bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
9‐bromonoscapine‐induced mitotic arrest of cigarette smoke condensate‐transformed breast epithelial cells
Authors: Jaiswal Aruna S. , Aneja Ritu , Connors Shahnjayla K. , Joshi Harish C. , Multani Asha S. , Pathak Sen , Narayan Satya 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn the present investigation, we determined the chemotherapeutic efficacy of 9‐bromonoscapine (Br‐Nos), a more potent noscapine analog, on MCF10A, spontaneously immortalized human normal breast epithelial cells and MCF10A‐CSC3, cigarette smoke condensate (CSC)‐transformed cells. The results from cytogenetic analysis showed that Br‐Nos induced polyploidy and telomeric association in MCF10A‐CSC3 cells, while MCF10A cells remained unaffected. Our immunofluorescence data further demonstrated that MCF10A‐CSC3 cells were susceptible to mitotic catastrophe on exposure to Br‐Nos and failed to recover after drug withdrawal. MCF10A‐CSC3 cells exhibited Br‐Nos‐induced aberrant multipolar spindle formation, which irreversibly impaired the alignment of replicated chromosome to the equatorial plane and finally culminated in cell death. Although MCF10A cells upon Br‐Nos treatment showed bipolar spindles with some uncongressed chromosomes, these cells recovered fairly well after drug withdrawal. Our flow‐cytometry analysis data reconfirmed that MCF10A‐CSC3 cells were more susceptible to cell death compared to MCF10A cells. Furthermore, our results suggest that decreased levels of cdc2/cyclin B1 and cdc2 kinase activity are responsible for Br‐Nos‐induced mitotic cell arrest leading to cell death in MCF10A‐CSC3 cells. This study thus explores the underlying mechanism of Br‐Nos‐induced mitotic catastrophe in CSC‐transformed MCF10A‐CSC3 cells and its potential usefulness as a chemotherapeutic agent for prevention of cigarette smoke‐induced breast cancer growth. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 1146–1156, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Local action of endogenous renal tubular atrial natriuretic peptide
Authors: Lo Chao‐Sheng , Chen Chao‐Hung , Hsieh Tusty‐Jiuan , Lin Kun‐Der , Hsiao Pi‐Jung , Shin Shyi‐Jang 
Published: February 2009

AbstractUp‐regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) mRNA in the kidneys in several disorders has been demonstrated; however, evidence that ANP synthesized by the kidney exerts a local function has never been produced. Therefore, we investigated whether endogenous ANP could modulate high glucose‐stimulated TGF‐β1, collagen type I and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) in NRK‐52E cells using transfection of ANP and ANP small interfering RNA (siANP). NRK‐52E cells were grown with or without transfection with ANP plasmid; cells were also transfected with ANP siRNA or control siRNA. These cells were then stimulated with a high glucose concentration to modulate ANP, TGF‐β1, collagen type I, NF‐κB and IκB‐α, and the results showed that ANP, TGF‐β1, collagen type I and NF‐κB significantly increased in untransfected cells, and the transfection of ANP significantly attenuated high glucose‐activated TGF‐β1, collagen I and NF‐κB expression. ANP siRNA knocked‐down ANP but significantly increased TGF‐β1 and collagen I under normal glucose conditions; ANP siRNA decreased IκB‐α but strongly enhanced high glucose‐activated TGF‐β1, collagen type I and NF‐κB. In contrast, medium from ANP‐transfected cells attenuated high glucose‐activated TGF‐β1 and collagen type I expression in NRK‐52E cells transfected with siANP. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that siANP increased activation of TGF‐β1, collagen type I and NF‐κB in NRK‐52E cells under high glucose conditions, and medium from ANP‐transfected cells attenuated high glucose‐activated TGF‐β1 and collagen type I. This is the first study to demonstrate the auto/paracrine action of endogenous ANP in renal tubular cells on the attenuation of hyperglycemia‐activated TGF‐β1 and NF‐κB expression. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 776–786, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rosiglitazone and PPAR‐γ overexpression protect mitochondrial membrane potential and prevent apoptosis by upregulating anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family proteins
Authors: Wu Jui‐Sheng , Lin Teng‐Nan , Wu Kenneth K. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTo determine the involvement of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPAR‐γ) in cytoprotection, we subjected N2‐A cells to oxygen–glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation (H‐R). Following H‐R insults, H2O2 production was increased while cell viability declined, which was accompanied by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cytochrome c release, caspases 9 and 3 activation, poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase (PARP) cleavage and apoptosis. Rosiglitazone up to 5 µM protected cell viability, normalized MMP, and prevented apoptotic signals. The protective effect of rosiglitazone was abrogated by GW9662, a PPAR‐γ antagonist, or a specific PPAR‐γ small interference RNA (siRNA) but not a control scRNA. PPAR‐γ overexpression alone was effective in maintaining MMP and preventing apoptosis and its protective effect was also abrogated by PPAR‐γ siRNA or GW9662. To elucidate the mechanism by which PPAR‐γ protects MMP and prevents apoptosis, we analyzed Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xl, and phosphorylated Bad (p‐Bad). H‐R suppressed them. Rosiglitazone or PPAR‐γ overexpression restored them via PPAR‐γ. Rosiglitazone or PPAR‐γ overexpression preserved phosphorylated Akt and 3‐phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase‐1 (PDK‐1) in a PPAR‐γ dependent manner. These results indicate that ligand‐activated PPAR‐γ protects N2‐A cells against H‐R damage by enhancing Bcl‐2/Bcl‐xl and maintaining p‐Bad via preservation of p‐Akt. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 58–71, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mergers and acquisitions in Japan: Lessons from a Dutch‐Japanese case study
Authors: Grotenhuis Frits D. J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis article deals with lessons learned from mergers and acquisitions in Japan. In general, such combinations are not success stories, since 50–80 percent of them do not bring the benefits that were expected. Several reasons for such failures have been brought up in the literature, but real‐life cases of the “how” and “why” are very limited or fragmented, especially in a Japanese context. This study enhances a more integral approach into Dutch‐Japanese acquisitions. Based on an in‐depth Dutch‐Japanese case study and a literature review, it can be concluded that the preparation of mergers and acquisitions with Japanese organizations should be focused on (1) knowledge about the target company and its context, (2) strategic issues, and (3) leadership and cultural issues, in order to prevent culture clashes and misunderstandings, and increase the chances of success. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Legal developments—Gender issues now, and increasingly in the U.S. and EU spotlight
Authors: MacGillivray Elizabeth D. , Beecher H. Juanita M. , Golden Deirdre 
Published: February 2009

AbstractORC Worldwide believes that gender diversity will be an increasingly important issue in 2009 as both the United States and the European Union continue to focus on improving the status of women in the workplace and elsewhere. The new Obama administration is expected to quickly pass a number of new initiatives on gender pay discrimination, to reverse the Ledbetter decision as well as to revitalize the Equal Pay Act. The following is an update of the status of gender diversity in the third quarter of 2008. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impairments of speed and amplitude of movement in Parkinson's disease: A pilot study
Authors: Espay Alberto J. , Beaton Dorcas E. , Morgante Francesca , Gunraj Carolyn A. , Lang Anthony E. , Chen Robert 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBradykinesia, characterized by slowness and decreased amplitude of movement, is often considered the most important deficit in Parkinson's disease (PD). The current clinical rating of bradykinesia in PD, based on the motor subscale of the Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (UPDRS‐III), does not individually weigh the impairments in speed and amplitude of rapid alternating movements. We sought to categorize movement in PD to determine whether speed and amplitude have different relationships to current measures of motor impairment and disability. Categories of speed and amplitude (normal, slow/low, and very‐slow/very‐low) were ascertained using an electromagnetic tracking device. Amplitude was disproportionally more affected than speed in the “off” state. UPDRS‐III and the Schwab & England disability scale were worst in patients with very impaired amplitude and best in patients with normal amplitude. A similarly graded relationship was not found for categories of speed impairment. The examiner clinical global impression of change mirrored “off” state amplitude but not speed categories. Levodopa, however, normalized speed to a greater extent than amplitude. Our observations suggest that amplitude and speed impairments may be associated with different functional aspects in PD and deserve separate clinical assessment. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Flash flood warning in ungauged basins by use of the flash flood guidance and model‐based runoff thresholds
Authors: Norbiato Daniele , Borga Marco , Dinale Roberto 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThis paper investigates the use of the Flash Flood Guidance (FFG) method and a method of model‐based threshold runoff computation to improve the accuracy of flash flood forecasts at ungauged locations. The methodology proposed in this paper requires running a lumped hydrological model to derive flood frequencies at the outlet of the ungauged basin under consideration, and then to derive the threshold runoff from these model‐based discharges. The study examines the potential of this method to account for the hydrological model's uncertainty and for biases originated by lack of model calibration, which is the typical condition in ungauged basins.Experiments to validate this approach involve the implementation of a semi‐distributed continuous rainfall‐runoff model and the operation of the FFG method over four basins located in the central‐eastern Italian Alps and ranging in size from 75.2 to 213.7 km2. The model is calibrated on two larger basins and the model parameters are transposed to the other two basins to simulate operations in ungauged basins. The FFG method is applied by using the 2 year discharge as the threshold runoff. The threshold runoff is derived both by using local discharge statistics and the model‐based approach advocated here. Examination of the results obtained by this comparison shows that the use of model‐based threshold leads to improvements in both gauged and ungauged situations. Overall, the Critical Success Index (CSI) increases by 12% for gauged basins and by 31% for ungauged basins by using the model‐based threshold with respect to use of local data. As expected, the increase of CSI is more remarkable for ungauged basins, due to lack of local model calibration and the greater likelihood of occurrence of a simulation bias in model application over these basins. This shows that the method of threshold runoff computation provides an inherent bias correction to reduce systematic errors in model applications to ungauged (and gauged) basins. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Tracking the uncertainty in flood alerts driven by grand ensemble weather predictions
Authors: He Y. , Wetterhall F. , Cloke H. L. , Pappenberger F. , Wilson M. , Freer J. , McGregor G. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe incorporation of numerical weather predictions (NWP) into a flood warning system can increase forecast lead times from a few hours to a few days. A single NWP forecast from a single forecast centre, however, is insufficient as it involves considerable non‐predictable uncertainties and can lead to a high number of false or missed warnings. Weather forecasts using multiple NWPs from various weather centres implemented on catchment hydrology can provide significantly improved early flood warning. The availability of global ensemble weather prediction systems through the ‘THORPEX Interactive Grand Global Ensemble’ (TIGGE) offers a new opportunity for the development of state‐of‐the‐art early flood forecasting systems. This paper presents a case study using the TIGGE database for flood warning on a meso‐scale catchment (4062 km2) located in the Midlands region of England. For the first time, a research attempt is made to set up a coupled atmospheric‐hydrologic‐hydraulic cascade system driven by the TIGGE ensemble forecasts. A probabilistic discharge and flood inundation forecast is provided as the end product to study the potential benefits of using the TIGGE database. The study shows that precipitation input uncertainties dominate and propagate through the cascade chain. The current NWPs fall short of representing the spatial precipitation variability on such a comparatively small catchment, which indicates need to improve NWPs resolution and/or disaggregating techniques to narrow down the spatial gap between meteorology and hydrology. The spread of discharge forecasts varies from centre to centre, but it is generally large and implies a significant level of uncertainties. Nevertheless, the results show the TIGGE database is a promising tool to forecast flood inundation, comparable with that driven by raingauge observation. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Optimal k‐space sampling for dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI with an application to MR renography
Authors: Song Ting , Laine Andrew F. , Chen Qun , Rusinek Henry , Bokacheva Louisa , Lim Ruth P. , Laub Gerhard , Kroeker Randall , Lee Vivian S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractFor time‐resolved acquisitions with k‐space undersampling, a simulation method was developed for selecting imaging parameters based on minimization of errors in signal intensity versus time and physiologic parameters derived from tracer kinetic analysis. Optimization was performed for time‐resolved angiography with stochastic trajectories (TWIST) algorithm applied to contrast‐enhanced MR renography. A realistic 4D phantom comprised of aorta and two kidneys, one healthy and one diseased, was created with ideal tissue time‐enhancement pattern generated using a three‐compartment model with fixed parameters, including glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF). TWIST acquisitions with different combinations of sampled central and peripheral k‐space portions were applied to this phantom. Acquisition performance was assessed by the difference between simulated signal intensity (SI) and calculated GFR and RPF and their ideal values. Sampling of the 20% of the center and 1/5 of the periphery of k‐space in phase‐encoding plane and data‐sharing of the remaining 4/5 minimized the errors in SI (<5%), RPF, and GFR (both <10% for both healthy and diseased kidneys). High‐quality dynamic human images were acquired with optimal TWIST parameters and 2.4 sec temporal resolution. The proposed method can be generalized to other dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI applications, e.g., MR angiography or cancer imaging. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Upregulation of MHC class I in transgenic mice results in reduced force‐generating capacity in slow‐twitch muscle
Authors: Salomonsson Stina , Grundtman Cecilia , Zhang Shi‐Jin , Lanner Johanna T. , Li Charles , Katz Abram , Wedderburn Lucy R. , Nagaraju Kanneboyina , Lundberg Ingrid E. , Westerblad Håkan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractExpression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I in skeletal muscle fibers is an early and consistent finding in inflammatory myopathies. To test if MHC class I has a primary role in muscle impairment, we used transgenic mice with inducible overexpression of MHC class I in their skeletal muscle cells. Contractile function was studied in isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL, fast‐twitch) and soleus (slow‐twitch) muscles. We found that EDL was smaller, whereas soleus muscle was slightly larger. Both muscles generated less absolute force in myopathic compared with control mice; however, when force was expressed per cross‐sectional area, only soleus muscle generated less force. Inflammation was markedly increased, but no changes were found in the activities of key mitochondrial and glycogenolytic enzymes in myopathic mice. The induction of MHC class I results in muscle atrophy and an intrinsic decrease in force‐generation capacity. These observations may have important implications for our understanding of the pathophysiological processes of muscle weakness seen in inflammatory myopathies. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Adult nemaline myopathy with trabecular muscle fibers
Authors: Irodenko Viktoriya S. , Lee Han S. , Stephen J. de Armond  , Layzer Robert B. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe term “trabecular myopathy” has been used to designate a syndrome resembling limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy in which the predominant pathological feature is an abundance of lobulated or trabecular muscle fibers. However, the validity of this nosological entity has not been verified. Herein we describe a 63‐year‐old man with a severe, progressive myopathy who exhibited the typical pathological features of both trabecular myopathy and nemaline myopathy in association with a biclonal gammopathy. In this case, adult‐onset nemaline myopathy was probably the primary disease process. The diagnostic significance of trabecular muscle fibers remains uncertain. Muscle Nerve, 2008
Effect of age on muscle activation and twitch properties during static and dynamic actions
Authors: Wilder Melissa R. , Cannon Jack 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn this investigation we examined age‐associated changes in peak torque, voluntary activation levels, and potentiated twitch properties of the knee extensors during isometric (ISO), shortening (SHO), and lengthening (LEN) actions in 18 young subjects (19–27 years) and 12 elderly subjects (64–77 years). Peak torque was lower for the elderly subjects under the ISO (−31%) and SHO (−28%) conditions (P < 0.05); however, the loss in LEN peak torque in the elderly was less marked (−17%) (P > 0.05). Voluntary activation levels within and between groups were not significantly different and ranged between 96.8% and 98.9% (P > 0.05). Peak twitch torque and some temporal twitch characteristics were altered with age (P < 0.05), but such changes were similar across all muscle actions (P > 0.05). These data suggest that the attenuated reduction in LEN muscle strength associated with age is probably not related to contraction‐specific changes in voluntary activation levels or potentiated twitch properties. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Acute motor response following a single IVIG treatment course in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Harbo Thomas , Andersen Henning , Jakobsen Johannes 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), the acute motor response following withdrawal and reestablishment of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy was studied. In a prospectively designed case series 11 CIDP patients in IVIG maintenance therapy were assessed with isokinetic dynamometry, nerve conduction studies, and functional tests. After short‐term withdrawal of IVIG, eight treatment‐responsive patients had a 14.2% (8.6–20.0) loss of isokinetic strength of 12 muscle groups. Three patients remained stable without treatment and were excluded from further study. On days 5 and 10 after reinitiation of IVIG therapy isokinetic muscle strength increased by 5.5% (1.6–9.6) and 11.9% (7.5–16.5), respectively, but there was no further increase at day 15. Improvement of walking velocity and hand function coincided. The minimal F‐wave latency shortened, whereas other electrophysiological parameters remained unchanged. In conclusion, isokinetic dynamometry is a sensitive and clinically relevant method for monitoring the acute response to IVIG treatment in CIDP. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Importance of footing–soil separation on dynamic stiffness of piled embedded footings
Authors: Padrón L. A. , Mylonakis G. E. , Beskos D. E. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDifferent phenomena such as soil consolidation, erosion, and scour beneath an embedded footing supported on piles may lead to loss of contact between soil and the pile cap underside. The importance of this separation on the dynamic stiffness and damping of the foundation is assessed in this work. To this end, a numerical parametric analysis in the frequency domain is performed using a rigorous three‐dimensional elastodynamic boundary element–finite element coupling scheme. Dimensionless plots relating dynamic stiffness functions computed with and without separation effects are presented for different pile–soil configurations. Vertical, horizontal and rocking modes of oscillation are analyzed for a wide range of dimensionless frequencies. It is shown that the importance of separation is negligible for frequencies below those for which dynamic pile group effects start to become apparent. Redistribution of stiffness contributions between piles and footing is also addressed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Obstruction alters muscarinic receptor‐coupled RhoA/Rho‐kinase pathway in the urinary bladder of the rat
Authors: Takahashi Norio , Shiomi Homare , Kushida Nobuhiro , Liu Fei , Ishibashi Kei , Yanagida Tomohiko , Shishido Keiichi , Aikawa Ken , Yamaguchi Osamu 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAimsThe present study investigated the effects of the bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) on the muscarinic receptor (MR)‐coupled RhoA/Rho‐kinase (ROK) pathway in the detrusor smooth muscle of the rat.MethodsDetrusor muscle samples were obtained from bladders after 4 weeks of BOO and also from sham‐operated control rats. Contractile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and 1 μM carbachol (Cch) were determined in isolated detrusor strips. The effects of the ROK inhibitor Y‐27632 on the Cch‐induced phasic and sustained contractions were evaluated. Western blotting was used to determine the relative levels of RhoA expression and ROK isoform expression.ResultsBladder weight increased significantly after 4 weeks of BOO. Contractile responses to EFS decreased significantly in detrusor muscle from the obstructed bladder. Cch (1 μM) induced a biphasic response consisting of an initial phasic contraction followed by a sustained contraction. Y‐27632 attenuated the phasic and sustained contractions induced by Cch in both control and obstructed bladders. However, BOO caused a significant increase in contractile force during the sustained phase of the contractions induced by Cch. An inhibitory effect of Y‐27632 on the sustained responses to Cch was significantly enhanced in the obstructed bladder. In accordance with the functional study, the expression of RhoA and ROK isoforms (both α and β) at the protein level significantly increased in the obstructed bladder.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the enhanced MR‐coupled RhoA/ROK pathway contributes to the maintenance of contractile force in the obstructed bladder, as a compensatory mechanism for expelling the urine against the obstruction. Neurourol. Urodynam. 28:257–262, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.