bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HEMA down‐regulates procollagen α1 type I in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Teti Gabriella , Mazzotti Giovanni , Zago Michela , Ortolani Michela , Breschi Lorenzo , Pelotti Susi , Ruggeri Alessandra , Falconi Mirella 
Published: May 2008

Abstract2‐Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) can be released from restorative materials and diffused into the tooth pulp over long periods of time. Although cytotoxicity due to high concentrations of monomers has been well studied, little is known about the risk of chronic toxicity resulting from low concentrations. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of a minor toxic concentration of HEMA in the synthesis and expression of procollagen α1 type I produced by human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). HGF were exposed to 3 mM HEMA from 24 to 96 h. An MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell viability while reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), real‐time polymerase chain reaction (real‐time PCR), and Western‐blot analysis were carried out to evaluate the variability in the expression and synthesis of procollagen α1. Immunofluorescence was performed to detect the protein inside the cells. The results showed that there was a strong reduction of procollagen α 1 type I expression at 72 and 96 h. These findings demonstrate that, even if it does not reduce cell viability, 3 mM HEMA interferes both with the synthesis of the procollagen α 1 type I protein and its mRNA expression, suggesting that normal cell production and activity are modified by HEMA at concentrations below those which cause acute cytotoxicity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Cluster analysis of ribotyping profiles of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates recovered from foreign body‐associated orthopedic infections
Authors: Campoccia Davide , Montanaro Lucio , von Eiff Christof , Pirini Valter , Ravaioli Stefano , Becker Karsten , Arciola Carla Renata 
Published: May 2008

AbstractStaphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic pathogen of major clinical interest for its high prevalence in implant‐associated infections. However, only little information is available on the phylogeny of its major clonal entities and their virulence and resistance markers. Therefore, purpose of this study was to characterize four clusters identified by automated ribotyping of 70 isolates derived from orthopedic, mostly foreign body‐related infections. The ica locus, encoding the polysaccharide intercellular adhesin, the IS256 insertion element as well as the resistance to gentamicin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, and ciprofloxacin were all traits uniquely observed in two of these clusters. The phylogenetic analysis of the S. epidermidis clusters offered a detailed insight into the clonal origin of exopolysaccharide‐ producing and multiresistant strains with transposons appearing to be actively involved in genetic exchanges. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Synthesis and characterization of L‐tyrosine based polyurethanes for biomaterial applications
Authors: Sarkar Debanjan , Yang Jui‐Chen , Gupta Anirban Sen , Lopina Stephanie T. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe use of amino acid based polymers for biomaterial applications enhance biocompatibility and ensure biodegradability. Two polyurethanes based on L‐tyrosine based diphenolic dipeptide, desaminotyrosyl tyrosine hexyl ester as chain extender are synthesized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone diol (PCL) as soft segment and hexamethylene diisocyanate as diisocyanate. The chemical structure and molecular characteristics of the polymers were studied by 1H NMR, FTIR, and gel permeation chromatography. Results of DSC and TGA analysis were used for examining the thermal behavior of the polyurethanes. In addition, DSC results were used to analyze the morphology of the polymers, which shows characteristic microphase behavior of the polyurethanes. The tensile properties of the polyurethanes are primarily controlled by the soft segment and are higher in PCL based polymers. Contact angle, water vapor permeation, release of model drug, and water absorption characteristics of the polymers were studied and analyzed in terms of structure of the polyurethanes. In vitro degradation studies show that PEG based polyurethane is more degradable than PCL based polyurethane. The difference in the soft segment structure offers significant variation in the properties of the polyurethanes. These polyurethanes show the potential for use in a variety of biomaterial applications including tissue engineering. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Pareto optimization in computational protein design with multiple objectives
Authors: Suárez María , Tortosa Pablo , Carrera Javier , Jaramillo Alfonso 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe optimization for function in computational design requires the treatment of, often competing, multiple objectives. Current algorithms reduce the problem to a single objective optimization problem, with the consequent loss of relevant solutions. We present a procedure, based on a variant of a Pareto algorithm, to optimize various competing objectives in protein design that allows reducing in several orders of magnitude the search of the solution space. Our methodology maintains the diversity of solutions and provides an iterative way to incorporate automatic design methods in the design of functional proteins. We have applied our systematic procedure to design enzymes optimized for both catalysis and stability. However, this methodology can be applied to any computational chemistry application requiring multi‐objective combinatorial optimization techniques. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
Molecular modeling of A1and A2Aadenosine receptors: Comparison of rhodopsin‐ and β2‐adrenergic‐based homology models through the docking studies
Authors: Yuzlenko Olga , Kieć‐Kononowicz Katarzyna 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAdenosine receptors (ARs) are members of the superfamily of G protein‐coupled receptors. The homology models of adenosine A1and A2Areceptors were constructed. The high‐resolution X‐ray structure of bovine rhodopsin and crystal structure of β2‐adrenergic receptor were used as templates. The binding sites of the A1and A2AARs were constructed by using data obtained from mutagenesis experiments as well as docking simulations of the respective AR antagonsistsDPCPXandXAC. To compare rhodopsin‐ and β2‐adrenergic‐based models, the binding mode of A1(KW‐3902,LUF‐5437) and A2A(KW‐6002,ZM‐241385) ARs antagonists were also examined. The differences in the binding ability of both models were noted during the study. The β2‐adrenergic‐based A2AAR model was much more capable to stabilize the ligand in the binding site cavity than the corresponding rhodopsin‐based A2AAR model, however, such differences were not so clear in case of A1AR models. It was suggested that for the A1AR it is possible to use the crystal structure of rhodopsin as a template as well as β2‐adrenergic receptor, but for A2AAR, with the now available β2‐adrenergic receptor X‐ray structure, docking studies should be avoided on the rhodopsin‐based model. However, taking into account that the β2AR shares about 31% of the residues with the AR in comparison to 21% in case of bRho, we suggest using β2‐adrenergic‐based models for the A1and A2AARs for further in silico ligand screening also because of their generally better ability to stabilize ligands inside the binding pocket. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Efficient electronic integrals and their generalized derivatives for object oriented implementations of electronic structure calculations
Authors: Flocke N. , Lotrich V. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractFor the new parallel implementation of electronic structure methods in ACES III (Lotrich et al., in preparation) the present state‐of‐the‐art algorithms for the evaluation of electronic integrals and their generalized derivatives were implemented in new object oriented codes with attention paid to efficient execution on modern processors with a deep hierarchy of data storage including multiple caches and memory banks. Particular attention has been paid to define proper integral blocks as basic building objects. These objects are stand‐alone units and are no longer tied to any specific software. They can hence be used by any quantum chemistry code without modification. The integral blocks can be called at any time and in any sequence during the execution of an electronic structure program. Evaluation efficiency of these integral objects has been carefully tested and it compares well with other fast integral programs in the community. Correctness of the objects has been demonstrated by several application runs on real systems using the ACES III program. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
The role of organizational cultures in information‐systems security management: A goal‐setting perspective
Authors: Koskosas Ioannis V. , Charitoudi Georgia , Louta Malamati 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe aim of this research is to investigate the role of strong organizational cultures in setting information‐systems security goals. In doing so, we explore and discuss the concept of culture within three financial organizations with different social and organizational structures, and seek to demonstrate the importance of having a cohesive culture in efficiently setting information‐security goals. The relationship between goal setting, culture strength, and performance is also discussed, as there have been studies that indirectly indicate that such a relationship may exist. The contribution of this work to interpretive information‐systems research consists of its study of culture and goal setting in a security‐management context, and its grounding within an interpretive epistemology. In addition, this research promotes an interdisciplinary and interorganizational theory to foster dialogue that transcends industry‐specific contexts and explores different organizational practices that can improve leadership's role in human life.
Symposium. Effects of affect and traits in U.S. presidential candidates. Leadership quality and follower affect. Role of measurement error in assessing qualities of presidential candidates. The authors respond. Perception is reality—in the minds of the voters: An interview with David Albritton
Authors: Korukonda Appa Rao , Pielstick C. Dean , Sloboda Brian , Albritton M. David , Oswald Sharon L. , Anderson Joseph S. , Ament Allan 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn the Winter, 2008 issue of JLS, authors David Albritton, Sharon
Oswald, and Joseph Anderson presented their research regarding the relationship
between perceived leader traits of U.S. presidential contenders and both voter‐perceived
leadership quality and behavior. The Abstract from that article
serves as an introduction for the three responses from Appa Rao Korukonda,
C. Dean Pielstick, and Brian Sloboda. To further enhance the discussion,
Albritton, Oswald, and Anderson revisit their work. An interview conducted by
Allan Ament with David Albritton concludes this Symposium.
Patterns of morphospace occupation and mechanical performance in extant crocodilian skulls: A combined geometric morphometric and finite element modeling approach
Authors: Pierce Stephanie E. , Angielczyk Kenneth D. , Rayfield Emily J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractExtant and fossil crocodilians have long been divided into taxonomic and/or ecological groups based on broad patterns of skull shape, particularly the relative length and width of the snout. However, these patterns have not been quantitatively analyzed in detail, and their biomechanical and functional implications are similarly understudied. Here, we use geometric morphometrics and finite element analysis to explore the patterns of variation in crocodilian skull morphology and the functional implications of those patterns. Our results indicate that skull shape variation in extant crocodiles is much more complex than previously recognized. Differences in snout length and width are the main components of shape variation, but these differences are correlated with changes in other regions of the skull. Additionally, there is considerable disparity within general classes such as longirostrine and brevirostrine forms. For example, Gavialis and Tomistoma occupy different parts of morphospace implying a significant difference in skull shape, despite the fact that both are traditionally considered longirostrine. Skull length and width also strongly influence the mechanical performance of the skull; long and narrow morphotypes (e.g., Tomistoma) experience the highest amount of stress during biting, whereas short and broad morphotypes (e.g., Caiman latirostris) experience the least amount of stress. Biomechanical stress and the hydrodynamic properties of the skull show a strong relationship with the distribution of crocodilians in skull morphospace, whereas phylogeny and biogeography show weak or no correlation. Therefore, ecological specializations related to feeding and foraging likely have the greatest influence on crocodilian skull shape. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The postorbital palatoquadrate articulation in elasmobranchs
Authors: Maisey John G. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAlthough modern hexanchiforms are the only extant elasmobranchs with a postorbital articulation, according to most morphological and molecular cladistic analyses they are not basal, suggesting that Huxley (1876Proc Zool Soc 1876;24–59) correctly identified this articulation as “an altogether secondary connection.” A postorbital articulation is present in many Paleozoic sharks, but differs from that found in hexanchiforms in its morphology, topographic position on the braincase, and inferred ontogenetic origins. Furthermore, a postorbital articulation is absent in hybodonts (the putative extinct sister group to neoselachians). It is proposed that the term amphistylic should be restricted to the modern hexanchiform condition, where the articular facet is located on the primary postorbital process. An identical articulation probably existed in some extinct galeomorphs (e.g., †Synechodus dubrisiensis, †Paraorthacodus), but is not widespread within elasmobranchs generally. The termarchaeostylic(“ancient pillar”) is proposed here for the suspensorial arrangement in Paleozic sharks with a postorbital articulation on the ventrolateral part of the lateral commissure. Such an articulation is not known in other gnathostomes and may represent a basal chondrichthyan synapomophy (especially if †Pucapampellais a stem chondrichthyan), suggesting that the autodiastylic pattern is not primitive for chondrichthyans and that holocephalans have secondarily lost a postorbital articulation. The amphistylic condition may have arisen from the archaeostylic, or it could have been acquired independently within neoselachians, but in either case it is most parsimoniously viewed as apomorphic. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolution of ochratoxin A content during red and rose vinification
Authors: Lasram Salma , Mani Arij , Zaied Chiraz , Chebil Samir , Abid Salwa , Bacha Hassen , Mliki Ahmed , Ghorbel Abdelwahed 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: This work aims to investigate the effects of the common vinification steps on the fate of the ochratoxin A (OTA) during wine making. Two assays of red and rose microvinification, with artificially contaminated grapes, were performed. The content of this mycotoxin was also monitored throughout the process of red wine making from naturally contaminated grapes in a winery.RESULTS: The results from the different assays revealed that the maceration of pomace have a significant effect on the increase of OTA content in red wine (P < 0.05) whereas the alcoholic fermentation had a reducing effect. However, the spontaneous malolactic fermentation showed no significant effect on the OTA content in wine (P > 0.05). Storage of red wine in tanks followed by draining caused a significant decrease of OTA of about 55%. Clarification with a gelatin oenological fining agent contributed to the removal of up to 58% of OTA from red wine.CONCLUSION: Overall, a consistent decrease in OTA concentration was noticed throughout either red or rose vinification. This work has contributed to the understanding of the fate of OTA during different vinification processes, especially from naturally contaminated grapes. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparative effect of biofertilizers on fodder production and quality in guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.)
Authors: Mishra Seema , Sharma Satyawati , Vasudevan Padma 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Panicum maximum Jacq. is one of the most important fodder grasses of the tropics. For good production and growth it requires high amounts of N fertilizer. Chemical fertilizers have a deleterious effect on soil fertility and are not economical for resource‐poor farmers. Utilization of plant growth‐promoting bacteria and fungi proved to be beneficial for improving crop production as well as the soil fertility. In the present paper the effect of inoculation of N fixer (Azospirillum brasilense) and P solubilizers (arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi consortia and inoculum of Glomus intraradiaces) was studied in single as well as mixed inoculation on forage yield and quality in guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) at different cuttings under the cut‐and‐carry system.RESULTS: Overall five cuttings were obtained during the year. Dual inoculation, i.e., Azospirillum with indigenous AM consortia, significantly improved fodder growth, production and quality in terms of crude protein (CP) content, while neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content decreased after this treatment. The density of soil microbes (number of Azospirillum colony‐forming units, number of AM spores) was enhanced in mixed inoculation. Chemical fertilizer improved fodder production and CP content significantly over control but also enhanced NDF and ADF content and suppressed the Azospirillum colony‐forming units, AM spores and AM root infection.CONCLUSION: It could be concluded from the present study that inoculated N fixer and P solubilizer have a synergistic effect which enhanced overall fodder production, quality and also beneficial microflora in the rhizosphere soil, which also demonstrated the sustainability of biofertilizers. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of forest plantations on rainfall redistribution and erosion in the red soil region of Southern China
Authors: Cao Y. , Ouyang Z. Y. , Zheng H. , Huang Z. G. , Wang X. K. , Miao H. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractTo evaluate the effects of different forest plantations on rainfall redistribution, we measured throughfall, stemflow, interception loss, surface runoff and soil loss from July 2004 to September 2005 in the three types of forest plantations Eucommia ulmoides, Vernicia fordii and Pinus massoniana. The results showed that differences in throughfall and stemflow between the three forest plantations were significant (p < 0·05). Throughfall was highest in the V.fordii plantation and stemflow was highest in the E.ulmoides plantation. Throughfall plus stemflow below the E.ulmoides canopy was greater than that underneath the other forest types. Moreover, significant spatial variation in throughfall was observed. Throughfall in P.massoniana was 28·0–39·7% higher at a stem distance < 60 cm or 11·5% lower at a stem distance > 120 cm than in the other forests, but the difference was not significant between E.ulmoides and V.fordii. Moreover, the difference in throughfall at stem distances 60–120 cm was not significant between the different forest plantations. For E.ulmoides, throughfall under the peripheral crown part was 16·1% higher than that close to the stem. In contrast to E.ulmoides, P.massoniana had 26·8% lower throughfall under the peripheral crown part than close to the stem. No significant difference was found in throughfall for the various stem distances underneath V.fordii. Stemflow in E.ulmoides was 2–3 times higher than in the other forests (p < 0·01). Interception loss accounted for 19·9% of gross rainfall for E.ulmoides, 20·8% for V.fordii and 27·2% for P.massoniana. Surface runoff and soil loss differed considerably among the three types of forest plantations. Annual runoff and total soil loss were lowest in the P.massoniana forest and highest in the V.fordii forest. This study indicated that P.massoniana, as a reforestation tree species, had the most positive effect on soil and water conservation among the three forest plantations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses of Well‐Defined Glyco‐Polyorganosiloxanes by “Click” Chemistry and their Surfactant Properties
Authors: Halila Sami , Manguian Maggy , Fort Sébastien , Cottaz Sylvain , Hamaide Thierry , Fleury Etienne , Driguez Hugues 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWell‐defined glyco‐polyorganosiloxanes were synthesized by the Cu(I)‐catalyzed Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction (often simply referred to as “click” chemistry). N‐propargylglycosylamines 2 and 4 were first synthesized from cellobiose (1) and xylogluco‐oligosaccharide XGOs 3 without protecting groups. The azide function was introduced into polydimethylsiloxanes [PDMS: 5 (MD′M) and 7 (M′DM′)] by azidolysis of the counterpart epoxy silicon with NaN3 to afford the mono‐azido 6 and di‐azido 8 derivatives, respectively. The coupling reaction took place in a hydro‐alcoholic medium in the presence of CuSO4/sodium ascorbate as catalyst. Only one compound, MD′M‐“click”‐XGO 12 showed good solubility in water with interesting surfactant properties.magnified image
Effect of Fullerene on Photocurrent Performance of 6‐O‐Porphyrin‐2,3‐di‐O‐stearoylcellulose Langmuir‐Blodgett Films
Authors: Sakakibara Keita , Nakatsubo Fumiaki 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThin films consisting of 6‐O‐porphyrin‐2,3‐di‐O‐stearoylcellulose (H2PCS) and fullerene (C60) were fabricated for anodic photocurrent generation systems by the Langmuir‐Blodgett (LB) technique. The π‐complexation between the porphyrin moiety and C60 in the LB films was investigated by means of the surface pressure (π)‐area (A) isotherms, UV‐vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The photocurrent density generated from the H2PCS–C60 LB monolayer films exhibited an increase with increasing the C60 proportion and reached a maximum at a mixing ratio of 1:2, yielding a quantum yield of 12.5% and an IPCE (incident photon‐to‐current efficiency) of 0.50% at a bias potential of +100 mV vs. SCE. Furthermore, the LB five‐layer films could give rise to the IPCE value of 1.5% at +100 mV without significant decline of the quantum yields, which was due to the function of C60 as an electron carrier to improve the interlayer electron transfer through each layer. These results have demonstrated a promising method for preparing the donor–acceptor systems using cellulose as a scaffold in the LB films.magnified image
Synthesis of Double‐Hydrophilic BAB Triblock Copolymers via RAFT Polymerisation and their Thermoresponsive Self‐Assembly in Water
Authors: Skrabania Katja , Li Wen , Laschewsky André 
Published: May 2008

AbstractTriblock copolymers of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐block‐poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) were synthesised via RAFT polymerisation using a symmetrical bistrithiocarbonate. Keeping the block length of the permanently hydrophilic middle block constant, the length of the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) block was varied broadly. The thermoresponsive aggregation of the polymers in water was studied by 1H NMR, turbidimetry, and dynamic light scattering. The complex aggregation behaviour was block length dependent and occurred under kinetic control. Importantly, different information on the hydrophilic‐hydrophobic transition of the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) block was obtained using the various analytical methods and could not be directly correlated.magnified image