bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining nutritional labeling data for fats and oils by 1H NMR
Authors: Sedman Jacqueline , Gao Lei , García‐González Diego , Ehsan Sadia , van de Voort Frederik R.
Published: April 2010

The nutrition labeling compositional data (NLCD) required for fat‐containing food products consists of the percentages of saturated, cis‐monounsaturated, and cis‐polyunsaturated fat as well as trans content. The capability of 1H NMR spectroscopy to determine the NLCD components in oils that do not contain significant levels of trans isomers has already been established in the literature, but not its capability to differentiate between cis‐ and trans‐unsaturation. In the present study, the determination of all four NLCD components in fats and oils has been demonstrated for the first time. A preliminary analysis of the intensity‐normalized 1H NMR spectra of defined mixtures of pure triacylglycerols (TAG) by partial least squares (PLS) regression revealed that the (mono)allylic proton resonances of cis and trans bonds were sufficiently well separated to allow for accurate quantitation of trans content by simple peak integration. This chemometric approach also served to facilitate the identification of optimal integration limits for these cis‐ and trans‐allylic resonances. Fixed integration limits were also set for the other resonances employed in the determination of the four NLCD components, and a standardized spectral preprocessing procedure was established. The 1H NMR NLCD data obtained for the TAG mixtures by this methodology was a good match to the actual values, calculated from the known molar composition of these gravimetrically prepared mixtures. A procedure for the conversion of the NMR mol% NLCD to units of wt%, previously developed for 13C NMR, was adapted for 1H NMR and shown to be effective in compensating for the overestimation of wt% saturates and underestimation of wt% unsaturates by 1H NMR if this conversion is not made. The 1H NMR methodology for NLCD determination was validated by analyzing AOCS Laboratory Proficiency Program GC samples as well as samples taken from a hydrogenator over time and analyzed for trans content by GC and IR spectroscopy. Comparison of the 1H NMR mol% and wt% NLCD obtained for these validation samples with the data obtained from the reference methods indicated that 1H NMR can deliver high‐quality, accurate NLCD, much like 13C NMR, but in a much shorter time frame. Thus, 1H NMR provides a more rapid and cost‐effective means of obtaining NLCD than 13C NMR and can replace GC as a primary reference method for the calibration of simpler and automatable instrumental methods such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
Rapid quantitation of fish oil fatty acids and their ethyl esters by FT‐NIR models
Authors: Azizian Hormoz , Kramer John K. G. , Ehler Shannon , Curtis Jonathan M.
Published: April 2010

Consumption of fish oil and dietary supplements containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has steadily increased because of their reported health benefits. A rapid procedure based on Fourier Transform Near Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐NIR) models was developed for analysis of fish oil and their ethyl ester derivatives to replace the time consuming GC method. Inclusion of fish oil or ethyl esters containing varied concentrations of OA, EPA, and DHA into the FT‐NIR classification models made possible their classification and quantification. Accurate GC analysis is essential in developing reliable quantitative models since FT‐NIR is matrix dependent. Development of FT‐NIR models based on 30 m PEG capillary GC column results, as recommended by the official GC method for analysis of marine oils, proved problematic, since these columns did not resolve many geometric isomers compared to 100  m highly polar cyanopropyl polysiloxane columns. Depending on the content of geometric isomers in fish oils and ethyl esters, the levels of long‐chain n‐3 PUFA would be overestimated if the model used were based on the results from a 30  m column. The FT‐NIR method was found to be applicable to all fish oil and ethyl ester samples, except when fatty acids were outside the range examined, or contaminants were present. The FT‐NIR method was applicable to analysis of in‐plant intermediates provided contaminants were absent, or identified so they could be incorporated into the model. The FT‐NIR method was suitable to evaluate the shelf life of n‐3 PUFA concentrates.
Synthesis and characterization of cast resin based on different saturation epoxidized soybean oil
Authors: Li Yantao , Fu Liyu , Lai Shufen , Cai Xinchao , Yang Liting
Published: April 2010

Acrylated epoxidized soybean oils (AESOs) with different level of saturation were obtained by the ring opening of different saturation epoxidized soybean oils using acrylic acid as the ring opener. AESO‐based thermosets have been synthesized by free radical polymerization of these AESOs and methyl methacrylate. The thermal properties of these resins were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermo‐gravimetric analysis. The results indicated that the thermal stability of these resins depends upon the epoxy value; the glass transition temperature increases with increasing of epoxy value. The tensile and impact strength of the resins were also studied, and indicated that tensile strength increases with increasing epoxy value, whereas impact strength decreases. The resulting thermosets ranged from elastomers to glassy polymers.
Antioxidant capacity of rapeseed meal and rapeseed oils enriched with meal extract
Authors: Szydłowska‐Czerniak Aleksandra , Amarowicz Ryszard , Szłyk Edward
Published: April 2010

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate the quantitative effects of two independent variables: solvent polarity and temperature of the extraction process on the antioxidant capacity (AC) and total phenolics content (TPC) in meal rapeseed extracts. The mean AC and TPC results for meal ranged between 1181–9974 µmol TE/100 g and 73.8–814 mg sinapic acid/100 g of meal. The experimental results of AC and TPC were close to the predicted values calculated from the polynomial response surface models equations (R2 = 0.9758 and 0.9603, respectively). The effect of solvent polarity on AC and TPC in the examined extracts was about 3.6 and 2.6 times greater, respectively, than the effect of processing temperature. The predicted optimum solvent polarity of ε = 78.3 and 63.8, and temperature of 89.4 and 74.2°C resulted in an AC of 10 014 µmol TE/100 g and TPC of 863 mg SAE/100 g meal, respectively. The phenolic profile of rapeseed meal was determined by an HPLC method. The main phenolics in rapeseed meal were sinapine and sinapic acid. Refined rapeseed oils were fortified with an extract – rich in polyphenols – obtained from rapeseed meal. The supplemented rapeseed oil had higher AC and TPC than the refined oil without addition of meal extracts. However, AC and TPC in the enriched oils decreased during storage. The TPC in the studied meal extracts and rapeseed oils correlated significantly (p<0.0000001) positively with their AC (R2 = 0.9387).

Practical applications: Many bioactive compounds extracted from rapeseed meal provide health benefits and have antioxidative properties. Therefore, it seems worth to consider the application of antioxidants extracted from the rapeseed meal for the production of rapeseed oils with potent AC. Moreover, antioxidants extracted from the rapeseed meal were added to refined rapeseed oil in order to enhance its AC. AC was then tested by FRAP assay. FRAP method is based on the reduction of the ferric tripyridyltriazine (Fe3+‐TPTZ) complex to the ferrous tripyridyltriazine (Fe2+‐TPTZ), and it is simple, fast, low cost, and robust method. FRAP method does not require specialized equipment and can be performed using automated, semi‐automatic, or manual methods. Therefore the proposed FRAP method can be employed by the fat industry laboratories to asses the AC of rapeseed oils and meal.
A strong inorganic acid‐initiated methacrylate polymerization strategy for room temperature preparation of monolithic columns for capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Wang Man‐Man , Wang He‐Fang , Jiang Dong‐Qing , Wang Shan‐Wei , Yan Xiu‐Ping
Published: April 2010

A facile strong inorganic acid‐initiated methacrylate polymerization strategy was developed for fabricating monolithic columns at room temperature. The prepared monoliths were characterized by FTIR spectrometry, mercury intrusion porosimeter and SEM, while their performance was evaluated by CEC for the separation of various types of compounds including alkyl benzenes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, anilines, and nitrophenol isomers. The column‐to‐column and batch‐to‐batch reproducibility for the prepared monoliths in terms of the RSD of EOF flow velocity, retention factor, and the minimum plate height of naphthalene ranged from 3.4 to 12.4%. The fabricated monoliths gave excellent performance for the separation of the test neutral compounds with the theoretical plates of 170 000–232 000 plates per meter for thiourea, and 77 400–112 300 plates per meter for naphthalene. The proposed strong inorganic acid‐initiated methacrylate polymerization strategy is a promising alternative for fabricating organic polymer‐based monoliths.
Improved conditions for silver–ammonia staining of DNA in polyacrylamide gel
Authors: Cong Wei‐Tao , He Hong‐Zhang , Zhu Zhong‐Xin , Ye Cai‐Xue , Yang Xu‐Yi , Choi Jung‐Kap , Jin Li‐Tai , Li Xiao‐Kun
Published: April 2010

An improved silver–ammonia staining method for DNA on polyacrylamide gels is described. In this method, staining of DNA using silver–ammonia complex allows high sensitivity, low cost, low toxicity, and simple protocol without requiring fixation and sensitization steps. The protocol takes less than 40 min to complete, with a detection limit of 1.5 pg of single DNA band on polyacrylamide gels, approximately 30‐fold higher than that of original silver–ammonia staining method. Furthermore, this novel technique not only exhibits high sensitivity for large DNA fragment, but also shows a better trend to detect low‐base‐pair DNA compared with other silver staining methods.
Reduction of Cr (VI) in electroplating wastewater and investigation on the sorptive removal by WBAP
Authors: Shah Bhavna A. , Shah Ajay V. , Singh Rajesh R. , Patel Nayan B.
Published: April 2010

The aim of the present investigation was to study the removal of total chromium from the electroplating industry effluent using Weathered Basalt Andesite Products (WBAP). The reduction of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) by hydrazinium sulfate (HS) was adopted. The sorbent WBAP before and after sorption, was characterized by FTIR, X‐ray diffraction, SEM, TEM, and TGA methods. The effects of various parameters such as hydronium ion concentration, shaking time, sorbent dose, initial metal ion concentration, and temperature on the removal of Cr (III) from aqueous solution was studied. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH0, ΔS0, and ΔG0) for the sorption process were evaluated. Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin‐Kaganer‐Radushkevich isotherm models were examined to describe the sorption isotherms. Analysis of sorption results obtained showed that the sorption pattern followed the Freundlich sorption isotherm. Langmuir maximum sorption capacity of WBAP for Cr (III) was found to be 12.07 mg/g. The process follows Pseudo second order rate and surface diffusion is identified as the predominating mechanism. The effluent having average discharge of total chromium 90 mg/L was successfully treated with the same sorbent with a removal of 85.65%. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2011
Forest fire, bank strength and channel instability: the ‘unusual’ response of Fishtrap Creek, British Columbia
Authors: Eaton B.C. , Moore R.D. , Giles T.R.
Published: April 2010

In August 2003, the McLure forest fire burned 62% of the drainage basin of Fishtrap Creek. Streamflow has been measured there since the early 1970s, and suspended sediment concentration and channel morphology have been monitored since the fire. Although the short post‐fire period (four years) limits our ability to draw firm conclusions about streamflow changes, there has been no obvious increase in peak flows since the fire. However, the total runoff during the freshet period does appear to have increased and the onset of snowmelt appears to occur about two weeks earlier than it did prior to the fire. Suspended sediment records from Fishtrap Creek and from an unburnt reference stream nearby are similar, suggesting that the burnt areas have remained relatively stable and that the sediment supply to Fishtrap Creek has not been dramatically altered. In contrast, the stream channel morphology has changed, widening by over 100% of the original width in some places and transforming from a laterally stable plane‐bed morphology to a laterally active riffle‐pool morphology. The timing and magnitude of the observed morphologic changes are consistent with the predicted decline in bank strength due to root decay, implying that the observed changes are associated with an internal instability associated with changes to the stream boundaries, rather than with the more typically reported externally driven instabilities caused by changes in streamflow or sediment supply. This delayed response in the absence of large changes in streamflow or sediment supply, while ‘unusual’ in that it has not been documented in the previous literature, may be a common mode of response, particularly in wat'ersheds with nival flow regimes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control parameter optimization for multiple distributed generators in a microgrid using particle swarm optimization
Authors: Chung Il‐Yop , Liu Wenxin , Cartes David A. , Moon Seung‐Il
Published: April 2010

Microgrids are state‐of‐the‐art power distribution networks consisting of multiple distributed generators (DGs) and sensitive power loads. The goal of microgrid operation is to provide reliable and high‐quality electric power to loads regardless of abnormal cases such as faults or loss‐of‐mains (islanding). This paper presents power control methods to coordinate multiple microgrid generators for both grid‐connected and autonomous modes. To maintain required control performance and power quality during operating condition changes, hard toil of fine‐tuning control parameters is required. This paper proposes an effective control parameter‐tuning method using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and gain‐scheduling method. System requirements such as power quality regulation and load following performance are reflected in the cost function. The optimization algorithm implementation with time‐domain simulation model is also explained. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parameters influencing the market value of wind power – a model‐based analysis of the Central European power market
Authors: Obersteiner Carlo , Saguan Marcelo
Published: April 2010

In leading European wind power countries wind power generation affects wholesale power prices already today. First investigations indicate that the respective wind power‐price relation lowers the market value of wind power relative to the baseload price with increasing penetration. The aim of this paper is to identify parameters that determine this effect based on simulations for the Central European Power Market (CEPM). We model wind power‐price interactions and investigate the sensitivity of the market value on a number of wind power and system related parameters. The market value of wind power is sensitive to changes in wind share and variability, wind‐demand correlation and the supply characteristics. Results further indicate that for expected wind capacities in 2020 the market value in the CEPM is significantly lower than the baseload price. The market value reducing effect varies among countries and is comparably low for wind power portfolios whose generation is weakly correlated with the overall wind power generation in the respective power market. Hence with rising wind shares it will become increasingly important to take this effect into account when assessing the economics of wind power projects. Future trends in the CEPM that may positively influence the market value are increasing electricity demand, fuel and CO2 prices, a better geographic distribution of onshore wind within the CEPM and an increasing utilization of offshore wind. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of early onset dementia on caregivers: a review
Authors: van Vliet Deliane , de Vugt Marjolein E. , Bakker Christian , Koopmans Raymond T. C. M. , Verhey Frans R. J.
Published: April 2010

Objective

When it comes to dementia, caregiving can have adverse effects on the psychological and physical health of the informal caregiver. As yet, little is known about the impact of caring for a young dementia patient. This review provides an overview of the literature concerning the impact of early onset dementia (EOD) on informal caregivers and on children of EOD patients. The available literature comparing the impact on EOD and late onset dementia (LOD) caregivers will also be provided.

Methods

PubMed, Psychinfo, and Cinahl were searched for articles that considered the psychological or psychosocial impact of EOD on informal caregivers and children. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed in order to make better judgments about the value of each article.

Results

Seventeen articles were included, of which the overall methodological quality was limited. The results showed that EOD caregivers experienced high levels of burden, stress, and depression. When compared with LOD caregivers, results were inconclusive. Furthermore, the caregivers of EOD patients experienced a variety of psychosocial problems, including relational problems, family conflict, problems with employment, financial difficulties, and problems concerning diagnosis.

Conclusions

Whether there is a difference in impact between EOD and LOD on caregivers is still unclear. The studies conducted are methodologically too limited to answer this question. Nevertheless, it is clear that EOD caregivers do seem to experience high levels of psychological suffering and specific problems related to their phase in life. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness of melatonin treatment on circadian rhythm disturbances in dementia. Are there implications for delirium? A systematic review
Authors: de Jonghe A. , Korevaar J. C. , van Munster B. C. , de Rooij S. E.
Published: April 2010

Objective

Circadian rhythm disturbances, like sundowning, are seen in dementia. Because the circadian rhythm is regulated by the biological clock, melatonin might be effective in the treatment of these disturbances. We systematically studied the effect of melatonin treatment in patients with dementia. In addition, we elaborate on the possible effects one might expect of melatonin treatment in patients with delirium, since dementia and delirium are strongly related. Moreover, some evidence exists that sundowning in patients with dementia and the alterations in the sleep/wake cycle, seen in patients with delirium both originate from circadian rhythm disturbances.

Design

A systematic search of the literature, published between 1985 and April 2009, was performed using PubMed and other databases. All papers on melatonin treatment in dementia were retrieved. Effects of melatonin on circadian rhythm disturbances were scored by means of scoring sundowning/agitated behaviour, sleep quality and daytime functioning.

Results

Nine papers, including four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 243), and five case series (n = 87) were reviewed. Two of the RCTs found a significant improvement on sundowning/agitated behaviour. All five case series found an improvement. The results on sleep quality and daytime functioning were inconclusive.

Conclusion

Sundowning/agitated behaviour improves with melatonin treatment in patients with dementia. There are several arguments that sundowning in patients with dementia and the alterations in the sleep/wake cycle in patients with delirium have a common background, namely a disturbance of the circadian rhythm. This suggests that melatonin treatment could also have the same positive effects in patients with delirium. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differences in perceptions regarding driving between young and old drivers and non‐drivers in Japan
Authors: Arai Asuna , Mizuno Yoko , Arai Yumiko
Published: April 2010

Objective

The issue of driving cessation for dementia patients is one of the urgent public health priorities in Japan and is often complicated, with family or social barriers yet to be sufficiently addressed. Because the possibility of dementia or family caregiving can befall anyone, we focused on the disparity in people's perceptions of driving as possible barriers. The present study aimed to assess perceptions of driving among the general public and examine differences in perceptions based on age and driving status.

Methods

A survey was conducted in a sample of the general public aged 40 and over in Japan. Respondents were 1010 people who received a self‐administered questionnaire that included questions regarding perceptions about driving and sociodemographic factors.

Results

The drivers that participated in this study tended to highly agree that ‘driving is a “right” which we all deserve’, compared with the non‐drivers. The most common reason for reluctance to stop driving among drivers was the possible loss of personal mobility. Apart from transportation, older drivers were more likely than younger drivers to value the qualitative aspects of driving, for example, driving was viewed as ‘a motivating factor in my life’.

Conclusions

These disparities in the general public's perceptions about driving may be possible family or social barriers to driving cessation in the case of drivers with dementia. Our findings also suggest that when addressing the need for driving retirement, not only mobility but also the qualitative aspects of driving be paid more attention. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Late‐life depression and the death of Queen Victoria
Authors: Abrams Robert C.
Published: April 2010

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate relationships between the death of Queen Victoria and the depressive episode she experienced during the last year of her life.

Methods

The last volume of Queen Victoria's personal Journal was reviewed from a geriatrician's perspective, tracing the onset and course of depressive symptoms from entries beginning on 17 August 1900 and ending on 13 January 1901, 9 days before her death. The Queen's own words are supplemented with observations from contemporaneous secondary sources.

Results

The antecedents of Queen Victoria's late‐life depression, including multiple losses, disabilities, and chronic pain, taken together with the presentation of vegetative, affective, and late cognitive symptoms, suggested the presence of a distinctively geriatric major depressive disorder. The absence of any other medical condition to explain the clinical picture seemed probable but not certain.

Conclusions

Although historians and biographers have long been aware of Queen Victoria's final depression, the emphasis has mostly been on her earlier and prolonged mourning for her husband Prince Albert. Re‐examined now, the Queen's Journal suggests that a severe late‐life depressive episode occurring approximately in her last 5 months contributed meaningfully to her death. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conservation of the chromatophore pigment response
Authors: Dukovcic Stephanie R. , Hutchison Janine R. , Trempy Janine E.
Published: April 2010

Toxicant sensing technology has evolved to include biological sensors, such as cell‐based biosensors, which rely on viable cells to convey a measurable physiological signal. Chromatophores are a class of pigment cells that have been investigated as cell‐based biosensors. We report the characterization of Oncorhynchus tshawytscha melanophores and describe the melanophore pigment response to neurotransmitters in terms of pigment area occupied. Compared with the previously described model, Betta splendens erythrophores, O. tshawytscha melanophores responded similarly, indicating that pigment responses are biologically conserved between these two species. Additionally, melanophores responded to mercuric chloride and sodium arsenite, similar to B. splendens erythrophores, suggesting that melanophores can be used as detectors for environmental toxicants. This report highlights the potential of O. tshawytscha melanophores to be used as cell‐based biosensors to address environmental toxicity, and warrants a continued investigation to strengthen this technology and its applications.
The carboxy‐terminal tail of connexin43 gap junction protein is sufficient to mediate cytoskeleton changes in human glioma cells
Authors: Crespin Sophie , Bechberger John , Mesnil Marc , Naus Christian C. , Sin Wun‐Chey
Published: April 2010

Connexin43 (Cx43) is a ubiquitously expressed member of the gap junction protein family that mediates gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) by allowing exchange of cytosolic materials. Previous studies have used Cx43 truncated at the cytoplasmic tail (C‐tail) to demonstrate that the C‐tail is essential to regulate cell growth and motility. Therefore, the aim of our study was to delineate the respective role of the truncated Cx43 and the C‐tail in mediating Cx43‐dependent signaling. A truncated Cx43 expressing the channel part of the protein (TrCx43, amino acid 1–242) and a construct encompassing only the C‐tail from amino acid 243 (243Cx43) were transduced into LN18 human glioma cells. Our results showed that the ability of Cx43 to suppress growth was independent of GJIC as assessed by dye transfer, but was dependent on the presence of a rigid extracellular matrix. We further demonstrated that the C‐tail alone is sufficient to promote motility. Surprisingly, Cx43 is also able to increase migration in the absence of the C‐tail, suggesting the presence of at least two distinct signaling mechanisms utilized by Cx43 to affect motility. Finally, we used time‐lapse imaging to examine the behavior of migrating cells and it was apparent that the C‐tail was associated with a lamellipodia‐based migration not observed in either mock or TrCx43 expressing LN18 cells. Our study shows for the first time that a free C‐tail is sufficient to induce Cx43‐dependent changes in cell morphology and that Cx43 signaling is linked to the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 589–597, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integrin β4 attenuates SHP‐2 and MAPK signaling and reduces human lung endothelial inflammatory responses
Authors: Chen Weiguo , Garcia Joe G.N. , Jacobson Jeffrey R.
Published: April 2010

We previously identified the marked upregulation of integrin β4 in human lung endothelial cells (EC) treated with simvastatin, an HMG coA‐reductase inhibitor with vascular‐protective and anti‐inflammatory properties in murine models of acute lung injury (ALI). We now investigate the role of integrin β4 as a novel mediator of vascular inflammatory responses with a focus on mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling and the downstream expression of the inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6 and IL‐8) essential for the full elaboration of inflammatory lung injury. Silencing of integrin β4 (siITGB4) in human lung EC resulted in significant increases in both basal and LPS‐induced phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK, consistent with robust integrin β4 regulation of MAPK activation. In addition, siITB4 increased both basal and LPS‐induced expression of IL‐6 and IL‐8 mRNA and protein secretion into the media. We next observed that integrin β4 silencing increased basal and LPS‐induced phosphorylation of SHP‐2, a protein tyrosine phosphatase known to modulate MAPK signaling. In contrast, inhibition of SHP‐2 enzymatic activity (sodium stibogluconate) abrogated the increased ERK phosphorylation associated with integrin β4 silencing in LPS‐treated EC and attenuated the increases in levels of IL‐6 and IL‐8 in integrin‐β4‐silenced EC. These findings highlight a novel negative regulatory role for integrin β4 in EC inflammatory responses involving SHP‐2‐mediated MAPK signaling. Upregulation of integrin β4 may represent an important element of the anti‐inflammatory and vascular‐protective properties of statins and provides a novel strategy to limit inflammatory vascular syndromes. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 718–724, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cellular models for understanding adipogenesis, adipose dysfunction, and obesity
Authors: Armani Andrea , Mammi Caterina , Marzolla Vincenzo , Calanchini Matilde , Antelmi Antonella , Rosano Giuseppe M.C. , Fabbri Andrea , Caprio Massimiliano
Published: April 2010

White adipose tissue (WAT) is no longer considered a depot for energy storage in the form of triglycerides, but is a secretory organ that releases factors, known as adipokines, capable of regulating several physiological processes. Alteration of WAT function with subsequent dysfunctional expression and secretion of adipokines plays a key role in the pathogenesis of obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases. For this reason, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating adipocyte function is deemed necessary for planning strategies to treat and prevent obesity and its metabolic complications. This review examines cell culture models currently available for studying adipocyte biology. We focus on advantages, disadvantages and main differences between established preadipocyte cell lines and primary preadipocyte cultures. We revise protocols used to promote adipocyte differentiation and mature adipocytes dedifferentiation into preadipocytes. Finally, we briefly describe co‐cultures of adipocytes with other cell types and three‐dimensional adipocyte culture systems. These models allow investigation of cell–cell interactions with the cross‐talk physiologically occurring between adipocytes and other cell types residing within or outside adipose tissue. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 564–572, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The importance of nuclear import in protection of the vitamin D receptor from polyubiquitination and proteasome‐mediated degradation
Authors: Peleg Sara , Nguyen Cuong V.
Published: April 2010

Others and we previously showed that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is subject to degradation by the 26S proteasome and that treatment with 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) inhibited this degradation. In the present study, we found that in osteoblasts, but not in intestinal epithelial cells, the VDR was susceptible to degradation by the 26S proteasome. The subcellular site for degradation of the VDR in osteoblasts is the cytoplasm and the site for ligand‐dependent protection of the VDR from the 26S proteasome is the chromatin. These direct relationships between nuclear localization and protection of the VDR from 26S proteasome degradation led us to hypothesize that the unoccupied cytoplasmic VDR is a substrate for polyubiquitination, which targets VDR for degradation by the 26S proteasome, and that nuclear localization has the ability to protect the VDR from polyubiquitination and degradation. To test these hypotheses, we used Cos‐1 cells transfected with human VDR and histidine‐tagged ubiquitin expression vectors. We found that unoccupied VDR was polyubiquitinated and that 1,25D3 inhibited this modification. Mutations in the nuclear localization signal of VDR (R49W/R50G and K53Q/R54G/K55E) or in the dimerization interface of VDR with retinoid X receptor (M383G/Q385A) abolished the ability of 1,25D3 to protect the VDR from polyubiquitination, although these mutations had no effect on the ligand‐binding activity of VDR. Therefore, we concluded that in some cellular environments unoccupied cytoplasmic VDR is susceptible to polyubiquitination and proteasome degradation and that ligand‐dependent heterodimerization and nuclear localization protect the VDR from these modifications. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 926–934, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Raf kinase inhibitor protein correlates with sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma to radiotherapy
Authors: Ruan Lin , Wang Guo‐Liang , Yi Hong , Chen Yan , Tang Can‐E. , Zhang Peng‐Fei , Li Mao‐Yu , Li Cui , Peng Fang , Li Jian‐Ling , Chen Zhu‐Chu , Xiao Zhi‐Qiang
Published: April 2010

Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) is a metastasis suppressor whose expression is reduced in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissues and is absent in NPC metastases. To investigate the effect of RKIP on radiosensitivity of NPC, high metastatic 5‐8F with low RKIP expression and non‐metastatic 6‐10B with high RKIP expression were stably transfected with plasmids that expressed sense and antisense RKIP cDNA. Overexpression of RKIP sensitized 5‐8F cells to radiation‐induced cell death, G2‐M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In contrast, downexpression of RKIP in 6‐10B cells protected cells from radiation‐induced cell death, G2‐M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, RKIP expression altered the radiosensitivity of NPC cells through MEK and ERK phosphorylation changes of Raf‐1/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. We further investigated the RKIP expression in NPC patients and its association with patients' survival after radiotherapy. Downexpression of RKIP was significantly correlated with advanced clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and radioresistance. Furthermore, survival curves showed that patients with RKIP downexpression had a poor prognosis and induced relapse. Multivariate analysis confirmed that RKIP expression was an independent prognostic indicator. The data suggested that RKIP was a potential biomarker for the radiosensitivity and prognosis of NPC, and its dysregulation might play an important role in the radioresistance of NPC. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 975–984, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Symmetry measures of the electron density
Authors: Casanova David , Alemany Pere , Alvarez Santiago
Published: April 2010

In this communication we define electronic symmetry operation and symmetry group measures, eSOM and eSGM, respectively, develop the basic algorithms to obtain them, and give some examples of the possible applications of these new computational tools. These new symmetry measures based on the electron density have been tested in an analysis of (a) the inversion symmetry for heteronuclear diatomic molecules, for the eclipsed and staggered conformations of ethane and tetrafluoroethane, and for a series of octahedral sulfur halides; (b) the reflection symmetry of three different conformers of tetrafluoroethene; and (c) the loss of C6 symmetry along the B2u distortion mode of benzene and an analysis of rotational symmetry for different six‐member ring heterocycles. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Communications on quantum similarity (2): A geometric discussion on holographic electron density theorem and confined quantum similarity measures
Authors: Carbó‐Dorca R. , Besalú E.
Published: April 2010

The so‐called holographic electron density theorem (HEDT) is analyzed from an algebraic perspective, and a brief analytical point of view is also given. The connection of the HEDT with quantum similarity measures (QSM) over electronic density functions (DF) is studied using GTO functions, atomic ASA DF, and promolecular ASA DF. Restricted integration of QSM over a box of finite side length is discussed for all this DF. This work emphasizes the geometric aspects of HEDT, but for the sake of completeness, some analytical insight based on a general Taylor series expansion is also given at the end. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Theoretical studies on the formation mechanism and explosive performance of nitro‐substituted 1,3,5‐triazines
Authors: Yang Kiyull , Park Young Hee , Cho Soo Gyeong , Lee Hai Whang , Kim Chan Kyung , Koo Hyun‐Joo
Published: April 2010

To develop new highly energetic materials, we have considered the design of molecules with high nitrogen content. Possible candidates include 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives. In this work, we studied potential synthetic routes for melamine using the MP2/6‐31+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level of theory. The mechanisms studied here are stepwise mechanism beginning with the dimerization of cyanamide and one‐step termolecular mechanism. The same type of mechanism is also applied to nitro‐substituted 1,3,5‐triazines. Values for the heat of formation in the solid phase were predicted from density functional theory calculations. Densities were estimated from a regression equation obtained by molecular surface electrostatic potentials. The Cheetah program was used to study the explosive performance of these compounds. In this study, we found that the explosive properties of 2‐amino‐4, 6‐dinitro‐1, 3,5‐triazine (ADNTA), and 2,4,6‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine (TNTA) are similar to those of RDX and HMX, respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Involvement of receptor tyrosine phosphatase DEP‐1 mediated PI3K‐cofilin signaling pathway in Sorafenib‐induced cytoskeletal rearrangement in hepatoma cells
Authors: Wang Ziqiu , Wang Meifang , Carr Brian I.
Published: April 2010

Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor that has been reported to induce cell growth inhibition through the Raf‐MAPK signaling pathway. We now report that Sorafenib treatment of Hep3B and PLC/PRF/5 human hepatoma cells also results in morphological changes and cell detachment in culture. Actin cytoskeletal analysis of Sorafenib‐exposed Hep3B cells showed a loss of polymerized F‐actin and a concomitant increase in unpolymerized G‐actin, implying that Sorafenib‐induced cell shape changes may be related to actin cytoskeletal rearrangement by inhibiting actin polymerization. Cofilin, an actin depolymerization factor, was found to be dephosphorylated and thus activated by Sorafenib, consistent with the observed increase in unpolymerized G‐actin. In examining likely mechanisms, we found that Sorafenib induced activation of the cofilin phosphatase Slingshot 1 (SSH‐1), since endogenous SSH‐1 from Sorafenib‐treated Hep3B cells was able to dephosphorylate cofilin in a concentration dependent manner. The activation of SSH‐1 by Sorafenib is probably regulated by the PI3K pathway, since Sorafenib can induce PI3K and its substrate Akt phosphorylation, and both PI3K inhibitors Ly294002 and wortmannin antagonized Sorafenib‐mediated cofilin dephosphorylation. Furthermore, we found that Sorafenib induced c‐Met phosphorylation at Tyr‐1349 but not Tyr‐1234, which is probably mediated by inhibition of receptor tyrosine phosphatase density enhanced phosphatase‐1 (DEP‐1). Our data provide evidence that besides inhibition of the Raf‐MAPK pathway, Sorafenib might also regulate hepatoma cell growth via alteration of receptor‐mediated cytoskeletal rearrangement. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 559–565, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sperm ultrastructure of the hydrothermal vent octopod Vulcanoctopus hydrothermalis
Authors: Roura A. , Guerra A. , González A.F. , Pascual S.
Published: April 2010

Sperm ultrastructure of the deep‐sea hydrothermal vent octopod Vulcanoctopus hydrothermalis has been carried out by transmission electron microscopy. Spermatozoa of this species have the shortest head observed so far in octopodids. The acrosome possesses a helix with six gyres. The rod‐shaped nucleus is short and wide in relation with other octopodids. Noteworthy features along the nucleus are the regularly disposed dense bands of cytoplasm, which have not been observed before in octopodids. The nuclear fossa is very short and wavy. Mitochondrial sheath has 10 elongated mitochondria running parallel to the axoneme‐coarse fibers complex. Sperm morphology of V. hydrothermalis resembles that of Enteroctopus dofleini, suggesting a close phylogenetic relationship. J. Morphol. 271:932–936, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phase and amplitude correction for multi‐echo water–fat separation with bipolar acquisitions
Authors: Yu Huanzhou , Shimakawa Ann , McKenzie Charles A. , Lu Wenmiao , Reeder Scott B. , Hinks R. Scott , Brittain Jean H.
Published: April 2010

Purpose:

To address phase and amplitude errors for multi‐point water–fat separation with “bipolar” acquisitions, which efficiently collect all echoes with alternating read‐out gradient polarities in one repetition.

Materials and Methods:

With the bipolar acquisitions, eddy currents and other system nonidealities can induce inconsistent phase errors between echoes, disrupting water–fat separation. Previous studies have addressed phase correction in the read‐out direction. However, the bipolar acquisitions may be subject to spatially high order phase errors as well as an amplitude modulation in the read‐out direction. A method to correct for the 2D phase and amplitude errors is introduced. Low resolution reference data with reversed gradient polarities are collected. From the pair of low‐resolution data collected with opposite gradient polarities, the two‐dimensional phase errors are estimated and corrected. The pair of data are then combined for water–fat separation.

Results:

We demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively remove the high order errors with phantom and in vivo experiments, including obliquely oriented scans.

Conclusion:

For bipolar multi‐echo acquisitions, uniform water–fat separation can be achieved by removing high order phase errors with the proposed method. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:1264–1271. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calpeptin attenuated inflammation, cell death, and axonal damage in animal model of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Guyton M. Kelly , Das Arabinda , Samantaray Supriti , Wallace Gerald C. , Butler Jonathan T. , Ray Swapan K. , Banik Naren L.
Published: April 2010

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model for studying multiple sclerosis (MS). Calpain has been implicated in many inflammatory and neurodegenerative events that lead to disability in EAE and MS. Thus, treating EAE animals with calpain inhibitors may block these events and ameliorate disability. To test this hypothesis, acute EAE Lewis rats were treated dose dependently with the calpain inhibitor calpeptin (50–250 μg/kg). Calpain activity, gliosis, loss of myelin, and axonal damage were attenuated by calpeptin therapy, leading to improved clinical scores. Neuronal and oligodendrocyte death were also decreased, with down‐regulation of proapoptotic proteins, suggesting that decreases in cell death were due to decreases in the expression or activity of proapoptotic proteins. These results indicate that calpain inhibition may offer a novel therapeutic avenue for treating EAE and MS. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Drainage pathways beneath ice sheets and their implications for ice sheet form and flow: the example of the British Ice Sheet during the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Boulton Geoffrey
Published: April 2010

The drainage system beneath ice sheets is poorly understood, even though it is a major determinant of their basal boundary condition, with implications for their form, flow and stability, and particularly of the ice streams that are crucial dynamic components. Understanding can be enhanced by evidence from the beds of former ice sheets. Glaciological principles are applied to geological evidence in the Vale of York that demonstrate occupancy by a major ice stream of the British ice sheet, with deduced gravitational shear stresses in the range 4–24 kPa, compared with a typical glacier shear stress of about 80–100 kPa, and horizontal velocities in the terminal zone in the range of 400–950 ma1. It is shown that the ice stream was in an almost buoyant state, with effective pressures in the range 50–100 kPa for a range of ice pressures between 2000 and 5000 kPa. Similar deductions are made for other ice streams on the southern flank of the British ice sheet. The esker system in the area of the ice stream represents locations of subglacial drainage tunnels that are suggested to be the key drainage elements in ice sheets where excess surface water penetrates to the bed. A theory of channel‐groundwater coupling which self‐organises in response to the rate of water recharge and the transmissivity of the subglacial bed is applied to the sub‐ice stream esker system. When matched to local geological evidence, the theory predicts the distribution of basal water pressures, the rate of recharge of surface water to the glacier bed, local shear stresses, the areal pattern of sedimentary processes including bed deformation, and their seasonal fluctuations. Predictions of the annual recharge rate of 950 mm are consistent with the modern values of modern mean annual rainfall in the Ouse (Vale of York) catchment of 906mm. The calculated mean annual discharge of the four major subglacial rivers in 55 m3s−1, compared with a mean flow of the modern Ouse of 49 m3s−1. A transient analysis shows the response time of water pressures in the underlying aquifer to changes in surface recharge to be of the order 10–100 days, suggesting the possibility of instabilities at the ice‐bed interface. It is not possible, however, to determine whether the Vale of York ice stream was characterized by stable or instable (surging) flow. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Culture and knowledge co‐creation in R&D collaboration between MNCs and Chinese universities
Authors: Hong Jianzhong , Heikkinen Johanna , Blomqvist Kirsimarja
Published: April 2010

This paper examines the role of culture in university–industry R&D collaboration and knowledge interaction in the context of multinational corporations in China. Earlier university–industry studies focus primarily on one‐way technology and knowledge transfer; however, the present study argues that in the studied context more interactive types of knowledge interaction like knowledge co‐creation should be of key concern. The main challenge of the R&D collaboration lies in the understanding of culture in general and Chinese guanxi (interpersonal relationship) in particular in collaborative knowledge creation, in which the dominant type of knowledge involved is most often tacit, future oriented, complex and context‐specific. This is particularly important when dealing simultaneously with multi‐disciplinary applied research where cultural challenges appear prominent. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.