bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complement C3a Regulates Late Asthmatic Response and Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Mice
Authors: Mizutani Nobuaki , Nabe Takeshi , Yoshino Shin 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by biphasic airway obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the contribution of the complement C3a to these asthmatic symptoms. BALB/c mice sensitized by i.p. injections of OVA plus alum were challenged with OVA intratracheally four times. The fourth challenge caused a biphasic asthmatic response peaking at 10 min and 3–4 h, as well as airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. Histological examination revealed increased expression of C3a receptors in the lung on the fourth challenge. Additionally, the C3 level in serum 4 h after the fourth challenge was significantly reduced compared with that before the challenge. When a C3a receptor antagonist, SB290157, was administered i.p. 30 min before the fourth challenge, the late-phase asthmatic response and airway hyperresponsivness induced by the fourth challenge were significantly inhibited, although the early-phase response was not influenced. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, neutrophil infiltration 24 h after the fourth challenge was reduced by the treatment. On the other hand, SB290157 suppressed the increased expression of IL-1β in the lung in this model, and the intratracheal administration of IL-1β induced airway obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness, and neutrophil infiltration in normal mice. These results illustrate that C3a is involved in the development of the late asthmatic response and airway hyperresponsiveness. The mechanism leading to the development of these symptoms may correlate with the recruitment of neutrophils and/or the production of IL-1β induced by C3a.
Growth, nutritional, and gastrointestinal aspects of ankyloblepharon‐ectodermal defect‐cleft lip and/or palate (AEC) syndrome
Authors: Motil Kathleen J. , Fete Timothy J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAnkyloblepharon‐ectodermal defect‐cleft lip and/or palate (AEC) is a rare genetic disorder due to mutations in the TP63 gene. In the present study, we characterized the pattern of growth and body composition and the nutritional and gastrointestinal aspects of children and adults (n = 18) affected with this disorder using clinical anthropometry and a survey questionnaire. The mean birth weight and height‐for‐age z‐scores of the AEC patients were significantly lower than those of the reference population. The weight‐for‐age z‐score of the AEC cohort increased significantly with advancing age because of increasing body fat. Cleft lip and palate were present in 47% and 94%, respectively, of the AEC cohort; 28% had dentures. One‐fourth or more of the AEC cohort reported having nutritional and/or gastrointestinal problems including the need for supplemental formula feedings, gastrostomy placement, gastroesophageal reflux, and constipation. Our observations provide novel clinical information about growth, body composition, and nutritional and gastrointestinal aspects of children and adults with AEC. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Craniofacial and anthropometric phenotype in ankyloblepharon–ectodermal defects–cleft lip/palate syndrome (Hay–Wells syndrome) in a cohort of 17 patients
Authors: Sutton V. Reid , Plunkett Katie , Dang Diane X. , Lewis Richard A. , Bree Alanna F. , Bacino Carlos A. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAnkyloblepharon–ectodermal dysplasia–cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome and Rapp–Hodgkin syndrome are well‐characterized clinical entities caused by mutations in the TP63 gene. While AEC and Rapp–Hodgkin had been thought to be clinically distinct entities, the elucidation of their molecular etiology confirmed that they are a clinical continuum as opposed to distinct disorders. We have evaluated 17 patients with AEC syndrome using a systematic clinical approach. In our study, we have identified new features and others that were thought to occur only rarely. These include short stature and poor weight gain with preservation of head circumference in nearly all subjects, trismus in 35% and hypospadias in 78% of males. In addition, we describe the frequency of phenotypic features and demonstrate the extreme clinical variability in the largest cohort of AEC individuals reported in the literature thus far. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spectrum of p63 mutations in a selected patient cohort affected with ankyloblepharon‐ectodermal defects‐cleft lip/palate syndrome (AEC)
Authors: Rinne Tuula , Bolat Emine , Meijer Rowdy , Scheffer Hans , van Bokhoven Hans 
Published: August 2009

AbstractHeterozygous mutations in the p63 gene underlie a group of at least seven allelic syndromes, including ankyloblepharon‐ectodermal defects‐cleft lip/palate syndrome (AEC) and Rapp Hodgkin syndrome (RHS), which involves varying degrees of ectodermal dysplasia, orofacial clefting and limb malformations. Mutations in the AEC and Rapp Hodgkin syndromes cluster in the 3′ end of the p63 gene. Previously reported mutations are mainly missense and frameshift mutations in exons 13 and 14, affecting the p63α‐specific SAM (sterile alpha motif) and TI (transactivation inhibitory) domains. A patient cohort affected by AEC syndrome was evaluated during International Research Symposium supported by the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias. Nineteen patients underwent full clinical evaluations and 18 had findings consistent with a diagnosis of AEC syndrome. These 19 patients, along with 5 additional relatives had genomic DNA analysis. Twenty‐one of the 24 participants from 12 families were found to have mutations in the p63 gene. Eleven different mutations were identified; 10 were novel mutations. Eight were missense mutations within the coding region of the SAM domain. Three other mutations were located in exon 14 sequences, which encode the TI domain. The effects of the mutations in the SAM and TI domains are poorly understood and functional studies are required to understand the pathological mechanisms. However, AEC and RHS mutations in the 5′ and 3′ ends of the p63 gene point towards a critical role of the ΔNp63α isoform for the AEC/RHS phenotype. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microdeletion syndrome 16p11.2‐p12.2: Clinical and molecular characterization
Authors: Hempel Maja , Rivera Brugués Nuria , Wagenstaller Janine , Lederer Gaby , Weitensteiner Andrea , Seidel Heide , Meitinger Thomas , Strom Tim M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe pericentromeric region on 16p appears to be susceptible to chromosomal rearrangements and several patients with rearrangements in this region have been described. We report on a further patient with a microdeletion 16p11.2‐p12.2 in the context of described patients with a deletion in the pericentromeric region of 16p. Minor facial anomalies, feeding difficulties, significant delay in speech development, and recurrent ear infections are common symptoms of the microdeletion syndrome 16p11.2‐p12.2. All reported patients so far share a common distal breakpoint at 16p12.2 but vary in the proximal breakpoint at 16p11.2. The microdeletion 16p11.2‐p12.2 should be distinguished from the ∼500 kb microdeletion in 16p11.2 which seems to be associated with autism but not with facial manifestations, feeding difficulties, or developmental delay. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3) variation on dorsal anterior cingulate function in attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Brown Ariel B. , Biederman Joseph , Valera Eve M. , Doyle Alysa E. , Bush George , Spencer Thomas , Monuteaux Michael C. , Mick Eric , Whitfield‐Gabrieli Susan , Makris Nikos , LaViolette Peter S. , Oscar‐Berman Marlene , Faraone Stephen V. , Seidman Larry J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAlthough attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated both with brain alterations in attention and executive function (EF) circuitry and with genetic variations within the dopamine system (including the dopamine transporter gene [SLC6A3]), few studies have directly investigated how genetic variations are linked to brain alterations. We sought to examine how a polymorphism in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of SLC6A3, associated with ADHD in meta‐analysis, might contribute to variation in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) function in subjects with ADHD. We collected fMRI scans of 42 individuals with ADHD, all of European descent and over the age of 17, while they performed the multi‐source interference task (MSIT), a cognitive task shown to activate dACC. SLC6A3 3′ UTR variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms were genotyped and brain activity was compared for groups based on allele status. ADHD individuals homozygous for the 10R allele showed significant hypoactivation in the left dACC compared to 9R‐carriers. Exploratory analysis also showed trends toward hypoactivation in the 10R homozygotes in left cerebellar vermis and right lateral prefrontal cortex. Further breakdown of genotype groups showed similar activation in individuals heterozygous and homozygous for the 9R allele. Alterations in activation of attention and EF networks found previously to be involved in ADHD are likely influenced by SLC6A3 genotype. This genotype may contribute to heterogeneity of brain alterations found within ADHD samples. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Shaping stable periodic motions of inertia wheel pendulum: theory and experiment
Authors: Freidovich Leonid B. , La Hera Pedro , Mettin Uwe , Robertsson Anders , Shiriaev Anton S. , Johansson Rolf 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe consider an underactuated two‐link robot called the inertia wheel pendulum. The system consists of a free planar rotational pendulum and a symmetric disk attached to its end, which is directly controlled by a DC‐motor. The goal is to create stable oscillations of the pendulum, which is not directly actuated. We exploit a recently proposed feedback‐control design strategy based on motion planning via virtual holonomic constraints. This strategy is shown to be useful for design of regulators for achieving orbitally exponentially stable oscillatory motions. The main contribution is a step‐by‐step procedure on how to achieve oscillations with pre‐specified amplitude from a given range and an arbitrary independently chosen period. The theoretical results are verified via experiments with a real hardware setup. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Synthesis of PID controllers for integral processes with time delay
Authors: Wang De‐Jin 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis article deals with the problem of determination of the stabilizing parameter sets of Proportional‐Integral‐Derivative (PID) controllers for first‐order and second‐order integral processes with time‐delay. First, the admissible stabilizing range of proportional‐gain is determined analytically in terms of a version of the Hermite–Biehler Theorem applicable to quasi‐polynomials. Then, based on a graphical stability condition developed in parameter space, the complete stabilizing regions in an integral‐derivative plane are drawn and identified graphically, not calculated mathematically, by sweeping over the admissible range of proportional‐gain. An actual algorithm for finding the stabilizing parameter sets of PID controllers is also proposed. Simulations show that the stabilizing regions in integral‐derivative space are either triangles or quadrilaterals. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Acidocalcisomen, Mitosomen und Apicoplasten. Neu entdeckte Zellorganellen
Authors: Radek Renate 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIm vergangenen Jahrzehnt wurden drei neue, membranbegrenzte Zellorganellen entdeckt. Die bei Pro‐ und Eukaryoten vorkommenden Acidocalcisomen sind sauer und speichern neben Calcium auch Phosphat, Sauerstoff, Magnesium, Zink, Natrium, Kalium und Eisen. Weiterhin sind sie an Osmoregulation, pH‐ und Ca2+‐Homöostase beteiligt. Mitosomen hingegen sind stark reduzierte Mitochondrien verschiedener parasitischer Protisten, die man früher als primitive, primär mitochondrienlose Organismen eingruppierte. Als Apicoplasten bezeichnet man die stark reduzierten Plastiden der parasitischen Apicomplexa (ehemals Sporozoa). Apicoplasten bieten ein Target für neue Medikamenten‐Entwicklungen wie beispielsweise gegen den Malaria‐ Erreger Plasmodium.
Was steuert die Giftigkeit bei Tieren? Vom Genom zum Venom
Authors: Mebs Dietrich 
Published: August 2009

AbstractDas Venom, die Gesamtheit aller Inhaltsstoffe von Giften eines Gifttieres, ist äußerst komplex. Es zeichnet sich durch eine enorme Vielfalt an biologisch aktiven Peptiden und Proteinen aus, die vorwiegend zum Beuteerwerb und zur Verteidigung eingesetzt werden. Die Frage, wie es zur Giftigkeit bei Tieren kommt, welche genetischen Mechanismen dem zugrunde liegen, ist weitgehend ungeklärt. Die Entschlüsselung des Genoms einer marinen Kegelschnecke (Conus consors) bietet die Möglichkeit, nicht nur die Erbinformationen zu ihrer Biologie, sondern auch zu ihrem Venom aufzuklären, die Resistenz gegenüber ihrem eigenen Gift besser zu verstehen und auf der Basis von Peptiden neuartige Arzneimittel zu entwickeln.
Zur Ökologie von Krebserkrankungen
Authors: Kronberg Inge 
Published: August 2009

AbstractKrebserkrankungen sind weltweit für einen von acht Todesfällen verantwortlich. Krebs hat genetische und epigenetische Ursachen. Betrachtet man diese Krankheit einmal aus einem ökologischen Blickwinkel, ergeben sich Einsichten, die auch medizinisch wertvoll sein können.
“Klimahaus” in Bremerhaven: einmal Antarktis und zurück
Authors: Högermann Christiane 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn 80 Tagen um die Welt? Mittlerweile kann man auch an einem Tag um den Erdball reisen. Wie? Ganz einfach: Im Bremerhavener Klimahaus ist es gelungen, den Besucher in einer künstlich nachgestellten Klima‐Erlebniswelt fünf Klimazonen mit allen Sinnen erfassen zu lassen.
Paternaler Einfluss bei Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Sander Johannes 
Published: August 2009

AbstractGerade am Anfang der Entwicklung werden viele Prozesse nicht von der Erbinformation des Organismus selber, sondern auch von der seiner Eltern gesteuert. Dies ermöglicht einen großen Einfluss der Mutter, aber auch des Vaters auf den Embryo, der weitreichende Folgen haben kann, denn nach der sexuellen Konflikthypothese versucht das väterliche Genom des Embryos dem mütterlichen Organismus möglichst viele Ressourcen zu entziehen, während das mütterliche Genom die Mutter zu schonen sucht.
Jean‐Baptiste de Lamarck – ein Wegbereiter der modernen Biologie
Authors: Wuketits Franz M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractJean‐Baptiste de Lamarck (1744‐1829) war ein sehr vielseitiger Naturforscher, der unsere Kenntnis der belebten Natur entscheidend bereicherte. Als einer der ersten verwendete er den Begriff “Biologie” und trug maßgeblich zur Integration der Wissenschaften vom Leben bei. Er gilt auch als erster Vertreter der Evolutionstheorie im engeren Sinn. Sein diesbezügliches Werk, die “Zoologische Philosophie”, erschien vor 200 Jahren, und der 18. Dezember dieses Jahres ist sein 180. Todestag. Wenngleich vielfach umstritten, ist er aus der Geschichte der Biologie nicht wegzudenken.
Increase of intracellular Ca2+ by P2Y but not P2X receptors in cultured cortical multipolar neurons of the rat
Authors: Fischer Wolfgang , Nörenberg Wolfgang , Franke Heike , Schaefer Michael , Illes Peter 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe expression and functionality of P2X/P2Y receptor subtypes in multipolar nonpyramidal neurons of mixed cortical cell cultures were investigated by means of immunocytochemistry and fura‐2 microfluorimetry. The morphological studies revealed that most of the neurons are immunoreactive for GABA and express a range of P2X/P2Y receptors, predominantly of the P2X2,4,6 and P2Y1,2 subtypes. P2X1 and P2X7 receptor immunoreactivity (IR) was found on thin axon‐like processes and presynaptic structures, respectively. Application of ATP caused a small concentration‐dependent increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in most investigated neurons, whereas only about the half of these cells responded to 2′,3′‐O‐(benzoyl‐4‐benzoyl)‐ATP (BzATP), ADPβS, 2MeSADP, or 2‐MeSATP and even fewer cells to UTP. In contrast, α,β‐meATP, UDP, and UDP‐glucose failed to produce any [Ca2+]i signaling. The response to ATP itself was inhibited by pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulfonic acid (PPADS), Reactive Blue 2, 2′‐deoxy‐N6‐methyl adenosine 3′,5′‐diphosphate (MRS2179), and suramin (300 μM) as well as by a cyclopiazonic acid‐induced depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. A Ca2+‐free external medium tended to decrease the ATP‐induced [Ca2+]i transients, although this action did not reach statistical significance. Various blockers of voltage‐sensitive Ca2+ channels and the gap junction inhibitor carbenoxolone did not interfere with the effect of ATP, whereas a combination of the ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists D(–)‐2‐amino‐ 5‐phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5) and 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione disodium (CNQX) decreased it. Cross‐desensitization experiments between ADPβS or UTP and ATP suggested that ATP acts on the one hand via P2Y1,2 receptors and on the other hand by additional signaling mechanisms. These mechanisms may involve the release of glutamate (which in consequence activates ionotropic glutamate receptors) and the entry of Ca2+ via store‐operated Ca2+ channels. Evidence for the presence of functional P2X receptors, in particular P2X7, remains elusive. J. Comp. Neurol. 516:343–359, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TIM‐3 is expressed on activated human CD4+ T cells and regulates Th1 and Th17 cytokines
Authors: Hastings William D. , Anderson David E. , Kassam Nasim , Koguchi Ken , Greenfield Edward A. , Kent Sally C. , Zheng Xin Xiao , Strom Terry B. , Hafler David A. , Kuchroo Vijay K. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractTIM‐3 is a molecule selectively expressed on a subset of murine IFN‐γ‐secreting T helper 1 (Th1) cells but not Th2 cells, and regulates Th1 immunity and tolerance in vivo. At this time little is known about the role of TIM‐3 on human T cells. To determine if TIM‐3 similarly identifies and regulates Th1 cells in humans, we generated a panel of mAb specific for human TIM‐3. We report that TIM‐3 is expressed by a subset of activated CD4+ cells, and that anti‐CD3/anti‐CD28 stimulation increases both the level of expression as well as the number of TIM‐3+ T cells. We also find that TIM‐3 is expressed at high levels on in vitro polarized Th1 cells, and is expressed at lower levels on Th17 cells. In addition, human CD4+ T cells secreted elevated levels of IFN‐γ, IL‐17, IL‐2, and IL‐6, but not IL‐10, IL‐4, or TNF‐α, when stimulated with anti‐CD3/anti‐CD28 in the presence of TIM‐3‐specific, putative antagonistic antibodies. This was not mediated by differences in proliferation or cell death, but rather by induction of cytokines at the transcriptional level. These results suggest that TIM‐3 is a negative regulator of human T cells and regulates Th1 and Th17 cytokine secretion.
Simple Solid‐State Chemical Synthesis of ZnSnO3 Nanocubes and Their Application as Gas Sensors
Authors: Cao Yali , Jia Dianzeng , Zhou Jie , Sun Ying 
Published: August 2009

AbstractNew ZnSnO3 nanocubes were synthesized by a simple PEG‐induced solid‐state chemical reaction between metal salts and NaOH; this process is cheap and proceeds in a relatively simple manner. The uniform cubic nanostructures were fully characterized. The gas‐sensing properties of ZnSnO3 were investigated in detail. The results indicated that ZnSnO3 nanocubes possess good gas‐sensing properties for ethanol and methanal; thus, these nanocubes show excellent potential for ethanol and methanal sensors. This strategy is expected to be extendable to other composite nanomaterials with special morphologies in solid‐state routes by selecting an appropriate reaction and its corresponding inducing reagent.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Nickel‐Assisted Oxidative C–C Coupling and Subsequent Cleavage to C=O of Active Methylene Group in a Tetradentate Ligand System: Di‐ and Mononuclear Complexes with Transformed Ligands
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Abhik , Pal Samudranil 
Published: August 2009

AbstractTreatment of pyrazolines (isolated or prepared in situ from 4‐R‐benzoylhydrazines and acetylacetone in a 2:1 mol ratio) with Ni(O2CCH3)2·4H2O in boiling methanol results in the formation of nickel(II) complexes of formula [Ni(HRL)] [1 (R = H) and 2 (R = OMe)], where (HRL)2– represents the deprotonated Schiff base acetylacetone bis(4‐R‐benzoylhydrazone). Despite several attempts, the analogous nickel(II)complex with R = NMe2 could not be isolated. However, stirring the above described reaction mixtures in air at room temperature for approximately 5 h provides dinuclear paramagnetic species [Ni(RL–RL)Ni] [3 (R = H), 4 (R = OMe), and 5 (R = NMe2)]. Here (RL–RL)6– represents the dinucleating ligand formed by oxidative C–C coupling involving the central methylene group of the acetylacetone fragment of (HRL)2–. The room‐temperature (300 K) magnetic moments of 3–5 indicate an S = 1/2 spin state of each metal center in these dinuclear complexes. Cryomagnetic measurements with 3 reveal its weak antiferromagnetic nature. The EPR spectral features suggest that 3–5 are on the borderline between genuine nickel(III) species and nickel(II)‐stabilized ligand radical systems. In wet dichloromethane/hexane mixture under aerobic conditions, each of 3–5 forms mononuclear nickel(II) complexes of formula [Ni(RLO)] [6 (R = H), 7 (R = OMe), and 8 (R = NMe2)], where (RLO)2– represents the tetradentate ligand formed from (RL–RL)6– by C–C bond cleavage followed by oxidation to the keto group. The molecular structures of 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8, determined by X‐ray crystallography, are reported. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Comparison Between Potentiometric and Stripping Voltammetric Detection of Trace Metals: Measurements of Cadmium and Lead in the Presence of Thalium, Indium, and Tin
Authors: Chumbimuni‐Torres Karin Y. , Calvo‐Marzal Percy , Wang Joseph 
Published: August 2009

AbstractRecent advances in ion‐selective electrodes have pushed the detection limits of direct potentiometry to the nanomolar concentration range. Here we present a direct comparison of the sensitivity and selectivity of potentiometric and stripping‐voltammetric measurements of cadmium and lead. While both techniques offer a similar sensitivity, the potentiometric method offers higher selectivity in the presence of excess of metal ions (e.g., thallium, tin) that commonly interfere in the stripping‐voltammetric operation. Because of the complementary nature of the potentiometric and stripping‐voltammetric methods, it is recommended that these techniques will be selected based on the specific analytical problem or used in parallel to provide additional analytical information.
To the Memory of Ernő Pungor: A Subjective View on the History of Ion‐Selective Electrodes
Authors: Lindner Ernő , Tóth Klára 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn the Mátrafüred 08 Symposium on Electrochemical Sensors a session was dedicated to the memory of late Professor Ernő Pungor, the founder and long‐term organizer of the Mátrafüred conference series. We all remember him as an inventive scientist with an enthusiastic and witty personality, rich in ideas. Ernő Pungor left his mark in science and on many scientists worldwide. With this contribution, the authors would like to pay tribute to him and acknowledge his outstanding contributions to analytical chemistry, but especially his pioneering works in the field of ion‐selective electrodes.