bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased efficiency of detecting genetically aberrant cells by UroVysion test on voided urine specimens using automated immunophenotypical preselection of uroepithelial cells
Authors: Pajor Gabor , Sule Norbert , Alpar Donat , Kajtar Bela , Kneif Maria , Bollmann Daniel , Somogyi Laszlo , Pajor Laszlo 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThere is a steady search for procedure which could replace or at least reduce the frequency of the invasive cystoscopy in the surveillance of heterogeneous superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Recently, UroVysion FISH assay has been shown to provide with better sensitivity than the urine cytology except for the lowest stage pTa and grade I‐II TCCs. Data indicate that this failure of the sensitive FISH might be due to mistargeting. Therefore, our aim was to elaborate a procedure enabling FISH analysis in phenotypically preselected urothelial cells, only. Cytokeratin 7 (CK‐7) chromogenic immunolabeling was applied to various mixtures of negative and positive control cells as well as voided urine specimens. Cellular targets and CK‐7 positive cells were identified by morphometric and pixel intensity indices using an automated microscope workstation. UroVysion FISH pattern was analyzed only in the subsequently relocalized CK‐7 positive events. Automated phenotypical preselection of urothelial cells proved to have 97.3% sensitivity, 96.1% specificity, and 99.0% accuracy, whereas combined pheno‐ and genotyping revealed 93.3% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity, respectively. In clinical samples, the overall 20.4% FISH positivity gained by traditional target identification contrasted with the 55.6% positivity obtained by the combined method, by which the efficiency of identifying chromosomally aberrant cells proved to be two to threefold higher even in grade I lesions. FISH analysis of phenotypically preselected urothelial cells might represent a reliable asset in surveillance of low stage–low grade TCCs. © 2008 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Current literature in diabetes
Authors:   John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Published: January 2008

AbstractIn order to keep subscribers up‐to‐date with the latest developments in their field, John Wiley & Sons are providing a current awareness service in each issue of the journal. The bibliography contains newly published material in the field of diabetes/metabolism. Each bibliography is divided into 26 sections: 1 Reviews; 2 General; 3 Genetics; 4 Epidemiology; 5 Immunology; 6 Obesity; 7 Prediction and Prevention; 8 Intervention: a) General; b) Care; c) Drug Therapy; d)Economics; e) Gene therapy; f) Nursing; g) Nutrition; h) Surgery; i) Transplantation; 9 Pathology and Complications: a) General; b) Cardiovascular; c) Eye disease; d) Gestational and fetal; e) Neurological; f) Podiatrical; g) Renal; 10 Endocrinology & Metabolism; 11 Experimental Studies; 12 Diagnosis and Techniques. Within each section, articles are listed in alphabetical order with respect to author
B‐Raf‐mediated signaling pathway regulates T cell development
Authors: Tsukamoto Hirotake , Irie Atsushi , Senju Satoru , Hatzopoulos Antonis K. , Wojnowski Leszek , Nishimura Yasuharu 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe activities of the Raf kinase family proteins control extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) activation in many aspects of cellular responses. However, the relative contributions of individual isozymes to cellular functions including T cell responses are still unclear. In addition to Raf‐1, another Raf family kinase, B‐Raf, is expressed in murine thymocytes and peripheral T cells, and its activation was induced by TCR stimulation. Here, we investigated the function of B‐Raf in development of T cells by generating chimeric mice in which a T cell‐compromised host was reconstituted with fetal liver‐derived cells from embryonic lethal B‐Raf‐deficient mice. Although B‐Raf was dispensable for normal T cell lineage differentiation at the CD4–CD8– double‐negative stage, thymocytes in the chimeric mice derived from B‐Raf–/– cells exhibited a drastic arrest of differentiation at the CD4+CD8+ double‐positive stage, suggesting that B‐Raf is crucial for T cell development, especially for the transition to CD4+ and CD8+ single‐positive thymocytes. Regarding intracellular signaling, we found that activation of ERK following TCR stimulation was impaired in the thymocytes from the chimeric mice. In conclusion, we present first evidence for the important role of B‐Raf‐mediated signaling in T cell development.
Cover Picture: IL‐10 suppressor activity and ex vivo Tr1 cell function are impaired in multiple sclerosis – Eur. J. Immunol. 2/2008
Authors: Martinez‐Forero Ivan , Garcia‐Munoz Ricardo , Martinez‐Pasamar Sara , Inoges Susana , Lopez‐Diaz de Cerio Ascensión , Palacios Ricardo , Sepulcre Jorge , Moreno Beatriz , Gonzalez Zaira , Fernandez‐Diez Begoña , Melero Ignacio , Bendandi Maurizio , Villoslada Pablo 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis month’s cover features a painting entitled “Time Square” (Oil on canvas, 2007) by Sara Martinez, who is an experienced artist with a long‐record of high profile paintings. The image represents immune square, an idyllic performance shattered in autoimmunity. As well as being an artist, Sarah has a passion for immunology and is an author on the paper by Martinez‐Forero et al. (pp. 576–586) in which the IL‐10 defect in the Tr1 population observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) is confirmed in a large MS patient cohort.
Separation of very hydrophobic analytes by MEKC. II. Carbon number equivalents as analyte descriptors – influence of the composition of the separation electrolyte
Authors: Huhn Carolin , Pütz Michael , Pyell Ute 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe use of the parameter carbon number equivalent, Nc*, as analyte descriptor for neutral hydrophobic solutes in EKC is investigated. The carbon number equivalent of an analyte is defined analogously to the retention index, RI, however, it is directly calculated from the regression line plotting for the members of a homologous series the logarithm of the retention factor against the number of methylene units Nc in the alkyl chain. This plot can be obtained by using simultaneously an iteration procedure for the calculation of tMC. For separation electrolytes containing SDS as micellar phase employing ACN, urea, and CaCl2 as additives within a wide span of concentrations the parameter Nc* is quasi‐independent of the composition of the separation electrolyte, being of importance concerning identification of analytes and improving repeatability and reproducibility. With known octanol–water partition coefficients for the members of the homologous series taken as reference it is possible to transform the conventional time scale of an electropherogram into a scale of Nc* or a scale of log POW. Due to the quasi‐independence of Nc* from the composition of the separation electrolyte these transformed electropherograms can be used as normalized electropherograms for identification purposes. It is also shown that the linear dependence of log POW on Nc can be the basis of the determination of octanol–water partition coefficients of solutes within a very large range (−4 ≤ log POW ≤ 9).
Simultaneous prediction of toxicity of multiple chemicals to multiple species using multi‐dimensional functional relationships
Authors: Morton Richard , Warne Michael St. J. , Correll Raymond L. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA theoretical model is developed for the estimation of the toxicity of a large number of chemicals to a group of species for which the log‐toxicity values have strong linear relationships. The model is a multi‐dimensional functional relationship (FR) that allows for many missing values. It depends on an unobserved variate (denoted by ξ in the text), with a value for each chemical; for each species, the expectations of the log‐toxicity values are each linearly related to ξ. There are worthwhile gains in multi‐dimensional over the two‐dimensional FRs hitherto used. The model is applied to data on the toxicity of 51 chemicals to 10 species. It allows for species to have unequal variance about their expectations. There is good prediction of log‐toxicity from measurements on other species where only 30% of the combinations were measured even when the taxa are not closely related. Among the uses for this technique are (i) to predict toxicity for combinations of species and chemicals that have not been measured, (ii) to suggest a suitable range of concentrations for a new bioassay, (iii) identifying specificity, that is, chemicals that have a different relative toxicity for a particular species. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical significance of osteopontin expression in T1 and T2 tongue cancers
Authors: Chien Chih‐Yen , Su Chih‐Ying , Chuang Hui‐Ching , Fang Fu‐Min , Huang Hsuan‐Ying , Chen Ching‐Mei , Chen Chang‐Han , Huang Chao‐Cheng 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBackgroundOsteopontin (OPN) is considered to be a tumor‐related protein associated with tumor aggressiveness and metastasis.MethodsImmunohistochemistry was used to study the clinical significance of OPN expression in T1 and T2 tongue cancers.ResultsPositive OPN expression significantly correlated with higher tumor classification (T) (p = .004), positive nodal classification (N) (p < .001), greater tumor thickness (p < .001), and presence of tumor necrosis (p = .016), respectively. The unfavorable cumulative 5‐year disease‐free survival rate significantly correlated with positive OPN expression (p < .001), T2 (p = .024), positive N (p < .001), greater tumor thickness (p = .023), and positive tumor necrosis (p = .003). However, taking CD105 into consideration, only CD105 expression was the independent prognostic factor for survival by Cox's regression analysis.ConclusionOverexpression of OPN in the tumors implicated a more aggressive tumor behavior and was an important factor for survival. In addition, there might be relationship between OPN and CD105 expressions in angiogenesis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
PNL2 melanocytic marker in immunohistochemical evaluation of primary mucosal melanoma of the head and neck
Authors: Morris Luc G. , Wen Yong Hannah , Nonaka Daisuke , DeLacure Mark D. , Kutler David I. , Huan Youming , Wang Beverly Y. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBackgroundHistologic diagnosis of mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is difficult, requiring immunohistochemical stains which are less reliable than in cutaneous lesions. PNL‐2 is a novel marker that has not been examined in mucosal melanoma.MethodsNine formalin‐fixed tissue sections of mucosal melanoma were stained with PNL‐2, human melanoma black (HMB)‐45, Melan‐A, S‐100, and microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF).ResultsDisease in all 9 patients arose from the sinonasal mucosa. Rates of diffuse positive staining with the 4 stains were PNL‐2 (77.8%), HMB‐45 (77.8%), Melan‐A (50%), S‐100 (87.5%), and MITF (40%). In 3 patients, PNL2 staining was superior to Melan‐A or MITF.ConclusionWe report the first characterization of PNL‐2 staining in head and neck mucosal melanoma. PNL‐2 demonstrates high sensitivity for mucosal melanoma, likely superior to Melan‐A and MITF, and comparable to HMB‐45, with specificity superior to S‐100. We advocate inclusion of PNL2 as an important adjunctive marker in the evaluation of these lesions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008
Mechanical and diffusive properties of homogeneous alginate gels in form of particles and cylinders
Authors: Pasut E. , Toffanin R. , Voinovich D. , Pedersini C. , Murano E. , Grassi M. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractIn this study, alginate polymers are used to get homogeneous cylindrical or spherical gels. MRI techniques are employed to study homogeneity of these gels. Four different alginates are used and, for each one, five different concentrations for mechanical tests and three different concentrations for release tests are studied. Mechanical tests are performed to get gels' linear viscoelasticity region and then to evaluate their crosslink density in relation to polymer concentration. Afterwards, three model molecules (theophylline, vitamin B12, and myoglobin) are loaded within gels to study the release kinetics in water from both cylindrical and spherical gels. Diffusion coefficients calculated from these experiments are then used to estimate the polymeric network mesh wideness. This work shows how crosslink density increases with polymer concentration regardless of the alginate type considered. In addition, while vitamin B12 diffusion coefficient is inversely proportional to crosslink density, myoglobin is too large to diffuse through the polymeric network, whatever the alginate type and polymer concentration. At the same time, theophylline is too small to be sensibly affected by increasing the polymeric network crosslink density. Finally, MRI analysis and vitamin B12 diffusion coefficient values prove that, structurally speaking, cylinders and spheres are similar and homogeneous. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Application of coherent anti‐stokes Raman scattering microscopy to image the changes in a paclitaxel–poly(styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene) matrix pre‐ and post‐drug elution
Authors: Kang Eunah , Wang Haifeng , Kwon Il Keun , Song Young‐Ho , Kamath Kalpana , Miller Kathleen M. , Barry James , Cheng Ji‐Xin , Park Kinam 
Published: January 2008

AbstractMapping the drug distribution in a polymeric film and following the subsequent changes that result during and after drug release is important to better understand the mechanism of drug release. This understanding leads to more efficiently designed tailor‐made release profiles for drug‐containing biomedical devices. Coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy was used for in situ imaging of local drug distribution in polymeric films, taking advantage of the three‐dimensional (3D) resolution, high speed, high sensitivity, and noninvasiveness of the technology. Additionally, the morphological changes of poly(styrene‐b‐isobutylene‐b‐styrene) (SIBS) films during paclitaxel release were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and drug release was quantitatively determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The time‐dependent changes in the 3D distribution of paclitaxel in the polymer film were visualized using CARS microscopy. CARS images showed that the paclitaxel was uniformly distributed throughout the SIBS matrix. Changes in the paclitaxel distribution during release were monitored using depth intensity profiles and showed that, upon exposure of the paclitaxel‐loaded film to a release medium, the quantitative CARS intensity of paclitaxel decreased. These results indicate that paclitaxel was dissolved and depleted from the SIBS film during in vitro drug elution, supporting the use of CARS microscopy as an effective nondestructive technique for chemical imaging of paclitaxel elution dynamics in polymer films. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Hydrated versus lyophilized forms of porcine extracellular matrix derived from the urinary bladder
Authors: Freytes Donald O. , Tullius Robert S. , Valentin Jolene E. , Stewart‐Akers Ann M. , Badylak Stephen F. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBiologic scaffolds composed of naturally occurring extracellular matrix (ECM) are currently in clinical use for the repair and reconstruction of damaged or missing tissues. The material and structural properties of the ECM scaffold are important determinants of the potential clinical applications and these properties may be affected by manufacturing steps, processing steps, and storage conditions. The present study compared the structural properties of hydrated and lyophilized forms of a biologic scaffold derived from the porcine urinary bladder (urinary bladder matrix or UBM). The structural properties evaluated include: maximum load and elongation, maximum tangential stiffness, energy absorbed, suture retention strength, ball‐burst strength, and the hydrostatic permeability index. Other properties that were investigated include changes in the water content, structural morphology, and thickness and the ability to support in vitro growth of NIH 3T3 cells. Lyophilization caused no changes in the structural properties evaluated with the exception of a decrease in maximum elongation. NIH 3T3 cells showed invasion of the scaffold when seeded on the abluminal side of both hydrated and lyophilized UBM, and there were more cells present on lyophilized UBM when compared to hydrated UBM devices after the 7‐days culture period. Irreversible changes were observed in the microstructure and ultrastructure of lyophilized UBM devices. We conclude that lyophilization affects the overall in vitro cell growth of NIH 3T3 cells and the ultrastructural morphology of UBM devices, but does not result in significant changes in structural properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Effects of bioactive glass and β‐TCP containing three‐dimensional laser sintered polyetheretherketone composites on osteoblasts in vitro
Authors: von Wilmowsky Cornelius , Vairaktaris Eleftherios , Pohle Dirk , Rechtenwald Thomas , Lutz Rainer , Münstedt Helmut , Koller Garrit , Schmidt M. , Neukam Friedrich Wilhelm , Schlegel Karl Andreas , Nkenke Emeka 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBecause of their excellent physical properties nonresorbable thermoplastic polymers have become more important for the field of reconstructive surgery. Aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of laser sintered polyetheretherketone (PEEK) with incorporated osteoconductive and bioactive bone substitution materials on osteoblasts in vitro. Human osteoblasts (hFOB 1.19) were seeded onto laser sintered PEEK samples containing nano‐sized carbon black, β‐tricalciumphosphate (β‐TCP), and bioactive glass 45S5. Osteoblasts were investigated for cell viability, cell proliferation and cell morphology. A constant proliferation of osteoblasts could be observed on all samples with the highest values for bioactive glass containing samples at day 7 (OD 1.76 ± 0.22) and day 14 (OD 3.75 ± 0.31) and lowest values for β‐TCP containing probes throughout the study compared with the PEEK pure control group. Highest cell viability was observed for Bioglass containing probes (95.5 ± 3.32)% whereas osteoblasts seeded on β‐TCP containing probes showed reduced viability (84.4 ± 4.32)%. Laser sintered PEEK implants seem to be attractive candidates for use as bone substitutes for reconstructive surgery because of their biocompatibility, individual shape, and the possibility of compounding bioinert polymer powder with osteoconductive and bioactive materials which might benefit bone formation in vivo. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Bacterial and Candida albicans adhesion on rapid prototyping‐produced 3D‐scaffolds manufactured as bone replacement materials
Authors: Al‐Ahmad A. , Wiedmann‐Al‐Ahmad M. , Carvalho C. , Lang M. , Follo M. , Braun G. , Wittmer A. , Mülhaupt R. , Hellwig E. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractRapid prototyping (RP)‐produced scaffolds aregaining increasing importance in scaffold‐guided tissueengineering. Microbial adhesion on the surface of replacement materials has a strong influence on healing and long‐term outcome. Consequently, it is important to examine the adherence of microorganisms on RP‐produced scaffolds. This research focussed on manufacturing of scaffolds by 3D‐bioplotting and examination of their microbial adhesion characteristics. Tricalciumphosphate (TCP), calcium/sodium alginate, and poly(lactide‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) constructs were produced and used to study the adhesion of dental pathogens. Six oral bacterial strains, one Candida strain and human saliva were used for the adhesion studies. The number of colony forming units (CFU) were determined and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) were performed. Microorganisms adhered to all scaffolds. All strains, except for Streptococcus oralis, adhered best to PLGA scaffolds. Streptococcus oralis adhered to each of the biomaterials equally. Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis adhered best to PLGA scaffolds, followed by alginate and TCP. Prevotella nigrescens, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus sanguis, and Candida albicans showed the highest adherence to PLGA, followed by TCP and alginate. In contrast, the microorganisms of saliva adhered significantly better to TCP, followed by PLGA and alginate. SEM observations correlated with the results of the CFU determinations. CLSM detected bacteria within deeper sheets of alginate. In conclusion, because of the high adherence rate of oral pathogens to the scaffolds, the application of these biomaterials for bone replacement in oral surgery could result in biomaterial‐related infections. Strategies to decrease microbial adherence and to prevent infections due to oral pathogens are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Enhanced surface attachment of protein‐type targeting ligands to poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) nanoparticles using variable expression of polymeric acid functionality
Authors: McCarron Paul A. , Marouf Waleed M. , Donnelly Ryan F. , Scott Chris 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe density of reactive carboxyl groups on the surface of poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NP) was modulated using a combination of high‐molecular weight (MW) encapped and low MW non‐encapped PLGA. Carboxyl groups were activated using carbodiimide chemistry and conjugated to bovine serum albumin and a model polyclonal antibody. Activation of carboxyl groups in solution‐phase PLGA prior to NP formation was compared with a postformation activation of peripheral carboxyl groups on intact NP. Activation before or after NP formation did not influence conjugation efficiency to NP prepared using 100% of the low‐MW PLGA. The effect of steric stabilization using poly(vinyl alcohol) reduced conjugation of a polyclonal antibody from 62 μg/(mg NP) to 32 μg/(mg NP), but enhanced particulate stability. Increasing the amount of a high‐MW PLGA also reduced conjugation, with the activation postformation still superior to the preformation approach. Drug release studies showed that high proportions of high‐MW PLGA in the NP produced a longer sustained release profile of a model drug (celecoxib). It can be concluded that activating intact PLGA NP is superior to activating component parts prior to NP formation. Also, high MW PLGA could be used to prolong drug release, but at the expense of conjugation efficiency on to the NP surface. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Use of recycled copper slag for blended cements
Authors: de Rojas M Isabel Sánchez , Rivera Julián , Frías Moisés , Marín Félix 
Published: January 2008

AbstractCopper slag is a by‐product generated during smelting to extract copper metal from the ore. The copper slag obtained may exhibit pozzolanic activity and may therefore be used in the manufacture of addition‐containing cements. In this paper the effect of the incorporation of the copper slag in cement is measured. Blends of copper slag with Portland cement generally possess properties equivalent to Portland cement containing fly ash, but very different to the silica fume incorporation. Copper slag and fly ash reduce the heat of hydration more effectively than silica fume in mortars. The replacement of 30% cement by copper slag reduces the flexural and compressive strength in a similar way to fly ash; however, after 28 days, the reduction is less than the percentage of substitution. Hydrated calcium aluminate phases were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The pozzolanic activity of copper slag is similar to that of fly ash and higher than silica fume. In the presence of low water/cement ratios, certain pozzolanic materials produce a very compact cement paste that limits the space available for hydration products, a determining factor in the formation of hydrated calcium aluminates. SEM was found to be a useful analytical technique when aluminates are formed and can be clearly detected by XRD. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry