bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Sam68 activity by small heat shock protein 22
Authors: Badri Kameswara R. , Modem Suhasini , Gerard Herve C. , Khan Insia , Bagchi Mihir , Hudson Alan P. , Reddy Thipparthi R. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSam68 associates with c‐Src kinase during mitosis. We previously demonstrated that Sam68 functionally replaces and/or synergizes with HIV‐1 Rev in rev response element (RRE)‐mediated gene expression and virus production. Furthermore, we reported that knockdown of Sam68 inhibited Rev‐mediated RNA export and it is absolutely required for HIV‐1 production. In the present study, we identified small heat shock protein, hsp22, as a novel interacting partner of Sam68. Hsp22 binds to Sam68 in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of hsp22 significantly inhibits Sam68‐mediated RRE‐ as well as CTE (constitutive transport element)‐dependent reporter gene expression. Furthermore, exposing 293T cells to heat shock inhibits Sam68/RRE function by virtue of elevating hsp22. The critical domain of hsp22 that interacts with Sam68 resides between amino acids 62 and 133. Our studies provide evidence for the first time that hsp22 specifically binds to Sam68 and modulates its activity, thus playing a role in the post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 1353–1362, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of human breast cancer cell (MBA‐MD‐231) invasion by the Ea4‐peptide of rainbow trout pro‐IGF‐I
Authors: Siri Sineenat , Chen Maria J. , Chen Thomas T. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIt was shown previously that Ea4‐peptide of trout pro‐IGF‐I exerted mitogenic activity in non‐transformed cells and inhibited colony formation in a soft agar medium of established human cancer cells. Here we report that the same peptide inhibits the invasion of human breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐231) through a matrigel membrane in a dose‐dependent manner. The expression of urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue‐type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1) genes in MDA‐MB‐231 cells were downregulated by treatment with rtEa4‐peptide. The inhibition of expression of these genes in response to rtEa4‐peptide treatment was reduced to the control level when inhibitors for c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2), mitogen activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (Mek1/2), p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), and phosphokinase C (PKC) were used. These results suggest that inhibition of invasion of MDA‐MB‐231 cells by rtEa4‐peptide may be mediated via the suppression of uPA, tPA, and PAI1 gene activities through signal transduction pathways. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 1363–1373, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
NGOs in the United Nations system: evaluating theoretical approaches
Authors: Martens Kerstin 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe paper examines the relationship between non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) and the United Nations. It starts from the observation that interaction between both actors has significantly increased over the course of the 1990s. Today, NGOs are involved in all stages of political processes within the UN, influencing decision‐making and policy implementation from the inside. The paper argues that these intensified relations have, however, only been partially understood in the social sciences. This is due to theoretical frameworks which only focus on NGO impact on the UN. The article, instead, favours a corporatist approach which better fits the realities of NGO/UN relations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The international aid system and the non‐governmental organisations: a new research agenda
Authors: Tvedt Terje 
Published: June 2006

AbstractNGO researchers have rarely understood the reasons for the growth of NGOs across the world. This paper sets out the parameters for an improved framework for NGO research. Beginning with a short description of the history of the international aid system, the paper then argues that a set of concepts are needed that can establish a greater analytical distance for NGO research from a policy area that has for decades enjoyed an unusually high degree of moral and political legitimacy. In conclusion, the article argues that the institutional architecture and world views developed within this policy field will need to be integrated analytically in narratives of the general historical development of societies in the era of globalisation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The multiple worlds of NGOs and HIV/AIDS: rethinking NGOs and their agency
Authors: Seckinelgin Hakan 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn the last decade NGOs have been recognised as policy actors in general and in the HIV/AIDS field in particular within developing countries. While recognising the agency of these organisations by looking at multiple case studies, the literature has not focused on what is meant by this agency. Furthermore within the policy field the agency of NGOs is assumed and thus these organisations are incorporated as policy implementers in the HIV/AIDS field. This paper argues that there is a need to look at this assumption about agency and what it means for NGOs working in this field. The paper presents a brief theoretical discussion to understand agency within the larger socio‐cultural institutionalisation processes and looks at the policy implications of this for NGOs involved in the HIV/AIDS field. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moving forward research agendas on international NGOs: theory, agency and context
Authors: Lewis David , Opoku‐Mensah Paul 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis paper sets out an argument for moving forward research on non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) within developnment studies. The body of research on NGOs that emerged from the late 1980s onwards focused primarily on NGO roles as development actors and their organisational attributes, but paid less attention to theory and context. While such research had many positive strengths, it was also criticised for its normative focus, and for its vulnerability to changing development fashions and donor preoccupations. Today, attitudes to NGOs have grown more complex and ambiguous, and the institutional landscape in which NGOs are embedded is undergoing rapid change. A new wave of NGO‐related research is underway which gives particular emphasis to theory, agency, method and context. Such approaches have the potential to consolidate the field of NGO research within development studies as a more stable and theoretically‐grounded subject area. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of cardiac volumes and mass with FLASH and SSFP cine sequences at 1.5 vs. 3 Tesla: A validation study
Authors: Hudsmith Lucy E. , Petersen Steffen E. , Tyler Damian J. , Francis Jane M. , Cheng Adrian S. H. , Clarke Kieran , Selvanayagam Joseph B. , Robson Matthew D. , Neubauer Stefan 
Published: June 2006

AbstractPurposeTo compare cardiac cine MR imaging using steady state free precession (SSFP) and fast low angle shot (FLASH) techniques at 1.5 and 3 T, and to establish their variabilities and reproducibilities for cardiac volume and mass determination in volunteers. To assess the feasibility of SSFP imaging in patients at 3 T and to determine comparability to volume data acquired at 1.5 T.Materials and MethodsTen healthy volunteers underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging using SSFP and segmented gradient‐echo FLASH, using both a 1.5 and a 3 T MR system on the same day. Ten patients with impaired left ventricular (LV) function were also studied at both field strengths with SSFP.ResultsFor both SSFP and FLASH, field strength had no effect on the quantification of LV and right ventricular (RV) volumes, mass, or function (P ≥ 0.05 for field strength for all parameters). At both 1.5 and 3 T, SSFP yielded smaller LV mass (e.g., at 3 T 109 ± 30 g vs. 142 ± 37 g; P = 0.011) and larger LV volume (e.g., at 3 T end‐diastolic volume 149 ± 37 mL vs. 133 ± 31 mL at 5 T; P = 0.041) measurements than FLASH. In patients with reduced LV function, all volume and mass measurements were again similar for SSFP sequences at 1.5 vs. 3 T. In volunteers and patients, measurement variabilities for LV parameters were small for both field strength and sequences, ranging between 3.7% and 10.7% for mass.ConclusionCompared to 1.5 T, cardiac cine MR imaging at 3 T, using either FLASH or SSFP sequences, is feasible and highly reproducible. Field strength does not have an influence on quantification of cardiac volume or mass, but the systematic overestimation of LV mass and underestimation of LV volume by FLASH compared to SSFP is present at both 1.5 and 3 T. Normal values for cardiac volumes and mass established at 1.5 T can be applied to scans obtained at 3 T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of antisense mediated inhibition of cathepsin K on human osteoclasts obtained from peripheral blood
Authors: Avnet Sofia , Lamolinara Annavera , Zini Nicoletta , Solimando Liliana , Quacquaruccio Gianni , Granchi Donatella , Maraldi Nadir Mario , Giunti Armando , Baldini Nicola 
Published: June 2006

AbstractCathepsin K is a cystein protease that displays a proteolytic activity against Type I collagen and is abundantly and selectively expressed in osteoclasts where it plays a critical role in bone degradation. Its direct role in bone tissue has been defined by knock‐out mice studies and inhibiting strategies in animals models. However, direct proof of cathepsin K function in human osteoclast model in vitro is lacking. The aim of this study is to analyze cathepsin K expression and localization in human osteoclasts obtained from peripheral blood and to examine cathepsin K function in these cells by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS‐ODN) strategy. AS‐ODN was added to the culture of osteoclast precursors induced to differentiate by RANKL and M‐CSF. AS‐ODN treatment produced a significant down‐regulation of cathepsin K mRNA (>80%) and protein expression, as verified respectively by Real‐time PCR and by immunocytochemistry or Western blot. The cathepsin K inhibition caused an impairment of resorption activity as evaluated by a pit formation assay ( p = 0.045) and by electron microscopy, while the acidification process was unaffected. We demonstrated that antisense strategies against cathepsin K are selectively effective to inhibit resorption activity in human osteoclasts, like in animal models. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 24:1699–1708, 2006
Enantiomeric separation of chiral sulfoxides by supercritical fluid chromatography
Authors: Toribio Laura , Alonso Cristina , del Nozal M. Jesús , Bernal José L. , Jiménez Juan J. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe application of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) to the enantiomeric separation of several chiral sulfoxides belonging to the family of the substituted benzimidazoles, including omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, oxfendazole and ricobendazole, is presented in this work. The column employed was Chiralpak AD and the effect of different chromatographic conditions was studied. The results obtained showed that all the compounds can be enantiomerically resolved using SFC, with resolutions higher than 2 and analysis times that in most cases were lower than 10 min. Alcohol type modifiers provided the best results, with ricobendazole, oxfendazole, and omeprazole showing the highest retentions and resolutions. Study of the temperature effect revealed that, in general, the isoelution temperature was above the temperatures assayed, except in the cases of omeprazole, lansoprazole, and oxfendazole with ethanol as modifier and pantoprazole with acetonitrile. Enthalpy–entropy compensation could also be demonstrated for the retention of the first and second eluted enantiomers as well as for the selectivity, with compensation temperatures of 25°C, 45°C, and 83°C, respectively. Reversal of elution on change of the organic modifier was only observed for omeprazole using 2‐propanol.
Levels of alpha‐synuclein mRNA in sporadic Parkinson disease patients
Authors: Chiba‐Falek Ornit , Lopez Grisel J. , Nussbaum Robert L. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractLewy bodies, the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD), consist largely of α‐synuclein, a 14.5‐kDa presynaptic neuronal protein implicated in familial PD. An increased copy number and elevated expression of wild‐type α‐synuclein (SNCA) has been shown to cause early‐onset familial PD. However, it is not clear whether increased α‐synuclein expression also plays a role in the pathogenesis of sporadic disease. In the current study, we analyzed the levels of SNCA‐mRNA in affected brains of sporadic PD patients. We compared the levels of steady state SNCA‐mRNA in 7 sporadic PD brain samples and 7 normal controls using real‐time polymerase chain reaction of RNA extracted from mid‐brain tissue, including the substantia nigra. Despite that there is neuronal loss in the substantia nigra of PD brains, overall the SNCA‐mRNA levels were increased in PD brains an average of nearly fourfold over normal control mid‐brain, although there was much greater variability in samples from PD patients compared to controls. Frontal cortex samples from selected individuals were also analyzed. SNCA‐mRNA levels were not significantly changed in PD frontal cortex compared to controls. These results suggest that elevated expression levels of SNCA‐mRNA are found in the affected regions of PD brain and support the hypothesis that increases in α‐synuclein expression is associated, among other factors, with the development of sporadic PD. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
A Cahn–Hilliard model in bounded domains with permeable walls
Authors: Gal Ciprian G. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn this article, we propose a model of phase separation in a binary mixture confined to a bounded region which may be contained within porous walls. The boundary conditions are derived from a mass conservation law and variational methods. Employing classical methods, that is, fixed point theorems and standard energy methods, we obtain the existence and uniqueness of a global solution to our problem. We then also compare our model of phase separation with other previous Cahn–Hilliard equations with homogeneous Neumann and dynamic boundary conditions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A 3D structural and conformational study of procyanidin dimers in water and hydro‐alcoholic media as viewed by NMR and molecular modeling
Authors: Tarascou Isabelle , Barathieu Karine , Simon Cécile , Ducasse Marie‐Agnès , André Yann , Fouquet Eric , Dufourc Erick J. , de Freitas Victor , Laguerre Michel , Pianet Isabelle 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe three‐dimensional structures of 5 procyanidin dimers have been determined in a hydro‐alcoholic medium and in water using 2D NMR and molecular mechanics. They are made from monomers of catechin (CAT) and epicatechin (EPI)‐B1: EPI‐CAT, B2: EPI–EPI, B3: CAT‐CAT, B4: CAT‐EPI and B2g: EPI‐EPI‐3‐O‐gallate. These tannins exist in two conformations that are in slow exchange in the NMR timescale (s), one is compact and the other extended. The compact form is found to dominate (76–98%) when the dimer is made of at least one CAT monomer (B1, B3, B4). Both forms are found in even proportions only in the case of procyanidin B2. The latter tannin can be converted into a dominant compact form when the lower EPI unit is galloylated. The finding of a predominant compact form for procyanidin dimers is discussed in relation with tannin‐saliva protein interactions that are of importance for the wine‐tasting/making processes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Erratum: Structure elucidation of the intermediate in triethylborane‐mediated radical addition of oxime ethers with 2D‐ and 3D‐DOSY NMR
Authors: Nakakoshi Masamichi , Ueda Masafumi , Sakurai Satoshi , Miyata Okiko , Sugiura Makiko , Naito Takeaki 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe original article to which this Erratum refers was published in Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry EarlyView on 25 May 2006.
Sonic hedgehog is an early developmental marker of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms: clinical implications of mRNA levels in pancreatic juice
Authors: Ohuchida K , Mizumoto K , Fujita H , Yamaguchi H , Konomi H , Nagai E , Yamaguchi K , Tsuneyoshi M , Tanaka M 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIntraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are common cystic tumours of the pancreas. Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is involved in gastric epithelial differentiation and pancreatic carcinogenesis. However, a comprehensive analysis of SHH expression in IPMN has not yet been performed. In the present study, one‐step quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction with gene‐specific priming was used to examine mRNA levels in various types of clinical samples. SHH expression in IPMN was measured and the possible association of gastric epithelial differentiation with development of IPMN was evaluated. In bulk tissue analyses (IPMNs, 11 pancreatic cancer, and 20 normal pancreatic tissues), IPMN expressed significantly higher levels of SHH than did normal pancreas (IPMN versus normal pancreas, p = 0.0025; pancreatic cancer versus normal pancreas, p = 0.0132), but SHH expression did not differ between IPMN and pancreatic cancer (p = 0.3409). In microdissection analyses (infiltrating ductal carcinoma cells from 20 sections, IPMN cells from 20 sections, pancreatitis‐affected epithelial cells from 11 sections, and normal epithelial cells from 12 sections), IPMN cells expressed significantly higher levels of SHH than did cancer cells, normal cells, or pancreatitis‐affected ductal cells (all comparisons, p < 0.008). Pancreatic juice analyses (20 samples from pancreatic cancers, 31 samples from IPMNs, and 27 samples from chronic pancreatitis) revealed that SHH expression differed significantly between IPMN juice and pancreatitis juice (p < 0.0001), and between cancer juice and pancreatitis juice (p = 0.0125). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed that SHH measurement in pancreatic juice was useful for discriminating IPMN from chronic pancreatitis (area under the curve = 0.915; 95% confidence interval: 0.796–0.976). The data suggest that overexpression of SHH is an early event in the development of IPMN and that SHH measurement in pancreatic juice may provide some advantages for the treatment or follow‐up of a subset of patients with IPMN or chronic pancreatitis. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in pattern of use, clinical characteristics and persistence rate of hormone replacement therapy among postmenopausal women after the WHI publication
Authors: Guay Marie‐Pascale , Dragomir Alice , Pilon Danielle , Moride Yola , Perreault Sylvie 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe WHI was stopped prematurely because of an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) arm of the trial. Changes in the use of HRT are expected.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) publication on the rate of HRT prescription, and the clinical characteristics and persistence rate of new users and its determinants.MethodsFrom the RAMQ databases, the total numbers of HRT prescriptions, and of new HRT's users were calculated between 2 January 1998 and 31 May 2003. To assess the clinical characteristics of women, two retrospective cohorts of new HRT's users were constructed before (pre‐WHI) and after (post‐WHI) the WHI study publication. The persistence rate after 1 year of follow‐up was estimated using a Kaplan–Meier analysis. Cox regression models were used to estimate the rate ratio of HRT cessation.ResultsThe total numbers of HRT users and of new users declined respectively by 28% and 50% in post‐WHI. The standard dosage of HRT was significantly less used, while the proportion of women with risk factors of CVD or at very high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) did not change. The rate of persistence in the pre‐WHI cohort was 59% compared to 45% in the post‐WHI (p < 0.0001), and women with risk factors of CVD or at very high risk of CAD were less likely to cease their HRT.ConclusionOne year after publication, significant changes had already occurred in the trends of use, women's characteristics and estrogen dosage. No change in the proportion of new users with CVD risk factors or at very high risk of CAD was seen. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morphology control of polyoxy‐methylene/thermoplastic polyurethane blends by adjusting their viscosity ratio
Authors: Cheng Zhengang , Wang Qi 
Published: June 2006

AbstractPolyoxymethylene (POM) is an important plastic with very good properties. However, its poor impact strength limits its applications. Theoretical and experimental studies have confirmed that thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) can effectively enhance the notched impact strength of POM. This paper reports that the notched impact strength of POM/TPU blends can be further improved when these blends are endowed with a fine morphology by changing the viscosity ratio of TPU to POM (P = ηTPU/ηPOM) during processing. The experimental results show that the viscosity of TPU is more sensitive to temperature than that of POM, and that the viscosity ratio P decreases with increasing temperature; also for quite a wide range of shear rate, P is close to 1 when the processing temperature (Tp) is around 190 °C. Accordingly, the phase structure of POM/TPU blends changes with P. The dispersed phase of TPU shows ellipsoidal morphology when P > 1 at Tp < 190 °C, filamental morphology when P ≈ 1 at Tp ≈ 190 °C and spheroidal morphology when P < 1 at Tp > 190 °C. The results suggest that the filamental morphology endows POM/TPU (90/10) blends with the highest notched impact strength (∼14 kJ m−2). Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Adsorption of aluminium from wastewater by chitin and chitosan produced from silkworm chrysalides
Authors: Simionato Julliana I , Paulino Alexandre T , Garcia Juliana C , Nozaki Jorge 
Published: June 2006

AbstractChitin, extracted from silkworm chrysalides, was employed for the production of a high‐purity and porous chitosan, as observed by scanning electron microscopy. Chitin and the chitosan produced from it were also analysed using 13C NMR spectroscopy to show the efficiency of deacetylation. The extracted chitin was investigated as an adsorbent material for aluminium removal from textile wastewater, by the column chromatographic method. After the treatment, the residual aluminium was lower than the limitation criterion of 0.2 mg L−1. The isotherms of adsorption on chitin and chitosan surfaces were investigated and the best fits were observed using the Freundlich isotherm. At pH 5.0, the maximum adsorption capacity was 21.3 mg of aluminium per gram of chitosan over 70 h of experiments. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Fracture and adhesion behaviors of epoxy resins modified with poly(amine‐quinone)
Authors: Jin Fan‐Long , Han Mijeong , Park Soo‐Jin 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAn amine‐quinone monomer, i.e. 2,5‐bis(4,4′‐methylenedianiline)‐1,4‐benzoquinone (BB), was synthesized by the Michael addition of 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane with 1,4‐benzoquinone. To evaluate the effect of BB content on the glass transition temperature (Tg) and crosslinking density (ρ) of cured diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA)/BB systems, storage modulus and loss factor measurements were obtained using dynamic mechanical analysis. The mechanical properties of the systems were determined in terms of the fracture toughness, impact strength, and adhesion strength. As a result, the ρ values of the systems were found to decrease systematically as the BB content increased. The fracture toughness and adhesion strength of the systems increased with increasing BB content. These results indicate that the addition of BB into epoxy resins increases the free volume of the epoxy network and absorbs the deformation energy, resulting in an improvement of the mechanical properties of the DGEBA/BB systems. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry