bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased expression of IgE‐dependent histamine‐releasing factor in endometriotic implants
Authors: Oikawa Kosuke , Kosugi Yoshinori , Ohbayashi Tetsuya , Kameta Akemi , Isaka Keiichi , Takayama Masaomi , Kuroda Masahiko , Mukai Kiyoshi 
Published: February 2003

AbstractA complex network of cytokines mediates the immunoregulatory responses leading to endometriosis. Recent intensive studies suggest that monocyte and T cell chemoattractants contribute to the inflammatory environment of endometriotic implants. The relationship between the inflammation present during endometriosis and the development of endometriotic implants in the peritoneal cavity remains unclear. On the other hand, the association between endometriosis and 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD; dioxin) exposure has been discussed in recent years, and our previous results revealed that IgE‐dependent histamine‐releasing factor (HRF) is inducible by TCDD. The present study aimed to clarify the expression, localization, and function of HRF in endometriosis. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that HRF is overexpressed in endometriotic implants. RT‐PCR with Southern blot analysis, however, showed that HRF overexpression was not always accompanied by CYP1A1 induction in endometriotic implants, suggesting that HRF is inducible in endometriosis without exposure to TCDD. HRF is also inducible by macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF). Immunohistochemistry showed CD68‐positive macrophages in the stroma of endometriotic implants, adjacent to regions with prominent HRF accumulation. HRF‐overexpressing cells exhibited high implantation efficiency in comparison to control cells when the cells were injected into the peritoneal cavities of nude mice. These results suggest that the accumulation of macrophages in endometriotic implants induces HRF; the overexpression of HRF accelerates the growth of endometriotic implants. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeting the Variable Surface of African Trypanosomes with Variant Surface Glycoprotein-Specific, Serum-Stable RNA Aptamers
Authors: Lorger Mihaela , Engstler Markus , Homann Matthias , Göringer H. Ulrich 
Published: February 2003

ABSTRACTAfrican trypanosomes cause sleeping sickness in humans and Nagana in cattle. The parasites multiply in the blood and escape the immune response of the infected host by antigenic variation. Antigenic variation is characterized by a periodic change of the parasite protein surface, which consists of a variant glycoprotein known as variant surface glycoprotein (VSG). Using a SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) approach, we report the selection of small, serum-stable RNAs, so-called aptamers, that bind to VSGs with subnanomolar affinity. The RNAs are able to recognize different VSG variants and bind to the surface of live trypanosomes. Aptamers tethered to an antigenic side group are capable of directing antibodies to the surface of the parasite in vitro. In this manner, the RNAs might provide a new strategy for a therapeutic intervention to fight sleeping sickness.
Echoes of bat-pollinated bell-shaped flowers: conspicuous for nectar-feeding bats?
Authors: Helversen Dagmar v. , Holderied Marc W. , Helversen Otto v. 
Published: February 2003

SUMMARYNectar-feeding glossophagine bats searching for flowers are guided by their echolocation system as well as olfactory cues in detecting and recognizing nectar sources. Therefore, chiropterophilous plants, which depend on these bats as pollinators, may be expected to have evolved acoustically conspicuous flowers that facilitate detection. As it is poorly understood how bats manage to find and recognize flowers acoustically, we investigated the echoes of some of the flowers pollinated by bats.Echoes of bell-shaped bat-pollinated flowers have characteristic features with respect to the echoes they reflect to a calling bat and differ from the echoes of leaves or other objects in their surroundings: the echoes are comparatively long and of complex spectral composition. Owing to the specific shape of the flowers, characteristic `spectral directional patterns' result when the spectra of the echoes are plotted against the angle of sound incidence.We suggest that bats are able to recognize such flowers — and probably other objects as well — not only by a characteristic spectral composition of the echo but also by comparing sequential echoes, at the same time taking into account their exact calling position relative to the object.
Leg morphology and locomotion in birds: requirements for force and speed during ankle flexion
Authors: Zeffer A. , Norberg U. M. Lindhe 
Published: February 2003

SUMMARYMuscle force production and speed of movement of a bone are not only highly dependent on muscle properties but also on the biomechanical arrangements of the musculoskeletal systems. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the leverages of a leg flexion system alone could be used to trace adaptations to different locomotion patterns by different groups of birds. We focused on ankle flexion, and measured the length (tmt) of the tarsometatarsus,representing the out-force lever arm, and the distance (d) between the ankle joint and the tendon insertion of the flexor muscle of the tarsometatarsus, representing the in-force lever arm. By the use of residuals from regressions, tmt and d were made independent of body mass, and d independent of tmt, forming indices of the lever arms, dindex and tmtindex.The investigation included 67 bird species divided into six groups according to differences in their hind limb movements and requirements of force and speed. These were birds that walk/run/hop (WH), climb (C) or hang(H), birds of prey (BOP), fast swimmers (FS) and slow swimmers (SS). Predictions for each group correlating their requirements for force and speed are made, based on biomechanical and ecological factors, and the lengths of the moment arms are calculated. The results show that the means for the groups could largely be separated from the norm (i.e. zero), and in many cases the predictions are fulfilled. d is significantly larger than average in species affected by strong forces, for example, gravity (BOP and C), but shorter in species affected only by drag (WH, FS and SS). No differences associated with drag due to differences in medium density were seen. Furthermore, the tarsometatarsus is longer than average only in the BOP species, and shorter in the SS species. Discriminant analysis reveals that using our predictions there is a 53.7% chance of placing a species in the correct group, compared with the 17% chance expected if the species are randomly placed in a group.
Cell‐based bonding of articular cartilage: An extended study
Authors: Peretti Giuseppe M. , Zaporojan Victor , Spangenberg Kimberly M. , Randolph Mark A. , Fellers Jonathan , Bonassar Lawrence J. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThis study evaluated the biomechanical characteristics of newly formed cartilaginous tissue synthesized from isolated chondrocytes and seeded onto devitalized cartilage in an extended study in vivo. Cartilage from porcine articular joints was cut into regular discs and devitalized by multiple freeze‐thaw cycles. Articular chondrocytes were enzymatically isolated and incubated in suspension culture in the presence of devitalized cartilage discs for 21 days. This procedure allowed the isolated chondrocytes to adhere to the devitalized matrix surfaces. Chondrocyte‐matrix constructs were assembled with fibrin glue and implanted in dorsal subcutaneous pockets in nude mice for up to 8 months. Histological evaluation and biomechanical testing were performed to quantify the integration of cartilage pieces and the mechanical properties of the constructs over time. Histological analysis indicated that chondrocytes grown on devitalized cartilage discs produced new matrix that bonded and integrated individual cartilage elements with mechanically functional tissue. Biomechanical testing demonstrated a time dependent increase in tensile strength, failure strain, failure energy, and tensile modulus to values 5–30% of normal articular cartilage by 8 months in vivo. The values recorded at 4 months were not statistically different from those collected at the latest time point, indicating that the limits of the biomechanical property values were reached after four months from implantation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 64A: 517–524, 2003
The pancreatitis‐associated protein induces lung inflammation in the rat through activation of TNFα expression in hepatocytes
Authors: Folch‐Puy Emma , García‐Movtero Andrés , Iovanna Juan L , Dagorn Jean Charles , Prats Neus , Vaccaro Maria Inés , Closa Daniel 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe pancreatitis‐associated protein (PAP) is a pancreatic stress protein overexpressed during acute pancreatitis, a disease often accompanied by lung inflammation. We investigated whether PAP was involved in the occurrence of this remote complication of pancreatitis and whether the liver might be implicated in the process. PAP was injected into the vena cava of rats (40 or 400 µg/kg body weight). For comparison, pancreatitis was induced in rats by intraductal administration of sodium taurocholate. Three hours later, parameters of inflammation and mRNA concentrations of TNFα, P‐selectin, heat shock protein (HSP)‐70, and extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC‐SOD) were monitored in lung and liver. Significant increases in P‐selectin expression, neutrophil infiltration, and oxidative stress revealed that PAP treatment induced lung inflammation in rats and exacerbated inflammation in animals with pancreatitis. Plasma TNFα level was increased and TNFα mRNA was strongly overexpressed in liver, with concomitant activation of NF‐κB; in situ hybridization revealed that TNFα overexpression was mainly located to hepatocytes. Lung inflammation induced by PAP could be prevented by injection of anti‐TNFα antibodies. It was concluded that, during pancreatitis, PAP released by the pancreas could mediate lung inflammation through induction of hepatic TNFα expression and subsequent increase in circulating TNFα. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A continuous sampling plan using sums of conforming run‐lengths
Authors: Bourke Patrick D. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractA continuous sampling plan, CSP‐SUM, is proposed based on the use of sums of run‐lengths of conforming items for deciding when to switch between the phases of sampling inspection and 100% inspection. The conventional measures of performance of CSPs such as the average outgoing quality, average fraction inspected, and the proportion passed under sampling inspection are evaluated for CSP‐SUM. Using these and other measures, comparisons with some standard CSPs are provided and indicate better performance for CSP‐SUM. Comparisons are also made with a recently‐proposed CSP utilizing CUSUMs, termed CSP‐CUSUM, and indicate that the performance of CSP‐SUM can be close to that of CSP‐CUSUM. A table is provided to aid the choice of parameters for the operation of CSP‐SUM. It is recommended that a conforming run‐length control chart be maintained in parallel with CSP‐SUM to detect significant upward shifts in the fraction defective of the process. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular structures and interactions of repetitive peptides based on wheat glutenin subunits depend on chain length
Authors: Feeney K. A. , Wellner N. , Gilbert S. M. , Halford N. G. , Tatham A. S. , Shewry P. R. , Belton P. S. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractSynthetic and recombinant peptide models of the central repetitive domain of the high molecular weight subunits of wheat glutenin with different numbers of the consensus repeat motifs PGQGQQ + GYYPTSLQQ (21, 45, 110, and 203 residues long) and a recombinant 58,000‐Da relative molecular mass (Mr 58,000) repetitive peptide from a single subunit (1Dx5) are studied using Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. The spectra of the dry peptides are very similar; at low water contents (<76% relative humidity) there is an increase in β‐sheet structures in all peptides. However, on further hydration the content of β sheets decrease and more β turns are observed. The changes during the second step of hydration are very marked in the 21 and 45 residue peptides, but they are less apparent in the longer perfect repeat peptides. In the 110 and 203 residue peptides hydration results in increased contents of intermolecular β‐sheets and less β‐turn formation. In contrast, the β‐turn content of the Mr 58,000 peptide increases during the second hydration step. The decreased extent of structure changes with increasing chain length indicates that cumulative intermolecular interactions, in particular hydrogen bonds, are an important factor in determining the structures in the solid state. The regularity of the perfect repeat sequences in the 21, 45, 110, and 203 residue peptides may favor the formation of larger stretches of intermolecular β sheets. In contrast, the Mr 58,000 peptide contains imperfect repeats (in common with native glutenin subunits), which may limit its ability to form intermolecular β sheets. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 72: 123–131, 2003
The promise of the Internet for disability: a study of on‐line services and web site accessibility at Centers for Independent Living
Authors: Ritchie Heather , Blanck Peter 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe Internet provides individuals with disabilities numerous tools to live independently. In the convenience of the home, a person can access an abundance of information, an electronic community, updates on the latest disability advocacy news, education through distance‐learning classes, and on‐line shopping for books, clothes, assistive technology, and a host of other consumer goods. Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are consumer‐run, non‐profit grassroots disability service organizations at the forefront of the disability rights movement. Providing services to individuals across the range of disabilities, CILs have begun to use the Internet as a complement to their traditional service delivery methods. This article examines the emerging trend of independent living services on the web. The investigation examines 200 CIL Internet sites across the United States during the period of April to August 2001. Information is collected and analyzed about how CILs are using the Internet to provide their services and programs. In addition, the article examines the technological accessibility of their web sites. Implications of the findings for CILs, consumers with disabilities, and disability policy are examined. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pathophysiological role of nitric oxide and adrenomedullin in autism
Authors: Zoroğlu Süleyman Salih , Yürekli Muhittin , Meram İclal , Söğüt Sadik , Tutkun Hamdi , Yetki̇n Özer , Si̇vasli Ercan , Savaş Haluk Asuman , Yanik Medaim , Herken Hasan , Akyol Ömer 
Published: February 2003

AbstractSeveral studies indicate that nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the aetiopathogenesis of many neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, Alzheimer's disease, Hungtington disease and stroke. Although it has not been investigated yet, several recent studies proposed that NO may have a pathophysiological role in autism. Adrenomedullin (AM), a recently discovered 52‐amino acide peptide hormone, induces vasorelaxation by activating adenylate cyclase and also by stimulating NO release. AM immune reactivity is present in the brain consistent with a role as a neurotransmitter. It has been stated that NO and AM do function in the regulation of many neurodevelopmental processes. We hypothesized that NO and AM activities have been affected in autistic patients and aimed to examine these molecules. Twenty‐six autistic patients and 22 healthy control subjects were included in this study. AM and total nitrite (a metabolite of NO) levels have been measured in plasma. The mean values of plasma total nitrite and AM levels in the autistic group were significantly higher than control values, respectively (p < 0.001, p = 0.028). There is no correlation between total nitrite and AM levels (r = 0.11, p = 0.31). Certainly, this subject needs much further research investigating autistic patients in earlier periods of life and with subtypes of the disorder. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐dimensional, bioactive, biodegradable, polymer–bioactive glass composite scaffolds with improved mechanical properties support collagen synthesis and mineralization of human osteoblast‐like cells in vitro
Authors: Lu Helen H. , El‐Amin Saadiq F. , Scott Kimberli D. , Laurencin Cato T. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractIn the past decade, tissue engineering‐based bone grafting has emerged as a viable alternative to biological and synthetic grafts. The biomaterial component is a critical determinant of the ultimate success of the tissue‐engineered graft. Because no single existing material possesses all the necessary properties required in an ideal bone graft, our approach has been to develop a three dimensional (3‐D), porous composite of polylactide‐co‐glycolide (PLAGA) and 45S5 bioactive glass (BG) that is biodegradable, bioactive, and suitable as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering (PLAGA‐BG composite). The objectives of this study were to examine the mechanical properties of a PLAGA‐BG matrix, to evaluate the response of human osteoblast‐like cells to the PLAGA‐BG composite, and to evaluate the ability of the composite to form a surface calcium phosphate layer in vitro. Structural and mechanical properties of PLAGA‐BG were measured, and the formation of a surface calcium phosphate layer was evaluated by surface analysis methods. The growth and differentiation of human osteoblast‐like cells on PLAGA‐BG were also examined. A hypothesis was that the combination of PLAGA with BG would result in a biocompatible and bioactive composite, capable of supporting osteoblast adhesion, growth and differentiation, with mechanical properties superior to PLAGA alone. The addition of bioactive glass granules to the PLAGA matrix resulted in a structure with higher compressive modulus than PLAGA alone. Moreover, the PLAGA‐BA composite was found to be a bioactive material, as it formed surface calcium phosphate deposits in a simulated body fluid (SBF), and in the presence of cells and serum proteins. The composite supported osteoblast‐like morphology, stained positively for alkaline phosphatase, and supported higher levels of Type I collagen synthesis than tissue culture polystyrene controls. We have successfully developed a degradable, porous, polymer bioactive glass composite possessing improved mechanical properties and osteointegrative potential compared to degradable polymers of poly(lactic acid‐glycolic acid) alone. Future work will focus on the optimization of the composite scaffold for bone tissue‐engineering applications and the evaluation of the 3‐D composite in an in vivo model. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 64A: 465–474, 2003
CF3CH(ONO)CF3: Synthesis, IR spectrum, and use as OH radical source for kinetic and mechanistic studies
Authors: Andersen M. P. Sulbaek , Hurley M. D. , Ball J. C. , Schneider W. F. , Wallington T. J. , Nielsen O. J. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe synthesis, IR spectrum, and first‐principles characterization of CF3CH(ONO)CF3as well as its use as an OH radical source in kinetic and mechanistic studies are reported. CF3CH(ONO)CF3exists in two conformers corresponding to rotation about the RCONO bond. The more prevalent trans conformer accounts for the prominent IR absorption features at frequencies (cm−1) of 1766 (NO stretch), 1302, 1210, and 1119 (CF stretches), and 761 (ONO bend); the cis conformer contributes a number of distinct weaker features. CF3CH(ONO)CF3was readily photolyzed using fluorescent blacklamps to generate CF3C(O)CF3and, by implication, OH radicals in 100% yield. CF3CH(ONO)CF3photolysis is a convenient source of OH radicals in the studies of the yields of CO, CO2, HCHO, and HC(O)OH products which can be difficult to measure using more conventional OH radical sources (e.g., CH3ONO photolysis). CF3CH(ONO)CF3photolysis was used to measurek(OH + C2H4)/k(OH + C3H6) = 0.29 ± 0.01 and to establish upper limits of 16 and 6% for the molar yields of CO and HC(O)OH from the reaction of OH radicals with benzene in 700 Torr of air at 296 K. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 159–165, 2003
A GRASP with path‐relinking for private virtual circuit routing
Authors: Resende Mauricio G. C. , Ribeiro Celso C. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractA frame relay service offers virtual private networks to customers by provisioning a set of long‐term private virtual circuits (PVCs) between customer endpoints on a large backbone network. During the provisioning of a PVC, routing decisions are made without any knowledge of future requests. Over time, these decisions can cause inefficiencies in the network and occasional offline rerouting of the PVCs is needed. In this paper, the offline PVC routing problem is formulated as an integer multicommodity flow problem with additional constraints and with an objective function that minimizes propagation delays and/or network congestion. We propose variants of a GRASP with path‐relinking heuristic for this problem. Experimental results for realistic‐size problems are reported, showing that the proposed heuristics are able to improve the solutions found with standard routing techniques. Moreover, the structure of our objective function provides a useful strategy for setting the appropriate value of its weight parameter, to achieve some quality of service (QoS) level defined by a desired balance between propagation delay and delay due to network congestion. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Apoptosis and melanoma: molecular mechanisms
Authors: Hussein Mahmoud R , Haemel Anna K , Wood Gary S 
Published: February 2003

AbstractMelanoma cells can undergo self‐destruction via programmed cell death, i.e. apoptosis. In these tumours, the molecular components of apoptosis include positive (apoptotic) and negative (anti‐apoptotic) regulators. The former include p53, Bid, Noxa, PUMA, Bax, TNF, TRAIL, Fas/FasL, PITSLRE, interferons, and c‐KIT/SCF. The latter include Bcl‐2, Bcl‐XL, Mcl‐1, NF‐KB, survivin, livin, and ML‐IAP. Alternatively, some molecules such as TRAF‐2, c‐Myc, endothelins, and integrins may have either pro‐ or anti‐apoptotic effects. Some of these molecules are of potential therapeutic use, such as: (1) p53, which influences resistance to chemotherapy; (2) Mcl‐1 and Bcl‐XL, which can override apoptosis; (3) TRAIL, which has selective fatal effects on tumour cells; (4) NF‐KB, which when downregulated sensitizes cells to TRAIL and TNF; (5) the PITSLRE kinases, whose alteration appears to result in Fas resistance; (6) interferons, which sensitize cells to other factors; and (7) survivin and other IAPs that inhibit apoptosis. This review summarizes the state of current knowledge about the key molecular components and mechanisms of apoptosis in melanoma, discusses potential therapeutic ramifications, and provides directions for future research. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.