bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NLR proteins: integral members of innate immunity and mediators of inflammatory diseases
Authors: Wilmanski Jeanette M , Petnicki-Ocwieja Tanja , Kobayashi Koichi S 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe innate immune system is the first line of defense against microorganisms and is conserved in plants and animals. The nucleotide-binding domain, leucine rich containing (NLR) protein family is a recent addition to the members of innate immunity effector molecules. These proteins are characterized by a central oligomerization domain, termed nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) and a protein interaction domain, leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) at the C terminus. It has been shown that NLR proteins are localized to the cytoplasm and recognize microbial products. To date, it is known that Nod1 and Nod2 detect bacterial cell wall components, whereas Ipaf and Naip detect bacterial flagellin, and NACHT/LRR/Pyrin 1 has been shown to detect anthrax lethal toxin. NLR proteins comprise a diverse protein family (over 20 in humans), indicating that NLRs have evolved to acquire specificity to various pathogenic microorganisms, thereby controlling host-pathogen interactions. Activation of NLR proteins results in inflammatory responses mediated by NF-κB, MAPK, or Caspase-1 activation, accompanied by subsequent secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Mutations in several members of the NLR protein family have been linked to inflammatory diseases, suggesting these molecules play important roles in maintaining host-pathogen interactions and inflammatory responses. Therefore, understanding NLR signaling is important for the therapeutic intervention of various infectious and inflammatory diseases.
Mechanisms of eosinophil secretion: large vesiculotubular carriers mediate transport and release of granule-derived cytokines and other proteins
Authors: Melo Rossana C N , Spencer Lisa A , Dvorak Ann M , Weller Peter F 
Published: September 2007

AbstractEosinophils generate and store a battery of proteins, including classical cationic proteins, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Rapid secretion of these active mediators by eosinophils is central to a range of inflammatory and immunoregulatory responses. Eosinophil products are packaged within a dominant population of cytoplasmic specific granules and generally secreted by piecemeal degranulation, a process mediated by transport vesicles. Large, pleiomorphic vesiculotubular carriers were identified recently as key players for moving eosinophil proteins from granules to the plasma membrane for extracellular release. During secretion, these specialized, morphologically distinct carriers, termed eosinophil sombrero vesicles, are actively formed and direct differential and rapid release of eosinophil proteins. This review highlights recent discoveries concerning the organization of the human eosinophil secretory pathway. These discoveries are defining a broader role for large vesiculotubular carriers in the intracellular trafficking and secretion of proteins, including selective receptor-mediated mobilization and transport of cytokines.
Psychiatric aspects of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Trigwell Peter , Peveler Robert 
Published: September 2007

In 1899, Maudsley wrote:“Diabetes is a disease which often shows itself in families in which insanity prevails: whether one disease predisposes in any way to the other or not, or whether they are independent outcomes of a common neurosis, they are certainly found to run side by side, or alternately with one another more often than can be accounted for by accidental coincidence or sequence”.Recent research confirms that a range of psychological problems and psychiatric disorders are common in people with diabetes. Such problems are important not only because of the suffering caused, but also because of their impact upon the management and outcome of the diabetes itself. This article reviews the psychosocial impact of diabetes and its treatment, describes the range of psychological problems and psychiatric disorders which commonly occur in people with diabetes, and outlines the role of the psychiatrist in the recognition and management of these clinical problems.
Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase II Study of Vandetanib Plus Docetaxel in Previously Treated Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Heymach John V. , Johnson Bruce E. , Prager Diane , Csada Edit , Roubec Jaromír , Pešek Miloš , Špásová Irena , Belani Chandra P. , Bodrogi István , Gadgeel Shirish , Kennedy Sarah J. , Hou Jeannie , Herbst Roy S. 
Published: September 2007

Purpose Vandetanib is a once-daily oral inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and epidermal growth factor receptor kinase activity. The activity of vandetanib plus docetaxel was assessed in patients with previously treated non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods This two-part study comprised an open-label run-in phase and a double-blind randomized phase. Eligible patients had locally advanced or metastatic (stage IIIB/IV) NSCLC after failure of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. The primary objective of the randomized phase was to prolong progression-free survival (PFS) in patients receiving vandetanib (100 or 300 mg/d) plus docetaxel (75 mg/m2 intravenous infusion every 21 days) versus placebo plus docetaxel. The study was designed to have more than 75% power to detect 50% prolongation at a one-sided significance level of P < .20. Secondary objectives included objective response rate, overall survival, safety and tolerability. Results In the randomized phase (n = 127), median PFS was 18.7 weeks for vandetanib 100 mg plus docetaxel (n = 42; hazard ratio v docetaxel = 0.64; one-sided P = .037); 17.0 weeks for vandetanib 300 mg plus docetaxel (n = 44; hazard ratio v docetaxel = 0.83; one-sided P = .231); and 12 weeks for docetaxel (n = 41). There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival among the three treatment arms. Common adverse events included diarrhea, rash, and asymptomatic prolongation of corrected QT (QTC) interval. Conclusion The primary objective was achieved, with vandetanib 100 mg plus docetaxel demonstrating a significant prolongation of PFS compared with docetaxel in relation to the prespecified significance level. On the basis of these encouraging data, phase III evaluation of vandetanib 100 mg plus docetaxel in second-line NSCLC has been initiated.
Aristotle My Beloved: Poetry, Diagnosis, and the Dreams of Julius Caesar Scaliger*
Authors: Haugen Kristine Louise 
Published: September 2007

AbstractNotoriously Aristotelian in his poetic theory, linguistics, and natural philosophy, Julius Caesar Scaliger (1484–1558) also reimagined the lost love poetry that Aristotle himself was said to have written. Scaliger'sNew Epigramsof 1533 combine a distinctively humanist view of Aristotle as an elegant polymath with a sustained experiment in refashioning the Petrarchan love lyric. Most visibly in poems about dreams and dreaming, Scaliger educes his speaker's erotic despair from philosophical problems in contemporary Aristotelian accounts of the soul, knowledge, and personal identity. The strange but compelling texts that result form a crossroads for Scaliger's own identities as physician, philosopher, and poet.
Experience in non-conventional wastewater treatment techniques used in the Czech Republic
Authors: Felberova L. , Kucera J. , Mlejnska E. 
Published: September 2007

Among the most common non-conventional wastewater treatment techniques used in the Czech Republic are waste stabilisation ponds (WSP), subsurface horizontal flow constructed wetlands (CW) and vertical flow groundfilters (GF). These extensive systems can be advantageously used for treatment of waters coming from sewerages where the ballast weighting commonly makes more than half of dry-weather flow. The monitoring was focused at 14 different extensive systems. Organics removal efficiencies were favourable (CW–82%; GF–88%); in the case of WSP only 57% due to the algal bloom. Total nitrogen removal efficiencies were 43 and 47% for WSP and GF; in the case of CW only 32% due to often occurring anaerobic conditions in filter beds. Total phosphorus removal efficiencies were 37, 35 and 22% for WSP, GF and CW, respectively. Often occurring problems are the ice-blockage of surface aerators at WSP during wintertimes, the pond duckweed-cover or the algal bloom at WSP during summers; a gradual colmatage of filter systems; and the oxygen deficiency in beds of subsurface horizontal flow constructed wetlands.
Czech legal regulations do not allow treated wastewater disposal into underground waters. There is only an exception for individual family houses. Up to now, knowledge gained by monitoring of a village (which uses the infiltration upon a permission issued according to earlier legal regulations) have not shown an unacceptable groundwater quality deterioration into the infiltration areas.
Self‐esteem and values
Authors: Lönnqvist Jan‐Erik , Verkasalo Markku , Helkama Klaus , Andreyeva Galina M. , Bezmenova Irina , Rattazzi Anna Maria Manganelli , Niit Toomas , Stetsenko Anna 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to connect personal values to self‐esteem in 14 samples (N = 3612) of pre‐professionals, high school students, and adults, from Finland, Russia, Switzerland, Italy, and Estonia. Self‐enhancement values (power, achievement) and openness to change values (self‐direction, stimulation) were positively, and self‐transcendence values (universalism, benevolence) and conservation values (tradition) were negatively related to self‐esteem. These direct relations between values and self‐esteem were only partly consistent with predictions derived from Maslow's theory of growth and deficiency needs. In samples of pre‐professionals, self‐esteem was correlated with congruence between personal values and the prevailing values environment. On the group‐level, endorsement of achievement and universalism values was more strongly and positively related to self‐esteem in samples where these values were considered more important. In contrast, endorsement of self‐direction and hedonism values was more strongly and positively related to self‐esteem in samples where these values were considered less important. These group‐level results are interpreted as suggesting that attainment of culturally significant goals may raise self‐esteem, but that high self‐esteem may be required for the pursuit of less socially desirable goals. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous Voltammetric Determination of Uric Acid and Ascorbic Acid Using a Carbon‐Paste Electrode Modified with Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Nafion and Cobalt(II)nitrosalophen
Authors: Shahrokhian Saeed , Zare‐Mehrjardi Hamid Reza 
Published: September 2007

AbstractA composition of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), Nafion and cobalt(II)‐5‐nitrosalophen (CoNSal) is applied for the modification of carbon‐paste electrode (CPE). The pretreated MWCNT is well dispersed in the alcoholic solution of Nafion under the ultrasonic agitation, and the resulted suspension is used as modifier (with 10% w/w) in the matrix of the paste electrode. The prepared electrode further modified by addition of 3 wt% of CoNSal. The resulted modified electrode is used as a sensitive voltammetric sensor for simultaneous determination of uric acid (UA) and ascorbic acid (AA). The electrode showed efficient electrocatalytic activity in lowering the anodic overpotentials and enhancement of the anodic currents. This electrode is able to completely resolve the voltammetric response of UA and AA. The effects of potential sweep rate and pH of the buffer solution on the response of the electrode, toward UA and AA, and the peak resolution is thoroughly investigated by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry (CV and DPV). The best peak resolution for these compounds using the modified electrode is obtained in solutions with pH 4. The ΔEp for UA and AA in these methods is about 315 mV, which is considerably better than previous reports for these compounds. A linear dynamic range of 1×10−7 to 1×10−4 M with a detection limit of 6×10−8 M is resulted for UA in buffered solutions with pH 4.0. The voltammetric response characteristics for AA are obtained as, the linear range of 5×10−7 to 1×10−4 M with the detection limit of 1×10−7 M. The voltammetric detection system was very stable and the reproducibility of the electrode response, based on the six measurements during one month, was less than 3.5% for the slope of the calibration curves of UA and AA. The prepared modified electrode is successfully applied for the determination of AA and UA in mixture samples and reasonable accuracies are resulted.
Efficient resource management for packet mode cdma2000
Authors: Basyouni Ayda , Agarwal Anjali , Elhakeem Ahmed 
Published: September 2007

AbstractMobile systems have recently evolved from being simple devices used for voice communications to systems that support new features such as data transmissions, video streaming and Internet access. The capacity demands to handle these new services led to a new era of wireless technologies. cdma2000 1xEV‐DV is considered to be the solution for the ever‐growing demand of high‐speed wireless packet data transmission. In this paper, we investigate several aspects related to resource management techniques over the cdma2000 1xEV‐DV reverse packet data channel (R‐PDCH). In particular, based on the developed rise over thermal (RoT) model, we provide an upper bound for the R‐PDCH throughput as a function of the number of mobile stations (MSs) that are allowed to transmit instantaneously on each time slot. We also provide a lower bound for the average sector throughput based on the number of users per sector. We propose several autonomous rate assignment, and scheduling techniques that provide a significant throughput improvement relative to other published techniques. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities of novel kojic acid derivatives: 5‐benzyloxy‐2‐selenocyanatomethyl‐ and 5‐methoxy‐2‐selenocyanatomethyl‐4‐pyranone
Authors: Fickova Maria , Pravdova Eliska , Rondhal Lars , Uher Michal , Brtko Julius 
Published: September 2007

