bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple genetic alterations in malignant metastatic insulinomas
Authors: Pavelić Krešimir , Hrašćan Reno , Kapitanovića Sanja , Karapandža Nikola , Vraneš Zoran , Belicza Mladen , Krušlin Božo , Čabrijan Tomislav 
Published: June 2005

AbstractProto‐oncogenes, growth factors/receptors, and tumour suppressor genes were analysed in malignant metastatic insulinomas. Normal pancreas showed only a moderate immunoreaction for c‐myc proto‐oncogene and a strong reaction for insulin. Benign insulinomas were slightly or moderately positive for transforming growth factor a (TGFα), weakly positive for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF‐R), and strongly positive for c‐myc and insulin. In malignant insulinomas, besides a strong immunoreaction for c‐myc and TGFα, activation of c‐K‐ras and overexpression of p53 protein were found. Insulin reaction was moderate or strong. Three out of six malignant insulinomas displayed a c‐K‐ras point mutation at codon 12. All mutations were guanine to cytosine transversion, resulting in amino acid substitution, glycine to arginine. Mutations were present in metastatic insulinomas only. Patients with mutated c‐K‐ras oncogene had overexpression of p53 protein as well as c‐myc and TGFα overexpression. Our results support the view that malignant progression is a consequence of more than one genetic lesion and suggest that activation of myc, TGFα, and ras genesα plays a role in a multistep process of tumour progression, perhaps serving as an initiating event.
Immunohistological localization of the novel epitope related to type IV collagen in normal and diseased renal tissues
Authors: Hirata Kyoji , Shikata Kenichi , Makino Hirofumi , Hayashi Toshihiko , Ota Zensuke 
Published: June 2005

AbstractType IV collagen is a major component of the renal glomerular extracellular matrix. A recently characterized monoclonal antibody, JK 132, which was originally produced by immunization with human placental type IV collagen, recognizes a new epitope which is different from α1–α6 chains of type IV collagen. Using immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy, the distribution of the epitope of JK132 has been compared with the distribution of α1, α2, α3 and α4 chains of type IV collagen in normal human kidney and in the renal tissues of patients with various types of glomerulonephritis. In normal human kidney, JK132 reacted with mesangial matrix, Bowman's capsular basement membrane (BCBM), tubular basement membrane, and vessel walls, but did not react with glomerular basement membrane (GBM). This distribution is different from the distribution of α1–α4(IV) chains. In IgA nephropathy and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, the staining intensity for JK132 was increased in expanded mesangial matrix. In glomeruli with severe mesangial proliferation, the epitope of JK132 extended to the endothelial side of the GBM. In membranous nephropathy, staining for JK132 was virtually unchanged from normal. This study suggests that the epitope of JK132 increases in amount during the process of mesangial proliferation and could serve as a marker for mesangial matrix expansion in glomerulonephritis.
Isothermal crystallization kinetics of chain‐extended PET
Authors: Sorrentino L. , Iannace S. , Di Maio E. , Acierno D. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe crystallization behavior of a commercial chain‐extended PET (foam grade) was evaluated and compared to that of bottle‐grade PET. Cold and melt isothermal crystallization were analyzed by using the Avrami' model. The foam grade PET showed a slower crystallization kinetic compared to the bottle‐grade PET. The Hoffman‐Lauritzen analysis showed that the energetic barriers to nucleation and molecular mobility were higher for the chain‐extended PET. This resulted in a lower nucleation rate in both cold and melt crystallization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1966–1972, 2005
Intramolecular branching distributions in metallocene short‐chain branched polyethylenes examined by crystallization and annealing at high pressure
Authors: Parker J. A. , Olley R. H. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractUniform branched polyethylenes produced by metallocene catalysts can be subjected to a limited degree of intramolecular fractionation by crystallization or annealing at pressures of 495 MPa. Longer stem lengths in lamellae are more achievable by this process than by treatments at atmospheric pressure. Although the intervention of the hexagonal phase allows greater lamellar stem lengths to be achieved, the small proportion of longer methylene sequence lengths in the melt imposes limitations on the degree of isothermal thickening achievable. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1986–1996, 2005
Variations in case fatality and fatality risk factors of meningococcal disease in Western Norway, 1985–2002
Authors: SMITH I. , BJØRNEVIK A. T. , AUGLAND I. M. B. , BERSTAD A. , WENTZEL-LARSEN T. , HALSTENSEN A. 
Published: June 2005

SUMMARYIn a retrospective epidemiological study, 293 meningococcal disease patients hospitalized during 1985–2002, were examined for fatality and risk factors related to death. The overall case fatality rate (CFR) was 8·2%, but increased from 4% during 1985–1993 to 17% during 1994–2002. The latter 9-year period was characterized by more serogroup C infections and more patients with thrombocytopenia on admission to hospital. All patients categorized as meningitis on admission survived. Of the 24 patients who died, 21 had meningococcal skin rash on admission, 23 had an onset to admission time of ⩽24 h, and 16 had severe septicaemia with hypotension and/or ecchymoses without meningitis on admission. By multivariate analyses, a short onset to admission time, >50 petechiae, thrombocytopenia and severe septicaemia on admission were associated with fatality. More lives could be saved through earlier admission to hospital. This can be achieved through more information to the public about the early signs of meningococcal septicaemia, with the recommendation to look for skin rash in patients with acute fever during the first day and night.
TNFα-induced AMPA-receptor trafficking in CNS neurons; relevance to excitotoxicity?
Authors: LEONOUDAKIS DMITRI , BRAITHWAITE STEVEN P. , BEATTIE MICHAEL S. , BEATTIE ERIC C. 
Published: June 2005

Injury and disease in the CNS increases the amount of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) that neurons are exposed to. This cytokine is central to the inflammatory response that occurs after injury and during prolonged CNS disease, and contributes to the process of neuronal cell death. Previous studies have addressed how long-term apoptotic-signaling pathways that are initiated by TNFα might influence these processes, but the effects of inflammation on neurons and synaptic function in the timescale of minutes after exposure are largely unexplored. Our published studies examining the effect of TNFα on trafficking of AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) in hippocampal neurons demonstrate that glial-derived TNFα causes a rapid (<15 minute) increase in the number of neuronal, surface-localized, synaptic AMPARs leading to an increase in synaptic strength. This indicates that TNFα-signal transduction acts to facilitate increased surface localization of AMPARs from internal postsynaptic stores. Importantly, an excess of surface localized AMPARs might predispose the neuron to glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity and excessive intracellular calcium concentrations, leading to cell death. This suggests a new mechanism for excitotoxic TNFα-induced neuronal death that is initiated minutes after neurons are exposed to the products of the inflammatory response.Here we review the importance of AMPAR trafficking in normal neuronal function and how abnormalities that are mediated by glial-derived cytokines such as TNFα can be central in causing neuronal disorders. We have further investigated the effects of TNFα on different neuronal cell types and present new data from cortical and hippocampal neurons in culture. Finally, we have expanded our investigation of the temporal profile of the action of this cytokine relevant to neuronal damage. We conclude that TNFα-mediated effects on AMPAR trafficking are common in diverse neuronal cell types and very rapid in their onset. The abnormal AMPAR trafficking elicited by TNFα might present a novel target to aid the development of new neuroprotective drugs.
Genomic structure and functional characterization of the human ADAM10 promoter
Authors: Prinzen Claudia , Müller Ulrich , Endres Kristina , Fahrenholz Falk , Postina Rolf 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTThe ADAM10 gene encodes a membrane‐bound disintegrin‐metalloproteinase, which, after overexpression in an Alzheimer disease (AD) mouse model, prevents amyloid pathology and improves long‐term potentiation and memory. Because enhancing ADAM10 expression appears to be a reasonable approach for treatment of AD, we functionally analyzed the ADAM10 gene. Both human and mouse ADAM10 genes comprise ∼160 kbp, are composed of 16 exons, and are evolutionarily highly conserved within 500 bp upstream of either translation initiation site. By using luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrate that nucleotides −2179 to −1 upstream of the human ADAM10 translation initiation site represent a functional TATA‐less promoter. Within this region we identified and examined several single nucleotide polymorphisms, but did not detect significant differences in their appearance between AD and nondemented control subjects. By deletion analysis, site‐directed mutagenesis, transcription factor overexpression and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we identified nucleotides −508 to −300 as the core promoter and found Sp1, USF, and retinoic acid‐responsive elements to modulate its activity. Finally, we identified vitamin A acid (RA) as an inducer of human ADAM10 promoter activity. This finding suggests that pharmacologic targeting of RA receptors may increase the expression of the α‐secretase ADAM10 with beneficial effects on AD pathology.
Serotonergic‐like progenitor cells propagated from neural stem cells in vitro: survival with SERT protein expression following implantation into brains of mice lacking SERT
Authors: Ren‐Patterson Renee F. , Kim Dong‐Kyu , Zheng Xiu , Sherrill Suzanne , Huang Su‐Jan , Tolliver Teresa , Murphy Dennis L. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTNeural stem cells (NSCs) obtained from the midbrain region of embryonic (E14) mice were initially cultured with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), Sonic hedgehog, and FGF‐8 in a serum‐free N‐2 culture medium to foster differentiation into a serotonergic‐like phenotype. During the initial differentiating phase, these progenitor cells expressed En1, Pax3, and Pax5 mRNA. Subsequently, a single serotonin [5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT)] and tryptophan hydroxylase‐positive clone was isolated, which gave rise to cells that developed serotonergic properties. Sixty percent of these progenitor cells expressed the serotonin transporter (SERT), as indicated by specific ligand binding of [125I]‐RTI‐55. To further evaluate SERT functionality, we showed that these progenitor cells possessed specific [3H]‐5‐HT uptake activity. Implantation of the serotonergic‐like progenitors into the hippocampus of adult mice genetically lacking SERT was followed by migration of these cells into adjacent brain regions, and survival of the cells at 8 weeks was accompanied by a gradual increase in density of SERT protein expression, which was not found in vehicle‐injected, control mice. These findings suggest that this serotonergic‐like NSC model will be a useful contribution to the development of cell biotechnology in regard to the expression of missing genes such as SERT in the adult brain.
In vitro reconstruction of an endothelialized skin substitute provided with a microcapillary network using biopolymer scaffolds
Authors: Tonello Carolin , Vindigni Vincenzo , Zavan Barbara , Abatangelo Silvio , Abatangelo Giovanni , Brun Paola , Cortivo Roberta 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTSuccessful in vitro reconstruction of skin requires the inclusion of several cell types that give rise in coculture to the specific elements present in native skin, and the appropriate scaffolding structure to house and support these cells. In addition to the two main structural components, epidermis and dermis, one critical apparatus of the skin is a capillary network that guarantees adequate perfusion of nutrients and oxygen. The aim of the present study was to develop an in vitro coculture system that assumed the human dermal‐epidermal architecture and included a microcapillary network in a three‐dimensional biomaterial that guaranteed ease of handling in a clinical setting. Endothelialized skin (ES) was prepared by coculturing three human cell types: keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, obtained from human full‐thickness skin samples, in scaffolds produced from modified hyaluronic acid. Results were evaluated by histological and immunohistochemical analyses at different time points. In vitro, engineered skin obtained with this composite culture developed into a well‐differentiated upper layer of stratified keratinocytes lining a dermal‐like structure, in which fibroblasts, extracellular matrix and a microvascular network were present. Furthermore, the biodegradable fabric produced from hyaluronic acid and used as the scaffolding support for this in vitro constructed skin graft greatly facilitated handling in the perioperative period.
A comparative study on the corrosion behaviour of simulated archaeological iron in Cl−, NO3− and HSO3− bearing pollutants
Authors: Cao Xia , Xu Chunchun , Ouyang Weizhen , Yue Lijie 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe main purpose of this study was to investigate the corrosion behaviour of simulated archaeological iron in Cl−, NO3− and HSO3− bearing pollutants.Design/methodology/approachPeriodic wet‐dry test, potentiodynamic polarization experiments and surface tension tests were used to study the rule of corrosion rate. Scanning Electron microscopy with EDAX, stereoscopic microscopy and X‐ray diffraction were also used to identify the corrosion products and mechanism. Weight loss measurement, electrochemical theory, as well as ions adsorption theory and penetration theory were used to explain the different corrosion behaviour.FindingsThe experimental results demonstrated that the attack of anodic ions to the metal at the initial corrosion stage showed great agreement with their surface activity. However, as corrosion progressed, the different reaction mechanisms and the penetration effect of anions as well as the characteristics of the corrosion products (intermediate products and final products) begin to control the corrosion process.Originality/valueThe initial corrosion rate was found to show agreement with the surface activity of anions. From a new viewpoint, this paper explains the different corrosion behaviour of Cl−, NO3− and HSO3− anions to simulated archaeological iron and offers reference to the individual who pursues in corrosion and protection of metal.
The effect of isomers of some organic compounds as inhibitors for the corrosion of carbon steel in sulfuric acid
Authors: Ramesh Babu B. , Thangavel K. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeTo study the effects of isomers of organic compounds such as phenylenediamine, toluidine and nitroaniline as inhibitors for the corrosion of carbon steel in sulfuric acid.Design/methodology/approachStandard methods have been adopted in this study such as weight loss, polarization tests, impedance measurements and hydrogen permeation studies to find out the corrosion behavior of carbon steel in sulfuric acid with and without inhibitors.FindingsAll the selected isomers inhibited the corrosion. The best performance was found in ortho‐phenylenediamine when compared with other inhibitors under study.Originality/valueIt clearly shows the effect of isomers of phenylenediamine, toluidine and nitroaniline. The method of study may be applicable to find out the performance of other isomers of organic compounds. As these isomers behave as good inhibitors in sulfuric acid, these may be tried as inhibitors in other acids. Hence, this study is useful to academics and researchers in the field of corrosion science and engineering.
Leadership effectiveness, leadership style and employee readiness
Authors: Chen Jui‐Chen , Silverthorne Colin 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThis study aims to test the Hersey and Blanchard Situation Leadership Theory (SLT) of leadership effectiveness and the impact of the degree of match between leadership style and employee readiness level on a variety of measures of leadership outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThe measures used were employee job satisfaction, job performance, job stress, and turnover intention. SLT argues that an effective leader adopts a leadership style according to the ability and willingness of subordinates for a given task.FindingsThe results did not support SLT predictions that an appropriate match between leadership style and subordinate readiness results in higher levels of subordinate job satisfaction and performance and lower levels of job stress and intention to leave. However, the results did partially support SLT in that, the higher the leader's leadership score, the more effective is the leader's influence. However, the leadership score did not predict job performance. There was a positive correlation between ability and willingness, employee job satisfaction, and job performance. Employee willingness positively correlated with job satisfaction and job performance and was negatively correlated with turnover intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings from this study apply to the Taiwan culture and may or may not apply to other “Chinese” and non‐Chinese cultures.Practical implicationsThe use of the SLT in Taiwan is very widespread, so this study provides empirical evidence of its value when used in Taiwan as a tool to develop and use effective and appropriate leadership abilities.Originality/valueFew studies have attempted to explore the value of SLT in general and in non‐Western cultures in particular. This study expands our knowledge of leadership issues to an Eastern culture and explores the theory's effectiveness related to several organizational factors.
Promoting business/IT fusion: an OD perspective
Authors: Evans Nina , Hoole Crystal 
Published: June 2005

PurposeIt is generally accepted that new information technologies are an integral part of most forms of business initiatives. Evidence suggests that many of these innovations are ineffective and under‐utilised. The information systems/information technology (IS/IT) industry often does not seem to be capable of delivering what business clients expect. Owing to this “expectation gap” and various behavioural issues, business experts have a negative perception of the IS/IT function. It is proposed that a new way of alignment between IT and business is necessary The research aims to address two problems, namely, what factors are influencing business‐IT interface within organisations, and how the IT executive could contribute towards fusion fulfilling an organisational development (OD) role.Design/methodology/approachA triangular and qualitative research approach was followed, including a literature study, questionnaire and interview.FindingsResults indicated a number of reasons leading to IT/business failure and also indicate how fusion can be created by fulfilling an OD role.Research limitations/implicationsOnly companies in the Gauteng region, which is considered to be the economic heart of South Africa, have been included in the study. The small sample size might hinder the generalisation of the results and could be further extended.Originality/valueThe research indicates how a healthy business‐IT interface can be achieved through the fusion of the IT function and the rest of the business by integrating OD initiatives.
Social market economics revisited
Authors: Karsten Siegfried G. 
Published: June 2005

PurposeThe socioeconomic as well as the political world has undergone significant changes, challenging the meaning and validity of economic and political paradigms. This treatise highlights that Eucken's paradigm of a “social market economy,” with its structural and regulating principles, needs to be modified to account for changing strategic factors.Design/methodology/approachNo economic theories, however relevant in the past, hold true for all time. This is verified by the dynamics of change as indicated by Hegelian dialectics, functionalism and structuralism, as well as by quantum theory.FindingsNational economies have become linked in the widening web of the global economy, exemplified, for example, by the European Union, the Euro Bloc, NAFTA, WTO, as well as by other trading arrangements. Enterprises have developed a global orientation, internationalizing their products and services, encouraging labor and capital to move instantaneously among industrialized countries, affecting social, fiscal, and monetary policies. Furthermore, these developments have increased awareness, on a global scale, about human rights and dignity, a healthy environment, changing demographics, and of limited natural resources.Practical implicationsThere is increasing awareness of contemporary challenges facing mankind and the environment, as well as the merging of national economies within a global framework. These challenges with their demands for modifications in socioeconomic as well as political policies may transform the paradigm of a “social market economy” into an “ecological social market economy”.Originality/valueTraditional economic theories usually consider capital and labor as the primary factors of production. Nature (all natural resources), on the other hand, tends to be neglected as an economic good and as an essential third factor of production. A political economy is suggested which assigns equal importance to man and nature, the costs of which have to be fully accounted for, including those for the preservation and regeneration of natural resources.
Information systems security from a knowledge management perspective
Authors: Belsis Petros , Kokolakis Spyros , Kiountouzis Evangelos 
Published: June 2005

PurposeInformation systems security management is a knowledge‐intensive activity that currently depends heavily on the experience of security experts. However, the knowledge dimension of IS security management has been neglected, both by research and industry. This paper aims to explore the sources of IS security knowledge and the potential role of an IS security knowledge management system.Design/methodology/approachThe results of this paper are based on field research involving five organizations (public and private) and five security experts and consultants. A model to illustrate the structure of IS security knowledge in an organization is then proposed.FindingsSuccessful security management largely depends on the involvement of users and other stakeholders in security analysis, design, and implementation, as well as in actively defending the IS. However, most stakeholders lack the required knowledge of IS security issues that would allow them to play an important role in IS security management.Originality/valueIn this paper, the knowledge management aspect of IS security management has been highlighted. Moreover, the basic sources of security‐related knowledge have been identified and a model of IS security knowledge has been created. Also, the activities to be supported by a security‐focused KM system have been identified. Thus, the basis for the development of specialized security KM systems has been set.