bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of KLOTHO gene polymorphisms with knee osteoarthritis in Greek population
Authors: Tsezou Aspasia , Furuichi Tatsuya , Satra Maria , Makrythanasis Periklis , Ikegawa Shiro , Malizos Konstantinos N. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBased on the fact that klotho‐deficient mice exhibit multiple aging phenotypes, including osteopenia and subchondral sclerosis of joints and on the recent observation that KLOTHO gene plays an important role in calcium/phosphate homeostasis, we explored the possibility whether human KLOTHO gene polymorphisms are associated with osteoarthritis (OA). A total of 752 individuals participated in the study. The knee OA group consisted of 369 patients; 298 women (mean age 65.9 ± 8.2; range 40–92 years) and 71 men (mean age 65.7 ± 9.1; range 30–82 years). The control population consisted of 383 subjects; 231 women (mean age 65.8 ± 8.4; range 35–90 years) and 152 men (mean age 61.5 ± 9.3; range 28–87 years). Four SNPs—G395A in the promoter region, G1110C in exon 2, C1818T and C2298T in exon 4—were genotyped. A significant genotypic and allelic association was observed in SNP C2998T and knee OA, while genotype GA of SNP G395A was significantly associated (p = 0.039) with knee OA in females only. For the first time, an association was observed between SNPs G395A and C2998T of the KLOTHO gene and knee osteoarthritis implicating KLOTHO in OA pathogenesis. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:1466–1470, 2008
The kinetics and thermodynamics of a novel efficient mixed water–1,4‐dioxan solvent for the effective complexation of a neutral ruthenium complex with carbon monoxide at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Shukla Ram S. , Srivastava Vivek K. , Khokhar Munir D. , Jasra Raksh V. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractKinetic and thermodynamic investigations were performed for a mixed aqueous‐organic, 1:1 (v/v) water–1,4‐dioxane medium, which was found to be an efficient solvent for the interaction of a neutral dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine) ruthenium(II), RuCl2(PPh3)3 complex with carbon monoxide at atmospheric pressure. During the interaction, RuCl2(PPh3)3 dissociates to a neutral complex dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine) ruthenium(II), RuCl2(PPh3)2, by losing a coordinated PPh3 ligand and RuCl2(PPh3)2 coordinates with CO to form an in situ carbonyl complex RuCl2(CO)(PPh3)2. The in situ formed carbonyl complex RuCl2(CO)(PPh3)2 was thoroughly characterized by equilibrium, spectrophotometric, IR, and electrochemical techniques. Under equilibrium conditions, the rate and dissociation constants for the dissociation of PPh3 from RuCl2(PPh3)3 were found to be favorable for the formation of the carbonyl complex RuCl2(CO)(PPh3)2. The rates of complexation for the formation of RuCl2(CO)(PPh3)2 were found to follow an overall second‐order kinetics being first order in terms of the concentrations of both carbon monoxide and RuCl2(PPh3)2. The determined activation parameters corresponding to the rate constant (ΔH# = 35.9 ± 2.5 kJ mol−1 and ΔS# = −122 ± 6 J K−1 mol−1) and thermodynamic parameters corresponding to the formation constant (ΔH° = −33.5 ± 4.5 kJ mol−1, ΔS° = −25 ± 8 J K−1 mol−1, and ΔG° = −25.7 ± 2.0 kJ mol−1) were found to be highly favorable for the formation of the complex RuCl2(CO)(PPh3)2. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 359–369, 2008
Methanol oxidation in a flow reactor: Implications for the branching ratio of the CH3OH+OH reaction
Authors: Rasmussen Christian Lund , Wassard Karin Hedebo , Dam‐Johansen Kim , Glarborg Peter 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe oxidation of methanol in a flow reactor has been studied experimentally under diluted, fuel‐lean conditions at 650–1350 K, over a wide range of O2 concentrations (1%–16%), and with and without the presence of nitric oxide. The reaction is initiated above 900 K, with the oxidation rate decreasing slightly with the increasing O2 concentration. Addition of NO results in a mutually promoted oxidation of CH3OH and NO in the 750–1100 K range. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of a revised chemical kinetic model. Owing to the high sensitivity of the mutual sensitization of CH3OH and NO oxidation to the partitioning of CH3O and CH2OH, the CH3OH + OH branching fraction could be estimated as α = 0.10 ± 0.05 at 990 K. Combined with low‐temperature measurements, this value implies a branching fraction that is largely independent of temperature. It is in good agreement with recent theoretical estimates, but considerably lower than values employed in previous modeling studies. Modeling predictions with the present chemical kinetic model is in quantitative agreement with experimental results below 1100 K, but at higher temperatures and high O2 concentration the model underpredicts the oxidation rate. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 423–441, 2008
Thermochemical properties from ab initio calculations: π‐ and σ‐Free radicals of importance in soot formation: •C3H3 (propargyl), •C4H3, •C13H9 (phenalenyl), •C6H5 (phenyl), •C10H7 (naphthyl), •C14H9 (anthryl), •C14H9 (phenanthryl), •C16H9 (pyrenyl), •C12H7 (acenaphthyl), and •C12H9 (biphenylyl)
Authors: Rossi Michel J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe calculated difference in the standard heat of formation Δ ΔfH°(298.15) of n‐ and i‐C4H3• free radicals is 37.9 kJ mol−1 for G3MP2B3 and 45.0 kJ mol−1 for CCSD(T)‐CBS (W1U) calculations, which seems to preclude the direct even‐carbon radical pathway to benzene and higher PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) formation including soot in a hydrocarbon flame. For the phenyl‐type σ‐radicals listed in the title, absolute values of ΔfH°(298.15) have been calculated using G3MP2B3‐computed values of bond dissociation energies D°(298.15) and combined with experimental values of ΔfH° (298.15) for the parent hydrocarbon because of a slight systematic overprediction of the thermodynamic stability of large PAHs by the applied computational G3MP2B3 method. Standard enthalpies of formation ΔfH°(298.15) as well as absolute entropies S° and heat capacities C°p are given for a series of π‐ and σ‐free radicals important to combustion as a function of temperature. A spread of roughly 40 kJ mol−1 in the average CH bond strength of PAH leading to σ‐radicals has been calculated, the lowest leading to 4‐phenanthryl (463.6 kJ mol−1), the highest leading to 2‐biphenylyl radical (502.5 kJ mol−1). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 395–415, 2008
Social responsibility as a unique dimension of brand personality and consumers' willingness to reward
Authors: Madrigal Robert , Boush David M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractConsumers expect organizations to behave in a responsible fashion and want to be informed about those actions. The current research examines the extent to which consumers are willing to reward brands for their socially responsible behavior. Two studies are reported in which social responsibility (SR) was conceptualized as a unique dimension of brand personality. Participants in both studies were presented advertisements in which the personality dimensions of ruggedness, excitement, and SR for a fictitious brand were manipulated. The results indicate that SR is a distinct brand personality dimension and that willingness to reward moderates the effect of SR on attitudes toward the product, advertisement, and brand. Specifically, in all but one case across both studies, the positive effect of SR on attitude was greater for those most willing to reward. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The modulation of endothelial cell gene expression by green tea polyphenol‐EGCG
Authors: Liu Liping , Lai Chao‐Qiang , Nie Lin , Ordovas Jose , Band Michael , Moser Leta , Meydani Mohsen 
Published: May 2008

AbstractHuman and animal studies have shown that green tea consumption is associated with a reduced risk of some cancers. This has been attributed to its polyphenol components, in particular (–)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In addition to be a cancer chemopreventive agent, EGCG inhibits angiogenesis, thus reducing tumor growth and metastasis. We tested EGCG modulation on the gene expression profile of endothelial cells stimulated by VEGF using Affymetrix microarrays. A total of 421 genes were up‐regulated and 72 genes were down‐regulated at the false discovery rate of 5% by VEGF, EGCG, and EGCG pretreatment followed by VEGF stimulation. The changes in the expression of several pivotal genes were validated by real‐time PCR. Furthermore, we have identified two signaling pathways (Wnt and Id) involved in cell proliferation were inhibited by EGCG treatment, suggesting the negative regulation of EGCG on cell proliferation. Our results also indicate that the antiangiogenesis effect of EGCG is partially mediated through its broad inhibition on endothelial cell proliferation. Our data further support earlier observations that the anticancer effect of EGCG is mediated through changes in the expression of genes that are associated with cell proliferation.
A pilot study of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme evaluated by four adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Norweg Anna , Bose Pia , Snow Gloria , Berkowitz Monique E. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe purpose of this qualitative study was to analyse participants' perceptions of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme, which combined occupational therapy with physical therapy. Semi‐structured interviews were used to collect data from four adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who attended an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation programme in New York City. Features of the occupational therapy programme reported to be valuable were biofeedback and clinician support. Participants reported more control of dyspnoea, improved mental health and confidence in performing daily activities, less fatigue, more physically active lifestyles and hope for the future. Limitations of the study were that participants were interviewed only once and themes were not verified with participants. The study results also cannot be generalized. Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy in promoting self‐management and coping skills and restoring occupational performance in adults with COPD. Participants' responses provide additional support for developing cognitive‐behavioural protocols in occupational therapy and measuring their effectiveness in relieving anxiety symptoms and promoting dyspnoea management. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuity and change in Argentine interest group activity and lobbying practices
Authors: Johnson Diane E. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract

For much of Argentina's history, key groups representing labour, big business and agriculture went directly to the executive branch rather than working through the relatively weak national Congress or political parties. Political instability both contributed to, and resulted from, this tendency. Since the return to democracy in 1983, the process of interest articulation has manifested both continuity and change. Although the system remains distinct from the traditional models of pluralism and corporatism in the U.S. and Western Europe, the adoption of ‘neoliberal’ economic policies and the gradual institutionalization of democracy have led to an incremental but, as yet, incomplete shift from a form of corporatism to one that is more pluralistic. While neither globalization nor pluralism guarantee democratic stability, the resultant changes in these contexts are likely to be more conducive to democratic stability and government accountability in Argentina than the old system of interest articulation. However, Argentina has no general law regulating lobbying practices, despite efforts to pass one in the recent years.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wnt10b induces chemotaxis of osteosarcoma and correlates with reduced survival
Authors: Chen Kevin , Fallen Shannon , Abaan Hatice Özel , Hayran Mutlu , Gonzalez Corina , Wodajo Felasfa , MacDonald Tobey , Toretsky Jeffrey A. , Üren Aykut 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundOsteosarcoma (OS) is a primary malignant tumor of the bone that typically presents in the second decade of life and has a poor prognosis, especially in metastatic cases. Wnt signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of tumors such as colon cancer and malignant melanoma. Wnt signaling controls normal bone formation during embryogenesis and homeostasis in adult organisms, thus we evaluated Wnt signaling in OS.ProcedureWe surveyed the expression of Wnts, their receptors, Frizzleds and LRPs, and soluble Wnt inhibitors (sFRPs) in four OS cell lines by RT‐PCR. We also tested biological response of OS cell lines to exogenous Wnts by measuring β‐catenin stabilization, Dvl phosphorylation, TOPFLASH activity and chemotaxis. Human OS tumor microarrays were evaluated for expression of Wnt10b by immunohistochemistry.ResultsAll cell lines tested showed expression of at least three Wnts and one Frizzled. Exogenous Wnt3a and Wnt10b treatment induced Dvl phosphorylation, β‐catenin stabilization and TCF4 transcriptional activity in both metastatic and non‐metastatic murine OS cell lines. Metastatic OS cell lines showed better chemotaxis response to Wnts than the non‐metastatic OS cell lines. Immunohistochemistry studies of 44 human OS samples demonstrated that Wnt10b expression correlated with decreased overall survival.ConclusionsThese results further supports a possible autocrine or paracrine Wnt pathway in metastatic potential of OS. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:349–355. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two‐dimensional Fourier transform infrared correlation spectroscopy and evolving factor analysis in the study of cationic curing of DGEBA and γ‐valerolactone mixtures
Authors: Spegazzini Nicolás , Ruisánchez Itziar , Larrechi M. Soledad , Serra Angels , Mantecón Ana 
Published: May 2008

AbstractGeneralized two‐dimensional (2D) correlation spectroscopy and evolving factor analysis (EFA) have been applied to the study of cationic curing reaction of mixtures of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and γ‐valerolactone (γ‐VL). The reaction has been monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The reaction periods in which a chemical change takes place are identified using EFA and then the sequence of changes are established by means of the interpretation of the synchronous and asynchronous spectra obtained with 2D correlation spectroscopy. By combining this information, in the curing process, four reactions have been detected: (1) DGEBA and γ‐VL reaction to obtain a spiroorthoester intermediate, (2) homopolymerization of DGEBA, (3) copolymerization of DGEBA with the spiroorthoester intermediate, and (4) homopolymerization of the spiroorthoester. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3886–3899, 2008
Self‐assembly and morphology of polydimethylsiloxane supramolecular thermoplastic elastomers
Authors: Botterhuis Nicole E. , van Beek D. J. M. , van Gemert Gaby M. L. , Bosman Anton W. , Sijbesma Rint P. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractFunctionalization of polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) polymers with hydrogen‐bonding ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) groups leads to supramolecular thermoplastic elastomers. In previous studies, no lateral stacking of UPy dimers was observed in UPy‐functionalized polymers, unless additional urethane or urea groups were built into the hard block. However, we have shown that when PDMS is used as the soft block, this lateral aggregation of UPy dimers does take place, since long fibers could be observed in the atomic force microscopy (AFM) phase image. Also in bulk, the presence of these interactions was proven by oscillatory shear experiments. We attribute this aggregation to the incompatibility of soft block and hard block, leading to phase separation. Moreover, we have shown that additional urethane or urea groups in the hard block do lead to materials with more fibers and higher melting points. For the UPy‐urea functionalized PDMS even single fibers are observed with AFM when dropcasted from a very diluted solution. When the length of the soft block is increased, the morphology changes from fibrous to spherical. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3877–3885, 2008
Synthesis of amphiphilic graft copolymer brush and its use as template film for the preparation of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Lee Kyung Ju , Park Jung Tae , Goh Joo Hwan , Kim Jong Hak 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA microphase‐separated, amphiphilic graft copolymer consisting of a poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) backbone and poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (POEM) side chains, (PVC‐g‐POEM at 62:38 wt %) was synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), FTIR spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) clearly revealed that the “grafting from” method using ATRP was successful and that the graft copolymer molecularly self‐assembled into discrete nanophase domains of continuous PVC and isolated POEM regions. The self‐assembled graft copolymer film was used to template the growth of silver nanoparticles in solid state by introducing a AgCF3SO3 precursor and a UV irradiation process. The in situ formation of silver nanoparticles in the graft copolymer template film was confirmed by TEM, UV–visible spectroscopy, and wide angle X‐ray scattering. FTIR spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy also demonstrated the selective incorporation and in situ formation of silver nanoparticles within the hydrophilic POEM domains, presumably due to strong interactions between the silver and the ether oxygen in POEM. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 3911–3918, 2008
Dichloroacetate (DCA) sensitizes both wild‐type and over expressing Bcl‐2 prostate cancer cells in vitro to radiation
Authors: Cao Wengang , Yacoub Saif , Shiverick Kathleen T. , Namiki Kazunori , Sakai Yoshihisa , Porvasnik Stacy , Urbanek Cydney , Rosser Charles J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundBcl‐2 protects cells from apoptosis and provides a survival advantage to cells over‐expressing this oncogene. In addition, over expression of Bcl‐2 renders cell resistant to radiation therapy. Recently, dichloroacetate (DCA) was proven to potentiate the apoptotic machinery by interacting with Bcl‐2. In this study, we investigated whether treating human prostate cancer cells with DCA could modulate Bcl‐2 expression and if the modulation in Bcl‐2 expression could render the Bcl‐2 over expressing cells more susceptible to cytotoxicity effects of radiation.MethodsPC‐3‐Bcl‐2 and PC‐3‐Neo human prostate cancer cells treated with DCA in addition to irradiation were analyzed in vitro for changes in proliferation, clonogenic survival, apoptosis, cell cycle phase distribution, mitochondrial membrane potential, and expression of Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xL, Bax, or Bak proteins.ResultsDCA alone produced significant cytotoxic effects and was associated with G1 cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, DCA was associated with an increased rate of apoptosis. The combination of DCA with irradiation sensitized both cell lines to radiation's killing effects. Treatment of PC‐3‐Bcl‐2 or PC‐3‐Neo with DCA and irradiation resulted in marked changes in various members of the Bcl‐2 family. In addition, DCA therapy resulted in a significant change in mitochondria membrane potential, thus supporting the notion that DCAs effect is on the mitochondria.ConclusionsThis is the first study to demonstrate DCA can effectively sensitize wild‐type and over expressing Bcl‐2 human prostate cancer cells to radiation by modulating the expression of key members of the Bcl‐2 family. Together, these findings warrant further evaluation of the combination of DCA and irradiation. Prostate 68: 1223–1231, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fast near‐infra‐red spectroscopic Mueller matrix ellipsometer based on ferroelectric liquid crystal retarders
Authors: Ladstein J. , Stabo‐Eeg F. , Garcia‐Caurel E. , Kildemo M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe cover picture of this issue of physica status solidi (c) has been taken from the article [1]. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the binding mode of urease active site inhibitors: A density functional study
Authors: Leopoldini M. , Marino T. , Russo N. , Toscano M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe way with which boric acid, a rapid reversible competitive inhibitor, binds the urease active site was explored at density functional B3LYP level of theory. The catalytic core of the enzyme was simulated by two models of different size. In both cases, amino acid residues belonging to the inner and to the outer coordination spheres of nickel ions were replaced by smaller molecular species. Contrary to the experimental indication that attributes the inhibitory ability of this acid to the lack of a nucleophilic attack by the enzyme to the boron atom, we instead found that another possibility exists based on the presence of a strong covalent σ bond between boron and urease that we think can be hardly broken to allow any course of the reaction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Risk and the strategy of foreign location choice in regulated industries
Authors: García‐Canal Esteban , Guillén Mauro F. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe argue that firms in regulated industries react to macroeconomic and policy risks in sharply different ways. While they seek to avoid countries with high levels of macroeconomic uncertainty, we predict that they find it more attractive to expand into countries characterized by governments with discretionary policymaking capacities so as to be able to negotiate favorable conditions of entry. We also argue that firms are heterogeneous in their attitudes toward risk. We predict that firms in which the state holds a partial equity stake exhibit a more tolerant attitude. We also expect that as firms accumulate foreign experience, they develop an aversion toward further foreign entries into politically unstable markets. Support for these predictions is provided by an analysis of the Latin American market entries of all listed Spanish firms in regulated industries between 1987 and 2000. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Systems engineering perspectives on the 2500‐year‐old Art of War by Sun Tzu
Authors: Foo Check Teck 
Published: May 2008

AbstractJust how old are the ideas underpinning the interdisciplinary, holistic systems engineering? (See J.G. Landels, Engineering in the Ancient World, University of California Press, Berkeley, 2000.) In this paper, the author illustrates how some of the fundamental thinking, philosophy and approaches of systems engineering are deeply embedded in the classical, 2500‐year‐old Chinese Art of War by Sun Tzu. To do this, the author draws upon the definitions and conceptualizations of systems engineering by INCOSE or endorsed by INCOSE Fellows. For the citations of Art of War in English, he draws upon an almost century old translation in 1910 by Lionel Giles [http://www.chinapage.com/sunzi‐e.html]. Specifically, an illustration is provided on how Sun Tzu emphasized critically the importance of subsystems within a system. Also 2.5 millennia ago Sun Tzu had already predicated that performance outcomes were dependent upon a ‘‘quantifying’’ information. Finally, corporate strategy processes in the ASEAN region as inspired by the Art of War of Sun Tzu are contrasted by the author with the conceptualization of seven facets of systems engineering by Bahill and Gissing [IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybernet Part C Appl Rev 28(4) (1998), 516– 527]. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng