bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of cigarette smoke‐mediated mucin expression by hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α via epidermal growth factor receptor‐mediated signaling pathways
Authors: Yu Hongmei , Li Qi , Kolosov Victor P. , Perelman Juliy M. , Zhou Xiangdong 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTCigarette smoking is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Mucus hypersecretion is the key manifestation in patients with COPD and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) is a major component of airway mucus. Hypoxia inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1) is a transcriptional factor which can be stimulated to bind to the MUC5AC promoter and induce MUC5AC promoter activation. Previous studies have reported that activation of HIF‐1α pathways by cigarette smoke contributes to the development of COPD. We hypothesize that cigarette smoke up‐regulates HIF‐1α production and HIF‐1 activity through epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐activated signal cascades pathways, leading to mucin production in human airway epithelial cells (16HBE). We show that cigarette smoke increases HIF‐1α production, HIF‐1 activity and MUC5AC expression. These effects are prevented by small interfering RNA (siRNA) for HIF‐1α, indicating that cigarette smoke‐induced mucin production is HIF‐1α‐dependent. Cigarette smoke activates extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) signal pathways, both of which are inhibited by gefitinib (an inhibitor of EGFR), suggesting that cigarette smoke‐activated signal pathways are mediated by EGFR in 16HBE cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with gefitinib and the pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K (LY294002) and ERK1/2 (PD98059) prevented cigarette smoke‐mediated Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation responses, HIF‐1α production, HIF‐1 activity and MUC5AC expression. These observations demonstrate an important role for EGFR‐mediated signaling pathways in regulating cigarette smoke‐induced HIF‐1 activation and MUC5AC expression. Our results suggest that cigarette smoke activates EGFR‐mediated signaling pathways, leading to HIF‐1α production and HIF‐1 activation, resulting in mucin expression in human airway epithelial cells. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of 2,3‐dihydro‐6H‐1‐oxa‐3a‐aza‐phenalene and its benzo/hetero‐fused analog
Authors: Mizar Pushpak , Hormi Mecadon , Rajbangshi Mantu , Myrboh Bekington 
Published: May 2011

AbstractA simple and efficient method for the synthesis of highly substituted benzo‐ and hetero‐fused analog of 2, 3‐dihydro‐6H‐oxa‐3a‐aza‐phenalene was developed using 2H‐1, 4‐benzoxazine and α‐oxoketene dithio‐acetals. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).
DOES FOREIGN AID REDUCE POVERTY?
Authors: Alvi Eskander , Senbeta Aberra 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis paper examines the effect of foreign aid on poverty. The impact of aid on poverty is assessed using dynamic panel estimation techniques, which enable us to control for time‐invariant country‐specific effects and endogeneity of aid. The results suggest that aid has a significant poverty‐reducing effect even after controlling for average income. Specifically, foreign aid is associated with a decline in poverty as measured by the poverty rate, poverty gap index and squared poverty gap index. We also find that the composition of aid matters—multilateral aid and grants do better in reducing poverty than bilateral aid and loans. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new specialization in astrocytes: Glutamate‐ and ammonia‐induced nuclear size changes
Authors: Yang Chun Zhang , Li Hui Li , Zhou Ye , Chai Rui Chao , Zhao Rui , Dong Yan , Xu Zhen Yu , Lau Lok Ting , Yingge Zhang , Teng Junlin , Chen Jianguo , Yu Albert Cheung Hoi 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWe observed nuclear swelling in glutamate (Glu)‐treated astrocytes that was concomitant with but independent of astrocytic cell swelling. We confirmed Glu‐induced nuclear swelling with nuclei isolated from astrocytes. Ammonia is metabolically related to Glu and could induce a nuclear swelling in intact astrocytes but shrinkage in isolated nuclei. Other compounds such as glutamine, aspartate, taurine, glycine, and ATP did not cause any nuclear swelling in isolated nuclei of astrocytes. Surprisingly, Glu and ammonia did not induce nuclear swelling in microglia, C6, HEK 293, or Hep G2 cell lines in cultures and their isolated nuclei. The Glu‐ and ammonia‐induced nuclear size changes appear to be a specific response of astrocytes to these two closely related metabolic compounds. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phenol‐containing organic substances stimulate phenylpropanoid metabolism in Zea mays
Authors: Ertani Andrea , Schiavon Michela , Altissimo Adriano , Franceschi Clizia , Nardi Serenella 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIntensive land use may affect soil properties (e.g., decreased soil organic matter [SOM] content) and, consequently, reduce crop yields considerably. One way of counteracting the loss of SOM and stimulating plant productivity could be the use of organic residues from agro‐industrial processes as bioactive products. The present study was focused on the possible effects of phenol‐containing organic substances derived from agro‐industrial by‐products on maize (Zea mays L.) metabolism in a pot experiment. Plants were grown for 12 d in a nutrient solution in the absence (control) or in the presence of either a cellulosolitic dry apple hydrolyzate (AP) or a dry blueberry cool extract (BB) applied at two rates (0.1 and 1 mL L–1). Both products increased root and leaf biomass and led to higher concentrations of macronutrients in the plant tissue. AP and BB also had a positive impact on nitrogen (N) metabolism stimulating the activity and gene expression of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, a key enzyme of the phenylpropanoid pathway. Furthermore, both products increased leaf concentrations of phenols (+ 28% and 49% for AP and BB, respectively) and flavonoids (+ 22% and 25% for AP and BB, respectively). From our results it can be assumed that residues from agro‐industry may be successfully used as bioactive products in agriculture to increase plant yield and resistance to stress conditions.
Peritoneal carcinomatosis of colon cancer origin: Highest incidence in women and in patients with right‐sided tumors
Authors: Sjo Ole Helmer , Berg Marianne , Merok Marianne Arstad , Kolberg Matthias , Svindland Aud , Lothe Ragnhild A. , Nesbakken Arild 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) in a prospectively recorded series of colon cancer patients from a defined cohort and to compare clinicopathological characteristics, survival, and TP53 mutation status in primary tumors from patients with and without PC.Methods: Clinical data from all colon cancer patients admitted in 1993–2006 were registered prospectively (n = 1,124). In a subset of PC patients, DNA was retrieved from tumor tissue and TP53 mutations analyzed and compared to the mutation status in a historical series.Results: In the prospective series 10% of female and 7% of male patients had PC (P = 0.05). The PC patients were younger than those without PC (median 4 years, P = 0.002). The incidence of PC was 10.3% and 6.2% (P = 0.03) in patients with primary tumors in the right and left colon, respectively. TP53 was mutated in 57% of the PC patients as compared to 41% in the series of patients without PC (P = 0.05).Conclusions: The incidence of PC was higher in right‐sided colon cancer and among women. PC patients were younger than non‐PC patients, and PC was independently associated with TP53 mutation in the primary tumor. J. Surg. Oncol. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Magnetic mixed hemimicelles solid‐phase extraction of xanthohumol in beer coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography determination
Authors: Ding Jie , Zhao Qi , Sun Lei , Ding Lan , Ren Nanqi 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn this study, silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4/SiO2 NPs) modified by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were synthesized. They were successfully applied for extraction of xanthohumol in beer based on magnetic mixed hemimicelles solid‐phase extraction (MMHSPE) coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography – ultraviolet determination. The main factors influencing the extraction efficiency including the surfactant amount, the beer pH, the extraction time, the desorption condition and the maximum extraction beer volume were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, a concentration factor of 60 was achieved by extracting 120 mL beer sample using MMHSPE and the detection limit of xanthohumol is 0.0006 mg/L. The proposed method was successfully applied for determination of xanthohumol in various beer samples with the xanthohumol contents in the range of 0.031–0.567 mg/L. The satisfactory recoveries (90–103%) were obtained in analyzing spiked beer samples.
Sufficiency of horseshoe crab eggs for red knots during spring migration stopover in Delaware Bay USA
Authors: Karpanty Sarah M. , Cohen Jonathan , Fraser James D. , Berkson Jim 
Published: May 2011

AbstractHorseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) eggs are a dietary staple of the red knot (Calidris canutus) during its spring stopover on the Delaware Bay. Numbers of knots stopping in Delaware Bay declined in the 1990s concurrent with a decline in horseshoe crabs, leading to the hypothesis that reduced horseshoe crab egg abundance limited the red knot population. Management efforts, including a seasonal harvest moratorium in the Delaware Bay, have been instituted to restore crab populations to levels of sustainable use by multiple users, including migratory birds. Our objective was to evaluate the sufficiency of horseshoe crab eggs in Delaware Bay in May–June 2004 and 2005 for knots to refuel for their migratory flight to the Arctic breeding grounds. We examined egg counts to determine if there were fewer high egg‐density sites later than earlier in the day and season, as migrating birds might deplete this resource. We studied foraging rates at red knot locations to determine if foraging probes increased with time of day and season as birds depleted surface eggs by pecking, then began probing for subsurface eggs. Finally, we experimentally tested whether red knots and their competitors depleted horseshoe crab eggs. Crab egg numbers at knot foraging sites did not decline throughout the day or season in 2004. In both years, we found no evidence that knots switched from pecking to probing with increases in time since sunrise or start of the stopover. Egg numbers were similar in exclosed and accessible plots on crab nesting depressions and in areas of open intertidal zone, but were significantly lower in accessible than in exclosed plots in the wrack line. Our results indicate that horseshoe crab eggs in Delaware Bay were sufficient to support the refueling of the present‐day stopover population of red knots. If an increase in the availability of crab eggs to foraging birds does not result in an increase in knot numbers, managers must prioritize mitigation of limiting factors at other historically important spring stopovers and on the poorly understood breeding and wintering grounds in addition to the Delaware Bay. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Effects of acoustic complexity on processing sound intensity in 10‐ to 11‐year‐old children
Authors: Dinces Elizabeth , Sussman Elyse 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:The environmental complexity that sounds are presented in, as well as the stimulus presentation rate, influences how sound intensity is centrally encoded with differences between children and adults.Study Design:Cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) comparison study in children and adults examining two stimulus rates and three different stimulus contexts.Methods:Twelve 10 and 11 year olds and 11 adults were studied in two experiments examining the CAEP to a 1‐KHz, 50‐ms tone. A Slow‐Rate experiment at 750‐ms stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) compared the CAEPs of 78 dB to 86 dB SPL in 2 complexity conditions. A Fast‐Rate experiment was performed at 125 ms SOA with the same conditions plus an additional complexity condition. Repeated measures and mixed‐model analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the latency and amplitude of the CAEP components.Results:CAEP amplitudes and latencies were significantly affected by rate, intensity, and age with complexity interacting in multiple mixed‐mode ANOVAs. P1 was the only CAEP component present at the Fast Rate. There were main effects of rate, age, and stimulus intensity level on the CAEP amplitudes and latencies. Maturational differences were seen in the interactions of intensity with complexity for the different CAEP components.Conclusions:Complexity of the sound environment was reflected in the relative amplitude of the CAEPs evoked by sound intensity. The effect of stimulus intensity depended on the complexity of the surrounding environment. Effects of the surrounding sounds were different in children than in adults.
Hybrid Approaches to Coarse‐Graining using the VOTCA Package: Liquid Hexane
Authors: Rühle Victor , Junghans Christoph 
Published: May 2011

AbstractSeveral systematic coarse‐graining techniques have been developed in recent years. The method of choice depends on the system of interest and the properties to be reproduced. We present three hybrid schemes to combine force‐matching and Boltzmann inversion. The methods are tested on liquid hexane and the results are compared to iterative Boltzmann inversion. All approaches can easily be extended to mixtures of molecules and provide insight for parametrizing building blocks of bigger molecules. An implementation is provided in the VOTCA package which is available under an open source software license. magnified image
Structure‐Based Pharmacophores for Virtual Screening
Authors: Löwer Martin , Proschak Ewgenij 
Published: May 2011

AbstractPharmacophores describe the spatial arrangement of essential interactions in a receptor‐ligand complex. Although highly established in ligand‐based virtual screening, the application of pharmacophores for in absence of a ligand is more sophisticated. This article summarizes the recent approaches to derive and evaluate pharmacophore models using only limited information (e.g. a homology model of the binding site). A range of different methodologies including geometrical and/or potential‐based methods and successes in the application to virtual screening problems are described. Advantages and current limitations of the state‐of‐the‐art methods and future perspectives for development are discussed in this publication.
Time efficient design of multi dimensional RF pulses: Application of a multi shift CGLS algorithm
Authors: Sbrizzi Alessandro , Hoogduin Hans , Lagendijk Jan J. , Luijten Peter , Sleijpen Gerard L. G. , van den Berg Cornelis A. T. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractDesigning multi dimensional ratio frequency excitation pulses in the small flip angle regime commonly reduces to the solution of a least squares problem, which requires regularization to be solved numerically. Usually, regularization is carried out by the introduction of a penalty, λ, on the solution norm. In most cases, the optimal regularization parameter is not known a priori and the problem needs to be solved for several values of λ. The optimal value can be selected, typically by plotting the L‐curve. In this article, a conjugate gradients‐based algorithm is applied to design ratio frequency pulses in a time‐efficient way without a priori knowledge of the optimal regularization parameter. The computation time is reduced considerably (by a factor 10 in a typical set up) with respect to the standard conjugate gradients for least square since just one run of the algorithm is required. Simulations are shown and the performance is compared to that of conjugate gradients for least square. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Süße Versuchung: De‐novo‐Wege zu ungewöhnlichen Zuckern
Authors: Brand Christian , Werz Daniel B. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractStatt natürlich vorkommende Zucker zu modifizieren, setzen Chemiker zunehmend darauf, Kohlenhydratgerüste von Grund auf neu zu synthetisieren. Dabei lassen sie sich von natürlichen Vorbildern, den Aldolasen, inspirieren.
Screeningverfahren für Dioxin‐ und PCB‐Kontrollen
Authors: Herterich Roland , Schröder Stephan 
Published: May 2011

AbstractDer aktuelle Entwurf zur Änderung der Futtermittelverordnung sieht vor, dass Hersteller und Überwachungsbehörden das Dioxin‐ und PCB‐Monitoring ausweiten. Probenaufkommen und die Nachfrage nach kostengünstigen Dioxin‐und PCB‐Analysen werden daher ansteigen. Erfordern diese Grenzwertprüfungen immer den Einsatz der hochauflösenden Massenspektrometrie?
Testing of the topoisomerase 1 inhibitor Genz‐644282 by the pediatric preclinical testing program
Authors: Houghton Peter J. , Lock Richard , Carol Hernan , Morton Christopher L. , Gorlick Richard , Anders Kolb E. , Keir Stephen T. , Reynolds C. Patrick , Kang Min H. , Maris John M. , Billups Catherine A. , Zhang Mindy X. , Madden Stephen L. , Teicher Beverly A. , Smith Malcolm A. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackgroundGenz‐644282 is a novel non‐camptothecin topoisomerase I poison that is in clinical development.ProceduresGenz‐644282 was tested against the PPTP in vitro panel (0.1 nM to 1 µM), and in vivo using three times per week × 2 schedule repeated at day 21 at its maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 4 mg/kg. Subsequently Genz‐644282 was tested at 4, 3, 2, and 1 mg/kg in 3 models to assess the dose–response relationship. mRNA gene signatures predictive for Genz‐644282 response in vitro were applied to select 15 tumor models that were evaluated prospectively.ResultsIn vitro, Genz‐644282 demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity with a median IC50 of 1.2 nM (range 0.2–21.9 nM). In vivo, Genz‐644282 at its MTD (4 mg/kg) induced maintained complete responses (MCR) in 6/6 evaluable solid tumor models. At 2 mg/kg Genz‐644282 induced CR or MCR in 3/3 tumor models relatively insensitive to topotecan, but there were no objective responses at 1 mg/kg. Further testing at 2 mg/kg showed that Genz‐644282 induced objective regressions in 7 of 17 (41%) models. There was a significant correlation between predictive response scores based on Affymetrix U133Plus2 baseline tumor expression profiles and the observed in vivo responses to Genz‐644282.ConclusionsGenz‐644282 was highly active within a narrow dose range (2–4 mg/kg), typical of other topoisomerase I poisons. As with other topoisomerase I poisons, how accurately these data will translate to clinical activity will depend upon the drug exposures that can be achieved in children treated with this agent. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 200–209. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radial pressure and thickness effects on the moisture diffusion in hollow composite cylinders
Authors: Youssef G. , Jacquemin F. , Fréour S. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAccording to the literature, the mechanical states (external or internal) have an effect on the penetration of moisture into a composite material through affecting both its main controlling parameters: the diffusion coefficient and the maximum moisture absorption capacity. In this article, a scale transition analysis is performed to investigate the coupled effect of the external/internal mechanical states, experienced by epoxy resin composite structures, on the moisture penetration process. The scale transition approach provides relations linking the plies strains to those of their constituents and homogenization procedures enabling to estimate the evolution of the plies diffusion parameters, from those of the epoxy, at any step of the moisture diffusion process. This work underlines the effects induced by the thickness of the considered composite structure. The respective contributions of the internal and external loads (in the case of a radial pressure, only) on the transient and permanent stages of the diffusion process are also investigated. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Temperature‐induced volume change and glucose sensitivity of poly[(N‐isopropylacry‐ lamide)‐co‐acrylamide‐co‐(phenylboronic acid)] microgels
Authors: Farooqi Zahoor H. , Khan Abbas , Siddiq Mohammad 
Published: May 2011

AbstractNearly monodisperse glucose‐sensitive poly[(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐acrylamide‐co‐(phenylboronic acid)] microgels were synthesized in aqueous media by the functionalization of poly[(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐acrylamide‐co‐(acrylic acid)] microgels with 3‐aminophenylboronic acid via carbodiimide coupling. The glucose‐sensitive and thermosensitive behaviour of the microgels was investigated using a dynamic light scattering technique. The introduction of the hydrophobic phenylboronic acid (PBA) group significantly decreases the temperature at which maximum volume change of the resultant microgel particles is observed. The glucose sensitivity of the PBA‐containing microgels relies on the stabilization of the charged phenylborate ions by binding with glucose, which can convert more hydrophobic PBA groups to the hydrophilic phenylborate ions. The effect of pH, ionic strength and PBA content on temperature‐induced volume change and glucose sensitivity was systemically studied. The effect of NaCl on the glucose sensitivity was also investigated at physiological pH and ionic strength. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Photovoltaics literature survey (no. 86)
Authors: Shrestha Santosh 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn order to help keep readers up‐to‐date in the field each issue of Progress in Photovoltaics will contain a list of recently published journal articles most relevant to its aims and scope. This list is drawn from an extremely wide range of journals, including IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, Journal of Applied Physics, Applied Physics Letters, Progress in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. To assist the reader, the list is separated into broad categories, but please note that these classifications are by no means strict. Also note that inclusion in the list is not an endorsement of a paper's quality. If you have any suggestions please email Santosh Shrestha at s.shrestha@unsw.edu.au.
Entanglement properties of cellulose and amylose in an ionic liquid
Authors: Horinaka Jun‐ichi , Yasuda Ryosuke , Takigawa Toshikazu 
Published: May 2011

AbstractConcentrated solutions of cellulose and amylose were prepared with an ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (BmimCl), which was chosen as a good solvent for these polysaccharides. Dynamic viscoelasticity of the concentrated solutions was examined to obtain the molecular weight between entanglements, Me. The value of Me in the molten state (Me,melt), a material constant that reflecting the entanglement properties, was determined for cellulose and amylose by extrapolating Me to the “melt.” A marked difference in Me,melt was found: 3.2 × 103 for cellulose and 2.5 × 104 for amylose. The value of Me,melt for cellulose, which is composed of β‐(1,4) bonding of D‐glucose units, is very close to those for polysaccharides with a random‐coil conformation such as agarose and gellan in BmimCl. The much larger Me,melt for amylose can be attributed to the helical nature of the amylose chain, α‐(1,4)‐linked D‐glucose units. The effect of concentration on the zero‐shear viscosity for the solutions of cellulose and amylose was also examined. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011