bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distinct regulation of MHC molecule expression on astrocytes and microglia during viral encephalomyelitis
Authors: Hamo Ludwig , Stohlman Stephen A. , Otto‐Duessel Maya , Bergmann Cornelia C. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe potential interplay of glial cells with T cells during viral induced inflammation was assessed by comparing major histocompatibility complex molecule upregulation and retention on astrocytes and microglia. Transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein under control of the astrocyte‐specific glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter were infected with a neurotropic coronavirus to facilitate phenotypic characterization of astrocytes and microglia using flow cytometry. Astrocytes in the adult central nervous system up‐regulated class I surface expression, albeit delayed compared with microglia. Class II was barely detectable on astrocytes, in contrast to potent up‐regulation on microglia. Maximal MHC expression in both glial cell types correlated with IFN‐γ levels and lymphocyte accumulation. Despite a decline of IFN‐γ concomitant to virus clearance, MHC molecule expression on glia was sustained. These data demonstrate distinct regulation of both class I and class II expression by microglia and astrocytes in vivo following viral induced inflammation. Furthermore, prolonged MHC expression subsequent to viral clearance implies a potential for ongoing presentation. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Verbal memory performance improved via an acute administration of D‐amphetamine
Authors: Zeeuws Inge , Soetens Eric 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackgroundAn improved long‐term retention of verbal memory was observed after an acute D‐amphetamine administration. It was proposed that D‐amphetamine modulates consolidation, but a possible drug effect on retrieval could not be rejected.ObjectivesWe want to provide additional support for the consolidation hypothesis, and investigate whether an influence on intervening retrieval can be refuted.MethodsThirty‐six male paid volunteers participated in a double blind, counterbalanced, placebo‐controlled design in which the number of intermediate free recall tests was manipulated.ResultsA significant D‐amphetamine facilitation effect on recall performance emerged 1 h and 1 day after list learning. In line with the consolidation hypothesis, no effect was found on immediate tests. Importantly, the number of intermediate retrievals did not affect the magnitude of the drug effect, suggesting that the D‐amphetamine facilitation effect is independent of retrieval.ConclusionThe D‐amphetamine facilitation effect on verbal memory does not involve a modulation of the initial encoding or short‐term memory (STM) processes. Moreover, the drug does not enhance long‐term retention by acting on intervening retrieval processes. The current findings are in line with the conjecture of an involvement of the consolidation process in the D‐amphetamine facilitation effect on verbal memory in healthy humans. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conjunctive water management options: examples from economic assessment of system‐level water saving through Liuyuankou Irrigation System, China
Authors: Khan Shahbaz , Mushtaq Shahbaz , Luo Yufeng , Dawe David , Hafeez Mohsin , Rana Tariq 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe paper provides results of a study aimed at saving a substantial amount of water by maintaining deeper groundwater levels to prevent fallow evaporation and by reducing the cost of groundwater abstraction for lowland farmers. An integrated LIS economic appraisal model was developed that linked simulated response of hydrological modelling of different conjunctive management options with economic analysis.The simulation results of the LIS system dynamic model show that a combination of canal lining and pumping groundwater is the most cost‐effective way to reduce non‐beneficial evapotranspiration and increase water availability by saving up to 68 MCM of water. The simulation results of economic parameters indicated that canal lining and pumping also offer highest net economic benefits (¥21.98 million). Among other options, canal lining also indicates reasonably high net economic benefits (¥9.02 million). The model indicates a small increase in marginal value of water with canal lining (¥1.53 m−3) and pumping and canal lining (¥1.62 m−3). Among other options, the marginal capital cost of water saving for pumping and canal lining together was the lowest (¥0.096 m−3). However, the marginal capital cost of water saving for pumping and shifting canal water downstream was the most expensive (¥1.046 m−3). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biocompatibility of novel polymer‐apatite nanocomposite fibers
Authors: Dimitrievska Sashka , Petit Alain , Ajji Abdellah , Bureau Martin N. , Yahia L'Hocine 
Published: June 2007

AbstractOn the basis of the bioactivity of hydroxyapatite (HA) and the excellent mechanical and biocompatible performance of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), composite microfibers made of nanograde HA with PET was designed and fabricated to mimic the structure of biological bone, which exhibits a composite of nanograde apatite crystals and natural polymer. The PET/HA nanocomposite was molded into fibers so that the bulk structures' mechanical properties can be custom tailored by changing the final 3D orientation of the fibbers. This study focused on the in vitro biocompatibility evaluation of the PET/HA composite fibers as potential bone fixation biomaterial for total hip replacement prosthesis surfaces. The MTT assay was performed with the extracts of the composite fibers in order to evaluate the short‐term effects of the degradation products. The cell morphology of L929 mouse fibroblast cell line was analyzed after direct contact with the fiber scaffolds for different time periods, and the cell viability was also analyzed by the Alamar Blue assay. The release of the inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), from RAW 264.7 macrophages in the presence of fiber extracts and fibers was used as a measure of the inflammatory response. The ability of the fiber matrices to support L929 attachment, spreading, and growth in vitro, combined with the compatible degradation extracts and low inflammation potential of the fibers and extracts, suggests potential use of these fibers as load‐baring bone fixation biomaterial structures. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
A mesoporous bioactive glass/polycaprolactone composite scaffold and its bioactivity behavior
Authors: Li Xia , Shi Jianlin , Dong Xiaoping , Zhang Lingxia , Zeng Hongyu 
Published: June 2007

AbstractComposite scaffolds of mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG)/polycaprolactone (PCL) and conventional bioactive glass (BG)/PCL were fabricated by a solvent casting‐particulate leaching method, and the structure and properties of the composite scaffolds were characterized. The measurements of the water contact angles suggest that the incorporation of either MBG or BG into PCL can improve the hydrophilicity of the composites, and the former is more effective than the later. The bioactivity of the composite scaffold is evaluated by soaking the scaffolds in a simulated body fluid (SBF) and the results show that the MBG/PCL composite scaffolds can induce a dense and continuous layer of apatite after soaking in SBF for 3 weeks, as compared with the scattered and discrete apatite particles on the BG/PCL composite scaffolds. Such improvements (improvements of the hydrophilicity and apatite forming ability) should be helpful for the extensive applications of PCL scaffold in tissue engineering. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Amorphous hydroxyapatite‐sintered polymeric scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration: Physical characterization studies
Authors: Cushnie Emily K. , Khan Yusuf M. , Laurencin Cato T. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractGiven the inherent shortcomings of autografts and allografts, donor‐site morbidity and risk of disease transmission, respectively, alternatives to traditional bone grafting options are warranted. To this end, poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLAGA) and in situ‐synthesized amorphous hydroxyapatite (HA) were used to construct three‐dimensional microsphere‐based composite scaffolds of varying HA content for bone regeneration. In the current study, the effect of adding amorphous HA to the PLAGA scaffolds on their physical characteristics and in vitro degradation mechanism was investigated. Porosimetry and uniaxial compression testing were used to analyze the internal structure and elastic modulus of the scaffolds, respectively. Additionally, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) was performed to assess the polymer molecular weight over the course of an 8‐week degradation study. HA content (17% or 27%) of the composite scaffolds was found to increase scaffold pore volume from 33.86% for pure polymer scaffolds, to 40.49% or 46.29%, depending on the amount of incorporated HA. This increased pore volume provided the composite scaffolds with a greater surface area and a corresponding decrease in elastic modulus. Scaffold degradation studies conducted over 8 weeks showed PLAGA to degrade in a first‐order mechanism, with the rate of polymer degradation for the 27% HA composite scaffold being significantly slower than that of the pure PLAGA scaffold (degradation constants of 0.0324 and 0.0232 week−1, respectively). These results suggest that the addition of amorphous HA to PLAGA microspheres resulted in porous, bioactive scaffolds that offer potential as alternative bone grafting materials for the field of regenerative medicine. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
An optimized β‐tricalcium phosphate and agarose scaffold fabrication technique
Authors: Román J. , Cabañas M.V. , Peña J. , Doadrio J.C. , Vallet‐Regí M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBiodegradable scaffolds composed of β‐tricalcium phosphate, and a natural hydrogel, agarose, were prepared by a shaping method based on the thermal gelation of the polymeric component. This technique was modified to facilitate the inclusion, during the scaffold preparation stage, of therapeutic agents that could improve the graft performance. Vancomycin was included in materials containing different amounts of agarose and ceramic without affecting the scaffold consolidation process. These materials, easily injectable, behave like a reinforced hydrogel whose swelling behavior and drug release rate depend on their composition. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Recognitive biomimetic networks with moiety imprinting for intelligent drug delivery
Authors: Byrne Mark E. , Hilt J. Zachary , Peppas Nicholas A. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractMolecular imprinting techniques have been developed for the preparation of biomimetic polymer networks that can recognize a general moiety, D‐glucose, and the novel evaluation of loading and release of a larger molecule with glucose as an integral part of its structure [i.e., fluorescently tagged glucose (2‐(N‐(7‐nitrobenz‐2‐oxa‐1,3‐diazol‐4‐yl)amino)‐2‐deoxy‐glucose) or 2‐NBDG]. Poly(acrylamide‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate) networks with varying crosslinking monomer percentages (80, 67, and 30%) and crosslinker lengths (average number of ethylene glycol units of 1, 4, and 14) were prepared and characterized using a novel fluorescent microscopy technique, which allowed for microscale observation of the dynamic binding and release of 2‐NBDG within the polymer film. Experimental results indicate that tighter mesh‐sized networks had increased affinity and capacity towards the glucose functionalized molecule as well as increased diffusional transport times, indicating the strong potential to load significantly higher amounts of therapeutic within intelligent carriers as well as control and extend the rate of release via macromolecular structure. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Semiconductor stocks: Signaling a bear market?
Authors: Tokic Damir 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe S & P 500 index has been in an up‐trend since March 2000. But during the same period, semiconductor stocks have had a flat performance. Since many analysts see semiconductor stocks as leading market indicators, is the recent broad market up‐trend just a cyclical bounce in a bear market? © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coping with the new E‐discovery rules
Authors: Mooney J. Lowell , Wright Harry R. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractOver the past few years, companies have gradually abandoned paper records. They've shifted to electronic communication and records. But now, IT staff and corporate counsel are grappling with a whole new set of rules governing electronic legal evidence. What electronic information must you preserve? And how can you control the spiraling costs involved—and avoid crippling damage awards for failure to comply? The authors have some answers, including special guidelines for the chief financial officer's role in all this. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Endless inefficient meetings? Try CMS
Authors: Burnett Royce D. , Friedman Mark , Lynch Antoinette L. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractCEOs and top managers often find themselves in an endless series of meetings. And new responsibilities—along with an accelerated flood of information—have made the problem worse. But using a computer‐mediated system (CMS) to share and manage information can greatly improve your efficiency and effectiveness. The authors explain how to do it. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Danger–corporate data breach!
Authors: Cannon David M. , Kessler Lara 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIt's time to sound the alarm. The number and consequences of corporate data breaches are growing by leaps and bounds. People often see data breaches as an information technology problem. But the fallout often affects the finance function. And while stolen consumer information gets the most publicity, sensitive employee and business partner data has also been stolen.The authors reveal the technological, legal, and market forces causing the growth of data breaches. They also explore the impact of these breaches, as well as current legal moves to address the problem. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mathematical modeling of 13C label incorporation of the TCA cycle: The concept of composite precursor function
Authors: Uffmann Kai , Gruetter Rolf 
Published: June 2007

AbstractA novel approach for the mathematical modeling of 13C label incorporation into amino acids via the TCA cycle that eliminates the explicit calculation of the labeling of the TCA cycle intermediates is described, resulting in one differential equation per measurable time course of labeled amino acid. The equations demonstrate that both glutamate C4 and C3 labeling depend in a predictible manner on both transmitochondrial exchange rate, VX, and TCA cycle rate, VTCA. For example, glutamate C4 labeling alone does not provide any information on either VX or VTCA but rather a composite “flux”. Interestingly, glutamate C3 simultaneously receives label not only from pyruvate C3 but also from glutamate C4, described by composite precursor functions that depend in a probabilistic way on the ratio of VX to VTCA: An initial rate of labeling of glutamate C3 (or C2) being close to zero is indicative of a high VX/VTCA. The derived analytical solution of these equations shows that, when the labeling of the precursor pool pyruvate reaches steady state quickly compared with the turnover rate of the measured amino acids, instantaneous labeling can be assumed for pyruvate. The derived analytical solution has acceptable errors compared with experimental uncertainty, thus obviating precise knowledge on the labeling kinetics of the precursor. In conclusion, a substantial reformulation of the modeling of label flow via the TCA cycle turnover into the amino acids is presented in the current study. This approach allows one to determine metabolic rates by fitting explicit mathematical functions to measured time courses. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The neural pathway of galanin in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of rats: Activation of beta‐endorphinergic neurons projecting to periaqueductal gray matter
Authors: Sun Yan‐Gang , Gu Xing‐Long , Yu Long‐Chuan 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe have previously shown that microinjection of galanin into the arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus (ARC) produced antinociceptive effects in rats (Sun et al., 2003a). In this study, the neural pathway of galanin from ARC to midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) in nociceptive modulation was investigated. The hindpaw withdrawal latencies (HWLs) with noxious thermal and mechanical stimulation were assessed by the hotplate and the Randall Selitto tests. Intra‐ARC administration of 0.1, 0.5, or 1 nmol of galanin induced significant increases in HWLs of rats. The galanin‐induced increases in HWLs were inhibited by injection of 10 μg of the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone or 1 nmol of the mu‐opioid receptor antagonist beta‐funaltrexamine (beta‐FNA) into PAG, suggesting that the antinociceptive effects induced by intra‐ARC injection of galanin occur via the neural pathway from ARC to PAG. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the galaninergic fibers directly innervated the beta‐endorphinergic neurons in ARC by immunofluorescent methods. Taken together, our results suggest that galanin produces antinociceptive effects in the ARC of rats by activating the beta‐endorphinergic pathway from ARC to PAG. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel compound, maltolyl p‐coumarate, attenuates cognitive deficits and shows neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo dementia models
Authors: Shin Ki Young , Lee Geon Ho , Park Cheol Hyoung , Kim Hee Jin , Park Soo‐Hyun , Kim Seonghan , Kim Hye‐Sun , Lee Kwan‐Sun , Won Beom Young , Lee Hyung Gun , Choi Jin‐Ho , Suh Yoo‐Hun 
Published: June 2007

AbstractTo develop a novel and effective drug that could enhance cognitive function and neuroprotection, we newly synthesized maltolyl p‐coumarate by the esterification of maltol and p‐coumaric acid. In the present study, we investigated whether maltolyl p‐coumarate could improve cognitive decline in scopolamine‐injected rats and in amyloid beta peptide1–42‐infused rats. Maltolyl p‐coumarate was found to attenuate cognitive deficits in both rat models using passive avoidance test and to reduce apoptotic cell death observed in the hippocampus of the amyloid beta peptide1–42‐infused rats. We also examined the neuroprotective effects of maltolyl p‐coumarate in vitro using SH‐SY5Y cells. Cells were pretreated with maltolyl p‐coumarate, before exposed to amyloid beta peptide1–42, glutamate or H2O2. We found that maltolyl p‐coumarate significantly decreased apoptotic cell death and reduced reactive oxygen species, cytochrome c release, and caspase 3 activation. Taking these in vitro and in vivo results together, our study suggests that maltolyl p‐coumarate is a potentially effective candidate against Alzheimer's disease that is characterized by wide spread neuronal death and progressive decline of cognitive function. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stimulation of H2O2 generation by calcium in brain mitochondria respiring on α‐glycerophosphate
Authors: Tretter Laszlo , Takacs Katalin , Kövér Kinga , Adam‐Vizi Vera 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIt has been reported recently (Tretter et al., 2007b) that in isolated guinea pig brain mitochondria supported by α‐glycerophosphate (α‐GP) reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced through the reverse electron transport (RET) in the respiratory chain and by α‐glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (α‐GPDH). We studied the effect of calcium on the generation of H2O2 as measured by the Amplex Red fluorescent assay in this model. H2O2 production in α‐GP‐supported mitochondria was increased significantly in the presence of 100, 250, and 500 nM Ca2+, respectively. In addition, Ca2+ enhanced the membrane potential, the rate of oxygen consumption, and the NAD(P)H autofluorescence in these mitochondria. Direct measurement of α‐GPDH activity showed that Ca2+ stimulated the enzyme by decreasing the Km for α‐GP. In those mitochondria where RET was eliminated by the Complex I inhibitor rotenone (2 μM) or due to depolarization by ADP (1 mM), the rate of H2O2 formation was smaller and the stimulation of H2O2 generation by Ca2+ was prevented partly, but the stimulatory effect of Ca2+ was still significant. These data indicate that in α‐GP‐supported mitochondria activation of α‐GPDH by Ca2+ leads to an accelerated RET‐mediated ROS generation as well as to a stimulated ROS production by α‐GPDH. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PEDF‐derived synthetic peptides exhibit antitumor activity in an orthotopic model of human osteosarcoma
Authors: Ek Eugene T. H. , Dass Crispin R. , Contreras Karla G. , Choong Peter F. M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractPigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) is one of the most potent inhibitors of angiogenesis, and has recently been demonstrated to have an important multifunctional role in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. However, relatively little is known of mechanisms through which PEDF exerts its antitumor activity. Therefore, with the aim of identifying potential functional epitopes specifically against osteosarcoma, we evaluated the bioactivity of four 25‐mer synthetic PEDF‐derived peptides (termed StVOrth‐1, ‐2 ‐3, and ‐4) against a human osteosarcoma cell line, SaOS‐2. We found that StVOrth‐2 (residues 78–102) predominantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation, while StVOrth‐3 (residues 90–114) markedly increased cellular adhesion to collagen type‐1, with StVOrth‐4 (residues 387–411) demonstrating most significant inhibition of Matrigel invasion. Furthermore, we show that StVOrth‐1 (residues 40–64), ‐2 and ‐3 induce osteoblastic differentiation, evidenced by increased mineralized nodule formation. Interestingly, although no peptide inhibited angiogenesis in the tube formation assay, StVOrth‐3 and ‐4 markedly suppressed VEGF expression. We further tested the activity of StVOrth‐2 and StVOrth‐3 in vivo, in an orthotopic model of osteosarcoma and found that both peptides significantly inhibited primary tumor growth and the development of pulmonary metastases. Together these results provide greater insight into the potential mechanisms through which PEDF exerts its antitumor function. Furthermore, this raises the possibility of developing short PEDF fragments as lead compounds for the treatment of osteosarcoma. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:1671–1680, 2007