bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxidative stress reaction in the meniscus of Bach 1 deficient mice: Potential prevention of meniscal degeneration
Authors: Ochiai Satoshi , Mizuno Toshiyuki , Deie Masataka , Igarashi Kazuhiko , Hamada Yoshiki , Ochi Mitsuo 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBach 1 is a transcription factor that negatively regulates the transcription of heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), a stress‐responding protein. In this study, we investigated the reaction to oxidative stress in the meniscus of Bach 1 deficient mice, and the suppression of meniscal degeneration by the induction of HO‐1. We carried out a comparative study between Bach 1 deficient mice and wild type mice, in which the oxidative stress reaction and age‐related changes were investigated using the menisci of 6‐, 12‐, and 24‐week‐old mice. The degrees of meniscal degeneration and expression of HO‐1 were evaluated using the menisci cultured under oxidative stress with cadmium chloride or interleukin‐1 β. The age‐related changes in the meniscus were histologically examined. The expression of HO‐1 was higher, and the degrees of histological degeneration were lower in the Bach 1 deficient mice than in wild type mice (HO‐1 mRNA expression: In both the Cd group and the IL group, two–fourfold higher in the meniscus). The age‐related changes were lower in the Bach 1 deficient mice than in wild type mice. In 24‐week‐old mice, a moderate decrease in the cell density and proteoglycan content was observed in wild type mice compared with Bach 1 deficient mice. In the menisci of Bach 1 deficient mice, the anti‐oxidative stress activity was considered to be increased by abrogating the suppression of HO‐1 expression, resulting in a reduction of histological degeneration. This finding showed a potential new strategy for the prevention and treatment of meniscal degeneration. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:894–898, 2008
Can surgeons improve survival in stage IV melanoma?
Authors: Mosca Paul J. , Teicher Erik , Nair Suresh P. , Pockaj Barbara A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractSuccessful systemic management of stage IV melanoma continues to be elusive because of the paucity of effective therapies. This has fueled the continued interest in surgical resection. Several single‐institution studies and a current, large, multi‐institutional phase III trial have demonstrated a survival benefit for patients who underwent surgical resection for melanoma metastases. Incorporating these results into new approaches using multimodality treatment may enhance survival in patients with stage IV melanoma. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:462–468. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cost‐effectiveness of laparoscopy versus laparotomy for initial surgical evaluation and treatment of potentially resectable hepatic colorectal metastases: a decision analysis
Authors: Karuna Shelly Tanner , Thirlby Richard , Biehl Thomas , Veenstra David 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesApproximately 10–40% of colorectal cancer patients with potentially resectable hepatic metastases are incorrectly deemed resectable on standard pre‐operative evaluation, including contrast‐enhanced CT. Laparoscopy can identify unresectability in a majority of patients at highest risk of being incorrectly deemed resectable, sparing them an unnecessary laparotomy. However, laparoscopy requires an added investment by surgeons, patients, and payers. This analysis seeks to ascertain whether that investment is cost‐effective.MethodsA decision tree model was developed to evaluate the societal cost‐effectiveness of laparoscopy versus laparotomy in colorectal cancer patients with hepatic metastases deemed resectable on standard pre‐operative evaluation. This comparison involved the cost, the effectiveness, and the incremental cost‐effectiveness (the cost in dollars for each quality‐adjusted life‐year saved) of each option. Sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the model's validity under a variety of assumptions.ResultsThe cost‐effectiveness of performing laparoscopy prior to laparotomy for resection of colorectal hepatic metastases depends primarily upon the probability of resectability determined at laparoscopy, and on the sensitivity of diagnostic laparoscopy.ConclusionLaparoscopy for initial evaluation of resectability of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer is most likely to benefit patients and save costs when performed after pre‐operative risk stratification in patients at high risk of radiographically occult unresectable disease. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:396–403. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Initial tumor size predicts histologic response and survival in localized osteosarcoma patients
Authors: Kim Min Suk , Lee Soo‐Yong , Cho Wan Hyeong , Song Won Seok , Koh Jae‐Soo , Lee Jun Ah , Yoo Ji Young , Jeon Dae‐Geun 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the correlation between histologic response and size parameters, and to analyze the prognostic importance of size parameters on metastasis‐free survival in localized osteosarcoma patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 331 patients with stage II osteosarcoma treated with surgery and chemotherapy. The tumor size parameters were measured and calculated based on MR images. The mean metastasis‐free interval was 77.8 months (range, 3–205 months; median, 67 months).ResultsTumor size is best defined by relative tumor plane (RTP). Patients with a large tumor (RTP>27.5 cm2/m2) had a significant correlation with poor histologic response and distal femoral tumor location. The independent prognostic factors for metastasis‐free survival were American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, RTP, proximal humerus location, chondroblastic subtype, and poor histologic response.ConclusionThe initial tumor size is closely related to histologic response and is an important prognostic factor in osteosarcoma. Tumor size is best represented by AJCC stage and RTP. These parameters may serve as a basis for risk‐adapted therapy in combined stratification with histologic response. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:456–461. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of atenolol and chlorthalidone in human breast milk
Authors: El‐Gindy Alaa , Sallam Shehab , Abdel‐Salam Randa A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA high‐performance liquid chromatographic method was optimized and validated for the determination of atenolol and chlorthalidone (CT) in human breast milk. The milk samples were extracted and purified using ACN and phosphoric acid for precipitation of proteins followed by removal of ACN and milk fats by extraction with methylene chloride. The samples were applied, after an extraction procedure, to a cyanide column using a mobile phase consisting of ACN/water (35:65 v/v) and buffered at pH 4.0 with flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Quantitation was achieved with UV detection at 225 nm using guaifenesin as the internal standard. The effectiveness of protein precipitation and clean up procedure were investigated. The method was validated over the range of 0.3–20 μg/mL for atenolol and 0.25–5 μg/mL for CT.
Development of a capillary electrophoresis method for the characterization of “palo azul” (Eysenhardtia polystachya)
Authors: Salinas‐Hernández Pastora , López‐Bermúdez Francisco J. , Rodríguez‐Barrientos Damaris , Ramírez‐Silva María Teresa , Romero‐Romo Mario A. , Morales‐Anzures Fernando , Rojas‐Hernández Alberto 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe tree Eysenhardtia polystachya (Ortega) Sarg. has quite a wide popular use within the traditional Mexican medicine as herbal remedy. Popular practices constitute a relevant enough basis to design optimum analytical methods in order to determine basic principles of diverse medicinal plants. This has become one of the essentials needed to characterize such products, for which it is fundamentally important to develop an efficient and reliable separation method. This work presents the results concerning the development and optimization of a novel CE method for the separation of components from water/etanol (1:1) extracts of E. polystachya, using the following conditions, considered the best obtained: phosphate buffer 10 mM, 20 kV voltage, and pH 8.1 at 214 nm and 50 mM, 12.5 kV voltage with pH 8.1 at 426 nm. The optimization takes into account the parameters associated in the resulting electropherograms, such as number of peaks, migration times, and the Δtm of the neighboring peaks. Under optimal conditions the separation intended was attained within 15 and 20 min for 214 and 426 nm, respectively. The characterization method developed was applied to the analysis of diverse extracts of E. polystachya.
S‐Trityl‐(R)‐cysteine, a powerful chiral selector for the analytical and preparative ligand‐exchange chromatography of amino acids
Authors: Natalini Benedetto , Sardella Roccaldo , Macchiarulo Antonio , Pellicciari Roberto 
Published: February 2008

AbstractS‐Trityl‐(R)‐cysteine [(R)‐STC] is the new selector of a dynamically coated, chiral ligand‐exchange stationary phase which proved to be highly effective in both analytical and preparative‐scale separation of enantiomers of some natural and unnatural underivatized amino acids, with good separation and resolution factors. With the aim of identifying the best chromatographic conditions suitable for the preparative‐scale separations, some parameters controlling retention, separation and resolution factors (such as the type and amount of cupric salt and the eluent pH) were investigated. The relatively easy removal of the Cu(II) ions renders this technique suitable for obtaining small amounts of enantiomerically pure samples for preliminary biological evaluations.
Current trends in isolation, separation, determination and identification of isoflavones: A review
Authors: Vacek Jan , Klejdus Borivoj , Lojková Lea , Kubán Vlastimil 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIsoflavones are natural substances which elicit a number of physiological effects in living organisms. The substances are synthesized in plant tissues as protective agents against biotic stress (i. e. bacterial infection). Isoflavones are also an important dietary constituent in human nutrition. Modern trends in studies of isoflavones in plant materials and foodstuffs and procedures for chemical analyses of isoflavones in human body fluids and plant tissues are discussed in this review. Highly effective extraction and purification techniques, i. e. solid‐phase extraction, accelerated‐solvent extraction, and Soxhlet extraction, are presented. Latest procedures in chromatographic separation of isoflavones that apply different types of sorbents are described. Immunochemical analysis, electrochemical sensing of isoflavones, and spectrometric and other analytical techniques and their applications are also mentioned. Special attention is paid to the highly selective and sensitive technique of mass spectrometry and its application for identification of isoflavones and their glucosides in plants. Studies of interactions of isoflavones with cell receptors and a number of biologically active substances such as DNA and proteins are described. The review does not intend to give a complete overview of the topics considered but rather to present modern and most recent methods used in studies of isoflavones.
Strategic processes @ Nike—making and doing knowledge management
Authors: Stonehouse George , Minocha Sonal 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis paper contrasts theory with practice through a case study of strategic processes of knowledge management (KM) at Nike Incorporated. From its origins as a small specialist enterprise in 1972 to a multi‐billion dollar global brand, the corporation has been continuously at the forefront of developments in management practice and business innovation. This case study has been compiled from interviews with senior managers and numerous secondary sources. The paper begins with a discussion of an insider perspective on the trajectory of the organization in terms of its strategic goals and decisions on markets, customers, products, services and business processes. It then goes on to explore and critique the dynamic interplay of the processes of strategizing, learning, creativity and innovation at Nike as the basis for its knowledge‐based competitive advantage (CA).The case thus represents KM as a unique combination of processes in which learning; strategy and creativity are organized and strategically embedded within a large global organization. This has implications for future theorizing in KM, which, as we illustrate in this paper, demands a more integrative approach to research and practice. One of the key lessons for practice is that span of activity, as well as strategy, will influence the relationship between strategizing, organizing and learning and this interplay determines the success (or failure) of KM. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐Cleaning and Next Generation Anti‐Fog Surfaces and Coatings
Authors: Howarter John A. , Youngblood Jeffrey P. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDue to their high surface energy, hydrophilic surfaces are susceptible to contaminations which are difficult to remove and often ruin the surface. Traditional anti‐fog coatings are especially limited by contaminants, as the prevention of fogging is enhanced as hydrophilicity increases. Thus, advanced solutions to fogging are required which incorporate some degree of self‐cleaning ability without significant losses in anti‐fog character. Potential next generation anti‐fog surfaces are characterized with particular emphasis on extended lifetime stimuli‐responsive surfaces. Surfactant‐based surfaces exhibited simultaneous hydrophilicity, necessary for anti‐fogging, and oleophobicity, necessary for contamination resistance. The combination of these features rendered the surface as self‐cleaning.magnified image
A Novel Approach to Prepare Porous Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogel with Superfast Shrinking Kinetics
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Tao , Jandt Klaus D. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn this study, the hydrophobic liquid template method was firstly used to prepare temperature sensitive, porous poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel. During the radical polymerization, hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were used as liquid templates and stabilizer, respectively. After removal of the liquid templates, porous PNIPAAm hydrogel was obtained. This gel exhibited superfast shrinking properties when being transferred from below to above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), which was ascribed to the interconnected porous structures.magnified image
Chiroptical Properties of Multiple‐Helical, Oligopeptide‐Substituted Poly(diacetylene)s in Solution
Authors: Weiss Jan , Jahnke Eike , Frauenrath Holger 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThree diacetylene macromonomers based on oligopeptide‐polymer conjugates were designed to self‐organize into uniform supramolecular polymers which exhibited multiple‐helical superstructures constituted from a defined, finite number of laminated single β‐sheet tapes. These supramolecular polymers were then converted into poly(diacetylene)s with multiple‐helical quaternary structures. The nature of the latter in solution was investigated by UV, CD, and Raman spectroscopy. The polymerization proceeded under preservation of the previously assembled multiple‐helical superstructures, and the deaggregation of the oligopeptide β‐sheets before and after polymerization proved the mutual stabilization of the helical poly(diacetylene) backbone conformation and hydrogen bonded β‐sheet arrays.magnified image
Regulation of Micellar Morphology of PCL‐b‐PEO Block Copolymers by Crystallization Temperature
Authors: Du Zi‐Xiu , Xu Jun‐Ting , Fan Zhi‐Qiang 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe effect of crystallization temperature on the micellar morphology of PCL‐b‐PEO block copolymers in water has been studied. It is found that the micellar morphology of PCLnPEO44 and PCLnPEO113 changes with crystallization temperature in different ways because of two competitive factors: perfection of the PCL crystals in the core and deformation of the soluble PEO block. For PCLnPEO44, perfection of the PCL crystals dominates the micellar morphology and lamellar micelles are formed at a higher crystallization temperature. For PCLnPEO113 the micellar morphology is mainly determined by the tethering density and spherical micelles or cylindrical micelles with a larger length/diameter ratio are formed at a higher crystallization temperature because of the larger tethering density.magnified image
Preparation of Polystyrene Particles by Dispersion Polymerization in an Ionic Liquid
Authors: Minami Hideto , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Okubo Masayoshi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractSubmicron‐sized monodisperse polystyrene (PS) particles were successfully prepared by dispersion polymerization of styrene in an ionic liquid, N,N‐diethyl‐N‐methyl‐N‐(2‐methoxyethyl)ammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([DEME][TFSI]) at 70 °C with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a stabilizer. At the optimum PVP and styrene concentrations with regard to preparation of stable polymer particles, the number‐average diameter and coefficient of variation were 350 nm and 5.7%, respectively. The particle size increased with a decrease in the PVP concentration and an increase in the styrene concentration. Moreover, we succeeded in producing PS particles by thermal polymerization in the absence of a radical initiator at 130 °C in [DEME][TFSI] using a conventional reactor (not autoclave) utilizing the advantages of non‐volatility and thermal stability of the ionic liquid.magnified image
MEK1/2 is a critical regulator of microtubule assembly and spindle organization during rat oocyte meiotic maturation
Authors: Sun Shao‐Chen , Xiong Bo , Lu Sheng‐Sheng , Sun Qing‐Yuan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractMEK (MAPK kinase) is an upstream protein kinase of MAPK in the MOS/MEK/MAPK/p90rsk signaling pathway. We previously reported the function and regulation of MAPK during rat oocyte maturation. In this study, we further investigated the localization and possible roles of MEK1/2. First, immunofluorescent staining revealed that p‐MEK1/2 was restricted to the germinal vesicle (GV). After germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), p‐MEK1/2 condensed in the vicinity of chromosomes and then translocated to the spindle poles at metaphase I, while spindle microtubules stained faintly. When the oocyte went through anaphase I and telophase I, p‐MEK1/2 disappeared from spindle poles and became associated with the midbody. By metaphase II, p‐MEK1/2 was again localized to the spindle poles. Second, p‐MEK1/2 was localized to the centers of cytoplasmic microtubule asters induced by taxol. Third, p‐MEK1/2 co‐localized with γ‐tubulin in microtubule‐organizing centers (MTOCs). Forth, treatment with U0126, a non‐competitive MEK1/2 inhibitor, did not affect germinal vesicle breakdown, but caused chromosome mis‐alignment in all MI oocytes examined and abnormal spindle organization as well as small cytoplasmic spindle‐like structure formation in MII oocytes. Finally, U0126 reduced the number of cytoplasmic asters induced by taxol. Our data suggest that MEK1/2 has regulatory functions in microtubule assembly and spindle organization during rat oocyte meiotic maturation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1542–1548 © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Delphi survey of patients' views of services for borderline personality disorder: A preliminary report
Authors: Webb Daniel , McMurran Mary 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground Department of Health guidelines stipulate that specialist personality disorder services should gather feedback from service users.Aim The Gwylfa Therapy Service (GTS) is a new specialist service for people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The aim of this study was to gather users' views of services sought and/or received before the inception of the GTS and their views of the GTS.Method A Delphi survey method was used first to elicit patients' views on services, and then to identify levels of consensus on the views generated.Results The findings presented here identify what service users value in the treatment they receive, namely respect, professionalism, a service that meets their needs and personal support. Opinions regarding non‐specialist services indicated that, overall, police, general practitioners, community psychiatric nurses, psychologists and counsellors were viewed positively, and psychiatric hospital staff was viewed positively but with room for improvement. General hospital staff was viewed unfavourably. Users' views of the GTS were favourable.Discussion This study begins to shed light upon the education, training and supervision needs of staff from services that come into contact with patients with BPD. Furthermore, the way these services may be better integrated with each other and GTS is identified as requiring attention. Care must be taken to avoid distressing, damaging and disaffecting patients as they pass through general services en route to a specialist team. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using glycidyl methacrylate as cross‐linking agent to prepare thermosensitive hydrogels by a novel one‐step method
Authors: Deng Jianping , He Qinxiong , Wu Zhilin , Yang Wangtai 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA novel one‐step approach is reported to prepare thermosensitive hydrogels simply by using hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD)/glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)/N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) system. From GMA and HP‐β‐CD, HP‐β‐CD/GMA inclusion complex was prepared and identified with NMR, FTIR, and UV‐vis spectroscopies. GMA in the form of HP‐β‐CD/GMA complex was copolymerized with NIPAM in water with K2S2O8 as initiator, yielding hydrogels designated as poly(NIPAM‐CD‐GMA). The inclusion of CD in the hydrogels was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The contents of CD and GMA placed considerable influence on the swelling ratio and temperature‐sensitivity of the produced hydrogels. The hydrogels bearing CD moieties showed higher swelling ratio and temperature‐sensitivity when compared with that without CD. The porous structure of the hydrogels containing CD was observed in the SEM images. Relevant mechanism of the ring‐opening reaction of epoxide groups in GMA, the subsequent crosslinking reactions and the formation of hydrogels containing CD moieties were proposed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2193–2201, 2008
Role of thiol‐disulfide exchange in episulfide polymerization
Authors: Kilcher Giona , Wang Lei , Tirelli Nicola 
Published: February 2008

AbstractEpisulfide polymerization offers a number of features that are uncommon in other ring‐opening anionic mechanisms. Besides the negligible sensitivity to water, the most distinctive and novel one is likely to be the role of disulfides, which may act both at the levels of chain transfer and end‐capping, producing polymers that feature both terminal and internal disulfides. In this article, we have qualitatively studied the kinetics of chain transfer and measured the thiolate–disulfide exchange equilibrium constants. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2233–2249, 2008