bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Training of microsurgical skills on nonliving models
Authors: Ilie Victor G. , Ilie Vlad I. , Dobreanu Codrin , Ghetu Nicolae , Luchian Stefan , Pieptu Dragos 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAlthough direct exposure to procedures in the operating theater environment, together with practice on laboratory animals, is still seen as the gold standard of teaching in microsurgery, practice on nonliving simulators is currently being validated as an important educational tool. We reviewed the widely used nonliving training models, together with currently accepted innovations, which are parts of curricula of training courses in microsurgery. Using the experience accumulated in training programs at the Centre for Simulation and Training in Surgery, we identified which particular skills can be reliably targeted by each nonliving tissue exercise. We were able to find five groups of nonliving training models: basic manipulation, knot‐tying principles, completing the anastomosis, the real tissue experience, and training in virtual reality. The more abstract models might seem quite far from the real life experience, but they each closely address specific skills. It thus becomes convenient for the instructor to train these skills separately. This generates series of consistently favorable results once the skills are integrated into a more complex procedure. Focused exercises, once assembled in continuity, reconstruct the real life scenario. The training program can comprise a series of increasingly difficult exercises, which mirror the real life situations. Performance on nonliving models in each progressively more challenging exercise can be assessed via direct observation, assisted by clear and objective criteria. Finally, focused training will help both the transition to human surgery and replication of the favorable results to large series of subjects. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.
Stationary solutions to the drift–diffusion model in the whole spaces
Authors: Kobayashi Ryo , Kurokiba Masaki , Kawashima Shuichi 
Published: August 2008

AbstractWe study the stationary problem in the whole space ℝn for the drift–diffusion model arising in semiconductor device simulation and plasma physics. We prove the existence and uniqueness of stationary solutions in the weighted Lp spaces. The proof is based on a fixed point theorem of the Leray–Schauder type. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An ecoepidemiological predator‐prey model with standard disease incidence
Authors: Haque Mainul , Zhen Jin , Venturino Ezio 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThis investigation accounts for epidemics spreading among interacting populations. The infective disease spreads among the prey, of which only susceptibles reproduce, while infected prey do not grow, recover, reproduce nor compete for resources. The model is general enough to describe a large number of ecosystems, on land, in the air or in the water.The main results concern the boundedness of the trajectories, the analysis of local and global stability, system's persistency and a threshold property below which the infection disappears. A sufficiently strong disease in the prey may avoid predators extinction and its presence can destabilize an otherwise stable predator‐prey configuration. The occurrence of transcritical, saddle‐node and Hopf‐bifurcations is also shown. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exact solutions for a perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger equation by using Bäcklund transformations
Authors: Zedan Hassan A. , Tantawy Seham Sh. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn this paper, the method of deriving the Bäcklund transformation from the Riccati form of inverse method is presented for the perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger equation (PNSE). Consequently, the exact solutions for the PNSE can be obtained by the AKNS class. The technique developed relies on the construction of the wave functions that are solutions of the associated AKNS, that is, a linear eigenvalues problem in the form of a system of partial differential equation. Moreover, we construct a new soliton solution from the old one and its wave function. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Medicinal Use of Chocolate in Early North America
Authors: Pucciarelli Deanna L. , Grivetti Louis E. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe medicinal use of chocolate has a long history in North America dating back to the 16th century. From Mesoamerican Codices and European Treatises scholars have determined that for hundreds of years the beverage called chocolate was administered to the sick and prescribed homeopathically to prevent illness. Yet, little scholarship exists that focuses on medicinal chocolate usage in early North America (18th–19th century). This paper examines medical practices during this era and associated medicinal norms with special attention given to chocolate/cocoa usage. Given the current scientific attention on the relationship between dark chocolate consumption and heart disease attenuation it is timely to investigate and chronicle America's medical forebears' understanding of, and practices related to, the medicinal use of chocolate. Indeed, there is a significant amount of literature to suggest that chocolate was used for wellness and to treat illness.
