bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interactions of obstructive sleep‐disordered breathing with recurrent wheezing or asthma and their effects on sleep quality
Authors: Malakasioti Georgia , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos , Chrousos George , Kaditis Athanasios 
Published: August 2011

AbstractSnoring is the most characteristic symptom of obstructive sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) and recurrent wheezing is the most common clinical manifestation of asthma. The purpose of the present review is to outline the impact of SDB and recurrent wheezing/asthma on sleep quality and to summarize the epidemiologic and pathophysiologic evidence supporting an association between the two disorders. Enlarged tonsils and adenoid or obesity predispose to obstructive sleep apneas and hypopneas which are accompanied by arousals, restless sleep, and frequently daytime sleepiness, inattention, hyperactivity, and academic difficulties. Subjects with history of wheezing are also at risk for sleep disturbance and daytime cognitive dysfunction.Asthmatic children have more frequent snoring, apneas, and hypopneas during sleep than non‐asthmatic subjects and tonsillar hypertrophy mediates at least in part this epidemiologic association. In addition, preliminary evidence indicates that treatment of sleep apnea with adenotonsillectomy results in improved control of coexisting asthma. Elevated concentrations of leukotrienes and oxidative stress markers have been detected in the exhaled breath condensate of children with asthma and probably contribute to bronchoconstriction. Moreover, sleep apneic children have increased expression of leukotrienes and leukotriene receptors in adenotonsillar tissue. Viral respiratory infections may induce inflammation and oxidative stress in the asthmatic airway enhancing not only bronchospasm, but also biosynthesis of leukotrienes within pharyngeal lymphoid tissues, which promote adenotonsillar enlargement and sleep apnea.In conclusion, taking under consideration the epidemiologic association between obstructive SDB and asthma, when one of the two disorders is diagnosed, the possibility of the other disease being present should be entertained. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:1047–1054. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The H6D variant of NAG‐1/GDF15 inhibits prostate xenograft growth in vivo
Authors: Wang Xingya , Chrysovergis Kali , Bienstock Rachelle J. , Shim Minsub , Eling Thomas E. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBACKGROUNDNon‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐activated gene (NAG‐1), a divergent member of the transforming growth factor‐beta superfamily, has been implicated in many cellular processes, including inflammation, early bone formation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. Recent clinical studies suggests that a C to G single nucleotide polymorphism at position 6 (histidine to aspartic acid substitution, or H6D) of the NAG‐1 protein is associated with lower human prostate cancer incidence. The objective of the current study is to investigate the activity of NAG‐1 H6D variant in prostate cancer tumorigenesis in vivo.METHODSHuman prostate cancer DU145 cells expressing the H6D NAG‐1 or wild‐type (WT) NAG‐1 were injected subcutaneously into nude mice and tumor growth was monitored. Serum and tumor samples were collected for subsequent analysis.RESULTSThe H6D variant was more potent than the WT NAG‐1 and inhibited tumor growth significantly compared to control mice. Mice with tumors expressing the WT NAG‐1 have greater reduced both body weight and abdominal fat than mice with H6D variant tumors suggesting different activities of the WT NAG‐1 and the H6D NAG‐1. A significant reduction in adiponectin, leptin, and IGF‐1 serum levels was observed in the tumor‐bearing mice with a more profound reduction observed with expression of H6D variant. Cyclin D1 expression was suppressed in the tumors with a dramatic reduction observed in the tumor expressing the H6D variant.CONCLUSIONOur data suggest that the H6D variant of NAG‐1 inhibits prostate tumorigenesis by suppressing IGF‐1 and cyclin D1 expression but likely additional mechanisms are operative. Prostate 72:677–689, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structure–activity relationships of a peptidic antagonist of Id1 studied by biosensor method, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and bioassay
Authors: Yang Shih‐Ying , Chen Yeh , Yang Chia‐Xin , Yang De‐Len , Kuo Sheng‐Chu , Huang Li‐Jiau , Lung Feng‐Di T. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractId1 proteins, inhibitors of differentiation or DNA binding, act as dominant negative antagonists of the bHLH family of transcription factors, which play an important role in cellular development, proliferation, and differentiation. The mechanism of Id proteins is to antagonize bHLH proteins by forming high‐affinity heterodimers with other bHLH proteins, thereby preventing them from binding to DNA and inhibiting transcription of differentiation‐associated genes. Our goal is to study the SARs of a peptidic antagonist of Id1, peptide 3C, which exhibits high affinity for Id1 and inhibitory effect on the proliferation of cancer cells. A series of N‐terminal‐ and C‐terminal‐deleted analogs of peptide 3C were designed, synthesized, and characterized. Affinity of each peptide for Id1 or Id1‐HLH domain was determined by SPR‐based biosensor. The secondary structure of each peptide was studied by CD spectroscopy. Biological effect of each peptide in breast cancer cell (MCF‐7) was analyzed by the MTT cell viability assay. Results demonstrated that peptide 3C and peptide 3C‐CtD4 exhibited higher affinity for Id1‐HLH and the equilibrium dissociation constants (KD) were 3.16 and 2.77 µM, respectively. CD results indicated that the percentage of α‐helix (%) in the secondary structure of deleted peptides were different, ranging from 7.93 to 10.45%. Although MTT results showed that treatment of MCF‐7 with these peptides did not cause antiproliferative effects in cancer cells, SPR results demonstrated that the high‐affinity peptides 3C and 3C‐CtD4 are promising for further modifications to enhance their affinity for Id1‐HLH and antiproliferative effects in cancer cells and for the development of peptidic antagonists as anticancer agents. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on the antileishmanial properties of the antimicrobial peptides temporin A, B and 1Sa
Authors: Chadbourne Frances L. , Raleigh Catriona , Ali Hayder Z. , Denny Paul W. , Cobb Steven L. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractGiven the paucity and toxicity of available drugs for leishmaniasis, coupled with the advent of drug resistance, the discovery of new therapies for this neglected tropical disease is recognised as being of the utmost urgency. As such antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been proposed as promising compounds against the causative Leishmania species, insect vector‐borne protozoan parasites. Here the AMP temporins A, B and 1Sa have been synthesised and screened for activity against Leishmania mexicana insect stage promastigotes and mammalian stage amastigotes, a significant cause of human cutaneous disease. In contrast to previous studies with other species the activity of these AMPs against L. mexicana amastigotes was low. This suggests that amastigotes from different Leishmania species display varying susceptibility to peptides from the temporin family, perhaps indicating differences in their surface structure, the proposed target of these AMPs. In contrast, insect stage L. mexicana promastigotes were sensitive to two of the screened temporins which clearly demonstrates the importance of screening AMPs against both forms of the parasite. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A statistical downscaling to identify the large‐scale circulation patterns associated with heavy precipitation events over southern France
Authors: Nuissier O. , Joly B. , Joly A. , Ducrocq V. , Arbogast P. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThis study assesses the potential for a detection algorithm to identify discriminating analysis‐based statistical predictors of a few relevant parameters that can be used to capture heavy precipitation events (HPEs), or, at least, their associated large‐scale circulation (LSC) patterns in a climate scenario. HPEs are defined from a sample combining ‘large‐scale’ fields from the ECMWF ERA‐40 reanalysis with local observations from the Météo‐France rain‐gauge network. In a first step, LSC patterns considered as significantly favouring HPE over southern France are identified and described with the greatest robustness possible. For that purpose, an objective automatic clustering of the unfiltered 500 hPa geopotential height field is performed. Four clusters are obtained. Among them, the most discriminating for heavy precipitation is characterised by a synoptic‐scale deep upper‐level low northwest of the area of interest, inducing a southerly flow over the western Mediterranean Sea and southern France. In a second step, other lower‐scale parameters are used to refine the characteristics of the clusters. It has been found that the low‐level moisture transport is a relevant low‐level ingredient to regionally characterise heavy precipitation. Indeed, ‘Cévennes’ cases are related to more south to southeasterly flows over the Gulf of Lion, whereas ‘Languedoc‐Roussillon’ events occurred preferentially within a more pronounced easterly wind component with two streams of low‐level moisture transport. Moreover, in‐depth examination of the low‐level features reveals that HPEs tend to occur when the wind blows in a specific direction and for the greatest low‐level moisture flux over the Gulf of Lion. Finally, the predictive skill of a detection tool for HPEs over southern France, with only synoptic‐scale favourable parameters as predictors, is discussed. It is shown that this tool allows selection of HPE situations in more than 70% of cases. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
The orographic impact on patterns of embedded convection during the August 2005 Alpine flood
Authors: Langhans W. , Gohm A. , Zängl G. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractConvective precipitation structures during an Alpine heavy precipitation event in August 2005 are investigated utilising a mesoscale non‐hydrostatic numerical model and observational data. The focus is on the mechanisms of convective initiation during the very beginning of the event, when organised cellular updraughts enhanced the precipitation over the southern German Alpine foreland. A set of sensitivity experiments with systematically modified topography is conducted in order to investigate the role of single topographic obstacles in initiating and arranging convection.A reference simulation proves to be capable of qualitatively reproducing the development of two distinct, flow‐parallel aligned, non‐stationary, convective precipitation bands, which are observed by radar and surface measurements. The simulations reveal the presence of two low‐level convergence lines that provide a primary mechanism for both initiating and aligning convective cells during the analysed period. Mountains embedded in the Alpine foreland are not decisive for triggering and aligning the convective cells in this case, since the primary mechanism provides a consistent forcing for the convective precipitation bands. However, the experiments demonstrate a dependence of the alignment and intensity of one of the precipitation bands upon the position of the pre‐existing convergence line relative to a flow‐parallel aligned mountain ridge. Enhancement (weakening) of the existing banded structure and convective intensity is achieved if the convergence line is located upstream (downstream) of the ridge with respect to a cross‐ridge low‐level inflow. The ‘weakening’ mode is characterised by a subsiding cross‐ridge inflow into the convergence line that stabilises the atmosphere and therefore inhibits the formation of a continuous convective precipitation band. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
New results on robust output regulation of nonlinear systems with a nonlinear exosystem
Authors: Yang Xi , Huang Jie 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYThe global robust output regulation problem for nonlinear plants subject to nonlinear exosystems has been a challenging problem and has not been well addressed. The main difficulty lies in finding a suitable internal model. The existing internal model for handling the nonlinear exosystem is not zero input globally asymptotically stable, and can only guarantee a local solution for the output regulation problem. In this paper, we first propose a new class of internal models, which is guaranteed to exist under the generalized immersion condition. An advantage of this internal model is that it is zero input globally asymptotically stable. This fact will greatly facilitate the global stabilization of the augmented system associated with the given plant and the internal model. Then we will further utilize this class of internal models to solve the global robust output regulation problem for output feedback systems with a nonlinear exosystem. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT USE OF THE MISSOURI RIVER AND LOWER YELLOWSTONE RIVER BENTHIC FISHES FROM 1996 TO 1998: A BASELINE FOR FISH COMMUNITY RECOVERY
Authors: Wildhaber M. L. , Gladish D. W. , Arab A. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTPast and present Missouri River management practices have resulted in native fishes being identified as in jeopardy. In 1995, the Missouri River Benthic Fishes Study was initiated to provide improved information on Missouri River fish populations and how alterations might affect them. The study produced a baseline against which to evaluate future changes in Missouri River operating criteria. The objective was to evaluate population structure and habitat use of benthic fishes along the entire mainstem Missouri River, exclusive of reservoirs. Here we use the data from this study to provide a recent‐past baseline for on‐going Missouri River fish population monitoring programmes along with a more powerful method for analysing data containing large percentages of zero values. This is carried out by describing the distribution and habitat use of 21 species of Missouri River benthic fishes based on catch‐per‐unit area data from multiple gears. We employ a Bayesian zero‐inflated Poisson model expanded to include continuous measures of habitat quality (i.e. substrate composition, depth, velocity, temperature, turbidity and conductivity). Along with presenting the method, we provide a relatively complete picture of the Missouri River benthic fish community and the relationship between their relative population numbers and habitat conditions. We demonstrate that our single model provides all the information that is often obtained by a myriad of analytical techniques. An important advantage of the present approach is reliable inference for patterns of relative abundance using multiple gears without using gear efficiencies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atomically Thin Mica Flakes and Their Application as Ultrathin Insulating Substrates for Graphene
Authors: Castellanos‐Gomez Andres , Wojtaszek Magdalena , Tombros Nikolaos , Agraït Nicolás , van Wees Bart J. , Rubio‐Bollinger Gabino 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBy mechanical exfoliation, it is possible to deposit atomically thin mica flakes down to single‐monolayer thickness on SiO2/Si wafers. The optical contrast of these mica flakes on top of a SiO2/Si substrate depends on their thickness, the illumination wavelength, and the SiO2 substrate thickness, and can be quantitatively accounted for by a Fresnel‐law‐based model. The preparation of atomically thin insulating crystalline sheets will enable the fabrication of ultrathin, defect‐free insulating substrates, dielectric barriers, or planar electron‐tunneling junctions. Additionally, it is shown that few‐layer graphene flakes can be deposited on top of a previously transferred mica flake. Our transfer method relies on viscoelastic stamps, as used for soft lithography. A Raman spectroscopy study shows that such an all‐dry deposition technique yields cleaner and higher‐quality flakes than conventional wet‐transfer procedures based on lithographic resists.
Fine structural characteristics related to digestion properties of acid‐treated fruit starches
Authors: Espinosa‐Solis Vicente , Sanchez‐Ambriz Sandra L. , Hamaker Bruce R. , Bello‐Pérez Luis Arturo 
Published: August 2011

AbstractStarches from unripe fruits (mango, banana, and plantain) were acid modified to form different degrees of lintners with the objective to increase the slowly digestible starch (SDS) and RS contents. Molecular, thermal, and structural characteristics were evaluated. Mango starch showed higher susceptibility to acid hydrolysis than banana and plantain starches. The peak temperature of gelatinization (Tp) showed a decrease at low hydrolysis percentage, but at higher hydrolysis percentage the Tp increased. However, the enthalpy of gelatinization presented an increase with the hydrolysis percentage, but was not higher than its native counterpart. In general, the peak temperature and enthalpy of retrogradation increased with hydrolysis percentage due to formation of linear chains during the modification that promoted retrogradation. High performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) analysis demonstrated the presence of multiple‐branches (DP = 96–109), single branched (DP = 28–31), and linear (DP = 16–18) polymers in the fruit starch lintners. The acid treatment (lintnerization) of mango starch had no effect on the SDS fraction, while for plantain and banana starches, the SDS content increased (6.14–35.4%) at low hydrolysis percentage (0–50%) followed by a decrease at higher days of hydrolysis. At higher hydrolysis percentage (70–80%) the RS content increased for the three fruit lintners.
Synthesis of Quaternary Ammonium Salts with Novel Counterions
Authors: Jiang Yajie , Geng Tao , Li Qiuxiao 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe preparations of quaternary ammonium compounds from various tertiary amines and the (environmentally friendly) alkylation agent dimethyl carbonate were carried out. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, material mol ratio and solvent dosage on quaternization were examined, and the optimum reaction conditions were determined. Under the optimum conditions, the conversions of mono‐alkyl tertiary amines could attain over 99%, while the conversions of di‐alkyl tertiary amines reached over 95%. Moreover, a series of quaternary ammonium salts with new counterions (HCO3, CH3COO, CH3CH2COO, CH3CH(OH)COO) were synthesized by the hydrolysis of methyl carbonate quaternary ammonium salts or by ion exchange reaction of methyl carbonate quaternary ammonium salts with corresponding acids.
Serum 2‐Methoxyestradiol, an Estrogen Metabolite, is Positively Associated with Serum HDL‐C in a Population‐Based Sample
Authors: Masi Christopher M. , Hawkley Louise C. , Cacioppo John T. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractSerum HDL cholesterol (HDL‐C) is inversely associated with coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, and atherosclerosis in men and women. Among postmenopausal women, oral conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) increases serum HDL‐C. This is due to activation of hepatic nuclear estrogen receptors, resulting in increased HDL‐C expression, as well as modulation of proteins which metabolize HDL‐C. 2‐methoxyestradiol (2‐MeOE2), an estrogen metabolite, has several vasculoprotective effects and may play a role in HDL‐C production. 2‐MeOE2 inhibits HMG‐CoA reductase in vitro but no study has examined the relationship between serum 2‐MeOE2 and serum HDL‐C. A population‐based sample provided information regarding demographic characteristics and use of antihyperlipidemic medications. Serum was analyzed for 17β‐estradiol (E2), estrogen metabolites (EMs), and lipoproteins. Results included serum EM data from 51 men and 47 postmenopausal women. Preliminary analysis revealed no correlation between 2‐MeOE2 and serum HDL‐C in men so the current analysis includes only women (N = 40) with no missing demographic, medication, EM, or lipoprotein data. Linear regression revealed that serum 2‐MeOE2 and antihyperlipidemic medications were positively associated with serum HDL‐C (β = 0.276, P = 0.043, and β = 0.307, P = 0.047, respectively) when age, race/ethnicity, and body mass index were held constant. Prospective studies are needed to determine if 2‐MeOE2 is causally related to HDL‐C in women.
Lipid metabolism of orchiectomised rats was affected by fructose ingestion and the amount of ingested fructose
Authors: Makino Satoru , Kishida Taro , Ebihara Kiyoshi 
Published: August 2011

We examined whether lipid metabolism in orchiectomised (ORX) rats was affected by fructose ingestion and the amount of ingested fructose. Sucrose was used as a fructose source. Sham-operated and ORX rats were fed one of the following three diets for 28 d: a maize starch-based diet without sucrose (SU0), a diet by which half or all of maize starch was replaced by sucrose (SU50 or SU100). Body-weight gain and food intake were increased by sucrose ingestion, but decreased by ORX. Plasma total cholesterol concentration was increased by ORX and dose-dependently by sucrose ingestion. Plasma TAG concentration was decreased by ORX, but was increased dose-dependently by sucrose ingestion. Plasma insulin concentration was decreased by ORX, but was not affected by sucrose ingestion. Liver TAG was increased by sucrose ingestion and ORX; however, liver cholesterol concentration was not affected by sucrose ingestion and ORX. The hepatic activity of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase 1 was not affected by sucrose ingestion and ORX; however, faecal excretion of bile acids was decreased. The mRNA level of microsomal TAG transfer protein, which is the gene related to hepatic VLDL production, was increased by ORX and sucrose ingestion. The mRNA level of uncoupling protein-1 was decreased by ORX, but not by sucrose ingestion. Plasma insulin concentration tended to correlate with the level of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1c mRNA (r0·747,P = 0·088). These results show that lipid metabolism in ORX rats would be affected by the consumption of fructose-rich sweeteners such as sucrose and high-fructose syrup.
Effect of B-vitamins and n-3 PUFA supplementation for 5 years on blood pressure in patients with CVD
Authors: Szabo de Edelenyi Fabien , Vergnaud Anne-Claire , Ahluwalia Namanjeet , Julia Chantal , Hercberg Serge , Blacher Jacques , Galan Pilar 
Published: August 2011

Certain epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that n-3 fatty acids and folate can reduce blood pressure (BP). We investigated the effect of a daily supplementation with dietary doses of B-vitamins or n-3 fatty acids for 5 years on BP in patients with a history of CVD who participated in the Supplémentation en Folates et Omega-3 trial. The patients (n 2501; 1987 men and 514 women) were randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design to one of four groups: B-vitamins (5-methyl-THF (560 μg); vitamin B6 (3 mg) and vitamin B12 (20 μg)) and a placebo capsule for n-3 fatty acids; n-3 fatty acids (600 mg of EPA and DHA at a ratio of 2:1) and a placebo capsule for B-vitamins; both B-vitamins and n-3 fatty acids; or placebo capsules for both treatments. The patients took two capsules daily in a double-blind manner for a median duration of 4·7 years. At baseline and annual examination for 5 years, the patients underwent a clinical examination where BP and clinical and biological parameters were assessed. No effect of supplementation with either n-3 PUFA or B-vitamins on BP was observed in crude and adjusted multivariate models. Change in BP was not associated with change in homocysteine. In conclusion, the present results do not support the routine use of dietary supplements containing B-vitamins, or of n-3 fatty acids, to reduce BP in people with prior CVD.