bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thrombin‐stimulated connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) production in human buccal mucosal fibroblasts: Inhibition by epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate
Authors: Chang Jenny Zwei‐Chieng , Yang Wan‐Hsien , Deng Yi‐Ting , Chen Hsin‐Ming , Kuo Mark Yen‐Ping 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundConnective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is associated with many human fibrotic disorders and was found to overexpress in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). OSF is the result of persistent chemical irritation and microtrauma to oral mucosa from areca nut. Microtrauma could lead to the release of thrombin.MethodsThrombin‐induced CCN2 expression and its signaling pathways were assessed by Western blot analyses in human buccal mucosal fibroblasts.ResultsThrombin stimulated CCN2 synthesis in buccal mucosal fibroblasts via activation of protease‐activated receptor‐1. Pretreatment with antioxidant N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine, apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1 inhibitor thioredoxin, and c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase inhibitor SP600125 significantly reduced thrombin‐induced CCN2 synthesis. Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate completely inhibited thrombin‐induced CCN2 synthesis.ConclusionThrombin produced by microtrauma may contribute to the pathogenesis of OSF by up‐regulating CCN2 expression. This effect could be mediated by protease‐activated receptor‐1, reactive oxygen species, apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1, and c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase pathways and prevented by epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
The role of melanoma tumor‐derived nitric oxide in the tumor inflammatory microenvironment: Its impact on the chemokine expression profile, including suppression of CXCL10
Authors: Tanese Keiji , Grimm Elizabeth A. , Ekmekcioglu Suhendan 
Published: September 2011

AbstractMelanoma appears to be heterogeneous in terms of its molecular biology, etiology and epidemiology. We previously reported that the expression of inducible nitric‐oxide synthase (iNOS) in melanoma tumor cells is strongly correlated with poor patient survival. Therefore, we hypothesized that nitric oxide (NO) produced by iNOS promotes the melanoma inflammatory tumor microenvironment associated with poor outcome. To understand the role of NO and iNOS in the melanoma inflammatory tumor microenvironment, polymerase chain reaction arrays of inflammatory and autoimmunity genes were performed on a series of stage III melanoma lymph node metastasis samples to compare the gene expression profiles of iNOS‐expressing and nonexpressing tumor samples. The results indicate that expression of CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) was inversely correlated with iNOS expression, and the high CXCL10‐expressing cases had more favorable prognoses than the low CXCL10‐expressing cases. Functional studies revealed that treating iNOS‐negative/CXCL10‐positive melanoma cell lines with a NO donor suppressed the expression of CXCL10. Furthermore, scavenging NO from iNOS‐expressing cell lines significantly affected the chemokine expression profile. Culture supernatants from NO scavenger‐treated melanoma cells promoted the migration of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, which was diminished when the cells were treated with a CXCL10‐neutralizing antibody. CXCL10 has been reported to be an antitumorigenic chemokine. Our study suggests that the production of NO by iNOS inhibits the expression of CXCL10 in melanoma cells and leads to a protumorigenic tumor microenvironment. Inhibiting NO induces an antitumorigenic environment, and thus, iNOS should be considered to be an important therapeutic target in melanoma.
Folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, methionine and alcohol intake in relation to ovarian cancer risk
Authors: Harris Holly R. , Cramer Daniel W. , Vitonis Allison F. , DePari Mary , Terry Kathryn L. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractFolate, methionine, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 may influence carcinogenesis due to their roles in the one‐carbon metabolism pathway, which is critical for DNA synthesis, methylation and repair. Low intake of these nutrients has been associated with an increased risk of breast, colon and endometrial cancers. Previous studies that have examined the relation between these nutrients and ovarian cancer risk have been inconsistent and have had limited power to examine the relation by histologic subtype. We investigated the association between folate, methionine, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and alcohol among 1910 women with ovarian cancer and 1989 controls from a case‐control study conducted in eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire from 1992 to 2008. Diet was assessed via food frequency questionnaire. Participants were asked to recall diet one‐year before diagnosis or interview. Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). We also examined whether the associations varied by ovarian cancer histologies using polytomous logistic regression. We observed an inverse association between dietary vitamin B6 (covariate‐adjusted OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.64–0.92; ptrend = 0.002) and methionine intake (covariate‐adjusted OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.60–0.87; ptrend < 0.001) and ovarian cancer risk comparing the highest to lowest quartile. The association with dietary vitamin B6 was strongest for serous borderline (covariate‐adjusted OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.32–0.77; ptrend = 0.001) and serous invasive (covariate‐adjusted OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58–0.94; ptrend = 0.012) subtypes. Overall, we observed no significant association between folate and ovarian cancer risk. One‐carbon metabolism related nutrients, especially vitamin B6 and methionine, may lower ovarian cancer risk.
Type and location of tumor‐infiltrating macrophages and lymphatic vessels predict survival of colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Ålgars Annika , Irjala Heikki , Vaittinen Samuli , Huhtinen Heikki , Sundström Jari , Salmi Marko , Ristamäki Raija , Jalkanen Sirpa 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe type of tumor‐infiltrating macrophages may be decisive in tumor immunity, lymphangiogenesis and in the clinical outcome of cancer. Here, we elucidated the prognostic significance of lymphatic vessels, different types of macrophages and the balance between different macrophage types in colorectal cancer. We analyzed the impact of density, type and location of macrophages on the clinical behavior of 159 primary colorectal carcinomas using CD68 as a pan‐macrophage marker and CLEVER‐1/Stabilin‐1 as a marker for regulatory/suppressive macrophages. Podoplanin was used as a pan‐lymphatic vessel marker. A high number of CLEVER‐1/Stabilin‐1+ peritumoral macrophages positively correlated with survival (p = 0.04). However, in more advanced disease (Stage IV), the patients with a high number of peritumoral or intratumoral CLEVER‐1/Stabilin‐1+ macrophages had a shorter disease‐specific survival (p = 0.05, and p = 0.008, respectively). Moreover, a low number of suppressive intratumoral CLEVER‐1/Stabilin‐1+ macrophages among high numbers of CD68+ macrophages correlated with a low number of distant recurrences (p = 0.01) and to fewer disease relapses exclusively in the liver as well (p = 0.006). A high number of intratumoral lymphatics correlated with poor survival (p = 0.03). The results of this work suggest that the type of macrophages, number of lymphatic vessels and their location contribute to the clinical behavior of colorectal cancer in a disease stage‐specific manner.
Synthesis of 2‐Arylbenzoxazoles from Flash Vacuum Pyrolysis of 2‐Methoxy‐N‐(arenylidene)anilines
Authors: Chou Chin‐Hsing , Hsueh Yu‐Tan , Wang Bo‐Chi 
Published: September 2011

AbstractFlash vacuum pyrolysis of 2‐methoxy‐N‐(arenylidene)anilines 2a‐g at 700 °C and 1 × 10‐2 Torr gave the corresponding 2‐arylbenzoxazoles 1a‐g.
Synthesis of Substituted 4‐Aroyl‐1‐indanone and 5‐Aroyl‐1‐tetralone
Authors: Chang Meng‐Yang , Lee Nien‐Chia 
Published: September 2011

AbstractSeveral substituted 4‐aroyl‐1‐indanones 2 and 5‐aroyl‐1‐tetralones 3 were prepared in good yields from 1‐indanones 1 via a series of reasonable transformations.
Effect of Ultrasonic‐assisted Preparation Methods on Structure, Morphology and Optical Properties of Nanosized Cupric Oxide
Authors: Gharagozlou Mehrnaz , Rahnama Ahmad 
Published: September 2011

AbstractCupric oxide is a p‐type semiconductor with a narrow band‐gap which is suitable for catalysis, electrochemical cells, field emission devices and gas sensor applications. Despite considerable efforts devoted to the preparation of the nanosized CuO, there is a lack of information about ultrasonic‐assisted (US) preparation methods. Nanosized cupric oxide was successfully prepared through different ultrasonic‐assisted (US) preparation methods. Furthermore, the influence of preparation method on the structure, morphology and optical properties of nanosized CuO has been reported. XRD patterns were identical to the single‐phase pure CuO with a monoclinic structure. The enhancement of the crystallinity and crystallite size was observed for the sample prepared through the US thermal decomposition. The absorption band of CuO nanocrystals prepared through the US liquid hydrolysis shows a clear red shift of about 40 nm compared to those obtained with other preparation methods. Our results indicated that almost spherical CuO nanoparticles with an average size of 65 nm were prepared during the US thermal decomposition, while CuO rod‐like nanostructures with an average diameter of about 16 nm were obtained via the US liquid hydrolysis method. The band gap values of nanosized CuO samples were larger than the reported value for the bulk CuO. Synthesized CuO samples by US methods with adjustable and controllable properties make the applicability of cupric oxide even more versatile.
Dispersive Liquid‐Liquid Microextraction Followed by HPLC‐DAD as an Efficient and Sensitive Technique for the Determination of Patulin from Apple Juice and Concentrate Samples
Authors: Farhadi Khalil , Maleki Ramin 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA simple and sensitive method based on dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction (DLLME) in conjunction with high performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detection (HPLC‐DAD) has been developed for the quantitative analysis of patulin in apple juice and concentrate samples. The effect of extraction and disperser solvent (nature and volume), pH of sample solution, extraction time and extraction temperature was investigated. Under the optimal conditions the linear dynamic range of patulin was from 8.0 to 40.0 μg L‐1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9993 and a detection limit of 4.0 μg L‐1. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 5.9% (n = 5) and the recovery values were in the range of 94‐97%. Finally the proposed method was successfully applied for the analysis of patulin in apple juice and concentrate samples.
Electrodeposition CaCO3 Nanoparticles‐chitosan Composite Film on Carbon Ionic Liquid Electrode as a Platform for Hemoglobin Electrochemical Biosensor
Authors: Zhao Hong‐Ye , Zheng Jian‐Bin , Sheng Qing‐Lin 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBy one‐step co‐electrodeposition CaCO3 nanoparticles‐chitosan composite film on carbon ionic liquid electrode (CILE), and then by spreading the composition of hemoglobin (Hb) and chitosan on the nanoCaCO3‐chi/CILE, a Hb‐chi/nanoCaCO3‐chi/CILE was fabricated and the direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of Hb at the electrode was investigated. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the modified electrode showed the electron transfer resistance was 1166 Ω. Investigation results of cyclic voltammetrys showed a pair of well‐defined and quasireversible redox peak of Hb with the formal potentials of ‐0.295 V (vs. SCE) in 0.1 mol·L‐1 pH 7.0 PBS; the response time of the reduction peak currents of Hb was lower than 3s; a linear range for determination of H2O2 was from 5.0 μmol·L‐1 to 1.3 mmol·L‐1 with a detection limit of 1.6 μmol·L‐1 (S/N = 3) and a sensitivity of 0.16 A·M‐1·cm‐2; the electron transfer rate constant and the apparent Michaelis‐Menten constant of Hb were 1.98 s‐1 and 0.81 mmol·L‐1, respectively. As a result, the case of the one‐step co‐electrodeposition and the promising feature of biocomposite could serve as a versatile platform for the fabrication of electrochemical biosensors.
Application of Net Analyte Signal Standard Addition Method (NASSAM) for Simultaneous Determination of Lead and Tin by Differential Pulse Polarography
Authors: Asadpour‐Zeynali Karim , Reza Majidi Mir , Vallipour Javad , Jafari Samira 
Published: September 2011

AbstractDifferential pulse polarography was used for simultaneous determination of Sn2+ and Pb2+. But there is a problem for simultaneous determination and it is high overlapped DPPs of mentioned cations that their determination is impossible in the presence of each other, so multivariate calibration methods as chemomatrics methods were used for this determination. There are some disadvantageous for multivariate calibration methods that can be solved by a new and simple method called net analyte signal standard addition method. This method has some advantages, such as: the use of a full voltammogram, realization in a single step, therefore it does not require calibration and prediction steps and only a few measurements are required for the determination.
Ionic Liquid [EMIM]OAc under Ultrasonic Irradiation towards Synthesis of 1,4‐DHP's
Authors: Reddy B. Palakshi , Rajesh K. , Vijayakumar V. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe ionic liquid 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazole acetate ([EMIM]OAc) was found to be a mild and effective catalyst for the efficient, one‐pot, three‐component synthesis of 1,4‐dihydropyridines from arylaldehydes, ethylacetoacetate/acetylacetone and ammonium acetate at room temperature under sonication. The developed method has many advantages, including devoid of harmful catalysts, reacting at room temperature, higher yields in a simple methodology or operational convenience.
Purification, Characterization and N‐terminal Sequence Analysis of Betel Leaf (Piper betle) Invertase
Authors: Hossain Md. Murad , Pervin Farzana , Absar Nurul 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe present study is the first report describing the purification, enzymatic properties and N‐terminal amino acid sequence of a native invertase in betel leaf. The invertase was purified as a monomeric glycoprotein of molecular mass (Mr) 68 kDa. The enzyme was capable to attack β‐fructofuranoside linkages from the fructose end of sucrose, raffinose and stachyose indicating it as an authentic β‐D‐fructofuranosidase with high specificity for sucrose (Km 4.83 mM). The maximum activity was detected at pH 5.2 and 37 °C. Glucose and fructose showed typical inhibitory effect on the enzyme activity where as lectin was found to be effective activators of the enzyme. Significant inhibition by heavy metal ion Hg2+ and sulfhydryl group modifying agents suggesting that free sulfhydryl group containing amino acid, cysteine is necessary for the catalytic activity of the invertase. A BLAST search of the N‐terminal amino acid sequence of betel leaf invertase showed significant homology with the homologous invertases in database.
Prenatal diagnosis of diastematomyelia: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Li Sheng‐li , Luo Guoyang , Norwitz Errol R. , Wang Chenhong , Ouyang Shuyuan , Wen Hua‐xuan , Xia Xun , Yao Yuan 
Published: September 2011

AbstractDiastematomyelia is a rare congenital disorder in which the spinal cord is divided longitudinally for part of its length. It can be accurately identified in the prenatal period by detailed sonographic examination of the spine. We report a case of diastematomyelia localized to spinal levels T6‐T9 diagnosed prenatally at 31 weeks' gestation and review the existing literature on the diagnosis and management of this condition during pregnancy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2012
Virtual worlds
Authors: Guthrie Kathy L. , Phelps Kirstin , Downey Steve 
Published: September 2011

AbstractGames, role‐playing, and simulations as developmental tools have been used in education since the 1800s. An emerging form of collaborative game play is virtual worlds; however, the use of virtual worlds in leadership education has not been fully investigated. The purpose of this article is to (a) demonstrate how virtual worlds are a viable venue for leadership education, and (b) present a hierarchy of skills sets that can be developed in virtual world settings. In doing so, this article provides evidence that virtual worlds can be used as a new instructional delivery environment for leadership education as the appeal and intrinsic nature of virtual environments aligns well with the experiential framework of leadership education.
Perceptions and outcomes of a managerial coaching certificate program: Educational leaders vs. business leaders
Authors: Chandler Mary M. , Roebuck Deborah Britt , Swan William W. , Brock Stephen J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractEducational leaders face unprecedented changes in developing new strategies and processes that improve teacher effectiveness, student performance, and administrators' professional development. Coaching is a way to improve and increase performance. Educators are in a position to take advantage of coaching as used by business leaders all over the world. This study examined the effectiveness of a coaching model designed for managers in a college of business. The study included both educational (n = 5) and business leaders (n = 30). It examined their perceptions and outcomes of their participation. The results strongly support the efficacy of this coaching model.
Pervasive myths in leadership development: Unpacking constraints on leadership learning
Authors: Dugan John P. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractForty years ago, the questions most discussed among those who cared about leadership were “is leadership possible among those who don't have titles and positions?”; “what are the characteristics possessed by effective leaders?”; and “how do we find the people who are the best leaders and help them prepare for positions that will allow them to have an impact?” After many conversations, conferences, research studies, and books, the terrain has shifted among scholars. Now the conversations focus on questions such as “If leadership is a shared responsibility among members of groups, how can the full leadership potential of all be cultivated?”; “What role do collaborators play in empowering positive leadership and defending against those who misuse it?”; and “How can organizations cultivate cultures that support and encourage visionary leadership dedicated to benefitting all?”The shift in the questions that leadership educators now explore, coupled with the breadth and variety of the initiatives dedicated to nurturing it, demonstrate that leadership can be taught. More importantly, the practice of leadership demonstrates that many can pursue leadership and that they must if the opportunities of the 21st century are to be fulfilled. The conversations and the needs for leadership have both shifted and it is now incumbent on those who value leadership most to agree to unifying perspectives that can draw us together in common purpose. From your vantage point, what are the crucial conversations, next steps, and/or thoughts for consideration as we enter the second decade of the 21st century?
Effect of J‐coupling on lipid composition determination with localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 9.4 T
Authors: Yahya Atiyah , Tessier Anthony G. , Fallone B. Gino 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPurpose:To demonstrate, at 9.4 T, that J‐coupling interactions exhibited by lipid protons affects lipid composition determination with a point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) sequence.Materials and Methods:Experiments were conducted on four oils (almond, corn, sesame, and sunflower), on visceral adipose tissue of a euthanized mouse, and on pure linoleic acid at 9.4 T. The 2.1, 2.3, and 2.8 ppm resonances were measured at multiple echo times (TEs) by a standard PRESS sequence and by a PRESS sequence consisting of narrow‐bandwidth refocusing pulses designed to rewind the J‐coupling evolution of the target peak protons in the voxel of interest. T2 corrections were performed on both groups of data for the three peaks and lipid compositions for the oils and for the mouse tissue were determined. Lipid compositions were also calculated from a short‐TE standard PRESS spectrum.Results:A chemical analysis of the samples was not performed; however, the oil compositions calculated from resonance peaks acquired with the PRESS sequence designed to minimize J‐coupling effects, following T2 relaxation correction, closely agreed with values in the literature, which was not the case for all of the compositions determined from the regular PRESS spectra.Conclusion:The presented work brings to attention the significance of J‐coupling effects when calculating lipid compositions from localized proton spectra. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The antidepressant citalopram inhibits delayed rectifier outward K+current in mouse cortical neurons
Authors: Zhan Xiao‐Qin , He Yan‐Lin , Yao Jin‐Jing , Zhuang Jia‐Li , Mei Yan‐Ai 
Published: September 2011

AbstractCitalopram, a selective serotonin (5‐HT) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) as well as an antidepressant, is thought to exert its effects by increasing synaptic 5‐HT levels. However, few studies have addressed the possibility that citalopram has other molecular mechanisms of action. We examined the effects of citalopram on delayed rectifier outward K+current (IK) in mouse cortical neurons. Extracellular citalopram reversibly inhibited IKin a dose‐dependent manner and significantly shifted both steady‐state activation and inactivation curves toward hyperpolarization. Neither 5‐HT itself nor antagonists of 5‐HT and dopamine receptors could abolish citalopram‐induced inhibition of IK. In addition, intracellular application of GTPγ‐S similarly failed to prevent the inhibition of IKby citalopram. When applied intracellularly, citalopram had no effect on IKand did not influence the reduction of IKinduced by extracellular citalopram. The effect of citalopram was use dependent, but not frequency dependent, and it did not require channel opening. Electrophysiological recordings in acute cortical slice showed that citalopram significantly reduced the action potential (AP) firing frequency of cortical neurons and increased action potential duration (APD). The selective Kv2.1 subunit blocker Jingzhaotoxin‐III (JZTX‐III) did not abolish citalopram‐induced IKinhibition. Transfection of HEK293 cells with Kv2.1 or Kv2.2 constructs indicated that citalopram mainly inhibited Kv2.2 current. We suggest that citalopram‐induced inhibition of IKin mouse cortical neurons is independent of G‐protein‐coupled receptors and might exert its antidepressant effects by enhancing presynaptic efficiency. Our results may help to explain some of the unknown therapeutic effects of citalopram. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.