bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amphiphilic Tetrathiafulvalene Derivative: Charge-Transfer Complexation Behavior in Solutions
Authors: Naka Kensuke , Inagi Shinsuke , Uemura Takashi , Chujo Yoshiki 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
An amphiphilic tetrathiafulvalene (1) was prepared by condensation of tetrathiafulvalene-4-carboxylic acid with reduced Triton X-100 to avoid crystallization. Its charge-transfer (CT) complexation behaviors were examined with a strong electron acceptor, i.e., 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), in solutions. Although tetrathiafulvalene, (4-tetrathiafulvalenyl)methyl acetate (2), and methyl tetrathiafulvalene-4-carboxylate (4) reacted with DDQ to produce a dark red precipitates in CHCl3 and (4-tetrathiafulvalenyl)methyl stearate (3) with DDQ formed black red colloidal dispersions in CHCl3, an equimolar amount of DDQ with 1 in CHCl3 formed a dark red solution without any precipitates. The UV spectrum of the solution of 1 and DDQ in CHCl3 shows a broad peak in near-IR regions. The absorption maximum at 1300 nm (ε = 3.8 × 102 M−1 cm−1) that is tailing to beyond 2000 nm is derived from π-stacked arrangement of the TTF moiety and DDQ. UV–vis absorption spectra of 1 with DDQ in several organic solvents, i.e., acetonitrile, acetone, CH2Cl2, toluene, and CCl4, show that the CT complexation behavior of 1 was highly dependent on the solvent polarity.
Exposure to myeloma cell lysates affects the immune competence of dendritic cells and favors the induction of Tr1‐like regulatory T cells
Authors: Fiore Francesca , Nuschak Barbara , Peola Silvia , Mariani Sara , Muraro Michela , Foglietta Myriam , Coscia Marta , Bruno Benedetto , Boccadoro Mario , Massaia Massimo 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe aim of this work was to investigate the interactions of tumor cells with dendritic cells (DC) in normal donors and patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Normal and MM DC internalized necrotic lysates derived from myeloma cell lines (MCL) with high efficiency, whereas necrotic lysates from primary myeloma cells (PMC) were internalized with significantly lower efficiency. A positive correlation was found between susceptibility to internalization and the ability to induce DC maturation. After PMC exposure, DC produced large amounts of IL‐10 and measurable amounts of IL‐4 but no detectable IL‐12. Two rounds of exposure to PMC‐treated DC generated autologous T cells with low proliferative capacity, decreased IFN‐γ production and increased IL‐10 production in the absence of IL‐4 production. These data indicate that myeloma cells can affect host immunity by priming DC towards a maturation state favoring the generation of T cells with a regulatory rather than an effector phenotype.
Transgenic overexpression of the Caspase‐8 inhibitor FLIPshort leads to impaired T cell proliferation and an increased memory T cell pool after staphylococcal enterotoxin B injection
Authors: Oehme Ina , Neumann Frank , Bösser Susanne , Zörnig Martin 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe cellular homologues of the viral anti‐apoptotic v‐FLIP proteins exist as a long (c‐FLIPL) and a short (c‐FLIPS) splice variant. While c‐FLIPS and v‐FLIP are composed solely of two death effector domains, c‐FLIPL contains an (inactive) caspase‐like domain in addition to these two death effector domains, thereby structurally resembling pro‐Caspase‐8. Both c‐FLIPL and c‐FLIPS suppress apoptosis by inhibiting Caspase‐8 activation, although at different levels of pro‐Caspase‐8 processing. To analyze the consequences of deregulated c‐FLIPS expression in vivo, we established lck FLIPS‐transgenic mice overexpressing the transgene in thymocytes and in mature T cells. As expected, CD95L‐induced apoptosis was impaired in lck FLIPS‐transgenic T cells, indicating the functionality of the FLIPS transgene. Remarkably, activation‐induced cell death of transgenic T cells was unaffected, despite the observed inhibition of CD95‐induced T cell death. Thymic and splenic cell numbers as well as CD4/CD8 cellularity were normal in lck FLIPS‐transgenic animals, which in contrast to CD95‐deficient mice do not accumulate Thy1+ B220+ CD4– CD8– peripheral T cells. c‐FLIPS overexpression leads to a significant decrease in activation‐induced T cell proliferation in vitro. Despite the capacity of FLIPS to inhibit CD95‐induced apoptosis, T cell lymphomagenesis is not observed in lck FLIPS‐transgenic mice. Interestingly, the Vβ8+ memory T cell pool is enlarged upon staphylococcal enterotoxin B injections, suggesting a specific in vivo function for FLIPS in the maintenance of restimulated T cells.
CFD computations of NAL experimental airplane with rocket booster using overset unstructured grids
Authors: Togashi Fumiya , Fujita Takeshi , Ito Yasushi , Nakahashi Kazuhiro , Makino Yoshikazu 
Published: March 2005

AbstractFlows around the NAL jet‐powered experimental airplane with a small rocket booster under the fuselage are computed by solving the Euler equations using the overset unstructured grid method. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of a small rocket booster, which accelerates the airplane to supersonic speed, on the aerodynamic performance of the airplane during the ascent flight and the booster separation. Two unstructured meshes, one for the airplane and one for the booster, overlap. For the accurate separation simulation, the two bodies are in contact at first, and then the booster mesh is contact mesh is moved relative to the airplane mesh to evaluate flow interactions between two bodies. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gentamicin‐loaded bone cement with clindamycin or fusidic acid added: Biofilm formation and antibiotic release
Authors: Neut Daniëlle , de Groot Erik P. , Kowalski Rick S. Z. , van Horn Jim R. , van der Mei Henny C. , Busscher Henk J. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe formation of staphylococcal biofilms on experimental bone cements, loaded with 0.5 or 1.0 g of active gentamicin and an additional equivalent amount of gentamicin, clindamycin, or fusidic acid was investigated. The biofilms were formed in a modified Robbins device over a 3‐day time span and the influence of the additional antibiotics was quantified by expressing the number of colony forming units relative to the corresponding bone cement containing only gentamicin. Combinations of gentamicin with either fusidic acid or clindamycin reduced growth of clinical isolates of both gentamicin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and gentamicin‐resistant coagulase‐negative staphylococci to approximately 28%. To determine whether adding a second antibiotic has influence on the gentamicin release, cement blocks were placed in phosphate buffer and aliquots were taken at designated sampling intervals. The influence of the additional antibiotics was quantified by expressing the percentage released of the total amount of antibiotic incorporated in the different bone cements. After 3 days, all bone cements had released similar percentages of gentamicin, whereas more clindamycin and fusidic acid were released after doubling their concentration in the bone cements. In conclusion, bone cements loaded with combinations of gentamicin and clindamycin or fusidic acid are more effective in preventing biofilm formation than bone cements with gentamicin as a single drug. In addition, the presence of clindamycin or fusidic acid in gentamicin‐loaded bone cement has no influence on the total gentamicin release. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 73A: 165–170, 2005
Biaxial failure properties of planar living tissue equivalents
Authors: Billiar K. L. , Throm A. M. , Frey M. T. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractQuantification of the mechanical properties of living tissue equivalents (LTEs) is essential for assessing their ultimate functionality as tissue substitutes, yet their delicate nature makes failure testing problematic. For this study, we evaluated the validity of using an inflation device for quantifying the biaxial tensile failure properties of extremely delicate fibroblast‐populated collagen gels (CGs) and fibrin gels (FGs). Small samples were circularly clamped and then inflated until rupture. Each sample assumed an approximately spherical shape and burst at its center indicating effective clamping. After two weeks in culture, all LTEs tested were fragile, but the FGs were significantly stronger and more extensible than the CGs (ultimate tensile strength 6.0 kPa ± 2.0 kPa vs. 2.8 kPa ± 0.7 kPa; failure strain 3.5 ± 0.9 vs. 0.26 ± 0.05, n = 4). After an additional 11 days of culture, the strength of the FGs increased significantly (26.5 kPa ± 12.7 kPa), and the extensibility decreased (1.9 ± 0.8, n = 3). This study demonstrates that subtle differences in the properties of LTEs can be measured using inflation methods with minimal sample handling and without having to grow the tissues into anchors or cut the specimens. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 73A: 182–191, 2005
Is a two‐week trial of oral prednisolone predictive of target lung function in pediatric asthma?
Authors: Lex Christiane , Payne Donald N.R. , Zacharasiewicz Angela , Li Albert M. , Nicholson Andrew G. , Wilson Nicola M. , Bush Andrew 
Published: March 2005

AbstractWe used a 2‐week trial of prednisolone to determine “target” lung function for subsequent asthma therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether some children exceed their “target” forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1) on subsequent visits in the following year, and whether this is associated with particular clinical or pathological features. Children (aged 6–16 years) with difficult asthma underwent spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurements before and after 2 weeks of prednisolone 40 mg/day. At the end of the course, subepithelial eosinophils and reticular basement membrane thickness were assessed. The highest FEV1 obtained in a 1‐year follow‐up was compared with the poststeroid postbronchodilator (“target”) FEV1. Four of 22 children (18%) demonstrated an increase of >9% above their “target” FEV1 during follow‐up. None of these children had been prescribed additional asthma medications. Three of 7 children with persistent airflow limitation (PAL; poststeroid postbronchodilator FEV1 <80% predicted) recorded an FEV1 >80% predicted during follow‐up. The median (interquartile range) number of subepithelial eosinophils was significantly higher in children who exceeded their target FEV1 than in children who did not (12.4 (8.5–39.9) vs. 1.4 (0.0–4.8) cells/mm2, P = 0.018). In conclusion, a 2‐week course of prednisolone is not necessarily predictive of “target” lung function. Definitions such as PAL should be regularly reviewed on individual basis. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nano‐whatever: Do we really know where we are heading?
Authors: Kroemer Herbert 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe principal applications of any sufficiently new and innovative technology have always been applications that were created by that technology, rather than being pre‐existing applications, where the new technology simply provided improvements. This historical trend is likely to remain true, and it is likely to be true specifically for the emerging nanotechnology.Applications yet to be created have been notoriously hard to predict. Historically, a rich set of new (and unforeseen) applications has almost always arisen; this is likely again to be the case in nanotechnology. Hence, nanotechnology should be expected to have a rich future with new applications, but the details of that future are resistant to prediction. The most we can do is to identify some general research directions that appear promising – and I will attempt that here – but for the ultimate outcome we will have to wait until it happens: The progress from new technology to new applications is opportunistic rather than deterministic. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Tiagabine reduces ethanol reward in C57BL/6 mice under acute and chronic administration regimens
Authors: Nguyen Shaun A. , Deleon Christopher P. , Malcolm Robert J. , Middaugh Lawrence D. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThree experiments conducted on male C57BL/6 (B6) mice examined the effects of subcutaneous injections of the GABA uptake inhibitor, tiagabine, on appetitive (lever responding) and consummatory behavior (fountain contacts) of food restricted B6 mice for 12% ethanol and water rewards (Exp‐1), and for food reward (Exp‐2) delivered on a fixed ratio 4 schedule of reinforcement. Effects of acute injections (1,3,6,9 mgkg) and chronic administration (6,9 mg/kg) was examined. Exp‐3 examined tiagabine effects on the voluntary consumption of continuously available 12% ethanol, and on the interactive effects of tiagabine and ethanol on motor activity of non‐food restricted B6 mice. Results of Exp‐1 and Exp‐2 indicated that tiagabine can reduce appetitive behavior for ethanol reward with no evidence of tolerance upon chronic exposure. Tiagabine doses that reduced ethanol reward had less effect on behavior maintained by either water or food, and had no effect on motor activity. In contrast to the absence of tolerance to its effect on appetitive behavior for ethanol, mice rapidly developed tolerance to tiagabine's initial reduction of the consummatory response for ethanol (Exp‐1), and the intake of freely available ethanol exceeded pre‐tiagabine levels after several daily injections (Exp‐3). Importantly, mice developed tolerance to tiagabine's sedative effect after three daily injections and its sedation was not enhanced when combined with ethanol, an effect consistent with the lack of a tiagabine + ethanol interaction previously reported for humans. The results of the experiments suggest that in addition to reducing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, tiagabine might also reduce the potency of ethanol‐conditioned cues that drive appetitive behavior for ethanol. Synapse 56:135–146, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association between excessive frontal cerebrospinal fluid and illness duration in males but not in females with schizophrenia
Authors: Molina Vicente , Sanz Javier , Sarramea Fernando , Misiego José M. , Benito Carlos , Palomo Tomás 
Published: March 2005

AbstractObjectiveExcessive cortical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been acknowledged as a possible marker of a gray matter loss. This excess in schizophrenia is found predominantly in the prefrontal and temporal regions. We hypothesized that the poorer global outcome and treatment response in males with schizophrenia are related to a greater cortical volume loss as compared to females.Subjects and methodsIn order to test this hypothesis we have used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study the cortical (prefrontal, temporal, and hemispheric) CSF values in a group of 85 patients with schizophrenia, of whom 56 were males and 29, females. We calculated the residual values of CSF in the patients based on the data pertaining to 45 control subjects and linear regression, from which the normal effects of age and intracranial volume were discounted. These residual scores constitute a quantitative measurement of the excess of CSF due to the disease.ResultsMales, but not females, presented a trend-level significant excess of left prefrontal CSF. The prefrontal and temporal residual values were significantly associated with illness duration in males, but not in females.DiscussionThese results conform to the worse outcome and the higher severity of structural abnormalities generally found in schizophrenia in male subjects.ConclusionOur data support the hypothesis of accelerated prefrontal cortical loss in males, but not in females with schizophrenia.
Skilled birth attendance: What does it mean and how can it be measured? A clinical skills assessment of maternal and child health workers in Nepal
Authors: Carlough M. , McCall M. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe presence of a skilled birth attendant at delivery is important in averting maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. It has now shown that even trained traditional birth attendants (TBAs) cannot, in most cases, save women's lives effectively because they are unable to treat complications, and are often unable to refer. Qualified midwives and doctors are often not available in the rural areas and community settings where most women in developing countries deliver. Defining the minimum competency level necessary to meet the definition of skilled birth attendant is important, particularly in countries such as Nepal with limited availability of facility‐based emergency obstetric care. Maternal and child health workers are local women aged 18–35 who completed a 15‐week course in maternal and child health. As the role of MCHWs has expanded to meet the country's needs for skilled attendance, a 6‐week “refresher” course in midwifery skills is offered. The results of this clinical skills assessment of 104 randomly selected MCHWs from 15 districts across Nepal supports the premise that MCHWs with appropriate training have an acceptable level of knowledge and skill, demonstrated in a practice situation, to meet the definition of community level skilled birth attendants. Yet, competency alone will not necessarily improve the situation. To affect maternal mortality in Nepal, MCHWs must be widely available, they must be allowed to do what they are trained to do, and they must have logistical and policy support.
Myocardial infarction: gender differences in coping and social support
Authors: Kristofferzon Marja‐Leena , Löfmark Rurik , Carlsson Marianne 
Published: March 2005

Aim. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge about gender differences in perceptions of coping and social support among patients who have experienced myocardial infarction.Rationale. Women with coronary heart disease have physical, social and medical disadvantages compared with their male counterparts, which can influence their perception of recovery after cardiac events. No review has been found which focuses on gender differences in coping and social support in myocardial infarction patients.Method. A computerized search was conducted using the keywords ‘myocardial infarction’, ‘coping’, ‘gender differences’ and ‘social support’. Forty‐one articles, published between 1990 and October 2002, were scrutinized.Findings. Two studies report that women used more coping strategies than men. Several qualitative studies found that women used a variety of coping strategies. Women minimized the impact of the disease, tended to delay in seeking treatment and did not want to bother others with their health problems. Household activities were important to them and aided their recovery. Men were more likely to involve their spouses in their recovery, and resuming work and keeping physically fit were important to them. Women tended to report that they had less social support up to 1 year after a myocardial infarction compared with men. They received less information about the disease and rehabilitation and experienced lack of belief in their heart problems from caregivers. Further, they received less assistance with household duties from informal caregivers. Men tended to report more support from their spouses than did women.Conclusions. Traditional gender‐role patterns may influence the recovery of patients who have experienced myocardial infarction. Caregivers may need to be more sensitive to gender‐specific needs with regard to risk profiles, social roles, and the patient's own role identity. For many women, especially older ones, household duties and family responsibilities may be an opportunity and a base for cardiac rehabilitation.
Electrocardiographic and Electrophysiologic Characteristics of Midseptal Accessory Pathways
Authors: CHANG SHIH‐LING , LEE SHIH‐HUANG , TAI CHING‐TAI , CHIANG CHERN‐EN , CHENG JUN‐JACK , LIN YENN‐JIANG , HSIEH MING‐HSIUNG , LEE KUNG‐TAI , TSAO HSUAN‐MING , KUO JEN‐YUAN , CHEN YI‐JEN , CHEN SHIH‐ANN 
Published: March 2005

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics of right midseptal (RMS) and left midseptal (LMS) accessory pathways (APs), and to develop a stepwise algorithm to differentiate RMS from LMS APs. Methods and Results: From May 1989 to February 2004, 1591 patients with AP‐mediated tachyarrhythmia underwent RF catheter ablation in this institution, and 38 (2.4%) patients had MS APs. The delta wave and precordial QRS transition during sinus rhythm, retrograde P wave during orthodromic tachycardia, and electrophysiologic characteristic and catheter ablation in 30 patients with RMS APs and 8 patients with LMS APs were analyzed. There was no significant difference in electrophysiologic characteristics and catheter ablation between RMS and LMS APs. The polarity of retrograde P wave during orthodromic tachycardia also showed no statistical difference between patients with RMS and LMS APs. The delta wave polarity was positive in leads I, aVL, and V3 to V6 in patients with RMS and LMS APs. Patients with LMS APs had a higher incidence of biphasic delta wave in lead V1 than patients with RMS APs (80% vs. 15%, P = 0.012). The distributions of precordial QRS transition were different between RMS APs (leads V2; n = 10, V3; n = 7 and V4; n = 3) and LMS APs (leads V1; n = 1 and V2; n = 4) (P = 0.03). The combination of a delta negative wave in lead V1 or precordial QRS transition in lead V3 or V4 had a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 80%, positive predictive value of 95%, and negative predictive value of 66% in predicting an RMS AP. Conclusions: Delta wave polarity in lead V1 and precordial QRS transition may differentiate RMS and LMS APs.
Effects of Circumferential Ostial Radiofrequency Lesions on Pulmonary Vein Activation Recorded with a Multipolar Basket Catheter
Authors: ARENTZ THOMAS , VON ROSENTHAL JÖRG , WEBER REINHOLD , BÜRKLE GERD , BLUM THOMAS , STOCKINGER JOCHEM , NEUMANN FRANZ JOSEF , KALUSCHE DIETRICH 
Published: March 2005

Aims: Two different ablation procedures are performed to cure patients of atrial fibrillation (AF): (1) the electrophysiological pulmonary vein (PV) isolation, and (2) the anatomical circumferential ablation of all four PV ostia. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of circumferential radiofrequency lesions around the ostia on PV activation. Methods and Results: In 34 patients with drug refractory paroxysmal (N = 22) or persistent (N = 12) AF a 31‐mm basket catheter (BC) was introduced transseptally in the PVs. After creating a circumferential ablation line around the PV ostia using a nonfluoroscopic 3D‐navigation system, electrical isolation was achieved in 46% of the PVs, and prolongation of conduction time (+39 ± 34 ms) was observed in 30%. PVs with persistent conduction (54%) were isolated by ablating the remaining conduction pathways using the BC. At 12 months follow‐up, 62% of the patients were in stable sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drug therapy. Six patients had developed left atrial flutter. Conclusions: Anatomically guided, circumferential lesions around the PV ostia resulted in isolation in only 46% of the veins. At 12 months, 62% of the patients were free of AF without antiarrrhythmic drug treatment, however, 6 patients (18%) developed left atrial flutter.