bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurement of plaque‐forming macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide in a micro‐channel chip
Authors: Isoda T. , Tsutsumi T. , Yamazaki K. , Nishihara T. 
Published: May 2009

Background and Objective:  In the present study, micro‐channel arrays were fabricated on the surface of plastic‐based disposable chips. The cell adhesion process and the detection of plaque‐forming macrophages were observed. Further, we evaluated cell adhesion in a fluid system in vitro.Material and Methods:  Features of the micro‐channel (1.4 mm wide and 10 mm long) included twenty micro‐pillars (with a projection of 200 μm diameter and 250 μm high) coated in a 50 μm thick silicon rubber layer, which were regularly arranged at the bottom of each channel. The efficiency of cell capture was expected to increase by arrangement of micro‐pillars in a micro‐channel. Mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells, stimulated for 24 h with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from periodontopathic bacteria, were circulated continuously for 2 h at room temperature by the pump in a chip.Results:  Control cells had not formed plaques on micro‐pillars 20 min into the experiment. By contrast, LPS‐activated macrophages produced plaques at the side walls of micro‐pillars after 20 min. The plaques grew during the flow test, and image shading became clearer with increasing flow time for 120 min. The maximal adhesion rate per unit area appeared at 20% for control cells, whereas the peak was shifted to 30% for LPS‐activated macrophages (n = 20). The average adhesion rate was 3.0 ± 2.0% for control cells and 5.0 ± 3.9% for LPS‐activated macrophages (n = 100).Conclusion:  These findings indicate that LPS‐activated macrophages accumulate in micro‐channel arrays, and suggest that macrophage plaque formation is a two‐step procedure: (1) LPS‐activated macrophages adhere physically to the silicon rubber layer on micro‐pillars; and (2) consequently, the cells adhere to the activated macrophage layer.
Early osteogenic differential protein profile detected by proteomic analysis in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Wu L. , Wei X. , Ling J. , Liu L. , Liu S. , Li M. , Xiao Y. 
Published: May 2009

Background and Objective:  Human periodontal ligament cells play a pivotal role in maintaining periodontal ligament space, contain progenitors that are able to differentiate into cementoblasts/osteoblasts and have a tremendous potential to regenerate periodontal tissue. However, the exact molecular mechanisms governing the differentiation mechanisms of progenitors in periodontal ligament cells remain largely unknown. This study was carried out to investigate the differentially expressed proteins involved in the osteogenic differentiation of progenitors presented in periodontal ligament cells.Material and Methods:  Using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and peptide mass fingerprinting, we analyzed the differential protein profiles of periodontal ligament cells undergoing mineralization.Results:  Compared with undifferentiated periodontal ligament cells, 61 proteins in periodontal ligament cells undergoing differentiation showed at least a 1.5‐fold change in intensity, of which 29 differentially expressed proteins were successfully identified by matrix‐assisted laser‐desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The expression of some of the identified proteins was further confirmed by western blotting and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis. The identified proteins were cytoskeleton proteins and cytoskeleton‐associated proteins, nuclear proteins and cell membrane‐bound molecules.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that the proteins identified in this study may be associated with the unique function of periodontal ligament cells in maintaining periodontal tissue homeostasis, thus providing a comprehensive reference for understanding and investigating in greater detail the molecular mechanisms of periodontal ligament cells involved in periodontal regeneration.
Triclosan inhibits tumor necrosis factor‐α‐stimulated urokinase production in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Arancibia R. , Cáceres M. , Martínez J. , Smith P. C. 
Published: May 2009

Background and Objectives:  Destruction of the supporting periodontal tissues is mediated by the action of several proteolytic enzymes. Urokinase is a serine protease that plays a key role in connective tissue destruction through conversion of plasminogen into plasmin. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of triclosan on the production and activity of urokinase in cultured gingival fibroblasts.Material and Methods:  Urokinase production was studied in primary cultures of human gingival fibroblasts stimulated with tumor necrosis factor‐alfa. Urokinase activity and production were evaluated using casein zymography and western blotting, respecively. Urokinase mRNA expression was evaluated using the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Triclosan was used to interfere with this stimulatory effect. The roles of different cell‐signaling cascades involved in urokinase production were assessed through western blotting and immunofluorescence using several cell‐signaling inhibitors.Results:  Tumor necrosis factor‐alfa was found to be a strong stimulus for urokinase production and triclosan was able to inhibit this response at the protein and mRNA levels. Triclosan was also able to inhibit conversion of plasminogen into plasmin. Tumor necrosis factor‐alfa‐stimulated urokinase production was shown to be dependent on the nuclear factor‐κΒ and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase signaling pathways. Triclosan inhibited c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase phosphorylation and c‐Jun production.Conclusions:  Within the limits of this study, these results show that triclosan may inhibit urokinase production and plasminogen activation in gingival fibroblasts through modulation of the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase signaling pathway.
EFFECTS OF STARCH, LIPID AND MOISTURE CONTENTS ON EXTRUSION BEHAVIOR AND EXTRUDATE CHARACTERISTICS OF RICE‐BASED BLENDS PREPARED WITH A VERY‐LOW‐COST EXTRUDER
Authors: VAN HOAN NGUYEN , MOUQUET‐RIVIER CLAIRE , TRECHE SERGE 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT Response surface methodology with a 3 × 3 factorial plan design was used to investigate the effects of starch content (60–70 g/100 g dry matter [DM]), lipid content (6.2–10.2 g/100 g DM) and moisture content (10–16 g/100 g wet matter [WM]) on extrusion behavior of rice‐based blends, on the physicochemical properties of extrudates, and the apparent viscosity of resulting gruels. The increase in starch content increased the loss of lipid, the expansion ratio, the degree of gelatinization (DG) of starch, and the water absorption index (WAI). Increasing lipid content resulted in higher loss of lipids and a lower WAI and water solubility index (WSI). Water content had the most influence. Increasing water content resulted in increased loss of lipids, higher moisture content of extrudates, and in lower die temperature, expansion ratio, DG, WAI and WSI. The high DG (≥91%) of all extrudates demonstrated that the very‐low‐cost extruder manufactured in Vietnam is suitable for the production of ready‐to‐eat infant flour.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis work tested and optimized the effect of blend composition on the characteristics of rice‐based extrudates obtained using a very‐low‐cost extruder (VLCE) manufactured in Vietnam and on derived gruels. Our results enable prediction of the characteristics of extruded products, when the starch, lipid and water contents of the blends are known. Thus, VLCE users will be able to choose the nature and relative proportion of ingredients to obtain extrudates with specific targeted characteristics. In addition, this study demonstrated that serious loss of lipids occurs during extrusion of blends with high lipid contents. To obtain the lipid content recommended for complementary food, it is thus preferable to add ingredients with high lipid content after extrusion. We conclude that this kind of VLCE manufactured in Vietnam is suitable for low‐cost production of instant flour with all the required characteristics for use as complementary foods for infants and young children after the age of 6 months.
Rates of Nitrate and Perchlorate Removal in a 5‐Year‐Old Wood Particle Reactor Treating Agricultural Drainage
Authors: Robertson W.D. , Ptacek C.J. , Brown S.J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA 5‐year‐old wood particle reactor treating agricultural tile drainage in southern Ontario was monitored for its ongoing ability to treat both nitrate (NO3–) and perchlorate (ClO4–). Prior to sampling undertaken in the fifth year of operation, a highway safety flare containing ClO4– was immersed in the inlet pipe elevating influent ClO4– concentrations to up to 33.7 μg/L. ClO4– removal rates were inhibited in the presence of more than 1 to 2 mg/L NO3–‐N, but increased rapidly to about 60 μg/L/d upon NO3– depletion. Nitrate removal rates, measured subsequently in the sixth and seventh years of operation, varied with temperature in the range of 2 to 16 mg N/L/d, but remained similar to rates measured in the second year. Additionally, no deterioration in the hydraulic conductivity (K) of the coarse core layer (0.5 <K < 5 cm/s) was detected over the monitoring period. These results demonstrate that coarse wood particle media can deliver stable NO3– removal rates and can remain highly permeable over a number of years. The media can also provide high removal rates for other redox sensitive contaminants such as ClO4–. The ability to directly measure the reactor flow rate, in this case via an outlet pipe, greatly simplified the task of estimating hydraulic properties and reaction rates.
Effect of TP53 Arg72Pro and MDM2 SNP309 Polymorphisms on the Risk of High-Grade Osteosarcoma Development and Survival
Authors: Toffoli Giuseppe , Biason Paola , Russo Antonio , De Mattia Elena , Cecchin Erika , Hattinger Claudia Maria , Pasello Michela , Alberghini Marco , Ferrari Cristina , Scotlandi Katia , Picci Piero , Serra Massimo 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Purpose: The germ-line polymorphisms TP53 Arg72Pro and MDM2 SNP309 T&gt;G are risk factors for tumor development and affect response to chemotherapy and survival in several cancers, but their prognostic and predictive value in patients with high-grade osteosarcomas is not yet defined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the TP53 Arg72Pro and the MDM2 SNP309 on the risk of osteosarcoma development and survival.
Experimental Design: The relative risk to develop osteosarcomas and the overall survival associated to TP53 Arg72Pro and MDM2 SNP309 polymorphisms were investigated in 201 patients. Correlations with event-free survival (EFS) were analyzed in a homogeneous subgroup of 130 patients with high-grade osteosarcomas of the limbs, nonmetastatic at diagnosis, which underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Results: Multivariate analysis showed that the MDM2 polymorphism T309G was associated with an increased risk of developing osteosarcomas [GG versus TT; odds ratio, 2.09; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.15-3.78]. A case/control gender approach evidenced a significant increased risk only for female osteosarcoma patients (GG versus TT; odds ratio, 4.26; 95% CI, 1.61-11.25). Subjects carrying the TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphism were found to have a significantly increased death risk (Pro/Pro versus Arg/Arg; hazard ratio, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.28-6.66). In the subgroup of 130 high-grade osteosarcomas, the TP53 Arg72Pro was an independent marker of EFS (Pro/Pro versus Arg/Arg; hazard ratio, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.17-6.11).
Conclusion: The study provides evidence supporting the association of MDM2 SNP309 with high-grade osteosarcoma risk in females and shows that TP53 Arg72Pro has a prognostic value for overall survival and EFS in osteosarcoma patients.
Multipotent adult progenitor cells can suppress graft-versus-host disease via prostaglandin E2 synthesis and only if localized to sites of allopriming
Authors: Highfill Steven L. , Kelly Ryan M. , O'Shaughnessy Matthew J. , Zhou Qing , Xia Lily , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Taylor Patricia A. , Tolar Jakub , Blazar Bruce R. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMultipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) are nonhematopoietic stem cells capable of giving rise to a broad range of tissue cells. As such, MAPCs hold promise for tissue injury repair after transplant. In vitro, MAPCs potently suppressed allogeneic T-cell activation and proliferation in a dose-dependent, cell contact–independent, and T-regulatory cell–independent manner. Suppression occurred primarily through prostaglandin E2 synthesis in MAPCs, which resulted in decreased proinflammatory cytokine production. When given systemically, MAPCs did not home to sites of allopriming and did not suppress graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). To ensure that MAPCs would colocalize with donor T cells, MAPCs were injected directly into the spleen at bone marrow transplantation. MAPCs limited donor T-cell proliferation and GVHD-induced injury via prostaglandin E2 synthesis in vivo. Moreover, MAPCs altered the balance away from positive and toward inhibitory costimulatory pathway expression in splenic T cells and antigen-presenting cells. These findings are the first to describe the immunosuppressive capacity and mechanism of MAPC-induced suppression of T-cell alloresponses and illustrate the requirement for MAPC colocalization to sites of initial donor T-cell activation for GVHD inhibition. Such data have implications for the use of allogeneic MAPCs and possibly other immunomodulatory nonhematopoietic stem cells for preventing GVHD in the clinic.
Low Driving Voltage of a Liquid Crystal Device Fabricated from 4′-Pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile Doped with Environmentally Friendly ZnO Nanoparticles
Authors: Jiang Hui , Toshima Naoki 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), prepared by an improved alco-sol method at relatively low temperature using oleic acid (OA) as a stabilizing agent, were added to a liquid crystal matrix of 4′-pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (5CB). Addition of ZnO NPs not only decreased the threshold voltage but also had a dramatic effect (about 30% reduction) on the driving voltage (Vd) of 5CB. The decrease of Vd of liquid crystal can reduce power consumption, which may meet the demands of future power-saving liquid crystal displays.
The relationship between insight and social rank appraisals in people with schizophrenia
Authors: McLeod Hamish J. , Coertze Liza , Moore Estelle 
Published: May 2009

Objectives. The relationship between insight and appraisals of social rank in people with schizophrenia was examined.Method. Seventy people with schizophrenia completed self‐report measures of insight and social rank. Two points of comparison were used for social rank appraisal: (1) the person's mental health worker; and (2) the general population.Results. Greater awareness of illness was associated with lower social rank appraisals when the participants compared themselves to the general population (r=−.25, p=.04). Social rank appraisals and duration of illness predicted 14.5% of the variance in insight scores.Conclusions. The relationship between insight and depressive reactions in people diagnosed with schizophrenia may be modulated by social rank appraisal.
Predicting Seven-Day Heat of Hydration of Hydraulic Cement from Standard Test Properties
Authors: Poole Toy S. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Measuring heat of hydration in hydraulic cements using ASTM C186, “Method for Heat of Hydration of Hydraulic Cement,” has presented certain problems in practice. This paper investigates the usefulness of other standard test properties of hydraulic cements, which are known to relate to heat of hydration, for predicting seven-day heat of hydration. Such calculated values of heat of hydration may have value as the basis for specification requirements.
A Screen for Modifiers of Notch Signaling Uncovers Amun, a Protein With a Critical Role in Sensory Organ Development
Authors: Shalaby Nevine A , Parks Annette L , Morreale Eric J , Osswalt Marisa C , Pfau Kristen M , Pierce Eric L , Muskavitch Marc A T 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway essential for many cell fate specification events during metazoan development. We conducted a large-scale transposon-based screen in the developing Drosophila eye to identify genes involved in Notch signaling. We screened 10,447 transposon lines from the Exelixis collection for modifiers of cell fate alterations caused by overexpression of the Notch ligand Delta and identified 170 distinct modifier lines that may affect up to 274 genes. These include genes known to function in Notch signaling, as well as a large group of characterized and uncharacterized genes that have not been implicated in Notch pathway function. We further analyze a gene that we have named Amun and show that it encodes a protein that localizes to the nucleus and contains a putative DNA glycosylase domain. Genetic and molecular analyses of Amun show that altered levels of Amun function interfere with cell fate specification during eye and sensory organ development. Overexpression of Amun decreases expression of the proneural transcription factor Achaete, and sensory organ loss caused by Amun overexpression can be rescued by coexpression of Achaete. Taken together, our data suggest that Amun acts as a transcriptional regulator that can affect cell fate specification by controlling Achaete levels.
The Effect of Water Temperature on Growth and Survival of Largemouth Bass during Feed Training
Authors: Coyle Shawn D , Patton Steven , Schneider Kyle , Tidwell James H 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Water temperature could be an important factor during the feed training phase of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides production, as it could affect appetite and starvation time. We evaluated three water temperatures during largemouth bass feed training. Pond-reared largemouth bass fingerlings (weight = 2.1 ± 0.6 g [mean ± SE]) were randomly stocked into twelve 0.5-m3 polyethylene cages to achieve a stocking density of 350 fish per cage. The cages were suspended in six 3,800-L polyethylene tanks with a common water source housed in a greenhouse with four replicate cages per water temperature treatment (20, 24, and 28°C). Each tank contained two cages, and there were two tanks per treatment temperature. In each cage, fingerlings were initially fed freeze-dried krill, then gradually weaned onto a commercial pellet (floating trout feed; 1.5 mm) over a 24-d period according to an established training protocol. At harvest, the average weight and the percentage of fish successfully trained to commercial feed were significantly different among temperatures (P ≤ 0.05), increasing as water temperature increased (weights averaged 5.4, 6.8, and 7.8 g and percent trained averaged 70, 82, and 90% for fish feed-trained at 20, 24, and 28°C, respectively). The results from this experiment indicate that water temperature has a significant effect on feed training success and the average weight of feed trained largemouth bass.
Effect of Temperature on Larval Sunshine Bass Growth and Survival to the Fingerling Stage
Authors: Ludwig Gerald M , Lochmann Steve E 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Determining the optimum conditions for tank culture of sunshine bass (female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis) fingerlings will facilitate a year-round supply of seed for the production cycle of this increasingly popular food fish. This study determined the relationship between temperature and larval sunshine bass growth and survival to the time when fish were trained to accept commercial feeds. At 4 d posthatch (dph), larvae were stocked at five temperatures from 20°C to 32°C at 3°C increments. There were two replicates for each temperature. The larvae were fed rotifers through 8 dph. Conversion to a diet of brine shrimp Artemia spp. nauplii began at 6 dph, and training for acceptance of dry starter feed began at 20 dph. At harvest, average total length and average weight of the fish increased in a linear relationship with temperature, while relative survival and number of fish harvested decreased linearly with temperature. Tank yield had a curvilinear relationship with temperature. The temperature that provided maximum yield was 23.1°C. Although growth was faster at warmer temperatures, relative survival and yield were not. These relationships between tank culture conditions and production characteristics support optimization of tank culture to meet specific production goals. This should eliminate some of the logistical constraints to expanded tank culture of sunshine bass fingerlings.
Predictive Models for Fish Assemblages in Eastern U.S. Streams: Implications for Assessing Biodiversity
Authors: Meador Michael R. , Carlisle Daren M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractManagement and conservation of aquatic systems require the ability to assess biological conditions and identify changes in biodiversity. Predictive models for fish assemblages were constructed to assess biological condition and changes in biodiversity for streams sampled in the eastern United States as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Quality Assessment Program. Separate predictive models were developed for northern and southern regions. Reference sites were designated using land cover and local professional judgment. Taxonomic completeness was quantified based on the ratio of the number of observed native fish species expected to occur to the number of expected native fish species. Models for both regions accurately predicted fish species composition at reference sites with relatively high precision and low bias. In general, species that occurred less frequently than expected (decreasers) tended to prefer riffle areas and larger substrates, such as gravel and cobble, whereas increaser species (occurring more frequently than expected) tended to prefer pools, backwater areas, and vegetated and sand substrates. In the north, the percentage of species identified as increasers and the percentage identified as decreasers were equal, whereas in the south nearly two‐thirds of the species examined were identified as decreasers. Predictive models of fish species can provide a standardized indicator for consistent assessments of biological condition at varying spatial scales and critical information for an improved understanding of fish species that are potentially at risk of loss with changing water quality conditions.
Differing Forage Fish Assemblages Influence Trophic Structure in Neighboring Urban Lakes
Authors: Overman Nathanael C. , Beauchamp David A. , Berge Hans B. , Mazur Michael M. , McIntyre Jenifer K. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractLakes Sammamish and Washington are two large, urban lakes in close proximity to Seattle, Washington. The two lakes have similar assemblages of apex predators, but differences in lake size, species richness, and forage fish assemblages contribute to contrasting trophic relationships. We used stable isotope and diet analyses to assess lake‐specific differences in the trophic structure of fish and invertebrates from these lakes. Estimates of δ15N‐based trophic elevation revealed that the food web in Lake Sammamish was truncated by approximately one complete trophic level relative to that of Lake Washington. The shorter food chain in Lake Sammamish reflected the absence of longfin smelt Spirinchus thaleichthys and minimal consumption of threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus, emphasizing the importance of these species as primary forage fishes and trophic links between invertebrates and piscivores in Lake Washington. As two highly 15N‐enriched and 13C‐depleted energy sources, longfin smelt and threespine sticklebacks effectively stretched the isotopic endpoints of the Lake Washington food web by contributing to more pronounced ontogenetic shifts in isotope values for piscivores in Lake Washington than for those in Lake Sammamish.