bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fine temporal analysis of DHT transcriptional modulation of the ATM/Gadd45g signaling pathways in the mouse uterus
Authors: Ivanga Mahinè , Labrie Yvan , Calvo Ezequiel , Belleau Pascal , Martel Céline , Pelletier Georges , Morissette Jean , Labrie Fernand , Durocher Francine 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn rodents, the uterus of a mature female undergoes changes during the uterine cycle, under the control of steroid hormones. 5α‐Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is recognized to play an important role in the regulation of androgen action in normal endometrium. Using microarray technology, a screening analysis of genes responding to DHT in the uterus of ovariectomized mice, has allowed us to highlight multiple genes of the ATM/Gadd45g pathway that are modulated following exposure to DHT. Two phases of regulation were identified. In the early phase, the expression of genes involved in the G2/M arrest is rapidly increased, followed by the repression of genes of the G1/S checkpoint, and by the induction of transcriptional regulators. Later, i.e. from 12 to 24 hr, genes involved in G2/M transition, cytoarchitectural and lipid‐related genes are stimulated by DHT while immunity‐related genes appear to be differentially regulated by the hormone. These results show that a physiological dose of DHT induces the transcription of genes promoting the cell cycle progression in mice. Profile determination of temporal uterine gene expression at the transcriptional level enables us to suggest that the DHT modulation of genes involved in ATM/Gadd45g signaling in an ATM‐ or p53‐independent manner, could play an important role in the cyclical changes of uterine cells in the mouse uterus. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 278–288, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of complement‐3 protein expression in human and mouse oviducts
Authors: Lee Yin‐Lau , Cheong Ana W.Y. , Chow Wang‐Ngai , Lee Kai‐Fai , Yeung William S.B. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe human oviduct derived embryotrophic factor‐3 (ETF‐3) contains complement protein‐3 (C3) and its derivates. Although C3 is not embryotrophic, it is converted into the embryotrophic derivative, iC3b in the presence of embryos and oviductal cells. The regulation of C3 production in the oviduct is not known. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of presence of preimplantation embryos and hormones on C3 expression in the oviducts in vitro and in vivo. The expression of C3 in the oviduct of pregnant mice was compared to that of pseudo‐pregnant mice. The hormonal action on C3 expression was studied in the ovariectomized mouse oviducts and human oviductal epithelial (OE) cells. The results showed that the level of C3 mRNA in the mouse oviduct was high on Day 1 and Day 2, but decreased to a minimum on Day 4 of pregnancy, whereas that of pseudo‐pregnancy remained relatively stable within the same period. The protein levels of C3 and iC3b specific fragments, α‐115 and α‐40, respectively in the mouse oviductal luminal fluid were highest on Day 3 of pregnancy, when the embryos were expected to be most sensitive to the embryotrophic activity of ETF‐3. Estrogen elevated C3 expression in the ovariectomized mouse oviduct and the OE cells. Progesterone suppressed estrogen‐induced C3 expression in the mouse oviduct, but had no effect on OE cells. In conclusion, the presence of embryo and steroid hormones regulate the synthesis and secretion of oviductal C3. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 301–308, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simulation of relative temporal resolution of time‐resolved MRA sequences
Authors: Keith L. , Kecskemeti S. , Velikina J. , Mistretta C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTime‐resolved MRA sequences are typically characterized by the display frame rate. However, true temporal resolution should be defined in a manner analogous to spatial resolution; it is not the ability of a sequence to update rapidly but rather the ability to discern changes that occur within a small time that should characterize temporal resolution. For view‐shared methods like Keyhole and time‐resolved imaging of contrast kinetics (TRICKS), regions of k‐space from multiple time frames are combined to form a single reconstructed time frame. This often causes the time needed to acquire all k‐space data points to be significantly longer than the displayed frame time, resulting in a poor frequency response. Simulated here are the temporal impulse response and temporal frequency response (TFR) curves of three time‐resolved MRA methods, including the recently introduced highly‐constrained backprojection local reconstruction (HYPR LR) method. It is found that the HYPR LR reconstruction method exhibits a better TFR for a larger spectrum of temporal and spatial frequencies than the Keyhole and TRICKS methods. Magn Reson Med 60:398–404, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A statistical approach to SENSE regularization with arbitraryk‐space trajectories
Authors: Ying Leslie , Liu Bo , Steckner Michael C. , Wu Gaohong , Wu Min , Li Shi‐Jiang 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSENSE reconstruction suffers from an ill‐conditioning problem, which increasingly lowers the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) as the reduction factor increases. Ill‐conditioning also degrades the convergence behavior of iterative conjugate gradient reconstructions for arbitrary trajectories. Regularization techniques are often used to alleviate the ill‐conditioning problem. Based on maximum a posteriori statistical estimation with a Huber Markov random field prior, this study presents a new method for adaptive regularization using the image and noise statistics. The adaptive Huber regularization addresses the blurry edges in Tikhonov regularization and the blocky effects in total variation (TV) regularization. Phantom and in vivo experiments demonstrate improved image quality and convergence speed over both the unregularized conjugate gradient method and Tikhonov regularization method, at no increase in total computation time. Magn Reson Med 60:414–421, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electrophysiologic findings and grip strength after nerve injuries in the rat forelimb
Authors: Wang Huan , Sorenson Eric J. , Spinner Robert J. , Windebank Anthony J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe developed electrophysiologic methods for testing the three major forelimb nerves as a tool to evaluate motor and sensory recovery in rats. Median, ulnar, or radial nerves were transected and repaired in Sprague–Dawley rats. Compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were recorded preoperatively and at various postoperative intervals. Correlation between grip strength and CMAPs was investigated. Reliable CMAPs were recorded for all three nerves. Median‐ or ulnar‐nerve–derived SSEPs were reliably recorded; radial SSEPs could not be recorded. CMAPs followed typical regeneration patterns after nerve repair. SSEPs showed a consistent peak latency but fluctuating amplitude. Grip strength and median CMAP amplitude correlated positively. We conclude that it is possible to conduct minimally invasive electrophysiologic testing in rat forelimbs. The CMAP is a valid parameter that shows the typical time course of nerve regeneration and reinnervation. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Acute effects of high‐dose methylprednisolone on diaphragm muscle function
Authors: Sassoon Catherine S. H. , Zhu Ercheng , Pham H. Tony , Nelson Renee S. , Fang Liwei , Baker Michael J. , Caiozzo Vincent J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe time‐ and dose‐dependent effects of acute high‐dose corticosteroids on the diaphragm muscle are poorly defined. This study aimed to examine in rabbits the temporal relationships and dose–response effects of acute high‐dose methylprednisolone succinate on diaphragmatic contractile and structural properties. Animals were assigned to groups receiving: (1) 80 mg/kg/day methylprednisolone (MP80) intramuscularly for 1, 2, and 3 days; (2) 10 mg/kg/day methylprednisolone (MP10, pulse‐dose) for 3 days; or (3) saline (placebo) for 3 days; and (4) a control group. Diaphragmatic in vitro force–frequency and force–velocity relationships, myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform protein and mRNA, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), muscle atrophy F‐box (MAF‐box) mRNA, and volume density of abnormal myofibrils were measured at each time‐point. MP80 did not affect animal nutritional state or fiber cross‐sectional area as assessed in separate pair‐fed groups receiving methylprednisolone or saline for 3 days. Compared with control values, MP80 decreased diaphragmatic maximum tetanic tension (Po) by 19%, 24%, and 34% after 1, 2, and 3 days (P < 0.05), respectively, whereas MP10 decreased Po modestly (12%; P > 0.05). Vmax and MyHC protein proportions were unchanged in both the MP80 and MP10 groups. Maximum power output decreased after 2 and 3 days of MP80. Suppression of IGF‐1 and overexpression of MAF‐box mRNA occurred in both MP groups. Significant myofibrillar disarray was also observed in both MP groups. The decline in Po was significantly associated with the increased volume density of abnormal myofibrils. Thus, very high‐dose methylprednisolone (MP80) can produce rapid reductions in diaphragmatic function, whereas pulse‐dose methylprednisolone (MP10) produces only modest functional loss. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Estrogen administration attenuates bladder outlet obstruction induced oxidative stress in the female rabbit
Authors: Lin Wei‐Yu , Li Suning , Leggett Robert , Strassner Jim , Sokol Rebekah , Schuler Catherine , Juan Yung‐Shun , Javed Zeeshan , Kogan Barry , Levin Robert M. , Mannikarottu Anita 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAimsEstrogen administration to female rabbits induces a functional hypertrophy of the bladder. The aim of this study was to investigate whether supplementation of estrogen in the female rabbit with partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) would affect the severity of bladder dysfunction.MethodsWe surgically created PBOO in female New Zealand White rabbits. Group 1 included sham operated rabbits which served as controls. Group 2 received PBOO without estrogen treatment. Group 3 received estrogen treatment after PBOO. Group 4 received estrogen pretreatment before PBOO. The bladders were then removed for contractile, biochemical, and protein expression studies. There were four rabbits per group.Results(1) PBOO resulted in significant decreases in the contractile responses to all forms of stimulation (field stimulation [FS], carbachol, KCl, ATP). Both pretreatment and post‐treatment with estrogen resulted in significantly increased contractile responses to all forms of stimulation, although the responses were still lower than control. (2) PBOO resulted in a significant decrease in the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Both pretreatment and post‐treatment with estrogen resulted in significant increases in ChAT activity back toward control levels. (3) PBOO resulted in significant increases in both protein oxidation and nitration; both pretreatment and post‐treatment with estrogen significantly reduced oxidation and nitration toward control levels.ConclusionsEstrogen pretreatment and post‐treatment in the female rabbit ameliorated contractile and biochemical dysfunctions associated with PBOO. This improvement is likely due to reduced oxidative stress. As expected, pretreatment was generally more effective than post‐treatment. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:95–100, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of stability and dispersion in a finite element method for Debye and Lorentz dispersive media
Authors: Banks H.T. , Bokil V.A. , Gibson N.L. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe study the stability properties of, and the phase error present in, a finite element scheme for Maxwell's equations coupled with a Debye or Lorentz polarization model. In one dimension we consider a second order formulation for the electric field with an ordinary differential equation for the electric polarization added as an auxiliary constraint. The finite element method uses linear finite elements in space for the electric field as well as the electric polarization, and a theta scheme for the time discretization. Numerical experiments suggest the method is unconditionally stable for both Debye and Lorentz models. We compare the stability and phase error properties of the method presented here with those of finite difference methods that have been analyzed in the literature. We also conduct numerical simulations that verify the stability and dispersion properties of the scheme. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2009
CT imaging of human mummies: a critical review of the literature (1979–2005)
Authors: O'Brien J. J. , Battista J. J. , Romagnoli C. , Chhem R. K. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe number of computerised tomography (CT) investigations of mummies has increased since the first published study in 1979. However, this approach has never been validated. We present a critical analysis of the literature (1979 to 2005). Relevant articles were selected via a MedLine search and analysed according to CT technique, methodology, and author's speciality. Thirty‐one original articles matched our selection criteria. Of these studies, 42% were authored by radiologists, while 26% had no contribution from radiologists. Hypothesis‐driven papers comprised only 9.7% of the total. While 84% of the studies had a stated purpose for conducting the CT study, only 67% of studies defined their CT protocol clearly. CT was used to study mummification techniques in 74% of instances, and/or to detect disease in 58%. Conclusions based on CT analysis were derived in 84% of studies, but only 32% of these answered specific questions. Furthermore, only 36% of these conclusions were related to the stated purpose of the study. Using the criteria of the grading system we developed, we found that 61% of studies were supported only by weak evidence. We conclude that evidence‐based research with better design should be encouraged in future palaeoradiological studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The emergence of civil society organizations in South Africa
Authors: Lehman Howard P. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractOnly in the last 25 years or so have interest groups in Sub‐Sahara Africa become a focus of academic research. This is mainly due to an increasing number of societies becoming more democratic. What earlier research was conducted on interests and interest group activity in the sub‐region, heavily favoured a corporatist perspective; but in recent years the emphasis has been on the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in their relatively more autonomous role from the state. This paper examines the nature of interest group behaviour in Sub‐Sahara Africa and, in greater detail, in South Africa, focusing on the relationship between these groups and the state and society. The major premise presented is that democratization in the region since 1994 has weakened the corporatist hold of the state and has strengthened and expanded civil society.South Africa is used as an example of a developing democracy in which interest group activity has increased as shown by the wide range of CSOs and has produced a unique system combining corporatism and pluralism. Several cases are presented, including the role of traditional authorities, education, women's groups and the interests involved in the HIV/AIDS crisis.Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Histopathological and molecular analysis of gastrectomy specimens from hereditary diffuse gastric cancer patients has implications for endoscopic surveillance of individuals at risk
Authors: Barber ME , Save V , Carneiro F , Dwerryhouse S , Lao‐Sirieix P , Hardwick RH , Caldas C , Fitzgerald RC 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is caused by germline E‐cadherin (CDH1) mutations in 25–40% of tested families. Management options for asymptomatic mutation carriers are fraught, since endoscopic surveillance can miss cancer foci and prophylactic gastrectomy has profound clinical sequelae. The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of current surveillance practices on pre‐operative diagnosis and to characterize the microscopic lesions in gastrectomy specimens to better inform clinical practice. Histological assessment and mapping of endoscopic surveillance and gastrectomy specimens were performed for eight asymptomatic CDH1 mutation carriers. E‐cadherin expression and proliferation were analysed and evidence of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) was sought by immunohistochemistry for vimentin and cytokeratin 8/18. Four of eight patients had lesions detected at endoscopic surveillance. A median of 20.5 (range 0–66) signet ring foci were identified per gastrectomy (including in situ lesions and pagetoid spread). Foci were predominantly identified in the fundus and body (90% endoscopic biopsies and 85% in gastrectomy). The likelihood of detecting foci pre‐operatively was positively correlated with the number of biopsies taken and the number of lesions in the gastrectomy specimen. E‐cadherin expression in gastrectomy specimens was reduced or absent in all of the foci compared with the intervening gastric tissue, suggesting that these lesions are polyclonal. The foci had a low proliferative index (<2%) and there was no evidence for EMT. Multiple endoscopic biopsy sampling of the gastric mucosa increases the yield of microscopic cancer foci. The low proliferative index and lack of EMT suggests that these foci may represent an indolent stage of HDGC. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Superposed flow properties of ceramic powder‐filled polymer melts
Authors: Hausnerova Berenika , Honkova Natalie , Kitano Takeshi , Saha Petr 
Published: July 2008

AbstractComplicated shape products from ceramic composite materials are nowadays intensively processed via flow molding technologies. Rheological properties of these materials are essential for the clarification of the deformation behavior through channels under various conditions. In this article, ceramic powder (zirconia) was mixed (10–50 vol%) with polypropylene, paraffin, and stearic acid in an elastic extruder. Parallel superposed steady and oscillatory shear flows were measured on a cone‐plate rheometer. Flow properties at high shear rates were evaluated on a capillary rheometer. The effects of powder content, shear rate/angular frequency, and temperature were clarified. The studied filled systems showed highly non‐Newtonian behavior and apparent yield stress; their viscoelastic properties were influenced remarkably under the superposed shear flow at low shear rate and angular frequency, and they showed significantly different behavior from unfilled and fiber‐filled systems. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of the grafted silane on the dispersion and orientation of clay in polyethylene nanocomposites
Authors: Qian Zhongzhong , Zhou Hu , Xu Xinfeng , Ding Yanfen , Zhang Shimin , Yang Mingshu 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe CTAB ammonium intercalated montmorillonite clay, CMT, was modified by an alkylsilane, Dodecyltrimethoxylsilane, to improve the miscibility of organoclays with PE matrix, involving the grafting reaction between the silane and silanol groups on the edge of clay. The silane modified clays (DMT) exhibited improved thermal stability due to the replacement of the physically adsorbed ammonium by the covalently bonded silane. The clays were melt compounded with polyethylene. Compared with the composite of PE/CMT, the clay dispersion state was improved, and a unique orientation of the clay layered was observed in PE/DMT nanocomposites, which was confirmed by XRD and TEM studies. The dispersion state, orientation degree of clay and, as a result, the mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites were enhanced with the increasing amount of the grafted silane, indicating that the edge grafting of silane played a crucial role in controlling the structure and properties of nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Serial analyses of postmortem changes in human skeletal muscle: A case study of alterations in proteome profile, histology, electrolyte contents, water composition, and enzyme activity
Authors: Tavichakorntrakool Ratree , Prasongwattana Vitoon , Sriboonlue Pote , Puapairoj Anucha , Pongskul Jongruk , Khuntikeo Narong , Hanpanich Wattana , Yenchitsomanus Pa‐thai , Wongkham Chaisiri , Thongboonkerd Visith 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPostmortem tissues are frequently used in forensic investigation, clinical studies, and biomedical research. It is well known that the shorter period from death to analyses provides the more accurate results. However, the longest postmortem interval that still provides the reliable data remains unclear. We performed serial analyses of postmortem changes in proteome profile, histology, electrolyte contents, water composition, and enzyme activity in human vastus lateralis muscle from a male cadaver (died from a motorcycle accident). This uninjured muscle was sectioned into several 1‐cm3 cubes and stored in individual closed tubes at 4 or 25°C for 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 or 48 h prior to proteomic, histological, chemical and biochemical analyses. At 4°C, the 2‐DE proteome profile remained unchanged until 24 h, when some poorly focused protein spots and significant decrease in the total number of visualized spots were observed. These changes were detectable earlier (12 h) in the samples stored at 25°C. Profound vacuolization and autolysis started at 24 and 6 h for the samples stored at 4ºC and 25°C, respectively. K and Mg contents began to increase at 12 and 48 h, respectively, for both temperatures. However, the increase in Na and Ca contents began at 24 h in the samples stored at 4°C, but started earlier (12 h) in those stored at 25°C. Water content started to decline at 48 and 24 h in the samples stored at 4 and 25°C, respectively. Muscle lactate dehydrogenase activity began to be out of range at 12 h for both temperatures. These findings demonstrate that storing the samples at 4°C could delay some of the aforementioned changes, which occurred more rapidly at 25°C. Our results also suggest that muscle proteome profile, histology, electrolyte contents, water composition, and enzyme activity should be analyzed within the optimal postmortem intervals, which vary among individual analyses, to obtain the most reliable data.
Structural, electronic and optical properties of lead zirconate
Authors: Baedi J. , Hosseini S. M. , Kompany A. , Kakhki E. Attaran 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe structure, the band structure, the total density of states, the dielectric function, the extinction coefficient and the refractive index have been calculated for lead zirconate (PbZrO3) using density functional theory (DFT). The full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FL‐LAPW) method was used with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Calculations of the optical spectra have been performed for the energy range 0–28 eV. It is shown that the orthorhombic PbZrO3, which is optically negative, exhibits a biaxial birefringence and its refractive index is smallest along the a‐axis (na (0) = 2.32, nb (0) = 2.36 and nc (0) = 2.34) which is close to the experimental value. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)