bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endogenous Cortisol and TGF-β in Human Aqueous Humor Contribute to Ocular Immune Privilege by Regulating Dendritic Cell Function
Authors: Denniston Alastair K. , Kottoor Sherine H. , Khan Imran , Oswal Kadambari , Williams Geraint P. , Abbott Joseph , Wallace Graham R. , Salmon Mike , Rauz Saaeha , Murray Philip I. , Curnow S. John 
Published: November 2010

AbstractAqueous humor (AqH) has been shown to have significant immunosuppressive effects on APCs in animal models. We wanted to establish whether, in humans, AqH can regulate dendritic cell (DC) function and to identify the dominant mechanism involved. Human AqH inhibited the capacity of human peripheral blood monocyte-derived DC to induce naive CD4+ T cell proliferation and cytokine production in vitro, associated with a reduction in DC expression of the costimulatory molecule CD86. This was seen both for DC cultured under noninflammatory conditions (immature DC) and for DC stimulated by proinflammatory cytokines (mature DC). DC expression of MHC classes I/II and CD83 was reduced (mature DC only). Myeloid DC from peripheral blood were similarly sensitive to the effects of human AqH, but only under inflammatory conditions. The addition of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone and vasoactive intestinal peptide did not cause significant inhibition at physiological levels. However, the addition of exogenous cortisol at physiological levels recapitulated the AqH-induced reduction in CD86 and inhibition of DC-induced T cell proliferation, and blockade of cortisol in AqH partially reversed its suppressive effects. TGF-β2 had an additional effect with cortisol, and although simultaneous blockade of cortisol and TGF-β2 in AqH reduced its effectiveness, there was still a cortisol- and TGF-β–independent component. In humans, AqH regulates DC maturation and function by the combined actions of cortisol and TGF-β2, a pathway that is likely to contribute to the maintenance of immune privilege in the eye.
Sepsis Induces Early Alterations in Innate Immunity That Impact Mortality to Secondary Infection
Authors: Delano Matthew J. , Thayer Terri , Gabrilovich Sonia , Kelly-Scumpia Kindra M. , Winfield Robert D. , Scumpia Philip O. , Cuenca Alex G. , Warner Elizabeth , Wallet Shannon M. , Wallet Mark A. , O’Malley Kerri A. , Ramphal Reuben , Clare-Salzer Michael , Efron Philip A. , Mathews Clayton E. , Moldawer Lyle L. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractSepsis, the systemic inflammatory response to microbial infection, induces changes in both innate and adaptive immunity that presumably lead to increased susceptibility to secondary infections, multiorgan failure, and death. Using a model of murine polymicrobial sepsis whose severity approximates human sepsis, we examined outcomes and defined requirements for survival after secondary Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia or disseminated Listeria monocytogenes infection. We demonstrate that early after sepsis neutrophil numbers and function are decreased, whereas monocyte recruitment through the CCR2/MCP-1 pathway and function are enhanced. Consequently, lethality to Pseudomonas pneumonia is increased early but not late after induction of sepsis. In contrast, lethality to listeriosis, whose eradication is dependent upon monocyte/macrophage phagocytosis, is actually decreased both early and late after sepsis. Adaptive immunity plays little role in these secondary infectious responses. This study demonstrates that sepsis promotes selective early, impaired innate immune responses, primarily in neutrophils, that lead to a pathogen-specific, increased susceptibility to secondary infections.
Brownian motion in fluctuating periodic potentials
Authors: Abad Enrique , Mielke Andreas 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis work deals with the overdamped motion of a particle in a fluctuating one‐dimensional periodic potential. If the potential has no inversion symmetry and its fluctuations are asymmetric and correlated in time, a net flow can be generated at finite temperatures. We present results for the stationary current for the case of a piecewise linear potential, especially for potentials being close to the case with inversion symmetry. The aim is to study the stationary current as a function of the potential. Depending on the form of the potential, the current changes sign once or even twice as a function of the correlation time of the potential fluctuations. To explain these current reversals, several mechanisms are proposed. Finally, we discuss to what extent the model is useful to understand the motion of biomolecular motors.
Fermi‐liquid quasi‐particles and ‐superconductivity in the two‐dimensional Hubbard model
Authors: Wermbter S. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractA frequency‐ and momentum‐renormalization‐group acceleration together with an analytical approach is used to obtain the retarded Green's function in the self‐consistent and conserving fluctuation‐exchange (FLEX) approximation for the two‐dimensional Hubbard model in the normal state and in the superconducting state. The analytical expressions for this approach are given. For band‐fillings near half filling the self‐energy in the normal state exhibits Fermi‐liquid behaviour for, low temperatures and frequencies near the chemical potential, if the momentum is chosen near the Fermi‐surface. However due to the presence of large many body effects the observed Fermi‐liquid region near the chemical potential and near the Fermi‐surface is very small. Results for the single particle density of states, the occupation number and the spectral function are presented. The superconducting state with symmetry is obtained for U = 2 to U = 6 and a (U, n)‐phase diagram for the transition temperature Tc is presented. A maximum Tc/t of 0.0275 is obtained for U = 6 near half filling.
Static potential renormalization in time‐dependent fields
Authors: Brandes T. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe consider the scattering of electrons at a static potential under the influence of an additional time‐dependent, homogeneous electric field (‘microwave’). Starting from a plane wave basis, we derive a generalization of the Born (first) order approximation in arbitrary strong oscillating fields. As an example, we evaluate the Friedel density oscillations around a static scatterer whose potential is renormalized by the microwave. The microwave leads to a band of inelastic scattering channels with effective potentials, the shape of which can be ‘tuned’ by the microwave polarization and strength.
Models for Prediction of V600EBRAF and Melanoma Cells Growth Inhibitory Activities of Pyridoimidazolones
Authors: Dutt R. , Madan A. K. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTargeted inhibition of activated BRAF mutation has emerged as a most promising and putative therapeutic approach for the anticancer drug development. In the present study, an in‐silico approach using decision tree and moving average analysis has been applied to a data set comprising of 43 analogues of pyridoimidazolones for development of models for prediction of both V600EBRAF and melanoma cells (BRAF WM266.4) growth inhibitory activities. A decision tree was mainly employed for determining the importance of molecular descriptors (n = 46). The value of majority of these descriptors for each analogue in the dataset was computed using E‐Dragon software (version 1.0). The decision tree learned the information from the input data with an accuracy of 98% and correctly predicted the cross‐validated (10‐fold) data with accuracy up to 79%. A total of three non‐correlating descriptors, identified best by the decision tree analysis, were subsequently utilized for development of suitable models using moving average analysis. These proposed models resulted in the prediction of V600EBRAF inhibitory activity (IC50) and melanoma cells growth (SRB GI50) inhibitory activity with an overall accuracy of ≥90%. The statistical significance of models/descriptors was assessed through intercorrelation analysis, sensitivity, specificity and Matthew's correlation coefficient.
Evaluation of Polyhydroxybenzophenones as α‐Glucosidase Inhibitors
Authors: Hu Xuesen , Xiao Yang , Wu Jianlong , Ma Lin 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis experiment was designed to synthesize 18 kinds of polyhydroxybenzophenones by using Friedel‐Crafts reaction, and to measure the inhibitory activity on α‐glucosidase with p‐nitrophenyl‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside (PNPG) as a substrate. Here, acarbose (IC50 = 1674.75 µmol L−1) was used as the reference inhibitor. The results demonstrated that most of the target compounds had remarkable inhibitory activities on α‐glucosidase. Among all these compounds, 2,4,4′,6‐butahydroxydiphenylketone (11) was found to be the most potent α‐glucosidase inhibitor with an IC50 value of 10.62 µmol L−1. In addition, we found these compounds were competitive inhibitors through the kinetic analysis. The results suggested that such compounds might be utilized for the development of new candidates for diabetes treatment.
Stevioside and Related Compounds – Molecules of Pharmaceutical Promise: A Critical Overview
Authors: Brahmachari Goutam , Mandal Lalan C. , Roy Rajiv , Mondal Sadhan , Brahmachari Arun K. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractStevioside, anent‐kaurene type of diterpenoid glycoside, is a natural sweetener extracted from leaves ofStevia rebaudiana(Bertoni) Bertoni. Stevioside and a few related compounds are regarded as the most common active principles of the plant. Such phytochemicals have not only been established as non‐caloric sweeteners, but reported to exhibit some other pharmacological activities also. In this article, natural distribution of stevioside and related compounds, their structural features, plausible biosynthetic pathways along with an insight into the structure–sweetness relationship are presented. Besides, the pharmacokinetics, wide‐range of pharmacological potentials, safety evaluation and clinical trials of theseent‐kaurene glycosides are revisited.
Identifying roles for neurotransmission in circuit assembly: Insights gained from multiple model systems and experimental approaches
Authors: Bleckert Adam , Wong Rachel O. L. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractIn the adult nervous system, chemical neurotransmission between neurons is essential for information processing. However, neurotransmission is also important for patterning circuits during development, but its precise roles have yet to be identified, and some remain highly debated. Here, we highlight viewpoints that have come to be widely accepted or still challenged. We discuss how distinct techniques and model systems employed to probe the developmental role of neurotransmission may reconcile disparate ideas. We underscore how the effects of perturbing neurotransmission during development vary with model systems, the stage of development when transmission is altered, the nature of the perturbation, and how connectivity is assessed. Based on findings in circuits with connectivity arranged in layers, we raise the possibility that there exist constraints in neuronal network design that limit the role of neurotransmission. We propose that activity‐dependent mechanisms are effective in refining connectivity patterns only when inputs from different cells are close enough, spatially, to influence each other's outcome.
Outcomes after laparoscopic intestinal resection in obese versus non-obese patients
Authors: Khoury W , Stocchi L , Geisler D 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
The degree of benefit derived from laparoscopic bowel resection in obese compared with non-obese patients is poorly understood.

Methods
A total of 436 obese patients (body mass index (BMI) at least 30 kg/m2, mean 34·9 kg/m2) who underwent laparoscopic bowel resection during 1992–2008 were identified from a prospective database. An equal number of non-obese patients (mean BMI 24·8 kg/m2) was case-matched by age, sex, year of surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, diagnosis and type of operation. Patients with previous major abdominal surgery were excluded. Postoperative morbidity and recovery were compared between obese and non-obese patients.

Results
Mean duration of operation (171·5 versus 157·3 min; P = 0·017), estimated blood loss (EBL; 224·9 versus 164·6 ml; P = 0·001) and conversion rate (13·3 versus 7·1 per cent; P = 0·003) were increased significantly in obese patients. Overall postoperative morbidity was also greater (32·1 versus 25·7 per cent; P = 0·041), particularly wound infection rate (10·6 versus 4·8 per cent; P = 0·002). Among laparoscopically completed operations, obese patients had higher rates of overall morbidity (31·5 versus 24·2 per cent; P = 0·026) and wound infection (10·2 versus 4·4 per cent; P = 0·002). Conversion was associated with increased EBL, intraoperative complications, overall morbidity and length of stay in both groups. The effect of conversion in worsening outcomes was comparable in obese and non-obese patients, except for a greater increase in incision length (11·0 versus 8·0 cm; P = 0·001) and EBL (304·8 versus 89·8 ml; P = 0·001) in obese patients.

Conclusion
Laparoscopic bowel resection results in greater morbidity in obese than in non-obese individuals. This difference remains comparable whether the procedure is completed laparoscopically or converted.
Structural Basis for the Properties of Two Single‐Site Proline Mutants of CYP102A1 (P450BM3)
Authors: Whitehouse Christopher J. C. , Yang Wen , Yorke Jake A. , Rowlatt Benjamin C. , Strong Anthony J. F. , Blanford Christopher F. , Bell Stephen G. , Bartlam Mark , Wong Luet‐Lok , Rao Zihe 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe crystal structures of the haem domains of Ala330Pro and Ile401Pro, two single‐site proline variants of CYP102A1 (P450BM3) from Bacillus megaterium, have been solved. In the A330P structure, the active site is constricted by the relocation of the Pro329 side chain into the substrate access channel, providing a basis for the distinctive CH bond oxidation profiles given by the variant and the enhanced activity with small molecules. I401P, which is exceptionally active towards non‐natural substrates, displays a number of structural similarities to substrate‐bound forms of the wild‐type enzyme, notably an off‐axial water ligand, a drop in the proximal loop, and the positioning of two I‐helix residues, Gly265 and His266, the reorientation of which prevents the formation of several intrahelical hydrogen bonds. Second‐generation I401P variants gave high in vitro oxidation rates with non‐natural substrates as varied as fluorene and propane, towards which the wild‐type enzyme is essentially inactive. The substrate‐free I401P haem domain had a reduction potential slightly more oxidising than the palmitate‐bound wild‐type haem domain, and a first electron transfer rate that was about 10 % faster. The electronic properties of A330P were, by contrast, similar to those of the substrate‐free wild‐type enzyme.
Ylenes in the MII→SiIV (M=Si, Ge, Sn) Coordination Mode
Authors: Wagler Jörg , Brendler Erica , Langer Thorsten , Pöttgen Rainer , Heine Thomas , Zhechkov Lyuben 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe reaction of the methimazolyl (mt, i.e., 2‐mercapto‐1‐methylimidazolide) substituted silane Si(mt)4 with SnCl2 and GeCl2 in dioxane affords the paddlewheel‐shaped complexes [ClSi(μ‐mt)4MCl] (M=Sn (1) and Ge (2), respectively). These compounds represent the first crystallographically characterized hexacoordinate silicon complexes comprising a Sn or Ge atom in the Si coordination sphere. An attempt to synthesize the related silicon compound 3 [ClSi(μ‐mt)4SiCl] instead afforded the trisilane [ClSi(μ‐mt)4SiSiCl3] (3 a), which provides the first crystallographic evidence for the feasibility of oligosilanes with adjacent hexacoordinate Si atoms. One of the hexacoordinate Si atoms of 3 a features the unprecedented (Si2S4)Si skeleton. Natural bonding orbital (NBO) analyses of compounds 1, 2, 3 a (and the target compound 3) revealed characteristics of MII→SiIV (for 2 and 3) or MI→SiIV (for 3 a) dative bonding in the systems with M=Si and Ge, whereas compound 1 exhibits a covalent SnIII−SiIII bond.
Water Adsorption on Oxidized Single Atomic Vacancies Present at the Surface of Small Carbonaceous Nanoparticles Modeling Soot
Authors: Oubal Mohamed , Picaud Sylvain , Rayez Marie‐Thérèse , Rayez Jean‐Claude 
Published: November 2010

AbstractQuantum calculations are used to study the interaction of water molecules with carbonaceous clusters containing one single carbon atom vacancy. This is a simple but realistic way to model the active surfaces found in soot emitted by aircrafts. Prior to water adsorption, the atomic vacancy is oxidised by an approaching oxygen molecule, which is also likely to occur behind planes. The results of the calculations show that this oxidation process results in the formation of one ketone‐like site and one epoxide‐like site around the atomic vacancy. These sites may act as nucleation centers for water molecules, which are, however, physisorbed on the oxidized surface, leading to very weak charge transfer with the surface. Although less attractive for water than, for instance, a carboxyl‐like site, the ketone‐like site can also participate in the hydrophilic behavior of soot primary particles. In contrast, the epoxide‐like site formed around the vacancy shows a very low affinity for water molecules.
Torsion method for measuring piezooptic coefficients
Authors: Skab I. , Smaga I. , Savaryn V. , Vasylkiv Yu. , Vlokh R. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe develop and describe analytically a torsion method for measuring piezooptic coefficients associated with shear stresses. It is shown that the method enables to increase significantly the accuracy of determination of piezooptic coefficients. The method and the appropriate apparatus are verified experimentally on the example of LiNbO3 crystals. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dimorphic Modifications of the Thiocyanato‐Bridged Coordination Polymer [Ni(NCS)2(pyridazine)(H2O)0.5]n with Different Magnetic Properties
Authors: Wriedt Mario , Näther Christian 
Published: November 2010

AbstractReaction of nickel(II) thiocyanate with pyridazine under hydrothermal conditions leads to the formation of the hemihydrate [Ni(NCS)2(pyridazine)(H2O)0.5]n (1I). The crystal structure was determined by X‐ray single‐crystal structure analysis. In the crystal structure two types of NiII cations are found. Both are coordinated by one μ‐1,1‐NCS‐ and two μ‐1,3‐NCS‐bridging thiocyanato anions as well as two μ‐1,2‐bridging pyridazine ligands. The octahedral coordination sphere of Ni1 is completed by one coordinating water molecule and that of Ni2 by one terminal N‐bonded thiocyanato anion. These building blocks are connected into chains, which are further connected into a 2D polymeric network by strong interchain hydrogen bonding. By thermal decomposition of the precursor compound 1I, a new anhydrate [Ni(NCS)2(pyridazine)]n (2) is obtained. On rehydration, this compound transforms into a new polymorphic hemihydrate modification 1II. Magnetic measurements of both forms show completely different behavior: Whereas modification 1I shows a long‐range antiferromagnetic ordering state at TN = 5.4 K, modification 1II only shows Curie–Weiss paramagnetism with weak ferromagnetic interactions.
A New Sequential Intramolecular Cyclization Based on the Boekelheide Rearrangement
Authors: Massaro Assunta , Mordini Alessandro , Mingardi Anna , Klein Jens , Andreotti Daniele 
Published: November 2010

AbstractPyrrolidines and piperidines were synthesized from (aminoalkyl)pyridine N‐oxides with a general and quite efficient method developed by using di‐tert‐butylsilyl bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate) as a new promoter for a Boekelheide‐type reaction. The use of a new Boekelheide promoter, which is compatible with amino groups, opens new perspectives in view of its application in intramolecular cyclizations.
Consumptive use of water in Brassica napus L. from flowering to ripening stage under rainless region conditions
Authors: Pivec Jan , Brant Václav , Bečka David , Cihlář Pavel 
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACTThis study provides a contribution towards increased knowledge on the consumptive water use by arable crops within the temperate climatic zone under specified weather conditions in the field as the main aim of this work. Water demands of Brassica napus L. (Navajo variety) crops were evaluated by the T 4.2 (EMS Brno, CZ) sapflow meter under the field conditions of central Bohemia during the years 2005, 2007 and 2008. The evaluation took place during the BBCH 65–87 growth stages. Daily average values of sapflow (Q, kg day−1), measured for individual plants in 2005, fluctuated from the beginning to the end of the fruit development stage (BBCH 79) within the interval ranging from 0.002 to 0.117 kg day−1. In 2007 they fluctuated from 0.002 to 0.075 kg day−1 for the same period and in 2008 from 0.014 to 0.201 kg day−1. The average water consumption (average of 2005, 2007 and 2008) by the crop estimated for BBCH 77–80 stages fluctuated within a 3.2–4.1 mm interval. In the BBCH 81 stage the average water consumption of crop reached 2.3 mm and in the BBCH 85 stage only 0.5 mm. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
WEIGHTED SMOOTH TRANSITION REGRESSIONS
Authors: Becker Ralf , Osborn Denise R. 
Published: November 2010

SUMMARYA new procedure is proposed for modelling nonlinearity of a smooth transition form, by allowing the transition variable to be a weighted function of lagged observations. This function depends on two unknown parameters and requires specification of the maximum lag only. Nonlinearity testing for this specification uses a search over a plausible set of weight function parameters, combined with bootstrap inference. Finite‐sample results show that the recommended wild bootstrap heteroskedasticity‐robust testing procedure performs well, for both homoskedastic and heteroskedastic data‐generating processes. Forecast comparisons relative to linear models and other nonlinear specifications of the smooth transition form confirm that the new WSTR model delivers good performance. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A RANK‐ORDERED LOGIT MODEL WITH UNOBSERVED HETEROGENEITY IN RANKING CAPABILITIES
Authors: Fok Dennis , Paap Richard , Van Dijk Bram 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTo study preferences, respondents to a survey are usually asked to select their most preferred option from a set. Preferences can be estimated more efficiently if respondents are asked to rank all alternatives. When some respondents are unable to perform the ranking task, using the complete ranking may lead to a substantial bias. We introduce a model which endogenously describes the ranking capabilities of individuals. Estimated preferences based on this model are more efficient when at least some individuals are able to rank more than one item, and they do not suffer from biases due to ranking inabilities of respondents. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.