bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asiatic acid preserves beta cell mass and mitigates hyperglycemia in streptozocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Liu Jun , He Ting , Lu Qian , Shang Jing , Sun Hongbin , Zhang Luyong 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundType 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin due to the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic beta cells. This study investigated the beneficial effects of asiatic acid—a triterpenoid compound—preserved beta mass and mitigated hyperglycemia in streptozocin‐induced diabetic rats.MethodsDiabetes mellitus was induced in adult male Wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (60 mg/kg body weight). The diabetic rats were divided into untreated and asiatic acid (25 mg/kg) groups. Controls were intraperitoneal injection with citrate buffer. Blood glucose level, plasma insulin, and pancreas immunohistochemistry analysis were examined after a 2‐week experimental period. AKT and Bcl‐xL expression in the pancreatic islets of rats were evaluated by Western blot methods.ResultsBlood glucose levels were significantly reduced in rats receiving asiatic acid after streptozocin administration. Asiatic acid concomitantly increased serum insulin levels in diabetic rats. Immunohistochemical staining revealed a marked preservation by asiatic acid of insulin‐producing beta cells in the pancreatic islets of the diabetic rats. Furthermore, asiatic acid in vivo induced pro‐survival Akt kinase activation and Bcl‐xL expression in the pancreatic islets of diabetic rats.ConclusionsThese results suggest that asiatic acid exerts its glucose‐lowering effects, in part through influences on beta‐cell mass. Asiatic acid administration resulted in preservation and restoration of beta‐cell mass and function in diabetic rodent models. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Osteoprotegerin and biomarkers of vascular inflammation in type 2 diabetes
Authors: O'Sullivan Eoin P. , Ashley David T. , Davenport Colin , Devlin Niamh , Crowley Rachel , Agha Amar , Thompson Christopher J. , O'Gorman Donal , Smith Diarmuid 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundOsteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa beta ligand (RANKL) and tumour necrosis factor–related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) are newly discovered members of the tumour necrosis factor‐alpha receptor superfamily. While their role in bone metabolism is well described, their function within the vasculature is poorly understood. OPG inhibits vascular calcification in vitro and high serum levels have been demonstrated in type 2 diabetes, but serum RANKL and TRAIL and their potential correlation with well‐established biomarkers of subclinical vascular inflammation such as high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) have not been described.MethodsSixty‐two patients with well‐controlled type 2 diabetes and an age, gender and body mass index‐matched group of 58 healthy individuals were recruited. Serum OPG, RANKL and TRAIL were measured using commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, as were hsCRP and IL‐6.ResultsSerum OPG, IL‐6 and hsCRP levels, but not RANKL or TRAIL, were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in healthy controls, after adjustment for age and gender. After exclusion of diabetes patients with a history of micro‐ or macrovascular disease, OPG remained significantly higher in those with diabetes, but IL‐6 and hsCRP levels were no longer elevated. There was a positive correlation between OPG and IL‐6 in the group as a whole, but no correlation was found between RANKL or TRAIL and either hsCRP or IL‐6.ConclusionOPG, but not RANKL or TRAIL, is significantly increased in type 2 diabetes. Higher OPG (but not IL‐6 or hsCRP) in those without vascular disease suggests these biomarkers reflect separate pathophysiological processes in the vasculature. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficacy and safety of saxagliptin in combination with metformin compared with sitagliptin in combination with metformin in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Scheen André J. , Charpentier Guillaume , Östgren Carl Johan , Hellqvist Åsa , Gause‐Nilsson Ingrid 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackgroundDipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors improve glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus when used as monotherapy or in combination with other anti‐diabetic drugs (metformin, sulphonylurea, or thiazolidinedione). This 18‐week, phase 3b, multicentre, double‐blind, noninferiority trial compared the efficacy and safety of two dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors, saxagliptin and sitagliptin, in patients whose glycaemia was inadequately controlled with metformin.MethodsAdult type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (N = 801) with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) 6.5–10% on stable metformin doses (1500–3000 mg/day) were randomized 1 : 1 to add‐on 5 mg saxagliptin or 100 mg sitagliptin once daily for 18 weeks. The primary efficacy analysis was a comparison of the change from baseline HbA1c at week 18 in per‐protocol patients. Noninferiority was concluded if the upper limit of the two‐sided 95% confidence interval of the HbA1c difference between treatments was < 0.3%.ResultsThe adjusted mean changes in HbA1c following the addition of saxagliptin or sitagliptin to stable metformin therapy were − 0.52 and − 0.62%, respectively. The between‐group difference was 0.09% (95% confidence interval, − 0.01 to 0.20%), demonstrating noninferiority. Both treatments were generally well tolerated; incidence and types of adverse events were comparable between groups. Hypoglycaemic events, mostly mild, were reported in approximately 3% of patients in each treatment group. Body weight declined by a mean of 0.4 kg in both groups.ConclusionsSaxagliptin added to metformin therapy was effective in improving glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled by metformin alone; saxagliptin plus metformin was noninferior to sitagliptin plus metformin, and was generally well tolerated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Msx1 and Dlx5 function synergistically to regulate frontal bone development
Authors: Chung Il‐Hyuk , Han Jun , Iwata Junichi , Chai Yang 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe Msx and Dlx families of homeobox proteins are important regulators for embryogenesis. Loss of Msx1 in mice results in multiple developmental defects including craniofacial malformations. Although Dlx5 is widely expressed during embryonic development, targeted null mutation of Dlx5 mainly affects the development of craniofacial bones. Msx1 and Dlx5 show overlapping expression patterns during frontal bone development. To investigate the functional significance of Msx1/Dlx5 interaction in regulating frontal bone development, we generated Msx1 and Dlx5 double null mutant mice. In Msx1−/−;Dlx5−/− mice, the frontal bones defect was more severe than that of either Msx1−/− or Dlx5−/− mice. This aggravated frontal bone defect suggests that Msx1 and Dlx5 function synergistically to regulate osteogenesis. This synergistic effect of Msx1 and Dlx5 on the frontal bone represents a tissue specific mode of interaction of the Msx and Dlx genes. Furthermore, Dlx5 requires Msx1 for its expression in the context of frontal bone development. Our study shows that Msx1/Dlx5 interaction is crucial for osteogenic induction during frontal bone development. genesis 48:645–655, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of a time‐synchronized wireless sensor network
Authors: Uchimura Yutaka , Takahashi Motoichi , Nasu Tadashi 
Published: September 2010

AbstractNetwork‐based wireless sensing has become an important area of research and various new applications for remote sensing are expected to emerge. One of the promising applications is structural health monitoring of buildings or civil engineering structures, which often requires vibration measurement. For vibration measurement via a wireless network, time synchronization is indispensable. In this paper we introduce a newly developed time‐synchronized wireless sensor network system. The system employs an IEEE 802.11 standard‐based TSF counter and sends the measured data with the counter value. It makes possible consistency on a common clock among different wireless nodes. We describe the accuracy evaluation by simulation studies as the size of the nodes is increased. The hardware and software specifications of the developed wireless system are presented. The experiments were conducted in a three‐story reinforced concrete building and the results showed that the system performance significantly exceeds requirements. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 173(4): 46–53, 2010; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21020
Orientation of Second‐Harmonic‐Generation‐Active Phenylsulfonyl Chromophores Attached on Layered Lead(II) Phosphonates
Authors: Du Zi‐Yi , Sun Yu‐Hui , Xu Xiang , Xu Guo‐Hai , Xie Yong‐Rong 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe hydrothermal reactions of PbCl2 or PbBr2 with diethyl [(phenylsulfonyl)methyl]phosphonate afforded two lead(II) phosphonates with the formula [Pb3(Ph–SO2–CH2–PO3)2X2(H2O)] [X = Cl (1) and Br (2)]. The two compounds are isostructural and exhibit a lamellar structure in which the phenylsulfonyl chromophores orient unilaterally on the inorganic layer of [Pb3(PO3)2X2(H2O)]. The acentric stacking of such layers results in their crystallization in the noncentrosymmetric Cc space group, and both compounds show second harmonic generation responses comparable to that of KDP (KH2PO4).
Response Characteristics of Copper‐Selective Polymer Membrane Electrodes Based on a Newly Synthesized Macrocyclic Calix[4]arene Derivative as a Neutral Carrier Ionophore
Authors: Kamel Ayman H. , Mahmoud Wagiha H. , Mostafa Marwa S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA novel macrocyclic calix[4]arene derivative was examined as an ionophore for ion‐selective polymeric membrane electrode toward Cu+2 ions. The sensor showed a near Nernstian response for Cu(II) ions over a concentration range from 8.1×10−6 to 1.0×10−2 mol L−1 with a slope of 34.2±0.4 mV per concentration decade in an acidic solution (pH 5). The limit of detection was 0.47 µg mL−1. It had a response time of <20 s and can be used for at least 3 months without any divergence in potentials. The influence of plasticizer as well as the amount of lipophilic anionic site additive in the sensing membrane was discussed. It was shown that membrane electrodes formulated with the ionophore and appropriate anionic additive exhibited enhanced potentiometric response toward Cu2+ over all other cations tested. Since selectivity toward Cu2+ ions is decreased in the presence of high amount of the anionic additive, the ionophore can function as neutral carriers within the organic membrane phase. Validation of the assay method revealed good performance characteristics, including long life span, good selectivity for Cu2+ ions over a wide variety of other metal ions, long term response stability, and high reproducibility. The sensors were used for direct measurement of copper content in different rocks collected from different geological zones. The results agreed fairly well with data obtained using atomic absorption spectrometry.
Analytical Potentialities of Carbon Nanotube/Silicone Rubber Composite Electrodes: Determination of Propranolol
Authors: Santos Sidney Xavier dos , Cavalheiro Éder T. G. , Brett Christopher M. A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA new composite electrode based on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and silicone‐rubber (SR) was developed and applied to the determination of propranolol in pharmaceutical formulations. The effect of using MWCNT/graphite mixtures in different proportions was also investigated. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used for electrochemical characterization of different electrode compositions. Propranolol was determined using MWCNT/SR 70 % (m/m) electrodes with linear dynamic ranges up to 7.0 µmol L−1 by differential pulse and up to 5.4 µmol L−1 by square wave voltammetry, with LODs of 0.12 and 0.078 µmol L−1, respectively. Analysis of commercial samples agreed with that obtained by the official spectrophotometric method. The electrode is mechanically robust and presented reproducible results and a long useful life.
Highly Sensitive Nitric Oxide Sensing Using Three‐Dimensional Graphene/Ionic Liquid Nanocomposite
Authors: Ng Shu Rui , Guo Chun Xian , Li Chang Ming 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA nanocomposite gel with a uniform porous structure and well‐controlled compositions prepared by mixing three‐dimensional graphene material with an ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, is used for nitric oxide detection. It shows a fast response of less than 4 seconds, an excellent sensitivity of 11.2 µA cm−2 (µmol/L)−1 and an extremely low detection limit of 16 nM with a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 (S/N=3), a performance superior to that of reported works based on carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles. The high sensitivity is attributed to the large electroactive surface area of the graphene gel nanocomposite towards nitric oxide oxidation. The electrochemical behavior of the gel nanocomposite is investigated and explained.
Development and application of a flexible controller in yeast fermentations using pO2 cascade control
Authors: Vanags Juris , Hrynko Viachaslau , Viesturs Uldis 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe development and application of a flexible process controller in fed‐batch yeast fermentations using pO2 cascade control was performed. A new algorithm for fed‐batch fermentations using pO2 cascade control was developed, the concept of which could be used as a realizable solution in fermentation systems equipped according to the basic configuration. The algorithm is based on the combined influence of pO2 and pH on the substrate feeding intensity. To test and develop this algorithm, Saccharomyces cerevisiae DY 7221 and Candida tropicalis CK‐4 fermentations were carried out. As a result of the use of the combined algorithm, the specific growth rate and productivity grew in both fermentations. In this case, the effect of the use of the algorithm was most pronounced in the C. tropicalis fermentation.
Time—frequency iterative multiuser detection in time—frequency‐domain spread multicarrier DS‐CDMA systems over Nakagami‐mfading channels
Authors: Pan P. , Yang L.‐L. , Zhang Y. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn this paper, we propose and study a novel Time—frequency‐domain iterative multiuser detector (TF‐IMUD) for the multicarrier direct‐sequence code‐division multiple‐access (DS‐CDMA) systems employing both time (T)‐domain and frequency (F)‐domain spreading, which, for brevity, are referred to as the TF/MC DS‐CDMA systems. This novel TF‐IMUD consists of a set of T‐domain soft‐input soft‐output MUDs (SISO‐MUDs) and a set of F‐domain SISO‐MUDs, where information is exchanged between the T‐domain and F‐domain through two multiuser interference (MUI) cancellation units. The T‐domain and F‐domain SISO‐MUDs are operated under the maximum likelihood (ML) principles, and they are facilitated to be implemented using parallel signal processing techniques. In this paper, the complexity of the TF‐IMUD and the bit error rate (BER) performance of the TF/MC DS‐CDMA systems employing the proposed TF‐IMUD are investigated and also compared with the other existing MUD schemes, including the optimum ML‐MUD and the joint/separate minimum mean‐square error (MMSE)‐MUDs. Our study and simulation results show that the TF‐IMUD is capable of achieving nearly the same BER performance as the optimum ML‐MUD, but at significantly lower complexity. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical simulation of the haemodynamics in end‐to‐side anastomoses
Authors: Do Hung , Owida Amal A. , Yang William , Morsi Yos S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn this paper, the commercial CFD package Ansys workbench 11 was used to analyse the three‐dimensional haemodynamics of a typical stenotic Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). Two end‐to‐side CABG configurations with anastomosis angle of 20∘ and 40∘ and graft–artery diameter ratios of 1/0.6, 1/1 and 1/1.6 were examined. The flow measurements from in vitro Doppler guide wire technique acquired in left interior mammary artery (LIMA) and grafted to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) were used to impose the physiologically flow conditions at proximal and distal CABG inlet and outlet, respectively. The blood flow was considered to be incompressible, pulsatile, Newtonian, and laminar rheology. The main objective was to determine the effect of anastomosis angle and graft–artery diameter ratio on the flow patterns and the long‐term functionality of the graft. In analysing the results, the distributions of temporal and spatial wall shear stress (WSS) gradient and oscillating shear index (OSI) in the critical regions of CABG such as heel, toe and the centre of the junction were presented and the vortex motions and the occurrence of recirculation zones were examined. The findings showed asymmetrically disturbed flows in the localized regions of the proximal and distal host artery for all models considered and the movement of the recirculation zones from heel to toe was found to depend on the time at the cardiac cycle. These regions are known as susceptible sites to thrombosis and re‐stenosis due to their association with low values of WSS. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extracapsular tumor extension in cervical lymph nodes: Reconciling the literature and seer data
Authors: Brannan Amber G. , Johnstone Peter A. S. , Cooper Jay 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground.Extracapsular extension (ECE) of disease from cervical lymph nodes (LNs) is an important prognostic factor for head and neck cancers; moreover, the presence of ECE has been shown to be a criterion for the addition of chemotherapy to postoperative radiation.Methods.We reviewed the frequency of ECE in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry database, particularly as it related to nodal size. Our objective was to compare these findings with the literature.Results.SEER data suggest that the likelihood of ECE does not increase linearly with LN size, whereas most reports in the literature suggest that the likelihood of ECE does increase with increasing LN size.Conclusions.SEER data and the literature are not consistent in describing the relationship between ECE and LN size. These results suggest the need for better standardization in the assessment and reporting of ECE. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Postsurgical thyroid remnant estimation by 99mTc‐pertechnetate scintigraphy predicts radioiodine ablation effectiveness in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Giovanella Luca , Suriano Sergio , Ricci Riccardo , Ceriani Luca , Anton Verburg Frederik 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between postsurgical neck 99mtechnetium (99mTc)‐pertechnetate uptake and the rate of successful remnant ablation after radioiodine treatment in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).Methods.Retrospectively enrolled were 232 patients with DTC who underwent total thyroidectomy and fixed activity ablation with 3.7 GBq 131I. The 99mTc scans were performed on all patients before 131I administration. Thyroid ablation was assessed after 6 to 12 months by thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH)‐stimulated 131I‐WBS and thyroglobulin measurement. The rate of successful ablation, occurrence of radioiodine‐induced thyroiditis, and length of hospitalization were correlated with the 99mTc‐pertechnetate scintigraphy results.Results.A 99mTc uptake was significantly lower in ablated versus nonablated patients (p < .001). High 99mTc‐pertechnetate uptake, especially greater than 1.4%, predicted a high‐risk of unsuccessful ablation. Higher 99mTc‐pertechnetate uptake was also related to prolonged hospitalization and the occurrence of radioiodine‐induced thyroiditis.Conclusion.The 99mTc‐pertechnetate scintigraphy is a simple and feasible tool to evaluate thyroid remnants and to predict radioiodine ablation results in patients with DTC. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Aggressive variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Silver Carl E. , Owen Randall P. , Rodrigo Juan P. , Rinaldo Alessandra , Devaney Kenneth O. , Ferlito Alfio 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA number of histologic variants of well‐differentiated papillary carcinoma have been found to be associated with more aggressive tumor behavior. Tall cell, columnar cell, diffuse sclerosing, solid/trabecular, and insular variants of well‐differentiated papillary thyroid cancer are all potentially more aggressive than conventional papillary thyroid cancer. When subjected to multivariate analysis, however, evidence that the histologic subtype of tumor is an independent predictor of outcome is weak. Rather, the aggressive variants tend to present with features recognized by other staging systems as associated with a worse prognosis, including higher histologic grade, extracapsular spread, large tumor size, and the presence of distant metastases. Prognosis is directly related to the presence of these features. The state of our knowledge is limited by the relatively small number of cases that have been studied. The presence of an aggressive variant of papillary carcinoma should alert the surgeon that he is dealing with a potentially aggressive tumor. Clinical treatment decisions should be based on the stage of the disease, influenced by the knowledge that the aggressive variants tend to be associated with higher risk factors. The surgeon must be prepared to perform at the first, or second stage, a total thyroidectomy, central compartment neck dissection, additional lymphadenectomy, and/or resection of invaded surrounding structures, and search for distant metastasis. Postoperative radioactive iodine should generally be administered for these variants as they will generally be intermediate to advanced tumors. The tall cell variant is often refractory to such treatment but may be susceptible to treatment targeted against BRAF mutation. External beam irradiation may be used in cases of incomplete resection. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011