bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soluble MICA in malignant diseases
Authors: Holdenrieder Stefan , Stieber Petra , Peterfi Andrea , Nagel Dorothea , Steinle Alexander , Salih Helmut Rainer 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe immunoreceptor NKG2D activates natural killer cells and costimulates CD8 T cells. The MHC class I–related MICA molecules are ligands of NKG2D and are expressed on malignant, but not on normal, cells. As NKG2D plays an important role in the immunosurveillance of tumors, studies suggest that release of MICA from cancer cells constitutes an immune escape mechanism that systemically impairs antitumor immunity. Here, we investigated the potential of soluble MICA (sMICA) as a marker in cancer. Analysis of sMICA in sera of 512 individuals revealed significantly (p < 0.0001) higher levels in patients with various malignancies (n = 296, median 161 pg/ml) than in healthy individuals (n = 62, median <30 pg/ml). Patients with benign diseases (n = 154, median 84 pg/ml) exhibited intermediate sMICA levels. In cancer patients, elevated sMICA levels correlated significantly with cancer stage and metastasis (p = 0.015 and p = 0.007, respectively). While release of MICA is thought to impair tumor immunity, determination of sMICA levels may provide useful additional information in the diagnosis and staging of cancer. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biodegradable membrane‐covered stent from chitosan‐based polymers
Authors: Thierry Benjamin , Merhi Yahye , Silver Jim , Tabrizian Maryam 
Published: August 2005

AbstractMembrane‐covered devices could help treat disease of the vasculature such as aneurysm, rupture, and fistulas. They are also investigated to reduce embolic complication associated with revascularization of saphenous vein graft. The aim of this study is to design a clinically applicable biodegradable membrane‐covered stent based on the natural polysaccharide chitosan, which has been developed. The mechanical properties of the membrane is optimized through blending with polyethylene oxide (70:30% Wt CH:PEO). The membrane was able to sustain the mechanical deformation of the supporting self‐expandable metallic stents during its deployment. The membrane was demonstrated to resist physiological transmural pressure (burst pressure resistance >500 mm Hg) and presented a high‐water permeation resistance (1 mL/cm2 min−1 at 120 mmHg). The CH–PEO membrane showed a good hemocompatibility in an ex vivo assay. Heparin and hyaluronan surface complexation with the membrane further reduced platelet adhesion by 50.1 and 63% (p = 0.05). The ability of the membrane‐covered devices to be used as a drug reservoir was investigated using the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP). SNP‐loaded membranes displayed significantly reduced platelet adhesion. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2005
Angiostatin's molecular mechanism: Aspects of specificity and regulation elucidated
Authors: Wahl Miriam L. , Kenan Daniel J. , Gonzalez‐Gronow Mario , Pizzo Salvatore V. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractTumor growth requires the development of new vessels that sprout from pre‐existing normal vessels in a process known as “angiogenesis” [Folkman (1971) N Engl J Med 285:1182–1186]. These new vessels arise from local capillaries, arteries, and veins in response to the release of soluble growth factors from the tumor mass, enabling these tumors to grow beyond the diffusion‐limited size of approximately 2 mm diameter. Angiostatin, a naturally occurring inhibitor of angiogenesis, was discovered based on its ability to block tumor growth in vivo by inhibiting the formation of new tumor blood vessels [O'Reilly et al. (1994a) Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol 59:471–482]. Angiostatin is a proteolytically derived internal fragment of plasminogen and may contain various members of the five plasminogen “kringle” domains, depending on the exact sites of proteolysis. Different forms of angiostatin have measurably different activities, suggesting that much remains to be elucidated about angiostatin biology. A number of groups have sought to identify the native cell surface binding site(s) for angiostatin, resulting in at least five different binding sites proposed for angiostatin on the surface of endothelial cells (EC). This review will consider the data supporting all of the various reported angiostatin binding sites and will focus particular attention on the angiostatin binding protein identified by our group: F1FO ATP synthase. There have been several developments in the quest to elucidate the mechanism of action of angiostatin and the regulation of its receptor. The purpose of this review is to describe the highlights of research on the mechanism of action of angiostatin, its' interaction with ATP synthase on the EC surface, modulators of its activity, and issues that should be explored in future research related to angiostatin and other anti‐angiogenic agents. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electronic excitations of green fluorescent proteins: Protonation states of chromophore model compound in solutions
Authors: Xie Daiqian , Zeng Jun 
Published: August 2005

AbstractGreen fluorescent proteins (GFPs) are widely used as tools in biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular genetics due to their unusual optical spectroscopic characteristics. The spectrophotometric and fluorescence properties of GFPs are controlled by the protonation states and possibly cis–trans isomerization of the chromophore (p‐hydroxybenzylideneimidazolinone). In this work, we have investigated electronic structures, liquid structures, and solvent shifts of the three possible protonated states (neutral, anionic, and zwitterionic) and their cis–trans isomerization of a model compound 4′‐hydroxybenzylidene‐2‐methyl‐imidazolin‐5‐one‐3‐acetate (HBMIA) in aqueous solutions. Our calculated results suggest that HBMIA could adopt both cis and trans conformations in a solution, and it exists in three different protonation states depending on the pH conditions. The absorption spectrum observed in neutral solution is thus assigned to the electronic excitations within the neutral form and the cis isomer of the zwitterionic form, while the absorption band at 425 nm in the basic solution is due to the excitations within the anionic form and the trans isomer of the zwitterionic form. Some technical problems related to the computation of electronic excitations within the HBMIA at the anionic state are also discussed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 26: 1487–1496, 2005
Some 3‐connected 4‐edge‐critical non‐Hamiltonian graphs
Authors: Yuansheng Yang , Chengye Zhao , Xiaohui Lin , Yongsong Jiang , Xin Hao 
Published: August 2005

AbstractLet γ(G) be the domination number of graph G, thus a graph G is k‐edge‐critical if γ (G) = k, and for every nonadjacent pair of vertices u and υ, γ(G + uυ) = k−1. In Chapter 16 of the book “Domination in Graphs—Advanced Topics,” D. Sumner cites a conjecture of E. Wojcicka under the form “3‐connected 4‐critical graphs are Hamiltonian and perhaps, in general (i.e., for any k ≥ 4), (k−1)‐connected, k‐edge‐critical graphs are Hamiltonian.” In this paper, we prove that the conjecture is not true for k = 4 by constructing a class of 3‐connected 4‐edge‐critical non‐Hamiltonian graphs. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Osteology and skeletal development of Phyllomedusa vaillanti (Anura: Hylidae: Phyllomedusinae) and a comparison of this arboreal species with a terrestrial member of the genus
Authors: Sheil Christopher A. , Alamillo Hugo 
Published: August 2005

AbstractFew descriptions of skeletal development and morphology exist for neobatrachians, despite their abundance and diversity. Herein, the adult morphologies of Phyllomedusa vaillanti and P. atelopoides are described and compared and the ontogeny of the larval skeleton of P. vaillanti is described and compared with those of Hyla lanciformis (the only hylid for which a detailed cranial and postcranial osteological ontogenesis has been described) and P. trinitatis (the only other member of this genus for which the larval skeleton has been described). These descriptions and comparisons are made on the basis of cleared and double‐stained, dry skeletal, and alcohol‐preserved specimens. In P. vaillanti, the first elements that ossify are the neural arches of the presacral vertebrae (Gosner Stage 34), followed by the parasphenoid, occipital condyles, exoccipitals, and prootics at Stage 38; many elements of the postcranial skeleton ossify contemporaneously with the first cranial elements. Major modifications of the chondrocranium begin at Stage 44. In adults, the skulls of P. vaillanti and P. atelopoides do not seem atypical of hylid frogs, and their elements are gracile and unornamented. Although P. atelopoides is a terrestrial species, the morphology of its hands and feet does not seem to differ dramatically from that of other phyllomedusines, which are arboreal; however, the relative lengths of the appendages and vertebral column are shorter and more robust than those of all other Phyllomedusa. J. Morphol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein Folding with a Reduced Model and Inaccurate Short‐Range Restraints
Authors: Plewczynska Dorota , Kolinski Andrzej 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSummary: A reduced high‐coordination lattice protein model and the Replica Exchange Monte Carlo sampling were employed in de novo folding simulations of a set of representative small proteins. Three distinct situations were analyzed. In the first series of simulations, the folding was controlled purely by the generic force field of the model. In the second, a bias was introduced towards the theoretically predicted secondary structure. Finally, we superimposed soft restraints towards the native‐like local conformation of the backbone. The short‐range restraints used in these simulations are based on approximate values of ϕ and ψ dihedral angles, which may simulate restraints derived from inaccurate experimental measurements. Incorporating such data into the reduced model required developing a procedure, which transforms the ϕ and ψ coordinates into coordinates of the protein alpha carbon trace. It has been shown that such limited data are sufficient for de novo determination of three‐dimensional structures of small and topologically not too complex proteins.Protein folding based on secondary structure prediction and simulated torsion angles data.magnified imageProtein folding based on secondary structure prediction and simulated torsion angles data.
Experimentally produced diploid〈‐〉triploid mouse chimaeras develop up to adulthood
Authors: Suwińska Aneta , Ożdżeński Wacław , Waksmundzka Małgorzata , Tarkowski Andrzej K. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractSpontaneous diploid〈‐〉triploid chimaeras occur sporadically in various mammalian species including man, but so far have never been produced experimentally. In order to get a deeper insight into the developmental consequences of this anomaly, we have developed two procedures that enabled for the first time to produce routinely diploid〈‐〉triploid embryos, foetuses, and animals in the mouse. These procedures are: (1) aggregation of cleaving diploid embryos with triploid embryos produced by suppression of the second polar body in zygotes, and (2) fusion of a haploid karyoplast with one blastomere of the two‐cell diploid embryos. The first procedure yielded 23 living and 6 dead postimplantation embryos and foetuses (age: 8th–19th day) out of which 22 were chimaeric. In addition, three chimaeric neonates reached adulthood. Two animals were fertile, and one—an overt chimaera—was an infertile male. The rate of postimplantation development of aggregation chimaeras was normal or only slightly retarded, and with one exception the foetuses were morphologically normal. Generally, the highest contribution of the 3n component in extra‐embryonic structures was noted in the yolk sac, and usually it was higher than its contribution to the organs of the body. Chimaerism was most often noted in the liver, the heart, the intestine, and the lungs. Participation of triploid cells to all tissues studied, both in the body and in extra‐embryonic structures, appeared to decrease slightly as development progressed. The second procedure yielded 10 foetuses and 6 adults. Three foetuses were chimaeric. Six fertile adults were probably nonchimaeras: the triploid component was absent in the coat and in the blood. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimation of peroneal and tibial afferent activity from a multichannel cuff placed on the sciatic nerve
Authors: Cheng Hang‐Shing , Ju Ming‐Shaung , Lin Chou‐Ching K. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe afferent signals recorded with a multi‐electrode cuff on the sciatic nerve were employed to investigate the possibility of extracting components ascending from the peroneal and tibial nerves. Two methods, an inverse regression model and principal component method, were studied. The parameters of inverse regression model, determined by data collected in semistatic conditions, were validated by data collected in dynamic conditions. The results showed that the regression model, which used only two channels of the sciatic recordings, was sufficient to separate the distal afferent components. The model, at the expense of requiring distal branch recordings for estimating model parameters, yielded better separation than the principal component method. In conclusion, peroneal and tibial afferent activity can be estimated from the sciatic nerve: the principal component method is suitable for applications focused on acquiring afferent information, whereas the inverse regression model is better for applications in which stimulations will be applied to the branches. The estimation technique provides a powerful tool for in vivo investigation of sensory information transmitted in a peripheral nerve and facilitates implementation of advanced functional neuromuscular stimulation systems. Muscle Nerve, 2005
Wide diameter and minimum length of disjoint Menger path systems
Authors: Kojima Toru 
Published: August 2005

AbstractLet k be a positive integer and let G be a graph with at least k + 1 vertices. For two distinct vertices x,y of G, the k‐wide distance dk(x,y) between x and y is the minimum integer l such that there exist k internally disjoint (x,y)‐paths whose lengths are at most l. We define dk(x,x) = 0. The k‐wide diameter dk(G) of G is the maximum value of the k‐wide distances between two vertices of G. Let X,Y be k‐subsets of V(G). We define mk(X,Y) to be the minimum integer l such that there exist k vertex‐disjoint (X,Y)‐paths of length at most l, and we define mk(G) to be the maximum value of mk(X,Y) over all k‐subsets X,Y of V(G). We study relationships between dk(G) and mk(G). Among other results, we show that if k ≥ 2 and G is a k‐connected graph, then

© 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 46(3), 136–141 2005
Minimum path bases and relevant paths
Authors: Gleiss Petra M. , Leydold Josef , Stadler Peter F. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractGiven an undirected graph G(V,E) and a vertex subset U ⊆ V the U‐space is the vector space over GF(2) spanned by the paths with end‐points in U and the cycles in G(V,E). We extend Vismara's algorithm to the computation of the union of all minimum length bases of the U‐space. Although the size distribution of subgraphs is the same in all minimum length bases, the number of cycles and paths may differ. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 46(3), 119–123 2005
Strain rate sensitivity of Cu after severe plastic deformation by multiple compression
Authors: Li Y. J. , Blum W. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractCoarse‐grained Cu99.99 was prestrained by εpre in multiple compression in three orthogonal directions at room temperature. While the flow stress σ saturates at εpre ≈ 2, the strain rate sensitivity of σ at 318 K increases by a factor of ≈ 2.7	from εpre = 2 to 7. This increase is attributed to decrease of grain size and corresponding increase in fraction of high‐angle grain boundaries. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Method of travel time estimation for wide‐area traffic information service
Authors: Yamane Ken'Ichiro , Yokota Takayoshi , Fushiki Takumi 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAn effective means of ameliorating highway traffic congestion, which has become increasingly severe in recent years, is to provide the traffic information to the road users in real time. In order to make the traffic information service more effective to the users, the area covered by information provision and the accuracy of the information provided are of the greatest importance. From such a viewpoint, a method of travel time estimation which aims at enlargement of the service area and accuracy improvement and stabilization of the provided information is considered. The method tries to utilize in a sophisticated and effective way the data obtained by ultrasonic vehicle detectors and infrared beacons, which are expected to find the widest use in Japan. The method is applied to a real VICS system for ordinary roads, and the accuracy of the provided information is evaluated. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 36(11): 82–92, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ scj.20242
Structured program induction from behavioral traces
Authors: Ichise Ryutaro , Shapiro Daniel , Langley Pat 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis paper addresses the problem of learning control skills from observation. In particular, we show how to infer a hierarchical, reactive program that reproduces and explains the observed actions of other agents, specifically the elements that are shared across multiple individuals. We infer these programs using a three‐stage process that learns flat unordered rules, combines these rules into a classification hierarchy, and finally translates this structure into a hierarchical reactive program. The resulting program is concise and easy to understand. This makes it possible to view program induction as a practical technique for knowledge acquisition. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 36(11): 49–59, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20312
Separation of position and direction information of robots by a product model of self‐organizing map and neural gas
Authors: Date Akira , Kurata Koji 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis paper proposes a neural network model which receives visual inputs from a robot moving freely in a room, and extracts its position and direction information separately. The model has three‐dimensional structure in which two‐dimensional neural fields (unit planes) are arranged in a toroidal form. The learning algorithm takes a form of neural gas in each unit plane and self‐organizing map (SOM) in the toroidal direction. It is shown by computer simulation that position and view direction of the robot can be extracted from visual inputs, and the effectiveness of the learning algorithm is verified. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 36(11): 1–11, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20349
Umbilical Pilonidal Sinus Disease: Predisposing Factors and Treatment
Authors: Eryilmaz Ramazan , Sahin Mustafa , Okan Ismail , Alimoglu Orhan , Somay Adnan 
Published: August 2005

AbstractPilonidal sinus disease is a common problem of sacrococcygeal region. However, it is also observed in the periumbilical area. There are only a few reports about umbilical pilonidal sinus in the literature. In this study, 26 patients (24 men (92 %), 2 women (8 %) with a mean age of 22 years) with umbilical pilonidal sinus disease were included. Predisposing factors, patient characteristics, treatment modalities, and their results have been studied. Male sex, young age, hairiness, deep navel, and poor personal hygiene were found to be predisposing factors. Twenty‐five patients were treated conservatively. However, two patients failed to respond to conservative treatment. Those patients underwent surgery where umbilectomy was carried out without reconstruction. One patient was also operated on for the preoperative misdiagnosis of irreducible umbilical hernia. Patients were followed for 14–96 months. We recommend conservative treatment in patients with umbilical pilonidal sinus. Surgery should be performed in recurrent cases resistant to conservative treatment. The importance of differential diagnosis of umbilical pilonidal sinus from other umbilical pathologies is also emphasized.
The relationship between salinity, suspended particulate matter and water clarity in aquatic systems
Authors: Håkanson Lars 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis work presents and recommends 1) an empirically based new model quantifying the relationship between salinity, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and water clarity (as given by the Secchi depth) and (2) an empirical model for oxygen saturation in the deep‐water zone for coastal areas (O2Sat in %). This paper also discusses the many and important roles that SPM plays in aquatic ecosystems and presents comparisons between SPM concentrations in lakes, rivers and coastal areas. Such comparative studies are very informative but not so common. The empirical O2Sat model explains (statistically) 80% of the variability in mean O2Sat values among 23 Baltic coastal areas. The model is based on data on sedimentation of SPM, the percentage of ET areas (areas where erosion and transportation of fine sediments occur), the theoretical deep‐water retention time and the mean coastal depth. These two new models have been incorporated into an existing dynamic model for SPM in coastal areas that quantifies all important fluxes of SPM into, within and from coastal areas, such as river inflow, primary production, resuspension, sedimentation, mixing, mineralisation and the SPM exchange between the given coastal area and the sea (or adjacent coastal areas). The modified dynamic SPM model with these two new sub‐models has been validated (blind tested) with very good results; the model predictions for Secchi depth, O2Sat and sedimentation are within the uncertainty bands of the empirical data.
North Wales randomized controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy for acute schizophrenia spectrum disorders: two-year follow-up and economic evaluation
Authors: STARTUP MIKE , JACKSON MIKE C. , EVANS KEITH E. , BENDIX SUE 
Published: August 2005

Background. There is good evidence now that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is effective in the treatment of people suffering from schizophrenia. There is also some evidence that the benefits of CBT persist after the end of treatment and that the direct costs of providing CBT as an adjunct to standard care are no higher than the direct costs of standard care alone. The aims of the present study were to discover if the benefits of CBT for acute schizophrenia which were found 1 year after index admission persist for another year, and to evaluate the comparative costs of providing CBT.Method. Consecutive admissions meeting criteria were recruited. After screening, 43 were assigned at random to a treatment-as-usual (TAU) control group and 47 were assigned to TAU plus CBT. Patients (73% of original) were rated on symptoms and social functioning 2 years after index admission. An evaluation of the direct costs of services was also completed.Results. The CBT group had maintained its advantage over the TAU group on negative symptoms and social functioning but had lost the advantage it previously enjoyed in positive symptoms. The difference between groups in total direct costs over the 2 years was not statistically significant despite the cost of providing CBT.Conclusions. Some of the benefits of CBT for patients suffering acute psychotic episodes persist for 2 years. After the end of regular treatment, CBT should probably be targeted on the appearance of early signs of relapse to forestall the re-emergence of positive symptoms.