bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discriminating accuracy of medial temporal lobe volumetry and fMRI in mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Jauhiainen Anne M. , Pihlajamäki Maija , Tervo Susanna , Niskanen Eini , Tanila Heikki , Hänninen Tuomo , Vanninen Ritva L. , Soininen Hilkka 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe investigated structural and functional changes in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compared the discriminative power of these measures with neuropsychological testing in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Functional MRI (fMRI) was performed in 21 elderly controls, 14 MCI subjects, and 15 mild AD patients during encoding and cued retrieval of word‐picture pairs. A region‐of‐interest‐based approach in SPM2 was used to extract the extent of hippocampal activation. The volumes of the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex (EC) were manually outlined from anatomical MR images. Discriminant analyses were conducted to assess the ability of hippocampal fMRI, MTL volumetry, and neuropsychological measures to classify subjects into clinical groups. Entorhinal but not hippocampal volumes differed significantly between the control and MCI subjects. Both entorhinal and hippocampal volumes differed between MCI and AD patients. There were no significant differences in the extent of hippocampal fMRI activation during encoding or retrieval between the groups. Entorhinal volume was the best discriminator with a discriminating accuracy of 85.7% between controls and MCI, 86.2% between MCI and AD, and 97.2% between controls and AD. Delayed recall of a wordlist classified the subjects, second best, with a discriminating accuracy of 81.8% between controls and MCI, 75% between MCI and AD and 93.5% between controls and AD. The accuracy of hippocampal volumetry ranged from 42.9 to 69.4%, and hippocampal fMRI activation during encoding and retrieval had a classification accuracy of only 41.4–57.7% between the groups. Our results suggest that evaluation of entorhinal atrophy, in addition to the prevailing diagnostic criteria, seems promising in the identification of prodromal AD. Future technical improvements may improve the utilization of hippocampal fMRI for early diagnostic purposes. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stromal myofibroblasts are drivers of invasive cancer growth
Authors: De Wever Olivier , Demetter Pieter , Mareel Marc , Bracke Marc 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTissue integrity is maintained by the stroma in physiology. In cancer, however, tissue invasion is driven by the stroma. Myofibroblasts and cancer‐associated fibroblasts are important components of the tumor stroma. The origin of myofibroblasts remains controversial, although fibroblasts and bone marrow‐derived precursors are considered to be the main progenitor cells. Myofibroblast reactions also occur in fibrosis. Therefore, we wonder whether nontumorous myofibroblasts have different characteristics and different origins as compared to tumor‐associated myofibroblasts. The mutual interaction between cancer cells and myofibroblasts is dependent on multiple invasive growth‐promoting factors, through direct cell–cell contacts and paracrine signals. Since fibrosis is a major side effect of radiotherapy, we address the question how the main methods of cancer management, including chemotherapy, hormonotherapy and surgery affect myofibroblasts and by inference the surrogate endpoints invasion and metastasis. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new method for creating maps of artificially drained areas in large river basins based on aerial photographs and geodata
Authors: Tetzlaff Björn , Kuhr Petra , Wendland Frank 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWith regard to the creation of river basin plans and programmes of measures according to the EU Water Framework Directive, the importance of model‐supported analyses of nutrient inputs into aquatic systems and the localization of source areas is increasing. Especially in lowland regions artificial drainage installations play a major role, but little information exists concerning their location within larger river basins. Therefore, artificially drained lands were identified by interpreting aerial photographs and typical site conditions of the drained plots were derived. A GIS‐based approach was then developed, which allows the delineation of artificially drained lands by combining various site conditions like soil properties and land use type. After checking the validity of a derived map for the River Ems basin (12 940 km2) with small‐scale drainage installation maps, the approach was applied to northwestern Germany (98 000 km2). This was followed by a discussion of results and uncertainties. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Residual total protein and total organic carbon levels on reprocessed gastrointestinal (GI) biopsy forceps
Authors: Lappalainen Sharon K. , Gomatam Shanti V. , Hitchins Victoria M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMany single‐use (disposable) devices are reprocessed between patient uses. In the past, a visual determination was considered the endpoint of “clean” for cleaned reusable devices. In this report, we measured quantitative endpoints by measuring residual total protein and residual total organic carbon before and after cleaning with commercially available cleaners for medical devices on 15 single‐use gastrointestinal biopsy forceps inoculated with a three‐protein test soil before and after cleaning. Each device was extracted separately and tested using Bradford's reagent for total protein and a direct digestion method for total organic carbon. Data for pre‐ and post‐cleaned devices were generated for all five cleaning cycles. The highest amounts of residual total protein and total organic carbon found on precleaned devices were 61.8 μg/cm2 and 39.1 μg/cm2, respectively, on the outer surfaces. The highest amounts of residual total protein and total organic carbon on postcleaned device extracts were 4.0 μg/cm2 and 2.2 μg/cm2, respectively, on the outer surfaces. All postcleaned devices were visually clean. Our results provide quantitative total protein and total organic carbon levels for cleaned single‐use biopsy forceps. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Surfactant effects on the kinetics of Michael‐type addition reaction in reverse emulsion polymeric systems
Authors: McLemore Ryan , Lee Bae Hoon , Vernon Brent 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTo ensure patients' safety during vascular surgery involving polymer injection, it is important to ensure a high degree of control over the gelation rate of the materials to prevent the formation of uncontrolled emboli from shear or dispersion. Through manipulation of factors affecting the kinetics of in situ forming polymeric systems, patients' safety can be maximized. The rate of Michael‐Type Addition is known to be affected by the pH of the accompanying solution, as thiols will become nucleophilic thiolates in an aqueous environment. This work evaluates the effect of the addition of 2 and 4 wt % of several common surfactants on the gelation rate of reverse emulsion polymeric systems as a method for augmenting control of in vivo Michael‐type addition kinetics. This work shows that both Tween‐20 (HLB 16.7) and Pluronic type surfactants (HLB ∽ 6.7) stabilize our emulsion, with gelation rates being significantly different in the presence of Pluronic type surfactants (p < 0.05). This work has demonstrated the ability of surfactants to promote faster gelation at lower pH by maximizing emulsion stability and reducing cohesion of smaller bubbles, thereby maximizing surface area between the initiator and the bulk phases. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Experimental optimization of an in situ forming hydrogel for hemorrhage control
Authors: Peng Henry T. , Blostein Mark D. , Shek Pang N. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe fabrication of a novel in situ forming hydrogel composed of a multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) N‐hydroxysuccinimide ester (NHS) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAA) was investigated. FTIR confirmed that PAA formed the hydrogel matrix (i.e., the formation of a PAA‐like hydrogel). A factorial experiment was conducted to identify the key parameters that controlled gelation time, gel content, and swelling properties. The type of PEG (e.g., 4‐ and 6‐arm) appeared to play a major role in determining all three performance parameters, with the greatest effect on gelation time. Other influencing factors include (a) the PEG concentration, which contributes to the gelation time and gel content; (b) pH of the buffer used for dissolving each polymer, which can affect the gelation time; and (c) PAA molecular weights, which contribute to the gel content and swelling. The concentration of PAA solution had no significant effects on hydrogel formation and properties within the investigated range, presumably due to negligible changes in the crosslinking density of the hydrogels. The PAA buffer pH influenced the gel content as well. Finally, thromboelastography was used to examine the effects of each polymer and their in situ gelation on blood coagulation in vitro. All individual polymers tested reduced clot strength, while the gelation of the polymers enhanced overall procoagulant effects. These results suggest that the biomaterial can be optimized to provide a combination of rapid gelation and swelling properties suitable for hemorrhage control and thus warrant further studies in animal bleeding models. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Drak2 overexpression results in increased β‐cell apoptosis after free fatty acid stimulation
Authors: Mao Jianning , Luo Hongyu , Wu Jiangping 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDrak2 is a serine threonine kinase in the death‐associated protein family. In this study, we investigated its role in free fatty acid (FFA)‐induced islet apoptosis. Drak2 mRNA and protein were rapidly induced in islet β‐cells after FFA stimulation. Such Drak2 upregulation was accompanied by increased β‐cell apoptosis, which was inhibited by Drak2 knockdown using siRNA. Conversely, transgenic (Tg) Drak2 overexpression led to aggravated β‐cell apoptosis triggered by FFA. Drak2 overexpression in islets compromised the increase of anti‐apoptotic factors, such as Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xL and Flip, upon FFA assault. Further in vivo experiments demonstrated that Drak2 Tg mice presented compromised glucose tolerance in a diet‐induced obesity model. Our data show that Drak2 is detrimental to islet survival in the presence of excessive lipid. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 1073–1080, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microsatellite DNA markers applied to detection of multiple paternity in Caiman latirostris in Santa Fe, Argentina
Authors: Amavet Patricia , Rosso Esteban , Markariani Rosa , Piña Carlos Ignacio 
Published: September 2008

AbstractDetecting multiple paternity in wild populations of the broad‐snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) has important implications for conservation efforts. We have applied microsatellite markers to examine genetic variation in C. latirostris and also have provided the first data concerning detection of multiple paternity in wild populations of this species. Blood samples from four nest‐guarding C. latirostris females and their hatchlings were obtained from Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Amplified products were analyzed by electrophoresis on 10% polyacrylamide gels and visualized with silver staining. Four out of the eight markers tested reliably amplified and yielded useful data. Using polyacrylamide gels with silver staining provides high enough resolution to obtain individual genotypes. In order to assess the presence or absence of more than two parents in each nest, we used the single locus Minimum Method, and applied Cervus 3.0 and Gerud 2.0 software in parentage analyses. Our results indicate more than one father in at least two families. This behavior could be the consequence of high habitat variability in the area where our population was sampled. The ability to understand mating systems is important for maintaining viable populations of exploited taxa like C. latirostris. J. Exp. Zool. 309A:637–642, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homologous and heterologous recombination between adenovirus vector DNA and chromosomal DNA
Authors: Stephen Sam Laurel , Sivanandam Vijayshankar Ganesh , Kochanek Stefan 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackgroundAdenovirus vector DNA is perceived to remain as episome following gene transfer. We quantitatively and qualitatively analysed recombination between high capacity adenoviral vector (HC‐AdV) and chromosomal DNA following gene transfer in vitro.MethodsWe studied homologous and heterologous recombination with a single HC‐AdV carrying (i) a large genomic HPRT fragment with the HPRT CHICAGO mutation causing translational stop upon homologous recombination with the HPRT locus and (ii) a selection marker to allow for clonal selection in the event of heterologous recombination. We analysed the sequences at the junctions between vector and chromosomal DNA.ResultsIn primary cells and in cell lines, the frequency of homologous recombination ranged from 2 × 10−5 to 1.6 × 10−6. Heterologous recombination occurred at rates between 5.5 × 10−3 and 1.1 × 10−4. HC‐AdV DNA integrated via the termini mostly as intact molecules. Analysis of the junction sequences indicated vector integration in a relatively random manner without an obvious preference for particular chromosomal regions, but with a preference for integration into genes. Integration into protooncogenes or tumor suppressor genes was not observed. Patchy homologies between vector termini and chromosomal DNA were found at the site of integration. Although the majority of integrations had occurred without causing mutations in the chromosomal DNA, cases of nucleotide substitutions and insertions were observed. In several cases, deletions of even relative large chromosomal regions were likely.ConclusionsThese results extend previous information on the integration patterns of adenovirus vector DNA and contribute to a risk–benefit assessment of adenovirus‐mediated gene transfer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparative analysis of constitutive and cell‐specific promoters in the adult mouse hippocampus using lentivirus vector‐mediated gene transfer
Authors: Kuroda Hitoshi , Kutner Robert H. , Bazan Nicolas G. , Reiser Jakob 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackgroundViral vectors provide powerful tools for transgene delivery to the mammalian brain to assess the effects of therapeutic proteins, antisense RNAs or small interfering RNAs. A key advantage of such approaches is that specific brain regions implicated in a particular disease can be independently targeted.MethodsTo optimize transgene expression in sub‐regions of the mouse hippocampus and with a view towards devising gene therapy strategies for Alzheimer's disease, we designed lentivirus‐based reporter vectors bearing various promoters, including constitutive and cell‐specific promoters. Furthermore, we devised methods allowing a side‐by‐side comparison of transgene expression levels in neural cells both in vitro and in vivo.ResultsFollowing stereotaxic injection into the adult mouse hippocampus, titer‐adjusted lentiviral vectors bearing constitutive promoters resulted in robust and sub‐region‐specific transgene expression. Our results show that the human CMV‐IE promoter resulted in efficient transgene expression in the entire hippocampus whereas transgene expression mediated by the hybrid hEF1α/HTLV promoter was limited mainly in the dentate gyrus and the CA2/3 region. Finally, the neuron‐specific human synapsin I promoter was particularly effective in the dentate gyrus.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that subregion‐specific transgene expression in the hippocampus can be achieved following lentivirus vector‐mediated gene transfer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Skeletal indicators of locomotor adaptations in living and extinct rodents
Authors: Samuels Joshua X. , Van Valkenburgh Blaire 
Published: September 2008

AbstractLiving rodents show great diversity in their locomotor habits, including semiaquatic, arboreal, fossorial, ricochetal, and gliding species from multiple families. To assess the association between limb morphology and locomotor habits, the appendicular skeletons of 65 rodent genera from 16 families were measured. Ecomorphological analyses of various locomotor types revealed consistent differences in postcranial skeletal morphology that relate to functionally important traits. Behaviorally similar taxa showed convergent morphological characters, despite distinct evolutionary histories. Semiaquatic rodents displayed relatively robust bones, enlarged muscular attachments, short femora, and elongate hind feet. Arboreal rodents had relatively elongate humeri and digits, short olecranon processes of the ulnae, and equally proportioned fore and hind limbs. Fossorial rodents showed relatively robust bones, enlarged muscular attachments, short antebrachii and digits, elongate manual claws, and reduced hind limb elements. Ricochetal rodents displayed relatively proximal insertion of muscles, disproportionate limbs, elongate tibiae, and elongate hind feet. Gliding rodents had relatively elongate and gracile bones, short olecranon processes of the ulnae, and equally proportioned fore and hind limbs. The morphological differences observed here can readily be used to discriminate extant rodents with different locomotor strategies. This suggests that the method could be applied to extinct rodents, regardless of ancestry, to accurately infer their locomotor ecologies. When applied to an extinct group of rodents, we found two distinct ecomorphs represented in the beaver family (Castoridae), semiaquatic and semifossorial. There was also a progressive trend toward increased body size and increased aquatic specialization in the giant beaver lineage (Castoroidinae). J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Accumulation of yolk in a caecilian (Gegeneophis ramaswamii) oocyte: A light and transmission electron microscopic study
Authors: Beyo Reston S. , Divya Lekha , Oommen Oommen V. , Akbarsha Mohammad A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThere is a paucity of information on the female reproductive biology of the caecilian amphibians when compared with the other vertebrate groups. Hence, the accumulation of nutrient reserves in the form of yolk and formation of yolk platelets were studied in Gegeneophis ramaswamii, adopting light microscopic histological and transmission electron microscopy analysis. Previtellogenic as well as vitellogenic follicles were observed in appropriate preparations. On the basis of the source and the routes of entry, we identified four types of yolk precursor materials, precursors 1 to 4. The earliest material appearing in the oocyte consists of abundant lipid vesicles during the previtellogenic phase, i.e., much before the follicular epithelium is fully established. This is a contribution from the oocyte mitochondria, which we identified as yolk precursor material 1, and it is autosynthetic. Once the follicle cell‐oocyte interface is fully established, there is an accumulation of the principal component of the heterosynthetic yolk by sequestration from the blood through the intercellular spaces between follicle cells in a pinocytic process. This we identified as yolk precursor material 2. There was also an indication of a lipidic yolk material synthesis in the follicle cells sequestered from maternal blood through the follicle cells in an endocytic process in which the macrovilli of follicle cells and the microvilli of the oocyte play a role. This we identified as yolk precursor material 3. Contribution to the yolk of peptidic, glycosidic, and/or lipidic material synthesized in the vitellogenic oocyte was also indicated. This we identified as yolk precursor material 4. The sequential development of intercellular associations and indications of synthesis/sequestration of the yolk have been traced. Thus, we report the mechanistic details of synthesis/sequestration of the yolk materials in a caecilian. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The terminal abdominal ganglion of the wood cricket Nemobius sylvestris
Authors: Insausti Teresita C. , Lazzari Claudio R. , Casas Jérôme 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe abdominal cerci of the wood cricket, Nemobius sylvestris, are covered by a variety of hair‐like sensilla that differ in length, thickness, and articulation. Fillings from the cercal nerves with cobalt chloride and fluorescent dyes revealed the projection of sensory axons into the terminal abdominal ganglion of the ventral nerve chain. Two projection areas on each side of the terminal abdominal ganglion midline could be identified: a posterior cercal glomerulus and an anterior bristle neuropil. Axons from some cercal sensilla ascend through the connectives to reach the metathoracic ganglionic mass. As their axons pass through each segmental abdominal ganglion, they project medial arborization. Cross‐sections of the terminal abdominal ganglion and retrograde fills with cobalt chloride and fluorescent dyes from connectives revealed several small cells and seven pairs of giant ascending interneurons organized symmetrically. Giant somata are located contralateral to their axons (diameters between 20 and 45 μm). The cercal projections overlap extensively with the dendritic fields of the giant interneurons. In the terminal abdominal ganglion, we identified nine longitudinal tracts, two major tracts, and seven smaller ones. The functional implications of the neuranatomical organization of the system are discussed on a comparative basis. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐pressure Brillouin study of the elastic properties of rare‐gas solid xenon at pressures up to 45 GPa
Authors: Sasaki Shigeo , Wada Naoyuki , Kume Tetsuji , Shimizu Hiroyasu 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe pressure dependences of three adiabatic elastic constants, adiabatic bulk modulus, refractive index, and elastic anisotropy, as well as Cauchy deviation of fcc solid Xe have been determined up to 10 GPa at 296 K by high‐pressure Brillouin scattering spectroscopy. The characteristics of elastic properties at high pressure of rare‐gas solid Xe are investigated by comparison with the previous studies on Ne, Ar, and Kr. Above 10 GPa, the occurrence of splitting in the Brillouin signals and the direction dependence of acoustic velocities for solid Xe clearly show partial phase transformation to the hcp structure reported by the previous X‐ray diffraction and Raman scattering studies. The shear elastic modulus in the hcp phase of solid Xe has also been estimated at pressures up to 45 GPa by using the pressure dependence of the Raman wavenumber shift for the E2g mode. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eulerian elasto‐visco‐plastic formulations for residual stress prediction
Authors: Qin Xiaoliang , Michaleris P. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA stabilized, Galerkin finite element formulation for modeling the elasto‐visco‐plastic response of quasi‐steady‐state processes, such as welding, laser surfacing, rolling and extrusion, is presented in an Eulerian frame. The mixed formulation consists of four field variables, such as velocity, stress, deformation gradient and internal variable, which is used to describe the evolution of the material's resistance to plastic flow. The streamline upwind Petrov–Galerkin method is used to eliminate spurious oscillations, which may be caused by the convection‐type of stress, deformation gradient and internal variable evolution equations. A progressive solution strategy is introduced to improve the convergence of the Newton–Raphson solution procedure. Two two‐dimensional numerical examples are implemented to verify the accuracy of the Eulerian formulation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the convergence of discrete schemes for the Perona‐Malik equation
Authors: Bellettini Giovanni 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe discuss some results on the semi‐discretization and the full‐discretization of the one‐dimensional Perona‐Malik equation. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)