bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin (IL)‐18, a biomarker of human ovarian carcinoma, is predominantly released as biologically inactive precursor
Authors: Orengo Anna Maria , Fabbi Marina , Miglietta Loredana , Andreani Cristian , Bruzzone Milena , Puppo Andrea , Cristoforoni Paolo , Centurioni Maria Grazia , Gualco Marina , Salvi Sandra , Boccardo Simona , Truini Mauro , Piazza Tiziana , Canevari Silvana , Mezzanzanica Delia , Ferrini Silvano 
Published: November 2010

AbstractInterleukin (IL)‐18 is a proinflammatory and immune‐enhancing cytokine, which exerts antitumor effects in vivo, mediated by the induction of interferon (IFN)γ. We previously reported that IL‐18 processing is defective in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) cells, which secrete an inactive precursor (pro‐IL‐18) in vitro. In addition, IL‐18 was reported as a potential biomarker of EOC. Here, we further investigated its role as a serological marker in human EOC and addressed its possible biological activity in vivo. Our data indicate that immunoreactive IL‐18 is increased in EOC patients' sera at diagnosis as compared with age‐matched healthy women. IL‐18 levels were higher in the ascitic fluids than in sera, suggesting a local production in the peritoneal cavity. Indeed, immunohistochemical analysis of tumors showed IL‐18 expression in cytokeratine‐positive neoplastic cells, although also scattered histiocytes and some lymphoid cells stained for IL‐18. The detection of human IL‐18 in sera and ascitic fluids of immunodeficient mice, orthotopically implanted with human EOC cells, further suggested that circulating IL‐18 is tumor‐derived. However, IL‐18 is not an EOC specific biomarker, as increased serum levels were found also in some endometrial cancer patients. By means of a new monoclonal antibody, we characterized IL‐18 present in the ascitic fluid as pro‐IL‐18, which is biologically inactive. Accordingly, IFNγ was not increased in EOC patients' sera and ascitic fluids and showed no correlation with IL‐18 levels. Altogether these data indicate that IL‐18 in EOC fluids is predominantly tumor‐derived and that its lack of biological activity may represent a mechanism of tumor‐escape.
An efficient growth of silver and copper nanoparticles on multiwalled carbon nanotube with enhanced antimicrobial activity
Authors: Mohan Raja , Shanmugharaj A. M. , Sung Hun Ryu 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTransition metal nanoparticles (NPs) such as silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) have been grafted onto carbon nanotube surface through wet chemical approach leading to the development of densely packed NP decorated carbon nanotubes. Chemically active surface and high‐temperature stability are the basic attributes to use carbon nanotubes as the template for the growth of NPs. Ag NP‐grafted carbon nanotubes (Ag‐MWCNT) are prepared by complexing Ag ion with acid functionalized carbon nanotubes followed by the reduction method. Alternatively, Cu‐grafted carbon nanotubes (Cu‐MWCNT) are prepared by simple chemical reduction method. X‐ray diffraction results reveal that the Ag or Cu NPs formed on the surface of carbon nanotubes are determined to be face centered cubic crystals. The morphology and chemical structure of NP‐grafted carbon nanotubes are investigated using transmission electron spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The antimicrobial properties of acid‐treated MWCNT (MWCNT‐COOH), Ag‐MWCNT, and Cu‐MWCNT are investigated against gram negative Escherichia coli bacteria. Ag‐MWCNT and Cu‐MWCNT (97% kill vs. 75% kill), whereas MWCNT‐COOH only killed 20% of this bacteria. Possible mechanisms are proposed to explain the higher antimicrobial activity by NP‐coated MWCNT. These findings suggest that Ag‐MWCNT and Cu‐MWCNT may be used as effective antimicrobial materials that find applications in biomedical devices and antibacterial controlling system. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
Effects of alternating and direct current in electrocoagulation process on the removal of fluoride from water
Authors: Vasudevan Subramanyan , Kannan Balasingam Suresh , Lakshmi Jothinathan , Mohanraj Subramanian , Sozhan Ganapathy 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND: When direct current (DC) is used in electrocoagulation processes, an impermeable oxide layer may form on the cathode and corrosion of the anode may occur due to oxidation. This prevents effective current transfer between the anode and cathode, so the efficiency of the electrocoagulation process declines. These disadvantages of DC have been reduced by adopting alternating current (AC). The main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of AC and DC on the removal of fluoride from water using an aluminum alloy as anode and cathode.RESULTS: Results showed that removal efficiencies of 93 and 91.5% with energy consumption of 1.883 and 2.541 kWh kL−1 was achieved at a current density of 1.0 A dm−2 and pH 7.0 using an aluminum alloy as electrodes using AC and DC, respectively. For both AC and DC, the adsorption of fluoride fitted the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption process follows second‐order kinetics and temperature studies showed that adsorption was exothermic and spontaneous in nature.CONCLUSIONS: The aluminum hydroxide generated in the cell removed the fluoride present in the water and reduced it to a permissible level thus making it drinkable. It is concluded that an alternating current prevents passivation of the aluminum anode during electrocoagulation and avoids the additional energy wasted due to the resistance of the aluminum oxide film formed on the anode surface. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Functionalization of microcapsules for the removal of heavy metal ions
Authors: Sánchez‐Silva Luz , Alcázar Ángela , de Lucas Antonio , Carmona Manuel , Rodríguez Juan F. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND: Solvent extraction and ion exchange technologies have been widely used for the recovery or removal of heavy metals from aqueous phases. However, different problems have been encountered on applying these techniques. Although the extractants are highly selective, this technique requires a high level of mechanical agitation to improve the kinetics of the process, a requirement that promotes leakage of the extractant from the aqueous/organic interface to the aqueous phase during separation of the two phases. On the other hand, ion exchangers can easily be regenerated but gel form resins have low selectivity and those with high selectivity (chelating resins) have low diffusion coefficients, a characteristic that leads to low mass transfer rates. An interesting alternative to overcome these limitations is the microencapsulation of extractants within a functionalized polymeric shell. This new type of material would be expected to combine the advantages of the aforementioned methods and improve selective removal of heavy metals from an aqueous phase.RESULTS: Sulfonation of microcapsules indicated that the use of an ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) copolymer enhances the chemical and mechanical properties of the microcapsules. It was found that the recipe used to produce microencapsulated phase change materials (PCM) was also useful to prepare microcapsules with di(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (DEHPA) as a core material. The synthesized material had a spherical and smooth shape and a DEHPA content of 28.15 wt%. Finally, the ion exchange capacity of the sulfonated material containing DEHPA (3.02 meq g−1) was higher than that obtained without this additive (2.54 meq g−1). High selectivity for copper uptake was also achieved.CONCLUSIONS: Microcapsules containing extractants can be manufactured by the same approach used to produce microcapsules containing PCMs. In addition, particles with improved chemical and mechanical resistance to sulfonation can be synthesized using EGDMA as a crosslinker. Ion exchange studies showed that the presence of DEHPA enhances the ion exchange capacity and selectivity of the microcapsules. Thus this material is a promising alternative for the separation of heavy metal ions. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Performance and microbial population variation in a plug‐flow A2O process treating domestic wastewater with low C/N ratio
Authors: Wu Chang‐Yong , Peng Yong‐Zhen , Wan Chun‐Li , Wang Shu‐Ying 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND: In this study, a plug‐flow A2O (anaerobic/anoxic/oxic) reactor, with a working volume of 52.5 L, was employed to investigate the performance of biological nutrients removal and microbial population variations when treating low C/N ratio domestic wastewater.RESULTS: Results showed that TN removal was significantly affected by the shortage of carbon source while phosphorus removal was only slightly affected. The effluent soluble orthophosphate‐phosphorus (SOP) concentration was lower than 0.50 mg L−1 but the TN concentration was over 20 mg L−1 when the C/N ratio was 4.43. There was denitrifying phosphorus removal in the anoxic reactor and this was enhanced by increasing the volume ratio of anoxic reactor and maintaining appropriate mixed liquor recycle rate. More than 60% of the SOP were removed in anoxic reactors by denitrifying phosphorus removal when the volume ratio of anaerobic/anoxic/oxic was 1/1.4/1.6 and the mixed liquor recycle rate was 250%. The TN concentration of effluent decreased to 11.34 mg L−1 and SOP concentration was still lower than 0.5 mg L−1 in this condition. The main microorganisms found in the process by polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE) and the functional biodiversity are discussed.CONCLUSION: Traditional design and operating parameters of A2O are not appropriate for treating low C/N wastewater. Enhancing the denitrifying phosphorus removal ratio in an A2O process is an effective way to increase the removal rate of N and P from low C/N wastewater. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Morphology and ultrastructure of antler velvet hair and body hair from red deer (Cervus elaphus)
Authors: Woods J.L. , Harland D.P. , Vernon J.A. , Krsinic G.L. , Walls R.J. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe provide a detailed description of the ultrastructure of deer hair fibers. Guard hairs and underhairs from the winter coat of red deer (Cervus elaphus), and antler velvet hairs from the same species were examined. All fibers displayed the typical keratin fiber morphology of overlapping cuticle cells surrounding a core of cortex cells, and often a centrally‐located medulla, but there were considerable differences in the diameter, cuticle thickness, and scale pattern, and in the relative amounts of cortex and medulla along individual fibers, and between the different types of fiber. In addition, closer examination of cortex cells using transmission electron microscopy revealed considerable differences in the arrangement of intermediate filaments in the different fiber types. Fine underhairs appeared similar to fine wool fibers from sheep because intermediate filament arrangements were very similar to those found in wool orthocortex cells and paracortex cells. In addition, a similar bilateral distribution of these cell types was evident. However, in the antler velvet hairs and the guard hairs, intermediate filament arrangements were more variable and complex, and showed similarities to those in heterotype cortex cells described for human hair. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Curcumin suppresses human papillomavirus oncoproteins, restores p53, rb, and ptpn13 proteins and inhibits benzo[a]pyrene‐induced upregulation of HPV E7
Authors: Maher Diane M. , Bell Maria C. , O'Donnell Emmylu A. , Gupta Brij K. , Jaggi Meena , Chauhan Subhash C. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractCurcumin has great potential as a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent; however, its effects on human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated molecular events are inadequately explored. This study examined the effects of curcumin on HPV‐associated pathways involved in developing cervical cancer. We demonstrate for the first time that curcumin treatment suppresses cervical cancer cell growth in a three‐dimensional raft culture system. Curcumin also inhibits tumorigenic characteristics as shown by decreases in both clonogenic potential and cell motility. Additionally, our findings show that curcumin treatment inhibits the transcription of HPV16 E6/E7 as early as 6 h posttreatment and restores the expression of tumor suppressor proteins p53, retinoblastoma protein, and PTPN13. While smoking is a recognized risk factor for cervical cancer, the molecular effects of smoke carcinogens on the expression of HPV E6/E7 oncogenes are not well known. We show for the first time that exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a tobacco carcinogen, increases the expression of HPV E7 oncoprotein suggesting a molecular link between smoking and cervical cancer. Importantly, curcumin decreases the BaP induced increase in the expression of HPV E7 oncoprotein. The results of this study clearly demonstrate that curcumin alters HPV‐associated molecular pathways in cervical cancer cells. These novel findings imply that curcumin may be an effective chemopreventive and therapeutic agent for cervical cancer prevention and treatment. Mol. Carcinog. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PRKN, DJ‐1, and PINK1 screening identifies novel splice site mutation in PRKN and two novel DJ‐1 mutations
Authors: Ghazavi Farzaneh , Fazlali Zeinab , Banihosseini Setareh Sadat , Hosseini Sayed‐Rzgar , Kazemi Mohammad Hossein , Shojaee Seyedmehdi , Parsa Khosro , Sadeghi Homa , Sina Farzad , Rohani Mohammad , Shahidi Gholam‐Ali , Ghaemi Nasser , Ronaghi Mostafa , Elahi Elahe 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe present results of mutation screening of PRKN gene in 93 Iranian Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with average age at onset (AAO) of 42.2 years. The gene was screened by direct sequencing and by a semi‐quantitative PCR protocol for detection of sequence rearrangements. Heterozygous rearrangements were tested by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Nine different PRKN mutations were found. One of these, IVS9+1G>A, affects splicing and is novel. Two mutated PRKN alleles were observed in each of 6 patients whose average AAO was 25.7 years. Only 1 patient carried a single mutated allele and his AAO was 41 years. Among patients with AAO of <30 years, 31.3% had two mutated alleles, while only 2.6% with AAO of >30 years carried a PRKN mutation. Analysis of PRKN by RT‐PCR led to identification of a novel exon expressed in leukocytes of control and PD individuals. The alternatively spliced transcript if translated would code a protein without a RING Finger 2 domain. Its functional relevance remains to be shown. DJ‐I and PINK1 were also screened. Two novel DJ‐1 mutations, c.91−2A>G affecting splicing and c.319G>C causing Ala107Pro, were observed among patients with AAO of <31 years, suggesting that PD in a high fraction (>12%) of this group of Iranian patients may be due to mutations in DJ‐1. Mutations in PINK1 were not observed. Our results complement previous findings on LRRK2 mutations among Iranian PD patients. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society.
Combining electronic healthcare databases in Europe to allow for large‐scale drug safety monitoring: the EU‐ADR Project
Authors: Coloma Preciosa M. , Schuemie Martijn J. , Trifirò Gianluca , Gini Rosa , Herings Ron , Hippisley‐Cox Julia , Mazzaglia Giampiero , Giaquinto Carlo , Corrao Giovanni , Pedersen Lars , van der Lei Johan , Sturkenboom Miriam ,   on behalf of the EU‐ADR consortium
Published: November 2010

AbstractPurposeIn this proof‐of‐concept paper we describe the framework, process, and preliminary results of combining data from European electronic healthcare record (EHR) databases for large‐scale monitoring of drug safety.MethodsAggregated demographic, clinical, and prescription data from eight databases in four countries (Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, the UK) were pooled using a distributed network approach by generation of common input data followed by local aggregation through custom‐built software, Jerboa©. Comparison of incidence rates of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) utilization patterns were used to evaluate data harmonization and quality across databases. The known association of NSAIDs and UGIB was employed to demonstrate sensitivity of the system by comparing incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of UGIB during NSAID use to UGIB during all other person‐time.ResultsThe study population for this analysis comprised 19 647 445 individuals corresponding to 59 929 690 person‐years of follow‐up. 39 967 incident cases of UGIB were identified during the study period. Crude incidence rates varied between 38.8 and 109.5/100 000 person‐years, depending on country and type of database, while age‐standardized rates ranged from 25.1 to 65.4/100 000 person‐years. NSAID use patterns were similar for databases within the same country but heterogeneous among different countries. A statistically significant age‐ and gender‐adjusted association between use of any NSAID and increased risk for UGIB was confirmed in all databases, IRR from 2.0 (95%CI:1.7–2.2) to 4.3 (95%CI: 4.1–4.5).ConclusionsCombining data from EHR databases of different countries to identify drug‐adverse event associations is feasible and can set the stage for changing and enlarging the scale for drug safety monitoring. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tunable microstructures and mechanical deformation in transparent poly(urethane urea)s
Authors: Rinaldi R. G. , Hsieh A. J. , Boyce M. C. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTransparent poly(urethane urea) (TPUU) materials offer an avenue to enable material designs with potential to achieve simultaneous enhancements in both physical and mechanical properties. To optimize the performance required for each application, the molecular features that influence the microstructure, the glass transition temperature (Tg), the deformation mechanisms, and the mechanical deformation behavior must be understood and exploited. In this work, a comprehensive materials characterization of select model PUUs with tunable microstructures is addressed. Increasing the hard segment (HS) content increases the stiffness and flow stress levels, whereas altering the soft segment (SS) molecular weight from 2000 to 1000 g/mol leads to an enhanced phase mixing with a SS Tg shifted ∼17 °K toward higher temperatures as well as broadening of the SS relaxation closer to room temperature. As a result, the 1K TPUU materials display greater rate‐dependent stiffening and strain hardening on mechanical deformation over the broad range of strain rates covered in this work (10−3 to 104 s−1). In such case of similar urea‐based HS content, the molar content of the urethane linkages, per stoichiometric requirements, is much higher in the 1K TPUUs than the 2K TPUUs. These additional urethane moieties lead to an increase in the extent of intermolecular interactions, via hydrogen bonding between the HS and the SS, providing not only further phase mixing and stronger rate sensitivity but also provide 1K TPUUs with drastically improved barrier properties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011
Genomics‐based approaches to screening carboxylesterase‐like genes potentially involved in malathion resistance in oriental migratory locust (Locusta migratoria manilensis)
Authors: Zhang Jianzhen , Zhang Jianqin , Yang Meiling , Jia Qidong , Guo Yaping , Ma Enbo , Zhu Kun Yan 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that increased caboxylesterase (CarE) activity is a major mechanism of malathion resistance in field populations of the oriental migratory locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis (Meyen), in China. The aim of the present study was to screen CarE‐like genes from a large locust expressed sequence tag (EST) database and to assess their potential roles in malathion resistance.RESULTS: Twenty‐five ESTs derived from different CarE‐like genes in the locust EST database were identified, and 12 candidate genes with significantly increased expressions, ranging from 2.6‐ to 11.6‐fold in a field‐derived resistant (FR) colony of the locust, were found. These candidate genes were constitutively expressed in all nymph and adult stages, and most of them were predominantly expressed in the gastric caeca and the midgut. Among the 12 genes, two representative genes (LmCarE9 and LmCarE25) were chosen for RNAi followed by malathion bioassay. The nymph mortalities increased from 34.3 to 65.2 and 54.2% respectively after LmCarE9 and LmcarE25 were silenced. These results indicated significant roles of these CarE‐like genes in conferring malathion resistance in the locust.CONCLUSION: Multiple CarE‐like genes were involved in malathion resistance in the locust. As validated by RNAi followed by malathion bioassay, LmCarE9 and LmcarE25 played a significant role in conferring malathion resistance. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Negative differential resistance characteristics of nanoscale in‐plane gate devices
Authors: Komatsuzaki Yuji , Higashi Kazuhiro , Kyougoku Tomoteru , Onomitsu Koji , Horikoshi Yoshiji 
Published: November 2010

AbstractNanoscale in‐plane gate devices are fabricated by electron beam lithography followed by electron cyclotron resonance reactive ion etching. We investigate the negative differential resistance (NDR) of the InGaAs/InAlAs in‐plane gate devices. In our nanoscale devices, the NDR phenomenon is most likely caused by a real space transfer of electrons from the high mobility channel to the low mobility layer. The NDR characteristics are related to the effective channel width of in‐plane gate devices and get more pronounced when the channel conductance is enhanced by applying the gate voltages. In addition, the NDR effect depends on the channel geometry. The NDR onset voltage shifts toward lower drain‐source voltages when the channel length or width is decreased. Furthermore, high drain‐source voltage characteristics are found to be affected considerably by the channel shape. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Performance of the verification for binary memoryless channels
Authors: Balakirsky Vladimir B. , Vinck A. J. Han 
Published: November 2010

AbstractWe consider the verification problem when the verifier receives a pair of binary vectors (a, b) and makes the acceptance or the rejection decision. The acceptance decision has to be made if the vector b is the result of transmission of the vector a over a known memoryless channel. An attacker substitutes a vector b generated by a stationary Bernoulli source. We design the verification algorithm with the metric depending on the weight of the vector a. The attacker knows the weight of the vector a and the verification algorithm, but we can restrict his possibilities in such a way that the best strategy becomes the flipping of a fair coin. The performance of the algorithm is essentially better than the performance of the scheme, which is based on the maximum likelihood decision for the known channel. We also show that the algorithm is a special case of a general verification scheme for an arbitrary memoryless channel. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and Evaluation of Particleboard with a Soy Flour‐Polyethylenimine‐Maleic Anhydride Adhesive
Authors: Gu Kai , Li Kaichang 
Published: November 2010

AbstractA soy‐based formaldehyde‐free adhesive consisting of soy flour (SF), polyethylenimine (PEI), maleic anhydride (MA) and NaOH was investigated for making three‐layer particleboard. The weight ratio of SF/PEI/MA/NaOH was 7/1.0/0.32/0.1. Hot‐press temperature, hot‐press time, particleboard density and adhesive usage were optimized in terms of enhancing the modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and internal bond strength (IB) of the resulting particleboard. The MOR, MOE and IB met the minimum industrial requirements of M‐2 particleboard under the following variables: hot‐press temperature of 170 °C, hot‐press time of 270 s, the adhesive usage of surface particles at 10 wt%, the adhesive usage of the core particles at 8 wt%, and the targeted particleboard density of 0.80 g/cm3.