bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac effects of MDMA on the metabolic profile determined with1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the rat
Authors: Perrine Shane A. , Michaels Mark S. , Ghoddoussi Farhad , Hyde Elisabeth M. , Tancer Manuel E. , Galloway Matthew P. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractDespite the potential for deleterious (even fatal) effects on cardiac physiology, 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) abuse abounds driven mainly by its euphoric effects. Acute exposure to MDMA has profound cardiovascular effects on blood pressure and heart rate in humans and animals. To determine the effects of MDMA on cardiac metabolites in rats, MDMA (0, 5, or 10 mg/kg) was injected every 2 h for a total of four injections; animals were sacrificed 2 h after the last injection (8 h drug exposure), and their hearts removed and tissue samples from left ventricular wall dissected. High resolution magic angle spinning proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) at 11.7 T, a specialized version of MRS aptly suited for analysis of semi‐solid materials such as intact tissue samples, was used to measure the cardiac metabolomic profile, including alanine, lactate, succinate, creatine, and carnitine, in heart tissue from rats treated with MDMA. MDMA effects on MR‐visible choline, glutamate, glutamine, and taurine were also determined. Body temperature was measured following each MDMA administration and serotonin and norepinephrine (NE) levels were measured by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in heart tissue from treated animals. MDMA significantly and dose‐dependently increased body temperature, a hallmark of amphetamines. Serotonin, but not NE, levels were significantly and dose‐dependently decreased by MDMA in the heart wall. MDMA significantly altered the MR‐visible profile with an increase in carnitine and no change in other key compounds involved in cardiomyocyte energy metabolomics. Finally, choline levels were significantly decreased by MDMA in heart. The results are consistent with the notion that MDMA has significant effects on cardiovascular serotonergic tone and disrupts the metabolic homeostasis of energy regulation in cardiac tissue, potentially increasing utilization of fatty acid metabolism. The contributions of serotonergic signaling on MDMA‐induced changes in cardiac metabolism remain to be determined. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Limit analysis and convex programming: A decomposition approach of the kinematic mixed method
Authors: Pastor Franck , Loute Etienne , Pastor Joseph 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis paper proposes an original decomposition approach to the upper bound method of limit analysis. It is based on a mixed finite element approach and on a convex interior point solver using linear or quadratic discontinuous velocity fields. Presented in plane strain, this method appears to be rapidly convergent, as verified in the Tresca compressed bar problem in the linear velocity case. Then, using discontinuous quadratic velocity fields, the method is applied to the celebrated problem of the stability factor of a Tresca vertical slope: the upper bound is lowered to 3.7776—value to be compared with the best published lower bound 3.772—by succeeding in solving non‐linear optimization problems with millions of variables and constraints. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The fibrotic phenotype of systemic sclerosis fibroblasts varies with disease duration and severity of skin involvement: reconstitution of skin fibrosis development using a tissue engineering approach
Authors: Corriveau Marie‐Pier , Boufaied Inès , Lessard Julie , Chabaud Stéphane , Senécal Jean‐Luc , Grodzicky Tamara , Chartier Suzanne , Raymond Yves , Moulin Véronique J 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe set out to examine the pathophysiological mechanisms of fibrosis in diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc) using a tissue engineering approach. Skin fibroblasts were isolated from lesional skin of SSc patients with a disease duration of less than 1 year (early‐stage SSc) or more than 10 years (late‐stage SSc). Fibroblasts were also isolated from non‐lesional skin and compared with normal fibroblasts isolated from healthy adults. Cells were cultured using a tissue engineering method to reconstruct a human dermis, and histologically observed. Dermal thickness was measured, as it reflects the global and intrinsic capacity of cells to reconstitute matrix. Collagen I, MMP‐1, and MMP activity were evaluated. Cells were treated with TGFβ1 or CTGF during dermis formation to study their fibrogenic role. Clinical severity of skin involvement was measured by a modified Rodnan score. Thickness of the dermis generated with non‐lesional early‐stage SSc fibroblasts was similar to normal cells. In contrast, reconstructed dermis from lesional early‐stage SSc fibroblasts and non‐lesional late‐stage SSc cells was thinner, while lesional late‐stage SSc fibroblasts made a thicker dermis. Dermis was always thicker when produced with TGFβ1‐treated cells, except when lesional late‐stage SSc fibroblasts from patients with high Rodnan skin scores were used. CTGF did not affect dermal thickness. Measurements of collagen I and collagenases in the culture medium of the various reconstructed dermis could explain some of the changes observed. We conclude that the fibrotic phenotype of SSc fibroblasts varies with disease duration and with severity of skin involvement, and this is clearly visualized during in vitro dermis reconstruction. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An integrated proteomics approach for studying the molecular pathogenesis of Dupuytren's disease
Authors: Kraljevic Pavelic Sandra , Sedic Mirela , Hock Karlo , Vucinic Srdan , Jurisic Davor , Gehrig Peter , Scott Mike , Schlapbach Ralph , Cacev Tamara , Kapitanovic Sanja , Pavelic Kresimir 
Published: November 2008

AbstractDupuytren's disease (DD) is a fibromatosis characterized by non‐malignant transformation of palmar fascia leading to permanent contraction of one or more fingers. Despite the extensive knowledge of its clinical pathogenesis, the aetiology of this disease remains obscure. In the present paper, we report for the first time on the proteomic profiling of diseased versus unaffected patient‐matched palmar fasciae tissues from DD patients using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry analysis. The herein identified proteins were then used to create the protein–protein interaction network (interactome). Such an integrated approach revealed the involvement of several different molecular processes related to DD progression, including extra‐ and intra‐cellular signalling, oxidative stress, cytoskeletal changes, and alterations in cellular metabolism. In particular, autocrine regulation through ERBB‐2 and IGF‐1R receptors and the Akt signalling pathway have emerged as novel components of pro‐survival signalling in Dupuytren's fibroblasts and thus might provide a basis for a new therapeutic strategy in Dupuytren's disease. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Severe vitamin B‐12 deficiency in a child mimicking thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Dimond Andrea , George James N. , Hastings Caroline 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe report a case of severe vitamin B‐12 deficiency in a child who had a clinical presentation of hemolysis and thrombocytopenia that suggested the diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and was associated with decreased ADAMTS13 activity. In this report, we review vitamin B‐12 deficiency in children, the relationship between ADAMTS13 activity and TTP and discuss other conditions associated with decreased ADAMTS13 activity. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:420–422. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reversal of iron‐induced dilated cardiomyopathy during therapy with deferasirox in beta‐thalassemia
Authors: Trad Omar , Hamdan Mohamed A. , Jamil Altaf , Khanani Muhammad F. , Ishaqi M. Kashif , Shamsi Aisha , Hayek Mohamed 
Published: November 2008

AbstractA 15‐year‐old male with β‐thalassemia major developed dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to iron‐overload (Z‐scores of left ventricle (LV) dimensions >3, ejection fraction (EF) 33%). Treatment with deferoxamine was unsuccessful, presumably due to poor compliance. After 15 months of using deferasirox (DFX), LV end‐diastolic dimension normalized (Z‐scores <2), and EF improved to 58%. We conclude that treatment with DFX resulted in a reversal of iron‐induced cardiomyopathy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:426–428. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hereditary persistence of alpha‐fetoprotein
Authors: Li Xiaxin , Alexander Sarah 
Published: November 2008

AbstractHereditary persistence of alpha‐fetoprotein (HPAFP) is a rare benign autosomal dominant disorder. Here we report a 7‐year‐old healthy female who was found to have elevated alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) of 55–88 ng/ml over a 2‐year period. Subsequently, AFP was also determined to be elevated in another 4 out of 8 family members in three generations, consistent with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Elevated AFP levels are usually related to pregnancy, congenital disorders, liver diseases, or specific malignancies. However, HPAFP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children with unexplained elevation of AFP. This disorder can be easily confirmed by measuring AFP levels in family members or checking specific point mutations of AFP gene promoter. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:403–405. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phase II study of intermediate‐dose cytarabine in patients with relapsed or refractory Ewing sarcoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: DuBois Steven G. , Krailo Mark D. , Lessnick Stephen L. , Smith Richard , Chen Zhengjia , Marina Neyssa , Grier Holcombe E. , Stegmaier Kimberly 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundPatients with relapsed or refractory Ewing sarcoma have a poor outcome with conventional therapies. Cytarabine decreases EWS/FLI1 protein levels in Ewing sarcoma cells and has demonstrated preclinical activity against Ewing sarcoma in vitro and in vivo. The purpose of this phase II clinical trial was to estimate the response rate of intermediate‐dose cytarabine in patients with relapsed or refractory Ewing sarcoma.ProcedurePatients with a histologic diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma were eligible if they were <30 years of age, had relapsed or refractory measurable disease, and met standard organ function requirements. Patients received cytarabine 500 mg/m2/dose intravenously over 2 hr every 12 hr for 10 doses with cycles repeated every 21 days. Response was assessed according to RECIST criteria.ResultsTen patients (median age 20 years; 7 males) were treated. Only five patients had documented EWS/FLI1 translocated tumors. No objective responses were seen. One patient had stable disease for 5 cycles before developing progressive disease. All patients evaluable for hematologic toxicity developed grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia during protocol therapy. Patients were not able to receive therapy according to the planned 21‐day cycles, with a median interval of 26.5 days.ConclusionsCytarabine at the dose and schedule utilized in this trial resulted in hematologic toxicity that limited delivery of this therapy. This regimen also had minimal activity in this patient population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:324–327. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The preparation and properties of dextrin‐graft‐acrylic acid/montmorillonite superabsorbent nanocomposite
Authors: Ding Xin , Li Li , Liu Ping‐sheng , Zhang Jun , Zhou Ning‐lin , Lu Shan , Wei Shao‐hua , Shen Jian 
Published: November 2008

AbstractA novel superabsorbent nanocomposite was synthesized through intercalation polymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid, gelatinized dextrin, and an organic‐montmorillonite powder using N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker, Span‐60 as a dispersant, and ammonium persulfate together with sodiumsulfite as a type of mixed redox initiator. Effects of the amount of them on water absorbency of the superabsorbent were investigated. The structure and the morphology of the nanocomposite were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The blood compatibility of the composite was primarily measured. The results show that the acrylic acid monomer was successfully intercalated into the organic‐montmorillonite layers and bonded with them. The superabsorbent nanocomposite synthesized under optimal conditions with an organic‐montmorillonite powder content of 5 wt% exhibit an absorption of 725.3 g/g in distilled water and favorable blood compatibility. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Characteristics and processes of physiotherapy clinical decision making: a study of acute care cardiorespiratory physiotherapy
Authors: Smith Megan , Higgs Joy , Ellis Elizabeth 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground and Purpose. Physiotherapists have been increasingly interested in investigating physiotherapy clinical reasoning and decision‐making processes. Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy has received little attention within this increasing body of research. This study aimed to investigate characteristics and processes of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy decision making and to contribute to the broader understanding of physiotherapy reasoning and decision making. Methods. Fourteen cardiorespiratory physiotherapists took part in the study. Qualitative research methods were used, guided by a philosophical hermeneutic approach. Participants were observed undertaking their usual daily patient care activities and were later interviewed about their decision making. In‐depth, iterative hermeneutic strategies were used to interpret the texts created by these processes to identify the nature and processes of decision making. Results. Clinical decision making in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy is focused on making decisions about the nature of patients' problems, physiotherapeutic intervention and interaction, and evaluation of effectiveness of actions. Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy decisions varied in their difficulty according to the attributes of the decisions. The variable nature of decisions influenced the reasoning processes used. Clinical decision making involved complex reasoning processes that were cyclic, evolving and flexible in nature, with interdependence and interrelation between the different foci of clinical decision making. Clinical decision making was also found to be a social and collaborative process. Conclusions. This study contributes to the body of literature on physiotherapy reasoning and decision making by revealing details about the characteristics and processes of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy decision making. This research can be used to shape the education of beginning practitioners and provide practicing physiotherapists with a basis for critical appraisal of their decision making. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A unified hydrophobicity scale for multispan membrane proteins
Authors: Koehler Julia , Woetzel Nils , Staritzbichler René , Sanders Charles R. , Meiler Jens 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe concept of hydrophobicity is critical to our understanding of the principles of membrane protein (MP) folding, structure, and function. In the last decades, several groups have derived hydrophobicity scales using both experimental and statistical methods that are optimized to mimic certain natural phenomena as closely as possible. The present work adds to this toolset the first knowledge‐based scale that unifies the characteristics of both α‐helical and β‐barrel multispan MPs. This unified hydrophobicity scale (UHS) distinguishes between amino acid preference for solution, transition, and trans‐membrane states. The scale represents average hydrophobicity values of amino acids in folded proteins, irrespective of their secondary structure type. We furthermore present the first knowledge‐based hydrophobicity scale for mammalian α‐helical MPs (mammalian hydrophobicity scale—MHS). Both scales are particularly useful for computational protein structure elucidation, for example as input for machine learning techniques, such as secondary structure or trans‐membrane span prediction, or as reference energies for protein structure prediction or protein design. The knowledge‐based UHS shows a striking similarity to a recent experimental hydrophobicity scale introduced by Hessa and coworkers (Hessa T et al., Nature 2007;450:U1026–U1032). Convergence of two very different approaches onto similar hydrophobicity values consolidates the major differences between experimental and knowledge‐based scales observed in earlier studies. Moreover, the UHS scale represents an accurate absolute free energy measure for folded, multispan MPs—a feature that is absent from many existing scales. The utility of the UHS was demonstrated by analyzing a series of diverse MPs. It is further shown that the UHS outperforms nine established hydrophobicity scales in predicting trans‐membrane spans along the protein sequence. The accuracy of the present hydrophobicity scale profits from the doubling of the number of integral MPs in the PDB over the past four years. The UHS paves the way for an increased accuracy in the prediction of trans‐membrane spans. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Energetics of calmodulin domain interactions with the calmodulin binding domain of CaMKII
Authors: Evans T. Idil Apak , Shea Madeline A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractCalmodulin (CaM) is an essential eukaryotic calcium receptor that regulates many kinases, including CaMKII. Calcium‐depleted CaM does not bind to CaMKII under physiological conditions. However, binding of (Ca2+)4‐CaM to a basic amphipathic helix in CaMKII releases auto‐inhibition of the kinase. The crystal structure of CaM bound to CaMKIIp, a peptide representing the CaM‐binding domain (CaMBD) of CaMKII, shows an antiparallel interface: the C‐domain of CaM primarily contacts the N‐terminal half of the CaMBD. The two domains of calcium‐saturated CaM are believed to play distinct roles in releasing auto‐inhibition. To investigate the underlying mechanism of activation, calcium‐dependent titrations of isolated domains of CaM binding to CaMKIIp were monitored using fluorescence anisotropy. The binding affinity of CaMKIIp for the domains of CaM increased upon saturation with calcium, with the C‐domain having a 35‐fold greater affinity than the N‐domain. Because the interdomain linker of CaM regulates calcium‐binding affinity and contribute to conformational change, the role of each CaM domain was explored further by investigating effects of CaMKIIp on site‐knockout mutants affecting the calcium‐binding sites of a single domain. Investigation of the thermodynamic linkage between saturation of individual calcium‐binding sites and CaM‐domain binding to CaMKIIp showed that calcium binding to Sites III and IV was sufficient to recapitulate the behavior of (Ca2+)4‐CaM. The magnitude of favorable interdomain cooperativity varied depending on which of the four calcium‐binding sites were mutated, emphasizing differential regulatory roles for the domains of CaM, despite the high degree of homology among the four EF‐hands of CaM. Proteins 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Theoretical calculations of nonlinear electronic transport behavior in III‐nitrides: GaN and AlN
Authors: Rodrigues Clóves G. , Vasconcellos Áurea R. , Luzzi Roberto 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe dependence of the mobility in n‐doped III‐nitrides on the electric field strength and the concentration of electrons and impurities is derived. Such dependence is determined by the nonequilibrium thermodynamic state of the system, which is led to far‐from equilibrium conditions by the action of intermediate to strong electric fields. It is shown that the mobility decreases with the increase of the electric field strength and the concentration of carriers, in a way evidencing the influence of the nonlinear transport involved. Dependence of the mobility with the concentration following two types of regimes characterized by exponential laws are evidenced. They can also be approximately described by fractional power laws. The influence of the thermal bath temperature is also analyzed. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Multiscale simulation of polycrystal mechanics of textured β‐Ti alloys using ab initio and crystal‐based finite element methods
Authors: Ma D. , Friák M. , Neugebauer J. , Raabe D. , Roters F. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractCrystal‐based finite element methods (FEM) are versatile continuum approaches for predicting mechanical properties and deformation‐induced crystallographic textures. They can be applied to both, elastic–plastic and elastic problems. The methodology is based on (i) a detailed understanding of the underlying crystal deformation mechanisms and (ii) a number of constitutive material parameters that are often difficult to measure. First principle calculations, that take into account the discrete nature of matter at the atomic scale, are an alternative way to study mechanical properties of single crystals without using empirical parameters. In this study we demonstrate how to combine these two well‐established modeling tools, viz., ab initio modeling and crystal mechanical FEM, for an improved approach to design of polycrystalline materials. The combination is based on (i) the determination of basic thermodynamic and elastic parameter trends in metallurgical alloy design using density‐functional (DFT) calculations (P. Hohenberg and W. Kohn, Phys. Rev. 136, B864 (1964), W. Kohn and L. J. Sham, Phys. Rev. 140, A1133 (1965) [1, 2], respectively) and (ii) the up‐scale transfer of these results into crystal‐based finite element simulations which take into account the anisotropic nature of the elastic–plastic deformation of metals. The method is applied to three body‐centered cubic (bcc, β) Ti–Nb alloys for bio‐medical applications. The study addresses two technological processes, namely, the prediction of texture evolution during cold rolling (elastic‐plastic problem) and elastic bending of textured polycrystals (elastic problem). (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of electron beam treatments on degradation kinetics of polylactic acid (PLA) plastic waste under backyard composting conditions
Authors: Vargas L. Fernando , Welt Bruce A. , Pullammanappallil Pratap , Teixeira Arthur A. , Balaban Murat O. , Beatty Charles L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe effects of electron beam irradiation on backyard composting behaviour of polylactic acid (PLA) polymer were evaluated. Samples (10 mm2 × 0.75 mm) from thermoformed PLA drinking cups were exposed to 10 MeV electron beam irradiation at doses of 0, 72, 144 and 216 kGy. Irradiated PLA samples were placed in heat‐sealed, plastic screen and added to organic feedstock in a rotating composter within a computer‐controlled environmental chamber for 10 weeks at 35°C. Changes in weight, structural integrity and molecular weight were assessed over time. Results show that irradiation enhanced PLA breakdown. PLA weight decreased by increasing amounts as irradiation dose increased. Sample brittleness increased with irradiation dose and composting time. Finally, PLA molecular weight decreased as irradiation dose and compost time increased. Molecular weight D values for irradiated PLA were found to be about 430 kGy. After 1 week in a typical backyard composter, molecular weight D values increased to about 560 kGy and then fell to about 380 kGy after 2 weeks of composting. Samples irradiated at 216 kGy showed a reduction in weight of 9.4% after 10 weeks of composting, and a reduction of weight‐average molecular weight of 93.7% after 6 weeks. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.