bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laser induced fragmentation of salivary stones: An in vitro comparison of two different, clinically approved laser systems
Authors: Siedek Vanessa , Betz Christian S. , Hecht Volkmar , Blagova Radka , Vogeser Michael , Zengel Pamela , Berghaus Alexander , Leunig Andreas , Sroka Ronald 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackgroundClinical laser lithotripsy in urology promises a good fragmentation combined with a minimal risk of soft tissue damage and low medical complications. This in vitro study investigates the fragmentation of salivary stones by means of two clinically used laser systems.Materials and MethodsThe effects induced by the FREDDY laser (WOM, Germany, λ = 532 nm/1,064 nm, Epulse = 120–160 mJ/pulse) and the Ho:YAG (AURIGA, StarMedTec, Germany, λ = 2,100 nm, Epulse = 300–800 mJ/pulse) on clinical salivary calculi (n = 15) and on salivary gland tissue were investigated using clinical laser parameter settings. All experiments were performed in an under water experimental set‐up using flexible fibres (core diameter 230 µm) positioned in front of each specimen. In order to assess fragmentation efficacy, each stone was placed on a grating (rhombic mash‐diameter 1–3 mm). The fragmentation rate was calculated with respect to the energy applied (mg/J), to the number of pulses (mg/pulse), and to the time needed (mg/minute). In addition the composition of the stones were analysed spectrographically. The soft tissue interaction on human salivary duct mucosa was examined histologically (HE‐staining).ResultsSpectrographic composition of the salivary stones showed a two component ratio of protein/carbonate apatite varying between 5/95 and 25/75. Stones treated by the Ho:YAG were vaporised in a milling‐like process, while using the FREDDY laser stones are cracked into pieces and fragmentation failed in two cases. The fragmentation rates achieved by the FREDDY laser were greater than those of the Ho:YAG laser, but fragments mainly bigger. A dependency on the composition of the stones could not be found. Laser pulse effects on soft tissue were found slightly beyond the mucosa.ConclusionThis study clearly demonstrated the different processes of destroying salivary stones using two different laser systems. While the Ho:YAG vaporises the calculi in a more milling and soft sense, the FREDDY shows a more cracking and explosive destruction. Although both laser systems showed little direct risk to the surrounding tissue, it has to be proven whether cracked and accelerated particles could cause harm to soft tissue. With respect to this, further in vitro studies and clinical treatments in selected cases are needed to proof these results. Lasers Surg. Med. 40:257–264, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro resistance of articular chondrocytes to 5‐Aminolevulinic acid based photodynamic therapy
Authors: Egli Rainer J. , Di Criscio Agostino , Hempfing Axel , Schoeniger Ralf , Ganz Reinhold , Hofstetter Willy , Leunig Michael 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective5‐Aminolevulinic acid based photodynamic therapy (5‐ALA‐PDT) has revealed promising results in the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases due to the sensitivity of inflamed synovial tissue. For 5‐ALA‐PDT to be safe and beneficial for intra‐articular applications, resistance of chondrocytes is essential to prevent cartilage damage. As no data yet exist, the aim of the present study was to assess in vitro the response of the chondrocytes to 5‐ALA‐PDT and to compare with osteoblasts and synovial tissue derived cells.MethodsBovine articular chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and synovial cells were subjected to 5‐ALA‐PDT in cell culture. The PpIX accumulation and the function of the cells were assessed for up to 12 days.ResultsBovine chondrocytes showed lower PpIX fluorescence upon incubation with 5‐ALA (0.0–2.0 mM) for 4 hours as compared to osteoblasts and synovial cells suggesting a low PpIX accumulation. After incubation with 0.5 mM 5‐ALA and application of light at a dose of 20 J/cm2, chondrocytes were functionally not affected (collagen type II and aggrecan mRNA, glycosaminoglycan synthesis) whereas a decrease in the proportion of viable cells was observed in osteoblasts and synovial cells (2±2% and 14±8%, respectively; chondrocytes 91±13%). Chondrocytes showed a 58% reduction of 5‐ALA uptake using [3H]5‐ALA as compared to osteoblasts and a lower mitochondrial content as assessed by the activity of the mitochondrial marker enzyme citrate synthase (9.2± 3.6 mU/mg protein) than osteoblasts (32.6±10.5 mU/mg) and synovial cells (60.0±10.8 mU/mg). The reduced uptake of 5‐ALA and/or the low mitochondrial content, an adaptation to their in vivo environment and the site of PpIX synthesis, presumably explains the lower PpIX content in chondrocytes and their resistance against 5‐ALA‐PDT.Conclusion5‐ALA‐PDT might represent a treatment strategy in inflammatory joint diseases without endangering the cartilage function. However, further in vitro and in vivo experiments are required to confirm this data in the authentic environment of chondrocytes, the articular cartilage. Lasers Surg. Med. 40:282–290, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐resolution two‐photon excitation microscopy of ocular tissues in porcine eye
Authors: Wang Bao‐Gui , Eitner Annett , Lindenau Joerg , Halbhuber Karl‐Juergen 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveTwo‐photon excitation laser scanning microscopy (TPM), based on nonlinear optical (NLO) response under high irradiance, is currently being extensively employed for diagnostic purposes in biomedical fields and becomes more and more an interesting imaging technique in the intact bulk tissue examination. In this study, this nonlinear‐excitation imaging technique including two‐photon‐mediated autofluorescence (2PF) and second harmonic generation (SHG) was employed to investigate the microstructures in the whole‐mount scleral, retinal, and corneal tissues of porcine eyes with intracellular spatial resolution and high signal‐to‐noise ratio.Materials and MethodsImage acquisition was based on the intense 80 MHz femtosecond (fs) near‐infrared (NIR) laser pulses, emitted from a mode‐locked solid‐state titanium:sapphire system. By integrating a high‐numerical aperture diffraction‐limited objective, the whole‐mount ocular specimens could be viewed from the surface of eye globes further to a 200 µm depth. Under high light irradiance at the order of MW‐GW/cm2, more than one photon was simultaneously absorbed by endogenous molecules in ocular tissues.ResultsThe cellular and fibrous components of whole‐mount scleral and corneal tissues were selectively displayed in situ by in‐tandem detection of 2PF and SHG with high efficiency without the assistance of any exogenous dye. NLO images of fibroblasts and mature elastic fibers in sclerae as well as of the retina radial Müller glial cells, ganglion cells, bipolar cells, photoreceptors, and retina pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were acquired with subcellular spatial resolution. In particular, the microstructural topography of cells and extracellular components in the whole‐mount ocular tissues was elucidated in situ.Conclusion and OutlookThe combination of the sensitive image acquisition technique allows to selectively studying of three‐dimensional (3‐D) architecture of cellular microstructures and extracellular matrix arrangement in situ at substantial depths in bulk tissues. The data obtained provided the primary knowledge for further studies of imaging entire eye globes based on two‐photon excitation microscopy. Lesers Surg. Med. 40:247–256, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epstein–Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 mediates serine 25 phosphorylation and nuclear entry of annexin A2 via PI‐PLC–PKCα/PKCβ pathway
Authors: Luo Wei , Yan Guangrong , Li Lili , Wang Zhenlian , Liu Haidan , Zhou Shanghui , Liu Sufang , Tang Min , Yi Wei , Dong Zigang , Cao Ya 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe have previously elucidated that Epstein–Barr‐virus‐encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) can increase the serine phosphorylation level of annexin A2 by activating the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway and that LMP1 induces the nuclear entry of annexin A2 in an energy‐ and temperature‐dependent manner. Here, we further confirm that LMP1 increases the serine phosphorylation level of annexin A2 by activating the phosphoinositide‐specific phospholipase C (PI‐PLC)–PKC α/PKC β pathway, mainly through the activation of the PKCβ pathway. Additionally, active recombinant PKC α, PKC β I, and PKC β II kinases are able to phosphorylate annexin A2 in vitro. Annexin A2 in the nucleus plays an important role in DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. By site‐specific substitution of glutamic acid in the place of serine 11 and 25 in the N‐terminus, we show that serine 25 phosphorylation of annexin A2 was associated with the nuclear entry of annexin A2, DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, whereas serine 11 has no obvious influence. We demonstrate for the first time that the PI‐PLC–PKCα/PKCβ pathway plays an important role in serine phosphorylation and in the nuclear entry of annexin A2 mediated by LMP1. In addition, we show that annexin A2 is the substrate protein of PKC α, PKC βI, and PKC βII kinases. Serine 25 phosphorylation of annexin A2 is shown to be associated with its nuclear entry, DNA synthesis, and cell proliferation. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spectrum of gait impairments in presymptomatic and symptomatic Huntington's disease
