bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma Osteoprotegerin Levels and Long‐Term Prognosis in Patients With Intermediate Coronary Artery Lesions
Authors: Yang Qingmiao , Lu Shuzheng , Chen Yundai , Song Xiantao , Jin Zening , Yuan Fei , Li Hong , Zhou Yujie , Chen Fang , Huo Yong 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground:Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily and plays an important regulatory role in the skeletal, immune, and vascular systems. Intermediate coronary artery lesions that have a diameter stenosis of approximately 20%–70% might cause serious consequences. However, the prognostic value of plasma OPG levels in patients with intermediate coronary artery lesions has been less reported.Hypothesis:We hypothesized that OPG is a predictive marker of prognosis of intermediate coronary artery lesions.Methods:A prospective study was performed on 890 patients with intermediate (20%–70%) coronary lesions. The median age was 62 years (25th and 75th percentiles, 55 and 70 years, respectively) and 67.2% were male. Fasting blood was sampled at baseline. The primary clinical endpoint was a composite of readmission due to angina pectoris, nonfatal myocardial infarction, revascularization, and cardiovascular death.Results:During a median follow‐up of 24 months, events occurred in 11.1% of the patients. Of these patients, 7.9% were readmitted for angina pectoris, 1.5% received revascularization, 0.7% suffered nonfatal myocardial infarction, and 1.0% died. The plasma levels of OPG (median, 5304.7 pg/mL vs 2993.4 pg/mL, P<0.001) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (median, 4.8 mg/L vs 2.6 mg/L, P<0.001) were higher in patients with events than those without events. After adjusting for traditional risk factors such as age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, percent area stenosis, and drug administration, a multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that higher OPG levels were an independent predictive factor of the composite clinical endpoint (hazard ratio: 2.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.26–4.89, fourth quartile vs first quartile).Conclusions:The higher level of OPG is an independent predictive factor of prognosis in patients with intermediate coronary lesions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.This study was funded by Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Committee (No. D0906006000091). The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Fast learning and predicting of stock returns with virtual generalized random access memory weightless neural networks
Authors: De Souza Alberto F. , Freitas Fabio Daros , Coelho de Almeida André Gustavo 
Published: June 2011

SUMMARYWe employ virtual generalized random access memory weightless neural networks, VG‐RAM WNN, for predicting future stock returns. We evaluated our VG‐RAM WNN stock predictor architecture in predicting future weekly returns of the Brazilian stock market and obtained the same error levels and properties of baseline autoregressive neural network predictors; however, our VG‐RAM WNN predictor runs 5000 times faster than autoregressive neural network predictors. This allowed us to employ VG‐RAM WNN predictors to build a high frequency trading system able to achieve a monthly return of approximately 35% in the Brazilian stock market. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
QM/MM Nonadiabatic Decay Dynamics of 9H‐Adenine in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Lan Zhenggang , Lu You , Fabiano Eduardo , Thiel Walter 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe photoinduced nonadiabatic decay dynamics of 9H‐adenine (hereafter, adenine) in aqueous solution were investigated by surface‐hopping simulations within a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) framework. The QM subsystem (adenine) was treated at the semiempirical OM2/MRCI level, whereas the MM solvent (water) was described by the TIP3P force field model. Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to generate snapshots with different solvent configurations and geometries. For a representative number of these snapshots, the energy minima of the lowest electronic states and the most important conical intersections were located by QM/MM geometry optimization. Surface‐hopping QM/MM MD simulations were performed for all selected snapshots to study the nonadiabatic dynamics after photoexcitation, including the two lowest excited singlet states, which are both populated in the initial photoexcitation due to strong vibronic coupling in the Franck–Condon region. The simulations yield ultrafast S2–S1 decay within 40 fs and S1–S0 internal conversion to the ground state within 410 fs, which is consistent with recent experimental results from time‐resolved spectroscopy.
