bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Osteopontin expression in normal and hypobaric hypoxia‐exposed rats
Authors: Uenoyama M. , Ogata S. , Nakanishi K. , Kanazawa F. , Hiroi S. , Tominaga S. , Kanatani Y. , Seo A. , Matsui T. , Suzuki S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim:  Experimental pulmonary hypertension induced in a hypobaric hypoxic environment (HHE) is characterized by structural remodelling of the heart and pulmonary arteries. Osteopontin (OPN) has emerged as a key factor in cardiovascular remodelling in response to pressure or volume overload. We studied the possible effects of HHE on the OPN synthesis system.Methods:  One hundred and forty‐eight male Wistar rats were housed in a chamber with conditions equivalent of an altitude of 5500 m for up to 21 days.Results:  Plasma OPN protein level was found to be significantly decreased on day 0.5 of exposure to HHE, as was the level in the adrenal gland (which secreted highest levels of OPN protein). In the right ventricle of the heart (mRNA) and the lung (protein), OPN expression was found to be significantly increased only on day 1 and day 5, respectively, of exposure to HHE. By immunohistochemistry, the distribution and intensity of OPN protein in several organs were found to alter during exposure to HHE. However, these changes in OPN synthesis did not coincide with the moderate increase in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) (maximal mean PAP, 24.5 mmHg) during HHE.Conclusion:  Pulmonary hypertension in HHE with conditions equivalent of an altitude of 5500 m may induce little or no OPN in heart and lung. Sustained induction may require a more severe PAP overload.
Heart and brain circulation and CO2 in healthy men
Authors: Yokoyama I. , Inoue Y. , Kinoshita T. , Itoh H. , Kanno I. , Iida H. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim:  To compare blood flow response to arterial carbon dioxide tension change in the heart and brain of normal elderly men.Methods:  Thirteen healthy elderly male volunteers were studied. Hypercapnea was induced by carbon dioxide inhalation and hypocapnea was induced by hyperventilation. Myocardial blood flow [mL min−1 × (100 g of perfusable tissue)−1] and cerebral blood flow [mL min−1 × (100 g of perfusable tissue)−1] were measured simultaneously at rest, under carbon dioxide gas inhalation and hyperventilation using the combination of two positron emission tomography scanners.Results:  Arterial carbon dioxide tension increased significantly during carbon dioxide inhalation (43.1 ± 2.7 mmHg, P < 0.05) and decreased significantly during hyperventilation (29.2 ± 3.4 mmHg, P < 0.01) from baseline (40.2 ± 2.4 mmHg). Myocardial blood flow increased significantly during hypercapnea (88.7 ± 22.4, P < 0.01) from baseline (78.2 ± 12.6), as did the cerebral blood flow (baseline: 39.8 ± 5.3 vs. hypercapnea: 48.4 ± 10.4, P < 0.05). During hypocapnea cerebral blood flow decreased significantly (27.0 ± 6.3, P < 0.01) from baseline as did the myocardial blood flow (55.1 ± 14.6, P < 0.01). However, normalized myocardial blood flow by cardiac workload [100 mL mmHg−1 × (heart beat)−1 × (gram of perfusable tissue)−1] was not changed from baseline (93.4 ± 16.6) during hypercapnea (90.5 ± 14.3) but decreased significantly from baseline during hypocapnea (64.5 ± 18.3, P < 0.01).Conclusion:  In normal elderly men, hypocapnea produces similar vasoconstriction both in the heart and brain. Mild hypercapnea increased cerebral blood flow but did not have an additional effect to dilate coronary arteries beyond the expected range in response to an increase in cardiac workload.
External Dependent Economy and Structural Real Estate Bubbles in China
Authors: Sun Lijian , Zhang Shengxing 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis study explores the relationship between external dependent economic structure, surplus monetary liquidity and real estate bubbles in China. Employing monthly data from 28 Chinese provinces over the period 2004‐2005, we test whether real estate bubbles are caused by structural surplus monetary liquidity, controlling other possible factors. Our empirical findings show that the growth of private savings in the banking sector, as an index of surplus monetary liquidity, ferments real estate bubbles regardless of the different development level across the 28 provinces.
Indian Buddhist Preachers Inside and Outside the Sūtras
Authors: Nance Richard 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe subject of the preacher in Indian Buddhist history and literature is one that has gone almost completely unexplored by modern scholars. Indian Buddhist preachers have historically served as voices for Buddhist teaching, but they have also been voiced by that teaching, articulated in the very sūtra texts that they are charged to preserve and protect. This article explores a few portraits of preachers painted in the Buddhist sūtra corpus, and attempts to draw provisional conclusions regarding the impact of such portraits on Buddhist preachers’ own conceptions of doctrinal authority. As Gregory Schopen's work reminds us, we cannot straightforwardly recover an accurate picture of ‘what Buddhism was’ from texts that concern ‘what Buddhism should be’. But, it is no less a mistake to assume either that normative texts do not influence history, or that the traces of such influence are nowhere evident in normative texts. This article explores some of the ways in which these reciprocal impacts may be glimpsed.
Synthesis and Polymerization Studies of Organic‐Soluble Eumelanins†
Authors: Lawrie Kirsten J. , Meredith Paul , McGeary Ross P. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe isolation, structure determination and chemical characterization of eumelanins has been plagued by their very low solubility in organic solvents. To gain insights into the structure and reactivity of these unusual and important biologic macromolecules and to pave the way for their use in electronics, we have prepared soluble melanins via the synthesis of monomeric precursors containing lipophilic substituents. Two such monomers derived from 5,6‐dihydroxyindole‐2‐carboxylic acid (DHICA) were prepared, namely the benzyl and octyl ester derivatives. Both benzyl and octyl ester monomers were oxidatively polymerized to yield dark, melanin‐like pigments. These polymerization processes were followed by UV–visible, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy. These studies showed that the polymerizations proceeded by cross‐linking at the 4‐ and 7‐positions of the indole nucleus and led to highly heterogeneous polymeric products. Incorporation of a lipophilic benzyl or octyl group resulted in enhanced solubility of the pigments in a wide range of organic solvents. The UV–visible spectra of the organically soluble synthetic melanins were essentially identical to that of natural eumelanin.
The Melanocortin 1 Receptor and the UV Response of Human Melanocytes—A Shift in Paradigm†
Authors: Abdel‐Malek Zalfa A. , Knittel James , Kadekaro Ana Luisa , Swope Viki B. , Starner Renny 
Published: February 2008

AbstractCutaneous pigmentation is the major photoprotective mechanism against the carcinogenic and aging effects of UV. Epidermal melanocytes synthesize the pigment melanin, in the form of eumelanin or pheomelanin. Synthesis of the photoprotective eumelanin by human melanocytes is regulated mainly by the melanocortins α‐melanocortin (α‐MSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which bind the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) and activate the cAMP pathway that is required for UV‐induced tanning. Melanocortins stimulate proliferation and melanogenesis and inhibit UV‐induced apoptosis of human melanocytes. Importantly, melanocortins reduce the generation of hydrogen peroxide and enhance repair of DNA photoproducts, independently of pigmentation. MC1R is a major contributor to the diversity of human pigmentation and a melanoma susceptibility gene. Certain allelic variants of this gene, namely R151C, R160W and D294H, are strongly associated with red hair phenotype and increased melanoma susceptibility. Natural expression of two of these variants sensitizes melanocytes to the cytotoxic effect of UV, and increases the burden of DNA damage and oxidative stress. We are designing potent melanocortin analogs that mimic the effects of α‐MSH as a strategy to prevent skin cancer, particularly in individuals who express MC1R genotypes that reduce but do not abolish MC1R function, or mutations in other melanoma susceptibility genes, such as p16.
Simulation of Daily Variation of Suspended Particulate Matter over Delhi: Relative Roles of Vehicular Emission, Dust, and Domestic Appliances
Authors: Goswami P. , Baruah J. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The massive growth in the size and the population of cities over the past few decades has led to serious deterioration in the quality of air. One of the important constituents of airborne pollutants, which is a major health hazard, is suspended particulate matter (SPM). SPM is also an important source of cloud condensation nuclei; accurate simulations of SPM with sufficiently long lead thus have many applications, from issuing health advisories to forecasting fog. One of the biggest challenges in modeling air pollution in general and SPM in particular is to identify and mathematically represent the (location specific) sources and sinks. In this study the authors present a dynamical model for daily values of SPM over Delhi, India. The meteorological parameters are taken from the daily values from NCEP reanalysis. The validation is carried out against observations generated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India for the period 2000–05. Error statistics show that the model can capture a significant part of the observed variability of SPM. An evaluation of the relative contributions of various sources show that while vehicular pollution accounts for a large fraction of the SPM throughout the year, steep increases in the winter and the premonsoon periods are accounted for by fossil fuel burning and wind blown dust, respectively. Simulation with a doubling scenario for traffic congestion shows the effect to have strong seasonality. Such a model can be also interfaced with a seasonal forecast model or a climate model for enhanced scope of seasonal forecasts or for an investigation of the impact of SPM on regional climate change.
Social Influence by Artefacts
Authors: Bauer Martin W. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA review of the paradigms of social influence – suggestion, imitation, normalization, conformity, compliance, conversion – leads me to diagnose a triple malaise: the shrinkage of paradigms to cognitive dual-processing theories of information; the dominant methodology of laboratory experiments falls short of the reality of (mass) communication; and the focus of social influence on inter-subjectivity is only half of the story. I will suggest two extensions of social influence theory to include mass media communication and the inter-objectivity of artefacts. We need to be able to conceptualize the modalities of why, how and to what effect somebody might put up a wall to influence neighbours instead of contenting themselves with putting up a public note ‘Do not trespass!’. Social influence by fait accompli needs to be within the remit of social psychology, otherwise it loses its relevance in a technological society where artefacts mediate most inter-personal relations.
Henry Duméry, Imagination et religion. Éléments de judaïsme, éléments de christianisme, Paris: Les Belles Lettres, 2006, 468pp
Authors: Emery Maria 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis is a review of H. Duméry's volume Imagination et religion. Éléments de judaïsme, éléments de christianisme. The author studies biblical religion and the origins of the Christian religion, classifying and recording the imaginative element that feeds the narratives of piety: hence the rehabilitation of the myths that frame the functioning of religious representations. The author suggests that the imagination, in its deepest resources, forges the human social, has the power to invent all social roles, and causes the emergence of attitudes of devotion or renunciation which are a human prerogative.
Ceramide induces p38 MAPK and JNK activation through a mechanism involving a thioredoxin-interacting protein-mediated pathway
Authors: Chen Chia-Ling , Lin Chiou-Feng , Chang Wen-Tsan , Huang Wei-Ching , Teng Chiao-Fang , Lin Yee-Shin 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Ceramide, a tumor-suppressor lipid, is generated by sphingomyelin hydrolysis or by de novo synthesis when cells are activated by various stress stimuli as well as when cancer cells are subjected to genotoxic chemotherapy. Ceramide may modulate apoptotic signaling pathways; however, its transcription-dependent effects remain unclear. Our data showed that actinomycin D partially inhibited ceramide-induced apoptosis. Using microarray analysis, we found that ceramide up-regulated a tumor suppressor gene called thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip). Similarly, the chemotherapeutic agent etoposide induced Txnip expression en route to apoptosis, which was blocked by inhibitors of ceramide production. Txnip colocalized with thioredoxin and reduced its activity, which caused dissociation of thioredoxin from apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1). Cells expressing ASK1 siRNA were more resistant to ceramide-induced apoptosis. Ceramide caused ASK1-regulated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and JNK activation, as well as activation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress cascade, and pharmacologic or siRNA-mediated inhibition of p38 MAPK or JNK partially reduced ceramide-induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, ceramide-induced ASK1, p38, and JNK phosphorylation and cell apoptosis were inhibited by Txnip siRNA transfection. Taken together, we show that ceramide exhibits a mechanism of transcriptional regulation involving up-regulation of Txnip expression, also induced by etoposide, which results in ASK1 activation, ER stress, and p38 and JNK phosphorylation, all leading to apoptosis.
SNP@Promoter: a database of human SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) within the putative promoter regions
Authors: Kim Byoung-Chul , Kim Woo-Yeon , Park Daeui , Chung Won-Hyong , Shin Kwang-sik , Bhak Jong 
Published: February 2008

Abstract

Background
Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is becoming a key research in genomics fields. Many functional analyses of SNPs have been carried out for coding regions and splicing sites that can alter proteins and mRNA splicing. However, SNPs in non-coding regulatory regions can also influence important biological regulation. Presently, there are few databases for SNPs in non-coding regulatory regions.

Description
We identified 488,452 human SNPs in the putative promoter regions that extended from the +5000 bp to -500 bp region of the transcription start sites. Some SNPs occurring in transcription factor (TF) binding sites were also predicted (47,832 SNP; 9.8%). The result is stored in a database: SNP@promoter. Users can search the SNP@Promoter database using three entries: 1) by SNP identifier (rs number from dbSNP), 2) by gene (gene name, gene symbol, refSeq ID), and 3) by disease term. The SNP@Promoter database provides extensive genetic information and graphical views of queried terms.

Conclusion
We present the SNP@Promoter database. It was created in order to predict functional SNPs in putative promoter regions and predicted transcription factor binding sites. SNP@Promoter will help researchers to identify functional SNPs in non-coding regions.
The unique probe selector: a comprehensive web service for probe design and oligonucleotide arrays
Authors: Chen Shu-Hwa , Lo Chen-Zen , Tsai Ming-Chi , Hsiung Chao A , Lin Chung-Yen 
Published: February 2008

Abstract

Background
Nucleic acid hybridization, a fundamental technique in molecular biology, can be modified into very effective and sensitive methods for detecting particular targets mixed with millions of non-target sequences. Therefore, avoiding cross-hybridization is the most crucial issue for developing diagnostic methods based on hybridization.

Results
To develop a probe with a high discriminating power, this study constructed a web service, the Unique Probe Selector (UPS), for customized probe design. The UPS service integrates a probe design mechanism and a scoring system for evaluating the performance of probe annealing and the uniqueness of a probe in a user-defined genetic background. Starting from an intuitive web interface, the UPS accepts a query with single or multiple sequences in fasta format. The best probe(s) for each sequence can be downloaded from result pages in a fasta or .csv format with a summary of probe characteristics. The option "
Unique probe within group
" selects the most unique probe for each target sequence with low probability to hybridize to the other sequences in the same submitted query. The option "
Unique probe in the specific organism
" devises probes for each submitted sequence to identify its target among selected genetic backgrounds based on Unigene.

Conclusion
The UPS evaluates probe-to-target hybridization under a user-defined condition in silico to ensure high-performance hybridization and minimizes the possibility of non-specific reactions. UPS has been applied to design human arrays for gene expression studies and to develop several small arrays of gene families that were inferred as molecular signatures of cancer typing/staging or pathogen signatures. Notably, UPS is freely accessible at http://array.iis.sinica.edu.tw/ups/.
Chronic prehepatic portal hypertension in the rat: is it a type of Metabolic Inflammatory Syndrome?
Authors: Sánchez-Patán Fernando , Anchuelo Raquel , Aller Maria-Angeles , Vara Elena , García Cruz , Nava Maria-Paz , Arias Jaime 
Published: February 2008

Abstract

Background
A progressive development of hepatic steatosis with an increase in the lipid hepatocyte content and the formation of megamitochondria have been demonstrated in rats with prehepatic portal hypertension. The aim of this study is to verify the existence of liver and serum lipid metabolism impairments in rats with long-term (2 years) portal hypertension.

Methods
Male Wistar rats: Control (n = 10) and with prehepatic portal hypertension by triple partial portal vein ligation (n = 9) were used. Liver content of Triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL) and cholesterol and serum cholesterol, lipoproteins (HDL and LDL), TG, glucose and Lipid Binding Protein (LBP) were assayed with specific colorimetric commercial kits. Serum levels of insulin and somatostatin were assayed by RIA.

Results
The liver content of TG (6.30 ± 1.95 vs. 4.17 ± 0.59 μg/ml; p < 0.01) and cholesterol (1.48 ± 0.15 vs. 1.10 ± 0.13 μg/ml; p < 0.001) increased in rats with portal hypertension. The serum levels of cholesterol (97.00+26.02 vs. 114.78 ± 37.72 mg/dl), TG (153.41 ± 80.39 vs. 324.39 ± 134.9 mg/dl; p < 0.01), HDL (20.45 ± 5.14 vs. 55.15 ± 17.47 mg/dl; p < 0.001) and somatostatin (1.32 ± 0.31 vs. 1.59 +0.37 mg/dl) decreased, whereas LDL (37.83 ± 15.39 vs. 16.77 ± 6.81 mg/dl; p < 0.001) and LBP (308.47 ± 194.53 vs. 60.27 ± 42.96 ng/ml; p < 0.001) increased.

Conclusion
Portal hypertension in the rat presents changes in the lipid and carbohydrate metabolisms similar to those produced in chronic inflammatory conditions and sepsis in humans. These underlying alterations could be involved in the development of hepatic steatosis and, therefore, in those described in the metabolic syndrome in humans.
Impact of Yield Stress and Fracture-Face Damage on Production Using a Three-Phase, 2D Model
Authors: Barati R. , Hutchins R. D. , Friedel T. , Ayoub J. A. , Dessinges M. , England K. W. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The fracture propagation process using polymer-based fracturing fluids is commonly applied to increase the productivity of producing wells, especially in tight gas formations. During the fracturing operation a layer of concentrated polymer (filter cake) forms on the fracture faces, which limits the loss of fluid to the formation. However, during the production phase, the partially broken filter cake and remaining residues damage the fracture conductivity. The fracture cleanup process is complex and may suffer from the presence of a yield stress, non-Newtonian fluid in place, non-Darcy flow effects in both the fracture and matrix, crushed proppant, embedded proppant and formation spalling as well as both mechanical and hydraulic damage to the matrix near the fracture face. A previously published fast and robust single well model was applied to study the important parameters involved during the fracture cleanup process. This 3-phase, 2-D model is capable of modeling multiple parameters separately. However, the simulator code which was employed did not address the modeling of non-Darcy flow or the rock stress effects on permeability, but focused on the yield stress effects of the fracturing fluid. The simulator proved very useful for assessing the significance of reservoir capillary pressure, fracturing fluid viscosity and yield stress, formation damage, and fracture conductivity on low permeability gas reservoir production with permeabilities from 0.005 to 5 mD. These trends may not carry over to nanodarcy reservoirs, such as the gas shales. The three phases included gas, water and fracturing fluid.
Oil Rock Interaction: Impact on Optimum Drawdown
Authors: Harouaka A. , Arshad A. , Ahmed S. J. , Al-Majed A. A. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Oil rock interaction may lead some wells to a sharp decline in productivity which is not associated with a major drop in reservoir pressure or increase in water cut. Also excessive drawdown is known to cause productivity decline and potentially causes permanent damage to the wells through one or all of the following: Fine migration, asphaltene deposition and/or emulsion formation around the wellbore.
Flooding tests were performed under reservoir conditions of pressure and temperature using filtered reservoir crude oil and synthetic brine generated from a geochemical analysis representative of the reservoir brine.
A major finding of the experimental displacement tests showed that monitoring of pressure gradient across the cores at various flow rates and water cuts have indicated a marked rock fluid interaction rendering Darcy's law inapplicable. Emulsion formation has been monitored through visual observation first using a sight glass ahead of the backpressure regulator followed by observation under ambient conditions.
The nature and distribution of fines inside the cores as well as hydrocarbons deposition were evaluated through post-flood examination of the cores under the microscope as well as by SEM and thin section techniques, and comparison with pre-flood conditions.
The main objective of this paper is to describe the adopted approach, utilizing field data and laboratory experiments to quantify the impact of rock fluid interaction on optimum drawdown.