bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Time‐varying yield curve dynamics and monetary policy
Authors: Mumtaz Haroon , Surico Paolo 
Published: June 2009

AbstractMonetary policy, the yield curve and the private sector behaviour of the US economy are modelled as a time‐varying structural vector autoregression. The monetary policy shocks of the early 1980s explain a large portion of the persistence of inflation and the level of the term structure. Changes in inflation expectations implied by the yield curve account for the persistence of the federal funds rate. Failures of the expectations hypothesis are rare, and coincided with the credibility building of Paul Volcker's Fed tenure at the beginning of the 1980s and the sequence of consecutive policy rate cuts around the time of the early 1990s recession. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biological and antibacterial properties of plasma sprayed wollastonite/silver coatings
Authors: Li Baoe , Liu Xuanyong , Cao Cong , Dong Yuqi , Ding Chuanxian 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIn this work, plasma sprayed wollastonite/silver coatings were prepared to obtain an implant material having excellent bioactivity, cytocompatibility as well as antibacterial property. The surface characteristics of wollastonite/silver coating were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, atomic absorbance spectroscope and x‐ray diffraction. The bioactivity was examined by simulated body fluid soaking test. The antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli was examined by bacterial counting method. And the cytocompatibility and in vitro osteotoxicity was evaluated by alamarBlue™ Assay using MG‐63 osteoblasts. The results showed that silver existed in the wollastonite coating homogeneously as silver oxide and metal silver, which ensured a sustained release of silver for 28 days in deionized water. The loaded silver showed strong inhibition against the growth of Escherichia coli, however exhibited no osteotoxicity. Although the wollastonite/silver coating can not induce apatite formation as quickly as the wollastonite coating did in simulated body fluid, it still exhibited good bioactivity. Therefore, the plasma sprayed wollastonite/silver coating is a promising implant material to be applied in surgery, reducing postoperative infections. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2009
Common features of megakaryocytes and hematopoietic stem cells: What's the connection?
Authors: Huang Hui , Cantor Alan B. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractMegakaryocytes (Mks) are rare polyploid bone marrow cells whose function is to produce blood platelets. Since the purification and cloning of the major Mk cytokine, thrombopoietin, in 1994, considerable progress has been made in understanding the biology of Mk development. Remarkably, these advances have revealed a number of key features of Mks that are shared with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), such as common surface receptors, lineage‐specific transcription factors, and specialized signaling pathways. Why there should be such a close connection between these two cell types remains unclear. In this Prospect article, we summarize the data supporting these shared features and speculate on possible teleological bases. In particular, we focus on common links involving developmental hierarchy, endothelial cells, and bone marrow niche interactions. This discussion highlights new data showing close ontologic relationship between HSCs and specialized “hemogenic” endothelial cells during development, and functional overlap between Mks/platelets and endothelial cells. Overall, these findings may be of relevance in the development of techniques for HSC ex vivo culture and/or possible generation of HSCs via somatic cell reprogramming. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 857–864, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The combination of berberine and irradiation enhances anti‐cancer effects via activation of p38 MAPK pathway and ROS generation in human hepatoma cells
Authors: Hur Jung‐Mu , Hyun Mee‐Sun , Lim Sang‐Yong , Lee Woo‐Yiel , Kim Dongho 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBerberine, an isoquinoline plant alkaloid, has been known to generate a wide variety of biochemical and pharmacological effects. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanism for the berberine‐induced enhancement of radio‐sensitization, the human hepatoma HepG2 cells were treated with berberine combined with irradiation. The anti‐tumor effect of gamma radiation was found to be significantly enhanced by berberine. The evidences of apoptosis, such as apoptotic DNA fragmentation and annexin V staining, were observed in the cells treated with the combination of berberine and irradiation. Additionally, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) were apparently elevated in the combination system. The activations of p38, Bax, and caspase‐3 were also detected in the irradiated cells pretreated with berberine. The productions of ROS and annexin V staining in the cells treated with the combination of berberine and irradiation were significantly inhibited by the specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB203580. The cell death induced by berberine alone or the combination of berberine and irradiation was suppressed by the anti‐oxidant,N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC). Taken together, the present results clearly indicate that the combination of berberine and gamma‐radiation enhance the anti‐cancer effects through the p38 MAPK pathway and ROS generation. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 955–964, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metabolism and regulation of gene expression by 4‐oxoretinol versus all‐trans retinoic acid in normal human mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Liu Limin , Derguini Fadila , Gudas Lorraine J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe previously demonstrated that 4‐oxoretinol (4‐oxo‐ROL) activated retinoic acid receptors (RARs) in F9 stem cells. We showed that 4‐oxo‐ROL inhibited the proliferation of normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs). To understand the mechanisms by which 4‐oxo‐ROL regulates HMEC growth we examined gene expression profiles following 4‐oxo‐ROL or all‐trans retinoic acid (tRA). We also compared growth inhibition by tRA, 4‐oxo‐ROL, or 4‐oxo‐RA. All three retinoids inhibited HMEC proliferation. Gene expression analyses indicated that 4‐oxo‐ROL and tRA modulated gene expression in closely related pathways. The expression of many genes, e.g. ATP‐binding cassette G1 (ABCG1); adrenergic receptorβ2 (ADRB2); ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (RAC2); and short‐chain dehydrogenase/reductase 1 gene (SDR1) was changed after 4‐oxo‐ROL or tRA. Metabolism of these retinoids was analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In 1 µM tRA treated HMECs all of the tRA was found intracellularly, and tRA was the predominant intracellular retinoid. In 1 µM 4‐oxo‐ROL treated HMECs most 4‐oxo‐ROL was esterified to 4‐oxoretinyl esters, no tRA was detected, and 4‐oxo‐ROL and 4‐oxo‐RA were observed intracellularly. In 1 µM 4‐oxoretinoic acid (4‐oxo‐RA) treated HMECs little intracellular 4‐oxo‐RA was detected; most 4‐oxo‐RA was in the medium. Our results indicate that: (a) 4‐oxo‐ROL regulates gene expression and inhibits proliferation of HMECs; (b) 4‐oxo‐ROL and tRA regulate some of the same genes; (c) more tRA is found in cells, as compared to 4‐oxoretinoic acid, when each drug is added at the same concentration in the medium; and (d) the mechanism by which 4‐oxo‐ROL exerts its biological activity does not involve intracellular tRA production. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 771–779, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Self‐renewal and pluripotency is maintained in human embryonic stem cells by co‐culture with human fetal liver stromal cells expressing hypoxia inducible factor 1α
Authors: Ji Lei , Liu Yu‐xiao , Yang Chao , Yue Wen , Shi Shuang‐shuang , Bai Ci‐xian , Xi Jia‐fei , Nan Xue , Pei Xue‐tao 
Published: June 2009

AbstractHuman embryonic stem (hES) cells are typically maintained on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeders or with MEF‐conditioned medium. However, these xenosupport systems greatly limit the therapeutic applications of hES cells because of the risk of cross‐transfer of animal pathogens. The stem cell niche is a unique tissue microenvironment that regulates the self‐renewal and differentiation of stem cells. Recent evidence suggests that stem cells are localized in the microenvironment of low oxygen. We hypothesized that hypoxia could maintain the undifferentiated phenotype of embryonic stem cells. We have co‐cultured a human embryonic cell line with human fetal liver stromal cells (hFLSCs) feeder cells stably expressing hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha (HIF‐1α), which is known as the key transcription factor in hypoxia. The results suggested HIF‐1α was critical for preventing differentiation of hES cells in culture. Consistent with this observation, hypoxia upregulated the expression of Nanog and Oct‐4, the key factors expressed in undifferentiated stem cells. We further demonstrated that HIF‐1α could upregulate the expression of some soluble factors including bFGF and SDF‐1α, which are released into the microenvironment to maintain the undifferentiated status of hES cells. This suggests that the targets of HIF‐1α are secreted soluble factors rather than a cell–cell contact mechanism, and defines an important mechanism for the inhibition of hESCs differentiation by hypoxia. Our findings developed a transgene feeder co‐culture system and will provide a more reliable alternative for future therapeutic applications of hES cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 54–66, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc
Cell type specific chromosome territory organization in the interphase nucleus of normal and cancer cells
Authors: Marella Narasimharao V. , Bhattacharya Sambit , Mukherjee Lopamudra , Xu Jinhui , Berezney Ronald 
Published: June 2009

AbstractNumerous studies indicate that the genome of higher eukaryotes is organized into distinct chromosome territories and that the 3‐D arrangement of these territories may be closely connected to genomic function and the global regulation of gene expression. Despite this progress, the degree of non‐random arrangement remains unclear and no overall model has been proposed for chromosome territory associations. To address this issue, a re‐FISH approach was combined with computational analysis to analysis the pair‐wise associations for six pairs of human chromosomes (chr #1, 4, 11, 12, 16, 18) in the G0 state of normal human WI38 lung fibroblast and MCF10A epithelial breast cells. Similar levels of associations were found in WI38 and MCF10A for several of the chromosomes whereas others showed striking differences. A novel computational geometric approach, the generalized median graph (GMG), revealed a preferred probabilistic arrangement distinct for each cell line. Statistical analysis demonstrated that ∼50% of the associations depicted in the GMG models are present in each individual nucleus. A nearly twofold increase of chromosome 4/16 associations in a malignant breast cancer cell line (MCFCA1a) compared to the related normal epithelial cell line (MCF10A) further demonstrates cancer related changes in chromosome arrangements. Our findings of highly preferred chromosome association profiles that are cell type specific and undergo alterations in cancer cells, lead us to propose a probabilistic chromosome code whereby the 3‐D association profile of chromosomes contributes to the functional landscape of the cell nucleus, the global regulation of gene expression and the epigenetic state of chromatin. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 130–138, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc
DCP‐LA stimulates AMPA receptor exocytosis through CaMKII activation due to PP‐1 inhibition
Authors: Kanno Takeshi , Yaguchi Takahiro , Nagata Tetsu , Tanaka Akito , Nishizaki Tomoyuki 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe linoleic acid derivative 8‐[2‐(2‐pentyl‐cyclopropylmethyl)‐cyclopropyl]‐octanoic acid (DCP‐LA) activated Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) by inhibiting protein phosphatase‐1 (PP‐1). DCP‐LA induced a transient huge facilitation of synaptic transmission monitored from the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices, which was largely inhibited by the CaMKII inhibitor KN‐93. DCP‐LA potentiated kainate‐evoked whole‐cell membrane currents for Xenopus oocytes expressing α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors composed of the GluR1, GluR3, GluR1/GluR2, GluR1/GluR3, and GluR1/GluR2/GluR3 subunits, and the potentiation was significantly inhibited by KN‐93. A similar potentiation was still found with mutant GluR1 (S831A) receptor lacking CaMKII phosphorylation site. The GluR1 and GluR2 subunits formed AMPA receptors in the rat hippocampus, and DCP‐LA increased expression of both the subunits on the plasma membrane. The DCP‐LA action was blocked by KN‐93 and the exocytosis inhibitor botulinum toxin type A, but not by the endocytosis inhibitor phenylarsine oxide. DCP‐LA, thus, appears to activate CaMKII through PP‐1 inhibition, that stimulates AMPA receptor exocytosis to increase expression of the receptors on the plasma membrane, responsible for potentiate AMPA receptor responses and facilitation of hippocampal synaptic transmission. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 183–188, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc
Expression of angiogenic regulators, VEGF and leptin, is regulated by the EGF/PI3K/STAT3 pathway in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Cascio Sandra , Ferla Rita , D'Andrea Aleco , Gerbino Aldo , Bazan Viviana , Surmacz Eva , Russo Antonio 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBoth leptin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are growth and angiogenic cytokines that are upregulated in different types of cancer and have been implicated in neoplastic progression. Here we investigated the molecular mechanism by which leptin and VEGF expression are regulated in colon cancer by epidermal growth factor (EGF). In colon cancer cell line HT‐29, EGF induced the binding of signal transducer and activator transcription 3 (STAT3) to STAT3 consensus motifs within the VEGF and leptin promoters and stimulated leptin and VEGF mRNA and protein synthesis. All these EGF effects were significantly blocked when HT‐29 cells were treated with an inhibitor of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway, LY294002, or with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting STAT3. Thus, our study identified the EGF/PI3K/STAT3 signaling as an essential pathway regulating VEGF and leptin expression in EGF‐responsive colon cancer cells. This suggests that STAT3 pathways might constitute attractive pharmaceutical targets in colon cancer patients where anti‐EGF receptor drugs are ineffective. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 189–194, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc
Stromal cell‐derived factor‐1/CXCR4 enhanced motility of human osteosarcoma cells involves MEK1/2, ERK and NF‐κB‐dependent pathways
Authors: Huang Chun‐Yin , Lee Chun‐Yi , Chen Meng‐Yi , Yang Wei‐Hung , Chen Ying‐Hao , Chang Chia‐Hao , Hsu Horng‐Chaung , Fong Yi‐Chin , Tang Chih‐Hsin 
Published: June 2009

AbstractOsteosarcoma is characterized by a high malignant and metastatic potential. The chemokine stromal‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α) and its receptor, CXCR4, play a crucial role in adhesion and migration of human cancer cells. Integrins are the major adhesive molecules in mammalian cells, and has been associated with metastasis of cancer cells. Here, we found that human osteosarcoma cell lines had significant expression of SDF‐1 and CXCR4 (SDF‐1 receptor). Treatment of osteosarcoma cells with SDF‐1α increased the migration and cell surface expression of αvβ3 integrin. CXCR4‐neutralizing antibody, CXCR4 specific inhibitor (AMD3100) or small interfering RNA against CXCR4 inhibited the SDF‐1α‐induced increase the migration and integrin expression of osteosarcoma cells. Pretreated of osteosarcoma cells with MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 inhibited the SDF‐1α‐mediated migration and integrin expression. Stimulation of cells with SDF‐1α increased the phosphorylation of MEK and extracellular signal‐regulating kinase (ERK). In addition, NF‐κB inhibitor (PDTC) or IκB protease inhibitor (TPCK) also inhibited SDF‐1α‐mediated cell migration and integrin up‐regulation. Stimulation of cells with SDF‐1α induced IκB kinase (IKKα/β) phosphorylation, IκB phosphorylation, p65 Ser536 phosphorylation, and κB‐luciferase activity. Furthermore, the SDF‐1α‐mediated increasing κB‐luciferase activity was inhibited by AMD3100, PD98059, PDTC and TPCK or MEK1, ERK2, IKKα and IKKβ mutants. Taken together, these results suggest that the SDF‐1α acts through CXCR4 to activate MEK and ERK, which in turn activates IKKα/β and NF‐κB, resulting in the activations of αvβ3 integrins and contributing the migration of human osteosarcoma cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 204–212, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc
Minimizing 18O/16O back‐exchange in the relative quantification of ribonucleic acids
Authors: Castleberry Colette M. , Lilleness Kathleen , Baldauff Rachel , Limbach Patrick A. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe use of isotopically labeled endonuclease digestion products allows for the relative quantification of ribonucleic acids (RNAs). This approach utilizes ribonucleases such as RNase T1 to mediate the incorporation of 18O onto the 3′‐terminus of the endonuclease digestion product from a solution containing heavy water (H218O). The accuracy and precision of relative quantification are dependent on the efficiency of isotope incorporation and minimizing any possible 18O to 16O back‐exchange before or during mass spectral analysis. Here, we have investigated the stability of 18O‐labeled endonuclease digestion products to back‐exchange. In particular, the effects of pH, temperature and presence of RNase on the back‐exchange process were examined using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS). We have found that back‐exchange depends on the presence of the RNase—back‐exchange was not observed once the enzyme was removed from the sample. With RNase present, at all pH values examined (from acidic to basic pH), back‐exchange was detected at incubation above room temperature. The rates and extent of back‐exchange were similar at all pH values. In contrast, back‐exchange in the presence of RNase was found to be especially sensitive to incubation temperature—at temperatures below room temperature, minimal back‐exchange was detected. However, back‐exchange increased as the incubation temperature increased. Based on these findings, appropriate sample‐handling and sample storage conditions for isotopically labeled endonuclease digestion products have been identified, and these conditions should improve the accuracy and precision of results from the relative quantification of RNAs obtained by this approach. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sexual dimorphism in the effect of GDF‐6 deficiency on murine tendon
Authors: Mikic Borjana , Rossmeier Kerri , Bierwert LouAnn 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThree members of the growth/differentiation factor (GDF) subfamily of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), GDFs‐5, ‐6, and ‐7, have demonstrated the potential to augment tendon and ligament repair. To gain further insight into the in vivo role of these molecules, previous studies have characterized intact and healing tendons in mice with functional null mutations in GDF‐5 and ‐7. The primary goal of the present study was to perform a detailed characterization of the intact tendon phenotype in 4‐ and 16‐week‐old male and female GDF6−/− mice and their +/+ littermates. The results demonstrate that GDF6 deficiency was associated with an altered tendon phenotype that persisted into adulthood. Among males, GDF6−/− tail tendon fascicles had significantly less collagen and glycosaminoglycan content, and these compositional differences were associated with compromised material properties. The effect of GDF6 deficiency on tendon was sexually dimorphic, however, for among female GDF6−/− mice, neither differences in tendon composition nor in material properties were detected. The tendon phenotype that was observed in males appeared to be stronger in the tail site than in the Achilles tendon site, where some compositional differences were present, but no material property differences were detected. These data support existing in vitro studies, which suggest a potential role for BMP‐13 (the human homologue to GDF‐6) in tendon matrix modeling and/or remodeling. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:1603–1611, 2009
How does the Hedley sequential phosphorus fractionation reflect impacts of land use and management on soil phosphorus: A review
Authors: Negassa Wakene , Leinweber Peter 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe Hedley sequential‐phosphorus (P)‐fractionation method has been used in many countries to study the effects of land‐use and management systems on soil P. Many data sets have been obtained but collectively never have been considered or to goal topic reviewed. Therefore, the objectives of this review were to compile and systematically evaluate these data. The data generated over many years were grouped into temperate, and subtropical and tropical soils of different land use and duration of soil‐management studies. In natural ecosystems, vegetation types and composition and percent of vegetation covers substantially affected all P fractions with pronounced impacts on the labile and moderately labile P. In short‐term studies (≤ 10 y), changes in the labile and moderately labile inorganic P (Pi) fractions were detected when more P (e.g., by factor 5) was applied than commonly recommended for agricultural crops. However, without P application the changes in all P fractions were subtle in temperate soils, but declines were significant in labile and moderately labile P in subtropical and tropical soils. In both temperate and tropical climates, medium (10–25 y) and long‐term (>25 y) cultivation without P application depleted all P fractions, whereas most of P fractions increased with continuous P application, regardless of the amount and source of P. Synthesis of data resulted in multiple‐regression functions which described differences in labile and moderately labile P fractions as function of differences in amount of P application and duration of the experiments. Moreover, the correlation analysis also showed strong association among most of the P fractions. Current limitations in data interpretation of Hedley fractionation can be overcome by the application of 31P nuclear–magnetic resonance (NMR) and X‐ray absorption near‐edge fine‐structure (XANES) spectroscopy.
Tunable Phosphorescent Emission through Energy Transfer within Multilayer Thin Films Based on a Carbazole‐Based Host and Ir(III)‐Complex Guest System
Authors: Kim Hosub , Lyu Yi‐Yeol , Choi Kyungsun , Zentel Rudolf , Lee Soo‐Hyoung , Char Kookheon 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA new method to tune both phosphorescence emission intensity and spectroscopic colors based on the alternatively structured host/guest multilayer thin films prepared by the spin‐assisted LbL deposition is presented. Their emission characteristics are demonstrated with pairs of positively charged Ir‐PEI complexes as guests and negatively charged CBZ‐PAA as hosts. The phosphorescent emission of Ir‐PEI complexes is enhanced by the energy transfer from the host to the guest and, additionally, this energy transfer can be finely tuned by the insertion of spacer layers between the phosphorescent donor and acceptor layers to vary the emission intensity as well as to render different emission colors.magnified image
Stepwise Self‐Assembly of P3HT/CdSe Hybrid Nanowires with Enhanced Photoconductivity
Authors: Xu Jingjing , Hu Jianchen , Liu Xinfeng , Qiu Xiaohui , Wei Zhixiang 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA facile approach to prepare poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/cadmium selenide quantum dot (CdSe QD) hybrid coaxial nanowires by a stepwise self‐assembly process is reported. P3HT nanowires of ≈20 nm diameter are first prepared by self‐assembly in a poor solvent such as cyclohexanone, and then as‐prepared CdSe QDs are deposited compactly onto the P3HT nanowires by non‐covalent interactions between P3HT and CdSe. When illuminated with white light, the hybrid nanowires show enhanced photoconductivity compared with the pristine P3HT nanowires and the blended nanocomposites.magnified image