bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diterpenoids from Marine Ciliates: Chemical Polymorphism of Euplotes rariseta
Authors: Guella Graziano , Callone Emanuela , Mancini Ines , Dini Fernando , Di Giuseppe Graziano 
Published: August 2012

AbstractA homogeneous, though multifaceted, secondary metabolic character emerges from a detailed investigation of secondary metabolites produced by the ciliate species Euplotes rariseta. In particular, from the strain NZ2, collected in New Zealand (Omaha Bay), two new irregular diterpenoids, omaholidenol (6) and omaholidenal (7), have been isolated which are the C5 homologues of rarisetenolide (1), the latter being previously found as the main secondary metabolite in different strains of the same species. On the other hand, from strain Ubt22, three new diterpenoids, ubatubaolidenal (8), ubatubadial A (9), and ubatubadial B (10), have been found. Finally, two new diterpenoids, epoxyfocardolide (11) and prenyl epoxyrarisetenolde (12), were isolated in low yields from the sister species Euplotes quinquecarinatus and Euplotes parkei, respectively. All these findings strongly suggest, in addition to a wide chemical polymorphism in E. rariseta populations, a close parallelism between the production pattern of secondary metabolites and the phylogenetic relationships of the species, confirming the chemotaxonomic utility of these compounds in the ciliate genus Euplotes.
Regioselective N‐Alkylation of 2‐Aminoimidazoles with Alcohols to 2‐(N‐Alkylamino)imidazoles Catalyzed by the [Cp*IrCl2]2/K2CO3 System
Authors: Li Feng , Kang Qikai , Shan Haixia , Chen Lin , Xie Jianjiang 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe direct N‐alkylation of 2‐aminoimidazoles to give the corresponding 2‐(N‐alkylamino)imidazoles was accomplished using alcohols as alkylating agents in the presence of a [Cp*IrCl2]2/K2CO3 system. The iridium‐catalyzed regioselective reaction is simple, efficient, general, and environmentally benign.
The 2010 rockfall event in Stein an der Traun – installation of monitoring and early‐warning systems / Das Felssturzereignis von Stein an der Traun – Einrichtung von Monitoring‐ und Frühwarn‐Systemen
Authors: Plinninger Ralf J. , Smettan Klaus , Kresse John 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe heritage‐protected ensemble of Castle Brewery, boarding school and medieval Cave Castle forms the centre of Stein a.d. Traun, Traunstein County, Bavaria/Germany. In large parts of the area, the buildings nestle to or are built directly into a vertical or even overhanging rock slope up to 50 m high, formed of Quaternary conglomerates. Potential rock or block falls as well as larger scale instabilities in this slope represent hazards to the infrastructure below it, as was dramatically shown by the tragic event in January 2010. In order to monitor changes in the rock mass, geotechnical monitoring and early‐warning systems were installed in two areas in 2011. This article describes the specific structural and geomechanical situation of the two investigation areas and presents the monitoring concept and the first measured data.Das denkmalgeschützte Ensemble von Schlossbrauerei, traditionsreichem Internat und mittelalterlicher Felsenburg bildet den Ortskern von Stein an der Traun, Landkreis Traunstein, Bayern. Die Gebäude schmiegen sich dabei in weiten Bereichen direkt an eine bis zu rund 50 m hohe, senkrechte bis überhängende Nagelfluhwand an bzw. sind in diese hineingebaut. Das Risiko von Stein‐ oder Blockschlägen sowie ggf. auch größeren Felsstürzen aus der Felswand stellt eine Gefährdung der darunterliegenden Infrastruktur dar, deren potenzielle Auswirkungen das tragische Ereignis vom Januar 2010 vor Augen geführt hat. Zur Überwachung von Veränderungen wurden 2011 geotechnische Monitoring‐ und Frühwarnsysteme in zwei Teilbereichen eingerichtet. Der Beitrag beschreibt die spezifische bauliche und geomechanische Situation und stellt Auslegung und erste Messergebnisse des installierten Systems vor.
