bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High score on the Relative Stress Scale, a marker of possible psychiatric disorder in family carers of patients with dementia
Authors: Ulstein Ingun , Wyller Torgeir Bruun , Engedal Knut 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the scores on the Relative Stress Scale (RSS) with those on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and to establish a cut‐off score for RSS in order to distinguish carers with symptoms of psychiatric disorders from those without.MethodsOne hundred and ninety‐four carers of 194 patients suffering from dementia according to ICD‐10 were included in the study. Burden of care was assessed by the 15‐items RSS, and psychiatric symptoms by means of the GHQ‐30 and the 30‐items GDS. A case score above 5 on GHQ and above 13 on GDS were used to define carers with probable psychiatric morbidity. Sensitivity (SS), specificity (SP), accuracy and likelihood ratio for a positive test (LR+) were calculated for different cut‐points of the RSS.ResultsFifty‐six percent of the carers had a GHQ score above 5, and 22% had a GDS score above 13. A two‐step cluster analysis using 192 of the 194 carers, identified three groups of carers; a low risk group for psychiatric morbidity (LRG), 82 carers with GHQ ≤ 5 and GDS ≤ 13; a medium risk group (MRG), 69 carers with GHQ > 5 and GDS ≤ 13; and a high‐risk group (HRG), 40 carers with GHQ > 5 and GDS > 13. The optimal RSS cut‐off to distinguish between the LRG and the others was > 23 (SS 0.72, SP 0.82, accuracy 0.76, LR + 4.0), whereas the optimal cut‐off to separate the HRG from the others was >30 (SS 0.74, SP 0.87, accuracy 0.84, LR + 5.7).ConclusionThe RSS is a useful instrument to stratify carers according to their risk of psychiatric morbidity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Different structural components of conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma display mostly identical BRAF status
Authors: Abrosimov Alexander , Saenko Vladimir , Rogounovitch Tatiana , Namba Hiroyuki , Lushnikov Evgeny , Mitsutake Norisato , Yamashita Shunichi 
Published: October 2006

AbstractActivating BRAFT1799A mutation is closely associated with a papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) histotype. The transversion is frequently detected in the conventional type, Warthin‐like and tall cell variants, but is rare in the follicular variant of PTC. Conventional PTC is often presented with tumors of mixed architecture, which besides the papillary structures also contain areas with follicular and solid morphology in which the details of BRAF mutational status are unknown. We set out to differentially investigate the presence of mutated BRAF in the individual structural components microdissected from 44 formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded PTC tissues from 40 patients. The mutation was detected in at least 1 structural component in 23 tumors (52%). Different structural components of the same tumor had identical BRAF status in 41/44 tumors (93%). In 3 tumors the BRAFT1799A mutation was found only in the papillary, but not in the follicular component. Mutational patterns identical to those in the primary tumors were found in 11/12 lymph node metastases (92%, including both BRAFT1799A‐positive and ‐negative cases). The high concordance of the BRAF mutational status in structurally distinct areas suggests a rather homogeneous distribution of neoplastic epithelial cells in a conventional PTC tumor in most cases. These results imply the reliability of preoperative molecular diagnosis of PTC regardless of the type of tumor component at the site of biopsy sampling and suggest that the majority of patients with BRAF mutation‐positive PTC may benefit from the targeted pharmacotherapy. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hemodynamic and calorimetric changes induced by microcystin‐lr in the rat
Authors: Leclaire Ross D. , Parker Gerald W. , Franz David R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMicrocystin‐LR, a cyclic peptide from the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, given at acutely toxic doses causes severe hepatic interstitial hemorrhage. Hemodynamic, calorimetric and acid–base balance changes after i.v. microcystin were measured. The effect of isoproterenol, dopamine, methylprednisolone and whole‐blood volume expansion on the immediate hemodynamic effects after toxin administration were also evaluated. A dose of 100 μg kg−1 was invariably lethal for rats in all studies. Pathophysiological changes included: a sustained, rapid decline in cardiac output and stroke volume; an acute hypotension responsive to volume expansion with whole blood; a decreased heart rate, responsive to both isoproterenol and dopamine; an early decline in oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production and metabolic rate accompanied by progressive hypothermia; and acid–base balance changes indicating partially compensated metabolic acidosis. The lethal effects of microcystin‐LR were previously attributed to hypovolemic shock as a result of hepatic interstitial hemorrhage. These results indicate that, in addition, there may be a cardiogenic component that limits the physiological cardiac reserve, compromising a normal response to circulatory inadequacy.
Mechanism of testicular atrophy induced by di‐n‐butyl phthalate in rats. Part 5. Testicular iron depletion and levels of ferritin, haemoglobin and transferrin in the bone marrow, liver and spleen
Authors: Fukuoka Masamichi , Kobayashi Tetsu , Hayakawa Takao 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis study reports changes in levels of ferritin, haemoglobin and transferrin in the bone marrow, liver and spleen as an attempt to determine the causes of testicular iron depletion. A single oral dose of di‐n‐butyl phthalate (DBP) to male rats caused a sloughing of the germ cells (at 6 h) prior to testicular atrophy. Before the sloughing it was observed that DBP induced decreases both in the iron levels in the blood, bone marrow and testis and in haemoglobin (Hb) levels in the blood, bone marrow and spleen. Decrease in transferrin (Tf) levels was observed in the liver. Significant increases in ferritin and haemosiderin (Hs) levels were observed in the spleen and in the liver and spleen, respectively.In vitro studies where mono‐n‐butyl phthalate (MBP) was incubated with liver homogenates, MBP caused both the decreases in Hb and Tf‐bound iron levels and increases in Hs and Hs–iron levels.The present study proposes that the mechanism of testicular atrophy by DBP might be associated with both the iron release from Hb and/or Tf in the liver and spleen and the subsequent depletion of iron in the blood and testes.
Effect of metformin on glutathione and magnesium in normal and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Ewis Soliman A. , Abdel‐Rahman Mohamed S. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractRecently there has been growing interest in magnesium deficiency and its correlation with coronary artery disease, chronic complications of diabetes mellitus and antioxidant enzyme activity. Hypomagnesemia is a common association of diabetes mellitus, and the blood glutathione (GSH) level is significantly lower in both conditions. Metformin (Met), ‘an oral antihyperglycemic drug’ frequently used in the management of diabetes mellitus outside the USA, has been shown to have an insulin‐like action. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of oral administration of Met (60 mg kg−1) for 14 days on GSH and magnesium levels in blood, liver and heart of normal and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by an i.p. injection of streptozotocin (60 mg kg−1). Our results showed that Met did not affect fasting serum glucose concentration in non‐diabetic animals but reduced it significantly in diabetic animals. Serum and liver magnesium levels were significantly decreased in the untreated diabetic group compared with the normal group. Treatment with Met improved liver magnesium concentration in the diabetic group only. It has no effect on serum magnesium in diabetic or non‐diabetic rats. Heart magnesium levels showed non‐significant changes in all groups. In diabetic animals a significant decrease of GSH in both blood and liver was observed. Treatment with Met increased these levels significantly, with a similar effect on GSH levels in non‐diabetic rats. There were no significant changes in heart GSH levels in any of the groups. This study demonstrates that oral Met therapy improves the altered levels of magnesium and GSH in diabetic rats.
Dynamics and patterns of skills within small and medium‐sized enterprises
Authors: McLarty Roy , Dousios Dimitrios 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

The critical role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in impacting upon strategic activities in every modern society, has been observed and extensively researched in the literature of social and management sciences.
The dynamic business environment, in which SMEs unfold their activities, has been influenced by the forces of change and consequently many small businesses, in an attempt to preserve and protect their market position, have turned their attention to human capital as an indispensable organizational competence.
Within this context, the necessity of examining and explaining previously neglected areas of academic inquiry, like the importance of skills acquisition, arises.
The purpose of this paper is to present research principally related to the SME skills environment. The work explores new findings, providing analytical and practical tools applicable to managers within that domain and gives rise to prescriptions for SME development.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic profiling of murine oocyte maturation
Authors: Vitale Alejandra M. , Calvert Meredith E. Kennedy , Mallavarapu Mallika , Yurttas Piraye , Perlin Julie , Herr John , Coonrod Scott 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn an effort to better understand oocyte function, we utilized two‐dimensional (2D) electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to identify proteins that are differentially expressed during murine oocyte maturation. Proteins from 500 germinal vesicle (GV) and metaphase II‐(MII) arrested oocytes were extracted, resolved on 2D electrophoretic gels, and stained with silver. Analysis of the gels indicated that 12 proteins appeared to be differentially expressed between the GV and MII stage. These proteins were then cored from the 2D gels and identified by mass spectrometry as: transforming acidic coiled‐coil protein 3 (TACC3), heat shock protein 105 (HSP105), programmed cell death six‐interacting protein (PDCD6IP), stress‐inducible phosphoprotein (STI1), importin α2, adenylsuccinate synthase (ADDS), nudix, spindlin, lipocalin, lysozyme, translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP), and nucleoplasmin 2 (NPM2). Interestingly, PDCD6IP, importin α2, spindlin, and NPM2 appear slightly larger in mass and more acidic on the MII oocyte gel compared to the GV oocyte gel, suggesting that they may be post‐translationally modified during oocyte maturation. Given NPM2 is an oocyte‐restricted protein, we chose to further investigate its properties during oocyte maturation and preimplantation development. Real‐Time RT‐PCR showed that NPM2 mRNA levels rapidly decline at fertilization. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis showed that, with the exception of cortical localization in MII‐arrested oocytes, NPM2 is localized to the nucleus of both GV stage oocytes and all stages of preimplantation embryos. We then performed one‐dimensional (1D) western blot analysis of mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos and found that, as implicated by the 2D gel comparison, NPM2 undergoes a phosphatase‐sensitive electrophoretic mobility shift during the GV to MII transition. The slower migrating NPM2 form is also present in pronuclear embryos but by the two‐cell stage, the majority of NPM2 exists as the faster migrating form, which persists to the blastocyst stage. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 608–616, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulating p73 isoforms in human tumours
Authors: Coates PJ 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAlthough mutations in the TP73 gene are extremely rare in human tumours, altered expression is common. In some tumours, most notably leukaemias and lymphomas, expression of TP73 is reduced, suggesting a tumour suppressor role. In contrast, TP73 is over‐expressed in many other tumour types, implying that it has oncogenic functions in human tumourigenesis. These conflicting scenarios can be reconciled by the observations that the TP73 gene produces p53‐like isoforms (TAp73) and anti‐p53 isoforms (ΔTAp73). Thus, loss of TAp73 or over‐expression of ΔTAp73 should each promote oncogenic transformation, and the balance of expression of the opposing isoforms is the crucial factor. The mechanisms that regulate expression of TP73 isoforms are therefore of great interest. Recent data provide evidence for interacting roles of ZEB1, p300, and a polymorphic 73 bp deletion in intron 1 of the human TP73 gene in this process. Importantly, alterations to the proposed regulatory pathway for controlling TP73 isoform expression in colorectal cancer are associated with adverse clinico‐pathological characteristics. Because p73 is also associated with tumour chemosensitivity, these new findings should provide prognostic information and have the potential to guide future therapeutic decisions. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening for prostate cancer at low PSA range: The impact of digital rectal examination on tumor incidence and tumor characteristics
