bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Die Bedeutung dünner Schichten für die Optischen Technologien
Authors: Kaiser Norbert 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDie größten Wachstumserwartungen in Europa liegen in den zu den Optischen Technologien gehörenden Bereichen “Optische Systeme und Komponenten” und “Produktionstechnik”. Als Schlüsseltechnologie unterliegt die Optik und damit auch der Bereich der optischen Beschichtungen einem ständigen Entwicklungsdruck. Deshalb muss das Kernkompetenzfeld Beschichtungen in breitem Rahmen ausgebaut und weiterentwickelt werden, um den Anforderungen innerhalb des extrem großen Wellenlängenbereiches von 0,1 nm bis 50 μm mit kontinuierlicher bis zu Attosekunden — Strahlung gerecht zu werden. Im Vordergrund steht die Fertigung von Hochleistungsoptiken mit extrem hoher Flexibilität innerhalb der gesamten photonischen Kette von der Erzeugung, Manipulation, Übertragung bis zur Erfassung und Nutzung von Licht.
The effect of TGF‐β1 and β‐estradiol on glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen distribution in articular chondrocyte cultures
Authors: Ab‐Rahim S. , Selvaratnam L. , Kamarul T. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractArticular cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a crucial role in regulating chondrocyte functions via cell—matrix interaction, cytoskeletal organization and integrin‐mediated signaling. Factors such as interleukins, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) have been shown to modulate the synthesis of extracellular matrix in vitro. However, the effects of TGF‐β1 and β‐estradiol in ECM regulation require further investigation, although there have been suggestions that these factors do play a positive role. To establish the role of these factors on chondrocytes derived from articular joints, a study was conducted to investigate the effects of TGF‐β1 and β‐estradiol on glycosaminoglycan secretion and type II collagen distribution (two major component of cartilage ECM in vivo). Thus, chondrocyte cultures initiated from rabbit articular cartilage were treated with 10 ng/ml of TGF‐β1, 10 nM of β‐estradiol or with a combination of both factors. Sulphated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and type II collagen levels were then measured in both these culture systems. The results revealed that the synthesis of GAG and type II collagen was shown to be enhanced in the TGF‐β1 treated cultures. This increase was also noted when TGF‐β1 and β‐estradiol were both used as culture supplements. However, β‐estradiol alone did not appear to affect GAG or type II collagen deposition. There was also no difference between the amount of collagen type II and GAG being expressed when chondrocyte cultures were treated with TGF‐β1 when compared with cultures treated with combined factors. From this, we conclude that although TGF‐β1 appears to stimulate chondrocyte ECM synthesis, β‐estradiol fails to produce similar effects. The findings of this study confirm that contrary to previous claims, β‐estradiol has little or no effect on chondrocyte ECM synthesis. Furthermore, the use of TGF‐β1 may be useful in future studies looking into biological mechanisms by which ECM synthesis in chondrocyte cultures can be augmented, particularly for clinical application.
Hypoxia affects positively the proliferation of bovine satellite cells and their myogenic differentiation through up‐regulation of MyoD
Authors: Kook Sung‐Ho , Son Young‐Ok , Lee Kyung‐Yeol , Lee Hyun‐Jeong , Chung Wan‐Tae , Choi Ki‐Choon , Lee Jeong‐Chae 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHypoxia alters the biological functions of skeletal muscle cells to proliferate and differentiate into myotubes. However, the cellular responses of myoblasts to hypoxia differ according to the levels of oxygen and the types of cells studied. This study examined the effect of hypoxia (1% oxygen) on bovine satellite cells. Hypoxia significantly increased the proliferation of satellite cells cultured in a growth medium. In addition, the levels of PCNA, cyclin D1, cyclin‐dependent kinase‐1 (CDK1) and CDK2 expression were increased. Hypoxia facilitated the formation of myotubes as well as the stimulation of MyoD, myogenin, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) expression in differentiating medium (DM) cultures. In particular, satellite cells cultured under hypoxic/DM conditions showed increased p21 expression but not p27. The transfection of satellite cells with antisense MyoD oligonucleotides resulted in a decrease in the MHC, myogenin, MRF4 RNA and protein levels with the concomitant decrease in fused cells to levels similar to those observed under normoxia/DM conditions. This indicates that MyoD up‐regulation is closely associated with hypoxia‐stimulated myogenic differentiation. In conclusion, hypoxia stimulates the proliferation of satellite cells and promotes their myogenic differentiation with MyoD playing an important role.
Knock‐down of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase reduces gastric cancer cell survival: An in vitro study
Authors: Sun Dan‐Feng , Weng Yu‐Rong , Chen Ying‐Xuan , Lu Rong , Wang Xia , Fang Jing‐Yuan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe present study aimed to investigate the effect of knocking‐down methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) on the survival of the human gastric cancer cell line MKN45. Antisense and small interfering RNA (siRNA) plasmids were used to target MTHFR in MKN45. Meanwhile, we also constructed a wild‐type MTHFR plasmid to assess the effect of over‐expression of this protein on cell viability. The knock‐down of MTHFR decreased cell survival by approximately 30% compared to the control and resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G2 phase. These cells also had lower levels of c‐myc compared to control cells, while over‐expression of MTHFR increased cell proliferation and induced the down‐regulation of p21WAF1 and hMLH1. Inhibiting MTHFR with either antisense or siRNA decreases the viability of methionine‐dependent transformed gastric cancer cells and suggests that MTHFR inhibition may be a novel anticancer approach.
Evaluation of silibinin on the viability, migration and adhesion of the human prostate adenocarcinoma (PC‐3) cell line
Authors: Mokhtari Mohammad Javad , Motamed Nasrin , Shokrgozar Mohammad Ali 
Published: April 2008

AbstractProstate cancer (PCA) is the most common cancer diagnosed in men and the second most common cause of death due to cancers after lung cancer. Metastasis of cancer cells involves multiple processes and various cytophysiological changes, including changed adhesion capability between cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) and damaged intercellular interaction. Silibinin, a naturally occurring flavonoid antioxidant found in the milk thistle, has recently been shown to have potent antiproliferative effect against various malignant cell lines. In the present study, PC‐3 cells were incubated with various concentrations of silibinin for different times; then, cell cytotoxicity, cell adhesion and cell motility were assessed using MTT assay, cell—matrix adhesion assay and cell migration assay, respectively. The results showed that silibinin exerted a dose‐ and time‐dependent inhibitory effect on the viability, motility and adhesion of highly metastatic PC‐3 cells. These observations indicate that silibinin can probably inhibit metastasis in PCA.
The reversion effect of the RNAi‐silencing mdr1 gene on multidrug resistance of the leukemia cell HT9
Authors: Shao Shu‐Li , Sun Ying‐Yu , Li Xu‐Yan , Zhang Wei‐Wei , Fu Bo , Yun Dong‐Ze , Zuo Ming‐Xue 
Published: April 2008

AbstractOverexpression of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), the mdr1 gene product, confers multidrug resistance (MDR) to tumor cells and often limits the efficacy of chemotherapy. This study evaluated RNAi for specific silencing of the mdr1 gene and reversion of multidrug resistance. Three different short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) were designed and constructed in a pSilencer 3.1‐H1 neo plasmid. The shRNA recombinant plasmids were transfected into HT9 leukemia cells. The RNAi effect was evaluated by real‐time PCR, Western blotting and cell cytotoxicity assay. In the cell, shRNAs can specifically down‐regulate the expression of mdr1, mRNA and P‐gp. Resistance against harringtonine, doxorubicin and curcumin was decreased. The study indicated that shRNA recombinant plasmids could modulate MDR in vitro.
Dendritic cell uptake of iron‐based magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Goya G.F. , Marcos‐Campos I. , Fernández‐Pacheco R. , Sáez B. , Godino J. , Asín L. , Lambea J. , Tabuenca P. , Mayordomo J.I. , Larrad L. , Ibarra M.R. , Tres A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe have investigated the internalization of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) into dendritic cells (DCs) in order to assess both the final location of the particles and the viability of the cultured cells. The particles, consisting of a metallic iron core covered with carbon, showed no toxic effects on the DCs and had no effect in their viability. We found that mature DCs are able to incorporate magnetic nanoparticles in a range of size from 10 nm to ca. 200 nm, after 24 h of incubation. We describe a method to separate cells loaded with NPs, and analyze the resulting material by electron microscopy and magnetic measurements. It is found that NPs are internalized in lysosomes, providing a large magnetic signal. Our results suggest that loading DCs with properly functionalized magnetic NPs could be a promising strategy for improved vectorization in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Laminin expression during bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation in hepatectomized rats
Authors: Carvalho Simone , Cortez Erika , Stumbo Ana Carolina , Thole Alessandra , Caetano Carlos , Marques Ruy , Pelajo‐Machado Marcelo , Porto Luis Cristóvão , Carvalho Laís 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe adult bone marrow retains two populations of stem cells with emerging importance for the treatment of diverse liver diseases: hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, the mechanisms that control liver regeneration after bone marrow cell transplantation are still controversial. Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is a complex process that requires the proliferation of all hepatic cells. Growth factors, cytokines and extracellular matrix molecules are key elements in this process. Laminins are a family of extracellular matrix proteins with adhesive and chemotactic functions, expressed in the portal and centrolobular veins of the normal liver. The aim of this study was to investigate laminin expression during liver regeneration induced by partial hepatectomy followed by bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMNC) transplantation. Rat BMMNCs were isolated by Ficoll‐gradient centrifugation, stained with DAPI and injected into recently hepatectomyzed rats via the portal vein. Liver sections obtained 15 min, 1 day and 3 days after the surgery were immunolabeled with anti‐rat CD34 and/or laminin primary antibodies and observed under a laser scanning confocal microscope. Results showed that 15 min after partial hepatectomy, a transplanted CD34+ HSC was found in contact with laminin, which was localized in the portal and centrolobular veins of rat livers. Furthermore, 1 and 3 days after hepatectomy, transplanted BMMNCs were found in the hepatic sinusoids expressing laminin. These results strongly suggest that laminin might be an important extracellular matrix component for bone marrow cell attachment and migration in the injured liver.
Significance of the C‐terminal globular domain and the extra tail of the calmodulin‐like protein (Pinctada fucata) in subcellular localization and protein—protein interaction
Authors: Fang Zi , Cao Weizhong , Li Shuo , Wang Qin , Li Changzhong , Xie Liping , Zhang Rongqing 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCalmodulin (CaM) plays a very important role in many physiological processes and is highly conserved in different species. In a previous study, we successfully cloned CaM and a novel calmodulin‐like protein (CaLP) with an extra C‐terminal sequence from the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata and then expressed in Escherichia coli. In this research, we used fluorescence confocal microscopy to analyze the protein—protein interaction between CaM/CaLP and p21Cip1, which is cloned from mammalian cells, to show the different characteristics of these two proteins in vivo. The fluorescence confocal microscopy showed that the C‐terminal globular domain together with the extra tail of CaLP is very important in CaLP's sequestration in cytoplasm. The most interesting phenomenon is that transfection of p21Cip1 can stimulate translocation of CaLP from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, but this is not the case for CaM. Fluorescence confocal microscopy and co‐immunoprecipitation on different mutants of CaLP with p21Cip1 indicated that the C‐terminal globular domain of CaLP is responsible for the trafficking of CaLP from cytoplasm to nucleus.
NT‐proBNP response to dobutamine stress echocardiography predicts left ventricular contractile reserve in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Parthenakis Frangiskos I. , Patrianakos Alexandros P. , Haritakis Costas N. , Zacharis Evangelos A. , Nyktari Eva G. , Vardas Panos E. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground:Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular (LV) inotropic reserve are major prognostic indexes in heart failure (HF).Aims:To investigate the relationship between N‐terminal‐proBNP (NT‐proBNP) changes in response to dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and the LV inotropic reserve, in HF patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DC).Methods:We studied 41 patients with DC, LVEF 31.6±7.7%, NYHA class II–III and 15 controls. Plasma NT‐proBNP levels were measured before and 60 min after three 5‐min stages of dobutamine (5 to 15μg/kg/min).Results:Based on NT‐proBNP changes in response to dobutamine, patients were categorized into two groups: In Group A circulating NT‐proBNP levels fell (−16.6 ± 7.8%), and in Group B they increased (8.4±9.1%). Group A had a marked improvement in WMSI compared to Group B (32.1±9.7% vs. 18.8±15.9%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that NT‐proBNP changes were an independent predictor of LV inotropic reserve (b=−0.55, p<0.001). A reduction of 21.3% in plasma NT‐proBNP levels in response to dobutamine predicted an improvement in WMSI of >25% with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92.3%.Conclusions:NT‐proBNP changes in response to dobutamine reflect improvement in LV contractility and constitute an independent predictor of LV inotropic reserve in patients with DC.
Neuropsychological functioning in adolescents with first episode psychosis: A two-year follow-up study
Authors: Mayoral M. , Zabala A. , Robles O. , Bombín I. , Andrés P. , Parellada M. , Moreno D. , Graell M. , Medina O. , Arango C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCognitive deficits are a core feature of psychotic disorders. Both in adult and adolescent populations, studies have shown that patients with psychosis have poorer cognitive functioning than controls. The cognitive domains that seem to be affected are mainly attention, working memory, learning and memory, and executive function. However, with regard to the trajectory of cognitive function throughout the illness, there is still a dearth of prospective data in patients who develop psychosis during adolescence. In this article, neuropsychological functioning was assessed in a sample of 24 first episodes of early onset psychosis (EOP) and 29 healthy adolescents at baseline and after a two-year follow-up. Patients with EOP showed lower scores than controls in overall cognitive functioning and in all specific domains assessed (attention, working memory, executive function, and learning and memory) both at baseline and the two-year follow-up. When changes in cognitive functioning over two years were assessed, patients and controls showed significant improvement in almost all cognitive domains. However, this improvement disappeared in the patient group after controlling for improvement in symptomatology. Our findings support a neurodevelopmental pathological process in this sample of adolescents with psychosis.
Effect of intestinal production of equol on menopausal symptoms in women treated with soy isoflavones
Authors: Jou Hei‐Jen , Wu Shiao‐Chi , Chang Fang‐Wei , Ling Pei‐Ying , Chu Kung Shen , Wu Wen‐Huey 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the effect of soy isoflavones on menopausal symptoms in women who do and who do not produce equol, a daidzein metabolite.Method:A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted over 6 months with 96 healthy menopausal women. After taking take 135 mg of isoflavones daily for 1 week, the women in the study group were assigned to the equol‐producing (EP) or the non‐EP group according to the presence or absence of equol in their urine. Menopausal symptoms were evaluated using a modified Kupperman Index.Result:Compared with the placebo group, the scores for hot flashes and excessive sweating were significantly reduced after 3 months, and the scores for weakness, palpitations, limb paresthesia, and total symptoms after 6 months, in the EP group only.Conclusions:Isoflavone supplementation improves menopausal symptoms only in women with the ability to produce equol.
Social costs of skilled attendance at birth in rural Ghana
Authors: Bazzano Alessandra Nina , Kirkwood Betty , Tawiah‐Agyemang Charlotte , Owusu‐Agyei Seth , Adongo Philip 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the social costs to women of skilled attendance at birth in rural Ghana.MethodEthnographic data were obtained through participant observation, interviews, case histories, and focus groups and were analyzed alongside data from a birth cohort of 2878 singletons born in the Kintampo study district between July 2003 and June 2004.ResultsMost women delivered at home. Home delivery raises a woman's status in her community, while seeking skilled attendance lowers it. Women feel that seeking assistance in childbirth wastes other people's time and they value secrecy in labor. Negative treatment by health providers and expensive supplies needed for delivery also act as barriers.ConclusionThe social costs of obtaining skilled attendance at birth must be offset by community level strategies such as mobilization of older women and husbands, and ensuring health providers extend professional, humane care to laboring women.
How the transaction cost and resource‐based theories of the firm inform outsourcing evaluation
Authors: McIvor Ronan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTransaction cost economics (TCE) and the resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm have been extremely influential in the study of outsourcing both in theory and practice. This paper argues that neither transaction cost economics nor the resource‐based view alone can fully explain the complexities of outsourcing. A review and critique of these theories as a means of understanding the complexities of outsourcing is presented. A prescriptive framework for outsourcing evaluation is presented, which was developed from integrating TCE and the RBV, and carrying out in‐depth case study research in a number of organizations. The research findings emphasize the utility of integrating TCE and the RBV, and highlight the importance of operations management concepts such as performance management, operations strategy, business improvement and process redesign to the study of outsourcing. However, the findings have shown that these theories should be applied with caution due to contradictory prescriptions in some instances.
Estimating exchange rate responsiveness to shocks
Authors: Narayan Paresh Kumar 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe goal of this paper is to examine the importance of permanent and transitory shocks using a more efficient trend‐cycle decomposition of the real exchange rate series. Our main contribution is that in measuring the impact of shocks, we not only impose common trend restrictions but also common cycle restrictions. We later confirm, through a post sample forecasting exercise, the efficiency gains from imposing common cycle restrictions. Our results indicate that permanent shocks are responsible for the bulk of the real exchange rate variations for Japan, Italy, Germany, France, and the UK vis‐à‐vis the US dollar over short horizons. For Canada, however, transitory shocks are dominant over the short horizon. In sum, while for Japan, France, and Italy, around 15% of the variation in real exchange rate is due to transitory shocks, for Canada, Germany and the UK, over 25% of the variations over the short horizon are due to transitory shocks. Thus, we claim that the role of transitory shocks should not be ignored.
Hypoxia in adipose tissue: a basis for the dysregulation of tissue function in obesity?
Authors: Trayhurn Paul , Wang Bohan , Wood I. Stuart 
Published: April 2008

White adipose tissue is a key endocrine and secretory organ, releasing multiple adipokines, many of which are linked to inflammation and immunity. During the expansion of adipose tissue mass in obesity there is a major inflammatory response in the tissue with increased expression and release of inflammation-related adipokines, including IL-6, leptin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and TNF-α, together with decreased adiponectin production. We proposed in 2004 (Trayhurn & Wood,Br J Nutr92, 347–355) that inflammation in adipose tissue in obesity is a response to hypoxia in enlarged adipocytes distant from the vasculature. Hypoxia has now been directly demonstrated in adipose tissue of several obese mouse models (ob/ob, KKAy, diet-induced) and molecular studies indicate that the level of the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, is increased, as is expression of the hypoxia-sensitive marker gene, GLUT1. Cell- culture studies on murine and human adipocytes show that hypoxia (induced by low O2or chemically) leads to stimulation of the expression and secretion of a number of inflammation-related adipokines, including angiopoietin-like protein 4, IL-6, leptin, macrophage migration inhibitory factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. Hypoxia also stimulates the inflammatory response of macrophages and inhibits adipocyte differentiation from preadipocytes. GLUT1 gene expression, protein level and glucose transport by human adipocytes are markedly increased by hypoxia, indicating that low O2tension stimulates glucose utilisation. It is suggested that hypoxia has a pervasive effect on adipocyte metabolism and on overall adipose tissue function, underpinning the inflammatory response in the tissue in obesity and the subsequent development of obesity-associated diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.
Direct versus indirect comparisons: A summary of the evidence
Authors: Gartlehner Gerald , Moore Charity G. 
Published: April 2008

Objectives:The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive summary and interpretation of the current evidence on the use and validity of statistical methods to conduct indirect comparisons of treatment effects.Methods:A narrative review was conducted.Results:Well-conducted methodological studies provide good evidence that adjusted indirect comparisons can lead to results similar to those from direct comparisons. The internal validity of several statistical methods to conduct indirect comparisons, therefore, has been established. Meta-regression, logistic regression, or adjusted indirect comparisons should be the methods of first choice. Unadjusted indirect comparisons are always unacceptable. Deciding whether to combine direct and indirect evidence will be a matter of informed judgment based on the similarities and dissimilarities of populations and interventions. Unverifiable assumptions with respect to the similarity of compared studies and low power are serious limitations of indirect comparisons.Conclusions:In the absence of sufficient head-to-head evidence, adjusted indirect comparisons can be viewed as additional analytical tools to determine the comparative efficacy and effectiveness of competing interventions. Researchers who use indirect comparisons need to keep the limitations in mind.