bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Polymer Grafted Magnetite Nanoparticle with the Highest Grafting Density via Controlled Radical Polymerization
Authors: Babu Kothandapani , Dhamodharan Raghavachari 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The surface-initiated ATRP of benzyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, and styrene from magnetite nanoparticle is investigated, without the use of sacrificial (free) initiator in solution. It is observed that the grafting density obtained is related to the polymerization kinetics, being higher for faster polymerizing monomer. The grafting density was found to be nearly 2 chains/nm2for the rapidly polymerizing benzyl methacrylate. In contrast, for the less rapidly polymerizing styrene, the grafting density was found to be nearly 0.7 chain/nm2. It is hypothesized that this could be due to the relative rates of surface-initiated polymerization versus conformational mobility of polymer chains anchored by one end to the surface. An amphiphilic diblock polymer based on 2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate is synthesized from the polystyrene monolayer. The homopolymer and block copolymer grafted MNs form stable dispersions in various solvents. In order to evaluate molecular weight of the polymer that was grafted on to the surface of the nanoparticles, it was degrafted suitably and subjected to gel permeation chromatography analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to confirm the grafting reaction.
Ultra-Sensitivity Glucose Sensor Based on Field Emitters
Authors: Liu Huibiao , Qian Xuemin , Wang Shu , Li Yuliang , Song Yinglin , Zhu Daoben 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
A new glucose sensor based on field emitter of ZnO nanorod arrays (ZNA) was fabricated. This new type of ZNA field emitter-based sensor shows high sensitivity with experimental limit of detection of 1 nM glucose solution and a detection range from 1 nM to 50 μM in air at room temperature, which is lower than that of glucose sensors based on surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, fluorescence signal transmission, and electrochemical signal transduction. The new glucose sensor provides a key technique for promising consuming application in biological system for detecting low levels of glucose on single cells or bacterial cultures.
Characterization of Mutant Serine Palmitoyltransferase 1 in LY‐B Cells
Authors: Momin Amin A. , Park Hyejung , Allegood Jeremy C. , Leipelt Martina , Kelly Samuel L. , Merrill Alfred H. , Hanada Kentaro 
Published: June 2009

AbstractCHO‐LY‐B cells have been useful in studies of sphingolipid metabolism and function because they lack serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) activity. Cloning and sequencing of the SPT1 transcript of LY‐B cells identified the mutation as a guanine to adenine change at nucleotide 738, causing a G246R transformation. Western blots revealed low expression of the mutant SPT1 peptide, but activity was not detectable by mass spectrometric analysis of [13C]‐palmitate incorporation into sphinganine, sphingosine, 1‐deoxysphinganine, or 1‐desoxymethylsphinganine. Treatment of LY‐B cells with chemical chaperones (DMSO or glycerol) increased the amounts of mutant SPT1 as well as SPT2, but SPT activity was not restored. This study has established that G246R mutation in hamster SPT1 results in the loss of SPT activity.
Physicochemical, Textural and Viscoelastic Properties of Palm Diacylglycerol Bakery Margarine During Storage
Authors: Cheong Ling‐Zhi , Tan Chin‐Ping , Long Kamariah , Suria Affandi Yusoff Mohd. , Lai Oi‐Ming 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPhysicochemical, textural and viscoelastic properties of palm diacylglycerol (PDG) bakery margarines (DOS720, DOS721 and DOS711) and commercial margarine (CM) throughout a 3‐month storage period were evaluated and compared. All the margarines had significant (P < 0.05) increments in slip melting point (SMP), solid fat content (SFC) and hardness during storage with CM having the highest overall increment followed by margarines DOS711, DOS 721 and DOS720. The smaller increments are mainly due to the ability of PDG to delay polymorphic transformation from β′ to β form. In terms of viscoelastic properties, all margarines had a higher degree of firmness which may probably be due to rearrangement of the fat crystals into a three‐dimensional scaffolding network upon storage. In terms of melting behavior, storage has no effects on all margarines with the exception of margarine DOS711. The melting behavior of margarine DOS711 displayed a probability of oil exudation during storage. As for polymorphic transformation, CM had the earliest polymorphic transformation with only β crystals after 8 weeks of storage. PDG bakery margarines managed to retard the transformation to more than 10 weeks of storage for DOS711 and 12 weeks of storage for DOS720 and DOS721.
Evaluation of Authenticity of Iranian Olive Oil by Fatty Acid and Triacylglycerol Profiles
Authors: Piravi‐Vanak Z. , Ghavami M. , Ezzatpanah H. , Arab J. , Safafar H. , Ghasemi Jahan B. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractFor evaluation of the authenticity of Iranian olive oil, samples from many Iranian olive oil producers especially north of Iran in the production year 2007 were collected. The fatty acid and triacylglycerol compositions were measured. The most recent calculation methods including ∆ECN the difference between the actual and theoretical ECN42 (equivalent carbon number), triglyceride content and R of olive oils according to IOOC methods were applied. On the basis of our results, we were able to classify the olive oils into the extra virgin, virgin olive and olive oil categories. The important fatty acids are oleic, palmitic and linoleic acids and their main triacylglycerols are OOO, POO, OOL, PLO, SOS plus POP, and OLL, respectively. On the basis of the triacylglycerol results, experimental ECN48, ECN46, ECN50, ECN44 and ECN42 were obtained. By using the fatty acids results and a computer program, the theoretical ECN42 and ECN44 were calculated. Then R values, being the ratio of r ECN42/r ECN44 for authenticity of all olive oils and ∆ECN for determining categories of olive oils, were defined. The results of olive oil samples were in the accepted limits of Codex and IOOC. Finally we suggest that the R and ∆ECN can be used in identification of adulteration of olive oils and also they are useful from the point of view of authenticity and classification.
Links between nonshared friendship experiences and adolescent siblings' differences in aspirations
Authors: Kretschmer Tina , Pike Alison 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTUsing a sibling design, this study examined the association between adolescents' friendship experiences and their aspirations for self‐acceptance, affiliation, and financial success. We hypothesized that adolescent siblings would differ in their aspirations and that unique experiences in friendships would be associated with these differences. Within our sample of 102 same‐sex sibling pairs (mean age older sibling 16 years, younger sibling 14 years), only a small degree of sibling similarity was found for aspirations as well as friendship experiences. Self‐acceptance and affiliation were positively linked to general friendship positivity as well as to positive features of the adolescents' closest friend. Bivariate model‐fitting techniques revealed that nonshared processes (i.e., unique to each child in the family) explained these links between friendship experiences and aspirations. The results indicate that growing up in one home and being socialized by the same parents does not make adolescent siblings similar in their aspirations but rather that nonshared experiences like those with close friends are related to aspiration dissimilarity of siblings.
Different responses of Fe transporters in Caco‐2/HT29‐MTX cocultures than in independent Caco‐2 cell cultures
Authors: Laparra José Moisés , Glahn Raymond P. , Miller Dennis D. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe human intestinal epithelium is composed of several cell types, mainly enterocytes and goblet (mucin‐secreting) cells. This study compares the cellular response of Fe transporters in Caco‐2, HT29‐MTX, and Caco‐2/HT29‐MTX co‐culture models for Fe bioavailability. Caco‐2 cells in vitro differentiate into enterocyte‐like cells and HT29‐MTX cell lineage into a mucin‐secreting cellular population. Cell cultures were exposed to digests of Fe+3, Fe+3/ascorbic acid, cooked fish (high‐available Fe) or white beans (low‐available Fe). Cell responses as shown by mRNA expression of the main Fe transporters, DMT1 and DcytB, and cell ferritin formation were monitored. In Caco‐2/HT29‐MTX co‐cultures, the mucin layer lowered the pool of free Fe to diffuse towards the cell brush border membrane of enterocytes, which was accompanied of an upregulation of DMT1 mRNA expression. In contrast, cultures exposed to digests of fish or white beans showed no significant differences in the regulation of Fe transporters.
Restoration of SOCS3 suppresses human lung adenocarcinoma cell growth by downregulating activation of Erk1/2, Akt apart from STAT3
Authors: Yu Zu‐bin , Bai Li , Qian Pin , Xiao Yin‐bin , Wang Guan‐song , Qian Gui‐sheng , Bai Chun‐xue , Min Jia‐xin 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSOCS3 is regarded as a major negative regulator of STAT3. Recent evidence indicates that SOCS3 regulates strength and duration of other signaling pathways including ras/ERK1/2/MAPK, PI3‐K/Akt in non‐malignant cells. The repression or silence of SOCS3 expression in a few tumor types has led to speculation that loss of SOCS3 gene is closely related to deregulation of multiple signal pathways during tumorigenesis. However, apart from STAT3, little is known in malignant cells about the mechanism by which SOCS3 modulates other intracellular signal cascades such as Erk1/2 and Akt, whose aberrant activation has been implicated in many human tumors. Expression of SOCS3 proved deficient in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, and forced expression of SOCS3 resulted in growth inhibition. Growth suppression due to SOCS3 was associated with attenuated activation of Erk1/2, Akt as well as STAT3. The results suggested that SOCS3, as negative regulators of cytokine signaling, might maintain homeostasis by regulating multiple signaling pathways and reverse cell malignant behavior.
Influence of exogenous salicylic acid on flavonolignans and lipoxygenase activity in the hairy root cultures of Silybum marianum
Authors: Khalili Masumeh , Hasanloo Tahereh , Tabar Kazemi Seyyed Kamal , Rahnama Hassan 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSilymarin is one of the most potent antioxidant so far developed from plant sources used as hepatoprotectants. Influence of different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/50 ml culture) and exposure time (24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h) of salicylic acid on lipoxygenase activity, linoleic acid content, growth and production of silymarin in hairy root cultures of S. marianum were investigated. Detection and identification of flavonolignans was carried out by high performance liquid chromatograph method. Salicylic acid enhanced silymarin production (1.89 mg g−1 DW). The optimal feeding condition was the addition of salicylic acid (6 mg/50 ml culture) after 24 h in which the silymarin content was 2.42 times higher than the control (0.78 mg g−1 DW). The content of silybin, isosilybin, silychristin, silydianin and taxifolin were 0.703, 0.017, 0.289, 0.02 and 0.863 mg g−1 DW respectively in these samples, while in non‐treated hairy roots were 0.027, 0.046, 0.23, 0.022 and 0.453 respectively. Lipoxygenase activity also affected by elicitation. lipoxygenase activity increased 24 h after treatment by ∼1.57‐ fold (0.21 Δ OD234/mg protein min−1). Upon elicitation with salicylic acid, linoleic acid content of hairy roots (38.26 mg g−1 DW) were also elevated after 24 h, in which the linoleic acid content was 2.37 times higher than the control (16.1 mg g−1 DW). It is feasible that elicitation with salicylic acid regulates the jasmonate pathway, which in turn mediates the elicitor‐induced accumulation of silymarin.
Role of MEF feeder cells in direct reprogramming of mousetail‐tip fibroblasts
Authors: Chen Mengfei , Sun Xuerong , Jiang Ruzhang , Shen Wenjuan , Zhong Xiufeng , Liu Bingqian , Qi Ying , Huang Bing , Xiang Andy Peng , Ge Jian 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPluripotent stem cells can be induced from somatic cells by the transcription factors Oct3/4, Sox2, c‐Myc and Klf4 when co‐cultured with mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder cells. To date, the role of the feeder cells in the reprogramming process remains unclear. In this study, using a comparative analysis, we demonstrated that MEF feeder cells did not accelerate reprogramming or increase the frequency of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell colonies. However, feeder conditions did improve the growth of primary iPS colonies and were necessary for passaging the primary colonies after reprogramming was achieved. We further developed a feeder‐free culture system for supporting iPS growth and sustaining pluripotency by adding bFGF and activin A (bFA) to the medium. These data will facilitate the generation of human iPS cells without animal feeders for regenerative medicine.
Defective myogenic differentiation of human rhabdomyosarcoma cells is characterized by sialidase Neu2 loss of expression
Authors: Stoppani Elena , Rossi Stefania , Marchesini Sergio , Preti Augusto , Fanzani Alessandro 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSialidase Neu2 is a glycohydrolytic enzyme whose tissue distribution has been detected principally in differentiated skeletal muscle. In this study we show that Neu2 expression is absent in different embryonal and alveolar human tumor rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cells, which are genetically committed myoblasts characterized by delayed differentiation. Forced myogenic differentiation of an embryonal RMS cell line, as obtained via pharmacological and genetic p38 activation or via follistatin overexpression, was characterized by Neu2 loss of expression despite the significant rise of different muscle‐specific markers, suggesting therefore that the defective myogenic program of RMS cells is accompanied by Neu2 suppression.
Neuroprotective effect of methanol extract of Phellodendri Cortex against 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+)‐induced apoptosis in PC‐12 cells
Authors: Jung Hyo Won , Jin Guang‐Zhen , Kim Sung Yun , Kim Yeong Shik , Park Yong‐Ki 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPhellodendri Cortex (PC) is a traditional herbal medicine, widely used in Korea and China. The effects of the methanol extract of Phellodendri Cortex (PC extract) on 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+)‐induced neuronal apoptosis in PC‐12 cells have been investigated. MPP+‐induced apoptosis in PC‐12 cells was accompanied by an increased bax/bcl‐2 ratio, release of cytochrome c to the cytosol and activation of caspase‐3. PC extract inhibited the downregulation of bcl‐2 and the upregulation of bax, as well as the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol. In addition, PC extract attenuated caspase‐3 activation and cleavage of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). These results suggest that the PC extract has protective effects against MPP+‐induced neuronal apoptosis in PC‐12 cells.
Interactions of free copper (II) ions alone or in complex with iron (III) ions with erythrocytes of marine fish Dicentrarchus labrax
Authors: Labieniec Magdalena , Milowska Katarzyna , Balcerczyk Aneta , Rucinska Agata , Sadowska Magdalena , Jokiel Marta , Brichon Gerard , Gabryelak Teresa 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAs a consequence of human activity, various toxicants – especially metal ions – enter aquatic ecosystems and many fish are exposed to considerable levels. As the free ion and in some complexes, there is no doubt that copper promotes damage to cellular molecules and structures through radical formation. Therefore, we have investigated the influence of copper uptake by the red blood of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), and its oxidative action and effects on cells in the presence of complexed and uncomplexed Fe3+ ions.Erythrocytes were exposed to various concentrations of CuSO4, Fe(NO3)3, and K3Fe(CN)6 for up to 5 h, and the effects of copper ions alone and in the combination with iron determined. The results show that inside the cells cupric ion interacts with hemoglobin, causing methemoglobin formation by direct electron transfer from heme Fe2+ to Cu2+. Potassium ferricyanide as a source of complexed iron decreases Met‐Hb formation induced by copper ions unlike Fe(NO3)3. We also found that incubation of fish erythrocytes with copper increased hemolysis of cells. But complexed and uncomplexed iron protected the effect of copper. CuSO4 increased the level of lipid peroxidation and a protective effect on complexed iron was observed. Incubation of erythrocytes with copper ions resulted in the loss of a considerable part of thiol content at 10 and 20 μM. This effect was decreased by potassium ferricyanide and Fe(NO3)3 only after 1 and 3 h of incubation. The level of nuclear DNA damage assayed by comet assay showed that 20 μM CuSO4 as well as 20 μM Fe(NO3)3 and 10 mM K3Fe(CN)6 induce single‐ and double‐strand breaks. The lower changes were observed after the exposure of cells to K3Fe(CN)6. The data suggest that complexed iron can act protectively against copper ions in contrast to Fe(NO3)3.
Stimulation of the side population fraction of ATDC5 chondroprogenitors by hypoxia
Authors: Kishimoto Koshi N. , Oxford Carol L. , Reddi A. Hari 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe influence of oxygen tension on the side population (SP) fraction sorted from ATDC5 chondroprogenitor cells was investigated. ATDC5 cells cultured in normoxia (20%) or hypoxia (1% oxygen) were compared. The SP fraction was significantly higher in the cells cultured in hypoxia. The gene expression of 3 ABC transporters, abcb1a/b (mdr1a/b) and abcg2 (bcrp1) was quantified by RT‐PCR. SP cells were characterized by the higher expression of abcb1a. The expression levels of abcb1b and abcg2 were higher than abcb1a. However, there was no significant difference between SP and non‐SP fractions in the expression of abcb1b and abcg2. The telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay showed that SP cells tended to show lower telomerase activity than non‐SP cells. Chondrogenic properties of ATDC5 cells derived from SP or non‐SP were assessed by micromass culture. There were not significant differences between SP and non‐SP derived cells in Alcian blue staining and sox9, Aggrecan, Col2a1 and SZP mRNA expression. The results demonstrate that the SP fraction was stimulated by hypoxia and chondrogenic properties of SP and non‐SP fraction of ATDC5 cells were similar.
Staurosporine‐induced apoptosis in P388D1 macrophages involves both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways
Authors: Nakamura‐López Yuko , Sarmiento‐Silva Rosa Elena , Moran‐Andrade Julio , Gómez‐García Beatriz 
Published: June 2009

AbstractTreatment of P388D1, a macrophage‐like cell line, with staurosporine triggered apoptosis through the activation of caspase‐9 and caspase‐3. Unexpected effects of staurosporine on the induction of apoptosis were the activation of caspase‐8, and an increase of the levels of TNF‐α. The increased TNF‐α levels led to activation of caspase‐8 by an autocrine effect via the TNF receptor expressed by the P388D1 macrophages. In contrast, P388D1 macrophages that either had been exposed to UV light or treated with dexamethasone did not undergo apoptosis.
Lipid droplets interact with mitochondria using SNAP23
Authors: Jägerström Sara , Polesie Sam , Wickström Ylva , Johansson Bengt R. , Schröder Henrik D. , Højlund Kurt , Boström Pontus 
Published: June 2009

AbstractTriglyceride‐containing lipid droplets (LD) are dynamic organelles stored on demand in all cells. These droplets grow through a fusion process mediated by SNARE proteins, including SNAP23. The droplets have also been shown to be highly motile and interact with other cell organelles, including peroxisomes and the endoplasmic reticulum. We have used electron and confocal microscopy to demonstrate that LD form complexes with mitochondria in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Using an in vitro system of purified LD and mitochondria, we also show the formation of the LD–mitochondria complex, in which cytosolic factors are involved. Moreover, the presence of LD markers in mitochondria isolated by subcellular fractionations is demonstrated. Finally, ablation of SNAP23 using siRNA reduced complex formation and beta oxidation, which suggests that the LD–mitochondria complex is functional in the cell.
Inhibition of PKHD1 may cause S‐phase entry via mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Zheng Rong , Wang Li , Fan Junming , Zhou Qin 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAutosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is an important genetic disorder in pediatric nephrological practice. Mutation of the polycystic kidney and hepatic disease gene 1 (PKHD1) was identified as the cause of ARPKD. Rapamycin is a highly specific inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Rapamycin exerts its biological activity by inhibiting the serine–threonine kinase mTOR, which regulates important cellular processes such as control of cell cycle, cell size, translation initiation and transcription. The ability of rapamycin to cause G1‐cell cycle arrest, reduced cell growth and a reduced rate of proliferation has led to efforts to develop rapamycin and related mTOR inhibitors as anti‐cystogenesis agents. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the decreased FPC and the protein levels of mTOR and the inhibitory effects of rapamycin on the expression of mTOR, Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha (HIF‐1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the human 293T cell line. These observations should provide an important platform for determining FPC function and the pathogenesis of ARPKD, with the targeting of mTOR signaling being exploitable as a novel therapy.
2′‐Epi‐2′‐O‐acetylthevetin B induces apoptosis partly via Ca2+‐mediated mitochondrial pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells
Authors: Feng Bo , Huang Cai‐Guo , Chen Ruo‐Hua , Guo Yue‐Wei , Jiao Bing‐Hua 
Published: June 2009

Abstract2′‐Epi‐2′‐O‐acetylthevetin B (GHSC‐74), a cardiac glycoside, can be isolated from the seeds of Cerbera manghas L. We demonstrated that GHSC‐74 reduced the viability of HepG2 cells in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, and efficiently induced apoptosis without significantly decreasing the viability of Chang human liver cells and Swiss albino 3T3 fibroblasts, as indicated by annexin‐V/PI binding assay and Hoechst 33342 staining. In addition, stimulation of HepG2 cells with GHSC‐74 induced a series of intracellular events: (1) loss of mitochondrial membrane potential; (2) sustained elevation of cytosolic [Ca2+]; and (3) downregulation of Bcl‐2. BAPTA‐AM, a cytosolic Ca2+ chelator, partly suppressed cell death and prevented mitochondrial membrane potential from losing in GHSC‐74‐treated HepG2 cells. In contrast, EGTA, an extracellular Ca2+ chelator, exhibited a weaker effect as compared to that of BAPTA‐AM. Taken together, the Ca2+‐mediated mitochondrial pathway was found to be involved in GHSC‐74‐induced HepG2 cell apoptosis.
Protecting girls and women from harmful practices affecting their health: Are we making progress?
Authors: Cottingham Jane , Kismodi Eszter 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSince female genital mutilation (FGM) was first recognized internationally in 1958, it has now become widely accepted and anchored in international law that FGM is a violation of girls' and women's human rights. Declines in the practice, however, are slow overall, and continued work for its elimination requires action and investment at many levels. Where the practice has diminished, community action has been widespread and sustained. Governments, who are ultimately responsible for the eradication of FGM, must take many measures to outlaw the practice and protect girls' and women's rights, through legislation, policy, education, and resource allocation. Among the other key actors, health care professionals have a particularly important role in treating women and in preventing FGM by actively opposing any medicalization of the practice.