bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enzymatic acyl modification of phosphatidylcholine using immobilized lipase and phospholipase A2
Authors: More Haresh T. , Pandit Aniruddha B.
Published: April 2010

Ethanol‐soluble (ES) lecithin mainly contains phosphatidylcholine (PC). The incorporation of caprylic acid into PC using immobilized phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and lipase was investigated. The Rhizomucor meihei lipase and the porcine pancreatic PLA2 were immobilized on the hydrophobic resin Diaion HP‐20 and the modification was carried out in hexane as solvent. HPTLC with densitometer technique was successfully used for monitoring the production of structured phospholipids (PL) (ML‐type PC, MM‐type PC, and lysophosphatidylcholine; L: long‐chain fatty acid, M: medium‐chain fatty acid). The various parameters such as the effects of reaction temperature, enzyme loading, and the effect of molar proportion of substrate were studied in order to determine the optimum reaction conditions for the acidolysis reaction. The optimal operating conditions for the PLA2‐catalyzed reaction were obtained as 50°C temperature, 50% (wt/wt of substrate) enzyme loading, and a 1:12 molar proportion of PC/caprylic acid. For the lipase‐catalyzed reaction, the optimized temperature was the same as for PLA2, but the enzyme loading and molar proportion were slightly lower, i.e., 40 % w/w of substrate and 1:9 PC/caprylic acid, respectively. The effects of these parameters on the production of structured PL were compared. Under these optimal conditions, the ML‐type PC content was higher in the PLA2‐catalyzed reaction, i.e., 45.29 mol%, and in the lipase‐catalyzed reaction it was 38.74 mol%.
Oxidative stability of fish oil‐enriched mayonnaise‐based salads
Authors: Sørensen Ann‐Dorit Moltke , Nielsen Nina Skall , Jacobsen Charlotte
Published: April 2010

The oxidative stability of fish oil‐enriched mayonnaise‐based salads and the influence of different vegetables in shrimp and tuna salads were evaluated. Moreover, the lipid oxidation in the presence of 1% oregano, rosemary, or thyme in fish oil‐enriched tuna salad was assessed. The results obtained showed that the mayonnaise itself was more oxidatively stable without vegetables and tuna or shrimp, in spite of the higher oil content in mayonnaise (63 and 6.3% fish oil, respectively) compared to salads (∼24 and 2.4% fish oil, respectively). Surprisingly, the fish oil‐enriched mayonnaise was only significantly different from the standard mayonnaise in the volatile concentration during the end of storage. In fish oil‐enriched shrimp salad, asparagus had an anti‐oxidative effect and shrimp a pro‐oxidative effect, where the anti‐oxidative effect of asparagus was strong enough to prevent the pro‐oxidative effect of shrimp. The effect of ingredients in tuna salads was inconclusive, possibly due to a high content of volatiles in the vegetables themselves. However, the addition of spices increased the oxidative stability of tuna salad (oregano>rosemary>thyme).
Chemometric analysis of combined NIR and MIR spectra to characterize French olives
Authors: Dupuy Nathalie , Galtier Oswin , Le Dréau Yveline , Pinatel Christian , Kister Jacky , Artaud Jacques
Published: April 2010

Chemometric treatment of near‐infrared (NIR) and mid‐infrared (MIR) combined spectra was used firstly to predict oil and water contents in fresh olive fruit samples (n = 223) and secondly to classify these samples into five principal French cultivar origins (Aglandau, Cailletier, Olivière, Salonenque, and Tanche). The study was carried out during four crop years (2005/2006 to 2008/2009) to take into account the seasonal variations. The comparison of the results obtained in the combined range (REP = 2.6% for the water content and 3.5% for the oil content) provides an obvious advantage compared to the NIR and MIR techniques used separately. Fresh olive fruit cultivars were satisfactorily classified with the partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) method in the combined range. After use of theK‐means clustering on the PLS‐DA scores, all the samples were well classified into their five groups of origin. The use of infrared combined spectra allows a considerable improvement in estimating olive fruit quality (oil and water contents, varietal origins).
New Enzymatic Two‐Step Cascade Reaction for the Preparation of a Key Intermediate for the Taxol Side‐Chain
Authors: Forró Enikő , Fülöp Ferenc
Published: April 2010

Enzymatic strategies are reported for the synthesis of (2R,3S)‐3‐amino‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐phenylpropionic acid (ee > 98 %), a key intermediate of the side‐chain of Taxol®, by enzymatic hydrolysis in organic media. The new enzymatic cascade reaction, which took place through Candida antarctica lipase B‐catalysed deacylation followed by lactam ring‐opening of racemic cis‐3‐acetoxy‐4‐phenylazetidin‐2‐one with H2O in iPr2O at 60 °C, resulted in two different enantiopure products (ee ≥ 98 %), one of them being the desired key intermediate for the side‐chain of Taxol®.
Synthesis of poly(N, N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(N, N‐dimethylacrylamide) and its application for separation of proteins by capillary zone electrophoresis
Authors: Xu Jing , Yang Lianyun , Luo Zhaofeng , Wang Yanmei
Published: April 2010

A series of well‐defined triblock copolymers, poly(N, N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(N, N‐dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA‐b‐PEO‐b‐PDMA) synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization, were used as physical coatings for protein separation. A comparative study of EOF showed that the triblock copolymer presented good capillary coating ability and EOF efficient suppression. The effects of the Mr of PDMA block in PDMA‐b‐PEO‐b‐PDMA triblock copolymer and buffer pH on the separation of basic protein for CE were investigated. Moreover, the influence of the copolymer structure on separation of basic protein was studied by comparing the performance of PDMA‐b‐PEO‐b‐PDMA triblock copolymer with PEO‐b‐PDMA diblock copolymer. Furthermore, the triblock copolymer coating showed higher separation efficiency and better migration time repeatability than fused‐silica capillary when used in protein mixture separation and milk powder samples separation, respectively. The results demonstrated that the triblock copolymer coatings would have a wide application in the field of protein separation.
Oligodendrocytes in mouse corpus callosum are coupled via gap junction channels formed by connexin47 and connexin32
Authors: Maglione Marta , Tress Oliver , Haas Brigitte , Karram Khalad , Trotter Jacqueline , Willecke Klaus , Kettenmann Helmut
Published: April 2010

According to previously published ultrastructural studies, oligodendrocytes in white matter exhibit gap junctions with astrocytes, but not among each other, while in vitro oligodendrocytes form functional gap junctions. We have studied functional coupling among oligodendrocytes in acute slices of postnatal mouse corpus callosum. By whole‐cell patch clamp we dialyzed oligodendrocytes with biocytin, a gap junction‐permeable tracer. On average 61 cells were positive for biocytin detected by labeling with streptavidin‐Cy3. About 77% of the coupled cells stained positively for the oligodendrocyte marker protein CNPase, 9% for the astrocyte marker GFAP and 14% were negative for both CNPase and GFAP. In the latter population, the majority expressed Olig2 and some NG2, markers for oligodendrocyte precursors. Oligodendrocytes are known to express Cx47, Cx32 and Cx29, astrocytes Cx43 and Cx30. In Cx47‐deficient mice, the number of coupled cells was reduced by 80%. Deletion of Cx32 or Cx29 alone did not significantly reduce the number of coupled cells, but coupling was absent in Cx32/Cx47‐double‐deficient mice. Cx47‐ablation completely abolished coupling of oligodendrocytes to astrocytes. In Cx43‐deficient animals, oligodendrocyte‐astrocyte coupling was still present, but coupling to oligodendrocyte precursors was not observed. In Cx43/Cx30‐double deficient mice, oligodendrocyte‐to‐astrocyte coupling was almost absent. Uncoupled oligodendrocytes showed a higher input resistance. We conclude that oligodendrocytes in white matter form a functional syncytium predominantly among each other dependent on Cx47 and Cx32 expression, while astrocytic connexins expression can promote the size of this network. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
NO mediates microglial response to acute spinal cord injury under ATP control in vivo
Authors: Dibaj Payam , Nadrigny Fabien , Steffens Heinz , Scheller Anja , Hirrlinger Johannes , Schomburg Eike D. , Neusch Clemens , Kirchhoff Frank
Published: April 2010

To understand the pathomechanisms of spinal cord injuries will be a prerequisite to develop efficient therapies. By investigating acute lesions of spinal cord white matter in anesthetized mice with fluorescently labeled microglia and axons using in vivo two‐photon laser‐scanning microscopy (2P‐LSM), we identified the messenger nitric oxide (NO) as a modulator of injury‐activated microglia. Local tissue damages evoked by high‐power laser pulses provoked an immediate attraction of microglial processes. Spinal superfusion with NO synthase and guanylate cyclase inhibitors blocked these extensions. Furthermore, local injection of the NO‐donor spermine NONOate (SPNO) or the NO‐dependent second messenger cGMP induced efficient migration of microglial cells toward the injection site. High‐tissue levels of NO, achieved by uniform superfusion with SPNO and mimicking extended tissue damage, resulted in a fast conversion of the microglial shape from ramified to ameboid indicating cellular activation. When the spinal white matter was preconditioned by increased, ambient ATP (known as a microglial chemoattractant) levels, the attraction of microglial processes to local NO release was augmented, whereas it was abolished at low levels of tissue ATP. Because both signaling molecules, NO and ATP, mediate acute microglial reactions, coordinated pharmacological targeting of NO and purinergic pathways will be an effective mean to influence the innate immune processes after spinal cord injury. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo expression of neuroglobin in reactive astrocytes during neuropathology in murine models of traumatic brain injury, cerebral malaria, and autoimmune encephalitis
Authors: DellaValle Brian , Hempel Casper , Kurtzhals Jørgen A. L. , Penkowa Milena
Published: April 2010

Neuroglobin (Ngb) is proposed to be a neuron‐specific, hypoxia‐responsive, neuroprotective protein. However, results are conflicting concerning both Ngb's physiological and pathological significance. This study was designed to investigate the in vivo localization and regulation of Ngb in different neuropathological models representing traumatic injury, infectious, autoimmune, and excitotoxic pathogeneses. We profiled Ngb immunohistochemistry in murine models of traumatic brain injury, cerebral malaria, experimental autoimmune encephalitis, and kainic acid (KA)‐mediated epileptic seizures that, to our knowledge, have not been studied in the context of Ngb. In control mice Ngb was expressed exclusively in neurons. In all pathological models except KA, in addition to neurons Ngb was present in reactive astrocytes. Ngb positive astrocytes were found within regions associated with most severe pathology and the astroglial scar. This is the first report of Ngb present in reactive astroglia and in scar‐forming astrocytes in response to different pathological conditions relevant to human disease. In light of previously reported cyto‐protective properties of Ngb, further insight may result in therapeutic ramifications. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detecting prodromal Alzheimer's disease in mild cognitive impairment: utility of the CAMCOG and other neuropsychological predictors
Authors: Gallagher Damien , Mhaolain Aine Ni , Coen Robert , Walsh Cathal , Kilroy Dana , Belinski Kate , Bruce Irene , Coakley Davis , Walsh J.B. , Cunningham Conal , Lawlor Brian A.
Published: April 2010

Background

The Cambridge cognitive examination (CAMCOG) is a mini neuropsychological battery which is well established and widely used. The utility of the CAMCOG in detecting prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has not been determined. The objectives of this study are: to establish which subtests of cognitive domains contained within the CAMCOG are predictive of conversion to AD, to compare these with an extended version of the delayed word recall (DWR) test and to establish optimal cut points for all measures used.

Methods

182 patients with MCI were identified from consecutive referrals to a memory clinic. Logistic regression, cox regression and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analyses were conducted.

Results

The DWR displayed the best sensitivity (77%) and specificity (76%). The composite memory score contained within the CAMCOG achieved similar sensitivity (78%) and specificity (74%). The recognition component of the extended DWR demonstrated good specificity (85%) but poor sensitivity (57%). The optimal predictive model combined category fluency with the DWR and achieved predictive accuracy of 83%.

Conclusion

The DWR, which is a test specifically designed to have high predictive accuracy for AD, performed best. The composite measure of memory contained within the CAMCOG performed similarly well. The DWR has the advantage of being brief, easy to administer and suitable for use in non‐specialist settings. The CAMCOG takes longer to administer but provides information regarding additional cognitive domains and is sensitive to change over time. Category fluency may be usefully combined with the DWR to improve predictive accuracy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alkylating esterification of 1‐hydroxy‐3‐phospholene oxides under solventless MW conditions
Authors: Bálint Erika , Jablonkai Erzsébet , Bálint Mária , Keglevich György
Published: April 2010

1‐Alkoxy‐3‐phospholene 1‐oxides were synthesized by the alkylating esterification of the corresponding 1‐hydroxy derivatives under phase transfer catalytic, microwave, and solventless conditions using alkyl halides as the reactants and potassium carbonate as the base. In the case of alkylating agents of increased reactivity, there was no need for the use of phase transfer catalyst. Regarding the phosphinic acids, the 3‐methyl‐3‐phospholene oxides were more reactive than the 3,4‐dimethyl derivatives. Applying cesium carbonate, isomerization of the 3‐phospholene oxide to the 2‐phospholene also took place. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 21:211–214, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20596
Synthesis, structure, and antibacterial evaluation of new N‐substituted‐3‐amino‐ 5‐oxo‐4‐phenyl‐2,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazole‐1‐carbothioamides
Authors: Pitucha Monika , Mazur Liliana , Kosikowska Urszula , Pachuta‐Stec Anna , Malm Anna , Popiołek Łukasz , Rza̧czyńska Zofia
Published: April 2010

Novel N‐substituted‐3‐amino‐5‐oxo‐4‐phenyl‐2,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazole‐1‐carbothioamide derivatives were synthesized by means of two methods. First is the cyclization reaction of 1‐(cyanophenyl)acetyl‐4‐substituted thiosemicarbazide, and the second one is reaction of cyanophenyl acetic acid hydrazide with isothiocyanate. Structures of new compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Biological evaluation showed that some of them possess promising antibacterial activities. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 21:215–221, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20598
Sleep and infant learning
Authors: Tarullo Amanda R. , Balsam Peter D. , Fifer William P.
Published: April 2010

Human neonates spend the majority of their time sleeping. Despite the limited waking hours available for environmental exploration, the first few months of life are a time of rapid learning about the environment. The organization of neonate sleep differs qualitatively from adult sleep, and the unique characteristics of neonatal sleep may promote learning. Sleep contributes to infant learning in multiple ways. First, sleep facilitates neural maturation, thereby preparing the infants to process and explore the environment in increasingly sophisticated ways. Second, sleep plays a role in memory consolidation of material presented while the infant was awake. Finally, emerging evidence indicates that infants process sensory stimuli and learn about contingencies in their environment even while asleep. As infants make the transition from reflexive to cortically mediated control, learned responses to physiological challenges during sleep may be critical adaptations to promote infant survival. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assembly factors of human mitochondrial complex I and their defects in disease
Authors: Mckenzie Matthew , Ryan Michael T.
Published: April 2010

NADH‐ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is a large, multimeric enzyme complex involved in the generation of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. Complex I is comprised of 45 subunits which must be assembled together in a coordinated process to form the mature holoenzyme. In recent years, much progress has been made into understanding how complex I is assembled and the work provides potential insights into the biogenesis of other multisubunit membrane complexes. For complex I assembly to proceed effectively, a group of proteins termed “assembly factors” are required. A number of these assembly factors have now been identified and characterized; however, their exact roles in complex I biogenesis are not yet fully understood. This review summarizes the current model of human complex I assembly and the roles played by different assembly factors at early, mid, and late assembly stages. Defects in assembly factors which disrupt complex I assembly and contribute to human disease pathogenesis will also be discussed. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life 62(7): 497–502, 2010
Mechanism of high‐power NIR laser bacteria inactivation
Authors: Hibst Raimund , Graser Rainer , Udart Martin , Stock Karl
Published: April 2010

Lasers are used in dentistry for a variety of indications. One of these is the disinfection of root canals or the sterilization of residual caries. Many studies have demonstrated the capacity to kill bacteria for lasers but the fundamental mechanism of the laser effect remains quite unclear. With our experiments we wanted to determine whether high‐power NIR laser bacterial killing is caused by the light itself (photochemical effect) or by a photothermal process. In order to differentiate between mechanisms we heated bacteria suspensions of a nonpathogenic strain of E. coli by a water bath and by a diode laser (940 nm) with the same temporal temperature course. Furthermore, bacteria suspensions were irradiated while the temperature was fixed by ice water. Killing of bacteria was measured via fluorescence labelling. Comparison of killing rates between laser and water‐based heating shows no significant differences. The most important parameter is the maximum temperature. Laser irradiation of bacteria at low temperatures does not result in killing. Our experiments show that at least for E. coli bacteria inactivation by high‐power laser irradiation is solely based on a thermal process. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Splenic rupture in a plasma cell leukemia, mobilized with G‐CSF for autologous stem cell transplant
Authors: Funes Consuelo , Garcia‐Candel Faustino , Majado Maria Juliana , González‐García Consuelo , Bas Agueda , Salido Eduardo , Moraleda Jose M. , Morales Alfonso
Published: April 2010

Splenic rupture (SR) is a rare adverse event observed in patients treated with G‐CSF as a peripheral hematopoietic stem cell (PHSC) mobilizing agent, mostly in myeloma multiple and amiloidosis; to date, to our knowledge, it has not been previously described in plasma‐cell leukemia (PCL). We report a case of a woman with PCL, who presented a SR after PHSC mobilization with Cyclophosphamide+G‐CSF. The spleen removed showed hematopoietic foci and amiloid material. In the course of a second mobilization, 2 months after, the patient died from sepsis. We considered it important to report this case, in order to keep in mind the possibility of SR in patients with malignant gammopathy. J. Clin. Apheresis 25:223–225, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ASK1–JNK signaling cascade mediates Ad‐ST13‐induced apoptosis in colorectal HCT116 cells
Authors: Yang Min , Yu Mingcan , Guan Dongyin , Gu Jinfa , Cao Xin , Wang Weiyun , Zheng Shu , Xu Yingying , Shen Zonghou , Liu Xinyuan
Published: April 2010

ST13, a co‐factor of heat shock protein, has shown potential antitumor efficacy for colorectal cancer in our previous study. However, the molecular mechanisms governing ST13‐induced apoptosis are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that Ad‐ST13 (ST13 mediated by adenovirus) activates apoptosis signal‐regulated kinase (ASK1) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) but not p38 (mitogen‐activated protein kinase) in human colorectal HCT116 cells. Ad‐ST13 also increases extracellular‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation levels, but the change is due to adenovirus replication. Overexpression of ST13 also increases the transcription activity of AP‐1. Blocking ASK1–JNK pathway affects Ad‐ST13‐mediated colorectal cell apoptosis, decreases the release of cytochrome c in cytoplasm and caspase activation. Because ASK1 is known to contain a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)‐acceptor site and ST13 has TPR domain, we found the interaction between ST13 and ASK1. These results strongly indicate Ad‐ST13 triggers colorectal cell apoptosis via ASK1–JNK signaling cascade. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 581–588, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exclusive expression of a membrane‐bound Spink3‐interacting serine protease‐like protein TESPL in mouse testis
Authors: Ou Chung‐Mao , Lin Shih‐Ren , Lin Han‐Jia , Luo Ching‐Wei , Chen Yee‐Hsiung
Published: April 2010

We identified a testis‐specific protease‐like protein tentatively named TESPL and a pancreatic trypsinogen Prss2 from the clones of a yeast two‐hybrid screen against a mouse testicular cDNA library using the trypsin inhibitor Spink3 from male accessory sexual glands as bait. The enzymatic motifs and the cysteine patterns in serine proteases are highly conserved in these two proteins. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, Prss2 duplicated recently and TESPL underwent distant evolution without gene duplication from the progenitor of trypsin‐like and chymotrypsin‐like proteases. We found that TESPL transcription was restricted to the testis and that the level of transcription was positively correlated with animal maturation. In contrast, Prss2 was constitutively expressed in many tissues including testis. Alignment of the cDNA‐deduced sequences of serine proteases showed the replacement of an essential serine residue in the catalytic triad of serine proteases by a proline residue in TESPL, which was demonstrated to be a membrane‐bound protein devoid of proteolytic activity. The immunohistochemical staining patterns of seminiferous tubules in the testis revealed TESPL mainly on postmeiotic cells such as spermatids and spermatozoa. On the mouse sperm from caudal epididymis, TESPL was localized mainly on the plasma membrane overlaying the acrosomal region. Further, orthology group for mouse TESPL was identified in the conserved gene family of eutherian testis serine protease 5. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 620–629, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tumor necrosis factor alpha induces LIF expression through ERK1/2 activation in mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Levy Carolina Schere , Slomiansky Victoria , Gattelli Albana , Nahmod Karen , Pelisch Federico , Blaustein Matias , Srebrow Anabella , Coso Omar A. , Kordon Edith C.
Published: April 2010

It has been reported that expression of tumor necrosis factor superfamily members occur at the onset of the mammary gland post‐lactational involution. One of these proteins, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), is a major mediator of inflammation that is able to induce expression of several cytokines. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is an inflammatory cytokine that is induced and plays a fundamental role during post‐lactational involution of the mammary gland. Therefore, our goal was to determine whether TNFα activity in the mammary epithelium might include regulation of LIF expression. This biological role would increase the significance of TNFα expression at the end of lactation. Our results show that TNFα was able to induce LIF transcription through ERK1/2 activation in a non‐tumorigenic mouse mammary epithelial cell line, SCp2. We found that activation of TNFα receptor‐2 (TNFR2) was specifically involved in triggering this signaling pathway. In addition, our data suggest the participation of AP‐1 transcription factor family members in this pathway. We determined that TNFα treatment induced c‐fos transcription, and blocking AP‐1 activity resulted in a significant inhibition of TNFα‐induced LIF expression. Finally, we found that TNFα was also able to trigger LIF expression and ERK1/2 activation in the mouse mammary gland in vivo. Therefore, our data suggest that TNFα may contribute to mammary gland involution by, among other activities, eliciting LIF expression through ERK1/2 and AP1 activation. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 857–865, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resveratrol induces cell‐cycle disruption and apoptosis in chemoresistant B16 melanoma
Authors: Gatouillat Grégory , Balasse Emilie , Joseph‐Pietras Débora , Morjani Hamid , Madoulet Claudie
Published: April 2010

Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenol, has been shown to possess chemopreventive activities. In this study, we show that resveratrol (0–500 µM) inhibits the growth of a doxorubicin‐resistant B16 melanoma cell subline (B16/DOX) (IC50 = 25 µM after 72 h, P < 0.05). This was accomplished by imposing an artificial checkpoint at the G1–S phase transition, as demonstrated by cell‐cycle analysis and down‐regulation of cyclin D1/cdk4 and increased of p53 expression level. The G1‐phase arrest of cell cycle in resveratrol‐treated (10–100 µM) B16/DOX cells was followed by the induction of apoptosis, which was revealed by pyknotic nuclei and fragmented DNA. Resveratrol also potentiated at subtoxic dose (25 µM for 24 h) doxorubicin cytotoxicity in the chemoresistant B16 melanoma (P < 0.01). When administered to mice, resveratrol (12.5 mg/kg) reduced the growth of an established B16/DOX melanoma and prolonged survival (32% compared to untreated mice). All these data support a potential use of resveratrol alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents in the management of chemoresistant tumors. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 893–902, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Runx2/Cbfa1, but not loss of myocardin, is required for smooth muscle cell lineage reprogramming toward osteochondrogenesis
Authors: Speer Mei Y. , Li Xianwu , Hiremath Pranoti G. , Giachelli Cecilia M.
Published: April 2010

Vascular calcification is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) may play an important role in vascular cartilaginous metaplasia and calcification via reprogramming to the osteochondrogenic state. To study whether SM lineage reprogramming and thus matrix calcification is reversible and what the necessary regulatory factors are to reverse this process, we used cells isolated from calcifying arterial medias of 4‐week‐old matrix Gla protein knockout mice (MGP−/−SMCs). We found that vascular cells with an osteochondrogenic phenotype regained SMC properties (positive for SM22α and SM α‐actin) and down‐regulated osteochondrogenic gene expression (Runx2/Cbfa1 and osteopontin) upon culture in medium that favors SMC differentiation. Over time, the MGP−/− SMCs no longer expressed osteochondrogenic proteins and became indistinguishable from wild‐type SMCs. Moreover, phenotypic switch of the restored SMCs to the osteochondrogenic state was re‐induced by the pro‐calcific factor, inorganic phosphate. Finally, loss‐ and gain‐of‐function studies of myocardin, a SM‐specific transcription co‐activator, and Runx2/Cbfa1, an osteochondrogenic transcription factor, revealed that upregulation of Runx2/Cbfa1, but not loss of myocardin, played a critical role in phosphate‐induced SMC lineage reprogramming and calcification. These results are the first to demonstrate reversibility of vascular SMCs in the osteochondrogenic state in response to local environmental cues, and that myocardin‐enforced SMC lineage allocation was not sufficient to block vascular calcification. On the other hand, Runx2/Cbfa1 was found to be a decisive factor identified in the process. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 935–947, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Osteoclast‐specific inactivation of the integrin‐linked kinase (ILK) inhibits bone resorption
Authors: Dossa Tanya , Arabian Alice , Windle Jolene J. , Dedhar Shoukat , Teitelbaum Steven L. , Ross F. Patrick , Roodman G. David , St‐Arnaud René
Published: April 2010

Bone resorption requires the adhesion of osteoclasts to extracellular matrix (ECM) components, a process mediated by the αvβ3 integrin. Following engagement with the ECM, integrin receptors signal via multiple downstream effectors, including the integrin‐linked kinase (ILK). In order to characterize the physiological role of ILK in bone resorption, we generated mice with an osteoclast‐specific Ilk gene ablation by mating mice with a floxed Ilk allele with TRAP‐Cre transgenic mice. The TRAP‐Cre mice specifically excised floxed alleles in osteoclasts, as revealed by crossing them with the ROSA26R reporter strain. Osteoclast‐specific Ilk mutant mice appeared phenotypically normal, but histomorphometric analysis of the proximal tibia revealed an increase in bone volume and trabecular thickness. Osteoclast‐specific Ilk ablation was associated with an increase in osteoclastogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. However, the mutant osteoclasts displayed a decrease in resorption activity as assessed by reduced pit formation on dentin slices in vitro and decreased serum concentrations of the C‐terminal telopeptide of collagen in vivo. Interestingly, compound heterozygous mice in which one allele of Ilk and one allele of the β3 integrin gene were inactivated (ILK+/−; β) also had increased trabecular thickness, confirming that β3 integrin and Ilk form part of the same genetic cascade. Our results show that ILK is important for the function, but not the differentiation, of osteoclasts. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 960–967, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Valproic acid enhances Oct4 promoter activity in myogenic cells
Authors: Teng Han Fang , Kuo Yu‐Liang , Loo Moo Rung , Li Chung Leung , Chu Ta Wei , Suo Hsien , Liu Hang Seng , Lin Kwang Huei , Chen Shen Liang
Published: April 2010

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are reprogrammed from somatic cells through ectopic expression of stem cell‐specific transcription factors, including Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, Lin28, Klf4, and c‐Myc. Although iPS cells are similar to embryonic stem (ES) cells in their pluripotency, their inherited defects, such as insertion mutagenesis, employment of oncogenes, and low efficiency, associated with the reprogramming procedure have hindered their clinical application. A study has shown that valproic acid (VPA) treatment can significantly enhance the reprogramming efficiency and avoid the usage of oncogenes. To understand how VPA can enhance pluripotency, we stably transfected an Oct4 promoter driven luciferase reporter (Oct4‐1.9k‐Luc) into P19 embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells and C2C12 myoblasts and examined their response to VPA. We found that VPA could both activate Oct4 promoter and rescue its inhibition by retinoic acid (RA). In C2C12 myoblasts, VPA treatment also enhanced endogenous Oct4 expression but repressed that of MyoD. Furthermore, both RARα over‐expression and mutation of a proximal hormone response element (HRE) blocked the activation effect of VPA on Oct4 promoter, implying that VPA may exert its activation effect through factors targeting this HRE. Taken together, these observations identify a molecular mechanism by which VPA directly regulate Oct4 expression to ensure the acquirement and maintenance of pluripotency. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 995–1004, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comment to the nudged elastic band method
Authors: Quapp Wolfgang , Bofill Josep Maria
Published: April 2010

The minimum energy path (MEP) is an important reaction path concept of theoretical chemistry, and the nudged elastic band (NEB) method with its many facets is a central method to determine the MEP. We demonstrate in this comment that the NEB does not have to lead to a steepest descent pathway (as always assumed). In contrast, as long as it is used without spring forces, it can lead to a gradient extremal. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Adsorption of CO on oxygen preadsorbed neutral and charged gas phase Pd4 clusters: A density functional study
Authors: Kalita Bulumoni , Deka Ramesh C.
Published: April 2010

We present the results of a density functional calculation on adsorption of O2, CO, and their coadsorption at various sites of neutral, cationic, and anionic Pd4 clusters. For all the clusters, the dissociative adsorption of oxygen sitting on Pd bridge sites is found to be preferable. Both O2 and CO binding energies are found to be higher for the anionic Pd4 cluster followed by cationic and neutral cluster. However, binding energies of O2 or CO in the coadsorption complexes follow the trend: anionic > neutral > cationic. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Advanced relationships between categories analysis as a qualitative research tool
Authors: Rabinovich Merav , Kacen Lea
Published: April 2010

The authors propose an advanced relationships between categories (RBC) model as an expansion of Tutty, Rothery, and Grinnell's (1996) qualitative tool for classifying RBC patterns as contained, temporal, and causal relationships. It is assumed that identification of the relationships obtained among categories of qualitative data paves the way for construction of a theory, even though few tools have been developed for this purpose to date. The advanced RBC model points to three additional relationship patterns: bilateral, trilateral, and quadrilateral relationships. These relationships reveal how the text itself links among its various components. The model serves as an innovative tool for systematic derivation of explanations based on the qualitative raw data, contributing to grounded theory and other interpretive studies. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: 66:1–11, 2010.
The laminin binding integrin α6β1 in prostate cancer perineural invasion
Authors: Sroka Isis C. , Anderson Todd A. , McDaniel Kathy M. , Nagle Raymond B. , Gretzer Matthew B. , Cress Anne E.
Published: April 2010

Metastasizing prostate tumor cells invade along nerves innervating the encapsulated human prostate gland in a process known as perineural invasion. The extacellular matrix laminin class of proteins line the neural route and tumor cells escaping from the gland express the laminin binding integrin α6β1 as a prominent cell surface receptor. Integrin α6β1 promotes aggressive disease and supports prostate tumor cell metastasis to bone. Laminins and their integrin receptors are necessary for the development and maintenance of the peripheral nervous system, indicating the potential role for integrin receptors in directing prostate tumor cell invasion on nerves during perineural invasion. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 283–288, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estrogen and non‐genomic upregulation of voltage‐gated Na+ channel activity in MDA‐MB‐231 human breast cancer cells: Role in adhesion
Authors: Fraser Scott P. , Ozerlat‐Gunduz Iley , Onkal Rustem , Diss James K.J. , Latchman David S. , Djamgoz Mustafa B.A.
Published: April 2010

External (but not internal) application of β‐estradiol (E2) increased the current amplitude of voltage‐gated Na+ channels (VGSCs) in MDA‐MB‐231 human breast cancer (BCa) cells. The G‐protein activator GTP‐γ‐S, by itself, also increased the VGSC current whilst the G‐protein inhibitor GDP‐β‐S decreased the effect of E2. Expression of GPR30 (a G‐protein‐coupled estrogen receptor) in MDA‐MB‐231 cells was confirmed by PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Importantly, G‐1, a specific agonist for GPR30, also increased the VGSC current amplitude in a dose‐dependent manner. Transfection and siRNA‐silencing of GPR30 expression resulted in corresponding changes in GPR30 protein expression but only internally, and the response to E2 was not affected. The protein kinase A inhibitor, PKI, abolished the effect of E2, whilst forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, by itself, increased VGSC activity. On the other hand, pre‐incubation of the MDA‐MB‐231 cells with brefeldin A (a trans‐Golgi protein trafficking inhibitor) had no effect on the E2‐induced increase in VGSC amplitude, indicating that such trafficking (‘externalisation’) of VGSC was not involved. Finally, acute application of E2 decreased cell adhesion whilst the specific VGSC blocker tetrodotoxin increased it. Co‐application of E2 and tetrodotoxin inhibited the effect of E2 on cell adhesion, suggesting that the effect of E2 was mainly through VGSC activity. Pre‐treatment of the cells with PKI abolished the effect of E2 on adhesion, consistent with the proposed role of PKA. Potential implications of the E2‐induced non‐genomic upregulation of VGSC activity for BCa progression are discussed. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 527–539, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
(p)ppGpp and drug resistance
Authors: Wu Jun , Long Quanxin , Xie Jianping
Published: April 2010

In recent years, emerging and reemerging pathogens resistant to nearly all available antibiotics are on the rise. This limits the availability of effective antibiotics to treat infections, thus it is imperative to develop new drugs. The accumulation of alarmones guanosine tetraphosphate and guanosine pentaphosphate, collectively known as (p)ppGpp, is a global response of bacteria to environmental stress. (p)ppGpp has been documented to be involved in the resistance to β‐lactam and peptide antibiotics. Proposed mechanisms of action include occupation of drug targets, regulation of the expression of virulence determinants, and modification of protein activities. (p)ppGpp analogs might counteract these actions. Several such entities are being tested as new antibiotics. Further insights into the mechanisms of (p)ppGpp‐mediated drug resistance might facilitate the discovery and development of novel antibiotics. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 300–304, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanistic and signaling analysis of Muc4–ErbB2 signaling module: New insights into the mechanism of ligand‐independent ErbB2 activity
Authors: Kozloski Goldi A. , Carraway Coralie A. Carothers , Carraway Kermit L.
Published: April 2010

The membrane mucin Muc4 is aberrantly expressed in numerous epithelial carcinomas and is currently used as a cancer diagnostic and prognostic tool. Muc4 can also potentiate signal transduction by modulating differential ErbB2 phosphorylation in the absence and in the presence of the ErbB3 soluble ligand heregulin (HRG‐β1). These features of Muc4 suggest that Muc4 is not merely a cancer marker, but an oncogenic factor with a unique‐binding/activation relationship with the receptor ErbB2. In the present study, we examined the signaling mechanisms that are associated with the Muc4–ErbB2 module by analyzing ErbB2 differential signaling in response to Muc4 expression. Our study was carried out in the A375 human melanoma and BT‐474 breast cancer cell lines as our model systems. Quantitative and comparative signaling modulations were evaluated by immunoblot using phospho‐specific antibodies, and densitometry analysis. Signaling complex components were identified by chemical cross‐linking, fractionation by gel filtration, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting. Activated downstream signaling pathways were analyzed by an antibody microarray screen and immunoblot analyses. Our results indicate that Muc4 modulates ErbB2 signaling potential significantly by stabilizing and directly interacting with the ErbB2–ErbB3 heterodimer. Further analyses indicate that Muc4 promotes ErbB2 autocatalysis, but it has no effect on ErbB3 phosphorylation, although the chemical cross‐linking data indicated that the signaling module is composed of Muc4, ErbB2, and ErbB3. Our microarray analysis indicates that Muc4 expression promotes cell migration by increasing the phosphorylation of the focal adhesion kinase and also through an increase in the levels of β‐catenin. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 649–657, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunodeficiency reduces neural stem/progenitor cell apoptosis and enhances neurogenesis in the cerebral cortex after stroke
Authors: Saino Orie , Taguchi Akihiko , Nakagomi Takayuki , Nakano‐Doi Akiko , Kashiwamura Shin‐ichiro , Doe Nobutaka , Nakagomi Nami , Soma Toshihiro , Yoshikawa Hiroo , Stern David M. , Okamura Haruki , Matsuyama Tomohiro
Published: April 2010

Acute inflammation in the poststroke period exacerbates neuronal damage and stimulates reparative mechanisms, including neurogenesis. However, only a small fraction of neural stem/progenitor cells survives. In this report, by using a highly reproducible model of cortical infarction in SCID mice, we examined the effects of immunodeficiency on reduction of brain injury, survival of neural stem/progenitor cells, and functional recovery. Subsequently, the contribution of T lymphocytes to neurogenesis was evaluated in mice depleted for each subset of T lymphocyte. SCID mice revealed the reduced apoptosis and enhanced proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells induced by cerebral cortex after stroke compared with the immunocompetent wild‐type mice. Removal of T lymphocytes, especially the CD4+ T‐cell population, enhanced generation of neural stem/progenitor cells, followed by accelerated functional recovery. In contrast, removal of CD25+ T cells, a cell population including regulatory T lymphocytes, impaired functional recovery through, at least in part, suppression of neurogenesis. Our findings demonstrate a key role of T lymphocytes in regulation of poststroke neurogenesis and indicate a potential novel strategy for cell therapy in repair of the central nervous system. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endogenous expression of interleukin‐4 regulates macrophage activation and confines cavity formation after traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: Lee Seung Ihm , Jeong Soo Ryeong , Kang Young Mi , Han Dae Hee , Jin Byung Kwan , Namgung Uk , Kim Byung G.
Published: April 2010

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers inflammatory reactions in which various types of cells and cytokines are involved. Several proinflammatory cytokines are up‐regulated after SCI and play crucial roles in determining the extent of secondary tissue damage. However, relatively little is known about antiinflammatory cytokines and their roles in spinal cord trauma. Recent studies have shown that an antiinflammatory cytokine, interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), is expressed and exerts various modulatory effects in CNS inflammation. We found in the present study that IL‐4 was highly expressed at 24 hr after contusive SCI in rats and declined thereafter, with concurrent up‐regulation of IL‐4 receptor subunit IL‐4α. The majority of IL‐4‐producing cells were myeloperoxidase‐positive neutrophils. Injection of neutralizing antibody against IL‐4 into the contused spinal cord did not significantly affect the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1β, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α or other antiinflammatory cytokines such as IL‐10 and transforming growth factor‐β. Instead, attenuation of IL‐4 activity led to a marked increase in the extent of ED1‐positive macrophage activation along the rostrocaudal extent at 7 days after injury. The enhanced macrophage activation was preceded by an increase in the level of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1/CCL2). Finally, IL‐4 neutralization resulted in more extensive cavitation at 4 weeks after injury. These results suggest that endogenous expression of antiinflammatory cytokine IL‐4 regulates the extent of acute macrophage activation and confines the ensuing secondary cavity formation after spinal cord trauma. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc
Article alerts: Introduction and items from 2009, part I
Authors: Hafdahl Adam R.
Published: April 2010

This ‘Article Alerts’ feature is intended to apprise readers of recent methodological work in research synthesis and compile previous such contributions from various outlets. In this first installment we introduce the feature by commenting on its main aims and distinguishing between the print and archive versions. The feature's content and process are also described, including encouragement of interactive contributions from readers. The current installment's 100 items, a subset of relevant work published in 2009, are categorized by type of contribution and supplemented with suggested keywords. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetics of the hydrogen abstraction ROH + H → RO• + H2 reaction class
Authors: Ratkiewicz Artur , Truong Thanh N.
Published: April 2010

This paper presents an application of the reaction class transition state theory (RC‐TST) to predict thermal rate constants for the hydrogen abstraction ROH + H → RO• + H2 reaction class, where R is an alkyl group. We have derived all parameters for the RC‐TST method for this reaction class from rate constants of 19 representative reactions, coupling with linear energy relationships (LERs) and the barrier height grouping (BHG) approach. Error analyses indicate that the RC‐TST/LER, where only reaction energy is needed, and RC‐TST/BHG, where no other information is needed, can predict rate constants for any reaction in this reaction class with satisfactory accuracy for combustion modeling. Specifically for this reaction class, the RC‐TST/LER method has less than 25% systematic errors in the predicted rate constants, whereas the RC‐TST/BHG method has less than 35% error when compared to explicit rate calculations. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 414–429, 2010
A linear solvation energy relationship study for the reactivity of 2‐(4‐substituted phenyl)‐cyclohex‐1‐enecarboxylic, 2‐(4‐substituted phenyl)‐benzoic, and 2‐(4‐substituted phenyl)‐acrylic acids with diazodiphenylmethane in various solvents
Authors: Nikolić J. B. , Ušćumlić G. S. , Juranić I. O.
Published: April 2010

The reactivities of 2‐(4‐substituted phenyl)‐cyclohex‐1‐enecarboxylic acids, 2‐(4‐substituted phenyl)‐benzoic acids, and 2‐(4‐substituted phenyl)‐acrylic acids with diazodiphenylmethane in various solvents were investigated. To explain the kinetic results through solvent effects, the second‐order rate constants of the examined acids were correlated using the Kamlet–Taft solvatochromic equation. The correlations of the kinetic data were carried out by means of multiple linear regression analysis, and the solvent effects on the reaction rates were analyzed in terms of initial and transition state contributions. The signs of the equation coefficients support the proposed reaction mechanism. The solvation models for all investigated carboxylic acids are suggested. The quantitative relationship between the molecular structure and the chemical reactivity is discussed, as well as the effect of geometry on the reactivity of the examined molecules. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 430–439, 2010