bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ArabidopsisULTRAVIOLET-B-INSENSITIVE4 Maintains Cell Division Activity by Temporal Inhibition of the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome
Authors: Heyman Jefri , Van den Daele Hilde , De Wit Kevin , Boudolf Véronique , Berckmans Barbara , Verkest Aurine , Kamei Claire Lessa Alvim , De Jaeger Geert , Koncz Csaba , De Veylder Lieven 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is a multisubunit ubiquitin ligase that regulates progression through the cell cycle by marking key cell division proteins for destruction. To ensure correct cell cycle progression, accurate timing of APC/C activity is important, which is obtained through its association with both activating and inhibitory subunits. However, although the APC/C is highly conserved among eukaryotes, no APC/C inhibitors are known in plants. Recently, we have identified ULTRAVIOLET-B-INSENSITIVE4 (UVI4) as a plant-specific component of the APC/C. Here, we demonstrate that UVI4 uses conserved APC/C interaction motifs to counteract the activity of the CELL CYCLE SWITCH52 A1 (CCS52A1) activator subunit, inhibiting the turnover of the A-type cyclin CYCA2;3. UVI4 is expressed in an S phase-dependent fashion, likely through the action of E2F transcription factors. Correspondingly, uvi4 mutant plants failed to accumulate CYCA2;3 during the S phase and prematurely exited the cell cycle, triggering the onset of the endocycle. We conclude that UVI4 regulates the temporal inactivation of APC/C during DNA replication, allowing CYCA2;3 to accumulate above the level required for entering mitosis, and thereby regulates the meristem size and plant growth rate.
Human AB serum for generation of mesenchymal stem cells from human chorionic villi: comparison with other source and other media including platelet lysate
Authors: Poloni A. , Maurizi G. , Serrani F. , Mancini S. , Discepoli G. , Tranquilli A. L. , Bencivenga R. , Leoni P. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractObjectives:  We have investigated foetal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from first‐trimester chorionic villi (CV) and second‐trimester amniotic fluid (AF), comparing them to adult bone marrow‐derived MSCs.Materials and methods:  We report on cell population growth in human allogeneic serum (HS) and platelet lysate (PL), immunophenotype, cytokine expression profile and immunoregulatory activity, of these foetal MSCs on stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear and lymphocyte subpopulations.Results:  Chorionic villi cells grow rapidly in HS, with 20 populations doublings (PDs) after 59 days (six passages), and also in animal serum, with 27 PDs after 65 days (seven passages). PL allowed for expansion in 60% of the samples tested, although it was lower than in HS. HS supported an average of 40 PDs of expansion in 20% of AF cells after 90 days, whereas animal serum supported 28.5 PDs in 66 days. CV and AF cells inhibited proliferation of stimulated T lymphocytes, suppressing population growth of both CD4+ and CD8+ T subpopulations and sometimes also, CD19+ cells.Conclusions:  Our results indicate that CV would be an optimal source of MSCs with high expansion potential in a HS propagation system and immunoregulatory capacity of T and B lymphocytes. More than 90% of CV samples achieved large‐scale expansion in HS, which is encouraging for potential clinical applications of these cells.
