bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induction of interferon‐λ contributes to toll‐like receptor 3‐mediated herpes simplex virus type 1 inhibition in astrocytes
Authors: Li Jieliang , Ye Li , Wang Xu , Hu Shuxian , Ho Wenzhe 
Published: November 2011

AbstractToll‐like receptor 3 (TLR3) recognizes double‐stranded RNA and induces type I interferon (IFN)‐mediated antiviral immunity against a number of viral infections. Type III IFN (IFN‐λ) is a newly identified antiviral cytokine that has biological functions similar to those of type I IFNs. We thus investigated the role of IFN‐λ in TLR3 activation‐mediated inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) in human primary astrocytes. Human astrocytes express endogenous IFN‐λ1 and IFN‐λ receptor complex, interleukin‐28 receptor α subunit (IL‐28Rα), and IL‐10Rβ. The activation of TLR3 by poly‐I:C treatment significantly induced the expression of IFN‐λ1 and IFN‐λ2/3 in astrocytes. The induction of IFN‐λ contributed to TLR3 activation‐mediated HSV‐1 inhibition in astrocytes. Investigation of the mechanisms showed that treatment of astrocytes with specific antibody against IFN‐λ receptor attenuated the anti‐HSV‐1 activity of poly‐I:C, indicating that endogenous IFN‐λ contributes to the anti‐HSV‐1 effect of TLR3 activation. The anti‐HSV‐1 effect of endogenous IFN‐λ was also confirmed by the finding that recombinant IFN‐λ treatment inhibited HSV‐1 infection of astrocytes. These results provide direct and compelling evidence that endogenous IFN‐λ participates in TLR3‐mediated antiviral activity, which may have important implications in host cell innate immunity against HSV‐1 infection in the CNS. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Docosahexaenoic acid modulates inflammatory and antineurogenic functions of activated microglial cells
Authors: Antonietta Ajmone‐Cat Maria , Lavinia Salvatori Maria , De Simone Roberta , Mancini Melissa , Biagioni Stefano , Bernardo Antonietta , Cacci Emanuele , Minghetti Luisa 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe complex process of microglial activation encompasses several functional activation states associated either with neurotoxic/antineurogenic or with neurotrophic/proneurogenic properties, depending mainly on the extent of activation and the nature of the activating stimuli. Several studies have demonstrated that acute exposure to the prototypical activating agent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) confers antineurogenic properties upon microglial cells. Acutely activated microglia ortheir conditioned media (CM) reduce neural stem progenitor cell (NPC) survival and prevent NPC differentiation into neurons. The present study tested the hypothesis that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a long‐chain polyunsatured fatty acid (L‐PUFA) with potent immunomodulatory properties, could dampen microglial proinflammatory functions and modulate their antineurogenic effect. We demonstrate that DHA dose dependently inhibits the synthesis of inflammatory products in activated microglia without inducing an alternative antiinflammatory phenotype. Among the possible DHA mechanisms of action, we propose the inhibition of p38 MAPK phosphorylation and the activation of the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ. The attenuation of M1 proinflammatory phenotype has relevant consequences for the survival and differentiation of NPC, because DHA reverses the antineurogenic activities of conditioned media from LPS‐activated microglia. Our study identifies new relevant potentially protective and proneurogenic functions of DHA, exerted through the modulation of microglial functions, that could be exploited to sustain or promote neuroregenerative processes in damaged/aged brain. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Laccase from an alkalitolerant basidiomycetes Crinipellis sp. RCK‐1: Production optimization by response surface methodology
Authors: Diwaniyan Sarika , Sharma Krishna Kant , Kuhad Ramesh Chander 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA newly isolated alkalitolerant basidiomycetous fungus, identified as Crinipellis sp. RCK‐1 was observed to produce laccase. The effect of different physicochemical factors on laccase production was studied. The identification of the important factors (initial pH of the medium, copper and tryptophan) with simple screening experiment involving optimization using single factor at a time strategy, was followed by application of complex response surface design for further maximizing the laccase production and was helpful in defining the effects and interactions of the physiological and nutritional factors. The statistical optimization by response surface methodology resulted in a 27.0‐fold (619.9 U ml–1) increase in the production of laccase from Crinipellis sp. RCK‐1 when compared to laccase production in unoptimized medium (23.0 U ml–1). The results from the response surface curve suggested that there was interaction between tryptophan and copper in a way that might resulted in positive effect on laccase production from Crinipellis sp. RCK‐1. The relatively higher laccase production by Crinipellis sp. RCK‐1 showed promise of offering great potential in various biotechnological applications. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of a novel biosurfactant produced by Staphylococcus sp. strain 1E with potential application on hydrocarbon bioremediation
Authors: Eddouaouda Kamel , Mnif Sami , Badis Abdelmalek , Younes Sonia Ben , Cherif Slim , Ferhat Samira , Mhiri Najla , Chamkha Mohamed , Sayadi Sami 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA biosurfactant‐producing bacterium (Staphylococcus sp. strain 1E) was isolated from an Algerian crude oil contaminated soil. Biosurfactant production was tested with different carbon sources using the surface tension measurement and the oil displacement test. Olive oil produced the highest reduction in surface tension (25.9 dynes cm–1). Crude oil presented the best substrate for 1E biosurfactant emulsification activity. The biosurfactant produced by strain 1E reduced the growth medium surface tension below 30 dynes cm–1. This reduction was also obtained in cell‐free filtrates. Biosurfactant produced by strain 1E showed stability in a wide range of pH (from 2 to 12), temperature (from 4 to 55 °C) and salinity (from 0 to 300 g l–1) variations. The biosurfactant produced by strain 1E belonged to lipopeptide group and also constituted an antibacterial activity againt the pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis. Phenanthrene solubility in water was enhanced by biosurfactant addition. Our results suggest that the 1E biosurfactant has interesting properties for its application in bioremediation of hydrocarbons contaminated sites. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Human platelet‐rich plasma stimulates migration and chondrogenic differentiation of human subchondral progenitor cells
Authors: Krüger Jan Philipp , Hondke Sylvia , Endres Michaela , Pruss Axel , Siclari Alberto , Kaps Christian 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn cartilage repair, platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) is used in one‐step approaches utilizing microfracture and matrix‐induced chondrogenesis procedures, bone marrow‐derived cell transplantation, or intra‐articular injection. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of human PRP on the migration and chondrogenic differentiation of human subchondral progenitors. Human progenitors were derived from subchondral cortico‐spongious bone (CSP), were analyzed for their migration capacity upon PRP treatment in 96‐well chemotaxis assays and cultured in high‐density pellet cultures under serum‐free conditions in the presence of 5% PRP. Chemotaxis assays showed that 0.1–100% PRP significantly (p < 0.05) stimulate the migration of CSP compared to untreated controls. Histological staining of proteoglycan and immuno‐staining of type II collagen indicated that progenitors stimulated with PRP show significantly increased cartilage matrix formation compared to untreated progenitors. Real‐time gene expression analysis of typical chondrocyte marker genes as well as osteogenic and adipogenic markers like osteocalcin and fatty acid binding protein showed that PRP induces the chondrogenic differentiation sequence of human progenitors in high‐density pellet cultures, while osteogenic or adipogenic differentiation was not evident. These results suggest that human PRP may enhance the migration and stimulate the chondrogenic differentiation of human subchondral progenitor cells known from microfracture. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:845–852, 2012
The inhibitory effect of honokiol, a natural plant product, on vestibular schwannoma cells
Authors: Lee Jong Dae , Lee Jae Yong , Baek Byoung Joon , Lee Byung Don , Koh Yoon Woo , Lee Won‐Sang , Lee Yu‐Jin , Kwon Byoung‐Mog 
Published: November 2011

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:As the molecular biology of vestibular schwannoma (VS) is better understood, new means of targeting the pathways involved for intervention in schwannoma cells are being developed. Honokiol, a bioactive constituent of Magnolia officinalis, has attracted attention due to its diverse biological effects. This study was conducted to determine the inhibitory effect of honokiol on schwannoma cell proliferation.Methods:HEI 193 cells were used to investigate the growth‐inhibitory effects of honokiol. Cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assays. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry analysis and immunofluorescence staining including Hoechst 33342 and TUNEL. Western blot analysis was used to assess the potential inhibition of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and AKT signaling by honokiol.Results:Honokiol exhibited significant antiproliferative activity in a dose‐dependent manner on HEI 193 cells. Significant apoptosis was detected on schwannoma cells with 7 mg/mL(IC50) honokiol. Western blot analysis showed significant inhibition of ERK phosphorylation.Conclusions:Honokiol, a low molecular weight natural product, inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis in schwannoma cells by targeting the ERK pathway. Our data suggest that honokiol can be evaluated as a chemotherapeutic agent for VS.
Tribological and electrical properties of silica‐filled epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Veena M.G. , Renukappa N.M. , Suresha B. , Shivakumar K.N. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe tribological and electrical properties of epoxy composites filled with nano‐sized silica particles are studied and discussed in this article. To enhance the interfacial interaction between the fillers and the matrix, nanoparticles were pretreated with silane coupling agent. Dry sliding wear tests were carried out with configuration of composite sample on a rotating steel disc. Electrical measurements such as AC breakdown voltage, at 50 Hz, high voltage‐low current arc resistance and wet tracking resistance were carried out. The results reveal the influence of nanosized silica loading on wear resistance of the epoxy. It is observed that 10 wt% loading of silica is very effective in reducing the wear loss. With further increase of silica filler loading, the nanoparticles agglomerated and resulted in increase of the specific wear rate. The influence of silica particles on the specific wear rate is more pronounced under sliding wear situation. The influence of silica particle loading on epoxy is evident in the results of electrical parameters like dielectric strength, arc resistance and tracking resistance. These parameters showed improvement with filler loading up to 15 wt% and beyond this value of filler loading noticeable deterioration was observed. The effects of electrical stresses in the morphologies of the surfaces of epoxy nanocomposites are discussed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) nanocomposites: From a nonionic gel to pH sensitivity
Authors: Cavusoglu Fatma , Kasgoz Hasine 
Published: November 2011

Abstract2‐Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)‐clay nanocomposites were prepared via in situ free radical polymerization using montmorillonite (MMT) as a crosslinker. The structure and surface morphology of the nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that exfoliated or highly expanded intercalated nanocomposite structure was obtained. The swelling degree was determined in distilled water and various pH buffered solutions. The highest swelling capacity in distilled water was observed for the nanocomposite sample prepared with the MMT amount of 10 % (w). It was seen that the diffusion mechanism was Fickian type in distilled water and also in various pH‐buffered solutions. It is interesting that the swelling degree of nanocomposites in alkaline pH values increased by the increasing of MMT in the polymer structure. This result supports the possibility of future applications of the novel nanocomposite in systems for the controlled released of drugs. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
A longer tracheal occlusion period results in increased lung growth in the nitrofen rat model
Authors: Beck Veronika , Davey Marcus G. , Mayer Steffi , Froyen Guy , Deckx Sebastiaan , Klaritsch Philipp , Roubliova Xenia I. , Petersen Scott G. , Deprest Jan A. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTObjectivePrenatal tracheal occlusion (TO) promotes lung growth and is applied clinically in fetuses with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Limited data are available regarding the effect of duration of TO on lung development. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of long (2 and 2.5 days) versus short (1 day) TO on lung development in rats with nitrofen‐induced diaphragmatic hernia.MethodNitrofen was administered on embryonic day (ED) 9 and fetal TO performed either on ED18.5, 19 or 20 (term = 22 days). Sham‐operated and untouched littermates served as controls. On ED21, lungs were harvested and only fetuses with a left‐sided diaphragmatic defect were included in further analyses.ResultsLung–body‐weight ratio incrementally increased with the duration of TO. Increased proliferation following long TO was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and qRT‐PCR for the proliferation marker Ki‐67. Irrespective of duration, TO induced more complex airway architecture. Medial wall thickness of pulmonary arteries was thinner after long rather than short TO.ConclusionIn the nitrofen rat model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a longer period of TO leads to enhanced lung growth and less muscularized pulmonary arteries. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Health problems most commonly diagnosed among young female patients during visits to general practitioners and gynecologists in France before the initiation of the human papillomavirus vaccination program
Authors: Ganse Eric Van , Letrilliart Laurent , Borne Hélène , Morand Francois , Robain Matthieu , Siegrist Claire Anne 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTPurposeBackground rates for common health problems have seldom been estimated to facilitate interpretation of signals that may occur after a new public health intervention. Background rates of diagnoses from general practitioners (GPs) and gynecologists (GYNs) were assessed before the implementation of human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study used data collected in 2006 in France. All visits of women (aged 11–23 years) to a GP or a GYN participating in the longitudinal patient data (LPD) network were considered. Diagnoses and symptoms were retrieved and classified according to the International Classification of Primary Care. Only diagnoses made in ≥1% of visits were reported in primary analyses. Independent analyses were performed for visits to GPs and GYNs and for adolescents and young adults. Finally, the rates of pre‐specified health problems of interest (e.g., because of their potential identification as signals after HPV immunization) were computed from processed diagnostic data, using time windows consistent with HPV vaccination scheme.ResultsAbout 380 813 GP and 36 329 GYN visits were analyzed. Acute upper respiratory infections were the most frequently recorded diagnoses by GPs, accounting for 11 783 per 100 000 visits per year. Visits related to the respiratory system accounted for 10 of the 23 most frequent diagnoses by GPs. Genital candidiasis was the most frequent GYN diagnosis, accounting for 4746 per 100 000 visits per year. Most GYN visits were for pregnancy‐related issues or menstrual problems. The main diagnoses were similar in adolescents compared with young adults in both GP and GYN settings. Pre‐specified health problems occurred at high rates, as exemplified by acne that was diagnosed in 0.8% of patients during time windows consistent with HPV immunization.ConclusionDiagnostic data processed from electronic health records identified the rates of common health events experienced by young female patients routinely visiting their GP or GYN before HPV immunization. Such rates may prove useful in interpreting adverse events reported after the launch of new medical interventions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of maternal food restriction on offspring lung extracellular matrix deposition and long term pulmonary function in an experimental rat model
Authors: Rehan Virender K. , Sakurai Reiko , Li Yishi , Karadag Ahmet , Corral Julia , Bellusci Saverio , Xue Ying Ying , Belperio John , Torday John S. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases the risk of respiratory compromise throughout postnatal life. However, the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the respiratory compromise in offspring following IUGR is not known. We hypothesized that IUGR following maternal food restriction (MFR) would affect extracellular matrix deposition in the lung, explaining the long‐term impairment in pulmonary function in the IUGR offspring. Using a well‐established rat model of MFR during gestation to produce IUGR pups, we found that at postnatal day 21, and at 9 months (9M) of age the expression and abundance of elastin and alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), two key extracellular matrix proteins, were increased in IUGR lungs when compared to controls (P < 0.05, n = 6), as determined by both Western and immunohistochemistry analyses. Compared to controls, the MFR group showed no significant change in pulmonary resistance at baseline, but did have significantly decreased pulmonary compliance at 9M (P < 0.05 vs. control, n = 5). In addition, MFR lungs exhibited increased responsiveness to methacholine challenge. Furthermore, exposing cultured fetal rat lung fibroblasts to serum deprivation increased the expression of elastin and elastin‐related genes, which was blocked by serum albumin supplementation, suggesting protein deficiency as the predominant mechanism for increased pulmonary elastin deposition in IUGR lungs. We conclude that accompanying the changes in lung function, consistent with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, expression of the key alveolar extracellular matrix proteins elastin and αSMA increased in the IUGR lung, thus providing a potential explanation for the compromised lung function in IUGR offspring. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012; 47:162–171. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recent advances in single‐carrier distributed antenna network
Authors: Adachi Fumiyuki , Takeda Kazuki , Yamamoto Tetsuya , Matsukawa Ryusuke , Kumagai Shinya 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTFor the realization of future wireless networks, gigabit wireless technology, which can achieve higher‐than‐1 Gbps data transmission with extremely low transmit power, is indispensable. We have been studying the distributed antenna network (DAN) and the frequency domain wireless signal processing. In DAN, many antennas or clusters of antennas are spatially distributed over a service area, and they are connected by means of optical fiber links with DAN signal processing center. A number of distributed antennas cooperatively serve mobile users using spatial multiplexing, diversity, array, or relaying technique. In this paper, the recent advances in single‐carrier DAN are introduced. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proactive load balancing with admission control for heterogeneous overlay networks
Authors: Ma Dong , Ma Maode 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThe next generation wireless networks will be the coexistence of heterogeneous wireless technologies. Balancing the traffic load among different networks can effectively utilize the overall radio resources in the system. In this paper, we propose an efficient load balancing scheme for the heterogeneous overlay systems, which is applied in the call admission control process. If the available network(s) cannot provide enough resource for the request call without degrading the quality‐of‐service (QoS) obtained by the ongoing calls, the system will perform load balancing operations first by initiating vertical handoffs among networks in order to create more rooms for the request call. The load balancing algorithm is to minimize the variance between the network utilizations of the entire system, which can be formulated as a quadratic binary programming problem. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can admit more calls into the system compared with the other three reference schemes and then improve the overall throughput. Meanwhile, the scheme can keep the networks working in effective states and provide a better QoS support for users. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In Search of Chemical Frustration in the Ca‐Cu‐Cd System: Chemical Pressure Relief in the Crystal Structures of ­Ca5Cu2Cd and Ca2Cu2Cd9
Authors: Harris Nicholas A. , Hadler Amelia B. , Fredrickson Daniel C. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractStructural complexity in intermetallic phases is increasingly being linked to the coexistence of or competition between mutually exclusive types of bonding or packing. We present an approach to inducing such competition through the choice of a ternary combination of elements with inherent incompatibilities in the bonding preferences of their binary subsystems, a conflict we term chemical frustration by analogy with magnetic phenomena. One system in which we perceived the potential for chemical frustration emerging is Ca‐Cu‐Cd. We describe our synthetic efforts in this system and the structures of two new compounds that we have obtained with the approximate compositions Ca5Cu2Cd and Ca2Cu2Cd9. Both compounds crystallize in ternary variants of binary structure types: the Cr5B3 type for Ca5Cu2Cd and the Mg2Zn11 type for Ca2Cu2Cd9. Despite their ternary compositions, the structural features of binary and even elemental phases can be discerned at the level of local coordination polyhedra. These observations can be rationalized by the position of the compounds in the phase diagram as a sort of phase‐segregation at a very small length scale, consistent with the presence of incompatible bonding modes. The impetus for the formation of ternary phases, as opposed to a multiphase sample with macroscopic separation between binary and elemental phases, is traced through μ2‐Hückel chemical pressure analysis to the relief of electronic packing frustration in hypothetical binary compounds upon introducing a third element.