bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypomyelination and Congenital Cataract
Authors: Biancheri Roberta , Zara Federico , Rossi Andrea , Mathot Mikael , Nassogne Marie Cecile , Yalcinkaya Cengiz , Erturk Ozdem , Tuysuz Behyan , Di Rocco Maja , Gazzerro Elisabetta , Bugiani Marianna , van Spaendonk Resie , Sistermans Erik A. , Minetti Carlo , van der Knaap Marjo S. , Wolf Nicole I.
Published: September 2011

Objective

To further delineate the clinical spectrum of hypomyelination and congenital cataract (HCC), a rare autosomal recessive white matter disorder due to deficiency of a membrane protein, hyccin, encoded by FAM126A.

Design

Case reports and literature review.

Setting

University hospital.

Patients

Nine additional patients with HCC.

Results

Cataract was congenital in 5 patients; it was found at 4, 5, and 7 months in 3 patients, and only a mild lens opacity was noted at age 3 years in the remaining patient. Neurologic presentation was at birth in 1 child, was characterized by developmental delay at the end of the first year of life in 7 patients, and was characterized by sudden motor regression in the second year of life in the remaining patient. Three patients were able to walk with support only, 5 achieved the ability to walk without support, and the remaining patient was not able to stand at age 2 years. Mental retardation was present in all patients. Peripheral neuropathy was present in the 8 patients who underwent neurophysiological investigations. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed hypomyelination associated with periventricular white matter abnormalities in all patients and brainstem pyramidal tract involvement in 8. Molecular analysis depicted 3 novel mutations and the previously reported IVS5 + 1G>T mutation.

Conclusions

Our study broadens the clinical spectrum of HCC. The clinical variability ranges from severe early-onset neurologic impairment to a milder phenotype. In contrast to this clinical variability, the peculiar magnetic resonance pattern of hypomyelination combined with increased periventricular white matter water content allows distinction of HCC from other forms of hypomyelinating leukoencephalopathies.
Neural Stem Cell Grafting in an Animal Model of Chronic Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Hattiangady Bharathi , Shetty Ashok K.
Published: September 2011

Neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation into the hippocampus could offer an alternative therapy to hippocampal resection in patients with drug‐resistant chronic epilepsy, which afflicts ∼30% of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) cases. Multipotent, self‐renewing NSCs could be expanded from multiple regions of the developing and adult brain, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, to provide a comprehensive methodology involved in testing the efficacy of transplantation of NSCs in a rat model of chronic TLE, NSCs derived from the embryonic medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) are taken as an example in this unit. The topics comprise description of the required materials, reagents and equipment, and protocols for expanding MGE‐NSCs in culture, generating chronically epileptic rats, the intrahippocampal grafting, post‐grafting evaluation of the effects of NSC grafts on spontaneous recurrent seizures and cognitive impairments, analyses of the yield and the fate of graft‐derived cells, and the effects of NSC grafts on the host hippocampus. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 18:2D.7.1‐2D.7.31. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Generation of Inducible shRNAi Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lines
Authors: Avery Stuart
Published: September 2011

This unit describes the generation of tetracycline‐inducible short hairpin RNA interference (shRNAi) human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines. Using this vector‐based approach enables stable and long‐term expression of target hairpins under the control of doxycycline/tetracycline. Target degradation can be controlled in both a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner that can even be switched off, depending upon the particular requirements of the study. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 18:5C.1.1‐5C.1.14. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
In Situ Observation of Strain Development and Porosity Evolution in Nanoporous Gold Foils
Authors: Dotzler Christian J. , Ingham Bridget , Illy Benoit N. , Wallwork Kia , Ryan Mary P. , Toney Michael F.
Published: September 2011

The formation of nanoporous gold by open circuit dealloying of 100 nm AgAu foils in nitric acid is investigated in situ and in real time by combining synchrotron small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The time dependence of the dealloying is followed as a function of acid concentration. For all concentrations, several characteristic dealloying stages are observed. Firstly, there is a fast initial dissolution stage with an increase in surface area due to pore and mound formation; this leads to strain in the nanoporous gold that results from an increase in capillary pressure. After dissolution is complete, there is rapid coarsening of the quasi‐periodic, pore–ligament morphology. During this later stage, we deduce strong strain anisotropies that can be explained by preferred crystallographic orientation of ligaments. This rapid coarsening stage is followed by a slow coarsening stage where the SAXS patterns, and hence the quasi‐periodic morphology, is self‐similar in time. There is a strong correlation between the morphology evolution and strain development, which can be explained by capillary forces.
Solid‐State Electrode Materials with Ionic‐Liquid Properties for Energy Storage: the Lithium Solid‐State Ionic‐Liquid Concept.
Authors: Le Bideau Jean , Ducros Jean‐Baptiste , Soudan Patrick , Guyomard Dominique
Published: September 2011

Herein, the novel concept of a solid‐state electrode materials with ionic‐liquid (IL) properties is presented. These composite materials are a mixture of electroactive matter, an electronic conductor, a solid‐state ionic conductor and a polymeric binder. The approach of a solid‐state ionic conductor combines the high safety of an IL with the nanoconfinement of such a liquid in a mesoporous silica framework, an ionogel, thus leading to a solid with liquid‐like ionic properties. The same ionic conductor is also used as a solid‐state separator to evaluate the properties of our solid‐state electrode materials in all‐solid‐state batteries. Such a concept of a solid‐state electrode material contributes to addressing the challenge of energy storage, which is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. The ionogel, along with its processability, allows a single‐step preparation of the assembly of the solid‐state electrode and solid‐electrolyte separator and can be applied without specific adaptation to present, thick electrodes prepared by the widespread tape‐casting technique. The filling of the electrode porosity by an ionogel is shown by elemental mapping using scanning electron microscopy, and is subsequently confirmed by electrochemical measurements. The ionogel approach is successfully applied without specific adaptation to two state‐of‐the‐art, positive electroactive materials developed for future‐generation lithium‐ion batteries, namely LiFePO4 and LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2.
Enhancement Of Dielectric Permittivity And Electromechanical Response In Silicone Elastomers: Molecular Grafting Of Organic Dipoles To The Macromolecular Network
Authors: Kussmaul Björn , Risse Sebastian , Kofod Guggi , Waché Rémi , Wegener Michael , McCarthy Denis N. , Krüger Hartmut , Gerhard Reimund
Published: September 2011

A novel method is established for permittivity enhancement of a silicone matrix for dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) by molecular level modifications of the elastomer matrix. A push‐pull dipole is synthesized to be compatible with the silicone crosslinking chemistry, allowing for direct grafting to the crosslinker molecules in a one‐step film formation process. This method prevents agglomeration and yields elastomer films that are homogeneous down to the molecular level. The dipole‐to‐silicone network grafting reaction is studied by FTIR. The chemical, thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of films with dipole contents ranging from 0 wt% to 13.4 wt% were thoroughly characterized. The grafting of dipoles modifies the relative permittivity and the stiffness, resulting in the actuation strain at a given electrical field being improved by a factor of six.
2D Versus 3D Crystalline Order in Thin Films of Regioregular Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) Oriented by Mechanical Rubbing and Epitaxy
Authors: Hartmann Lucia , Tremel Kim , Uttiya Sureeporn , Crossland Edward , Ludwigs Sabine , Kayunkid Navaphun , Vergnat Christelle , Brinkmann Martin
Published: September 2011

Highly oriented films of regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) are prepared by two methods: mechanical rubbing and directional epitaxial crystallization. The structure, nanomorphology, and optical and charge‐transport properties of the oriented films are investigated by electron diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM), absorption spectroscopy, and transistor field‐effect measurements. In rubbed films, P3HT chains align parallel to the rubbing direction and the crystalline domains orientation changes from preferential edge‐on to flat‐on orientation. The maximum in‐plane orientation probed by absorption spectroscopy is a function of the polymer molecular weight Mw; the lower the Mw, the higher the in‐plane orientation induced by rubbing. The anisotropy of field‐effect mobility measured parallel and perpendicular to the rubbing shows the same trend as the absorption. The Mw‐dependence of the orientation is explained in terms of chain folding and entanglement that prevent the reorientation and reorganization of the π‐stacked chains, especially when Mw ≥ 50 kDa. For comparison, P3HT films are oriented by directional epitaxial crystallization using a zone‐melting technique. Electron diffraction and HR‐TEM show that epitaxial and rubbed films differ in terms of intralamellar order within layers of π‐stacked chains. Comparison of UV‐vis absorption spectra for the different samples suggests that the vibronic structure is sensitive to intralamellar disorder.
Development of silica‐gel‐supported polyethylenimine sorbents for CO2 capture from flue gas
Authors: Zhang Zhonghua , Ma Xiaoliang , Wang Dongxiang , Song Chunshan , Wang Yonggang
Published: September 2011

In order to reduce the sorbent preparation cost and improve its volume‐based sorption capacity, the use of an inexpensive and commercially available silica gel was explored as a support to prepare a solid polyethylenimine sorbent (PEI/SG) for CO2 capture from flue gas. The effects of the pore volume and particle size of the silica gels, molecular weight of polyethylenimine and amount of polyethylenimine loaded, sorption temperature and moisture in the flue gas on the CO2 sorption capacity of PEI/SG were examined. The sorption performance of the developed PEI/SG was evaluated by using a thermogravimetric analyzer and a fixed‐bed flow sorption system in comparison with the SBA‐15‐supported polyethylenimine sorbent (PEI/SBA‐15). The best PEI/SG sorbent showed a mass‐based CO2 sorption capacity of 138 mg‐CO2/g‐sorbent, which is almost the same as that of PEI/SBA‐15. In addition, the PEI/SG gave a high volume‐based sorption capacity of 83 mg‐CO2/cm3‐sorbent, which is higher than that of PEI/SBA‐15 by a factor of 2.6. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2495–2502, 2012
Heat and mass transfer in calcination of limestone particles
Authors: Takkinen Sirpa , Saastamoinen Jaakko , Hyppänen Timo
Published: September 2011

The heat and mass‐transfer phenomena occurring during the calcination of limestone particles was studied by means of modeling. The applicability of two modeling methods for calcination was compared under different conditions. An unsteady numerical particle model with mass, momentum, energy balance, and shrinking core models were chosen for the study. The influence of different phenomena (chemical kinetics, advective and diffusive mass transfer, and heat transfer) in different conditions was evaluated with the aid of dimensionless parameters, and their relative importance was shown in a regime chart. Especially, the significance of advection was studied and its importance in high CO2 concentration was observed. Local temperatures inside the particle were obtained by solving a dynamic energy balance in each particle layer including calcination reaction energy and conduction heat transfer. Noticeable temperature differences between constant ambient conditions and the particle were observed. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2563–2572, 2012
Spatially resolved characteristics of pharmaceutical sprays
Authors: Muliadi Ariel R. , Sojka Paul E.
Published: September 2011

Spatially resolved drop size, velocity, and volume flux data for five different spray coating guns were described in this study. Such spatially resolved measurements show how sprays respond to changes in operating conditions and gun design in ways that less complete measurements can not provide. Data for instance, allow us to recognize the unique drop size distribution of one of the sprays tested, which ultimately was an important factor in determining the dual roles of the shaping air flows: depending on drop size, viscosity, and the magnitude of the shaping air velocity, the shaping air can either pinch or induce secondary atomization to the sprays. When the former outweighs the latter, a dumbbell‐shaped spray develops; a more uniform spray results when the opposite occurs. Volume flux data from the different sprays also suggest that a more robust and consistent tablet coating process can likely be designed by utilizing multiple overlapping round sprays. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Middle cerebral artery intraplaque hemorrhage: Prevalence and Clinical Relevance
Authors: Xu Wei‐Hai , Li Ming‐Li , Gao Shan , Ni Jun , Yao Ming , Zhou Li‐Xin , Peng Bin , Feng Feng , Jin Zheng‐Yu , Cui Li‐Ying
Published: September 2011

Objective:

Little is known about the composition of middle cerebral artery (MCA) plaques and how they relate to clinical status. Using high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR‐MRI), we aimed to examine the occurrence of high signal on T1‐weighted fat‐suppressed images (HST1) of MCA plaques, which are highly suggestive of fresh or recent intraplaque hemorrhage.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed the HR‐MRI and clinical data of 107 adult patients with high‐grade (>70%) MCA stenosis. On HR‐MRI, HST1 within an MCA plaque was defined as an area with an intensity >150% of the signal of adjacent muscles. The relationship between HST1 and clinical presentations was analyzed.

Results:

A total of 109 stenotic MCAs (46 symptomatic and 63 asymptomatic) on 981 image slices were analyzed. HST1 was revealed on HR‐MRI in 11 vessels (10.1%, 9 symptomatic and 2 asymptomatic). The occurrence rate of HST1 between symptomatic and asymptomatic MCAs was significantly different (19.6% vs 3.2%, p = 0.01).

Interpretation:

HST1 within MCA plaque on HR‐MRI is associated with ipsilateral stroke. Our results provide new insight into the vascular biology of MCA atherosclerosis. Ann Neurol 2012;71:195–198
An operational approach to National Institute on Aging–Alzheimer's Association criteria for preclinical Alzheimer disease
Authors: Jack Clifford R. , Knopman David S. , Weigand Stephen D. , Wiste Heather J. , Vemuri Prashanthi , Lowe Val , Kantarci Kejal , Gunter Jeffrey L. , Senjem Matthew L. , Ivnik Robert J. , Roberts Rosebud O. , Rocca Walter A. , Boeve Bradley F. , Petersen Ronald C.
Published: September 2011

Objective:

A workgroup commissioned by the Alzheimer's Association (AA) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) recently published research criteria for preclinical Alzheimer disease (AD). We performed a preliminary assessment of these guidelines.

Methods:

We employed Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography (PET) imaging as our biomarker of cerebral amyloidosis, and 18fluorodeoxyglucose PET imaging and hippocampal volume as biomarkers of neurodegeneration. A group of 42 clinically diagnosed AD subjects was used to create imaging biomarker cutpoints. A group of 450 cognitively normal (CN) subjects from a population‐based sample was used to develop cognitive cutpoints and to assess population frequencies of the different preclinical AD stages using different cutpoint criteria.

Results:

The new criteria subdivide the preclinical phase of AD into stages 1 to 3. To classify our CN subjects, 2 additional categories were needed. Stage 0 denotes subjects with normal AD biomarkers and no evidence of subtle cognitive impairment. Suspected non‐AD pathophysiology (SNAP) denotes subjects with normal amyloid PET imaging, but abnormal neurodegeneration biomarker studies. At fixed cutpoints corresponding to 90% sensitivity for diagnosing AD and the 10th percentile of CN cognitive scores, 43% of our sample was classified as stage 0, 16% stage 1, 12 % stage 2, 3% stage 3, and 23% SNAP.

Interpretation:

This cross‐sectional evaluation of the NIA‐AA criteria for preclinical AD indicates that the 1–3 staging criteria coupled with stage 0 and SNAP categories classify 97% of CN subjects from a population‐based sample, leaving only 3% unclassified. Future longitudinal validation of the criteria will be important ANN NEUROL 2012;
The sulfated conjugate of biochanin A is a substrate of breast cancer resistant protein (ABCG2)
Authors: An Guohua , Morris Marilyn E.
Published: September 2011

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2) in the transport of biochanin A and its metabolites. Transport studies were carried out in MDCK/bcrp1 as well as in control cells, and samples were analysed for biochanin A aglycone and metabolites using LC/MS/MS. In bidirectional transport studies biochanin A sulfate was detected in both apical and basolateral chambers after the addition of biochanin A. Analysis by RT‐PCR revealed that the enzyme sulfotransferase 1A1 is expressed in Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK)‐II cells. After its intracellular formation, biochanin A sulfate was preferentially transported to the basolateral side in MDCK/Mock cells, whereas apical transport of biochanin A sulfate was predominant in MDCK/Bcrp1 cells. Genistein, an additional metabolite of biochanin A formed intracellularly, was also found to be a bcrp1 substrate. Studies with MDCK/MRP2 (ABCC2) cells demonstrated that both genistein and biochanin A sulfate are not MRP2 substrates. In contrast, biochanin A aglycone was not transported by murine or human BCRP; nor is it a substrate of MRP2 or P‐glycoprotein. Therefore, BCRP may play an important role in the enteric cycling of biochanin A sulfate and through this mechanism may alter the bioavailability of its non‐substrate parent compound biochanin A. Moreover, MDCK‐II cells might be a suitable model to investigate the synergistic role of sulfotransferase enzymes with efflux transporters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anatomic classification of the endoscopic appearance of the normal appendiceal orifice: A novel tool for recognition and documentation of cecal intubation
Authors: Aslinia Florence M. , Bagi Preet , Sorkin John D. , Williams Richard B. , Knodell Robert G. , Sorkin Lawrence F. , Greenwald Bruce D. , Steele Allison , Raufman Jean‐Pierre
Published: September 2011

Complete colonoscopy for cancer screening requires cecal intubation. Failure to reach and examine the cecum may result in missed right colon pathology. We developed and validated a novel classification scheme for the endoscopic appearance of the normal appendiceal orifice (AO). We analyzed 1,456 AO images and grouped them into four categories based on distinguishing features: “diverticuloid,” “umbilicoid,” “crescent,” and “linear.” An expert panel classified the images and modified these categories, combining crescent and linear categories into “curvilinear.” A 100‐image subset was classified twice by a validation cohort consisting of gastroenterology faculty and fellows. Inter‐observer agreement among the expert panel, and intra‐ and inter‐observer agreement among the validation cohort were analyzed using Fleiss' kappa statistic. The distribution of AO images was 67% curvilinear, 19% umbilicoid, and 10% diverticuloid; 85 images (4%) were not classifiable. There was substantial inter‐observer agreement among the expert panel (κ, 0.72). Inter‐observer agreement among the validation cohort was moderate (κ, 0.53 and 0.55 for the first and second viewing, respectively). Intra‐observer κ values among the validation cohort were 0.69 for the overall classification, 0.65 for diverticuloid, 0.70 for umbilicoid, and 0.70 for curvilinear, indicating substantial agreement. This simple, validated classification scheme for the endoscopic appearance of the normal AO can be used both as a research and clinical tool to measure endoscopic quality, improve cecal examination, and document successful cecal intubation. Clin. Anat. 25:496–502, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of Co‐culture and Nutrients Supplementation on Bioremediation of Crude Petroleum Sludge
Authors: Devi Mamilla Prathima , Reddy Motakatla Venkateswar , Juwarkar Asha , Sarma Ponnapalli Nageswara , Mohan Srinivasula Reddy Venkata
Published: September 2011

Ex‐situ bioremediation of real‐field crude petroleum sludge was evaluated to elucidate the role of co‐culture (bioaugmentation) and external nutrients supplementation (biostimulation) under anaerobic microenvironment. Maximum removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) was observed by integrating biostimulation with bioaugmentation (R5, 44.01%) followed by bioaugmentation alone (R4, 34.47%), co‐substrate supplemented operations [R6, 23.36%; R3, 16.5%; R2, 9.88%] and control (R1, 4.36%). Aromatics fraction showed higher degradation in all the conditions studied. Fate of six selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was evaluated during bioremediation. Among these, four ring PAHs compounds showed good degradation by integration of biostimulation with bioaugmentation (R5) while bioaugmentation alone (R4) documented good degradation of three ring PAHs. Lower ring PAHs compounds showed good degradation with the application of biostimulation (R6). Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) detected the presence of known PAHs degrading microorganisms viz., Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acido bacteria, Sulphur reducing bacteria Firmicutes, etc. Application of biostimulation and bioaugmentation strategies alone or in combinations documented noticeable influence on the degradation of petroleum sludge.
Understanding racial differences in deceased‐donor kidney transplantation: Geography, poverty, language, and health insurance coverage
Authors: Hall Yoshio N.
Published: September 2011

Despite the continued growth of diverse populations on dialysis, no prior studies have comprehensively compared the barriers to kidney transplantation among different racial and ethnic groups. This brief review summarizes key findings from a recent study that examined specific determinants of diminished access to, or delayed completion of, deceased‐donor kidney transplantation among major racial‐ethnic groups in the United States. In particular, we focus on the relative influence on transplantation rates of clinical factors, such as histocompatibility, residential geography, health insurance coverage, poverty, and other socioeconomic factors according to patient race or ethnicity. Dial. Transplant. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tubby‐RFP balancers for developmental analysis: FM7c 2xTb‐RFP, CyO 2xTb‐RFP, and TM3 2xTb‐RFP
Authors: Pina Cara , Pignoni Francesca
Published: September 2011

We report here the construction of Tubby‐RFP balancers for the X, 2nd and 3rd chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster. The insertion of a 2xTb‐RFP transgene on the FM7c, CyO, and TM3 balancer chromosomes introduces two easily scorable, dominant, developmental markers. The strong Tb phenotype is visible to the naked eye at the larval L2, L3, and pupal stages. The RFP associated with the cuticle is easily detected at all stages from late embryo to adult with the use of a fluorescence stereomicroscope. The FM7c Bar 2xTb‐RFP, CyO Cy 2xTb‐RFP, and TM3 Sb 2xTb‐RFP balancers will greatly facilitate the analysis of lethals and other developmental mutants in L2/L3 larvae and pupae, but also provide coverage of other stages beginning in late embryogenesis through to the adult. genesis 50:119–123, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New Bapx1Cre‐EGFP mouse lines for lineage tracing and conditional knockout studies
Authors: Sivakamasundari V. , Yun Chan Hsiao , Yun Chan Hsiao , Peng Yap Sook , Xing Xing , Kraus Petra , Lufkin Thomas
Published: September 2011

To gain insight into the roles of various genes in development and to circumvent embryonic lethality that hinders genetic studies, lineage tracing and conditional knockout techniques have been widely performed on mice using the increasing numbers of gene‐targeted Cre mouse lines. Employing the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and the 2A peptide multicistronic expression strategies, we report two new Bapx1 mouse lines with functional Bapx1 whereby Cre and enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) are expressed discretely under the control of the Bapx1 promoter. These mouse lines, when mated with the Rosa26R‐lacZ reporter line, can be used to trace the lineage of Bapx1‐expressing cells whereas stage‐specific, spatial expression of Bapx1 can be visualized by the EGFP fluorescence. In addition, both of our Bapx1Cre‐EGFP mouse lines can be used to enrich for Bapx1‐specific cells and also serve as effective conditional knockout tools to investigate gene functions in the skeleton and/or visceral organs. genesis, 50:375–383, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ubiquitin–proteasome system components are upregulated during intestinal regeneration
Authors: Pasten Consuelo , Ortiz‐Pineda Pablo A. , García‐Arrarás José E.
Published: September 2011

The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is the main proteolytic system of cells. Recent evidence suggests that the UPS plays a regulatory role in regeneration processes. Here, we explore the possibility that the UPS is involved during intestinal regeneration of the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima. These organisms can regenerate most of their digestive tract following a process of evisceration. Initially, we identified components of H. glaberrima UPS, including sequences for Rpn10, β3, and ubiquitin‐RPL40. Predicted proteins from the mRNA sequences showed high degree of conservation that ranged from 60% (Rpn10) to 98% (Ub‐RPL40). Microarrays and RT‐PCR experiments showed that these genes were upregulated during intestinal regeneration. In addition, we demonstrated expression of alpha 20S proteasome subunits and ubiquitinated proteins during intestinal regeneration and detected them in the epithelium and connective tissue of the regenerating intestine. Finally, the intestinal regeneration was altered in animals treated with MG132, a proteasome inhibitor. These findings support our contention that proteasomes are playing an important role during intestinal regeneration. genesis, 50:350–365, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A recombinase‐mediated cassette exchange‐derived cyan fluorescent protein reporter allele for Pdx1
Authors: Potter Leah A. , Choi Eunyoung , Hipkens Susan B. , Wright Christopher V.E. , Magnuson Mark A.
Published: September 2011

Fluorescent protein (FP) reporter alleles are useful both for identifying and purifying specific cell populations in the mouse. Here, we report the generation of mouse embryonic stem cells that contain a pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx1) loxed cassette acceptor (Pdx1LCA) allele and the use of recombinase‐mediated cassette exchange to derive mice that contain a Pdx1CFP (Cerulean) reporter allele. Mice with this allele exhibited cyan fluorescence within the previously well‐characterized Pdx1 expression domain in posterior foregut endoderm. Immunolabeling showed that endogenous Pdx1 was coexpressed with CFP at all time points examined. Furthermore, fluorescence‐activated cell sorting was used to isolate CFP‐positive cells from E11.5 and E18.5 embryonic tissues using both 405 and 445 nm lasers, although the latter resulted in a nearly 50‐fold increase in emission intensity. The Pdx1CFP allele will enable the isolation of specific foregut endoderm and pancreatic cell populations, both alone and in combination with other FP reporter alleles. genesis 50:384–392, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Properties of Metal Complexes of a New Dioxadiaza Macrocycle Containing a Dibenzofuran Unit and Acetate Pendant Arms
Authors: Mateus Pedro , Li Feng , Esteves Catarina V. , Delgado Rita , Brandão Paula , Félix Vítor
Published: September 2011

A new dioxadiaza macrocycle containing a rigid dibenzofuran group (DBF) and bearing two acetate pendant arms, ac2[17](DBF)N2O2, has been synthesized in good yield by condensation of the parent macrocycle with potassium bromoacetate in basic aqueous solution. The protonation constants of ac2[17](DBF)N2O2 and the stability constants of its complexes with Mn2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions were determined at 298.2 K in aqueous solutions and at ionic strength 0.10 mol dm–3 in NMe4NO3. The stability constants revealed that ac2[17](DBF)N2O2 has a higher affinity for larger metal ions, Cd2+ and Pb2+, showing a clear preference for cadmium. Spectroscopic data in solution and X‐ray crystal structure determinations revealed that the higher affinity for Cd2+ and Pb2+ is due to the better fit of these metal ions into the macrocyclic cavity, derived from its ring size and rigidity and the involvement of all the donor atoms of the ligand in the coordination to these metal centres. Considering the negative effect of these heavy metal ions on human health and the environment, this study represents an important step in the development of selective chelators for these two pollutants.
Azide‐Bridged Copper(II) and Manganese(II) Compounds with a Zwitterionic Tetrazolate Ligand: Structures and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Li Xiu‐Bing , Ma Yu , Zhang Xiu‐Mei , Zhang Jian‐Yong , Gao En‐Qing
Published: September 2011

Two azide‐bridged coordination polymers, [Cu(mptz)(N3)2] (1) and [Mn(mptz)(N3)2H2O] (2), (mptz = N‐methyl‐4‐pyridinium tetrazolate), were synthesized and crystallographically and magnetically characterized. Compound 1 is a neutral 1D coordination polymer in which the CuII ions, which are in a square pyramidal surrounding, are linked by double end‐on azide bridges in an alternating basal–basal and basal–apical fashion. Compound 2 exhibits a 3D MnII–azide coordination framework with the (10,3)‐b net topology, in which the double end‐on–azide‐bridged dimanganese units are interlinked by single end‐to‐end azide bridges. The magnetic analyses indicated that 1 behaves magnetically as a quasi‐dimer with an S = 1 ground state due to a strong ferromagnetic interaction through the basal–basal azide bridges and a very weak antiferromagnetic coupling through the basal–apical azide bridges. Compound 2 exhibits 3D antiferromagnetic behaviors with TN = 24.0 K, where the end‐to‐end and end‐on azide bridges mediate the antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions, respectively.
Combination of plasma microRNAs with serum CA19‐9 for early detection of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Liu Jianqiang , Gao Jun , Du Yiqi , Li Zhaoshen , Ren Yan , Gu Junjun , Wang Xiaowei , Gong Yanfang , Wang Weiwei , Kong Xiangyu
Published: September 2011

This study was performed to identify plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic biomarkers for pancreatic cancer (PCa) and to assess their supplementary role with serum CA19‐9 in early identification of tumors. Plasma RNAs were extracted from 140 PCa patients, 111 chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients and 68 normal controls, and the relative abundances of seven miRNAs (miR‐16, 21, 155, 181a, 181b, 196a and 210) were measured using real‐time PCR. Their diagnostic utility for PCa and correlation with clinical characteristics were analyzed. All seven miRNAs were significantly aberrantly upregulated in the PCa group compared with both the CP and normal groups, between which only four miRNAs (miR‐155, 181a, 181b and 196a) were significantly different. Logistic modeling proved that only miR‐16 and miR‐196a possessed an independent role in discriminating PCa from normal and CP. Furthermore, after including serum CA19‐9 in the logistic model, the combination of miR‐16, miR‐196a and CA19‐9 was more effective for discriminating PCa from non‐PCa (normal+CP) (AUC‐ROC, 0.979; sensitivity, 92.0%; specificity, 95.6%), and for discriminating PCa from CP (AUC‐ROC, 0.956; sensitivity, 88.4%; specificity, 96.3%) compared with the miRNA panel (miR‐16+miR‐196a) or CA19‐9 alone. Most significantly, the combination was effective at identification of tumors in Stage 1 (85.2%). In conclusion, plasma miRNAs were effective for distinguishing PCa from non‐PCa (normal+CP). The combination of miR‐16, miR‐196a and CA19‐9 was more effective for PCa diagnosis, especially in early tumor screening.
Glucose‐activated RUNX2 phosphorylation promotes endothelial cell proliferation and an angiogenic phenotype
Authors: Pierce Adam D. , Anglin Ian E. , Vitolo Michele I. , Mochin Maria T. , Underwood Karen F. , Goldblum Simeon E. , Kommineni Sravya , Passaniti Antonino
Published: September 2011

The runt‐related protein‐2 (RUNX2) is a DNA‐binding transcription factor that regulates bone formation, tumor cell metastasis, endothelial cell (EC) proliferation, and angiogenesis. RUNX2 DNA binding is glucose and cell cycle regulated. We propose that glucose may activate RUNX2 through changes in post‐translational phosphorylation that are cell cycle‐specific and will regulate EC function. Glucose increased cell cycle progression in EC through both G2/M and G1 phases with entry into S‐phase occurring only in subconfluent cells. In the absence of nutrients and growth factors (starvation), subconfluent EC were delayed in G1 when RUNX2 expression was reduced. RUNX2 phosphorylation, activation of DNA binding, and pRb phosphorylation were stimulated by glucose and were necessary to promote cell cycle progression. Glucose increased RUNX2 localization at focal subnuclear sites, which co‐incided with RUNX2 occupancy of the cyclin‐dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor p21Cip1 promoter, a gene normally repressed by RUNX2. Mutation of the RUNX2 cdk phosphorylation site in the C‐terminal domain (S451A.RUNX2) reduced RUNX2 phosphorylation and DNA binding. Expression of this cdk site mutant in EC inhibited glucose‐stimulated differentiation (in vitro tube formation), monolayer wound healing, and proliferation. These results define a novel relationship between glucose‐activated RUNX2 phosphorylation, cell cycle progression, and EC differentiation. These data suggest that inhibition of RUNX2 expression or DNA binding may be a useful strategy to inhibit EC proliferation in tumor angiogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 282–292, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Watching osteogenesis: Life monitoring of osteogenic differentiation using an osteocalcin reporter
Authors: Born Anne‐Kathrin , Lischer Stefanie , Maniura‐Weber Katharina
Published: September 2011

Human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to differentiate into several cell types such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. When cultured under appropriate medium conditions stem cells can be directed toward the osteoblast lineage in vitro. Progression of osteogenic differentiation is accompanied by changes in the expression pattern of several marker proteins including bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP), collagen I (Col I), and osteocalcin (OC) and can be analyzed by well‐established methods like immunohistochemical staining and quantitative RT‐PCR. Furthermore, expression of fluorescent protein driven by an osteogenesis promoter facilitates online monitoring of proceeding osteogenic differentiation in transiently transfected human bone marrow‐derived cells. In the present study we established a new double reporter gene construct comprising OC promoter‐driven expression of green fluorescent protein and constitutive expression of red fluorescent protein‐tagged histone H2B for transient transfection of primary human bone cells (HBCs). Osteogenic differentiation of transiently transfected cells was visualized by fluorescence microscopy. Immunohistochemical analysis and RT‐PCR confirmed the progression into the osteo‐specific lineage of transfected cells. Transfection efficiency was determined by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS). J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 313–321, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Therapeutic potential of hyaluronan oligosaccharides for bone metastasis of breast cancer
Authors: Urakawa Hiroshi , Nishida Yoshihiro , Knudson Warren , Knudson Cheryl B. , Arai Eisuke , Kozawa Eiji , Futamura Naohisa , Wasa Junji , Ishiguro Naoki
Published: September 2011

Hyaluronan (HA) oligosaccharides were reported to have suppressive effects on various malignant tumors via disruption of receptor HA interactions. However, no studies have focused on the effects of HA oligosaccharides on bone metastasis of breast cancer. In this study, we clarified the effective size of HA oligosaccharides required to inhibit cell growth in the highly invasive breast cancer cell line, MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Based on the results of cell growth assay, we subsequently analyzed the effects of HA tetrasaccharides, HA decasaccharides, and high molecular weight HA on the other breast cancer cell behaviors in vitro and breast cancer bone metastasis in vivo. HA decasaccharides significantly inhibited cell growth, motility, and invasion, whereas tetrasaccharides did not. HAS2 mRNA expression was altered after the treatment with both tetrasaccharides and decasaccharides. Phosphorylation of Akt was suppressed after 1 h treatment with HA decasaccharides, and the effect was partially reversed by anti‐CD44 monoclonal antibody. In vivo, local application of HA decasaccharides inhibited the expansion of osteolytic lesions in tibia on soft X‐rays using mouse bone metastasis model of breast cancer. Histological analysis revealed HA accumulation in bone metastatic lesions was perturbed by decasaccharides. These results suggest that HA oligosaccharides suppressed progression of bone metastasis in breast cancer via interruption of endogenous HA–CD44 interaction, and as such, can be a novel therapeutic candidate to limit bone metastasis of breast cancer. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:662–672, 2012
Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity Reactions: An Updated Review
Authors: Sublett J. Wesley , Bernstein Jonathan A.
Published: September 2011

Seminal plasma hypersensitivity manifests as a spectrum of systemic and/or localized clinical symptoms after exposure to specific protein components in seminal fluid. The prevalence of this disease is largely unknown, but it is believed to affect up to 40,000 women in the United States. Although no definitive risk factors have been confirmed, women with systemic reactions are frequently atopic. Prostate‐specific antigen is believed to be the major allergen involved in the disorder, but other proteins are likely involved. Interestingly, up to 40%–50% of both systemic and localized seminal plasma hypersensitivity cases can occur after first‐time intercourse. Diagnosis is based on clinical history. The gold standard for diagnosing seminal plasma hypersensitivity is prevention of symptoms with the use of a condom. Patients with seminal plasma hypersensitivity demonstrate positive prick skin test and/or serum‐specific immunoglobulin E to whole seminal fluid or fractionated seminal plasma proteins. Treatment of seminal plasma hypersensitivity involves either avoidance with the use of condoms, intravaginal graded challenge using dilutions of whole seminal fluid, or subcutaneous desensitization to relevant fractionated seminal plasma proteins obtained from the woman's sexual partner. In most cases, treatment using one or more of the above approaches has been very successful. Infertility has not been demonstrated to be directly related to seminal plasma hypersensitivity, although women with the condition frequently have difficulty conceiving due to their inability to have unprotected sexual intercourse. Mt Sinai J Med 78:803–809, 2011. © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Mucci Tania , Govindaraj Satish , Tversky Jody
Published: September 2011

Allergic rhinitis is a costly disease associated with significant morbidity. It impacts the quality of life of millions of individuals, particularly in industrialized nations, and it is on the rise. Lost productivity and total healthcare expenditure exceeds several billion dollars annually in the United States, with an estimate of >$6 billion spent on prescription medications alone. It is also associated with asthma and other atopic conditions, sinusitis, otitis media, and sleep apnea. Primary care physicians should be well adept at recognizing and initiating empiric first‐line therapy for chronic rhinitis. Allergen avoidance, topical nasal steroids, and antihistamines may be sufficient for some patients. In most cases, referral to a board‐certified allergy specialist for skin testing and targeted management is indicated. It is essential to make sure that patients abstain from using antihistamines at least 1 week prior to reporting to the allergist for skin testing in order to avoid false‐negative results. Traditional subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy, when performed by an experienced allergist, affords relief in >75% of cases. The growing armament of treatment options for refractory allergic rhinitis includes oral and sublingual immunotherapy, recombinant allergens, conjugated DNA vaccines, and anti–immunoglobulin E monoclonal antibody. Mt Sinai J Med 78:634–644, 2011. © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Urticaria and Angioedema
Authors: Axelrod Sara , Davis‐Lorton Mark
Published: September 2011

Urticaria and angioedema are common disorders that can severely impair the quality of a patient's life and can be extremely difficult to treat. Symptoms can persist for years to decades. The causes of urticaria and angioedema are varied and may be immunologic, nonimmunologic, or idiopathic. This article reviews the literature and provides primary care physicians with up‐to‐date information of the epidemiology, basic pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of this common and often debilitating condition. Additionally, clinical manifestations of acute and chronic urticaria, hereditary and acquired angioedema, as well as the physical urticarias will be discussed. Mt Sinai J Med 78:784–802, 2011. © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Relationship of sense of coherence to stressful events, coping strategies, health status, and quality of life in women with breast cancer
Authors: Sarenmalm Elisabeth Kenne , Browall Maria , Persson L.‐O. , Fall‐Dickson J. , Gaston‐Johansson Fanny
Published: September 2011

Objective

To test the hypothesis that Antonovsky's concept of sense of coherence (SOC) predicts stressful events, coping strategies, health status, and quality of life (QoL) in a cohort of postmenopausal women (n = 131) with newly diagnosed primary or recurrent breast cancer.

Methods

Regression analyses of longitudinal data at baseline through 6 months following breast cancer diagnosis examined the relationships between SOC (13‐item version), daily assessment of coping with stressful events, health status, and QoL (EORTC QLQ‐30).

Results

The findings support Antonovsky's concept of SOC. Women with strong SOC reported fewer stressful events and more days without stressful events. They used more coping strategies and more frequently used distraction, situation redefinition, direct action, and relaxation, but seldom religion, to cope with stressful events, and reported better health status and QoL. Women with weak SOC experienced more distress and used fewer coping strategies, and they more frequently used coping strategies such as catharsis and seeking social and spiritual support, but seldom acceptance of the situation. They reported worse health status and QoL, regardless of disease stage or treatment. The relationships between SOC and health status and QoL were linear.

Conclusions

Sense of coherence significantly predicts distress, number and type of coping strategies such as direct action and relaxation, health status, and QoL in women with breast cancer. Our data suggest that the SOC scale may be a useful screening tool to identify individuals particularly vulnerable to distress and unable to cope adequately. Assessing SOC strength may assist health care providers to provide individualized patient interventions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2‐Lithiumamide‐2‐fluoro‐1,3‐diaza‐2,4‐disilacyclobutanes – Syntheses, Reactions, Structures
Authors: Kanaan Fatme , Schulzke Carola , Strüber Katharina , Klingebiel Uwe
Published: September 2011

The cyclodisilazane Me2Si(NCMe3)2SiF2 (1) reacts with lithium salts of ammonia (2), hydrazine (3) and amines (4–10) to give the stable compounds Me2Si(NCMe3)2SiFNHR (R = H (2), NH2 (3) CMe3 (4), C10H15 (5), 3,5‐C6H3Me2 (6), 2,4,6‐C6H2Me3 (7), 2,6‐C6H3(CHMe2)2 (8), C6F5 (9), Si(CMe3)2Ph (10)). Compounds 2–10 show no condensation reactions with formation of NH3, N2H4, or amines. Dilithiummethylenediamide reacts with 1 to give the ethylenediamine coupled ring system 11 or spirocyclic compound 12. Compounds 2, 3, 4 form the spirocyclic systems 13–15 in reactions with n‐C4H9Li. A partly hydrolysed lithium salt (16) was isolated as tetramer containing a central Li6O octahedron. The lithium salts of 5 (17), 9 (19) and 10 (20) were isolated as monomers (17, 19) or dimer, respectively, via an (LiN)‐four‐membered ring (20). Crystal structures of 3, 9, 13–17, 19 and 20 are reported.
Effects of Time on Ultrastructural Integrity of Parathyroid Tissue Before Cryopreservation
Authors: Barreira Carlos Eduardo Santa Ritta , Cernea Cláudio Roberto , Brandão Lenine Garcia , Custódio Melani Ribeiro , Caldini Elia Tamaso Espin Garcia , de Menezes Montenegro Fábio Luiz
Published: September 2011

Background

Cryopreservation of parathyroid tissue is used in the surgical treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. After surgical resection, the tissue is temporarily maintained in a cell culture solution until it arrives at the specialized laboratory where the cryopreservation process will take place. The present study evaluates the time that the human hyperplastic parathyroid gland tissue can wait before cryopreservation, based on parathyroid cell ultrastructural integrity.

Methods

This prospective study included 11 patients who underwent total parathyroidectomy with heterotopic autotransplantation and cryopreservation of parathyroid tissue fragments. Part of the tissue was kept in cell culture solution at 4°C. Five time periods between 2 and 24 h were defined, and parathyroid fragments were kept in the solution for that length of time. At the end of each period, the fragments were removed from the transport solution, fixed, and prepared for ultrathin sections.

Results

Of the 11 cases studied, 10 showed ultrastructural findings consistent with cellular viability in tissue fragments that remained in the transport solution up to 12 h. Electron microscopy revealed that cell adhesion and the integrity of plasma membranes, nuclei, and mitochondria were preserved in one case for up to 24 h. Changes in mitochondrial structure represented the most constant ultrastructural damage seen in the cases studied, in addition to the presence of edema and cell vacuoles.

Conclusions

Analysis of the ultrastructure of hyperplastic parathyroid gland tissue showed that ultrastructural integrity was in most cases properly maintained in fragments stored up to 12 h in a cell culture solution at 4°C.