bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A bipartite butyrate‐responsive element in the human calretinin (CALB2) promoter acts as a repressor in colon carcinoma cells but not in mesothelioma cells
Authors: Häner Katrin , Henzi Thomas , Pfefferli Martine , Künzli Esther , Salicio Valerie , Schwaller Beat 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe short‐chain fatty acid butyrate plays an essential role in colonic mucosa homeostasis through the capacity to block the cell cycle, regulate differentiation and to induce apoptosis. The beneficial effect of dietary fibers on preventing colon cancer is essentially mediated through butyrate, derived from luminal fermentation of fibers by intestinal bacteria. In epithelial cells of the colon, both in normal and colon cancer cells, the expression of several genes is positively or negatively regulated by butyrate likely through modulation of histone acetylation and thereby affecting the transcriptional activity of genes. Calretinin (CALB2) is a member of the EF‐hand family of Ca2+‐binding proteins and is expressed in a majority of poorly differentiated colon carcinoma and additionally in mesothelioma of the epithelioid and mixed type. Since CALB2 is one of the genes negatively regulated by butyrate in colon cancer cells and butyrate decreases calretinin protein expression levels in those cells, we investigated whether expression is regulated via putative butyrate‐responsive elements (BRE) in the human CALB2 promoter. We identified two elements that act as butyrate‐sensitive repressors in all colon cancer cell lines tested (CaCo‐2, HT‐29, Co‐115/3). In contrast, in cells of mesothelial origin, MeT‐5A and ZL34, the same two elements do not operate as butyrate‐sensitive repressors and calretinin expression levels are insensitive to butyrate indicative of cell type‐specific regulation of the CALB2 promoter. Calretinin expression in colon cancer cells is negatively regulated by butyrate via a bipartite BRE flanking the TATA box and this may be linked to butyrate's chemopreventive activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 519–531, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The recovery and recycling of mercury from fluorescent lamps using photocatalytic techniques
Authors: Bussi Juan , Cabrera María Noel , Chiazzaro José , Canel Carolina , Veiga Santiago , Florencio Carlos , Dalchiele Enrique A. , Belluzzi Marcelo 
Published: December 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: Release of mercury from fluorescent lamps must be minimized to avoid its hazardous effects on human beings and other living organisms. Because of this, increasing attention is given to the improvement of existing techniques for its recovery as well as the development of new ones. This paper describes the application of heterogeneous photocatalysis for the selective reduction of mercury from fluorescent lamps. The whole process involves mercury chemical extraction using aqueous solutions of sodium hypochlorite. After pH adjustment of the resulting aqueous solution, the photocatalytic reduction of mercury is performed in the presence of titanium dioxide and citric acid as an auxiliary organic agent.RESULTS: Mercury removal from the aqueous solution is higher than 99% and the final residual concentration is 4 ppb. A mixture of different mercury compounds is obtained in solid form deposited on the titanium oxide photocatalyst which can easily be redissolved into a small volume of sodium hypochlorite. Metallic mercury could be obtained from the residual Hg(II) solution by conventional cementation techniques with iron as reducing agent.CONCLUSION: Results show high efficiencies of the photocatalytic technique for recovery and recycling of mercury from fluorescent lamps. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate preconditioning improves short‐term motor deficits outcome after mild traumatic brain injury in mice
Authors: Costa Tayana , Constantino Leandra C. , Mendonça Bruna P. , Pereira Josimar G. , Herculano Bruno , Tasca Carla I. , Boeck Carina R. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractTraumatic brain injury (TBI) causes impairment of fine motor functions in humans and nonhuman mammals that often persists for months after the injury occurs. Neuroprotective strategies for prevention of the sequelae of TBI and understanding the molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways are related to the glutamatergic system. It has been suggested that cellular damage subsequent to TBI is mediated by the excitatory neurotransmitters, glutamate and aspartate, through the excessive activation of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Thus, preconditioning with a low dose of NMDA was used as a strategy for protection against locomotor deficits observed after TBI in mice. Male adult mice CF‐1 were preconditioned with NMDA (75 mg/kg) 24 hr before the TBI induction. Under anesthesia with O2/N2O (33%: 66%) inhalation, the animals were subjected to the experimental model of trauma that occurs by the impact of a 25 g weight on the skull. Sensorimotor gating was evaluated at 1.5, 6, or 24 hr after TBI induction by using footprint and rotarod tests. Cellular damage also was assessed 24 hr after occurrence of cortical trauma. Mice preconditioned with NMDA were protected against all motor deficits revealed by footprint tests, but not those observed in rotarod tasks. Although mice showed motor deficits after TBI, no cellular damage was observed. These data corroborate the hypothesis that glutamatergic excitotoxicity, especially via NMDA receptors, contributes to severity of trauma. They also point to a putative neuroprotective mechanism induced by a sublethal dose of NMDA to improve motor behavioral deficits after TBI. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative structural and functional analysis of the GLT‐1/EAAT‐2 promoter from man and rat
Authors: Allritz Claudia , Bette Stefanie , Figiel Maciej , Engele Jürgen 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIn the vertebrate CNS, glutamate transport predominantly occurs through the glutamate transporter subtype, GLT‐1/EAAT‐2, which prevails in astrocytes. GLT‐1/EAAT‐2 expression is impaired in many acute and chronic brain diseases, leading to increases in extracellular glutamate and subsequent excitotoxic neuronal cell death. An obvious therapeutical approach to prevent glutamate‐induced brain damage would be targeting GLT‐1/EAAT‐2 expression. Since so far, insights into the mechanisms modulating GLT‐1/EAAT‐2 expression mostly originated from work with rat astrocytes, we now sought to determine whether this modulatory network would also apply to humans. To this end, we have cloned the previously unknown rat GLT‐1/EAAT‐2 promoter and compared it to the human promoter sequence. In reporter assays, the cloned 2.7‐kb region immediately flanking the 5′‐end of the rat GLT‐1/EAAT‐2 gene allowed for similar increases in constitutive gene expression as the human promoter sequence. Sequence analysis demonstrated the presence of highly conserved regions on the rat and human GLT‐1/EAAT‐2 promoters, which turned out to be likewise essential for constitutive GLT‐1/EAAT‐2 expression, stimulation of gene transcription by EGF, TGFα, and PACAP as well as inhibition of gene transcription by TNFα. Intriguingly, endothelin‐1 which inhibits endogenous GLT‐1/EAAT‐2 expression, promoted activity of both rat and human reporter constructs, indicating the existence of (an) inhibitory mechanism(s) not operational in the reporter gene assay. Our findings establish close similarities in the regulation of GLT‐1/EAAT‐2 expression in rat and man and, hence, validate rat astrocytes as an assay system for studying the molecular mechanisms affecting glutamate homeostasis in the healthy and diseased human brain. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human umbilical cord blood cell therapy blocks the morphological change and recruitment of CD11b‐expressing, isolectin‐binding proinflammatory cells after middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Leonardo Christopher C. , Hall Aaron A. , Collier Lisa A. , Ajmo Craig T. , Willing Alison E. , Pennypacker Keith R. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractSecondary neurodegeneration resulting from stroke is mediated by delayed proinflammatory signaling and immune cell activation. Although it remains unknown which cell surface markers signify a proinflammatory phenotype, increased isolectin binding occurs on CD11b‐expressing immune cells within injured brain tissue. Several reports have confirmed the efficacy of human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) cell therapy in reducing ischemic injury in rat after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and these effects were attributed in part to dampened neuroinflammation. The present study examined the time course of lectin binding to cells of microglia/macrophage lineage within 96 hr after MCAO and whether delayed HUCB cell treatment alters the migration and/or morphological characteristics of these cells throughout the period of infarct expansion. Isolectin binding was up‐regulated in response to injury, was maximal at 96 hr, and colocalized with cells that expressed the putative proinflammatory markers MMP‐9 and nitric oxide. Isolectin‐tagged fluorescence was also significantly increased at 72 hr and localized to greater numbers of amoeboid, CD11b‐expressing cells relative to 51 hr. Treatment with 1 × 106 HUCB cells significantly reduced total lectin binding at 72 hr, as well as the total area occupied by lectin‐tagged fluorescence at both 51 and 72 hr, relative to vehicle‐treated controls. This effect was accompanied by a shift in the morphology of CD11b‐positive cells from amoeboid to ramified shape. These data indicate that HUCB cell therapy suppressed the recruitment of proinflammatory, isolectin‐binding cells during the period of infarct expansion, thus offering a potential mechanism for the protective effects of HUCB cell therapy. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chronic hyperammonemia alters the circadian rhythms of corticosteroid hormone levels and of motor activity in rats
Authors: Ahabrach Hanan , Piedrafita Blanca , Ayad Abdelmalik , El Mlili Nisrin , Errami Mohammed , Felipo Vicente , Llansola Marta 
Published: December 2009

AbstractPatients with liver cirrhosis may present hepatic encephalopathy with a wide range of neurological disturbances and alterations in sleep quality and in the sleep‐wake circadian rhythm. Hyperammonemia is a main contributor to the neurological alterations in hepatic encephalopathy. We have assessed, in an animal model of chronic hyperammonemia without liver failure, the effects of hyperammonemia per se on the circadian rhythms of motor activity, temperature, and plasma levels of adrenal corticosteroid hormones. Chronic hyperammonemia alters the circadian rhythms of locomotor activity and of cortisol and corticosterone levels in blood. Different types of motor activity are affected differentially. Hyperammonemia significantly alters the rhythm of spontaneous ambulatory activity, reducing strongly ambulatory counts and slightly average velocity during the night (the active phase) but not during the day, resulting in altered circadian rhythms. In contrast, hyperammonemia did not affect wheel running at all, indicating that it affects spontaneous but not voluntary activity. Vertical activity was affected only very slightly, indicating that hyperammonemia does not induce anxiety. Hyperammonemia abolished completely the circadian rhythm of corticosteroid hormones in plasma, completely eliminating the peaks of cortisol and corticosterone present in control rats at the start of the dark period. The data reported show that chronic hyperammonemia, similar to that present in patients with liver cirrhosis, alters the circadian rhythms of corticosteroid hormones and of motor activity. This suggests that hyperammonemia would be a relevant contributor to the alterations in corticosteroid hormones and in circadian rhythms in patients with liver cirrhosis. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Screening of closantel and rafoxanide in animal muscles by HPLC with fluorescence detection and confirmation using MS
Authors: Yeung Hoi‐sze , Lee Wai‐on , Wong Yiu‐tung 
Published: December 2009

AbstractA sensitive and selective LC‐FLD method was described for determination of closantel and rafoxanide in bovine and ovine muscles. Bovine and ovine muscles were extracted with ACN and acetone mixture (80:20, v/v). After cleanup with Oasis® MAX SPE cartridges, the sample was analyzed by LC‐FLD using the control point approach. No false‐negative result was observed at or below maximum residue limits and the false‐positive rate was below 5%. Suspected positive sample was confirmed by LC‐MS/MS. This method was suitable for screening of large batch of samples and hence considerably reduced the time and cost required for quantitation and confirmatory analyses.
Innovative techniques in tourism research: an exploration of visual methods and academic filmmaking
Authors: Rakić Tijana , Chambers Donna 
Published: December 2009

AbstractWhile visual methods have long been utilised as legitimate research techniques in the social sciences, within mainstream tourism research these techniques are rarely employed. This paper thus seeks to question current research practices in tourism by focusing on academic filmmaking as an innovative visual method which can be used to approach tourism research in a new way and to create tourism knowledge which is widely accessible. Two case studies explicate these points: an ethnographic documentary about tourism impacts in Crete, and a doctoral project which explored the construction and consumption of images of Greekness by visitors to the Athenian Acropolis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contact endoscopy for the evaluation of the pharyngeal and laryngeal mucosa
Authors: Warnecke Athanasia , Averbeck Thomas , Leinung Martin , Soudah Bisharah , Wenzel Gentiana I. , Kreipe Hans‐Heinrich , Lenarz Thomas , Stöver Timo 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectives:Contact endoscopy is a noninvasive tool that allows in vivo and in situ examination of superficial mucosa. Its use for early diagnosis of cancerous lesions of the oropharynx and larynx has not been evaluated. The aim of the study was to validate contact endoscopy for the examination of pharyngeal and laryngeal mucosa.Study Design:Prospective clinical study.Methods:Superficial cells of the mucosa were stained with methylene blue and examined with contact endoscopes. The documented images were assessed by a cytopathologist and by an otolaryngologist independently for each patient. Biopsies for histopathological examination of the area were performed and correlated with contact endoscopic findings of both examiners.Results:Of the 42 examined specimen, 32 (76.2%) showed benign changes in the histological analysis. Squamous cell carcinoma was revealed in 10 specimen (23.8%). Using contact endoscopy, the cytopathologist accurately identified 90.6% of the benign findings (29 of 32); however, only seven of 10 (70%) carcinomas were correctly categorized. In comparison, the otolaryngologist made a correct diagnosis in 93.75% (30 of 32) of the benign and in 90% (nine of 10) of the malignant cases. Thus, a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 93.75% can be achieved by contact endoscopy.Conclusions:Contact endoscopy offers valuable support for the evaluation of oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal mucosa. Contact endoscopy can be a useful contribution to rapid intraoperative evaluation of mucosal alterations for early diagnosis of tumors and might reduce diagnostic biopsy sampling. Even so, it does not replace biopsy sampling. Laryngoscope, 2010
Current practice in injection augmentation of the vocal folds: Indications, treatment principles, techniques, and complications
Authors: Sulica Lucian , Rosen Clark A. , Postma Gregory N. , Simpson Blake , Amin Milan , Courey Mark , Merati Albert 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To identify contemporary indications, treatment principles, technique, injection materials, complications, and success rates of vocal fold injection augmentation.Study Design:Multi‐institutional retrospective review.Methods:Records of patients undergoing injection augmentation at seven university medical centers from July 2007 through June 2008 were reviewed for information regarding diagnosis, unilateral or bilateral injection, route of injection, anesthesia, treatment site (office or operating room), material used, reason for technique selected, and technical success.Results:In 12 months, 460 injections were performed, 236 (51%) in awake, unsedated patients, and 224 (49%) under general anesthesia. Indications included vocal fold paralysis (248; 54%), paresis (97; 21%), atrophy (68; 15%) and scar (47; 10%). Scar was more likely to be treated in the operating room (P = .000052). In awake patients, 112 (47%) injections were performed by transcricothyroid approach, 55 (23%) by peroral approach, 49 (21%) by transthyrohyoid membrane approach, and 20 (8%) by transthyroid cartilage approach. Neither technical success rate (99% vs. 97%) nor complication rate (3% vs. 2%) differed between awake and asleep techniques. The most common materials in the clinic setting were methylcellulose (35%), bovine collagen (28%), and calcium hydroxylapatite (26%); in the operating room these were calcium hydroxylapatite (36%) and methylcellulose (35%). Calcium hydroxylapatite was more likely to be used under general anesthesia (P = .019). Five‐year data show that the use of injection in the awake patient rose from 11% to 43% from 2003 to 2008.Conclusions:Injection augmentation remains a safe, effective, and clinically practical treatment with a high rate of success, whether performed in the awake or asleep patient. The rapid adoption of awake injection over the past 5 years speaks to its clinical utility. Complication rates are low and equivalent to those under general anesthesia. Otolaryngologists continue to use a variety of techniques and materials to treat a range of conditions of glottic insufficiency. Laryngoscope, 2010
Calcium hydroxylapatite injection laryngoplasty for the treatment of presbylaryngis: Long‐term results
Authors: Kwon Tack‐Kyun , An Soo‐Youn , Ahn Jae‐Cheul , Kim Kwang Hyun , Sung Myung‐Whun 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Presbylaryngis is a normal part of the aging process, but many people visit hospitals with communication difficulties. The authors evaluated the efficacy of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) injection laryngoplasty in patients with presbylaryngis.Study Design:Retrospective review.Methods:Thirty‐three patients with diagnosed presbylaryngis were administered a CaHA injection, and 17 of these patients without other vocal pathologies were included in the analysis. All 17 were male (mean age 65.9 years), mean follow‐up duration was 335 days, and all injections were performed through the cricothyroid membrane under local anesthesia in a clinic.Results:Subjective ratings, perceptual ratings, maximum phonation time, and closed quotients significantly improved after injection, and these improvements persisted without significant change for over 12 months. No major complications were encountered except for transient hematoma, pain, and a foreign body sensation.Conclusions:The authors conclude that CaHA injection laryngoplasty offers an effective and safe means of treating presbylaryngis. Laryngoscope, 2010
Value‐driven Internet shopping: The mental accounting theory perspective
Authors: Gupta Sumeet , Kim Hee‐Woong 
Published: December 2009

AbstractWhen faced with competition and the ease with which customers can compare prices across sellers, Internet vendors often lower prices in a bid to increase sales. However, recent research reports that even price‐sensitive customers do not always purchase from Internet vendors offering the lowest prices. In contrast, value has been considered a key motivator of customer decision making in economics and marketing. However, little is known about the role and effect of value in Internet shopping. This study examines online customer purchase decision making from the value perspective based on mental accounting theory. This study also identifies monetary (perceived price) and non‐monetary (perceived risk, convenience, and pleasure) determinants of value. This study further explains how the individual determinants affect online purchase decision making directly and indirectly though value perception. The findings of this study offer Internet vendors practical suggestions for increasing online sales. This study, with its results, also helps advance knowledge of electronic commerce. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Price setting behaviour in the Netherlands: results of a survey
Authors: Hoeberichts Marco , Stokman Ad 
Published: December 2009

AbstractUsing a survey among Dutch firms on price setting behaviour in the Netherlands the study identifies how sticky prices are, which prices are sticky and why they are sticky. The most distinctive feature of the Dutch survey is its broad coverage of the business community (seven sectors and seven size classes), including the service sector and small firms. Our primary finding is that price setting behaviour depends critically on both a firm's size and the competitive environment it faces. Small firms in particular adopt more rigid pricing policies, and the weaker the competition a firm faces, the stickier a company's price will be. Furthermore, we find that wholesale and retail prices are more flexible than those for business‐to‐business services. The survey suggests that explicit and informal contracting are the most important sources of price stickiness. Menu costs and psychological pricing—two prominent explanations of price stickiness in the literature—are of minor importance. Finally, there is clear evidence of asymmetries in shocks driving price increases and decreases. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multistep mechanism of probiotic bacterium, the effect on innate immune system
Authors: Amit‐Romach Einat , Uni Zehava , Reifen Ram 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe etiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease are still not fully understood. However, evidence from both animal models and clinical observations suggests luminal bacteria as the most probable inducer of this disease. The intestinal bacterial microbiota may be modified by dietary addition of viable probiotic bacteria, thereby constituting an alternative approach to disease prevention and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of two probiotic regiments;Lactobacillus GGand a mixture ofStreptococcus thermophilus,Lactobacillus acidophilus, andBifidobacterium lactis(YO‐MIX™ Y 109 FRO 1000) in both normal and trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid colitis‐induced rats. Colon morphology and damage were evaluated histologically; colonic tissues were used for mRNA analysis, using real‐time PCR. Administration of both probiotics reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor‐α and IL‐6 and increased the expression of mucin 2 in compared with colitis group and reduced the inflammatory response. These results provide additional support for the positive effect of probiotics in the gut and may shed light on the mechanism by which probiotic bacteria exert their action in an animal model.