bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo modulation of testosterone mediated alterations in apoptosis related proteins by [6]‐gingerol
Authors: Shukla Yogeshwer , Prasad Sahdeo , Tripathi Chitra , Singh Madhulika , George Jasmine , Kalra Neetu 
Published: November 2007

AbstractGinger (Zingiber officinale, Zingiberaceae) has been widely used as a dietary spice, and as a traditional oriental medicine. The rhizome of ginger contains pungent vanillyl ketones, including [6]‐gingerol and [6]‐paradol, and have been credited with therapeutic and preventive health benefits, including anti‐cancer activity. Prostate cancer is an attractive target for chemoprevention because of its ubiquity, treatment‐related morbidity, long latency between premalignant lesions and clinically evident cancer, and defined molecular pathogenesis. Here we are reporting the modulatory effects of [6]‐gingerol on testosterone‐induced alterations on apoptosis related proteins in both in vitro, androgen sensitive LNCaP cells and in vivo, ventral prostate of Swiss albino mice. [6]‐gingerol treatment resulted apoptosis in LNCaP cells, as indicated by depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential, increase in sub G1 cell population by flow cytometry and the appearance of DNA laddering pattern in agarose gel electrophoresis. Results of western blot analysis showed that [6]‐gingerol upregulated the testosterone depleted levels of p53 in mouse prostate and upregulated its downstream regulator Bax and further activated Caspase‐9 and Caspase‐3 in both LNCaP cells and in mouse prostate. We also found downregulation of testosterone induced antiapoptotic proteins, Bcl‐2 and Survivin expression by [6]‐gingerol in both LNCaP cells and in mouse ventral prostate. Thus, [6]‐gingerol shows its protective effects in both in vivo and in vitro prostate cancer models by modulation of proteins involved in apoptosis pathway.
Enhancing lignan biosynthesis by over‐expressing pinoresinol lariciresinol reductase in transgenic wheat
Authors: Ayella Allan K. , Trick Harold N. , Wang Weiqun 
Published: November 2007

AbstractLignans are phenylpropane dimers that are biosynthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway, in which pinoresinol lariciresinol reductase (PLR) catalyzes the last steps of lignan production. Our previous studies demonstrated that the contents of lignans in various wheat cultivars were significantly associated with anti‐tumor activities in APCMin mice. To enhance lignan biosynthesis, this study was conducted to transform wheat cultivars (‘Bobwhite’, ‘Madison’, and ‘Fielder’, respectively) with the Forsythia intermedia PLR gene under the regulatory control of maize ubiquitin promoter. Of 24 putative transgenic wheat lines, we successfully obtained 3 transformants with the inserted ubiquitin‐PLR gene as screened by PCR. Southern blot analysis further demonstrated that different copies of the PLR gene up to 5 were carried out in their genomes. Furthermore, a real‐time PCR indicated ∼︁17% increase of PLR gene expression over the control in 2 of the 3 positive transformants at T0 generation. The levels of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, a prominent lignan in wheat as determined by HPLC‐MS, were found to be 2.2‐times higher in one of the three positive transgenic sub‐lines at T2 than that in the wild‐type (117.9 ± 4.5 vs. 52.9 ± 19.8 μg/g, p <0.005). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that elevated lignan levels in a transgenic wheat line has been successfully achieved through genetic engineering of over‐expressed PLR gene. Although future studies are needed for a stably expression and more efficient transformants, the new wheat line with significantly higher SDG contents obtained from this study may have potential application in providing additive health benefits for cancer prevention.
Early findings of small‐animal MRI and small‐animal computed tomography correlate with histological changes in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Lee Sheen‐Woo , Greve Joan M. , Leaffer David , Lollini Lance , Bailey Patricia , Gold Garry E. , Biswal Sandip 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWith the use of a commonly utilized animal model of rheumatoid arthritis, the central goal of this work was to determine how well the small‐animal imaging tools, small‐animal MRI (microMRI) and small‐animal X‐ray computed tomography (microCT), can detect very early histological changes that occur immediately after induction of the disease. Arthritis was induced in rats by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant into the tail. Right hind paws of living rats were evaluated with 4.7 T microMRI with T1‐weighted spin echo and inversion recovery sequences. Paw specimens were also evaluated with microCT and by histological examination (n = 29). MicroMR images were scored for the presence of joint effusion, soft tissue swelling, bone marrow changes, and bone erosions. MicroCT measured bone mineral density (BMD). Histology scores were obtained from representative slides from the same rats. The correlation between BMD, MRI and histology was analyzed using linear regression analysis and analysis of covariance. MRI abnormalities were detected on day 5 after induction as joint effusion and soft tissue swelling, followed by bone marrow changes on day 6 and bone erosion on day 8. BMD measured by microCT decreased, the decrease becoming significant on day 7 (P < 0.019). Soft tissue swelling, joint effusion, and bone erosion scores on microMRI correlated with histology (r2 ∼ 0.7). Bone marrow changes were seen more clearly with microMRI than by histological examination. Bone loss could be detected earlier by microCT than on histological sections. In conclusion, microMRI and microCT can be used to evaluate early disease changes within 1 week of induction in the adjuvant‐induced arthritis model, and have the ability to detect certain manifestations of disease earlier than histological analysis. The use of small‐animal imaging techniques potentially allows earlier diagnosis, improved subject stratification, earlier drug implementation, and therefore improved drug trials in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strategy for selecting representative points via tangent spheres in the probability density evolution method
Authors: Chen Jian‐Bing , Li Jie 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA strategy of selecting efficient integration points via tangent spheres in the probability density evolution method (PDEM) for response analysis of non‐linear stochastic structures is studied. The PDEM is capable of capturing instantaneous probability density function of the stochastic dynamic responses. The strategy of selecting representative points is of importance to the accuracy and efficiency of the PDEM. In the present paper, the centers of equivalent non‐overlapping tangent spheres are used as the basis to construct a representative point set. An affine transformation is then conducted and a hypersphere sieving is imposed for spherically symmetric distributions. Construction procedures of centers of the tangent spheres are elaborated. The features of the point sets via tangent spheres, including the discrepancy and projection ratio, are observed and compared with some other typical point sets. The investigations show that the discrepancies of the point sets via tangent spheres are in the same order of magnitude as the point sets by the number theoretical method. In addition, it is observed that rotation transformation could greatly improve the projection ratios. Numerical examples show that the proposed method is accurate and efficient for situations involving up to four random variables. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A numerical method for solving the hyperbolic telegraph equation
Authors: Dehghan Mehdi , Shokri Ali 
Published: November 2007

AbstractRecently, it is found that telegraph equation is more suitable than ordinary diffusion equation in modelling reaction diffusion for such branches of sciences. In this article, we propose a numerical scheme to solve the one‐dimensional hyperbolic telegraph equation using collocation points and approximating the solution using thin plate splines radial basis function. The scheme works in a similar fashion as finite difference methods. The results of numerical experiments are presented, and are compared with analytical solutions to confirm the good accuracy of the presented scheme. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2008
Transport‐equilibrium schemes for computing nonclassical shocks. Scalar conservation laws
Authors: Chalons Christophe 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThis paper presents a new numerical strategy for computing the nonclassical weak solutions of scalar conservation laws which fail to be genuinely nonlinear. We concentrate on the typical situation of concave–convex and convex–concave flux functions. In such situations the so‐called nonclassical shocks, violating the classical Oleinik entropy criterion and selected by a prescribed kinetic relation, naturally arise in the resolution of the Riemann problem. Enforcing the kinetic relation from a numerical point of view is known to be a crucial but challenging issue. By means of an algorithm made of two steps, namely an Equilibrium step and a Transport step, we show how to force the validity of the kinetic relation at the discrete level. The proposed strategy is based on the use of a numerical flux function and random numbers. We prove that the resulting scheme enjoys important consistency properties. Numerous numerical evidences illustrate the validity of our approach. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2008
Motivations and forms of corporate giving behaviour: insights from Australia
Authors: Noble Gary , Cantrell John , Kyriazis Elias , Algie Jennifer 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Although corporate support for many nonprofit organisations (NPOs) represents only a relatively small component of their overall income its importance is growing. As a consequence, the need to understand corporate giving behaviour in a way that supports the development of strategically targeted and successful marketing campaigns is of growing importance to marketing managers in many NPOs around the globe.
This paper presents the findings of a study into the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of corporate giving behaviour in Australia. In the seven case studies examined, there was no strong evidence that Australian corporations give for other than strategic profit maximisation or political reasons. In contrast to the literature, altruistic and managerial utility did not emerge as strong motivational factors.
This study also found that corporations are likely to have a number of corporate giving programmes each with its own underlying motivation and strategic purpose which network together to form a hierarchy of corporate giving programmes.
The paper concludes by discussing the implications of this research for NPO managers attempting to increase their level of corporate support.
Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A case of dyschondrosteosis in an Anglo‐Saxon skeleton
Authors: Cummings C. , Rega E. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractOsteological examination of a 9th–11th century skeleton from Black Gate Cemetery, Newcastle‐upon‐Tyne, reveals Madelung's deformity of both forearms and shortened stature due to reduced tibial length. These are indicative of dyschondrosteosis, a genetically transmitted mild form of mesomelia. This case adds to a small but growing presence of this condition in pre‐modern societies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peri mortem cranial injuries from a medieval grave in Saint Peter's Cathedral, Bologna, Italy
Authors: Facchini F. , Rastelli E. , Belcastro M. G. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIn 1999, renovation work in the 16th century crypt in Saint Peter's Cathedral, Bologna (Italy), uncovered a capuchin‐type grave probably from the Early Middle Ages, containing commingled bones belonging to several individuals. A study of the osteoarchaeological material by the Laboratory of Bioarchaeology and Forensic Osteology of the University of Bologna identified two skulls of young males, both presenting signs of direct traumatic lesions produced peri mortem: one on the frontal, the other on the left parietal. The aim of the present study was to examine the lesions in relation to possible aetiological factors. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on the properties of EPDM–CSE blend containing HTPB for case‐bonded solid rocket motor insulation
Authors: Sureshkumar M. S. , Bhuvaneswari C. M. , Kakade S. D. , Gupta M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractElastomeric blends based on ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) rubber as a primary polymer have been investigated for the thermal insulation of case‐bonded solid rocket motors (SRMs) cast with composite propellant containing hydroxy terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as a polymeric binder. EPDM rubber found as an attractive candidate for the thermal insulation of case‐bonded SRM due to the advantages such as low specific gravity, improved ageing properties, and longer shelf life. In spite of these advantages, EPDM, a non‐polar rubber, lacks sufficient bonding with the propellant matrix. Bonding properties are found to improve when EPDM is blended with other polar rubbers like polychloroprene, chlorosulphonated polyethylene (CSE), etc. This type of polar polymer when blended with EPDM rubber enhances the insulator‐to‐propellant interface bonding. In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the properties of EPDM–CSE based insulator by incorporating HTPB, a polar polymer as well as a polymeric binder, as an additive to the EPDM–CSE blend by varying the HTPB concentration. Blends prepared were cured and characterized for rheological, mechanical, interface, and thermal properties to study the effect of HTPB addition. This paper reports the preliminary investigation of the properties of EPDM–CSE blend containing HTPB, as a novel and futuristic elastomeric insulation for case‐bonded SRM containing HTPB as propellant binder. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Well‐defined polycaprolactone precursors for low surface‐energy polyurethane films
Authors: Dikić T. , Ming W. , Thüne P. C. , van Benthem R. A. T. M. , de With G. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractFor the purpose of developing model coating systems, it is important to use well‐defined coating precursors. In this work, polyester oligomers were synthesized by controlled ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and 4‐tert‐butyl‐ε‐caprolactone via an activated monomer mechanism. These well‐defined oligomers, including 3‐armed hydroxyl‐functionalized polyesters and perfluoroalkyl‐end‐capped linear polyesters, have been obtained with controlled functionality and low‐molecular weight polydispersity and without the formation of cyclic structures, as demonstrated by MALDI‐ToF MS analyses. The polymer architecture and functionality can be tuned by using different initiating alcohols. These oligomers have been used as precursors to prepare model low surface‐energy polyurethane coatings. Upon the addition of about 1 wt % of fluorine in the polyurethane films, the advancing contact angles for water and hexadecane have been increased to 105° and 78°, respectively; the surface enrichment of fluorinated species has been confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 218–227, 2008
Simulation‐based Knowledge Acquisition for Intelligent Belt Conveyor Monitoring
Authors: Pang Yusong , Lodewijks Gabriel 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe development of knowledge‐based systems (KBS) enables accumulated experience and knowledge to be applied to the intelligent monitoring in the field of large‐scale belt conveyor systems. The first step of building knowledge bases in a KBS is referred to the knowledge acquisition (KA). KA from domain experts and field experiments has often been considered as the most difficult task and time‐consuming process. This paper introduces a methodology for knowledge‐based intelligent belt conveyor monitoring that uses simulation to speed up and simplify the process of KA. Results of laboratory experiments show the efficiency and the accuracy of the introduced simulation‐based KA method.
Influence of Powder Material Moisture on the Angle of Wall Friction
Authors: Fekete Roman , Peciar Marián , Hanzel Marián 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe angle of wall friction is an important parameter which depends on the force interactions between particle material and a surface that are in contact with each other before and during motion. A standard shear testing technique for particle solids with the Jenike shear cell can be used for its determination. The composition of particle solids allows a certain volume of liquid to reside within its structure. This can be caused by atmospheric moisture or it can be created by adding the exact amount of liquid that is needed for a certain way of processing, e.g., extrusion. It also has an influence on the adhesion of wet particle matter and the friction forces during motion. The influence of the different moisture content, time of consolidation and velocity of movement of the wet powder on the friction force under different vertical forces was tested. The results show that there is a zone where the friction force increases as the moisture increases. The forces of adhesion have a significant role in this zone and the maximum value is achieved. Beyond this point there is a zone where the friction forces sharply decrease because the capillary forces are replaced by the effect of lubrication.
Large area metal dot matrices made by diffraction mask projection laser ablation
Authors: Mäder M. , Höche T. , Gerlach J. W. , Böhme R. , Zimmer K. , Rauschenbach B. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA route towards large area metal dot templates is presented. The templates are generated by diffraction mask projection laser ablation of thin metal films. The well ordered nanodot‐matrices are fast and easy to fabricate and show a high homogeneity over a large area. The metal nanodots are bound to the substrate, making them suitable for subsequent 3D nanostructure synthesis such as glancing angle deposition and nanowire growth mechanisms. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nondegeneracy of the random double oscillator
Authors: Wihstutz V. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIt is shown that under mild conditions the double oscillator with random parametric excitation satisfies the nondegeneracy properties that form the basic assumptions for the qualitative theory of stochastic linear systems. Necessary and sufficient conditions for hypoellipticity and weak ellipticity of the associated generator are established as well as the non skew‐symmetrizability of the matrices of the system.
Local modelling of sea surface topography from (geostrophic) ocean flow
Authors: Fehlinger T. , Freeden W. , Gramsch S. , Mayer C. , Michel D. , Schreiner M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractCalculating locally without boundary correction would lead to errors near the boundary. To avoid these Gibbs phenomenona we additionally consider the boundary integral of the corresponding region on the sphere which occurs in the integral formula of the solution. For reasons of simplicity we discuss a spherical cap first, that means we consider a continuously differentiable (regular) boundary curve. In a second step we concentrate on a more complicated domain with a non continuously differentiable boundary curve, namely a rectangular region. It will turn out that the boundary integral provides a major part for stabilizing and reconstructing the approximation of the solution in our multiscale procedure.
Radiofrequency ablation of osseous metastases for the palliation of pain
Authors: Thanos L. , Mylona S. , Galani P. , Tzavoulis D. , Kalioras V. , Tanteles S. , Pomoni M. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
A number of different methods have been proposed for pain relief in cancer patients with bone metastases, each with different indications, contraindications and complications (systemic analgesics, bisphosphonates, antitumor chemotherapy, radiotherapy, systemic radio-isotopes, local surgery and vertebroplasty). The ideal treatment has to be fast, safe, effective and tolerable for the patient. CT-guided radiofrequency (RF) ablation may fulfill these criteria. Our experience in the treatment of 30 patients (34 lesions) with painful bone metastases using RF ablation was assessed. There was a significant decrease in the mean past-24-h Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) score for worst pain, for average pain and for pain interference during daily life (4.7, 4.8 and 5.3 units respectively) 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. There was a marked decrease (3 out of 30 patients 4 and 8 weeks after treatment) in the use of analgesics. CT-guided RF ablation appears to be effective for treatment of painful bone metastases.
Scoliosis in-brace curve correction and patient preference of CAD/CAM versus plaster molded TLSOs
Authors: Sankar Wudbhav N. , Albrektson Josh , Lerman Lawrence , Tolo Vernon T. , Skaggs David L. 
Published: November 2007

Purpose CAD/CAM technology is a newer technique for creating spinal orthoses than standard plaster molded methods. To our knowledge there has been only one previous study of CAD/CAM braces. The purpose of our study was to compare patient preference and in-brace correction of Cobb angle between plaster molded thoracolumbosacral orthoses (TLSO) and CAD/CAM designed TLSOs in a series of patients with scoliosis. Methods Ten patients with an average initial Cobb angle of 30.8° (range 18°–46°) had both a plaster molded TLSO and a CAD/CAM TLSO fabricated for them. In each case, the decision to brace was made by the treating surgeon based on curve magnitude and skeletal maturity. After 3 weeks of 23 h a day wear, in-brace correction of the Cobb angle was measured for each brace based on standard PA spine radiographs. After 3 months of use, patients were asked which brace they preferred. Results For the CAD/CAM brace, the mean curve correction after 3 months was 51% compared to 44% in the plaster molded TLSO cohort. ( p = 0.46). Seven out of nine patients preferred the CAD/CAM TLSO over the plaster molded TLSO. There were no brace complications in either group. Conclusion In our matched cohort study, CAD/CAM TLSOs had at least equivalent if not superior correction of the Cobb angle compared to standard plaster molded TLSOs; 78% of our patients preferred the CAD/CAM brace over the standard TLSO.