bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Müller cells in cone mosaic rearrangement in a rat model of retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Lee Eun‐Jin , Ji Yerina , Zhu Colleen L. , Grzywacz Norberto M. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractRetinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a type of inherited retinal degenerative disease, which leads to blindness. The primary pathological event of this disease is the death of rods because of genetic mutations. The S334ter‐line‐3 rat is a transgenic model developed to express a rhodopsin mutation similar to that found in RP. In this study, the rod's death triggered a reorganization of the cone mosaic into an orderly array of rings. Four observations were relevant to understand this reorganization. First, rods died in hot spots, which progressively increased as circular waves, leaving rod‐less zones behind. Second, rings of cones formed around these zones. Third, remodeled Müller glia processes enveloped cones and filled the center of their rings. Zonula occludens‐1 located between the photoreceptor inner segments and the apical processes of Müller cells showed in the rings. Fourth, these rings were formed before the onset of cone cell deaths and were maintained until late stages of RP. From these observations, we hypothesize that cone‐Müller‐cell interactions mediate and maintain the rings. A test of this hypothesis can be performed by injecting DL‐α‐aminoadipic acid (AAA), which is known to disrupt Müller cell metabolism. A single intravitreal injection of AAA at P50 disrupted the rings of cones 3 days after the injection. These findings indicate that the rearrangement of cones in rings is modulated by Müller cells in RP. Thus, if the relationship between photoreceptors and Müller glia is better understood, the latter could potentially be manipulated for effective neuroprotection or the restoration of normal cone arrays. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cancer stem cells in gliomas: Identifying and understanding the apex cell in cancer's hierarchy
Authors: Venere Monica , Fine Howard A. , Dirks Peter B. , Rich Jeremy N. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractNeuro‐oncology research has rediscovered a complexity of nervous system cancers through the incorporation of cellular heterogeneity into tumor models with cellular subsets displaying stem‐cell characteristics. Self‐renewing cancer stem cells (CSCs) can propagate tumors and yield nontumorigenic tumor bulk cells that display a more differentiated phenotype. The ability to prospectively isolate and interrogate CSCs is defining molecular mechanisms responsible for the tumor maintenance and growth. The clinical relevance of CSCs has been supported by their resistance to cytotoxic therapies and their promotion of tumor angiogenesis. Although the field of CSC biology is relatively young, continued elucidation of the features of these cells holds promise for the development of novel patient therapies. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of second‐generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors towards osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal cells of healthy donors
Authors: Tibullo Daniele , Barbagallo Ignazio , Giallongo Cesarina , La Cava Piera , Branca Antonio , Conticello Concetta , Stagno Fabio , Chiarenza Annalisa , Palumbo Giuseppe A , Raimondo Francesco Di 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe BCR‐ABL inhibitor imatinib is a standard first‐line therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. However, it has been demonstrated that this long‐term treatment is associated with altered bone metabolism. The mechanisms of this effect are not fully understood, but an inhibition of the platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGF‐R) β axis has been suspected on the basis of some in vitro findings. We evaluated the osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (hBM‐MSCs) after in vitro treatment with dasatinib, nilotinib or bosutinib. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were induced to differentiate in osteoblastic cells by treatment with osteogenic medium with or without dasatinib, nilotinib or bosutinib. We found that the addition of dasatinib, and to a greater extend nilotinib, induced expression of osteogenic mRNA markers as compared with cultures with standard medium or osteogenic medium only. However, treatment with bosutinib did not induce an increase of osteogenic markers. In conclusion, we show that besides imatinib, other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as dasatinib and nilotinib, but not bosutinib, increase osteogenic markers in hBM‐MSCs. Because bosutinib differs from the other TKIs because of its low affinity to other kinases such as PDGF‐R, these experiments suggest that inhibition of PDGF‐R may be involved in the induction of osteoblastogenesis by TKIs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Colon cancer associated transcript‐1: A novel RNA expressed in malignant and pre‐malignant human tissues
Authors: Nissan Aviram , Stojadinovic Alexander , Mitrani‐Rosenbaum Stella , Halle David , Grinbaum Ronit , Roistacher Marina , Bochem Andrea , Dayanc Baris Emre , Ritter Gerd , Gomceli Ismail , Bostanci Erdal Birol , Akoglu Musa , Chen Yao‐Tseng , Old Lloyd John , Gure Ali Osmay 
Published: May 2011

AbstractEarly detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently based on fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and colonoscopy, both which can significantly reduce CRC‐related mortality. However, FOBT has low‐sensitivity and specificity, whereas colonoscopy is labor‐ and cost‐intensive. Therefore, the discovery of novel biomarkers that can be used for improved CRC screening, diagnosis, staging and as targets for novel therapies is of utmost importance. To identify novel CRC biomarkers we utilized representational difference analysis (RDA) and characterized a colon cancer associated transcript (CCAT1), demonstrating consistently strong expression in adenocarcinoma of the colon, while being largely undetectable in normal human tissues (p < 000.1). CCAT1 levels in CRC are on average 235‐fold higher than those found in normal mucosa. Importantly, CCAT1 is strongly expressed in tissues representing the early phase of tumorigenesis: in adenomatous polyps and in tumor‐proximal colonic epithelium, as well as in later stages of the disease (liver metastasis, for example). In CRC‐associated lymph nodes, CCAT1 overexpression is detectable in all H&E positive, and 40.0% of H&E and immunohistochemistry negative lymph nodes, suggesting very high sensitivity. CCAT1 is also overexpressed in 40.0% of peripheral blood samples of patients with CRC but not in healthy controls. CCAT1 is therefore a highly specific and readily detectable marker for CRC and tumor‐associated tissues.