On the importance of selenium and iodine metabolism for thyroid hormone biosynthesis and human health
Authors: Schomburg Lutz , Köhrle Josef 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe trace elements iodine and selenium (Se) are essential for thyroid gland functioning and thyroid hormone biosynthesis and metabolism. While iodine is needed as the eponymous constituent of the two major thyroid hormones triiodo‐L‐thyronine (T3), and tetraiodo‐L‐thyronine (T4), Se is essential for the biosynthesis and function of a small number of selenocysteine (Sec)‐containing selenoproteins implicated in thyroid hormone metabolism and gland function. The Se‐dependent iodothyronine deiodinases control thyroid hormone turnover, while both intracellular and secreted Se‐dependent glutathione peroxidases are implicated in gland protection. Recently, a number of clinical supplementation trials have indicated positive effects of increasing the Se status of the participants in a variety of pathologies. These findings enforce the notion that many people might profit from improving their Se status, both as a means to reduce the individual health risk as well as to balance a Se deficiency which often develops during the course of illness. Even though the underlying mechanisms are still largely uncharacterised, the effects of Se appear to be exerted via multiple different mechanisms that impact most pronounced on the endocrine and the immune systems.
Procyanidin effects on oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells strongly depend on flavan‐3‐ol degree of polymerization
Authors: Pierini Roberto , Kroon Paul A. , Guyot Sylvain , Ivory Kamal , Johnson Ian T. , Belshaw Nigel J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractEpidemiological studies have shown that the risk of developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OA) is inversely correlated to consumption of fruits and vegetables. Flavan‐3‐ols are the most abundant subclass of flavonoids in these types of foods. Three apple‐derived procyanidin fractions with different average degrees of polymerization (aDP) were characterized and the effects of these fractions and of pure flavan‐3‐ol monomers ((–)‐epicatechin and (+)‐catechin) and dimers (B1, B2) on two OA cell lines were investigated. Flavan‐3‐ol monomers and dimers had no effect on the two cell lines, while apple‐derived flavan‐3‐ol oligomers and polymers induced a time‐dependent reduction of cell viability. The reduction in the cell viability was due to the induction of caspase‐mediated apoptosis and an arrest of the cell cycle in G0/G1. The magnitude of the reduction in cell viability and induction of apoptosis after exposure to flavan‐3‐ol oligomeric/polymeric fractions positively correlated with their aDP. These results indicate that only flavan‐3‐ol oligomers and polymers, but not monomers and dimers, have an effect on the proliferation of OA cells in vitro. As tested flavan‐3‐ol concentrations are achievable through diet, this study suggests that apple‐derived PA may possess chemotherapeutic effects against OA.
Identification of four IgE‐reactive proteins in raspberry (Rubus ideaeus L.)
Authors: Marzban Gorji , Herndl Anita , Kolarich Daniel , Maghuly Fatemeh , Mansfeld Agata , Hemmer Wolfgang , Katinger Hermann , Laimer Margit 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIgE‐reactive proteins in raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) were identified using PCR, RT‐PCR, 2‐DE and MS/MS peptide sequencing. Specific polyclonal antibodies and patient sera were used in Western blotting to identify crossreactive epitopes. Initially, two potential allergens Rub i 1 and Rub i 3 were detected using PCR, showing high sequence identity to proteins in Rosaceous species like Mal d 1 and Mal d 3 from apple, Pru av 1 and Pru av 3 from cherry and Pru p 1 and Pru p 3 from peach. Furthermore, de novo identified peptides of a protein band at about 30 kDa reacting with most of the patient sera tested (> 80%) revealed a high sequence homology with class III chitinases. Raspberry chitinase, when subjected to glycoproteomic analysis, showed typical complex plant‐type N‐glycans with a core α1,3 fucose and a β1,2 xylose at least at one position, indicating the presence of crossreacting carbohydrate determinants (CCDs). Finally, MS/MS analysis revealed an IgE‐reactive raspberry cyclophilin, homologous to Bet v 7. Results obtained suggest that the consumption of raspberries might be responsible for adverse reactions in sensitised individuals.
2‐D DIGE and MS/MS analysis of protein serum expression in rats housed in concrete and clay cages in winter
Authors: Kim Jong‐Choon , Kim Jin Young , Yeom Seok Ran , Jeong Bo Yoon , Hwang Hey‐Zoo , Park Keum‐Joo , Lee Seung‐won 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn a previous study, we examined the physiological responses of male Sprague–Dawley rats over a 4‐week exposure to concrete and clay cages. No general toxicological changes were observed in rats exposed to either of the two cage types in summer. Under winter conditions, however, various general toxicological effects were detected in rats housed in concrete cages, although rats housed in clay cages showed no such effects. The infrared thermographic examination indicated that skin temperature in the concrete‐housed rats was abnormally low, but not so in the clay‐housed rats. We examined proteomic changes in the serum of rats housed in winter in concrete and clay cages using two‐dimensional differential in‐gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Five proteins were identified and quantitatively validated; all were cold stress‐induced, acute phase proteins that were either up‐regulated (haptoglobin) or down‐regulated (alpha‐1‐inhibitor III, alpha‐2u globulin, complement component 3, and vitamin D‐binding protein) in the concrete‐housed rats. These results suggest that the 4‐week exposure to a concrete cage in winter elicited a typical systemic inflammatory reaction (i.e. acute phase response) in the exposed rats.
Identification of novel proteins and phosphorylation sites in a tonoplast enriched membrane fraction of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Whiteman Sally‐Anne , Serazetdinova Liliya , Jones Alexandra M. E. , Sanders Dale , Rathjen John , Peck Scott C. , Maathuis Frans J. M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPlant vacuoles play essential roles in many physiological processes, particularly in mineral nutrition, turgor provision and cellular signalling. The vacuolar membrane, the tonoplast, contains many membrane transporters that are critical in the execution of these processes. However, although increasing knowledge is available about the identity of proteins involved in these processes very little is known about the regulation of tonoplast transporters. By studying the phosphoproteome of tonoplast‐enriched membranes, we identified 66 phosphorylation sites on 58 membrane proteins. Amongst these, 31 sites were identified in 28 membrane transporters of various families including tonoplast anion transporters of the CLC family, potassium transporters of the KUP family, tonoplast sugar transporters and ABC transporters. In a number of cases, the detected sites were well conserved across isoforms of one family pointing to common mechanisms of regulation. In other cases, isoform‐unique sites were present, suggesting regulatory mechanisms tailored to the function of individual proteins. These results provide the basis for future studies to elucidate the mechanistic regulation of tonoplast membrane transporters.
A DIGE approach for the assessment of rat soleus muscle changes during unloading: effect of acetyl‐L‐carnitine supplementation
Authors: Moriggi Manuela , Cassano Pierluigi , Vasso Michele , Capitanio Daniele , Fania Chiara , Musicco Clara , Pesce Vito , Gadaleta Maria Nicola , Gelfi Cecilia 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAfter hind limb suspension, a remodeling of postural muscle phenotype is observed. This remodeling results in a shift of muscle profile from slow‐oxidative to fast‐glycolytic. These metabolic changes and fiber type shift increase muscle fatigability. Acetyl‐L‐carnitine (ALCAR) influences the skeletal muscle phenotype of soleus muscle suggesting a positive role of dietary supplementation of ALCAR during unloading. In the present study, we applied a 2‐D DIGE, mass spectrometry and biochemical assays, to assess qualitative and quantitative differences in the proteome of rat slow‐twitch soleus muscle subjected to disuse. Meanwhile, the effects of ALCAR administration on muscle proteomic profile in both unloading and normal‐loading conditions were evaluated. The results indicate a modulation of troponin I and tropomyosin complex to regulate fiber type transition. Associated, or induced, metabolic changes with an increment of glycolytic enzymes and a decreased capacity of fat oxidation are observed. These metabolic changes appear to be counteracted by ALCAR treatment, which restores the mitochondrial mass and decreases the glycolytic enzyme expression, suggesting a normalization of the metabolic shift observed in unloaded animals. This normalization is accompanied by a maintenance of body weight and seems to prevent a switch of fiber type.
Analysis of embryonic proteome modulation by GA and ABA from germinating rice seeds
Authors: Kim Sun Tae , Kang Sun Young , Wang Yiming , Kim Sang Gon , Hwang Du Hyeon , Kang Kyu Young 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe phytohormones gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) play essential and often antagonistic roles in regulating plant growth, development, and stress responses. Using a proteomics‐based approach, we examined the role of GA and ABA in the modulation of protein expression levels during seed germination. Rice seeds were treated with GA (200 μM), ABA (10 μM), ABA followed by GA, GA followed by ABA, and water as a control and then incubated for 3 days. The embryo was dissected from germinated seeds, and proteins were subjected to 2‐DE. Approximately, 665 total protein spots were resolved in the 2‐D gels. Among them, 16 proteins notably modulated by either GA or ABA were identified by MALDI‐TOF MS. Northern analyses demonstrated that expression patterns of 13 of these 16 genes were consistent with those of the proteome analysis. Further examination of two proteins, rice isoflavone resuctase (OsIFR) and rice PR10 (OsPR10), using Western blot and immunolocalization, revealed that both are specifically expressed in the embryo but not in the endosperm and are dramatically downregulated by ABA.
Cholesterol prevents interaction of the cell‐penetrating peptide transportan with model lipid membranes
Authors: Arsov Zoran , Nemec Marjana , Schara Milan , Johansson Henrik , Langel Ülo , Zorko Matjaž 
Published: August 2008

AbstractInteraction of the cell‐penetrating peptide (CPP) cysteine‐transportan (Cys‐TP) with model lipid membranes was examined by spin‐label electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Membranes were labeled with lipophilic spin probes and the influence of Cys‐TP on membrane structure was studied. The influence of Cys‐TP on membrane permeability was monitored by the reduction of a liposome‐trapped water‐soluble spin probe. Cys‐TP caused lipid ordering in membranes prepared from pure dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and in DMPC membranes with moderate cholesterol concentration. In addition, Cys‐TP caused a large increase in permeation of DMPC membranes. In contrast, with high cholesterol content, at which model lipid membranes are in the so‐called liquid‐ordered phase, no effect of Cys‐TP was observed, either on the membrane structure or on the membrane permeability. The interaction between Cys‐TP and the lipid membrane therefore depends on the lipid phase. This could be of great importance for understanding of the CPP–lipid interaction in laterally heterogeneous membranes, while it implies that the CPP–lipid interaction can be different at different points along the membrane. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The permeability and the efflux of alkaloids of the Evodiae fructus in the Caco‐2 model
Authors: Yang Xiu‐Wei , Teng Jie , Wang Ying , Xu Wei 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe intestinal transport of four indoloquinazoline alkaloids, rutaecarpine (RCP), evodiamine (EDM), dehydroevodiamine (DEDM) and wuzhuyurutine B (WZYB) isolated from the Evodiae fructus was investigated using the monolayers of the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco‐2 as a model system for intestinal absorption. The four alkaloids were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with UV detector. Transport parameters and permeability coefficients were then calculated and compared under identical conditions with those of mannitol, propranolol and paclitaxel. Permeability coefficients were also compared with the reported values for model compounds like propranolol and mannitol. The four alkaloids at a concentration of 5 µM were demonstrated substantial transport across the Caco‐2 cell monolayers with moderate to high permeability coefficients and WZYB demonstrated higher‐level intestinal transcellular efflux. The transports of DEDM and WZYB were concentration dependent at the concentrations of 5–25 µM. Among four alkaloids, EDM and DEDM are better‐transported compounds, and RCP and WZYB are moderate transport compounds. The data support the involvement for multidrug resistance‐associated proteins (MRPs) in the intestinal transcellular efflux of WZYB. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro antiprotozoal activity of some xanthones isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata
Authors: Dua Virendra K. , Verma Gaurav , Dash A. P. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractFour xanthones isolated from the roots of Andrographis paniculata were tested in vitro for antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum. Compound TDR13011 (1,2‐dihydroxy‐6,8‐dimethoxy‐xanthone) showed good activity against T. b. brucei and L. infantum with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 4.6 µg/ml and 8 µg/ml respectively. Xanthones from the roots of Andrographis paniculata exhibited promising anti‐protozoal activity and these compounds could be chemically modified to obtain a more potent product. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of aerosols on non‐precipitating marine stratocumulus. I: Model description and prediction of the indirect effect
Authors: Hill A. A. , Dobbie S. , Yin Y. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn this paper, the first of a two‐part study, we use the UK Met Office large‐eddy simulation model (LEM) with fully integrated size‐bin‐resolved cloud microphysics (BR‐LEM) to investigate the effects of increasing cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations on non‐precipitating marine stratocumulus. It is shown, as expected, that increasing CCN concentrations produces an increase in cloud‐drop number concentration and a decrease in cloud‐drop effective radius. However, for the case presented, we demonstrate that increasing CCN concentrations causes an increase in the rate of evaporative cooling at the cloud top, which drives stronger boundary‐layer dynamics, leading to more cloud‐top entrainment, which results in a reduction in boundary‐layer relative humidity and a reduction in LWP with increasing CCN. Comparison of the BR‐LEM simulations with LEM simulations that employ a simpler single‐moment bulk scheme (Bulk‐LEM) show that the bulk microphysics scheme fails to simulate this CCN‐‐entrainment feedback and the associated reduction in liquid water path. It is shown that, for a very polluted case, the failure of the bulk microphysics to capture this evaporation‐‐entrainment feedback results in a 60% overestimation of the indirect forcing estimate compared to the BR‐LEM. We conclude that it is necessary to realistically simulate the dynamic feedbacks associated with increased CCN, otherwise the indirect will be overestimated. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Multidimensional Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationships of Diacylhydrazine Toxicity to Lepidopteran and Coleopteran Insect Pests
Authors: Hormann Robert E. , Smagghe Guy , Nakagawa Yoshiaki 
Published: August 2008

AbstractInsecticidal activity indices, i.e., median lethal dose causing mortality in 50% of insects treated (pLD50) values, of 77 Diacylhydrazines (DAHs) were determined against larvae of the Beet Armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), the rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis), and the Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). A series of multidimensional Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA) Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) models was constructed for each type of insect toxicity, and these models were evaluated by q2 of 67‐member training sets and r2 of ten‐member test sets. Favored models yielded r2 values in the range of 0.77–0.88, q2 values in the range of 0.54–0.62 after consideration of outliers, test set r2 values in the range of 0.54–0.72, and external q2 values in the range of 0.31–0.58. The structure–activity relationships for each type of insect toxicity can be partially, but not entirely, rationalized in view of Ecdysone Receptor (EcR) LBD sequence alignments and putative contact residues relative to the known crystallized Heliothis virescens EcR LBD/BYI06830 holoreceptor. Alternate ligand poses or LBD remodeling may pertain across members of the DAH chemotype.
Computed effects of electric fields upon the CNO2 and NNO2 bonds of nitromethane and dimethylnitramine
Authors: Politzer Peter , Murray Jane S. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractWe report the results of a computational (B3PW91/6‐31G**) investigation of the effects of electric fields of different strengths and directions upon some properties related to the CNO2 and NNO2 bonds in nitromethane, H3CNO2, and dimethylnitramine, (H3C)2NNO2. We look at the interaction energies of the fields with the molecules, the dipole moments of the latter, the lengths of the CNO2 and NNO2 bonds, and we particularly focus upon their stretching vibration frequencies. The field‐induced frequency shifts are determined by means of a formula linking them to the dipole moment derivatives and the field strengths. This formula was derived originally for hydrogen‐bonded systems, but we show that it is applicable as well to these CNO2 and NNO2 bonds; their predicted relative frequency shifts correlate extremely well with directly computed Δω(ϵ) (R2 = 0.9992). It was found that the fields that reinforce the intrinsic H3CNO2 and (H3C)2NNO2 polarities also interact favorably energetically with the molecules and, particularly important, increase the CNO2 and NNO2 stretching frequencies. This presumably indicates the strengthening of these bonds. Fields in the opposite direction do the reverse. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009