echocardiograms of all pregnancies with TTTS treated with SFLP at our institution from 2001 to 2009 (n = 76). Sixteen (21%) recipients had an abnormal pulmonary valve (stenosis/dysplasia, insufficiency or functional atresia) before SFLP. Postoperative echocardiograms and medical records from these 16 recipients were reviewed. Changes in pulmonary valve structure and function, and overall cardiac function, were noted after SFLP.ResultsThe mean gestational age at SFLP was 21 (range, 18.7–24.3) weeks. Seven of sixteen (44%) recipients with abnormal pulmonary valve prior to SFLP survived. Six of the 16 (37.5%) recipient twins had documented absence of persistent pulmonary valve abnormalities at birth or at autopsy. Two (12.5%) of the 16 recipients (2.6% of the original cohort) had persistent pulmonary valve abnormalities at birth, requiring intervention. Systolic and diastolic function improved or normalized after SFLP in all patients undergoing longitudinal follow‐up. There was a tendency for a better cardiovascular profile score (best = 10 points) at initial evaluation in pregnancies with survivors compared with those with no survivors (mean (SD): 5.6 (2.2) vs. 6.75 (1.28)), but this was not statistically significant. Severity of cardiac involvement did not predict persistence of valve pathology or survival.ConclusionsSFLP can improve flow through the pulmonary valve of the recipient twin in TTTS, probably as a consequence of improvements in right ventricular systolic and diastolic function. However, pulmonary valve pathology may persist and require postnatal intervention. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
History of the 2°C climate target
Authors: Randalls Samuel 
Published: July 2010

AbstractPolicymakers, scientists, and social scientists have debated a wide array of responses to the realities and prospects of anthropogenic climate change. The focus of this review is on the 2°C temperature target, described as the maximum allowable warming to avoid dangerous anthropogenic interference in the climate. The temperature target has its roots in the ways in which scientists and economists developed heuristics from the 1970s to guide understanding and policy decision making about climate change. It draws from integrated assessment modeling, the ‘traffic light’ system of managing climate risks and a policy response guided as much by considerations of tolerability of different degrees of climate change as by simply reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The European Union (EU) proposed 2°C as the policy target in 1996, with support from some environmentalists and scientists. It was subsequently listed as the desirable temperature target in the 2009 Copenhagen Accord. Yet the figure has a range of critics from scientific experts to economists arguing that the target is infeasible, expensive, and an inappropriate way of framing climate policy. Tracing the historical development of the target helps understand the context it emerged from and its various strengths and weaknesses. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.This article is categorized under:Climate, History, Society, Culture > Ideas and Knowledge
Heterologous carotenoid production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae induces the pleiotropic drug resistance stress response
Authors: Verwaal René , Jiang Yang , Wang Jing , Daran Jean‐Marc , Sandmann Gerhard , van den Berg Johan A. , van Ooyen Albert J. J. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractTo obtain insight into the genome‐wide transcriptional response of heterologous carotenoid production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the transcriptome of two different S. cerevisiae strains overexpressing carotenogenic genes from the yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous grown in carbon‐limited chemostat cultures was analysed. The strains exhibited different absolute carotenoid levels as well as different intermediate profiles. These discrepancies were further sustained by the difference of the transcriptional response exhibited by the two strains. Transcriptome analysis of the strain producing high carotenoid levels resulted in specific induction of genes involved in pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR). These genes encode ABC‐type and major facilitator transporters which are reported to be involved in secretion of toxic compounds out of cells. β‐Carotene was found to be secreted when sunflower oil was added to the medium of S. cerevisiae cells producing high levels of carotenoids, which was not observed when added to X. dendrorhous cells. Deletion of pdr10, one of the induced ABC transporters, decreased the transformation efficiency of a plasmid containing carotenogenic genes. The few transformants that were obtained had decreased growth rates and lower carotenoid production levels compared to a pdr5 deletion and a reference strain transformed with the same genes. Our results suggest that production of high amounts of carotenoids in S. cerevisiae leads to membrane stress, in which Pdr10 might play an important role, and a cellular response to secrete carotenoids out of the cell. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ether–zymolyase ascospore isolation procedure: an efficient protocol for ascospores isolation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast
Authors: Bahalul Moran , Kaneti Galoz , Kashi Yechezkel 
Published: July 2010

AbstractHere we describe a new procedure for ascospore isolation from cultures containing a majority of unsporulated vegetative cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The EZ ascospore isolation procedure relies on the combination of two conventional protocols, diethyl ether treatment and modified zymolyase treatment, allowing a significant increase in the efficiency of ascospore isolation and consequently enabling a large number of meiotic offspring to be efficiently obtained and screened, thus improving the efficacy of genetic research and the genetic selection of S. cerevisiae strains. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.