bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
p27Kip1 inhibits systemic autoimmunity through the control of Treg cell activity and differentiation
Authors: Iglesias Marcos , Postigo Jorge , Santiuste Inés , González Jovanna , Buelta Luis , Tamayo Esther , Merino Jesús , Merino Ramón 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveDespite the importance of Treg cells in the maintenance of immunologic tolerance, the mechanisms that control their generation and activity are unknown. Since the cell cycle inhibitor p27Kip1 (p27) was involved in T cell anergy, we undertook this study to explore its role in both Treg cell processes.MethodsThe development of type II collagen–induced arthritis (CIA) and lupus‐like abnormalities was compared between transgenic mice overexpressing human Bcl‐2 in T cells (BCL2‐TgT mice) and nontransgenic mice that were deficient or not deficient in p27. The contribution of Treg cells to disease evolution was also explored. Finally, the in vitro activity of Treg cells and their differentiation from naive CD4+ cells was compared between these strains of mice.ResultsBCL2‐TgT mice were protected against CIA by a Treg cell–dependent mechanism. In association with this protection, the overexpression of Bcl‐2 in T cells enhanced the differentiation and activity of Treg cells. Both Bcl‐2 effects were independent of its antiapoptotic activity but dependent on its capacity to induce the expression of p27 that augmented the strength of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling in T cells. Accordingly, down‐modulation of p27 expression in BCL2‐TgT mice promoted CIA. In addition, p27 deficiency in aged C57BL/6 mice reduced the number and activity of Treg cells and induced the development of mild lupus‐like abnormalities.ConclusionOur results point to p27 as a critical regulator of Treg cell differentiation and function through the positive modulation of TGFβ signaling strength in T cells.
β‐catenin regulates parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone–related protein receptor signals and chondrocyte hypertrophy through binding to the intracellular C‐terminal region of the receptor
Authors: Yano Fumiko , Saito Taku , Ogata Naoshi , Yamazawa Toshiko , Iino Masamitsu , Chung Ung‐il , Kawaguchi Hiroshi 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the underlying mechanisms of action and functional relevance of β‐catenin in chondrocytes, by examining the role of β‐catenin as a novel protein that interacts with the intracellular C‐terminal portion of the parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH‐related protein (PTHrP) receptor type 1 (PTHR‐1).MethodsThe β‐catenin–PTHR‐1 binding region was determined with deletion and mutagenesis analyses of the PTHR1 C‐terminus, using a mammalian two‐hybrid assay. Physical interactions between these 2 molecules were examined with an in situ proximity ligation assay and immunostaining. To assess the effects of gain‐ and loss‐of‐function of β‐catenin, transfection experiments were performed to induce overexpression of the constitutively active form of β‐catenin (ca‐β‐catenin) and to block β‐catenin activity with small interfering RNA, in cells cotransfected with either wild‐type PTHR1 or mutant forms (lacking binding to β‐catenin). Activation of the G protein α subunits Gαs and Gαq in the cells was determined by measurement of the intracellular cAMP accumulation and intracellular Ca2+ concentration, while activation of canonical Wnt pathways was assessed using a TOPflash reporter assay.ResultsIn differentiated chondrocytes, β‐catenin physically interacted and colocalized with the cell membrane–specific region of PTHR‐1 (584–589). Binding of β‐catenin to PTHR‐1 caused suppression of the Gαs/cAMP pathway and enhancement of the Gαq/Ca2+ pathway, without affecting the canonical Wnt pathway. Inhibition of Col10a1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression by PTH was restored by overexpression of ca‐β‐catenin, even after blockade of the canonical Wnt pathway, and Col10a1 mRNA expression was further decreased by knockout of β‐catenin (via the Cre recombinase) in chondrocytes from β‐catenin–floxed mice. Mutagenesis analyses to block the binding of β‐catenin to PTHR1 caused an inhibition of chondrocyte hypertrophy markers.Conclusionβ‐catenin binds to the PTHR‐1 C‐tail and switches the downstream signaling pathway from Gαs/cAMP to Gαq/Ca2+, which is a possible mechanism by which chondrocyte hypertrophy may be regulated through the PTH/PTHrP signal independent of the canonical Wnt pathway.
Association between thyroxine levels at birth and choanal atresia or stenosis among infants in Texas, 2004–2007
Authors: Lee Laura J. , Canfield Mark A. , Hashmi S. Shahrukh , Moffitt Karen B. , Marengo Lisa , Agopian A. J. , Belmont John W. , Freedenberg Debra , Tanksley Susan M. , Mitchell Laura E. , Lupo Philip J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The causes of choanal atresia or stenosis (CA) are largely unknown. Infant thyroxine (T4) levels collected during newborn screening may be proxy measures for a risk factor present during the critical period of development. Therefore, we conducted a case‐control study to examine the association between newborn T4 levels and CA. METHODS: Data for cases with CA and controls were obtained from the Texas Birth Defects Registry for the period of 2004 to 2007. Information on infant T4 levels at birth was obtained from the Texas Newborn Screening Program. Controls (n = 3570) were drawn from unaffected births in Texas for the same period and frequency matched to cases (n = 69) on year of birth, then linked to the newborn screening database. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between continuous and categorical infant T4 levels and nonsyndromic CA. RESULTS: After adjustment for gestational age and year of birth, infant T4 levels were inversely associated with CA (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80–0.90). We observed a linear trend (p < 0.001) across quartiles of T4; compared to infants with low levels, AORs for CA were 0.50 (95% CI, 0.28–0.91), 0.39 (95% CI, 0.20–0.75), and 0.15 (95% CI, 0.06–0.40) for infants with medium‐to‐low, medium, and high levels, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a role of low thyroid hormone levels in the development of CA, or that low newborn T4 levels are potential proxy measures of a risk factor present during the critical period. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Moderately high intake of folic acid has a negative impact on mouse embryonic development
Authors: Mikael Leonie G. , Deng Liyuan , Paul Ligi , Selhub Jacob , Rozen Rima 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe incidence of neural tube defects has diminished considerably since the implementation of food fortification with folic acid (FA). However, the impact of excess FA intake, particularly during pregnancy, requires investigation. In a recent study, we reported that a diet supplemented with 20‐fold higher FA than the recommended intake for rodents had adverse effects on embryonic mouse development at embryonic days (E)10.5 and 14.5. In this report, we examined developmental outcomes in E14.5 embryos after administering a diet supplemented with 10‐fold higher FA than recommended to pregnant mice with and without a mild deficiency of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR).METHODSPregnant mice with or without a deficiency in MTHFR were fed a control diet (recommended FA intake of 2 mg/kg diet for rodents) or an FA‐supplemented diet (FASD; 10‐fold higher than the recommended intake [20 mg/kg diet]). At E14.5, mice were examined for embryonic loss and growth retardation, and hearts were assessed for defects and for ventricular wall thickness.RESULTSMaternal FA supplementation was associated with embryonic loss, embryonic delays, a higher incidence of ventricular septal defects, and thinner left and right ventricular walls, compared to mothers fed control diet.CONCLUSIONSOur work suggests that even moderately high levels of FA supplementation may adversely affect fetal mouse development. Additional studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of high folate intake in pregnant women. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stability of Immobilized Candida sp. 99–125 Lipase for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Lu J. , Deng L. , Nie K. , Wang F. , Tan T. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe stability of the immobilized lipase from Candida sp. 99–125 during biodiesel production was investigated. The lipase was separately incubated in the presence of various reaction components such as soybean oil, oleic acid methyl ester, n‐hexane, water, methanol, and glycerol, or the lipase was stored at 60, 80, 100 and 120 °C. Thereafter the residual lipase activity was determined by methanolysis reaction. The results showed that the lipase was rather stable in the reaction media, except for methanol and glycerol. The stability study performed in a reciprocal shaker indicated that enzyme desorption from the immobilized lipase mainly contributed to the lipase inactivation in the water system. So the methanol and glycerol contents should be controlled more precisely to avoid lipase inactivation, and the immobilization method should be improved with regard to lipase desorption.
Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Carbonate by Carboxylation of Methanol on Ceria‐Based Mixed Oxides
Authors: Hofmann H. J. , Brandner A. , Claus P. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe synthesis of ceria‐based mixed oxides via an oxalate‐gel method and the testing of their catalytic activity in the carboxylation of methanol with CO2 are described. The evaluation of their activity is performed in liquid phase. With ceria, the influence of pressure, reaction temperature, and composition of the reactants in the gas and liquid phase are investigated. Moreover, the thermodynamics of the reaction and the structural properties of the catalysts, characterized by X‐ray diffraction, FTIR‐ and UV/VIS spectroscopy, and physisorption, are discussed.
High Cell Density Escherichia coli Cultivation in Different Single‐Use Bioreactor Systems
Authors: Dreher Thomas , Husemann Ute , Zahnow Christian , de Wilde Davy , Adams Thorsten , Greller Gerhard 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDuring the last decades single‐use bioreactors have become widely accepted in the biopharmaceutical industry. Single‐use technologies bring many advantages over conventional solutions, such as a reduced investment and operational cost as well as an optimized time‐to‐market. So far, this type of bioreactor is mainly used for cell culture applications. Results for microbial fermentations are rarely found, commonly due to limited oxygen transfer rates. The aim of this study was to establish a high cell density fermentation process for a recombinant Escherichia coli considering a rocking motion type and an adapted stirred 50‐L single‐use bioreactor. By using the design space approach an OTRmax/OURmax model was established. The feeding strategies were optimized and verified based on a model for both single‐use systems to achieve high cell densities. In both single‐use bioreactors a recombinant protein was successfully expressed.
Renal Denervation: A Potential New Treatment for Severe Hypertension
Authors: Huan Yonghong , Cohen Debbie L. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractHypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Drug‐resistant hypertension remains common despite the availability of several classes of effective antihypertensive agents. Sympathetic hyperactivity has long been recognized as a major contributor to resistant hypertension, but radical sympathectomy was abandoned several decades ago due to its significant side effects. The newly developed, minimally invasive, catheter‐based renal sympathetic denervation procedure has been shown in recent trials to produce impressive blood pressure reductions and a favorable safety profile in drug‐resistant hypertension. Although the long‐term efficacy and safety of renal denervation remains to be determined, emerging data suggest that the benefits of renal denervation may extend beyond blood pressure control.Dr. Cohen is the principal investigator for Symplicity 3 study funded by Medtronic; Dr. Huan is the subinvestigator for Symplicity 3 study funded by Medtronic.
Removal of Fluoride from Aqueous Solutions by Adsorption Using a Siliceous Mineral of a Kenyan Origin
Authors: Wambu Enos W. , Onindo Charles O. , Ambusso Willis , Muthakia Gerald K. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe problem of high fluoride in water sources in Africa and the rest of the developing world has exacerbated in the latest past due to increasing shortage of water. More people are being exposed to high water fluoride resulting in elevated levels of fluorosis in the societies. Fluoride (F) adsorption from solutions using a siliceous mineral from Kenya (M1) was studied on batch basis and results verified on high fluoride water using fixed‐bed column experiments. About 100% batch F adsorption was achieved at 200 mg/L F concentration, 0.5 g/mL adsorbent dosage, 303–333 K, and pH 3.4 ± 0.2. Based on Giles classifications, F adsorption isotherm was found to be an H3 type isotherm. The equilibrium data was correlated to Freundlich and Langmuir models and the maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity was found to be 12.4 mg/g. Column experiments were conducted for different fluoride concentrations, bed depths, and flow rates. The F breakthrough curves were analyzed using the Thomas model and efficient F adsorption was found to occur at low flow rates and low influent concentrations. The Thomas F adsorption capacity (11.7 mg/g) was consistent with the Langmuir isotherm capacity showing that M1 could be applied as an inexpensive medium for water defluoridation.
