bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of carbon nanotubes for in‐capillary incubations with cytochrome P450 enzymes
Authors: Pauwels Jochen , Hoogmartens Jos , Van Schepdael Ann 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe utility of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) to decrease the interaction between cytochrome P450 enzymes and the capillary wall during in‐capillary enzymatic incubation was investigated. First, 18 surfactants were screened to determine their MWNT‐dispersing capacity. A probe sonication procedure was developed in order to attain homogeneous MWNT dispersions within a reasonable time. Next, the influence of surfactants and MWNTs on P450 activity was studied, employing verapamil and CYP3A4 as model substrate and P450 isoform, respectively. MWNTs dispersed in Brij 35 did not affect CYP3A4 activity significantly and were selected for subsequent in‐capillary tests. An in‐line CE assay, involving electrophoretic mixing of reagents and zero potential amplification in the thermostatted part of the capillary, was developed. In‐capillary incubations without MWNTs caused adsorption of enzyme to the capillary wall and a concomitant decline of capillary lifetime, even when extensive between‐run rinsing was applied. Addition of MWNTs to the enzyme solution entailed substantial improvement of migration time and peak shape repeatability. The performance of three types of MWNTs was compared.
Feasibility of SU‐8‐based capillary electrophoresis‐electrospray ionization mass spectrometry microfluidic chips for the analysis of human cell lysates
Authors: Nordman Nina , Sikanen Tiina , Aura Susanna , Tuomikoski Santeri , Vuorensola Katariina , Kotiaho Tapio , Franssila Sami , Kostiainen Risto 
Published: November 2010

AbstractMonolithically integrated, polymer (SU‐8) microchips comprising an electrophoretic separation unit, a sheath flow interface and an ESI emitter were developed to improve the speed and throughput of proteomics analyses. Validation of the microchip method was performed based on peptide mass fingerprinting and single peptide sequencing of selected protein standards. Rapid, yet reliable identification of four biologically important proteins (cytochrome C, β‐lactoglobulin, ovalbumin and BSA) confirmed the applicability of the SU‐8 microchips to ambitious proteomic applications and allowed their use in the analysis of human muscle cell lysates. The characteristic tryptic peptides were easily separated with plate numbers approaching 106, and with peak widths at half height as low as 0.6 s. The on‐chip sheath flow interface was also exploited to the introduction of an internal mass calibrant along with the sheath liquid which enabled accurate mass measurements by high‐resolution Q‐TOF MS. Additionally, peptide structural characterization and protein identification based on MS/MS fragmentation data of a single tryptic peptide was obtained using an ion trap instrument. Protein sequence coverages exceeding 50% were routinely obtained without any pretreatment of the proteolytic samples and a typical total analysis time from sampling to detection was well below ten minutes. In conclusion, monolithically integrated, dead‐volume‐free, SU‐8 microchips proved to be a promising platform for fast and reliable analysis of complex proteomic samples. Good analytical performance of the microchips was shown by performing both peptide mass fingerprinting of complex cell lysates and protein identification based on single peptide sequencing.
Evaluation of the polymorphic D‐loop of Columba livia in forensic applications
Authors: Lee James Chun‐I , Tsai Li‐Chin , Liao Shu‐Ping , Linacre Adrian , Hsieh Hsing‐Mei 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe report on the polymorphisms exhibited by three hypervariable regions within the D‐loop of Columba livia (pigeon) mitochondrial DNA. A total of 131 samples were taken from 131 randomly selected birds and used in the analyses of SNPs, a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and an STR locus using CE. The number of repeats for the VNTR ranged from 2 to 8 producing 21 haplotypes, with 54 individuals exhibiting heteroplasmy. The STR locus exhibited multiple and continuous repeats within each individual and these patterns were not reproducible with individuals of the same maternal lineage, where different haplotypes were noted. Combining the SNP and VNTR loci produced 38 haplotypes, with the power of discrimination being 0.93. The polymorphic regions of D‐loop observed in this study are potential markers for maternal relationship identification.
Improved instrumentation for large‐size two‐dimensional protein maps
Authors: Millioni Renato , Miuzzo Manuela , Puricelli Lucia , Iori Elisabetta , Sbrignadello Stefano , Dosselli Ryan , Cecconi Daniela , Tessari Paolo , Righetti Pier Giorgio 
Published: November 2010

AbstractNovel instrumentation for performing large‐size (>25 cm) 2‐D maps is reported here. To perform the first dimension, we developed a power supply that can deliver a voltage of up to 15 000 V and allows regulation of current (up to 200 μA) onto each individual focusing IPG strip. The IEF strip tray can accommodate up to 12 IPG strips and the electrodes slide on a ruler, thus permitting running strips of any length up to 45 cm. In addition, this apparatus also includes a second power supply that allows the performance of electrophoresis at high amperage (400 mA) and a Peltier system that allows a 10–80°C temperature control.
An interchangeable approach for modelling spatio‐temporal count data
Authors: Chiogna Monica , Gaetan Carlo 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe describe a model‐based approach to analyse space–time count data. Such data can arise as a number of time series of counts, each representing a specific geographical area, i.e. as spatial time series, or as a number of spatial maps at different time points, i.e. as temporal spatial processes. We propose a Bayesian hierarchical formulation capable of embracing both cases, with principal kriging functions combined with latent parameters having prior distributions able to deal with spatial/temporal dependence. The methodology is applied to monitoring problems in environmental and epidemiological applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal ethanol exposure enhances NMDAR‐dependent long‐term potentiation in the adolescent female dentate gyrus
Authors: Titterness Andrea K. , Christie Brian R. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe dentate gyrus (DG) is a region of the hippocampus intimately involved with learning and memory. Prenatal exposure to either stress or ethanol can reduce long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the male hippocampus but there is little information on how these prenatal events affect LTP in the adolescent female hippocampus. Previous studies suggest that deleterious effects of PNEE can, in part, be mediated by corticosterone, suggesting that prenatal stress might further enhance any alterations to LTP induced PNEE. When animals were exposed to a combination of prenatal stress and PNEE distinct sex differences emerged. Exposure to ethanol throughout gestation significantly reduced DG LTP in adolescent males but enhanced LTP in adolescent females. Combined exposure to stress and ethanol in utero reduced the ethanol‐induced enhancement of LTP in females. On the other hand, exposure to stress and ethanol in utero did not alter the ethanol‐induced reduction of LTP in males. These results indicate that prenatal ethanol and prenatal stress produce sex‐specific alterations in synaptic plasticity in the adolescent hippocampus. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Inc.
Hippocampal gene profiling: Toward a systems biology of the hippocampus
Authors: Valor Luis M. , Barco Angel 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTranscriptomics and proteomics approaches give a unique perspective for understanding brain and hippocampal functions but also pose unique challenges because of the singular complexity of the nervous system. The proliferation of genome‐wide expression studies during the last decade has provided important insight into the molecular underpinnings of brain anatomy, neural plasticity, and neurological diseases. Microarray technology has dominated transcriptomics research, but this situation is rapidly changing with the recent technological advances in high‐throughput sequencing. The full potential of transcriptomics in the neurosciences will be achieved as a result of its integration with other “‐omics” disciplines as well as the development of novel analytical bioinformatics and systems biology tools for meta‐analysis. Here, we review some of the most relevant advances in the gene profiling of the hippocampus, its relationship with proteomics approaches, and the promising perspectives for the future. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cellular basis of a rapid effect of mineralocorticosteroid receptors activation on LTP in ventral hippocampal slices
Authors: Maggio Nicola , Segal Menahem 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe ventral hippocampus (VH) was recently shown to express lower magnitude LTP compared to the dorsal hippocampus (DH). Exposure to acute stress reversed this difference, and VH slices from stressed rats expressed larger LTP than that produced in the DH, which was reduced by stress. In an attempt to uncover the mechanisms responsible for this differential action, we found that activation of mineralocorticosteroid receptors (MR) by aldosterone mimics the effects of stress in the VH, to facilitate LTP. We also found that aldosterone reduces GABAergic inhibition in both the DH and VH. We now examined if the reduction in inhibition caused by MRs can underlie the altered LTP in the VH. Rat hippocampal slices were recorded before and after exposure to the GABA antagonist bicuculline and to aldosterone. As expected, blockade of GABA with bicuculline enhanced LTP in both DH and VH. However, its effect did not occlude that of aldosterone in the VH, indicating that the latter drug does not operate by blockade of inhibition. Furthermore, the NMDA receptor antagonist APV blocked LTP induced in the presence of bicuculline, but did not block LTP facilitation by aldosterone, indicating that the effect of aldosterone is not mediated by the conventional NMDA‐dependent LTP generating mechanism. Furthermore, rapid effects of aldosterone on LTP were blocked by the L‐type calcium channel antagonist nifedipine, indicating that aldosterone facilitates calcium influx via nifedipine‐sensitive channels, to enhance LTP in the VH. The locus of effect of aldosterone may be the presynaptic terminal, as it caused a marked facilitation of paired pulse potentiation in the VH but not in the DH. These experiments confirm and extend previous suggestions for the effects of MRs on neuronal plasticity in the hippocampus.© 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhancement of AMPA currents and GluR1 membrane expression through PKA‐coupled adenosine A2Areceptors
Authors: Dias Raquel B. , Ribeiro Joaquim A. , Sebastião Ana M. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractPhosphorylation of glutamate α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors by Protein Kinase A (PKA) is known to regulate AMPA receptor (AMPAR) trafficking and stabilization at the postsynaptic membrane, which in turn is one of the key mechanisms by which synaptic transmission and plasticity are tuned. However, not much is known as to how Gs‐coupled receptors contribute to endogenous PKA‐mediated regulation of AMPA receptor function. Here we report that activation of the excitatory A2Aadenosine receptor by 2‐[4‐(2‐p‐carboxyethyl)phenylamino]‐5′‐N‐ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21680, 1–30 nM) facilitates AMPA‐evoked currents in CA1 pyramidal neurons, by a mechanism dependent on PKA activation, but not on protein synthesis. This modulation of AMPA currents was mimicked by forskolin (1 μM) and did not occur in stratum radiatum interneurons. Superfusion of the A2Areceptor agonist also caused an increase in the amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), as well as in the membrane levels of GluR1 subunits phosphorylated at the PKA site (Ser845). The impact of this increase on GluR1‐containing AMPA receptor expression was evidenced by the potentiation of LTP at the CA3‐CA1 synapse that followed brief activation of A2Areceptors. We thus propose that in conditions of increased adenosine availability, A2Areceptor activation is responsible for setting part of the endogenous GluR1 Ser‐845 phosphorylation tonus and hence, the availability of the GluR1‐containing AMPA receptor extrasynaptic pool for synaptic insertion and reinforcement of synaptic strength. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatial–temporal variations of methane emissions from the Ertan hydroelectric reservoir in southwest China
Authors: Zheng Hua , Zhao Xiaojie , Zhao Tongqian , Chen Falin , Xu Weihua , Duan Xiaonan , Wang Xiaoke , Ouyang Zhiyun 
Published: November 2010

AbstractMethane emissions from hydroelectric reservoirs can comprise a considerable portion of anthropogenic methane. However, lack of data on CH4 emissions in different geographical regions and high spatial‐temporal variability in the emission rates of reservoirs has led to uncertainties regarding regional emission estimates of CH4. In the subtropical plateau climate region, we used the Ertan hydroelectric reservoir as a study area. The CH4 flux at the air‐water interface was assessed by floating chambers and factors influencing emissions, including the distance from the dam, water depth, seasonal variation in wet and dry season, air‐water temperature gradient and wind speed, and was also studied through a year‐long systematic sampling and monitoring experiment. The results showed that the surface of the reservoir was a source of CH4 during the sampling period and the annual average CH4 flux was 2·80 ± 1·52 mg m−2 d−1. CH4 flux (and its variation) was higher in the shallow water areas than in the deep‐water areas. CH4 flux near the dam was significantly higher than that of other locations farther from the dam in the dry season. The seasonal variations of CH4 emission in wet and dry seasons were minor and significant diurnal variations were observed in wet and dry seasons. Exponential relationships between the CH4 flux and air‐water temperature gradient were found. Air‐water temperature gradient was an important factor influencing diurnal variations of CH4 flux in the Ertan hydroelectric reservoir. These results indicate that systematic sampling is needed to better estimate CH4 flux through coverage of the spatial variation of different water depths, measuring‐point distance from the dam, seasonal variation in wet and dry seasons and changes in climate factors (such as air‐water temperature gradient). Our results also provide a fundamental parameter for CH4 emission estimation of global reservoirs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alternative climate data sources for distributed hydrological modelling on a daily time step
Authors: El‐Sadek Ashraf , Bleiweiss Max , Shukla Manoj , Guldan Steve , Fernald Alexander 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTwo major criteria in choosing climate data for use in hydrological modelling are the period of record of the data set and the proximity of the collection platform(s) to the basin under study. Conventional data sets are derived from weather stations; however, in many cases there are no weather stations sufficiently close to a basin to be representative of climate conditions in that basin. In addition, it is often the case either that the period of record for the weather station(s) does not cover the period of the proposed simulation or that there are gaps in the data. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to investigate alternative climate data sources for use in hydrological modelling and to develop a protocol for creating hydrological data sets that are spatially and temporally harmonized. The methods we used for constructing daily, spatially distributed, climatic data sets of precipitation, maximum and minimum temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, potential evapotranspiration, and relative humidity are described. The model used in this study was the Soil and Water Assessment Tool implemented on the Mimbres River Basin located in southwestern New Mexico, USA, for the period 2003–2006. Our hydrological simulations showed that two events in January and February 2005 were missed, while an event in August 2006 was well simulated. We have also investigated the usefulness of several other precipitation data sets and compared the simulation results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using field data to assess the effects of pesticides on crustacea in freshwater aquatic ecosystems and verifying the level of protection provided by water quality guidelines
Authors: Guy Martha , Singh Lucina , Mineau Pierre 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate how well single-species laboratory data predict real-world pesticide toxicity effects on Crustacea. Data from field pesticide exposures from experimental mesocosm and small pond studies were converted into toxicity units (TUs) by dividing measured pesticide concentrations by the L(E)C50 for Daphnia or acute 5% hazard concentration for Crustacea (HC5-C). The proportion of crustacean taxa significantly affected by the pesticide treatment, called the count ratio of effect, was used in logistic regression models. Of 200 possible logistic model combinations of the TUs, fate, physicochemical variables, and structural variables versus the count ratio of effect for the mesocosm data, the best model was found to incorporate log(TU HC5-C). This model was used to convert pesticide water quality guidelines from around the world into estimates of the proportion of crustacean taxa predicted to be impacted by exposure to a pesticide at the water quality guideline concentration. This analysis suggests 64% of long-term water quality guidelines and 88% of short-term pesticide water quality guidelines are not protective of the aquatic life they are designed to protect. We conclude that empirically derived data from mesocosm studies should be incorporated into water quality guideline derivation for pesticides where available. Also, interspecific differences in susceptibility should be accounted for more accurately to ensure water quality guidelines are adequately protective against the adverse effects of pesticide exposure. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2011;7:426–436. © 2011 SETAC
Regulation of Dab2 expression in intestinal and renal epithelia by development
Authors: Vázquez‐Carretero María D. , García‐Miranda Pablo , Calonge María L. , Peral María J. , Ilundáin Anunciación A. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractDisabled‐2 (Dab2) is an intracellular adaptor protein proposed to function in endocytosis. Here, we investigate the intestinal and renal Dab2 expression versus maturation. Dab2 mRNA levels measured by RT‐PCR are greater in the small than in the large intestine. Immunological studies localize Dab2 to the terminal web domain of the enterocytes and reveal the presence of a 96‐kDa Dab2 isoform in the apical membrane of the jejunum, ileum, and renal cortex of the suckling and adult rat. A 69‐kDa Dab2 isoform is only observed in the apical membranes of the suckling ileum. During the suckling period, the Dab2 mRNA levels measured in the enterocytes and crypts and those of the 96‐kDa Dab2 isoform are greater in the ileum than in the jejunum. No segmental differences are observed in the adult intestine. In the intestine, the levels of Dab2 mRNA and those of the 96‐kDa Dab2 isoform decrease to adult values at weaning, whereas in the kidney they increase with development. Weaning the pups on a commercial milk diet slows the periweaning decline in the levels of Dab2 mRNA in the crypts and of those of the 96‐kDa isoform. This is the first report showing that the 96‐kDa Dab2 isoform is expressed at the apical domain of rat small intestine, that ontogeny regulates Dab2 gene expression in intestine and kidney and that retarding weaning affects intestinal Dab2 gene expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 354–361, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Urotensin II receptor predicts the clinical outcome of prostate cancer patients and is involved in the regulation of motility of prostate adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Grieco Paolo , Franco Renato , Bozzuto Giuseppina , Toccacieli Laura , Sgambato Alessandro , Marra Monica , Zappavigna Silvia , Migaldi Mario , Rossi Giulio , Striano Stefano , Marra Luigi , Gallo Luigi , Cittadini Achille , Botti Gerardo , Novellino Ettore , Molinari Agnese , Budillon Alfredo , Caraglia Michele 
Published: November 2010

AbstractUrotensin II (UT‐II) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide and its receptor (UTR) was correlated with human cortico‐adrenal carcinoma proliferation. In this study, we have evaluated the correlation between UTR expression and prognosis of human prostate adenocarcinoma and the involvement of this receptor in the regulation of biological properties on both in vivo and in vitro models. UTR mRNA and protein, evaluated by real‐time PCR and Western blotting, respectively, were expressed at high levels only in androgen‐dependent LNCaP cells. In order to investigate UTR changes occurring in human prostate tumorigenesis, we have also evaluated the expression of UTR in vivo in 195 human prostate tissue samples. UTR was always expressed at low intensity in hyperplastic tissues and at high intensity in well‐differentiated carcinomas (Gleason 2–3). Moreover, we have evaluated the effects of an antagonist of UTR, urantide on migration and invasion of LNCaP cells. Urantide induced a dose‐dependent decrease of motility and invasion of LNCaP cells whose characteristic ameboid movement seems to be advantageous for their malignancy. These effects were paralleled by down‐regulating the autophosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and the integrin surface expression on LNCaP cells. The effects on cell motility and invasion were likely due to the inhibition of RhoA activity induced by both urantide and shRNA UTR. These data suggest that UTR can be considered a prognostic marker in human prostate adenocarcinoma patients. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 341–353, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lessons learned from implementation of a computerized application for pending tests at hospital discharge
Authors: Dalal Anuj K. , Poon Eric G. , Karson Andrew S. , Gandhi Tejal K. , Roy Christopher L. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND:Patients are often discharged from the hospital before test results are finalized. Awareness of these results is poor and therefore an important patient safety concern. Few computerized systems have been deployed at care transitions to address this problem. We describe an attempt to implement a computerized application to help inpatient physicians manage these test results.METHODS:We modified an ambulatory electronic medical record (EMR)‐based results management application to track pending tests at hospital discharge (Hospitalist Results Manager, HRM). We trained inpatient physicians at 2 academic medical centers to track these tests using this application. We surveyed inpatient physicians regarding usage of and satisfaction with the application, barriers to use, and the characteristics of an ideal system to track pending tests at discharge.RESULTS:Of 29 survey respondents, 14 (48%) reported never using HRM, and 13 (45%) used it 1 to 2 times per week. A total of 23 (79%) reported barriers prohibiting use, including being inundated with clinically “irrelevant” results, not having sufficient time, and a lack of integration of post‐discharge test result management into usual workflow. Twenty‐one (72%) wanted to receive notification of abnormal and clinician‐designated pending test results. Twenty‐seven physicians (93%) agreed that an ideally designed computerized application would be valuable for managing pending tests at discharge.CONCLUSIONS:Although inpatient physicians would highly value a computerized application to manage pending tests at discharge, the characteristics of an ideal system are unclear and there are important barriers prohibiting adoption and optimal usage of such systems. We outline suggestions for future electronic systems to manage pending tests at discharge. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.