bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells using microfluidic chips
Authors: Ju Xiuli , Li Dong , Gao Ning , Shi Qing , Hou Huaishui 
Published: December 2007

AbstractCryomedicine Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China Directional induction and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is very important to clinical therapy, but the mechanisms that govern differentiation are not well understood. However, traditional plate culture cannot precisely control cellular behavior because cells take up substances while secreting cytokines and wastes. Here, we used a microfluidic device to culture MSCs inside a microchamber. Hepatic differentiation medium was perfused to evaluate the ability of MSCs to differentiate toward hepatic cells on the chip. Parallel differentiation on 96‐well plates was used to provide a detailed comparison of the differences between the two culturing methods. After treatment for 4 weeks, differentiated cells from both groups could express hepatocyte‐specific markers, including α‐fetoprotein, tyrosine aminotransferase, and albumin. The bioactivity assays revealed that these hepatocyte‐like cells could uptake lipoprotein, but cells that differentiated on the chip showed more positive signals than the cells cultured on plates. Our results indicated that a microfluidic platform might be a potential tool for cost‐effective and automated cell culture, and have potential applications in reliable cell‐based screens and assays.
Effects of net charge and the number of positively charged residues on the biological activity of amphipathic α‐helical cationic antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Jiang Ziqing , Vasil Adriana I. , Hale John D. , Hancock Robert E. W. , Vasil Michael L. , Hodges Robert S. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractIn our previous study, we utilized a 26‐residue amphipathic α‐helical antimicrobial peptide L‐V13K (Chen et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2007, 51, 1398–1406) as the framework to study the effects of peptide hydrophobicity on the mechanism of its antimicrobial action. In this study, we explored the effects of net charge and the number of positively charged residues on the hydrophilic/polar face of L‐V13K on its biological activity (antimicrobial and hemolytic) and biophysical properties (hydrophobicity, amphipathicity, helicity, and peptide self‐association). The net charge of V13K analogs at pH 7 varied between −5 and +10 and the number of positively charged residues varied from 1 to 10. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against six strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as other gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria were determined along with the maximal peptide concentration that produces no hemolysis of human red blood cells (MHC). Our results show that the number of positively charged residues on the polar face and net charge are both important for both antimicrobial activity and hemolytic activity. The most dramatic observation is the sharp transition of hemolytic activity on increasing one positive charge on the polar face of V13K i.e., the change from +8 to +9 resulted in greater than 32‐fold increase in hemolytic activity (250 μg/ml to <7.8 μg/ml, respectively). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 90: 369–383, 2008.This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Influence of ammonium chloride feeding time and light intensity on the cultivation of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis
Authors: Bezerra Raquel Pedrosa , Matsudo Marcelo Chuei , Converti Attilio , Sato Sunao , de Carvalho João Carlos Monteiro 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThis study dealt with the influence of both the feeding time and light intensity on the fed‐batch culture of the cyanobacterium Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis using ammonium chloride as a nitrogen source. For this purpose, a 22 plus star central composite experimental design combined with response surface methodology was employed, and the maximum cell concentration (Xm), the cell productivity (PX), and the yield of biomass on nitrogen (YX/N) were selected as the response variables. The optimum values of Xm (1,833 mg L−1) and YX/N (5.9 g g−1) estimated by the model at light intensity of 13 klux and feeding time of 17.2 days were very close to those obtained experimentally under these conditions (Xm = 1,771 ± 41 mg L−1; YX/N = 5.7 ± 0.17 g g−1). The cell productivity was a decreasing function of the ammonium chloride feeding time and a quadratic function of the light intensity. The protein and lipid contents of dry biomass collected at the end of cultivations were shown to decrease with increasing light intensity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;100: 297–305. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improvement of neurocognitive function after protected carotid artery stenting
Authors: Mlekusch Wolfgang , Mlekusch Irene , Haumer Markus , Kopp Christoph W. , Lehrner Johann , Ahmadi Ramazanali , Koppensteiner Renate , Minar Erich , Schillinger, Martin 
Published: December 2007