Nerve growth factor derived from bronchial epithelium after chronic mite antigen exposure contributes to airway hyperresponsiveness by inducing hyperinnervation, and is inhibited by in vivosiRNA
Authors: Ogawa H. , Azuma M. , Uehara H. , Takahashi T. , Nishioka Y. , Sone S. , Izumi K. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundBronchial asthma is a chronic allergic airway inflammatory disease. Neurotrophins, including nerve growth factor (NGF), play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, the effects of NGF derived from epithelium on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) after antigen sensitization/exposure remain uncertain.ObjectiveIn this study, we examined the role of NGF on AHR after chronic antigen exposure and the effect of inhibiting NGF by in vivo siRNA on AHR exacerbation.MethodsWe generated chronic mouse models of bronchial asthma using house‐dust mite antigen (
D

ermatophagoides pteronyssinus;
Dp). NGF concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung histopathology, hyperresponsiveness, and related neuronal peptides and cytokines in supernatants of lung homogenates were determined.Results
NGF in BALF was increased in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, and was expressed primarily in bronchial epithelium. Nerve fibres and substance P‐positive fibres were detected in subepithelium of Dp‐sensitized and challenged mice over 4 weeks of mite antigen exposure. AHR was positively correlated with NGF concentration and nerve fibre innervation. AHR, modulation of innervation, and increased substance P were inhibited by in vivo administration of siRNA that targeted NGF, although the inhibition of NGF did not affect allergic inflammation and subepithelial fibrosis.Conclusion and clinical relevanceThese findings suggest that NGF derived from bronchial and alveolar epithelium plays an important role in AHR after chronic exposure to mite antigen. NGF inhibition could potentially manage bronchial asthma, including AHR.
Function and mechanisms of TSLP/TSLPR complex in asthma and COPD
Authors: Redhu N. S. , Gounni A. S. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a key pro‐allergic cytokine that has recently been linked to chronic airway diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). High levels of TSLP were detected in bronchial mucosa of asthma and COPD patients suggesting TSLP's biological role beyond a signature ‘Th2‐favoring’ or ‘pro‐allergic cytokine’. Besides inflammatory cells, airway structural cells produce and are targets of TSLP suggesting a potential autocrine loop that may have a profound effect on local inflammatory response and airway remodelling. This review sums up diverse mechanisms that mediate TSLP/TSLP receptor‐signalling network in chronic airway diseases.
Enterprise architecture, IT effectiveness and the mediating role of IT alignment in US hospitals
Authors: Bradley Randy V. , Pratt Renée M. E. , Byrd Terry Anthony , Outlay Christina N. , Wynn, Jr. Donald E. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractDespite the possible benefits of implementing healthcare information technologies, successful implementation of effective healthcare information technology is constrained by cultural and regulatory concerns and technical obstacles encountered when establishing or upgrading an organisation's enterprise infrastructure. In this paper, we advance Ross' four‐stage model of enterprise architecture maturity as a valuable IT resource for helping healthcare organisations sustain a competitive advantage. We use partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modelling to analyse survey data from 164 US hospitals at different stages of EA maturity. Our results provide evidence that enterprise architecture maturity directly influences the effectiveness of hospitals' IT resources for achieving strategic goals. Further, enterprise architecture maturity indirectly influences the effectiveness of IT resources when IT alignment is incorporated as a mediating variable. We discuss the implications of our findings for research and practice and suggest opportunities for future research.
Spray drying of low‐phenylalanine skim milk: optimisation of process conditions for improving solubility and particle size
Authors: Amiri‐Rigi Atefeh , Emam‐Djomeh Zahra , Mohammadifar Mohammad A. , Mohammadi Mehrdad 
Published: December 2011

SummaryThe optimisation of the spray drying process for low‐phenylalanine skim milk as a dietary supplement for phenylketonurics was studied. The effects of basic parameters including the inlet air temperature (100, 150 and 200 °C), feed flow rate (5, 10 and 15 mL min−1) and air flow rate (400, 600 and 800 L h−1) on the solubility and particle size of the low‐phenylalanine skim milk powder were determined using response surface methodology. The optimum conditions have been obtained with inlet air temperature of 133 °C, feed flow rate of 5 mL min−1, and air flow rate of 800 L h−1. With the optimum parameters, the predicted values for the solubility and mean diameter were 95.33% and 5.34 μm, respectively, and experimentally were 94.36 ± 1.62% and 5.50 ± 0.44 μm, respectively. The experimental and predictive values were closely related showing predictive accuracy of the models.
Rice straw paper incorporated with activated carbon as an ethylene scavenger in a paper‐making process
Authors: Sothornvit Rungsinee , Sampoompuang Chaiyaporn 
Published: December 2011

SummaryRice straw contains cellulose as its main carbohydrate component, which is the major constituent for making rice straw paper as an alternative use of the residue. The objectives of this study were to determine a rice straw paper‐making process incorporating activated carbon (AC) and the effect of AC and the glucomannan (GLU) content on the physical and mechanical properties, including the ethylene adsorption capacity of rice straw paper containing AC. The results showed that AC was an effective ethylene scavenger, and it was possible to incorporate it into the rice straw paper‐making process. Increasing the AC content increased the ethylene adsorption capacity but decreased the strength of the AC‐rice straw paper. GLU maintained the strength of the rice straw paper but did not affect the ethylene adsorption capacity. Incorporation of 30% AC content with 0.3% GLU in the AC‐rice straw paper produced the maximum level of ethylene scavenging (77%). Moreover, AC‐rice straw paper is an environmentally friendly material owing to its reusability, and it has the potential for applications in food and agricultural packaging because it can act as an ethylene scavenger and also provide protection against mechanical damage.
Biotechnological potential of industrial wastes for economical citric acid bioproduction by Aspergillus niger through submerged fermentation
Authors: Dhillon Gurpreet S. , Brar Satinder K. , Verma Mausam 
Published: December 2011

SummarySubmerged citric acid (CA) bioproduction was carried out by Aspergillus niger NRRL‐567 using various industrial wastes, such as brewery spent liquid (BSL), lactoserum and starch industry water sludge. CA bioproduction was carried out by varying the temperature (25–35 °C), pH (3–5), addition of inducers, incubation time and supplementation with different proportions of apple pomace ultrafiltration sludge (APS). The results indicated that under the best conditions with 3% (v/v) methanol, the optimal concentration of 11.34 g L−1 CA was recorded using BSL at pH 3.5 and temperature 30 °C after 120‐h incubation period. Supplementation of methanol resulted in an increase of 56% CA production. Meanwhile, under similar conditions, higher concentration of 18.34 g L−1 CA was reported with the supplementation of BSL with 40% (v/v) APS having suspended solids concentration of 30 g L−1. The present study demonstrated the potential of BSL supplemented with APS as an alternative cheap substrate for CA fermentation.
Factors associated with the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy – a systematic review of observational studies
Authors: Braga J. R. , Santos I. S. O. , McDonald M. , Shah P. S. , Ross H. J. 
Published: December 2011

Braga JR, Santos ISO, McDonald M, Shah PS, Ross HJ. Factors associated with the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy – a systematic review of observational studies.  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01565.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a significant factor impacting outcomes after heart transplant. We performed a systematic review of risk factors for the development of CAV. A search of electronic databases was performed. The eligibility criteria included cohort and case–control studies with more than 50 adult patients submitted to a heart transplant. The outcome should be CAV diagnosed by angiography and/or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Two reviewers performed study selection, data abstraction, and quality assessment. Of 2514 citations, 66 articles were included – 46 had 200 participants or less; 61 were single‐center; and 44 were retrospective cohorts. The most used definition of CAV using angiography was the detection of any degree of abnormality (21 studies of 58). In studies using IVUS, an intimal thickness ≥0.5 mm was the most used definition (five of eight studies). Quality assessment revealed an inadequate description of patient selection, attrition, and accounting of potential confounders. Donor age, recipient age, recipient gender, etiology of heart failure, ischemic time, human leukocyte antigen matching, cytomegalovirus, lipid profile, and rejection episodes were the most studied factors. Our review indicates that the current evidence is not consistent across different studies. The definite contribution of risk factors for the development of CAV is still to be determined.
The efficacy of interviewing young drug users through online chat
Authors: BARRATT MONICA J. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Despite the fact that most young people who use ‘party drugs’ also use the Internet, accounts of drugs research involving qualitative interviewing using real‐time instant messaging or online chat are yet to be published. This paper assesses the efficacy of conducting qualitative research interviews with young party drug users through instant messaging.Design and Methods. In 2007–2008, 837 Australian residents who reported recent use of psychostimulants and/or hallucinogens and participated in online drug discussion completed a web survey and a subsample of 27 completed online interviews (median age 21, range 17–37, 59% male).Results. Experienced drug users were more likely to volunteer to be interviewed than novices. The time and space flexibility provided by the online interviews was convenient; however, interviews were more prone to interruption. Establishing legitimacy, personal disclosure, appropriate linguistic style and humour facilitated the development of rapport and enabled the production of more detailed and in‐depth data. These strategies were not successful in all cases and when unsuccessful, interviewees were more easily able to exit the interview by choosing not to respond.Discussion and Conclusions. Young drug users already using the Internet to chat about drugs find online interviewing an acceptable and convenient way to contribute to research. With adequate preparation to develop technical and cultural competencies, online interviewing offers an effective way of engaging with young people that is worthy of consideration by researchers in the alcohol and other drug field.[Barratt MJ. The efficacy of interviewing young drug users through online chat. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:566–572]
South Korean alcohol free associations: Negative expectancy not predicting drinks per occasion
Authors: MAHONEY BENJAMIN J. , GRAHAM DEBORAH , COTTRELL DAVID , KIM KYUNG‐YONG 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. Cultural and biological particulars existing in East Asian countries are likely to mediate differences in the alcohol consumption experience. Despite this no research to date has directly explored the alcohol free association or expectancy of any East Asian nations. The current research aims to provide a set of South Korean alcohol expectancies.Design and Methods. Two hundred and thirty‐seven South Koreans participated in an alcohol free association test and completed a demographic survey.Results. The results both confirmed and contradicted areas of past alcohol expectancy research. There appears to be differences in associates with high probability of recall and alcohol expectancy, where negative, negative sedating and sedating expectancy categories were not found to be predictors of South Korean drinker level.Discussion and Conclusion. The results suggest that South Koreans have a more even level of negative expectancy across all drinker categories, possibly due to a combination of linguistic, cultural and biological difference found among this population. The results provide a list of South Korean alcohol free association norms for future alcohol research in the region, with the results also underlining the need for alcohol free association tests among East Asian nations.[Mahoney BJ, Graham D, Cottrell D, Kim K‐Y. South Korean alcohol free associations: Negative expectancy not predicting drinks per occasion. Drug Alcohol Rev 2012;31:469–476]
The Political Economy of Financial Sector Supervision and Banking Crises: A Cross‐Country Analysis
Authors: Amri Puspa Delima , Kocher Brett Matthew 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis study investigates the relationship between banking crises, financial supervision and institutional veto players in an empirical study consisting of 65 advanced and developing countries from 1976–2005. While the literature relating banking crises and supervision is extensive, discussions of precisely how domestic political institutions influence the design of banking supervision have not been commonplace. We test whether these political institutions which reflect checks and balances affect the probability of a banking crisis, by way of shaping the quality of a country's financial supervisory policies. We find a significant and negative relationship between banking crises probabilities and the strength of financial sector supervision. Our results highlight the important role of financial regulation and supervision in reconciling the benefits of a liberalised financial system (ie enhanced economic growth) with its costs (ie increased financial fragility).
Assessment of Prenatal Exposure to Ethanol by Meconium Analysis: Results of an Italian Multicenter Study
Authors: Pichini Simona , Marchei Emilia , Vagnarelli Federica , Tarani Luigi , Raimondi Francesco , Maffucci Rosalba , Sacher Bruno , Bisceglia Massimo , Rapisardi Gherardo , Elicio Maria Rosaria , Biban Paolo , Zuccaro Piergiorgio , Pacifici Roberta , Pierantozzi Andrea , Morini Luca 
Published: December 2011

Background:  This study estimated in 7 Italian cities the prevalence of prenatal exposure to ethanol by determining fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs; palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic esters) and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in neonatal meconium samples.
Methods:  A total of 607 meconium samples were obtained from neonatal wards of 7 public hospitals: Verona and San Daniele del Friuli in the northeast of the country, Reggio Emilia in the middle east, Florence and Rome in the center, and Naples and Crotone in the southwest of the peninsula. Meconium biomarkers were assessed by a validated methodology using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and the results categorized using the accepted cutoff of 2 nmol/g total amount of 7 FAEEs and 2 nmol/g EtG, to differentiate between heavy maternal ethanol use during pregnancy and occasional or no use at all.
Results:  On the basis of the above‐reported cutoffs, the overall prevalence of newborns prenatally exposed to maternal ethanol was 7.9%: 0% in Verona, 4.0% in San Daniele del Friuli, 4.9% in Naples, 5.0% in Florence, 6.2% in Crotone, up to 10.6% in Reggio Emilia, and 29.4% in Rome. Low maternal education level and younger maternal age were associated with biomarker scores over the cutoff. There was also a significant correlation between the highest percentage of prenatal exposure in the capital and certain maternal sociodemographic characteristics.
Conclusions:  These results indicate considerable variability in the prevalence of fetal exposure to ethanol in different Italian cities, as determined by the objective measurement of biomarkers in meconium. These data, together with previous ones obtained in Barcelona, Spain, indicate that gestational ethanol exposure is widespread, at least in parts of Europe.
Assessment of paraoxonase 1, xanthine oxidase and glutathione peroxidase activities, nitric oxide and thiol levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: BASKOL GULDEN , AYGEN ERCAN , ERDEM FERAY , CANIKLIOĞLU AYŞEN , NARIN FIGEN , ŞAHIN YILMAZ , KAYA TUGBA 
Published: December 2011

Abstract Objective. To investigate whether there is any relation between oxidative stress and the antioxidant system in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by measuring serum nitric oxide (NO) levels and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity (a generator of reactive oxygen species) and antioxidant status by measuring serum thiol levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activities. Design. Prospective case–control study. Setting. University hospital in Turkey. Sample. Thirty women with polycystic ovary syndrome and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy control subjects were included. Methods. Serum XO, PON1 and GSHPx activity and NO and thiol levels were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Main outcome measures. Activity of serum XO, PON1 and GSH, as well as NO and thiol levels. Results. Serum XO activities were higher in women with PCOS than in the control women (p<0.001). The PON1 activity was lower in women with PCOS than in the control women (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between NO and thiol levels and GSHPx activities of women with PCOS and the control women (p>0.05). Serum PON1 activities were negatively correlated with serum XO activities and NO levels. Conclusion. Increased oxidant XO activity and decreased lipid antioxidant PON1 activity, along with the observed negative correlation between these parameters, suggests that women with PCOS are under oxidative stress and that there is XO‐mediated lipid peroxidation, which may be related to increased atherosclerosis seen in later life in such women.
Association of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) polymorphisms with acute leukemia susceptibility
Authors: ZHONG Y. , WU J. , MA R. , CAO H. , WANG Z. , DING J. , CHENG L. , FENG J. , CHEN B. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryIntroduction:  Aberrant activation of Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway leads to deregulated proliferation, differentiation, or apoptosis of normal cells. One of the members of this family, JAK2, plays a very important role in metabolizing carcinogens and medications. This study aimed to detect whether any association exists between genetic polymorphisms in JAK2 gene and individual susceptibility to acute leukemia.Methods:  A case–control study in a Chinese population with 260 acute leukemia cases and 280 healthy controls matched by age, gender, and ethnicity. Genomic DNA was assayed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF) with five genetic polymorphisms in JAK2 gene.Results:  The distributions of rs56118985 GA genotype in the acute leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) groups were both slightly different when compared with the control group (P = 0.049 and P = 0.045). The frequencies of rs2230724 AA and GA genotypes in the acute leukemia and its subtypes were all significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001). This suggested that subjects with A allele of rs2230724 were susceptible to acute leukemia and its subtypes. In addition, A allele of rs2230724 should be an important genetic determinant for acute leukemia and AML.Conclusion:  The results indicate that the risk of acute leukemia might be associated with JAK2 polymorphisms.