bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technology education students: e‐tutors for school children
Authors: Johnson Genevieve Marie , Bratt Sharon E. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractE‐tutoring refers to individualised learning support mediated by Internet technology. While increased demand for tutors has led to a surge in commercial e‐tutoring services, volunteer e‐tutoring programs for children are rare. To test the viability of volunteer e‐tutoring for elementary school students, 10 undergraduate students enrolled in a technology education (TE) course provided online with instructional support to children in need of tutoring services. Each e‐tutor was assigned a specific child, developed a Web Course Tools course and corresponding online activities to improve teacher‐identified skill deficiencies, and provided 8 weeks of e‐tutoring. Three video conferences complemented online instructional interaction between e‐tutor and e‐tutee. Children, parents and TE students expressed positive evaluation of the initiative.
2. IN DEFENSE OF PROVINCIALIZING EUROPE: A RESPONSE TO CAROLA DIETZE
Authors: CHAKRABARTY DIPESH 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTThis response to Carola Dietze's critique of Provincializing Europe takes up for examination three key expressions or ideas on which the original argument of the book was founded: hyperreal Europe, historicism, and political modernity. I appreciate the spirit of Dietze's engagement with the book, but I show that her critique is based on a degree of misapprehension of these three central ideas. While clarifying the details and the degree of my disagreement with Dietze, I provide my own critique of Dietze's proposal of “equal histories” by arguing that Dietze has not named or explained the unit with respect to which different histories could be considered equal. I also argue that Dietze's proposals about judging societies only by their “own” standards, and basing human dignity on the idea of a “human nature” that could be seen as a “constant,” do not solve the problems she sees with my book and are themselves open to some serious historical and logical criticism.
Down‐regulation of osteopontin attenuates breast tumour progression in vivo
Authors: Chakraborty Goutam , Jain Shalini , Patil Tushar V. , Kundu Gopal C. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDevelopment of breast tumour malignancies results in enhanced expression of various oncogenic molecules. Elevated expression of osteopontin (OPN) in higher grades of breast carcinoma correlates with enhanced expressions of several oncogenic molecules (urokinase‐type plasminogen activator [uPA], matrix metalloproteinase‐2/‐9 [MMP‐2 and ‐9]) and increased angiogenic potential of breast carcinoma. In this study, using in vitro and multiple in vivo models, we have demonstrated that silencing of OPN by its specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) down‐regulates the expressions of oncogenic molecules such as uPA, MMP‐2 and ‐9 resulting in inhibition of in vitro cell motility and in vivo tumourigenicity in mice. Moreover our results demonstrated that OPN−/− mice showed slower progression of tumour growth in breast cancer model as compared to wild‐type mice. Furthermore, the data showed that injection of carcinogenic compound, pristane (2, 6,10,14‐tetramethylpen‐tadecane) induces breast tumour progression leading to enhanced expression of OPN and other oncogenic molecules in mammary fat pad of nude‐ and wild‐type mice but not in OPN−/ mice. However, intratumoural injection of OPN siRNA to pristane‐induced tumour significantly suppressed these effects. Our data revealed that knocking down of OPN effectively curb breast cancer progression and further suggested that developing of OPN‐based therapeutics might be an emerging approach for the next generation of breast cancer management.
Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis as a Tool for Subtyping
Listeria monocytogenes
Strains
Authors: Sperry Katharine E. Volpe , Kathariou Sophia , Edwards Justin S. , Wolf Leslie A. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

Listeria monocytogenes
, like many other food-borne bacteria, has certain strains that are commonly linked to outbreaks. Due to the relatively low numbers of affected individuals, outbreaks of
L. monocytogenes
can be difficult to detect. The current technique of molecular subtyping in PulseNet laboratories to identify genetically similar strains is pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). While PFGE is state-of-the-art, interlaboratory comparisons are difficult because the results are highly susceptible to discrepancies due to even minor variations in experimental conditions and the subjectivity of band marking. This research was aimed at the development of a multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) that can be implemented in PulseNet laboratories to replace or complement existing protocols. MLVA has proven to be a rapid and highly discriminatory tool for subtyping many bacteria. In this study, a novel MLVA method for
L. monocytogenes
strains was developed utilizing eight loci multiplexed into two PCRs. The PCR products were separated by capillary gel electrophoresis for high throughput and accurate sizing, and the fragment sizes were analyzed and clustered based on the number of repeats. When tested against a panel of 193 epidemiologically linked and nonlinked isolates, this MLVA for
L. monocytogenes
strains demonstrates strong epidemiological concordance. Since MLVA is a high-throughput screening method that is fairly inexpensive, easy to perform, rapid, and reliable, it is well suited to interlaboratory comparisons during epidemiological investigations of food-borne illness.
Muscarinic signaling influences the patterning and phenotype of cholinergic amacrine cells in the developing chick retina
Authors: Stanke Jennifer J , Lehman Bret , Fischer Andy J 
Published: February 2008

Abstract

Background
Many studies in the vertebrate retina have characterized the differentiation of amacrine cells as a homogenous class of neurons, but little is known about the genes and factors that regulate the development of distinct types of amacrine cells. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to characterize the development of the cholinergic amacrine cells and identify factors that influence their development. Cholinergic amacrine cells in the embryonic chick retina were identified by using antibodies to choline acetyltransferase (ChAT).

Results
We found that as ChAT-immunoreactive cells differentiate they expressed the homeodomain transcription factors Pax6 and Islet1, and the cell-cycle inhibitor p27kip1. As differentiation proceeds, type-II cholinergic cells, displaced to the ganglion cell layer, transiently expressed high levels of cellular retinoic acid binding protein (CRABP) and neurofilament, while type-I cells in the inner nuclear layer did not. Although there is a 1:1 ratio of type-I to type-II cells in vivo, in dissociated cell cultures the type-I cells (ChAT-positive and CRABP-negative) out-numbered the type-II cells (ChAT and CRABP-positive cells) by 2:1. The relative abundance of type-I to type-II cells was not influenced by Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), but was affected by compounds that act at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. In addition, the abundance and mosaic patterning of type-II cholinergic amacrine cells is disrupted by interfering with muscarinic signaling.

Conclusion
We conclude that: (1) during development type-I and type-II cholinergic amacrine cells are not homotypic, (2) the phenotypic differences between these subtypes of cells is controlled by the local microenvironment, and (3) appropriate levels of muscarinic signaling between the cholinergic amacrine cells are required for proper mosaic patterning.
Copeptin, a novel prognostic biomarker in ventilator-associated pneumonia
Authors: Seligman Renato , Papassotiriou Jana , Morgenthaler Nils G , Meisner Michael , Teixeira Paulo JZ 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Background
The present study sought to investigate the correlation of copeptin with the severity of septic status in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and to analyze the usefulness of copeptin as a predictor of mortality in VAP.

Methods
The prospective observational cohort study was conducted in a teaching hospital. The subjects were 71 patients consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit from October 2003 to August 2005 who developed VAP. Copeptin levels were determined on day 0 and day 4 of VAP. Patients were followed for 28 days after the diagnosis, when they were considered survivors. Patients who died before day 28 were classified as nonsurvivors. There were no interventions.

Results
Copeptin levels increased from sepsis to severe sepsis and septic shock both on day 0 and day 4 (P = 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). Variables included in the univariable logistic regression analysis for mortality were age, gender, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score and ln copeptin on day 0 and day 4. Mortality was directly related to ln copeptin levels on day 0 and day 4, with odds ratios of 2.32 (95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 4.29) and 2.31 (95% confidence interval, 1.25 to 4.25), respectively. In a multivariable logistic regression model for mortality, only ln copeptin on day 0 with odds ratio 1.97 (95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 3.69) and ln copeptin on day 4 with odds ratio 2.39 (95% confidence interval, 1.24 to 4.62) remained significant.

Conclusion
Our data demonstrate that copeptin levels increase progressively with the severity of sepsis and are independent predictors of mortality in VAP.
Quantitative Trait Analysis of Type 2 Diabetes Susceptibility Loci Identified From Whole Genome Association Studies in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study
Authors: Palmer Nicholette D. , Goodarzi Mark O. , Langefeld Carl D. , Ziegler Julie , Norris Jill M. , Haffner Steven M. , Bryer-Ash Michael , Bergman Richard N. , Wagenknecht Lynne E. , Taylor Kent D. , Rotter Jerome I. , Bowden Donald W. 
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE—Evaluate type 2 diabetes susceptibility variants identified from genome-wide association studies in Hispanic Americans and African Americans from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study (IRAS-FS) for association with quantitative measures of glucose homeostasis and determine their biological role in vivo.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Seventeen type 2 diabetes–associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 1,268 Hispanic- and 581 African-American participants from the IRAS-FS. SNPs were tested for association with quantitative measures of glucose homeostasis, including insulin sensitivity index (SI), acute insulin response (AIR), and disposition index.RESULTS—Previously identified risk variants in cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit associated protein 1-like 1 (CDKAL1) were associated with reduced AIR (P &lt; 0.0046) in Hispanic Americans. Additionally in Hispanic Americans, the variant in a hypothetical gene (chromosome 11; LOC387761) was significantly associated with AIR (P = 0.0046) with the risk allele showing protective effects, i.e., increased AIR. In both Hispanic- and African-American populations, risk variants at the solute carrier family 30, member 8 (SLC30A8) locus were nominally associated with decreased disposition index (P &lt; 0.078). Risk variants in the insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) locus were associated with a decreased disposition index (P = 0.011) exclusively in Hispanic Americans.CONCLUSIONS—These data indicate a distinct, limited number of diabetes-related genes, more specifically the SNPs in the genes identified in European-derived populations, with modest evidence for association with glucose homeostasis traits in Hispanic Americans and African Americans. We observe evidence that diabetes risk for CDKAL1, SLC30A8, IGF2BP2, and LOC387761 is specifically mediated through defects in insulin secretion. The mechanisms of other predisposing genes remain to be elucidated.
Serum FGF21 Levels Are Increased in Obesity and Are Independently Associated With the Metabolic Syndrome in Humans
Authors: Zhang Xinmei , Yeung Dennis C.Y. , Karpisek Michal , Stejskal David , Zhou Zhi-Guang , Liu Feng , Wong Rachel L.C. , Chow Wing-Sun , Tso Annette W.K. , Lam Karen S.L. , Xu Aimin 
Published: February 2008

OBJECTIVE— Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a metabolic regulator with multiple beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in animal models. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between its serum levels and various cardiometabolic parameters in humans.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— A newly developed immunoassay was used to measure serum FGF21 levels in 232 Chinese subjects recruited from our previous cross-sectional studies. The mRNA expression levels of FGF21 in the liver and adipose tissues were quantified by real-time PCR.
RESULTS— Serum FGF21 levels in overweight/obese subjects were significantly higher than in lean individuals. Serum FGF21 correlated positively with adiposity, fasting insulin, and triglycerides but negatively with HDL cholesterol, after adjusting for age and BMI. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated an independent association between serum FGF21 and the metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, the increased risk of the metabolic syndrome associated with high serum FGF21 was over and above the effects of individual components of the metabolic syndrome. Our in vitro study detected a differentiation-dependent expression of FGF21 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and human adipocytes. In db/db obese mice, FGF21 mRNA expression was markedly increased in both the liver and adipose tissue compared with that in their lean littermates. Furthermore, FGF21 expression in subcutaneous fat correlated well with its circulating concentrations in humans.
CONCLUSIONS— FGF21 is a novel adipokine associated with obesity-related metabolic complications in humans. The paradoxical increase of serum FGF21 in obese individuals, which may be explained by a compensatory response or resistance to FGF21, warrants further investigation.
Expanded clinical spectrum of spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome and possible manifestation in a heterozygous father
Authors: Mitter Diana , Krakow Deborah , Farrington‐Rock Claire , Meinecke Peter 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe report on a 5‐year‐old boy with spondylocarpotarsal synostosis (SCT) syndrome who presents with disproportionate short stature, thoracic scoliosis, pes planus, dental enamel hypoplasia, unilateral conductive hearing loss and mild facial dysmorphisms. Radiographs showed abnormal segmentation of the spine with block vertebrae and carpal synostosis. In addition to the typical phenotype of SCT syndrome, he showed pronounced delay of carpal bone age and bilateral epiphyseal dysplasia of the proximal femora. The patient's father has mild short stature and unilateral hip dysplasia. Molecular studies of the filamin B gene (FLNB) revealed a homozygous mutation in the index patient while both parents were heterozygous for the mutation. In this report we expand the phenotype of SCT syndrome in a patient with a causal FLNB mutation. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of levonorgestrel in human plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method: application to a bioequivalence study of two formulations in healthy volunteers
Authors: Zhao Li‐Zi , Zhong Guo‐Ping , Bi Hui‐Chang , Ding Liang , Deng Ying , Guan Su , Chen Xiao , Huang Zhi‐ying , Huang Min 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method to determine levonorgestrel in human plasma was developed and fully validated. After hexane–ethyl acetate (70:30, v/v) induced extraction from the plasma samples, levonorgestrel was subjected to LC/MS/MS analysis using electro‐spray ionization. The MS system was operated in the selected reaction monitoring mode. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Hypersil BDS C18 column (i.d. 2.1 × 50 mm, particle size 3 µm). The method had a chromatographic running time of 2.0 min and linear calibration curves over the concentration ranges of 0.25–90 ng/mL for levonorgestrel. The lower limit of quantification of the method was 0.25 ng/mL for levonorgestrel. The intra‐ and inter‐batch precision was 3.7–10.2 and 5.1–12.9%, respectively, for all quality control samples at concentrations of 0.5, 6.0 and 45.0 ng/mL. These results indicate that the method was efficient with a simple preparation procedure and a very short running time (2.0 min) for levonorgestrel compared with those methods reported in the literature and had high selectivity, acceptable accuracy, precision and sensitivity. The validated LC/MS/MS method was successfully used for a bioequivalence study of two tablet formulations of levonorgestrel in healthy volunteers. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LC‐MS determination and pharmacokinetic studies of paeonol in rat plasma after administration of different compatibility of Su‐Xiao‐Xin‐Tong prescriptions
Authors: Xiao Yao , Zhang Ying‐hao , Sheng Yu‐xin , Zhang Jin‐lan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA rapid and specific liquid chromatographic/electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (LC/ESI–MS) method has been developed and validated for the identification and quantification of paeonol in rat plasma. Paeonol and internal standard were isolated from plasma samples by liquid–liquid extraction with chloroform. The chromatographic separation was accomplished on a Zorbax‐SB C18 column (100 × 2.1 mm, 3.5 µm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acid (64:36) was delivered at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Detection was performed on a single quadrupole mass spectrometer by selected ion monitoring mode via electrospray ionization source. Linearity was established for the range of concentrations 0.0525–15.8 µg/mL with a coefficient correlation (r) of 0.9995. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision (RSD%) was lower than 9.34% and accuracy ranged from 93.7 to 102.3%. The lower limit of quantification was 0.0525 µg/mL. The proposed method was used to determine the concentration of paeonol for pharmacokinetic studies. The pharmacokinetics of different compatibility prescriptions of Su‐Xiao‐Xin‐Tong were studied and compared. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and validation of a sensitive LC‐MS/MS method with electrospray ionization for quantitation of rhein in human plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Layek Buddhadev , Kumar T. Santosh , Trivedi Ravi Kumar , Mullangi Ramesh , Srinivas Nuggehally R. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA highly sensitive and specific LC‐MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the estimation of rhein with 100 µL human plasma using celecoxib as an internal standard (IS). The API‐4000 Q‐Trap LC‐MS/MS was operated under multiple reaction‐monitoring mode using the electrospray ionization technique. The assay procedure involved extraction of rhein and IS from human plasma with acetonitrile, which yielded consistent recoveries of 36.01 and 65.85% for rhein and IS, respectively. The total chromatographic run time was 5.0 min and the elution of rhein and IS occurred at ∼1.60 and 3.96 min, respectively. The resolution of peaks was achieved with 0.01 m ammonium acetate (pH 6.0):acetonitrile:methanol (30:58:12, v/v) on an Inertsil ODS‐3 column. The method was proved to be accurate and precise at a linearity range of 0.005–5.00 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient (r) of ≥0.995. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.005 µg/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy values were found to be within the assay variability limits as per the FDA guidelines. Rhein was found to be stable in the battery of stability studies. The application of the assay to pre‐clinical pharmacokinetic studies confirmed the utility of the assay to derive pharmacokinetic parameters. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient Construction of Tri‐ and Tetracyclic Heterocycles from Linear 1,6‐Dienes by a Domino Reaction
Authors: Hu Yimin , Song Fengfa , Wu Fenghua , Cheng Dong , Wang Shaowu 
Published: February 2008

AbstractTri‐ and tetracyclic heterocycle systems were constructed by a palladium‐catalyzed domino reaction of linear 1,6‐dienes that contain acryl groups with aryl halides through C–C coupling and aromatic CH functionalization. Three different acrylamides have been shown to be very active for the reaction. The substituents on the aryl halides could be ethoxycarbonyl, ketyl, chloro, sulfonyl, cyano, etc. Thus, the ready accessibility of the starting materials, the wide range of compatibility of substrates including both dienes and aryl halides, and the generality of this process make the reaction highly valuable in view of the synthetic and medicinal importance of these kinds of heterocycles.
Altlastsanierung mit Huminstoffsystemen. Prinzipien der Natur in der Umwelttechnologie
Authors: Stottmeister Ulrich 
Published: February 2008

AbstractEin mit hochtoxischen Schwelwässern aus der Braunkohlenchemie gefülltes Tagebaurestloch (“Phenolsee”) wurde in einem interdisziplinären Projekt durch die gezielte Unterstützung der natürlichen Selbstreinigungskräfte zu einem ungefährlichen Ökosystem mit klarem Wasser. Grundlage des Erfolges war das Wissen um die Entstehung und die Eigenschaften von natürlichen Huminstoffsystemen und deren Funktionen in natürlichen Kreisläufen und Prozessen. Gealterte Deponiewässer der Carbochemie enthalten vergleichbare chaotisch strukturierte Makromoleküle.
Apoptose verhindert Osteoporose
Authors: Jacoby Petra 
Published: February 2008

AbstractNeue Untersuchungen decken auf, wie Östrogen vor Knochenschwund schützt: Das Hormon stiftet knochenfressende Osteoklasten zum zellulären Selbstmord an und unterbindet dadurch einen übermäßigen Abbau von Skelettmaterial.
Ein Prosit dem Wein‐Genom
Authors: Groß Michael 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDas Sequenzieren vollständiger Genome ist inzwischen so schnell und erschwinglich, dass bereits die ersten Sequenzen einzelner Personen vorliegen und die Forscher die Genomik der Taufliege Drosophila inzwischen im Dutzendpack untersuchen. Nicht ganz so schnell mithalten konnte jedoch die Pflanzengenomik. Die Weinrebe Pinot Noir, deren Genom im vergangenen Jahr entschlüsselt wurde, war erst die vierte Blütenpflanze, der diese Ehre widerfuhr.
The auxetic properties of a network of bending beams
Authors: Koenders M. A. , Gaspar N. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe mechanical response of an aggregate of bending beams in two dimensions is investigated. The special mission of this paper is to find auxetic properties (negative Poisson's ratio). A formal correspondence between a contacting granular material and a medium consisting of bending beams is established. The former has already been studied in previous papers and the results can be taken over quite readily. Among the results it is reported that networks of beams that are stubby auxetic behaviour is naturally present, even in a mean field approach. For heterogeneous materials the role of local anisotropies is highlighted as a possible mechanism underlying an overall negative Poisson ratio. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Die Seile des neuen Wembley‐Stadions
Authors: Bechtold Martin 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDas Wembley‐Stadion ist das Stadion der englischen Fußballnationalmannschaft. Außerdem wird es für Pokalendspiele sowie für Musik‐ und Leichtathletikveranstaltungen genutzt. Es hat somit außerordentlich repräsentativen Charakter. Dieser Ort ist unter anderem mit einem der umstrittensten Tore des Fußballs (1966) nicht mehr aus dessen Geschichte wegzudenken. Der im März 2007 eingeweihte, imposante Neubau besitzt das Potential, die ruhmreiche Geschichte dieses bedeutenden Ortes würdevoll fortzuführen.Die Seile des neuen Wembley‐Stadions spielen eine wichtige Rolle im Tragwerk des Daches. Zur Umsetzung des Entwurfs waren architektonisch anspruchsvolle Sonderlösungen erforderlich, die im Rahmen der Tragwerksplanung und deren Umsetzung gemeinsam mit dem Seilhersteller ausgearbeitet wurden.