CpG island methylation status of miRNAs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Xuedan , Hu Huamei , Guan Xingying , Xiong Gang , Wang Yan , Wang Kai , Li Juan , Xu Xueqing , Yang Kang , Bai Yun 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPrevious studies on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) indicated that it contains much dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs). DNA hypermethylation in the miRNA 5′ regulatory region is a mechanism that can account for the downregulation of miRNA in tumors (Esteller, N Engl J Med 2008;358:1148–59). Among those dysregulated miRNAs, miR‐203, miR‐34b/c, miR‐424 and miR‐129‐2 are embedded in CpG islands, as is the promoter of miR‐34a. We investigated their methylation status in ESCC by bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) and methylation specific PCR (MSP). The methylation frequency of miR‐203 and miR‐424 is the same in carcinoma and in the corresponding non‐tumor tissues. The methylation ratio of miR‐34a, miR‐34b/c and miR‐129‐2 is 66.7% (36/54), 40.7% (22/54) and 96.3% (52/54), respectively in ESCC, which are significantly higher than that in the corresponding non‐tumor tissues(p < 0.01). Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis in clinical samples suggested that CpG island methylation is significantly correlated with their low expression in ESCC, 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (DAC) treatment partly recovered their expression in EC9706 cell line. We conclude that CpG island methylation of miR‐34a, miR‐34b/c and miR‐129‐2 are frequent events and important mechanism for their low expression in ESCC. DNA methylation changes have been reported to occur early in carcinogenesis and are potentially good early indicators of carcinoma (Laird, Nat Rev Cancer 2003;3:253–66). The high methylation ratio of miR‐129‐2 indicated its potential as a methylation biomarker in early diagnosis of ESCC.
Simultaneous biochemical and topographical patterning on curved surfaces using biocompatible sacrificial molds
Authors: Fernandez Javier G. , Samitier Josep , Mills Christopher A. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractA method for the simultaneous (bio)chemical and topographical patterning of enclosed structures in poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) is presented. The simultaneous chemical and topography transference uses a water‐soluble chitosan sacrificial mold to impart a predefined pattern with micrometric accuracy to a PDMS replica. The method is compared to conventional soft‐lithography techniques on planar surfaces. Its functionality is demonstrated by the transference of streptavidin directly to the surface of the three‐dimensional PDMS structures as well as indirectly using streptavidin‐loaded latex nanoparticles. The streptavidin immobilized on the PDMS is tested for bioactivity by coupling with fluorescently labeled biotin. This proves that the streptavidin is immobilized on the PDMS surface, not in the bulk of the polymer, and is therefore accessible for use as signaling/binding element in micro and bioengineering. The use of a biocompatible polymer and processes enables the technique to be used for the chemical patterning of tissue constructions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
Efficient biosorption of a reactive dye from contaminated media by Neurospora sitophila cells—Zea mays silk tissue biomass system
Authors: Akar Tamer , Celik Sema 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: A filamentous fungus Neurospora sitophila was immobilized in Zea mays silk tissue and the prepared system was employed as a new biosorbent for the treatment of reactive dye contaminated solutions.RESULTS: Decolorization potential of the biosorbent system was investigated in batch and continuous mode operations. Design parameters such as pH, biomass dosage, contact time, temperature, dye concentration and flow rate were investigated. Batch mode equilibrium data were analyzed kinetically to determine the rate constants. The process followed the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. The thermodynamics of the biosorption indicated the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the process. Biosorption was well described by the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum monolayer biosorption capacity of 105.33 mg g−1. Relatively good dynamic flow decolorization potential was observed for the biosorbent system in synthetic and real wastewater conditions. Flow mode regeneration studies over ten consecutive cycles indicated that the suggested biosorbent maintained consistently high biosorption yield, above 70%. The possible dye‐biosorbent interaction mechanism was also confirmed by zeta potential, FTIR, SEM and EDX analysis.CONCLUSION: High biosorption capacity and regeneration potential suggest that the new biosorbent system can be used as an alternative and low‐cost biomaterial for the treatment of reactive dye contaminated solutions. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Credit from whom and for what? The diversity of borrowing sources and uses in rural southern India
Authors: Guérin Isabelle , Roesch Marc , Venkatasubramanian Govidan , D'Espallier Bert 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis article aimed to deepen understandings of poor household borrowing practices by drawing on a case study from rural Southern India. It combines descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis to show that households juggle with a wide range of borrowing sources and that each serves very specific purposes. From a theoretical perspective, we suggest that the neoclassical cost/benefit framework often used to analyse debt decisions should be enlarged to include social criteria in line with recent insights from economic anthropology and political economy. From a policy perspective, we argue that all things being equal, local financial arrangements might have important comparative advantages over traditional microfinance products. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic plantar pressure analysis and midterm outcomes in percutaneous correction for mild hallux valgus
Authors: Martínez‐Nova Alfonso , Sánchez‐Rodríguez Raquel , Leal‐Muro Alejo , Pedrera‐Zamorano Juan Diego 
Published: May 2011

AbstractMild hallux valgus (HV), which can lead to alteration of the plantar pressure pattern with an overpressure under the hallux, can be repaired percutaneously. Our goals were to determine whether the percutaneous distal soft tissue release (DSTR)‐Akin procedure restores the loading pattern and to evaluate which are the determinants of the measures of post‐operative outcome. Seventy‐nine percutaneous DSTR‐Akin procedures were performed in the same number of patients. The plantar pressure patterns were evaluated using the BioFoot/IBV® in‐shoe system and compared with measurements from 98 controls. The clinical and radiological outcome parameters measured were the pre‐ and post‐operative AOFAS scores, and the first intermetatarsal, hallux abductus, and first metatarsal–hallux declination angles (FIMA, HAA, FMHDA) in weight‐bearing radiographs. The mean follow‐up was 28.1 (range 24–33) months. The plantar pressure analysis showed a significant decrease (328–152 kPa, p = 0.001) in the mean pressure under the hallux. Significant improvements occurred in the AOFAS scores, and angular deviations were reduced. The post‐operative HAA correlated with the mean pressure under the 1st toe (r2 = 0.132, p < 0.001). The DSTR‐Akin percutaneous technique in mild HV restores physiological patterns of pressure on the hallux and achieves significant correction of radiographic angles and commensurate improvement in clinical status. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1700–1706, 2011
Palestine's International Visitors Barriers: Case Studies of Bethlehem and Ramallah
Authors: Hardan Suleiman Jafar Subhi , Mohamed Badaruddin 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the demographic characteristics, the travel experiences and the intentions to revisit of international tourists to the cities of Bethlehem and Ramallah, which are located in Palestine. The study conducted a survey to collect data from 293 international visitors, 8 years after the second Palestinian uprising called ‘intifada’ began. The results revealed that the majority of the foreign tourists were Europeans who traveled for religious and spiritual purposes. Moreover, most of the tourists were willing to revisit Palestine. This study resulted in a comprehensive understanding of tourism characteristics under the current political circumstances of Palestine, leading to significant implications for tourism policy‐makers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of intimate relationships, appraisals of military service, and gender on the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms following Iraq deployment
Authors: Skopp Nancy A. , Reger Mark A. , Reger Greg M. , Mishkind Matthew C. , Raskind Murray , Gahm Gregory A. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractA retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine risk and protective factors for combat‐related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms reported by soldiers (n = 2,583) at postdeployment. Positive appraisals of military service related negatively, OR = 0.86, 95% CI [0.83, 0.89], to screening positive for presumed PTSD at postdeployment. Decreases in perceived intimate relationship strength from predeployment to postdeployment were positively associated with presumed PTSD at higher, but not lower, levels of combat exposure; this effect, OR = 1.91, 95% CI [1.08, 3.39], was found only for female soldiers. Overall risk for postdeployment presumed PTSD was found to be nearly 2.5 times greater for women, as compared to men. In addition, positive screening rates of anxiety, depression, hazardous alcohol use, and PTSD increased from predeployment to postdeployment, with the most prominent increase found for PTSD.
Differential prey use by male and female cougars in Washington
Authors: White Kevin R. , Koehler Gary M. , Maletzke Benjamin T. , Wielgus Robert B. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractMale and female predators are often assumed to have the same effects on prey. Because of differences in body size and behavior, however, male and female predators may use different species, sexes, and ages of prey, which could have important implications for wildlife conservation and management. We tested for differential prey use by male and female cougars (Puma concolor) from 2003 to 2008 in Washington State. We predicted that male cougars would kill a greater proportion of larger and older prey (i.e., adult elk [Cervus elaphus]), whereas females would kill smaller and younger prey (i.e., elk calves, mule deer [Odocoileus hemionus]). We marked cougars with Global Positioning System (GPS) radio collars and investigated 436 predation sites. We located prey remains at 345 sites from 9 male and 9 female cougars. We detected 184 mule deer, 142 elk, and 17 remains from 4 other species. We used log‐linear modeling to detect differences in species and age of prey killed among cougar reproductive classes. Solitary females and females with dependent offspring killed more mule deer than elk (143 vs. 83, P < 0.01), whereas males killed more elk than mule deer (59 vs. 41, P < 0.01). Proportionately, males killed 4 times more adult elk than did females (24% vs. 6% of kills) and females killed 2 times more adult mule deer than did males (26% vs. 15% of kills). Managers should consider the effects of sex of predator in conservation and management of ungulates, particularly when managing for sensitive species. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Light‐Tunable Thermosensitivity of Polymer‐Coated Gold Nanoparticles Achieved by Light‐Controlled Molecular Recognition
Authors: Luo Chunhua , Dong Qiujing , Zheng Zhaohui , Ding Xiaobin , Peng Yuxing 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThermo‐ and photosensitive gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated with an azobenzene‐contained P(DMA‐PAPA‐MAEL) copolymer are prepared by ligand exchange reactions. The photoisomerization of azobenzene moiety on the surface of P(DMA‐PAPA‐MAEL)‐coated AuNPs is detected by means of UV‐Vis spectroscopy with the presence or absence of free α‐cyclodextrin. When subjected to visible and UV light irradiation alternately, P(DMA‐PAPA‐MAEL)‐coated AuNPs in the presence of free α‐CD display a light‐tunable lower critical solution temperature through light‐controlled molecular recognition between the azobenzene moiety on the surface of AuNPs and free α‐CD. magnified image
Estimation of the Generation and the Weight Fraction of Dense Polymer Regions in Heterogeneous Hydrogels
Authors: Alveroglu Esra , Yilmaz Yasar 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe internal structure of polyacrylamide gels consists of polymer‐dense regions with different densities, which are denoted as “blobs”. The density difference between these blobs decreases when a gel is doped with charged molecules. When a small potential is applied between the ends of such a gel, ionic charge carriers result in a current. A theoretical approach is developed to estimate the weight fraction and the number of blob generation. The current decreases with time as a series of exponentially decreasing terms where the exponent and the multiplier of each term measure the density of the blob and the weight fraction of the corresponding blob generation.
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On properness and related properties of quasilinear systems on unbounded domains
Authors: Krömer Stefan , Lilli Markus 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to provide tools for analyzing the compactness properties of sequences in Sobolev spaces, in particular if the sequence gets mapped onto a compact set by some nonlinear operator. Here, our focus lies on a very general class of nonlinear operators arising in quasilinear systems of partial differential equations of second order, in divergence form. Our approach, based on a suitable decomposition lemma, admits the discussion of problems with some inherent loss of compactness, for example due to a domain with infinite measure or a lower order term with critical growth. As an application, we obtain a characterization of properness which is considerably easier to verify than the definition. © 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Deep brain stimulation effects in dystonia: Time course of electrophysiological changes in early treatment
Authors: Ruge Diane , Tisch Stephen , Hariz Marwan I. , Zrinzo Ludvic , Bhatia Kailash P. , Quinn Niall P. , Jahanshahi Marjan , Limousin Patricia , Rothwell John C. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractDeep brain stimulation to the internal globus pallidus is an effective treatment for primary dystonia. The optimal clinical effect often occurs only weeks to months after starting stimulation. To better understand the underlying electrophysiological changes in this period, we assessed longitudinally 2 pathophysiological markers of dystonia in patients prior to and in the early treatment period (1, 3, 6 months) after deep brain stimulation surgery. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to track changes in short‐latency intracortical inhibition, a measure of excitability of GABAA‐ergic corticocortical connections and long‐term potentiation‐like synaptic plasticity (as a response to paired associative stimulation). Deep brain stimulation remained on for the duration of the study. Prior to surgery, inhibition was reduced and plasticity increased in patients compared with healthy controls. Following surgery and commencement of deep brain stimulation, short‐latency intracortical inhibition increased toward normal levels over the following months with the same monotonic time course as the patients' clinical benefit. In contrast, synaptic plasticity changed rapidly, following a nonmonotonic time course: it was absent early (1 month) after surgery, and then over the following months increased toward levels observed in healthy individuals. We postulate that before surgery preexisting high levels of plasticity form strong memories of dystonic movement patterns. When deep brain stimulation is turned on, it disrupts abnormal basal ganglia signals, resulting in the absent response to paired associative stimulation at 1 month. Clinical benefit is delayed because engrams of abnormal movement persist and take time to normalize. Our observations suggest that plasticity may be a driver of long‐term therapeutic effects of deep brain stimulation in dystonia. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society