bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The nature of complex organizations: The case of Cooperative Extension
Authors: Franz Nancy K. , Townson Lisa 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe authors provide an overview of the Cooperative Extension System and its program evaluation challenges. Part of the historic land‐grant system, Extension exists in all states and territories of the United States and is funded through federal, state, and local (usually county) appropriations, as well as competitive grants and other sources. Complex funding, staffing, and accountability structures combined with widely varying programs and delivery methods make program development and evaluation challenging for Extension. Although each state's Extension service operates autonomously, they all share a need to communicate program impacts and public value, which has become the main driver for program evaluation. Further, organizational factors such as variation in program evaluation support across states, widely varied evaluation cultures, and the grassroots nature of including stakeholders in program development add even more complexity to evaluating Extension programs. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluating multilevel programs
Authors: King Nicelma J. , Cooksy Leslie J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMultilevel programs—that is, programs with multiple levels of administration, funding, and implementation—present dynamic and challenging environments for the conduct and use of evaluation. The challenges include questions, priorities, audiences, and purposes that vary at each level. This chapter discusses the challenges as well as the opportunities for increasing the value of evaluation at the federal, state, and local levels. Five areas of information are used as a framework for the discussion: (1) Who came? (2) Who cares? (3) What was the intervention? (4) What changed, and what difference did it make? (5) How much did it cost? Using the Cooperative Extension System and other cases as illustrations, the authors describe the relative emphases given to these questions at the different levels, the motivations for those emphases, and the opportunities evaluators can take to make multilevel evaluations useful to audiences at all levels. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Organizational structures that support internal program evaluation
Authors: Lambur Michael T. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis chapter explores how the structure of large complex organizations such as Cooperative Extension affects their ability to support internal evaluation of their programs and activities. Following a literature review of organizational structure and its relation to internal evaluation capacity, the chapter presents the results of interviews with 10 selected Extension evaluators. Four structures for evaluation in Extension organizations are identified: (1) a separate evaluation unit, (2) within an administrative unit, (3) within a program area, and (4) within an academic department or school. The interviews addressed the philosophy and approach to program evaluation, what evaluators do, the perceived effects of organizational structure on evaluation, and reflections on the optimal structure for program evaluation in Extension. Several conclusions are presented: the evaluation function should be associated with a high administrative level in the organization, locating the evaluation function in program units appears to be preferred, roles and responsibilities of internal evaluators need to be clearly specified, internal evaluators need to work closely with administration and management to carry out their roles effectively and to incorporate evaluation into organizational decision making, and internal evaluators often assume other roles beyond their primary role as evaluator. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EBV‐encoded LMP1 regulates Op18/stathmin signaling pathway by cdc2 mediation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells
Authors: Lin Xuechi , Liu Sufang , Luo Xiangjian , Ma Xiaoqian , Guo Lili , Li Lili , Li Zijian , Tao Yongguang , Cao Ya 
Published: December 2008

AbstractOncoprotein 18/stathmin (Op18/stathmin) plays a crucial role in maintaining cell biological characteristics by regulating microtubule dynamics, especially entry into mitosis; phosphorylated Op18/stathmin promotes microtubule polymerization to form the mitotic spindle, which is essential for chromosome segregation and cell division. Cdc2 is a critical kinase in starting M phase events in cell‐cycle progression and is a positive regulator of the cell cycle. Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is an Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐encoded oncogenic protein that is able to induce carcinogenesis via various signaling pathways. This study focused on regulation by LMP1 of Op18/stathmin signaling in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells and showed that LMP1 regulates Op18/stathmin signaling through cdc2 mediation, LMP1 upregulates cdc2 kinase activity, and Op18/stathmin phosphorylation promotes the interaction of cdc2 with Op18/stathmin and microtubule polymerization during mitosis, and inhibition of LMP1 expression attenuates the interaction of cdc2 and Op18/stathmin and promotes microtubule depolymerization. These results reveal a new pathway via which LMP1 regulates Op18/stathmin signaling by cdc2 mediation; this new signaling pathway not only perfects the LMP1 regulation network but also elucidates the molecular mechanism of LMP1 that leads to carcinogenesis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Selective targeting by preS1 domain of hepatitis B surface antigen conjugated with phosphorylcholine‐based amphiphilic block copolymer micelles as a biocompatible, drug delivery carrier for treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma with paclitaxel
Authors: Miyata Ryohei , Ueda Masakazu , Jinno Hiromitsu , Konno Tomohiro , Ishihara Kazuhiko , Ando Nobutoshi , Kitagawa Yuko 
Published: December 2008

AbstractUsing dithioester‐capped 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) as a macro chain transfer agent, a diblock copolymer was synthesized with n‐butyl methacrylate (BMA) as hydrophobic core‐forming blocks. The MPC–BMA unit was copolymerized with an immobilizable unit, p‐nitrophenylcarbonyloxyethyl methacrylate (NPMA). The NPMA moiety then was modified by the addition of preS1 domain of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). This micelle‐forming nanoparticle, the poly (MPC‐co‐BMA‐co‐NPMA) (PMBN) conjugated with preS1 enables solubilization of paclitaxel (PTX) with increased hepatotropism. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of PTX and PTX/PMBN‐preS1 against the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2, were 1,008 and 131 nM, respectively (p < 0.05). Conjugation of preS1 to PMBN enhanced strongly the synergistic inhibitory effect of paclitaxel on HepG2 cells in vitro, whereas such a change in IC50 was not detected against the human squamous cell carcinoma cell line, A431. Tumor growth rates of a HepG2 xenograft in Balb/c nude mice after intraperitoneal injection of PTX, PTX/PMBN and PTX/PMBN‐preS1 were +97.9%, −74.3% and −96.2%*, respectively (*p < 0.05 versus PTX). The local paclitaxel levels after administration of the PMBN‐preS1 conjugate were determined in the xenografts by high‐performance liquid chromatography and were 8 times higher than that after administration of paclitaxel alone. No side effects attributable to PMBN‐preS1 were observed histologically in vital organs, and body weight loss was significantly less in the PTX/PMBN‐preS1 group. These studies demonstrate that PMBN‐preS1 may be used as a human hepatocyte‐specific drug delivery carrier without serious adverse effects. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices and tubal sterilization and cancer risk in a large prospective study, from 1996 to 2006
Authors: Dorjgochoo Tsogzolmaa , Shu Xiao‐Ou , Li Hong‐Lan , Qian Han‐Zhu , Yang Gong , Cai Hui , Gao Yu‐Tang , Zheng Wei 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe association of contraceptive methods, including oral contraceptives (OC), intrauterine devices (IUD) and tubal sterilization (TS), with overall and site‐specific cancer were prospectively investigated in a cohort of 66,661 Chinese women in Shanghai, 76.7% of whom used contraception. During a median follow‐up time of 7.5 years, 2,250 women were diagnosed with cancer. Ever‐use of any contraceptive method was not associated with overall cancer risk [adjusted hazard ratio (HRadj) = 1.02, 95% CI, 0.92–1.12]. Use of any contraceptive method was associated with increased risk of rectal cancer (HRadj = 1.68, 95% CI, 1.08–2.62) and reduced risk of thyroid cancer (HRadj = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.38–1.04). Risk of gallbladder cancer increased with ever use of OC (HRadj = 2.38, 95% CI, 1.26–4.49). IUD use was associated with a possible reduced risk of thyroid cancer (HRadj = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.38–1.07). Longer duration of IUD use decreased risk for breast, thyroid and lung cancers. Ever having a TS was associated with increased uterine body cancer (HRadj = 2.50, 95% CI, 1.47–4.25) and decreased risk of stomach cancer (HRadj = 0.59, 95% CI, 0.39–0.91). We did not find any contraceptive method to be related to the risk of ovarian cancer but the analyses were based on few events. Although chance findings are a likely explanation for some of the associations found in our study, these findings suggest that various contraceptive methods or reproductive patterns may play a role in the etiology of cancer. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Large differences in patterns of breast cancer survival between Australia and England: A comparative study using cancer registry data
Authors: Woods Laura M. , Rachet Bernard , O'Connell Dianne , Lawrence Gill , Tracey Elizabeth , Willmore Alan , Coleman Michel P. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSurvival from breast cancer in the UK is lower than in other countries in Western Europe, the USA and Australia. However, these international differences have not yet been examined in relation to tumor characteristics, treatment, screening history or other prognostic factors. We calculated relative survival by age, period of diagnosis, category of unemployment and extent of disease for women diagnosed with breast cancer during the period 1980–2002 in New South Wales (Australia) and West Midlands (England). National cancer registry data for each country for the period 1990–1994 were also examined. The excess hazard ratio was modeled as a function of prognostic covariables. Survival in Australia and New South Wales was higher than in England and West Midlands, respectively. In both regions, survival was lower for more deprived women and for the elderly. These differences were greater in West Midlands. Survival from localized and regional disease in New South Wales was higher than in West Midlands, but survival from metastatic disease was similar. Differences in breast cancer survival are unlikely to be entirely due to differences in data quality or to limitations of the analyses, although the measure of extent of disease used may not have been adequate to elucidate the effect of stage fully. One possible causal explanation is that the management of breast cancer differs between these regions. Further research should acquire better data on stage and investigate the effect of comorbidity and of patterns of care upon the difference in breast cancer survival between England and Australia. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficient eradication of hormone‐resistant human prostate cancers by inactivated Sendai virus particle
Authors: Kawaguchi Yoshifumi , Miyamoto Yasuhide , Inoue Takehiro , Kaneda Yasufumi 
Published: December 2008

AbstractHormone‐refractory prostate cancer is one of the intractable human cancers in the world. Here, we examined the direct tumor‐killing activity of inactivated Sendai virus particle [hemagglutinating virus of Japan envelope (HVJ‐E)] through induction of Type I interferon (IFN) in the hormone‐resistant human prostate cancer cell lines PC3 and DU145. Preferential binding of HVJ‐E to PC3 and DU145 over hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer cell and normal prostate epithelium was observed, resulting in a number of fused cells. After HVJ‐E treatment, a number of IFN‐related genes were up‐regulated, resulting in Type I IFN production in PC3 cells. Then, retinoic acid‐inducible gene‐I (RIG‐I) helicase which activates Type I IFN expression after Sendai virus infection was up‐regulated in cancer cells after HVJ‐E treatment. Produced IFN‐α and ‐β enhanced caspase 8 expression via Janus kinases/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription pathway, activated caspase 3 and induced apoptosis in cancer cells. When HVJ‐E was directly injected into a mass of PC3 tumor cells in SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency) mice, a marked reduction in the bulk of each tumor mass was observed and 85% of the mice became tumor‐free. Although co‐injection of an anti‐asialo GM1 antibody with HVJ‐E into each tumor mass slightly attenuated the tumor suppressive activity of HVJ‐E, significant suppression of tumor growth was observed even in the presence of anti‐asialo GM1 antibody. This suggests that natural killer cell activation made small contribution to tumor regression following HVJ‐E treatment in hormone‐resistant prostate cancer model in vivo. Thus, HVJ‐E effectively targets hormone‐resistant prostate cancer by inducing apoptosis in tumor cells, as well as activating anti‐tumor immunity. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Melanoma‐associated chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan as a new target antigen for CD4+ T cells in melanoma patients
Authors: Erfurt Cornelia , Müller Esther , Emmerling Sonja , Klotz Claudia , Hertl Michael , Schuler Gerold , Schultz Erwin S. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMelanoma‐associated chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (MCSP) (also known as high molecular weight‐melanoma‐associated antigen) represents an interesting target antigen for cancer immunotherapy which is expressed on human melanomas and other tumors such as breast carcinomas, gliomas, neuroblastomas and acute leukemias. MCSP seems to play an important functional role in melanoma as it is involved in tumor cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis. In this study, we isolated CD4+ T helper cells from the blood of a healthy donor, recognizing a peptide from the MCSP core protein presented by HLA‐DBR1*1101 molecules. T cell reactivity against the identified peptide could be detected in the blood of healthy donors and melanoma patients. MCSP specific T cells from the blood of a patient could be readily expanded by repeated peptide stimulation and recognized MCSP and HLA‐DR expressing tumor cells. Our findings suggest that vaccination against MCSP helper T cell epitopes might be a promising approach to fight melanoma. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A thermosensitive chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel containing hydroxyapatite for protein delivery
Authors: Tang Yufeng , Du Yumin , Li Yan , Wang Xiaoying , Hu Xianwen 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe synthesis and characterization of a thermosensitive chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel containing hydroxyapatite for protein delivery were first reported. Two synthetic processes were introduced, that is, in situ and ex situ routes. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and rheological analysis were employed to characterize the hydrogel. The gel formation decreased the crystallinity of the hydroxyapatite crystal. FTIR results showed that the hydroxyapatite crystals were partially substituted by carbonate. It was supposed that the structural features of hydroxyapatite were close to those of biological apatites. The thermosensitive property of the gels was evaluated by rheological analysis, which indicated that the strength of hydroxyapatite–chitosan/PVA composite gels was notably enhanced in comparison with that of pure chitosan/PVA gel, especially for hydroxyapatite–chitosan/PVA composite gels synthesized through the in situ process. The performances of composite gels containing different amounts of hydroxyapatite were further studied. For the hydroxyapatite–chitosan/PVA composite gels containing 0.1 mM hydroxyapatite synthesized through in situ process, the swelling degree was the lowest, and the speed of protein release was the slowest. Therefore, the composite gels are attractive for applications as protein delivery, artificial bones, and scaffolds for tissue engineering. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Minor pathological changes are induced by naltrexone‐poly(DL‐lactide) implants in pregnant rats
Authors: Farid W. O. , McCallum D. , Tait R. J. , Dunlop S. A. , Hulse G. K. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractOral naltrexone is used to treat alcohol and heroin dependence but is associated with poor patient compliance. Sustained‐release preparations have been developed to overcome noncompliance. Many sustained‐release preparations are composed of polymers combined with naltrexone. Limited data indicate that polymers induce variable levels of tissue reactivity and that naltrexone may increase this effect. A slow‐release subcutaneous naltrexone‐poly (DL‐lactide) implant is currently being trialed to treat heroin dependence in Western Australia. A minority of women fall pregnant and, although tissue reactivity in nonpregnant humans is relatively minor, detailed chronological data during pregnancy are lacking. Histological changes in pregnant rats were assessed; a single active tablet containing poly[trans‐3,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐dioxyane‐2,5‐dione] (DL‐lactide) loaded with 25 mg of naltrexone was implanted subcutaneously, and tissue response was compared with inactive polymer implantation. Rats were timed mated at 13–26 days postimplant. Tissue assessment up to 75 days by a pathologist showed that naltrexone induced chronic inflammatory response in a dose‐dependent manner, although still at a low level. Furthermore, for inactive implants, minimal foreign body reaction and fibrosis, together with low‐level inflammation, suggested good long‐term biocompatibility. We conclude that the Australian naltrexone‐poly(DL‐lactide) implant is tolerated in pregnant rats, reinforcing its potential role for managing alcohol and heroin dependence in pregnant humans. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Sox9 expression of alginate‐encapsulated chondrocytes is stimulated by low cell density
Authors: Bernstein Peter , Dong Meng , Graupher Sylvi , Corbeil Denis , Gelinsky Michael , Günther Klaus‐Peter , Fickert Stefan 
Published: December 2008

AbstractRecent research in tissue engineering for the treatment of cartilage defects have demonstrated that matrix‐biomaterial, cell culture conditions, and cytokine‐related factors influence the chondrogenic differentiation pattern, especially for the expression of matrix genes. However, little is known about the impact of cell seeding density in a three‐dimensional environment on the key chondrogenic transcription factor Sox9. Here we investigated, whether the cell concentration of alginate encapsulated chondrocytes influences the Sox9 expression. Dedifferentiated passage‐4 porcine chondrocytes were encapsulated in alginate beads at two different concentrations (4 × 106versus 7 × 107cells/mL) and cultivated for up to 4 weeks under TGF‐ß stimulation. The expression of Sox9, Collagen I, II, and X was assessed via quantitative RT‐PCR and compared to those observed in the initial monolayer culture. Cellular viability, cell morphology, and the sulphated glycosaminoglycan‐production were monitored. Interestingly Sox9 expression was significantly upregulated in the low‐cell‐density group, whereas no difference between high‐cell‐density and monolayer culture group could be observed. Furthermore, the cellular survival and the sulphated glycosaminoglycan production were higher in the low‐cell‐density group. Collagen I expression was downregulated in the low‐cell‐density group whereas it was upregulated in the high‐cell‐density one. Surprisingly, only the high‐cell‐density group showed the expression of Collagen II, although it appeared not significant. Collagen X expression was upregulated in the low‐cell‐density group. Taken together our data indicate that a low concentration of cell seeding in a three‐dimensional environment is beneficial for the overall chondrogenic development. However, this article reveals discrepancies between Sox9 and the chondrogenic pathway in redifferentiating chondrocytes that should be addressed in further work. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Oxygen diffusivity of biologic and synthetic scaffold materials for tissue engineering
Authors: Valentin Jolene E. , Freytes Donald O. , Grasman Jonathan M. , Pesyna Colin , Freund John , Gilbert Thomas W. , Badylak Stephen F. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractScaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications are commonly manufactured from synthetic materials, intact or isolated components of extracellular matrix (ECM), or a combination of such materials. After surgical implantation, the metabolic requirements of cells that populate the scaffold depend upon adequate gas and nutrient exchange with the surrounding microenvironment. The present study measured the oxygen transfer through three biologic scaffold materials composed of ECM including small intestinal submucosa (SIS), urinary bladder submucosa (UBS), and urinary bladder matrix (UBM), and one synthetic biomaterial, Dacron™. The oxygen diffusivity was calculated from Fick's first law of diffusion. Each material permitted measurable oxygen diffusion. The diffusivity of SIS was found to be dependent on the direction of oxygen transfer; the oxygen transfer in the abluminal‐to‐luminal direction was significantly greater than the luminal‐to‐abluminal direction. The oxygen diffusivity of UBM and UBS were similar despite the presence of an intact basement membrane on the luminal surface of UBM. Dacron showed oxygen diffusivity values seven times greater than the ECM biomaterials. The current study showed that each material has unique oxygen diffusivity values, and these values may be dependent on the scaffold's ultrastructure. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Proteomic analysis of mitochondrial proteins of basal and lipolytically (isoproterenol and TNF‐α)‐stimulated adipocytes
Authors: Cho Si Young , Park Pil Joon , Shin Eui Seok , Lee Jung Ho , Chang Hui Kyoung , Lee Tae Ryong 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe regulation of adipocyte lipolysis is increasingly believed to influence insulin resistance, in a process that may be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the molecular basis of the relationship between mitochondrial protein expression, lipolytic responsiveness, and insulin resistance remains unknown. A set of proteins that shows altered abundances in the mitochondria of untreated and treated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes with TNF‐α or isoproterenol was identified. These include the proteins associated with energy production, including fatty acid oxidation, TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Proteins associated with oxidative stress dissipation were down‐regulated in lipolytically stimulated adipocytes. Lipolytic stimulation with isoproterenol and TNF‐α, which is also a potent proinflammatory cytokine, showed some noticeable differences in mitochondrial protein expression. For example, isoproterenol markedly enhanced the expression of prohibitin which is involved in the integrity of mitochondria but TNF‐α did not. These results provide valuable information on mitochondrial dysfunction associated with oxidative stress induced by lipolytic stimulation. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 257–266, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.