bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emerging biorefinery markets: global context and prospects for Latin America
Authors: Blanco‒Rosete Sergio , Webb Colin 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe production of chemicals from renewable raw materials is expected to take place in a biorefinery system. This review provides a historical background of previous efforts to establish chemical production based on renewable raw materials. Considering the current efforts and strategies to develop biorefineries in Europe and the USA the prospects for Latin America are explored. Even though some Latin American governments have started legislating for the inclusion of renewable energies, there is little evidence they have envisaged plans to explore the development of biorefineries. Developing biorefineries in the region would require an assessment of current agricultural means of production with a view to taking advantage of the varied climate and wide range of crops that could serve as raw materials. © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
On‐line extraction coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for quantitation of pravastatin and its metabolite in human serum
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Wang Yongcheng 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA high‐throughput bioanalytical method for simultaneous quantitation of pravastatin and its metabolite (M1) in human serum was developed and validated using on‐line extraction following liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). The on‐line extraction was accomplished by the direct injection of a 50 µL serum sample, mixed 4:1 with an aqueous internal standard solution, into one of the extraction columns with aqueous 1 mm formic acid at flow rate of 3 mL/min. The separation and analysis were achieved by back‐eluting the analytes from the extraction column and the analytical column to the mass spectrometer with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 62% aqueous 1 mm formic acid and 38% acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The second extraction column was being equilibrated while the first column was being used for analysis, and vice versa. The standard curve range was 0.500–100 ng/mL for pravastatin and M1. The lower limit of quantitation, 0.500 ng/mL for all the analytes, was achieved when 50 µL of human serum was used. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were within 7.4%, and the accuracy was between 95 and 103%. The on‐line extraction was finished in 0.5 min and total analysis time was 2.5 min per sample. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unsolved motility looking for answer
Authors: Tamm Sidney L. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA rod‐like axostyle complex turns the anterior end of a termite flagellate, including the plasma membrane, continually in the same direction relative to the rest of the cell at speeds up to ∼1 Hz. This motility provides direct visual evidence for the fluid nature of cell membranes. Torque is generated along the length of the axostyle complex by an unknown mechanism. Here I describe findings not published before and promising experiments that may help to solve this remarkable motility. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Towards Small‐Molecule CXCR3 Ligands with Clinical Potential
Authors: Wijtmans Maikel , Verzijl Dennis , Leurs Rob , de Esch Iwan J. P. , Smit Martine J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe CXCR3 chemokine receptor was first discovered in 1996 and has been shown to play an important role in several diseases, most of which are related to inflammation. This review describes in detail the development of small CXCR3 ligands and their therapeutic potential. Classes of CXCR3 antagonists with strikingly variable core structures have emerged. Some of these compounds have confirmed the beneficial role of CXCR3 antagonism in animal models of disease. One of the compounds, AMG487, progressed to Phase II clinical trials but has been withdrawn because of lack of efficacy. New antagonist classes are being developed to reveal the full therapeutic potential of CXCR3.
Pathologic stage is most prognostic of disease‐free survival in locally advanced rectal cancer patients after preoperative chemoradiation
Authors: Quah Hak‐Mien , Chou Joanne F. , Gonen Mithat , Shia Jinru , Schrag Deborah , Saltz Leonard B. , Goodman Karyn A. , Minsky Bruce D. , Wong W. Douglas , Weiser Martin R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.Preoperative chemoradiation is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, it is uncertain whether pretreatment clinical stage, degree of response to neoadjuvant treatment, or pathologic stage is the most reliable predictor of outcome. This study compared various staging elements and treatment‐related variables to identify which factors or combination of factors reliably prognosticates disease‐free survival in rectal cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant combined modality therapy.METHODS.From a prospectively maintained single institution database, 342 consecutive patients with locally advanced rectal cancer staged by endorectal ultrasound were identified. Patients underwent rectal resection 4 to 8 weeks after a 5.5‐week course of pelvic radiotherapy/concurrent chemotherapy. The degree of tumor regression was histologically graded on each resected specimen using a previously reported response scale of 0% to 100%. Predictive models of disease‐free survival were created utilizing available pretherapy and postoperative staging elements in addition to the degree of tumor regression noted histologically. Model accuracy was measured and compared by concordance index, with 95% confidence interval (CI).RESULTS.Stratifying patients by degree of tumor regression predicted outcome with a concordance index of 0.65 (95% CI, 0.59–0.71), which was significantly better than models using preoperative stage elements (concordance index of 0.54; 95% CI, 0.50–0.58). However, the model found to be most predictive of disease‐free survival stratified patients by final pathologic T classification and N classification elements, with a concordance index of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.70–0.80).CONCLUSIONS.Tumor response to preoperative therapy is a strong predictor of disease‐free survival. However, outcome is most accurately estimated by final pathologic stage, which is influenced by both preoperative stage and response to therapy. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Preconditioners for the indefinite linear system arising from the hp discretization of Maxwell's equations
Authors: Ledger P. D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper describes a preconditioner for the iterative solution to the indefinite linear equation system that is obtained when the vector wave equation is discretized by higher‐order H(curl)‐conforming finite elements. The preconditioner is based on a decomposition of the H(curl)‐conforming functions into blocks comprising lower‐order functions and higher‐order functions. Fast convergence is obtained when the grid spacing is sufficiently small. A method for selecting suitable grid spacings is proposed and a series of numerical examples are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative Analysis of Alpha‐D‐glucose in an Ionic Liquid by Using Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Kiefer Johannes , Obert Katharina , Bösmann Andreas , Seeger Thomas , Wasserscheid Peter , Leipertz Alfred 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe applicability of infrared (IR) spectroscopy for quantitative concentration measurements in mixtures of carbohydrates and ionic liquids (ILs) is investigated. The compound 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate, [EMIM][OAc]—an “enzyme‐friendly” ionic liquid with great application potential in the dissolution of various biomasses—is used as solvent in combination with alpha‐D‐glucose. Our study establishes a new way to monitor the concentration of sugars in ILs, thus providing a convenient method to follow the kinetics of, for example, enzymatic reactions in [EMIM][OAc]. As a first step, we present the IR spectrum of pure [EMIM][OAc] (this constitutes the first vibrational study of this particular IL). Although numerous lines overlap in the fingerprint region of the spectrum, characteristic features can be assigned to the corresponding vibrational modes of both ions. Secondly, we study different mixtures of the IL with alpha‐D‐glucose (in the concentration range: 0–20 mass % glucose) and analyze them by means of IR spectroscopy, followed by computational methods, thus demonstrating the great potential of this spectroscopic technique in quantitative measurements.
Generation of a reporter mouse line expressing Akt and EGFP upon Cre‐mediated recombination
Authors: Elghazi Lynda , Weiss Aaron J , Gould Aaron P , Hegedus Balazs , Gutmann David H. , Bernal‐Mizrachi Ernesto 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe serine‐threonine kinase Akt regulates multiple biological processes. An important strategy to study Akt signaling in different tissues is targeted activation of this pathway in vivo. The current studies describe the generation of a mouse model that combines a double reporter system with activation of a constitutively active form of Akt1 (caAkt) in a Cre‐dependent manner. Before Cre recombination, these mice express LacZ during development as well as in most adult tissues. After Cre‐mediated excision of the LacZ reporter, functionality of the transgene was demonstrated by expression of the caAkt mutant along with the second reporter, EGFP in different pancreatic compartments and in the nervous system. This animal model provides a critical reagent for assessing the effects of Akt activation in specific tissues. The lineage‐tracing properties provide a useful tool to study the role of Akt signaling in regulation of differentiation programs during development and plasticity of mature tissues. genesis 46:256–264, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Slingshot‐3 dephosphorylates ADF/cofilin but is dispensable for mouse development
Authors: Kousaka Kazuyoshi , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Oshima Naoko , Nagafuchi Akira , Shima Yasuyuki , Chisaka Osamu , Uemura Tadashi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractActin‐depolymerizing factor (ADF) and cofilin constitute a family of key regulators of actin filament dynamics. ADF/cofilin is inactivated by phosphorylation at Ser‐3 by LIM‐kinases and reactivated by dephosphorylation by Slingshot (SSH) family phosphatases. Defects in LIM kinases or ADF/cofilin have been implicated in morbidity in human or mice; however, the roles of mammalian SSH in vivo have not been addressed. In this study, we examined the endogenous expression of each mouse SSH member in various cell lines and tissues, and showed that SSH‐3L protein was strongly expressed in epithelial cells. Our structure–function analysis of SSH‐3L suggested the possibility that the C‐tail unique to SSH‐3L negatively regulates the catalytic activity of this phosphatase. Furthermore we made ssh‐3 knockout mice to examine its potential in vivo roles. Unexpectedly, ssh‐3 was not essential for viability, fertility, or development of epithelial tissues; and ssh‐3 did not genetically modify the corneal disorder of the corn1/ADF/destrin mutant. genesis 46:246–255, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The development of the childhood retrospective perfectionism questionnaire (CHIRP) in an eating disorder sample
Authors: Southgate Laura , Tchanturia Kate , Collier David , Treasure Janet 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis investigation explored the prevalence and predictive value of childhood obsessive‐compulsive personality traits (OCPTs) in the development of eating disorders (EDs) using a novel retrospective questionnaire. To reduce bias associated with retrospective self‐report data, an identical informant version of the questionnaire was also utilised. Substantial test–retest and inter‐rater reliabilities were found for the questionnaire, as well as concordant validity with the semi‐structured interview from which it was derived. Participants with an ED (n = 246) endorsed more childhood behaviours reflecting OCPTs than the control group (n = 89). This was mirrored in the informant report data (n = 93). The prevalence rate for each OCPT in childhood was significantly higher in the total ED sample compared to the control group. Both proband and informant reports of childhood traits predict the later development of an ED according to a strong dose–response relationship. The potential utility of this measure in future retrospective and prospective research studies is highlighted. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Accurate closed‐form approximations for the performance of equal gain combining diversity systems in Nakagami fading channels
Authors: Hu Jeremiah , Beaulieu Norman C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAccurate closed‐form approximations for the distribution and density of the signal envelope at the output of L‐branch equal gain combining (EGC) receivers in Nakagami fading channels are derived. These expressions are used to analyse the probability of error of an L‐branch predetection EGC diversity system operating in different fading conditions. Coherent and noncoherent binary signalling as well as coherent M‐ary signalling are considered. In addition, a closed‐form expression for the outage probability of these systems is derived. These closed‐form expressions permit rapid evaluation of the performance of EGC diversity systems without resorting to numerical integration as required by previous solutions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive finite element approximation of coupled flow and transport problems with applications in heat transfer
Authors: Larson Mats G. , Söderlund Robert , Bengzon Fredrik 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn this paper we develop an adaptive finite element method for heat transfer in incompressible fluid flow. The adaptive method is based on an a posteriori error estimate for the coupled problem, which identifies how accurately the flow and heat transfer problems must be solved in order to achieve overall accuracy in a specified goal quantity. The a posteriori error estimate is derived using duality techniques and is of dual weighted residual type. We consider, in particular, an a posteriori error estimate for a variational approximation of the integrated heat flux through the boundary of a hot object immersed into a cooling fluid flow. We illustrate the method on some test cases involving three‐dimensional time‐dependent flow and transport. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On pressure separation algorithms (PSepA) for improving the accuracy of incompressible flow simulations
Authors: Turek S. , Ouazzi A. , Hron J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe investigate a special technique called ‘pressure separation algorithm’ (PSepA) (see Applied Mathematics and Computation 2005; 165:275–290 for an introduction) that is able to significantly improve the accuracy of incompressible flow simulations for problems with large pressure gradients. In our numerical studies with the computational fluid dynamics package FEATFLOW (www.featflow.de), we mainly focus on low‐order Stokes elements with nonconforming finite element approximations for the velocity and piecewise constant pressure functions. However, preliminary numerical tests show that this advantageous behavior can also be obtained for higher‐order discretizations, for instance, with Q2/P1 finite elements. We analyze the application of this simple, but very efficient, algorithm to several stationary and nonstationary benchmark configurations in 2D and 3D (driven cavity and flow around obstacles), and we also demonstrate its effect to spurious velocities in multiphase flow simulations (‘static bubble’ configuration) if combined with edge‐oriented, resp., interior penalty finite element method stabilization techniques. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A lattice Boltzmann‐BGK algorithm for a diffusion equation with Robin boundary condition—application to NMR relaxation
Authors: Hiorth A. , a Lad U. H. , Evje S. , Skjæveland S. M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe present a lattice Boltzmann‐BGK (LBGK) algorithm for a diffusion equation together with a Robin boundary condition, which we apply in the case of nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation. The boundary condition we employ is independent of the direction of the wall. This makes the algorithm very suitable for complicated geometries, such as porous media. We discuss the effect of lattice topology by using, respectively, an eight‐speed and a four‐speed lattice. The numerical algorithm is compared with analytical results for a square and an equilateral triangle. The eight‐speed lattice performs well in both cases. The four‐speed lattice performs well for the square, but fails in the case of an equilateral triangle. Comparison with a random walk algorithm is also included. The LBGK algorithm presented here can also be used for a convective diffusion problem if the speed of the fluid can be neglected close to the boundary. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mild brain ischemia induces unique physiological properties in striatal astrocytes
Authors: Wang Li‐Ping , Cheung Giselle , Kronenberg Golo , Gertz Karen , Ji Shengbo , Kempermann Gerd , Endres Matthias , Kettenmann Helmut 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe studied the properties of GFAP‐expressing cells in adult mouse striatum using acute brain slices from transgenic animals expressing EGFP under GFAP promoter. Under physiological conditions, two distinct populations of GFAP‐EGFP cells could be identified: (1) brightly fluorescent cells had bushy processes, passive membrane properties, glutamate transporter activity, and high gap junction coupling rate typical for classical astrocytes; (2) weakly fluorescent cells were characterized by thin, clearly distinguishable processes, voltage‐gated currents, complex responses to kainate, and low coupling rate reminiscent of an astrocyte subtype recently described in the hippocampus. Mild focal cerebral ischemia confers delayed neuronal cell death and astrogliosis in the striatum. Following middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion, brightly fluorescent cells were the dominant GFAP‐EGFP population observed within the ischemic lesion. Interestingly, the majority of these cells expressed voltage‐gated channels, showed complex responses to kainate, and a high coupling rate exceeding that of brightly fluorescent control cells. A minority of cells had passive membrane properties and was coupled less compared with passive control cells. We conclude that, in the adult striatum, astrocytes undergo distinct pathophysiological changes after ischemic insults. The dominant population in the ischemic lesion constitutes a novel physiological phenotype unlike any normal astrocyte and generates a large syncytium which might be a neuroprotective response of reactive astrocytes. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HSP27 mediates SPARC‐induced changes in glioma morphology, migration, and invasion
Authors: Golembieski William A. , Thomas Stacey L. , Schultz Chad R. , Yunker Christopher K. , McClung Heather M. , Lemke Nancy , Cazacu Simona , Barker Thomas , Sage E. Helene , Brodie Chaya , Rempel Sandra A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSecreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) regulates cell–extracellular matrix interactions that influence cell adhesion and migration. We have demonstrated that SPARC is highly expressed in human gliomas, and it promotes brain tumor invasion in vitro and in vivo. To further our understanding regarding SPARC function in glioma migration, we transfected SPARC‐green fluorescent protein (GFP) and control GFP vectors into U87MG cells, and assessed the effects of SPARC on cell morphology, migration, and invasion after 24 h. The expression of SPARC was associated with elongated cell morphology, and increased migration and invasion. The effects of SPARC on downstream signaling were assessed from 0 to 6 h and 24 h. SPARC increased the levels of total and phosphorylated HSP27; the latter was preceded by activation of p38 MAPK and inhibited by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. Augmented expression of SPARC was correlated with increased levels of HSP27 mRNA. In a panel of glioma cell lines, increasing levels of SPARC correlated with increasing total and phosphorylated HSP27. SPARC and HSP27 were colocalized to invading cells in vivo. Inhibition of HSP27 mRNA reversed the SPARC‐induced changes in cell morphology, migration, and invasion in vitro. These data indicate that HSP27, a protein that regulates actin polymerization, cell contraction, and migration, is a novel downstream effector of SPARC‐regulated cell morphology and migration. As such, it is a potential therapeutic target to inhibit SPARC‐induced glioma invasion. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
AT1receptor inhibition prevents astrocyte degeneration and restores vascular growth in oxygen‐induced retinopathy
Authors: Downie Laura E. , Pianta Michael J. , Vingrys Algis J. , Wilkinson‐Berka Jennifer L. , Fletcher Erica L. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe investigated the effect of receptor blockade induced by an angiotensin II type‐1 receptor antagonist (AT1‐RB) on glial and vascular changes in oxygen‐induced retinopathy (OIR), a model of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). OIR was induced in Sprague‐Dawley rats by exposure to 80% oxygen from postnatal (P) days 0–11, followed by 7 days in room air. Control animals were in room air for the entire duration. One cohort of OIR and control pups received the AT1‐RB valsartan (40 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal) from P11 to P18. The vascular response was examined immunocytochemically using retinal wholemounts and vertical sections labeled with endothelial (Isolectin‐B4) and pericyte (NG2, desmin) markers. Glial cell changes were assessed by measuring cell numbers and immunoreactivity (S100β, connexin‐26, and glial fibrillary acidic protein). OIR resulted in extensive intravitreal neovascularization and under‐development of the outer vascular plexus. Pericyte numbers were not significantly affected in OIR, although pericyte‐endothelial (desmin‐IB4) interactions were impaired. Peripheral astrocyte degeneration occurred between P11 and P13 with prominent Müller cell reactivity at P18. Valsartan imparted a protective effect on glia and blood vessels in OIR. At P18, valsartan‐treated OIR retinae showed significantly greater astrocyte survival, improved revascularization of the retina, and reduced preretinal neovascularization and Müller cell reactivity. This study identifies a glio‐vascular protective effect with AT1‐RB in OIR. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.