AbstractSome kojic acid (KA) derivatives and selenium containing compounds possess antiproliferative properties. The present study tested novel selenocyanatomethyl derivatives of KA for growth inhibitory and LDH cytotoxic activities. Human skin carcinoma (A431) and human breast carcinoma (MCF7) cells were treated with 5‐benzyloxy‐2‐selenocyanatomethyl‐4‐pyranone (P763) and 5‐methoxy‐2‐selenocyanatomethyl‐4‐pyranone (P764) in selected concentrations for 24, 48 and 72 h. Cell viability tests aimed at intracellular injury of mitochondria (MTT) and lysosomes (neutral red uptake, NR) revealed (a) higher growth inhibitory activity of the benzyloxy‐selenocyanatomethyl derivative of KA (P763) compared with the methoxy derivative (P764) in both cell lines, (b) an intensified effect with time of exposure (MTT test only). The results demonstrate that NR cell survival/viability assay is more sensitive than the MTT test to detect subcellular changes induced by test compounds. Cell membrane integrity determined by LDH leakage confirmed an exaggerated cytotoxic effect of P763 but similar sensitivity of both cell lines to membrane injury. The ED50 values for all three tests used indicate that injury of intracellular mitochondria and lysosomes precedes the loss of membrane integrity. Cell growth inhibitory activities of new selenium containing kojic acid derivatives are preferentially aimed at the intracellular compartment rather than the plasma membrane and enlarge the group of antiproliferative active compounds. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Task knowledge overlap and knowledge variety: the role of advice network structures and impact on group effectiveness
Authors: Wong Sze‐Sze 
Published: September 2007

AbstractDrawing from the structural perspective of social capital theory, this research investigates how internal and external advice network structures influence knowledge overlap and variety and, how these knowledge dimensions in turn influence group effectiveness. Findings from two studies on knowledge‐intensive groups indicate that different advice network structures are associated with knowledge overlap and knowledge variety, and only knowledge variety was significantly associated with group effectiveness. In addition, despite implicit understanding that advice networks aid performance through enhancing knowledge outcomes, only knowledge variety was found to mediate the relationship between external network and group effectiveness. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure of Water Incorporated in Amphoteric Polymer Thin Films as Revealed by FT‐IR Spectroscopy
Authors: Kitano Hiromi , Nagaoka Kyoko , Tada Susumu , Gemmei‐Ide Makoto , Tanaka Masaru 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe structure and hydrogen bonding of water incorporated in a thin film of amphoteric terpolymers composed of various ratios of MA, DMAPMA, and BMA were analyzed using the band shapes of the OH stretching in the IR spectra. At an early stage of sorption of water, the IR spectrum for the water incorporated in the film with comparative contents of MA and DMAPMA residues was similar to that for free water. This is consistent with the tendency for zwitterionic polymers, but is in contrast with the drastic change in the IR spectrum of water incorporated in non‐ionic polymer films such as polyBMA. These results suggest a correlation between the mildness of the charge‐balanced polymers to the structure of incorporated water and their blood compatibilities.magnified image
Customer preference discontinuities: a trigger for radical technological change
Authors: Tripsas Mary 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWhat factors cause a mature industry to re‐enter a period of technological turbulence? This paper addresses this question by developing a model of technological evolution that incorporates both technological trajectories and a new concept: preference trajectories, which are cycles of incremental and discontinuous change in preferences. Preference discontinuities turn out to play an important role in triggering technological transitions in an industry. I illustrate the model with an historical study of the typesetter industry, which underwent three major technological transitions, each of which was driven by preference discontinuities. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic NMR study and theoretical calculations on the conformational exchange of valsartan and related compounds
Authors: Li Fang , Zhang Huiting , Jiang Ling , Zhang Weinong , Nie Jing , Feng Yuqi , Yang Minghui , Liu Maili 
Published: September 2007

AbstractValsartan (1), an antihypertensive drug of the sartan family, and three related compounds, 3‐methyl‐2‐((2′‐(1‐methyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)biphenyl‐4‐ylmethyl) pentanoylamino)butyric acid (2), 3‐isopropyl‐6‐propyl‐4‐(2′‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)biphenyl‐4‐ylmethyl) morpholine‐2,5‐dione (3), and 3‐isopropyl‐6‐propyl‐4‐(4′‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)biphenyl4‐ylmethyl) morpholine‐2,5‐dione (4), were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Assignment of 1H and 13C NMR resonances for the compounds were completed using COSY, HSQC and HMBC techniques. It was found that each of the compounds 1, 2, and 4 had two sets of 1H and 13C resonances, suggesting the presence of two conformers in solution. Based on NOESY experiments at different temperatures, thermodynamic parameters of the conformational exchange process were deduced for these compounds. The exchange barrier was found to be 17.9 ± 0.7, 18.5 ± 0.8, and 17.7 ± 0.6 kcal mol−1 with the corresponding free energy difference (ΔG) of 0.32 ± 0.04, 0.23 ± 0.01, and 0.13 ± 0.04 kcal mol−1 for 1, 2, and 4, respectively, at 298 K. Two conformations of valsartan were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculation. The results showed that two conformers of valsartan interchange via rotation about the C(O)N bond. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative analysis by HPLC‐MS2 of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid adonifoline in Senecio scandens
Authors: Zhang Fang , Wang Chang‐hong , Wang Wan , Chen Lu‐xin , Ma Hong‐yan , Zhang Chao‐feng , Zhang Mian , Bligh S. W. Annie , Wang Zheng‐tao 
Published: September 2007

AbstractA quantitative method using HPLC‐MS2 has been developed for the determination of adonifoline, one of the retronecine‐type hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Senecio scandens Buch.‐Ham. ex D. Don., a traditional Chinese herb. Using an orthogonal design test, a simple and rapid sample extraction method was developed. HPLC analysis was conducted using a C18 column as stationary phase and a mixture of acetonitrile and aqueous formic acid as mobile phase. Good linearity for adonifoline was found in the concentration range 0.12–4.18 µg/mL, and the HPLC‐MS/MS method was shown to be appropriate, in terms of sensitivity, precision and reproducibility. The quantities of adonifoline in extracts of 18 plant samples from different collection sources and from different parts (flowers, leaves, thick stems, slim stems and roots) of S. scandens were determined using the newly developed HPLC/MS2 analysis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid selective screening and determination of ephedrine alkaloids using GC‐MS footnote mark
Authors: Ranieri Tracy L. , Ciolino Laura A. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractEphedra (ma huang) has been widely used as an herb or herbal extract in both traditional Chinese medicine and Western world dietary supplements. The effects of Ephedra have been attributed to a series of six ephedrine alkaloids including ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. A GC‐MS method for the ephedrine alkaloids is described which couples ammoniacal chloroform as the extraction solvent with a two‐stage derivatisation scheme. This scheme produces the O‐trimethylsilyl, N‐trifluoracetyl derivatives (O‐TMS, N‐TFA) for the primary and secondary amine alkaloids, and the O‐TMS derivatives for the tertiary amine alkaloids. Relatively clean extracts are obtained from complex matrices, and the six ephedrine alkaloids are effectively separated and identified. This approach was also evaluated for quantitative analysis, and was shown to provide quantitative results for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, and good estimates for the four minor alkaloids. Figures of merit are presented for linearity, detection limits, precision and accuracy. We have applied this approach to the rapid screening and profiling of the ephedrine alkaloids in whole Ephedra plants, liquid plant extracts, dried powder plant extracts and a variety of Ephedra‐containing dietary supplements. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.