bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A NEXAFS orientation study of γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane on zinc oxide surfaces
Authors: Thomsen L. , Watts B. , Dastoor P. C. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBifunctional silanes, such as γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (γ‐APS), are able to adsorb to a substrate via both functional groups creating a number of possible orientations for an adsorbed molecule within an organosilane film. The orientation of dip coated γ‐APS films on native zinc oxide surfaces as a function of solution pH has been studied using near edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The NEXAFS results shed further light on the changes in the orientation that take place during the oscillatory adsorption of these molecules and reveal new insights into the molecular reorganisations that occur with changing solution pH. The results are discussed in terms of an electrokinetic model that has been developed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adsorption of benzotriazole on copper surfaces in a hydrochloric acid solution
Authors: Bastidas David M. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe adsorption of benzotriazole (BTA) on commercial copper surfaces in hydrochloric (HCl) acid concentrations from 1 × 10−3 to 5 × 10−1 M was investigated using gravimetric measurements. BTA in bulk solution was tested in concentrations from 1 × 10−5 to 1 × 10−1 M at temperatures from 298 to 328 K. The adsorption mechanism is discussed using the objective function (OF) and in terms of applicability of the conventional isotherm models. The best fit was obtained using the Frumkin equation. The projected molecular area of BTA was calculated to elucidate inhibitor orientation in the adsorption process. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Responses to anomalous data obtained from repeatable experiments in the laboratory
Authors: Lin Jer‐Yann 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the possible responses to anomalous data obtained from experiments that are repeatable by carrying out additional or alternative experiments in the laboratory. Based on an analysis of responses from scientists to anomalous data taken from identification experiments on the Vinland Map, it was assumed that an additional response—uncertainty about interpretation of the data—should be considered in addition to the other eight responses reported by Chinn and Brewer 1998. It was also assumed that a process of responses containing more than one response is possible for a given subject who is responding to a given piece of anomalous datum in the laboratory. Both assumptions were verified by examining responses of undergraduates to anomalous data obtained from repeatable laboratory experiments. The results of this study show that there are nine categories of responses: ignoring; rejection; uncertainty of validity; uncertainty of interpretation; exclusion; abeyance; reinterpretation; peripheral conceptual change; and conceptual change. Moreover, two categories of processing, anomalous data–final response (A‐R process) and anomalous data–[mediators with/without intermediate responses]–final response (A‐M‐R process), are assessed in this study. It is suggested that science instructors could use the nine categories of responses to understand the learning characteristics of students, and also to use the A‐M‐R process to design suitable teaching strategies to arrive at meaningful learning. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 506–528, 2007
Acute Amebic Appendicitis
Authors: Guzmán‐Valdivia Gilberto 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIntroductionAcute appendicitis of amebic origin is considered a rare cause of acute appendicitis.MethodsThe clinical notes for 4093 patients over the age of 16 who had undergone appendectomy were reviewed. Particular attention was paid to the histopathologic results, separating out those cases where trophozoites were seen in the appendix. These cases were considered to be of amebic origin.ResultsA total of 93 cases reported lesions suggestive of amebiasis (2.3%). This study analyzed 86 of these cases. Comparing the cases in this study against the cases of patients with acute appendicitis in general (excluding the cases of amebic origin), no differences were found in relation to the distribution or presentation according to sex or in the degree of inflammation of the appendix, the incidence of surgical wound infection, or general complications. By contrast, the study noted a statistically significant difference in the age at presentation: Acute appendicitis of amebic origin presents principally among those under 20 years of age and is accompanied by a higher frequency of fecal fistula (2.3%).ConclusionsAcute appendicitis of amebic origin is not seen frequently, and in general it does not behave any differently from other cases of acute appendicitis, except in its earlier presentation and its greater incidence of fecal fistula. The condition is suspected clinically whenever a cecum of hard, “cardboard‐like” consistency is discovered.
Indications and Techniques of Extended Resection for Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Nakao Akimasa , Takeda Shin , Inoue Soichiro , Nomoto Shuji , Kanazumi Naohito , Sugimoto Hiroyuki , Fujii Tsutomu 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIntroductionThe resectability rate and postoperative survival rate for pancreatic carcinoma are poor. Aggressive resection including vascular resection and extended lymphadenectomy represent one strategy for improving survival. This study was carried out to clarify the indications for extended resection, especially vascular resection, for pancreatic carcinoma.MethodsFrom July 1981 to March 2005, we performed curative resection in 289 of 443 patients with pancreatic carcinoma in our department (65.2%). Vascular resection was performed in 201 (69.5%) patients and portal vein resection without arterial resection in 186 patients. Combined portal and arterial resection was performed in 14 patients and arterial resection without portal vein resection in 1. Extended lymphadenectomy including paraaortic lymph nodes was done. The postoperative survival rate was stratified according to operative and pathology findings.ResultsOperative mortality (any death within 30 days after surgery) occurred in 11 of the 289 curative resection patients (3.8%), including 1 of 88 patients without vascular resection (1.1%), 5 of 186 portal vein resection patients without arterial resection (2.7%), and 5 of 14 (35.7%) arterial resection patients undergoing portal vein arterial resection as well. Most patients who survived for 2 to 3 years had carcinoma‐free surgical margins.ConclusionsThe most important indication for vascular resection in patients with pancreatic cancer is the ability to obtain cancer‐free surgical margins. Otherwise, vascular resection is contraindicated. Extended lymphadenectomy may be not of benefit.
Dry season diets of sympatric ungulates in lowland Nepal: competition and facilitation in alluvial tall grasslands
Authors: Wegge Per , Shrestha Anil K. , Moe Stein R. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBased on microhistological analyses of faecal material, we compared the early dry season diets of greater one‐horned rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis, swamp deer Cervus duvauceli and hog deer Axis porcinus, which inhabit the same alluvial grassland habitat complex in lowland Nepal. Their diets were quite similar, both at the forage category level and within subcategories of graminoids and woody plants. Early successional tall grasses, especially Saccharum spontaneum, were the dominant food of all three species, underlining the key role of the threatened alluvial floodplains in large mammal conservation in South Asia. The two deer species ate significantly more graminoids (>66.5%) than did rhino (45.5%), and although they did not differ in proportions of graminoids, swamp deer ate significantly more late successional tall grasses (Narenga porphyrocoma and Themeda spp.) and short grasses (mainly Imperata cylindrica) than hog deer. The two deer consumed almost equal proportions of woody browse (ca. 10%), significantly less than that of rhino (33.0%). The prediction of the Jarman–Bell hypothesis, that large‐bodied herbivores are less selective and subsist on lower quality graminoids than smaller ruminants, was not supported by the data. Based on this and previous studies in the same area we propose a conceptual model where the larger megaherbivores (rhino and elephant Elephas maximus) facilitate the smaller swamp deer and hog deer during the monsoonal growing season, while the smaller and more selective deer species outcompete the larger during the dry season when food is more limited. Owing to the all‐year sprouting ability of S. spontaneum, facilitation may occur also in the dry season with low numbers of megaherbivores, thus accentuating competitive exclusion at higher deer densities.
Neuroprotective effect of etomidate on functional recovery in experimental spinal cord injury
Authors: Cayli Suleyman R. , Ates Ozkan , Karadag Nese , Altinoz Eyup , Yucel Neslihan , Yologlu Saim , Kocak Ayhan , Cakir Celal Ozbek 
Published: May 2006

AbstractObjectivePrimary impact to the spinal cord causes rapid oxidative stress after injury. To protect neural tissue, it is important to prevent secondary pathophysiological mechanisms. Etomidate, a strong antiexcitotoxic agent, stimulates the gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. The purpose of this study was to investigate neurobehavioral and histological recovery and to evaluate the biochemical responses to treatment of experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats with etomidate or methylprednisolone (MP) or both etomidate and MP.Material and methodsSeventy‐two rats were randomly allocated into six groups: a control group (laminectomy alone), a trauma group (laminectomy + trauma), a methylprednisolone group (30 mg/kg MP), an etomidate group (2 mg/kg), a methylprednisolone and etomidate combined treatment group (30 mg/kg MP and 2 mg/kg etomidate) and a vehicle group. Six rats from each group were killed at the 24th hour after the injury. Malondialdehyde, glutathione, nitric oxide and xanthine oxidase levels were measured. Neurological functions of the remaining rats were recorded weekly. Six weeks after injury, all of those rats were killed for histopathological assesssment.ResultsEtomidate treatment revealed similar neurobehavioral and histopathological recovery to MP treatment 6 weeks after injury. Combined treatment did not provide additional neuroprotection.ConclusionEtomidate treatment immediately after spinal cord injury has similar neuroprotection to MP. In spite of different neuroprotection mechanisms, combined treatment with MP and etomidate does not provide extra protection.
Modern statistical estimation via oracle inequalities
Authors: Candès Emmanuel J. 
Published: May 2006

A number of fundamental results in modern statistical theory involve thresholding estimators. This survey paper aims at reconstructing the history of how thresholding rules came to be popular in statistics and describing, in a not overly technical way, the domain of their application. Two notions play a fundamental role in our narrative: sparsity and oracle inequalities. Sparsity is a property of the object to estimate, which seems to be characteristic of many modern problems, in statistics as well as applied mathematics and theoretical computer science, to name a few. ‘Oracle inequalities’ are a powerful decision-theoretic tool which has served to understand the optimality of thresholding rules, but which has many other potential applications, some of which we will discuss.Our story is also the story of the dialogue between statistics and applied harmonic analysis. Starting with the work of Wiener, we will see that certain representations emerge as being optimal for estimation. A leitmotif throughout our exposition is that efficient representations lead to efficient estimation.
Changes in vascular reactivity following administration of isoproterenol for 1 week: a role for endothelial modulation
Authors: Davel Ana Paula C , Kawamoto Elisa Mitiko , Scavone Cristoforo , Vassallo Dalton V , Rossoni Luciana V 
Published: May 2006

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of treatment with isoproterenol (ISO, 0.3 mg kg−1 day−1, s.c.) for 7 days on the vascular reactivity of rat‐isolated aortic rings. Additionally, potential mechanisms underlying the changes that involved the endothelial modulation of contractility were investigated.
Treatment with ISO induced cardiac hypertrophy without changes in haemodynamic parameters. Aortic rings from ISO‐treated rats showed an increase in the contraction response to phenylephrine (PHE) and serotonin, but did not change relaxations produced by acetylcholine or isoproterenol. Removal of the endothelium increased the responses to PHE in both groups. However, this procedure was less effective in ISO‐treated as compared with control rats. Endothelial cell removal abolished the increase in the response to PHE in ISO‐treated rats. The presence of Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester shifted the concentration–response curve to PHE to the left in both groups of rats. However, this effect was more pronounced in the ISO group. In addition, aminoguanidine (50 μM) potentiated the actions of PHE only in the ISO group. ISO treatment increased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and neuronal NOS and endothelial NOS protein expression in the aorta.
Neither losartan (10 μM) nor indomethacin (10 μM) abolished the effects of ISO on the actions of PHE. Superoxide dismutase (SOD, 150 U ml−1) and L‐arginine (5 mM), but neither catalase (300 U ml−1) nor apocynin (100 μM), blocked the effect of ISO treatment. In addition, we observed an increase in superoxide anion levels as measured by ethidium bromide fluorescence and of copper and zinc superoxide dismutase protein expression in ISO‐treated rats.
In conclusion, our data suggest that ISO treatment alters the endothelial cell‐mediated modulation of the contraction to PHE in rat aorta. The increased maximal response of PHE seems to be due to an increase in superoxide anion generation, which inactivates some of the basal NO produced and counteracts NO‐mediated negative modulation even in the presence of high NO production and antioxidant defence.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 629–639. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706749
Characterization and effects on cAMP accumulation of adrenomedullin and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) receptors in dissociated rat spinal cord cell culture
Authors: Takhshid Mohammad A , Poyner David R , Chabot Jean‐Guy , Fournier Alain , Ma Weiya , Zheng Wen‐Hua , Owji Ali A , Quirion Remi 
Published: May 2006

Adrenomedullin (AM) and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) have structural similarities, interact with each others receptors (calcitonin receptor‐like receptor (CLR)/receptor‐activity‐modifying proteins (RAMPs)) and show overlapping biological activities. AM and CGRP receptors are chiefly coupled to cAMP production. In this study, a method of primary dissociated cell culture was used to investigate the presence of AM and CGRP receptors and their effects on cAMP production in embryonic spinal cord cells.
Both neuronal and non‐neuronal CLR immunopositive cells were present in our model.
High affinity, specific [125I]‐AM binding sites (Kd 79±9 pM and Bmax 571±34 fmol mg−1 protein) were more abundant than specific [125I]‐CGRP binding sites (Kd 12±0.7 pM and Bmax 32±2 fmol mg−1 protein) in embryonic spinal cord cells.
Specific [125I]‐AM binding was competed by related molecules with a ligand selectivity profile of rAM>hAM22–52>rCGRPα>CGRP8–37≫[r‐(r*,s*)]‐N‐[2‐[[5‐amino‐1‐[[4‐(4‐pyridinyl)‐1‐piperazinyl]carbonyl]pentyl]amino]‐1‐[(3,5‐dibromo‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)methyl]‐2‐oxoethyl]‐4‐(1,4‐dihydro‐2‐oxo‐3(2H)‐quinazolinyl)‐,1‐piperidinecarboxamide (BIBN4096BS).
Specific [125I]‐CGRP binding was competed by rCGRPα>rAMCGRP8–37BIBN4096BS>hAM22–52.
Cellular levels of cAMP were increased by AM (pEC50 10.2±0.2) and less potently by rCGRPα (pEC50 8.9±0.4). rCGRPα‐induced cAMP accumulation was effectively inhibited by CGRP8–37 (pA2 7.63±0.44) and hAM22–52 (pA2 6.18±0.21) while AM‐stimulation of cAMP levels was inhibited by CGRP8–37 (pA2 7.41±0.15) and AM22–52 (pA2 7.26±0.18). BIBN4096BS only antagonized the effects of CGRP (pA2 8.40±0.30) on cAMP accumulation.
These pharmacological profiles suggest that effects of CGRP are mediated by the CGRP1 (CLR/RAMP1) receptor in our model while those of AM are related to the activation of the AM1 (CLR/RAMP2) receptor subtype.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 459–468. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706750
Hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and the attenuation of hyperphagia in streptozotocin diabetic rats treated with dopamine D1/D2 agonists
Authors: Kuo Dong‐Yih 
Published: May 2006

Dopamine is an appetite suppressant, while neuropeptide Y (NPY), an appetite stimulant in the brain, is reported to be involved in anorectic action induced by a combined administration of D1/D2 agonists in normal rats. In diabetic rats, however, these factors have not been studied.
Rats (including normal, diabetic and insulin‐treated diabetic rats) were given daily injections of saline or D1/D2 agonists for 6 days. Changes in food intake and hypothalamic NPY content of these rats were assessed and compared.
The D1/D2 agonist‐induced anorectic responses were altered in diabetic rats compared to normal rats treated similarly. Both the anorectic response on the first day of dosing and the tolerant response on the subsequent days were attenuated.
This alteration was independent of the neuroendocrine disturbance on feeding behavior since the basic pattern of food intake during the time course of a 24‐h day/night cycle was similar in normal and diabetic rats; the decrease of food intake following drug treatment was only shown at the initial interval of 0–6 h in both groups of rats.
However, this alteration coincided with changes in NPY content following D1/D2 coadministration. The replacement of insulin in diabetic rats could normalize both NPY content and D1/D2 agonist‐induced anorexia.
It is demonstrated that the response of D1/D2 agonist‐induced appetite suppression is attenuated in diabetic rats compared to normal rats and that elevated hypothalamic NPY content may contribute to this alteration.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 640–647. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706754
Cholesteryl butyrate solid lipid nanoparticles inhibit adhesion of human neutrophils to endothelial cells
Authors: Dianzani Chiara , Cavalli Roberta , Zara Gian Paolo , Gallicchio Margherita , Lombardi Grazia , Gasco Maria Rosa , Panzanelli Patrizia , Fantozzi Roberto 
Published: May 2006

Adhesion of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) to vascular endothelial cells (EC) is a critical step in recruitment and infiltration of leukocytes into tissues during inflammation. High doses of butyric acid have been shown to ameliorate inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Cholesteryl‐butyrate solid lipid nanoparticles (chol‐but SLN) as prodrug are a possible delivery system for butyric acid.
Sodium butyrate or chol‐but SLN were coincubated with human PMNs and human umbilical vein EC (HUVEC); adhesion was quantified by computerized microimaging fluorescence analysis. Both chol‐but SLN and sodium butyrate displayed antiadhesive effects on FMLP‐ and IL‐1β‐stimulated cells in a concentration–response curve (10−8–10−5 M), but chol‐but SLN were in all cases more active. Moreover, chol‐but SLN inhibited FMLP‐induced adhesion of PMNs to FCS‐coated plastic wells, thus showing a direct effect on PMNs, while sodium butyrate had little effect. Confocal microscopy showed that fluorescent SLN entered PMNs and HUVEC after 10 min incubation. Chol‐but SLN acted either on activated PMN or HUVEC.
Chol‐but SLN inhibited O2−· production and myeloperoxidase release by PMNs evoked by FMLP, in a dose‐dependent, but not time‐dependent, manner and were more active than sodium butyrate.
In conclusion, in all tests chol‐but SLN were more active than sodium butyrate. Thus, chol‐but SLN might be a valid alternative to sodium butyrate in the anti‐inflammatory therapy of ulcerative colitis, avoiding complications related to the administration of sodium butyrate.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 648–656. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706761
Local regulation of skin blood flow during cooling involving presynaptic P2 purinoceptors in rats
Authors: Koganezawa Tadachika , Ishikawa Tomohisa , Fujita Yukiyoshi , Yamashita Tomonari , Tajima Takako , Honda Masaki , Nakayama Koichi 
Published: May 2006

This study investigated a local effect of cooling on the plantar skin blood flow (PSBF) of tetrodotoxin‐treated rats by laser‐Doppler flowmetry.When the air temperature around the left foot was locally cooled from 25 to 10°C, the PSBF of the left foot decreased.The response was inhibited by theα‐adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine, theα1‐adrenoceptor antagonist bunazosin, theα2‐adrenoceptor antagonist RS79948, and bretylium and guanethidine that inhibit noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerves. Adrenalectomy of the rats did not affect the cooling‐induced response.The P2 purinoceptor antagonists suramin and PPADS also significantly suppressed the cooling‐induced reduction of PSBF. However, the inhibitory effect of PPADS on the cooling‐induced response was abolished after the treatment with phentolamine. Intra‐arterial injections of ATPγS, a stable P2 purinoceptor agonist, at 25°C caused a transient decrease in PSBF in a dose‐dependent manner, which was significantly inhibited by phentolamine and guanethidine.These results suggest a novel mechanism for local cooling‐induced reduction of skin blood flowin vivo; moderate cooling of the skin induces the release of ATP, which stimulates presynaptic P2 purinoceptors on sympathetic nerve terminals and facilitates the release of noradrenaline, thereby causing contractions of skin blood vesselsviathe activation ofα1‐andα2‐adrenoceptors.British Journal of Pharmacology(2006)148, 579–586. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706765
Moclobemide upregulated Bcl‐2 expression and induced neural stem cell differentiation into serotoninergic neuron via extracellular‐regulated kinase pathway
Authors: Chiou Shih‐Hwa , Ku Hung‐Hai , Tsai Tung‐Hu , Lin Heng‐Liang , Chen Li‐Hsin , Chien Chan‐Shiu , Ho Larry L ‐T , Lee Chen‐Hsen , Chang Yuh‐Lih 
Published: May 2006

Moclobemide (MB) is an antidepressant drug that selectively and reversibly inhibits monoamine oxidase‐A. Recent studies have revealed that antidepressant drugs possess the characters of potent growth‐promoting factors for the development of neurogenesis and improve the survival rate of serotonin (5‐hydroxytrytamine; 5‐HT) neurons. However, whether MB comprises neuroprotection effects or modulates the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) needs to be elucidated.
In this study, firstly, we used the MTT (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay to demonstrate that 50 μM MB can increase the cell viability of NSCs. The result of real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) showed that the induction of MB can upregulate the gene expressions of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL. By using caspases 8 and 3, ELISA and terminal dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) assay, our data further confirmed that 50 μM MB‐treated NSCs can prevent FasL‐induced apoptosis.
The morphological findings also supported the evidence that MB can facilitate the dendritic development and increase the neurite expansion of NSCs. Moreover, we found that MB treatment increased the expression of Bcl‐2 in NSCs through activating the extracellular‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation.
By using the triple‐staining immunofluorescent study, the percentages of serotonin‐ and MAP‐2‐positive cells in the day 7 culture of MB‐treated NSCs were significantly increased (P<0.01). Furthermore, our data supported that MB treatment increased functional production of serotonin in NSCs via the modulation of ERK1/2. In sum, the study results support that MB can upregulate Bcl‐2 expression and induce the differentiation of NSCs into serotoninergic neuron via ERK pathway.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 587–598. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706766