bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Matrix Metalloproteinase Secretion by Cardiac Fibroblasts and Reduce Cardiac Ventricular Fibrosis After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Mias Céline , Lairez Olivier , Trouche Elodie , Roncalli Jérome , Calise Denis , Seguelas Marie-Hélène , Ordener Catherine , Piercecchi-Marti Marie-Dominique , Auge Nathalie , Salvayre Anne Negre , Bourin Philippe , Parini Angelo , Cussac Daniel 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Recent studies showed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation significantly decreased cardiac fibrosis; however, the mechanisms involved in these effects are still poorly understood. In this work, we investigated whether the antifibrotic properties of MSCs involve the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and matrix metalloproteinase endogenous inhibitor (TIMP) production by cardiac fibroblasts. In vitro experiments showed that conditioned medium from MSCs decreased viability, α-smooth muscle actin expression, and collagen secretion of cardiac fibroblasts. These effects were concomitant with the stimulation of MMP-2/MMP-9 activities and membrane type 1 MMP expression. Experiments performed with fibroblasts from MMP2-knockout mice demonstrated that MMP-2 plays a preponderant role in preventing collagen accumulation upon incubation with conditioned medium from MSCs. We found that MSC-conditioned medium also decreased the expression of TIMP2 in cardiac fibroblasts. In vivo studies showed that intracardiac injection of MSCs in a rat model of postischemic heart failure induced a significant decrease in ventricular fibrosis. This effect was associated with the improvement of morphological and functional cardiac parameters. In conclusion, we showed that MSCs modulate the phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts and their ability to degrade extracellular matrix. These properties of MSCs open new perspectives for understanding the mechanisms of action of MSCs and anticipate their potential therapeutic or side effects.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
On the number and nature of faults found by random testing
Authors: Ciupa I. , Pretschner A. , Oriol M. , Leitner A. , Meyer B. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIntuition suggests that random testing should exhibit a considerable difference in the number of faults detected by two different runs of equal duration. As a consequence, random testing would be rather unpredictable. This article first evaluates the variance over time of the number of faults detected by randomly testing object‐oriented software that is equipped with contracts. It presents the results of an empirical study based on 1215 h of randomly testing 27 Eiffel classes, each with 30 seeds of the random number generator. The analysis of over 6 million failures triggered during the experiments shows that therelative numberof faults detected by random testing over time is predictable, but that different runs of the random test case generator detectdifferent faults. The experiment also suggests that the random testing quickly finds faults: the first failure is likely to be triggered within 30 s. The second part of this article evaluates thenatureof the faults found by random testing. To this end, it first explains a fault classification scheme, which is also used to compare the faults found through random testing with those found through manual testing and with those found in field use of the software and recorded in user incident reports. The results of the comparisons show that each technique is good at uncovering different kinds of faults. None of the techniques subsumes any of the others; each brings distinct contributions. This supports a more general conclusion on comparisons between testing strategies: thenumberof detected faults is too coarse a criterion for such comparisons—thenatureof faults must also be considered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amphetamine and environmentally induced hyperthermia differentially alter the expression of genes regulating vascular tone and angiogenesis in the meninges and associated vasculature
