bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of indirect arthrography of the knee by application of external heat: Initial experience
Authors: Kaura Deepak R. , Schweitzer Mark E. , Weishaupt Dominik , Morrison William B. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractPurposeTo examine the potential utility of applying heat to increase the uptake of intravenous gadolinium (Gd) contrast into the knee joint in order to optimize MR arthrography.Materials and MethodsAt 1.5T, 16 knees in eight patients without prior surgery, injury, or pain were examined before and 30 minutes after intravenous administration of Gd contrast (0.1 mM/kg). Between scans a heating pad was applied to the anterior aspect of eight randomly selected knees (the contralateral knee served as the control). Initial and postcontrast imaging consisted of identical axial T1‐weighted sequences (TR/TE = 500/14 msec) without fat suppression. On the initial and postcontrast images, regions of interest (ROIs) were placed at identical locations in the suprapatellar pouch and the intercondylar notch by a reader blinded to the treated side. The values at these two locations were averaged and the change in joint signal intensity was calculated. The differences between the heated and unheated knees were also calculated.ResultsSeven of the eight knees treated with heat had increased joint enhancement compared to the contralateral control, with percentage changes in joint signal intensity (heated knee vs. control) of +38%, +80%, +121%, +145%, +150%, +164%, and +177%. Overall there was a doubling of signal intensity (125%) on the heated side compared to the contralateral control (with significance at P = 0.039). One patient was excluded because of a prior knee injury.ConclusionThe application of external heat increases uptake of intravenously administered Gd contrast into the knee joint, and may help to optimize indirect MR arthrography at a relatively low cost. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MR‐guided laser irradiation of recurrent glioblastomas
Authors: Schwarzmaier Hans‐Joachim , Eickmeyer Frank , von Tempelhoff Wernholt , Fiedler Volkhard Ulrich , Niehoff Hendrik , Ulrich Slif Dagobert , Ulrich Frank 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWe treated two patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme using Nd:YAG laser irradiation in the framework of a salvage therapy. The underlying concept is to achieve cytoreduction by partial coagulation of the tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow‐up examinations revealed a volume reduction of the laser‐irradiated areas, while the untreated parts of the tumor exhibited a progression. The survival time after the diagnosis of the recurrence was 16 and 20 months, respectively, which is substantially (about four times) longer than the natural history of the disease would suggest. In conclusion, cytoreduction by laser irradiation may be a promising option for patients suffering from recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. Future work should optimize the therapeutic regimen and evaluate this treatment approach in controlled clinical trials. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tandem mass spectrometry for the characterisation of sulphated‐phosphorylated analogues of the carbohydrate–protein linkage region of proteoglycans
Authors: Antonopoulos Aristotelis , Favetta Patrick , Jacquinet Jean‐Claude , Lafosse Michel 
Published: November 2005

AbstractCarbohydrate–protein linkage region of proteoglycans is a key oligosaccharide structure because their sulphated and/or phosphorylated analogues control the biosynthesis of glucosaminoglycans or galactosaminoglycans. Therefore, synthesised sulphated and/or phosphorylated analogues were characterised by tandem mass spectrometry in the negative‐ion mode. Results demonstrated that the product ion profile was characterised by glycosidic and cross‐ring cleavages depending on the position and the type of the charged group (sulphate, phosphate or carboxylate). When the above compounds were sulphated and phosphorylated, the ion found at m/z 79 was the only one that demonstrated a phosphate group on the structure. The data also suggested that when a sodium cation was present in a sulphated and phosphorylated structure, the phosphate group in most cases was neutralised by the sodium cation, and therefore cleaved off the molecule, while the sulphate group was carrying the negative charge. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of lafutidine in human plasma by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: application to a bioequivalence study
Authors: Wu Lili , Zhang Zunjian , Tian Yuan , Li Wei , Xu Fengguo , Chen Yun , Wei Huilin 
Published: November 2005

AbstractA rapid, sensitive and specific high‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS) method was developed and validated for the first time to determine the concentration of lafutidine in human plasma. After the addition of diazepam (the internal standard, IS) and 1 M sodium hydroxide solution to 0.5‐ml plasma sample, lafutidine was extracted from plasma with n‐hexane : isopropanol (95 : 5, v/v). The organic layer was evaporated and the residue was redissolved in 200‐µl mobile phase. The analyte was chromatographically separated on a prepacked Shimadzu Shim‐pack VP‐ODS C18 column (250 × 2.0 mm i.d.) using a mixture of methanol‐water (20 mM CH3COONH4) = 80 : 20 (v/v) as mobile phase. Detection was performed on a single quadrupole mass spectrometer using an electrospray ionization interface and the selected‐ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The method showed excellent linearity (r = 0.9993) over the concentration range of 5–400 ng/ml and had good accuracy and precision. The within‐ and between‐batch precisions were within 10% relative standard deviation. The limit of detection was 1 ng/ml. The validated LC/ESI‐MS method has been successfully applied to the bioequivalence study of lafutidine in 24 healthy male Chinese volunteers. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass spectral studies of a series of N,N‐dialkyl aminoethyl‐2‐chlorides and trimethyl silyl ethers of N,N‐dialkyl aminoethane‐2‐ols under electron impact conditions
Authors: Reddy T. Jagadeshwar , Prabhakar S. , Ravi Kumar M. , Saradhi U. V. R. Vijaya , Vairamani M. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe electron impact (EI) mass spectra of a series of N,N‐dialkyl‐aminoethyl‐2‐chlorides, N(R1)(R2)‐CH2‐CH2Cl and trimethylsilyl ethers of N,N‐dialkyl aminoethane‐2‐ols, N(R1)(R2)‐CH2‐CH2‐O‐Si(CH3)3, where R1 and R2 = methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl, which are precursors of VX type of compounds, are studied. All the compounds (1–20) show abundant molecular ions, in addition to a weak [M − H]+ ion, except the N,N‐diisopropyl group containing compounds (8 and 18). A general EI fragmentation pattern for the above two series of compounds is discussed. The observed fragment ions are due to simple homolytic cleavages, and they are distinct to allow the identification of the compounds unequivocally including those of isomeric compounds. The primary fragmentation of compounds 120 is β‐cleavage, i.e. homolytic cleavage of C‐C bond, which is linked to the nitrogen atom. Three types of β‐cleavages are possible for these compounds, in which the abundance of β‐cleavage product ions is found to depend on the size and structure of the alkyl group attached to nitrogen. The α‐cleavage fragment ions are found only for N,N‐dialkyl aminoethyl‐2‐chlorides but are absent in the corresponding trimethylsilyl ethers of N,N‐dialkyl aminoethane‐2‐ols. The retention indices are calculated for all the studied compounds (1–20) and are in the ranges of 750.38–1079.24 for 1–10 and 905.23–1190.25 for 11–20. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors contributing to neuronal degeneration in retinas of experimental glaucomatous rats
Authors: Wang Xu , Ng Yee‐Kong , Tay Samuel Sam‐Wah 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAfter our studies on ganglion cell degeneration in the glaucomatous retina, the current work further confirmed the reduction of amacrine cells in the retina after the onset of glaucoma. Present study also tried to understand the possible mechanisms underlying neuronal degeneration in the glaucomatous retina. Changes of expressions in immediate early genes (IEGs), glutamate receptors (GluRs), calcium‐binding proteins (CaBPs), 8‐hydroxy‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OH‐dG) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), as well as apoptotic‐related factors including caspase 3, bax, and bcl‐2 were examined. IEGs such as c‐fos and c‐jun were induced in the retina of the glaucomatous rat as early as 2 hr after the onset of glaucoma and lasted up to 2 weeks. Expressions of GluRs and CaBPs (i.e., parvalbumin and calbindin D‐28k) were observed to be increased in the retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) and inner nuclear layer (INL) at 3 days and 1 week after the onset of glaucoma. The increase occurred well before and during the phase where significant neuronal death was observed in the GCL and INL of the glaucomatous retinae. Induction of 8‐OH‐dG was present in both the GCL and INL of the glaucomatous retina at 3 days after the onset of glaucoma before significant neuronal death was observed. Furthermore, confocal microscopy study showed the complete colocalization of immunohistochemical expression of caspase 3 with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but not with neuronal nuclei (NeuN). It indicates that astrocytes and Müller cells are involved in the pathological processes of neuronal death. The relationship between the linked factors and neuronal degeneration is also discussed. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nuclear factor‐κb activation is associated with glutamate‐evoked tissue transglutaminase up‐regulation in primary astrocyte cultures
Authors: Caccamo Daniela , Campisi Agata , Currò Monica , Aguennouz Mohammed , Li Volti Giovanni , Avola Roberto , Ientile Riccardo 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWe have previously demonstrated that alterations of cell redox state, evoked by glutamate, are associated with tissue transglutaminase increases in primary astrocyte cultures. Furthermore, glutamate exposure activated the nuclear factor (NF)‐κB pathway, and its effects were significantly reduced by antioxidants. Here, we investigated the possible involvement of activated NF‐κB pathway in glutamate‐evoked tissue transglutaminase up‐regulation in primary astrocytes. The presence of DNA binding activity by NF‐κB in nuclear extracts of astrocytes, treated for 24 hr with glutamate (500 μM) or untreated, was assessed by EMSA, using an oligonucleotide probe containing the NF‐κB consensus sequence present in the tissue transglutaminase promoter. Supershifting with monoclonal antibodies revealed that activated NF‐κB dimer complexes were composed of p50 and p65 subunits. Interestingly, the specific NF‐κB inhibitor SN50 (but not its inactive analogue SN50M), when added to cell cultures 30 min prior to glutamate treatment, was able gradually to reduce glutamate‐induced NF‐κB activation. Western blot analysis confirmed the reduction of the p50 amount in nuclear extracts. Notably, the preincubation with SN50 also diminished glutamate‐increased tissue transglutaminase expression, as showed by both RT‐PCR and Western blotting. Competition experiments, carried out with an excess of a probe containing the NF‐κB consensus sequence present in the κ‐light‐chain promoter, demonstrated a preferential binding of the tissue transglutaminase specific NF‐κB probe in the nuclear extracts of glutamate‐treated astrocytes compared with untreated astrocytes. These preliminary data suggest that NF‐κB activation, which has been demonstrated to be involved in astrocyte response to glutamate, could also be associated with the molecular pathway leading to glutamate‐evoked tissue transglutaminase up‐regulation. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission by endogenous glutamate acting on presynaptic group II mGluRs in rat substantia nigra compacta
Authors: Wang Lie , Kitai Stephen T. , Xiang Zixiu 
Published: November 2005

AbstractExcitatory synaptic inputs from the subthalamic nucleus (STN) have been proposed to underlie burst firing of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopamine (DA) neurons in Parkinson's disease. Given the potential importance of the STN‐SNc synapse in health and disease, our goal was to study how transmission at this synapse is regulated. We tested the hypothesis that neurotransmission at STN‐SNc synapses is tonically inhibited by endogenous glutamate acting on presynaptic group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). By using whole‐cell recording techniques in brain slices, we examined the effect of LY341495, a mGluR antagonist that is most potent at group II mGluRs, on excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) that either were evoked in SNc DA neurons by stimulation of the STN or were spontaneously occurred in the presence of tetrodotoxin (miniature EPSCs; mEPSCs). LY341495 increased the evoked EPSC amplitude and mEPSC frequency without changing mEPSC amplitude. In contrast, the group III mGluR antagonist UBP1112 failed to increase the evoked EPSC amplitude. An elevation of extracellular glutamate concentration by a glutamate transporter inhibitor, TBOA, suppressed the evoked EPSCs. LY341495, but not UBP1112, partially reversed the TBOA action. The modulations of EPSCs by TBOA and LY341495 were associated with changes in paired‐pulse facilitation ratio. Furthermore, TBOA decreased mEPSC frequency, which was partially reversed by LY341495, without affecting mEPSC amplitude. The results indicate that presynaptic group II mGluRs at STN‐SNc synapses appear to be partially activated by a basal level of extracellular glutamate and able to sense the change in extracellular glutamate concentration, subsequently modulating synaptic glutamate release. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pfizer's prescription for the risky business of executive transitions
Authors: Vollhardt Carlota 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWhile transitions in leadership and key expert roles can create opportunities for improvement and innovation, they also run a high risk of failure and loss of business‐critical knowledge and social capital. At Pfizer, key stakeholders engage in a carefully orchestrated process that harvests know‐how critical to the role going forward, transfers it to the successor, and identifies and addresses any remaining knowledge gaps. The approach also provides the successor a transition road map for accelerating learning and capitalizing on strengths while tending to business. © 2005 Carlota Vollhardt
Employee input helps QUALCOMM select the best total rewards investments
Authors: Reichel David A. , Blain Nathan 
Published: November 2005

AbstractIn 2004, QUALCOMM faced a thorny question: Would tinkering with its Total Rewards offerings—especially its attractive health care programs—to control rising health care costs also impair its ability to aggressively recruit and successfully retain the talent that sustains its stellar record of innovation? Leaving nothing to chance, the company used employees' input and a trade‐off analysis to assess the economic and strategic impact of reward changes, and in the process learned the true value of its investments in Total Rewards. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving supervisors' effectiveness: Mayo Clinic finds answers through research
Authors: McElrath Matthew , Godat Lynn , Musson Joanne , Libow Judy , Graves Jamen 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWhen rapid organizational growth exposed vulnerabilities at the supervisory level, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale tested two interventions, training and coaching, for their relative effectiveness in upgrading the skills of first‐line managers. The results of this applied research in the premier health care and teaching facility not only gave the clinic clear direction for its supervisory development efforts but also produced an impressive reduction in employee turnover and a very healthy return on investment. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new technology for extraction and purification of proanthocyanidins derived from sea buckthorn bark
Authors: Xu Xiaoyun , Xie Bijun , Pan Siyi , Yang Erning , Wang Kexin , Cenkowski Stefan , Hydamake Arnie W , Rao Shan 
Published: November 2005

AbstractA new technology involving resin purification of proanthocyanidins extracted from sea buckthorn bark has been studied. By investigating single‐factor effects, the main factors affecting proanthocyanidin extraction were identified as extraction temperature, pH and ethanol concentration. A central composite design and response surface analysis were used to determine the optimal parameters of the extraction process (temperature 21 °C, pH 5.13, ethanol concentration 65%). The optimal resin for purification, D3520, was selected from 16 different resins by means of static adsorption and dynamic adsorption/desorption tests. After using this resin to purify the crude extract, a proanthocyanidin extract was obtained whose yield and purity were above 80% and greater than 95% respectively. Procyanidin dimers and trimers predominated among oligomer procyanidins of the proanthocyanidin extract according to analyses by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and HPLC/mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
A proposed mechanism for the inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase by β‐carotene
Authors: Serpen Arda , Gökmen Vural 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe inhibition mechanism of soybean lipoxygenase (LOX) by β‐carotene was studied. Addition of β‐carotene into the reaction mixture decreased the rate of conjugated diene formation. Increasing the concentration of β‐carotene in the reaction mixture resulted in a decrease in the rate of conjugated diene formation. Although the rate of conjugated diene formation was lower in the presence of β‐carotene, the same amounts of linoleic acid hydroperoxides were formed by the enzyme at the end of the reaction, both with and without β‐carotene in the reaction medium. The rates of conjugated diene formation for 40, 20, 10 and 4 U mL−1 LOX enzyme were almost equal to zero when the concentrations of β‐carotene were 20, 17.5, 15 and 10 µmol L−1 in model reaction systems, respectively. β‐Carotene directly influences the amount of enzyme in the reaction medium available for the catalytic conversion of linoleic acid into corresponding hydroperoxides. The results obtained here suggest that β‐carotene reacts with linoleyl radical (L•) at the beginning of the chain reaction, preventing the accumulation of conjugated diene forms (LOO•, LOO− and LOOH). Since L• transforms back to its original form of LH, the enzyme cannot complete the chain reaction and thus remains at inactive Fe(II) form. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Extraction of natural dyes for textile dyeing from coloured plant wastes released from the food and beverage industry
Authors: Bechtold Thomas , Mussak Rita , Mahmud‐Ali Amalid , Ganglberger Erika , Geissler Susanne 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe food and beverage industry releases considerable amounts of wastes which contain natural dyes. Such wastes could serve as a sources for the extraction of natural dyes for textile‐dyeing operations. The extraction of brilliant yellow and red colours from fruits and vegetables is of particular interest. Wastes, e.g. pressed berries, pressed grapes, distillation residues from strong liquor production, and wastes and peels from vegetable processing, have been extracted with boiling water and test dyeings on wool yarn were performed. Colour strength, shade and fastness properties of the dyeings have been tested. The extracts were applied as direct dyes and in the presence of iron(II) or alum mordants. The results prove the potential of such wastes as a source for natural dyestuff extraction. To obtain textile dyeings with acceptable fastness properties, however, rigorous selection of dyes and development of suited processes is required. A considerable number of red natural dyes need further research to optimise the low level of fastness to light. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of growing site and nitrogen fertilization on biomass production and lignan content of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)
Authors: Zimmermann Ralf , Bauermann Ulrike , Morales Fermin 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThere is strong evidence that the lignan precursors from vegetable material, secoisolariciresinol (seco) and matairesinol (mata), are major sources to support the development of lignans in the mammalian colon. Recent studies have shown these active agents to have anticancer properties, especially for mammary or prostatic carcinomas. Linseed is currently by far the best‐known source of seco and mata. To support the development of a food supplement, cultivars of linseed were tested at two sites and under increasing nitrogen supply to investigate how the lignan content is affected. The results indicated that the nitrogen supply did not affect the content of seco and mata at either site. A significant difference in seed yield could be measured between the sites, but the overall lignan content—even though significant—was less affected. The main effects were relatively similar at both sites and derived from the cultivars, indicating that the lignan content is very much dependent on genetic predisposition. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
The interaction between threonine and avilamycin on piglet performance and diet digestibility post weaning
Authors: O'Connell Michael J , Callan James J , O'Doherty John V 
Published: November 2005

AbstractA 3 × 2 factorial experimental design was used to investigate the interaction between threonine level (8.6, 10.5 or 12.1 g kg−1) and an antimicrobial growth promoter (0 or 60 mg kg−1avilamycin) in piglet starter diets. Three hundred and sixty weaned piglets (24 d of age; 5.9 kg live weight) were blocked on the basis of live weight and assigned to one of six dietary treatments. The treatments were (1) 8.6 g kg−1threonine and avilamycin, (2) 10.5 g kg−1threonine and avilamycin, (3) 12.1 g kg−1threonine and avilamycin, (4) 8.6 g kg−1threonine and no avilamycin, (5) 10.5 g kg−1threonine and no avilamycin and (6) 12.1 g kg−1threonine and no avilamycin. The diets were formulated to have identical concentrations of digestible energy (16 MJ kg−1) and total lysine (16 g kg−1). There was no interaction between threonine and avilamycin in any performance variable measured. Neither the level of threonine nor the inclusion of avilamycin in the diet had any effect on feed intake, average daily gain or food conversion ratio. There was a significant interaction between threonine level and avilamycin inclusion in the apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, ash, neutral detergent fibre and gross energy and also digestible energy content. In the absence of avilamycin, there was a linear increase in nutrient digestibility to increased threonine levels in the diet. However, in the presence of avilamycin there was a quadratic response to increased threonine levels. In conclusion, optimum piglet performance was achieved at a threonine level of 8.6 g kg−1and there was no advantage to avilamycin inclusion under current conditions. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry