bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Galactosylated multimodular lipoplexes for specific gene transfer into primary hepatocytes
Authors: Letrou‐Bonneval Emilie , Chèvre Raphaël , Lambert Olivier , Costet Philippe , André Corinne , Tellier Charles , Pitard Bruno 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackgroundNumerous synthetic cationic vectors have been synthesized and are successfully used forin vitrogene transfer but an excess of positive charges can lead to cytotoxicity and does not enable specific transfection.MethodsWe decided to develop alternative molecular systems consisting of neutral, colloidally stable bioassemblies equipped with ligands for specific cell targeting. Consequently, we directed our efforts toward the development of a multimodular non‐viral gene delivery system consisting of a condensed core of DNA with cationic liposomes of bis(guanidinium)‐tren‐cholesterol and an external corona of poly(ethylene oxide) stretches harbored by the steric stabilizers used to stabilize lipoplexes colloidally. A ligand capable of cell targeting by receptor‐mediated endocytosis was covalently linked at the poly(ethylene oxide) extremity of steric stabilizers. Steric stabilizers were functionalized by a one‐step enzymatic galactosylation to develop new supramolecular assemblies of lipoplexes able to target asialoglycoprotein receptors located on primary hepatocytes.ResultsCryo‐TEM and fluorescence experiments showed that DNA was condensed within lamellar complexes whose size ranged between 100 to 300 nm in diameter. Bis(guanidinium)‐tren‐cholesterol‐DNA lipoplexes, colloidally stabilized by galactosylated steric stabilizers at a galactosylated steric stabilizer/DNA ratio of 300, led to specific transfection of primary hepatocytes whereas ungalactosylated steric stabilizer did not transfect.ConclusionsOur findings confirm the receptor‐mediated endocytosis pathway of galactosylated multimodular lipoplexes. Thus, we conclude that the fabrication of a multimodular assembly harboring a ligand without non‐specific interaction with cell membranes is possible and a highly promising system to transfect other primary or cultured cells specifically through a receptor‐dependent mechanism. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dendrimer/DNA complexes encapsulated functional biodegradable polymer for substrate‐mediated gene delivery
Authors: Fu Hui‐Li , Cheng Si‐Xue , Zhang Xian‐Zheng , Zhuo Ren‐Xi 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackgroundTo overcome the extracellular barriers in gene delivery and direct gene delivery to target tissues, substrate‐mediated transfection, which sustains the release of naked DNA or vector/DNA complexes, and also supports cell growth, has been developed.MethodsIn the present study, polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer/DNA complexes encapsulated functional biodegradable polymer films for substrate‐mediated gene delivery were prepared. To maintain the activity of DNA during dehydration, the dendrimer/DNA complexes were encapsulated in a water soluble polymer, poly α,β‐[N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐L‐aspartamide], and then deposited on or sandwiched in functional polymer films with a fast degradation rate to mediate gene transfection. The in vitro gene transfections of pGL3‐Luc and pEGFP‐C1 plasmids in HEK293 cells mediated by different films were studied. For comparison, the transfection mediated by the film fabricated by conventional linear poly(DL‐lactide) was also investigated.ResultsThe expression of pGL3‐Luc and pEGFP‐C1 plasmids could effectively be mediated by the PAMAM/DNA complexes deposited or sandwiched polymer films, with transfection efficiencies comparable to that of solution‐based transfections. The cells on the functionalized star poly(DL‐lactide) film exhibited much higher gene expression compared to the cells on the conventional linear poly(DL‐lactide) film because the fast degradation rate of star poly(DL‐lactide) facilitated the access of PAMAM/DNA complexes for the cells seeded on the film. In addition, the films did not exhibit any additional cytotoxicity to the cells during the degradation and transfection.ConclusionsThe fast degrading functional polymer has great potential for localized transfection. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feasibility of the radioastatination of a monoclonal antibody with astatine‐211 purified by wet extraction
Authors: Bourgeois Mickaël , Guerard François , Alliot Cyrille , Mougin‐Degraef Marie , Rajérison Holisoa , Remaud‐Le Saëc Patricia , Gestin Jean‐François , Davodeau François , Chérel Michel , Barbet Jacques , Faivre‐Chauvet Alain 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAstatine‐211, a most promising α‐particle emitter for targeted radiotherapy, is generally obtained by high‐temperature distillation. However, a liquid–liquid extraction procedure (wet extraction) has also been described. The purpose of this study was to develop and optimize the labelling of the stannylated‐activated ester N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl‐meta‐trimethylstannylbenzoate ester (MeSTB) with astatine‐211 extracted in di‐isopropylether (DIPE) in the presence of the oxidant N‐chlorosuccinimide (NCS). The effect of final volume, incubation duration and NCS amounts on radiolabelling yield was studied. The best yields (85–90%) of N‐hydroxysuccinimidyl‐meta‐[211At]astatobenzoate ester (SAB) were obtained with 20 nmol of MeSTB, 100 nmol of NCS in 120 µL of DIPE after 15 min. The astatine‐211‐labelled‐activated ester was then used to radiolabel a monoclonal antibody (mAb). The labelling yield was 20–25% and the radiochemical purity was 97–99%. These results show that mAbs may be efficiently labelled with astatine‐211 obtained by wet extraction, a fully automatable technique that may prove to be a useful alternative to dry distillation for high activity labelling of radiopharmaceuticals. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treatment with silybin‐vitamin E‐phospholipid complex in patients with hepatitis C infection
Authors: Falasca Katia , Ucciferri Claudio , Mancino Paola , Vitacolonna Ester , De Tullio Domenico , Pizzigallo Eligio , Conti Pio , Vecchiet Jacopo 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and anti‐inflammatory effects of silybin‐phospholipids and vitamin E complex (SPV complex), by determining cytokine patterns and various markers of liver disease. Forty Caucasian patients with chronic HCV infection were recruited and divided into two groups: 30 were treated with SPV complex for 3 months, while the other 10 did not receive any treatment. Ten other subjects without HCV infection but with staeatosic diagnosis were recruited and treated with SPV complex. Biochemical and hepatic principal parameters were investigated at 0 (T0) and 3 months (T3). The group of HCV patients treated showed an improvement trend of hepatic indecises and viral load, and had a significant and persistent reduction of ALT (P = 0.02) and AST serum level (P = 0.01). In this group cytokines showed a statistically significant increase of IL‐2 (P = 0.03) and IL‐6 were significantly reduced (P = 0.02) at T0 and T3. After the treatment the group of hepatic steatosics showed a significant decrease in ALT (P = 0.02), AST (0.008), γGT (0.004) alkaline phosphatase (0.05), total cholesterol (P = 0.03), fasting glucose (P = 0.008), insulinemia (0.0006), HOMA value (0.002) and C‐reactive protein (CRP; 0.04). There was a significant reduction of IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 (P = 0.02, 0.05 and 0.04, respectively). The data suggest that the SPV complex exerts hepatoprotective, anti‐inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. This new compound may therefore be useful in clinical practice in patients with chronic hepatitis C who cannot undergo conventional antiviral therapy. J. Med. Virol. 80:1900–1906, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human herpesvirus 6 integrates within telomeric regions as evidenced by five different chromosomal Sites
Authors: Nacheva Elisabeth P. , Ward Katherine N. , Brazma Diana , Virgili Anna , Howard Julie , Leong Hoe Nam , Clark Duncan A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractFluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to investigate the chromosomal integration sites of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6) in phytohemagglutinin‐stimulated leukocytes and B lymphocytes from Epstein–Barr virus transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Five different chromosomal integration sites were found in nine individuals. Only one site was identified in each individual, each site was in the vicinity of the telomeric region and was on either the p or q arm of only one of the two chromosome homologues. The sites were 9q34.3, 10q26.3, 11p15.5, 17p13.3, and 19q 13.4, of which three have not been previously identified. For 9q34.3 the site of integration was further mapped using a locus‐specific probe for 9q34.3 together with a pan‐telomeric probe and both co‐localized with the HHV‐6 signal. Similarly an arm‐specific telomeric probe for 19q co‐localized with the HHV‐6 signal. It was therefore concluded that the site of integration is actually within the telomere. The number of viral DNA copies/cell was calculated in blood, LCL cells and hair follicles and was one or more in every case for each of the nine individuals. This result was confirmed by FISH where 100% of cells gave an HHV‐6 signal. These findings add to previous reports suggesting that integrated HHV‐6 DNA is found in every cell in the body and transmitted vertically. Finally, including our data, worldwide seven different chromosomal sites of HHV‐6 integration have now been identified. Large epidemiological studies of chromosomal integration are required to identify further telomeric sites, geographical or racial variation and possible clinical consequences. J. Med. Virol. 80:1952–1958, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Change of hepatitis B virus genotypes in acute and chronic infections in Japan
Authors: Kobayashi Mariko , Ikeda Kenji , Arase Yasuji , Suzuki Fumitaka , Akuta Norio , Hosaka Tetsuya , Sezaki Hitomi , Yatsuji Hiromi , Kobayashi Masahiro , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Watahiki Sachiyo , Mineta Rie , Iwasaki Satomi , Miyakawa Yuzo , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDuring 35 years from 1971 to 2005, 153 patients with acute and 4,277 with chronic HBV infection visited the Toranomon Hospital in Tokyo, Japan. They were grouped into seven 5‐year periods, and HBV genotypes/subgenotypes were determined. Patients with acute HBV infection were younger (P = 0.046), predominantly male (P = 0.004), possessed higher alanine aminotransferase levels (P < 0.001), positive more frequently for HBeAg (P < 0.001), and had lower HBV DNA loads (P = 0.014) than those with chronic infection. Sexual transmission was more frequent in patients with acute than chronic HBV infection (67% vs. 3%, P < 0.001). The number of patients with acute infection increased throughout 1971–2005. Patients with chronic infection increased since 1971, peaked in 1986–1990 and then decreased. The number of patients increased since 1990–2000 again, however, reflecting recent boost of acute HBV infection. The distribution of HBV genotypes was considerably different between patients with acute and chronic infections (A, B, and C: 28.6%, 10.3%, and 59.5% vs. 3.0%, 12.3%, and 84.5%, respectively, P < 0.001). Since 1991, genotype A foreign to Japan started to increase sharply in patients with acute infection, and gradually in those with chronic infection. There was a trend for the foreign subgenotype B2/Ba to increase recently (P < 0.05). Despite immunoprophylaxis of high‐risk babies born to carrier mothers with hepatitis B e antigen, implemented nationally since 1986, acute and chronic infections with HBV have been increasing in Japan. Based on genotypes/subgenotypes changing with time, the resurgence of hepatitis B could be attributed to infections, with foreign HBV genotypes/subgenotypes, spreading swiftly by sexual contact. J. Med. Virol. 80:1880–1884, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A pilot study on the distribution of human papillomavirus genotypes and HPV‐16 variants in cervical neoplastic lesions from Ecuadorian women
Authors: Tornesello Maria Lina , Buonaguro Luigi , Izzo Sergio , Lopez Guillermo , Vega Ximena , Maldonado Reyes Claudio Francisco , Buonaguro Franco Maria 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHuman papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the cause of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive carcinomas of the uterine cervix. The distribution of specific HPV genotypes varies greatly across populations and HPV surveys have been performed in different geographical regions in order to apply appropriate vaccine strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the spectrum of HPV genotypes and HPV‐16 variants among women with cervical lesions living in Ecuador. A total of 71 cases have been analyzed, including 32 chronic cervicitis, 29 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1, and 10 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2–3. HPV sequences were detected by broad spectrum consensus‐primer‐pairs MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+‐based polymerase chain reaction and characterized by nucleotide sequence analysis. Overall, 31 (43.7%) cases were HPV positive with prevalence rates of 37.5%, 44.8%, and 60% in patients with chronic cervicitis, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2–3, respectively. Among the positive cases, the most common genotypes were HPV 16 (64.5%) and HPV 81 (29%) followed by HPV 31, 53, 56, and 58, in descending order of prevalence. Seventeen (85%) HPV‐16 isolates were classified as European and three (15%) as African‐1 variant on the basis of nucleotide signature present within the MY09/MY11 L1 sequence. The results suggest that HPV 16 has a very high prevalence among women with cervical lesions in Ecuador; therefore, an effective HPV‐16 based vaccine should prevent the development of cervical cancer in a large proportion of Ecuadorian women. J. Med. Virol. 80:1959–1965, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional polymorphism of the promoter region of the prostacyclin synthase gene and severity of RSV infection in hospitalized children
Authors: Hashimoto Koichi , Ishibashi Kei , Gebretsadik Tebeb , Hartert Tina V. , Yamamoto Akihiro , Nakayama Tomohiro , Ohashi Kazutaka , Sakata Hiroshi , Kawasaki Yukihiko , Katayose Masahiko , Sakuma Hiroko , Suzuki Hitoshi , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Peebles Ray Stokes , Suzutani Tatsuo 
Published: September 2008

AbstractProstaglandin I2(PGI2) protects against RSV‐induced illness in mice. A variable‐number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism has been detected in the promoter region of the PGI2synthase (PGIS) gene. We sought to determine if PGI2concentrations or polymorphisms of the PGIS gene correlate with severity of RSV lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in human infants. VNTR polymorphisms were studied in 81 previously healthy children between birth and 12 months of age who were hospitalized for LRTI due to RSV and 98 healthy adult control subjects. The severity of RSV infection was quantified using a clinical scoring system, and infant urine samples were collected during the acute illness for measurement of the urinary metabolite of PGI2. There were no significant differences in the overall distribution of alleles and genotypes between infants with RSV LRTI and the control subjects. The severity of RSV infection significantly inversely correlated with urinary PGI2metabolite concentrations. The urinary PGI2metabolite concentration correlated with the number of VNTR. The presence of a genotype with a low number VNTR repeats significantly correlated with the most severe RSV LRTI, and genotypes with the highest number of VNTR correlated with the least severe RSV LRTI. A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the PGIS gene is associated with both significant differences in urinary PGI2concentrations during RSV LRTI, and severity of RSV infection in previously healthy infants. J. Med. Virol. 80:2015–2022, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Light‐ and dark‐dependent orexinergic neuronal signals promote neurodegenerative phenomena accounting for distinct behavioral responses in the teleostThalassoma pavo
Authors: Facciolo Rosa Maria , Crudo Michele , Giusi Giuseppina , Alò Raffaella , Canonaco Marcello 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe neuropeptides hypocretins/orexins (ORX) are known to control state‐dependent activities such as sleep–wakefulness, energy homeostasis, thermoregulation, and maternal behaviors. To date, interests regarding environmental‐related ORX‐ergic neuronal functions have dealt with mammals; only recently is attention beginning to be directed toward aquatic vertebrates. Here, photoperiod‐dependent effects of ORX‐A on behavioral, neurodegenerative and transcriptional activities were evaluated in some forebrain areas of a teleost Labridae (ornate wrasse,Thalassoma pavo). The ornate wrasse, when treated intraperitoneally with a high physiological dose (100 ng/g) of ORX‐A and exposed to a natural photoperiod (12L:12D), exhibited very high (P< 0.001) locomotion and feeding behaviors. ORX‐A in the presence of a constant light photoperiod accounted for numerically even greater (>500%) feeding frequencies. Conversely, constant dark conditions very strongly reduced feeding habits and moderately (P< 0.05) increased resting states. In this case, the same ORX‐A and photoperiodic conditions responsible for altered behaviors also induced neurodegenerative processes in the different hypothalamic, mesencephalic, and telencephalic neuronal fields. Interestingly, this ORX‐A treatment seemed to be correlated to greater up‐regulatory patterns of ORX receptor mRNA in these same brain areas, above all under constant light conditions rather than natural photoperiod. On the other hand, telencephalic sites provided a very active expression capacity during the dark phase. Overall, these results suggest for the first time that at least in the ornate wrasse, light‐ and dark‐dependent ORX‐ergic neuronal activities are able to cause short‐ and long‐term abnormal motor behaviors, likely through neurodegenerative and transcriptional events in a brain regional manner. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quality circle programmes: Volunteering for participation
Authors: Norris Dwight R. , Cox James F. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDiscriminant analysis was used to develop a profile of a typical Quality Circle Programme participant. Selected demographic, attitudinal, and behavioural characteristics were evaluated. Six characteristics significantly differentiated quality circle members from non‐members, including educational level, tenure, job satisfaction, consideration, performance, and absenteeism. A profile of the typical circle member is described, and interpretations of the discriminant analysis are discussed.
Withdrawal and restraining factors in teachers' turnover intentions
Authors: Lachman Ran , Diamant Ester 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis study examines how work‐related withdrawal‐inducing and restraining factors affect the intention to leave work of male and female teachers. It is assumed that while these intentions are induced by the employee's affective reaction to the work environment, they are also restrained by those personal gains and advantages provided by the present job that cannot be transferred to another.A path analysis performed on data collected from 239 high school teachers in Israel indicates some differences between the male and female groups. Some restraining effects on the intentions to resign were found among both, but the prevailing assumption that affective work reactions mediate between work environment and the intent to leave, was found among male teachers only. This and other observed differences in the predictors of male and female teachers' intentions to resign question the generality of prevailing assumptions of the psychological process of withdrawal. The need for gender adjustments in withdrawal models is proposed.
Advanced manufacturing technology and work simplification: An empirical study
Authors: Wall Toby D. , Clegg Chris W. , Davies Robert T. , Kemp Nigel J. , Mueller Wally S. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper is concerned with the effects of advanced manufacturing technology on shopfloor operator jobs and work attitudes. A strong line of argument from labour process theory suggests that such technology will simplify and deskill jobs, and reduce the quality or working life. This proposition was explored within a large electronics company which assembles computer boards, where two different applications of information technology have been experienced. These were compared with two traditional manual assembly jobs. Assessment of job content, perceived job characteristics and operator work attitudes, showed no uniform deskilling effects of advanced manufacturing technologies. Much larger differences existed both between the different new technology applications and between the traditional jobs. This demonstrates that choice of technology is important to skill use and employees' attitudes, as are the choices for the organization of work around it. These are not uniform processes even within a single organization. Experience of operating advanced manufacturing technology was also accompanied by more positive views concerning its impact on the shopfloor.
Nitrogen‐fixing nonlegumes in Egypt. I. Nodulation and N2(C2H2) fixation by Casuarina equisetifolia
Authors: Wahab A. M. Abdel 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis study examines nodulation and some aspects of N2 fixation by Casuarina equisetifolia growing in Egypt. Plants examined were 2 to 10 years of age, and all were nodulated. Nodules varied from young meristematic lobes on lateral roots to clusters occasionally reaching 10 cm in diameter; they had the characteristic features of the Myrica/Casuarina type. Nodules became brown, woody and lost their N2‐fixing activities in the late summer months.Acetylene reduction was used to assay nodule activity. Maximum rates of N2(C2H2) fixation were observed at 35 °C. Acetylene reduction by excised nodules was linear for 6 hours, then slowly declined and finally ceased after 10 hours. Variations in N2(C2H2) fixation rates due to season and time of day were also examined. Active fixation was recorded throughout different seasons of the year, except in the late summer months. Diurnal fluctuations showed that N2(C2H2) fixation was higher at night than during the day or afternoon. The results are discussed and compared to the findings of other investigators.
Frost mapping in southern Victoria: An assessment of HCMM thermal imagery
Authors: Kalma J. D. , Byrne G. F. , Johnson M. E. , Laughlin G. P. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHCMM satellite thermal imagery is used in a detailed frost assessment in an important horticultural area near Melbourne, Australia.Good general agreement is found to exist between plots based on night‐time HCMM data which show surface temperature differences across the study area and frost risk maps based on terrain and land cover. However, it is concluded that the HCMM data have insufficient spatial resolution for use in local frost mapping in the study area.Improved thermal resolution will make thermal imagery from future satellites an increasingly important tool in topo‐climatology. Without such improvements, local frost mapping will, in the absence of climatic network data or mobile topo‐climatological surveys, continue to depend on data from thermal scanners in aircraft and on detailed assessment of terrain and land cover.