bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An ethical solution to the challenges in teaching anatomy with dissection in the Chinese culture
Authors: Zhang Luqing , Wang Yunfeng , Xiao Ming , Han Qunying , Ding Jiong 
Published: March 2008

AbstractUniversities and medical schools in China are faced with an ongoing shortage of cadavers for education and research because of insufficient numbers of cadaver donations. This article will examine the main obstacles to cadaver donation in the Chinese culture. These include superstitious traditional views about the body, a lack of legislation regulating donations, and a deficiency of effective channels for cadaver donations. Cadaver dissection has always been the most important method of teaching anatomy to medical students. Today, ethics courses have also become essential to a complete medical education. Contemporary physicians need to be equipped to navigate the myriad of moral and ethical issues inherent to modern medicine. In China, cadaver donations lag behind those in other countries, threatening to create valid disadvantages in medical education. New legislation and public education are necessary to remove cultural barriers and change Chinese views on cadaver donation. For this reason, the Department of Human Anatomy at Nanjing Medical University has established the “Educational Center for Medical Ethics.” The goal of the Center is to promote proper respect for cadavers used for medical research and education, cherish the human lives the cadavers represent, and gain the trust of potential donors. Anat Sci Ed 1:56–59, 2008. © 2008 American Association of Anatomists.
Fetal ethanol exposure activates protein kinase a and impairsShhexpression in prechordal mesendoderm cells in the pathogenesis of holoprosencephaly
Authors: Aoto Kazushi , Shikata Yayoi , Higashiyama Daisuke , Shiota Kohei , Motoyama Jun 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND:In humans, fetal ethanol exposure can cause holoprosencephaly (HPE), one of the most common birth defects that is characterized by brain, facial, and oral abnormalities. However, the pathogenesis of HPE is not clear. In the present study, we investigated the teratogenic mechanism of ethanol‐induced brain and facial malformations in mice.METHODS:Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were administered ethanol on E7 and facial and brain malformations were characterized on E10.5. We examined the effect of fetal ethanol exposure onShhexpression and activation of protein kinase A (PKA) because mutations in the humanShhgene are the most frequent cause of autosomal‐dominant inherited HPE and PKA is a potent endogenous antagonist of Shh signaling.RESULTS:Fetal ethanol exposure on E7 induced severe midline defects characteristic of HPE. Ethanol exposure impairedShhexpression and induced excessive apoptosis only along the anterior edge of the prechordal mesendoderm (PME). In addition, ethanol activated PKA in anterior PME cells. Pretreatment of embryos with antioxidants, such as vitamins C or E, prevented the development of ethanol‐induced HPE.CONCLUSIONS:Shhexpression in PME cells is involved in the pathogenesis of ethanol‐induced HPE. Ethanol may impairShhexpression indirectly by activating PKA. The inhibition of excessive apoptosis in PME cells by antioxidants implies that oxidative stress may underlie the teratogenic actions of ethanol. Thus, antioxidant treatment may be a simple preventative measure that could reduce the incidence of HPE following fetal ethanol exposure. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymeric particles conjugated with a ligand to VCAM‐1 exhibit selective, avid, and focal adhesion to sites of atherosclerosis
Authors: Deosarkar Sudhir P. , Malgor Ramiro , Fu Jie , Kohn Leonard D. , Hanes Justin , Goetz Douglas J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe increased expression of VCAM‐1 on endothelial segments within plaque regions could be used as a target to deliver polymeric drug carriers selectively to sites of atherosclerosis. We probed the hypothesis that polymeric particles conjugated with a ligand for VCAM‐1 exhibit selective and avid adhesion to sites of atherosclerosis. Particles made from polystyrene or the biodegradable polymer poly(sebacic acid)‐block‐polyethylene glycol (PSA‐PEG) were conjugated with an antibody to VCAM‐1 (α‐VCAM‐1) or IgG (negative control). The particles were injected into the jugular vein of ApoE−/− (a murine model of atherosclerosis) or wild type mice and their adhesion to the aorta determined. α‐VCAM‐1 particles exhibited significantly greater adhesion to ApoE−/− mouse aorta [32 ± 5 (mean ± SEM) particles/mm2 for polystyrene particles and 31 ± 7 particles/mm2 for PSA‐PEG particles] compared to the level of adhesion to wild type mouse aorta (18 ± 1 particles/mm2 for polystyrene particles and 6 ± 1 particles/mm2 for PSA‐PEG particles). Within ApoE−/− mice, the α‐VCAM‐1 particles exhibited significantly greater adhesion to the aorta (32 ± 5 particles/mm2 for polystyrene particles and 31 ± 7 particles/mm2 for PSA‐PEG particles) compared to the adhesion of IgG particles (1 ± 1 particles/mm2 for polystyrene particles and 2 ± 1 particles/mm2 for PSA‐PEG particles). Detailed analysis of the adhesion revealed that α‐VCAM‐1 particles exhibited focal adhesion to plaque regions, in particular the periphery of the plaques, within the ApoE−/− mouse aorta. Combined the data demonstrate that polymeric particles conjugated with a ligand to VCAM‐1 exhibit selective, avid and focal adhesion to sites of atherosclerosis providing strong evidence that VCAM‐1 ligand bearing polymeric particles could be used for targeting drugs selectively to atherosclerotic tissue. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 400–407. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Study of the Binding Energies of Efavirenz to Wild‐Type and K103N/Y181C HIV‐1 Reverse Transcriptase Based on the ONIOM Method
Authors: Srivab Pensri , Hannongbua Supa 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA three‐layered ONIOM model was used to study the interactions between efavirenz and the binding sites of HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase (RT): wild‐type and double mutant K103N/Y181C enzyme forms. Binding energies were determined and compared to describe the loss of activity of efavirenz with the mutant HIV‐1 RT binding pocket. The calculated binding energy for the efavirenz–K103N/Y181C HIV‐1 RT complex is less than that with the wild‐type complex by approximately 8 kcal mol−1. The interaction energies, calculated at the MP2/6‐31G(d,p) level between efavirenz and individual residues surrounding the binding pocket of the K103N/Y181C enzyme, demonstrate that the attractive interactions between efavirenz and residue positions 101 and 103 were less than those for wild‐type RT by 5.52 and 3.62 kcal mol−1, respectively. Understanding these interactions could be useful in the design of inhibitors specific for the HIV‐1 RT allosteric site and that have greater potency against the mutant enzyme.
Localized intermolecular zero‐quantum coherence spectroscopy in vivo
Authors: Balla David Z. , Faber Cornelius 
Published: March 2008

AbstractResolution enhancement in NMR spectra, acquired in spatially or temporally varying magnetic fields, can be achieved with 2D pulse sequences detecting intermolecular zero‐quantum coherences (iZQC). The insensitivity towards long range field distortions renders these methods particularly appealing for in vivo NMR spectroscopy, where ample sources of field inhomogeneities are encountered. This article provides a comprehensive description of iZQC spectroscopy, following a classical treatment. A pictorial explanation is given of how iZQC signal is formed under the action of the distant dipolar field in the sample and how this local refocusing process leads to line narrowing in the indirect dimension of 2D spectra. Signal evolution and peak positions in the spectra are analyzed by solving the modified Bloch equations. Finally, it is explained how water suppression and localization can be combined with the iZQC preparation sequence, and recent in vivo applications are discussed. The given examples illustrate that iZQC spectroscopy can provide either resolution or sensitivity enhancement in vivo. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 117–133, 2008.
Optical detection of NMR in organic fluids
Authors: Meriles Carlos A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn a recent publication, Romalis and coworkers report the detection of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in water using optical Faraday rotation (OFR). This groundbreaking result sets the stage for a new class of experiments on a range of samples largely exceeding that previously thought possible. In this manuscript, I review the fundamentals behind Faraday rotation including those aspects of the theory that lead to detection of NMR. I also describe the setup needed for these experiments as well as some possible strategies to improve detection sensitivity. In particular, I discuss the use of an optical cavity as a way to amplify the Faraday rotation induced by a ∼1 cm long fluid sample in the Voigt geometry. With enhancement factors of order ∼103, detection of the nuclear spin signal appears as a challenging though possible experiment, provided the dissimilar physical constraints imposed by a high‐finesse, tunable cavity and high‐field NMR are simultaneously fulfilled. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 79–87, 2008.
Expression and localization of the prion protein PrPC in the olfactory system of the mouse
Authors: Le Pichon Claire E. , Firestein Stuart 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe normal physiological function of the prion protein PrPC remains elusive despite its widespread expression, particularly throughout the nervous system. A critical step toward identifying its function is to precisely localize its pattern of expression. Historically, the immunolocalization of PrPC has proved to be notoriously difficult and nonconsensual. We have thus undertaken a detailed expression analysis by means of a combination of in situ hybridization, knockout mice, and immunohistochemistry, using recently generated highly specific antibodies. We have attempted to accurately localize PrPC expression in a tissue that is highly structured and of crucial behavioral importance to mice, the olfactory system. We found that PrPC was expressed in both peripheral and central neurons of the olfactory system and that its distribution was axonal‐specific in both olfactory sensory neurons of the olfactory epithelium and mitral cells of the olfactory bulb. Our detailed expression analysis and the axonal localization we observed may provide important hints toward potential functions of PrPC. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:487–499, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spectroscopic Properties of a Strongly Anharmonic Mannich Base N‐oxide
Authors: Jezierska Aneta , Panek Jarosław J. , Koll Aleksander 
Published: March 2008

AbstractCar–Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations in vacuum and in the solid state are performed on a strongly anharmonic system, namely, 2‐(N‐diethylamino‐N‐oxymethyl)‐4,6‐dichlorophenol, to investigate its molecular and spectroscopic properties. The investigated compound contains two slightly different molecules in the crystal cell with very short intramolecular hydrogen bonds (of 2.400 and 2.423 Å), as determined previously by neutron diffraction. The vibrational properties of the compound are studied on the basis of standard approaches, that is, Fourier transformation of the autocorrelation functions of the atomic velocities and dipole moments. Then, the trajectory obtained from ab initio molecular dynamics is sampled and the obtained snapshots are used to solve the vibrational Schrödinger equations and to calculate the OH stretching envelope as a superposition of the 0→1 transition. Using an envelope method, the a posteriori quantum effects are included in the OH stretching. In addition, NMR spectra are calculated also using the obtained snapshots. One‐ and two‐dimensional potentials of mean force (1D and 2D pmf) are derived to explain the details of the proton dynamics. The computational results are supported by NMR experimental data. In addition, the calculated results are compared with previously published X‐ray, neutron diffraction, and spectroscopic descriptions. A detailed analysis of the bridged proton′s dynamics is thus obtained. The application of 1D and 2D pmf in a system with a strong bridged‐proton delocalization is also demonstrated.
Pd on Porous Glass: A Versatile and Easily Recyclable Catalyst for Suzuki and Heck Reactions
Authors: Schmöger Christine , Szuppa Tony , Tied Antje , Schneider Franziska , Stolle Achim , Ondruschka Bernd 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe catalytic activity of Pd supported on porous glass was studied for both Suzuki and Heck reactions under aerobic conditions, with particular focus on the Suzuki coupling. The reactions were carried out in water under microwave irradiation. The effects of the catalyst preparation process (calcination time and temperature), as well as the base, substrate, and boron compound used on the coupling reaction were investigated in relation to the reusability of the catalyst. Various bases promote the Suzuki coupling of phenylboronic acid with bromophenol very effectively resulting in quantitative conversion and excellent selectivity for the coupling product. However, most bases lead to deactivation of the catalyst after the first reaction cycle and the catalyst must be reactivated before reuse. Therefore, excellent conversions and selectivities for individual reactions are not sufficient to conclude if the chosen conditions are suitable for a given reaction, but results from recycling studies have to be considered also.
A 2‐year‐old child's memory of hospitalization during early infancy
Authors: Solter Aletha 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA child who had had surgery at 5 months of age, and who had been treated at the time for post‐traumatic symptoms (reported in a previous paper by the author), was interviewed 2 years later and almost 3 years later to test for possible verbal recall of his hospitalization. He appeared to have some memories of the experience at 29 months of age, and he was able to superimpose verbal labels onto the preverbal memories. At 40 months of age, however, the memories were no longer verbally accessible. The results are discussed in the context of different theories of encoding, storage, retrieval, and loss of early memories. The findings from this study support other findings indicating that there appears to be some form of long‐term memory in place early in life, at least for highly salient, traumatic events. There may be one memory system for traumatic memories, fully functional at birth, and a later developing, different system for neutral memories. It is further hypothesized that there may be a sensitive period around 2–3 years of age for the recall of early traumatic memories, and that verbal recall is more likely to be present in verbally precocious children during that period. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Osteoprotegerin decreases human osteoclast apoptosis by inhibiting the TRAIL pathway
Authors: Chamoux Estelle , Houde Nicolas , L'Eriger Karine , Roux Sophie 
Published: March 2008

AbstractOsteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secreted decoy receptor that recognizes RANKL, and blocks the interaction between RANK and RANKL, leading to the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and activation. As OPG is a major inhibitor of bone resorption, we wondered whether OPG could modulate osteoclast survival/apoptosis. Osteoclast apoptosis was evaluated by adding various doses of OPG to human osteoclast cultures obtained from cord blood monocytes. Surprisingly, apoptosis decreased after adding the OPG. We hypothesized that OPG may block its second ligand, TRAIL, which is involved in osteoclast apoptosis. We showed that osteoclasts expressed TRAIL, and that TRAIL levels in the culture medium dose‐dependently decreased in presence of OPG, as did the level of activated caspase‐8 in osteoclasts. In addition, the expression of TRAIL by osteoclasts was not affected in the presence of OPG. Our findings suggest that OPG inhibits osteoclast apoptosis, at least in part, by binding and thus inhibiting endogenously produced TRAIL in human osteoclast cultures. TRAIL could be an autocrine factor for the regulation of osteoclast survival/apoptosis. J. Cell. Physiol. 216: 536–542, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of hydrolysis products and Mg2+, Mn2+ and Ca2+ ions on whey lactose hydrolysis and β‐galactosidase stability
Authors: Demirhan Elçin , Apar Dilek Kiliç , Özbek Belma 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Enzyme inhibition is one of the constraints of reactions catalysed by enzymes, and information is required on the inhibition mechanisms that affect the process yield. Therefore the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of hydrolysis products and ions on the hydrolysis of lactose recovered from whey and enzyme inactivation during the reaction. The experiments were carried out in 250 mL of 25 mmol L−1 phosphate buffer solution using β‐galactosidase from Kluyveromyces marxianus lactis in a batch reactor system.RESULTS: The degree of lactose hydrolysis (%) and the residual enzyme activity (%) in the presence and absence of lactose over time were investigated versus hydrolysate amount, glucose and galactose concentrations and Mg2+, Mn2+ and Ca2+ ion concentrations. The hydrolysis degree decreased with the addition of all hydrolysis products, as enzyme inhibition occurred. The residual enzyme activity increased with the addition of hydrolysate and glucose but decreased with the addition of galactose. It was observed that Mn2+ and Mg2+ ions activated the enzyme. It was also found that the hydrolysis degree was not affected by the addition of Mn2+ ions. On the other hand, the hydrolysis degree decreased with the addition of Ca2+ ions, as the enzyme was inactivated.CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the experimental data showed that both β‐galactosidase activity and lactose hydrolysis were affected by the addition of hydrolysis products and ions. Moreover, mathematical models proposed to predict the residual lactose concentration and residual enzyme activity were confirmed by the experimental results. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Behaviour and mechanism of Zn(II) adsorption on Chinese loess at dilute slurry concentrations
Authors: Tang Xiaowu , Li Zhenze , Chen Yunmin 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Zn(II) is commonly present in mining drainage in developing countries. Since loess is abundant and always located near mining sites in China, it would be useful to investigate the possibility and efficiency of using loess to remove Zn(II) from aqueous solution.RESULTS: The Zn(II) adsorption capacity of Chinese loess was determined as 215.9 mg g−1. The adsorption followed pseudo‐second‐order kinetics and took place mainly by surface diffusion. Generally, higher initial pH and solute concentration resulted in higher % Zn(II) removal, while higher temperature and slurry concentration led to lower % Zn(II) removal. A thermodynamic study revealed that the adsorption process was exothermic, with the predicted enthalpy change ranging from −20.87 to −4.06 kJ mol−1. With the assistance of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction, the high adsorption capacity was ascribed to the growth of micro‐organisms and mineral constituents such as kaolinite and goethite.CONCLUSION: Chinese loess proved effective for Zn(II) adsorption in this study. The optimal adsorption conditions included pH > 3.0, temperature ⩽15 °C and contact time ≈ 400 min. As an abundant natural soil in arid areas with very low population density, it would be appropriate to develop this material into a wastewater‐purifying agent. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Peracetic acid pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse for enzymatic hydrolysis: a continued work
Authors: Zhao Xue‐Bing , Wang Lei , Liu De‐Hua 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPrevious work has shown that the enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse could be greatly enhanced by peracetic acid (PAA) pretreatment. There are several factors affecting the enzymatic digestibility of the biomass, including lignin and hemicelluloses content, cellulose crystallinity, acetyl group content, accessible surface area and so on. The objective of this work is to analyze the mechanism of the enhancement of enzymatic digestibility caused by PAA pretreatment. Delignification resulted in an increase of the surface area and reduction of the irreversible absorption of cellulase, which helped to increase the enzymatic digestibility. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum showed that the absorption peaks of aromatic skeletal vibrations were weakened or disappeared after PAA pretreatment. However, the infrared crystallization index (N.O'KI) was increased. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that the crystallinity of PAA‐treated samples was increased owing to the partial removal of amorphous lignin and hemicelluloses and probable physical change of cellulose. The effect of acetyl group content on enzymatic digestibility is negligible compared with the degree of delignification and crystallinity. The results indicate that enhancement of enzymatic digestibility of sugarcane bagasse by PAA pretreatment is achieved mainly by delignification and an increase in the surface area and exposure of cellulose fibers. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Dendrosomes as novel gene porters‐III
Authors: Sadeghizadeh Majid , Ranjbar Bijan , Damaghi Mehdi , Khaki Leila , Sarbolouki Mohammad N , Najafi Farhood , Parsaee Simak , Ziaee Abed‐Ali , Massumi Mohammad , Lubitz Werner , Kudela Paul , Paukner Susan , Karami Ali 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: It was previously reported that dendrosomes, i.e. neutral, biodegradable, covalent or self‐assembled, hyperbranched, spheroidal nano‐particles with a size ranging from 15 to 100 nm, provide a convenient and efficient means of gene delivery into various kinds of cells such as human hepatoma and kidney cells as well as animal models.RESULTS: New studies via circular dichroism show that hydrophilic and amphipathic dendrosomes either do not affect the DNA structure or moderately transform it from B‐ to A‐conformation. Gene delivery into human liver, kidney, and endothelial cells as well as other animal cells like Bowes, U‐937, Raw, CCRF‐CEM, MOLT‐4, K562, Huh‐7 and VERO reveal that the genes are efficiently expressed and in comparison with other gene porters like Lipofectin or bacterial ghosts, do quite well. It is also shown that dendrosomes are able to deliver genes into cells like endothelials that are usually hard to transfect. Cell culture experiments as well as intraperitoneal/intradermal injections of dendrosomes into mice establish their nontoxicity (up to 2.5 mg kg−1 of animal weight in the latter case). Studies on immunization of BALB/c mice using conventional adjuvants such as aluminium phosphate, CpG motif and one of the dendrosomes, indicate that the latter leads to the mildest initial response development while exceeding them afterwards.CONCLUSION: CD studies reveal that, owing to the neutrality of dendrosomes, formation of Den/DNA complexes is accompanied by slight structural modifications of DNA cell culture, and animal studies reveal that dendrosomes are inert, non‐toxic and highly efficient gene porters that perform at extremely low doses. In comparison with bacterial ghosts and some common porters, they are efficient in delivery of genes into animals and a variety of cells including those that are usually hard to transfect. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry