bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of Live Cell Chips to Monitor Cell Differentiation Processes
Authors: Maercker C. , Rogge T. , Mathis H. , Ridinger H. , Bieback K. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA big demand exists for high‐throughput functional in vitro assays which can measure cellular phenotypes by molecular methods and therefore improve the resources of primary cells for cell therapy, tissue engineering and high‐content screenings in drug development. This approach focuses on cellular adhesion which is an important differentiation process during homing of stem cells. Moreover, it is a promising method especially for adherent cells which are not accessible by classical cell sorting methods. The chip design includes a housing with electrodes to measure electric field densities and impedance, respectively. Moreover, specific coatings of the wells permit a perfect growth of the selected cell types. In parallel, protein biomarkers can be followed by light microscopy. So far, experiments have been started to discriminate between different cell densities and cell types. In addition, after stimulating human cardiac fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, concentrations of proteins involved in adhesion had been increased, and proteins were translocated within the cells. In ongoing experiments, different human cell lines and fibroblastoid mesenchymal stem cells isolated from fat tissue, umbilical cord, or bone marrow are tested in the chip. To optimize the adhesion conditions, the surfaces within the vials of the chip were specifically activated. Microscopy was adjusted to be able to measure cellular morphology in parallel. This concept allows to identify the behavior of mesenchymal stem cells, which cannot be described so far by standard biomarkers. In addition, simulation of the homing process of the cells within its stem cell niche in an in vitro assay is a promising setup for large‐scale gain‐of‐function or loss‐of‐function screenings in functional genomics as well as for generating precursor cells relevant for the therapy of various diseases.
A Small‐Scale Calorimetric Reactor System Combined with Several Chemical Sensors for the Investigation of Microbial Growth Processes
Authors: Hüttl R. , Harmel J. , Lißner A. , Wolf G. , Klare P. , Vonau W. , Berthold F. , Herrmann S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA miniaturized reactor system based on a small‐scale calorimeter (25 mL vessel) equipped with different chemical sensors is presented in this contribution. Apart from the sensor for the detection of the thermal power, the system was equipped with two chemical sensors. In comparison to established calorimeters, this newly designed combination as a whole significantly extends the range of application. The miniaturized chemical sensors can be chosen from a pool of potentiometric and amperometric ones, measuring pH value, redox potential, nitrate and glucose concentrations, as well as dissolved carbon dioxide and oxygen content. The miniaturized sensors were developed by the Kurt‐Schwabe‐Institute (Meinsberg) and the electrical circuit of the system was designed by IMM (Mittweida). The reactor was tested for batch cultivations using Paracoccus pantotrophus DSM 65 as a model culture.
Geoarchaeological prospection of a medieval manor in the dutch polders using an electromagnetic induction sensor in combination with soil augerings
Authors: Simpson David , Lehouck Alexander , Meirvenne Marc Van , Bourgeois Jean , Thoen Erik , Vervloet Jelier 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn archaeological prospection, geophysical sensors are increasingly being used to locate buried remains within their natural context. To cover a large area in sufficient detail, an electromagnetic induction sensor can be very useful, measuring simultaneously the electrical conductivity and the magnetic susceptibility of the soil (e.g., Geonics EM38DD). In this study, an 8 ha field containing a Medieval manor was mapped in a submeter resolution, using a mobile sensor configuration equipped with a GPS. As different soil features can yield analogous responses, the interpretation of geophysical maps can be ambiguous. Therefore, soil auger observations were laid out along two perpendicular transects to provide vertical profiles across the sensor measurements. This information greatly enhanced the interpretation of the anomalies obtained by the sensor. Both natural and anthropogenic features were delineated, which clearly presented a moated site along a former tidal channel. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Frequent biallelic inactivation and transcriptional silencing of the DIRAS3 gene at 1p31 in oligodendroglial tumors with 1p loss
Authors: Riemenschneider Markus J. , Reifenberger Julia , Reifenberger Guido 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDeletion of the short arm of chromosome 1 is common in oligodendroglial tumors and has been identified as a powerful molecular marker for response to radio‐ and chemotherapy as well as favorable prognosis. Here, we investigated a series of 59 human primary gliomas for aberrations of the DIRAS3 (ARHI) gene, a maternally imprinted RAS‐related tumor suppressor at 1p31. We found that DIRAS3 mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased in oligodendrogliomas with 1p deletion when compared to tumors with retention on 1p. While mutational analysis yielded no tumor‐associated mutations, assessment of the methylation status of DIRAS3 showed biallelic DIRAS3 inactivation due to methylation of the retained allele in 95% of oligodendrogliomas (19 out of 20) with 1p deletions. In contrast, only 28% of oligodendrogliomas (5 out of 18) without 1p deletions and less than 5% of astrocytic tumors (1 out 21) had biallelic inactivation, i.e., methylation of both DIRAS3 alleles. Furthermore, in oligodendroglioma patients biallelic DIRAS3 inactivation was significantly associated with low DIRAS3 transcripts levels and longer overall survival. Taken together, our data suggest DIRAS3 as a novel, prognostically relevant candidate gene that is frequently methylated and silenced in oligodendroglial tumors with 1p deletion. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mean sojourn time and effectiveness of mortality reduction for lung cancer screening with computed tomography
Authors: Chien Chun‐Ru , Chen Tony Hsiu‐Hsi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis study aimed to estimate the mean sojourn time (MST) and sensitivity of asymptomatic lung cancer (ALC) detected by computed tomography (CT) or chest X‐ray (CXR). Translation of early diagnosis into mortality reduction by 2 detection modalities and inter‐screening interval was projected using a Markov model. On the basis of systematic literature review, data from 6 prospective CT screening studies were retrieved. The MST in association with the natural history of lung cancer depicted by a 3‐state Markov model was estimated with a Bayesian approach. To project mortality reduction attributed to screening, the model was further extended to 5 health states for the inclusion of prognostic part. The analysis was run with a 10‐year time horizon of follow‐up, mimicking the Dutch‐Belgian randomized lung cancer screening trial (NELSON). Screening for lung cancer with CT had high sensitivity (median: 97%) and may advance 1 year earlier than CXR in detecting ALC. By simulating the scenario similar to NELSON study, CT screen may gain an extra of 0.019 year of life expectancy per person, yields 15% mortality reduction (relative risk (RR): 0.85, 95% confidence interval [95%CI: (0.58–1.01)]. Approximate 23% [RR: 0.77, 95%CI: (0.43–0.98)] mortality reduction would be achieved by annual CT screening program. The mortality findings in conjunction with higher sensitivity and shorter MST estimate given data on prevalent and incident (2nd) screen may provide a tentative evidence, suggesting that annual CT screening may be required in order to be effective in reducing mortality before the results of randomized controlled studies available. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rat liver clone‐9 cells in culture as a model for screening hepatotoxic potential of food‐related products: hepatotoxicity of deoxynivalenol
Authors: Sahu Saura C. , Garthoff Larry H. , Robl Martin G. , Chirtel Stuart J. , Ruggles Dennis I. , Flynn Thomas J. , Sobotka Thomas J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDeoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin food contaminant found in several cereal grains. The literature on the liver toxicity of DON in vivo is conflicting and does not clearly characterize its hepatotoxic effects. Cultured rat liver clone‐9 cells were used as a model to assess the hepatotoxic potential of DON. The cell cultures, seeded onto 96‐well plates, were treated at confluence with varying concentrations of DON (0–100 µg ml−1) for 48 h at 37 °C in 5% CO2. After the treatment period, the cells were assayed for a number of hepatotoxic endpoints that included cytotoxicity, double‐stranded DNA (ds‐DNA) content, oxidative stress and mitochondrial function. The concentration‐dependent toxicity of DON, as measured by cytotoxicity and ds‐DNA content, was observed over the entire concentration range studied beginning at 0.5 µg ml−1. DON also induced a significant concentration‐dependent increase in oxidative stress at DON concentrations starting at 10 µg ml−1. The mitochondrial function of the treated cells decreased with the increasing concentration of DON exposure, but it was not statistically different from that of the control value. Liver histopathology observed at 3, 24 and 72 h following a single intraperitoneal administration dose of DON (10 mg kg−1 BW) to adult male rats is consistent with early mild hepatotoxicity. The overall results of this study suggest that acute DON exposure has early mild cytotoxic effects on hepatocytes in vivo that are expressed as severe effects in rat liver clone‐9 cells in vitro. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of human mesenchymal stem cells response to biomimetic bioglass‐collagen‐hyaluronic acid‐phosphatidylserine composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Xu Caixia , Wang Yingjun , Yu Xinbing , Chen Xiaofeng , Li Xiangjun , Yang Xuhui , Li Shunong , Zhang Xiuming , Xiang Andy Peng 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine in vitro the response of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on the novel biomimetic bioglass‐collagen‐hyaluronic acid‐phosphatidylserine (BG‐COL‐HYA‐PS) composite scaffold for potential use in bone tissue engineering. The initial attachment, the proliferation, migration and differentiation behavior of the cells on the BG‐COL‐HYA‐PS composites were assessed in comparison with those on pure 58sBG, BG‐COL, and BG‐COL‐HYA composites in either growth medium (L‐DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum) or osteogenic medium (growth medium supplemented with 0.1 μM dexamethasone, 10 mM β‐glycerophosphate, and 50 μM ascorbic acid). HMSCs attached, and subsequently proliferated and migrated on the BG‐COL‐HYA‐PS composites to a significantly higher degree. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP activity and the expression of the bone associated gene ALP, osteocalcin (OC), and osteopontin (OPN) was also significantly higher in the hMSCs on the BG‐COL‐HYA‐PS scaffolds than those on the BG‐COL, BG‐COL‐HYA composites and the pure 58sBG. These findings suggest that the BG‐COL‐HYA‐PS composite porous scaffolds have high potential for use as scaffolds in bone tissue engineering and repair. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Staff attachment styles: a pilot study investigating the influence of adult attachment styles on staff psychological mindedness and therapeutic relationships
Authors: Berry Katherine , Shah Rakhi , Cook Amy , Geater Ellie , Barrowclough Christine , Wearden Alison 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe attachment styles of psychiatric staff are likely to impact on their capacity to form positive therapeutic relationships with patients with psychosis. Twenty staff completed a measure assessing levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance. Staff and patients completed a measure of patients' interpersonal problems and staff completed the Five‐Minute Speech Sample, which was used to derive ratings of psychological mindedness and therapeutic relationships. Higher staff avoidance was associated with greater discrepancies in staff and patient ratings of patients' interpersonal problems and poorer staff psychological mindedness. Lower staff anxiety and avoidance were associated with positive therapeutic relationships. Findings warrant replication in larger samples, but suggest that staff attachment style may be important in the development of better quality staff and patient relationships. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64: 355–363, 2008.
The construct of alexithymia: associations with defense mechanisms
Authors: Helmes Edward , McNeill Pamela D. , Holden Ronald R. , Jackson Chris 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAlexithymia is a dimensional personality construct that encompasses a cluster of cognitive and affective characteristics relating to difficulty identifying and describing feelings, limited imaginal capacity, and having an externally oriented thinking style. Attempts to explain the etiology of high levels of alexithymia have resulted in disagreements regarding the relationship between alexithymia and psychological defense mechanisms. Much of the previous research suggests strong associations between alexithymia and immature or maladaptive defense styles. To examine these relationships using correlations, multiple regression and factor analytic techniques, three nonclinical populations in Australia and Canada were studied with a view to evaluating the association of defense mechanisms and response styles with alexithymia. Our results support the association of alexithymia with emotional inhibition, but extend those associations to immature defense styles and aspects of social desirability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64: 318–331, 2008
The contribution of the swimbladder to buoyancy in the adult zebrafish (Danio rerio): A morphometric analysis
Authors: Robertson George N. , Lindsey Benjamin W. , Dumbarton Tristan C. , Croll Roger P. , Smith Frank M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractMany teleost fishes use a swimbladder, a gas‐filled organ in the coelomic cavity, to reduce body density toward neutral buoyancy, thus minimizing the locomotory cost of maintaining a constant depth in the water column. However, for most swimbladder‐bearing teleosts, the contribution of this organ to the attainment of neutral buoyancy has not been quantified. Here, we examined the quantitative contribution of the swimbladder to buoyancy and three‐dimensional stability in a small cyprinid, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). In aquaria during daylight hours, adult animals were observed at mean depths from 10.1 ± 6.0 to 14.2 ± 5.6 cm below the surface. Fish mass and whole‐body volume were linearly correlated (r2 = 0.96) over a wide range of body size (0.16–0.73 g); mean whole‐body density was 1.01 ± 0.09 g cm−3. Stereological estimations of swimbladder volume from linear dimensions of lateral X‐ray images and direct measurements of gas volumes recovered by puncture from the same swimbladders showed that results from these two methods were highly correlated (r2 = 0.85). The geometric regularity of the swimbladder thus permitted its volume to be accurately estimated from a single lateral image. Mean body density in the absence of the swimbladder was 1.05 ± 0.04 g cm−3. The swimbladder occupied 5.1 ± 1.4% of total body volume, thus reducing whole‐body density significantly. The location of the centers of mass and buoyancy along rostro‐caudal and dorso‐ventral axes overlapped near the ductus communicans, a constriction between the anterior and posterior swimbladder chambers. Our work demonstrates that the swimbladder of the adult zebrafish contributes significantly to buoyancy and attitude stability. Furthermore, we describe and verify a stereological method for estimating swimbladder volume that will aid future studies of the functions of this organ. J Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphological relationships and leukocyte influence on steroid production in the epigonal organ‐ovary complex of the skate, Leucoraja erinacea
Authors: Lutton B.V. , Callard I.P. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn elasmobranchs, a unique association exists between an immune tissue, the epigonal organ (EO), and the gonads. In this study, the histological and vascular relationships of the EO and ovarian follicles of the little skate, Leucoraja erinacea, were assessed. Perfusions of Evans blue dye and Batson's monomer showed a shared vascular pathway from the gonadal artery into the epigonal‐ovary complex, with blood first entering the EO and then perfusing the ovarian follicles. Histological studies demonstrated direct cellular contact between epigonal leukocytes and the follicle wall (FW), as well as the presence of leukocytes between the steroidogenic theca and granulosa cells. In vitro analyses demonstrated that epigonal cells co‐cultured with FW cells cause a dose‐dependent inhibition of estrogen (E2) and testosterone (T) production. In contrast, conditioned media from epigonal leukocytes, stimulated or unstimulated with lipopolysaccharide (10 μg/ml), increase the production of E2 and T from FW cells of the ovaries. These studies provide a basis for further investigations of leukocyte secreted factors and cell contact modulation of follicular steroid production. J Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Skating and diving: Changes in functional morphology of the setal and microtrichial cover during ontogenesis in Aquarius paludum fabricius (Heteroptera, Gerridae)
Authors: Goodwyn P.J. Perez , Voigt D. , Fujisaki K. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe examined the morphology of setae and microtrichia in Aquarius paludum during larval development using a scanning electron microscope. We then conducted immersion experiments with larvae and adults in oxygenated and deoxygenated water. The adult water strider body is covered by a pilose double layer consisting of upper long setae (30–80 μm) and lower filiform microtrichia (5–9 μm). Only setae are present on the legs. Microtrichia on the larval body are very short: 0.5–0.6 μm in first and second instars, and 0.8–1.7 μm in third to fifth instars. Larval body setae are approximately as long as those of adults (25–50 μm), but are much less dense at 1,800–5,750 setae per mm2 versus 15,000–20,000 setae per mm2 in adults. The density of setae on the legs remains relatively constant throughout development (larvae: 15,000–20,000 setae per mm2; adults: 20,000–26,000 setae per mm2). Immersion experiments demonstrated that young instars may use cuticular respiration. First‐ and second‐instar larvae survived underwater for several hours without a visible air supply, although they did not survive in deoxygenated water. We posit that the short body microtrichia have a waterproofing function in larvae, whereas they create a compressible air bubble in adults. In adults, waterproofing is accomplished by the setae. The density and length of setae on the legs of larvae was nearly the same as that on the body and legs of adults and is presumably optimized for waterproofing. Thus, a change in morphometrical parameters can result in a large functional change in the same structure. We discuss this interpretation in both ecological and physiological contexts. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reproductive role of attaching filaments on the egg envelope in Xenopoecilus sarasinorum (Adrianichthidae, teleostei)
Authors: Iwamatsu Takashi , Kobayashi Hirokuni , Sato Masahiro , Yamashita Masakane 
Published: February 2008

AbstractEggs of Xenopoecilus sarasinorum possess two distinct types of filaments on the surface of the egg envelope (chorion), long, attaching filaments restricted to the vegetal pole and weak, nonattaching filaments around the animal pole (micropyle). Both types are formed during oogenesis. After mature eggs were spawned through the urogenital pore, they were fertilized and hung in an abdominal concavity of the female. Oviposition never took place in the presence of embryos in the concavity because of the retardation of oogenesis. The loosely tangled tips of the attaching filaments that are retained within the ovarian cavity plug the urogenital pore by forming a hard complex with the epithelial cells. Into this plug structure that fuses with the inner wall of the urogenital pore, capillaries are provided. Within 5 days after the initiation of hatching, this plug degenerates and is released from the urogenital pore. Thus, in female X. sarasinorum, the reproductive cycle seems to be regulated by the physiological function ofthe plug structure formed by the attaching filaments in response to the presence of developing embryos. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bright‐dark ring sign in MR imaging of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma
Authors: Economopoulos Nikos , Kelekis Nikolaos L. , Argentos Stylianos , Tsompanlioti Christina , Patapis Pavlos , Nikolaou Ioanna , Gouliamos Athanassios 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe describe the imaging findings in a rare case of multifocal nodular form of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma on ultrasound (US) and dynamic contrast‐enhanced spiral computed tomography (CT) and MRI. The nodules showed multilayered target appearance on MR images with prominent peripheral rim with high signal intensity (SI) on T1‐weighted and very low SI on T2‐weighted images, corresponding to thrombosed vascular channels. The above combination of imaging findings is to our knowledge distinct and should suggest the diagnosis of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A single‐point dixon technique for fat‐suppressed fast 3D gradient‐echo imaging with a flexible echo time
Authors: Ma Jingfei 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPurposeTo develop a single‐point Dixon (SPD) technique that requires only data of a single echo with a flexible echo time, and to demonstrate its use for fat‐suppressed, T1‐weighted contrast agent enhancement studies.Materials and MethodsRaw data were collected using a product fast 3D gradient‐echo pulse sequence. Phase‐error removal and fat‐suppression (FS) were achieved using a fully‐automated region‐growing algorithm. A water and fat phantom and the abdomen and breast of cancer patients before and after injection of gadolinium contrast agent were imaged at varying echo times. Scan time efficiency and overall FS quality were compared to those by the product fast 3D gradient‐echo technique with conventional FS.ResultsIn phantom, the SPD technique achieved uniform FS for a wide range of echo times corresponding to the water and fat relative phase angles between 100° and 160°. In patients, the technique was able to achieve approximately 30% scan time reduction and more uniform FS when compared to using the conventional FS technique but otherwise identical scan parameters.ConclusionThe SPD technique compares favorably in scan time efficiency and FS uniformity and can be useful for fast T1‐weighted and fat‐suppressed imaging with contrast agent administration. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.