bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring and comparison of performance on French community irrigation schemes: review of achievements coordinated by AFEID between 2003 and 2005
Authors: Polge Marc , Villocel Alain , Onimus François 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn the frame of the World Bank‐coordinated International Irrigation Benchmarking Programme, AFEID (Association Française pour l'Etude de l'Irrigation et du Drainage) has taken up the task of reviewing French experience and the methods used to monitor, examine/interpret, compare and improve performance on French irrigation schemes. The review was described in a publication for the 2003 ICID conference in Montpellier. Preparatory work at the time provided evidence that performance analysis and comparison activities existed and were already being used by the managers of community irrigation schemes in many different shapes and forms.AFEID later organised technical talks in May 2004 so that the managing entities involved in the comparison activities could present their achievements and discuss them. The talks confirmed the existence of a definite go‐ahead attitude out in the field on some very different issues: technical assets, human assets, administrative and legal assets, communication and financial management to minimize pricing changes in the agricultural world. However, at the end of the day, the debate stressed that concern about external threats (legislation, regulations, urban development, etc.) was largely predominant and that those threats have imposed themselves as the main factors that encourage network managers to consult one another to determine the actions to be taken. Suggestions to work towards a more structured, wider‐shared comparative analysis were somewhat restricted.Nevertheless, the talks did enable the establishment of conditions in which the benchmarking approach can be pursued in France in new terms: “How to facilitate the development of ongoing activities so that the structures involved can consolidate their scope of comparison and monitor their performance improvement actions over time.”Considering the achievements during these first two years of work, AFEID is thinking of furthering the subject along two additional lines of action:

Encouraging the formation of benchmarking groups composed of community irrigation scheme managers wishing to improve the performance of their systems through joint action to analyse performance;

Furthering the study within the AFEID Benchmarking Working Group in order to accompany previous initiatives, to improve its perception of the situation according to the lessons learnt from their exchanges, to facilitate dissemination and to make use of all the feedback and work at national and international level. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Calcium carbonate–calcium phosphate mixed cement compositions for bone reconstruction
Authors: Combes C. , Bareille R. , Rey C. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe feasibility of making calcium carbonate–calcium phosphate (CaCO3–CaP) mixed cements, comprising at least 40% (w/w) CaCO3 in the dry powder ingredients, has been demonstrated. Several original cement compositions were obtained by mixing metastable crystalline CaCO3 phases with metastable amorphous or crystalline CaP powders in aqueous medium. The cements set within at most 1 h at 37°C in atmosphere saturated with water. The hardened cement is microporous and exhibits weak compressive strength. The setting reaction appeared to be essentially related to the formation of a highly carbonated nanocrystalline apatite phase by reaction of the metastable CaP phase with part or almost all of the metastable CaCO3 phase. The recrystallization of metastable CaP varieties led to a final cement consisting of a highly carbonated poorly crystalline apatite analogous to bone mineral associated with various amounts of vaterite and/or aragonite. The presence of controlled amounts of CaCO3 with a higher solubility than that of the apatite formed in the well‐developed CaP cements might be of interest to increase resorption rates in biomedical cement and favors its replacement by bone tissue. Cytotoxicity testing revealed excellent cytocompatibility of CaCO3–CaP mixed cement compositions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
In vitro biocompatibility of a novel membrane of the composite poly(vinylidene‐trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate
Authors: Beloti Márcio M. , de Oliveira Paulo T. , Gimenes Rossano , Zaghete Maria A. , Bertolini Márcio J. , Rosa Adalberto L. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis study was aimed at investigating the in vitro biocompatibility of a novel membrane of the composite poly(vinylidene‐trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate (P(VDF‐TrFE)/BT). Osteoblastic cells were obtained from human alveolar bone fragments and cultured under standard osteogenic condition until subconfluence. First passaged cells were cultured on P(VDF‐TrFE)/BT and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e‐PTFE – control) membranes in 24‐well plates. Cell adhesion and spreading were evaluated at 30 min, and 4 and 24 h. For proliferation assay, cells were cultured for 1, 7, and 10 days. Cell viability was detected by trypan blue at 7 and 10 days. Total protein content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured at 7, 14, and 21 days. Cultures were stained with Alizarin red at 21 days, for detection of mineralized matrix. Data were compared by ANOVA and Student t test. Cell attachment (p = 0.001), cell number (p = 0.001), and ALP activity (p = 0.0001) were greater on P(VDF‐TrFE)/BT. Additionally, doubling time was greater on P(VDF‐TrFE)/BT (p = 0.03), indicating a decreased proliferation rate. Bone‐like nodule formation took place only on P(VDF‐TrFE)/BT. The present results showed that both membranes are biocompatible. However, P(VDF‐TrFE)/BT presented a better in vitro biocompatibility and allowed bone‐like nodule formation. Therefore, P(VDF‐TrFE)/BT could be an alternative membrane to be used in guided tissue regeneration. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Incorporation of a lauric acid‐conjugated GRGDS peptide directly into the matrix of a poly(carbonate‐urea)urethane polymer for use in cardiovascular bypass graft applications
Authors: Kidane Asmeret G. , Punshon Geoffrey , Salacinski Henryk J. , Ramesh Bala , Dooley Audrey , Olbrich Michael , Heitz Johannes , Hamilton George , Seifalian Alexander M. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractGly–Arg–Gly–Asp–Ser (GRGDS) was modified by conjugation to lauric acid (LA) to facilitate incorporation into the matrix of a poly(carbonate‐urea)urethane (PCU) used in vascular bypass grafts. GRGDS and LA‐GRGDS were synthesized using solid phase Fmoc chemistry and characterized by high performance liquid chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. LA‐GRGDS was passively coated and incorporated as nanoparticle dispersion on the PCU films. Biocompatibility of the modified surfaces was investigated. Endothelial cells seeded on LA‐GRGDS coated and incorporated PCU showed after 48 h and 72 h a significant (p < 0.05) increase in metabolism compared with unmodified PCU. The platelet adhesion and hemolysis studies showed that the modification of PCU had no adverse effect. In conclusion, LA‐conjugated RGD derivatives, such as LA‐GRGDS, that permit solubility into solvents used in solvent casting methodologies should have wide applicability in polymer development for use in coronary, vascular, and dialysis bypass grafts, and furthermore scaffolds utilized for tissue regeneration and tissue engineering. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Novel nerve guidance material prepared from bovine aponeurosis
Authors: Lin Hang , Chen Bing , Wang Bin , Zhao Yannan , Sun Wenjie , Dai Jianwu 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) creates an adverse environment for axon regeneration. As a result, the axons at the injury sites begin to be atrophy, retract and lose their functions. Several strategies to promote axon regeneration at the injury site have been tested, but the progress is very limited. One of the major reasons is that the regenerated axons often extend randomly and do not reach the proper place. Fabricating linearly ordered materials as nerve guidance would be important to solve such problems. In this study, a novel type of nerve guidance material was prepared from the bovine aponeurosis, which mainly consisted of ordered collagen fibers. The processed material showed good cell compatibility and low immunogenisity. Moreover, the processed material guided the neurites outgrowth of in vitro cultured cortical neurons along its fibers. The results suggested that the processed aponeurosis would be a proper nerve guidance biomaterial for SCI repair. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
In vitro evaluation of in situ gels as short term vitreous substitutes
Authors: Suri S. , Banerjee R. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractDysfunction of the vitreous humor, present in the posterior cavity of the eye, leads to its detachment from the retina and vision loss. In this study, biopolymers were evaluated as in situ gels for short term vitreous substitution. Biophysical characterization revealed that the viscosity of the vitreous was >4000 cP at a shear rate of 0.15/s and it formed a gel with elastic modulus G′ greater than the viscous modulus G″. Biopolymers of gellan and hyaluronic acid (8:2 w/w, 1% concentration) were low viscosity liquids at 37°C and gelation was triggered both by the addition of 0.18 mM CaCl2 as well as ocular temperature, thus making them feasible as in situ gels. Gelation was confirmed by viscoelastic moduli where G′ was greater than G″, similar to the vitreous and unlike that of silicone oil, a common vitreous substitute. The gels had a viscosity >5000 cP at a shear rate of 0.512/s, excellent light transmittance and absence of syneresis. Contact angle studies with water and simulated ocular fluids showed that gellan hyaluronic acid gels had similar wetting properties to that of vitreous with contact angles of 27° ± 1°, 36.7° ± 1.6°, and 33.7° ± 0.5° for water, simulated tear fluid, and simulated aqueous humor, respectively. The results of this study suggest that biopolymers of gellan and hylauronic acid are suitable as in situ gels, have biophysical properties similar to that of the vitreous, and may be promising as alternatives to silicone oil as short‐term vitreous substitutes. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Caldesmon is a cytoskeletal target for PKC in endothelium
Authors: Bogatcheva Natalia V. , Birukova Anna , Borbiev Talaibek , Kolosova Irina , Liu Feng , Garcia Joe G.N. , Verin Alexander D. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe have previously shown that treatment of bovine endothelial cell (EC) monolayers with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) leads to the thinning of cortical actin ring and rearrangement of the cytoskeleton into a grid‐like structure, concomitant with the loss of endothelial barrier function. In the current work, we focused on caldesmon, a cytoskeletal protein, regulating actomyosin interaction. We hypothesized that protein kinase C (PKC) activation by PMA leads to the changes in caldesmon properties such as phosphorylation and cellular localization. We demonstrate here that PMA induces both myosin and caldesmon redistribution from cortical ring into the grid‐like network. However, the initial step of PMA‐induced actin and myosin redistribution is not followed by caldesmon redistribution. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that short‐term PMA (5 min) treatment leads to the weakening of caldesmon ability to bind actin and, to the lesser extent, myosin. Prolonged incubation (15–60 min) with PMA, however, strengthens caldesmon complexes with actin and myosin, which correlates with the grid‐like actin network formation. PMA stimulation leads to an immediate increase in caldesmon Ser/Thr phosphorylation. This process occurs at sites distinct from the sites specific for ERK1/2 phosphorylation and correlates with caldesmon dissociation from the actomyosin complex. Inhibition of ERK‐kinase MEK fails to abolish grid‐like structure formation, although reducing PMA‐induced weakening of the cortical actin ring, whereas inhibition of PKC reverses PMA‐induced cytoskeletal rearrangement. Our results suggest that PKC‐dependent phosphorylation of caldesmon is involved in PMA‐mediated complex cytoskeletal changes leading to the EC barrier compromise. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 1593–1605, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential effects of imatinib on PDGF‐induced proliferation and PDGF receptor signaling in human arterial and venous smooth muscle cells
Authors: Li Li , Blumenthal Donald K. , Masaki Takahisa , Terry Christi M. , Cheung Alfred K. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractPlatelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) has been implicated in smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, a key event in the development of myointimal hyperplasia in vascular grafts. Recent evidence suggests that the PDGF receptor (PDGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib, can prevent arterial proliferative diseases. Because hyperplasia is far more common at the venous anastomosis than the arterial anastomosis in vascular grafts, we investigated whether imatinib also inhibited venous SMC (VSMC) proliferation, and examined possible differences in its mechanism of action between VSMC and arterial SMC (ASMC). Human ASMC and VSMC were