bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidences of the inflammasome pathway in chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome in an animal model
Authors: Chen Chih‐Shou , Chang Pey‐Jium , Lin Wei‐Yu , Huang Yun‐Ching , Ho Dong‐Ru 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe mechanism of non‐bacterial chronic prostatitis (CP/CPPS) has long been investigated but remains unclear. Under the hypothesis that abnormal response of innate immunity may be a cause of CP/CPPS, this study evaluated inflammasome, as part of innate immunity, and its effects on persist inflammation and CP/CPPS.METHODSCarrageenan was used to induce CP/CPPS in a rat animal model. After confirming tactile hyper‐algesia in the rats, their local prostate inflammation status, and inflammasome expression were determined. The amount of inflammasome and its downstream protein was checked, along with prostate localization. Chlorogenic acid (CHA), an active ingredient of Chinese herbal remedy for CP/CPPS treatment, was used as treatment.RESULTSThe rats had CP/CPPS once scrotal static tactile allodynia developed and CHA treatment relieved the scrotal hypersensitivity. Downstream inflammasome proteins like IL‐1β and caspase 1 increased within the prostate and decreased with CHA treatment. Inflammasome, NALP1 but not NALP3, was significantly increased in the prostate glandular endothelial cells. Treatment with CHA also changed the distribution pattern of NALP1 in the prostate.CONCLUSIONSThere is a close relationship between activation of inflammasome and patho‐physiologic changes of CP/CPSS in rats. Increased inflammasome may be a possible mechanism of CP/CPPS and clinically active regimen may inhibit the inflammasome‐related pathway. This provides a new therapeutic rationale and approach for CP/CPPS treatment. Prostate 73: 391–397, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diamond nanophotonics and applications in quantum science and technology
Authors: Hausmann B. J. M. , Choy J. T. , Babinec T. M. , Shields B. J. , Bulu I. , Lukin M. D. , Lončar Marko 
Published: September 2012

AbstractDiamond nanophotonics have evolved tremendously from the study of color centers in bulk single crystals and nanocrystals to their characterization in nanostructured environments. This development was facilitated by the ability to generate monolithic, sophisticated nanodevices in high quality single crystal diamond. Here, we present some recent contributions to the field of diamond nanophotonics: increase in single photon collection from nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers embedded in diamond nanowires, broadband spontaneous emission enhancement of single NV centers in plasmonic resonators, and coupling of single NV centers to planar resonators on‐chip. magnified image
On the epitaxy of germanium telluride thin films on silicon substrates
Authors: Giussani Alessandro , Perumal Karthick , Hanke Michael , Rodenbach Peter , Riechert Henning , Calarco Raffaella 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe growth by molecular beam epitaxy of GeTe thin films on highly lattice‐mismatched Si(111) substrates is reported. In situ reflection high‐energy electron diffraction and quadrupole mass spectrometry were employed to monitor the growth process in real time and tune the deposition conditions. Epitaxy was achieved in a window of substrate temperatures between 220 and 270 °C, using a Ge/Te flux ratio of ∼0.4. Extensive ex situ X‐ray diffraction characterization showed that the epitaxial layers crystallize in the rhombohedrally distorted rocksalt structure α‐GeTe, with orientation relationships to the substrate α‐GeTe[0001] ‖ Si[111] and α‐GeTe〈10${\bar {1}}$0〉 ‖ Si〈$11{\bar {2}}$〉. ω‐scans of the α‐GeTe(000n) reflections (n = 3, 6, 9) exhibit a full width at half maximum between 10 and 20 arcsec, indicating small mosaicity. However, a large twist is observed (∼14°), pointing to the presence of rotational domains. In addition, the layer matrix is affected by twinning. The epitaxial films exhibit a slight tensile in‐plane strain, which might be due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between α‐GeTe and Si, and/or small deviation from stoichiometric composition, i.e., vacancies in the Ge sub‐lattice.
Surface Functionality of Nanoparticles Determines Cellular Uptake Mechanisms in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Saha Krishnendu , Kim Sung Tae , Yan Bo , Miranda Oscar R. , Alfonso Felix S. , Shlosman Denis , Rotello Vincent M. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractNanoparticles (NPs) are versatile scaffolds for numerous biomedical applications including drug delivery and bioimaging. The surface functionality of NPs essentially dictates intracellular NP uptake and controls their therapeutic action. Using several pharmacological inhibitors, it is demonstrated that the cellular uptake mechanisms of cationic gold NPs in both cancer (HeLa) and normal cells (MCF10A) strongly depend on the NP surface monolayer, and mostly involve caveolae and dynamin‐dependent pathways as well as specific cell surface receptors (scavenger receptors). Moreover, these NPs show different uptake mechanisms in cancer and normal cells, providing an opportunity to develop NPs with improved selectivity for delivery applications.
Characterization of Ti6Al4V for Integral Transition Structures in FRP–Aluminum Compounds
Authors: Schimanski Kai , Schumacher Jens , Wottschel Vitalij , von Hehl Axel , Zoch Hans‐Werner , Vollertsen Frank 
Published: September 2012

AbstractComponents in hybrid design become more and more important in terms of their lightweight potential. In this context, the demand for weight saving in aerospace industry leads to increase numbers of applications of fiber reinforced composites for primary structural components. In consequence, the use of FRP‐metal compounds is necessary. In the context of the investigations of the researcher group named “Black‐Silver” (“Schwarz Silber”, FOR 1224) founded by the DFG (German Research Foundation) material optimized interface structures for advanced carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP)–aluminum compounds are currently being studied. Within their work the researcher group focussed on three concepts realizing the transition structures: the usage of wires (titanium), foils (titanium), and fibers (glass fiber) as transition elements between CFRP and aluminum. For the connection of the aluminum sheet and the transition element die‐casting and laser beam welding are basically used. The paper concentrates on the characterization of suitable materials for transition structures. Due to their high strength and low density (in comparison to steel) and the resulting potential in view on light‐weight design Ti‐alloys were investigated. Because of the increased availability of Ti‐wires compared to Ti‐foils in suitable thickness the former were used for the basic investigations on Ti‐alloys which are suitable for integral transition structures.
Morphogenesis of the Caenorhabditis elegans vulva
Authors: Schindler Adam J. , Sherwood David R. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractUnderstanding how cells move, change shape, and alter cellular behaviors to form organs, a process termed morphogenesis, is one of the great challenges of developmental biology. Formation of the Caenorhabditis elegans vulva is a powerful, simple, and experimentally accessible model for elucidating how morphogenetic processes produce an organ. In the first step of vulval development, three epithelial precursor cells divide and differentiate to generate 22 cells of 7 different vulval subtypes. The 22 vulval cells then rearrange from a linear array into a tube, with each of the seven cell types undergoing characteristic morphogenetic behaviors that construct the vulva. Vulval morphogenesis entails many of the same cellular activities that underlie organogenesis and tissue formation across species, including invagination, lumen formation, oriented cell divisions, cell–cell adhesion, cell migration, cell fusion, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cell invasion. Studies of vulval development have led to pioneering discoveries in a number of these processes and are beginning to bridge the gap between the pathways that specify cells and their connections to morphogenetic behaviors. The simplicity of the vulva and the experimental tools available in C. elegans will continue to make vulval morphogenesis a powerful paradigm to further our understanding of the largely mysterious mechanisms that build tissues and organs. WIREs Dev Biol 2013, 2:75–95. doi: 10.1002/wdev.87This article is categorized under:

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Cellular Differentiation
Invertebrate Organogenesis > Worms
Long non‐coding RNAs coordinate cellular responses to stress
Authors: Lakhotia Subhash C. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractFollowing the initial discovery of the heat shock RNA omega (hsrω) gene of Drosophila melanogaster to be non‐coding (nc) and also inducible by cell stress, other stress‐inducible long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNA) have been described in diverse organisms. In view of the rapid sequence divergence of lncRNAs, present knowledge of stress trasncriptome is limited and fragmented. Several known stress‐related lncRNAs, associated with specific nuclear speckled domains or nucleolus, provide structural base for sequestering diverse RNA‐processing/regulatory proteins. Others have roles in transcriptional or translational inhibition during stress or in signaling pathways; functions of several other lncRNAs are not yet known. Most stress‐related lncRNAs act primarily by modulating activity of the proteins to which they bind or by sequestering specific sets of proteins away from the active pool. A common emerging theme is that a given lncRNA targets one or more protein/s with key role/s in the cascade of events triggered by the stress and therefore has a widespread integrative effect. Since proteins associate with RNA through short sequence motifs, the overall base sequence of functionally similar ncRNAs is often not conserved except for specific motifs. The rapid evolvability of ncRNA sequences provides elegant modules for adaptability to changing environment as binding of one or the other protein to ncRNA can alter its structure and functions in distinct ways. Thus the stress‐related lncRNAs act as hubs in the cellular networks to coordinate activities of the members within and between different networks to maintain cellular homeostasis for survival or to trigger cell death. WIREs RNA 2012. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1135This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications
RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
The structure and folding of kink turns in RNA
Authors: Lilley David M. J. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe kink turn (k‐turn) is a widespread structural motif that introduces a tight kink into the axis of double‐stranded RNA, with an included angle ∼60°. A standard k‐turn comprises a three‐nucleotide bulge followed on the 3′ side by a G•A pair, an A•G pair, and usually further non‐Watson–Crick pairs. The kinked conformation may be stabilized by three processes. These are the addition of metal ions, the binding of proteins such as the L7Ae family, and by the formation of tertiary interactions. The structure is characterized by specific A‐minor interactions with the adenine nucleobases of the G•A pairs, and some very well‐conserved hydrogen bonds involving 2′‐hydroxyl groups. We can identify two classes of k‐turns, that differ in the manner of the hydrogen bonding at the adenine of the bulge‐distal G•A pair. WIREs RNA 2012. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1136This article is categorized under:

RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics, and Chemistry
RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Recognition
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Riboswitches
Clinical Assessment of Axillary Lymph Nodes and Tumor Size in Breast Cancer Compared with Histopathological Examination: A Population‐Based Analysis of 2,537 Women
Authors: Majid Shabaz , Tengrup Ingrid , Manjer Jonas 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical assessment of axillary lymph nodes status and tumor size is important for the management of patients with breast cancer. The first goal of this study was to determine the accuracy of axillary lymph node status in relation to the presence of metastases as revealed by histopathological examination. The second goal was to compare the tumor size as assessed by physical examination, with the size obtained by histopathological examination.MethodsThis study was based on a consecutive series of 2,537 patients diagnosed with breast cancer in Malmö, Sweden, between 1987 and 2002. These patients had available information in the South Swedish Breast Cancer Group registry, corresponding to 97 %. The axillary lymph nodes status was compared with the results of the histopathological examination for the presence of metastases. Tumor size by physical examination was compared with the tumor size after histopathological examination.ResultsThere were 674 women with axillary lymph nodes metastases according to histological examination; only 206 of these cases had palpable lymph nodes at clinical examination. The sensitivity was 30 % and the specificity 93 %. There were 812 tumors measured to be larger than 20 mm according to histopathological examination, but only 665 of these tumors were considered larger than 20 mm by clinical examination. This corresponded to a sensitivity of 81 % and a specificity of 80 %.ConclusionsWe conclude that the possibility of axillary metastases estimated by clinical examination is subjected to a large proportion of false‐positive and false‐negative results. Similarly, tumor size estimated by clinical examination is subject to under‐ and overestimation in comparison to histopathological examination.
Novel permittivity test for determination of yeast surface charge and flocculation abilities
Authors: Kregiel Dorota , Berlowska Joanna , Szubzda Bronisław 
Published: September 2012

AbstractYeast flocculation has been found to be important in many biotechnological processes. It has been suggested that flocculation is promoted by decreasing electrostatic repulsion between cells. In this study, we used an unconventional rapid technique—permittivity test—for determination of the flocculation properties and surface charge values of three industrial yeast strains with well-known flocculation characteristics: Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC 1017 (brewery, ale), S. pastorianus NCYC 680 (brewery, lager), and Debaryomyces occidentalis LOCK 0251 (unconventional amylolytic yeast). The measurements of permittivity were compared with the results from two classical methods for determination of surface charge: Alcian blue retention and Sephadex DEAE attachment. The permittivity values for particular strains correlated directly with the results of Alcian blue retention (r = 0.9). The results also confirmed a strong negative relationship between the capacitance of yeast suspensions and their flocculation abilities. The highest permittivity was noted for the ale strain NCYC 1017, with weak flocculation abilities, and the lowest for the flocculating lager yeast NCYC 680. This paper is the first to describe the possibility of using a rapid permittivity test to evaluate the surface charge of yeast cells and their flocculation abilities. This method is of practical value in various biotechnological industries where flocculation is applied as a major method of cell separation.
Miglustat‐induced intestinal carbohydrate malabsorption is due to the inhibition of α‐glucosidases, but not β‐galactosidases
Authors: Amiri Mahdi , Naim Hassan Y. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractMiglustat is an oral medication that has approved indication for type I Gaucher disease and Niemann pick disease type C. Usually treatment with Miglustat is associated with occurrence of gastrointestinal side effects similar to carbohydrate maldigestion symptoms. Here, we studied the direct influence of Miglustat on the enzymatic function of the major disaccharidases of the intestinal epithelium. Our findings show that an immediate effect of Miglustat is its interference with carbohydrate digestion in the intestinal lumen via reversible inhibition of disaccharidases that cleave α‐glycosidically linked carbohydrates. Higher non physiological concentrations of Miglustat can partly affect lactase activity. We further show that the inhibition of the disaccharidases function by Miglustat is mainly competitive and does not occur via alteration of the enzyme folding.
A novel congenital disorder of glycosylation type without central nervous system involvement caused by mutations in the phosphoglucomutase 1 gene
Authors: Pérez Belén , Medrano Celia , Ecay Maria Jesus , Ruiz‐Sala Pedro , Martínez‐Pardo Mercedes , Ugarte Magdalena , Pérez‐Cerdá Celia 
Published: September 2012

AbstractRecent years have seen great advances in our knowledge of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), a clinically and biochemically heterogeneous group of genetic diseases caused by defects in the synthesis (CDG‐I) or processing (CDG‐II) of glycans that form glycoconjugates. This paper reports a new subtype of non‐neurological CDG involving the impaired cytoplasmic biosynthesis of nucleotide sugars needed for glycan biosynthesis. A patient presented with muscle fatigue, elevated creatine kinase, growth hormone deficiency, and first branchial arch syndrome. These findings, together with the abnormal type II plasma transferrin isoform profile detected, was compatible with a CDG. Functional testing and clinical analyses suggested a deficiency in the interconversion of glucose‐1‐phosphate and glucose‐6‐phosphate catalyzed by phosphoglucomutase (PGM1), a defect previously described as glycogenosis type XIV (GSDXIV, MIM 612934). PGM1 activity in patient‐derived fibroblasts was significantly reduced, as was the quantity of immunoreactive PGM1 protein (Western blot assays). Mutation analysis of PGM1 and subsequent functional analysis investigating transient expression of PGM1 in immortalized patient fibroblasts, followed by ex vivo splicing assays using minigenes, allowed the characterization of two novel pathogenic mutations: c.871G>A (p.Gly291Arg) and c.1144 + 3A>T. The latter represents a severe splicing mutation leading to the out‐of‐frame skipping of exon 7 and the formation of a truncated protein (p.Arg343fs). MALDI mass spectra of permethylated protein N‐glycans from the patient's serum suggested a marked hypoglycosylation defect. The present findings confirm that, in addition to a rare muscular glycolytic defect, PGM1 deficiency causes a non‐neurological disorder of glycosylation.
Normal rates of whole‐body fat oxidation and gluconeogenesis after overnight fasting and moderate‐intensity exercise in patients with medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency
Authors: Huidekoper Hidde H. , Ackermans Mariëtte T. , Koopman René , van Loon Luc J. C. , Sauerwein Hans P. , Wijburg Frits A. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundImpairments in gluconeogenesis have been implicated in the pathophysiology of fasting hypoglycemia in medium‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. However, whole body glucose and fat metabolism have never been studied in vivo.MethodsStable isotope methodology was applied to compare fat and glucose metabolism between four adult patients with MCADD and four matched controls both at rest and during 1.5 h of moderate‐intensity exercise. Additionally, intramyocellular lipid and glycogen content and intramyocellular acylcarnitines were assessed in muscle biopsies collected prior to and immediately after cessation of exercise.ResultsAt rest, plasma FFA turnover was significantly higher in patients with MCADD, whereas the plasma FFA concentrations did not differ between patients and controls. Blood glucose kinetics did not differ between groups both at rest and during exercise. Palmitate and FFA turnover, total fat and carbohydrate oxidation rates, the use of muscle glycogen and muscle derived triglycerides during exercise did not differ between patients and controls. Plasma FFA oxidation rates were significantly lower in patients at the latter stages of exercise. Free carnitine levels in muscle were lower in patients, whereas no differences were detected in muscle acetylcarnitine levels.ConclusionsWhole‐body or skeletal muscle glucose and fat metabolism were not impaired in adult patients with MCADD. This implies that MCADD is not rate limiting for energy production under the conditions studied. In addition, patients with MCADD have a higher FFA turnover rate after overnight fasting, which may stimulate ectopic lipid deposition and, as such, make them more susceptible for developing insulin resistance.
A novel proteasome inhibitor acting in mitochondrial dysfunction, ER stress and ROS production
Authors: Maria Durvanei Augusto , de Souza Jean Gabriel , Morais Katia L. P. , Berra Carolina Maria , Zampolli Hamilton de Campos , Demasi Marilene , Simons Simone Michaela , de Freitas Saito Renata , Chammas Roger , Chudzinski-Tavassi Ana Marisa 
Published: September 2012

Summary
In cancer-treatment, potentially therapeutic drugs trigger their effects through apoptotic mechanisms. Generally, cell response is manifested by Bcl-2 family protein regulation, the impairment of mitochondrial functions, and ROS production. Notwithstanding, several drugs operate through proteasome inhibition, which, by inducing the accumulation and aggregation of misfolded or unfolded proteins, can lead to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Accordingly, it was shown that Amblyomin-X, a Kunitz-type inhibitor identified in the transcriptome of the Amblyomma cajennense tick by ESTs sequence analysis of a cDNA library, obtained in recombinant protein form, induces apoptosis in murine renal adenocarcinoma (RENCA) cells by: inducing imbalance between pro- and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, dysfunction/mitochondrial damage, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase cascade activation, and proteasome inhibition, all ER-stress inductive. Moreover, there was no manifest action on normal mouse-fibroblast cells (NHI3T3), suggesting an Amblyomin-X tumor-cell selectivity. Taken together, these evidences indicate that Amblyomin-X could be a promising candidate for cancer therapy.
Secondary School Students’ Epistemic Insight into the Relationships Between Science and Religion—A Preliminary Enquiry
Authors: Billingsley Berry , Taber Keith , Riga Fran , Newdick Helen 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
A number of previous studies have shown that there is a widespread view among young people that science and religion are opposed. In this paper, we suggest that it requires a significant level of what can be termed “epistemic insight” to access the idea that some people see science and religion as compatible while others do not. To explore this further, we draw on previous work to devise a methodology to discover students’ thinking about apparent contradictions between scientific and religious explanations of the origins of the universe. In our discussion of the findings, we highlight that students’ epistemic insight in this context does seem in many cases to be limited and we outline some of the issues emerging from the study that seem to boost or limit students’ progress in this area.