bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toxicity of oxidized phospholipids in cultured macrophages
Authors: Stemmer Ute , Dunai Zsuzsanna A , Koller Daniel , Pürstinger Gabriel , Zenzmaier Elfriede , Deigner Hans P , Aflaki Elma , Kratky Dagmar , Hermetter Albin 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
The interactions of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and macrophages are hallmarks in the development of atherosclerosis. The biological activities of the modified particle in these cells are due to the content of lipid oxidation products and apolipoprotein modification by oxidized phospholipids.

Results
It was the aim of this study to determine the role of short-chain oxidized phospholipids as components of modified LDL in cultured macrophages. For this purpose we investigated the effects of the following oxidized phospholipids on cell viability and apoptosis: 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PGPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-(5-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POVPC) and oxidized alkylacyl phospholipids including 1-O-hexadecyl-2-glutaroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (E-PGPC) and 1-O-hexadecyl-2-(5-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (E-POVPC). We found that these compounds induced apoptosis in RAW264.7 and bone marrow-derived macrophages. The sn- 2 carboxyacyl lipid PGPC was more toxic than POVPC which carries a reactive aldehyde function in position sn- 2 of glycerol. The alkylacyl phospholipids (E-PGPC and E-POVPC) and the respective diacyl analogs show similar activities. Apoptosis induced by POVPC and its alkylether derivative could be causally linked to the fast activation of an acid sphingomyelinase, generating the apoptotic second messenger ceramide. In contrast, PGPC and its ether analog only negligibly affected this enzyme pointing to an entirely different mechanism of lipid toxicity. The higher toxicity of PGPC is underscored by more efficient membrane blebbing from apoptotic cells. In addition, the protein pattern of PGPC-induced microparticles is different from the vesicles generated by POPVC.

Conclusions
In summary, our data reveal that oxidized phospholipids induce apoptosis in cultured macrophages. The mechanism of lipid toxicity, however, largely depends on the structural features of the oxidized sn- 2 chain.
Doxycycline impairs neutrophil migration to the airspaces of the lung in mice exposed to intratracheal lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Moon Andres , Gil Sucheol , Gill Sean E , Chen Peter , Matute-Bello Gustavo 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotics that are also used to induce gene expression using the reverse tetracycline transactivator / tetracycline operator system (rtTA/tetO system). The system assumes that tetracyclines have no effects on mammals. However, a number of studies suggest that tetracyclines may have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. We report that the tetracycline, doxycycline, inhibits neutrophil (PMN) influx into the lungs of mice treated with bacterial endotoxin (LPS).

Methods
Mice were challenged with intratracheal LPS in the presence or absence of doxycyline. bronchoalveolar lavage cell counts and differential, total bronchoalveolar lavage protein, lung homogenate caspase-3 and tissue imaging were used to assess lung injury. In addition, PMN chemotaxis was measured in vitro and syndecan-1 was measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Results
The administration of doxycycline resulted in a significant decrease in the number of bronchoalveolar lavage PMNs in LPS-treated mice. Doxycycline had no effect on other markers of lung injury such as total bronchoalveolar lavage protein and whole lung caspase-3 activity. However, doxycycline resulted in a decrease in shed syndecan-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

Conclusion
We conclude that doxycycline has an important anti-inflammatory effect that can potentially confound the experiments in which the rtTA/tetO system is being used to study the immune response.
Solvability of right focal boundary value problems with superlinear growth conditions
Authors: Pei Minghe , Chang Sung Kag , Oh Young Sun 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
In this paper, we consider n th-order two-point right focal boundary value problems
"Equation missing"
where

f
:
[
0
,
1
]
×

R
n

→
R

is a

L
p

-Carathéodory (

1
≤
p
<
∞

) function and satisfies superlinear growth conditions. The existence and uniqueness of solutions for the above right focal boundary value problems are obtained by Leray-Schauder continuation theorem and analytical technique. Meanwhile, as an application of our results, examples are given.

MSC:34B15.
Existence of solutions for a coupled system of fractional differential equations at resonance
Authors: Hu Zhigang , Liu Wenbin , Chen Taiyong 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
In this paper, by using the coincidence degree theory, we study the existence of solutions for a coupled system of fractional differential equations at resonance. A new result on the existence of solutions for a fractional boundary value problem is obtained.

MSC:34B15.
A novel method in adaptive image enlargement
Authors: Bayat Mozhgan , Kafaie Ghazaleh , Ayremlou Ali , Marvasti Farrokh 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
This article introduces a new adaptive method for image interpolation. In order to obtain a high resolution (HR) image from its low resolution (LR) counterpart (original image), an interpolator function (array) is used, and the main focus of this manuscript is to formulate and define this function. By applying this interpolator function to each row and column of a LR image, it is possible to construct its HR counterpart. One of the main challenges of image interpolation algorithms is to maintain the edge structures while developing an HR image from the LR replica. The proposed approach overcomes this challenge and exhibits remarkable results at the image edges. The peak signal to noise ratio and structural similarity criteria by using this innovative technique are notably better than those achieved by alternative schemes. Also, in terms of implementation speed, this method displays a clear advantage and outperforms the high performance algorithms in the ability to decrease the artifact results of image enlargement such as blurring and zigzagging.
Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in rostral ventrolateral medulla contribute to neurogenic hypertension induced by systemic inflammation
Authors: Wu Kay LH , Chan Samuel HH , Chan Julie YH 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
In addition to systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation in the brain, which enhances sympathetic drive, plays a significant role in cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Oxidative stress in rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) that augments sympathetic outflow to blood vessels is involved in neural mechanism of hypertension. We investigated whether neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in RVLM contribute to hypertension following chronic systemic inflammation.

Methods
In normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats, systemic inflammation was induced by infusion of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the peritoneal cavity via an osmotic minipump. Systemic arterial pressure and heart rate were measured under conscious conditions by the non-invasive tail-cuff method. The level of the inflammatory markers in plasma or RVLM was analyzed by ELISA. Protein expression was evaluated by Western blot or immunohistochemistry. Tissue level of superoxide anion (O2
·-) in RVLM was determined using the oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe dihydroethidium. Pharmacological agents were delivered either via infusion into the cisterna magna with an osmotic minipump or microinjection bilaterally into RVLM.

Results
Intraperitoneal infusion of LPS (1.2 mg/kg/day) for 14 days promoted sustained hypertension and induced a significant increase in plasma level of C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), or interleukin-1β (IL-1β). This LPS-induced systemic inflammation was accompanied by activation of microglia, augmentation of IL-1β, IL-6, or TNF-α protein expression, and O2
·- production in RVLM, all of which were blunted by intracisternal infusion of a cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, NS398; an inhibitor of microglial activation, minocycline; or a cytokine synthesis inhibitor, pentoxifylline. Neuroinflammation in RVLM was also associated with a COX-2-dependent downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and an upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Finally, the LPS-promoted long-term pressor response and the reduction in expression of voltage-gated potassium channel, Kv4.3 in RVLM were antagonized by minocycline, NS398, pentoxifylline, or a superoxide dismutase mimetic, tempol, either infused into cisterna magna or microinjected bilaterally into RVLM. The same treatments, on the other hand, were ineffective against LPS-induced systemic inflammation.

Conclusion
These results suggest that systemic inflammation activates microglia in RVLM to induce COX-2-dependent neuroinflammation that leads to an increase in O2
·- production. The resultant oxidative stress in RVLM in turn mediates neurogenic hypertension.
One-step detection of Bean pod mottle virusin soybean seeds by the reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification
Authors: Wei Qi-Wei , Yu Cui , Zhang Shu-Ya , Yang Cui-Yun , Miriam Karwitha , Zhang Wen-Na , Dou Dao-Long , Tao Xiao-Rong 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background

Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) is a wide-spread and destructive virus that causes huge economic losses in many countries every year. A sensitive, reliable and specific method for rapid surveillance is urgently needed to prevent further spread of BPMV.

Methods
A degenerate reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) primer set was designed on the conserved region of BPMV CP gene. The reaction conditions of RT-LAMP were optimized and the feasibility, specificity and sensitivity of this method to detect BPMV were evaluated using the crude RNA rapidly extracted from soybean seeds.

Results
The optimized RT-LAMP parameters including 6 mM MgCl2, 0.8 M betaine and temperature at 62.5-65°C could successfully amplify the ladder-like bands from BPMV infected soybean seeds. The amplification was very specific to BPMV that no cross-reaction was observed with other soybean viruses. Inclusion of a fluorescent dye makes it easily be detected in-tube by naked eye. The sensitivity of RT-LAMP assay is higher than the conventional RT-PCR under the conditions tested, and the conventional RT-PCR couldn’t be used for detection of BPMV using crude RNA extract from soybean seeds.

Conclusion
A highly efficient and practical method was developed for the detection of BPMV in soybean seeds by the combination of rapid RNA extraction and RT-LAMP. This RT-LAMP method has great potential for rapid BPMV surveillance and will assist in preventing further spread of this devastating virus.
Barley callus: a model system for bioengineering of starch in cereals
Authors: Carciofi Massimiliano , Blennow Andreas , Nielsen Morten M , Holm Preben B , Hebelstrup Kim H 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Starch is the most important source of calories for human nutrition and the majority of it is produced by cereal farming. Starch is also used as a renewable raw material in a range of industrial sectors. It can be chemically modified to introduce new physicochemical properties. In this way starch is adapted to a variety of specific end-uses. Recombinant DNA technologies offers an alternative to starch industrial processing. The plant biosynthetic pathway can be manipulated to design starches with novel structure and improved technological properties. In the future this may reduce or eliminate the economical and environmental costs of industrial modification. Recently, many advances have been achieved to clarify the genetic mechanism that controls starch biosynthesis. Several genes involved in the synthesis and modification of complex carbohydrates in many organisms have been identified and cloned. This knowledge suggests a number of strategies and a series of candidate genes for genetic transformation of crops to generate new types of starch-based polymers. However transformation of cereals is a slow process and there is no easy model system available to test the efficiency of candidate genes in planta.

Results
We explored the possibility to use transgenic barley callus generated from immature embryo for a fast test of transgenic modification strategies of starch biosynthesis. We found that this callus contains 4% (w/w dw) starch granules, which we could modify by generating fully transgenic calli by Agrobacterium-transformation. A Green Fluorescent Protein reporter protein tag was used to identify and propagate only fully transgenic callus explants. Around 1 – 1.5 g dry weight of fully transgenic callus could be produced in 9 weeks. Callus starch granules were smaller than endosperm starch granules and contained less amylose. Similarly the expression profile of starch biosynthesis genes were slightly different in callus compared with developing endosperm.

Conclusions
In this study we have developed an easy and rapid in planta model system for starch bioengineering in cereals. We suggest that this method can be used as a time-efficient model system for fast screening of candidate genes for the generation of modified starch or new types of carbohydrate polymers.
Proteomic analysis reveals resistance mechanism against biofuel hexane in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Liu Jie , Chen Lei , Wang Jiangxin , Qiao Jianjun , Zhang Weiwen 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Recent studies have demonstrated that photosynthetic cyanobacteria could be an excellent cell factory to produce renewable biofuels and chemicals due to their capability to utilize solar energy and CO2 as the sole energy and carbon sources. Biosynthesis of carbon-neutral biofuel alkanes with good chemical and physical properties has been proposed. However, to make the process economically feasible, one major hurdle to improve the low cell tolerance to alkanes needed to be overcome.

Results
Towards the goal to develop robust and high-alkane-tolerant hosts, in this study, the responses of model cyanobacterial Synechocystis PCC 6803 to hexane, a representative of alkane, were investigated using a quantitative proteomics approach with iTRAQ - LC-MS/MS technologies. In total, 1,492 unique proteins were identified, representing about 42% of all predicted protein in the Synechocystis genome. Among all proteins identified, a total of 164 and 77 proteins were found up- and down-regulated, respectively. Functional annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses showed that common stress responses were induced by hexane in Synechocystis. Notably, a large number of transporters and membrane-bound proteins, proteins against oxidative stress and proteins related to sulfur relay system and photosynthesis were induced, suggesting that they are possibly the major protection mechanisms against hexane toxicity.

Conclusion
The study provided the first comprehensive view of the complicated molecular mechanism employed by cyanobacterial model species, Synechocystis to defend against hexane stress. The study also provided a list of potential targets to engineer Synechocystis against hexane stress.
Peer2ref: a peer-reviewer finding web tool that uses author disambiguation
Authors: Andrade-Navarro Miguel A , Palidwor Gareth A , Perez-Iratxeta Carol 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Reviewer and editor selection for peer review is getting harder for authors and publishers due to the specialization onto narrower areas of research carried by the progressive growth of the body of knowledge. Examination of the literature facilitates finding appropriate reviewers but is time consuming and complicated by author name ambiguities.

Results
We have developed a method called peer2ref to support authors and editors in selecting suitable reviewers for scientific manuscripts. Peer2ref works from a text input, usually the abstract of the manuscript, from which important concepts are extracted as keywords using a fuzzy binary relations approach. The keywords are searched on indexed profiles of words constructed from the bibliography attributed to authors in MEDLINE. The names of these scientists have been previously disambiguated by coauthors identified across the whole MEDLINE. The methods have been implemented in a web server that automatically suggests experts for peer-review among scientists that have authored manuscripts published during the last decade in more than 3,800 journals indexed in MEDLINE.

Conclusion
peer2ref web server is publicly available at http://www.ogic.ca/projects/peer2ref/.
Spatial organization of the chicken beta-globin gene domain in erythroid cells of embryonic and adult lineages
Authors: Ulianov Sergey V , Gavrilov Alexey A , Razin Sergey V 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe β-globin gene domains of vertebrate animals constitute popular models for studying the regulation of eukaryotic gene transcription. It has previously been shown that in the mouse the developmental switching of globin gene expression correlates with the reconfiguration of an active chromatin hub (ACH), a complex of promoters of transcribed genes with distant regulatory elements. Although it is likely that observations made in the mouse β-globin gene domain are also relevant for this locus in other species, the validity of this supposition still lacks direct experimental evidence. Here, we have studied the spatial organization of the chicken β-globin gene domain. This domain is of particular interest because it represents the perfect example of the so-called ‘strong’ tissue-specific gene domain flanked by insulators, which delimit the area of preferential sensitivity to DNase I in erythroid cells.ResultsUsing chromosome conformation capture (3C), we have compared the spatial configuration of the β-globin gene domain in chicken red blood cells (RBCs) expressing embryonic (3-day-old RBCs) and adult (9-day-old RBCs) β-globin genes. In contrast to observations made in the mouse model, we found that in the chicken, the early embryonic β-globin gene,Ε, did not interact with the locus control region in RBCs of embryonic lineage (3-day RBCs), where this gene is actively transcribed. In contrast to the mouse model, a strong interaction of the promoter of another embryonic β-globin gene,ρ, with the promoter of the adult β-globin gene,βA, was observed in RBCs from both 3-day and 9-day chicken embryos. Finally, we have demonstrated that insulators flanking the chicken β-globin gene domain from the upstream and from the downstream interact with each other, which places the area characterized by lineage-specific sensitivity to DNase I in a separate chromatin loop.ConclusionsTaken together, our results strongly support the ACH model but show that within a domain of tissue-specific genes, the active status of a promoter does not necessarily correlate with the recruitment of this promoter to the ACH.
Gender differences in association between metabolic syndrome and carotid intima media thickness
Authors: Tabatabaei-Malazy Ozra , Fakhrzadeh Hossein , Sharifi Farshad , Mirarefin Mojde , Badamchizadeh Zohre , Larijani Bagher 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Background
Metabolic syndrome (Mets) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors which can predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is known as a surrogate measure of subclinical atherosclerosis and predictor of CVD. Although, it has shown the association between Mets and CIMT, this relation regarding sex differences is limited. We aimed to find out whether gender differences in this association.

Methods
In this cross-sectional study, we recorded height, weight, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, and lipid profiles. We used Mets; defined based on NCEP ATP III definition, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors; age, body mass index (BMI), WC, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, in multivariate regression models which including;. The CIMT measurement < 0.73 or ≥0.73 mm was considered as low- or high risk to CVD.

Results
Overall, 150 subjects were enrolled to study that their ages were 36–75 years. The 47.3% of them (71 subjects) had Mets. CIMT was increased in Mets group compared non-Mets group (P = 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, a significant association was found between Mets and CIMT in women, but not in men (p = 0.002, and p = 0.364, respectively). After adjustment to age, WC, BMI, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, this association was significant just in women (p = 0.011) independent of WC, BMI, hyperlipidemia and hypertension.

Conclusion
Our data showed that MetS is a stronger risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis in women than in men. So, we suggest the assessment of CIMT along with definition Mets in middle-aged women could be lead to earlier detection of at risk individuals to CVD.
Performance of low-fold scalar migration for downhole seismic imaging of massive sulfide ore deposits at Norman West, Sudbury, Canada
Authors: Mueller Christof , Bellefleur Gilles , Adam Erick , Perron Gervais , Mah Marko , Snyder Dave 
Published: September 2012

The Downhole Seismic Imaging consortium conducted two consecutive vertical seismic profiling surveys in the Norman West mining camp (Sudbury, Canada) in 1998 and 1999. These were aimed toward imaging a massive sulfide ore deposit situated within the footwall of the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC). Three-component seismic data were acquired in four boreholes with variable signal-to-noise ratio and poor polarization quality. Consequently, the images suffered from strong azimuthal ambiguity. A strike filter, passing only reflections originating from within the SIC, was applied during migration to enhance interpretability of the images obtained. Migrated images showed structures correlating with the known position of an ore deposit located 1800 m away from one borehole (N40). Diffraction coherency migration enhanced the image of the deposit, and suggested strong seismic scattering from within the footwall of the SIC.
Adherence to treatment guidelines in clinical practice: study of antipsychotic treatment prior to clozapine initiation
Authors: Howes Oliver D. , Vergunst Francis , Gee Siobhan , McGuire Philip , Kapur Shitij , Taylor David 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundClozapine is the only antipsychotic drug licensed for treatment-resistant schizophrenia but its use is often delayed. Since previous studies, national guidelines on the use of clozapine and other antipsychotics have been disseminated to clinicians.AimsTo determine the theoretical delay to clozapine initiation and to quantify the prior use of antipsychotic polypharmacy and high-dose antipsychotic treatment.MethodClinico-demographic data were extracted from the treatment records of all patients commencing clozapine in our centre between 2006 and 2010.ResultsComplete records were available for 149 patients. The mean theoretical delay in initiating clozapine was 47.7 months (s.d. = 49.7). Before commencing clozapine, antipsychotic polypharmacy and high-dose treatment was evident in 36.2 and 34.2% of patients respectively. Theoretical delay was related to illness duration (β = 0.7, P<0.001) but did not differ by gender or ethnicity.ConclusionsSubstantial delays to clozapine initiation remain and antipsychotic polypharmacy and high doses are commonly used prior to clozapine, despite treatment guidelines.