bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterization of 5‐fluorouracil‐loaded poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) microspheres for drug administration
Authors: Sastre Roberto L. , Blanco M. Dolores , Teijón César , Olmo Rosa , Teijón José María 
Published: January 2005

AbstractMicrospheres of 5‐fluorouracil‐loaded poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared by spray‐drying procedure. The degradation characteristics and 5‐fluorouracil release in vitro as well as in vivo were investigated. The average molecular weight, weight loss, crystallinity, and morphology of microspheres were determined using GPC, DSC, and SEM, at different times during the in vitro degradation process. The size distribution of the microspheres indicated that most of the particles were smaller than 3 µm. A 30% weight loss as well as an increase of crystallinity were observed on day 330 of incubation. The percentage of entrapment efficiency of 5‐FU was 49% (44 µg of drug/mg of microspheres). The in vitro total release of 5‐FU took place in 8 days. Determination of plasma 5‐FU concentration in vivo using s.c. injection of 5‐FU‐loaded microspheres in Wistar rats by HPLC with analysis of data using a non‐compartmental model showed drug in plasma 18 days after administration with a maximum drug concentration of 1.5 µg/ml at 96 h. Pharmacokineticallly, a significant increase of AUC and MRT of 5‐FU with regard to the administration of the drug in solution. Scanning electron microscopy and histological studies indicated that the microspheres were surrounded by connective tissue and inflammatory processes were not evident. As a result of these characteristics, the 5‐FU‐loaded PCL microspheres could be used for drug delivery. Drug Dev Res 63:41–53, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A mouse model to assess endothelial activation in vivo by targeted insertion of alkaline phosphatase into the E‐selectin gene
Authors: Luyten Marcel A. , Hofmann Matthias , Käslin Edgar , Klanke Bernd , Pally Charles , Kawai Ryosei , Zerwes Hans‐Günter 
Published: January 2005

AbstractWe have developed a novel and noninvasive animal model in which the activity of a marker enzyme in plasma is used to measure endothelial cell activation. Secreted heat‐stable human placental alkaline phosphatase (SeAP) was placed under the transcriptional control of the E‐selectin promoter by targeted integration into the mouse E‐selectin locus. Two transgenic mouse lines were generated: (1) ESAP‐1, coding for an extended mRNA containing SeAP and part of the 3′ E‐selectin mRNA and (2) ESAP‐2, coding for a short mRNA containing SeAP followed by the SV40 late mRNA polyadenylation site. Wild‐type mice did not express SeAP mRNA or detectable enzyme activity in plasma. Baseline SeAP activity was 8.1±0.4 ng/mL for ESAP‐1 mice and 12.3±0.4 µg/mL for ESAP‐2 mice. Upon treatment with lipopolysaccharide or tumor necrosis factor TNF‐α (but not interferon‐γ), SeAP activity increased 7–11‐fold in plasma obtained from both mouse lines, with 500‐fold higher levels and prolonged expression kinetics in the ESAP‐2 mice compared to ESAP‐1 mice. Enzyme histochemistry indicated endothelial origin of the alkaline phosphatase activity. Administration of dexamethasone, an antiinflammatory steroid, inhibited TNFα‐induced SeAP expression in mice from both lines. The model described here allows monitoring of the E‐selectin expression in vivo, offering a noninvasive means to quantitate inflammatory endothelial cell activation and to evaluate therapeutic approaches designed to inhibit endothelial cell activation. Drug Dev. Res. 63:54–65, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential effect of the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil and zaprinast, in aging‐ and lipopolysaccharide‐induced cognitive dysfunction in mice
Authors: Patil Chandrashekhar S. , Jain Naveen K. , Singh Vijay Pal , Kulkarni Shrinivas K. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractIn the present study, we have investigated the effects of exogenously administered cyclic GMP‐specific PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil and zaprinast, on cognitive performance in aged‐ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated mice using passive avoidance and plus‐maze tasks. Aged and LPS‐treated mice showed poor retention of memory in step‐through passive avoidance and plus‐maze task. Administration of PDE5 inhibitors reversed the age‐induced retention deficits in both of the test paradigms. Also, PDE5 inhibitors on acute administration in young mice showed improvement in memory retention when tested in both of the paradigms. However, the effect of two PDE5 inhibitors was more pronounced in aged animals than that in young mice. PDE5 inhibitors enhanced the retention deficits in LPS‐treated animals, which might be due to elevation of cGMP levels caused by sildenafil and zaprinast. In conclusion, these results indicated that differential effects of PDE5 inhibitors in aging and LPS‐treated mice, but its prudential effect in aged mice may suggest new therapeutic use of these compounds. Drug Dev. Res. 63:66–75, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new carboxamide compound exerts immuno‐suppressive activity by inhibiting dendritic cell maturation
Authors: Carbonnelle Delphine , Ebstein Frederic , Rabu Catherine , Petit Jean‐Yves , Gregoire Marc , Lang François 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe immunosuppressive properties of a benzamide derivative, JM34, previously characterized as an anti‐inflammatory compound are described. The immunosuppressive potential of JM34 was evidenced by inhibition of PBMC proliferation in vitro with an IC50 of 20 µM. In contrast with classical immunosuppressive drugs, JM34 affected neither cytokine production nor IL‐2R expression from activated T cell clones, and displayed only moderate inhibition of IL‐2‐induced or anti‐CD3/anti‐CD28‐induced proliferation. We investigated its effects on dendritic cells (DC) in vitro. Addition of JM34 during DC maturation inhibited the expression of some maturation markers: specifically, MHC molecule up‐regulation was totally inhibited and CD83 expression was significantly reduced, while up‐regulation of CD86, CD80 or CD40 was less affected. Moreover, JM34‐treated DC showed impaired IL‐12 but not IL‐10 secretion, and a markedly reduced ability to present antigens to naive T lymphocytes in vitro. We provide evidence that these JM34‐induced alterations of DC were associated with a marked inhibition of NF‐κB nuclear translocation. Finally, JM34 inhibited delayed type hypersensitivity dose dependently in mice. In conclusion, our data suggest that JM34 inhibited T lymphocyte activation mainly by targeting DC, and thus may represent a new class of therapeutic agents in the fields of transplantation and autoimmune diseases.
SLP‐76 is recruited to CD22 and dephosphorylated by SHP‐1, thereby regulating B cell receptor‐induced c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase activation
Authors: Mizuno Kazuya , Tagawa Yuko , Watanabe Noriyuki , Ogimoto Mami , Yakura Hidetaka 
Published: January 2005

AbstractDespite the important role in the development and activation of T cells, NK cells, mast cells, and macrophages, the expression and function of SLP‐76 in B cells have been largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that SLP‐76 is expressed in all mouse B cell lines tested and in normal splenic B cells, and serves as an SHP‐1 substrate. Dephosphorylation of SLP‐76 by SHP‐1 inhibits its association with Nck, down‐regulating c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) activation and exerting a positive effect on apoptosis. Knockdown of SLP‐76 in WEHI‐231 cells by small interfering RNA attenuated JNK activation, but showed little effects on extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) or p38 activation. Although WEHI‐231 does not express linker for activation of T cells (LAT), SLP‐76 localizes in membrane fraction, which increases following B cell receptor (BCR) cross‐linking. Further analyses revealed that SLP‐76 complexed with Gads is associated with tyrosine‐phosphorylated CD22 through the SH2 domains of SLP‐76 and Gads. Given that SHP‐1 binds to CD22 upon BCR ligation, our findings suggest that dephosphorylation of SLP‐76 recruited to CD22 by SHP‐1 inhibits BCR‐induced JNK activation, dictating apoptosis.
In vivo quercitrin anti‐inflammatory effect involves release of quercetin, which inhibits inflammation through down‐regulation of the NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Comalada Mònica , Camuesco Desirée , Sierra Saleta , Ballester Isabel , Xaus Jordi , Gálvez Julio , Zarzuelo Antonio 
Published: January 2005

AbstractQuercetin is a common antioxidant flavonoid found in vegetables, which is usually present in glycosylated forms, such as quercitrin (3‐rhamnosylquercetin). Previous in vitro experiments have shown that quercetin exerts a bigger effect than quercitrin in the down‐regulation of the inflammatory response. However, such results have not been reproduced in in vivo experimental models of intestinal inflammation, in which quercetin did not show beneficial effects while its glycosides, quercitrin or rutin, have demonstrated their effectiveness. In this study, we have reported that the in vivo effects of quercitrin in the experimental model of rat colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium can be mediated by the release of quercetin generated after glycoside's cleavage by the intestinal microbiota. This is supported by the fact that quercetin, but not quercitrin, is able to down‐regulate the inflammatory response of bone marrow‐derived macrophages in vitro. Moreover, we have demonstrated that quercetin inhibits cytokine and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression through inhibition of the NF‐κB pathway without modification of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase activity (both in vitro and in vivo). As a conclusion, our report suggests that quercitrin releases quercetin in order to perform its anti‐inflammatory effect which is mediated through the inhibition of the NF‐κB pathway.
Ethnophaulisms for ethnic immigrant groups: the contributions of group size and familiarity
Authors: Mullen Brian , Rozell Drew , Johnson Craig 
Published: January 2005

AbstractAn archival analysis was conducted on the ethnophaulisms for ethnic immigrant groups as a function of the size and the familiarity of those groups. Cognitive representation was operationalized as the degree of complexity in, and the valence of, the ethnophaulisms applied to ethnic immigrant groups in the United States during each of 15 consecutive 10‐year time periods. Group size was operationalized as the number of first‐generation persons in these ethnic groups during each of these same 15 10‐year time periods. Familiarity was operationalized in terms of the number of times each ethnic immigrant group was mentioned in social histories and popular songs for each of these same 15 10‐year time periods. Ethnophaulisms for smaller groups tended to be less complex and more negative and ethnophaulisms for less familiar groups tended to be less complex and more negative. Analyses delineate the interrelations between ethnic immigrant group size, ethnic immigrant group familiarity, and the cognitive representations of these groups. The implications of these results for research on intergroup perceptions are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blatant and subtle prejudice: dimensions, determinants, and consequences; some comments on Pettigrew and Meertens
Authors: Coenders Marcel , Scheepers Peer , Sniderman Paul M. , Verberk Geneviève 
Published: January 2005

AbstractAlthough it has become common to suggest a conceptual distinction between traditional and contemporary forms of prejudice, Pettigrew and Meertens have actually attempted to distinguish the two empirically and developed measures to gauge each. Replication of their study, on the distinction between blatant and subtle prejudice, discloses a number of methodological flaws that have led to debatable substantial conclusions. We found two distinct measures, however, substantially different from the ones proposed by Pettigrew and Meertens. Our model shows, by all available indices, a better fit to the data: a first broad factor labelled general prejudice, and a small second factor labelled perceived cultural differences. The first factor is well explained by a number of social characteristics; the second is rather poorly explained and has a rather poor discriminatory power. The first one has strong effects on some consequential variables whereas the second has hardly any effects. Other evidence, considered to be crucial by Pettigrew and Meertens, contains other methodological flaws, i.e. the neglect of interdependent items. After this correction, their piece of evidence turns out to be artificial. As a benefit to future research, we try to clarify conditions for distinguishing empirically and conceptually between traditional and contemporary prejudice. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In defense of the subtle prejudice concept: a retort
Authors: Pettigrew Thomas F. , Meertens Roel W. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractWith no theory and the use of different methods and assumptions, Coenders and his colleagues not surprisingly produce a different analysis of prejudice from ours of 1995. But we see no reason to withdraw our claims for both the concept and measurement of subtle prejudice. By obscuring our theoretical structure and offering none of their own, our critics follow their empirical preferences to reach a meaningless solution. In doing so, they disregard the social psychological literature on prejudice—especially that of Rokeach and Tajfel. Moreover, their reanalysis of the 1988 Eurobarometer survey data does not replicate our analysis in important ways. We answer their objections to our use of orthogonal varimax rotation and our demonstrations of the predictive value of the Subtle Prejudice Scale, and we show that when tested appropriately our theoretically derived model performs as well as and often significantly better than their atheoretical model. We also find the six conditions set down by Coenders et al. for differentiating the two forms of prejudice are largely met by our analysis. Finally, repeated replications by other investigators in ten countries with diverse outgroups and new samples support both our original analysis and the usefulness of our Blatant and Subtle Prejudice Scales. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
False consensus and the outgroup homogeneity effect: interference in measurement or intrinsically dependent processes?
Authors: De La Haye Anne‐Marie 
Published: January 2005

AbstractIn studies on the Outgroup Homogeneity Effect (OHE), a common measure is percentage estimates. A possible difficulty is that percentage estimates are also sensitive to the False Consensus Effect (FCE). I present an experiment aimed at analysing how these two phenomena interact. Engineering and business students indicated whether behaviour descriptions were true or false for themselves, then estimated the percentages of members of each group who would self‐ascribe the same items. In order to bring the OHE to light while controlling for self‐ascription, an item‐per‐item analysis is necessary. In such an analysis, the OHE must appear as over‐attribution of any item by members of the group for which the item is not typical. I examined whether this effect appeared among subjects who either did or did not ascribe each item to themselves. This was done through an ANOVA where items were entered as the random factor. The False Consensus and the Outgroup Homogeneity effects both showed up in this analysis, but they interacted with each other in such a way that they could be different aspects of the same phenomenon. The consequences of this unexpected finding for the definition of the OHE are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‘Seek and ye shall find’: antecedents of assimilation and contrast in social comparison
Authors: Mussweiler Thomas 
Published: January 2005

AbstractBased on a Selective Accessibility (SA) model of comparison consequences, it is suggested that the self‐evaluative effects of social comparisons depend on the nature of the hypothesis that is tested as a starting‐point of the comparison process. If judges test the hypothesis that they are similar to the standard, then standard‐consistent self‐knowledge is rendered accessible so that self‐evaluations are assimilated towards the standard. If judges test the hypothesis that they are dissimilar from the standard, however, standard‐inconsistent self‐knowledge is made accessible so that self‐evaluations are contrasted away from the standard. These predictions are tested by inducing participants to test for similarity versus dissimilarity to the standard via a procedural priming manipulation. Consistent with the SA model, assimilation occurs if participants are procedurally primed to focus on similarities to the standard, whereas contrast results if they are primed to focus on dissimilarities. These findings suggest that similarity versus dissimilarity testing is a crucial determinant of assimilation versus contrast. It is proposed that distinguishing between these two alternative hypotheses may provide an integrative framework for an understanding of the self‐evaluative consequences of social comparisons. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sample stacking for the analysis of eight penicillin antibiotics by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography
Authors: Puig Patricia , Borrull Francesc , Calull Marta , Aguilar Carme 
Published: January 2005

AbstractWe studied the use of micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography for separating eight penicillins. The method consists of (i) an electrophoretic separation based on micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography, which uses sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as surfactant; (ii) a sample stacking technique called reverse electrode polarity stacking mode (REPSM); and (iii) direct UV detection. The background electrolyte that gave complete separation contained 20 mM sodium borate buffer and 60 mM SDS. The sensitivity of the method was improved by an enrichment step that used on‐column stacking. The limits of detection were at the μg·L−1 level for the penicillins and did not detract from the peak resolution.
Comparison of the use of single capillaries and coupled capillaries based on micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) and sweeping‐MEKC modes
Authors: Shih Chun‐Min , Lin Cheng‐Huang 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe use of single capillaries (25 and 50 μm inner diameter (ID)) and coupled capillaries of different diameters (100–50 and 75–25 μm ID) based on micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) and sweeping‐MEKC modes is compared and reported. Naphthalene‐2,3‐dicarboxaldehyde (NDA)‐derivatized dopamine was selected as the model compound by examining the fluorescence intensity when a violet (410 ± 7 nm, ˜2 mW) light‐emitting‐diode (LED) was used as the light source. When a single capillary (50 μm ID) was used, the detection limit for NDA‐derivatized dopamine was determined to be 2.0 × 10−7 M (Signal‐to‐nose ratio S/N = 3) based on the MEKC mode. This was improved to 4.0 × 10−9 M when the sweeping‐MEKC mode was applied. In addition, this can be further improved to 1.0 × 10−9 M and 5.6 × 10−10 M when 100–50 and 75–25 μm ID coupled capillaries are used. The use of the coupled capillary is also helpful for improving the separation efficiency. Based on the sweeping‐MEKC mode, the number of theoretical plates (N) for the detected peaks were determined to be 6.3 ± 2.7 × 105 by means of a single capillary (50 μm ID). This can be improved to 9.4 ± 3.6 × 105 and 9.4 ± 0.9 × 106 when the 100–50 and 75–25 μm ID coupled capillaries were applied.
Micellar electrokinetic chromatographic and capillary zone electrophoretic methods for screening urinary biomarkers of human disorders: A critical review of the state‐of‐the‐art
Authors: Iadarola Paolo , Cetta Giuseppe , Luisetti Maurizio , Annovazzi Laura , Casado Begona , Baraniuk James , Zanone Chiara , Viglio Simona 
Published: January 2005

AbstractHuman urine plays a central role in clinical diagnostic being one of the most‐frequently used body fluid for detection of biological markers. Samples from patients with different diseases display patterns of biomarkers that differ significantly from those obtained from healthy subjects. The availability of fast, reproducible, and easy‐to‐apply analytical techniques that would allow identification of a large number of these analytes is thus highly desiderable since they may provide detailed information about the progression of a pathological process. From among the variety of methods so far applied for the determination of urinary metabolites, capillary electrophoresis, both in the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) modes, represents a robust and reliable analytical tool widely used in this area. The aim of the present article is to focus the interest of the reader on recent applications of MEKC and CZE in the field of urinary biomarkers and to discuss advantages and/or limitations of each mode.
Analysis of lamotrigine and its metabolites in human plasma and urine by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography
Authors: Pucci Vincenzo , Bugamelli Francesca , Baccini Cesare , Raggi Maria Augusta 
Published: January 2005

AbstractA reliable micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatographic method was developed and validated for the determination of lamotrigine and its metabolites in human plasma and urine. The variation of different parameters, such as pH of the background electrolyte (BGE) and Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentration, were evaluated in order to find optimal conditions. Best separation of the analytes was achieved using a BGE composed of 10 mM borate and 50 mM SDS, pH 9.5; melatonin was selected as the internal standard. Isolation of lamotrigine and its metabolites from plasma and urine was accomplished with an original solid‐phase extraction procedure using hydrophilic‐lypophilic balance cartridges. Good absolute recovery data and satisfactory precision values were obtained. The calibration plots for lamotrigine and its metabolites were linear over the 1–20 μg/mL concentration range. Sensitivity was satisfactory; the limits of detection and quantitation of lamotrigine were 500 ng/mL and 1 μg/mL, respectively. The application of the method to real plasma samples from epileptic patients under therapy with lamotrigine gave good results in terms of accuracy and selectivity, and in agreement with those obtained with an high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.*