bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of Ca2+ and ROS in α‐tocopheryl succinate‐induced mitochondrial permeabilization
Authors: Gogvadze Vladimir , Norberg Erik , Orrenius Sten , Zhivotovsky Boris 
Published: January 2010

AbstractRelease of mitochondrial proteins such as cytochrome c, AIF, Smac/Diablo etc., plays a crucial role in apoptosis induction. A redox‐silent analog of vitamin E, α‐tocopheryl succinate (α‐TOS), was shown to stimulate cytochrome c release via production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Bax‐mediated permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane. Here we show that α‐TOS facilitates mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in isolated rat liver mitochondria, Tet21N neuroblastoma cells and Jurkat T‐lymphocytes. In particular, in addition to ROS production, α‐TOS stimulates rapid Ca2+ entry into the cells with subsequent accumulation of Ca2+ in mitochondria—a prerequisite step for MPT induction. Alteration of mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering capacity was observed as early as 8 hr after incubation with α‐TOS, when no activation of Bax was yet detected. Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria was important for apoptosis progression, since inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake significantly mitigated the apoptotic response. Importantly, Ca2+‐induced mitochondrial destabilization might cooperate with Bax‐mediated mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization to induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria.
An uncommon etiology of small bowel obstruction: Gallstone ileus
Authors: Verma Akshra , Moonat Ashish , Lo Adolf 
Published: January 2010

AbstractGallstone ileus is a rare etiology of small bowel obstruction, occurring typically in the elderly population. The delay in diagnosis often results in significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we describe a case of 67 year old woman who presented with non specific abdominal symptoms and on evaluation was found to have small bowel obstruction caused by wedging of a large gallstone at the terminal ileum. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:E21–E22. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Management of ischemic stroke: Part 2. The inpatient stay
Authors: Lu‐Emerson Christine , Likosky David , Amin Alpesh , Tirschwell David 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND:Acute ischemic stroke is commonly encountered by the hospitalist. There have been dramatic changes in our ability to care for these patients both acutely and in secondary prevention. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) primary stroke center certification has become progressively more important to institutions nationally and emphasizes many elements of the inpatient stay and discharge process.PURPOSE:After admission, the focus changes to avoidance of complications and the appropriate initiation of allied therapies and secondary prevention.DATA SOURCES:Primary trials, current guidelines.CONCLUSIONS:The hospitalist is well‐positioned to play a major role in the treatment of stroke patients as well as the systems work that aids in the management of this population. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:88–93. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Relative impacts of ENSO and Indian Ocean dipole/zonal mode on east SADC rainfall
Authors: Manatsa D. , Matarira C. H. , Mukwada G. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe current paper is an observational study that investigates the October to December (OND) rainfall variability over the east Southern African Development Community (SADC) mainland region in relation to El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean dipole zonal mode (IODZM) for the period 1950–1999. An empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of OND rainfall field revealed that the north–south aligned areas of the eastern SADC are located in different covariability regions. This meridionally aligned dipole rainfall anomaly configuration is captured only in the dominant principal component (PC1), making it possible for the opposing rainfall anomalies of the two regions to have a common trigger. However, ENSO which is the standard attribute for regional rainfall variability failed dismally to adequately explain this dipole rainfall anomaly pattern. Instead, there appears to be consistent evidence through statistical techniques which strongly indicates the likelihood of the participation of only the positive IODZM phase events in the creation of the positive dipole rainfall phase (i.e. simultaneous floods over the northeast and droughts over the southeast of the SADC region). Since the negative IODZM phase events can hardly be linked to the reverse rainfall pattern, it implies that the positive and negative rainfall dipoles have fundamentally different causes. Thus, contrary to convectional knowledge, the ENSO association to this dipole rainfall anomaly pattern is by no means robust and could be symptomatic of the well‐known ENSO–IODZM connection. Interestingly, however, when analysed over the 31‐year overlapping segments, IODZM's once significant independent influence on this dipole rainfall seems to be diminishing gradually as from the early 1990s, whereas that of ENSO is correspondingly being reinforced. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Changes in near‐surface wind speed in China: 1969–2005
Authors: Guo Hua , Xu Ming , Hu Qi 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis study extends upon previous analyses and details near‐surface wind speed change in China and its monsoon regions from 1969 to 2005, using a new dataset consisting of 652 stations. Moreover, causes of wind speed changes are examined. Major results show that most stations in China have experienced significant weakening in annual and seasonal mean wind during the study period. The averaged rate of decrease in annual mean wind speed over China is − 0.018 ms−1a−1. Decrease in seasonal mean wind differs. The largest rate of decline is in spring at − 0.021 ms−1a−1 and the least is in summer at − 0.015 ms−1a−1. Spatially, large declines are found in northern China, the Tibetan Plateau and the coastal areas in east and southeast China, while central and south–central China have the least change in their wind speed. Significant weakening of wind speed has occurred primarily in strong wind categories. Decreases in light wind categories are trivial, and light wind has even increased slightly in parts of central China. These changes indicate reduced fluctuations in wind and wind storms in recent decades, contributing to decreased frequency and magnitude of dust storms. The trivial changes in summer winds in east and southeast China suggest fairly steady monsoon winds over the decades.A main cause of the weakening wind is shown to be the weakening in the lower‐tropospheric pressure‐gradient force, a result pointing to climate variation as the primary source of the wind speed change. Superimposed on the climate effect is the urban effect. While analysis of winds between urban and rural stations reinstate the urban frictional effect, a peculiar stronger increase in wind at urban stations than at rural stations after the abrupt urbanization since 1990 indicates a new aspect of the urban effect on wind speed. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
A climatic analysis of dry sequences in Argentina
Authors: Llano María P. , Penalba Olga C. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe study of the temporal‐spatial variability of dry sequences and the probability of their occurrence are particularly important in understanding the impact of climate change on droughts.This paper analyses the different properties of dry sequences, focussing on extreme condition, analysing their degree of spatial coherence, and their temporal variability. For the study, daily precipitation data are used for the period 1961–2000 throughout Argentina.The region north of 40°S is divided in two from the meridian of 63°W with highly differentiated ‘dry’ properties. The eastern region is more homogeneous where mean dry sequences last less than six days and long sequences of about 60 days. The Andean region shows a marked east–west gradient in any of the above properties, with extreme values of over 10 days (mean sequences) and 150 days (the longest sequences). At the seasonal level the above properties reflect a differential pattern according to the time of year under study. In the case of summer, when the dry sequences can be more harmful to crops, the maximum duration in the Pampa region can extend to about 25 days.Owing to the problems that dry sequences of over 30 days can produce in the different ecosystems and based on the above findings, the temporal‐spatial variability is analysed, and a variability over the years, together with a progressive decrease in the occurrence of such events, is found.The study of extreme dry events provides useful tools that can be applied to different hydrological and agricultural needs. Furthermore, our climatological findings help validate climate models. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Resonance Raman spectroscopic investigation of structural changes of CO‐heme in soluble guanylate cyclase generated by effectors and substrate
Authors: Pal Biswajit , Tanaka Katsuhiro , Takenaka Shigeo , Kitagawa Teizo 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe influence of the effectors YC‐1 and BAY on the CO‐heme structure of bovine lung soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) was investigated with resonance Raman spectroscopy. The effectors produced a five‐coordinate (5c) CO‐heme in addition to the His‐bound six‐coordinate (6c) CO‐heme, and both their Soret maxima were determined by simulation. On the basis of the absorption intensity, the amount of the 5c species was not dominant, in contrast to the high activity. The heme structural features common to the 5c and 6c CO‐hemes generated by effectors are that the vinyl and propionate side chains are more coplanar to the pyrrole rings. The out‐of‐plane Raman bands were observed only for the 5c species, for which the saddling and propeller distortions of heme were deduced to be large. The FeCO stretching bands of the 5c species at 522 cm−1and of the 6c species at 488 cm−1were most enhanced upon excitation at 407 and 422 nm, respectively, which is consistent with the simulated spectra. Unexpectedly, the13C18O isotope sensitivity appeared in low wavenumber porphyrin modes. From these observations, we propose that the high catalytic activity of sGC‐CO in the presence of effectors is a result of the concerted effects of protein conformational changes triggered by certain local interactions between the heme side chains and effectors/substrate in the heme pocket, which partly induce the cleavage of the FeHisβ 105 bond. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metal–metal bonding and structures of trinickel and tricobalt dipyridylamido complexes from surface‐enhanced Raman spectra
Authors: Lai Szu‐Hsueh , Hsiao Chung‐Jen , Huang Yu‐Min , Chen I‐Chia , Wang Wen‐Zhen , Peng Shie‐Ming 
Published: January 2010

AbstractWe recorded surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of metal‐string complexes Co3(dpa)4 Cl2 [di(2‐pyridyl)amido (dpa)], Ni3(dpa)4 Cl2 and the oxidized form of the Ni3 complex to determine their vibrational wavenumbers and to investigate their structures. For SERS measurements these complexes were adsorbed on silver nanoparticles in aqueous solution to eliminate the constraint of a crystal lattice and the complexes remain in thermal equilibrium. From our analysis of the vibrational normal modes we assigned the SERS lines at 242 and 276 cm−1 to Ni3 and Co3 symmetric‐stretching modes of the symmetric form. For Co3 (dpa)4Cl2 a Raman line at 383 cm−1 was assigned to the CoCo stretching mode of the unsymmetric form. The wavenumber of the Ni3 symmetric‐stretching mode of the oxidized form [Ni3(dpa)4]3+ is 274 cm−1, greater than that for neutral Ni3(dpa)4Cl2, in agreement with a prediction of delocalized molecular‐orbital theory that an electron is removed from an antibonding orbital after oxidation. The experimental data show that the SERS technique serves as an excellent tool to observe the variation of metal–metal bonding during an oxidation or reduction reaction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A third window of the posterior semicircular canal: An animal model
Authors: Nageris Ben I. , Attias Joseph , Shemesh Rafi , Hadar Tuvia , Preis Michal 
Published: January 2010

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:A third window in the vestibular apparatus has been investigated in both animals and humans, specifically in superior semicircular canal dehiscence. There are as yet no animal model studies of the effect of a third vestibular window of the posterior semicircular canal.Study Design:Original basic research study.Methods:A fenestration was drilled in the bony labyrinth over the posterior semicircular canal, preserving the membranous labyrinth, in seven healthy, 6‐month‐old, fat sand rats (total 10 ears). Auditory brain stem responses to low‐ and high‐frequency acoustic stimuli delivered by air conduction and bone conduction were recorded before and after fenestration.Results:On the preoperative auditory brainstem recordings, air‐conduction thresholds to clicks and tone bursts averaged, respectively, 6.5 dB and 7.5 dB, and bone‐conduction thresholds, 8 dB and 4.5 dB. Postoperatively, air‐conduction thresholds averaged 14.5 dB, and bone‐conduction thresholds 10.5 dB and 5 dB. The change in air‐conduction thresholds was statistically significant (P < .01), whereas the bone conduction thresholds remained unchanged.Conclusions:A vestibular third window in the posterior semicircular canal decreases the sensitivity to air‐conducted sound stimuli, raising the air‐conduction threshold. There is no change in the bone‐conduction threshold. These findings agree with the theoretical model and clinical findings. Laryngoscope, 2010
Minimally permutated peptide analogs as internal standards for relative and absolute quantification of peptides and proteins
Authors: Winter Dominic , Seidler Joerg , Kugelstadt Dominik , Derrer Bianca , Kappes Barbara , Lehmann Wolf D. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA novel type of isobaric internal peptide standard for quantitative proteomics is described. The standard is a synthetic peptide derived from the target peptide by positional permutation of two amino acids. This type of internal standard is denominated minimally permutated peptide analog (MIPA). MIPA can be differentiated from their target analytes by LC‐MS due to individual retention times and/or by MS/MS due to specific fragment ions. Both quantification methods are demonstrated using peptide mixtures of low and high complexity.
Selective localization of organoclay and effects on the morphology and mechanical properties of LDPE/PA11 blends with distributed and co‐continuous morphology
Authors: Filippone G. , Dintcheva N. Tz. , La Mantia F. P. , Acierno D. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA study was made on the effect of small amounts of organically modified clay on the morphology and mechanical properties of blends of low‐density polyethylene and polyamide 11 at different compositions. The influence of the filler on the blend morphology was investigated using wide angle X‐ray diffractometry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and selective extraction experiments. The filler was found to locate predominantly in the more hydrophilic polyamide phase. Although such uneven distribution does not have a significant effect on the onset of phase co‐continuity of the polymer components, it brings about a drastic refinement of the microstructure for the blends both with droplets/matrix and co‐continuous morphologies. In addition to the expected reinforcing action of the filler, the resulting fine microstructure plays an important role in enhancing the mechanical properties of the blends. This is essentially because of a good quality of stress transfer across the interface between the constituents, which also seems to benefit for a good interfacial adhesion promoted by the filler. Our results provide the experimental evidence for the capabilities of nanoparticles added to multiphase polymer systems to act selectively as a reinforcing agent for specific domains of the material and as a medium able to assist the refinement of the polymer phases during mixing. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 600–609, 2010
Conformation of nonideal hyperbranched polymer in ABn(n= 2, 4) type polymerization
Authors: Wang Long , He Xuehao 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe conformation of hyperbranched polymers from one pot polymerization with ABn(n= 2, 4) type monomers, applying the reactive 3D bond fluctuation lattice model, are systematically studied using scaling relationR∼Nλ, whereRis the radius of gyration or the hydrodynamic radius of a hyperbranched polymer with the degree of polymerizationN. The exponent λ was calculated at various monomer concentrations and group conversions. When the concentration of monomers with the equal reactivity of B groups increases from 0.1 to 0.9, the exponents λgand λh(corresponding to the radius of gyration and hydrodynamic radius, respectively) are in the ranges of 0.51–0.37 and 0.41–0.34 at the full conversion of A groups. Especially, we find that λgdecreases linearly with the reaction conversion increasing. The ratio of z‐average radius,Rgz/Rhz, ranges from 1.08 to 1.32 and indicates that hyperbranched polymer is soft macromolecule with penetrable structure. In the case of AB2type monomer with unequal reactivities, λ displays complicated dependence on the reaction conversion and the reactivity ratio. The results of our simulation are consistent with those of experiments and theories, and valuable in better understanding the fundamental properties of hyperbranched polymers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 610–616, 2010
Anti‐human rhinovirus activity of gallic acid possessing antioxidant capacity
Authors: Choi Hwa Jung , Song Jae Hyoung , Bhatt Lok Ranjan , Baek Seung Hwa 
Published: January 2010

AbstractHuman rhinoviruses (HRVs) are a major cause of the common cold and until now there is no registered clinically effective antiviral chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of diseases caused by HRVs. Our previous report showed that gallic acid from Woodfordia fruticosa flowers possessed antioxidant activity. Many studies reported that antioxidants possess antiviral activities against various viruses. Therefore, we examined antiviral activity of gallic acid against HRVs and mode of its actions by observing the effect of gallic acid on HRV‐induced cytopathic effect (CPE) and the infectivity of HRV particles, and then carried out a time‐addition study. As a result, gallic acid actively inhibited HRV2 and ‐3 replications with antiviral activity more than 55% without cytotoxicity in human epitheloid carcinoma cervix (HeLa) cells at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Also, ribavirin showed lower anti‐HRV3 activity than gallic acid and similar anti‐HRV3 activity to it. The addition of gallic acid to HRV‐infected HeLa cells directly reduced the formation of a visible CPE. Furthermore, gallic acid did directly interact or activate with HRV particles. Collectively, we concluded that the inhibition of HRV production by gallic acid is mainly due to a general action as an antioxidant and the mode of action derived from the inhibition of virus absorption. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition ofin vitrogrowth and arrest in the G0/G1 phase of HCT8 line human colon cancer cells by kaempferide triglycoside fromDianthus caryophyllus
Authors: Martineti Valentina , Tognarini Isabella , Azzari Chiara , Sala Silvia Carbonell , Clematis Francesca , Dolci Marcello , Lanzotti Virginia , Tonelli Francesco , Brandi Maria Luisa , Curir Paolo 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe effects of phytoestrogens have been studied in the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis and in various non‐gonadal targets. Epidemiologic and experimental evidence indicates a protective effect of phytoestrogens also in colorectal cancer. The mechanism through which estrogenic molecules control colorectal cancer tumorigenesis could possibly involve estrogen receptor β, the predominantly expressed estrogen receptor subtype in colon mucosa.To validate this hypothesis, we therefore used an engineered human colon cancer cell line induced to overexpress estrogen receptor β, beside its native cell line, expressing very low levels of ERβ and not expressing ERα; as a phytoestrogenic molecule, we used kaempferide triglycoside, a glycosylated flavonol from aDianthus caryophylluscultivar. The inhibitory properties of this molecule toward vegetal cell growth have been previously demonstrated: however, no data on its activity on animal cell or information about the mechanism of this activity are available. Kaempferide triglycoside proved to inhibit the proliferation of native and estrogen receptor β overexpressing colon cancer cells through a mechanism not mediated by ligand binding dependent estrogen receptor activation. It affected HCT8 cell cycle progression by increasing the G0/G1cell fraction and in estrogen receptor β overexpressing cells increased two antioxidant enzymes. Interestingly, the biological effects of this kaempferide triglycoside were strengthened by the presence of high levels of estrogen receptor β.Pleiotropic molecular effects of phytoestrogens may explain their protective activity against colorectal cancer and may represent an interesting area for future investigation with potential clinical applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reliability analysis of maintenance data for complex medical devices
Authors: Taghipour Sharareh , Banjevic Dragan , Jardine Andrew K. S. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis paper proposes a method to analyze statistically maintenance data for complex medical devices with censoring and missing information. It presents a classification of the different types of failures and establishes policies for analyzing data at the system and component levels taking into account the failure types. The results of this analysis can be used as basic assumptions in the development of a maintenance/inspection optimization model. As a case study, we present the reliability analysis of a general infusion pump from a hospital. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polyelectrolyte Multilayers from Cationic and Anionic Starch: Influence of Charge Density and Salt Concentration on the Properties of the Adsorbed Layers
Authors: Lundström‐Hämälä Lisa , Johansson Erik , Wågberg Lars 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe purpose of the present work was for identify limits for the formation of stable polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) from cationic and anionic starches (with degrees of substitution of 0.04–0.09) on SiO2 surfaces, taking account of the effect of the charge density of the starches and the salt concentration in the surrounding water phase. The experiments were performed at a pH of 6.3 using stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D). From these experiments it was concluded that it is possible to form PEMs by the adsorption of oppositely charged starches on SiO2 surfaces; it was also found that adsorption of the first layer is controlled both by electrostatic, non‐ionic interactions and by pure steric restrictions, i.e. geometrical restrictions, at the surface. The results also indicate that the charge density of the starch must exceed a certain value to allow multilayer formation and that this critical charge density increases with increasing salt concentration. The combination of charge densities of the cationic/anionic starches was also found to influence the adsorption behaviour, and the formed polyelectrolyte multilayers had a high water content of 69–92%.