Variation Characteristics of Mercury in Speciation during Road Runoff for Different Rainfall Patterns
Authors: Zuo XiaoJun , Fu DaFang , Li He 
Published: November 2012

AbstractMercury (Hg) concentration was investigated during 2010 based on road runoff from Nanjing Ring Highway, China. The emphasis was placed on impact of rainfall characteristics on Hg speciation concentration, and on variation characteristics of Hg speciation during road runoff for different rainfall patterns. Results indicated that average concentration of total mercury (THg) was in the range from 0.472 to 1.304 µg/L, and steady Hg (SHg) was the dominant form of Hg. Rainfall and average rainfall intensity were two important factors of determining Hg speciation concentrations during road runoff for different rainfall patterns. Rainfall pattern had significantly influence on variation of available Hg and dissolved Hg during road runoff, and on their proportions in THg. However, the proportion of SHg in THg was not obviously affected by rainfall pattern. On the other hand, toxic degree of Hg to soil environment is various for different rainfall patterns, based on Hg speciation variation.
Adsorption Kinetics of Chloroform from Aqueous Solutions onto Activated Lignite
Authors: Tongur Süheyla , Aydin Mehmet Emin 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe lignite coal researched by this study was subjected to a two‐stage activation process performed in the scope of obtaining active carbon from domestic resources. “Activation” and “carbonization” stages were used in the experiments. The modified lignite was produced by impregnating lignite with KOH and washing the activation product with 15% HCl solution after thermal treatment. Increasing KOH dosage also increased the removal efficiency. The variables investigated in adsorption experiments were contact time, initial concentration, pH, and sorbent dosage. Adsorption kinetics was fitted by using the pseudo‐first‐order equation, pseudo‐second‐order equation, and intra‐particle diffusion. Isotherm modeling was carried out using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich equations. Selected target compound in this work is common environmental pollutant in waters. A commonly known effect of chloroform is its carcinogenic effect. Therefore, removal of these compounds from water is considerably important. Chloroform removal of 97% for was achieved by the use of Konya region activated lignite.
Performances of Reverse Osmosis Membranes for Treatment of Olive Mill Wastewater
Authors: Coskun Tamer , Yildirim Asuman , Balcik Cigdem , Manav Demir Neslihan , Debik Eyup 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIn the following study, two methods were employed in which olive mill wastewaters were treated by using reverse osmosis membranes (BW30 and XLE). In the first, wastewater was centrifuged and then passed through the reverse osmosis whereas in the second, an ultrafiltration was placed between the centrifuge and the reverse osmosis. The reverse osmosis experiments were conducted under 10, 15, 20, and 25 bar. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies under 25 bar were found to be 97.5% for both BW30 and XLE membranes. The highest conductivity removal rates obtained under 25 bar for BW30 and XLE membranes were found to be 95.6 and 96.2%, respectively. As for the highest permeation flux values obtained under 25 bar, they were separately determined for BW30 and XLE as 15.3 and 21.2 L m−2 h−1, respectively. The performances of the membranes were also evaluated in terms of their mass transfer coefficients. According to this, all mass transfer coefficients were found to be <1 and also in proximate to one another; this clearly reflects the results as COD and conductivity removals were approximate and there was a lack of any significant difference, whether ultrafiltration was applied or not.
Coupling Interactions between Electrokinetics and Bioremediation for Pyrene Removal from Soil under Polarity Reversal Conditions
Authors: Huang Diannan , Guo Shuhai , Li Tingting , Wu Bo 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThis paper investigates the hybrid technology of electrokinetics (EK) coupled with bioremediation (Bio) in the removal of pyrene (PYR) in a soil matrix. Five different treatments were conducted to investigate the coupling interactions between EK and Bio on PYR degradation. A simulated removal curve was obtained by combining the degradation curves in EK‐ and Bio‐only experiments. The results show that the simulated curve fitted well with the actual degradation curve in electro‐bioremediation (EK‐Bio) experiments for the first 30 days of the experiment, while at later stages a discrepancy was found. This discrepancy was caused by adverse effects of low soil pH (3.6) near the anode on bacteria health during EK treatments. With polarity reversal (PR) to control the soil pH, the simulated curve fitted very well (r > 0.99) with the actual degradation curve during the whole treatment period. At the end of the experiment, PYR removal amounted to 63% with EK‐Bio treatments in PR electric fields, which was 1.7 times that of Bio‐only. Moreover, the bacteria counts under electric fields were more than that without EK. The spatial distributions of PYR degradation and bacterial counts were also investigated. The results show that they were both higher nearer the electrodes under PR electric fields.
Identification of the Phytoremediation Potential of Indian mustard Genotypes for Copper, Evaluated from a Hydroponic Experiment
Authors: Ansari Mohd. Kafeel Ahmad , Oztetik Elif , Ahmad Altaf , Umar Shahid , Iqbal Muhammad , Owens Gary 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe effectiveness of 10 Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes (viz. Agrani, BTO, Kranti, Pusa Bahar, Pusa Basant, Pusa Bold, Pusa Jai Kisan, Vaibhav, Vardhan, and Varuna) were evaluated for their potential to phytoremediate copper from contaminated waters under laboratory controlled conditions. The genotypes were grown for 20 days in aqueous solutions containing various concentrations of copper sulfate (0–50 µM) in a hydroponic chamber. Throughout plant development, changes in growth variables, biomass accumulation, and total Cu content were evaluated. The results suggested that Indian mustard cv. Pusa Jai Kisan possesses the best capacities of Cu sequestration and tolerance amongst all the genotypes studied. Thus, Pusa Jai Kisan has the greatest potential to become a viable candidate in the development of practical phytoremediation technologies for Cu contaminated sites.
The discontinuous nature of neurofilament transport accommodates both establishment and repair of the axonal neurofilament array
Authors: Shea Thomas B. , Lee Sangmook 
Published: November 2012

AbstractNeurofilaments (NFs) provide structural support to axons. Timely and regional deposition of NFs is essential during axonogenesis, since progressive stabilization of proximal axons is essential to support continued pathfinding of distal axonal regions. NFs undergo short bursts of microtubule‐mediated axonal transport interspersed by prolonged pauses. We demonstrate herein that it is this unique “on‐off” method of axonal transport, coupled with the ability of NFs to form cation‐dependent, phosphomediated lateral associations that allow neurons to mediate the orderly transition from exploratory process to stabilized axon following synaptogenesis. We further demonstrate how this transport method provides for NF maintenance following maturation and encompasses the potential for regeneration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microtubule modifications and stability are altered by cilia perturbation and in cystic kidney disease
Authors: Berbari Nicolas F. , Sharma Neeraj , Malarkey Erik B. , Pieczynski Jay N. , Boddu Ravindra , Gaertig Jacek , Guay‐Woodford Lisa , Yoder Bradley K. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractDisruption of the primary cilium is associated with a growing number of human diseases collectively termed ciliopathies. Ciliopathies present with a broad range of clinical features consistent with the near ubiquitous nature of the organelle and its role in diverse signaling pathways throughout development and adult homeostasis. The clinical features associated with cilia dysfunction can include such phenotypes as polycystic kidneys, skeletal abnormalities, blindness, anosmia, and obesity. Although the clinical relevance of the primary cilium is evident, the effects that cilia dysfunction has on the cell and how this contributes to disease remains poorly understood. Here, we show that loss of ciliogenesis genes such as Ift88 and Kif3a lead to increases in post‐translational modifications on cytosolic microtubules. This effect was observed in cilia mutant kidney cells grown in vitro and in vivo in cystic kidneys. The hyper‐acetylation of microtubules resulting from cilia loss is associated with both altered microtubule stability and increased α‐tubulin acetyl‐transferase activity. Intriguingly, the effect on microtubules was also evident in renal samples from patients with autosomal recessive polycystic kidneys. These findings indicate that altered microtubule post‐translational modifications may influence some of the phenotypes observed in ciliopathies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc