bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Licoflavone C attenuates the genotoxicity of cancer drugs in human peripheral lymphocytes
Authors: Scarpato Roberto , Paganucci Letizia , Bertoli Alessandra , Fiore Lisa , Pistelli Luisa , Federico Giovanni 
Published: October 2008

AbstractFlavonoids exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities that can lead to beneficial effects for human health. The search for cytotoxic, genotoxic and/or antimutagenic natural compounds is therefore of great relevance, especially in cancer chemotherapy. In view of this, we screened the potential genotoxicity/antigenotoxicty of licoflavone C (LFLC) – a naturally occurring prenyl‐flavone extracted fromGenista ephedroides– using the micronucleus (MN) assay on stimulated and cytochalasin B‐blocked human lymphocytes. LFLC did not increase the spontaneous MN level up to 600 µM final concentration where a strong toxicity was seen to occur. We therefore performed an antigenotoxicity assay against the two mutagenic anticancer drugs, mitomycin C (MMC) and daunorubicin (DAU), using two non‐toxic LFLC concentrations (0.1 µM and 1.0 µM). The MN frequencies induced by 0.025 µg/ml or 0.05 µg/ml DAU were significantly lowered by 45.4% or 46.6% and 41.8% or 44.8% at LFLC 0.1 and 1.0 µM, respectively. After treatment with 0.085 µg/ml or 0.17 µg/ml MMC, we detected a reduction in genotoxicity of 35.1% or 37.0% and of 38.0% or 35.8% at LFLC 0.1 and 1.0 µM, respectively. In conclusion, LFLC was proven to be protective toward the chromosome damage induced by DAU or MMC in cultured human peripheral lymphocytes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photoprotective effect of red ginseng against ultraviolet radiation‐induced chronic skin damage in the hairless mouse
Authors: Lee Hae June , Kim Joong Sun , Song Myoung Sub , Seo Heung Sik , Moon Changjong , Kim Jong Choon , Jo Sung Kee , Jang Jong Sik , Kim Sung Ho 
Published: October 2008

AbstractTo evaluate the ability of red ginseng (RG) to protect the skin from photodamage, the gross and microscopic changes in the skin of hairless mice and RG‐treated mice exposed chronically to UV were examined. The skin of the UV‐irradiated mice showed characteristic signs of photoaging, such as deep wrinkles across the back, increased epidermal thickness, numerous cell infiltration, and many enlarged keratinizing cysts. The RG‐treated mice showed a significantly decreased wrinkling score, minimal epidermal hyperplasia, slightly increased dermal cellularity and lack of proliferation of cysts. By week 22, 88.9% (i.p. with saline) or 60.0% (topical administration with cream base) of the UV‐irradiated mice developed at least one tumor. RG delayed tumor onset significantly. RG was also effective in reducing the occurrence of UV radiation‐induced skin tumors and reduced the number of tumors per mouse. After 22 weeks of treatment, 57.1% (i.p.) or 85.7% (topical administration) of the mice treated with RG were tumor‐free. Tumor multiplicity was reduced by 89.3% (i.p.) or 92.2% (topical administration) in the RG treated groups. It is noted that skin that is chronically exposed to UV is subject to photoaging and photocarcinogenesis and the regular use of RG would prevent these photodamaging effects of UV. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bovine serum albumin adsorption onto 316L stainless steel and alumina: a comparative study using depletion, protein radiolabeling, quartz crystal microbalance and atomic force microscopy
Authors: Gispert M. P. , Serro A. P. , Colaço R. , Saramago B. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe importance of protein adsorption on biomaterials is widely recognized, but the dependence of the adsorption results on the chosen technique has not been much addressed. The objective of this work is to compare adsorption data obtained using several techniques under experimental conditions as closely as possible. Two case studies were investigated: adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto 316L stainless steel (SS) and onto alumina. Both materials were used as powders and plates, whose characterization was done through zeta potential (ZP) measurements. The experimental techniques were depletion, protein radiolabeling, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The adsorption isotherms obtained with depletion and QCM‐D techniques, although quantitatively different, present some similarities in shape. Both techniques suggest the existence of a compact end‐on monolayer of protein on the SS surface, while on the alumina surface a less dense side‐on monolayer is formed at lower BSA concentration, followed by a second layer at higher concentration. AFM topographical characterization of the protein films adsorbed on both materials confirms those findings. Further use of AFM in determining the thickness of the film adsorbed on SS yielded values in good agreement with the QDM‐D results. Different surface charges measured on powders and plates do not seem to affect adsorption. Protein radiolabeling seems to be the least reliable technique because it yields, for both materials, adsorption values higher than those from the other techniques. In the case of SS, the difference amounts to one order of magnitude. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of electroless NiP coatings based on multiple roughness characteristics
Authors: Sahoo Prasanta 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThis paper presents an experimental study of roughness characteristics of electroless NiP coatings. Optimization of coating process parameters is done with multiple surface roughness characteristics based on Taguchi method coupled with grey relational analysis. Experiments are carried out by utilizing the combination of process parameters based on L27 Taguchi orthogonal design with three process parameters, viz. bath temperature, concentration of nickel source solution and concentration of reducing agent. Results show that concentration of the reducing agent and its interaction with concentration of the nickel source solution have significant influence in controlling the roughness characteristics of electroless NiP coating. Grey‐based Taguchi method is found to optimize the coating parameters fairly well. The surface morphology and composition of coatings are also studied with the help of scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersed X‐ray analysis and X‐ray diffraction analysis. No significant change in nickel and phosphorous content of coatings occurs with annealing. The NiP deposit is nanocrystalline in the as‐plated condition, and upon heat treatment at 400 °C it produces Ni5P2, Ni2P, and NiP2 as major compound constituents. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Work in progress: relative safety of high‐rise and low‐rise buildings in Los Angeles
Authors: Zareian Farzin 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThis paper summarizes the first phase of research on the relative safety of buildings in Los Angeles. At this phase, the behaviour of two 20‐storey buildings designed according to UBC‐1994 provisions and subjected to simulated and recorded/scaled ground motions that represent a rare seismic event is investigated. The seismic event considered in this study is a magnitude 7·15 ground motion initiated in the blind thrust Puente Hills fault system. The effect of beam to column connections detailing on seismic demands is also investigated by developing two models for each building: one with pre‐Northridge connection assumptions and the other with post‐Northridge ones. In all models, the effects of gravity load carrying system and slab are neglected for simplicity. It is concluded that simulated ground motions representing the magnitude 7·15 earthquake impose higher seismic demands compared with recorded/scaled motions that represent a similar event to the extent that in the high‐slip region of the fault, the behaviour of the 20‐storey building with post‐Northridge connection can be deemed unacceptable. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognostic Factors in Critically Ill Patients Suffering from Secondary Peritonitis: A Retrospective, Observational, Survival Time Analysis
Authors: Schneider Christian P. , Seyboth Carol , Vilsmaier Markus , Küchenhoff Helmut , Hofner Benjamin , Jauch Karl‐Walter , Hartl Wolfgang H. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackgroundAcute mortality of unselected critically ill patients has improved during the last 15 years. Whether these benefits also affect survival of critically ill patients with secondary peritonitis is unclear as is the relevance of specific prognostic factors, such as source control.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively from March 1993 to February 2005. A cohort of 319 consecutive postoperative patients with secondary peritonitis requiring intensive care was evaluated. End points for outcome analysis were derived from daily changes of hazard rate.ResultsFour‐month survival rate after intensive care unit (ICU) admission was 31.7%. For patients who have survived for more than 4 months, the 1‐year survival was 82.7%. After adjustment for relevant covariates, a high disease severity at ICU admission and during ICU stay, specific comorbidities (extended malignancies, liver cirrhosis) and sources of infection (distal esophagus, stomach), and an inadequate initial antibiotic therapy were associated with worse 4‐month prognosis. Inability to obtain source control was the most important determinant of mortality, and treatment after 2002 was combined with improved prognosis.ConclusionsFour‐month prognosis of critically ill, surgical patients with secondary peritonitis is poor and mostly determined by the ability to obtain source control. Outcome has improved since 2002, and after successful surgical and intensive care therapy long‐term survival seems to be good.
Transcellular relocation of tetrahydrobiopterin across Caco‐2 cells: A model study of tetrahydrobiopterin absorption through epithelial cells of intestinal mucosa
Authors: Ohashi A. , Fukumuro M. , Sawabe K. , Mamada K. , Sugawara Y. , Matsuoka H. , Hasegawa H. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryOral administration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) has been known to be effective in treating BH4‐deficient patients. It has long been established that BH4is absorbed by the intestinal mucosa. However, the mechanism for translocation of BH4across epithelial cells has not been elucidated. In order to study BH4transport mechanisms, Caco‐2 cells were employed in this study as an epithelial cell model. Caco‐2 cells were cultured (2 × 104cells/0.3 cm2well) for 21 days in a 24‐well format using Transwell, a porous membrane‐based culture dish, at which point they had established themselves as a tight sheet with a definite polarity. When BH4(100 μmol/L) was given to cells from the apical side, a considerable translocation toward their basolateral side was noted. The rate of BH4movement was around 150 pmol/h per well. This was comparable to the highest rate of BH4uptake or its release so far obtained using a monolayer culture of Caco‐2 cells on an ordinary plastic plate. The transcellular movement of BH4across the polar culture on the porous membrane was effectively prevented by benzbromarone (10 μmol/L), a well known inhibitor of a group of transporters including urate transporter (URAT1), organic anion transporters (OATs), and multidrug‐resistance‐associated proteins (MRPs). It was thus concluded that in Caco‐2 cells, BH4moved across the cell interior in a rapid ligand‐specific manner that was driven by a transporter.
The g.1170C>T polymorphism of the 5′ untranslated region of the human alpha‐galactosidase gene is associated with decreased enzyme expression—Evidence from a family study
Authors: Oliveira J. P. , Ferreira S. , Reguenga C. , Carvalho F. , Månsson J.‐E. 
Published: October 2008

SummarySubnormal leukocyte α‐galactosidase (α‐Gal) activity was found during evaluation of an adolescent male with cryptogenic cerebrovascular small‐vessel disease. The only molecular abnormality found was the g.1170C>T single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 5′ untranslated region of exon 1 in the α‐Gal gene (GLA). Historically, this polymorphism has been considered to be biologically neutral. To test the hypothesis that the g.1170T allele might be associated with lower α‐Gal expression, we genotyped GLA exon 1 and measured leukocyte and plasma α‐Gal in the parents, brother and sister of the index case. The g.1170T allele co‐segregated with a subnormal leukocyte α‐Gal activity in the three siblings. Although plasma enzyme activities were within the normal range in all five relatives, the ranking of their values suggested a dosage effect of the g.1170T allele. Western blotting assays of leukocyte protein extracts showed that the relative expression of α‐Gal in both the patient and his sister was significantly lower than in sex‐matched hemizygous or homozygous controls for the g.1170C allele, either normalized to the β‐actin immunoblot expression or standardized to a known amount of recombinant human α‐Gal. These family data, in combination with results from a recent GLA SNP screening study among healthy Portuguese individuals, suggest that the g.1170C>T SNP may be co‐dominantly associated with a relatively decreased GLA expression at the transcription and/or translation level. Larger population studies are needed to confirm these findings and to test the hypothesis that the GLA g.1170C>T may contribute to the multifactorial risk of ischaemic small‐vessel cerebrovascular disease.
SMOOTH SOLUTIONS OF VOLTERRA EQUATIONS VIA SEMIGROUPS
Authors: BÁRTA TOMÁŠ 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIn this paper we introduce a class of left shift semigroups that are differentiable. With the help of perturbation theory for differentiable semigroups we show that solutions of an integrodifferential equation can be infinitely differentiable if the convolution kernel is sufficiently smooth and regular.
IMMERSION OF MANIFOLDS WITH UNBOUNDED IMAGE AND A MODIFIED MAXIMUM PRINCIPLE OF YAU
Authors: BORBÉLY ALBERT 
Published: October 2008

AbstractLet N be a complete Riemannian manifold isometrically immersed into a Hadamard manifold M. We show that the immersion cannot be bounded if the mean curvature of the immersed manifold is small compared with the curvature of M and the Laplacian of the distance function on N grows at most linearly. The latter condition is satisfied if the Ricci curvature of N does not approach $-\infty $ too fast. The main tool in the proof is a modification of Yau’s maximum principle.
SUMS OF MULTIPLICATIVE FUNCTIONS OVER A BEATTY SEQUENCE
Authors: GÜLOĞLU AHMET M. , WESLEY NEVANS C. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWe study sums involving multiplicative functions that take values over a nonhomogenous Beatty sequence. We then apply our result in a few special cases to obtain asymptotic formulas for quantities such as the number of integers in a Beatty sequence that are representable as a sum of two squares up to a given magnitude.
ON A DUALITY THEOREM OF WAKAMATSU
Authors: HUANG ZHAOYONG 
Published: October 2008

AbstractLet R be a left coherent ring, S a right coherent ring and RU a generalized tilting module, with S=End(RU) satisfying the condition that each finitely presented left R-module X with ExtRi(X,U)=0 for any i≥1 is U-torsionless. If M is a finitely presented left R-module such that ExtRi(M,U)=0 for any i≥0 with $i \neq n$ (where n is a nonnegative integer), then $\mathrm {Ext}_S^n( \mathrm {Ext}_R^n(M, U), U)\cong M$ and ExtSi(ExtRn(M,U),U)=0 for any i≥0 with $i\neq n$. A duality is thus induced between the category of finitely presented holonomic left R-modules and the category of finitely presented holonomic right S-modules.
Teflon laryngeal granuloma presenting as laryngeal cancer on combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography scanning
Authors: Ondik M P , Kang J , Bayerl M G , Bruno M , Goldenberg D 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground:Positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) has been increasingly used in the diagnostic investigation of patients with neoplasms of the head and neck. Positron emission tomography and computed tomography have also proven useful for surveillance of thyroid cancers that no longer concentrate radioiodine. However, certain benign or inflammatory lesions can also accumulate 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and lead to misdiagnosis.Objectives:We review and discuss the pitfalls of using positron emission tomography and computed tomography for surveillance of thyroid cancer.Method:We present the case of a 48-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a laryngeal neoplasm on integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography scanning, after a routine ultrasound demonstrated an enlarged thyroid nodule. On physical examination, she had a laryngeal mass overlying an immobile vocal fold. The mass was biopsied and found to harbour a Teflon granuloma.Conclusions:Positron emission tomography positive Teflon granulomas have previously been reported in the nasopharynx and vocal folds, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who have undergone prior surgery involving Teflon injection. It is important for otolaryngologists and radiologists to recognise potential causes of false positive positron emission tomography and computed tomography findings, including Teflon granulomas.
Fluctuating hearing loss associated with Halo vest application
Authors: Davies-Husband C R , Phillips J S , Innes A J 
Published: October 2008

AbstractObjective:We report the unique case of a 16-year-old man presenting with sudden and profound left-sided hearing loss following application of a Halo vest.Methods:Case report and review of the world literature concerning spinal realignment procedures, spinal manipulation and Halo vest application.Results:A 16-year-old man presented to the ENT clinic with sudden and profound left-sided hearing loss after undergoing posterior release of a fixed flexion extension deformity of the cervical spine and Halo vest application. The hearing loss slowly improved until the patient disrupted the Halo vest while boarding a bus. Regular audiometry documented the progress of the patient's hearing loss.Conclusion:Procedures that significantly alter the established bony anatomy of the neck can be associated with profound audiological deficit through disturbance of the vertebrobasilar arterial system. Such a phenomenon may be associated with application or disruption of a Halo vest.
Intact meatal skin, canal wall down approach for difficult cochlear implantation
Authors: Carfrae M J , Foyt D 
Published: October 2008

AbstractIntroduction:The intact posterior meatal skin, canal wall down technique for difficult cochlear implantation provides expanded access to the middle ear for cochleostomy in cases of obscured middle-ear landmarks, limited facial recess access and limited mastoid cavity dimensions. Careful preservation of the posterior canal wall skin in this procedure obviates the need for obliteration of the middle-ear mucosa and closure of the external auditory canal.Objectives:To present a canal wall down technique for cochlear implantation, which preserves the intact posterior external auditory canal wall skin. This approach is employed when a standard facial recess cochleostomy is not possible.Methods:Three cases of intact posterior meatal skin, canal wall down cochlear implantation are presented together with long-term follow-up results. In all three cases, implantation via a facial recess approach was not possible. One patient suffered from severe cochlear otosclerosis with obliteration of the round window niche. The second patient had severe middle-ear fibrosis with encasement of all middle-ear structures and obliteration of routine landmarks. The third patient had an anterior sigmoid sinus obscuring access to the facial recess. Cochlear implantation via the canal wall down, intact posterior canal wall skin technique was successfully performed in each of these patients.Results:All three patients were successfully implanted, with full electrode insertion achieved. All patients subsequently became active implant users. One patient did suffer from a minor wound complication post-operatively, unrelated to the approach. Patient follow up ranged from four to six years.
A proof of the “Theorem of the Means.”
Authors: Walsh C. E. 
Published: October 2008

Numerous proofs have been given of this familiar theorem, which states that if a1, a2, …, an are positive, and not all equal, thenThe following is an elementary proof by induction, which I have not seen used before. It is, of course, not claimed to be novel, and not likely to be so.
On the Newton-Raphson method of Approximation
Authors: Richmond H. W. 
Published: October 2008

The Method.—An equation F(x) = 0 has, a root x = r, not known exactly. From a first approximation to r, x = a, a second approximation, x = b, is obtained from the formulaFrom b a third approximation, x = c, is obtained by the same formula, and so on. The method is pointless unless the successive approximations do actually tend to r; a rule that ensures this is due to Fourier.
On certain modular determinants
Authors: Turnbull H. W. 
Published: October 2008

An interesting determinant occurs in the fifth volume of Muir's History1. It iswhere n = ½ (p – 1), and ars is the smallest positive integer such thatrars = s (mod p), (1) p being any odd prime number. It is evident that each element ars is unique and non zero. For p = 5, 7, 11 the determinants are (2) respectively, and their values are– 5 , 72, 114.
Normal development of pattern motion sensitivity in macaque monkeys
Authors: HALL-HARO CYNTHIA , KIORPES LYNNE 
Published: October 2008

AbstractWe studied the development of sensitivity to complex motion using plaid patterns. We hypothesized, based on neurophysiological data showing a dearth of pattern direction–selective (PDS) cells in area medial temporal (MT) of infant macaques, that sensitivity to pattern motion would develop later than other forms of global motion sensitivity. We tested 10 macaque monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) ranging in age from 7 weeks to 109–160 weeks (adult). The monkeys discriminated horizontal from vertical pattern motion; sensitivity for one-dimensional (1D) direction discrimination and detection were tested as control tasks. The results show that pattern motion discrimination ability develops relatively late, between 10 and 18 weeks, while performance on the 1D control tasks was excellent at the earliest test ages. Plaid discrimination performance depends on both the speed and spatial scale of the underlying patterns. However, development is not limited by contrast sensitivity. These results support the idea that pattern motion perception depends on a different mechanism than other forms of global motion perception and are consistent with the idea that the representation of PDS neurons in MT may limit the development of complex motion perception.
Mother-child interactional correlates of maltreated and nonmaltreated children's play behavior
Authors: Alessandri Steven M. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThis study investigates maternal interactive styles and their relation to children's play and nonplay behaviors. Fifteen maltreated and 15 nonmaltreated preschool-aged children and their mothers were observed during a laboratory play session and during problem-solving situations. Children's play behaviors were later videotaped in the classroom and analyzed for the level of social participation and cognitive complexity. Results indicated that maltreated mothers were less involved with their children, used fewer physical and verbal strategies to direct their children's attention, and were more negative compared with nonmaltreated mothers. Higher levels of cognitive play were positively related to both maternal physical and verbal attention-directing behaviors, high maternal involvement, and positive affective tone. The role of maternal stimulation in children's play development and implications for intervention programs are discussed.