bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavonoid from citrus, shows anti‐angiogenic activity in a zebrafish in vivo model and HUVEC in vitro model
Authors: Lam Kai Heng , Alex Deepa , Lam In Kei , Tsui Stephen Kwok Wing , Yang Zi Feng , Lee Simon Ming Yuen 
Published: July 2011

AbstractTraditional Chinese medicinal herbs are a rich source of compounds with reported anti‐inflammatory and anti‐carcinogenic effects. Growing evidence shows the codependence of chronic inflammation and angiogenesis, and the potential benefits of targeting angiogenesis in the treatment of chronic inflammation and targeting inflammation in the treatment of diseases with impaired angiogenesis. We hypothesized that the anti‐inflammatory activity of the natural compounds may owe at least some of its efficacy to their anti‐angiogenic activity and hence we investigated the anti‐angiogenic activity of these compounds in vivo in zebrafish embryos and in vitro in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavonoid from citrus fruits, showed anti‐angiogenic activity in both assays. Nobiletin inhibited the formation of intersegmental vessels (ISVs) in live transgenic zebrafish embryos expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the vasculature. Cell cycle analysis of dissociated zebrafish embryo cells showed that nobiletin induced G0/G1 phase accumulation in a dose‐dependent manner in GFP‐positive endothelial cells. Nobiletin also dose‐dependently induced VEGF‐A mRNA expression. In HUVECs, nobiletin inhibited endothelial cell proliferation and, to a greater extent, tube formation in a dose‐dependent manner. As in the in vivo study, nobiletin induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in HUVECs. However, this arrest was not accompanied by an increase in apoptosis, indicating a cytostatic effect of nobiletin. This study, for the first time, identifies nobiletin as having potent anti‐angiogenic activity and suggests that nobiletin has a great potential for future research and development as a cytostatic anti‐proliferative agent. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 3313–3321, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bone‐metastatic prostate carcinoma favors mesenchymal stem cell differentiation toward osteoblasts and reduces their osteoclastogenic potential
Authors: Fritz V. , Brondello J.M. , Gordeladze J.O. , Reseland J.E. , Bony C. , Yssel H. , Noël D. , Jorgensen C. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBone homeostasis is achieved by the balance between osteoclast‐dependent bone resorption and osteoblastic events involving differentiation of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Prostate carcinoma (PC) cells display the propensity to metastasize to bone marrow where they disrupt bone homeostasis as a result of mixed osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions. The PC‐dependent activation of osteoclasts represents the initial step of tumor engraftment into bone, followed by an accelerated osteoblastic activity and exaggerated bone formation. However, the interactions between PC cells and MSCs and their participation in the disease progression remain as yet unclear. In this study, we show that bone metastatic PC‐3 carcinoma cells release factors that increase the expression by human (h)MSCs of several known pro‐osteoblastic commitment factors, such as α5/β1 integrins, fibronectin, and osteoprotegerin. As a consequence, as shown in an osteogenesis assay, hMSCs treated with conditioned medium (CedM) derived from PC‐3 cells have an enhanced potential to differentiate into osteoblasts, as compared to hMSCs treated with control medium or with CedM from non‐metastatic 22RV1 cells. We demonstrate that FGF‐9, one of the factors produced by PC‐3 cells, is involved in this process. Furthermore, we show that PC‐3 CedM decreases the pro‐osteoclastic activity of hMSCs. Altogether, these findings allow us to propose clues to understand the mechanisms by which PC favors bone synthesis by regulating MSC outcome and properties. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 3234–3245, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improved electricity production from sewage sludge under alkaline conditions in an insert‐type air‐cathode microbial fuel cell
Authors: Yuan Yong , Chen Qing , Zhou Shungui , Zhuang Li , Hu Pei 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: Electricity can be generated directly from sewage sludge with a microbial fuel cell (MFC), combining degradation of organic matter. This study constructed a novel insert‐type air‐cathode microbial fuel cell (ITAC‐MFC) as an alternative to a sediment‐type MFC and a two‐chambered MFC for the generation of bioelectricity and the degradation of sewage sludge organic matter. Meanwhile, a pH adjustment was carried out to enhance substrate bioavailability of sludge and to suppress methane production in the MFC.RESULTS: A maximum power density of 73 ± 5 mW m−2 was obtained at sludge pH 10.0, much higher than those of 33 ± 3 and 4 ± 0.5 mW m−2 obtained at pH 8.0 and 6.0, respectively. It was observed that the soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) of sewage sludge at pH 10.0 was almost three times greater than that at pH 6.0. At the same time, the total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) removal and coulombic efficiency (CE) at pH 10.0 were also much higher than at the other two conditions.CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that improved electricity production and organic degradation could be achieved by maintaining the sludge pH at 10.0 in an MFC. ITAC‐MFC offers an attractive alternative for the environmentally‐friendly removal of organic matter in sewage sludge. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
POWER AND INTERESTS IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION AND DEVELOPMENT: EXOGENOUS AND ENDOGENOUS DISCOURSES IN CONTENTION
Authors: Mansell Robin 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis paper illustrates the persistence of an exogenous model of development that underpins many interventions aimed at employing information and communication technologies (ICTs) to meet development goals. The analysis is based on a sample of texts from reports produced by United Nations agencies and the World Bank. The aim is to show how the discourse on ICT interventions invariably is reminiscent of a dominant exogenous model even when alternative models with respect to development are seen to influence policy and practice. It is argued that practice‐based, emergence approaches offer an attractive, although insufficient, way forward. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MANAGING RISK IN SMALL STEPS: ACHIEVING LANDSLIDE RISK REDUCTION BY STRATEGIC INCREMENTALISM IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN
Authors: Anderson Malcolm G. , Holcombe Elizabeth 
Published: July 2011

AbstractUnderstanding landslide processes in developing counties, coupled with community engagement can deliver landslide hazard reduction ‘on the ground’, leading to behavioural change within communities and governments. On this basis, we undertook a ‘strategic incrementalism’ approach to landslide risk reduction. The change achieved in stakeholder engagement was simultaneously a major challenge and the determinant of the project success. However, the resulting stakeholder commitment demonstrates the clear benefit of designing risk reduction measures that deliver research, on‐the‐ground reduction of risk and behavioural change and provides specific evidence that strategic incrementalism is a viable process. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benefit Fraud Investigative Interviewing: A Self‐Report Study of Investigation Professionals' Beliefs Concerning Practice
Authors: Walsh Dave , Bull Ray 
Published: July 2011

AbstractPrevious studies into the quality of investigating interviewing of suspects conducted in criminal investigations in England and Wales have almost exclusively focused on the skills and tactics employed by interviewing officers during interviews. However, interviewing officers are trained in an interviewing framework that includes the importance of evaluating interviews as a means of improving skills. In light of the scarcity of research concerning the evaluation task, this study examined perceptions of benefit fraud investigation personnel. A questionnaire was answered by 114 respondents including investigators, investigation managers, investigation trainers, and investigation inspectors. From their responses, it was evident that there was an understanding of the necessary skills required to conduct interviews. However, after comparing these responses with the actual interviewing practice of benefit fraud investigators, there was found to be a gap between these beliefs and practice. The findings suggest that although it is agreed what interviewing skills are required to conduct interviews, investigators and managers do not accurately reflect upon whether these skills are actually employed in interviews. This suggests that evaluation of interviews is being neglected and may well explain why research reveals interviewing performance to be often mediocre. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of fluoro substitution on the fragmentation of the K‐shell excited/ionized pyridine studied by electron impact
Authors: Sakai Masamichi , Okada Kazumasa 
Published: July 2011

AbstractFragmentation of the pyridine ring followed by K‐shell excitation/ionization has been studied with 2‐fluoropyridine (2FPy) by electron impact. Ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculations were also carried out to investigate the electronic states correlating with specific fragment ions. The fragment ions are produced characteristically at the N 1s edge, while the spectra observed at the F 1s and C 1s edges exhibit a small difference from that at the valence ionization. The production of the C4H2+, C4H3+ and C4H2F+ ions indicates that the cleavage of the NC6 and C2C3 bonds or the NC2 and C5C6 bonds is likely to occur after the N 1s excitation/ionization. Ab initio MO calculations indicate that the former fission is likely to proceed through the nN1π21π32 and nN0π22π32 excited states of the parent molecular dication. On the other hand, the breakage of the NC2 and C4C5 bonds, which specifically proceeds at the N 1s edge for 2‐methylpyridine, does not occur for 2FPy. The present calculation reveals that the products of this channel are unstable by the electronegativity of fluorine and that the relative energy of the Auger‐final states of 2FPy is lowered by the reorganization and electron correlation effects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometry and collision‐induced dissociation for the identification of disulfide‐bonded peptides
Authors: Janecki Dariusz J. , Nemeth Jennifer F. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis paper describes a method for the fast identification and composition of disulfide‐bonded peptides. A unique fragmentation signature of inter‐disulfide‐bonded peptides is detected using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time‐of‐flight (TOF)/TOF mass spectrometry and high‐energy collision‐induced dissociation (CID). This fragmentation pattern identifies peptides with an interconnected disulfide bond and provides information regarding the composition of the peptides involved in the pairing. The distinctive signature produced using CID is a triplet of ions resulting from the cleavage of the disulfide bond to produce dehydroalanine, cysteine or thiocysteine product ions. This method is not applicable to intra‐peptide disulfide bonds, as the cleavage mechanism is not the same and a triplet pattern is not observed. This method has been successfully applied to identifying disulfide‐bonded peptides in a number of control digestions, as well as study samples where disulfide bond networks were postulated and/or unknown. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Endogenous erythropoietin from astrocyte protects the oligodendrocyte precursor cell against hypoxic and reoxygenation injury
Authors: Kato Shin , Aoyama Mineyoshi , Kakita Hiroki , Hida Hideki , Kato Ineko , Ito Tetsuya , Goto Tatenobu , Hussein Mohamed H. , Sawamoto Kazunobu , Togari Hajime , Asai Kiyofumi 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe hypoxia‐responsive cytokine erythropoietin (EPO) provides neuroprotective effects in the damaged brain during ischemic events and neurodegenerative diseases. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the EPO/EPO receptor (EPOR) endogenous system between astrocyte and oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) under hypoxia. We report here elevated EPO mRNA levels and protein release in cultured astrocytes following hypoxic stimulation by quantitative RT‐PCR and ELISA. Furthermore, the EPOR gene expressions were detected in cultured OPCs as in astrocytes and microglias by quantitative RT‐PCR. Cell staining revealed the EPOR expression in OPC. To evaluate the protective effect of endogenous EPO from astrocyte to OPCs, EPO/EPOR signaling was blocked by EPO siRNA or EPOR siRNA gene silencing in in vitro study. The suppression of endogenous EPO production in astrocytes by EPO siRNA decreased the protection to OPCs against hypoxic stress. Furthermore, OPC with EPOR siRNA had less cell survival after hypoxic/reoxygenation injury. This suggested that EPO/EPOR signaling from astrocyte to OPC could prevent OPC damage under hypoxic/reoxygenation condition. Our present finding of an interaction between astrocytes and OPCs may lead to a new therapeutic approach to OPCs for use against cellular stress and injury. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Additive effects of fatty acid mixtures on the levels and ratio of amyloid β40/42 peptides differ from the effects of individual fatty acids
Authors: Amtul Zareen , Uhrig Markus , Beyreuther Konrad 
Published: July 2011

AbstractSeveral studies have shown the protective and/or deleterious effects of dietary enrichment of single fatty acids (FAs) in several animal and cell‐culture models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, potential interactions among dietary fatty acids are traditionally ignored. None of these studies has examined and compared the differential effects of FAs in combination, as well as alone, for their effects on amyloid β production or AD. Here we investigated the effects of omega‐9 (oleic acid) and omega‐6 (linoleic and arachidonic acids) fatty acids, either alone or combined, on Aβ production by APP‐695 and SP‐C99 transfected COS‐7 cells. Overall, our results are the first to demonstrate that mixtures of FAs alter the production of Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides and consequently the Aβ40:42 ratio differently from individual FAs. Here we show that the effects of a single lipid on Aβ production are not attributed to that single FA alone. Rather, the overall lipid composition influences the specificity and level of the regulated intramembranous proteolysis of APP by the γ‐secretase complex. Our results reinforce the importance of studying composite lipids/nutrients rather than single lipids or nutrients. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interaction between cytokines and ammonia in the mitochondrial permeability transition in cultured astrocytes
Authors: Alvarez Veronica M. , Rama Rao Kakulavarapu V. , Brahmbhatt Monica , Norenberg Michael D. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractHepatic encephalopathy (HE) is the major neurological complication occurring in patients with acute and chronic liver failure. Elevated levels of blood and brain ammonia are characteristic of HE, and astrocytes are the primary target of ammonia toxicity. In addition to ammonia, recent studies suggest that inflammation and associated cytokines (CKs) also contribute to the pathogenesis of HE. It was previously established that ammonia induces the mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) in cultured astrocytes. As CKs have been shown to cause mitochondrial dysfunction in other conditions, we examined whether CKs induce the mPT in cultured astrocytes. Cultures treated with tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, and interferon‐γ, individually or in a mixture, resulted in the induction of the mPT in a time‐dependent manner. Simultaneous treatment of cultures with a mixture of CKs and ammonia showed a marked additive effect on the mPT. As oxidative stress (OS) is known to induce the mPT, so we examined the effect of CKs and ammonia on hemeoxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) protein expression, a marker of OS. Such treatment displayed a synergistic effect in the upregulation of HO‐1. Antioxidants significantly blocked the additive effects on the mPT by CKs and ammonia, suggesting that OS represents a major mechanism in the induction of the mPT. Treatment of cultures with minocycline, an antiinflammatory agent, which is known to inhibit OS, also diminished the additive effects on the mPT caused by CKs and ammonia. Induction of the mPT in astrocytes appears to represent a major pathogenetic factor in HE, in which CKs and ammonia are critically involved. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The (−1486T/C) promoter polymorphism of the TLR‐9 gene is associated with end‐stage knee osteoarthritis in a Chinese population
Authors: Su Sui‐Lung , Yang Hsin‐Yi , Lee Chian‐Her , Huang Guo‐Shu , Salter Donald M. , Lee Herng‐Sheng 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBased on the recent observation that Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) may be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) we explored the possibility that human TLR gene polymorphisms are associated with OA. Two separate populations were studied in a two‐stage case–control study with a total of 503 OA patients and 428 healthy controls. The TLR‐2, TLR‐4, and TLR‐9 genotypes were assessed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Our data demonstrated a lack of association among TLR‐2, TLR‐4, and TLR‐9 (T‐1237C) polymorphisms and the risk of developing OA in both stages of the study. T‐1486C was significantly associated with OA in both populations with G1635A of TLR‐9 gene was found to be significantly associated with OA when the two populations were combined. Stratifying the samples by K‐L score there were significant differences in the genotype of the TLR‐9 T‐1486C and G1635A between OA of the knee grade 4 and controls. In haplotype analyses, the haplotype TTG and TTA revealed higher risk of OA and TCA confers a lower risk of OA in combined population. The present results demonstrate that TLR‐9 polymorphisms, in particular T‐1486C is significantly associated with OA. TLR‐9 gene polymorphisms may play a role in the etiology of knee OA. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:9–14, 2012
Hyperactivation of mTOR critically regulates abnormal osteoclastogenesis in neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Ma Junrong , Li Mi , Hock Janet , Yu Xijie 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIndividuals with nerofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) frequently suffer a spectrum of bone pathologies, such as abnormal skeletal development (scoliosis, congenital bowing, and congenital pseudoarthroses, etc), lower bone mineral density with increased fracture risk. These skeletal problems may result, in part, from abnormal osteoclastogenesis. Enhanced RAS/PI3K activity has been reported to contribute to abnormal osteoclastogenesis in Nf1 heterozygous (Nf1+/−) mice. However, the specific downstream pathways linked to NF1 abnormal osteoclastogenesis have not been defined. Our aim was to determine whether mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was a key effector responsible for abnormal osteoclastogenesis in NF1. Primary osteoclast‐like cells (OCLs) were cultured from Nf1 wild‐type (Nf1+/+) and Nf1+/− mice. Compared to Nf1+/+ controls, there were 20% more OCLs induced from Nf1+/− mice. Nf1+/− OCLs were larger and contained more nuclei. Hyperactive mTOR signaling was detected in Nf1+/− OCLs. Inhibition of mTOR signaling by rapamycin in Nf1+/− OCLs abrogated abnormalities in cellular size and number. Moreover, we found that hyperactive mTOR signaling induced abnormal osteoclastogenesis major through hyper‐proliferation. Our research suggests that neurofibromin directly regulates osteoclastogenesis through mTOR signaling pathway. Inhibiting mTOR may represent a viable strategy to treat NF1 bone diseases. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:144–152, 2012
Arsenic contamination in sesame and possible mitigation through organic interventions in the lower Gangetic Plain of West Bengal, India
Authors: Sinha Bishwajit , Bhattacharyya Kallol , Giri Pradip K , Sarkar Supradip 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: The widespread geogenic arsenic contamination of groundwater in the Gangetic Delta of West Bengal, leading to toxicities through the food chain—principally through irrigated rice—drew due attention from researchers. Oilseeds such as sesame might be a remunerative alternative to rice and can be grown with small quantities of contaminated groundwater.RESULTS: The present study was conducted to explore the efficiency of organic matter in reducing arsenic accumulation in sesame. Accumulation of total arsenic in sesame seed and available arsenic in post‐harvest soils varied from 0.08 to 0.58 mg kg−1 and from 3.87 to 8.89 kg ha−1, respectively. The organic manures added as soil amendment significantly reduced the accumulation (concentration) of arsenic in sesame seed to a maximum extent of 65.5% (vermicompost), 50% (phosphocompost), 42% (mustard cake) and 40% (farmyard manure (FYM)) compared with the control counterpart. The risk associated with dietary exposure to arsenic‐contaminated sesame oil reached a value of 15.55% of provisional tolerable weekly intake for arsenic at the maximum accumulation of arsenic in sesame oil.CONCLUSION: Substantial accumulation of arsenic in the soil–plant system was found. Risks of exposure to arsenic‐contaminated oil remained considerably high. Irrigation through surface water and organic amendments both significantly reduced arsenic accumulation in sesame. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Supercritical CO2 extraction of oleoresin from marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) flowers and determination of its antioxidant components with online HPLC‐ABTS•+ assay
Authors: Gong Ying , Plander Szabina , Xu Honggao , Simandi Bela , Gao Yanxiang 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: Marigold is a traditional medicine herb which shows good pharmacological activity in many aspects. It is very important to obtain and investigate the specific bioactive compounds from marigold. The objective of the study was to extract the oleoresin from marigold with supercritical CO2 (SC‐CO2) at different pressures and temperatures, detect the fatty acid composition by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and investigate the antioxidative components in the extracts by combined online high‐performance liquid chromatography‐2,2‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazolin‐6‐sulfonic acid (HPLC‐ABTS•+) post‐column assay and HPLC‐tandem mass spectrometry.RESULTS: For the pressure range (20–40 MPa) and temperature range (30–70 °C), 30 MPa/70 °C gave the highest yield of oleoresin (58.9 g kg−1). The dominant fatty acids of marigold flower oleoresin were linoleic acid (>26.41%), palmitic acid (>24.22%) and oleinic acid (>20.12%). Significant effects of the extraction pressure and temperature on the antioxidant activity were observed (P < 0.05). Lutein esters, α‐tocopherol, β‐tocopherol, γ‐tocopherol and δ‐tocopherol were the dominant antioxidant compounds in the extracts.CONCLUSION: The study has shown that the yield and total antioxidant activity of the marigold extracts were affected by the pressure and temperature of SC‐CO2, and that online HPLC technique could be used as an efficient and rapid method for separation and identification of bioactive compounds from a complex mixture. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry