bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity of soft lining materials on L929 cells by MTT assay
Authors: Ozdemir Kutlu Gokhan , Yılmaz Handan , Yılmaz Sukran 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate five commonly used soft lining materials, Viscogel (VG), Ufi Gel P (UGP), Softliner (S), Coe‐Soft (CS), and Molloplast‐B (MB) in terms of cytotoxicity by MTT assay, using L929 mouse fibroblasts. Sixteen disk‐shaped specimens from each material were prepared (according to the manufacturer's instructions) in stainless steel mold (10 mm diameter and 1.5 mm thick). The specimens were incubated for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium Ham's F12 (DMEM/F12) and following each incubation interval, cytotoxicity of the extracts to cultured mouse fibroblasts (L929) were measured by MTT assay. Data were statistically analyzed by two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Duncan's test, at a significance level of p < 0.05. Group CS revealed significantly high cytotoxic effect at all incubation periods (p < 0.05). Although no cytotoxic effect for Group S was found at 24, 48, 72 h periods, it has been raised at 96‐h incubation period (p > 0.05). Group VG, UGP, S (except at 96 h period), and Group MB demonstrated high cell survival rates at incubation periods. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Hydroxyapatite fiber material with BMP‐2 gene induces ectopic bone formation
Authors: Oda Mitsumasa , Kuroda Shinji , Kondo Hisatomo , Kasugai Shohei 
Published: November 2008

AbstractCollagen containing bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) expression vector, which is called “gene‐activated matrix,” promotes bone regeneration when transplanted to the bone defect. We speculated that hydroxyapatite fiber (HF) would be an ideal matrix for “gene‐activated matrix” especially for bone regeneration, because it is oseteoconductive and has high affinity to DNA. The purpose of this study is to clarify whether HF containing BMP‐2 expression vector induces ectopic bone formation. We prepared HF containing 0, 10, 50, and 100 μg BMP‐2 expression vector. Wistar male rats (8 weeks) were used and each rat received two HF implants in the left and right dorsal muscle. The rats were sacrificed 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the operation, and implants were analyzed radiographically by softex, dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, and they were histologically examined. At 4 weeks, HF containing 50 or 100 μg BMP‐2 expression vector showed high bone mineral contents and large radiopaque volume compared to the other implants. At 8 and 12 weeks, HF containing 50 μg BMP‐2 expression vector exerted the highest values in the radiographic analyses. Bonelike tissue was histologically observed in HF containing 50 and 100 μg BMP‐2 expression vector groups but not detected in the other implants. The present results suggest that HF is potential as a matrix for “gene‐activated matrix” for bone tissue engineering. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Tensile and tribological properties of high‐crystallinity radiation crosslinked UHMWPE
Authors: Bistolfi Alessandro , Turell Mary Beth , Lee Ying‐Lung , Bellare Anuj 
Published: November 2008

AbstractOsteolysis due to particulate wear debris associated with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) components of total joint replacement prostheses has been a major factor determining their in vivo lifetime. In recent years, radiation crosslinking has been employed to decrease wear rates in PE components, especially in acetabular cups of total hip replacement prostheses. A drawback of radiation crosslinking is that it leads to a crosslinked PE (or XPE) with lower mechanical properties compared with uncrosslinked PE. In contrast, high‐crystallinity PEs are known to have several mechanical properties higher than conventional PE. In this study, we hypothesized that increasing the crystallinity of radiation crosslinked and remelted XPE would result in an increase in tensile properties without compromising wear resistance. High‐pressure crystallization was performed on PE and XPE and analyzed for the resulting morphological alterations using differential scanning calorimeter, low voltage scanning electron microscopy, and ultrasmall angle X‐ray scattering. Uniaxial tensile tests showed that high‐pressure crystallization increased the tensile modulus and yield stress in both PE and XPE, decreased the ultimate strain and ultimate stress in PE but had no significant effect on ultimate strain or ultimate stress in XPE. Multidirectional wear tests demonstrated that high‐pressure crystallization decreased the wear resistance of PE but had no effect on the wear resistance of XPE. In conclusion, this study shows that high‐pressure crystallization can be effectively used to increase the crystallinity and modulus of XPE without compromising its superior wear resistance compared with PE. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Mitogenic roles of Gab1 and Grb10 as direct cellular partners in the regulation of MAP kinase signaling
Authors: Deng Youping , Zhang Manchao , Riedel Heimo 
Published: November 2008

AbstractFunctions of signaling mediators Grb10 or Gab1 have been described in mitogenesis but remained disconnected. Here, we report the peptide hormone‐dependent direct association between Grb10 and Gab1 and their functional connection in mitogenic signaling via MAP kinase using cultured fibroblasts as a model. In response to PDGF‐, IGF‐I, or insulin increased levels of Grb10 potentiated cell proliferation or survival whereas dominant‐negative, domain‐specific Grb10 peptide mimetics attenuated cell proliferation. This response was sensitive to p44/42 MAPK inhibitor but not to p38 MAPK inhibitor. In response to IGF‐I or insulin Raf‐1, MEK 1/2, and p44/42 MAPK were regulated by Grb10 but not Ras or p38 MAPK. In response to PDGF MEK 1/2, p44/42 MAPK and p38 MAPK were regulated by Grb10 but not Ras or Raf‐1. Peptide hormone‐dependent co‐immunoprecipitation of Grb10 and Gab1 was demonstrated and specifically blocked by a Grb10 SH2 domain peptide mimetic. This domain was sufficient for direct, peptide hormone‐dependent association with Gab1 via the Crk binding region. In response to PDGF, IGF‐I, or insulin, in a direct comparison, elevated levels of mouse Grb10 delta, or human Grb10 beta or zeta equally potentiated fibroblast proliferation. Proliferation was severely reduced by Gab1 gene disruption whereas an elevated Gab1 gene dose proportionally stimulated Grb10‐potentiated cell proliferation. In conclusion, Gab1 and Grb10 function as direct binding partners in the regulation of the mitogenic MAP kinase signal. In cultured fibroblasts, elevated levels of human Grb10 beta, zeta or mouse Grb10 delta comparably potentiate mitogenesis in response to PDGF, IGF‐I, or insulin. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 1172–1182, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sequential decolourization of reactive textile dyes by laccase mediator system
Authors: Tavares Ana P. M. , Cristóvão Raquel O. , Gamelas José A. F. , Loureiro José M. , Boaventura Rui A. R. , Macedo Eugénia A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: The use of enzymes has attracted much interest for the decolourization of dyes from wastewater as an alternative to conventional treatments, which have limitations. Laccase can be used to decolourize dyes and its substrate range can be extended by inclusion of mediators.RESULTS: Sequential decolourization of reactive dyes was carried out by a laccase mediator system using as mediators violuric acid and 1‐hydroxybenzotriazole. Violuric acid resulted in a high level of decolourization on the first and second cycles for reactive blue 114 (≥95%), reactive yellow 15 and reactive red 239 (≥80%), while for reactive black 5 a slightly lower value was observed (70%) on the second cycle. The degree of reactive blue decolourization remained at 90% after the third cycle, and at about 60% after seven cycles. With the other dyes decolourization decreased to 50–70% on the third cycle and further up to the final cycle (lower than 20%). When using 1‐hydroxybenzotriazole as mediator a slight decrease in decolourization efficiency was obtained. Correlation between dye oxidation peak potential and dye degradation after 10 min reaction was obtained for both mediators.CONCLUSIONS: These results show that sequencing batch decolourization by laccase mediator system is a useful methodology for treating textile dying wastewaters with a high potential for application at industrial level. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Bio‐oxidation of ferrous ions by Acidithioobacillus ferrooxidans in a monolithic bioreactor
Authors: Alemzadeh Iran , Kahrizi Ehsan , Vossoughi Manouchehr 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: The bio‐oxidation of ferrous iron is a potential industrial process in the regeneration of ferric iron and the removal of H2S in combustible gases. Bio‐oxidation of ferrous iron may be an alternative method of producing ferric sulfate, which is a reagent used for removal of H2S from biogas, tail gas and in the pulp and paper industry. For practical use of this process, this study evaluated the optimal pH and initial ferric concentration. pH control looks like a key factor as it acts both on growth rate and on solubility of materials in the system.RESULTS: Process variables such as pH and amount of initial ferrous ions on oxidation by A. ferrooxidans and the effects of process variables dilution rate, initial concentrations of ferrous on oxidation of ferrous sulfate in the packed bed bioreactor were investigated. The optimum range of pH for the maximum growth of cells and effective bio‐oxidation of ferrous sulfate varied from 1.4 to 1.8. The maximum bio‐oxidation rate achieved was 0.3 g L−1 h−1 in a culture initially containing 19.5 g L−1 Fe2+ in the batch system. A maximum Fe2+ oxidation rate of 6.7 g L−1 h−1 was achieved at the dilution rate of 2 h−1, while no obvious precipitate was detected in the bioreactor. All experiments were carried out in shake flasks at 30 °C.CONCLUSION: The monolithic particles investigated in this study were found to be very suitable material for A. ferrooxidans immobilization for ferrous oxidation mainly because of its advantages over other commonly used substrates. In the monolithic bioreactor, the bio‐oxidation rate was 6.7 g L−1 h−1 and 7 g L−1 h−1 for 3.5 g L−1 and 6 g L−1 of initial ferrous concentration, respectively. For higher initial concentrations 16 g L−1 and 21.3 g L−1, bio‐oxidation rate were 0.9 g L−1 h−1 and 0.55 g L−1 h−1, respectively. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
The mammalian yolk sac placenta
Authors: Freyer Claudia , Renfree Marilyn B. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThere are three fetal membranes in mammals, namely the yolk sac, allantois and amnion, but only the first two form a placenta. In Monotremata (monotremes), Marsupialia (marsupials) and Placentalia (eutherians), the yolk sac transfers nutrients originating from uterine glandular secretion or the maternal blood. Ontogenetically, the yolk sac of most eutherians loses contact with the peripheral chorion and forms a free splanchnopleuric yolk sac that transfers substances from the exocoelomic cavity, not directly from the endometrium as in marsupials and rodents. This free yolk sac has been preserved in humans and substances originating from glandular secretions are transferred from the exocoelomic cavity to the embryo via this route. The therian yolk sac expresses numerous growth and transcription factors, associated binding proteins and receptors that control its differentiation and function, including hematopoiesis and angiogenesis. Errors in yolk sac development and function could contribute to embryonic malformation, miscarriage and growth diseases. Factors regulating transfer and metabolism, notably insulin and IGF2, are imprinted in the human yolk sac, as in all therians so far studied. This suggests persistence of a strong selective pressure for parentally controlled allocation of resources to the growing embryo via this fetal membrane. The metabolic and biosynthetic functions of the yolk sac of the ancestral therian stem species, as well as hematopoiesis in the eutherian ancestor, appear to have been retained by the human yolk sac. Thus, the yolk sac of humans, like that of all viviparous mammals, is a true placenta crucial for early embryonic development and survival. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 312B:545–554, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A disaggregated empirical analysis of the determinants of IMF arrangements: Does one model fit all?
Authors: Bird Graham , Rowlands Dane 
Published: November 2008

AbstractDoes one model fit all when it comes to the determinants of IMF programs? Certainly claims have been made by the IMF that capital account crisis (CAC) countries are discernibly different in terms of the characteristics that lead them to borrow from it, while other research has claimed that it is only Asian economies that are different from the rest. This paper sets out to examine these issues. It tests various forms of a fairly conventional model to see whether some forms better fit certain groups of countries than others. It then uses the favoured models to estimate the probability of countries having an IMF arrangement. In particular it examines countries that have been identified by the Fund as CAC countries, but it also looks at a number of comparator countries. The findings suggest that there are some differences between low income and middle income countries. Pressures in the foreign exchange market are significant for the latter but not for the former. The paper also discusses differences between regions and within regions. Broadly speaking the findings confirm that Asian economies around the time of the 1997/1998 crisis tended to turn to the IMF for financial support more quickly than would have been anticipated on the basis of the existing best‐fitting models. The paper also discusses the implications of the findings for policy and for the reform of the IMF. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fiscal reform and monetary union in West Africa
Authors: Hefeker Carsten 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis paper explores the interaction between the proposed monetary union for ECOWAS and structural reforms of fiscal policy. In a monetary union among symmetric countries members run a more distortionary fiscal policy and structural reform efforts fall. This can also follow in countries that adopt a unilateral peg or a foreign currency. In a monetary union with asymmetric countries reforms increase in countries that are relatively less distorted and the reverse happens in more distorted economies. Most West African Economic and Monetary Union members are thus likely to have a less distortionary fiscal policy after forming a monetary union with other ECOWAS members. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Options for enforcing labour standards: Lessons from Bangladesh And Cambodia
Authors: Berik Günseli , Rodgers Yana Van Der Meulen 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis study examines labour standards enforcement and compliance in two Asian economies (Bangladesh and Cambodia) that have amongst the lowest labour costs in the world but are experiencing strong pressures to improve the price competitiveness of their textile and garment exports. Analysis of survey, focus group and inspection data indicate differing trajectories in compliance with basic labour standards. While extremely low wages and poor working conditions have persisted in Bangladesh, compliance has begun to improve in Cambodia following a trade agreement with the United States that linked positive trade incentives with labour standards enforcement. These contrasting experiences suggest that in less developed countries, governments consider trade‐linked schemes to achieve improvements in working conditions without hindering export growth or job growth. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The morphologic characteristics of nerve shortening following traumatic bone loss
Authors: Abe Ichiro , Hara Yuki , Nishiura Yasumasa , Ochiai Naoyuki 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLittle is known about peripheral nerve shortening secondary to joint contracture or traumatic bone loss. We used the rat sciatic nerve as a model to study nerve shortening secondary to leg shortening. Nerve shortening was induced by surgically removing 16 mm of the femur. The histology of the ipsilateral and contralateral (control) sciatic nerves were compared at 1 h, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks. Transverse semithin sections of sciatic nerve were prepared and examined; single fibers also were teased from the nerve for study. The epineurium was shortened about 25% at 6 weeks. Axonal diameter was unchanged at 1 h, but increased over time, and was 0.68 µm larger than controls at 6 weeks (p < 0.05). In teased‐fiber preparations, internodal length decreased 2.3% at 6 weeks, but not significantly. Peripheral nerve shortening secondary to leg shortening shortens the epineurium, but does not effect on internodal length. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 472–476, 2009
Improving vastus medialis obliquus function reduces pressure applied to lateral patellofemoral cartilage
Authors: Elias John J. , Kilambi Srianjana , Goerke Derek R. , Cosgarea Andrew J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe current study was performed to characterize how improving vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) function influences the pressure applied to patellofemoral cartilage. An additional focus was characterizing how lateral and medial cartilage lesions influence cartilage pressures. Ten knees were flexed to 40°, 60°, and 80° in vitro, and forces were applied to represent the VMO and other muscles of the quadriceps group while a thin film sensor measured joint pressures. The knees were loaded with a normal VMO force, with the VMO force decreased by approximately 50%, and with the VMO unloaded. After tests were performed with the cartilage intact, all tests were repeated with a 12‐mm‐diameter lesion created within the lateral cartilage, with the lateral lesion repaired with silicone, and with a medial lesion created. Based on a two‐way repeated measures ANOVA and post‐hoc tests, increasing the force applied by the VMO significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the maximum lateral pressure and significantly increased the maximum medial pressure at each flexion angle. A lateral cartilage lesion significantly increased the maximum lateral pressure, while a medial lesion did not significantly influence the maximum medial pressure. Improving VMO function can reduce the pressure applied to lateral cartilage when lateral lesions are present. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 578–583, 2009
Cellular and epigenetic features of a young healthy and a young osteoarthritic cartilage compared with aged control and OA cartilage
Authors: da Silva Marco A. , Yamada Norikazu , Clarke Nicholas M.P. , Roach Helmtrud I. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is generally a disease of the elderly population, but can occur in young patients in exceptional cases. This study compares the cellular and epigenetic features of primary old‐age OA with those of secondary OA in a 23‐year‐old patient with developmental dysplasia of the hip. In addition, control cartilage from a 14‐year‐old was compared with that from patients with a fracture of the neck of femur (#NOF) to establish to what extent the latter is a useful control for OA. Articular cartilage was obtained from discarded femoral heads after hip arthroplasty. MMP‐3, MMP‐9, MMP‐13, and ADAMTS‐4 were immunolocalized and the methylation status of specific promoter CpG sites was determined. Both primary and secondary OA were characterized by loss of aggrecan, formation of clones, and abnormal expression of the proteases that correlated with epigenetic DNA demethylation. The latter indicated that the abnormal expression of the cartilage‐degrading proteases was not due to a short‐term up‐regulation, but a heritable, permanent alteration in gene expression. Comparing cell densities in young and old control cartilage estimated an age‐related cell loss of ∼1% per year. In aged #NOF cartilage, some superficial‐zone chondrocytes expressed the proteases, but the majority of cells were immunonegative and their promoters were hypermethylated. The cellular and epigenetic features of the intermediate and deep zones of #NOF cartilage are thus similar to those of young healthy cartilage, justifying the use of #NOF cartilage as control cartilage for OA, providing the superficial zone is removed. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 593–601, 2009
Characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma developed after achieving sustained virological response to interferon therapy for hepatitis C
Authors: Sanefuji Kensaku , Kayashima Hiroto , Iguchi Tomohiro , Sugimachi Keishi , Yamashita Yo‐ichi , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Soejima Yuji , Nishizaki Takashi , Taketomi Akinobu , Maehara Yoshihiko 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundInterferon (IFN) reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, HCC develops in the some patients who have achieved a sustained virological response (SVR). The aim of this study was to clarify the features and prognosis of SVR patients who developed HCC.Materials and MethodsTwenty‐six patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for initial HCC after IFN therapy were closely investigated. Twenty patients who were seropositive for HCV‐RNA (non‐SVR), and a further 6 patients who achieved SVRs (SVR) were included. We analyzed the clinicopathological features, immunological expression levels of p53 and whether HCV‐RNA is present in the excised liver.ResultsThe liver functions of the SVR group were almost better than those of the non‐SVR group. However, there was no significant difference in pathological features, surgical factors and prognosis between the groups. In one case with SVR out of eight specimens tested was HCV‐RNA detected in the non‐cancerous tissue. Immunohistochemistry revealed overexpression of p53 in eight HCCs (100%) from SVR patients.ConclusionRecurrent HCC still developed after the curative hepatectomy, even if viral elimination had been successful. And molecular alterations in hepatocarcinogenesis of SVR patients might be different from those of CHC patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:32–37. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.