Various methods, different results – on dealing with rockfall modelling in hazard and risk analyses / Verschiedene Verfahren, verschiedene Resultate – Vom Umgang mit Sturzmodellierungen bei Gefahren‐ und Risikoanalysen
Authors: Bollinger Daniel , Gruner Ueli , Jordan Peter , Liniger Markus , Rovina Hermann 
Published: August 2012

AbstractNumerical modelling of rockfall events is an increasingly significant basis for the production of hazard maps and the design of protection structures. The fact that the various programs on the market lead to different results in specific cases has led to discussion. The programs most commonly used in Switzerland are therefore compared with regard to input parameters and results, the main and auxiliary algorithms and further aspects. The difference between deterministic and probabilistic methods is important. The probabilistic method requires great caution and experience, both in the parameter input and in the interpretation of the results. This poses the general question, what uncertainties have to be dealt with in the management of natural hazards.Numerische Modellierungen von Steinschlagereignissen stellen eine zunehmend bedeutendere Grundlage für die Erstellung von Gefahrenkarten und die Bemessung von Schutzbauten dar. Dass die verschiedenen marktüblichen Programme bei konkreten Fragestellungen zu unterschiedlichen Resultaten führen, hat zu Diskussionen geführt. Die in der Schweiz am häufigsten eingesetzten Programme werden deshalb betreffend der Eingabeparameter und Resultate, der zugrunde liegenden Haupt‐ und Zusatzalgorithmen und weiterer Aspekte verglichen. Wichtig ist die Unterscheidung zwischen deterministischem und probabilistischem Ansatz. Der probabilistische Ansatz bedarf sowohl bei der Parametereingabe als auch bei der Interpretation der Resultate größter Sorgfalt und Erfahrung. Dabei stellt sich auch die generelle Frage, wie mit Unsicherheiten im Naturgefahrenmanagement umzugehen ist.
Protection against debris flows using flexible ring net barriers in the Teufelskadrich, Germany / Murgangschutz Teufelskadrich mit flexiblen Ringnetzbarrieren
Authors: Wendeler Corinna , Gröner Eberhard , Matthesius Jürgen 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe steep slope along the river Rhine between the German villages of Lorch and Assmannshausen is called the “Teufelskadrich”. The railway line of German federal railways and the motorway run alongside the river Rhine between the foot of the slope and the riverbank. In July 2008, after heavy rain and thunderstorms, several landslides and small debris flows occurred in the area, closing the railway line for several days. Twelve flexible ring net barriers were designed, manufactured and installed within two months as part of an emergency procedure. These lightweight ring net barriers are quick to install and are suitable for slopes with difficult access. They can also blend in with nature once installed, which was important in the “Teufelskadrich” area as the valley is a popular tourist destination. With the new barriers installed on the slope, mobilised landslide or debris flow material is drained and retained by the filtering effect of the ring net barriers. As an additional measure, some of the deposited debris has been stabilised using a slope stabilisation system, utilising high‐tensile chain link mesh and soil nails. Most of the future material is thus already retained in the catchment area, further reducing erosion and limiting mass mobilisation in case of an event.Im Teufelskadrich, einem zwischen Lorch am Rhein und Assmannshausen gelegenen steilen Abhang des Rheinischen Schiefergebirges, wurde infolge von Hangrutschungen und kleineren Murgängen im Juli 2008 die dortige Hauptbahnverbindung für mehrere Tage unterbrochen. Auslösendes Moment der Massenbewegungen waren Starkniederschlagsereignisse im Zuge eines Gewitters. Im Rahmen einer Sofortmaßnahme wurde innerhalb von zwei Monaten in enger Zusammenarbeit zwischen DB AG, Planer, Produkthersteller und ausführenden Bauunternehmungen ein in Deutschland neuartiges Schutzsystem aus zwölf flexiblen Ringnetzbarrieren realisiert. Diese Systeme eignen sich durch ihre einfache und schnelle Installation im schwer zugänglichen Gelände, ohne dabei das touristisch geprägte Landschaftsbild der “Loreley‐Region” des Rheins stark zu beeinträchtigen. Zukünftige Murgangereignisse sollten folglich nicht mehr zu einem Stillstand des Bahnverkehrs und einer Gefährdung von Mensch und Infrastruktur in diesem Gebiet führen.
Thymosin beta 4 mediates oligodendrocyte differentiation by upregulating p38 MAPK
Authors: Santra Manoranjan , Chopp Michael , Zhang Zheng Gang , Lu Mei , Santra Sutapa , Nalani Ankita , Santra Soumi , Morris Daniel C. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), a G‐actin sequestering peptide, increases oligodendrogenesis and improves functional outcome in models of neurological injury. The molecular mechanisms of Tβ4 mediated oligodendrogenesis are unclear. The p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) regulates oligodendrocyte (OL) differentiation and myelin gene expression in other models. Therefore, we investigated p38MAPK signaling pathways. We used primary rat neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and a mouse oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) line (N20.1 cells) to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Tβ4‐enhanced oligodendrogenesis. NPCs were isolated from rat subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles (n = 12). Primary NPCs and N20.1 cells were grown in the presence of 0, 25, and 50 ng/mL of Tβ4 (RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals Inc, Rockville, MD) for 14 days. Quantitative real‐time PCR and Western blot data showed significant induction of both expression and phosphorylation of p38MAPK with simultaneous inhibition of phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase 1 (JNK1), leading to reduction of phosphorylation of c‐Jun, a potent negative regulator of transcription of myelin genes. These effects were reversed with transfection of Tβ4siRNA. Our data indicate that Tβ4 treatment induces OL differentiation by inducing p38MAPK with parallel inactivation of ERK1 and JNK1, thus preventing the accumulation of phosphorylated c‐Jun. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Strategic planning processes and financial performance among hospitals in Lebanon
Authors: Saleh Shadi , Kaissi Amer , Semaan Adele , Natafgi Nabil Maher 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTBackgroundStrategic planning has been presented as a valuable management tool. However, evidence of its deployment in healthcare and its effect on organizational performance is limited in low‐income and middle‐income countries (LMICs). The study aimed to explore the use of strategic planning processes in Lebanese hospitals and to investigate its association with financial performance.MethodsThe study comprised 79 hospitals and assessed occupancy rate (OR) and revenue‐per‐bed (RPB) as performance measures. The strategic planning process included six domains: having a plan, plan development, plan implementation, responsibility of planning activities, governing board involvement, and physicians' involvement.ResultsApproximately 90% of hospitals have strategic plans that are moderately developed (mean score of 4.9 on a 1–7 scale) and implemented (score of 4.8). In 46% of the hospitals, the CEO has the responsibility for the plan. The level of governing board involvement in the process is moderate to high (score of 5.1), whereas physician involvement is lower (score of 4.1). The OR and RPB amounted to respectively 70% and 59 304 among hospitals with a strategic plan as compared with 62% and 33 564 for those lacking such a plan. No statistical association between having a strategic plan and either of the two measures was detected. However, the findings revealed that among hospitals that had a strategic plan, higher implementation levels were associated with lower OR (p < 0.05).ConclusionsIn an LMIC healthcare environment characterized by resource limitation, complexity, and political and economic volatility, flexibility rather than rigid plans allow organizations to better cope with environmental turbulence. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of switching from haloperidol decanoate depot to risperidone long‐acting injection on the clinical symptoms and cognitive function in schizophrenia
Authors: Suzuki Hidenobu , Gen Keishi 
Published: August 2012

ObjectiveThis study was a comparative investigation of the effects on clinical symptoms and cognitive function of switching the treatment of schizophrenia patients from haloperidol decanoate depot to risperidone long‐acting injection (RLAI) compared with a control group that continued receiving haloperidol decanoate depot.MethodsThis study was a 24‐week, non‐randomized, non‐double blind, open‐label trial. The subjects' clinical symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and their cognitive function was assessed using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test: Keio Version to assess executive function and the St. Marianna University School of Medicine's Computerized Memory Test to assess memory and concentration at 0 and 24 weeks.ResultsThe mean change from baseline in the number of categories achieved at the second stage of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test: Keio Version was significantly greater in the RLAI group than in the control group. The mean changes from baseline in the individual St. Marianna University School of Medicine's Computerized Memory Tests were significantly greater in the RLAI group than in the control group. The RLAI group needed a lower dosage of biperiden compared with the control group, even though they had similar risperidone‐equivalent daily dosages.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest the possibility that switching from haloperidol decanoate depot to RLAI may improve cognitive function including memory, executive function, motor processing function, and attention. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mixture of amino acids and other small molecules present in the serum suppresses the growth of murine and human tumors in vivo
Authors: Kulcsár Gyula , Gaál Dezső , Kulcsár Péter I. , Schulcz Ákos , Czömpöly Tamás 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPreviously we have hypothesized that the small molecules which are selectively accumulated in cancer cells might participate in a non‐immunological antitumor surveillance mechanism. We demonstrated earlier that a mixture of experimentally selected substances (“active mixture”, AM: L‐arginine, L‐histidine, L‐methionine, L‐phenylalanine, L‐tyrosine, L‐tryptophan, L‐ascorbate, D‐biotin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, adenine, L(‐)malate) possesses a selective toxic effect in vitro on a variety of tumor cell lines, and we have shown that the AM selectively induces apoptosis of cancer cells in vitro. To explore the in vivo significance of our earlier findings we examined the antitumor effect of AM in Colon 26 murine colorectal adenocarcinoma, B16 murine melanoma, MXT murine mammary carcinoma, S180 murine sarcoma, P388 murine lymphoid leukemia, HL‐60 human promyeloid leukemia, PC‐3 human prostate carcinoma, and HT‐29 human colon carcinoma tumor models. Treatment of tumor bearing mice with AM inhibited the growth of the tumors investigated, with an inhibitory effect ranging from 40 to 69%. The AM had a comparable antitumor effect with 5‐fluorouracil and cisplatin in the Colon‐26 tumor model, and combined treatment with AM and 5‐fluorouracil or cisplatin resulted in an enhanced tumor growth inhibitory effect. The AM induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway and induced G1 arrest in PC‐3 cells and increased the number of apoptotic cells in PC‐3 xenografts. These findings suggest that the AM might offer an interesting perspective in the treatment of cancer and in combination with other treatments may offer hope for a more effective cancer therapy.
Epigenetic inactivation of endothelin‐2 and endothelin‐3 in colon cancer
Authors: Wang Rong , Löhr Christiane V. , Fischer Kay , Dashwood W. Mohaiza , Greenwood Jeffrey A. , Ho Emily , Williams David E. , Ashktorab Hassan , Dashwood Michael R. , Dashwood Roderick H. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractEndothelin‐1 (ET‐1) and its receptors are overexpressed in human cancers, but much less is known about the roles of ET‐2 and ET‐3 in cancer etiology. We sought to examine human and rat colon tumors for dysregulation of ET‐2 and ET‐3 expression and determine the underlying mechanisms. Human primary colon cancers and carcinogen‐induced rat colon tumors were subjected to real‐time RT‐PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry; EDN2 and EDN3 genes were examined by methylation‐specific PCR, bisulfite sequencing and pyrosequencing; and forced expression of ET‐2 and ET‐3 was conducted in human colon cancer cells followed by real‐time cell migration and invasion assays. Rat and human colon tumors had markedly reduced expression of ET‐2 and ET‐3 mRNA and protein compared with matched controls. Mechanistic studies revealed hypermethylation of EDN2 and EDN3 genes in human primary colon cancers and in a panel of human colon cancer cell lines. Forced expression of ET‐2 and ET‐3 attenuated significantly the migration and invasion of human colon cancer cells. We conclude that epigenetic inactivation of ET‐2 and ET‐3 occurs frequently in both rat and human colon cancers. Current therapeutic strategies target overexpressed members of the ET axis via small molecule inhibitors and receptor antagonists, but this work supports a complementary approach based on the re‐expression of ET‐2 and ET‐3 as natural antagonists of ET‐1 in colon cancer.
Fourier transform infrared imaging of femoral neck bone: Reduced heterogeneity of mineral-to-matrix and carbonate-to-phosphate and more variable crystallinity in treatment-naive fracture cases compared with fracture-free controls
Authors: Gourion-Arsiquaud Samuel , Lukashova Lyudmilla , Power Jon , Loveridge Nigel , Reeve Jonathan , Boskey Adele L 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
After the age of 60 years, hip fracture risk strongly increases, but only a fifth of this increase is attributable to reduced bone mineral density (BMD, measured clinically). Changes in bone quality, specifically bone composition as measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging (FTIRI), also contribute to fracture risk. Here, FTIRI was applied to study the femoral neck and provide spatially derived information on its mineral and matrix properties in age-matched fractured and nonfractured bones. Whole femoral neck cross sections, divided into quadrants along the neck's axis, from 10 women with hip fracture and 10 cadaveric controls were studied using FTIRI and micro-computed tomography. Although 3-dimensional micro-CT bone mineral densities were similar, the mineral-to-matrix ratio was reduced in the cases of hip fracture, confirming previous reports. New findings were that the FTIRI microscopic variation (heterogeneity) of the mineral-to-matrix ratio was substantially reduced in the fracture group as was the heterogeneity of the carbonate-to-phosphate ratio. Conversely, the heterogeneity of crystallinity was increased. Increased variation of crystallinity was statistically associated with reduced variation of the carbonate-to-phosphate ratio. Anatomical variation in these properties between the different femoral neck quadrants was reduced in the fracture group compared with controls. Although our treatment-naive patients had reduced rather than increased bending resistance, these changes in heterogeneity associated with hip fracture are in another way comparable to the effects of experimental bisphosphonate therapy, which decreases heterogeneity and other indicators of bone's toughness as a material. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Influence of image‐quality degradation on accommodation mechanism in human vision: Conditions necessary for objective image‐quality evaluation metrics
Authors: Matsui Toshikazu 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis paper clarifies the relationship between image quality and accommodation in human vision through two types of experiments. One examines how image‐quality degradation influences the accommodation mechanism, and the other examines which type of information of quality‐degraded images activates the accommodation mechanism. Actually, accommodative responses are measured using an infrared optometer while subjects are subjectively evaluating sharpness, noise, and pseudo‐contours and while they are observing sine, square, and missing fundamental (MF) square waves. The following results were derived: (1) the accommodation lag increases as the degree of sharpness is degraded regardless of the tone‐reproducing methods; (2) the accommodation lag decreases considerably in the existence of noise or pseudo‐contours, whereas it increases for uniform or gently curved planes; (3) the spatial features of presented images activate the accommodation mechanism. These results suggest that accommodative responses influence human subjective judgments as well as being a human factor related closely to image quality and that the spatial features of quality‐degraded images underlie human subjective judgments. In other words, they imply that objective image‐quality evaluation metrics should satisfy the following two conditions: the incorporation of the accommodation characteristics into such metrics and the formulation of such metrics in the spatial region.
Novel CCK‐dependent vasorelaxing dipeptide, Arg‐Phe, decreases blood pressure and food intake in rodents
Authors: Kagebayashi Tomomi , Kontani Noriyasu , Yamada Yuko , Mizushige Takafumi , Arai Toshinobu , Kino Kuniki , Ohinata Kousaku 
Published: August 2012

ScopeWe found that a dipeptide, Arg‐Phe (RF), had vasorelaxing activity in mesenteric artery isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) (EC50 = 580 nM). We then investigated its mechanism of action, and elucidated its physiological functions.Methods and resultsVasorelaxing activities of RF‐related peptides were tested. The retro‐sequence dipeptide FR was inactive, suggesting that the RF sequence is important for a potent vasorelaxing effect. RA and AF were also inactive. RF‐nh2 had vasorelaxing activity, implying that the C‐terminal amidation of RF is tolerated. Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PGs) are known to be vasorelaxing factors; however, the vasorelaxing activity of RF was inhibited by neither NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor, nor indomethacin, a COX inhibitor. Interestingly, the activity was blocked by lorglumide, an antagonist of the cholecystokinin (CCK)1 receptor; however, RF had no affinity for CCK receptors, suggesting that RF stimulates CCK release. Orally administered RF decreased blood pressure in SHRs, and this antihypertensive activity was also blocked by a CCK1 antagonist. RF had CCK‐like suppressive effects on food intake and gastrointestinal transit. RF increased intracellular Ca2+ flux and CCK release in enteroendocrine STC‐1 cells.ConclusionA novel CCK‐dependent vasorelaxing RF decreases both blood pressure and food intake.