bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioactivity and stability of endogenous fibrogenic factors in platelet‐rich fibrin
Authors: Lundquist Rasmus , Dziegiel Morten H. , Ågren Magnus S. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTPlatelet‐rich fibrin (PRF®) is an autologous fibrin sealant (FS) enriched with a platelet concentrate (>1,000,000 platelets/μL) produced by the automated Vivostat® system and used to enhance wound healing. The effects of PRF were compared with supernatant from thrombin‐activated platelet concentrate, recombinant human platelet‐derived growth factor (rhPDGF) isoforms, and a homologous FS in cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts. Also, the release of selected endogenous growth factors from PRF and their stability against proteolytic degradation were studied. The proliferative effect of PRF exceeded that of FS and rhPDGF‐BB, although it was lower than thrombin‐activated platelet concentrate possibly due to sustained growth factor release from platelets in PRF. Anti‐PDGF antibody blocked the mitogenic effect of rhPDGF‐BB but not that of PRF in growth‐arrested fibroblasts. PRF promoted secretion of carboxyterminal propeptide of type I collagen into conditioned medium while rhPDGF‐AB had no significant effect on collagen biosynthesis. Limited proteolysis of PDGF‐AB and no proteolysis of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) in PRF were observed with trypsin treatment, whereas rhPDGF‐AB and rhTGF‐β1 in bovine serum albumin, matching the total protein concentration of PRF, were almost completely degraded after 24 hours at 37 °C. To conclude, PRF provides sustained release and protection against proteolytic degradation of endogenous fibrogenic factors important for wound healing.
Tissue profiling MALDI mass spectrometry reveals prominent calcium‐binding proteins in the proteome of regenerative MRL mouse wounds
Authors: Caldwell Robert L. , Opalenik Susan R. , Davidson Jeffrey M. , Caprioli Richard M. , Nanney Lillian B. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTMRL/MpJ‐Faslpr mice exhibit the ability to regenerate ear tissue excised by dermal punches. This is an exceptional model to identify candidate proteins that may regulate regeneration in typically nonregenerative tissues. Identification of key molecules involved in regeneration can broaden our understanding of the wound‐healing process and generate novel therapeutic approaches. Tissue profiling by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry is a rapid, powerful proteomic tool that allows hundreds of proteins to be detected from specific regions of intact tissue specimens. To identify these candidate molecules, protein expression in ear punches was examined after 4 and 7 days using tissue profiling of MRL/MpJ‐Faslpr mice and the nonregenerative mouse strain C57BL/6J. Spectral analysis revealed distinct proteomic differences between the regenerative and nonregenerative phenotypes, including the calcium‐binding proteins calgranulin A and B, calgizzarin, and calmodulin. Spatial distributions for these differentially expressed proteins within the injured regions were confirmed by immunohistochemistry.
Distinct patterns of nitrate reductase activity in brown algae: light and ammonium sensitivity in Laminaria digitata is absent in Fucus species1
Authors: Young Erica B. , Dring Matthew J. , Berges John A. 
Published: February 2008

Fucus and Laminaria species, dominant seaweeds in the intertidal and subtidal zones of the temperate North Atlantic, experience tidal cycles that are not synchronized with light:dark (L:D) cycles. To investigate how nutrient assimilation is affected by light cycles, the activity of nitrate reductase (NR) was examined in thalli incubated in outdoor tanks with flowing seawater and natural L:D cycles. NR activity in Laminaria digitata (Huds.) Lamour. showed strong diel patterns with low activities in darkness and peak activities near midday. This diel pattern was controlled by light but not by a circadian rhythm. In contrast, there was no diel variation in NR activity in Fucus serratus L., F. vesiculosus (L.) Lamour., and F. spiralis L. either collected directly from the shore or maintained in the outdoor tanks. In laboratory cultures, transfer to continuous darkness suppressed NR activity in L. digitata, but not in F. vesiculosus; continuous light increased NR activity in L. digitata but decreased activity in F. vesiculosus. Furthermore, 4 d enrichment with ammonium (50 μmol · L−1 pulses), resulted in NR activity declining by >80% in L. digitata, but no significant changes in F. serratus. Seasonal differences in maximum NR activity were present in both genera with activities highest in late winter and lowest in summer. This is the first report of NR activity in any alga that is not strongly regulated by light and ammonium. Because light and tidal emersion do not always coincide, Fucus species may have lost the regulation of NR by light that has been observed in other algae and higher plants.
Different strategies of photoacclimation by two strains of Emiliania huxleyi (Haptophyta)1
Authors: Suggett David J. , Le Floc’H Emilie , Harris Gayle N. , Leonardos Nikos , Geider Richard J. 
Published: February 2008

Photoacclimation involves the modification of components of the light and dark reactions to optimize photosynthesis following changes in available light. All of the energy required for photosynthesis comes from linear electron transport through PSII and PSI and is dependent upon the amount of light harvested by PSII relative to PSI (a*PSII and a*PSI). The amount of light harvested is determined by the effective absorption cross‐sections (σPSII, σPSI) and cellular contents of the PSII and PSI reaction center complexes (RCII, RCI). Here, we examine the effective absorption cross‐sections and reaction center contents for calcifying (B11) and noncalcifying (B92) strains of the globally important coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) W. H. Hay et H. Mohler when grown under various photon flux densities (PFDs). The two strains displayed different “strategies” of acclimation. As growth PFD increased, B11 preferentially changed σ and the cellular content of chl a per cell over PSU “size” (the total cellular chl a content associated with the reaction center complexes); strain B92 preferentially changed PSU size over the cellular content of reaction complexes. Neither strategy was specifically consistent with the majority of previous studies from other microalgal species. For both strains, cellular light absorption for PSII and PSI was maintained close to unity across the range of growth PFDs since changes of σPSII and σPSI were reciprocated by those of RCIIs and RCIs per cell. Our results demonstrate a significant adaptive flexibility of E. huxleyi to photoacclimate. Finally, we calculated the amount of chl a associated with either photosystem to consider our interpretations of photoacclimation based on conventional determinations of PSU size.
Parthenogenesis in the brown alga Lessonia nigrescens (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) from central Chile1*
Authors: Oppliger L. Valeria , Correa Juan A. , Peters Akira F. 
Published: February 2008

Parthenogenesis, the development of female gametes without fertilization, is relatively common in brown algae, although limited quantitative information on the phenomenon is available. Its occurrence is reported for the first time in Lessonia nigrescens Bory, a member of the Laminariales and a key ecological component of the benthic algal communities along the Chilean coast. Isolated female gametophytes developed into parthenosporophytes throughout the year, with a maximum in spring to early summer. Isolated male gametophytes, on the other hand, never developed fronds. Parthenosporophytes obtained in the laboratory developed normally when cultivated under greenhouse conditions, and the resulting individuals were indistinguishable in size, shape, texture, and color from heterozygous sporophytes. Quantification of DNA of various tissues demonstrated that early during their development, parthenosporophytes duplicated their DNA content, displaying levels similar to heterozygous sporophytes and almost twice the level found in gametophytes. One out of 45 individuals from a field population yielded only female gametophytes, strongly suggesting that parthenogenesis does occur in wild stands of L. nigrescens.
Generation and analysis of 5318 expressed sequence tags from the filamentous sporophyte of Porphyra haitanensis (Rhodophyta)1
Authors: Xiaolei Fan , Yongjun Fang , Songnian Hu , Guangce Wang 
Published: February 2008

Porphyra haitanensis T. J. Chang et B. F. Zheng (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) is cultivated in China and widely consumed in Asia. To gain more insight into its physiological and biochemical properties, we generated 5318 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the sporophyte of P. haitanensis, and upon assembling into a nonredundant set, 2535 sequences were obtained, among which only 32.2% (816) shared certain similarity with published sequences (Nr and KOG). Functional classification of such ESTs revealed that most of the transcripts were related to its conservative biological metabolism, and P. haitanensis most likely possesses cyanide‐resistant respiration and a C4‐like carbon‐fixation pathway, both of which have never been reported in a rhodophyte before. Twenty‐eight percent of the nonredundant gene clusters exhibited significant similarity to those from P. yezoensis Ueda sporophytes, and 16 genes up‐regulated in P. yezoensis sporophytes were also expressed abundantly in P. haitanensis. Codon usage analysis indicated that exposure to high GC pressure might occur during evolution of P. haitanensis. These findings represent the most extensive collection of ESTs from P. haitanensis to date, and all the ESTs in this study have been submitted to GenBank (accession nos. DN604790–DN608469, EG016226–EG018540).
Toward the Development of an Interdisciplinary Information Assurance Curriculum: Knowledge Domains and Skill Sets Required of Information Assurance Professionals*
Authors: Cegielski Casey G. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTSince the ratification of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002, both publicly traded companies and their respective financial statement auditors have struggled to comply with the requirements of the legislation. Utilizing three individual Delphi studies, separately, I surveyed partners, managers, and staff associates in the United States from each of the “Big 4” international accounting firms to ascertain from each respective group what knowledge domains and technical skills are most important in the practice of Sarbanes‐Oxley–related information assurance compliance. Analysis of the data collected provided the basis for the development and subsequent implementation of a new interdisciplinary business curriculum in information assurance.
Enhancing Undergraduates' Capabilities Through Team‐Based Competitions: The Edward Jones Challenge
Authors: Umble Elisabeth J. , Umble Michael , Artz Kendall 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTThe Edward Jones Company recently initiated financial sponsorship of team‐based competitions in six undergraduate business core classes at Baylor University. The challenges were chosen to take place in an introductory freshman business class, Managerial Accounting, Principles of Marketing, Corporate Finance, Operations Management, and Strategic Management. Teams of students in each course competed for monetary awards ranging up to $1,000 per team member. This article describes the rationale behind the Edward Jones Challenge, reviews the literature as to the expected benefits of the group projects involved in the competition, summarizes the projects used in the various classes, analyzes the results of a student survey, tests a set of hypotheses relating project structure to the expected benefits, examines the positive results derived from the Edward Jones initiative, and discusses the lessons learned from the experience.
Classroom Questioning with Immediate Electronic Response: Do Clickers Improve Learning?
Authors: Yourstone Steven A. , Kraye Howard S. , Albaum Gerald 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTA number of studies have focused on how students and instructors feel about digital learning technologies. This research is focused on the substantive difference in learning outcomes between traditional classrooms and classrooms using clickers. A randomized block experimental design involving four sections of undergraduate Operations Management classes was used to determine if clicker systems increase student learning of both quantitative and conceptual material in Operations Management. Learning was measured using the difference between the scores on an entrance examination and the final examination. The findings of this research provide evidence that the use of immediate feedback using a technology like clickers can have a positive impact on student learning as measured by test scores.
Low Incidence of Left Atrial or Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Normal EF Who Present for Pulmonary Vein Antrum Isolation Procedure
Authors: KHAN MOHAMMED N. , USMANI ALI , NOOR SAIRA , ELAYI SAMY , CHING CHI KEONG , BIASE LUIGI DI , PATEL DIMPI , BURKHARDT J. DAVID , CUMMINGS JENNIFER , SCHWEIKERT ROBERT , SALIBA WALID , NATALE ANDREA 
Published: February 2008

Introduction:
The incidence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) who present for pulmonary vein antrum isolation procedure (PVAI) is unknown.
Methods and Results:
All consecutive patients from January 2000 to June 2004 who underwent a PVAI received a computed tomography (CT) to evaluate LAA thrombus before the procedure and 3 months post‐PVAI. All patients were followed prospectively. One thousand two hundred twenty‐one patients received a PVAI during the study dates. All patients received a CT pre‐PVAI at 3 months, and 601 (49%) received a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) pre‐PVAI. Per protocol, all patients who had CT scans that were positive for LAA thrombus received a TEE. There were 9 patients who had LAA thrombus on CT scan, but only 3 had LAA thrombus on TEE. Using TEE as the gold standard, only 3 patients had an LAA thrombus before PVAI; of these patients, 2 had chronic AF with average ejection fraction (EF) of 48% and 1 patient had PAF with EF 25%. No patients with PAF and normal EF had LAA thrombus. Patients with LAA thrombus pre‐PVAI had lower EF than patients without LAA thrombus (40% vs. 53%, P = 0.007) but had similar LA size (5.0 vs. 4.5 cm, P = 0.77). No other differences in baseline characteristics were noted.
Conclusions:
In this registry of 1,221 patients, we did not observe LA thrombus in PAF patients with normal EF who present for PVAI. Prescreening CT alone is likely to be sufficient in paroxysmal AF patients with normal EF, and the use of TEE may not be needed.
Periprocedural Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: MORTADA M. EYMAN , CHANDRASEKARAN K. , NANGIA VIKRAM , DHALA ANWER , BLANCK ZALMEN , COOLEY RYAN , BHATIA ATUL , GILBERT CAROL , AKHTAR MASOOD , SRA JASBIR 
Published: February 2008

Background: Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) can increase risk of left atrial (LA) thrombi and stroke. Optimal periprocedural anticoagulation has not been determined. Objective: We report the role of administering warfarin and aspirin without low molecular weight heparin in patients undergoing AF ablation. Methods: A total of 207 patients underwent ablation for AF. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guided transseptal puncture and ruled out clot in the LA. After first puncture, the sheath was flushed with heparin (5,000 Units/mL). After second puncture, a bolus of 80 units/kg of heparin was given, followed by an infusion to maintain activated clotting time (ACT) around 300–350 seconds. Warfarin was stopped and aspirin was started (325 mg/day) 3 days preprocedure. Warfarin was restarted on the day of the procedure. Both medications were continued for 6 weeks postablation. Warfarin was continued for 6 months in patients with prior history of persistent or recurrent AF. Thirty‐seven patients who showed smoke in the LA on TEE were given low molecular weight heparin postprocedure until international normalized ratio (INR) was therapeutic. Results: Thirty‐two patients had persistent and 175 had paroxysmal AF; 87 were cardioverted during ablation. Two patients had transient ischemic attack (TIA) on the sixth and eighth days, respectively, following ablation, with complete recovery. Both had subtherapeutic INRs. Conclusion: In patients without demonstrable clot or smoke in the LA, starting aspirin 3 days prior and warfarin immediately post‐radiofrequency ablation, without low molecular weight heparin, with meticulous anticoagulation during the procedure, appears to be a safe mode of anticoagulation.
Effects of Pacing Modes on Cardiac Baroreflex Function in Permanently Paced Patients with Sinus Node Dysfunction
Authors: TSURUGI TAKUO , ABE HARUHIKO , OGINOSAWA YASUSHI , KOHNO RITSUKO , YASUMASU TOMIYA , NAGATOMO TOSHIHISA , OTSUJI YUTAKA 
Published: February 2008

Objectives: We compared, in patients with sick sinus syndrome, the effects of various pacing modes on baroreceptor (BR)‐stroke volume (SV) reflex sensitivity, a method we have closely correlated with BR‐heart rate (HR) reflex sensitivity. Background: Impaired autonomic nervous function, such as decreased BR‐HR reflex sensitivity, predicts sudden cardiac death. However, in patients with sick sinus syndrome, the effects of various pacing modes on autonomic function are unknown, since chronotropic incompetence precludes its evaluation by measurements of BR‐HR reflex sensitivity. Methods: We studied 12 recipients of dual‐chamber pacemakers with sick sinus syndrome (mean age = 73 ± 8 years; 8 men). Beat‐by‐beat blood pressure (BP) and SV were measured during 5‐minute runs of AAI, DDD, and VVI pacing, and spectrally analyzed to assess BR‐SV reflex sensitivity. Results: Systolic BP was significantly lower (P < 0.01) during VVI (109 ± 24 mmHg) than during DDD (124 ± 22 mmHg) or AAI (125 ± 41 mmHg) pacing. SV was significantly smaller during VVI (36 ± 23 mL) than during DDD (49 ± 31 mL) pacing (P < 0.05). BR‐SV reflex sensitivity was significantly lower (P < 0.05) during VVI (9.3 ± 5.7% per mmHg) than during DDD (15.0 ± 6.5% per mmHg) or AAI (15.5 ± 6.2% per mmHg) pacing. Conclusions: BR‐SV reflex sensitivity was significantly lower during VVI than during AAI or DDD pacing. Atrioventricular synchrony plays an important role in the preservation of BR‐SV reflex sensitivity in pacemaker recipients.
Subretinal surgery and transplantation of autologous pigment epithelial cells in retinal angiomatous proliferation
Authors: Krebs Ilse , Binder Susanne , Stolba Ulrike , Kellner Lukas , Glittenberg Carl , Goll Alexandra 
Published: February 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  The aim of this study was to examine whether the presence of retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) is a prognostic factor in subretinal surgery with transplantation of a suspension of autologous retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.Methods:  Eyes that had been followed for at least 12 months after subretinal surgery were reviewed retrospectively and assigned to group 1 (presence of RAP) or group 2 (lesions without RAP). Main outcome measures were logMAR distance acuity and lesion size at 12 months.Results:  A total of 68 eyes of 68 patients were included; 28 were assigned to group 1 and 40 to group 2. A total of 43% of patients were male and 57% were female. Their mean age was 77.8 years. Mean distance acuity was 1.02 logMAR at baseline and 1.06 logMAR at month 12. Mean lesion size was 27.9 mm2 at baseline and 29.9 mm2 at month 12. The differences between the groups were not significant.Conclusions:  The presence of RAP did not significantly influence the outcome after subretinal surgery with transplantation of autologous RPE cells. Other than age, preoperative lesion size and distance acuity were the only predictive factors for postoperative results.
Gender‐related differences in cataract surgery outcome: a 5‐year follow‐up
Authors: Lundqvist Britta , Mönestam Eva 
Published: February 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  A prospective, longitudinal, population‐based cohort study was performed to analyse gender‐related differences in subjective and objective visual function 5 years after cataract surgery.Methods:  All patients (n = 810) who underwent cataract surgery during a 1‐year period (1997–98) at Norrlands University Hospital in Umeå, Sweden, were studied with visual acuity (VA) data and questionnaires (VF‐14) before and after surgery, as well as 5 years later.Five hundred and thirty patients (177 men, 353 women) answered the questionnaire, constituting 90% (530/590) of the survivors. Four hundred and sixty‐seven (156 men, 311 women) also underwent an eye examination.Results:  The women were significantly older (P = 0.009) and were more often operated on both eyes (P = 0.005). Before surgery and postoperatively, the women had a significantly lower age‐ and VA‐adjusted VF‐14 score (P = 0.000 and P = 0.036, respectively). This difference was not significant 5 years after surgery (P = 0.16).Five years after surgery, a significantly larger proportion of women had a decline of more than 0.1 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution of the better‐seeing eye (P = 0.013). There were no significant gender‐related differences in the operated eye.Conclusion:  Female cataract surgery patients assess their visual function worse than males after adjustment for age and VA preoperatively and postoperatively. These differences were not significant 5 years after surgery although the men had better best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of their better eye. It is important to be aware of gender‐related differences in perception when performing questionnaire‐based outcome studies.
Enhancement of visual scoring of skin irritant reactions using cross‐polarized light and parallel‐polarized light
Authors: Farage Miranda A 
Published: February 2008

Background/purpose:  Polarized light has been used as an aid in visualizing various skin conditions, including acne vulgaris, rosacea, photoageing, lentigo simplex, and basal cell carcinoma. The use of parallel‐polarized and cross‐polarized light was evaluated in mild irritant reactions to determine, if this increases the ability to detect very early stages or low levels of irritation.Methods:  Low concentrations of sodium lauryl sulfate (0.01% and 0.1%) were patched on human volunteers for 2, 6, and 24 hr, daily for 2–3 days in a modification of the standard patch test. Feminine protection products were evaluated in the behind‐the‐knee (BTK) test. Erythema reactions were scored by unaided visual assessment and using a polarized light visualization system.Results:  In the 24‐hr patch test, mean erythema assessed with polarized light was consistent with results of unaided visual scoring. Under milder conditions (2‐ and 6‐hr patches), and in the BTK, significant differences from pretreatment levels of erythema were apparent earlier in the series of treatments compared with unaided scoring. In addition, subsurface scoring demonstrated that changes were still present under the skin surface even after unaided visual scoring indicated recovery.Conclusion:  Low (subclinical) levels of irritation can be detected using enhanced visual scoring, indicating this non‐invasive method has the potential to increase the sensitivity of our clinical studies.