Authors: Thomas Monzy , George Nysia I. , Patterson Tucker A. , Bowyer John F. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAn amphetamine (AMPH) regimen that does not produce a prominent blood–brain barrier breakdown was shown to significantly alter the expression of genes regulating vascular tone, immune function, and angiogenesis in vasculature associated with arachnoid and pia membranes of the forebrain. Adult‐male Sprague–Dawley rats were given either saline injections during environmentally‐induced hyperthermia (EIH) or four doses of AMPH with 2 h between each dose (5, 7.5, 10, and 10 mg/kgd‐AMPH, s.c.) that produced hyperthermia. Rats were sacrificed either 3 h or 1 day after dosing, and total RNA and protein was isolated from the meninges, arachnoid and pia membranes, and associated vasculature (MAV) that surround the forebrain. Vip, eNos, Drd1a, and Edn1 (genes regulating vascular tone) were increased by either EIH or AMPH to varying degrees in MAV, indicating that EIH and AMPH produce differential responses to enhance vasodilatation. AMPH, and EIH to a lesser extent, elicited a significant inflammatory response at 3 h as indicated by an increased MAV expression of cytokines Il1b, Il6, Ccl‐2, Cxcl1, and Cxcl2. Also, genes related to heat shock/stress and disruption of vascular homeostasis such as Icam1 and Hsp72 were also observed. The increased expression of Ctgf and Timp1 and the decreased expression of Akt1, Anpep, and Mmp2 and Tek (genes involved in stimulating angiogenesis) from AMPH exposure suggest that angiogenesis was arrested or disrupted in MAV to a greater extent by AMPH compared to EIH. Alterations in vascular‐related gene expression in the parietal cortex and striatum after AMPH were less in magnitude than in MAV, indicating less of a disruption of vascular homeostasis in these two regions. Changes in the levels of insulin‐like growth factor binding proteins Igfbp1, 2, and 5 in MAV, compared to those in striatum and parietal cortex, imply an interaction between these regions to regulate the levels of insulin‐like growth factor after AMPH damage. Thus, the vasculature and meninges surrounding the surface of the forebrain may be an important region in which AMPHs can disrupt vascular homeostasis. Synapse 63:881–894, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cervical ectropion. Part 2: assessment of symptomatic women
Authors: Matiluko Adebimpe F. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn part 1 of this article, the author explained the physiology, associated features and treatment of cervical ectropion. Here, she outlines the results of a survey undertaken to develop a local protocol to manage women presenting with symptomatic cervical ectropion. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Interface Ltd
Transition Metal Tetrathiosquarates: One‐Dimensional Linking in the Iron(II) Salt FeC4S4·6 H2O
Authors: Beck Johannes , Glaum Robert , Kögerler Paul , Speldrich Manfred , Ben‐Amer Younis 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe addition of a solution of tetrathiosquarate using K2C4S4·H2O to an aqueous solution of FeII chloride yields mainly an insoluble, brown‐black, amorphous material, but from the filtrate the FeII salt FeC4S4·6H2O can be isolated as dark red crystals in low overall yield. The crystal structure determination shows the presence of (C4S4)2– ions, which act each as bidentate chelating ligands towards two Fe2+ ions forming linear one‐dimensional chains [Fe(H2O)2(C4S4)]n with two aqua ligands coordinated in trans positions of the octahedral FeS4(OH2)2 coordination polyhedron. Additional water molecules link the chains through O–H···O bridges to a three dimensional network. The (C4S4)2– ions are planar but show substantial distortion from ideal D4h symmetry caused by the chelating coordination. The infrared and Raman spectra show bands typical for the molecular building units. The single‐crystal Vis/NIR absorption spectrum of FeC4S4·6H2O reveals a weak absorption around \tilde{\nu} = 6100 cm–1, which is assigned to the transition 5T2g → 5Eg. Above 14000 cm–1 the spectrum is completely dark, in agreement with the deep red color of the compound. The magnetic properties of FeC4S4·6H2O show the expected single‐ion effects for high‐spin FeII ions in a tetragonally distorted coordination environment and antiferromagnetic coupling within the coordination polymer. The quantitative analysis results of the susceptibility data concur with the ligand field parameters estimated from the optical spectrtum.
The UV‐Light Initiated Reaction of Organosilanes with Tungsten Hexacarbonyl: Formation of an Organosilylene Complex and Organosilylium Salts
Authors: Dannappel Kai , Nienhaus Roland , Schürmann Markus , Costisella Burkard , Jurkschat Klaus 
Published: July 2009

AbstractUV‐irradiation of the diorganosilane [4‐tBu‐2,6‐{P(O)(OiPr)2}2C6H2]SiH2Ph in the presence of W(CO)6 provided a mixture consisting of the diorganosilylene tungsten pentacarbonyl complex [4‐tBu‐2,6‐{P(O)(OiPr)2}2C6H2](Ph)SiW(CO)5 (2), the organosilylium salt [4‐tBu‐2,6‐{P(O)(OiPr)2}2C6H2Si(H)Ph]+[{(CO)5W}2H]– (3), and an unidentified species. UV‐irradiation of the triorganosilane [4‐tBu‐2,6‐{P(O)(OiPr)2}2C6H2]SiHPh2 in presence of W(CO)6 provided the organosilylium salt [4‐tBu‐2,6‐{P(O)(OiPr)2}2C6H2SiPh2]+[{(CO)5W}2H]– (6) whereas, under the same conditions, no reaction was observed between the tetraorganosilane [4‐tBu‐2,6‐{P(O)(OiPr)2}2C6H2]SiPh3 and W(CO)6. The reaction of compound 2 with Ph3C+PF6– gave the fluorine‐substituted silylene complex [4‐tBu‐2,6‐{P(O)(OiPr)2}2C6H2](F)SiW(CO)5 (4) whereas the reactions of 3 with Ph4PBr and 5 with water gave the benzoxasilaphospholes 3a, 3b, and 7, respectively. The compounds 2 and 6 were isolated and characterized by 1H, 13C, 29Si, 31P NMR, and IR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and in case of 2 also by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The compounds 3, 3a, 3b, 4, and 7 were not isolated but identified unambiguously by NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
Structural and Thermal Behaviour of the Pyrrolidinium Based Ionic Liquid Crystals [C10mpyr]Br and [C12mpyr]Br
Authors: Getsis Anna , Mudring Anja‐Verena 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe ionic liquid crystals N‐decyl‐N‐methylpyrrolidinium bromide, [C10mpyr]Br, and N‐dodecyl‐N‐methylpyrrolidinium bromide, [C12mpyr]Br have been synthesized. X‐ray diffraction single crystal structure analyses {[C10mpyr]Br: monoclinic, P21/n, no. 14, Z = 12, Pearson code mP588, a = 19.446(2) Å, b = 7.0659(5) Å, c = 36.844(4) Å, β = 90.63(1)°, 4317 unique reflections with Io > 2σ (Io), R1 = 0.0372, wR2 = 0.0822, GooF = 0.897, T = 298(2)K; [C12mpyr]Br: monoclinic, P21/n, no. 14, Z = 12, Pearson code mP660, a = 20.457(8) Å, b = 7.0796(16) Å, c = 39.335(14) Å, β = 96.96(3)°, 4158 unique reflections with Io > 2σ (Io), R1 = 0.0431, wR2 = 0.0753, GooF = 0.823, T = 298(2)K)} reveals a layer structure for both compounds. Sheets composed of hydrophilic structure regions built by positively charged pyrrolidinium head groups and bromide anions alternate with hydrophobic areas formed by interdigitated long alkyl chains belonging to pyrrolidinium cations with opposite orientation. Thermal analyses together with polarizing optical microscopy show that both compounds are thermotropic liquid crystals adopting smectic mesophases. For [C10mpyr]Br the solidification temperature is dramatically depressed and the liquid crystalline state is preserved metastably at room temperature and well below (~ –80 °C). In contrast [C12mpyr]Br solidifies around room temperature (~ 23 °C).
The helminth community of the wood mouseApodemus sylvaticusin a Mediterranean ecosystem in regeneration ten years after a wildfire
Authors: Fuentes M.V. , Sainz-Elipe S. , Sáez-Durán S. , Galán-Puchades M.T. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis study was carried out 10 years after a wildfire in the Spanish Serra Calderona Natural Park, following a previous analysis comprising the first 5 years after the fire. Its primary aim was to elucidate the impact of this perturbation on the population biology of the wood mouseApodemus sylvaticus, and the repercussions on its helminth community in this regenerating Mediterranean ecosystem. Second, confirmation of the ability of the parasites to tolerate environmental stressors and the effects on their transmission strategies was sought. Five hundred and sixty-four individuals ofA. sylvaticuswere studied in a 9-year period, from the second to the tenth post-fire year: 408 mice from the burned area and 156 from the control – non-burned – area. The helminth community for both areas and the effect of intrinsic (host age and sex) and extrinsic (site, period and year of capture) factors on helminth prevalence, abundance and diversity, and species richness were analysed. Our findings show that, after an environmental disaster, the behaviour of helminth species might be related to their pre-catastrophe presence, their biological cycles, the host's immunological condition, the change of host dynamics, the direct effects of the perturbation, and the processes related to the re-establishment of the ecological balance of a devastated ecosystem.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging: its uses in otolaryngology
Authors: Doshi J , Jindal M , Chavda S , Irving R , De R 
Published: July 2009

AbstractOver recent years, there has been an increase in otolaryngology publications concerning diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The aims of this review paper are to summarise the basic principles of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and to provide an overview of current otolaryngological applications and areas of research. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a radiological technique which has shown promising results in various areas of otolaryngology. However, studies of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging are difficult to compare, as different imaging parameters and techniques have been used. The role of this imaging modality within otolaryngology is yet to be fully elucidated. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging may prove to be a useful adjunct in both the pre- and post-operative care of otolaryngology patients.
Space law as a branch of international law
Authors: Malanczuk P. 
Published: July 2009

‘Need I apologize for my choice of subject? Some may say it belongs to the realm of exotics of law. Some may ask: Why deal with issues so remote when there are so many much closer to us still awaiting a solution? Why reach so far?’ With these words the late Judge Manfred Lachs introduced his 1964 lecture at the Hague Academy of International Law on the topic ‘The International Law of Outer Space’. The subject is no longer exotic today. Within the three decades following the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, the use of space technology is now widespread, not only for military but also for civilian purposes, including satellites for communications, meteorology, television and radio broadcasting and other applications. Remote sensing data is employed in agriculture and resource management as well as in environmental monitoring. Writing a quarter of a century later than Lachs, in a prologue to a collection of articles by “a new generation of space law scholars’, K.-H. Böckstiegel notes:‘Space law is coming of age. What started out as an exotic field of law and then continued with the discussion and codification of legal rules, following the development of exploratory space activities, is now confronted with the challenge of arriving at just and effective rules for the use of space serving many practical and conflicting economic, political and military interests.’
A perspective on provisional measures under UNCLOS
Authors: Laing Edward A. 
Published: July 2009

This article analyses Article 290:1 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), concerning the elements required for the prescription of provisional measures, in the context of the Order of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) of 11 March 1998 which prescribes provisional measures in The M/V ‘Saiga’ (No. 2) (St Vincent and the Grenadines v. Guinea) Article 290:1 provides:If a dispute has been duly submitted to a court or tribunal which considers that prima facie it has jurisdiction under this Part or Part XI, section 5, the court or tribunal may prescribe any provisional measures which it considers appropriate under the circumstances to preserve the respective rights of the parties to the dispute or to prevent serious harm to the environment, pending the final decision.
Country-Oriented Human Rights Protection by the UN Commission on Human Rights and its Sub-Commission
Authors: Nowak M. 
Published: July 2009

Howard Tolley, Jr. divided the development of the United Nations Human Rights Commission's activities from 1946 to 1986 into three distinctive periods:– a Western dominated body of 18 (later 21) members engaged in standardsetting and promotional activities (1947–1966);– an Afro-Asian dominated body of 32 members making self-determination and racial equality priority agenda items and systematically attacking Western colonialism (1967–1979); and– a 43 member body with a more complex political voting pattern aiming at global protection of human rights (1980–1986).
Legal consequences of wrongful acts in international economic law
Authors: White G. 
Published: July 2009

It has been recognized more clearly than ever in modern times that economic relations are inextricably bound up, on the international plane, with political relations among states. To quote from three distinguished American political scientists, C.F. Bergsten, R.O. Keohane and J.S. Nye“On the motivational level … political and economic factors are frequently so closely intertwined that they cannot be disentangled. In addition, regardless of motivations, politics and economics are almost inevitably linked at the systemic level. An international economic system is affected by the international political system existing at the time, and vice versa.”
Optimal design of manipulator parameter using evolutionary optimization techniques
Authors: Rout B. K. , Mittal R. K. 
Published: July 2009

SUMMARYA robot must have high positioning accuracy and repeatability for precise applications. However, variations in performance are observed due to the effect of uncertainty in design and process parameters. So far, there has been no attempt to optimize the design parameters of manipulator by which performance variations will be minimum. A modification in differential evolution optimization technique is proposed to incorporate the effect of noises in the optimization process and obtain the optimal design of manipulator, which is insensitive to noises. This approach has been illustrated by selecting optimal parameter of 2-DOF RR planar manipulator and 4-DOF SCARA manipulator. The performance of proposed approach has been compared with genetic algorithm with similar modifications. It is observed that the optimal results are obtained with lesser computations in case of differential evolution technique. This approach is a viable alternative for costly prototype testing, where only kinematic and dynamic models of manipulator are dealt with.
Mima mound microtopography and vegetation pattern in Kenyan savannas
Authors: Cox George W. , Gakahu Christopher G. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTEarth mounds are important determinants of vegetation pattern in savannas, acting as foci for establishment of woody plants. In the Kenya highlands, mounds formerly attributed to termites have recently been found to be Mima mounds produced by rhizomyid mole rats. We investigated Mima mounds on black cotton soils near Kenyatta International Airport and on brown clay soils between Nairobi and Thika. At Kenyatta Airport, mounds had loamier, more granular soils than intermounds, and contained small rocks that mole rats can move. At the site between Nairobi and Thika, mound soils were more friable, higher in pH, and lower in carbon than intermound soils. Data from this and other studies indicate that Mima mound soils are more favourable for plant growth than those of true termite mounds. Mound vegetation exhibited lower coverage of grasses and greater coverage by forbs, shrubs, and bare ground, a pattern indicative of intense grazing and soil disturbance. Acacias, absent from most mounds, were abundant in the zone bordering the mound. This pattern may reflect the favourability of mound soils, combined with the effects of high grazing pressure. Future studies of savanna vegetation should distinguish between termite mounds and Mima mounds.
Two-year study of male orchid bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) attraction to chemical baits in lowland south-eastern Perú
Authors: Pearson David L. , Dressler Robert L 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTChemical baits corresponding to natural orchid fragrance chemicals were used to attract and sample male orchid bees in terra firme and flood plain forest sites on the Tambo-pata Reserve in south-eastern Perú. The study was conducted monthly for two years. A total of 38 species of bees was collected at these chemical baits, and although most species were collected from both habitats, 11 species were significantly more common in one habitat than the other. There was considerable variation in the number and types of chemicals to which each of the orchid bee species was attracted.Two cycles of seasonal abundance occurred annually in the number of orchid bee individuals and species collected at the chemical baits. A major peak occurred a month following onset of the wet season, and a minor peak occurred during the dry season. Species body size was related to seasonal activity, but additional factors such as flowering phenology and nest parasites were also probably involved.The number of orchid bee species found on the Tambopata Reserve was similar to the number found in forest sites of eastern and central Brazil, Costa Rica, and Panamá. This homogeneity in species richness is in marked contrast to other insect groups such as Odonata, Lepi-doptera, Asilidae (Diptera), Tabanidae (Diptera), and Cicindelidae (Coleoptera), for which the species numbers recorded on the Tambopata Reserve are the highest for any similar sized area in the world.
Seasonal effects on litterfall in a Hong Kong mixed forest
Authors: Lam Paul K. S. , Dudgeon David 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTAn investigation of seasonal rates of litter production in a mixed forest, Hong Kong Island, was undertaken from October 1982 to January 1984. Total annual litterfall amounted to 1218.96 g m−2yr−1, comprising 68.6% leaves, 18.9% woody material, and 12.5% fruits, seeds and insect frass. 398.70 g m−2of litter was recorded immediately after a severe typhoon (9 September 1983). Rates of leaf-fall and organic debris production were correlated with prevailing temperature and rainfall. Leaf-fall peaked in January 1983, March to July 1983, and in September 1983 after the typhoon, while large amounts of insect faeces were collected in May and June. Woody litter production rates were correlated with temperature and rainfall recorded in previous months. Woody litterfall exhibited no obvious periodicity but was slightly increased during March and April. The seasonal distribution of litterfall is discussed in relation to climatic factors and habitat nutrient economy.