bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An application of thermal microscopes to the measurement of thermal effusivity of films
Authors: Hatori Kimihito , Suzuki Kei , Fukuyama Hiroyuki , Ohta Hiromichi 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe application of thermal microscopes to the measurement of local thermal properties has drawn considerable scientific interest. We report on the application of a thermal microscope to the measurement of thermal effusivity for films comprising alumina deposited on a substrate, which were fabricated by an electrophoretic deposition method. The measured data was analyzed to consider the undulations on the sample surface The thermal effusivity of these samples was approximately 1×103 Js−0.5m−2K−1; this value is smaller than that for dense alumina because the alumina grain makes contact with a point. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20227
Taking stem cells to the clinic: Major challenges
Authors: Bongso Ariff , Fong Chui‐Yee , Gauthaman Kalamegam 
Published: November 2008

AbstractStem cell therapy offers tremendous promise in the treatment of many incurable diseases. A variety of stem cell types are being studied but human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) appear to be the most versatile as they are pluripotent and can theoretically differentiate into all the tissues of the human body via the three primordial germ layers and the male and female germ lines. Currently, hESCs have been successfully converted in vitro into functional insulin secreting islets, cardiomyocytes, and neuronal cells and transfer of such cells into diabetic, ischaemic, and parkinsonian animal models respectively have shown successful engraftment. However, hESC‐derived tissue application in the human is fraught with the problems of ethics, immunorejection, tumorigenesis from rogue undifferentiated hESCs, and inadequate cell numbers because of long population doubling times in hESCs. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) though not tumorigenic, also have their limitations of multipotency, immunorejection, and are currently confined to autologous transplantation with the genuine benefits in allogeneic settings not conclusively shown in large controlled human trials. Human Wharton's jelly stem cells (WJSC) from the umbilical cord matrix which are of epiblast origin and containing both hESC and hMSC markers appear to be less troublesome in not being an ethically controversial source, widely multipotent, not tumorigenic, maintain “stemness” for several serial passages and because of short population doubling time can be scaled up in large numbers. This report describes in detail the hurdles all these stem cell types have to overcome before stem cell‐based therapy becomes a genuine reality. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 1352–1360, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐12 regulates MMP‐9 expression in interleukin‐1β‐treated articular chondrocytes
Authors: Oh Hwanhee , Yang Siyoung , Park Meeyoung , Chun Jang‐Soo 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLimited information is available on the expression and role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐12 in chondrocytes. We characterized the expression mechanism of MMP‐12 and possible function in chondrocytes. Interleukin (IL)‐1β induced the expression and activation of MMP‐12 in primary culture chondrocytes and cartilage explants via mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways. Among MAP kinases, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase and p38 kinase are necessary for MMP‐12 expression, whereas c‐jun N‐terminal kinase is required for the activation of MMP‐12. The possibility that MMP‐12 acts as a modulator of other MMP was examined. MMP‐12 alone did not affect other MMP expressions. However, MMP‐12 enhanced expression and activation of MMP‐9 in the presence of IL‐1β. Our results indicate that IL‐1β in chondrocytes induces the expression and activation of MMP‐12, which, in turn, augments MMP‐9 expression and activation. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 1443–1450, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutations in the BC‐loop of the BKV VP1 region do not influence viral load in renal transplant patients
Authors: Krautkrämer Ellen , Klein Theresa M. , Sommerer C. , Schnitzler Paul , Zeier Martin 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe reactivation and replication of the BK polyomavirus (BKV) leading to BKV‐associated nephropathy (BKVAN) is one of the major complications in renal transplantation patients. BKV isolates were classified into four subtypes (I‐IV) based on genotype variations within the VP1‐coding region. The type‐specific amino acid differences cluster within the BC‐loop of the major capsid protein VP1. As demonstrated in vitro, mutations in this region also play a role in the infectivity, attachment and stability of viral particles. Therefore, we analyzed the prevalence of BC‐loop mutations in isolates of kidney transplant patients and compared their viral load in the urine. The VP1 subtyping regions of BKV isolates obtained from urine samples of 45 renal transplant patients were sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis of these sequences revealed that subtype I (66.67%) is the most prevalent genotype. The remaining isolates belong to subtype IV (33.33%). A high frequency of changes to specific amino acids within the BC‐loop was identified among the BKV isolates from renal transplant patients. Patients with BKVAN exhibited a higher viral replication than patients without nephropathy. Although titers of isolates of subtype I were higher than titers of subtype IV isolates, the difference did not reach statistical significance. In addition, amino acid changes in the BC‐loop did not influence the viral load and the incidence of BKVAN. These in vivo results demonstrate that high replication rates which serve as a predictive marker for BKVAN are not caused by altered receptor binding or affinity via mutated BC‐loops. J. Med. Virol. 81:75–81, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diverse IgG subclass responses to adeno‐associated virus infection and vector administration
Authors: Murphy Samuel L. , Li Hojun , Mingozzi Federico , Sabatino Denise E. , Hui Daniel J. , Edmonson Shyrie A. , High Katherine A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractHumoral immune responses occur following exposure to Adeno‐associated virus (AAV) or AAV vectors. Many studies characterized antibody responses to AAV, but human IgG subclass responses to AAV have not been previously described. In this study, IgG subclass responses were examined in serum samples of normal human subjects exposed to wild‐type AAV, subjects injected intramuscularly with AAV vectors and subjects injected intravascularly with AAV vectors. A diversity of IgG subclass responses to AAV capsid were found in different subjects. IgG1 was found to be the dominant response. IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 responses were also observed in most normal human subjects; IgG2 and IgG3 each represented the major fraction of total anti‐AAV capsid IgG in a subset of normal donors. Subjects exposed to AAV vectors showed IgG responses to AAV capsid of all four IgG subclasses. IgG responses to AAV capsid in clinical trial subjects were inversely proportional to the level of pre‐existing anti‐AAV antibody and independent of the vector dose. The high levels of anti‐AAV capsid IgG1 can mask differences in IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 responses that were observed in this study. Analysis of IgG subclass distribution of anti‐AAV capsid antibodies indicates a complex, non‐uniform pattern of responses to this viral antigen. J. Med. Virol. 81:65–74, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The incidence of human bocavirus infection among children admitted to hospital in Singapore
Authors: Tan Boon‐Huan , Lim Elizabeth Ai‐Sim , Seah Shirley Gek‐Kheng , Loo Liat‐Hui , Tee Nancy W.S. , Lin Raymond T.P. , Sugrue Richard Joseph 
Published: November 2008

AbstractHuman bocavirus (HBoV) is a parvovirus, belonging to the genus Bocavirus. The virus was identified recently in Sweden, and has now been detected in several different countries. Although it is associated with lower respiratory tract infections in pediatric patients, the incidence of HBoV infection in a developed country in South East Asia, has not been examined. The objective of this study was to determine the importance of HBoV as a cause of lower respiratory tract infections among children admitted to hospital in Singapore. Five hundred nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from anonymized pediatric patients admitted to the Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital for acute respiratory infections. The specimens were tested for the presence of HBoV using polymerase chain reactions. HBoV was detected in 8.0% of the patients tested, and a majority of these HBoV patients exhibited lower respiratory tract infections. A significant level of coinfection with respiratory syncytial viruses and rhinoviruses was also observed in these HBoV patients. The data suggest that HBoV is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infections among children admitted to hospital in Singapore, and is the first study examining the incidence of HBoV infection in a developed country in South East Asia. J. Med. Virol. 81:82–89, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Selection of drug‐resistant HIV‐1 during the early phase of viral decay is uncommon in treatment‐naïve patients initiated on a three‐ or four‐drug antiretroviral regimen including lamivudine
Authors: Bergroth Tobias , Ekici Halime , Gisslén Magnus , Loes Sabine Kinloch‐de , Goh Li‐Ean , Freedman Andrew , Lampe Fiona , Johnson Margaret A. , Sönnerborg Anders 
Published: November 2008

AbstractTherapy failure due to drug resistance development is a common phenomenon in HIV‐infected patients. However, when the drug pressure leads to the earliest selection of drug‐resistant HIV‐1 populations is still unclear. In this study, the extent to which selection of the HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase M184I/V mutations occur during the initial phase of viral decay in treatment‐naïve HIV‐1 infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) was examined. Plasma virus from three cohorts of treatment‐naïve patients initiating quadruple (n = 43), triple (n = 14) or dual (n = 15) lamivudine‐containing ART were analyzed for M184I/V during the first 6 months of therapy using direct sequencing and a sensitive selective real‐time PCR method. Among quadruple ART patients, who all were treated at primary HIV‐1 infection, only one patient developed M184V after 6 weeks of therapy, having had wild‐type virus at baseline. No mutations were found in chronically infected patients on triple ART. In patients on dual therapy, M184I/V mutants were found frequently. Selection of M184I/V mutants was found to be rare during the initial phase of viral decay after initiation of ART in adherent patients given a three or four‐drug combination, in contrast to those receiving a less potent regimen. The results suggest that triple and quadruple lamivudine + PI or PI/r containing ART given to treatment‐naïve adherent patients is potent enough to prevent development of resistance during the first months of therapy. J. Med. Virol. 81:1–8, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of genetic mutations associated with attenuation and changes in tropism of Urabe mumps virus
Authors: Shah Dion , Vidal Silvia , Link Malen A. , Rubin Steven A. , Wright Kathryn E. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAlthough several effective mumps virus vaccines have been developed, almost nothing is known about the genetic changes responsible for loss of virulence. One vaccine, Urabe AM9, was withdrawn from the market because of insufficient attenuation. The vaccine was found to contain a mixture of viruses that could be distinguished based on the sequence of the hemagglutinin‐neuraminidase gene (HN). Viruses containing lysine at HN amino acid position 335 were isolated from cases of post‐vaccination parotitis or meningitis whereas viruses containing glutamic acid at this position were not associated with post‐vaccination disease. Using a rat based model of mumps neurovirulence, we demonstrate that this latter virus is significantly attenuated compared to a virus isolated from a patient with post‐vaccination meningitis. Complete sequence analysis of the genomes of the two viruses identified sixteen genetic differences, some or all of which must be responsible for differences in virulence. These same genetic differences also account for changes in tropism in cell culture. J. Med. Virol. 81:130–138, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2): A key player in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Gandhi Payal N. , Chen Shu G. , Wilson‐Delfosse Amy L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, with a prevalence of more than 1% after the age of 65 years. Mutations in the gene encoding leucine‐rich repeat kinase‐2 (LRRK2) have recently been linked to autosomal dominant, late‐onset PD that is clinically indistinguishable from typical, idiopathic disease. LRRK2 is a multidomain protein containing several protein interaction motifs as well as dual enzymatic domains of GTPase and protein kinase activities. Disease‐associated mutations are found throughout the multidomain structure of the protein. LRRK2, however, is unique among the PD‐causing genes, because a missense mutation, G2019S, is a frequent determinant of not only familial but also sporadic PD. Thus, LRRK2 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for combating PD. In this Mini‐Review, we look at the current state of knowledge regarding the domain structure, amino acid substitutions, and potential functional roles of LRRK2. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevention of epilepsy by taurine treatments in mice experimental model
Authors: Junyent F. , Utrera J. , Romero R. , Pallàs M. , Camins A. , Duque D. , Auladell C. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAn experimental model based on kainic acid (KA) injections replicates many phenomenological features of human temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common type of epilepsy in adults. Taurine, 2‐aminoethanesulfonic acid, present in high concentrations in many invertebrate and vertebrate systems, is believed to serve several important biological functions. In addition, it is believed to have a neuroprotective role against several diseases. In the present study, an experimental mouse model based on taurine pretreatment prior to KA administration has been improved to study whether taurine has a neuroprotective effect against KA‐induced behavior and cell damage. Under different treatments tested, taurine's most neuroprotective effects were observed with intraperitoneal taurine injection (150 mg/kg dosage) 12 hr before KA administration. Thus, a reduction in or total absence of seizures, together with a reduction in or even disappearance of cellular and molecular KA‐derived effects, was detected in mice pretreated with taurine compared with those treated only with KA. Moreover, the use of tritiated taurine revealed taurine entry into the brain, suggesting possible changes in intracellular:extracellular taurine ratios and the triggering of pathways related to neuroprotective effects. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of patellar ligament insertion angle on quadriceps usage during walking in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed subjects
Authors: Shin Choongsoo S. , Chaudhari Ajit M. , Dyrby Chris O. , Andriacchi Thomas P. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractReduced quadriceps contraction has been suggested as an adaptation to prevent anterior tibial translation in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)‐deficient knees. This theory has been supported by a recent study that peak knee flexion moment (thought to be created by a decrease of quadriceps contraction) during walking was negatively correlated with patellar ligament insertion angle (PLIA) in ACL‐deficient knees, but not in contralateral, uninjured knees. In addition, the PLIA was significantly smaller in ACL‐deficient knees than in contralateral, uninjured knees. However, it is unknown whether ACL reconstruction restores the PLIA or whether the relationship between the PLIA and knee flexion moments previously observed in ACL‐deficient knees disappears. This study tested the following hypotheses: (1) The PLIA of ACL‐reconstructed knees is significantly smaller than the PLIA of uninjured contralateral knees; (2) Peak knee flexion moment (balanced by net quadriceps moment) during walking is negatively correlated with the PLIA in ACL‐reconstructed knees. The PLIA of 24 ACL‐reconstructed and contralateral knees were measured using MRI, and peak knee flexion moments during walking were measured. Results showed that the PLIA of ACL‐reconstructed (22.9 ± 4.4°) knees was not significantly smaller (p = 0.09, power = 0.99) than the PLIA of contralateral (24.1 ± 4.8°) knees. Peak knee flexion moment was not correlated with the PLIA following ACL reconstruction (R2 = 0.016, power = 0.99). However, the magnitude of the knee flexion moment remained significantly lower in ACL‐reconstructed knees. In summary, this study has shown that the PLIA of ACL‐reconstructed knees returned to normal and that patients no longer adapt their gait in response to the PLIA, though quadriceps function did not return to normal levels. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 730–735, 2009
Raman and FTIR imaging of lung tissue: bronchopulmonary sequestration
Authors: Krafft Christoph , Codrich Daniela , Pelizzo Gloria , Sergo Valter 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) involves abnormal pulmonary tissue lacking trancheobronchial connection and having a separate vascular supply that arises from the thoracic or abdominal aorta. For the first time, BPS is studied by Raman and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) imaging. Cryosections were mounted on calcium fluoride substrates from tissue samples of two BPS patients. Raman images were collected at a step size of 66–100 µm to assess the whole tissue section, and at a lower step size of 10 µm to resolve details in selected areas. FTIR images were collected at resolutions of 63 and 4 µm per pixel. Data sets were segmented by cluster analyses, and the spectra of each cluster were compared. The spectra revealed higher red blood cell content and lower collagen and lipid content in BPS than in an additional tissue section from the BPS margin. Comparison with previous Raman and FTIR images of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAM) and normal lung tissue suggested that the marginal tissue sample of the BPS patient contains CCAM. We conclude that CCAM and BPS are biochemically distinct, which enable the differential diagnosis of lung malformations by specific vibrational spectroscopic fingerprints. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Milling and physicochemical properties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) varieties
Authors: Ravi Ramasamy , Harte Janice B. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Physical characteristics of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds such as grain size, weight and hull content are important from a milling and marketing point of view. Chemical characteristics provide the information on nutritional status of grains. Chickpea of Desi (cv. A1) and Kabuli (cv. L550) cultivars were analyzed for their physicochemical, milling and milled flour quality characteristics.RESULTS: Between dry and wet milling, higher yield of dhal was obtained from wet milling, which was found to be true in both cultivars. An extra yield of 2–4% was obtained in wet milling. Between the cultivars, Desi was found to be the higher dhal‐yielding cultivar in both dry and wet milling methods. Fat, ash and protein contents were found to be higher in Kabuli than in Desi and the values were respectively 5.3%, 3.5% and 24.9% for Kabuli and 4.3%, 2.2% and 22.6% for Desi.CONCLUSION: The chickpea cultivars Desi and Kabuli vary significantly in their physical properties such as seed color, size, 100‐seed weight and 100‐seed volume. Between the dry and wet milling, a higher yield (2–4%) of dhal was obtained from wet milling. Between the cultivars, electronic nose analysis of chickpea flour indicated the possibility of differentiating the variations associated with varietal difference and milling. The gel electrophoresis pattern of chickpea showed as many as 15 protein bands in flours from both the cultivars, either in phosphate or SDS buffer. The Rapid Visco Analyzer profile did not show a significant difference between the two cultivars. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
A Novel Double‐Network Hydrogel Induces Spontaneous Articular Cartilage Regeneration in vivo in a Large Osteochondral Defect
Authors: Yasuda Kazunori , Kitamura Nobuto , Gong Jian Ping , Arakaki Kazunobu , Kwon Hyuck Joon , Onodera Shin , Chen Yong Mei , Kurokawa Takayuki , Kanaya Fuminori , Ohmiya Yoshihiro , Osada Yoshihito 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe have developed a novel method to induce spontaneous hyaline cartilage regeneration in vivo for a large osteochondral defect by implanting a plug made from a double‐network hydrogel composed of poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid) and poly(N,N′‐dimethylacrylamide) at the bottom of the defect, leaving the cavity vacant. In cells regenerated in the treated defect, type‐2 collagen, Aggrican, and SOX9 mRNAs were highly expressed and the regenerated matrix was rich in proteoglycan and type‐2 collagen at 4 weeks. This fact gave a significant modification to the commonly established concept that hyaline cartilage tissue cannot regenerate in vivo. This study prompted an innovative strategy in the field of joint surgery to repair an osteochondral defect using an advanced, high‐function hydrogel.magnified image
Methods to Investigate the Adhesion of Soft Nano‐Coatings on Metal Substrates – Application to Polymer‐Coated Stents
Authors: Lewis François , Mantovani Diego 
Published: November 2008

AbstractSoft coatings are widely used to tailor the surface chemistry of materials without altering their bulk properties. However, the strength of adhesion between the coating and the substrate must be high enough for long‐term applications. This has become a major challenge in the medical field, especially for polymer‐coated stents, mainly due to several coating failures reported after mechanical expansion during clinical implantation. In this work, the applicability of current polymer‐metal adhesion tests to polymer‐coated stents is discussed. The small punch test was proposed as an adhesion test that allows fundamental studies on the adhesion and coating properties. This adhesion test was applied to thin fluorocarbon coatings deposited by plasma on 316L stainless steel.magnified image
Silyl‐Terminated Ethylene‐co‐Norbornene Copolymers by Organotitanium‐Based Catalysts
Authors: Marconi Roberto , Ravasio Andrea , Boggioni Laura , Tritto Incoronata 
Published: November 2008

AbstractEthylene (E) and norbornene (N) were copolymerized in the presence of PhSiH3 as chain‐transfer agent with [Ti(η5:η1‐C5Me4SiMe2NBut)(η1‐Me)2] precatalyst combined with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4]. The silane was introduced at chain‐ends of E‐co‐N copolymers with concomitant reinitiation of the growing polymer chain. The concentrations of the silane and polymer molecular weight are inversely correlated. The characteristic signals of SiH2Ph chain‐ends were observed by 1H NMR. The Si heteroatom is predominantly adjacent to ethylene units in E‐co‐N copolymers with high N content.magnified image