bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Syk‐dependent ERK activation regulates IL‐2 and IL‐10 production by DC stimulated with zymosan
Authors: Slack Emma C. , Robinson Matthew J. , Hernanz‐Falcón Patricia , Brown Gordon D. , Williams David L. , Schweighoffer Edina , Tybulewicz Victor L. , Reis e Sousa Caetano 
Published: April 2007

AbstractZymosan is a particulate yeast preparation that elicits high levels of IL‐2 and IL‐10 from dendritic cells (DC) and engages multiple innate receptors, including the Syk‐coupled receptor dectin‐1 and the MyD88‐coupled receptor TLR2. Here, we show that induction of IL‐2 and IL‐10 by zymosan requires activation of ERK MAP kinase in murine DC. Surprisingly, ERK activation in response to zymosan is completely blocked in Syk‐deficient DC and unaffected by MyD88 deficiency. Conversely, ERK activation in response to the TLR2 agonist Pam3Cys is completely MyD88 dependent and unaffected by Syk deficiency. The inability of TLR2 ligands in zymosan to couple to ERK may explain the Syk dependence of the IL‐2 and IL‐10 response in DC and emphasises the importance of Syk‐coupled pattern recognition receptors such as dectin‐1 in the detection of yeasts. Furthermore, the lack of receptor compensation observed here suggests that responses induced by complex innate stimuli cannot always be predicted by the signalling pathways downstream of individual receptors.
Erythropoietin enhances immune responses in mice
Authors: Katz Odelia , Gil Lidor , Lifshitz Lilach , Prutchi‐Sagiv Sara , Gassmann Max , Mittelman Moshe , Neumann Drorit 
Published: April 2007

AbstractErythropoietin (Epo) is the main erythropoietic hormone. Recombinant human Epo (rHuEpo) is thus used in clinical practice for the treatment of anemia. Accumulating data reveals that Epo exerts pleiotropic activities. We have previously shown an anti‐neoplastic activity of Epo in murine multiple myeloma (MM) models, and in MM patients. Our findings that this anti‐neoplastic effect operates via CD8+ T lymphocytes led us to hypothesize that Epo possesses a wider range of immunomodulatory functions. Here we demonstrate the effect of Epo on B lymphocyte responses, focusing on three experimental models: (i) tumor‐bearing mice, (5T2 MM mouse); (ii) antigen‐injected healthy mice; and (iii) antigen‐injected transgenic mice (tg6), overexpressing human Epo. In the MM model, despite bone marrow dysfunction, Epo‐treated mice retained higher levels of endogenous polyclonal immunoglobulins, compared to their untreated controls. In both Epo‐treated wild type and tg6 mice, Epo effect was manifested in the higher levels of splenocyte proliferative response induced in vitro by lipopolysaccharide. Furthermore, these mice had increased in vivo production of anti‐dinitrophenyl (DNP) antibodies following immunization with DNP‐keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Epo‐treated mice showed an enhanced immune response also to the clinically relevant hepatitis B surface antigen. These findings suggest a potential novel use of rHuEpo as an immunomodulator.See accompanying commentary: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200737401
A Magnetostructural and Electrochemical Study of CuII and FeIII Complexes Containing a Tetradentate Aminebis(phenolate) Ligand with a Pendent Tetrahydrofuran Group
Authors: Safaei Elham , Weyhermüller Thomas , Bothe Eberhard , Wieghardt Karl , Chaudhuri Phalguni 
Published: April 2007

AbstractLigating properties of a tetradentate ligand 2‐{bis[(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amino]methyl}tetrahydrofuran,H2L, with [O,O,N,O]‐donor atoms towards CuII and FeIII are described. The ligand H2L yields both mononuclear LFeIII(acac) (1) and dinuclear [L2FeIII2(μ‐OCH3)‐(μ‐OH)] (2), [L2FeIII2(μ‐C2O4)] (3) and [L2CuII2] (4) complexes, which were characterized by various physical techniques, including X‐ray diffraction, Mössbauer, electrochemical and magnetic susceptibility (2–290 K) measurements. That the electrochemical oxidations are ligand‐centered, i.e. formation of phenoxyl radicals from the coordinated phenolates, have been shown by voltammetric methods. Complexes 2–4 display antiferromagnetic exchange coupling of the neighbouring metal centers. Comparison of the evaluated weak exchange coupling constants (J) with the literature values leads to the conclusion that the angle Cu–O–Cu′ is not the only determinant for the nature of the exchange coupling and the capability of the bridging ligands as mediators for spin coupling in case of FeIII follows the order phenoxide ≈ methoxide > hydroxide. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Characterization of the glycerolipid composition of a high‐palmitoleic acid sunflower mutant
Authors: Salas Joaquín J. , Moreno‐Pérez Antonio J. , Martínez‐Force Enrique , Garcés Rafael 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe glycerolipid composition of a high‐palmitoleic acid sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) mutant accumulating up to 20% of n‐7 fatty acids was studied. This line produces oil with a complex triacylglycerol (TAG) composition, containing species that have not been previously identified in sunflower. In this regard, palmitoleic acid was esterified in an unexpected way in the three positions of the TAG molecules. The polar glycerolipid composition of the mutant was also studied, in order to identify and quantify the changes in membrane lipids imposed by the sunflower enzymatic machinery during the accumulation of the unusual n‐7 fatty acids. The high‐palmitoleic mutant accumulated important quantities of n‐7 fatty acids in the polar lipid fraction, especially in the phosphatidylcholine lipid class. However, the total polar lipid content of these lines was not affected. On the other hand, the mutations responsible for the n‐7 lipid accumulation induced an important decrease in the oil yield of the new mutant.
An improved assay for the determination of phospholipase C activity
Authors: Durban Markus A. , Bornscheuer Uwe T. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPhospholipases C (PLC, EC 3.1.4.3) are enzymes that specifically hydrolyze the C‐O‐P bond in phospholipids, yielding sn‐1,2(2,3)‐diacylglycerides and the phosphate residue bearing the corresponding headgroup. The biochemical characterization of PLC requires methods for the reliable determination of their activity. Here, an assay is described in which the phosphate residue released by the PLC is cleaved with an alkaline phosphatase. The phosphate formed is then extracted with n‐butanol and quantified as phosphomolybate complex. The applicability of this method is demonstrated for a concentration range from 10 nM to 10 mM for a range of phospholipids bearing different headgroups in an aqueous and a two‐phase system. The method has the additional advantage that the crude enzyme can be used without the need for purification.
Cerebral white matter changes and rate of progression of dementia during cholinesterase inhibitor treatment: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Devine M. E. , Fonseca J. A. S. , Walker R. W. H. , Sikdar T. , Stevens T. , Walker Z. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackgroundCerebral white matter changes (WMC) represent cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and are common in dementia. Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are effective in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) with or without CVD, and in Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). Predictors of treatment response are controversial.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of WMC severity on rate of progression of dementia during treatment with ChEIs.MethodsCT or MRI brain scans were rated for WMC severity in 243 patients taking ChEIs for dementia. Raters were blind to patients' clinical risk factors, dementia subtype and course of illness. Effects of WMC severity on rates of decline in cognition, function and behaviour were analysed for 140 patients treated for 9 months or longer. Analysis was performed for this group as a whole and within diagnostic subgroups AD and DLB. The main outcome measure was rate of change in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Secondary measures were rates of change in scores on the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and Clifton Assessment Procedures for the Elderly – Behaviour Rating Scale (CAPE‐BRS).ResultsThere was no significant association between severity of WMC and any specified outcome variable for the cohort as a whole or for patients with AD. In patients with DLB, higher WMC scores were associated with more rapid cognitive decline.ConclusionsIncreased WMC severity does not influence clinical response to ChEI treatment in AD, but may hasten deterioration in ChEI‐treated patients with DLB. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An evaluation of two self‐report screening measures for mood in an out‐patient chronic heart failure population
Authors: Haworth J. E. , Moniz‐Cook E. , Clark A. L. , Wang M. , Cleland J. G. F. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the criterion validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Geriatric Depression Scale 15‐item (GDS‐15) in a community sample of Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) out‐patients.MethodsEighty‐eight of 203 older adults with confirmed CHF responded to a postal survey and participated in a face‐to‐face interview. The GDS‐15 and HADS were compared to diagnoses from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (SCID‐I), using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity and specificity for various cut‐off points.ResultsFor all depressive disorders, the area under the ROC curve for the GDS‐15 was 0.883 and a cut‐off of 5 gave a sensitivity of 0.818 and a specificity of 0.833. The area under the ROC curve for the HADS Depression (D) and Anxiety (A) were 0.889 and 0.941 respectively. At a cut‐off of 7, the HADS‐A gave a sensitivity of 0.938 and a specificity of 0.847. At a cut‐off of 4, the HADS‐D gave a sensitivity of 0.864 and a specificity of 0.788.ConclusionsThe GDS‐15 and HADS are valid screening tools for detecting depression in aged CHF out‐patients. However, use of the HADS requires reduced cut‐points to ensure that patients with mood disorder are not missed in this population. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relationship between severity of Alzheimer's disease and prevalence of comorbid depressive symptoms and depression: a systematic review
Authors: Verkaik Renate , Nuyen Jasper , Schellevis François , Francke Anneke 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo gain more insight into the association between severity of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and prevalence of comborbid depression.MethodsA systematic literature review based on the Cochrane methodology was performed. PubMed, PsychINFO and EMBASE databases were searched for existing studies that fulfilled predefined inclusion criteria. The studies were divided into: (1) those that analysed the association between severity of AD and prevalence of depressive symptoms (‘continuous’ approach) and (2) those that investigated the association between severity of AD and diagnosed depression (‘categorical’ approach). The quality of existing studies was rated and the results were synthesized with a best evidence synthesis.ResultsTwenty‐four studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Nineteen reported results for a continuous approach and seven for a categorical approach. Three of the four high quality studies within the continuous approach did not find a significant association between severity of AD and prevalence of depressive symptoms. None of the three high quality studies using the categorical approach found a significant association between the severity of AD and the prevalence of diagnosed depression.ConclusionsThere is evidence for a lack of association between the severity of AD and the prevalence of comorbid depressive symptoms or diagnosed depression. Until new studies contradict this conclusion, prevention and intervention strategies for comorbid depression in AD should be aimed at all patients irrespective their disease severity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A phase II study of a THP‐COP regimen for the treatment of elderly patients aged 70 years or older with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Tsurumi Hisashi , Hara Takeshi , Goto Naoe , Kanemura Nobuhiro , Kasahara Senji , Sawada Michio , Yasuda Ichiro , Yamada Toshiki , Shimizu Masahito , Takami Tsuyoshi , Moriwaki Hisataka 
Published: April 2007

AbstractPirarubicin (tetrahydropyranyl adriamycin: THP) is an anthracycline drug that reportedly has fewer cardiotoxic effects than doxorubicin. A phase II study was conducted in order to determine the efficacy of a treatment regimen incorporating THP, namely THP‐COP in the treatment of elderly patients aged 70 years or older with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The treatment regimens for Group A (aged 70–79 years,n = 45) and Group B (aged 80 years or older,n = 16) consisted of cyclophosphamide, THP, vincristine, and prednisolone, repeated six times, every 3 weeks. The complete remission rate was 72.1%. The 5‐year survival rate was 38.1%. For elderly patients with favourable prognostic factors, the 5‐year survival rate was significantly better at 77.9% compared with 15.6% for patients with poor prognostic factors (p < 0.01). Death associated with the treatment regimen was not observed. We conclude that the THP‐COP treatment regimen has fewer side effects and is very effective in the treatment of DLBCL in elderly patients, especially those with favourable prognostic factors. The present findings indicate the necessity of future studies investigating a combination therapy comprised of rituximab and THP‐COP for the treatment of elderly patients with CD20‐positive DLBCL. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The implementation of process orientation at a Swedish hospital
Authors: Fältholm Ylva , Jansson Anna 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDuring the last decade, as a response to the need for inter‐ as well as intra‐organizational integration, management models initially developed for industry have been spread to health care organizations. Based on 62 in‐depth interviews, this qualitative study aims at describing and analyzing the limited success of implementation of process orientation at a Swedish hospital and in doing so, the traditional and the critical approaches are combined. Applying a traditional approach, the limited success of the implementation of process orientation is explained in terms of difficulties to challenge deeply institutionalized organizational routines and the inter‐disciplinary boundaries. This might be condensed to the dilemma of how to maintain and develop the specialization of the medical profession while focusing process rather than function and how to enhance inter‐organizational integration without hampering intra‐organizational collaboration. Applying a critical approach, the limited success is explained in terms of a differentiated translation process and in terms of separation of talk and practice. This means that process orientation, notwithstanding that it might be an efficient tool for the type of integration needed, might be regarded as part of a change discourse, aiming at conveying a picture of an efficient and modern organization. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Drought forecasting using artificial neural networks and time series of drought indices
Authors: Morid Saeid , Smakhtin Vladimir , Bagherzadeh K. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractDrought forecasting is a critical component of drought risk management. The paper describes an approach to drought forecasting, which makes use of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and predicts quantitative values of drought indices—continuous functions of rainfall which measure the degree of dryness of any time period. The indices used are the Effective Drought Index (EDI) and the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI). The forecasts are attempted using different combinations of past rainfall, the above two drought indices in preceding months and climate indices like Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index. A number of different ANN models for both EDI and SPI with the lead times of 1 to 12 months have been tested at several rainfall stations in the Tehran Province of Iran. The best models in both cases have been found to include, among the others, a corresponding drought index value from the same month of the previous year. Both best models have the R2 values of 0.66‐0.79 for a lead time of 6 months, but it is also shown that the EDI forecasts are superior to those of the SPI for all lead times and at all rainfall stations. The better performance of the EDI model is illustrated by its more accurate prediction of the overall pattern of ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ conditions. The structure of the model inputs (previous rain and drought indices) does not vary with the lead time, which makes the models very convenient for the operational purposes. The final forecasting models can be utilized by drought early warning systems, which are emerging in Iran at present. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Pressure gradient force, atmospheric circulation and climate in western Europe (1899–2002)
Authors: Kastendeuch Pierre P. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractOne mission of synoptic climatology is to quantify the link between atmospheric circulation and surface environment. The pressure gradient force (PGF) is used as a multiple index to summarize the monthly atmospheric circulation for a site in western Europe (5°E and 50°N). The study of the temporal evolution of the PGF components (direction, magnitude, X and Y components) was carried out for the period 1899–2002. The results reflect the variability in atmospheric circulation and reveal some trends. The magnitude of the PGF is particularly affected by several successive periods where the strength of the atmospheric flow was lower (negative trend) or higher (positive trend) than normal. During the last decades of the twentieth century the atmospheric flow appears stronger than before (positive trend), except in summer. As the direction of the PGF can be related to the trajectory of the flow via the Buys–Ballot law, its anomalies are directly related to anomalies in the advection of air masses. No definite trend can be detected for this variable. However, it seems that the northerly flow becomes rare in winter. The relevance of the PGF is also examined with regard to the evolution of monthly temperatures and precipitations via some series of multiple regressions. The best results are obtained for the precipitations, with an explained variance lying between 47 and 73% (respectively in May and February). For temperatures, the explained variance oscillates between 34 and 73% (in September and January). The fact that the meridional and zonal components of the PGF, and the absolute pressure at the site are explicitly taken into account, ensures a good quantification of the atmospheric circulation ‘anomalies’, that are largely responsible for the annual, seasonal or monthly singularities of temperature and precipitation over western Europe. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Preparation and Characterization of a Scaffold for Vascular Tissue Engineering by Direct‐Assembling of Collagen and Cells in a Cylindrical Geometry
Authors: Boccafoschi Francesca , Rajan Navneeta , Habermehl Jason , Mantovani Diego 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn the past 25 years, several efforts have been focused on developing vascular substitutes showing long‐term patency when implanted in humans. In this study, we present our last findings in an ongoing project aiming to develop a tissue‐regenerated blood vessel from collagen‐based scaffolds. A collagen‐based scaffold with adequate biological properties was developed by directly assembling collagen and cells in a cylindrical geometry. The technique mainly involves the use of a ventilated rotating tube allowing smooth muscle cells to grow in a cylindrical collagen matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), histology, and cell cycle analyses were carried out in order to assess the biological potential of the cell‐based scaffold for further maturation. Compliance results showed that this technique allows cells to assemble in the collagen matrix, thus providing enough rigidity to the structure to be handled and mounted in a perfusion bioreactor for further growth and maturation.magnified image
Covalent Grafting of Fibronectin onto Plasma‐Treated PTFE: Influence of the Conjugation Strategy on Fibronectin Biological Activity
Authors: Vallières Karine , Petitclerc Éric , Laroche Gaétan 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSurface coating of synthetic materials is often considered to improve biomedical devices biocompatibility. In this study, we covalently bound fibronectin (FN) onto ammonia plasma‐treated PTFE via two crosslinkers, namely glutaric anhydride (GA) and sulfosuccinimidyl‐4‐(p‐maleimidophenyl)butyrate (sulfo‐SMPB). With respect to clean PTFE, cell adhesion increased markedly on both FN grafted surfaces, although it was twice higher on PTFE‐GA‐FN than on PTFE‐SMPB‐FN. ELISA experiments performed with a polyclonal antibody revealed that the amount of FN is identical on both surfaces while monoclonal antibody specific to the RGD binding site clearly demonstrated a greater availability when FN is surface grafted through GA. These results provide evidence of a variation in protein conformation correlated with the surface conjugation strategy.magnified image
Novel Physically Crosslinked Polyurethane‐block‐Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) Hydrogel Biomaterials
Authors: Patel Alpesh , Mequanint Kibret 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSuccessful tissue repair and regeneration relies on the design of new biomaterials that can mediate cell interaction without inflicting undesirable responses. Novel physically crosslinked polyurethane‐block‐poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) hydrogel biomaterials were synthesized by the macroiniferter controlled radical polymerization method. The structures of the hydrogels were studied by FT‐IR and 1H NMR. Hydrogels with EWC up to 37 wt.‐% were prepared. The presence of the PVP block significantly increased the hard‐segment glass transition temperature. Vascular smooth muscle cell attachment and spreading on the hydrogels indicated that these materials have a potential for use as scaffolds in tissue engineering.magnified image
Improved Mesenchymal Stem Cell Seeding on RGD‐Modified Poly(L‐lactic acid) Scaffolds using Flow Perfusion
Authors: Alvarez‐Barreto Jose F. , Sikavitsas Vassilios I. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractArg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) has been widely utilized to increase cell adhesion to three‐dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering. However, cell seeding on these scaffolds has only been carried out statically, which yields low cell seeding efficiencies. We have characterized, for the first time, the seeding of rat mesenchymal stem cells on RGD‐modified poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) foams using oscillatory flow perfusion. The incorporation of RGD on the PLLA foams improves scaffold cellularity in a dose‐dependent manner under oscillatory flow perfusion seeding. When compared to static seeding, oscillatory flow perfusion is the most efficient seeding technique. Cell detachment studies show that cell adhesion is dependent on the applied flow rate, and that cell attachment is strengthened at higher levels of RGD modification.magnified image
Some Theorems of the PRAGMÉN‒LINDELÖF's Theory for Subharmonic Functions
Authors: Riedel M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractSome new results of the PRAGMÉN‒LINDELÖF theory in 𝔜+ (namely the elementary method of successive mapping [4] and ROSSBERG's [8] non‒elementary theorem) are carried over to subharmonic functions. The theorems have – in spite of their very different nature – a common salient feature: Restrictions on the rate of increase of the function under consideration are imposed not only in the whole of 𝔜+, but also on one or several rays in 𝔜+ starting from 0. Our method yields also a new proof of ROSSBERG's theorem [8] without any superfluous boundary conditions.