bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of a novel corticotropin‐releasing hormone‐binding protein (CRH‐BP) gene from Chinese honeybee (Apis cerana cerana)
Authors: Liu Li , Yu Xiaoli , Meng Fei , Guo Xingqi , Xu Baohua 
Published: October 2011

AbstractCorticotropin‐releasing hormone‐binding protein (CRH‐BP) is an essential secreted glycoprotein for coordinating the neuroendocrine responses to stress by binding either CRHs or its related peptides. A novel CRH‐BP gene AccCRH‐BP from Apis cerana cerana was identified and characterized. Its genomic DNA was consisted of seven exons and six introns, and shared high similarity with the homologous members from other insects and vertebrates. Homologous and phylogenetic analysis indicated that AccCRH‐BP was highly conserved, suggesting the maintenance of conservative structure might be necessary for its biological function. Real‐time quantitative PCR revealed that AccCRH‐BP was highly expressed in pupa and adult, especially in the head of pupa. However, there was no expression in larval stage. Furthermore, the transcripts of AccCRH‐BP in the brain of honeybees were induced by exposure to environmental stresses including UV‐light, heat, and cold. The expression level of AccCRH‐BP in workers or queens was significantly higher than that of drones. Additionally, analysis of 5′‐flanking region of AccCRH‐BP revealed a number of putative development and stress transcription factor‐binding sites. These data suggest that AccCRH‐BP may play important roles in the regulation of honeybee development, and in the central nervous system of the brain to regulate the neuroendocrine stress responses. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wnt signaling genes of murine chromosome 15 are involved in sex‐affected pathways of inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Kudryavtseva Elena , Forde Toni S. , Pucker Andrew D. , Adarichev Vyacheslav A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractObjectiveSex disparities in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are well documented despite the lack of any known major RA susceptibility genes mapped to sex chromosomes. Murine chromosome 15 carries the sex‐affected Pgia8 locus that mediates proteoglycan‐induced arthritis, and homologous human loci are associated with RA. This study was undertaken to identify genes/mechanisms implicated in sex disparities in arthritis.MethodsGene expression analysis was performed using RNA isolated from the paws of male and female Pgia8‐congenic mice with collagen antibody–induced arthritis. Results were corroborated by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, and mice were also studied prior to disease onset. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis of the expression patterns and gene functions was used to discover locus‐specific and sex‐affected signature transcripts.ResultsWe found that the Pgia8 locus regulates antibody‐mediated inflammatory arthritis differently in males and females. In Pgia8‐congenic males, arthritis severity was 30% less (P < 0.005) than in wild‐type males, but the antiinflammatory effect was similar in wild‐type and congenic females. Transcriptome analysis indicated that 12 genes within the locus were significantly dysregulated in arthritic joints of congenic mice; expression of these genes was also sex specific. The genes that correlated most highly with arthritis severity included those for collagen triple‐helix repeat–containing 1 (Cthrc1), metalloproteinase (Adamts12), R‐spondin (Rspo2), and syndecan (Sdc2) (r = 0.87–0.91). The level of Cthrc1 message also correlated with that of the genes for the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1β and interleukin‐6.ConclusionThese results indicate that sex‐specific disparities in RA are linked to transcriptional regulation of genes involved in cartilage degradation (Adamts12) and canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling (Cthrc1, Rspo2, Sdc2).
Disorders in angiogenesis and redox pathways are main factors contributing to the progression of rheumatoid arthritis: A comparative proteomics study
Authors: Wang Jian‐Guang , Xu Wei‐Dong , Zhai Wei‐Tao , Li Yan , Hu Jie‐Wei , Hu Bo , Li Ming , Zhang Ling , Guo Wei , Zhang Jian‐Peng , Wang Liang‐Hua , Jiao Bing‐Hua 
Published: October 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo clarify the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by comparing protein expression in fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with RA with that in FLS from normal subjects, using proteomics analysis.MethodsProteins extracted from primary cultures of FLS obtained from 50 patients with RA and 10 normal subjects were analyzed by automated 2‐dimensional nano–electrospray ionization liquid chromatography tandem mass spectometry. Differentially expressed proteins were screened by 2‐sample t‐test (P < 0.05) and fold change (>1.5), based on the bioinformatics analysis. The expression of vasculature development–related proteins (Thy‐1, connective tissue growth factor [CTGF], and thrombospondin 1 [TSP‐1]) and redox‐related proteins (superoxide dismutase 2 [SOD2]) in synovial tissue was confirmed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The effect of Thy‐1 and CTGF knockdown on Thy‐1, CTGF, TSP‐1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was analyzed by RNA interference experiments.ResultsAccording to the criteria of having >1 unique peptide per protein present and a false discovery rate of ≤5%, 1,060 proteins were identified from patients with RA, and 1,292 proteins were identified from normal subjects, from which 100 differentially expressed proteins were screened out from the RA proteins. Of these, 46 proteins were up‐regulated, and the remaining 54 proteins were down‐regulated. Gene ontology and pathway analyses showed that 6 vasculature development–related proteins were up‐regulated, including Thy‐1, CTGF, and TSP‐1, while 11 redox‐related proteins were down‐regulated, including SOD2. The results were consistent with those obtained using mass spectrometry. Thy‐1, VEGF, CTGF, and TSP‐1 were down‐regulated after Thy‐1 knockdown, and VEGF and CTGF were down‐regulated after CTGF knockdown. Recombinant human CTGF could enhance proliferation and Transwell migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells.ConclusionUp‐regulation of vasculature development–related proteins and down‐regulation of redox‐related proteins in FLS are predominant factors that may contribute to the pathogenesis of RA.
Reducing the Linear Perception of Nonlinearity: Use of a Physical Representation
Authors: Dutt Varun , Gonzalez Cleotilde 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTResearch shows that while judging accumulations of quantities over time (e.g., money in a bank account or CO2 in Earth's atmosphere), people assume that the shape of the accumulation is similar to the shape of the inflow (i.e., people rely on a correlation heuristic). Relying on the correlation heuristic is particularly worrisome for Earth's climate, as judging the CO2 accumulation according to its emissions (inflow) would underestimate the actual (nonlinear) increase. This misperception undermines the seriousness of climate problem and results in wait‐and‐see behavior. We report two experiments where the effectiveness of a physical representation is compared with graphical and text representations in reducing people's underestimation of nonlinear accumulation in different contexts and problems. A physical representation presents an accumulation using a picture that works as a metaphor. In the first experiment, participants drew the shape of an accumulation over time relying on physical or graphical representations in one of two contexts: carbon dioxide and marbles. Although the participants underestimated the accumulation in both contexts, underestimations were reduced in the physical representation compared with the graphical representation. In the second experiment, we extended the evaluation of physical representations against both text and graphical representations in two different climate problems (with linearly increasing or decreasing inflow). Again, underestimations of the accumulation were reduced in the physical representation compared with the other two representations, regardless of the nature of the problem. We discuss implications of using the physical representation for improving people's estimates of nonlinear CO2 accumulation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developmental toxicology—new directions workshop: refining testing strategies and study designs
Authors: C. Brannen Kimberly , Fenton Suzanne E. , Hansen Deborah K. , Harrouk Wafa , Kim James H. , Shuey Dana 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIn April 2009, the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Health and Environmental Sciences Institute's (HESI) Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Technical Committee held a two‐day workshop entitled “Developmental Toxicology—New Directions.” The third session of the workshop focused on ways to refine animal studies to improve relevance and predictivity for human risk. The session included five presentations on: (1) considerations for refining developmental toxicology testing and data interpretation; (2) comparative embryology and considerations in study design and interpretation; (3) pharmacokinetic considerations in study design; (4) utility of genetically modified models for understanding mode‐of‐action; and (5) special considerations in reproductive testing for biologics. The presentations were followed by discussion by the presenters and attendees. Much of the discussion focused on aspects of refining current animal testing strategies, including use of toxicokinetic data, dose selection, tiered/triggered testing strategies, species selection, and use of alternative animal models. Another major area of discussion was use of non‐animal‐based testing paradigms, including how to define a “signal” or adverse effect, translating in vitro exposures to whole animal and human exposures, validation strategies, the need to bridge the existing gap between classical toxicology testing and risk assessment, and development of new technologies. Although there was general agreement among participants that the current testing strategy is effective, there was also consensus that traditional methods are resource‐intensive and improved effectiveness of developmental toxicity testing to assess risks to human health is possible. This article provides a summary of the session's presentations and discussion and describes some key areas that warrant further consideration. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 92:404–412, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced stability and activity of cellulase in an ionic liquid and the effect of pretreatment on cellulose hydrolysis
Authors: Bose Sayantan , Barnes Charles A. , Petrich Jacob W. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractWe discuss the hydrolysis of cellulose using a pure cellulase: endo‐1,4‐β‐D‐glucanase (EG) from the fungus, Aspergillus niger, in buffer, the pure ionic liquid (IL), tris‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐methylammonium methylsulfate (HEMA), and various mixtures of the two at different temperatures. Steady‐state fluorescence and absorbance studies were performed to monitor the stability and activity of EG using cellulose azure as the substrate. EG attains its highest activity at 45°C in buffer and denatures at ∼55°C. On the other hand, HEMA imparts substantial stability to the enzyme, permitting the activity to peak at 75°C. The relative roles of temperature, viscosity, pH, polarity, and the constituent ions of the ILs on the hydrolysis reaction are examined. It is demonstrated that pretreatment of cellulose with ILs such as BMIM Cl, MIM Cl, and HEMA results in more rapid conversion to glucose than hydrolysis with cellulose that is not pretreated. The percent conversion to glucose from pretreated cellulose is increased when the temperature is increased from 45 to 60°C. Two different ILs are used to increase the efficiency of cellulose conversion to glucose. Cellulose is pretreated with BMIM Cl. Subsequent hydrolysis of the pretreated cellulose in 10–20% solutions of HEMA in buffer provides higher yields of glucose at 60°C. Finally, to our knowledge, this is the first study dealing with a pure endoglucanase from commercial A. niger. This enzyme not only shows higher tolerance to ILs, such as HEMA, but also has enhanced thermostability in the presence of the IL. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:434–443. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HPLC‐UV analytical method for determination of pizotifen after in vitro transdermal diffusion studies
Authors: Serna‐Jiménez C. E. , del Rio Sancho S. , Calatayud‐Pascual M. A. , Balaguer‐Fernández C. , Femenía‐Font A. , López‐Castellano A. , Merino V. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTPizotifen malate is an antihistamine and serotonin inhibitor used in the preventive treatment of migraine and eating disorders. A simple, rapid, accurate and precise high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method involving ultraviolet detection was validated for the quantitative analysis of pizotifen malate in samples from in vitro transdermal diffusion studies. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantification and robustness. Drug stability in the solution was also determined under different conditions. Separation was carried out using a 250 × 4.0 mm Kromasil® C18 column at room temperature. The detector response, fitted at 254 nm, was found to be linear in a concentration range between 0.24 and 24.0 µg/mL. The limit of detection was 0.02 µg/mL and the limit of quantification was 0.07 µg/mL. Finally, in vitro transdermal diffusion of pizotifen malate was characterized using the validated HPLC method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adoption of the Balanced Scorecard: A Contingency Variables Analysis
Authors: Hendricks Kevin , Hora Manpreet , Menor Larry , Wiedman Christine 
Published: October 2011

AbstractOur study investigates the adoption of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as a strategic planning system. We empirically examine the firm‐level factors—business‐level strategy, firm size, environmental uncertainty, investment in intangible assets, and prior performance— that are posited to differentiate BSC adopters from nonadopters. Drawing on a sample of Canadian firms and utilizing both survey and archival data, we find that BSC adopters (a) are more likely to follow a Prospector or Analyzer business strategy, (b) are significantly larger, (c) exhibit significantly higher environmental uncertainty than nonadopters, and (d) have weaker prior performance. Copyright © 2011 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selective detection of histologically aggressive prostate cancer
Authors: Williams Stephen B. , Salami Simpa , Regan Meredith M. , Ankerst Donna P. , Wei John T. , Rubin Mark A. , Thompson Ian M. , Sanda Martin G. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Limited survival benefit and excess treatment because of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening in randomized trials suggests a need for more restricted selection of prostate biopsy candidates by discerning risk of histologically aggressive versus indolent cancer before biopsy.METHODS:Subjects undergoing first prostate biopsy enrolled in a multicenter, prospective cohort of the National Cancer Institute Early Detection Research Network (N = 635) were analyzed to develop a model for predicting histologically aggressive prostate cancers. The control arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (N = 3833) was used to validate the generalization of the predictive model.RESULTS:The Early Detection Research Network cohort was comprised of men among whom 57% had no cancer, 14% had indolent cancer, and 29% had aggressive cancer. Age, body mass index, family history of prostate cancer, abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE), and PSA density (PSAD) were associated with aggressive cancer (all P < .001). The Early Detection Research Network model outperformed PSA alone in predicting aggressive cancer (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.81 vs 0.71, P < .01). Model validation in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial cohort accurately identified men at low (<10%) risk of aggressive cancer for whom biopsy could be averted (AUC = 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.75‐0.80). Under criteria from the Early Detection Research Network model, prostate biopsy can be restricted to men with PSAD >0.1 ng/mL/cc or abnormal DRE. When PSAD is <0.1 ng/mL/cc, family history or obesity can identify biopsy candidates.CONCLUSIONS:A predictive model incorporating age, family history, obesity, PSAD, and DRE elucidates criteria whereby ¼ of prostate biopsies can be averted while retaining high sensitivity in detecting aggressive prostate cancer. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Clinical benefits of systemic chemotherapy for patients with metastatic pheochromocytomas or sympathetic extra‐adrenal paragangliomas
Authors: Ayala‐Ramirez Montserrat , Feng Lei , Habra Mouhammed A. , Rich Thereasa , Dickson Paxton V. , Perrier Nancy , Phan Alexandria , Waguespack Steven , Patel Shreyaskumar , Jimenez Camilo 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical benefits of systemic chemotherapy for patients with metastatic pheochromocytomas or sympathetic paragangliomas by assessing reductions in tumor size and blood pressure and improvements in overall survival (OS).METHODS:The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with metastatic pheochromocytomas‐sympathetic paragangliomas who had received chemotherapy at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.RESULTS:Clinical benefit and OS were assessed. Of 54 patients who received chemotherapy, 52 patients were evaluable for response. Seventeen patients (33%) experienced a response, which was defined as decreased or normalized blood pressure/decreased number and dosage of antihypertensive medications and/or reduced tumor size after the first chemotherapy regimen. The median OS was 6.4 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.2‐16.4 years) for responders and 3.7 years (95% CI, 3.0‐7.5 years) for nonresponders. Among the patients who had synchronous metastatic disease, a positive response at 1 year after the start of chemotherapy was associated with a trend toward longer OS (log‐rank test; P = .095). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, the effect of response to chemotherapy on OS was significant (hazard ratio, 0.22; 95% CI, interval: 0.05‐1.0; P = .05). All responders had received dacarbazine and cyclophosphamide. Vincristine was included for 14 responders, and doxorubicin was included for 12 responders. The clinical factors that predicted response to chemotherapy could not be identified.CONCLUSIONS:The current results indicted that chemotherapy may decrease tumor size and facilitate blood pressure control in approximately 33% of patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma‐sympathetic paraganglioma. These patients exhibited longer survival. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Immunohistochemical identification and synaptic inputs to the diffuse bipolar cell type DB1 in macaque retina
Authors: Puthussery Theresa , Gayet‐Primo Jacqueline , Taylor W. Rowland , Haverkamp Silke 
Published: October 2011

AbstractDetailed analysis of the synaptic inputs to the primate DB1 bipolar cell has been precluded by the absence of a suitable immunohistochemical marker. Here we demonstrate that antibodies for the EF‐hand calcium‐binding protein, secretagogin, strongly label the DB1 bipolar cell as well as a mixed population of GABAergic amacrine cells in the macaque retina. Using secretagogin as a marker, we show that the DB1 bipolar makes synaptic contact with both L/M as well as S‐cone photoreceptors and only minimal contact with rod photoreceptors. Electron microscopy showed that the DB1 bipolar makes flat contacts at both triad‐associated and nontriad‐associated positions on the cone pedicle. Double labeling with various glutamate receptor subunit antibodies failed to conclusively determine the subunit composition of the glutamate receptors on DB1 bipolar cells. In the IPL, DB1 bipolar cell axon terminals expressed the glycine receptor, GlyRα1, at sites of contact with AII amacrine cells, suggesting that these cells receive input from the rod pathway. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:3640–3656, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Generating smooth surface meshes from multi‐region medical images
Authors: d'Otreppe Vinciane , Boman Romain , Ponthot Jean‐Philippe 
Published: October 2011

SUMMARYThanks to advances in medical imaging technologies and numerical methods, patient‐specific modelling is more and more used to improve diagnosis and to estimate the outcome of surgical interventions. It requires the extraction of the domain of interest from the medical scans of the patient, as well as the discretisation of this geometry. However, extracting smooth multi‐material meshes that conform to the tissue boundaries described in the segmented image is still an active field of research. We propose to solve this issue by combining an implicit surface reconstruction method with a multi‐region mesh extraction scheme. The surface reconstruction algorithm is based on multi‐level partition of unity implicit surfaces, which we extended to the multi‐material case. The mesh generation algorithm consists in a novel multi‐domain version of the marching tetrahedra. It generates multi‐region meshes as a set of triangular surface patches consistently joining each other at material junctions. This paper presents this original meshing strategy, starting from boundary points extraction from the segmented data to heterogeneous implicit surface definition, multi‐region surface triangulation and mesh adaptation. Results indicate that the proposed approach produces smooth and high‐quality triangular meshes with a reasonable geometric accuracy. Hence, the proposed method is well suited for subsequent volume mesh generation and finite element simulations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formulation of buffer energy and experimental results of energy factor of DC–DC converters
Authors: Shi Zhang Hai , Cheng Ka Wai Eric , Ho Siu Lau 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTTwo concepts of buffer energy and energy factor for switched‐mode power converters are proposed and examined. They can describe the nonactive power as well as predict and evaluate the performance of DC–DC converters. The concepts can also find usage in both DC and AC systems. The energy factors of six basic topologies of DC–DC converter have been studied, and they can be used to compare the performance of different topologies. It can be shown that both buffer energy and energy factor provide an alternative understanding of the energy processes in DC–DC converters. Experimental results demonstrate that energy factors and buffer energy can be measured. The measured results for some basic converters are consistent with the theoretical values. Buffer energy, energy factor, and their related concepts proposed in this article have promising application in the design of DC–DC converters. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.