Authors: Gosselaar Claartje , Roobol Monique J. , Roemeling Stijn , van der Kwast Theo H. , Schröder Fritz H. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractOBJECTIVESTo compare tumor characteristics of screen‐detected prostate cancers (PCs) either by digital rectal examination (DRE) or by prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) as biopsy indication at low PSA.METHODSTwo populations with PSA between 2.0 and 3.9 ng/ml were studied. Group‐1 was biopsied if DRE was suspicious (1st screening round, N = 1877). In group‐2 all men were offered biopsy, regardless of DRE result (side‐study in 2nd screening‐round, N = 801). We compared cancer detection rates (CDRs) and tumor characteristics.RESULTSIn group‐1 abnormal DRE prompted biopsy in 253 (13.5%) men (236 (93.3%) actually biopsied). Forty‐nine PCs were detected, CDR 49/1877 = 2.6%. In group‐2 we found 120 cancers in 666 (83.1%) men actually biopsied, CDR = 120/801 = 15.0%. Of all cancers detected, organ confinement (clinical T2) was found in 77.5% (group‐1) and 96.6% (group‐2; of which 99 T1c). Of all PCs 46.9% in group‐1 and 15.0% in group‐2 had biopsy Gleason score (GS) ≥ 7. In the latter, 15.2% of T1cs were classified GS ≥ 7. Considering only PCs with organ confinement or GS ≥ 7 for each group, CDRs amounted to 2.0% versus 14.5% and 1.2% versus 2.3% for group‐1 and group‐2, respectively.CONCLUSIONSPSA‐based screening detected a considerable amount (15.2%) of potentially aggressive tumors as T1cs, but in addition large numbers of possibly insignificant cancers (T1c, GS = 6) were diagnosed. DRE seemed to detect more selectively high‐grade cancers, but also missed many of these. Considering both populations and the need to detect aggressive but confined cancers, PSA as biopsy indication outperformed DRE at the price of more biopsies (13.5% vs. 100% if all would comply). Prostate © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improved electromigration failure in Al based interconnects
Authors: Kim Yong Tae , Kim Seong‐Il 
Published: October 2006

AbstractElectromigration (EM) failure in Al interconnects is significantly improved by inserting a WN film between Al and the interlayer dielectric: over 90% of test samples failed with the Al/TiN/Ti interconnects, whereas the failure rate of the Al film on WN is reduced to less than 13% under the stress con‐ ditions of 9 MA/cm2 and 225 °C, and the EM lifetime is also much extended at the same conditions. Experimental results suggest that higher activation energy, no hillocks and compressive stress are responsible for the improved electromigration performance in the Al/WN interconnect. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Description of response and charge‐state distribution of poly(ether glycol)s in electrospray
Authors: Kéki Sándor 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe responses and charge‐state distributions of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) (Mn = 400–1000 g/mol) at constant electrolyte concentrations (NaCl, 10−3 mol/L) in electrospray were studied as a function of the analyte concentration in the concentration range of 10−2 to 10−7 mol/L. Single charging occurred in the case of PEG and PPG with Mn = 400 g/mol. It was observed that the response changed nearly linearly with the concentration of the polymer in the low concentration region but above a certain concentration the response leveled off. Saturation of the response at higher concentrations of PEG and PPG of Mn = 1000 g/mol, where double and triple charging occurred, was also observed. Based on the equilibrium partitioning theory a model was developed to account for the response curves and charge‐state distributions of singly, doubly and triply charged adduct ions generated from solutions of PEG and PPG. The experimental and the theoretical response curves and charge‐state distributions calculated with the model are in fairly good agreement. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simple and sensitive assay for the quantitative analysis of rivastigmine and its metabolite NAP 226‐90 in human EDTA plasma using coupled liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Frankfort Suzanne V. , Ouwehand Mariët , van Maanen Maria J. , Rosing Hilde , Tulner Linda R. , Beijnen Jos H. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA sensitive and specific high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) assay for the determination of rivastigmine and its major metabolite NAP 226‐90 is presented. A 100 µL plasma aliquot was spiked with a structural analogue of rivastigmine as internal standard (PKF214‐976‐AE‐1) and proteins were precipitated by adding 200 µL of methanol. After centrifugation a volume of 100 µL of the clear supernatant was mixed with 100 µL of methanol/water (30:70, v/v) and volumes of 25 µL were injected onto the HPLC system. Separation was acquired on a 150 × 2.0 mm i.d. Gemini C18 column using a gradient system with 10 mM ammonium hydroxide and methanol. Detection was performed by using a turboionspray interface and positive ion multiple reaction monitoring by tandem mass spectrometry. The assay quantifies rivastigmine from 0.25 to 50 ng/mL and its metabolite NAP 226‐90 from 0.50 to 25 ng/mL, using human plasma samples of 100 µL. Validation results demonstrate that rivastigmine and metabolite concentrations can be accurately and precisely quantified in human EDTA plasma. This assay is now used to support clinical pharmacologic studies with rivastigmine. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study of theoretical depth resolution of GaAs/AlAs reference material with low energy inert‐gas ions by Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Bando Hideaki , Tamura Keiji , Shimizu Ryuichi , Inoue Masahiko 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA Monte Carlo (MC) simulation program written in C++ has been newly developed to describe the dynamic processes of depth profiling with low energy ions. This MC simulation was applied to the depth profiling of GaAs/AlAs reference material for Ne+, Ar+, and Xe+ ions to elucidate the depth resolution attained by surface analytical techniques. The result clearly predicts that there is a considerable difference between the depth resolutions estimated from the leading and trailing edges of Ne+ and Xe+ ions, whereas the difference is quite small for Ar+ ions.Systematic investigation of the dependence of theoretical depth resolution on primary ion energy has revealed that the preferential sputtering primarily caused by the difference in energy transfer to target atoms through elastic collisions between incident ions and target atoms results in the difference between the leading and trailing edges.The inclusion of other factors, e.g. preferential sputtering effect caused by the metallization of Al atoms on the topmost surface, etc. for further improvement of the MC simulation modeling before accommodating quantitative arguments on the depth resolution is strongly recommended. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serotonin 1A receptor coupling to NF‐κB studied using inducible receptor expression in hippocampal neuron‐derived cells
Authors: Sobocki Tomasz , Ray Indrani , Cano‐Sanchez Patricia , Banerjee Probal , Azmitia Efrain C. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe mechanism of serotonin 1A receptor (5‐HT1A‐R) mediated activation of NF‐κB has been studied in non‐neural cells, but this pathway has not been elucidated in neuronal cells. We have used inducible expression of the 5‐HT1A‐R in the hippocampal neuron‐derived HN2 cells to analyze the coupling of this receptor to NF‐κB. A construct harboring luciferase cDNA driven by a minimal promoter under the control of an NF‐κB‐specific enhancer element was transfected into these 5‐HT1A‐R‐expressing HN2 cells. Using luciferase expression in the transfected cells, we have studied 5‐HT1A‐R agonist evoked activation of NF‐κB. Inhibition of either mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway with PD98059 or protein kinase C (PKC) with GFX caused elevation of the basal level of NF‐κB activity but did not affect 5‐HT1A‐R mediated activation of NF‐κB. Furthermore, neither the basal level of NF‐κB nor its activation by a 5‐HT1A‐R agonist was altered by dibutyrylcAMP. Thus, the MAPK pathway and PKC cause inhibition of the basal NF‐κB activity and the 5‐HT1A‐R‐linked NF‐κB activation does not require MAPK, PKC, and cAMP. Intriguingly, Western blot analysis showed that 5‐HT1A‐R mediates activation of both CaMKII and PI‐3K. This 5‐HT1A‐R‐evoked the stimulation of CaMKII was reversed in the presence of a PI‐3K inhibitor. Therefore, the likely mechanism of 5‐HT1A‐R mediated induction of NF‐κB in neuronal cells involves activation of PI‐3K upstream of CaMKII. This reveals a novel pathway that could be crucial in the functional activity of brain neurons.
Microbiological quantitative analysis of streptomycin
Authors: Guay Roger , Janvier Richard 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe streptomycin‐dependent growth characteristic of an Escherichia coli strain was used to develop a specific and quantitative detection method for streptomycin in liquid medium. In order to overcome the interference of other antimicrobial agents which may be present in the samples to be analyzed, streptomycindependent E. coli ATCC 15745 was transformed by non‐conjugative plasmid vector pBR328 encoding for ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline resistance The parental E. coli strain retained its initial high level resistance to sulfonamides. We observed a very good correlation between E. coli/pBR328 growth, expressed as an increase in absorbance at 660 nm as a function of time, and (dihydro) streptomycin concentrations ranging from 0 to 5.0 μg per mL. The growth dependency of the test organism on streptomycin was also maintained when ampicillin (100 μg/mL), chloramphenicol (30 μg/mL), sulfisoxazole (100 m/mL), and tetracycline (30 μg/mL) were added in combination with the aminoglycoside antibiotic. This dependency was also evaluated by the determination of beta‐lactamase activity (encoded by pBR328) used as a growth marker enzyme after a 20 h incubation period of the test organism with a combination of (dihydro) streptomycin and non‐aminoglycosidic antibiotics.