bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of ZAC impairs glucose‐stimulated insulin translation and secretion in clonal pancreatic beta‐cells
Authors: Du Xiaoyu , Ounissi‐Benkalha Houria , Loder Merewyn K. , Rutter Guy A. , Polychronakos Constantin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundZAC (Zinc finger protein that regulates apoptosis and cell‐cycle arrest) is a candidate gene for transient neonatal diabetes mellitus (TNDM). This condition involves severe insulin deficiency at birth that reverses over weeks or months but may relapse with diabetes recurring in later life. ZAC overexpression in transgenic mice has previously been shown to result in complex changes in both beta‐cell mass and possibly function. The present study therefore aimed to examine the role of ZAC in beta‐cell function in vitro, independent of the confounder of a reduced beta‐cell mass at birth.MethodsOverexpression of ZAC was achieved through the tetracycline‐regulatable system in the beta‐cell line, INS‐1.ResultsWe found that ZAC overexpression exerted no significant effect on proliferation in this transformed cell line at any of the glucose concentrations examined. By contrast, glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion was impaired through a mechanism downstream of cytosolic Ca2+ increases. Furthermore, glucose‐stimulated proinsulin biosynthesis was inhibited despite an increase in insulin transcript level. Finally, we found that glucose downregulated ZAC expression in both INS‐1 cells and primary mouse islets.ConclusionsThese results indicate that ZAC is a negative regulator of the acute stimulatory effects of glucose on beta‐cells, and provide a possible explanation for both insulin deficiency in the neonate and the later relapse of diabetes in patients with transient neonatal diabetes mellitus cases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sesquiterpenoids from Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), an Invasive Biological Polluter
Authors: Taglialatela‐Scafati Orazio , Pollastro Federica , Minassi Alberto , Chianese Giuseppina , De Petrocellis Luciano , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Appendino Giovanni 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAllergy to common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is increasingly important from a clinical standpoint, but surprisingly, little is known on the secondary metabolites of this plant and their potential involvement in the severity of the allergic reactions induced by its pollen. Along with known compounds, eight novel sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the aerial parts of A. artemisiifolia, evidencing the presence of large amounts of electrophilic α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl derivatives. Because compounds of this type were also present in pollen, their reactivity with thiols was investigated and correlated to the activation of TRPA1, a polymodal sensor highly expressed in the aerial pathways and involved in airways sensory irritation, a common complication of allergy to Ambrosia.
Efficiency of Acid‐ and Mercury‐Catalyzed Cyclization Reactions in the Synthesis of Tetrahydrofurans from Allylsilyl Alcohols
Authors: Pulido Francisco J. , Barbero Asunción , Val Patricia , Diez Alberto , González‐Ortega Alfonso 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe scope of the acid‐catalyzed and mercury‐catalyzed cyclization reactions of allylsilyl alcohols is described. This methodology has been found to be an efficient approach to the synthesis of highly substituted tetrahydrofurans. The stereoselectivity of the cyclization is dependent both on the substitution of the starting alcohol and on the catalyst. A plausible mechanism has been proposed that is consistent with the results.
Access to a Wide Range of Sultams by Cyclodialkylation of α‐Substituted Methanesulfonanilides
Authors: Rassadin Valentin A. , Grosheva Daria S. , Arefeva Irina A. , Tomashevskiy Aleksandr A. , Sokolov Victor V. , de Meijere Armin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractA wide range of five‐ and six‐membered sultams bearing an α‐ethoxycarbonyl‐α‐methyl substituent or an α‐aryl group (17 examples) were synthesized by the cyclodialkylation of α‐substituted methanesulfonanilides with α,ω‐dihaloalkanes in the presence of K2CO3 or under phase‐transfer catalysis (PTC) conditions. Upon treatment with K2CO3 in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) or NaH in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N‐(2,3‐dibromopropyl)‐α‐toluenesulfonanilides furnished different 1,3‐diaryl‐2‐thia‐3‐azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane 2,2‐dioxides in good to excellent yields (51–88 %, 16 examples). The 4‐methoxyphenyl (PMP) group was easily removed from the sultam nitrogen atom by treatment of the corresponding bicyclic sultams with cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate in acetonitrile (71–84 % yield, 6 examples).
CuBr/PMDETA‐Mediated Reactions of [60]Fullerene with Active Halides: Preparation of Methano[60]Fullerene Derivatives
Authors: Yang Hai‐Tao , Tian Zong‐Yong , Ruan Xiao‐Jiao , Zhang Min , Miao Chun‐Bao , Sun Xiao‐Qiang 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAn efficient protocol for the synthesis of methano[60]fullerene derivatives linked with a single electron‐withdrawing group has been developed through one‐step reaction of [60]fullerene with active halides mediated by CuBr/pentamethyldiethylenetriamine. Many functional groups including esters, ketones, amides, and sulfonyl groups could be easily introduced onto the fullerene skeleton by using this methodology. A plausible reaction mechanism, but not the atom transfer radical process, was proposed for the formation of the methano[60]fullerene derivatives.
Derivation of screening benchmarks for dietary methylmercury exposure for the common loon (Gavia immer): Rationale for use in ecological risk assessment
Authors: Depew David C. , Basu Niladri , Burgess Neil M. , Campbell Linda M. , Evers David C. , Grasman Keith A. , Scheuhammer Anton M. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The current understanding of methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity to avian species has improved considerably in recent years and indicates that exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of MeHg through the diet can adversely affect various aspects of avian health, reproduction, and survival. Because fish-eating birds are at particular risk for elevated MeHg exposure, the authors surveyed the available primary and secondary literature to summarize the effects of dietary MeHg on the common loon (Gavia immer) and to derive ecologically relevant toxic thresholds for dietary exposure to MeHg in fish prey. After considering the available data, the authors propose three screening benchmarks of 0.1, 0.18, and 0.4 µg g−1 wet weight MeHg in prey fish. The lowest benchmark (0.1 µg g−1 wet wt) is the threshold for adverse behavioral impacts in adult loons and is close to the empirically determined no observed adverse effects level for subclinical effects observed in captive loon chicks. The remaining benchmarks (0.18 and 0.4 µg g−1 wet wt) correspond to MeHg levels in prey fish associated with significant reproductive impairment and reproductive failure in wild adult loons. Overall, these benchmarks incorporate recent findings and reviews of MeHg toxicity in aquatic fish-eating birds and provide the basis for a national ecological risk assessment for Hg and loons in Canada. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 2399–2407. © 2012 SETAC
Species-specific and transgenerational responses to increasing salinity in sympatric freshwater gastropods
Authors: Suski Jamie G. , Salice Christopher J. , Patiño Reynaldo 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Freshwater salinization is a global concern partly attributable to anthropogenic salt contamination. The authors examined the effects of increased salinity (as NaCl, 250–4,000 µS/cm, specific conductance) on two sympatric freshwater gastropods (Helisoma trivolvis and Physa pomillia). Life stage sensitivities were determined by exposing naive eggs or naive juveniles (through adulthood and reproduction). Additionally, progeny eggs from the juvenile-adult exposures were maintained at their respective parental salinities to examine transgenerational effects. Naive H. trivolvis eggs experienced delayed development at specific conductance &gt; 250 µS/cm; reduced survivorship and reproduction were also seen in juvenile H. trivolvis at 4,000 µS/cm. Survival and growth of P. pomilia were not affected by increased salinity following egg or juvenile exposures. Interestingly, the progeny of H. trivolvis exposed to higher salinity may have gained tolerance to increased salinity whereas P. pomilia progeny may have experienced negative transgenerational effects. The present study demonstrates that freshwater snail species vary in their tolerance to salinization and also highlights the importance of multigenerational studies, as stressor impacts may not be readily apparent from shorter term exposures. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 2517–2524. © 2012 SETAC
Effect of co‐gasification of biomass and petroleum coke with coal on the production of gases
Authors: Fermoso Javier , Arias Borja , Moghtaderi Behdad , Pevida Covadonga , Plaza Marta G. , Pis Jose J. , Rubiera Fernando 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe co‐pyrolysis and co‐gasification of binary blends of a bituminous coal (PT), a petcoke (PC) and two types of biomass (olive stones, OS; chestnut, CH) were studied at atmospheric pressure in a fixed bed reactor. The pyrolysis and gasification were performed under nitrogen, and steam/oxygen atmospheres, respectively. In a fixed bed reactor, the particles of the different fuels are in close contact, providing an optimum means for evaluating possible synergetic effects. Pyrolysis tests showed a lack of chemical interaction between the components of the blend. Therefore, the composition of the gas produced during the pyrolysis tests can be predicted from those of the individual components and their mass fractions. During the co‐gasification tests, different interactions were observed depending on the heating rate. Low heating rates produced higher amount of CO and CO2, whereas tar yield decreased. At high heating rates, the biomass and coal blends produced more tar but less H2 and CO. The effect of co‐gasification on apparent thermal efficiency was also evaluated. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Simulations of long‐column flow experiments related to geologic carbon sequestration: effects of outer wall boundary condition on upward flow and formation of liquid CO2
Authors: Oldenburg Curtis M. , Doughty Christine , Peters Catherine A. , Dobson Patrick F. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractImproving understanding of CO2 migration, phase change, and trapping processes motivates the development of large‐scale laboratory experiments to bridge the gap between bench‐scale experiments and field‐scale studies. Critical to the design of such experiments are defensible configurations that mimic relevant subsurface flow scenarios. We use numerical simulation with TOUGH2/ECO2M and ECO2N to design flow and transport experiments aimed at understanding upward flows including the transition of CO2 from supercritical to liquid and gaseous forms. These experiments are designed for a large‐scale facility such as the proposed laboratory for underground CO2 investigations (LUCI). LUCI would consist of one or more long‐column pressure vessels (LCPVs) several hundred meters in length filled with porous materials. An LCPV with an insulated outer wall corresponds to the column being at the center of a large upwelling plume. If the outer wall of the LCPV is assigned fixed temperature boundary conditions corresponding to the geothermal gradient, the LCPV represents a narrow upwelling through a fault or well. Numerical simulations of upward flow in the columns reveal complex temporal variations of temperature and saturation, including the appearance of liquid CO2 due to expansion cooling. The results are sensitive to outer thermal boundary conditions. Understanding of the simulations is aided by time‐series animations of saturation‐depth profiles and trajectories through P‐T (pressure‐temperature) space with superimposed phase saturations. The strong dependence of flow on hydrologic properties and the lack of knowledge of three‐phase relative permeability and hysteresis underlines the need for large‐scale flow experiments to understand multiphase leakage behavior. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The medial habenula contains a specific nonstellate subtype of astrocyte expressing the ectonucleotidase NTPDase2
Authors: Gampe Kristine , Hammer Klaus , Kittel Ágnes , Zimmermann Herbert 
Published: August 2012

AbstractATP‐mediated synaptic transmission represents the only transmitter‐gated Ca2+‐entry pathway in neurons of the rodent medial habenula. In addition to direct purinergic receptor‐mediated synaptic inputs, the medial habenula contains purinergic systems that modulate synaptic transmission. Purinergic signaling is modulated or terminated by ectonucleotidase, nucleotide‐hydrolyzing enzymes of the cell surface. Here we identify the major ectonucleotidase responsible for the hydrolysis of extracellular ATP in the mouse medial habenula as ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 2 (NTPDase2), using immunostaining and enzyme histochemistry. Double labeling experiments reveal that the enzyme is expressed by astrocytes enwrapping the densely packed neurons and also the myelinated fiber bundles of the stria medullaris. NTPDase2 immunoreactivity is absent from the lateral habenula. The analysis of mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein under the promoter of glial fibrillary acidic protein revealed that the medial habenula harbors a highly polar type of astrocytes with very long laminar cellular processes, untypical for grey matter astrocytes. Its morphology strongly differs from that of the stellate astrocytes in the adjacent lateral habenula. Our results suggest that the mouse medial habenula contains a specific perineuronal nonstellate subtype of astrocyte that expresses the ectonucleotidase NTPDase2 and is in a strategic position to modulate purinergic transmission in this subnucleus. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chronic hepatitis B infection in adolescents who received primary infantile vaccination