Authors: Rao Ashwini K. , Muratori Lisa , Louis Elan D. , Moskowitz Carol B. , Marder Karen S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to quantify gait impairments in presymptomatic and symptomatic Huntington's disease (HD) subjects, and examine sensitivity of gait measures. Our sample (n = 65) included presymptomatic mutation carriers (PMC) (n = 15), symptomatic HD subjects (SHD) (n = 30) and healthy controls (n = 20). Participants were requested to walk at their preferred speed on a computerized walkway that recorded spatiotemporal variables. We administered the Unified HD Rating Scale (UHDRS) for PMC and SHD. PMC demonstrated decreased gait velocity (P < 0.01), stride length (P < 0.008), and increased time in double support (P < 0.001); and demonstrated higher variability in stride length (P < 0.01) and step time (P < 0.004) compared with controls. These impairments worsened with increasing disease severity for SHD. Gait impairments were correlated with predicted years to onset in PMC (velocity = −0.65; cadence = −0.70, step time = 0.71) and demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between controls and mutation carriers. In contrast, UHDRS scores did not reveal impairments in gait and balance. Gait bradykinesia and dynamic balance impairments begin in the presymptomatic stage of HD and continue to worsen in the symptomatic stages. Gait measures are sensitive in differentiating between mutation positive and negative individuals even when impairments were not detected by clinical neurological examination. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Axial Green's function method for multi‐dimensional elliptic boundary value problems
Authors: Kim Do Wan , Park Seong‐Kwan , Jun Sukky 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAxial Green's function method is proposed to solve multi‐dimensional second‐order elliptic partial differential equations with the geometrical complexity of solution domains. Instead of directly dealing with 2D or 3D Green's functions, the proposed method systematically decomposes a multi‐dimensional elliptic differential operator into 1D ones. Consequently, the method only requires 1D Green's function associated with each coordinate axis. Theoretical formulation and simple axial discretization result in the system of equations of which the solutions represent the numerical solution of the original multi‐dimensional elliptic problem, which is otherwise intractable to obtain by the traditional multi‐dimensional Green's function technique. The method employs analytical form of 1D Green's function and integral schemes so that it can potentially be more robust than both the finite difference method and the boundary element method. In addition, the simple discretization procedure, which uses only axially orthogonal straight lines and boundary data, demonstrates its convenience over the finite element method of comparable accuracy. Numerical examples verify these advantages by demonstrating the second‐order convergence in various discretized models of complex geometries. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical aspects of the internal element connectivity parameterization approach for topology optimization
Authors: Yoon Gil Ho , Kim Yoon Young , Langelaar Matthijs , van Keulen Fred 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe internal element connectivity parameterization (I‐ECP) method is an alternative approach to overcome numerical instabilities associated with low‐stiffness element states in non‐linear problems. In I‐ECP, elements are connected by zero‐length links while their link stiffness values are varied. Therefore, it is important to interpolate link stiffness properly to obtain stably converging results. The main objective of this work is two‐fold (1) the investigation of the relationship between the link stiffness and the stiffness of a domain‐discretizing patch by using a discrete model and a homogenized model and (2) the suggestion of link stiffness interpolation functions. The effects of link stiffness penalization on solution convergence are then tested with several numerical examples. The developed homogenized I‐ECP model can also be used to physically interpret an intermediate design variable state. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydroelastic analysis of insulation containment of LNG carrier by global–local approach
Authors: Cho J. R. , Park S. W. , Kim H. S. , Rashed S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe insulation containment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers is a large‐sized elastic structure made of various metallic and composite materials of complex structural composition to protect the heat invasion and to sustain the hydrodynamic pressure. The goal of the present paper is to present a global–local numerical approach to effectively and accurately compute the local hydroelastic response of a local containment region of interest. The global sloshing flow and hydrodynamic pressure fields of interior LNG are computed by assuming the flexible containment as a rigid container. On the other hand, the local hydroelastic response of the insulation containment is obtained by solving only the local hydroelastic model in which the complex and flexible insulation structure is fully considered and the global analysis results are used as the initial and boundary conditions. The interior incompressible inviscid LNG flow is solved by the first‐order Euler finite volume method, whereas the structural dynamic deformation is solved by the explicit finite element method. The LNG flow and the containment deformation are coupled by the Euler–Lagrange coupling scheme. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energetics of K+ permeability through Gramicidin A by forward‐reverse steered molecular dynamics
Authors: De Fabritiis G. , Coveney P. V. , Villà‐Freixa J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe estimation of ion channel permeability poses a considerable challenge for computer simulations because of the significant free energy barriers involved, but also offers valuable molecular information on the ion permeation process not directly available from experiments. In this article we determine the equilibrium free energy barrier for potassium ion permeability in Gramicidin A in an efficient way by atomistic forward‐reverse non‐equilibrium steered molecular dynamics simulations, opening the way for its use in more complex biochemical systems. Our results indicate that the tent‐shaped energetics of translocation of K+ ions in Gramicidin A is dictated by the different polarization responses to the ion of the external bulk water and the less polar environment of the membrane. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of cuminaldehyde on melanoma cells
Authors: Nitoda Teruhiko , Fan Maria D. , Kubo Isao 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCuminaldehyde (4‐isopropylbenzaldehyde) suppressed melanin formation in cultured murine B16‐F10 melanoma cells in a dose‐dependent decrease up to 0.25 mm without affecting cell growth. Approximately 30% suppression in melanin production resulted when the cells were cultured with 0.25 mm of cuminaldehyde. This activity was not noticeable with cultured human A375 melanoma cells. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis and M. tuberculosis by extract of South African medicinal plants
Authors: Mativandlela Sannah Patience Nkami , Meyer Jacob Jacobus Marion , Hussein Ahmed A. , Houghton Peter J. , Hamilton Chris J. , Lall Namrita 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSeven ethnobotanically selected medicinal plants were screened for their antimycobacterial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of four plants namely Artemisia afra, Dodonea angustifolia, Drosera capensis and Galenia africana ranged from 0.781 to 6.25 mg/mL against Mycobacterium smegmatis. G. africana showed the best activity exhibiting an MIC of 0.78 mg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 1.56 mg/mL. The MICs of ethanol extracts of D. angustifolia and G. africana against M. tuberculosis were found to be 5.0 and 1.2 mg/mL respectively. The mammalian cytotoxicity IC50 value of the most active antimycobacterial extract, from G. africana, was found to be 101.3 µg/mL against monkey kidney Vero cells. Since the ethanol G. africana displayed the best antimycobacterial activity, it was subjected to fractionation which led to the isolation of a flavone, 5,7,2′‐trihydroxyflavone. The MIC of this compound was found to be 0.031 mg/mL against M. smegmatis and 0.10 mg/mL against M. tuberculosis. This study gives some scientific basis to the traditional use of these plants for TB‐related symptoms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In SilicoPrediction of Blood–Brain Partitioning Using a Chemometric Method Called Genetic Algorithm Based Variable Selection
Authors: Shen Jie , Du Yiping , Zhao Yaxue , Liu Guixia , Tang Yun 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA chemometric method called Genetic Algorithm Based Variable Selection (GAVS) was developed for Quantitative Structure–Property Relationship (QSPR) study here. Different from other GA based techniques, improvements have been made in GAVS, including fitness function and the strategy of elite warehouse. In the case of modeling the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB) penetration, GAVS performed very well in variable selection. The training set consists of 151 structurally diverse compounds 154 molecular descriptors of which were calculated by E‐Dragon. The best model generated by GAVS contained six descriptors withr=0.848,q=0.817,F=61.40. The model was further validated by two external test sets, with the predicted correlation coefficient of 0.837 for Test set I which contained 28 compounds and correct rate of 82.42% for Test set II which included 91 drugs or drug‐like compounds with known BBB indication. To the CNS library containing 1283 CNS activities, the model performed with a success rate of 97.3% in predicting CNS active compounds. In comparison with other methods, GAVS performed best among Genetic Function Approximate (GFA) method and other published models. The established predictive model could be applied in design of combinatorial libraries or virtual screening against Central Nervous System (CNS) targets.
ConGENER – A Tool for Modeling of the Congeneric Sets of Environmental Pollutants
Authors: Haranczyk Maciej , Puzyn Tomasz , Sadowski Paweł 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCongeners are molecules based on the same carbon skeleton but different by a substitution pattern, e.g., 1‐chloronaphthalene, 1,4‐dichloronaphthalene, 1,3,8‐trichloronaphthalene, etc. Various Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) exist in the environment as families of halogen‐substituted congeners. To facilitate computational studies on these species we developed ConGENER software package. The main program combinatorially generates all congeners of a parent molecule. The generated structures can be easily imported into quantum chemistry programs with scripting programs included in the package. Other included scripts can analyze outputs from the following quantum‐mechanical calculations and provide tabularized results easily imported into QSAR/QSPR programs to perform environmental toxicity studies. We demonstrate the application of ConGENER to study congeneric family of 287 chloropyrenes. This study explains how the individual molecular properties are changing according to a substitution pattern. In addition, we identified a new research need for validation of PM6 method in the case of perchlorinated congeners of PAHs.
Theoretical Study on Interactions of Bicyclic Vasopressin Analogues with Human Neurohypophyseal Hormone Receptors
Authors: Ślusarz Rafał , Sikorska Emilia , Ślusarz Magdalena J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn the Arginine Vasopressin (CYFQNCPRG–NH2, AVP) molecule, the disulfide bond between Cys1 and Cys6 forms a 20‐membered ring crucial for AVP activity. The activity could be enhanced by restraining the AVP structure with additional cyclic moiety. To reduce AVP conformational flexibility, a standard link has now been added between residues at position 4, substituted with different positively charged amino acids, and Gly at position 9. The resulting AVP analogues have subsequently been docked to the vasopressin and oxytocin receptors and relaxed/geometry optimized using a Constrained Simulated Annealing (CSA) procedure. The results of our modeling suggest that the size of the additional AVP cycle is crucial for the biological activity of the analogue.
A target fish community to guide river restoration
Authors: Bain Mark B. , Meixler Marcia S. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA method is proposed and demonstrated to specify a fish community to serve as a target for planning river restoration projects and as an endpoint for evaluating programme progress. Our target fish community is appropriate for small rivers in southern New England with basins characterized by dispersed human activities. Our study was part of a multi‐agency improvement effort of the Quinebaug River in southern Massachusetts and northeast Connecticut, USA. We identify fish species expected to be found in streams, lakes and river reaches of the Quinebaug River basin. An expected rank order of abundance was computed using fish surveys from rivers identified by restoration programme managers as being in a desirable condition for a human‐dominated landscape. The rank order of species was converted to expected community proportions following a theoretical log–log relation between species abundances and occurrences in complex communities. Criteria from a committee of agency and water use representatives were influential in specifying a target community; so the overall method blends policy, objective zoogeography analyses and theory‐based parameters of community structure. We believe the use of a target community can be an important element in the design and evaluation of river restoration where the aim cannot be to copy pristine, natural ecosystem properties. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.