bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro effect of adenovirus‐mediated human Gamma Interferon gene transfer into human mesenchymal stem cells for chronic myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Li XiaoQing , Lu Yue , Huang WenLin , Xu HaiPeng , Chen XiaoQin , Geng QiRong , Fan HuiJie , Tan YinDuo , Xue Gang , Jiang XiangLi 
Published: May 2006

AbstractFor developing gene therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), we evaluated the feasibility of using autologous bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) of one CML patient as a target cell population and studied the efficiency of recombinant adenovirus‐mediated human Gamma Interferon (hIFN‐γ) gene transfer into BMSCs. BMSCs can be readily obtained, expanded, and successfully transduced with adenoviral vectors in vitro. We studied the in vitro expression of hIFN‐γ in human BMSCs following transduction with Ad/hIFN‐γ. On transduction of BMSCs at a MOI of 50, the expression and secretion of hIFN‐γ were achieved as high as 5492 ± 660∼50647 ± 4049 ng/106 cells per 24 h over the course of 3 weeks. We further studied the effects of hIFN‐γ produced by transduced BMSCs on the proliferation of the human leukemia cell line K562 cells in vitro, proliferation of K562 cells was markedly inhibited in the experimental groups as compared with the other two control groups after 5 days of coculture. We also found that the percentage of K562 cells in the G1 phase of cell cycle can be increased by treatment of hIFN‐γ produced by Ad/hIFN‐γ transduced BMSCs, but the percentage of K562 cells in the S phase of cell cycle can be decreased in the same time. Apoptosis rate of K562 cells in the experimental groups was 30.8 ± 8.5%, as compared with the other two control groups (5.6 ± 1.3% and 5.5 ± 0.8%, respectively) (p < 0.01). Our results indicate that hIFN‐γ gene engineered BMSCs of CML donors could be successfully established and that local production of hIFN‐γ is sufficiently to inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells and induce apoptosis of K562 cells in vitro, suggesting an important potential use in the clinical gene therapy of CML. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dimensional structure of the zona pellucida at ovulation
Authors: Familiari Giuseppe , Relucenti Michela , Heyn Rosemarie , Micara Giulietta , Correr Silvia 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe mammalian zona pellucida (ZP) is an extracellular matrix surrounding oocytes and early embryos, which is critical for normal fertilization and preimplantation development. It is made up of three/four glycoproteins arranged in a delicate filamentous matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies have shown that ZP has a porous, net‐like structure and/or nearly smooth and compact aspect. In this study, the fine 3‐D structure of the human and mouse ZP is reviewed with the aim to integrate ultrastructural and molecular data, considering that the mouse is still used as a good model for human fertilization. By conventional SEM observations, numerous evidences support that the spongy ZP appearance well correlates with mature oocytes. When observed through more sophisticated techniques at high resolution SEM, ZP showed a delicate meshwork of thin interconnected filaments, in a regular alternating pattern of wide and tight meshes. In mature oocytes, the wide meshes correspond to “pores” of the “spongy” ZP, whereas the tight meshes correspond to the compact parts of the ZP surrounding the pores. In conclusion, the traditional “spongy” or “compact” appearance of the ZP at conventional SEM appears to be only the consequence of a prevalence of different arrangements of microfilament networks, according to the maturation stage of the oocyte, and in agreement with the modern supramolecular model of the ZP at the basis of egg–sperm recognition. Despite great differences in molecular characterization of ZP glycoproteins between human and mouse ZP, there are no differences in the 3‐D organization of glycoproteic microfilaments in these species. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immune system involvement in the regulation of ovarian function and augmentation of cancer
Authors: Bukovsky Antonin 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIncreasing evidence indicates a role for the immune system and mesenchymal–epithelial interactions in the regulation of ovarian function. Cytokines produced by mesenchymal cells can stimulate development and regression of ovarian structures. We report here that mesenchymal cells releasing surface molecules among epithelial cells—namely vascular pericytes and monocyte‐derived cells (MDC)—and intraepithelial T lymphocytes are associated with oogenesis and formation of new primary follicles in both fetal and adult human ovaries. These activated mesenchymal cells interact with the ovarian surface epithelium, which appears to be a source of secondary germ cells and granulosa cells. Activated pericytes and MDC are also associated with stimulation of thecal development during selection of growing secondary follicles from the cohort of primary follicles. However, survival of the dominant follicle during mid‐follicular phase selection is associated with a lack of activity of mesenchymal cells and retardation of thecal development, since immature granulosa cells lacking aromatase are unable to resist high levels of thecal androgens. Once the selected follicle matures (late follicular phase), it shows enhanced activity of thecal mesenchymal cells and advanced thecal development. Corpus luteum (CL) development is accompanied by a high activity of vascular pericytes and MDC. In mature CL and CL of pregnancy, luteal MDC and pericytes show a stable (inactive) state. Regression of the CL is associated with regression of pericytes, transformation of MDC into dendritic cells, infiltration by T lymphocytes, and binding of immunoglobulin G to the luteal cells. The immunoglobulin M (IgM) binds to young but not mature luteal cells. In the CL of pregnancy, IgM binds to luteal vessels, but not to luteal cells. Regressing CL shows IgM binding to both luteal cells and vessels. In ovarian cancers, highly activated MDC and sometimes activated pericytes (poorly differentiated carcinomas) are present. IgM binding is similar to that seen in the CL of pregnancy. These data indicate that vascular pericytes, MDC, T cells, and immunoglobulins may play an important role in the regulation of ovarian physiology and contribute to the augmentation of ovarian cancer growth. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Presence and significance of temperature gradients among different ovarian tissues
Authors: Hunter Ronald Henry Fraser , Einer‐Jensen Niels , Greve Torben 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAfter recalling male gonadal physiology in respect of tissue temperatures within the scrotal sac, and raising questions concerning abdominal testes, attention turned to mature Graafian follicles and ovarian stroma. Temperature gradients between such tissues were summarized for human, rabbit, pig, and cow, and generally fell in the range of 1.3–1.7°C: follicles were always cooler than stroma. Measurements were made principally by means of a thermo‐sensing camera at midventral laparotomy, but also using microelectrodes or thermistor probes sited in the follicular antrum of rabbits and pigs, respectively. When thermo‐imaged under the fimbriated extremity of the Fallopian tube, mature pig follicles and stroma could still be distinguished. Such follicles cooled slightly more rapidly during the first 10 s of a 60‐s recording interval, after which curves for the two tissues remained parallel. Arresting ovarian blood supply for 5 min had a negligible influence on the temperature differentials. Endoscopy in three models recorded mean differentials of 0.6 ± 0.1°C – 1.1 ± 0.1°C between follicles and stroma, but such follicles had not attained mature diameter. Temperature gradients were thought to be generated at least in part by endothermic reactions within mature follicles, reflecting hydration of large extracellular matrix molecules such as proteoglycans. A contribution to the cooling process from the products of leukocyte activity in the follicle wall and antrum could also be involved. Temperature gradients would be maintained locally by counter‐current heat exchange mechanisms and, in this context, the microvasculature and lymphatic flow of individual follicles were found to be appropriate. Observations on the temperature of preovulatory follicles appear relevant to procedures of in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antisymmetric flows on planar graphs
Authors: Marshall T. H. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWe prove that every oriented planar graph admits a homomorphism to the Paley tournament P271 and hence that every oriented planar graph has an antisymmetric flow number and a strong oriented chromatic number of at most 271. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 52: 200–210, 2006
Improper choosability of graphs and maximum average degree
Authors: Havet Frédéric , Sereni Jean‐Sébastien 
Published: May 2006

AbstractImproper choosability of planar graphs has been widely studied. In particular, Škrekovski investigated the smallest integer gk such that every planar graph of girth at least gk is k‐improper 2‐choosable. He proved [9] that 6 ≤ g1 ≤ 9; 5 ≤  g2 ≤ 7; 5 ≤ g3 ≤ 6; and ∀ k ≥ 4, gk = 5. In this article, we study the greatest real M(k, l) such that every graph of maximum average degree less than M(k, l) is k‐improper l‐choosable. We prove that if l ≥ 2 then $M(k, l) \geq l + {l {\rm k} \over {l+k}}$. As a corollary, we deduce that g1 ≤ 8 and g2 ≤ 6, and we obtain new results for graphs of higher genus. We also provide an upper bound for M(k, l). This implies that for any fixed l, $M(k,l) \displaystyle\mathop{\longrightarrow}_{k \rightarrow \infty}{2l}$. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 52: 181–199, 2006
Ion‐exchange macroporous hydrophilic gel monolith with grafted polymer brushes
Authors: Savina Irina N. , Galaev Igor Yu. , Mattiasson Bo 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe grafting of functional polymers to the pore surface of macroporous monolithic polyacrylamide cryogels was found to be an efficient and convenient method for the preparation of macroporous polyacrylamide gels, so‐called cryogels (pAAm cryogels), with both controlled extent of functional group incorporated and with tailored surface chemistries. Anion‐exchange polymer chains of poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (pDMAEMA) and poly([2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]‐trimethylammonium chloride) (pMETA), and cation‐exchange polymer chains of polyacrylate have been grafted onto pAAm cryogels using potassium diperiodatocuprate as initiator. It was possible to achieve the ion‐exchange capacity up to 0.2–0.5 mmol/ml. The graft polymerization did not alter the macroporous structure of the pAAm cryogel, however the flow rate of solutes through the cryogel matrix decreased with increase in the density of polymer grafted. The sorption of low‐molecular‐weight (metal ion, dye) and high‐molecular‐weight (protein) substances on the grafted monolithic pAAm column has been studied. The results indicate that a ‘tentacle’‐type binding of protein to grafted polymer depended on the architecture of the grafted polymer layer and took place after a certain degree of grafting has been reached. The binding of proteins by tentacle‐like polymer chains allowed for increasing the binding capacity for proteins on the grafted pAAm cryogels up to 6–12 mg/ml. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Macroporous polyacrylamide monolithic gels with immobilized metal affinity ligands: the effect of porous structure and ligand coupling chemistry on protein binding
Authors: Plieva Fatima , Bober Beata , Dainiak Maria , Galaev Igor Yu. , Mattiasson Bo 
Published: May 2006

AbstractMacroporous polyacrylamide gels (MPAAG) with iminodiacetic acid (IDA) functionality were prepared by (i) chemical modification of polyacrylamide gel, (ii) co‐polymerization of acrylamide with allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) and N,N′metylene‐bis(acrylamide) (MBAAm) followed by coupling IDA ligand or (iii) by copolymerization of acrylamide and MBAAm with functional monomer carrying IDA‐functionality (1‐(N,N‐bis(carboxymethyl)amino‐3‐allylglycerol). Screening for optimized conditions for the production of the MPAAG with required porous properties was performed in a 96‐well chromatographic format that allowed parallel production and analysis of the MPAAG prepared from reaction mixtures with different compositions. Scanning electron microscopy of the fabricated MPAAG revealed two different types of the porous structures: monomodal macroporous structure with large interconnected pores separated by dense non‐porous pore walls in case of plain gels or gels produced via copolymerization with AGE. The other type of the MPAAG (gel produced via co‐polymerization with functional monomer carrying IDA‐functionality) had bimodal pore structure with large interconnected pores separated by the pore walls pierced through with micropores. The effect of different modifications of MPAAG monoliths and of porous structure of the MPAAG (monomodal and bimodal porous structure) on protein binding has been evaluated. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of chemical structure in molecular recognition by transferrin
Authors: Takátsy Anikó , Hodrea Judit , Majdik Cornelia , Dan Irimie Florin , Kilár Ferenc 
Published: May 2006

AbstractStudies of molecular recognition of chiral compounds by proteins are of importance from many points of view. The biological role of proteins in their interaction with small molecules is of fundamental interest and can be used in many different fields, for instance for in vitro analysis of optically active compounds. Studies in these areas need a detailed study of the interaction sites on the protein surface and the relationship between chemical structure and the complex formation ability of small molecules, such as drugs. The electrophoretic migration of charged compounds through a protein zone may provide information about the surface properties of the macromolecule in the interaction site. The interaction of human serum transferrin with tryptophan‐methyl‐ (TME), ethyl‐ (TEE) and butyl‐esters (TBE) has been investigated by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and model calculations. Differences in the separation of tryptophan derivatives were obtained by varying experimental parameters such as, pH, ionic strength of background electrolyte and the length of transferrin zone. Limited separation of the enantiomer pairs were observed at pH 5 and 7 with a maximum resolution at pH 6. The size of the ligands coupled to the chiral centre has importance in stereoselective recognition; however, a direct comparison of resolution different in same runs may lead to false conclusion if the experimental conditions are not comparable. With a careful evaluation of the data we obtained significant differences between the resolution of the smallest enantiomer pair compared to those of tryptophan derivatives with longer alkyl chains. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of the stage of growth, wilting and inoculation in field pea (Pisum sativum L.) silages. I. Herbage composition and silage fermentation
Authors: Borreani Giorgio , Cavallarin Laura , Antoniazzi Sara , Tabacco Ernesto 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe stage of growth, field wilting and inoculation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) effects were studied by ensiling herbage of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) at four consecutive stages. Stands of semi‐leafless field pea, sown in spring, were harvested at four progressive morphological stages (end of flowering, I; beginning of pod filling, II; advanced pod filling, III; beginning of ripening, IV). For each stage of growth, the herbage was field wilted to a dry matter (DM) content of 318, 300, 348 and 360 g kg−1 for stages I, II, III and IV, respectively. The unwilted and wilted herbages were ensiled in 5‐L silos, with (I) and without (C) a LAB inoculant (Lactobacillus plantarum). High levels of ethanol, lactic acid and volatile fatty acids (VFA) were observed in all silages, facilitated by the high levels of water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSC) at ensiling (from 111 to 198 g kg−1 DM). Despite the low pH values (4.3 and 4.1 for C and I silages, respectively), all the silages showed detectable levels of butyric acid. Field peas can be successfully ensiled after a short wilting period with reduced field curing and reduce DM losses onward from advanced pod filling stage, with the aid of LAB inoculum. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of the stage of growth, wilting and inoculation in field pea (Pisum sativum L.) silages. II. Nitrogen fractions and amino acid compositions of herbage and silage
Authors: Cavallarin Laura , Antoniazzi Sara , Tabacco Ernesto , Borreani Giorgio 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe aim of the study was to investigate the effects of stage of maturity, wilting and inoculant application on proteolysis in field pea herbage and silage in northern Italy. Semi‐leafless field peas were harvested at four progressive morphological stages (end of flowering, I; beginning of pod filling, II; advanced pod filling, III; beginning of ripening, IV). For each stage of growth, the herbage was field wilted to a dry matter (DM) content around 330 g kg−1. The unwilted and wilted herbages were ensiled with (I) and without (C) a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant. The stage of growth significantly affected all the nitrogen fraction concentrations both in herbage and in silage. Extensive proteolysis took place in silages made at early morphological stages and characterised by a high crude protein content (around 240 g kg−1 DM), as shown by the non‐protein nitrogen (NPN) value (around 700 g kg−1 total N or higher). Neither inoculum nor wilting helped to reduce the protein degradation in these silages. The level of proteolysis was reduced in silages made from the pod filling stage onwards where most of the protein was localised in the seed and a better fermentation pattern was observed. The amino acid (AA) composition of silages made at stage IV was close to that of fresh herbage, with minimal losses of nutritionally essential amino acids for ruminants. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
The rise and fall of a community of practice: a descriptive case study
Authors: Chua Alton Y. K. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractFor more than a decade, the notion of communities of practice has drawn attention from both scholars and practitioners. Its popularity has been fuelled, in part, by the realisation that knowledge is heavily social in nature. Communities of practice therefore provide an ideal context for developing, sharing and stewarding knowledge in organisations. Many knowledge management researchers present communities of practice as a compelling form of informal organisational structure capable of producing remarkable outcomes. However, eclipsed by the celebrations of numerous success stories are unpublished but nonetheless important cases in which efforts to build and sustain communities of practice have failed. This paper traces the inception, development and eventual demise of a community of practice among e‐learning instructional designers at Holden College. It also attempts to explain why the initiative, which seemed to enjoy a promising start, fizzled out completely in less than one‐and‐a‐half years. The key learning points distilled from this case can be used to inform managers who are contemplating starting communities of practice in their own organisations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Knowledge management and the vision machine: Paul Virilio and the technological constitution of knowledge
Authors: Styhre Alexander 
Published: May 2006

AbstractKnowledge management has become an influential discourse within the field of management studies. Even though there are several competing perspectives and views of the notion of knowledge and its use in organization, there is relatively little emphasis on the relationship between the use of technological systems and the constitution of knowledge. This paper suggests that the writing of Paul Virilio, a though‐provoking French social and cultural theorist, may serve as a source of influence in a more active engagement with understanding the relationship between technology and knowledge. Drawing on two studies of knowledge in use in organizations, one in the domain of the juridical system and the other in new drug development in pharmaceutical industry, the paper points at the importance of integrating technologies into the analysis of how knowledge is produced. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fracture risk after the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease: Influence of concomitant dementia
Authors: Melton L. Joseph , Leibson Cynthia L. , Achenbach Sara J. , Bower James H. , Maraganore Demetrius M. , Oberg Ann L. , Rocca Walter A. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIn an inception cohort of 196 Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents with Parkinson's disease (PD) first recognized in 1976 to 1995, we tested whether the increased risk of bone fractures is associated with concomitant dementia. Using the data resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project, information about PD, dementia, other clinical risk factors for fracture and fracture events was obtained from review of complete inpatient and outpatient medical records spanning each subject's residence in the community. Compared to an equal number of age‐ and sex‐matched non‐PD referent subjects from the community, PD patients were at a 2.2‐fold increased risk of fractures generally and a 3.2‐fold greater risk of hip fractures specifically. Adjusting for age, the independent predictors of overall fracture risk in the PD subjects included female sex (hazard ratio [HR] 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–2.3), dementia (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1–2.4) and chronic depression, which was associated with a reduced risk (HR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2–0.8). Hip fractures were predicted by dementia (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2–4.1). The increased fracture risk in patients with PD is not entirely explained by concomitant dementia, and additional study is needed to determine the relative contributions to fracture risk of falls versus bone loss in these patients. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society