bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
G Protein–Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 Plays a Relevant Role in Insulin Resistance and Obesity
Authors: Garcia-Guerra Lucia , Nieto-Vazquez Iria , Vila-Bedmar Rocio , Jurado-Pueyo María , Zalba Guillermo , Díez Javier , Murga Cristina , Fernández-Veledo Sonia , Mayor Federico , Lorenzo Margarita 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE
Insulin resistance is associated with the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders as type 2 diabetes and obesity. Given the emerging role of signal transduction in these syndromes, we set out to explore the possible role that G protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), first identified as a G protein–coupled receptor regulator, could have as a modulator of insulin responses.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We analyzed the influence of GRK2 levels in insulin signaling in myoblasts and adipocytes with experimentally increased or silenced levels of GRK2, as well as in GRK2 hemizygous animals expressing 50% lower levels of this kinase in three different models of insulin resistance: tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) infusion, aging, and high-fat diet (HFD). Glucose transport, whole-body glucose and insulin tolerance, the activation status of insulin pathway components, and the circulating levels of important mediators were measured. The development of obesity and adipocyte size with age and HFD was analyzed.

RESULTS
Altering GRK2 levels markedly modifies insulin-mediated signaling in cultured adipocytes and myocytes. GRK2 levels are increased by ∼2-fold in muscle and adipose tissue in the animal models tested, as well as in lymphocytes from metabolic syndrome patients. In contrast, hemizygous GRK2 mice show enhanced insulin sensitivity and do not develop insulin resistance by TNF-α, aging, or HFD. Furthermore, reduced GRK2 levels induce a lean phenotype and decrease age-related adiposity.

CONCLUSIONS
Overall, our data identify GRK2 as an important negative regulator of insulin effects, key to the etiopathogenesis of insulin resistance and obesity, which uncovers this protein as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of these disorders.
Diabetes Risk Assessment in Mexicans and Mexican Americans
Authors: Velasco Mondragon Hector E. , Charlton R. William , Peart Tasha , Burguete-Garcia Ana I. , Hernandez-Avila Mauricio , Hsueh Wen-Chi 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE
Parental diabetes history is a well-known risk factor for type 2 diabetes and considered strong evidence for a genetic basis of type 2 diabetes. Whether this relationship is affected by other known risk factors, specifically obesity, remains unclear, possibly due to a relative paucity of lean diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This issue was investigated using data from a high-risk population from Mexico (National Health Survey 2000, n = 27,349), with observations replicated using U.S. citizens of Mexican descent from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2002 and 2003–2004 (n = 1,568).

RESULTS
As expected, positive parental diabetes was a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes, regardless of age, sex, or adiposity level. However, positive parental diabetes conferred greater risk in leaner individuals than in their overweight peers (P = 0.001). In other words, the effect of BMI on type 2 diabetes risk was smaller in the presence of parental diabetes history.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that parental diabetes is a stronger risk factor for type 2 diabetes in the absence of obesity. Thus, studies in lean diabetic patients could help identify type 2 diabetes susceptibility genes. This study reinforces the concept that parental diabetes and BMI are independent type 2 diabetes risk factors and suggests that glycemic screening may be helpful in assessing type 2 diabetes risk in individuals with parental diabetes history, regardless of their overweight status.
Maternally Transmitted and Food-Derived Glycotoxins
Authors: Mericq Veronica , Piccardo Cecilia , Cai Weijing , Chen Xue , Zhu Li , Striker Gary E. , Vlassara Helen , Uribarri Jaime 
Published: July 2010

OBJECTIVE
Proinflammatory advanced glycation end products (AGEs) found in thermally processed foods correlate with serum AGEs (sAGEs) and promote type 1 and type 2 diabetes in mice. Herein we assess the relationship of maternal blood and food AGEs to circulating glycoxidants, inflammatory markers, and insulin levels in infants up to age 1 year.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
AGEs (Nε-carboxymethyllysine [CML] and methylglyoxal derivatives) were tested in sera of healthy mothers in labor (n = 60), their infants, and infant foods. Plasma 8-isoprostane, fasting glucose, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels were assessed in 12-month-old infants.

RESULTS
Significant correlations were found between newborn and maternal serum CML (sCML) (r = 0.734, P = 0.001) serum methylglyoxal derivatives (sMGs) (r = 0.593, P = 0.001), and 8-isoprostanes (r = 0.644, P = 0.001). Infant adiponectin at 12 months negatively correlated with maternal sCML (r = −0.467, P = 0.011), whereas high maternal sMGs predicted higher infant insulin or homeostasis model assessment (P = 0.027). Infant sAGEs significantly increased with the initiation of processed infant food intake, raising daily AGE consumption by ∼7.5-fold in year 1.

CONCLUSIONS
Maternal blood and food-derived AGEs prematurely raise AGEs in children to adult norms, preconditioning them to abnormally high oxidant stress and inflammation and thus possibly to early onset of disease, such as diabetes.
Sediment transport and water quality in Máchovo Lake (Czech Republic)
Authors: Dostal Tomas , Krasa Josef , Vrana Karel , Dockal Martin , Koudelka Petr , David Vaclav , Vokurka Adam 
Published: July 2010

Sediment transport and water quality in Máchovo Lake (Czech Republic)
Máchovo Lake is a historical reservoir founded by Czech King Charles IV. in 14th century. Located in northern part of central Bohemia it has been widely used for recreation purposes for many decades (or even centuries). Its catchments (ca 100 sq km) consist of intensively used agricultural land (ca 25% of area) and of large forested area under nature protection. Several other lakes (ponds) are chained on the two reservoir's inlets. Irrespective of its great recreation potential Máchovo Lake is one of the Bohemian lakes known for its problems with eutrophication and water quality. The project was set up to point out sources of nutrients and to search for proper solutions. Sediment loads in every lake within the catchments were measured and sampled in order to quantify the nutrients and other pollution. Point and non point sources of phosphorus and other nutrients were searched. Sediment transport within catchments was modelled using WaTEM/SEDEM model. Interestingly, the water quality in the particular ponds varies significantly even though each one of several hundred years old ponds is heavily silted. Soil erosion protection measures within catchments were proposed altogether with flood protection measures in the stream valleys and waste water treatment facilities in surrounding villages. Setting up water quality sampling devices in selected stream profiles was tested and designed. The continual proper management should lead to water quality improvement.
The Improvement of the spatial structure and quality of rural communication system in loess upland watershed
Authors: Wawer Rafał , Nowocień Eugeniusz , Podolski Bugusław , Szewrański Szymon , Żmuda Romuald 
Published: July 2010

The Improvement of the spatial structure and quality of rural communication system in loess upland watershed
In strongly eroded terrains, a considerable part of agricultural roads are transformed into ravines, as a result of their inappropriate location in the terrain relief. Hence the arrangement and hardening of rural roads remains an essential component of formation of arable areas on eroded terrains. Correct derivation of the roads, which need the protective measures or even re-projecting improves the state of the road network in economically effective way, as it allocates the available resources to the most threatened areas. The article presents a study on the actual state of the net of rural roads on loess upland terrain of Mielnica watershed. The analysis, performed on digital spatial data within GIS software, revealed considerable needs for improvements of rural roads on investigated area. Basing on the results, the map of improvement measures has been developed, presenting a spatial base for a decision support system for future land improvements and allocation of economical resources for the management of rural surface communication network in rural-environmental plans.
Soil mites (Acari) on plantations of chokeberry and black currant under microirrigation
Authors: Klimek Andrzej , Rolbiecki Stanisław 
Published: July 2010

Soil mites (Acari) on plantations of chokeberry and black currant under microirrigation
Bushes of black currant (Ribes nigrum) were slightly higher and wider, and their leaves had a higher content of major nutrients than chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa). Soil samples were collected in 2004, in spring, summer and autumn, i.e. 3×20 samples from each experimental variant. Three irrigation variants were compared: no irrigation (C), drip irrigation (D), and micro-jet sprinkling (M). In the soil of the black currant plantation, the density of mites was higher (in variants C and D), as compared to the chokeberry plantation. The saprophagous oribatid mites were predominant in the studied mite communities, while Actinedida and Gamasida were less numerous. Oribatid mites were more numerous and more diverse in the black currant plantation than in the chokeberry plantation. The influence of irrigation on the density of oribatid mites was insignificant. In the communities of oribatid mites, Tectocepheus velatus was distinctly predominant on most plots.
Predation follows competition in depth selection behaviour of Cladocera in a deep lake (E Poland)
Authors: Adamczuk Małgorzata 
Published: July 2010

Predation follows competition in depth selection behaviour of Cladocera in a deep lake (E Poland)
Observations of the vertical distribution of Cladocera in the pelagic zone of the deep Lake Piaseczno (38.8 m) focused on 6 species: Diaphanosoma brachyurum, Daphnia longispina, D. cucullata, Bosmina coregoni, B. longirostris, and Chydorus sphaericus. The animals displayed clear depth preferences, and their migration patterns were limited to small depth amplitudes. The results show that vertical habitat segregation of cladocerans in the lake consists mostly in the mechanism of competition for accessible food resources, rather than in the mechanism of predation avoidance.
New and rare species of the Gamasida (Acari) in the Polish fauna, recorded in ‘Bagno Stawek’ Reserve (Tuchola Forest, northern Poland)
Authors: Marquardt Tomasz , Kaczmarek Sławomir 
Published: July 2010

New and rare species of the Gamasida (Acari) in the Polish fauna, recorded in ‘Bagno Stawek’ Reserve (Tuchola Forest, northern Poland)
As a result of 3-year studies of gamasid mites (Acari) from ‘Bagno Stawek’ Reserve (in the Zaborski Landscape Park), 4 rare species were identified: Platyseius subglaber (Oudemans, 1903), Stylochirus giganteus (Willmann, 1938), Uroobovella minima (Koch, 1841), and Veigaia transisalae (Oudemans, 1902). Among them, S. giganteus is new to the fauna of Poland.
Thermodynamic modeling of the Pt–Zr system
Authors: Gao Yongliang , Guo Cuiping , Li Changrong , Du Zhenmin 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBy means of the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagram) technique, the Pt–Zr system was critically assessed. The solution phases (liquid, bcc, fcc and hcp) are described with the substitutional model. The intermetllic compounds Pt4Zr, Pt4Zr3, αPtZr and Pt3Zr5are treated as the formula (Pt,Zr)m(Pt,Zr)nby a two-sublattice model with the elements Pt and Zr on the first and the second sublattices, respectively. A two-sublattice model (Pt,Zr)0.5(Pt,Zr)0.5is applied to describe the compound βPtZr with CsCl-type structure (B2) in order to cope with the order–disorder transition between bcc solution (A2) and βPtZr (B2). Another two-sublattice model (Pt,Zr)0.75(Pt,Zr)0.25with Ni3Ti-type structure (D024) is applied to describe the compound Pt3Zr in order to cope with the order–disorder transition between hexagonal close-packed (A3) and Pt3Zr (D024). The compound Pt10Zr7is treated as a stoichiometric compound. A set of self-consistent thermodynamic parameters of the Pt–Zr system was obtained.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe3Al–TiC composites
Authors: Pang Laixue , Xing Dejin , Zhang Aiqin , Xu Jing , Zhang Jinsheng 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
TiC particle reinforced Fe3Al composites were produced with varying volume fraction of TiC powders. The effect of the TiC fractions and distribution on the properties of the composites was investigated. The composite containing 30 vol.% TiC had hardness and bending strength values of 86 HRA and 1340 MPa, which were 10% and 57% greater than those of the unreinforced Fe3Al, respectively. Microscopic examination of the composite showed TiC particles with grain size ranging from 50 to 100 nm were homogeneously dispersed in Fe3Al matrix, the larger TiC particles with sub-micrometer size were mainly located at grain boundaries and the smaller ones were within matrix grains.
A comparative AFM study of carbon alloyed Mo–Se–C and W–S–C films for tribological applications
Authors: Tomala A. , Gebeshuber I. C. , Pauschitz A. , Roy M. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Transition metal dichalcogenides have a layered structure and are therefore promising self-lubricating films. They can be considered as potential substitutes for carbon based films in various environmental conditions. In this work, a comparative atomic force microscopy study of co-sputtered Mo–Se–C and W–S–C films is performed to evaluate their nanotribological performances. Both films are alloyed with carbon. The microstructural features of these films are characterised using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The hardness and elastic modulus of these films are measured employing nanoindentation. The topography, friction forces and pull off forces of the films are evaluated by means of atomic force microscopy and force spectroscopy. The results show that the roughness parameters of Mo–Se–C films are lower than that of W–S–C films at high carbon content whereas the reverse is true at low carbon content. Adhesion forces of these films based on pull-off force measurements show that Mo–Se–C films have higher pull off forces than W–S–C films. An atomic force microscopy technique is developed to estimate microscopic values of friction coefficients and to characterise the nature of surface changes due to nanotribological experiments. The friction coefficient of Mo–Se–C films is higher than that of W–S–C films at low carbon content and these friction coefficients are comparable at high carbon content.
CD30 Discriminates Heat Shock Protein 60-Induced FOXP3+CD4+ T Cells with a Regulatory Phenotype
Authors: de Kleer Ismé , Vercoulen Yvonne , Klein Mark , Meerding Jenny , Albani Salvatore , van der Zee Ruurd , Sawitzki Birgit , Hamann Alf , Kuis Wietse , Prakken Berent 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
In many animal models, the manifestations of inflammatory diseases can be prevented by the adoptive transfer of CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs). CD4+FOXP3+ Tregs can be obtained by isolation and expansion of polyclonal naturally occurring Tregs or by Ag-specific activation of CD4+CD25−FOXP3− T cells. Two major obstacles are hampering the translation of this latter protocol into therapeutic application. First, there is a lack of knowledge on relevant autoantigens. Second, the resulting population is contaminated with activated CD4+ T cells that transiently express Forkhead box P3 but gain no regulatory function. Therefore, these cells may not be safe for clinical application. In this study, we demonstrate that highly suppressive FOXP3+ Tregs can be induced in vitro by the activation of CD4+CD25− T cells with the self-Ag human 60-kDa heat shock protein (HSP60). The activation induced suppressive FOXP3+ Tregs can be distinguished by surface expression of CD30 from nonsuppressive FOXP3+ effector cells. We confirm that the induced CD30+FOXP3+ Tregs recognize HSP60 epitopes and that the induction of Tregs by HSP60 is enhanced by signaling via TLR4 on APCs. These findings have implications for the generation and isolation of pure populations of Ag-specific Tregs, with the potential to prevent and treat human inflammatory diseases.
β-Catenin Signaling Mediates CD4 Expression on Mature CD8+ T Cells
Authors: Schenkel Jason M. , Zloza Andrew , Li Wei , Narasipura Srinivas D. , Al-Harthi Lena 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Upon activation, a subset of mature human CD8+ T cells re-expresses CD4 dimly. This CD4dimCD8bright T cell population is genuine and enriched in antiviral CD8+ T cell responses. The signaling pathway that leads to CD4 re-expression on mature CD8+ T cells is not clear. Given that Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a critical role in the transition of CD4−CD8− to CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, we determined whether β-catenin mediates CD4 expression on mature CD8+ T cells. We demonstrate that active β-catenin expression is 20-fold higher on CD4dimCD8bright than CD4−CD8+ T cells. Activation of β-catenin signaling, through LiCl or transfection with a constitutively active construct of β-catenin, induced CD4 on CD8+ T cells by ~10-fold. Conversely, inhibition of β-catenin signaling through transfection with a dominant-negative construct for T cell factor-4, a downstream effector of β-catenin signaling, diminished CD4 expression on CD8+ T cells by 50% in response to T cell activation. β-catenin–mediated induction of CD4 on CD8+ T cells is transcriptionally regulated, as it induced CD4 mRNA, and T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor sites were identified within the human CD4 promoter. Further, β-catenin expression induced the antiapoptotic factor BcL-xL, suggesting that β-catenin may mediate protection against activation-induced cell death. Collectively, these data demonstrate that β-catenin is critical in inducing CD4 expression on mature CD8+ T cells, suggesting that it is a common pathway for CD4 upregulation among thymocytes and mature CD8+ T cells.
Cutting Edge: KIR Antisense Transcripts Are Processed into a 28-Base PIWI-Like RNA in Human NK Cells
Authors: Cichocki Frank , Lenvik Todd , Sharma Neeraj , Yun Gong , Anderson Stephen K. , Miller Jeffrey S. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs) are expressed in a variegated, clonally restricted fashion on NK cells and are important determinants of NK cell function. Although silencing of individual KIR genes is strongly correlated with the presence of CpG dinucleotide methylation within the promoter, the mechanism responsible for silencing has not been identified. Our results show that antisense transcripts mediate KIR transcriptional silencing through a novel PIWI-like 28-base small RNA. Although PIWI RNA-mediated silencing of transposable elements within germ cells have been described, this is the first report that identifies a PIWI-like RNA in an immune somatic cell lineage and identifies a mechanism that may be broadly used in orchestrating immune development.
Modeling, characterization, and evaluation of efficiency and drying indices for microwave drying of Zingiber officianale and Curcuma mangga
Authors: Ganesapillai Mahesh , Rose Miranda Lima , Reddy Tejesh , Bruno Micheal , Singh Aruna 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTMethods for efficiently drying agricultural products are an ever‐increasing demand. Due to its rapid and thorough dehydrating ability, microwave techniques were used to evaluate the thin‐layer drying kinetics of organic ginger and mango ginger. Microwave drying characteristics, efficiency and indices determined with respect to sample thickness, microwave output power and sample load revealed higher power (300 W), lesser thickness (0.001 m) and load (25 g), increased drying rates and reduced drying time. Effective diffusivity values were found within the range reported in literatures (9.17 × 10−11 and 11.6 × 10−11 m2 s−1). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) images revealed that the surface morphology and the elemental composition gradually degraded during drying. The ability of eight different thin‐layer mathematical models was evaluated for representing the experimental drying profiles. Among the eight new models derived from the basic diffusion model, statistical analysis inferred that the modified diffusion model no. 4 could predict most accurately changes in drying behavior of organic ginger and mango ginger rhizomes for all drying conditions applied. Copyright © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and photoluminescence study of di‐dendron dendrimers derived from mono‐Boc‐protected ethylenediamine cores
Authors: Zhao Yili , Liu Sen , Jiang Wei , Chang Yulei , Li Yapeng , Fang Xuexun , Wang Jingyuan 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis work is focused on the synthesis and optical properties of cone‐shaped structural feature di‐dendron polyamidoamine dendrimers up to the third generation with mono‐Boc‐protected ethylenediamine (EDA) as a core. Strong UV absorbance spectra and fluorescence spectra from di‐dendron dendrimers with different terminal groups (‐NH2, ‐COOCH3) were studied under different conditions by varying experimental parameters such as concentration and pH. The optical density and fluorescence intensities increased when di‐dendron dendrimers generation number increased from 0.5 to 3.0. It was confirmed that the concentration of di‐dendron dendrimers plays an important role in fluorescence intensity. The increase in fluorescence intensity was linear in low concentration regions, but the intensity increased slowly in high concentration regions. The results also showed a rapid increase in fluorescence intensity at low pH. The formation of a fluorescence‐emitting moiety had a close relationship to protonated tertiary amine groups in di‐dendron dendrimers derived from mono‐Boc‐protected EDA cores. Furthermore, the formation of fluorescent chemical species was irreversible. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Positive correlation between maternal serum coenzyme Q10 levels and infant birth weight
Authors: Haruna Megumi , Matsuzaki Masayo , Ota Erika , Honda Yuka , Tanizaki Takashi , Sekine Kyoichi , Tabata Nobuyuki , Yeo SeonAe , Murashima Sachiyo 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the level of maternal serum coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is a lipid‐soluble antioxidant, maternal body weight gain, fat mass gain, and infant birth weight. A longitudinal observational study was conducted with 50 healthy pregnant women (average age: 31.1 years, average body mass index (BMI): 21.3 kg/m2 at prepregnancy) at each trimester. CoQ10 levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Maternal weight and body composition were measured by a bioelectrical impedance analysis. The CoQ10 levels significantly increased throughout pregnancy from the first trimester to the third trimester (P < 0.001), and correlated with not only the serum cholesterol levels (P < 0.01) but also with the serum acetoacetic acid levels (P < 0.05) in the third trimester. The CoQ10 levels correlated with the maternal weight gain (P < 0.05) and fat mass gain (P < 0.05) from the second to the third trimester, after adjusting for lipid markers, age, and smoking habits. The level of CoQ10 during the third trimester was also significantly associated with the infant birth weight (P < 0.05) after adjusting for gestational age, maternal prepregnancy BMI, and smoking habits. Therefore, it is concluded that the level of maternal CoQ10 is positively associated with fetal growth, balancing rapid metabolic changes in the last half of a normal pregnancy.