bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exposure to inflammatory cytokines selectively limits GM‐CSF production by induced T regulatory cells
Authors: Reynolds Ben C. , Turner Darryl G. , McPherson Rhoanne C. , Prendergast Catriona T. , Phelps Richard G. , Turner Neil A. , O'Connor Richard A. , Anderton Stephen M. 
Published: August 2014

Interest in manipulating the immunosuppressive powers of Foxp3‐expressing T regulatory cells as an immunotherapy has been tempered by their reported ability to produce proinflammatory cytokines when manipulated in vitro, or in vivo. Understanding processes that can limit this potentially deleterious effect of Treg cells in a therapeutic setting is therefore important. Here, we have studied this using induced (i) Treg cells in which de novo Foxp3 expression is driven by TCR‐stimulation in vitro in the presence of TGF‐β. We show that iTreg cells can produce significant amounts of three proinflammatory cytokines (IFN‐γ, GM‐CSF and TNF‐α) upon secondary TCR stimulation. GM‐CSF is a critical T‐cell derived cytokine for the induction of EAE in mice. Despite their apparent capacity to produce GM‐CSF, myelin autoantigen‐responsive iTreg cells were unable to provoke EAE. Instead, they maintained strong suppressive function in vivo, preventing EAE induction by their CD4+Foxp3− counterparts. We identified that although iTreg cells maintained the ability to produce IFN‐γ and TNF‐α in vivo, their ability to produce GM‐CSF was selectively degraded upon antigen stimulation under inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, we show that IL‐6 and IL‐27 individually, or IL‐2 and TGF‐β in combination, can mediate the selective loss of GM‐CSF production by iTreg cells.
Triangular [Ag3]3+ Complexes Supported by Picolyl‐Substituted N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands
Authors: Munro Lyndsay B. , Catalano Vincent J. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractA series of 12 picolyl‐containing NHC ligand precursors and their AgI salts are reported. The complexes [Ag3{Sim(CH2pyCl)2}3]X3 [2(PF6)3], [Ag3{Sim(CH2pyBr)2}3]X3 [3(PF6)3], [Ag3{Sim(CH2isoquin)2}3]X3 [4(PF6)3], [Ag3{5,6‐Cl2‐benzim(CH2py)2}3]X3 [6(BF4)3], [Ag3{5,6‐Me2‐benzim(CH2py)2}3]X3 [7(PF6)3], [Ag3(benzim{CH2py‐3,4‐(OMe)2}2)3]X3 [8(PF6)3], [Ag3{benzim(CH2py‐3,5‐Me2‐4‐OMe)2}3]X3 [9(PF6)3], [Ag3(5,6‐Me2‐benzim{CH2py‐3,4‐(OMe)2}2)3]X3 [10(PF6)3], [Ag3{5,6‐Me2‐benzim(CH2py‐3,5‐Me2‐4‐OMe)2}3]X3 [11(PF6)3], and [Ag3{5‐OMe‐benzim(CH2py)2}3]X3 [12(PF6)3] (X = PF6– or BF4–) each contain a central [Ag3]3+ core spanned by three NHC ligands. The optically pure [Ag3{(R,R)‐cyclohexylim(CH2py)2}3](PF6)3 [(R,R)‐5(PF6)3] adopts a different coordination mode. All complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and HRMS. In addition, complexes 3(PF6), (R,R)‐5(PF6), 6(BF4), 7(PF6), and 8(PF6) were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and found to exhibit Ag–Ag distances of approximately 2.7 Å.
On‐line yeast propagation process monitoring and control using an intelligent automatic control system
Authors: Birle Stephan , Hussein Mohamed Ahmed , Becker Thomas 
Published: August 2014

The monitoring and control of bioprocesses is a challenging task. This applies particularly if the actions to the process have to be carried out in real‐time. This work presents a system for on‐line monitoring and control of batch yeast propagation under limiting conditions based on a virtual plant operator, which uses the concept of intelligent control algorithms by means of fuzzy logic theory. Process information is provided on‐line using a sensor array comprising the measurement of OD, operating temperature, pressure, density, dissolved oxygen, and pH value. In this context practical problems arising through on‐line sensing and signal processing are addressed. The preprocessed sensor data are fed to a neural network for on‐line biomass estimation. The root mean squared error of prediction is 4 × 106 cells/mL. The proposed system then triggers temperature and aeration by usage of a temperature dependent metabolic growth model and sensor data. The deviation of the predicted biomass from that of the reference trajectory as modeled by the metabolic growth model and its temporal derivative are used as inputs for the fuzzy temperature controller. The inputs used by the fuzzy aeration controller are the deviation of measured extract from that of the reference trajectory, the predicted cell count, and the dissolved oxygen concentration. The fuzzy‐based expert system allows to provide the desired yeast cell concentration of 100–120 × 106 cells/mL at a minimum residual extract limit of 6.0 g/100 g at the required point of time. Thus, a dynamic adjustment of the propagation process to the overall production schedule is possible in order to produce the required amount of biomass at the right time.
Regional regression models for hydro‐climate change impact assessment
Authors: Gyawali Rabi , Griffis Veronica W. , Watkins David W. , Fennessey Neil M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractHydro‐climatic impacts in water resources systems are typically assessed by forcing a hydrologic model with outputs from general circulation models (GCMs) or regional climate models. The challenges of this approach include maintaining a consistent energy budget between climate and hydrologic models and also properly calibrating and verifying the hydrologic models. Subjective choices of loss, flow routing, snowmelt and evapotranspiration computation methods also increase watershed modelling uncertainty and thus complicate impact assessment. An alternative approach, particularly appealing for ungauged basins or locations where record lengths are short, is to predict selected streamflow quantiles directly from meteorological variable output from climate models using regional regression models that also include physical basin characteristics. In this study, regional regression models are developed for the western Great Lakes states using ordinary least squares and weighted least squares techniques applied to selected Great Lakes watersheds. Model inputs include readily available downscaled GCM outputs from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 3. The model results provide insights to potential model weaknesses, including comparatively low runoff predictions from continuous simulation models that estimate potential evapotranspiration using temperature proxy information and comparatively high runoff projections from regression models that do not include temperature as an explanatory variable. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytokines in single layer amnion allografts compared to multilayer amnion/chorion allografts for wound healing
Authors: Koob Thomas J. , Lim Jeremy J. , Zabek Nicole , Massee Michelle 
Published: August 2014

AbstractHuman amniotic membrane allografts have proven effective at improving healing of cutaneous wounds. The mechanism of action for these therapeutic effects is poorly understood but is thought to involve the resident growth factors present in near term amniotic tissue. To determine the relative cytokine contribution of the amnion and chorion in amniotic allografts, the content of 18 cytokines involved in wound healing were measured in samples of PURION® Processed dehydrated amnion, chorion, and amnion/chorion membrane (dHACM) grafts by multiplex enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay array. Both amnion and chorion contained similar amounts of each factor when normalized per dry weight; however, when calculated per surface area of tissue applied to a wound, amnion contained on average only 25% as much of each factor as the chorion. Therefore, an allograft containing both amnion and chorion would contain four to five times more cytokine than a single layer amnion allograft alone. Both single layer amnion and multilayer allografts containing amnion and chorion are currently marketed for wound repair. To examine the role of tissue processing technique in cytokine retention, cytokine contents in representative dehydrated single layer wound care products were measured. The results demonstrated that cytokine content varied significantly among the allografts tested, and that PURION® Processed single layer amnion grafts contained more cytokines than other single layer products. These results suggest that PURION® Processed dHACM contains substantially more cytokines than single layer amnion products, and therefore dHACM may be more effective at delivering growth factors to a healing wound than amnion alone. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 1133–1140, 2015.
Properties and fibroblast cellular response of soft and hard thermoplastic polyurethane electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds
Authors: Mi Hao‐Yang , Jing Xin , Salick Max R. , Cordie Travis M. , Peng Xiang‐Fang , Turng Lih‐Sheng 
Published: August 2014

AbstractSoft and hard thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and their blends were electrospun to fabricate nanofibrous scaffolds with various properties in order to investigate the substrate property effects on cellular response. The scaffolds were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle tests, and protein absorption tests. It was found that the hard segment content in the scaffold increased with the hard TPU ratio, which resulted in improved hydrophobicity and decreased over all protein absorption. 3T3 fibroblasts were cultured on those scaffolds to investigate the cellular response. On soft TPU scaffolds, the cells formed were round in shape and aggregated into clusters. However, on hard TPU scaffolds, the cells exhibited a spindle shape and spread out on the scaffolds, indicating preferred cell–substrate interaction. The cell viability and proliferation of cells on hard scaffolds were higher than on soft scaffolds and on 50% hard/50% soft scaffolds. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 960–970, 2015.
Enhanced osteogenic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells on electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds prepared from eri‐tasar silk fibroin
Authors: Panda Niladri nath , Biswas Amit , Pramanik Krishna , Jonnalagadda Sriramakamal 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis study evaluated the mechanical properties and osteogenic potential of a silk fibroin scaffold prepared from a 70:30 blend of Eri (Philosamia ricini) and Tasar (Antheraea mylitta) silk, respectively (ET scaffolds). An electrospinning process was used to prepare uniformly blended, fibrous scaffolds of nanoscale dimensions, as confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (fiber diameter < 300 nm). Similarly prepared scaffolds derived from gelatin and Bombyx mori (BM) silk fibroin were used as controls. Mechanical testing and atomic force microscopy showed that the ET scaffolds had significantly higher tensile strength (1.83 ± 0.13 MPa) and surface roughness (0.44 μm) compared with BM (1.47 ± 0.10 MPa; 0.37 μm) and gelatin scaffolds (0.6 ± 0.07 MPa; 0.28 μm). All scaffolds were exposed to mesenchymal stem cells isolated to human chord blood (hMSCs) for up to 28 days in vitro. Alamar blue and alkaline phosphatase assay showed greater attachment and proliferation for both ET and BM scaffolds compared with gelatin. The ET scaffolds also promoted greater differentiation of the attached hMSCs as evidenced by higher expression of RunX2, osteocalcin, and CD29/CD44 expression. ET scaffolds also showed significantly higher mineralization, as evidenced by glycosaminoglycan assay, alizarin red staining, and elemental analysis of crystalline composites isolated from the scaffolds. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 103B: 971–982, 2015.
Postdischarge problems identified by telephone calls to an advice line
Authors: Stella Sarah A. , Allyn Rebecca , Keniston Angela , Johnston Laura B. , Burden Marisha , Bogdan Gregory M. , Savoie Christine , Albert Richard K. 
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUNDProblems experienced after hospital discharge can result in rehospitalizations and unscheduled urgent and emergent care.OBJECTIVETo identify opportunities for improving discharge processes by examining calls to an advice line (AL).DESIGNProspective cohort.SETTINGA 500‐bed, university‐affiliated hospital.PATIENTSPatients who called an AL between September 1, 2011 and September 1, 2012 and reported being hospitalized within 30 days.INTERVENTIONNoneMEASUREMENTSCaller characteristics, timing of calls, nature of reported problems.RESULTSOver 1 year the AL received calls from 308 unique patients who were hospitalized or had outpatient surgery within 30 days preceding the call. Thirty‐one percent and 47% of calls occurred within 24 or 48 hours of discharge, respectively. Sixty‐three percent came from surgery patients despite surgery patients accounting for only 38% of the discharges. The most common issues were uncontrolled pain, questions about medications, and aftercare instructions (eg, the care of surgical wounds). The rates of 30‐day readmissions and urgent or emergent care visits were higher for patients who called the AL than for those who did not (15% vs 4% and 30% vs 7%, respectively, both P < 0.0001), but sample sizes were too small to accommodate robust matching or multivariate analysis.CONCLUSIONSProblems described in calls by patients to an AL identified several aspects of our discharge processes that needed improvement. Patients calling an AL following discharge may be at increased risk for 30‐day rehospitalization and urgent or emergent care visits. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:695–699. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Differences in hyperpolarized 3He ventilation imaging after 4 years in adults with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Paulin Gregory A. , Svenningsen Sarah , Jobse Brian N. , Mohan Sindu , Kirby Miranda , Lewis James F. , Parraga Grace 
Published: August 2014

PurposeTo evaluate cystic fibrosis (CF) subjects over 4 years using 3He magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), pulmonary function tests, and track hospitalization and physician visits.Materials and MethodsFive CF adults provided written informed consent to an approved protocol and underwent MRI, spirometry, and plethysmography at baseline, 7 days, and 4 ± 1 years later. 3He MRI ventilation defect percent (VDP) was generated for all subjects and timepoints.ResultsAfter 4 years, mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second / forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) was lower (P = 0.01) in all subjects and there were no other pulmonary function test changes. Two CF adults showed significantly elevated (worse) 3He VDP at baseline and after 4 years they had significantly greater (worsened) VDP (P = 0.02), without a significant FEV1 decline (P = 0.06) but with a greater number of exacerbations (P < 0.05). Baseline VDP strongly correlated with FEV1 (r2 = 0.98, P = 0.0007) at 4‐year follow‐up.ConclusionFor two CF subjects, VDP was significantly worse at baseline and worsened over 4 years, which was in agreement with a greater number of hospitalizations and clinic visits. These results are limited by the very small sample size, but the strong VDP correlation with longitudinal changes in FEV1 generates the hypothesis that abnormal VDP may temporally precede FEV1 decline in CF subjects; this must be tested in a larger CF study. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1701–1707. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chromatographic analysis of some drugs employed in erectile dysfunction therapy: Qualitative and quantitative studies using calixarene stationary phase
Authors: Hashem Hisham , Ibrahim Adel Ehab , Elhenawee Magda 
Published: August 2014

In this study, the effect of change in chromatographic process variables on the retention behavior of four drugs employed in erectile dysfunction therapy on a calixarene stationary phase is described. Three of these drugs are known to treat erectile dysfunction, namely, sildenafil citrate, tadalafil, and apomorphine hydrochloride, and one drug that is used as opioid analgesic, tramadol hydrochloride, which is quiet widely misused to treat premature ejaculation. The results indicate the importance of considering the structure and pKa values of drugs to be separated along with mobile phase composition. A new optimized, rapid, and accurate liquid chromatography method is also established for simultaneous determination of sildenafil citrate, tadalafil, and apomorphine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations and bulk powders. The chromatographic separation of the three pharmaceuticals was achieved on a calixarene column in less than 10 min using a binary mobile phase of 35% acetonitrile and 65% 50 mM sodium perchlorate pH2.5 at 1 mL/min flow rate. The method was validated for system efficiency, linearity, accuracy, precision, limits of detection and quantitation, specificity, stability, and robustness. Statistical analysis proved that the method enabled reproducible and selective quantification of all three analytes in bulk drugs and in pharmaceutical preparations.
Molecularly imprinted spin column extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography for the selective and simple determination of trace nitrophenols in water samples
Authors: Jing Tao , Zhou Yusun , Wu Wei , Liu Min , Zhou Yikai , Mei Surong 
Published: August 2014

In this study, we developed a simple and selective spin column extraction technology utilizing hydrophilic molecularly imprinted polymers as the sorbents for extracting nitrophenol pollutants in water samples (the East Lake, the Yangtze River, and wastewater). The whole procedure was achieved by centrifugation of the spin column, and multiple samples were simultaneously processed with a low volume of solvent and without evaporation. Under the optimized condition, recoveries of nitrophenol compounds on the spin column packed with hydrophilic molecularly imprinted polymers ranged from 87.3 to 92.9% and an excellent purification effect was obtained. Compared with activated carbon, multi‐walled carbon nanotubes, LC‐C18 sorbents, hydrophilic molecularly imprinted polymers exhibited a highly selective recognition ability for nitrophenol compounds and satisfactory sample extraction efficiency. Subsequently, the spin column extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography was established, which was found to be linear in the range of 2–1000 ng/mL for 2,4‐dinitropehnol and 2‐nitrophenol, and 6–1000 ng/mL for 4‐nitrophenol with correlation coefficients greater than 0.998. The detection limits ranged from 0.3–0.5 ng/mL. It is shown that the proposed method can be used for the determination of trace nitrophenol pollutants in complex samples, which is not only beneficial for water quality analysis but also for environmental risk assessment.
Photochemical internalization (PCI)‐mediated enhancement of bleomycin cytotoxicity by liposomal mTHPC formulations in human head and neck cancer cells
Authors: Peng Wei , Samplonius Douwe F. , de Visscher Sebastiaan , Roodenburg Jan. L. N. , Helfrich Wijnand , Witjes Max J.H. 
Published: August 2014

Background and ObjectivePhotodynamic therapy (PDT) with photosensitizers that locate in endocytic vesicles of cancer cells can be exploited to promote the intracellular release of anticancer drugs entrapped in endolysosomal vesicles. This new approach is commonly referred to as Photochemical Internalization (PCI). Here we report on the PCI effects of three different formulations (Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg) of the clinically approved photosensitizer, meta‐tetrahydroxyphenyl chlorin (mTHPC) on the anticancer drug bleomycin (BLM) in the head and neck cancer cell lines.Materials and MethodsUptake and localization of Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg in head and neck cancer cells were evaluated by fluorescence spectrophotometry and fluorescence microscopy. Photodynamic efficacy of Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg were compared with cell proliferation assay. Moreover, PCI effects of Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg on BLM were compared using protocols in which PDT was applied after or before BLM treatment.ResultsCellular uptake of Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg increased in a dose‐dependent fashion with consistent higher uptakes of Foslip and Fospeg than Foscan. Fluorescence microscopy showed diffuse intracellular localization pattern for Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg similar to that of a specific ER probe. However, the subcellular localization pattern of the Rhodamine‐labelled same type of pegylated liposomes as Fospeg was similar to that of a specific endolysosomal probe, suggesting that Fospeg uptake appeared to initially proceed via endolysosomal trafficking. Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg showed no apparent PCI‐mediated cytotoxicity when PDT was performed after BLM treatment. However, significantly increased cytotoxicity of BLM (P < 0.05) was observed for both Foslip and Fospeg when PDT was performed before BLM treatment. The observed differences of PCI‐mediated cytotoxicity between these two timing protocols appears to be related to the differential intracellular trafficking and localization of Foscan, Foslip, and Fospeg.ConclusionLiposomal formulations of mTHPC may be candidates for developing mTHPC‐based PCI protocols to enhance the efficacy of anticancer drugs entrapped in endolysosomal vesicles. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:650–658, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The C‐terminus of nisin is important for the ABC transporter NisFEG to confer immunity in Lactococcus lactis
Authors: AlKhatib Zainab , Lagedroste Marcel , Zaschke Julia , Wagner Manuel , Abts André , Fey Iris , Kleinschrodt Diana , Smits Sander H. J. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe lantibiotic nisin is a small 3.4 kDa antimicrobial peptide, which acts against Gram‐positive bacteria in the nmol/L range. Nisin is produced and secreted by several Lactococcus lactis strains to ensure advantages against other bacteria in their habitat. Nisin contains five specific lanthionine rings of which the first two are important for Lipid II binding and the last two are crucial for the pore formation in the membrane. To gain immunity against nisin, the producing strain is expressing an ABC transporter called NisFEG, which expels nisin from the membrane. As a result six to eightfold more nisin is needed to affect the cells. The hydrolysis of ATP by NisFEG is required for this immunity as shown by a mutant, where the ATP hydrolysis is disrupted (NisFH181AEG). Furthermore, NisFEG recognizes the C‐terminus of nisin, since deletion of the last six amino acids as well as of the last ring lowered the fold of immunity displayed by NisFEG.
Cluster‐determinant 36 (CD36) impacts on vitamin E postprandial response
Authors: Goncalves Aurélie , Roi Stéphanie , Nowicki Marion , Niot Isabelle , Reboul Emmanuelle 
Published: August 2014

ScopeA single nucleotide polymorphism in the cluster determinant 36 (CD36) gene has recently been associated with plasma α‐tocopherol concentration, suggesting a possible role of this protein in vitamin E intestinal absorption or tissue uptake.Methods and resultsTo investigate the involvement of CD36 in vitamin E transport, we first evaluated the effect of CD36 on α‐ and γ‐tocopherol transmembrane uptake and efflux using transfected HEK cells. γ‐Tocopherol postprandial response was then assessed in CD36‐deficient mice compared with wild‐type mice, after the mice had been fully characterized for their α‐tocopherol, vitamin A and lipid plasma, and tissue contents. Both α‐ and γ‐tocopherol uptake was significantly increased in cells overexpressing CD36 compared with control cells. Compared with wild‐type mice, CD36‐deficient mice displayed a significantly decreased cholesterol hepatic concentration, and males exhibited significantly higher triacylglycerol contents in liver, brain, heart, and muscle. Although tissue α‐tocopherol concentration after adjustment for lipid content was not modified, γ‐tocopherol postprandial response was significantly increased in CD36‐deficient mice compared with controls, likely reflecting the postprandial hypertriglyceridemia observed in these mice.ConclusionOur findings show for the first time that CD36 participates—directly or indirectly—in vitamin E uptake, and that CD36 effect on postprandial lipid metabolism in turn modifies vitamin E postprandial response.