stimulated with PDGF‐AB, in the presence or absence of imatinib (0.1–10 µM). Proliferation was assayed using the 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, while PDGFR, Akt and ERK1/2‐mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were investigated by immunoblotting. The proliferative response to PDGF at 50 and 100 ng/ml was 32 and 43% greater, respectively, in VSMC than in ASMC. Similarly, PDGF‐stimulated proliferation was more sensitive to inhibition by imatinib in VSMC than ASMC (IC50 = 0.05 µM vs. 0.4 µM; P < 0.01). Imatinib also more effectively inhibited PDGF‐induced phosphorylation of PDGFRβ and Akt in VSMC, compared to ASMC. These data highlight inherent pharmacodynamic differences between VSMC and ASMC in receptor and cell signaling functions and suggest that imatinib therapy may be useful for the prevention of venous stenosis in vascular grafts. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 1553–1563, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anthocyanidins inhibit migration of glioblastoma cells: Structure‐activity relationship and involvement of the plasminolytic system
Authors: Lamy Sylvie , Lafleur René , Bédard Valérie , Moghrabi Albert , Barrette Stéphane , Gingras Denis , Béliveau Richard 
Published: July 2006

AbstractComplete resection of malignant glioblastomas is usually impossible because of diffuse and widespread invasion of tumor cells, and complementary approaches need to be developed in order to improve the efficacy of current treatments. Consumption of fruits and berries has been associated with decreased risk of developing cancer and there is great interest in the use of molecules from dietary origin to improve anticancer therapies. In this work, we report that the aglycons of the most abundant anthocyanins in fruits, cyanidin (Cy), delphinidin (Dp), and petunidin (Pt), act as potent inhibitors of glioblastoma cell migration. Dp clearly exhibited the highest inhibitory potency, this effect being related to the ortho‐dihydroxyphenyl structure on the B‐ring and the presence of a free hydroxyl group at position 3. Dp decreases the expression of both urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and the low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein (LRP), acting at the transcriptional levels. In addition, Dp upregulated urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) and downregulated the plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) but decreased, in a concentration‐dependent manner, the uPA‐dependent conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, indicating that the upregulation of uPA observed with these compounds was not associated with induction of the plasminolytic activity. Overall, these results demonstrate that Dp, Pt, and Cy affect plasminogen activation, thus leading to the inhibition of glioblastoma cell migration and therefore they may be helpful for the development of new strategies for cancer prevention and therapy. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 100–111, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stress generation in depression: Reflections on origins, research, and future directions
Authors: Hammen Constance 
Published: June 2006

AbstractDepressed individuals report higher rates of stressful life events, especially those that have occurred in part because of the person's characteristics and behaviors affecting interpersonal interactions. Termed stress generation, this phenomenon draws attention to the role of the individual as an active contributor rather than passive player in his or her environment, and is therefore an example of action theory. In this article, the author speculates about the intellectual origins of her stress generation perspective, and notes somewhat similar transactional approaches to the stress‐disorder link outside of depression research. The literature on stress generation in depression is reviewed, including studies that attempt to explore its correlates and predictors, covering clinical, contextual, family, genetic, cognitive, interpersonal, and personality variables. Empirical and conceptual gaps in our understanding of processes contributing to stressors in the lives of depressed people remain. The author concludes with suggestions for further research, with the goal of furthering understanding both of mechanisms of depression and of dysfunctional interpersonal processes, as well as development of effective interventions to help break the stress‐recurrence cycle of depression. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 62: 1065–1082, 2006.
A potential novel mechanism involving connexin 43 gap junction for control of sertoli cell proliferation by thyroid hormones
Authors: Gilleron Jerome , Nebout Marielle , Scarabelli Linda , Senegas‐Balas Francoise , Palmero Silvio , Segretain Dominique , Pointis Georges 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThere is strong evidence that thyroid hormones through triiodothyronine (T3) regulate Sertoli cell proliferation and differentiation in the neonatal testis. However, the mechanism(s) by which they are able to control Sertoli cell proliferation is unclear. In the present study in vivo approaches (PTU‐induced neonatal hypothyroidism known to affect Sertoli cell proliferation) associated with in vitro experiments on a Sertoli cell line were developed to investigate this question. We demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of T3 on Sertoli cell growth, analyzed by evaluating DNA‐incorporated [3H] thymidine, was associated with a time and dose‐dependent increase in the levels of Cx43, a constitutive protein of gap junctions, known to participate in the control of cell proliferation and the most predominant Cx in the testis. These Cx43 changes were associated with increased gap junction communication measured by gap FRAP. Consistent with these results two specific inhibitors of gap junction coupling, AGA and oleamide, were able to significantly reverse the T3 inhibitory effect on Sertoli cell proliferation. The present data also revealed a nongenomic effect of T3 on Cx43 Sertoli cells that was evidenced by a rapid up‐regulation of gap junction plaque number as identified in Cx43‐GFP transfected cells exposed to the hormone. This process appears mediated through actin cytoskeleton since incubation of the cells with cytochalasin D totally reversed the T3 stimulatory effect on Cx43‐GFP gap junction plaques. Based on these data, we propose a working hypothesis in which Cx43 could be an intermediate target for T3 inhibition of neonatal Sertoli cell proliferation. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 153–161, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chromosome condensation outside of mitosis: Mechanisms and new tools
Authors: Gotoh Eisuke , Durante Marco 
Published: June 2006

AbstractA basic principle of cell physiology is that chromosomes condense during mitosis. However, condensation can be uncoupled from mitotic events under certain circumstances. This phenomenon is known as “premature chromosome condensation (PCC).” PCC provides insights in the mechanisms of chromosome condensation, thus helping clarifying the key molecular events leading to the mitosis. Besides, PCC has proved to be an useful tool for analyzing chromosomes in interphase. For example, using PCC we can visualize genetic damage shortly after the exposure to clastogenic agents. More than 30 years ago, the first report of PCC in interphase cells fused to mitotic cells using Sendai virus was described (virus‐mediated PCC). The method paved the way to a great number of fundamental discoveries in cytogenetics, radiation biology, and related fields, but it has been hampered by technical difficulties. The novel drug‐induced PCC method was introduced about 10 years ago. While fusion‐induced PCC exploits the action of external maturation/mitosis promoting factor (MPF), migrating from the inducer mitotic cell to the interphase recipient, drug‐induced PCC exploits protein phosphatase inhibitors, which can activate endogenous intracellular MPF. This method is much simpler than fusion‐induced PCC, and has already proven useful in different fields. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 297–304, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CSPP and CSPP‐L associate with centrosomes and microtubules and differently affect microtubule organization
Authors: Patzke Sebastian , Stokke Trond , Aasheim Hans‐Christian 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe recently described the identification of a centrosome/spindle pole associated protein, CSPP, involved in cell cycle progression. Here we report a CSPP isoform denoted CSPP‐L, with a 294 amino acids longer N‐terminus and a 51 amino acids insertion located in the coiled‐coil mid‐domain. Expression analysis indicates an inverse cell cycle dependent regulation. CSPP mRNA expression is highest in G1 whereas CSPP‐L expression is highest in G2/M. Ectopic expression of CSPP‐L impairs cell cycle progression weaker in G1 than CSPP. Furthermore, normal mitotic phenotypes were observed in CSPP‐L but not in CSPP transfectants. CSPP‐L relocates from spindle microtubules and poles in metaphase to the mid‐spindle in anaphase and concentrates at the mid‐body in telophase/cytokinesis. CSPP‐L high‐expressing mitotic cells were predominantly characterized by lagging chromosomes or monopolar spindles, in contrast to the predominant multipolar spindles observed with CSPP expression. The different effects of CSPP and CSPP‐L on microtubule organization in mitosis depend on the coiled‐coil mid‐domain insertion. The common C‐terminal domain is required to repress that activity until mitosis. Notably, this C‐terminal domain alone can associate with centrosomes in a microtubule independent manner. Taken together, CSPP and CSPP‐L interact with centrosomes and microtubules and can differently affect microtubule organization. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 199–210, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.