bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the impact of anisotropic mesh adaptation on computational wind engineering
Authors: Aubé Martin S. , Habashi Wagdi G. , Wang Hongzhi , Torok Dennis 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis paper addresses the critical issue of the accuracy of CFD predictions for wind engineering. Flows around the Silsoe Cube, a high‐rise building (the Jin Mao Tower), and a low‐rise large‐span building (the Pudong International Airport) are computed with the Navier–Stokes solver FENSAP and compared with measurements. Computations are carried out for two wind directions, by solving the steady‐state ensemble‐averaged Navier–Stokes equations with the Spalart–Allmaras one‐equation turbulence model. Pressure coefficients compare well with wind tunnel experiments and the accuracy of the flow solutions is further improved via an automatic mesh adaptation that dynamically places grid points where the flow physics require them, while keeping the number of unknowns and solution time substantially at the same level. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term cell‐mediated protein release from calcium phosphate ceramics
Authors: Wernike Ellen , Hofstetter Willy , Liu Yuelian , Wu Gang , Sebald Hans‐Jörg , Wismeijer Daniel , Hunziker Ernst B. , Siebenrock Klaus‐Arno , Klenke Frank M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractEfficient delivery of growth factors from carrier biomaterials depends critically on the release kinetics of the proteins that constitute the carrier. Immobilizing growth factors to calcium phosphate ceramics has been attempted by direct adsorption and usually resulted in a rapid and passive release of the superficially adherent proteins. The insufficient retention of growth factors limited their bioavailability and their efficacy in the treatment of bone regeneration. In this study, a coprecipitation technique of proteins and calcium phosphate was employed to modify the delivery of proteins from biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics. To this end, tritium‐labeled bovine serum albumin ([3H]BSA) was utilized as a model protein to analyze the coprecipitation efficacy and the release kinetics of the protein from the carrier material. Conventional adsorption of [3H]BSA resulted in a rapid and passive release of the protein from BCP ceramics, whereas the coprecipitation technique effectively prevented the burst release of [3H]BSA. Further analysis of the in vitro kinetics demonstrated a sustained, cell‐mediated release of coprecipitated [3H]BSA from BCP ceramics induced by resorbing osteoclasts. The coprecipitation technique described herein, achieved a physiologic‐like protein release, by incorporating [3H]BSA into its respective carriers, rendering it a promising tool in growth factor delivery for bone healing. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Preparation, quality control and stability of 99mTc‐sparafloxacin complex, a novel agent for detecting sites of infection
Authors: Motaleb M. A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractLabeling of sparafloxacin with technetium‐99m using stannous chloride as a reducing agent was investigated. Dependence of the yield of 99mTc‐sparafloxacin complex on the concentration of sparafloxacin, reducing agent, pH and reaction time was studied. Under optimum conditions, the labeling yield of 99mTc‐sparafloxacin complex (95%) was achieved by using 2.5 mg of sparafloxacin, 50 µg of Sn(II), pH 10 and 30‐min reaction time. 99mTc‐sparafloxacin complex was stable for 3 h after labeling, then the yield decreased gradually to 81.9% at 6 h. Biodistribution studies in rats were carried out in experimentally induced infection in the left thigh using Staphylococcus aureus. The ratios of bacterial infected thigh/contralateral thigh were then evaluated. The time for the maximum accumulation of 99mTc‐sparafloxacin at the site of the infection was 30 min after the administration followed by gradual decline. The abscess‐to‐muscle ratio for 99mTc‐sparafloxacin was 5.9±0.7, while that for the commercially available 99mTc‐ciprofloxacin was 3.8±0.5 under the same experimental paradigm, indicating that 99mTc‐sparafloxacin could be used for infection imaging. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Binding kinetics and activity of human poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 on oligo‐deoxyribonucleotide substrates
Authors: Jorgensen Timothy J. , Chen Kevin , Chasovskikh Sergey , Roy Rabindra , Dritschilo Anatoly , Üren Aykut 
Published: July 2009

AbstractPoly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) is a mammalian enzyme that attaches long branching chains of ADP‐ribose to specific nuclear proteins, including itself. Because its activity in vitro is dependent upon interaction with broken DNA, it has been postulated that PARP‐1 plays an important role in DNA strand‐break repair in vivo. The exact mechanism of binding to DNA and the structural determinants of binding remain to be defined, but regions of transition from single‐stranded to double‐strandedness may be important recognition sites. Here we employ surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to investigate this hypothesis. Oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) substrates that mimic DNA with different degrees of single‐strandedness were used for measurements of both PARP‐1/DNA binding kinetics and PARP‐1's enzyme activities. We found that binding correlated with activity, but was unrelated to single‐strandedness of the ODN. Instead, PARP‐1 binding and activity were highest on ODNs that modeled a DNA double‐strand break (DSB). These results provide support for PARP‐1 recognizing and binding DSBs in a manner that is independent of single‐stranded features, and demonstrate the usefulness of SPR for simultaneously investigating both PARP‐1 binding and PARP‐1 auto‐poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation activities within the same in vitro system. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of drought indices in climate change impact assessment studies: an application to Greece
Authors: Mavromatis T. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis paper presents a framework for making use of drought indices in climate change impact assessment studies. To achieve this goal: (1) linear relationships between drought indices and satellite soil moisture information, derived from the ERS scatterometer [Soil Water Index, (SWI)] for the years 1992–2000, are developed by employing [analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)] and (2) the vulnerability of soil water content to climate change is assessed using regional climate model (RCM) projections. Several drought indices are evaluated for their abilities to monitor SWI, on a monthly basis, at nine locations in Greece. The original Palmer Drought Severity Index (Orig‐PDSI) and its self‐calibrated version (SC‐PDSI) correlated best with SWI in three stations each and precipitation in two. The degree of agreement, however, varies substantially among the sites. Seasonality has a significant effect on the relationship between the SWI and the two aforementioned drought indices (Orig‐PDSI, SC‐PDSI), presenting a bimodal pattern that fluctuates markedly during the year. ANCOVA has proved to be a useful method for measuring the agreement between SWI and the drought indices (r2 ranged from 46.2% to 79.9%), implying that drought indices can be an important information source for detecting and monitoring drought. 11 different RCM runs are compared for their abilities to reproduce present climate mean and variability of temperature and precipitation. Orig‐PDSI is not sensitive to the much warmer future climate change scenarios constructed and, therefore, is not suggested for climate change impacts assessment studies. SC‐PDSI, on the other hand, has the potential to be used; however, its responses depend on the time period on which the climate characteristics and duration factors are computed from. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Microchip free flow planar reversed phase electrochromatography with monolithic stationary phase
Authors: Wang Pingli , Tao Dingyin , Zhang Lihua , Liang Zhen , Zhang Yukui 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn this study, microchip free flow planar RP electrochromatography (μFF‐PRPEC) was developed by in situ polymerization of monolithic materials in microchamber, and successfully applied for the separation of dyes and proteins. Poly(butyle methyacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) was prepared by UV‐initiated polymerization in a glass microchamber (42 mm long, 23 mm wide, and 28 μm deep). A mixture of 1‐propanol, 1,4‐butanediol, and water was chosen as porogens, and 1.2% (wt%) 2‐acrylamide‐2‐methyl‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) was added into the polymerization solution to generate EOF. With 30% v/v ACN‐15 mM Tris‐HCl as the mobile phase, rhodamine B and methyl green were separated from each other with 400 V transverse voltage applied, and resolution as high as 4.6 was obtained, much higher than that obtained by μFFE under optimal conditions. Furthermore, μFF‐PRPEC was also successfully applied into the separation of lysozyme and ribonuclease B, and resolution as high as 9.4 was obtained. All these results demonstrate that μFF‐RPPEC might have great potential in the microscale continuous preparation of samples with improved resolution compared to μFFE.
New Types of Fluorescent Polymers with Bis‐Silicon‐Bridged p‐Terphenyl as a Building Unit
Authors: Li Liangchun , Xu Caihong , Li Shuhong 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA series of novel polymers containing a bis‐silicon‐bridged p‐terphenyl skeleton in the main chain is synthesized using hydrosilylation reactions with 6,12‐dihydro‐6,12‐dimethyl‐6,12‐disilaindeno[1,2‐b]fluorene (2) as the key monomer. Their photophysical and thermal properties are investigated and compared with those of the related monomer and model compounds. All polymers show an improved thermal stability with respect to the small molecules. In dilute solutions, the polymers constructed with alternate bis‐silicon‐bridged p‐terphenyl and saturated unit show constant emission maximum wavelengths and fluorescence quantum yields, comparable to those of monomer 2, while the polymer having an unsaturated linkage between the bis‐silicon‐bridged p‐terphenyl units exhibits a low fluorescence quantum yield with a red‐shifted emission maximum wavelength.magnified image
The similar days method for predicting near surface wind vectors
Authors: Klausner Ziv , Kaplan Hadassah , Fattal Eyal 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA reliable forecast of the wind vector at a given site is an important problem with a broad scope of application. Many uses are in the field of wind power in which prediction of strong winds is important; other uses are in the field of civil engineering, where wind gusts are important to structural integrity. For predicting air pollution events or the hazard zone in case of toxic gas accidents the low wind scenarios are of the highest importance, especially under stable conditions. These low wind scenarios are the situations which meso‐scale numerical models encounter difficulties or are often neglected when dealing with wind power tasks. Additional drawbacks of meso‐scale numerical models in this context are their lack of site‐specific detail and the fact that they are very demanding numerically.The ‘similar days’ method presented here is a method for the prediction of winds at a given location which works well also for low and variable wind conditions. The method is very efficient numerically: typically, runtime is less than a minute on a single PC. This method is based on using the last few hours' measurements at the given site and comparing it to an historical database. A set of criteria is defined to determine the time series similarity. Those similar days are used to construct the forecast.The similar days method was applied to a total of 5 years of measurements collected in two different locations. Very good agreement was achieved between prediction and measurements. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Frequent PIK3CA gene amplification and its clinical significance in colorectal cancer
Authors: Jehan Zeenath , Bavi Prashant , Sultana Mehar , Abubaker Jehad , Bu Rong , Hussain Azhar , Alsbeih Ghazi , Al‐Sanea Nasser , Abduljabbar Alaa , Ashari Luai H , Alhomoud Samar , Al‐Dayel Fouad , Uddin Shahab , Al‐Kuraya Khawla S 
Published: July 2009

AbstractUsing a DNA microarray approach to screen for gene copy number changes in 20 colorectal (CR) carcinoma samples and filtering for high‐level DNA copy number changes, we detected an amplicon at 3q26 containing the PIK3CA gene. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was employed for evaluation of PIK3CA amplification on a progression CR tissue microarray containing 448 CR carcinomas, normal mucosa, and adenomas with follow‐up information. PIK3CA amplification (ratio PIK3CA/centromere 3≥2.0) was found in 38% of cancers, while another 19% of tumours had PIK3CA gains (ratio >1.0 but <2.0). Both PIK3CA amplification and gains were associated with high levels of PIK3CA protein expression and no association was seen between PIK3CA amplification and PIK3CA mutation. In a subset of 220 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, survival in patients with PIK3CA‐amplified cancers was significantly longer compared with patients with cancers without amplification. This association was independent of stage, grade, histology subtype, gender, and age categories. Interestingly, PIK3CA amplification was also seen in CR adenomas, indicating an early genetic alteration, and was also a frequent event in colorectal carcinogenesis. Furthermore, PIK3CA amplification is an independent prognostic marker for better survival and may be one of the promising markers to define CRC subsets that may maximally benefit from adjuvant therapy. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on the effects of oral administration of nutrient mixture, quercetin and red onions on the bioavailability of epigallocatechin gallate from green tea extract
Authors: Kale Anup , Gawande Sonia , Kotwal Swati , Netke Shrirang , Roomi Waheed , Ivanov Vadim , Niedzwiecki Aleksandra , Rath Matthias 
Published: July 2009

AbstractEpigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a main anticancer component in green tea, has a poor bioavailability in rats and humans due to oxidation, metabolism and its efflux. It was hypothesized that nutrients that address these problems might result in increased bioavailability. Plasma concentrations of EGCG at various time intervals were determined to calculate and compare the pharmacokinetic parameters after oral administration of green tea extract (GTE) or GTE as a nutrient mixture (E) or E + quercetin (Q)/red onions. In rat studies, supplementation of GTE with other nutrients (E) or E + Q raised the plasma Cmax from 55.29 ± 1.70 to 61.94 ± 1.70 ng/mL and 94.44 ± 1.59 ng/mL, respectively. The corresponding t½ elimination was 2.04 ± 0.2 h, 3.63 ± 0.66 h and 2.28 ± 0.049 h. The AUC0–24h were 510.16 ± 9.88 for GTE, 601.72 ± 19.10 ng.h/mL for E and 794.08 ± 15.27 ng.h/mL (p ≤ 0.05) for E + Q. In human studies when GTE was fed as GTE or E or E + red onions, the Cmax values were 348.4 ± 76.6, 384.0 ± 78.5 ng/mL and 468.4 ± 131.4. AUC0–8h was 1784.1 ± 56.06 (GTE), 1971.5 ± 566.5 ng.h/mL (E) and 2490 ± 878.1 (E + Q), but the change in t½ elimination was not significant.In conclusion, it is possible to increase the bioavailability of EGCG by supplementing it with nutrients and quercetin. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti‐androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome. a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Grant Paul 
Published: July 2009

AbstractHirsutism in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), consequent to elevated androgen levels leads to significant cosmetic and psychological problems. Recent research in Turkey has shown that spearmint tea has antiandrogenic properties in females with hirsutism. No research has yet been undertaken to assess whether a reduction in androgen levels brought about by spearmint tea, translates to a clinical improvement in the degree of hirsutism.This study was a two centre, 30 day randomized controlled trial. Forty two volunteers were randomized to take spearmint tea twice a day for a 1 month period and compared with a placebo herbal tea. At 0, 15 and 30 days of the study serum androgen hormone levels and gonadotrophins were checked, the degree of hirsutism was clinically rated using the Ferriman‐Galwey score and a questionnaire (the modified DQLI = Dermatology Quality of Life Index) was used to assess improvements in the level of self‐reported hirsutism.Forty one of 42 patients completed the study. Free and total testosterone levels were significantly reduced over the 30 day period in the spearmint tea group (p < 0.05). LH and FSH also increased (p < 0.05). Patient's subjective assessments of their degree of hirsutism scored by the modified DQLI were significantly reduced in the spearmint tea group (p < 0.05). There was, however, no significant reduction in the objective Ferriman‐Galwey ratings of hirsutism between the two trial groups over the trial duration (p = 0.12). There was a clear and significant alteration in the relevant hormone levels. This is associated clinically with a reduction in the self‐reported degree of hirsutism but unfortunately not with the objectively rated score.It was demonstrated and confirmed that spearmint has antiandrogen properties, the simple fact that this does not clearly translate into clinical practice is due to the relationship between androgen hormones and follicular hair growth and cell turnover time. Simply put, the study duration was not long enough. The original studies from Turkey were in fact only 5 days long. The time taken for hirsutism to resolve is significant and a much longer future study is proposed as the preliminary findings are encouraging that spearmint has the potential for use as a helpful and natural treatment for hirsutism in PCOS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibitory effect of tea polyphenols on local tissue damage induced by snake venoms
Authors: Pithayanukul P. , Leanpolchareanchai J. , Bavovada R. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe methanolic extract of fresh tea leaves of Camellia sinensis L. (Theaceae) (CS) was assayed for its potential to inhibit enzymes with hydrolytic activity in Naja naja kaouthia Lesson (Elapidae) and Calloselasma rhodostoma Kuhl (Viperidae) venoms. These snake venom enzymes are responsible for the early effects of envenomation, such as local tissue damage and inflammation. The CS extract inhibited phospholipase A2, proteases, hyaluronidase and l‐amino acid oxidase in both venoms by in vitro neutralization and inhibited the hemorrhagic and the dermonecrotic activities of the venoms in vivo. It is suggested that the inhibitory potential of the CS extract against local tissue damage induced by snake venoms may be attributed to complexation and chelation between the venom proteins and the phenolic contents of the extract. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hesperidin suppresses adjuvant arthritis in rats by inhibiting synoviocyte activity
Authors: Li Rong , Cai Li , Xie Xue‐feng , Yang Feng , Li Jun 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe present study was designed to investigate the effect of hesperidin on rat adjuvant arthritis (AA) and to elucidate the involvement of synoviocytes in this process. Freund's complete adjuvant was used to induce AA in rats. Secondary paw swelling and the index of immune organs of AA rats were measured. Macrophage‐like synoviocytes were separated by the method of collagenase and trypsin digestion. Synoviocyte proliferation was assayed by MTT assay. TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐10 production of synoviocytes were examined with ELISA. The levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐10 mRNA were determined using RT‐PCR. It was found that intragastric hesperidin administration (80, 160 mg/kg) significantly inhibited secondary paw swelling and restored the index of immune organs of AA rats. Furthermore, synoviocyte proliferation in AA rats was apparently suppressed after hesperidin treatment, which was accompanied by decreased transcription as well as production of TNF‐α and IL‐1β from synoviocytes. Hesperidin also markedly increased IL‐10 at both protein and transcription levels in AA rats. In aggregate, the above results demonstrate that hesperidin has a therapeutic effect on AA and the mechanisms are partly related to inhibiting synoviocyte activity and modulating inflammatory cytokine production of synoviocytes which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AA. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eviprostat suppresses urinary oxidative stress in a rabbit model of partial bladder outlet obstruction and in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Matsumoto Seiji , Hanai Tadashi , Matsui Takahiro , Oka Michiko , Tanaka Mitsushi , Uemura Hirotsugu 
Published: July 2009

AbstractEviprostat is a phytotherapeutic agent that has been used widely for more than 40 years in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Japan and Germany, and is known to have antioxidant activity. The present study investigated the effect of Eviprostat on the levels of the urinary oxidative stress marker 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) in a rabbit model of surgical partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) and in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with BPH. In the rabbit model, 8‐OHdG levels in urine collected after 3 weeks of PBOO were 3.8‐fold higher than in the urine of sham‐operated rabbits. When twice‐daily Eviprostat was administered orally throughout the 3‐week PBOO period, the increase in urinary 8‐OHdG levels was suppressed by 70%. In the clinical study, nine patients who received Eviprostat for 4 weeks showed 2.5‐fold lower urinary 8‐OHdG levels than before treatment. During Eviprostat treatment, the total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) decreased from 16.56 ± 2.74 to 13.67 ± 2.30 and the quality of life score from 4.22 ± 0.40 to 3.22 ± 0.46. The findings provide evidence that the antioxidant activity of Eviprostat is responsible for its beneficial effects in the treatment of BPH. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bile acid‐binding activity of young persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit and its hypolipidemic effect in mice
Authors: Matsumoto Kenji , Yokoyama Shin‐ichiro , Gato Nobuki 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe hypolipidemic effects and bile acid‐binding properties of young persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit were examined. In an animal experiment, male C57BL/6.Cr mice (n = 5) were fed an AIN‐76‐modified high fat diet supplemented with 2% or 5% (w/w) dried young persimmon fruit (YP) for 10 weeks. The intake of YP significantly enhanced fecal bile acid excretion and lowered the concentration of hepatic lipids and plasma cholesterol. Analysis of gene expression in liver tissue showed that 2% or 5% YP up‐regulated the expression of the sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐2 gene. In the 5% group, there were increased expressions of the genes for cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase and the low‐density lipoprotein receptor. Next, the bile acid‐binding ability of YP was analysed in vitro using cholic acid (CA). In 100–2000 µM CA solutions, 1% (w/v) YP adsorbed approximately 60% of CA, while dried mature persimmon fruit adsorbed approximately 20% of CA. The positive control, cholestyramine, adsorbed approximately 80% of CA in the 100–2000 µM CA solutions. A crude tannin extract from YP, which contained 54.7% condensed tannins, adsorbed approximately 78% of CA in the 2000 µM CA solutions. These results suggest that the ability of YP to bind bile acid contributes to its hypolipidemic effect in mice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.