bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Angiotensin type 2 receptor is expressed in human atherosclerotic lesions
Authors: Johansson Maria E , Fagerberg Björn , Bergström Göran 
Published: April 2008

Objective. Expression of the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2-receptor) occurs in many animal models of atherosclerosis. However, its expression in human plaques and its functional role remains undetermined.This study examined AT2-receptor expression in human atherosclerotic plaque and also explored its potentially important functional role in atherosclerosis. Material and methods. We analysed carotid atherosclerotic plaques obtained from 14 Caucasian patients who had previously carotid artery stenosis. Half of all subjects undergone endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Half of all subjects received treatment with an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) (n=7); the remaining subjects received no intervention in the renin-angiotensin system (n=7). Immunohistochemistry measured tissue expression of smooth muscle cells (α-actin), macrophages (CD68 antibody), collagen (picro-sirius), and AT2-receptor (AT2-receptor antibody). Results. AT2-receptor expression occurred consistently in all specimens. Although cellular localisation varied, AT2-receptor expression levels correlated with macrophage levels (p<0.01). Compared to conventional treatment, ongoing ARB treatment affected neither AT2-receptor levels nor plaque composition. Conclusions. AT2-receptor is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaque. Furthermore, we detected no functionally important role of AT2-receptor expression and found no evidence that ARB treatment regulates AT2-receptor expression.
Angiotensinogen gene variants in a Pakistani hypertensive population of Punjab
Authors: Alvi Farrakh M , Hasnain Shahida 
Published: April 2008

Background. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role in blood pressure (BP) regulation. Among the components of the RAAS, the gene for the angiotensinogen (AGT) has been extensively studied. Several studies in different populations link Threonine instead of methionine at position 235 (M235T) and Methinine instead of threonine at position 174 (T174M) polymorphisms with essential hypertension. We were unable to study these polymorphisms in the Punjab population of Pakistan through routine Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) method. Considering the importance of this region we decided to further investigate the 300 bp region harbouring these two single nucleotide polymorphisms. Methods. Samples were derived from a larger study group. Polymerase chain reaction amplified fragments were subjected to either RFLP or Single Strand Conformation. Polymorphism. Single stranded DNA showing mobility shift on denaturing gel were sequenced. Results. Sequencing confirmed the presence of M235T and T174M polymorphisms in the local population. In addition to these polymorphisms one additional base was found at an identical position in two of the samples. We found a substitution of G with C just adjacent to T174M polymorphism in all seven of our samples studied. Conclusions. We report two additional bases and one substitution in the angiotensinogen gene of Punjab population. We also suggest that SsmI can be used for the investigation of T174M polymorphism.
Changing dietary sodium alters the chronic cardiovascular effects of losartan in rats
Authors: Collister John P , Nahey David B 
Published: April 2008

Introduction. We have previously demonstrated a profound hypotensive response to the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1)-receptor antagonist losartan in rats consuming a normal salt diet that is not seen in salt-loaded rats, presumably due to a suppression of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) by high sodium levels.The purpose of the present study was to examine the cardiovascular effects of changing dietary sodium intake during chronic treatment with losartan.We hypothesised that during blockade of AT1-receptors by chronic losartan infusion, when renin levels would be elevated regardless of dietary sodium, changing diets from high to normal or normal to high salt would have no effect on mean arterial pressure (MAP). Materials and methods. To test this hypothesis, groups of rats instrumented with radiotelemetry transducers for MAP monitoring and venous catheters for infusion were initially placed on either a 0.4% salt content diet, referred to as Losartan Normal diet — High salt diet (LosN-HI, n = 7), or a 4.0% salt content diet, referred to as U Losartan High salt diet — Normal diet (LosHI-N, n = 9). After a thee-day control period, infusion of losartan was begun in all rats (10 mg/kg/day in 7 ml/day isotonic saline i.v.).After 10 days, diets were switched between groups and data were collected for another 10 days, after which losartan infusion was terminated for a 10-day recovery period. Results. At the start of losartan infusion MAP was observed to be similar between LosN-HI rats (101±2 mmHg) and LosHI-N rats (101±2 mmHg). By day seven of the first 10 day protocol, MAP in LosN-HI rats had fallen to 71±4 mmHg while decreasing to 90±2 mmHg in LosHI-N rats. Five days after switching diets, MAP in LosN-HI rats had risen back to 85±3 mmHg, while MAP in LosHI-N rats had fallen to 75±2 mmHg. Conclusions. These results do not support our hypothesis, suggesting that changing dietary sodium can alter the chronic hypotensive response to losartan regardless of the initial state of the RAS.
Watford Music Centre
Authors: Littlefield David 
Published: April 2008

AbstractDavid Littlefield describes how Tim Ronalds – the architect of the much‐loved, restored Hackney Empire in London and the Landmark theatre in Ilfracombe, Devon – has, on a very tight budget, satisfied the ambitions of both the Watford Grammar School for Boys and the county council for a regional music centre. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Arup Associates
Authors: Merrick Jay 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA specialist architectural division of the wider Arup group, Arup Associates has a unique composition and ethos. In its studios, teams of architects, structural engineers, environmental engineers, urban designers and product designers work alongside each other on the design of buildings from a project's inception. It is an interdisciplinary approach that the practice pioneered in the 1960s, and which has been reinvigorated in the last few years by a new emphasis on ‘unified design’ – a radical wholeness in thinking and execution. Here, Jay Merrick talks to Arup Associates' principal Declan O'Carroll and considers his vision of an architecture capable of addressing complexity and sustaining humanity in the face of modernity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flame retardancy of polybutylene terephthalate blended with various oxides
Authors: Ishikawa Tomoyuki , Ueno Tomonaga , Watanabe Yusuke , Mizuno Kohshiroh , Takeda Kunihiko 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe flame retardancy of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) was studied focusing on the effect of various oxides. Thermo‐gravimetric analysis, pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis (EA) were used to analyze the flame retardancy, which were observed through the UL‐test and a cone calorimeter. Many oxides influenced the flame retardancy and some of them could suppress the flammability of PBT. In particular, the blended‐PBTs with ZnO and V2O5 accelerated the degradation and the edges of oxygen consumption were shorter than neat‐PBT although the flammability became poorer. The quantitative analysis of the scission products and the results of EA showed that hydrolysis, successive dehydration, and other various reactions changed the scission route to generate less flammable products. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Investigation of the swelling behavior of crosslinked hyaluronic acid films and hydrogels produced using homogeneous reactions
Authors: Collins Maurice N. , Birkinshaw Colin 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHyaluronic acid (HA) has been crosslinked in solution with glutaraldehyde (GTA), 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC), poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidylether (EX 810), and divinyl sulfone (DVS) to form hydrogels. Flory‐Rehner calculations were used to determine molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc), the crosslink density (Ve), and mesh size (ε) of crosslinked hydrogels after 24‐h swelling in distilled water. Generally, lower molecular weight films gave rise to decreased molecular weights between crosslinks as well as increased effective crosslink densities and decreased mesh size. The effects of pH and salt concentration were evaluated. Use of lower molecular weight HA gave rise to decreased molecular weights between crosslinks as well as increased effective crosslink densities and decreased mesh size. Water diffusion coefficients were measured for DVS and GTA hydrogels and were found to be 1.4 × 10−10 and 1.8 × 10−10 m2 s−1. Autocrosslinked and HA polyethyleneimine gels were also produced but had very limited stabilities compared with the covalently crosslinked materials. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effect of tying conditions on the knot security of suture materials
Authors: Im Jung Nam , Kim Jeong Kyung , Kim Hyun‐Kyoon , Lee Kuen Yong , Park Won Ho 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAlthough the knot security of suture materials has been widely investigated, there are few reports on the effects of knot tying conditions. With respect to foreign body reaction, it is preferable to use the minimum possible amount of suture materials and to use an appropriate material to ensure knot security. In this study, the different effects of knot tying conditions, such as knot type, tying force, and tying speed, were investigated. Knot tying was performed by a tensile tester for reproducible testing with the least amount of hand tying variation. The square knot (1 = 1 = 1) was shown to be the most appropriate knot type to evaluate monofilament sutures with a tensile tester. Increasing the tying speed and tying force enhanced knot security. The mechanical tying method was found to be a useful alternative to hand tying and provided reproducible test results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of Novel 5‐(N‐Aryl‐aminomethyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)hydrazines and Their Sugars, 1,2,4‐Triazoles, Tetrazoles and Pyrazolyl Derivatives
Authors: Abdel‐Aal Mohammed T. , El‐Sayed Waled A. , El‐Kosy Salah M. , El‐Ashry El Sayed H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA number of new N‐arylaminomethyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives 2, 3a,b, and 9–12a,b were prepared. Sugar (5‐N‐arylaminomethyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl) hydrazones 4–6a,b were synthesized by the reaction of the hydrazino derivatives 3a,b with the corresponding monosaccharides. The novel acyclo‐C‐nucleosides 7, 8a,b were prepared by heterocyclization of the sugar hydrazones 4, 5a,b with acetic anhydride. A number of the synthesized compounds were tested for their antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type‐1 (HSV‐1) and hepatitis‐A virus (HAV, MBBcell culture‐adapted strain). The results revealed that the sugar hydrazones 6a,b showed higher antiviral activity compared to the other hydrazones and their acetylated derivatives.