Bronchoalveolar lavage improves diagnostic accuracy in patients with diffuse lung disease
Authors: Capelozzi Vera Luiza , Faludi Eduardo Polizini , Balthazar Alípio Barbosa , Fernezlian Sandra de Morais , Filho João Valente Barbas , Parra Edwin Roger 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is an established diagnostic tool in diffuse parenchyma lung disease. The objective of the present study was designed to investigate whether immunophenotyping affects BAL results and improves diagnostic accuracy.BAL from 61 patients was included in the study. The patients were also submitted to transbronchial biopsy, with a final diagnosis of granulomatous disease [tuberculosis (TB), n = 20; sarcoidosis (SARC), n = 3; and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), n = 4]; idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) [idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), n = 9; organizing pneumonia (OP), n = 17]; and lung cancer (LC), n = 8. Immunohistochemistry and histomorphometry were used to identify and quantify type 1 and type 2 alveolar epithelial cells, macrophages, CD3+T‐cells, CD4+T‐cells, CD8+T‐cells, and CD20+B‐cells in BAL. These markers were correlated with a database and pulmonary function tests.The cellular, inflammatory, and immune components of BAL varied among the diagnostic groups and were negatively correlated with age and smoking history. An increased quantity of lymphocyte surface markers CD3 (P < 0.05) and CD20 (P = 0.01) was seen in IIPs. Patients with a pattern of OP had a higher proportion of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells; patients with SARC had a higher density of CD20+B‐cells and CD4+T‐helper cells; and patients with HP had a higher proportion of CD8+T‐cytotoxic cells. A positive association was found between the density of type I alveolar epithelial cells and forced vital capacity.The immunophenotyping affects the cellular, inflammatory, or immune constituents of BAL and improved the diagnostic accuracy in diffuse parenchymal lung disease. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding the social brain in autism
Authors: Volkmar Fred R. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAutism is an early onset neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by disruption of early social interaction. Although the social disability of autism remains the central defining feature of the condition, mechanisms that might account for this disability remain poorly understood. This paper briefly reviews some aspects of the social deficit in autism focusing on new approaches to characterizing social information processing problems, potential brain mechanisms, and theoretical models of the disorder. It will touch on aspects of specific social processes that appear to develop in unusual ways in autism including facial perception, joint attention, and social information processing. The importance of adopting more ecologically valid methods and for integrating the various approaches in deriving new models for social deficits in autism will be highlighted. Future research should build on the emerging synergy of different aspects of social neuroscience. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:428–434, 2011.
Reflections of experience‐expectant development in repair of the adult damaged brain
Authors: Jones Theresa A. , Jefferson Stephanie C. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBehavioral experience has long been known to influence functional outcome after brain injury, but only recently has its pervasive role in the reorganization of the adult brain after damage become appreciated. We briefly review findings from animal models on the role of experience in shaping neuronal events after stroke‐like injury. Experience‐dependent neural plasticity can be enhanced or impaired by brain damage, depending upon injury parameters and timing. The neuronal growth response to some experiences is heightened due to interactions with denervation‐induced plasticity. This includes compensatory behavioral strategies developed in response to functional impairments. Early behavioral experiences can constrain later experience‐dependent plasticity, leading to suboptimal functional outcome. Time dependencies and facets of neural growth patterns are reminiscent of experience‐expectant processes that shape brain development. As with sensitive periods in brain development, this process may establish behavioral patterns early after brain injury which are relatively resistant to later change. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:466–475, 2011.
Descartins, the memory molecules
Authors: Weiler Ivan Jeanne 
Published: June 2011

AbstractInvestigation of protein translation at the synapse, using functioning synaptic particles termed synaptoneurosomes, has led to identification of Fragile X protein as a key synaptic component. In its absence, some key mRNAs are translated more diffusely in the cell, and more slowly. Recent studies have implicated ERK (extracellular receptor regulated kinase) as a central factor in regulating the kinetics of translation at the synapse. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:476–481, 2011.
Embryonic development of the self‐fertilizing mangrove killifish Kryptolebias marmoratus
Authors: Mourabit Sulayman , Edenbrow Mathew , Croft Darren P. , Kudoh Tetsuhiro 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe mangrove killifish, Kryptolebias marmoratus, is a self‐fertilizing vertebrate offering vast potential as a model species in many biological disciplines. Previous studies have defined developmental stages but lacked visual representations of the various embryonic structures. We offer detailed photographic images of K. marmoratus development with revised descriptions. An improved dechorionation method was developed to provide high resolution photographs, in addition to a microinjection technique enabling cell marking in the yolk syncytial layer. Embryos were also treated with PTU (1‐phenyl 2‐thiourea), an inhibitor of melanogenesis, to provide optical transparency revealing internal structures in late stages of development. Chemical exposures (PTU and retinoic acid) demonstrated that K. marmoratus embryos were sensitive to chemicals, illustrating further their usefulness in developmental biology studies. Our data suggest that K. marmoratus embryos are easily used and manipulated, supporting the use of this hermaphroditic vertebrate as a strong comparative model system in embryology, evolution, genetics, environmental and medical biology. Developmental Dynamics 240:1694–1704, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Abelson tyrosine kinase is required for Drosophila photoreceptor morphogenesis and retinal epithelial patterning
Authors: Xiong Wenjun , Rebay Ilaria 
Published: June 2011

AbstractCoordinated differentiation and morphogenesis transform the Drosophila retina from a layer of epithelial cells into a complex three‐dimensional organ. In this study we show that the Abelson (Abl) tyrosine kinase localizes to the dynamically remodeling apical‐junctional membrane domains of the developing photoreceptor cells. Analyses of abl mutant clone phenotypes demonstrate that abl is required for enriched localization of adherens junction and apical polarity complex proteins at photoreceptor–photoreceptor cell junctions and apical membrane domains, respectively, for rhabdomere generation and for spatial organization of ommatidial cells along the apical–basal axis of the epithelium. Loss of abl does not alter expression or localization of Enabled (Ena) nor does heterozygosity for ena dominantly suppress the abl phenotypes, suggesting the downstream effector mechanisms used by Abl in the eye may differ from those used in the embryo. Together our results reveal a prominent role for Abl in coordinating multiple aspects of photoreceptor morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 240:1745–1755, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasticity of neural crest–placode interaction in the developing visceral nervous system
Authors: Chen Yiju , Takano‐Maruyama Masumi , Gaufo Gary O. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe reciprocal relationship between rhombomere (r)‐derived cranial neural crest (NC) and epibranchial placodal cells derived from the adjacent branchial arch is critical for visceral motor and sensory gangliogenesis, respectively. However, it is unknown whether the positional match between these neurogenic precursors is hard‐wired along the anterior–posterior (A/P) axis. Here, we use the interaction between r4‐derived NC and epibranchial placode‐derived geniculate ganglion as a model to address this issue. In Hoxa1−/−b1−/− embryos, r2 NC compensates for the loss of r4 NC. Specifically, a population of r2 NC cells is redirected toward the geniculate ganglion, where they differentiate into postganglionic (motor) neurons. Reciprocally, the inward migration of the geniculate ganglion is associated with r2 NC. The ability of NC and placodal cells to, respectively, differentiate and migrate despite a positional mismatch along the A/P axis reflects the plasticity in the relationship between the two neurogenic precursors of the vertebrate head. Developmental Dynamics 240:1880–1888, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
IL‐33 induces skin inflammation with mast cell and neutrophil activation
Authors: Hueber Axel J. , Alves‐Filho Jose C. , Asquith Darren L. , Michels Chesney , Millar Neal L. , Reilly James H. , Graham Gerry J. , Liew Foo Y. , Miller Ashley M. , McInnes Iain B. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPsoriasis is a common chronic autoimmune condition of the skin characterized by hyperplasia of epidermal keratinocytes associated with pro‐inflammatory cytokines. IL‐33 is a new member of the IL‐1 superfamily that signals through the ST2 receptor and was originally defined as an inducer of T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines. Recently, broader immune activatory potential has been defined for IL‐33 particularly via mast cell activation and neutrophil migration. Here, we show that ST2−/− mice exhibit reduced cutaneous inflammatory responses compared with WT mice in a phorbol ester‐induced model of skin inflammation. Furthermore, injections of IL‐33 into the ears of mice induce an inflammatory skin lesion. This inflammatory response was partially dependent on mast cells as mast cell‐deficient mice (KitW‐sh/W‐sh) showed delayed responses to IL‐33. IL‐33 also recruited neutrophils to the ear, an effect mediated in part by increased production of the chemokine KC (CXCL1). Finally, we show that IL‐33 expression is up‐regulated in the epidermis of clinical psoriatic lesions, compared with healthy skin. These results therefore demonstrate that IL‐33 may play a role in psoriasis‐like plaque inflammation. IL‐33 targeting may provide a new treatment strategy for psoriasis.
Reducing or increasing β‐cell apoptosis without inflammation does not affect diabetes initiation in neonatal NOD mice
Authors: Carrington Emma M. , Kos Cameron , Zhan Yifan , Krishnamurthy Balasubramanian , Allison Janette 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe presentation of islet antigens in the pancreatic LNs (PLNs) of mice is a developmentally regulated process. It has been hypothesized that, during physiological tissue remodeling, a wave of neonatal β‐cell apoptosis may initiate diabetes in autoimmune‐prone strains of mice. If true, increasing or decreasing physiological β‐cell apoptosis in neonatal NOD mice should alter the time‐course of antigen presentation in the PLNs. We used transgenic over‐expression of either an anti‐apoptotic protein (Bcl‐2) or a toxic transgene (rat insulin promoter‐Kb) in mouse β cells to reduce or increase neonatal β‐cell apoptosis, respectively. Neither intervention affected the timing of antigen presentation in the PLNs or the initiation of islet infiltration. This suggests that under physiological conditions and in the absence of inflammation, neonatal β‐cell apoptosis in NOD mice is not the trigger for antigen presentation in the draining LNs.
Type I interferons suppress CD4+ T‐cell‐dependent parasite control during blood‐stage Plasmodium infection
Authors: Haque Ashraful , Best Shannon E. , Ammerdorffer Anne , Desbarrieres Laure , de Oca Marcela Montes , Amante Fiona H. , de Labastida Rivera Fabian , Hertzog Paul , Boyle Glen M. , Hill Geoffrey R. , Engwerda Christian R. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractDuring blood‐stage Plasmodium infection, large‐scale invasion of RBCs often occurs before the generation of cellular immune responses. In Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA)‐infected C57BL/6 mice, CD4+ T cells controlled parasite numbers poorly, instead providing early help to pathogenic CD8+ T cells. Expression analysis revealed that the transcriptional signature of CD4+ T cells from PbA‐infected mice was dominated by type I IFN (IFN‐I) and IFN‐γ‐signalling pathway‐related genes. A role for IFN‐I during blood‐stage Plasmodium infection had yet to be established. Here, we observed IFN‐α protein production in the spleen of PbA‐infected C57BL/6 mice over the first 2 days of infection. Mice deficient in IFN‐I signalling had reduced parasite burdens, and displayed none of the fatal neurological symptoms associated with PbA infection. IFN‐I substantially inhibited CD4+ T‐bet+ T‐cell‐derived IFN‐γ production, and prevented this emerging Th1 response from controlling parasites. Experiments using BM chimeric mice revealed that IFN‐I signalled predominantly via radio‐sensitive, haematopoietic cells, but did not suppress CD4+ T cells via direct signalling to this cell type. Finally, we found that IFN‐I suppressed IFN‐γ production, and hampered efficient control of parasitaemia in mice infected with non‐lethal Plasmodium chabaudi. Thus, we have elucidated a novel regulatory pathway in primary blood‐stage Plasmodium infection that suppresses CD4+ T‐cell‐mediated parasite control.
The binding activity of Mel‐18 at the Il17a promoter is regulated by the integrated signals of the TCR and polarizing cytokines
Authors: Hod‐Dvorai Reut , Jacob Eyal , Boyko Yulia , Avni Orly 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWe have previously shown that in differentiated T‐helper (Th)1 and Th2 cells, polycomb group (PcG) proteins are associated differentially with the promoters of the signature cytokine genes. The correlation of the binding activity of PcG proteins with gene expression is unusual, since they are well known as epigenetic regulators that maintain transcriptional silencing. Here we show that in Th17 cells, the more phenotypically flexible Th lineage, the PcG proteins Mel‐18 and less strikingly Ezh2 are associated differentially with the Il17a promoter. Using the RNAi approach, we found that Mel‐18 and Ezh2 positively regulate the expression of Il17a and Il17f. The inducible binding of Mel‐18 and Ezh2 at the Il17a promoter was dependent on signaling pathways downstream of the TCR. However, a continuous presence of TGF‐β, the cytokine that is necessary to maintain Il17a expression, was required to preserve the binding activity of Mel‐18, but not of Ezh2, following restimulation. The binding of Mel‐18 at the Il17a promoter was correlated with the recruitment of the lineage‐specifying transcription factor RORγt. Altogether, our results suggest that in Th17 cells the TCR and polarizing cytokines synergize to modulate the binding activity of Mel‐18 at the Il17a promoter, and consequently to facilitate Il17a expression.
Atom Transfer Radical Reactions as a Tool for Olefin Functionalization – On the Way to Practical Applications
Authors: Muñoz‐Molina José María , Belderrain Tomás R. , Pérez Pedro J. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractTransition‐metal‐catalyzed atom transfer radical reactions of halogenated compounds with olefins constitute a versatile tool in organic synthesis within the area of C–C bond forming transformations. The inter‐ or intramolecular versions, atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) or cyclization (ATRC), respectively, lead to the atom‐economic, useful synthesis of compounds that can be further functionalized. This contribution summarizes the recent developments in this area in terms of catalyst design as well as the applicability of this methodology in sequential, domino, or tandem reactions.
Three Types of Products Obtained Unexpectedly from the Reaction of Dimedone with Chalcones
Authors: Wang Guan‐Wu , Lu Qing‐Quan , Xia Jing‐Jing 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe apparently simple Michael reaction of dimedone with chalcones afforded three types of products. The reaction of dimedone with chalcones in water at reflux, mediated by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, gave the expected Michael adducts in good to excellent yields after purification by column chromatography. The attempted purification of the Michael adducts by recrystallization from ethanol in air unexpectedly generated hydroperoxidated and hydroxylated Michael adducts in low yields. The efficient synthesis of hydroperoxidated Michael adducts could be achieved in nearly quantitative yields by autoxidation of the Michael adducts in 1,2‐dichloroethane at room temperature under aerobic conditions. The conversion of the hydroperoxidated Michael adducts to hydroxylated Michael adducts was facilitated by reduction with triphenylphosphane in excellent yields. Some of the reported Michael adducts in the literature need to be reassigned. Particular caution must be exerted to assign the Michael products generated from cyclic β‐diketones, such as dimedone, because different purification processes may give different types of products.
A Selective Simultaneous Determination of Levodopa and Serotonin Using a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube/Chitosan Composite
Authors: Babaei Ali , Babazadeh M. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractA glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with carbon nanotube/chitosan (MWCNTs‐CHT/GCE) was used for the sensitive voltammetric determination of levodopa (Lev) and serotonin (Ser). The measurements were carried out using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry (CA). Under the optimum conditions the electrode provides a linear response versus Lev and Ser concentrations in the range of 2.0–220.0 µM and 0.5–130.0 µM, respectively, using DPV. The modified electrode was satisfactorily used for determination of Lev and Ser in human serum and urine with satisfactory results.