bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methionine aminopeptidase 2 is required for HSC initiation and proliferation
Authors: Ma Alvin C. H. , Fung Tsz K. , Lin Rachel H. C. , Chung Martin I. S. , Yang Dan , Ekker Stephen C. , Leung Anskar Y. H. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn a chemical screening, we tested the antiangiogenic effects of fumagillin derivatives and identified fumagillin as an inhibitor of definitive hematopoiesis in zebrafish embryos. Fumagillin is known to target methionine aminopeptidase II (MetAP2), an enzyme whose function in hematopoiesis is unknown. We investigated the role of MetAP2 in hematopoiesis by using zebrafish embryo and human umbilical cord blood models. Zebrafish metap2 was expressed ubiquitously during early embryogenesis and later in the somitic region, the caudal hematopoietic tissue, and pronephric duct. metap2 was inhibited by morpholino and fumagillin treatment, resulting in increased mpo expression at 18 hours postfertilization and reduced c-myb expression along the ventral wall of dorsal aorta at 36 hours postfertilization. It also disrupted intersegmental vessels in Tg(fli1:gfp) embryos without affecting development of major axial vasculatures. Inhibition of MetAP2 in CB CD34+ cells by fumagillin had no effect on overall clonogenic activity but significantly reduced their engraftment into immunodeficient nonobese diabetes/severe combined immunodeficiency mice. metap2 knock-down in zebrafish and inhibition by fumagillin in zebrafish and human CB CD34+ cells inhibited Calmodulin Kinase II activity and induced ERK phosphorylation. This study demonstrated a hithertoundescribed role of MetAP2 in definitive hematopoiesis and a possible link to noncanonical Wnt and ERK signaling.
Self-reported responsiveness to direct-to-consumer drug advertising and medication use: results of a national survey
Authors: Dieringer Nicholas J , Kukkamma Lisa , Somes Grant W , Shorr Ronald I 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing of pharmaceuticals is controversial, yet effective. Little is known relating patterns of medication use to patient responsiveness to DTC.

Methods
We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected in national telephone survey on knowledge of and attitudes toward DTC advertisements. The survey of 1081 U.S. adults (response rate = 65%) was conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Responsiveness to DTC was defined as an affirmative response to the item: "Has an advertisement for a prescription drug ever caused you to ask a doctor about a medical condition or illness of your own that you had not talked to a doctor about before?" Patients reported number of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines taken as well as demographic and personal health information.

Results
Of 771 respondents who met study criteria, 195 (25%) were responsive to DTC. Only 7% respondents taking no prescription were responsive, whereas 45% of respondents taking 5 or more prescription medications were responsive. This trend remained significant (p trend .0009) even when controlling for age, gender, race, educational attainment, income, self-reported health status, and whether respondents "liked" DTC advertising. There was no relationship between the number of OTC medications taken and the propensity to discuss health-related problems in response to DTC advertisements (p = .4).

Conclusion
There is a strong cross-sectional relationship between the number of prescription, but not OTC, drugs used and responsiveness to DTC advertising. Although this relationship could be explained by physician compliance with patient requests for medications, it is also plausible that DTC advertisements have a particular appeal to patients prone to taking multiple medications. Outpatients motivated to discuss medical conditions based on their exposure to DTC advertising may require a careful medication history to evaluate for therapeutic duplication or overmedication.
An novel role of sphingosine kinase-1 (SPHK1) in the invasion and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma
Authors: Pan Jian , Tao Yan-Fang , Zhou Zhuan , Cao Bang-rong , Wu Shui-Yan , Zhang Yan-Lan , Hu Shao-Yan , Zhao Wen-Li , Wang Jian , Lou Guo-Liang , Li Zhen , Feng Xing , Ni Jian 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Treatment failure for esophageal carcinoma is frequently due to lymph node metastasis and invasion to neighboring organs. The aim of the present study was to investigate invasion- and metastasis-related genes in esophageal carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

Methods
A metastasis model using a Matrigel invasion clonal selection approach was employed to establish a highly invasive subline EC9706-P4 from the esophageal carcinoma cell (ESCC) line EC9706. The differentially expressed genes of the subline and the parental cells determined by gene microarrays were further analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

Results
We identified sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) as an invasion and metastasis-related gene of esophageal cancer. SPHK1 was overexpressed in the EC9706-P4 subline with high invasive capacity. Among six ESCC lines tested, KYSE2 and KYSE30 cells showed the highest SPHK1 mRNA and protein expressions as well as the most invasive phenotype. By Western blotting, in 7/12 cases (58%), SPHK1 expression was higher in esophageal carcinomas than in the companion normal tissue. In 23/30 cases (76%), SPHK1 protein expression was upregulated in the tumors compared to matched normal tissue by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Esophageal carcinoma tissue microarray analysis indicated that SPHK1 expression correlated with the depth of tumor invasion (P < 0.0001) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.016). By Kaplan-Meier analysis, strong SPHK1 expression was significantly associated with clinical failure (P < 0.01), suggesting the involvement of SPHK1 in aggressiveness of human esophageal carcinoma. SPHK1 overexpression significantly increased the invasiveness of EC9706 cells in vitro and also increased EC9706 cell growth and spontaneous metastasis in vivo, promoting significant increases in tumor growth, tumor burden and spontaneous lung metastasis in nude mice. SPHK1 expression significantly correlated with the expression of many EGFR pathway genes associated with invasion of cancer cells. SPHK1 protein expression also significantly correlated with the phosphorylation of EGFR.

Conclusion
In summary, our data implicate SPHK1 in the metastasis of esophageal cancer. Our study also identified downstream mediators of SPHK1 in esophageal cancer cells that may mediate enhanced malignant behavior, and several of these mediators may be useful as therapeutic targets.
Fractional order polytopic systems: robust stability and stabilisation
Authors: Farges Christophe , Sabatier Jocelyn , Moze Mathieu 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
This article addresses the problem of robust pseudo state feedback stabilisation of commensurate fractional order polytopic systems (FOS). In the proposed approach, Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI) formalism is used to check if the pseudo-state matrix eigenvalues belong to the FOS stability domain whatever the value of the uncertain parameters. The article focuses particularly on the case of a fractional order ν such that 0 < ν < 1, as the stability region is non-convex and associated LMI condition is not as straightforward to obtain as in the case 1 < ν < 2. In relation to the quadratic stabilisation problem previously addressed by the authors and that involves a single matrix to prove stability of the closed loop system, additional variables are then introduced to decouple system matrices in the closed loop system stability condition. This decoupling allows using parameter-dependent stability matrices and leads to less conservative results as attested by a numerical example.
Effect of ultrasound on herpes simplex virus infection in cell culture
Authors: Shintani Motoko , Takahashi Gen , Hamada Masakazu , Okunaga Shyusuke , Iwai Soichi , Yura Yoshiaki 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Ultrasound has been shown to increase the efficiency of gene expression from retroviruses, adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses. The effect of ultrasound to stimulate cell membrane permeabilization on infection with an oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was examined.

Results
Vero monkey kidney cells were infected with HSV-1 and exposed to 1 MHz ultrasound after an adsorption period. The number of plaques was significantly greater than that of the untreated control. A combination of ultrasound and microbubbles further increased the plaque number. Similar results were obtained using a different type of HSV-1 and oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells. The appropriate intensity, duty cycle and time of ultrasound to increase the plaque number were 0.5 W/cm2, 20% duty cycle and 10 sec, respectively. Ultrasound with microbubbles at an intensity of 2.0 W/cm2, at 50% duty cycle, or for 40 sec reduced cell viability.

Conclusion
These results indicate that ultrasound promotes the entry of oncolytic HSV-1 into cells. It may be useful to enhance the efficiency of HSV-1 infection in oncolytic virotherapy.
Chicken interferon alpha pretreatment reduces virus replication of pandemic H1N1 and H5N9 avian influenza viruses in lung cell cultures from different avian species
Authors: Jiang Haijun , Yang Hanchun , Kapczynski Darrell R 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundType I interferons, including interferon alpha (IFN-α), represent one of the first lines of innate immune defense against influenza virus infection. Following natural infection of chickens with avian influenza virus (AIV), transcription of IFN-α is quickly up regulated along with multiple other immune-related genes. Chicken IFN-α up regulates a number of important anti-viral response genes and has been demonstrated to be an important cytokine to establish anti-viral immunity. However, the mechanisms by which interferon inhibit virus replication in avian species remains unknown as does the biological activity of chicken interferon in other avian species.MethodsIn these studies, we assessed the protective potential of exogenous chicken IFN-α applied to chicken, duck, and turkey primary lung cell cultures prior to infection with the pandemic H1N1 virus (A/turkey/Virginia/SEP-4/2009) and an established avian H5N9 virus (A/turkey/Wisconsin/1968). Growth kinetics and induction of select immune response genes, including IFN-α and myxovirus-resistance gene I (Mx), as well as proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6), were measured in response to chicken IFN-α and viral infection over time.ResultsResults demonstrate that pretreatment with chicken IFN-α before AIV infection significantly reduced virus replication in both chicken-and turkey-origin lung cells and to a lesser degree the duck-origin cells. Virus growth was reduced by approximately 200-fold in chicken and turkey cells and 30-fold in duck cells after 48 hours of incubation. Interferon treatment also significantly decreased the interferon and proinflammatory response during viral infection. In general, infection with the H1N1 virus resulted in an attenuated interferon and proinflammatory response in these cell lines, compared to the H5N9 virus.ConclusionsTaken together, these studies show that chicken IFN-α reduces virus replication, lower host innate immune response following infection, and is biologically active in other avian species.
Involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in cough reflex sensitivity between non-sensitized and OVA-sensitized guinea pigs
Authors: Hori Akihiro , Fujimura Masaki , Ohkura Noriyuki , Tokuda Akira 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackgroundExhaled nitric oxide (ENO) is elevated in bronchial asthma patients, and inhaled corticosteroid therapy lowers the elevated ENO levels in such patients. ENO appears to be an inflammatory marker, but its role in the pathophysiology of cough remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between NO and increased cough reflex sensitivity induced by allergic airway reactions.MethodsCough reflex sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin was observed under NO depletion caused by NO synthase (NOS) inhibitors in non-sensitized and ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized guinea pigs. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analyzed in an NO depletion setting using the inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor ONO1714 in OVA-sensitized guinea pigs.ResultsNO depletion by the non-selective NOS inhibitor L-NAME suppressed cough reflex sensitivity in non-sensitized guinea pigs and OVA-induced increase in cough reflex sensitivity in sensitized guinea pigs; however, iNOS inhibition caused by ONO1714 partially suppressed the OVA-induced increase in cough reflex sensitivity, but not the normal cough response in non-sensitized guinea pigs. ONO1714 did not change BAL cell components in OVA-sensitized guinea pigs.ConclusionsThe results suggest that NO may be involved not only in the normal cough reflex circuit, but also in the OVA-induced increase in cough reflex sensitivity, possibly via a different mechanism of action. Further studies are needed to clarify the precise mechanism.
Human CD16+ and CD16– monocyte subsets display unique effector properties in inflammatory conditions in vivo
Authors: Aguilar-Ruiz Sergio R , Torres-Aguilar Honorio , González-Domínguez Érika , Narváez Juana , González-Pérez Gabriela , Vargas-Ayala Germán , Meraz-Ríos Marco A , García-Zepeda Eduardo A , Sánchez-Torres Carmen 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTTwo major subsets of human Mo are identified based on CD14 and CD16 expression: the classical CD16– Mo and the minor CD14+CD16+ Mo. In vitro studies suggested distinct function and differentiation potential for each cell population. However, the in vivo relevance of these findings remains unclear. To evaluate the development and function of human Mo in an in vivo model, we transferred both Mo subpopulations into the peritoneum of immunocompromised mice in homeostatic or inflammatory conditions. Inflammation was induced with soluble LPS or particulate zymosan. CD16+ were more phagocytic and produced higher amounts of TNF and IL-6 than CD16– Mo early after transfer with zymosan. They also produced higher levels of β2-defensin in any condition evaluated, which could represent a new marker for this subpopulation. In contrast, differentiating CD16– Mo (24 h after transfer) acquired greater APC capacity in LPS-induced peritonitis, whereas none of the Mo subsets attained this ability with zymosan. CX3CL1 supported the survival of both Mo subsets in vivo. Similar Mo subpopulations were present in human peritonitis. These results support the idea of specialized roles of the Mo subset, where CD16+ might act in an immediate innate immune response, whereas CD16– could have a major role as APCs.
Dielectric Measurement of Soil-electrolyte Mixtures in a Modified Oedometer Cell Using 400 kHz to 20 MHz Electromagnetic Waves
Authors: Cerato Amy B. , Lin Botao 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
The dielectric properties of soil have been shown to be a good indicator of moisture, contamination, and mineralogy and have been studied in order to gain a better insight into macroscopic soil behavior. Calibration factors for the measurement of real relative permittivity and effective conductivity are discussed and measured in this study. Based on the use of calibration factors, this article presents a convenient approach of dielectric measurement of soil-electrolyte mixtures in an oedometer-like cell using electromagnetic waves at a frequency range of 400 kHz–20 MHz to study the behavior of the mixtures. The effects of volumetric water content, chemical composition, anisotropy, and soil type are assessed based on the proposed measurement approach and the results are discussed.
Thermal Oxidative Stability of Vegetable Oils as Metal Heat Treatment Quenchants
Authors: Carvalho de Souza Ester , Belinato Gabriela , Simencio Otero Rosa L. , Cícero Adão Simêncio Éder , Augustinho Sylvana C. M. , Capelupi William , Conconi Charles , Canale Lauralice C. F. , Totten George E. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
The potential use of vegetable oil derived industrial oils continues to be of great interest because vegetable oils are relatively non-toxic, biodegradable, and a sustainably produced basestock alternative to petroleum oil, a non-renewable basestock. For the conservation of the environment, bio-mass materials, such as vegetable oils, are desirable as substitutes for petroleum oil in heat treatment. Therefore, it is expected that these basestock materials will continue to be of increasing interest in the heat treatment industry. However, the fatty ester components containing conjugated double bonds of the triglyceride structure of vegetable oils typically produce considerably poorer thermal oxidative stability than that achievable with petroleum basestocks under typical use conditions. This is especially true when a vegetable oil is held in an open tank with agitation and exposure to air at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time (months or years). Furthermore, when used as quenchants, furnace loads of hot steel (850 °C) are typically rapidly immersed and cooled to approximately 50 °C to 60 °C bath temperatures for steel hardening applications. Clearly, for this application, reasonable thermal-oxidative stability is essential. This paper reviews the work completed thus far in screening various vegetable oils as potential steel quenchants both with and without antioxidants. Particular focus is placed, where possible, on comparing pressure differential scanning calorimetry as a potential screening method with the more commonly used (for this application) modified Indiana Stirring Oxidation Test. In addition, the general impact of oxidation on the quenching performance of the better vegetable oil candidates is shown.
Solution Processable Nanowire Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Opoku Charles , Chen Lichun , Meyer Frank , Shkunov Maxim 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTHybrid field-effect-transistors (FETs) with germanium nanowire (NW) arrays and organic gate dielectric are presented. The nanowire deposition steps are fully compatible with printed electronics route. NW FETs demonstrate good performance with On/Off ratios of ~103 and hole mobilities of ~13 cm2/Vs in both nitrogen and air atmosphere. These results suggest that the hybrid nanowire FETs could be used in large area inexpensive electronics.
Geological and geomorphological problems caused by transportation and industry
Authors: David Lorant , Ilyes Zoltan , Baros Zoltan 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAlterations in topography due to the construction of transport infrastructure and industrial development are the results of rather complex processes. The impact of transport constructions upsetting (topographic) equilibrium is manifested in a relatively narrow strip, and, mostly, through producing abnormally steep slopes, in reducing relief stability. The earthworks for transport routes are themselves also landscape-forming factors whereas in the case of industrial developments, planation is usually mentioned. Topographic changes related to the construction of transport infrastructure and industrial development are discussed historically in this chapter. Among the direct impacts of the first are those related to the construction of Roman and Medieval roads, hollow roads in loess, public roads, motorways, railways, canals, tunnels and airports; while of the second are those of early mining and metallurgy, cellars, sludge reservoirs, slag cones and fly-ash reservoirs, cooling ponds, industrial parks, shopping centres and waste disposal sites. Of the indirect ones, an introduction is given to impacts of surface sealing, changes in runoff, the ‘waterfall effect,’ as well as to environmental impacts under permafrost conditions.
Perspective targeting CuAuMo porphyries of Romanian Carpathians: blind porphyry mineralization and its variable distal expression as vein and skarns
Authors: Vlad Serban 
Published: September 2011

AbstractRomania has a genuine accumulation of “blind” porphyry CuAuMo systems associated with Cu skarns or AuAg (PbZn) epithermal vein sets. Many such hidden structures were discovered inadvertently during state exploration based on local tradition that Romanian Carpathians are rich in vein and skarn ore types. Notable dichotomy between porphyries associated with peripheral skarns versus epithermal ores is expressed by age (Mesozoic versus Tertiary), precious metal content, alteration types and zoning, shape/size and extension of ore bodies. Preliminary conclusions on metallic/alteration assemblages around porphyries in addition to geophysical information about inferred deep-seated Alpine plutonism promote potential exploration vectors for what will be an increasingly important deposit type in the future.
A Method for Evaluation of Suspension Quality Easy Applicable To Practice: The Effect of Mixing on Floc Properties
Authors: Ebubakova Petra , Pivokonsky Martin , Pivokonska Lenka 
Published: September 2011

A Method for Evaluation of Suspension Quality Easy Applicable To Practice: The Effect of Mixing on Floc PropertiesThe paper introduces thetest of aggregationas a simple, inexpensive method of evaluating suspension quality during drinking water treatment, suitable for use in both laboratory and operation conditions. The procedure and derivation of theaggregation testis described. The method is used for a demonstration of the influence of mean velocity gradient and mixing time on floc properties formed during the aggregation in a Couette reactor. It was proved that with increasing velocity gradient, the size of the aggregates present in the suspension decreases, and the suspension is substantially more homogeneous than with use of lower gradients. Further, it was confirmed that the size of aggregates reaches the steady state after a specific mixing time, which becomes shorter with increasing value of velocity gradient.
Extension and slip rate partitioning in NW Iran constrained by GPS measurements
Authors: Rastbood A. , Voosoghi B. 
Published: September 2011

Extension and slip rate partitioning in NW Iran constrained by GPS measurementsConvergence of 22±2 mm yr-1between the northward motion of the Arabian Plate relative to Eurasia at N8° ±5° E is accommodated by a combination of thrust and strike-slip faults in different parts of Iran. Dislocation modeling is used to examine the GPS data for this part of the Alpine-Himalayan mountain belt with more concentration in NW Iran. First, the vectors due to known Arabia-Eurasia rotation are reproduced by introducing structures that approximate the large-scale tectonics of the Middle East. Observed features of the smaller scale fault system are then progressively included in the model. Slip rate amplitudes and directions adjusted to fit available GPS data. Geological evidences show strike-slip and reverse-slip faulting in NW Iran, but GPS data show normal faults in this region too. By slip partitioning we propose four locations for normal faults based on extensions observed by GPS data. Slip rate values were estimated between 2 ~ 5 mm/yr for proposed normal faults. Our modeling results prove that the NW Iran is not only affected by Arabia-Eurasia collision but also contributes in the subduction motion of the South Caspian and Kura basins basement beneath the Apsheron-Balkhan sill and the Great Caucasus respectively.