bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes containing traces of iron as new negative MRI contrast agents for in vivo imaging
Authors: Doan Bich‐Thuy , Seguin Johanne , Breton Marie , Beherec Ronan Le , Bessodes Michel , Rodríguez‐Manzo Julio A. , Banhart Florian , Beloeil Jean‐Claude , Scherman Daniel , Richard Cyrille 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTSingle‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) containing traces of iron oxide were functionalized by noncovalent lipid‐PEG or covalent carboxylic acid function to supply new efficient MRI contrast agents for in vitro and in vivo applications. Longitudinal (r1) and transversal (r2) water proton relaxivities were measured at 300 MHz, showing a stronger T2 feature as an MRI contrast agent (r2/r1 = 190 for CO2H functionalisation). The r2 relaxivity was demonstrated to be correlated to the presence of iron oxide in the SWNT‐carboxylic function COOH, in comparison to iron‐free ones. Biodistribution studies on mice after a systemic injection showed a negative MRI contrast in liver, suggesting the presence of the nanotubes in this organ until 48 h after i.v. injection. The presence of carbon nanotubes in liver was confirmed after ex vivo carbon extraction. Finally, cytotoxicity studies showed no apparent effect owing to the presence of the carbon nanotubes. The functionalized carbon nanotubes were well tolerated by the animals at the dose of 10 µg g−1 body weight. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visual inputs to the mushroom body calyces of the whirligig beetle Dineutus sublineatus: Modality switching in an insect
Authors: Lin Chan , Strausfeld Nicholas J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe mushroom bodies are prominent lobed centers in the forebrain, or protocerebrum, of most insects. Previous studies on mushroom bodies have focused on higher olfactory processing, including olfactory‐based learning and memory. Anatomical studies provide strong support that in terrestrial insects with mushroom bodies, the primary input region, or calyces, are predominantly supplied by olfactory projection neurons from the antennal lobe glomeruli. In aquatic species that generally lack antennal lobes, the calyces are vestigial or absent. Here we report an exception to this in the whirligig beetle Dineutus sublineatus (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae). This aquatic species lives on water and is equipped with two separate pairs of compound eyes, one pair viewing above and one viewing below the water surface. As in other aquatic insects, the whirligig beetle lacks antennal lobes, but unlike other aquatic insects its mushroom bodies possess robust calyces. Golgi impregnations and fluorescent tracer injections revealed that the calyces are exclusively supplied by visual neurons from the medulla of the dorsal eye optic lobes. No other sensory inputs reach the calyces, thereby showing a complete switch of calyx modality from olfaction to vision. Potential functions of the mushroom bodies of D. sublineatus are discussed in the context of the behavioral ecology of whirligig beetles. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2562–2574, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Postnatal development of chorda tympani axons in the rat nucleus of the solitary tract
Authors: Wang Siting , Corson James , Hill David , Erisir Alev 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe chorda tympani nerve (CT), one of three nerves that convey gustatory information to the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), displays terminal field reorganization after postnatal day 15 in the rat. Aiming to gain insight into mechanisms of this phenomenon, CT axon projection field and terminal morphology in NTS subdivisions were examined using tract tracing, light microscopy, and immunoelectron microscopy at four postnatal ages: P15, P25, P35, and adult. The CT axons that innervated NTS rostrolateral subdivision both in the adult and in P15 rats were morphologically distinct from those that innervated the rostrocentral, gustatory subdivision. In both subdivisions, CT terminals reached morphological maturity before P15. Rostrolateral, but not rostrocentral axons, went through substantial axonal branch elimination after P15. Rostrocentral CT synapses, however, redistribute onto postsynaptic targets in the following weeks. CT terminal preference for GABAergic postsynaptic targets was drastically reduced after P15. Furthermore, CT synapses became a smaller component of the total synaptic input to the rostrocentral NTS after P35. The results underlined that CT axons in rostrocentral and rostrolateral subdivisions represent two distinct populations of CT input, displaying different morphological properties and structural reorganization mechanisms during postnatal development. J. Comp. Neurol., 520:3217–3235, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of retinal input on the development of striate–extrastriate patterns of connections in the rat
Authors: Laing R.J. , Bock A.S. , Lasiene J. , Olavarria J.F. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that retinal input plays an important role in the development of interhemispheric callosal connections, but little is known about the role retinal input plays on the development of ipsilateral striate–extrastriate connections and the interplay that might exist between developing ipsilateral and callosal pathways. We analyzed the effects of bilateral enucleation performed at different ages on both the distribution of extrastriate projections originating from restricted loci in medial, acallosal striate cortex, and the overall pattern of callosal connections revealed following multiple tracer injections. As in normal rats, striate–extrastriate projections in rats enucleated at birth consisted of multiple, well‐defined fields that were largely confined to acallosal regions throughout extrastriate cortex. However, these projections were highly irregular and variable, and they tended to occupy correspondingly anomalous and variable acallosal regions. Moreover, area 17, but not area 18a, was smaller in enucleates compared to controls, resulting in an increase in the divergence of striate projections. Anomalies in patterns of striate–extrastriate projections were not observed in rats enucleated at postnatal day (P)6, although the size of area 17 was still reduced in these rats. These results indicate that the critical period during which the eyes influence the development of striate–extrastriate, but not the size of striate cortex, ends by P6. Finally, enucleation did not change the time course and definition of the initial invasion of axons into gray matter, suggesting that highly variable striate projections patterns do not result from anomalous pruning of exuberant distributions of 17–18a fibers in gray matter. J. Comp. Neurol., 520:3256–3276, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A stereological study of the numbers of neurons and glia in the primary visual cortex across the lifespan of male and female rhesus monkeys
Authors: Giannaris Eustathia Lela , Rosene Douglas L. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractMild age‐related declines in visual function occur in humans and monkeys, independent of ocular pathology, suggesting involvement of central visual pathways (Spear [1993] Vision Res 33:2589–2609). Although many factors might account for this decline, a loss of neurons in primary visual cortex (V1) could be a contributing factor. Previous studies of neuron numbers in V1 reported stability across age, but were limited in the ages and genders studied and sampled only limited parts of V1 or limited cell types, allowing for the possibility of a subtle loss of neurons. We pursued this question in 26 behaviorally tested adult male and female rhesus monkeys ranging from 7.4 to 31.0 years of age by using design‐based stereology to estimate numbers of NeuN‐labeled neurons and thionin‐stained glia within three laminar zones, supragranular (layers II–IVB), granular (IVC), and infragranular (V–VI), across the entirety of V1. There were no significant differences between males and females on any measures, except for total brain weight (P = 0.0038). There was an average of 416,000,000 neurons in V1, but no effect of age on this total or numbers within any laminar zone. Similarly, there was an average of 184,000,000 glia in V1 (44% of the number of neurons), but no effect of age on this total. However, there was a significant age‐related increase in numbers of glia in the infragranular zone, perhaps reflecting a glial response to pathology in myelinated projection fibers. This study provides further evidence that in normal aging neurons are not lost and hence cannot account for age‐related dysfunction. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:3492–3508, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Calcium Pumps: Why So Many?
Authors: Brini Marisa , Calì Tito , Ottolini Denis , Carafoli Ernesto 
Published: March 2012

AbstractCa2+‐ATPases (pumps) are key to the regulation of Ca2+in eukaryotic cells: nine are known today, belonging to three multigene families. The three endo(sarco)plasmic reticulum (SERCA) and the four plasma membrane (PMCA) pumps have been known for decades, the two Secretory Pathway Ca2+ATPase (SPCA) pumps have only become known recently. The number of pump isoforms is further increased by alternative splicing processes. The three pump types share the basic features of the catalytic mechanism, but differ in a number of properties related to tissue distribution, regulation, and role in the cellular homeostasis of Ca2+. The molecular understanding of the function of all pumps has received great impetus from the solution of the three‐dimensional (3D) structure of one of them, the SERCA pump. This landmark structural advance has been accompanied by the emergence and rapid expansion of the area of pump malfunction. Most of the pump defects described so far are genetic and produce subtler, often tissue and isoform specific, disturbances that affect individual components of the Ca2+‐controlling and/or processing machinery, compellingly indicating a specialized role for each Ca2+pump type and/or isoform. © 2012 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol2:1045‐1060, 2012.
Strategies for Sustainable Cotton: Comparing Niche with Mainstream Markets
Authors: Illge Lydia , Preuss Lutz 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThis case study examines the strategies by two very different types of textile companies for supplying garments in a more sustainable way: Sweden‐based H&M, a large international firm, and hessnatur of Germany, a small niche player. In particular, the case discusses the strategies the two companies have adopted with regard to managing supplier relations and monitoring adherence to social and environmental standards. The case also discusses the respective implications the two companies' strategies have on society. It aims to stimulate critical thinking regarding the multiple ways in which corporate strategies affect the sustainability footprint of both the company and the wider society in which the company is embedded. The case study should thus be of interest to students of strategic management, but also be useful to those interested in sustainable development or supply chain management. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Neither P‐gp SNP variants, P‐gp expression nor functional P‐gp activity predicts MDR in a preliminary study of plasma cell myeloma
Authors: Drain Stephen , Catherwood Mark A. , Bjourson Anthony J. , Drake Mary B. , Kettle Paul J. , Alexander H. Denis 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIntroduction:Multidrug resistance (MDR) mediated by P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) can compromise the successful treatment of many malignancies including plasma cell myeloma (PCM). However, methods do not yet exist that can accurately determine P‐gp activity in PCM patient samples.Methods:In this study, we have utilized new advances in flow cytometric methods to determine the activity of P‐gp in PCM tumor cells. Furthermore, we have used several PCR‐based approaches to perform a pilot study determining the functional impact of ABCB1 SNPs in patients with PCM.Results:No associations were seen between P‐gp activity or expression and subgroups of PCM. Similarly, no association was seen between P‐gp expression and SNPs within ABCB1 although a nonsignificant reduction in activity was demonstrated for rs1045642 (P = 0.121).Conclusions:We have described a new method for the determination of P‐gp and MRP activity suitable for use in clinical studies and have optimized this method to include a gating strategy, allowing routine use on PCM bone marrow aspirate samples. This is the first patient study to consider the full impact of SNPs within ABCB1 all the way from the genome to the proteome in PCM. The methods described here could also be utilized for future studies of “stem cell like” side populations in PCM that are considered to be drug resistant. Furthermore, minor amendments to these methods will facilitate studies of P‐gp, MRP, and BCRP activity in other haematological malignancies. © 2012 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Expression of coagulation factor XIII subunit A in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Simon Ágnes , Bagoly Zsuzsa , Hevessy Zsuzsanna , Csáthy László , Katona Éva , Vereb György , Ujfalusi Anikó , Szerafin László , Muszbek László , Kappelmayer János 
Published: March 2012

AbstractLeukemic cells often express markers, which are not characteristic of their particular cell lineage. In this study, we identified the “A” subunit of coagulation factor XIII (FXIII‐A) in leukemic promyelocytes in de novo AML M3 cases. The cytoplasmic presence of factor XIII‐A has previously been shown only in platelets/megakaryocytes and monocytes/macrophages. Furthermore, more recently we described the presence of FXIII‐A in leukemic lymphoblasts.We studied 14 patients with this rare type of acute leukemia in a period of 4 years and investigated their bone marrow samples by 3‐color flow cytometry upon diagnosis, mainly focusing on FXIII‐A expression of leukemic cells. We detected FXIII‐A also by ELISA, Western‐blot, and confocal laser scanning microscopy.This was a homogenous group of AML M3 patients with translocation t(15;17)(q22;q21) detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In 10 out of 14 samples, FXIII‐A was detectable by flow cytometry and was coexpressed with markers characteristic for leukemic promyleocytes (CD45dim/CD13+/CD33+/CD117+/cyMPO+ and HLA‐DR‐/CD34−/CD14−/CD15−). Staining for the markers GPIIb and GPIX were negative, and FXIII‐A was identified in the cytoplasm of the cells by confocal microscopy in a relatively high quantity, as measured by ELISA. By Western blot analysis we could identify FXIII‐A in the native 82 kDa form and in cleaved forms corresponding to cleavage products observed when purified FXIII‐A was treated by human neutrophil elastase.This novel expression site of FXIII‐A in AML M3 can be considered as a leukemia associated immunophenotype and may have pathophysiological significance. © 2012 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Cyclin D1 inactivation extends proliferation and alters histogenesis in the postnatal mouse retina
Authors: Das Gaurav , Clark Anna M. , Levine Edward M. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackground: The cell‐cycle regulator Cyclin D1 is expressed in embryonic retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and regulates their cell‐cycle rate and neurogenic output. We report here that Cyclin D1 also has important functions in postnatal retinal histogenesis. Results: The initial production of Müller glia and bipolar cells was enhanced in Cyclin D1 knockout (Ccnd1−/−) retinas. Despite a steeper than normal rate of depletion of the RPC population at embryonic ages, postnatal Ccnd1−/− retinas exhibited an extended window of proliferation, neurogenesis, and gliogenesis. Cyclin D3, normally confined to Müller glia, was prematurely expressed in Ccnd1−/− RPCs. However, Cyclin D3 did not compensate for Cyclin D1 in regulating cell‐cycle kinetics or neurogenic output. Conclusions: The data presented in this study along with our previous finding that Cyclin D2 was unable to completely compensate for the absence of Cyclin D1 indicate that Cyclin D1 regulates retinal histogenesis in ways not shared by the other D‐cyclins. Developmental Dynamics 241:941–952, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
“Don't let the group down”: Facets of instrumentality moderate the motivating effects of groups in a field experiment
Authors: Hüffmeier Joachim , Krumm Stefan , Kanthak Jens , Hertel Guido 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe motivating effects of group work as compared with individual work are not restricted to the research laboratory but have recently been documented in existing groups performing meaningful tasks. Freestyle swimmers at the 2008 Olympics were shown to swim faster in relay groups than in the individual competitions when their contribution was highly instrumental for the relay group (i.e., indispensable) because of their serial position in the group. The present study replicated and extended this work, aggregating a larger sample from major sports events (N = 199 freestyle swimmers) that also allowed for a competitive test between the instrumentality approach and explanations based on differences in the starting procedures of relay and individual competitions. Consistent with expectancy value models of effort expenditure in groups, swimmers were faster in the relay groups as compared with individual competitions only when (i) a swimmer's performance was highly instrumental for the group's performance (i.e., later serial position in the relay) and (ii) the group's performance was highly instrumental for a positive group outcome (i.e., the relay group had a good chance of winning a medal). The data were not consistent with an explanation of performance differences merely as a result of different starting procedures. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An overview of flame retardancy of polymeric materials: application, technology, and future directions
Authors: Morgan Alexander B. , Gilman Jeffrey W. 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYFlame retardancy of polymeric materials is conducted to provide fire protection to flammable consumer goods, as well as to mitigate fire growth in a wide range of fires. This paper is a general overview of commercial flame retardant technology. It covers the drivers behind why flame retardants are used today, the current technologies in use, how they are applied, and where the field of flame retardant research is headed. The paper is not a full review of the technology, but rather a general overview of this entire field of applied science and is designed to get the reader started on the fundamentals behind this technology. This paper is based upon presentations given by the authors in late 2009 at the Flame Retardants and Fire Fighters meeting held at NIST. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wet/dry areas method for interfacial (free surface) flow
Authors: Wen Xianyun 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYIn this paper, a new numerical method is developed for two‐dimensional interfacial (free surface) flows, based on the control volume method and conservative integral form of the Navier–Stokes equations with a standard staggered grid. The new method deploys two continuity equations, the continuity equation of the mass conservation for better convergence of the implicit scheme and the continuity equation of the volume conservation for the equation of pressure correction. The convection terms (the total momentum flux) on the surfaces of control volume are accurately calculated from the wet area exposed to the water, and the dry area exposed to the air. The numerical results produced by the new numerical method agree very well with the analytical solution, experimental images and experimentally measured velocity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unified semi‐analytical wall boundary conditions for inviscid, laminar or turbulent flows in the meshless SPH method
Authors: Ferrand M. , Laurence D. R. , Rogers B. D. , Violeau D. , Kassiotis C. 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYWall boundary conditions in smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is a key issue to perform accurate simulations. We propose here a new approach based on a renormalising factor for writing all boundary terms. This factor depends on the local shape of a wall and on the position of a particle relative to the wall, which is described by segments (in two‐dimensions), instead of the cumbersome fictitious or ghost particles used in most existing SPH models. By solving a dynamic equation for the renormalising factor, we significantly improve traditional wall treatment in SPH, for pressure forces, wall friction and turbulent conditions. The new model is demonstrated for cases including hydrostatic conditions for still water in a tank of complex geometry and a dam break over triangular bed profile with sharp angle where significant improved behaviour is obtained in comparison with the conventional boundary techniques. The latter case is also compared with a finite volume and volume‐of‐fluid scheme. The performance of the model for a two‐dimensional laminar flow in a channel is demonstrated where the profiles of velocity are in agreement with the theoretical ones, demonstrating that the derived wall shear stress balances the pressure gradient. Finally, the performance of the model is demonstrated for flow in a schematic fish pass where both the velocity field and turbulent viscosity fields are satisfactorily reproduced compared with mesh‐based codes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pregabalin augmentation of antidepressants in older patients with comorbid depression and generalized anxiety disorder—an open‐label study
Authors: Karaiskos Dimitrios , Pappa Dimitra , Tzavellas Elias , Siarkos Kostas , Katirtzoglou Everina , Papadimitriou George N. , Politis Antonios 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveThe objective of this 12‐week open‐label study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of pregabalin as an adjunctive treatment to antidepressants in older patients suffering from depression and comorbid generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).MethodsThe initial sample of this open‐label study consisted of 94 older patients fulfilling criteria for depression with comorbid GAD who were treated with antidepressants. Twenty of them who had received antidepressant monotherapy for an adequate time and shown partial response to the antidepressant prescribed, in terms of either anxiety or depressive symptomatology, followed the next phase. During the 12‐week study period, pregabalin was gradually added to the previously prescribed antidepressant, reaching 225 mg/day over 4 weeks. Depression and anxiety scores as well as side effects were monitored. Within groups, differences of depression and anxiety scores at baseline and during the following 12 weeks of treatment were estimated with repeated‐measure analysis of variance.ResultsA statistical significant reduction in depression scores was observed after the 4th week of treatment (p < 0.01), which further improved between the 8th and 12th weeks (p < 0.01). Concerning overall anxiety scores, a statistically significant improvement was noted between the 2nd and 4th weeks (p < 0.01), which further continued throughout the 8th (p < 0.05) and 12th weeks (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated a good therapeutic response to pregabalin in patients with depression comorbid with GAD after a 12‐week treatment period. Both anxiety and depressive symptomatology significantly improved, and minimal side effects were observed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.