bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recovery of periodontopathogenic bacteria from embalmed human cadavers
Authors: Wood Nelson , Johnson Roger B. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThere is recent interest in recovery of periodontopathogenic bacteria from arterial and bronchial tissues to identify a link between periodontal and cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases. This interest could provide a useful clinical correlation exercise for gross anatomy. Our objective was to perform a feasibility study to determine whether these bacteria could be recovered from two sites within eight (4 dentate, 4 edentulous) human embalmed cadavers from an anatomical dissection laboratory. Bacterial samples were collected from the right coronary artery and the right superior secondary bronchus and assayed for the presence and concentrations of the DNA of A. actinomycetemcomitans, E. corrodens, C. rectus, P. intermedia, P. gingivalis, B. forsythus, T. denticola, and F. nucleatum. Frequencies were compared using a Kruskal‐Wallis H‐test. Correlations between the presence of teeth, bacterial species, and site were determined by a Spearman's rho correlation test. A. actinomycetemcomitans and B. forsythus frequencies were different between the sites in edentulous subjects (P < 0.05); the frequency of B. forsythus was different in dentate and edentulous subjects at the bronchus site (P < 0.05). Numerous significant correlations were identified between strains of bacteria, site, and presence of teeth. Thus, it is possible for the DNA of periodontopathogenic bacteria to be recovered from human embalmed cadavers. Collection and identification of these bacteria from these cadavers could be a useful clinical correlation exercise for dental students in a gross anatomy class. Clin. Anat. 18:64–67, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recent advances in polymeric monolithic stationary phases for electrochromatography in capillaries and chips
Authors: Bedair Mohamed , El Rassi Ziad 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis review article summarizes the advances made over the last two years in polymeric monoliths for capillary electrochromatography (CEC). It covers the scientific literature in the period extending form the second half of 2002 until the end of first half of 2004. Currently, there is an increasing interest in monolithic stationary phases in CEC as an alternative to particulate packed capillary columns due in major part to the simplicity of the in situ preparation of monolithic stationary phases and the availability of a wide chemistry for surface ligands, which allow for tailoring the chromatographic sorbent needed for solving a given separation problem(s). The various approaches, formats, and chemistries used for the preparation of monolithic stationary phases are described.
Connective tissue growth factor causes persistent proα2(I) collagen gene expression induced by transforming growth factor‐β in a mouse fibrosis model
Authors: Chujo Sonoko , Shirasaki Fumiaki , Kawara Shigeru , Inagaki Yutaka , Kinbara Takuro , Inaoki Makoto , Takigawa Masaharu , Takehara Kazuhiko 
Published: December 2004

AbstractSkin fibrotic disorders such as systemic sclerosis (SSc) are characterized by an excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM) and understood to develop under the influence of certain growth factors. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a cysteine‐rich mitogenic peptide that is implicated in various fibrotic disorders and induced in fibroblasts after activation with transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β). To better understand the mechanisms of persistent fibrosis seen in SSc, we previously established an animal model of skin fibrosis induced by exogenous application of growth factors. In this model, TGF‐β transiently induced subcutaneous fibrosis and serial injections of CTGF after TGF‐β caused persistent fibrosis. To further define the mechanisms of skin fibrosis induced by TGF‐β and CTGF in vivo, we investigated in this study, the effects of growth factors on the promoter activity of the proα2 (I) collagen (COL1A2) gene in skin fibrosis. For this purpose, we utilized transgenic reporter mice harboring the −17 kb promoter sequence of the mouse COL1A2 linked to either a firefly luciferase gene or a bacterial β‐galactosidase gene. Serial injections of CTGF after TGF‐β resulted in a sustained elevation of COL1A2 mRNA expression and promoter activity compared with consecutive injection of TGF‐β alone on day 8. We also demonstrated that the number of fibroblasts with activated COL1A2 transcription was increased by serial injections of CTGF after TGF‐β in comparison with the injection of TGF‐β alone. Furthermore, the serial injections recruited mast cells and macrophages. The number of mast cells reached a maximum on day 4 and remained relatively high up to day 8. In contrast to the kinetics of mast cells, the number of macrophages was increased on day 4 and continued to rise during the subsequent consecutive CTGF injections until day 8. These results suggested that CTGF maintains TGF‐β‐induced skin fibrosis by sustaining COL1A2 promoter activation and increasing the number of activated fibroblasts. The infiltrated mast cells and macrophages may also contribute to the maintenance of fibrosis. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
cAMP perturbs inter‐sertoli tight junction permeability barrier in vitro via its effect on proteasome‐sensitive ubiquitination of occludin
Authors: Lui Wing Yee , Lee Will M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThroughout spermatogenesis, inter‐Sertoli tight junctions (TJs) that constitute the blood‐testis barrier must be disassembled and reassembled to permit the timely movement of preleptotene and leptotene spermatocytes from the basal to the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium. However, the mechanism and the participating molecules that regulate the bioavailability of TJ proteins are entirely unknown. Using Sertoli cell culture, it was shown that there was an increase in occludin level, concomitant with a reduction of an E3 ubiquitin ligase, Itch, at the time when inter‐Sertoli TJs were assembled. By co‐immunoprecipitation, occludin was shown to associate with Itch at the TJs. A novel interaction between Itch and UBC4 (an ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme) was identified. When TJs were disrupted by dibutyryl‐cAMP (db‐cAMP), an increase in protein levels of Itch and UBC4 along with a significant reduction in endogenous occludin was detected. These results seemingly suggest that the interaction of Itch and UBC4 on occludin is potentially involved in regulating Sertoli TJ dynamics. Addition of a proteasome inhibitor, MG‐132, into Sertoli cells cultured with db‐cAMP blocked the db‐cAMP‐induced occludin loss in vitro. Accumulations of ubiquitin‐conjugated and Itch‐conjugated occludin were detected in Sertoli cells cultured in the presence of both MG‐132 and db‐cAMP. These results suggest that MG‐132 prevented db‐cAMP‐induced TJ disruption by altering the rate of occludin degradation. Taken collectively, the results reported herein support the notion that db‐cAMP‐induced TJ disruption was mediated by an induction of Itch protein expression, which in turn triggered the ubiquitination of occludin resulting in TJ disruption. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel function of benzyl isothiocyanate in vascular smooth muscle cells: The role of ERK1/2, cell cycle regulation, and matrix metalloproteinase‐9
Authors: Lee Jin‐Young , Moon Sung‐Kwon , Hwang Cher‐Won , Nam Kyung‐Soo , Kim Yeon‐Kye , Yoon Ho‐Dong , Kim Min‐Gon , Kim Cheorl‐Ho 
Published: December 2004

AbstractDietary isothiocyanates (ITCs) have shown protective effects against certain chemically induced cancers in animal models. These inhibitory effects are associated with reduced levels of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 activity and the arrest of the G1 cell cycle. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) treatment down‐regulates cyclins and CDKs and up‐regulates the expression of the CDK inhibitor p21, but up‐regulation of p27 or p53 was not detected. Since antiatherogenic effects are not needed for antiproliferation, we determined whether BITC exerted inhibitory effects on matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) activity in TNF‐α‐induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). BITC inhibited TNF‐α‐induced MMP‐9 secretion in VSMC in a dose dependent manner. This inhibition was characterized by the down‐regulation of MMP‐9, which is transcriptionally regulated at the NF‐κB site, and the activation protein‐1 (AP‐1) site in the MMP‐9 promoter. These findings indicate that BITC is an effective agent for inhibiting cell proliferation, the G1 to S phase cell cycle progress, and MMP‐9 expression through the transcription factors NF‐κB and AP‐1 in TNF‐α‐induced VSMC. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultrastructural study on human placenta from intrauterine growth retardation cases
Authors: Battistelli Michela , Burattini Sabrina , Pomini Francesco , Scavo Maria , Caruso Alessandro , Falcieri Elisabetta 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA morphological study was performed on 27 human placentas from normal gestations (Group 1) and compared with those from eight cases of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (Group 2). Semithin section light microscopy, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy were carried out on trophoblastic terminal villi, carefully identified under the stereomicroscope. In growth retardation cases, villi appear longer, thinner, and less vascularized, compared to the normal condition. Fibrinoid, an extracellular material of hematic origin, frequently fills villar stroma. The density of apical microvilli appears considerably reduced and occasional microvilli‐free areas are observed in growth retardation cases. Moreover, the underlying basal membrane appears significantly thicker than that of normal syncytiotrophoblast. Recently, particular attention has been paid to apoptosis as a possible cell deletion mechanism in growth restriction. In our study, a majority of typical apoptotic features appear indifferently in both IUGR and normal pregnancy. Our data hints that growth retardation might be correlated with a complex of structural changes, suggestive of maternofetal traffic downregulation, but further studies are required to understand the underlying functional mechanisms. Microsc. Res. Tech. 65:150–158, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in the Vif protein of HIV‐1 associated with the development of resistance to inhibitors of viral protease
Authors: Adekale Melanie A. , Cane Patricia A. , McCrae Malcolm A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe protease (PR) and virus infectivity factor (vif) gene sequences of a cohort of HIV‐1 infected patients showing evidence of developing protease inhibitor (PI) resistance whilst undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have been determined. The PR sequences showed the presence of the classical mutations associated with resistance to PIs. The sequence of the Vif protein showed less variation in samples from PI treated patients than in specimens prepared from treatment‐naïve patients. In addition a number of amino acid positions within Vif showed highly significant preferences for a particular amino acid in the PI‐treated cohort compared to the untreated control cohort. J. Med. Virol. 75:195–201, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HCV and HIV co‐infection in pregnant women attending St. Camille Medical Centre in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)
Authors: Simpore J. , Ilboudo D. , Samandoulougou A. , Guardo P. , Castronovo P. , Musumeci Salvatore 
Published: December 2004

AbstractFive hundred and forty‐seven pregnant women with less than 32 weeks of amenorrhoea, attending an antenatal clinic of St. Camille Medical Centre (SCMC) of Ouagadougou were enrolled for a hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV co‐infection study. Fifty‐eight (10.6%) were HIV positive and 18 (3.3%) were anti‐HCV positive. Only seven pregnant women (i.e., 1.3%) had a documented HIV and HCV co‐infection. HCV‐RNA was found in 5 out of 18 (27.8%) patients, who had anti‐HCV antibodies. The genotype analysis of these five patients showed that two were of 1b whereas three were of 2a genotype. Mother‐to‐infant transmission of the same HCV genotype (2a) was documented in only one case. High 1b prevalence has been reported in other parts of Africa, while 2a is the prevalent genotype (60%) in Burkina Faso. This genotype has a higher response rate to treatment. Serum transaminases were normal, also in presence of HCV‐RNA. The higher than expected rate of co‐infection in Burkina Faso seems to demonstrate a correlation between these two infections, which could influence the evolution of HIV and HCV diseases. J. Med. Virol. 75:209–212, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotype characterization and phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis B virus isolates from Iranian patients
Authors: Amini‐Bavil‐Olyaee Samad , Sarrami‐Forooshani Ramin , Mahboudi Fereidoun , Sabahi Farzaneh , Adeli Ahmad , Noorinayer Babak , Azizi Mohammad , Reza Zali Mohammad 
Published: December 2004

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causative agents of acute and chronic liver disease worldwide and is believed to be responsible for a million deaths annually. Eight genotypes of HBV, A to H, have been described on the basis of similarity of the complete genomes sequence. Although, it is reported that the predominant HBV genotype in the Mediterranean area and the middle east is genotype D, there are no reports on HBV genotypes prevalent in Iran. In this study, the C and S regions of HBV from 26 chronic hepatitis B Iranian patients were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all Iranian HBV isolates sequences were classified into genotype D with bootstrap values of 100%, 73%, and 100% (1,000 replicates each) for S, C, and preS2 regions, respectively. The mean percent intra‐distance of S and C regions were 0.8% and 2.3%, respectively. The mean percent inter‐distance of S and C regions between Iranians and genotype D isolates were 1.7% and 3.0%, respectively, and the range of mean percent nucleotide distance of S and C regions between Iranians and the other reference isolates were 7.9%–17.5% and 4.8%–14.7%, respectively. Thirteen out of 23 HBV C region sequences showed nucleotide “A” at position 1896 (precore mutant) in C region. Nucleotide 1858 showed presence of “T” in all isolates. No insertion or deletion was found in both regions. SimPlot and BootScanning analyses did not show any recombination between Iranian isolates and other genotypes in both regions. J. Med. Virol. 75:227–234, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
All CVB serotypes and clinical isolates induce irreversible cytopathic effects in primary cardiomyocytes
Authors: Ahn Jeonghyun , Joo Chul Hyun , Seo Ilsun , Kim DongHou , Kim Yoo Kyum , Lee Heuiran 
Published: December 2004

AbstractCoxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) has been identified as a major causative agent of acute and chronic myocarditis, but the involvement of other CVB serotypes in myocarditis has not been investigated. To dissect the pathological properties of different CVB serotypes toward primary cardiomyocytes, we tested their effects on primary cardiomyocyte cultures from neonatal rats. Morphological abnormalities were examined by both light and fluorescence microscopy after Hoechst 33342 staining, and loss of cell viability was estimated by MTT assay. All six CVB serotypes showed a similar degree of severe toxicity toward primary cardiomyocytes. CVB clinical isolates had cytopathic effects (CPEs) similar to those of their respective CVB reference strains. Within 1–2 days of infection with multiplicities of infection MOI 50, the cells began to experience morphological changes including cell shrinkage, rounding‐up, and slight nuclear condensation. The irreversible loss of cell viability was readily observed within 3–5 days following virus infection. These results suggest that all six CVB serotypes induce direct, irreversible toxicity towards cardiomyocytes, which eventually leads to the death of infected cells. These findings indicate that the variations in CVB serotype are not the limiting factor determining the susceptibility of cardiomyocytes to CVB infection. J. Med. Virol. 75:290–294, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neudesin, a novel secreted protein with a unique primary structure and neurotrophic activity
Authors: Kimura Ikuo , Yoshioka Masazumi , Konishi Morichika , Miyake Ayumi , Itoh Nobuyuki 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe identified a novel secreted protein and named it neudesin. Mouse neudesin of 171 amino acids is unique with no primary structural similarity to any known proteins. The neudesin protein produced in cultured cells was secreted efficiently into the culture medium. Mouse neudesin mRNA was expressed abundantly in the developing brain and spinal cord in embryos, but was expressed widely in postnatal tissues including brain, heart, lung, and kidney. Mouse neudesin mRNA was expressed in neurons but not glial cells of the brain. The protein exhibited significant neurotrophic activity in primary cultured mouse neurons but not mitogenic activity in primary cultured mouse astrocytes. Neudesin activated the mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) and phosphatidylinositol‐3 (PI‐3) kinase pathways. The activity of neudesin was inhibited by the inhibitor pertussis toxin for Gi/Go‐protein but not by inhibitors for receptor tyrosine kinases. These results indicated that the activity was mediated via the activation of the MAP and PI‐3 kinase pathways, potentially by the activation of a Gi/Go‐protein‐coupled receptor. Human neudesin of 172 amino acids with high similarity (∼91% identity) to mouse neudesin was also identified. The human neudesin gene was mapped to chromosome 1p33. The identification of neudesin, a novel secreted protein with a unique primary structure and neurotrophic activity, will provide new insights into the development and maintenance of neurons. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymmetric salt effects on anion/cation reactions: A comparative study of the [Fe(CN)6]4− + [Co(NH3)5pz]3+ and [Ru(NH3)5pz]2+ + [Co(C2O4)3]3− reactions
Authors: Muriel F. , de la Vega R. , Sánchez F. , Jiménez R. , Prado‐Gotor R. , Pérez F. , Pérez‐Tejeda P. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe kinetics of electron transfer reactions between [Fe(CN)6]4− and [Co(NH3)5pz]3+ and between [Ru(NH3)5pz]2+ and [Co(C2O4)3]3− was studied in concentrated salt solutions (Na2SO4, LiNO3, and Ca(NO3)2). An analysis of the experimental kinetic data, kobs, permits us to obtain the true (unimolecular) electron transfer rate constants corresponding to the true electron transfer process (precursor complex → successor complex), ket. The variations of both, kobs and ket, with salt concentrations are opposite for these reactions. These opposite tendencies can be rationalized by using the Marcus–Hush treatment for electron transfer reactions. The conclusion is that the negative salt effect found for the first reaction ([Fe(CN)6]4− + [Co(NH3)5pz]3+) is due to the increase of the reaction and reorganization free energies when the concentration of salt increases. In the case of the second reaction ([Ru(NH3)5pz]2+ + [Co(C2O4)3]3−), the positive salt effect observed is caused by the fact that the driving force becomes more favorable when the concentration of salt increases. Thus, it is shown that for anion/cation electron transfer reactions the kinetic salt effect depends on the charge sign of the oxidant (and the reductant). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 81–89, 2005
Solute–solvent interaction effects on second‐order rate constants of reaction between 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene and aniline in alcohol–water mixtures
Authors: Harati M. , Gholami M. R. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe second‐order rate coefficients for aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction between 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene and aniline have been measured in aqueous solutions of ethanol and methanol at 25°C. The plots of rate constants versus mole fraction of water show a maximum in all‐aqueous solutions. The effect of four empirical solvent parameters including hydrogen bond donor acidity (α) dipolarity/polarizability (π*) normalized polarity (ENT) and solvophobicity (Sp) has been investigated. This investigation has been carried out by means of simple and multiple regression models. A dual‐parameter equation of log k2 versus Sp and α was obtained in all‐aqueous solutions (n = 41, r = 0.962, s = 0.053, p = 0.0000). This equation shows that solvophobicity and hydrogen bond donor acidity are important factors in the occurrence of the reaction and they have opposite effects on reaction rate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 90–97, 2005
The 13C and D kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of CH4 with Cl
Authors: Feilberg Karen L. , Griffith David W. T. , Johnson Matthew S. , Nielsen Claus J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of methane (CH4) with Cl atoms are studied in a relative rate experiment at 298 ± 2 K and 1013 ± 10 mbar. The reaction rates of 13CH4, 12CH3D, 12CH2D2, 12CHD3, and 12CD4 with Cl radicals are measured relative to 12CH4 in a smog chamber using long path FTIR detection. The experimental data are analyzed with a nonlinear least squares spectral fitting method using measured high‐resolution spectra as well as cross sections from the HITRAN database. The relative reaction rates of 12CH4, 13CH4, 12CH3D, 12CH2D2, 12CHD3, and 12CD4 with Cl are determined as k/k = 1.06 ± 0.01, k/k = 1.47 ± 0.03, k/k = 2.45 ± 0.05, k/k = 4.7 ± 0.1, k/k = 14.7 ± 0.3. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 110–118, 2005
Low profile dual‐band antenna based on a stacked configuration of EBG and plain patches
Authors: Pioch S. , Laheurte J‐M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis paper investigates the dual‐frequency operation of a stacked microstrip antenna based on a small parasitic patch inserted slightly above an EBG patch. It is shown that the periodic texture of the EBG patch exhibits different behaviours for each frequency. It is also demonstrated that the high‐impedance concept is no longer valid when a parasitic patch is located too close to the EBG material. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 207–209, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20589
Measurement of plane‐wave spectra of ground penetrating radar antennas
Authors: Lenler‐Eriksen H. R. , Meincke P. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe plane‐wave transmitting spectrum (PWTS) of a ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) loop antenna close to the air–soil interface is measured by means of a probe buried in soil. Probe correction is implemented based upon knowledge about the complex permittivity of the soil and the current distribution of the probe. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 215–216, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20591
Design of a compact low‐pass filter with wide rejection bandwidth
Authors: Shum Kam Man , Chiu Chi Yuk , Xue Quan , Chan Chi Hou , Man Kim Fung 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis paper presents a simple printed microstrip low‐pass filter with advantages of compact size, low insertion loss, and wide rejection bandwidth. The filter design has been optimized using a genetic algorithm (GA), and a good agreement between the simulation and measurement results has confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed low‐pass filter configuration. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 236–238, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20597
High‐efficiency class‐F power amplifier with broadband performance
Authors: Butterworth P. , Gao S. , Ooi S. F. , Sambell A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe design methodology and measured performance of a broadband UHF class‐F power amplifier is presented and compared to that of a typical narrowband class‐F design. The realized broadband circuit achieves 65% of power‐added efficiency with 21 ± 0.5‐dBm output power from 575 to 915 MHz, corresponding to a relative bandwidth of 45%. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 44: 243–247, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20599