Visualizing new dimensions in Drosophila myoblast fusion
Authors: Richardson Brian , Beckett Karen , Baylies Mary 
Published: April 2008

AbstractOver several years, genetic studies in the model system, Drosophila melanogastor, have uncovered genes that when mutated, lead to a block in myoblast fusion. Analyses of these gene products have suggested that Arp2/3‐mediated regulation of the actin cytoskeleton is crucial to myoblast fusion in the fly. Recent advances in imaging in Drosophila embryos, both in fixed and live preparations, have led to a new appreciation of both the three‐dimensional organization of the somatic mesoderm and the cell biology underlying myoblast fusion. BioEssays 30:423–431, 2008. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optical coherence tomography: High resolution intravascular imaging to evaluate vascular healing after coronary stenting
Authors: Guagliumi Giulio , Sirbu Vasile 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe risk of late stent thrombosis represents a major concern for patients treated with drug‐eluting stents (DES). Delayed healing and incomplete stent coverage were commonly observed in pathologic specimens of vessels treated with DES. In‐situ assessment of the stent coverage has been limited by the low spatial resolution of current image modalities. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) enables real‐time, full tomographic, in‐vivo visualization of coronary vessel microstructure. Struts coverage and vessel response of DES compared to BMS are the most immediate clinical applications of OCT. Thickness of coverage and strut apposition can be quantified at micron‐scale level with a resolution 10–30 times higher than conventional intravascular ultrasound. Current clinical experience demonstrates the high level of accuracy of OCT in evaluating the heterogeneity of vascular healing following DES implantation. Neointimal coverage at strut level assessed by OCT seems a reasonable intermediate endpoint to quickly scrutinize in preregistration studies the safety profile of the next generation of DES. Major limitations of current OCT technology are shallow depth of light penetration and the need to occlude the vessel for blood removal. Second generation forms of OCT, which allow images to be recorded faster (≅10 times) during a nonocclusive flush, have been recently developed. Full, quick scan of multiple and long stent without occlusion balloon is possible. Further technical advancements are expected to provide sharper images with additional contrast and tissue texture characterization. The value of these improvements must be gauged by the degree of impact in DES technology and patient care. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optically Active Mixed Phthalocyaninato–Porphyrinato Rare‐Earth Double‐Decker Complexes: Synthesis, Spectroscopy, and Solvent‐Dependent Molecular Conformations
Authors: Zhang Xiaomei , Muranaka Atsuya , Lv Wei , Zhang Yuexing , Bian Yongzhong , Jiang Jianzhuang , Kobayashi Nagao 
Published: April 2008

AbstractReaction between the optically active metal‐free phthalocyanine with a π system with noncentrosymmetrical C2v symmetry ((S)‐ and (R)‐H2{Pc(OBNP)2}; OBNP=binaphthylphthalocyanine) and half‐sandwich complexes [MIII(acac)(TClPP)] (M=Y, Eu; TClPP=meso‐tetrakis(4‐chlorophenyl)porphyrinate; acac=acetylacetonate), which were generated in situ from [M(acac)3]⋅n H2O and H2(TClPP) in n‐octanol at reflux, provided the first optically active protonated mixed phthalocyaninato–porphyrinato rare‐earth double‐decker complexes [MIIIH{Pc(OBNP)2}(TClPP)] (M=Y, Eu) in good yield. In addition to electronic absorption spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism results, circular dichroism shows different spectroscopic features of these mixed‐ring rare‐earth double‐decker compounds in different solvents, such as DMF and CHCl3, which was well‐reproduced on the basis of time‐dependent density functional theory calculation results for the yttrium species (S)‐[YIII{Pc(OBNP)2}(Por)]− (Por=porphyrinate, which is obtained by removing the four chlorophenyl groups from the TClPP ligand) in terms of the change in the rotation angle between the two macrocyclic ligands in the double‐decker molecules. These results revealed the solvent‐dependent nature of the molecular conformation of mixed‐ring rare‐earth double‐decker complexes, which suggests a new way of tuning the optical and the electrochemical properties of sandwich‐type bis(tetrapyrrole)–metal double‐decker complexes in solution by changing the solvent.
ST‐segment Elevation in Lead Augmented Vector Right may also be Caused by Diffuse Left Main Coronary Artery Vasospasm Without Fixed Stenosis
Authors: Duygu Hamza , Yavuzgil Oguz , Erturk Umit , Zoghi Mehdi , Ozerkan Filiz 
Published: April 2008

AbstractST‐segment deviation in lead augmented vector right (aVR) is useful for evaluating patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The ST‐segment elevation in this aVR in the patient with clinically suspected acute coronary syndrome suggests a strong possibility of left main coronary artery (LMCA) obstruction due to fixed stenosis. In this article, we report the first case, to our knowledge, of ST‐segment elevation in lead aVR due to diffuse LMCA spasm. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical Impact of Drug‐eluting Stents in an Unselected Population of Diabetic Patients
Authors: Domínguez Franco Antonio J. , Alonso Briales Juan H. , Jiménez Navarro Manuel F. , Hernández García Jose M. , García Pinilla José M. , Pérez Caravante Margarita , De Teresa Galván Eduardo 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackgroundDrug‐eluting stents (DES) have been shown in randomized trials to reduce clinical events in diabetic patients. Our aim was to determine whether these clinical results are applicable in an unselected population of patients with non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).MethodsWe studied 440 consecutive patients (271 NIDDM and 169 IDDM) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, divided into 2 cohorts: Group A (1998–2000): 220 patients with bare metal stents, and Group B (2002–2004): 220 patients with drug‐eluting stents. We analyzed major coronary adverse events (death, nonfatal acute myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization) over a mean follow‐up of 18 ± 15 months.ResultsGroup B had more patients who were insulin‐dependent (44.5 versus 32.3% p<0.001) or had hypertension (64.5 versus 54.1%; p = 0.02), a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (53.89 versus 56.8%; p = 0.04), more complex lesions (B2/C) (82.7 versus 62.3%; p<0.001), more treated lesions (1.40 versus 1.26; p<0.001), more stents implanted (1.69 versus 1.15; p<0.0001), and more patients treated with abciximab (76.8 versus 42.7%; p<0.0001). During the follow‐up, Group B had fewer major adverse coronary events (11.7 versus 27.9%; p<0.001) and a reduction in target lesion revascularization (3.9 versus 17.2%; p<0.001), with no differences in death or myocardial infarction. Both groups experienced a significant reduction in events (NIDDM: 8.1 versus 26.7%; p<0.001 and IDDM: 16 versus 31.9%; p = 0.016). Multivariate regression analysis showed the use of drug‐eluting stents to be in direct relation with event‐free survival (odds ratio [OR]: 3.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44–7.90; p = 0.005).ConclusionDespite the worse angiographic characteristics, the use of DES reduced clinical events, particularly target lesion revascularization. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
X‐ray Burns—Painful, Protracted, and Preventable
Authors: Vlietstra Ronald E. , Wagner Louis K. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractVery high doses of x‐ray may produce deep burns in the backs of patients having fluoroscopically guided cardiac interventional procedures. While these incidents are uncommon they can be prevented by judicious limitation of fluoroscopy and timely repositioning of the x‐ray tube. Better education and improved methods for dose mapping should make these distressing complications a thing of the past. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rate of bilirubin regression after stenting in malignant biliary obstruction for the initiation of chemotherapy
Authors: Weston Brian R. , Ross William A. , Wolff Robert A. , Evans Douglas , Lee Jeffrey E. , Wang Xuemei , Xiao Lian‐chun , Lee Jeffrey H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.This study was conducted to evaluate the rate of regression of bilirubin after stent placement for malignant biliary obstruction.METHODS.Records were reviewed from October 2002 to September 2005 for patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stent placement. The time to achieve a bilirubin level ≤2 mg/dL was the primary endpoint because this is the level required by most chemotherapy protocols. Patient variables included type of cancer, liver metastasis, recent chemotherapy, baseline creatinine, and international normalized ratio (INR). Stent variables included type, dimension, stricture location, and sphincterotomy.RESULTS.In total, 156 patients were included in the analysis: Ninety‐three patients achieved a poststent bilirubin level ≤2 mg/dL, 29 patients failed because of stent failure, and 34 patients failed because of inadequate follow‐up. The time required for 80% of patients to achieve normalization was more than doubled in those who had prestent bilirubin levels ≥10 mg/dL (6 weeks) compared with those who had prestent bilirubin levels <10 mg/dL (3 weeks). The following variables were identified as statistically significant: prestent bilirubin level, stricture location, liver metastasis, and INR. The cancer type, recent chemotherapy, stent type and diameter, and sphincterotomy were not statistically significant variables.CONCLUSIONS.The rate of bilirubin normalization after biliary stenting was highly dependent on the prestent bilirubin level. Endoscopic intervention should be considered in patients who fail to achieve adequate normalization of serum bilirubin in 6 weeks if prestent bilirubin level was ≥10 mg/dL and in 3 weeks if their prestent bilirubin level was <10 mg/dL. Independent variables, such as diffuse liver metastases, stricture outside the common bile duct, and elevated INR had predictive value for bilirubin normalization. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Subcellular distribution of the Rho‐GEF Lfc in primate prefrontal cortex: Effect of neuronal activation
Authors: Muly E. Chris , Nairn Angus C. , Greengard Paul , Rainnie Donald G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe strength of synaptic connections in the brain varies with activity, and this plasticity depends on remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton in dendritic spines. Critical to this are the Rho family GTPases, whose activity is controlled by various modulatory proteins, including the Rho‐GEF Lfc. In cultured neurons and nonneuronal cells, Lfc has been shown both to bind to microtubules and to regulate the actin cytoskeleton. Significantly, Lfc was found to be concentrated in the dendritic shafts of cultured hippocampal neurons under control conditions but then translocated into spines when neural activity was stimulated. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy to examine activity‐dependent changes in the distribution of Lfc in the neuropil of monkey prefrontal cortex. We found that, although Lfc was concentrated in dendrites, it also had a complex distribution in the neuropil, including being present in spines, axons, terminals, and glial processes. Moreover, Lfc distribution varied in different layers of cortex. By using an in vitro slice preparation of monkey prefrontal cortex, we demonstrated an activity‐dependent translocation of Lfc from dendritic shafts to spines. The results of this study support a role for Lfc in activity‐dependent spine plasticity and demonstrate the feasibility of studying activity‐dependent changes in protein localization in tissue slices. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:927–939, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonlinear transient dynamic analysis by explicit finite element with iterative consistent mass matrix
Authors: Wu Shen Rong , Qiu Weifeng 
Published: April 2008

AbstractVarious mass matrices in the explicit finite element analyses of nonlinear transient dynamic problems are investigated. The matrices are obtained as a linear combination of lumped and consistent mass matrices. An iterative procedure to calculate the inverse of the consistent and the mixed mass matrices in the framework of explicit finite element method is presented. The convergence of the iterative procedure is proved. The inverse of the consistent and mixed mass matrices is approximated by the iteration and is used to compare the results from the lumped mass matrix. For the impact of a structural component and a vehicle, some difference in the results by using coarse mesh is observed. For the component using fine mesh, no significant difference is found. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.