bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of T‐cell activation by syndecan‐4 is mediated by CD148 through protein tyrosine phosphatase activity
Authors: Chung Jin‐Sung , Cruz Ponciano D. , Ariizumi Kiyoshi 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMost coinhibitory receptors regulate T‐cell responses through an ITIM that recruits protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) to mediate inhibitory function. Because syndecan‐4 (SD‐4), the coinhibitor for DC‐associated heparan sulfate proteoglycan integrin ligand (DC‐HIL), lacks such an ITIM, we posited that SD‐4 links with a PTP in an ITIM‐independent manner. We show that SD‐4 associates constitutively with the intracellular protein syntenin but not with the receptor‐like PTP CD148 on human CD4+ T cells. Binding to DC‐HIL allowed SD‐4 to assemble with CD148 through the help of syntenin as a bridge, and this process upregulated the PTP activity of CD148, which is required for SD‐4 to mediate DC‐HIL's inhibitory function. Using a mouse model, we found SD‐4 to be located away from the immunological synapse formed between T cells and APCs during activation of T cells. These findings indicate that SD‐4 is unique among known T‐cell coinhibitors, in employing CD148 to inhibit T‐cell activation at a site distal from the synapse.
Determination of phytic acid and inositolphosphates in barley
Authors: Kvasnička František , Čopíková Jana , Ševčík Rudolf , Václavíková Eliška , Synytsya Andriy , Vaculová Kateřina , Voldřich Michal 
Published: March 2011

AbstractPhytic acid (PA) and lower inositolphosphates (InsPn) is the main storage form of phosphorus in grains or seeds. The content of PA and InsPn in different varieties of barley was analyzed by capillary isotachophoresis and online‐coupled capillary isotachophoresis with CZE. The electrolytes (in demineralized water) for the isotachophoretic analysis consisted of 10 mM HCl, 14 mM glycylglycine, and 0.1% 2‐hydroxyethylcellulose (leading) and 10 mM citric acid (terminating). The optimized electrolytes for the online coupling isotachophoresis with zone electrophoresis analysis were mixtures of 5 mM HCl, 7 mM glycylglycine, and 0.1% 2‐hydroxyethylcellulose (leading), 20 mM citric acid, 10 mM glycylglycine, and 0.1% 2‐hydroxyethylcellulose (background) and 10 mM citric acid (terminating). PA and all studied InsPn were separated within 25 min and detected by a conductivity detector. Simple sample preparation (acidic extraction), sufficient sensitivity, speed of analysis, and low running cost are important attributes of the electrophoretic methods. The method was used for the determination of PA and InsPn in barley varieties within an ongoing research project.
Synthesis and characteristic odour of optically active 3‐hydroxy‐4‐phenyl‐2‐butanone
Authors: Tian Hong‐yu , Ye Hong‐lin , Sun Bao‐guo , Liu Yu‐Ping , Huang Ming‐quan , Chen Hai‐tao 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTEnantioselective syntheses of two stereoisomers of 3‐hydroxy‐4‐phenyl‐2‐butanone were investigated via Shi's asymmetric epoxidation or Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of silyl enol ether. (R)‐3‐Hydroxy‐4‐phenyl‐2‐butanone was obtained in 73% enantiomeric excess (ee) by Shi's catalyst/oxone and 80% ee by AD‐mix‐β, while the (S)‐isomer was prepared in 62% ee by AD‐mix‐α. The characteristic odour of the optically active products was analysed by gas chromatography–olfactometry. The (R)‐isomer had a relatively weak fruity and green odour, while the (S)‐isomer had a strong caramel, sweet and floral aroma. Additionally, the (S)‐isomer presented a stronger odour intensity than did the (R)‐isomer. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibacterial activity of pullulan films containing thymol
Authors: Gniewosz Małgorzata , Synowiec Alicja 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThymol displays strong activity against microorganisms that are of interest in clinical field and in food industry. Pullulan can form homogeneous films, which is an important property for its use as a coating material in the food industry. The present study determining the effect of thymol incorporated into a pullulan film against selected bacteria. The final content of thymol in the dried films ranged from 2.5 mg/cm2 to 52.9 mg/cm2. The structure of the surface and cross‐section of the films were observed under a scanning electron microscope. The fruits were coated with a pullulan film, with thymol incorporated in the concentrations of 1.2, 1.5 and 3.0% and were evaluated for appearance and aroma. The pullulan films with thymol content ranging from 26.5 mg/cm2 to 52.9 mg/cm2 expressed strong inhibitory activity against the tested bacteria, compared with the pullulan films containing lesser concentration of thymol. The surface of the coated fruits was found to be shiny as compared with the non‐coated fruits. Though the characteristic aroma of thymol was detectable it did evoke any undesirable sensory changes. Pullulan films containing thymol, which were effective against the tested bacteria, can be applied to extend the shelf life of packaged food products. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Der Schrecken, der alles relativiert
