bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New insights into the role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the function of CD11c+ cells during respiratory viral infection
Authors: Jin Guang‐Bi , Winans Bethany , Martin Kyle C. , Lawrence B. Paige 
Published: February 2014

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has garnered considerable attention as a modulator of CD4+ cell lineage development and function. It also regulates antiviral CD8+ T‐cell responses, but via indirect mechanisms that have yet to be determined. Here, we show that during acute influenza virus infection, AHR activation skews dendritic‐cell (DC) subsets in the lung‐draining lymph nodes, such that there are fewer conventional CD103+ DCs and CD11b+ DCs. Sorting DC subsets reveals AHR activation reduces immunostimulatory function of CD103+ DCs in the mediastinal lymph nodes, and decreases their frequency in the lung. DNA‐binding domain Ahr mutants demonstrate that alterations in DC subsets require the ligand‐activated AHR to contain its inherent DNA‐binding domain. To evaluate the intrinsic role of AHR in DCs, conditional knockouts were created using Cre‐LoxP technology, which revealed that AHR in CD11c+ cells plays a key role in controlling the acquisition of effector CD8+ T cells in the infected lung. However, AHR within other leukocyte lineages contributes to diminished naïve CD8+ T‐cell activation in the draining lymphoid nodes. These findings indicate DCs are among the direct targets of AHR ligands in vivo, and AHR signaling modifies host responses to a common respiratory pathogen by affecting the complex interplay of multiple cell types.
Self‐Assembly of a Mixed‐Valent Co32 Ring
Authors: Bai Yue‐Ling , Bao Xiaoli , Zhu Shourong , Fang Jianhui , Shao Min , Shi Haiyan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSolvothermal reaction of CoCl2·6H2O with H3tci [H3tci = tris(2‐carboxyethyl)isocyanurate] in H2O/CH3COCH3 in the presence of triethylamine gave rise to a mixed‐valent thirty‐two nuclear cobalt cluster, namely, [CoII16CoIII16(μ4‐O)16(tci)16(H2O)12]·40H2O (1). Crystal structural analysis showed that four octanuclear [CoII4CoIII4(μ4‐O)4]12+ units were bridged by the carbonyl oxygen atoms of the tci3– ligands to give a Co32 ring. Magnetic studies confirmed the paramagnetic nature of this cluster, and cyclic voltammetry showed an irreversible oxidation at 1.0 V versus saturated calomel electrode.
Cationic derivative of polyprenol, a potential component of liposomal drug carriers, does not alter renal function in rats
Authors: Gawrys Olga , Olszyński Krzysztof Hubert , Gawarecka Katarzyna , Swiezewska Ewa , Chojnacki Tadeusz , Masnyk Marek , Chmielewski Marek , Kompanowska‐Jezierska Elżbieta 
Published: February 2014

Potential toxicity of a cationic derivative of polyprenol (APren‐7) with lipofecting activity was examined, especially its influence on renal haemodynamics and function, in order to conduct further investigation of its suitability as a component of liposomal drug carriers. Sprague–Dawley rats received daily injections (0.5 mL, s.c.) of liposomes comprised of 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) and APren‐7 (LP); classic liposomes composed of DOPE only (L); water solvent (W). After 4 weeks rats were anaesthetised and a wide spectrum of functional parameters were measured. These included mean arterial blood pressure (MBP), total renal blood flow (RBF), renal cortical, outer and inner medullary blood flow (CBF, OMBF, IMBF, respectively), diuresis, and sodium and solute excretion. Most parameters did not significantly differ between treated and control groups. A lower OMBF/IMBF ratio in liposome‐treated groups (L: 1.0 ± 0.1; LP: 1.1 ± 0.1 vs. W: 1.9 ± 0.3, p < 0.05) might be an early sign of renal function impairment, however, since the lowering occurred in both L and LP groups, there was no reason to suspect that APren‐7 had any untoward influence on renal haemodynamics or excretion. The present results did not reveal toxic effects of APren‐7 in experimental rats, indicating that it could be suitable as a component of liposomal drug carriers.Practical applications: Many currently used drugs have severe side effects, which present a serious problem in the treatment of numerous diseases. Searching for compounds augmenting efficacy of drugs to reduce their dosage seems to be a promising strategy. This can be accomplished by facilitating the bioavailability of the drug, e.g. by improving penetration of biological membranes or delivery to the areas distant from the lumen of blood vessels and in particular instances by improving drug stability. The cationic derivative of polyprenol APren‐7 has lipofecting properties. In this study we found APren‐7 to be harmless to the experimental animals. Newly designed liposomal carriers could find application not only in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry but also in biological laboratories and in molecular medicine.
Enantioselective Syntheses of Bicyclic Lactams Based on Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Substitution and Heck Cyclization
Authors: Satyanarayana Gedu , Helmchen Günter 
Published: February 2014

AbstractA sequence of reactions that include an iridium‐catalyzed regio‐ and enantioselective allylic amination, the formation of an amide, a ruthenium‐catalyzed ring‐closing metathesis, and an intramolecular Heck reaction allows for the preparation of [3,3,1]‐ and [4,3,1]‐bicyclic amides. The target compounds have a nitrogen atom at the bridgehead, a nonplanar amide moiety, and a stereogenic center at the one‐carbon bridge.
Spark production by abrasion of titanium alloys in golf club heads
Authors: Arulmoli Janahan , Vu Bryant , Sung Ming‐Je , Mohamed Farghalli A. , Earthman James C. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryThe objective of the present study was to determine whether golf clubs that have titanium (Ti) alloy surfaces can produce sparks when abraded under normal swing conditions. In the present work, sparks are defined as moving particles that emit radiant energy due to the process of combustion on its surface. Two three‐irons and a three‐wood containing a Ti alloy in the head as well as two three‐irons and a three‐wood that only contain stainless steel in the head were included in the study. The impact events during abrasion testing were recorded using a high‐speed video camera, and abrasion damage was determined using stereometric analysis of scanning electron microscopy images. The findings reveal that Ti alloy faceplates that extend to the sole of the club can produce a number of Ti alloy particles when abraded under swing conditions. The particles then combust for a sufficient duration to potentially ignite a neighboring fuel source such as dry foliage and grasses. Abraded Ti alloy microparticles up to 500 µm in diameter were observed to burn for nearly 1 s, allowing ample time for fuel ignition. By contrast, no sparks were produced by stainless steel club heads when tested under the same conditions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compressive strength of fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concrete at elevated temperatures
Authors: Shaikh F. U. A. , Vimonsatit V. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryThis paper presents the compressive strength of fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concretes at elevated temperatures of 200, 400, 600 and 800 °C. The source material used in the geopolymer concrete in this study is low‐calcium fly ash according to ASTM C618 class F classification and is activated by sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions. The effects of molarities of NaOH, coarse aggregate sizes, duration of steam curing and extra added water on the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete at elevated temperatures are also presented. The results show that the fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concretes exhibited steady loss of its original compressive strength at all elevated temperatures up to 400 °C regardless of molarities and coarse aggregate sizes. At 600 °C, all geopolymer concretes exhibited increase of compressive strength relative to 400 °C. However, it is lower than that measured at ambient temperature. Similar behaviour is also observed at 800 °C, where the compressive strength of all geopolymer concretes are lower than that at ambient temperature, with only exception of geopolymer concrete containing 10 m NaOH. The compressive strength in the latter increased at 600 and 800 °C. The geopolymer concretes containing higher molarity of NaOH solution (e.g. 13 and 16 m) exhibit greater loss of compressive strength at 800 °C than that of 10 m NaOH. The geopolymer concrete containing smaller size coarse aggregate retains most of the original compressive strength of geopolymer concrete at elevated temperatures. The addition of extra water adversely affects the compressive strength of geopolymer concretes at all elevated temperatures. However, the extended steam curing improves the compressive strength at elevated temperatures. The Eurocode EN1994:2005 to predict the compressive strength of fly‐ash‐based geopolymer concretes at elevated temperatures agrees well with the measured values up to 400 °C. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blocking of irrelevant memories by posterior alpha activity boosts memory encoding
Authors: Park Hyojin , Lee Dong Soo , Kang Eunjoo , Kang Hyejin , Hahm Jarang , Kim June Sic , Chung Chun Kee , Jensen Ole 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn our daily lives, we are confronted with a large amount of information. Because only a small fraction can be encoded in long‐term memory, the brain must rely on powerful mechanisms to filter out irrelevant information. To understand the neuronal mechanisms underlying the gating of information into long‐term memory, we employed a paradigm where the encoding was directed by a “Remember” or a “No‐Remember” cue. We found that posterior alpha activity increased prior to the “No‐Remember” stimuli, whereas it decreased prior to the “Remember” stimuli. The sources were localized in the parietal cortex included in the dorsal attention network. Subjects with a larger cue‐modulation of the alpha activity had better memory for the to‐be‐remembered items. Interestingly, alpha activity reflecting successful inhibition following the “No‐Remember” cue was observed in the frontal midline structures suggesting preparatory inhibition was mediated by anterior parts of the dorsal attention network. During the presentation of the memory items, there was more gamma activity for the “Remember” compared to the “No‐Remember” items in the same regions. Importantly, the anticipatory alpha power during cue predicted the gamma power during item. Our findings suggest that top‐down controlled alpha activity reflects attentional inhibition of sensory processing in the dorsal attention network, which then finally gates information to long‐term memory. This gating is achieved by inhibiting the processing of visual information reflected by neuronal synchronization in the gamma band. In conclusion, the functional architecture revealed by region‐specific changes in the alpha activity reflects attentional modulation which has consequences for long‐term memory encoding. Hum Brain Mapp 35:3972–3987, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Behavioral and neural correlates of imagined walking and walking‐while‐talking in the elderly
Authors: Blumen Helena M. , Holtzer Roee , Brown Lucy L. , Gazes Yunglin , Verghese Joe 
Published: February 2014

AbstractCognition is important for locomotion and gait decline increases the risk for morbidity, mortality, cognitive decline, and dementia. Yet, the neural correlates of gait are not well established, because most neuroimaging methods cannot image the brain during locomotion. Imagined gait protocols overcome this limitation. This study examined the behavioral and neural correlates of a new imagined gait protocol that involved imagined walking (iW), imagined talking (iT), and imagined walking‐while‐talking (iWWT). In Experiment 1, 82 cognitively‐healthy older adults (M = 80.45) walked (W), iW, walked while talking (WWT) and iWWT. Real and imagined walking task times were strongly correlated, particularly real and imagined dual‐task times (WWT and iWWT). In Experiment 2, 33 cognitively‐healthy older adults (M = 73.03) iW, iT, and iWWT during functional magnetic resonance imaging. A multivariate Ordinal Trend (OrT) Covariance analysis identified a pattern of brain regions that: (1) varied as a function of imagery task difficulty (iW, iT and iWWT), (2) involved cerebellar, precuneus, supplementary motor and other prefrontal regions, and (3) were associated with kinesthetic imagery ratings and behavioral performance during actual WWT. This is the first study to compare the behavioral and neural correlates of imagined gait in single and dual‐task situations, an issue that is particularly relevant to elderly populations. These initial findings encourage further research and development of this imagined gait protocol as a tool for improving gait and cognition among the elderly. Hum Brain Mapp 35:4090–4104, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prepubertal stress and hippocampal function: Sex‐specific effects
Authors: Brydges Nichola M. , Wood Emma R. , Holmes Megan C. , Hall Jeremy 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTThe chances of developing psychiatric disorders in adulthood are increased when stress is experienced early in life. In particular, stress experienced in the childhood or ‘prepubertal' phase is associated with the later development of disorders such as depression, anxiety, post‐traumatic stress disorder, and psychosis. Relatively little is known about the biological basis of this effect, but one hypothesis is that prepubertal stress produces long‐lasting changes in brain development, particularly in stress sensitive regions such as the hippocampus, leaving an individual vulnerable to disorders in adulthood. In this study, we used an animal model of prepubertal stress to investigate the hypothesis that prepubertal stress induces alterations in hippocampal function in adulthood. Male and female rats were exposed to a brief, variable prepubertal stress protocol (postnatal days 25–27), and their performance in two distinct hippocampal‐dependent tasks (contextual fear and spatial navigation) was compared with controls in adulthood. Prepubertal stress significantly impaired contextual fear responses in males and enhanced performance in spatial navigation in females. These results demonstrate that exposure to a brief period of stress in the prepubertal phase alters hippocampal‐dependent behaviors in adulthood in a sex‐specific manner. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficacy of cryotherapy associated with laser therapy for decreasing severity of melphalan‐induced oral mucositis during hematological stem‐cell transplantation: a prospective clinical study
Authors: de Paula Eduardo Fernanda , Bezinelli Leticia Mello , da Graça Lopes Roberta Marques , Nascimento Sobrinho Jairo Jose , Hamerschlak Nelson , Correa Luciana 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMelphalan followed by hematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation (HSCT) is the standard treatment for multiple myeloma and other hematopoietic neoplasms. However, high doses of melphalan cause severe oral mucositis (OM). The objective was to verify the efficacy of cryotherapy plus laser therapy on reduction of OM severity. HSCT patients undergoing melphalan chemotherapy (n = 71) were randomly divided into two groups according to OM treatment: oral cryotherapy performed with ice chips for 1 h 35 min followed by low‐level laser therapy (InGaAIP, 660 nm, 40 mW, 6 J/cm2) (n = 54) and laser therapy alone with the same protocol (n = 17). A control group (n = 33) was composed of HSCT patients treated with melphalan who received no specific treatment for OM. OM scores and clinical information were collected from D0 to D + 11. The cryotherapy/laser therapy group showed the lowest OM scores (maximum Grade I) and the lowest mean number of days (8 days) with OM in comparison with the other groups (p < 0.001). OM Grades III and IV were present with high frequency only in the control group. The association of cryotherapy with laser therapy was effective in reducing OM severity in HSCT patients who underwent melphalan conditioning. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biweekly THP‐COP therapy for newly diagnosed peripheral T‐cell lymphoma patients
Authors: Tomita Naoto , Kodama Fumio , Tsuyama Naoko , Sakata Seiji , Takeuchi Kengo , Ishibashi Daisuke , Koyama Satoshi , Ishii Yoshimi , Yamamoto Wataru , Takasaki Hirotaka , Hagihara Maki , Kuwabara Hideyuki , Tanaka Masatsugu , Hashimoto Chizuko , Yamazaki Etsuko , Koharazawa Hideyuki , Fujimaki Katsumichi , Sakai Rika , Fujisawa Shin , Ishigatsubo Yoshiaki 
Published: February 2014

AbstractPirarubicin tetrahydropyranyl adriamycin (THP‐ADR) is an analogue of doxorubicin. This agent exhibits activity against some doxorubicin‐resistant cell lines. We performed a phase II study of biweekly THP‐COP [50 mg/m2 pirarubicin, 750 mg/m2 cyclophosphamide, 1.4 mg/m2 vincristine (2.0 mg maximum) on day 1, and 100 mg/body predonisolone on days 1–5] in patients with peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL). Seventeen patients with newly diagnosed PTCL were enrolled. Histological diagnoses were of PTCL, not otherwise specified (n = 5), or angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma (n = 12). All diagnostic specimens including those of the historical control group were centrally reviewed by hematological pathologists. All patients received six cycles of biweekly THP‐COP. The patient group included 13 male and 4 female patients, with a median age of 62 years. The median follow‐up time in surviving patients was 30 months. Overall response rate was 94% with 15 cases of complete remission (88%). The 3‐year progression‐free survival and overall survival rates were 57% and 75%, respectively. The most frequent adverse events associated with biweekly THP‐COP were leukocytopenia (100%), neutropenia (100%), and lymphopenia (100%), followed by alopecia (92%) and anaemia (88%). All of these occurred only transiently, and the patients subsequently recovered. Biweekly THP‐COP is a safe and promising therapy for patients with newly diagnosed PTCL. This study is registered in a public database (UMIN000010485). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial variability in streambed hydraulic conductivity of contrasting stream morphologies: channel bend and straight channel
Authors: Sebok E. , Duque C. , Engesgaard P. , Boegh E. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractStreambed hydraulic conductivity is one of the main factors controlling variability in surface water‐groundwater interactions, but only few studies aim at quantifying its spatial and temporal variability in different stream morphologies. Streambed horizontal hydraulic conductivities (Kh) were therefore determined from in‐stream slug tests, vertical hydraulic conductivities (Kv) were calculated with in‐stream permeameter tests and hydraulic heads were measured to obtain vertical head gradients at eight transects, each comprising five test locations, in a groundwater‐dominated stream. Seasonal small‐scale measurements were taken in December 2011 and August 2012, both in a straight stream channel with homogeneous elevation and downstream of a channel meander with heterogeneous elevation. All streambed attributes showed large spatial variability. Kh values were the highest at the depositional inner bend of the stream, whereas high Kv values were observed at the erosional outer bend and near the middle of the channel. Calculated Kv values were related to the thickness of the organic streambed sediment layer and also showed higher temporal variability than Kh because of sedimentation and scouring processes affecting the upper layers of the streambed. Test locations at the channel bend showed a more heterogeneous distribution of streambed properties than test locations in the straight channel, whereas within the channel bend, higher spatial variability in streambed attributes was observed across the stream than along the stream channel. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent Advances in Magic‐Angle Spinning Solid‐State NMR of Proteins
Authors: Ladizhansky Vladimir 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMagic‐angle spinning (MAS) solid‐state NMR (SSNMR) spectroscopy is emerging as an important technique for the determination of three‐dimensional structures of biological molecules and for the characterization of their dynamics. While there is an established suite of MAS SSNMR experiments for protein structure determination in small‐ and medium‐sized proteins, these methods face many challenges in large systems. In this review, recent progress in MAS NMR spectroscopy is discussed, specifically focusing on the emerging developments aimed at improving the sensitivity and resolution of SSNMR that are likely to determine its future applications. These developments include sample preparation and isotopic labeling strategies, fast MAS, proton detection, and paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy.
Relaxin Augments BMP-2–Induced Osteoblast Differentiation and Bone Formation
Authors: Moon Jung-Sun , Kim Sun-Hun , Oh Sin-Hye , Jeong Yong-Wook , Kang Jee-Hae , Park Jong-Chun , Son Hye-Ju , Bae Suk , Park Byung-Il , Kim Min-Seok , Koh Jeong-Tae , Ko Hyun-Mi 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

Relaxin (Rln), a polypeptide hormone of the insulin superfamily, is an ovarian peptide hormone that is involved in a diverse range of physiological and pathological reactions. In this study, we investigated the effect of Rln on bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)-induced osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Expression of Rln receptors was examined in the primary mouse bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) and mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line C3H/10T1/2 cells by RT-PCR and Western blot during BMP-2–induced osteoblast differentiation. The effect of Rln on osteoblast differentiation and mineralization was evaluated by measuring the alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin production, and Alizarin red S staining. For the in vivo evaluation, BMP-2 and/or Rln were administered with type I collagen into the back of mice, and after 3 weeks, bone formation was analyzed by micro–computed tomography (µCT). Western blot was performed to determine the effect of Rln on osteoblast differentiation-related signaling pathway. Expression of Rxfp 1 in BMSCs and C3H/10T1/2 cells was significantly increased by BMP-2. In vitro, Rln augmented BMP-2–induced alkaline phosphatase expression, osteocalcin production, and matrix mineralization in BMSCs and C3H/10T1/2 cells. In addition, in vivo administration of Rln enhanced BMP-2–induced bone formation in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, Rln synergistically increased and sustained BMP-2–induced Smad, p38, and transforming growth factor-β activated kinase (TAK) 1 phosphorylation. BMP-2–induced Runx 2 expression and activity were also significantly augmented by Rln. These results show that Rln enhanced synergistically BMP-2–induced osteoblast differentiation and bone formation through its receptor, Rxfp 1, by augmenting and sustaining BMP-2–induced Smad and p38 phosphorylation, which upregulate Runx 2 expression and activity. These results suggest that Rln might be useful for therapeutic application in destructive bone diseases. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.