AbstractObjective: To investigate the effect of protected carotid artery stenting on neurocognitive function with particular consideration of the angiographic filling of the ipsilateral anterior cerebral artery (ACA). Background: An improved inflow to the supply area of the anterior cerebral artery after revascularisation of severe carotid artery stenosis may beneficially affect frontal lobe cognitive functions. Methods: We prospectively included 71 consecutive patients who underwent carotid artery stenting (CAS) due to high grade carotid artery stenosis. Intracranial angiograms and filling status of the ACA pre‐ and post‐stenting were analyzed and a battery of 5 selected neuropsychological tests for frontal lobe function were applied prior to and 6 months after CAS. Patients with improvement in at least two tests were defined as having improved neurocognitive function. Results: Compared to baseline, we found a significant improvement of the Trail‐Making Test A (median 6% improved change‐score; P = 0.01), the test of supermarket items showed a trend towards significant improvement (median 3.7% improved change‐score; P = 0.09). In 32 patients (45%) an improvement of at least 2 neurocognitive tests was observed. Neuropsychological improvement was found more frequently in patients with a contrasted ipsilateral ACA after CAS (88%, 95% CI 77 to 99) compared to patients without angiographic filling of the ipsilateral ACA post CAS (13%, 95% CI 1 to 25), respectively (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Carotid artery stenting improves neurocognitive function in a considerable proportion of patients. A contrasted ipsilateral anterior cerebral artery after CAS is associated with improved neurocognitive function, presumably due to amelioration of frontal lobe perfusion. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new method of three‐dimensional coronary artery reconstruction from X‐ray angiography: Validation against a virtual phantom and multislice computed tomography
Authors: Andriotis Adamantios , Zifan Ali , Gavaises Manolis , Liatsis Panos , Pantos Ioannis , Theodorakakos Andreas , Efstathopoulos Efstathios P. , Katritsis Demosthenes 
Published: December 2007

AbstractObjective: To develop and implement a method for three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction of coronary arteries from conventional monoplane angiograms. Background: 3D reconstruction of conventional coronary angiograms is a promising imaging modality for both diagnostic and interventional purposes. Methods: Our method combines image enhancement, automatic edge detection, an iterative method to reconstruct the centerline of the artery and reconstruction of the diameter of the vessel by taking into consideration foreshortening effects. The X‐Ray‐based 3D coronary trees were compared against phantom data from a virtual arterial tree projected into two planes as well as computed tomography (CT)‐based coronary artery reconstructions in patients subjected to coronary angiography. Results: Comparison against the phantom arterial tree demonstrated perfect agreement with the developed algorithm. Visual comparison against the CT‐based reconstruction was performed in the 3D space, in terms of the direction angle along the centerline length of the left anterior descending and circumflex arteries relative to the main stem, and location and take‐off angle of sample bifurcation branches from the main coronary arteries. Only minimal differences were detected between the two methods. Inter‐ and intraobserver variability of our method was low (intra‐class correlation coefficients > 0.8). Conclusion: The developed method for coronary artery reconstruction from conventional angiography images provides the geometry of coronary arteries in the 3D space. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
First direct in vivo comparison of two commercially available three‐dimensional quantitative coronary angiography systems
Authors: Ramcharitar Steve , Daeman Joost , Patterson Mark , van Guens Robert Jan , Boersma Eric , Serruys Patrick W. , van der Giessen Willem J. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractAim: The in vivo comparison of the accuracy of two 3‐dimensional quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) systems. Methods: Precision‐drilled plexiglass phantoms with five different luminal diameters (0.5–1.9 mm) were percutaneously inserted into the coronary arteries of four Yorkshire pigs. Twenty‐one angiographic images of these stenotic phantoms were acquired for in vivo validation testing. Quantitative assessments of the minimum, maximum, and mean luminal diameters together with the minimum luminal area were determined using two 3D QCA systems, the CardiOp‐B® and CAAS 5. Results: The CardiOp‐B system significantly underestimated the minimum luminal diameter MLD whilst both systems significantly overestimated the maximum luminal diameter at the minimal luminal area (MLA) over the phantom's true value. The CAAS 5 system had a greater degree of accuracy/mm (mean difference = 0.01 vs. 0.03) and precision/mm (SD = 0.09 vs. 0.23) than the CardiOp‐B in assessing the minimal LD. An increased precision/mm (SD = 0.01 vs. 0.29) and accuracy/mm (mean difference = 0.03 vs. 0.11) in the mean LD was observed with the CAAS 5. In comparing the MLA/mm2 the CAAS 5 was more precise/mm2 (SD = 0.14 vs. 0.55) and accurate/mm2 (mean difference = 0.12 vs. 0.02) to the true phantom MLA compared to the CardiOp‐B system. Conclusions: In a 21 phantom study, the CAAS 5 3D QCA system had a greater degree of accuracy and precision in both the luminal and area measurements than the CardiOp‐B 3D QCA system. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genes of Hippo signaling network act unconventionally in the control of germline proliferation in Drosophila
Authors: Sun Shuguo , Zhao Shaowei , Wang Zhaohui 
Published: December 2007

AbstractHippo pathway and its related genes are required for growth control in various somatic tissues. The mutations of Hippo pathway components lead to tissue overgrowth cell‐autonomously. Surprisingly, when we generated germline mutant clones of Hippo‐network genes such as fat, expanded, hippo, salvador, and warts, we did not observe any overgrowth of these mutant cells. Consistently, overexpression of the progrowth gene yorkie, which is normally inhibited by Hippo signaling, did not lead to germline overgrowth either. In contrast to previous studies in epithelial tissues, these tumor suppressor genes are dispensable in germline cells for their proliferation control. Furthermore, we demonstrate that expanded functions nonautonomously to regulate spermatogonial proliferation. It appears that expanded acts from the somatic support cells surrounding the germline to restrict spermatogonial amplification. Developmental Dynamics 237:270–275, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Position sensorless driving of BLDCM using neural networks
Authors: GUO Hai‐Jiao , Sagawa Seiji , Ichinokura Osamu 
Published: December 2007

AbstractA sensorless driving method of brushless DC motors (BLDCM) using neural networks has been studied in this paper. Considering the nonlinear characteristics and the parameter error of the modeling, neural networks are introduced to estimate the electromotive force (EMF). The results of simulation and experiment using offline trained neural networks show that the proposed method is useful. In addition, the robustness about the parameters is discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 162(4): 64–71, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20240
Mesolamellar Phases Containing [Re6Q8(CN)6]4– (Q = Te, Se, S) Cluster Anions
Authors: Suh Min‐Jung , Vien Vo , Huh Seong , Kim Youngmee , Kim Sung‐Jin 
Published: December 2007

AbstractWe synthesized new mesostructured materials through the surfactant‐templated assembly of octahedral rhenium cluster [Re6Q8(CN)6]4– (Q = Te, Se and S) anions. The mesostructured lamellar phases with the general formula [CnH2n+1N(CH3)3]4[Re6Q8(CN)6] (n = 14, 16, 18; Q = Te, Se, S; 1: n = 14, Q = Te; 2: n = 16, Q = Te; 3: n = 18, Q = Te; 4: n = 16, Q = Se; 5: n = 16, Q = S) were prepared by an ion exchange/precipitation reaction of alkyltrimethylammonium surfactants and the corresponding cluster K4[Re6Q8(CN)6] in an H2O/acetone medium at room temperature. The orange plate‐like crystals of 1 and 4 were obtained by slow concentration of their solutions and their crystal structures determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In the structure, the rhenium clusters form layers with a pseudo‐hexagonal arrangement, and these inorganic layers are separated by a bilayer of interdigitated surfactant cations. Compounds 1–5 were characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction, TEM, IR, Raman, FL, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Local retrofit of exterior RC beam–column joints using thin RC jackets—An experimental study
Authors: Karayannis Chris G. , Chalioris Constantin E. , Sirkelis George M. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractThe use of a new type of reinforced concrete (RC) jacket for RC exterior beam–column connections damaged by seismic excitations is addressed and experimentally investigated. The proposed jacket has very small thickness and includes small diameter steel reinforcement. This jacketing applies at the joint region and at a small part of the columns and the beam. The main advantage of the proposed thin and locally applied jacket compared with the commonly used concrete jacket is the fact that its application is not restrained by space limitations, and since it slightly changes the initial size of the elements, the building's dynamics and seismic behaviour remain practically unaffected. For the needs of this study, 10 exterior beam–column joint subassemblages were constructed and subjected to increasing cyclic loading. Later, the damaged specimens were locally retrofitted using the proposed thin RC jackets and they were retested with the same load sequence. Three different specimen configurations with various amounts of shear reinforcement in the joint area were examined and two types of jackets (a) with light and (b) with dense reinforcement were applied. Test results indicated that the seismic performance of the retrofitted specimens was fully restored and in some cases substantially improved with respect to the performance of the same specimens in the initial loading, since they exhibited higher values of load capacity and hysteretic energy dissipation. Discussion for the conditions of the use of the examined jacketing technique either as a repair or as a strengthening method is also included. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convective heat transfer and pressure drop of annular tubes with three different internal longitudinal fins
Authors: Tian Lin , Wang Qiuwang , Xie Gongnan , Zhao Cunlu , Luo Laiqin 
Published: December 2007

AbstractPressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of air in three annular tubes with different internal longitudinal fins were investigated experimentally at uniform wall heat flux. The tested tubes have a double‐pipe structure with the inner blocked tube as an insertion. Three different kinds of fins, plain rectangle fin, plain rectangle fin with periodical ridges and wave‐like fin, were located peripherally in the annulus. The friction factor and Nusselt number can be corrected by a power‐law correction in the Reynolds number range tested. It was found that the tube with periodical ridges on the plain fin or with wave‐like fin could augment heat transfer; however, the pressure drop was increased simultaneously. In order to evaluate the comprehensive heat transfer characteristics of the tested tubes, two criteria for evaluating the comprehensive thermal performance of tested tubes were adopted. They are: 1) evaluating the comprehensive heat transfer performance under three conditions: identical mass flow, identical pumping power, and identical pressure drop; 2) the second law of thermodynamics, i.e., the entropy generation. According to the two different evaluating methods, it was found that the tube with wave‐like fins provided the most excellent comprehensive heat transfer performance among the three tubes, especially when it was used under higher Reynolds number conditions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 37(1): 29–40, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20186
Overweight, appetite control, and the role of glutamate and excess nutritional protein during child development
Authors: Hermanussen Michael , Tresguerres Jesus Angel Fernandez 
Published: December 2007

AbstractPreventing and treating obesity has become a major public health concern and develops from an only medical into an interdisciplinary and already political problem. Yet, current ideas about lifestyle and strategies to maintain health and weight are still dominated by very popular beliefs that clearly contrast scientifi c evidence. Meta‐analyses showed that most of the variance in body fatness is not explained physical activity, and energy, fat and carbohydrate intake. Instead, it has been noted that protein intake also correlates with body mass index (BMI), and reaches maximum infl uence in the group of 10–12 year old boys (r=0.31) and girls (r=0.36) explaining up to 13% of the BMI variance in young adolescents.
Induction of colitis and rapid development of colorectal tumors in mice deficient in the neuropeptide PACAP
Authors: Nemetz Nicole , Abad Catalina , Lawson Greg , Nobuta Hiroko , Chhith Seririthanar , Duong Lucy , Tse Gary , Braun Jonathan , Waschek James A. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractPituitary adenylyl cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) is expressed in central, sensory, autonomic, and enteric neurons. Although it classically acts as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator, recent studies indicate that PACAP can also regulate immune function. To this effect, PACAP has been shown to reduce clinical symptoms and inflammation in mouse models of human immune‐based diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's Disease, septic shock and multiple sclerosis. Despite these findings, the role of the endogenous peptide in regulating immune function is unknown. To determine if endogenous PACAP plays a protective role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and IBD‐associated colorectal cancer in mice, PACAP‐deficient (KO) mice were subjected to 3 cycles of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water over 2 months, an established mouse model for colitis. Compared to wild type (WT) controls, PACAP KO mice exhibited more severe clinical symptoms of colitis and had significantly higher colonic inflammation on pathological examination. Moreover, 60% of the PACAP KO mice developed colorectal tumors with an aggressive‐appearing pathology. Consistent with published data, DSS‐treated WT mice did not develop such tumors. The results demonstrate a new mouse model which rapidly develops inflammation‐associated colorectal cancer in the absence of a carcinogen. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Folate metabolism genes, vegetable intake and renal cancer risk in central Europe
Authors: Moore Lee E. , Hung Rayjean , Karami Sara , Boffetta Paolo , Berndt Sonya , Hsu Charles C. , Zaridze David , Janout Vladimir , Kollarova Helen , Bencko Vladmir , Navratilova Marie , Szeszenia‐Dabrowska N. , Mates Dana , Mukeria Anush , Holcatova Ivana , Yeager Meredith , Chanock Stephen , Garcia‐Closas Montse , Rothman Nat , Chow Wong‐Ho , Brennan Paul 
Published: December 2007

AbstractIn a multicenter case‐control study of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) conducted in central and eastern Europe, we reported a strong inverse association with high vegetable intake and RCC risk. The odds ratio (OR) for high compared to the lowest tertile of vegetable intake was OR = 0.67; (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53–0.83;p‐trend < 0.001). We hypothesized that variation in key folate metabolism genes may modify this association. Common variation in 5 folate metabolism genes (CBS: Ex9+33C > T(rs234706),Ex13 +41C > T(rs1801181),Ex18 −391 G > A(rs12613);MTHFR:A222VEx5+79C > T (rs1801133),Ex8−62A > C(rs1801131);MTR: Ex26 20A > G (rs1805087),MTRR: Ex5+136 T > C (rs161870), andTYMS:IVS2−405 C > T (rs502396),Ex8+157 C > T(rs699517),Ex8+227 A > G(rs2790)) were analyzed among 1,097 RCC cases and 1,555 controls genotyped in this study. Having at least 1 variant T allele ofMTHFRA222V was associated with higher RCC risk compared to those with 2 common (CC) alleles (OR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.17–1.77;p= 0.001). After stratification by tertile of vegetable intake, the higher risk associated with the variant genotype was only observed in the low and medium tertiles (p‐trend = 0.001), but not among those in the highest tertile (p‐interaction = 0.22). The association remained robust after calculation of the false discovery rate (FDR = 0.05). Of the 3TYMSSNPs examined, only theTYMSIVS2 −405 C (rs502396) variant was associated with a significantly lower risk compared to the common genotype (OR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.57–0.93). Vegetable intake modified the association between all 3TYMSSNPs and RCC risk (p‐interaction < 0.04 for all). In summary, these findings suggest that common variation inMTHFRandTYMSgenes may be associated with RCC risk, particularly when vegetable intake is low. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The combination of epigallocatechin gallate and curcumin suppresses ERα‐breast cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Somers‐Edgar Tiffany J. , Scandlyn Marissa J. , Stuart Emma C. , Le Nedelec Martin J. , Valentine Sophie P. , Rosengren Rhonda J. 
Published: December 2007

AbstractBoth epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and curcumin have shown efficacy in various in vivo and in vitro models of cancer. This study was designed to determine the efficacy of these naturally derived polyphenolic compounds in vitro and in vivo, when given in combination. Studies in MDA‐MB‐231 cells demonstrated that EGCG + curcumin was synergistically cytotoxic and that this correlated with G2/M‐phase cell cycle arrest. After 12 hr, EGCG (25 μM) + curcumin (3 μM) increased the proportion of cells in G2/M‐phase to 263 ± 16% of control and this correlated with a 50 ± 4% decrease in cell number compared to control. To determine if this in vitro result would translate in vivo, athymic nude female mice were implanted with MDA‐MB‐231 cells and treated with curcumin (200 mg/kg/day, po), EGCG (25 mg/kg/day, ip), EGCG + curcumin, or vehicle control (5 ml/kg/day, po) for 10 weeks. Tumor volume in the EGCG + curcumin treated mice decreased 49% compared to vehicle control mice (p < 0.05), which correlated with a 78 ± 6% decrease in levels of VEGFR‐1 protein expression in the tumors. Curcumin treatment significantly decreased tumor protein levels of EGFR and Akt, however the expression of these proteins was not further decreased following combination treatment. Therefore, these results demonstrate that the combination of EGCG and curcumin is efficacious in both in vitro and in vivo models of ERα‐ breast cancer and that regulation of VEGFR‐1 may play a key role in this effect. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.