bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
miR‐223 suppresses differentiation of tumor‐induced CD11b+Gr1+myeloid‐derived suppressor cells from bone marrow cells
Authors: Liu Qiaofei , Zhang Miaomiao , Jiang Xingran , Zhang Zhiqian , Dai Lingyun , Min Siping , Wu Xilong , He Qingsheng , Liu Jingyi , Zhang Yuan , Zhang Zhujun , Yang Rongcun 
Published: January 2011

AbstractTumor‐associated factors are related to increased accumulation of CD11b+Gr1+myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). However, the exact mechanism of how genetic factors control the expansion of MDSCs in tumor‐bearing hosts remains elusive. Herein, we found that tumor‐associated MDSCs and their subsets, mononuclear MDSCs and polymorphonuclear MDSCs, have decreased expression of miR‐223 when compared to CD11b+Gr1+ cells from the spleen of disease‐free mice. With the differentiation of CD11b+Gr1+MDSCs from bone marrow cells (BMCs) upon exposure to tumor‐associated factors, the expression of both pri‐miR‐223 and mature miR‐223 was downregulated, indicating that the expression of miR‐223 could be regulated by tumor‐associated factors. Interestingly, miR‐223 remarkably inhibits differentiation of BMCs into CD11b+Gr1+MDSCs in the presence of tumor‐associated factors by targeting myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C). Using reconstituted s.c. tumor models, miR‐223 also suppresses accumulation of CD11b+Gr1+MDSCs, whereas its targeting molecule MEF2C increases the number of MDSCs. Tumor growth is slower in mice infused by miR223‐engineered BMCs than in mice infused with control transfected BMCs. As miR‐223 and its target molecule MEF2C are highly conserved between mice and humans, the modulation of miR‐223 in tumor‐induced CD11b+Gr1+MDSCs may exert an important role in controlling the increased accumulation of CD11b+Gr1+MDSCs in patients with tumor.
Plant–water relations, growth and productivity of tomato irrigated by different methods with saline and non‐saline water
Authors: Malash Nabeel M. , Flowers Timothy J. , Ragab Ragab 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTThe effects of saline and non‐saline irrigation water on the growth, plant water uptake, water content and yield of tomato (Solanum esculentum Mill. cv Floradade) were evaluated using drip and furrow irrigation. At all growth stages, leaf area and plant dry weight (biomass) were higher under drip irrigation than under furrow irrigation for both saline and non‐saline water. Saline water reduced both plant leaf area and dry weight and the reduction was more pronounced when furrow rather than drip irrigation was used. In addition, the width of the area occupied by roots and their dry weight were higher in drip than furrow‐irrigated plants. However, roots of furrow‐irrigated plants were deeper than those of drip‐irrigated plants. In drip‐irrigated plants, root activity in the wetted root zone enhanced soil moisture depletion (water uptake) and hence resulted in higher plant water content, even in plants irrigated with saline water (up to 80 days after transplanting, “DAT”). Water use efficiency, estimated as the amount of water added per unit of dry weight produced, was higher with drip irrigation than furrow irrigation, particularly when saline water was used (until 80 DAT). Fruit ripened earlier on drip irrigated‐plants than on furrow‐irrigated ones and the total yield was higher with drip than with furrow irrigation. Saline water reduced both total and early yield, particularly when applied by furrow. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fundamentals and applications of immobilized microfluidic enzymatic reactors
Authors: Matosevic Sandro , Szita Nicolas , Baganz Frank 
Published: January 2011

AbstractOVERVIEW: Over the last decade, the utility of immobilized microfluidic enzyme reactors (IMERs) has been demonstrated in a wide variety of fields, including medical diagnostics and therapy, biosensors, organic synthesis, drug discovery and many other applications. Of particular interest to the pharmaceutical industry is the potential for high throughput experimentation afforded by these systems, with a view to combinatorial synthesis for drug discovery applications. This article will focus on the current state of IMER systems, including immobilization techniques and microchannel flow generation, with a particular emphasis on applications and future prospects in view of likely directions and market potential of this field.IMPACT: The numerous advantages of attaching enzymes to a solid support, such as reuse of a single batch of enzyme, improved stability and durability, the ability to stop the reaction rapidly by removing the product from the reaction solution and the absence of enzyme contamination of the product are some of the attractive features of such systems. There are, however, a number of issues requiring careful consideration when developing such microsystems, including, but not limited to, surface modifications and exact control of fluid behaviour in microchannels, detection limitations, increased integration, and the reusability of the chips.APPLICATIONS: IMERs have received wide, including commercial, application as diagnostic tools for point‐of‐care applications, and, increasingly, as analytical tools in early drug development. Furthermore, peptide mapping and proteomics have employed IMER systems extensively over the past decade and growth in these areas continues. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Micro‐analysis of mother's education and child mortality: Evidence from Uganda
Authors: Bbaale Edward , Buyinza Faisal 
Published: January 2011

AbstractWe use maximum likelihood models to analyse the impact of mother's education on infant and child mortality in Uganda. The data were obtained from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2006. Our results confirm the hypothesis that mother's education is fundamental in reducing infant and child mortality. This suggests that efforts to reduce child mortality need to target measures that aim to educate women. The government programme to extend free education at the secondary level is therefore a commendable effort that needs to be strengthened. This therefore needs to be embraced by all stakeholders to encourage girls to attain education beyond secondary level. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The surface charging effects in three‐dimensional simulation of the profiles of plasma‐etched nanostructures
Authors: Radmilović‐Radjenović M. , Radjenović B. , Savić M. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractParticles and fields represent two major modeling paradigms in pure and applied science at all. Particles typically exist in a spatial domain and they may interact with other particles or with field quantities defined on that domain. A field, on the other hand, defines a set of values on a region of space. In this paper, a methodology and some of the results for three‐dimensional (3D) simulations that includes both field and particle abstractions are presented. In our studies, charging damage to a semiconductor structure during plasma etching is simulated by using 3D level set profile evolution simulator. The surface potential profiles and electric field for the entire feature were generated by solving the Laplace equation using finite elements method. Calculations were performed in the case of simplified model of Ar+/CF4 non‐equilibrium plasma etching of SiO2. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Starch granule‐associated proteins of hull‐less barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) from the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau in China
Authors: Wang Chun‐Ping , Pan Zhi‐Fen , Nima Zha‐Xi , Tang Ya‐Wei , Cai Peng , Liang Jun‐Jun , Deng Guang‐Bing , Long Hai , Yu Mao‐Qun 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: The starch granule‐associated proteins (SGAPs) are the minor components of the starch granules and a majority of them are believed to be starch biosynthetic enzymes. The Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau in China, one of the centres of origin of cultivated barley, is abundant in hull‐less barley resources which exhibit high polymorphism in SGAPs.RESULTS: The SGAPs of hull‐less barley from Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau were analysed by one‐dimensional (1‐D) SDS‐PAGE, 2‐D PAGE and ESI‐Q‐TOF MS/MS. In the 1‐D SDS‐PAGE gel, four proteins including a 80 kDa starch synthase, actin, actin 4 and ATP synthase β‐subunit were identified as novel SGAPs. A total of six different bands were identified as starch granule‐bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) and the segregation of the novel GBSSI bands in F1 and F2 seeds derived from yf127 × yf70 was in accordance with Mendel's law. In the 2‐D PAGE gel, 92 spots were identified as 42 protein species which could be classified into 15 functional groups. Thirteen protein species were identified as SGAPs for the first time and multiple spots were identified as GBSSI.CONCLUSION: This study revealed novel SGAPs in hull‐less barley from the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau in China and these will be significant in further studies of starch biosynthesis in barley. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Sensorically and antimicrobially active metabolite production of Lactobacillus strains on Jerusalem artichoke juice
Authors: Zalán Zsolt , Hudáček Jaroslav , Tóth‐Markus Marianna , Husová Eva , Solichová Kateřina , Hegyi Ferenc , Plocková Milada , Chumchalová Jana , Halász Anna 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: In the tubers of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) the main carbohydrate is the well‐known prebiotic inulin, which is a good growth substrate for gut microorganisms. Jerusalem artichoke tuber is traditionally consumed boiled or pickled rather than in fermented form. Lactic acid bacteria are traditionally used in the production of fermented foods; nevertheless their behavior and metabolite production are considerably influenced by the substrate. The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth and production of the most important sensorically and antimicrobially active metabolites of different Lactobacillus strains on Jerusalem artichoke juice.RESULTS: All investigated strains grew well (in the range 109 cfu mL−1) in the media. The organic acids (lactic acid, 110–337 mmol L−1; acetic acid, 0–180 mmol L−1; and succinic acid, 0–79 mmol L−1), hydrogen peroxide (0.25–1.77 mg L−1), mannitol (0.06–3.24 g L−1), acetoin and diacetyl production of strains varies not only according to the species but also from strain to strain, which will be demonstrated and discussed in the paper.CONCLUSION: Our results showed that lactobacilli can be used for the fermentation of Jerusalem artichoke, which in this form could be used, alone or mixed with other raw food material, as a new synbiotic functional food. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Structural and thermal characterization of galactomannans from genus Gleditsia seeds as potential food gum substitutes
Authors: Jiang Jian‐xin , Jian Hong‐lei , Cristhian Carrasco , Zhang Wei‐ming , Sun Run‐cang 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: Seed galactomannans are preferred hydrocolloids since they are comparatively cheap, non‐toxic, eco‐friendly and non‐polluting during production and application. Galactomannans from seeds of three species of Gleditsia, namely G. sinensis, G. microphylla and G. melanacantha, were characterized in terms of structural and thermal properties.RESULTS: Gleditsia polysaccharides were characterized using both chemical and chromatographic methods, as well as Fourier transform infrared, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and it was shown that they consist of D‐mannopyranose and D‐galactopyranose residues. The mannose/galactose (M/G) ratio of galactomannans was 3.25, 3.31 and 2.30, respectively. It was also found that these polysaccharides differ from one another in values of Mw, Mn and polydispersity. X‐ray diffraction confirmed the amorphous nature of Gleditsia galactomannans, although G. sinensis galactomannan showed a high crystallinity. Thermal analysis of the galactomannans by differential scanning calorimetry illustrated that their endothermic peaks ranged from 290 to 320 °C.CONCLUSION: Gleditsia polysaccharides are neutral galactomannans. The higher value of M/G ratio from G. sinensis and G. microphylla indicates that their gums offer an excellent alternative for locus bean gum. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of organic and conventional growth systems on the content of carotenoids in carrot roots, and on intake and plasma status of carotenoids in humans
Authors: Søltoft Malene , Bysted Anette , Madsen Katja H , Mark Alicja Budek , Bügel Susanne G , Nielsen John , Knuthsen Pia 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: The demand for organic food products has increased during the last decades due to their probable health effects, among others. A higher content of secondary metabolites such as carotenoids in organic food products has been claimed, though not documented, to contribute to increased health effects of organic foods. The aim was to study the impact of organic and conventional agricultural systems on the content of carotenoids in carrots and human diets. In addition, a human cross‐over study was performed, measuring the plasma status of carotenoids in humans consuming diets made from crops from these agricultural systems.RESULTS: The content of carotenoids in carrot roots and human diets was not significantly affected by the agricultural production system or year, despite differences in fertilisation strategy and levels. The plasma status of carotenoids increased significantly after consumption of the organic and conventional diets, but no systematic differences between the agricultural production systems were observed.CONCLUSION: The expected higher content of presumed health‐promoting carotenoids in organic food products was not documented in this study. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Chemical and microbial properties in contaminated soils around a magnesite mine in northeast China
Authors: Yang D. , Zeng D.‐H. , Zhang J. , Li L.‐J. , Mao R. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTWe measured soil chemical and microbial properties at a depth of 0–20 cm among mine tailings, abandoned mined land, contaminated cropland, and uncontaminated cropland around a magnesite mine near Haicheng City, Liaoning Province, China. The objective was to clarify the impact of Mg on the soils. We found that soluble Mg2+concentration and pH were significantly higher in contaminated soils (266–345 mg kg−1and 9·9–10·3, respectively) than in uncontaminated soils (140 mg kg−1and 7·1, respectively). Soil nutrients (total N, total P, mineral N, available P and soluble Ca) and microbial biomass C and N decreased as pH and soluble Mg2+concentration increased. In addition, an increase of microbial metabolic quotient and a decrease of N mineralization rate were found in contaminated soils. Soluble Mg2+/Ca2+ratios in contaminated soils were 3·5–8·9‐times higher than in uncontaminated soils. Our results indicate that soil contamination in such magnesite mine regions is characterized by high pH, Mg2+concentration and soluble Mg2+/Ca2+ratio, and low microbial activity and N and P availability. Future soil amelioration in the magnesite regions should consider applying acid ameliorants to neutralize high pH and applying calcareous ameliorants to increase Ca2+concentration. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors controlling gully development: Comparing continuous and discontinuous gullies
Authors: Le Roux J. J. , Sumner P. D. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTGully erosion is a degradation process affecting soils in many parts of the World. Despite the complexity of a series of collective factors across different spatial scales, previous research has not yet explicitly quantified factor dominance between different sized gullies. This factorial analysis quantifies the differences in factor dominance between continuous gullies (cgs) and discontinuous gullies (dgs). First, gullies (totaling 5273 ha) visible from SPOT 5 imagery were mapped for a catchment (nearly 5000 km2) located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Eleven important factors were integrated into a geographical information system including topographical variables, parent material‐soil associations and land use–cover interactions. These were utilized in a zonal approach in order to determine the extent factors differ between cgs and dgs. Factors leading to the development of cgs are gentle footslopes in zones of saturation along drainage paths with a large contributing area, erodible duplex soils derived from mudstones and poor vegetation cover due to overgrazing. Compared to cgs conditions, more dgs occur on rolling slopes where the surface becomes less frequently saturated with a smaller contributing area, soils are more stable and shallow. Factorial analysis further illustrates that differences in factor dominance between the two groups of gullies is most apparent for soil factors. A combination of overgrazing and susceptible mudstones proves to be key factors that consistently determine the development of cgs and dgs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcomes in children who underwent transplantation for autoimmune hepatitis a
Authors: Martin Steven R. , Alvarez Fernando , Anand Ravinder , Song Changhong , Yin Wanrong 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
The outcomes of 113 children with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), registered with Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation and who underwent transplantation between 1995 and 2006, were compared with those who underwent transplantation for other diagnoses (non-AIH). A total of 4.9% of liver transplants were for AIH; 81% of these patients had AIH type 1 and most underwent transplantation for complications of chronic disease (60%), the majority in females (72%). Transplantation for fulminant AIH was more common in males (52.5% versus 47.5% chronic; P = 0.042). Patients with AIH differed from non-AIH patients by: age (13.0 ± 0.4 versus 4.6 ± 0.1 years; P < 0.0001), sex (64.6% female versus 52.9%; P = 0.016), ethnicity (48.7% white versus 58.2%; P < 0.0001), initial immunosuppression (tacrolimus-based: 72.6% versus 62.6%; P = 0.045; mycophenolate mofetil use: 31.0% versus 21.6%; P = 0.02), and immunosuppression at 2 years after transplant (monotherapy: 51.9% versus 17.3%; P < 0.0001). Late (>3 months), but not steroid-resistant or chronic, rejection was more common in AIH (log-rank P = 0.0015). The 5-year posttransplant survival for AIH was 86% (95% confidence interval: 73-93). Patient and graft survival, infectious and metabolic complications, and retransplantation rates did not differ between AIH and non-AIH groups. In conclusion, the higher risk for late acute rejection and greater degree of immunosuppression does not compromise outcomes of liver transplantation for AIH. Children who undergo transplantation for AIH in North America are typically female adolescents with complications of chronic AIH type 1 and include more children of African American or Latino American origin compared to the overall liver transplant population. These observations may inform detection, treatment, and surveillance strategies designed to reduce the progression of autoimmune hepatitis and subsequently, the need for transplantation.
Liver Transpl, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Erythropoietin is neuroprotective in a transgenic mouse model of multiple system atrophy
Authors: Köllensperger Martin , Krismer Florian , Pallua Anton , Stefanova Nadia , Poewe Werner , Wenning Gregor K. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractMultiple system atrophy is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a markedly reduced life expectancy. Failure of symptomatic treatment raises an urgent need for disease‐modifying strategies. We have investigated the neuroprotective potential of erythropoietin in (proteolipid protein)‐α‐synuclein transgenic mice exposed to 3‐nitropropionic acid featuring multiple system atrophy‐like pathology including oligodendroglial α‐synuclein inclusions and selective neuronal degeneration.Mice were treated with erythropoietin starting before (early erythropoietin) and after (late erythropoietin) intoxication with 3‐nitropropionic acid. Nonintoxicated animals receiving erythropoietin and intoxicated animals treated with saline served as control groups. Behavioral tests included pole test, open field activity, and motor behavior scale. Immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine and cyclic adenosine monophosphate‐regulated phosphoprotein (DARPP‐32) was analyzed stereologically.Animals receiving erythropoietin before and after 3‐nitropropionic acid intoxication scored significantly lower on the motor behavior scale and they performed better in the pole test than controls with no significant difference between early and late erythropoietin administration. Similarly, rearing scores were worse in 3‐nitropropionic acid‐treated animals with no difference between the erythropoietin subgroups. Immunohistochemistry revealed significant attenuation of 3‐nitropropionic acid‐induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase and DARPP‐32 positive neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta and striatum, respectively, in both erythropoietin‐treated groups without significant group difference in the substantia nigra. However, at striatal level, a significant difference between early and late erythropoietin administration was observed.In the combined (proteolipid protein)‐α‐synuclein 3‐nitropropionic acid multiple system atrophy mouse model, erythropoietin appears to rescue dopaminergic and striatal gabaergic projection neurons. This effect is associated with improved motor function. Further studies are warranted to develop erythropoietin as a potential interventional therapy in multiple system atrophy. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Kinetic studies of the preparation of nanocomposites based on encapsulated Cloisite 30B in poly[styrene‐co‐(butyl acrylate)] via mini‐emulsion polymerization
Authors: Mirzataheri Mojgan , Reza Mahdavian Ali , Atai Mohammad 
Published: January 2011

AbstractMini‐emulsion polymerization of poly[styrene‐co‐(butyl acrylate)] encapsulating various contents of Cloisite 30B was performed. The kinetic behaviours of mini‐emulsions were investigated using the gravimetric method and the effect of nanoclay content on the polymerization rate was investigated. The average number of radicals per particle was estimated by calculating the number of particles. The results showed that by increasing the nanoclay content, the average diameter of polymer particles increased. Studies of the polymerization rate indicated that the increase in particle size provided a greater average number of reactive radicals per polymer particle, which increased from 0.0520 for the neat copolymer to 0.2462 for the nanocomposite containing 5.3 wt% encapsulated nanoclay. This study also confirmed our previous claim about the role of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) molecules in the exfoliation of nanoclay platelets. On increasing the clay content, fewer SDS molecules will be available on particle surfaces resulting in larger particles at the end of the reaction. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
New light‐emitting poly{(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorenediyl vinylene)‐alt‐[1,5‐(2,6‐dioctyloxy)naphthalene vinylene]}
Authors: Anuragudom Piched , El‐daye Jad , Chinwangso Pawilai , Advincula Rigoberto C , Phanichphant Sukon , Lee T Randall 
Published: January 2011

AbstractA new conjugated light‐emitting AB copolymer containing alternating fluorene and naphthalene units, poly{(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorenediyl vinylene)‐alt‐[1,5‐(2,6‐dioctyloxy)naphthalene vinylene]} (PFV‐alt‐PNV), was synthesized via Horner‐Emmons polymerization. The polymer is completely soluble in common organic solvents and exhibits good thermal stability up to 400 °C. UV‐visible, fluorescence and photoluminescence measurements of the copolymer show peak maxima at 427, 500 and 526 nm, respectively. A light‐emitting device containing the new polymer was fabricated using a simple indium tin oxide configuration: (ITO)/PEDOT:PSS/PFV‐alt‐PNV/Al. Measurements of current versus electric field were carried out, with an onset of light emission occurring at 2.5 V. The electroluminescence brightness was observed to reach a maximum of 5000 cd m−2. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry