bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anticancer activity of targeted proapoptotic peptides and chemotherapy is highly improved by targeted cell surface calreticulin–inducer peptides
Authors: Obeid Michel 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
We have recently identified (a) ectocalreticulin as the main source of immunogenicity of cancer cell death induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy, (b) ectoERP57 as critical protein for inducing cell surface exposure of calreticulin, and (c) that ectoERP57 and ectocalreticulin are cotranslocated together to the tumor cell surface by the mediator of the inhibition of PP1/GADD34 complex. Here, I report that the immunogenicity of cancer cell death induced by anticancer targeted proapoptotic peptides is also dictated by ectocalreticulin. To improve the anticancer activity of these proapoptotic peptides, I have designed several targeted chimeric inhibitor peptides of the PP1/GADD34 complex, which are comprised of an inhibitor peptide of the PP1/GADD34 complex fused to a protein transduction domain-5, to prostate homing peptide, or to the tumor antigen BiP/GRP78-binding peptide motifs. These inhibitor peptides (a) induce ectocalreticulin and ectoERP57 in a variety of tumor cell lines by the mediator of the inhibition of the interaction between PP1 and GADD34, (b) increase the phagocytosis of anticancer targeted proapoptotic peptide-treated tumor cells by dendritic cells, and (c) improve highly the anticancer activity of proapoptotic peptides and chemotherapy by suppressing or reducing the tumor growth in several isogenic mouse models of colon, mammary, and fibrosarcoma tumors and by increasing the lifespan of transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate mice. These results suggest (a) that the inhibition of PP1/GADD34 complex is a key element to improve the anticancer activity of targeted proapoptotic peptides and chemotherapy and (b) that these targeted peptides combination approach could serve as a new powerful autonomous anticancer therapy. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(9):2693–707]
Resolving Nonstationary Spectral Information in Wind Speed Time Series Using the Hilbert–Huang Transform
Authors: Vincent Claire , Giebel Gregor , Pinson Pierre , Madsen Henrik 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
This work is motivated by the observation that large-amplitude wind fluctuations on temporal scales of 1–10 h present challenges for the power management of large offshore wind farms. Wind fluctuations on these scales are analyzed at a meteorological measurement mast in the Danish North Sea using a 4-yr time series of 10-min wind speed observations. An adaptive spectral analysis method called the Hilbert–Huang transform is chosen for the analysis, because the nonstationarity of time series of wind speed observations means that they are not well described by a global spectral analysis method such as the Fourier transform. The Hilbert–Huang transform is a local method based on a nonparametric and empirical decomposition of the data followed by calculation of instantaneous amplitudes and frequencies using the Hilbert transform. The Hilbert–Huang transformed 4-yr time series is averaged and summarized to show climatological patterns in the relationship between wind variability and time of day. First, by integrating the Hilbert spectrum along the frequency axis, a scalar time series representing the total variability within a given frequency range is calculated. Second, by calculating average spectra conditional to time of day, the time axis of the Hilbert spectrum is “remapped” to show climatological patterns. Third, the daily patterns in wind variability and wind speed are compared for the four seasons of the year. It is found that the most intense wind variability occurs in autumn even though the strongest observed wind speeds occur in winter.
The Wet and Dry Spells across India during 1951–2007
Authors: Singh Nityanand , Ranade Ashwini 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Characteristics of wet spells (WSs) and intervening dry spells (DSs) are extremely useful for water-related sectors. The information takes on greater significance in the wake of global climate change and climate-change scenario projections. The features of 40 parameters of the rainfall time distribution as well as their extremes have been studied for two wet and dry spells for 19 subregions across India using gridded daily rainfall available on 1° latitude × 1° longitude spatial resolution for the period 1951–2007. In a low-frequency-mode, intra-annual rainfall variation, WS (DS) is identified as a “continuous period with daily rainfall equal to or greater than (less than) daily mean rainfall (DMR) of climatological monsoon period over the area of interest.” The DMR shows significant spatial variation from 2.6 mm day−1 over the extreme southeast peninsula (ESEP) to 20.2 mm day−1 over the southern-central west coast (SCWC). Climatologically, the number of WSs (DSs) decreases from 11 (10) over the extreme south peninsula to 4 (3) over northwestern India as a result of a decrease in tropical and oceanic influences. The total duration of WSs (DSs) decreases from 101 (173) to 45 (29) days, and the duration of individual WS (DS) from 12 (18) to 7 (11) days following similar spatial patterns. Broadly, the total rainfall of wet and dry spells, and rainfall amount and rainfall intensity of actual and extreme wet and dry spells, are high over orographic regions and low over the peninsula, Indo-Gangetic plains, and northwest dry province. The rainfall due to WSs (DSs) contributes ∼68% (∼17%) to the respective annual total. The start of the first wet spell is earlier (19 March) over ESEP and later (22 June) over northwestern India, and the end of the last wet spell occurs in reverse, that is, earlier (12 September) from northwestern India and later (16 December) from ESEP. In recent years/decades, actual and extreme WSs are slightly shorter and their rainfall intensity higher over a majority of the subregions, whereas actual and extreme DSs are slightly (not significantly) longer and their rainfall intensity weaker. There is a tendency for the first WS to start approximately six days earlier across the country and the last WS to end approximately two days earlier, giving rise to longer duration of rainfall activities by approximately four days. However, a spatially coherent, robust, long-term trend (1951–2007) is not seen in any of the 40 WS/DS parameters examined in the present study.
Wall Shear Stress Measurement Using Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Arteriovenous Polytetrafluoroethylene Grafts
Authors: Misra Sanjay , Fu Alex A. , Misra Khamal D. , Glockner James F. , Mukhopadhyay Debabrata 
Published: September 2009

Purpose The purpose of the present article was to determine the changes in luminal vessel area, blood flow, and wall shear stress in both the inflow artery and the venous stenosis of arteriovenous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts. Methods and materials Polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were placed from the carotid artery to the ipsilateral jugular vein in 8 castrated juvenile male pigs. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed 2 weeks after graft placement. Results The mean wall shear stress at the venous stenosis was 4 times higher than the control vein, while the inflow artery was only 2-fold higher. By day 14, venous stenosis had formed, which was characterized by narrowed area and elevated blood flow. Conclusion By day 14, there is venous stenosis formation in porcine arteriovenous PTFE grafts with increased shear stress with decreased area when compared to control vein.
Does remote ischemic preconditioning prevent delayed hippocampal neuronal death following transient global cerebral ischemia in rats?
Authors: Saxena Pankaj , Bala Arul , Campbell Kym , Meloni Bruno , d'Udekem Yves , Konstantinov Igor E. 
Published: September 2009

Objective: To determine if remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) induced by transient limb ischemia is protective against delayed hippocampal neuronal death in rats undergoing transient global cerebral ischemia (GCI). Method: Animals were randomized into 3 groups: Group I (Control, n = 5) underwent sham procedure, namely, general anesthesia x 2, without cerebral ischemia; Group II (RIPC + GCI, n = 5) was subjected to RIPC, induced by transient left hind limb ischemia under general anesthesia prior to GCI; Group III (GCI only, n = 5) underwent sham procedure under general anesthesia prior to GCI. Twenty-four hours after the RIPC or sham procedure, a transient GCI was induced for 8 minutes in Groups II and III by means of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and hypotension. Hippocampal CA1 neurons were histologically examined at 7 days after ischemia. Results: There was no significant difference between the RIPC group and the ischemia only group. The number of neurons in the RIPC group were 0.90 (95% CI 0.20, 4.08) times the number in the ischemia group (p=0.89). The number of neurons in the RIPC group were 0.03 (95% CI 0.01, 0.10) times the number in the Control group (p=0.0001). Conclusion: Second window of the RIPC does not prevent hippocampal CA1 neuronal death at 7 days after transient global cerebral ischemia.
An Examination of Organizational Commitment and Professional Commitment and the Relationship to Work Environment, Demographic and Organizational Factors
Authors: Giffords Elissa D. 
Published: September 2009

• Summary: This study examines organizational commitment and professional commitment among a sample of social workers. It empirically explores the relationship between social workers’ commitment and nine work environment variables (collegiality, promotional opportunity, job security, organization and profession-specific skills, autonomy, legitimacy of promotions, distributive justice and supervisor recognition), six demographic or background variables (gender, relationship status, age, employment status, years in social work (profession tenure) and years employed in the current organization (job tenure). It also includes 16 organizational variables (organizational auspices, organizational type, job position, yearly earnings and various types of job benefits, that is, medical, dental, vacation time, sick leave, flex-time, child care, maternity/paternity leave, disability insurance, life insurance, university education/degree programs, employer-paid professional development opportunities and other benefits. • Findings: Based on a sample of the members of the National Association of Social Workers, the findings suggest that work environment and organizational factors contribute to social workers’ organizational and professional commitment, though the results suggest that organizational commitment is noticeably easier to explain than professional commitment. • Applications: In today’s changing social service environment it is especially prudent for administrators to promote factors associated with employee commitment. This study suggests that social work managers ought to develop a greater understanding of organizational and professional commitment because of its link to organizational effectiveness and consequently how social workers work toward accomplishing their organizational or program mission.
Assessing adherence to teriparatide therapy, causes of nonadherence and effect of adherence on bone mineral density measurements in osteoporotic patients at high risk for fracture
Authors: Mulgund Manisha , Beattie Karen A. , Wong Andy K. O. , Papaioannou Alexandra , Adachi Jonathan D. 
Published: September 2009

Objectives: To determine (a) adherence rates at 6, 9 and 18 months amongst patients receiving teriparatide treatment for severe osteoporosis and (b) causes of therapy discontinuation and the effect of teriparatide on bone mineral density (BMD) in adherent and nonadherent patients at different time intervals. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 111 patients receiving teriparatide from September 2004 to June 2007 was performed. Patients’ self-reports were used to record adherence and causes of nonadherence at 6, 9 and 18 months. BMDs for all patients were measured using the same DXA scanner at baseline and follow up. Results: Of 111 participants, 17 were male (mean age 60 years) and 94 were female (mean age 69 years). Of these, 12 did not initiate therapy and 4 were lost to follow up. Reported adherence was 89.6% at 6 months, 87.6% at 9 months and 74.7% at 18 months. Causes of nonadherence included cost ( n = 4), no benefit ( n = 1) and adverse events ( n = 8). Common adverse events were leg cramps ( n = 9), headache ( n = 5) and myalgia ( n = 4). Mean spine and femur BMD changes were 3.30% and 0.67% at 4—9 months respectively, and 5.39% and 0.77% at 10—18 months respectively. Conclusion: Adherence to teriparatide was almost 90% at 9 months and decreased to 75% at 18 months. Adverse events led to nonadherence in 20% of patients. Those who were nonadherent had lower baseline BMD values than those who were adherent. Changes in BMD at the lumbar spine were greater than changes observed at the femoral neck.
TC-PTP is required for the maintenance of MYC-driven B-cell lymphomas
Authors: Young Ryan M. , Polsky Avital , Refaeli Yosef 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
We sought to determine the contributions of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) to the pathogenesis of B-cell lymphomas. We found that T-cell PTP (TC-PTP) was overexpressed in transformed B cells. We hypothesized that TC-PTP may be a tumor-promoting gene that is regulated by MYC overexpression in B cells. Knockdown of TC-PTP in murine tumors resulted in decreased cell viability in vitro because of an arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, cells with reduced TC-PTP expression were unable to either engraft or expand in vivo. Taken together, these data indicate that TC-PTP is required for B-cell tumor maintenance. Our data also suggested a correlation between TC-PTP expression and MYC overexpression. To investigate this further, we used malignant murine B cells that contain a doxycycline-repressible MYC transgene. We found that repression of MYC overexpression with doxycycline reduced TC-PTP expression. Moreover, enforced expression of TC-PTP showed partial rescue of the expansion of tumor cells after suppression of MYC overexpression. These results suggest that MYC overexpression induces TC-PTP overexpression, which in turn promotes tumor proliferation, implicating TC-PTP as an important effector of the MYC-driven proliferation program in B-cell lymphomas. Thus, TC-PTP may be a suitable molecular target for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas.
Genotyping of Streptococcus agalactiae(group B streptococci) isolated from vaginal and rectal swabs of women at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy
Authors: El Aila Nabil Abdullah , Tency Inge , Claeys Geert , Saerens Bart , De Backer Ellen , Temmerman Marleen , Verhelst Rita , Vaneechoutte Mario 
Published: September 2009

Abstract

Background
Group B streptococci (GBS), or Streptococcus agalactiae, are the leading bacterial cause of meningitis and bacterial sepsis in newborns. Here we compared different culture media for GBS detection and we compared the occurrence of different genotypes and serotypes of GBS isolates from the vagina and rectum.

Methods

Streptococcus agalactiae was cultured separately from both rectum and vagina, for a total of 150 pregnant women, i) directly onto Columbia CNA agar, or indirectly onto ii) Granada agar resp. iii) Columbia CNA agar, after overnight incubation in Lim broth.

Results
Thirty six women (24%) were colonized by GBS. Of these, 19 harbored GBS in both rectum and vagina, 9 only in the vagina and 8 exclusively in the rectum. The combination of Lim broth and subculture on Granada agar was the only culture method that detected all GBS positive women. Using RAPD-analysis, a total of 66 genotypes could be established among the 118 isolates from 32 women for which fingerprinting was carried out. Up to 4 different genotypes in total (rectal + vaginal) were found for 4 women, one woman carried 3 different genotypes vaginally and 14 women carried two 2 different genotypes vaginally. Only two subjects were found to carry strains with the same genotype, although the serotype of both of these strains was different.
Eighteen of the 19 subjects with GBS at both sites had at least one vaginal and one rectal isolate with the same genotype.
We report the presence of two to four different genotypes in 22 (61%) of the 36 GBS positive women and the presence of identical genotypes in both sites for all women but one.

Conclusion
The combination of Lim broth and subculture on Granada medium provide high sensitivity for GBS detection from vaginal and rectal swabs from pregnant women. We established a higher genotypic diversity per individual than other studies, with up to four different genotypes among a maximum of 6 isolates per individual picked. Still, 18 of the 19 women with GBS from both rectum and vagina had at least one isolate from each sampling site with the same genotype.
Prevention of type 2 diabetes in adults with impaired glucose tolerance: the European Diabetes Prevention RCT in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Authors: Penn Linda , White Martin , Oldroyd John , Walker Mark , Alberti K George MM , Mathers John C 
Published: September 2009

Abstract

Background
Diabetes prevalence is increasing. The Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS) showed a 58% reduction in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) incidence in adults with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The European Diabetes Prevention Study (EDIPS) extends the DPS to different European populations, using the same study design. In the Newcastle arm of this study (EDIPS-Newcastle), we tested the hypothesis that T2D can be prevented by lifestyle intervention and explored secondary outcomes in relation to diabetes incidence.

Methods
We recruited 102 participants (42 men and 60 women, mean age 57 years, mean BMI 34 kgm-2) with IGT to EDIPS-Newcastle and randomised to Intervention and usual care Control groups. The intervention included individual motivational interviewing aimed at: weight reduction, increase in physical activity, fibre and carbohydrate intake and reduction of fat intake (secondary outcomes). The primary outcome was diagnosis of T2D.

Results
Mean duration of follow-up was 3.1 years. T2D was diagnosed in 16 participants (I = 5, C = 11). Absolute incidence of T2D was 32.7 per 1000 person-years in the Intervention-group and 67.1 per 1000 person-years in the Control-group. The overall incidence of diabetes was reduced by 55% in the Intervention-group, compared with the Control-group: RR 0.45 (95%CI 0.2 to 1.2).
Explanatory survival analysis of secondary outcomes showed that those who sustained beneficial changes for two or more years reduced their risk of developing T2D.

Conclusion
Our results are consistent with other diabetes prevention trials. This study was designed as part of a larger study and although the sample size limits statistical significance, the results contribute to the evidence that T2D can be prevented by lifestyle changes in adults with IGT. In explanatory analysis small sustained beneficial changes in weight, physical activity or dietary factors were associated with reduction in T2D incidence.

Trial Registration
International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry (ISRCTN)
Registry number: ISRCTN 15670600

http://www.controlled-trials.com/isrctn/search.html?srch=15670600%26sort=3%26dir=desc%26max=10
Surface display of heterologous proteins in Bacillus thuringiensis using a peptidoglycan hydrolase anchor
Authors: Shao Xiaohu , Jiang Mengtian , Yu Ziniu , Cai Hao , Li Lin 
Published: September 2009

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have revealed that the lysin motif (LysM) domains of bacterial cell wall-degrading enzymes are able to bind to peptidoglycan moieties of the cell wall. This suggests an approach for a cell surface display system in Gram-positive bacteria using a LysM-containing protein as the anchoring motif. In this study, we developed a new surface display system in B. thuringiensis using a LysM-containing peptidoglycan hydrolase, endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (Mbg), as the anchor protein.

Results
Homology searching in the B. thuringiensis YBT-1520 genome revealed a putative peptidoglycan hydrolase gene. The encoded protein, Mbg, exhibited substantial cell-wall binding capacity. The deduced amino acid sequence of Mbg was structurally distinguished as an N-terminal domain with two tandemly aligned LysMs and a C-terminal catalytic domain. A GFP-fusion protein was expressed and used to verify the surface localization by Western blot, flow cytometry, protease accessibility, SDS sensitivity, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy assays. Low-level constitutive expression of Mbg was elevated by introducing a sporulation-independent promoter of cry3Aa. Truncated Mbg domains with separate N-terminus (Mbgn), C-terminus (Mbgc), LysM1, or LysM2 were further compared for their cell-wall displaying efficiencies. The Mbgn moiety contributed to cell-wall anchoring, while LysM1 was the active domain. Two tandemly repeated Mbgns exhibited the highest display activity, while the activity of three repeated Mbgns was decreased. A heterologous bacterial multicopper oxidase (WlacD) was successfully displayed onto the surface of B. thuringiensis target cells using the optimum (Mbgn)2 anchor, without radically altering its catalytic activity.

Conclusion
Mbg can be a functional anchor protein to target different heterologous proteins onto the surface of B. thuringiensis cells. Since the LysM domain appears to be universal in Gram-positive bacteria, the strategy presented here could be applicable in other bacteria for developing this type of system.
Alternative Zr Alloys with Irradiation Resistant Precipitates for High Burnup BWR Application
Authors: Garzarolli F , Ruhmann H , Van Swam L 
Published: September 2009

In the core of BWRs, the second-phase particles (SPP) of Zircaloy-2 and Zircaloy-4, the Zr(FeCr)2 and the Zr2(FeNi) phase, release Fe and dissolve. The degree of dissolution depends on initial size and fluence. These SPP, however, are important for the corrosion behavior of Zircaloy. Zircaloy shows an increase of corrosion at a certain burnup, depending on the initial SPP size and fast neutron fluence. Only Zr alloys with irradiation resistant SPP avoid this type of increased corrosion completely.Two types of irradiation resistant materials were considered. One is a Zr-Sn-Fe alloy containing the Zr3Fe phase, which is irradiation resistant under BWR conditions. The other material is a Zr-Sn-Nb alloy containing the irradiation resistant β-Nb phase. In-BWR tests have shown that a Sn content of &gt;0.8% is mandatory to minimize the nodular corrosion. Two prototypes of irradiation resistant alloys, Zr1.3Sn0.25-0.3 Fe and Zr1Sn2-3Nb, were irradiated in a BWR for 1372 days to a fast fluence of 9 x 1021n/cm2 (E &gt; 1 MeV).These irradiation tests showed that Zr1.3Sn0.25-0.3 Fe has a little lower resistance against nodular corrosion than optimized LTP (Low Temperature Process) Zircaloy-2/4 and revealed that Zr1Sn2-3Nb is superior to LTP Zircaloy-2/4 with respect to nodular and shadow corrosion resistance.The BWR corrosion resistance of Zr1Sn2-3Nb depends on heat treatment. The lowest corrosion was observed with material fabricated completely in the α-range, but also material manufactured in the lower (α+β)-range exhibits low corrosion. Material fabricated in the upper (α+β)-range showed a somewhat higher corrosion, a corrosion behavior similar to LTP Zircaloy-2/4. As far as final annealing is concerned, a long time annealing at 540°C is superior to a standard recrystallization treatment (e.g., at 580°C), which still leads to a corrosion behavior that is better than stress relieved Zr1Sn2-3Nb.Zr1Sn2-3Nb is resistant to shadow corrosion, when fabricated completely in the α-range. In other conditions, it shows a similar shadow corrosion behavior as Zircaloy-4.