Authors: Kleiner Matthias 
Published: March 2011

AbstractZwischen Demut und Hilfe: Auch für die Wissenschaft ist die Katastrophe in Japan eine Zäsur. Welche Aufgaben sich ihr nun stellen, wie sie im Großen und Kleinen die Not zu lindern versuchen kann – und was beides mit Redlichkeit und Exzellenz zu tun hat.
Factors affecting interindividual differences in clozapine response: a review and case report
Authors: Bersani Francesco Saverio , Capra Enrico , Minichino Amedeo , Pannese Rossella , Girardi Nicoletta , Marini Isabella , Delle Chiaie Roberto , Biondi Massimo 
Published: March 2011

ObjectiveClozapine is the most powerful new‐generation antipsychotic. Although this drug leads to great therapeutic benefits, two types of undesirable conditions frequently occur with its use: side effects and resistance to treatment. Therapeutic drug monitoring of clozapine would be very useful to avoid both these situations. The necessity of monitoring the therapy is the result of a wide interindividual variability in the metabolism of clozapine. In this review, we highlight all the conditions underlying this variability, analyzing them one by one.MethodsRelevant literature was identified through a search of MEDLINE and PubMed. In addition, the case of a treatment‐resistant patient with accelerated metabolism of clozapine is reported as representative of utility of therapeutic drug monitoring in terms of clozapine dose adjustment.ResultsGenetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 enzymes and of neurotransmitter receptors; drug interactions; interactions of clozapine with other substances such as food and drink; smoking; and nonmodifiable variables such as age, ethnicity, and gender have been examined in relation to the existing scientific literature. The laboratory techniques that clinicians could use to identify these variables and adequate therapies are also reviewed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunotherapeutic efficacy of Mycobacterium indicus pranii in eliciting anti‐tumor T cell responses: Critical roles of IFNγ
Authors: Rakshit Srabanti , Ponnusamy Manikandan , Papanna Sumitha , Saha Banishree , Ahmed Asma , Nandi Dipankar 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) is approved for use as an adjuvant (Immuvac/Cadi‐05) in the treatment of leprosy. In addition, its efficacy is being investigated in clinical trials on patients with tuberculosis and different tumors. To evaluate and delineate the mechanisms by which autoclaved MIP enhances anti‐tumor responses, the growth of solid tumors consisting of Sp2/0 (myeloma) and EL4 (thymoma) cells was studied in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, respectively. Treatment of mice with a single intra‐dermal (i.d.) injection of MIP 3 days after Sp2/0 implantation greatly suppresses tumor growth. MIP treatment of tumor bearing mice lowers Interleukin (IL)6 but increases IL12p70 and IFNγ amounts in sera. Also, increase in CD8+ T cell mediated lysis of specific tumor targets and production of high amounts of IL2 and IFNγ by CD4+ T cells upon stimulation with specific tumor antigens in MIP treated mice is observed. Furthermore, MIP is also effective in reducing the growth of EL4 tumors; however, this efficacy is reduced in Ifnγ−/− mice. In fact, several MIP mediated anti‐tumor responses are greatly abrogated in Ifnγ−/− mice: increase in serum Interleukin (IL)12p70 amounts, induction of IL2 and lysis of EL4 targets by splenocytes upon stimulation with specific tumor antigens. Interestingly, tumor‐induced increase in serum IL12p70 and IFNγ and reduction in growth of Sp2/0 and EL4 tumors by MIP are not observed in nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Overall, our study clearly demonstrates the importance of a functional immune network, in particular endogenous CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and IFNγ, in mediating the anti‐tumor responses by MIP.
Cell mediated immune responses through TLR4 prevents DMBA‐induced mammary carcinogenesis in mice
Authors: Naseemuddin Mohammed , Iqbal Aneeqa , Nasti Tahseen H. , Ghandhi Jennifer L. , Kapadia Akash D. , Yusuf Nabiha 
Published: March 2011

AbstractToll‐like receptors (TLRs) activate signals that are critically involved in the initiation of adaptive immune responses and many tumorigenic chemicals have been associated with activation of those pathways. To determine the role of TLR‐4 (TLR4) in mammary carcinogenesis, we subjected TLR4 deficient and wild type (WT) mice to oral gavage with carcinogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbon 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). TLR4 deficient mice developed more tumors relative to the WT mice. T cells of TLR4 deficient mice produced elevated levels of IL‐17 and lower levels of IFN‐γ relative to WT mice. IL‐12 secreted by CD11c+ cells was higher in WT mice, whereas greater amounts of IL‐23 were produced by CD11c+ cells from TLR4 deficient mice. Moreover, there was higher incidence of regulatory T cells in TLR4 deficient mice than WT mice. Similarly, various markers of angiogenesis [matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9, CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor] were highly expressed in tumors from TLR4 deficient mice than WT mice. The results of this study indicate that TLR4 plays an important role in the prevention of DMBA induced mouse mammary tumorigenesis and efforts to divert the cell‐mediated immune response may, therefore, prove to be beneficial in the prevention of mammary tumors.
The DNA methyltransferase inhibitors zebularine and decitabine induce mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis and DNA damage in p53 mutant leukemic T cells
Authors: Ruiz‐Magaña María J. , Rodríguez‐Vargas Jose M. , Morales Jorge C. , Saldivia Manuel A. , Schulze‐Osthoff Klaus , Ruiz‐Ruiz Carmen 
Published: March 2011

AbstractDNA methyltransferase (DNMT)‐inhibiting nucleoside analogs reactivate the expression of tumor suppressor genes and apoptosis‐related genes silenced by methylation, thus favoring the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells. Moreover, induction of DNA damage seems to contribute to their antitumor effect. However, the apoptotic signaling pathway induced by these demethylating drugs is not well understood. Here, we have investigated the induction of apoptosis by two nucleoside DNMT inhibitors, decitabine and zebularine, in leukemic T cells. Both inhibitors induced caspase‐dependent apoptosis in Jurkat, CEM‐6 and MOLT‐4 leukemia T cell lines, all with mutant p53, whereas resting and activated normal T lymphocytes were highly resistant to these demethylating agents. Although decitabine and zebularine showed different ability to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest among the three cell lines, they similarly activated the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by inducing mitochondrial alterations such as Bak activation, loss of transmembrane potential and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Accordingly, Bcl‐2‐ and Bcl‐xL‐overexpressing Jurkat cells, as well as caspase‐9‐deficient Jurkat cells, were resistant to apoptosis induced by decitabine and zebularine. Interestingly, ROS production seemed to be necessary for the induction of apoptosis. Apoptotic events, such as Bak and caspase activation, started as soon as 20 hr after treatment with either decitabine or zebularine. In addition, progression of apoptosis triggered by both DNMT inhibitors was paralleled by the induction of DNA damage. Our results suggest that the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway activated by decitabine and zebularine in p53 mutant leukemic T cells depends mainly on the induction of DNA damage.
Dietary fat and meat intakes and risk of reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: O'Doherty Mark G. , Cantwell Marie M. , Murray Liam J. , Anderson Lesley A. , Abnet Christian C. ,   on behalf of the FINBAR Study Group
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe aim of our study was to investigate whether dietary fat and meat intakes are associated with reflux esophagitis (RE), Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). In this all‐Ireland case–control study, dietary intake data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire in 219 RE patients, 220 BE patients, 224 EAC patients and 256 frequency‐matched controls between 2002 and 2005. Unconditional multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between dietary variables and disease risk using quartiles of intake, to attain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), while adjusting for potential confounders. Patients in the highest quartile of total fat intake had a higher risk of RE (OR = 3.54; 95% CI = 1.32–9.46) and EAC (OR = 5.44; 95% CI = 2.08–14.27). A higher risk of RE and EAC was also reported for patients in the highest quartile of saturated fat intake (OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.11–7.04; OR = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.14–5.08, respectively) and monounsaturated fat intake (OR = 2.63; 95% CI = 1.01–6.86; OR = 5.35; 95% CI = 2.14–13.34, respectively). Patients in the highest quartile of fresh red meat intake had a higher risk of EAC (OR = 3.15; 95% CI = 1.38–7.20). Patients in the highest category of processed meat intake had a higher risk of RE (OR = 4.67; 95% CI = 1.71–12.74). No consistent associations were seen for BE with either fat or meat intakes. Further studies investigating the association between dietary fat and food sources of fat are needed to confirm these results.
SSC: A tool for constructing libraries for systematic screening of conformers
Authors: Ling Sanliang , Gutowski Maciej 
Published: March 2011

AbstractEven a relatively small molecule with 10–20 atoms might have a few local minima, which correspond to different conformers. The number of local minima quickly increases with molecular size and the most common algorithms, driven by calculated forces, frequently identify a minimum, which is closest to the initial structure, rather than the most stable conformer. Here we discuss how to perform a systematic search of the conformational space for a chain‐like molecule. Our approach is fully automated and a user has control which chemical bonds will be probed and with which increments. Moreover, whole fragments of the molecule, which are adjacent to each selected rotational bond, are rotated in a properly selected cylindrical coordinate system and unchemical hybridizations and some “clashes” between neighboring groups, which are common when standard Z‐matrices are used, are avoided. A library of potentially relevant conformers is created with a tool, which we call SSC, denoting Systematic Screening of Conformers. Each member of the library is prescreened at a predefined level of theory and the most promising conformers are identified. Finally, they are further evaluated at a higher level of theory to identify the most stable structures and their physicochemical properties. As an example, we demonstrate the results of this approach for 2′‐deoxycytidine. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Web services as applications' integration tool: QikProp case study
Authors: Laoui Abdel , Polyakov Valery R. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWeb services are a new technology that enables to integrate applications running on different platforms by using primarily XML to enable communication among different computers over the Internet. Large number of applications was designed as stand alone systems before the concept of Web services was introduced and it is a challenge to integrate them into larger computational networks. A generally applicable method of wrapping stand alone applications into Web services was developed and is described. To test the technology, it was applied to the QikProp for DOS (Windows). Although performance of the application did not change when it was delivered as a Web service, this form of deployment had offered several advantages like simplified and centralized maintenance, smaller number of licenses, and practically no training for the end user. Because by using the described approach almost any legacy application can be wrapped as a Web service, this form of delivery may be recommended as a global alternative to traditional deployment solutions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Design and parameterization of a stochastic cellular automaton describing a chemical reaction
Authors: Van der Weeën Pieter , Baetens Jan M. , Baets Bernard De 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAlthough most of the work concerned with reaction kinetics concentrates on empirical findings, stochastic models, and differential equations, a growing number of researchers is exploring other methods to elucidate reaction kinetics. In this work, the parameterization of an utter discrete spatio‐temporal model, more specifically, a cellular automaton (CA), describing the reaction of HCl with CaCO3, is suggested. Furthermore, a system of partial differential equations (PDE), deduced from a set of CA rules, is implemented to compare both modeling paradigms. In this article, the experimental setup to acquire time series of data is explained, a stochastic CA‐based model and a continuous PDE‐based model capable of describing the reaction are proposed, the models are parameterized using the experimental data and, finally, the relationship between a discrete time step of the CA‐based model and the physical time is studied. Essentially, the parameterization of both models can be traced back to the quest for a solution of the inverse problem in which a (set of) rule(s), respectively a system of PDE, is deduced starting from the observed data. It is demonstrated that the proposed CA‐ and PDE‐based models are capable of describing the considered chemical reaction with a high accuracy, which is confirmed by a root mean squared error between the simulated and observed data of 0.388 and 0.869 g CO2, respectively. Further, it is shown that an exponential or linear relationship can be used to link the physical time to a discrete time step of the CA‐based model. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Multigrid solver for the reference interaction site model of molecular liquids theory
Authors: Sergiievskyi Volodymyr P. , Hackbusch Wolfgang , Fedorov Maxim V. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn this article, we propose a new multigrid‐based algorithm for solving integral equations of the reference interactions site model (RISM). We also investigate the relationship between the parameters of the algorithm and the numerical accuracy of the hydration free energy calculations by RISM. For this purpose, we analyzed the performance of the method for several numerical tests with polar and nonpolar compounds. The results of this analysis provide some guidelines for choosing an optimal set of parameters to minimize computational expenses. We compared the performance of the proposed multigrid‐based method with the one‐grid Picard iteration and nested Picard iteration methods. We show that the proposed method is over 30 times faster than the one‐grid iteration method, and in the high accuracy regime, it is almost seven times faster than the nested Picard iteration method. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Posttraumatic stress and growth among Tibetan refugees: the mediating role of cognitive‐emotional regulation strategies
Authors: Hussain Dilwar , Bhushan Braj 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis study examined posttraumatic stress (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among 226 Tibetan refugees across two generations. Additional objectives were to (i) examine the sex and generation differences on the scores of trauma, PTS, and PTG, (ii) explore the relationship between traumatic experiences, PTS and PTG, and (iii) investigate the mediating effect of cognitive‐emotional regulation strategies between the traumatic experiences and PTS as well as PTG. Females scored higher on trauma, PTS, and PTG. The trauma, PTS, and PTG scores of the two generations were significantly different. Acceptance and putting into perspective partially mediated the relationship between traumatic experience and PTS. Positive refocusing, refocus on planning, putting into perspective, and catastrophisizing partially mediated the relationship between traumatic experiences and PTG. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 67:720–735, 2011.
Shh expression in a rudimentary tooth offers new insights into development of the mouse incisor
Authors: Hovorakova Maria , Prochazka Jan , Lesot Herve , Smrckova Lucie , Churava Svatava , Boran Tomas , Kozmik Zbynek , Klein Ophir , Peterkova Renata , Peterka Miroslav 
Published: March 2011

AbstractFor teeth as for any organ, knowledge of normal development is essential for the proper interpretation of developmental anomalies in mutant mice. It is generally accepted that tooth formation is initiated with a single signaling center that, in the incisor region, is exclusively related to the development of the functional adult incisor.Here, using a unique combination of computer‐aided three‐dimensional reconstructions and whole mount in situ hybridization of mandibles from finely staged wild‐type mouse embryos, we demonstrate that several Sonic hedgehog (Shh) expression domains sequentially appear in the lower incisor region during early development. In contrast to the single Shh expression domain that is widely assumed to be present in each lower incisor area at ED12.5–13.5, we identified two spatially distinct regions of Shh expression that appear in an anterior–posterior sequence during this period. The initial anterior, more superficially located Shh expression region represented the rudimentary (so‐called deciduous) incisor, whereas only the later posterior deeper situated region corresponded to the prospective functional incisor. In the more advanced embryos, only this posterior Shh expression in the incisor bud was detectable as a precursor of the enamel knot.This study offers a new interpretation of published molecular data on the mouse incisor from initiation through ED13.5. We suggest that, as with Shh expression, other molecular data that have been ascribed to the progressive development of the mouse functional incisor at early stages, in fact, correspond to a rudimentary incisor whose development is aborted. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 316:347–358, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.