bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Distinct Cation-Sensing Mechanism in MC3T3-E1 Osteoblasts Functionally Related to the Calcium Receptor
Authors: Quarles L. Darryl , Hartle James E. , Siddhanti Suresh R. , Guo Rong , Hinson Todd K. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The presence of a cation-sensing mechanism in osteoblasts is suggested by the ability of specific cations to stimulate osteoblastic proliferation in culture and to induce de novo bone formation in some experimental models. Our study examines whether extracellular cations stimulate osteoblasts through the recently identified G protein–coupled calcium receptor (CaR). We found that CaR agonists, calcium (Ca2+), gadolinium (Gd3+), aluminum (Al3+), and neomycin, stimulated DNA synthesis in murine-derived MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts, whereas magnesium (Mg2+), nickel (Ni2+), cadmium (Cd2+), and zinc (Zn2+) had no effect. With the exception of Mg2+, the cation specificities and apparent affinities were similar to that reported for CaR. CaR agonists also stimulated DNA synthesis in C3HT101/2 fibroblasts, but not in mesangial PVG, CHO, hepatic HTC, COS-7 cells, or malignant transformed ROS17/2.8 and UMR-106 osteoblasts. In addition, similar to other growth factors, CaR agonists activated transcription of a serum response element luciferase reporter construct (SRE-Luc) stably transfected into MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, but had no effect on SRE-Luc transfected into CHO and COS-7 cells. We were unable to detect CaR expression by Northern analysis using a mouse CaR-specific probe or to amplify CaR mRNA by reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. These findings suggest that an extracellular cation-sensing mechanism is present in murine-derived osteoblasts that is functionally similar to but molecularly distinct from CaR.
Nitric Oxide Acts in Conjunction with Proinflammatory Cytokines to Promote Cell Death in Osteoblasts
Authors: Damoulis Petros D. , Hauschka Peter V. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-1β are known modulators of bone remodeling in vitro and in vivo. The same cytokines induce the production of nitric oxide (NO) in various cell types, including osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and NO has recently been implicated in the regulation of bone resorption. We investigated the relationship between NO levels and cell viability in MC3T3-E1, a well-characterized osteoblastic cell line. NO donors at high concentrations (≥0.5 mM) produce a significant cytotoxic effect over a 48 h period. Various combinations of the three cytokines strongly promote endogenous NO production, and high NO levels are correlated with the loss of cell viability. Although TNF-α produces NO-independent cytotoxicity, NO greatly enhances this cytotoxic effect. Human and mouse TNF-α differ in their cytotoxic effects, and human TNF-α induces lower levels of NO production. In cocultures of RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and IFN-γ, and untreated MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, addition of anti–TNF-α antibody and inhibition of NO synthesis have additive, protective effects on osteoblast viability. NO cytotoxicity involves an apoptotic mechanism. Our results underline the importance of NO and TNF-α as cytotoxic mediators in the osseous microenvironment and might explain the observed deficiency of bone formation in inflammatory sites.
Advanced Glycation Endproducts Stimulate Interleukin-6 Production by Human Bone-Derived Cells
Authors: Takagi Miki , Kasayama Soji , Yamamoto Takehisa , Motomura Takashi , Hashimoto Kunihiko , Yamamoto Hiroyasu , Sato Bunzo , Okada Shintaro , Kishimoto Tadamitsu 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), which result from nonenzymatic reactions of glucose with tissue proteins, have been shown to accumulate on long-lived proteins in advanced aging and diabetes mellitus. Thus, AGEs have been implicated in some of the chronic complications associated with these disorders. In this study, we investigated the effects of the glucose-modified protein on the production of the potent bone resorption factors by cells derived from explants of human bone. AGEs stimulated the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the culture supernatants from the bone-derived cells and increased the levels of IL-6 mRNA in the cells. By contrast, the levels of IL-11 in the culture supernatants were not altered by AGEs, and the other bone resorption factors IL-1α and IL-1β were undetectable (&lt;1.0 pg/ml) either without or with the treatment of AGEs. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays revealed that the transcription nuclear factor-κB, which is critical for the inducible expression of IL-6, was activated in the nuclear extracts from mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells treated with AGEs. These results suggest that AGEs are involved in bone remodeling modulation by stimulating IL-6 production in human bone-derived cells.
Development and Validation of a Discriminative Quality of Life Questionnaire for Osteoporosis (The OPTQoL)
Authors: Lydick Eva , Zimmerman Sheryl Itkin , Yawn Barbara , Love Betsey , Kleerekoper Michael , Ross Philip , Martin Allison , Holmes Richard 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
We report the development and validation of an osteoporosis-targeted quality of life questionnaire to measure the impact of the disease in the general population. From multiple focus groups with women with osteoporosis, healthy women at risk for osteoporosis, spouses and relatives of women with osteoporosis, and health care providers, we identified over 300 potential items related to the disease. A lengthy questionnaire incorporated these items and was administered to a second large study cohort of 222 women with clinical osteoporosis (history of fracture, significant height loss, and/or kyphosis); 101 women with known low bone mineral density levels that would categorize them as osteoporotic but who had not yet shown obvious physical manifestations of the disease; and 142 women with other conditions (such as arthritis, cancer, depression) expected to also have an impact on quality of life. Final items from among the original 300 were chosen for their demonstrated relationship with osteoporosis as measured by clinical manifestations and low bone density and with quality of life measured by a standard generic questionnaire, the SF-36. The final questionnaire contains 26 scored items in three domains—physical activity, adaptations, and fears—and six nonscored questions relating to osteoporotic changes and diagnosis. This instrument is unique among osteoporosis-targeted questionnaires in that it attempts to measure the total impact of the disease on quality of life within a population at a single point in time.
Gonadal and Adrenal Androgens Are Potent Regulators of Human Bone Cell Metabolism In Vitro
Authors: Kasperk Christian H. , Wakley Glenn K. , Hierl Thomas , Ziegler Reinhard 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Androgens stimulate bone formation and play an important role in the maintenance of bone mass. Clinical observations suggest that both gonadal and adrenal androgens contribute to the positive impact of androgenic steroids on bone metabolism. We investigated the mechanism of action of the adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated compound dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) on human osteoblastic cells (HOCs) in vitro. The DHEA- and DHEAS-induced effects were analyzed in parallel with the actions elicited by the gonadal androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT). There was no qualitative difference between the effects of gonadal and adrenal androgens on HOC metabolism in vitro. Both were stimulatory as regards cell proliferation and differentiated functions, but the gonadal androgen DHT was significantly more potent than DHEA. The actions of DHT and DHEA on HOC proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production could be prevented by the androgen receptor antagonist hydroxyflutamide and inhibitory transforming growth factor β antibodies (TGF-βab), respectively, but were not affected by the presence of the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) and 5-α-reductase (5-AR) inhibitor 17β-N,N-diethylcarbamoyl-4-methyl-4aza-5α-androstan-3-one (4-MA). This indicates that DHT and DHEA (1) exert their mitogenic effects by androgen receptor–mediated mechanisms, (2) stimulate ALP production by increased TGF-β expression, (3) that the action of DHT is not affected by the presence of 4-MA, and that (4) DHEA does not need to be metabolized by 3βHSD or 5-AR first to exert its effects on HOCs in vitro.
Periprosthetic Bone Loss and Regional Bone Turnover in Uncemented Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective Study Using High Resolution Single Photon Emission Tomography and Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
Authors: Mr. Kröger Heikki , Vanninen Esko , Overmyer Margit , Miettinen Hannu , Rushton Neil , Suomalainen Olavi 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) at 6 and 12 months and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at 0, 6, and 12 months were performed prospectively in 15 patients who had undergone uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) without any complications. Periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) decreased significantly in all regions of interests (ROIs) during 1 year of follow-up. The greatest annual decrease was found in the lesser trochanter region (22.1%). From 6–12 months, SPECT activity in the operated side decreased significantly (10–24%) in all ROIs, with the exception of the medial cortex ROI. In contrast, increases (8–36%) were found in the contralateral side. At 12 months, the operated versus control difference was still 10% in the lesser trochanter ROI, but as much as about 70% in the greater trochanter and tip ROIs. The decrease in BMD was significantly related to an increase in SPECT activity in the lesser trochanter region (r = −0.589, p &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, increased periprosthetic SPECT activity seems to be associated with increased bone loss. We suggest that increased SPECT activity and subsequent bone loss reflect altered stress distribution and bone remodeling in the femur after prosthesis implantation.
Identification of Apolipoprotein A-II in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients by Protein Expression Profiling
Authors: de Bont Judith M , den Boer Monique L , Reddingius Roel E , Jansen Jaap , Passier Monique , van Schaik Ron HN , Kros Johan M , Sillevis Smitt Peter AE , Luider Theo H , Pieters Rob 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground: Our aim was to detect differences in protein expression profiles of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from pediatric patients with and without brain tumors.Methods: We used surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and Q10 ProteinChip arrays to compare protein expression profiles of CSF from 32 pediatric brain tumor patients and 70 pediatric control patients. A protein with high discriminatory power was isolated and identified by subsequent anion-exchange and reversed-phase fractionation, gel electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry. The identity of the protein was confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Results: Of the 247 detected protein peak clusters, 123 were differentially expressed between brain tumor and control patients with a false discovery rate of 1%. Double-loop classification analysis gave a mean prediction accuracy of 88% in discriminating brain tumor patients from control patients. From the 123 clusters, a highly overexpressed protein peak cluster in CSF from brain tumor patients was selected for further analysis and identified as apolipoprotein A-II. Apolipoprotein A-II expression in CSF was correlated with the CSF albumin concentration, suggesting that the overexpression of apolipoprotein A-II is related to a disrupted blood–brain barrier.Conclusions: SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry can be successfully used to find differentially expressed proteins in CSF of pediatric brain tumor and control patients. Apolipoprotein A-II is highly overexpressed in CSF of pediatric brain tumor patients, which most likely is related to a disrupted blood–brain barrier. Ongoing studies are aimed at finding subtype specific proteins in larger groups of pediatric brain tumor patients.
Willensfreiheit und strafrechtliche Unrechtslehre
Authors: Lampe Ernst-Joachim 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
I.
Die ewige Wiederkehr der Diskussion über die Willensfreiheit des Menschen hat in den letzten Jahren nicht nur neue wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse, sondern sogar ein neues „Menschenbild” hervorgebracht. Dieses Bild wird einerseits von der Selbsterfahrung idealistisch entworfen:
„Wir erfahren uns als freie und folglich als verantwortende, autonome Agenten. Esscheint uns, als gingen unsere Entscheidungen unseren Handlungen voraus und wirkten auf Prozesse im Gehirn ein, deren Konsequenz dann die Handlung ist”.
Strafrechtliche Wiedergutmachung und ihr Verhältnis zum zivilrechtlichen Schadensersatz
Authors: Freund Georg , Carrera Enara Garro 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Die Wiedergutmachung des durch eine Straftat bewirkten Schadens wird – soweit ersichtlich – in allen kontinentaleuropäischen Rechtsordnungen zumindest bei der Strafzumessung berücksichtigt. Die näheren Kriterien einer spezifisch strafrechtlich relevanten Wiedergutmachung sowie die genauen Konsequenzen für das Ob und Wie strafrechtlicher Reaktion auf die begangene Straftat sind jedoch noch immer weitgehend ungeklärt und werden dementsprechend in den verschiedenen europäischen Staaten – trotz eines gewissen Grundkonsenses – sehr unterschiedlich beurteilt. Im Folgenden sollen kurz die entsprechenden gesetzlichen Regelungen in Deutschland, Österreich und Spanien unter Berücksichtigung ihres Verständnisses in Rechtsprechung und Literatur exemplarisch skizziert und in ein im Entstehen begriffenes Europäisches Strafrechtssystem eingeordnet werden. Dabei lässt die exakte Erfassung des beschränkten strafrechtlichen Stellenwerts zivilrechtlichen Schadensersatzes die weiteren – letztlich viel bedeutsameren – spezifisch strafrechtlich relevanten Aspekte klarer hervortreten. Ein Vorschlag für eine in den genannten Rechtsordnungen einheitliche klarstellende gesetzliche Regelung (in deutscher und spanischer Sprache), welche auch die in diesen Kontext gehörende Problematik des Rücktritts vom Versuch angemessen bewältigt, rundet die Überlegungen ab und soll einen Anstoß für weitere Diskussionen geben.
Rechtsstaatswidrige Verfahrensverzögerungen im Strafverfahren als Verfahrenshindernis von Verfassungs wegen
Authors: Waßmer Martin Paul 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Immer wieder gibt es Strafverfahren, die von extremen rechtsstaatswidrigen Verfahrensverzögerungen geprägt sind. Im Jahre 2000 hat der BGH in einer Grundsatzentscheidung (BGHSt. 46, 159ff.) diesbezüglich die Annahme eines Verfahrenshindernisses grundsätzlich für möglich erachtet. Diese Lösung ist aber sowohl grundsätzlich als auch in den Einzelheiten umstritten, zumal die bisherige Diskussion „ohne dogmatische oder systematische Leitlinien“ sein soll. Dass Leitlinien existieren und sich die vorhandenen Differenzen weitgehend überbrücken lassen, wird nachfolgend gezeigt.
Load Profile and Fluid Composition Influence the Soak Behavior of UHMWPE Implants
Authors: Schwenke T , Schneider E , Wimmer MA 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Wear of total joint replacements is determined gravimetrically in simulator studies. A mix of bovine serum, distilled water, and additives is intended to replicate the lubrication conditions in vivo. Load soak stations are used to correct for weight gain due to fluid absorption. Although the implementation of a soak station is considered only as an option for wear testing, this study indicated that fluid absorption depends on the lubricant composition as well as on the applied load profile. Two different fluid recipes were tested with three load scenarios each. Standard ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) pins acted against commercially available ceramic hip balls. Dynamic (0 to 1000 N), static (1000 N), and no load were applied for 23.1 days (or 2·106 cycles). Both lubricant recipes based on the same mix of deionized water and newborn calf serum (final protein content: 30 g/L), and differed in the chemicals admixed to the fluid to minimize bacterial growths and to prevent protein precipitation. After test completion, the group of samples tested in fluid B gained 2.4-, 3.6-, and 4.2-fold the weight of samples submersed in fluid A for the dynamically, statically, and nonloaded samples, respectively. The specimens showed a significantly higher weight gain under dynamic load than subjected to static or no load for both fluids. The results of this study suggest the implementation of a load-soak control station for every wear test when UHMWPE materials are examined.
Measuring and Modeling the Displacement of Connate Water in Chalk Core Plugs During Water Injection
Authors: Korsbech U. , Aage H. K. , Andersen B. L. , Hedegaard K. , Springer N. 
Published: June 2006

Summary
The movement of connate water spiked with gamma-emitting 22Na (a radioactive sodium isotope) was studied during laboratory waterflooding of oil-saturated chalk at connate-water saturation from a North Sea reservoir. Using a 1D gamma-monitoring technique, it was observed that connate water is piled up at the front of the injection water and forms a mixed water bank with almost 100% connate water in the front, behind which a gradual transition to pure injection water occurs. This result underpins log interpretations from waterflooded chalk reservoirs. An ad hoc model was set up by use of the results, and the process was examined theoretically at a larger scale.
Artificial Intelligence Used to Evaluate 23 Single-Well Surfactant-Soak Treatments
Authors: Weiss William W. , Xie Xina , Weiss Jason , Subramanium Vishu , Taylor Archie , Edens Fred 
Published: June 2006

Summary
Following a series of laboratory imbibition-cell experiments, field tests were conducted to determine the effectiveness of surfactant-soak treatments as a single-well enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) technique. The tests were conducted in the dolomite interval of the Phosphoria formation. Artificial intelligence was applied to analyze the mixed test results. The analysis suggested that the gamma ray log can be used to predict results and that a minimum amount of surfactant is required to improve production.
Conditional Statistical Moment Equations for Dynamic Data Integration in Heterogeneous Reservoirs
Authors: Li Liyong , Tchelepi Hamdi A. 
Published: June 2006

Summary
An inversion method for the integration of dynamic (pressure) data directly into statistical moment equations (SMEs) is presented. The method is demonstrated for incompressible flow in heterogeneous reservoirs. In addition to information about the mean, variance, and correlation structure of the permeability, few permeability measurements are assumed available. Moreover, few measurements of the dependent variable are available. The first two statistical moments of the dependent variable (pressure) are conditioned on all available information directly. An iterative inversion scheme is used to integrate the pressure data into the conditional statistical moment equations (CSMEs). That is, the available information is used to condition, or improve the estimates of, the first two moments of permeability, pressure, and velocity directly. This is different from Monte Carlo (MC) -based geostatistical inversion techniques, where conditioning on dynamic data is performed for one realization of the permeability field at a time. In the MC approach, estimates of the prediction uncertainty are obtained from statistical post-processing of a large number of inversions, one per realization.
Several examples of flow in heterogeneous domains in a quarter-five-spot setting are used to demonstrate the CSME-based method. We found that as the number of pressure measurements increases, the conditional mean pressure becomes more spatially variable, while the conditional pressure variance gets smaller. Iteration of the CSME inversion loop is necessary only when the number of pressure measurements is large. Use of the CSME simulator to assess the value of information in terms of its impact on prediction uncertainty is also presented.
The Solvency of a General Insurance Company in Terms of Emerging Costs
Authors: Daykin C. D. , Bernstein G. D. , Coutts S. M. , Devitt E. R. F. , Hey G. B. , Reynolds D. I. W. , Smith P. D. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe authors challenge the traditional balance sheet concept of the solvency of a general insurance company and put forward an emerging costs concept, which enables the true nature of the assets and liabilities to be taken into account, including their essential variability. Simulation is suggested as a powerful tool for use in examining the financial strength of a company. A simulation model is then used to explore the resilience of a company's financial position to a variety of possible outcomes and to assess the probability that the assets will prove adequate to meet the liabilities with or without an assumption of continuing new business. This suggests the need for an appropriate asset margin assessed individually for each company. The implications for the management and supervision of general insurance companies are explored. The suggestion is made that the effectiveness of supervision based on the balance sheet and a crude solvency margin requirement is limited. More responsibility should be placed on an actuary or other suitably qualified professional individual to report on the overall financial strength of the company, both to management and to the supervisory authorities.
On the Definition of Catastrophe Claims and the Calculation of their Expected Cost for the Purpose of Long Range Planning and Profit Centre Control
Authors: Ajne Björn , Wide Harry 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSome reasons are given for paying special attention to the gross cost of catastrophe claims in planning and control. A method is then described of defining catastrophe claims and estimating their expected cost. The various steps in applying the method to real data and its performance for planning and control are discussed and illustrated in conjunction with an investigation carried out on a company portfolio.
Evaluation of cat and owner characteristics and their relationships to outdoor access of owned cats
Authors: Clancy Elizabeth A. , Moore Antony S. , Bertone Elizabeth R. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractObjective—To examine characteristics of cats and their owners with regard to outdoor access of owned cats.Design—Cross-sectional study.Animals—184 owned cats admitted to a veterinary referral center for nonemergency health concerns.Results—Cats acquired recently were less likely to be allowed outdoors than those acquired during previous years. Outdoor access was often limited during the day; few owners allowed their cats to remain outdoors at night. Cats acquired from shelters were more likely to be kept exclusively as indoor pets than those cats acquired as strays. The presence of dogs but not other cats in the household was associated with increased outdoor access. Age, health status, and onychectomy status were not significantly associated with outdoor access. Cats allowed outdoor access were more likely to have been bitten by other cats.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The basis for an owner's decision to allow outdoor access appears to be multifactorial, and there may be regional differences in outdoor access of owned cats. Acquisition source is associated with outdoor access of owned cats. Availability of information regarding outdoor access of cats may influence decision making. Educational efforts targeted at specific groups of cat owners, as well as programs that acknowledge owner beliefs regarding quality of life for their cats, may help to address the health, safety, and population concerns associated with outdoor access of owned cats. (J Am Vet Med Assoc2003;222:15417–1545)