Authors: Wu Tzu-Wei , Lin Hans Hsienhong , Wang Li-Yu 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health issue. Universal infantile hepatitis B (HB) vaccination is very efficacious. However, HBV infections among those immunized subjects have been reported. The long-term efficacy of postnatal passive-active HB vaccination in high-risk subjects is not well explored. A total of 8,733 senior high school students who were born after July 1987 were assayed for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs). The overall HBsAg and anti-HBs-positive rates were 1.9% and 48.3%, respectively. The HBsAg-positive rate was 15% in HB immunoglobulin (HBIG) recipients (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 15.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.99-22.22). Among students who did not receive HBIG, there was a significantly negative association between HB vaccination dosage and HBsAg-positive rate (P for trend = 0.011). Adjusted ORs for those who received 4, 3, and 1 to 2 doses were 1.00, 1.52 (95% CI: 0.91-2.53), and 2.85 (95% CI: 1.39-5.81), respectively. Among HBIG recipients, the HBsAg-positive rate was significantly higher in subjects with maternal hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity and who received HBIG off-schedule. A booster dose of HB vaccination was administered to 1974 HBsAg- and anti-HBs-negative subjects. Prebooster and a postbooster blood samples were drawn for anti-HBs quantification. The proportions of postbooster anti-HBs titer <10 mIU/mL was 27.9%. Subjects with prebooster anti-HBs titers of 1.0-9.9 mIU/mL had significantly higher postbooster anti-HBs titers than those with prebooster anti-HBs titers of <1.0 mIU/mL (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Having maternal HBeAg positivity is the most important determinant for HBsAg positivity in adolescents who received postnatal passive-active HB vaccination 15 years before. A significant proportion of complete vaccinees may have lost their immunological memories against HBsAg. (Hepatology 2013)
Disordered purinergic signaling and abnormal cellular metabolism are associated with development of liver cancer in Cd39/Entpd1 null Mice
Authors: Sun Xiaofeng , Han Lihui , Seth Pankaj , Bian Shu , Li Linglin , Csizmadia Eva , Junger Wolfgang G. , Schmelzle Moritz , Usheva Anny , Tapper Elliot B. , Baffy Gyorgy , Sukhatme Vikas P. , Wu Yan , Robson Simon C. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Liver cancer is associated with chronic inflammation, which is linked to immune dysregulation, disordered metabolism, and aberrant cell proliferation. Nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1; (CD39/ENTPD1) is an ectonucleotidase that regulates extracellular nucleotide/nucleoside concentrations by scavenging nucleotides to ultimately generate adenosine. These properties inhibit antitumor immune responses and promote angiogenesis, being permissive for the growth of transplanted tumors. Here we show that Cd39 deletion promotes development of both induced and spontaneous autochthonous liver cancer in mice. Loss of Cd39 results in higher concentrations of extracellular nucleotides, which stimulate proliferation of hepatocytes, abrogate autophagy, and disrupt glycolytic metabolism. Constitutive activation of Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-S6K1 pathways occurs in both quiescent Cd39 null hepatocytes in vitro and liver tissues in vivo. Exogenous adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) boosts these signaling pathways, whereas rapamycin inhibits such aberrant responses in hepatocytes. Conclusion: Deletion of Cd39 and resulting changes in disordered purinergic signaling perturb hepatocellular metabolic/proliferative responses, paradoxically resulting in malignant transformation. These findings might impact adjunctive therapies for cancer. Our studies indicate that the biology of autochthonous and transplanted tumors is quite distinct. (Hepatology 2013)
A functional screening identifies five micrornas controlling glypican-3: role of mir-1271 down-regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Maurel Marion , Jalvy Sandra , Ladeiro Yannick , Combe Chantal , Vachet Laetitia , Sagliocco Francis , Bioulac-Sage Paulette , Pitard Vincent , Jacquemin-Sablon Hélène , Zucman-Rossi Jessica , Laloo Benoît , Grosset Christophe F. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major primary liver cancer. Glypican-3 (GPC3), one of the most abnormally expressed genes in HCC, participates in liver carcinogenesis. Based on data showing that GPC3 expression is posttranscriptionally altered in HCC cells compared to primary hepatocytes, we investigated the implication of microRNAs (miRNAs) in GPC3 overexpression and HCC. To identify GPC3-regulating miRNAs, we developed a dual-fluorescence FunREG (functional, integrated, and quantitative method to measure posttranscriptional regulations) system that allowed us to screen a library of 876 individual miRNAs. Expression of candidate miRNAs and that of GPC3 messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured in 21 nontumoral liver and 112 HCC samples. We then characterized the phenotypic consequences of modulating expression of one candidate miRNA in HuH7 cells and deciphered the molecular mechanism by which this miRNA controls the posttranscriptional regulation of GPC3. We identified five miRNAs targeting GPC3 3′-untranslated region (UTR) and regulating its expression about the 876 tested. Whereas miR-96 and its paralog miR-1271 repressed GPC3 expression, miR-129-1-3p, miR-1291, and miR-1303 had an inducible effect. We report that miR-1271 expression is down-regulated in HCC tumor samples and inversely correlates with GPC3 mRNA expression in a particular subgroup of HCC. We also report that miR-1271 inhibits the growth of HCC cells in a GPC3-dependent manner and induces cell death. Conclusion: Using a functional screen, we found that miR-96, miR-129-1-3p, miR-1271, miR-1291, and miR-1303 differentially control GPC3 expression in HCC cells. In a subgroup of HCC, the up-regulation of GPC3 was associated with a concomitant down-regulation of its repressor miR-1271. Therefore, we propose that GPC3 overexpression and its associated oncogenic effects are linked to the down-regulation of miR-1271 in HCC. (Hepatology 2013)
On the reliability of spatially disaggregated global ensemble rainfall forecasts
Authors: Gaborit Étienne , Anctil François , Fortin Vincent , Pelletier Geneviève 
Published: August 2012

AbstractEnsemble rainfall forecasts are of high interest for decision making, as they provide an explicit and dynamic assessment of the uncertainty in the forecast. However, for hydrological forecasting, their low resolution currently limits their use to large watersheds. To bridge this gap, various implementations of a spatial statistical downscaling method were compared, bringing Environment Canada's global ensemble rainfall forecasts from a 100 × 70‐km resolution down to 6 × 4‐km while increasing each pixel's rainfall variance and preserving its original mean. This was applied for nine consecutive days of summer 2009 with strong rain events over Quebec City, Canada. For comparison purposes, simpler methods were also implemented such as the bilinear interpolation, which disaggregates global forecasts without modifying their variance.The meteorological products were evaluated, using different scores and diagrams, against observed values taken from Quebec City rain gauge network. The most important conclusions of this work are that the overall quality of the forecasts was preserved during the disaggregation procedure and that the disaggregated products using the variance‐enhancing method were of similar quality than bilinear interpolation products. However, variance and dispersion of the different members were, of course, much improved for the variance‐enhanced products, compared with the bilinear interpolation, which is a decisive advantage. Therefore, there is an interest in implementing variance‐enhancing methods to disaggregate global ensemble rainfall forecasts. Copyright © 2012 Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Roles of galectin‐7 and S100A9 in cervical squamous carcinoma: Clinicopathological and in vitro evidence
Authors: Zhu Hong , Wu Tian‐Cong , Chen Wei‐Qiong , Zhou Li‐Jun , Wu Yue , Zeng Liang , Pei Hai‐Ping 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn our study, we for the first time assessed the association of galectin‐7 and S100A9 with clinicopathological variables and survival outcomes in cervical squamous carcinoma patients and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms in cervical squamous carcinoma cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis of 243 patient samples showed that the positive staining rate for galectin‐7 and S100A9 gradually decreased from normal cervical tissue to intraepithelial neoplasia and to cervical squamous carcinoma. Both galectin‐7 and S100A9 showed significant negative association with lymph node metastasis and staging of cervical squamous carcinoma. Cervical squamous carcinoma patients with negative staining of galectin‐7 or S100A9 showed significantly lower 5‐year overall survival rate than those with positive staining. Multivariate analysis with the Cox's proportional hazards model indicated that both galectin‐7 and S100A9 had significant protective effect on cervical squamous carcinoma patients. Subsequent in vitro study in SiHa and C‐33A human cervical squamous carcinoma cell lines revealed that knocking down galectin‐7 or S100A9 enhanced tumor cell invasion and tumor cell viability against paclitaxel‐induced apoptotic stress, likely through increasing the matrix metalloproteinase‐9 expression and activating the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt signaling pathway, respectively. Knocking down both galectin‐7 and S100A9 produced a synergistic effect, with galectin‐7 displaying more significant and consistent protective effects than S100A9 on cervical squamous carcinoma cells. In summary, our study for the first time provides clinicopathological and in vitro evidence showing that both galectin‐7 and S100A9 play important protective roles in cervical squamous carcinoma, which provides fresh insights into the biology of cervical squamous carcinoma.