bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal Smad3 deficiency compromises decidualization in mice
Authors: Zhao Kun‐Qing , Lin Hai‐Yan , Zhu Cheng , Yang Xiao , Wang Hongmei 
Published: May 2012

AbstractTransforming growth factor (TGF)‐β and activin, members of TGF‐β superfamily, are abundantly expressed in the endometrium and regulate decidualization of endometrial stroma. Smad2 and Smad3 are receptor‐regulated Smads (R‐Smads) that transduce extracellular TGF‐β/activin/Nodal signaling. In situ hybridization results showed that Smad3 was highly expressed in the decidual zone during the peri‐implantation period in mice. By using artificial decidualization, we found that Smad3 null mice showed partially compromised decidualization. We therefore hypothesized that Smad2 might compensate for the function of Smad3 during the process of decidualization. Smad2 was also highly expressed in the decidual zone and phosphorylated Smad2 was much more abundantly increased in the deciduoma of Smad3 null mice than for wild‐type (WT) mice. We further employed an in vitro uterine stromal cell decidualization model, and found that decidual prolactin‐related protein (dPRP) and cyclin D3, which are well‐known markers for decidual cells, were significantly down‐regulated in Smad3 null decidual cells, and were much more significantly reduced when the expression of Smad2 was simultaneously silenced by its siRNA (P < 0.05). However, the expression levels of dPRP and cyclin D3 remained the same when Smad2 was silenced in WT decidual cells. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for an important role of Smad3 in decidualization and suggest that Smad2 and Smad3 may have redundant roles in decidualization. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 3266–3275, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Arrangement of nuclear structures is not transmitted through mitosis but is identical in sister cells
Authors: Orlova Darya Yu. , Stixová Lenka , Kozubek Stanislav , Gierman Hinco J. , Šustáčková Gabriela , Chernyshev Andrei V. , Medvedev Ruslan N. , Legartová Soňa , Versteeg Rogier , Matula Pavel , Stoklasa Roman , Bártová Eva 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAlthough it is well known that chromosomes are non‐randomly organized during interphase, it is not completely clear whether higher‐order chromatin structure is transmitted from mother to daughter cells. Therefore, we addressed the question of how chromatin is rearranged during interphase and whether heterochromatin pattern is transmitted after mitosis. We additionally tested the similarity of chromatin arrangement in sister interphase nuclei. We noticed a very active cell rotation during interphase, especially when histone hyperacetylation was induced or transcription was inhibited. This natural phenomenon can influence the analysis of nuclear arrangement. Using photoconversion of Dendra2‐tagged core histone H4 we showed that the distribution of chromatin in daughter interphase nuclei differed from that in mother cells. Similarly, the nuclear distribution of heterochromatin protein 1β (HP1β) was not completely identical in mother and daughter cells. However, identity between mother and daughter cells was in many cases evidenced by nucleolar composition. Moreover, morphology of nucleoli, HP1β protein, Cajal bodies, chromosome territories, and gene transcripts were identical in sister cell nuclei. We conclude that the arrangement of interphase chromatin is not transmitted through mitosis, but the nuclear pattern is identical in naturally synchronized sister cells. It is also necessary to take into account the possibility that cell rotation and the degree of chromatin condensation during functionally specific cell cycle phases might influence our view of nuclear architecture. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 3313–3329, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Arachidonic acid induces an increase of β‐1,4‐galactosyltransferase I expression in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells
Authors: Villegas‐Comonfort Socrates , Serna‐Marquez Nathalia , Galindo‐Hernandez Octavio , Navarro‐Tito Napoleon , Salazar Eduardo Perez 
Published: May 2012

AbstractArachidonic acid (AA) is a common dietary n‐6 cis polyunsaturated fatty acid that under physiological conditions is present in an esterified form in cell membrane phospholipids, and it might be present in the extracellular microenvironment. AA and its metabolites are implicated in FAK activation and cell migration in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells, and an epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal‐like transition process in mammary non‐tumorigenic epithelial cells MCF10A. During malignant transformation is present an altered expression of glycosiltransferases, which promote changes on the glycosilation of cell‐surface proteins. The β‐1,4‐galactosyltransferase I (GalT I) is an enzyme that participates in a variety of biological functions including cell growth, migration, and spreading. However, the participation of AA in the regulation of GalT I expression and the role of this enzyme in the cell adhesion process in breast cancer cells remains to be investigated. In the present study, we demonstrate that AA induces an increase of GalT I expression through a PLA2α, Src, ERK1/2, and LOXs activities‐dependent pathway in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells. Moreover, MDA‐MB‐231 cells adhere to laminin via GalT I expression and pretreatment of cells with AA induces an increase of cell adhesion to laminin. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that AA promotes an increase of GalT I expression through an AA metabolism, Src and ERK1/2 activities‐dependent pathway, and that GalT I plays a pivotal role in cell adhesion to laminin in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 3330–3341, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polyaniline/SiO2 Nanocomposite Catalyzed Efficient Synthesis of Quinoxaline Derivatives at Room Temperature
Authors: Yelwande Ajeet A. , Navgire Madhukar E. , Arbad Balasaheb R. , Lande Machhindra K. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPolyaniline/SiO2 nanocomposite material has been synthesized by using chemical oxidative method. Prepared catalytic material was characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Solvent stability for the catalyst has been screened using UV‐Visible spectroscopy. Polyaniline/SiO2 catalyzed route has found to be an efficient and rapid protocol for the synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives by cyclocondensation of 1,2‐diketones and o‐phenylenediamines at room temperature. This protocol has several advantages such as high yield, good thermal stability, simple work up procedure, non‐toxic, clean, and easy recovery and reusability of the catalytic system.
Single‐wall Boron Nitride Nanotube with Various Diameters under the Influence of Electric Field, A Computational Investigation
Authors: Farmanzadeh Davood , Ghazanfary Samereh 
Published: May 2012

AbstractStructural and electrical response of the (4, 0), (5, 0) and (6, 0) zigzag model of single‐walled boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) with H‐terminated at the open ended, have been investigated under the external electric field (EF) with intensities 0–1.6 × 10−2 a.u. using the DFT B3LYP/6‐31G* level of theory. Results of this study show that with increasing BNNTs diameter, the HOMO‐LUMO gap (HLG) values increase, and with increasing the EF intensity, the HLG values decrease. In both cases with increasing EF intensity and the BNNT diameters, the electric dipole moment is increased significantly. Also the calculated natural bond orbital (NBO) atomic charges on the atoms of the BNNT show that the separation of the center of the positive and the center of the negative electric charges of the boron nitride nanotubes are increases in both case. We have found that the properties of the BNNTs are dependent on their diameters and can be tuned by applied electric fields intensity.
Bifunctional Ion‐Selective Electrode Based on C60‐Cryptand 22 for Silver and Iodine Ions
Authors: Mai Ching‐Ching , Shih Jeng‐Shong 
Published: May 2012

AbstractFullerence C60‐cryptand 22 was prepared and successfully applied as the electric carrier in the PVC electrode membrane of a bifunctional ion‐selective electrode for cations, e.g., Ag+ ions as well as anions, e.g., I− ions. The bifunctional ion‐selective electrode based on C60‐cryptand 22 can be applied as a Silver (Ag+) ion selective electrode with an internal electrode solution of 10−3 M AgNO3 in water (pH = 6.3), or as an Iodide (I−) ion selective electrode with an acidic internal electrode solution of 10−4 M KI(aq) (pH = 2) in which the cryptand 22 is protonated, and the C60‐cryptand 22 is changed to C60‐Cryptand22–H+ and becomes an anionic electro‐carrier to absorb the I− ion. The Ag+ ion selective electrode based on C60‐cryptand 22 gave a linear response with a near‐Nernstian slope (59.5 mV decade−1) within the concentration range 10−1‐10−3 M Ag+(aq). The Ag+ ion electrode exhibited comparatively good selectivity for silver ions, over other transition‐metal ions, alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. The Ag+ ion selective electrode with good stability and reproducibility was successfully used for the titration of Ag+(aq) with Cl− ions. The Iodide (I−) Ion selective electrode based on protonated C60–cryptand22‐H+ also showed a linear response with a nearly Nernstian slope (58.5 mV decade−1) within 10−1 ‐ 10−3 M I− (aq) and exhibited good selectivity for I− ions and had small selectivity coefficients (10−2–10−3) for most of other anions, e.g., F− , OH−, CH3COO−, SO42−, CO32−, CrO42−, Cr2O72− and PO43− ions.
Excited‐State Hydrogen Bonding Strengthening and Weakening with Intramolecular Charge Transfer in Resorufin‐Water Complexes: A TD‐DFT Study
Authors: Yang Da‐Peng , Liu Yu‐Fang 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe geometric structures, infrared spectra and hydrogen bond binding energies of the various hydrogen‐bonded Res−‐water complexes in states S0 and S1 have been calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) methods, respectively. Based on the changes of the hydrogen bond lengths and binding energies as well as the spectral shifts of the vibrational mode of the hydroxyl groups, it is demonstrated that hydrogen bonds HB‐II, HB‐III and HB‐IV are strengthened while hydrogen bond HB‐I is weakened in the four singly hydrogen‐bonded Res−‐Water complexes upon photoexcitation. When the four hydrogen bonds are formed simultaneously between one resorufin anion and four water molecules in the Res−‐4Water complex, all the hydrogen bonds are weakened in both the ground and excited states compared with those in the corresponding singly hydrogen‐bonded Res−‐Water complexes. Furthermore, in complex Res−‐4Water, hydrogen bonds HB‐II and HB‐IV are strengthened while hydrogen bonds HB‐I and HB‐III are weakened after the electronic excitation. The hydrogen bond strengthening and weakening in the various hydrogen‐bonded Res−‐water complexes should be due to the redistribution of the charges among the four heteroatoms (O1‐3 and N1) within the resorufin molecule upon the optical excitation.
On the Calculation of the Anharmonic Effect of Unimolecular Reactions of HOCO
Authors: Gu Lingzheng , Xia Wenwen , Huang Xinting , Yao Li , Shao Ying , Yang Kun 
Published: May 2012

AbstractHOCO is the intermediate of the reaction H + CO2 → HO + CO. In this study, all the geometries in the collision reaction H + CO2 were optimized at MP2/6‐311++G** level with Gaussian 03 program and a potential energy surface which shows that three unimolecular reactions were in the process of HOCO → HO + CO. For the three reactions, YL method proposed by L. Yao and S. H. Lin is applied to calculate the anharmonic and harmonic total number of states, the density of states and rate constants. The anharmonic values for rate constants calculated in this study are much lower than harmonic values, which indicate that anharmonic effects are significant and can not be neglected. After convert the experimental lifetime of HOCO into rate constants, the values are close to the calculations in our research, which shows that YL method used in our study is suitable for studying the rate constants of unimolecular reaction.
Field Emission and Superhydrophobic Properties of Electrochemically Grown Gold Nanourchins
Authors: Huang Ting‐Kai , Huang Hsin‐Wei , Lee Chi‐Young , Chiu Hsin‐Tien 
Published: May 2012

AbstractWe demonstrate a convenient fabrication of Au nanourchins (NUs) on Si substrates via a surfactant‐assisted galvanic reduction process. This synthetic method not only grows Au NUs on Si in a one‐step process but also effectively controls the lengths of the branches on the NUs. The widths are about 100‐120 nm and the lengths can be extended from 200 nm to 5 μm by lengthening the growth time. With the advantage of a hierarchical surface structure, Au NUs exhibited excellent electron field emission (FE) performance (turn‐on voltage, 6.3 V/μm; β, 1150). In addition, the wetting behavior examination shows that the water contact angle can be as high as 158° on Au NUs after the material is treated by 1‐hexadecanethiol.
Silica gel‐Mediated Friedel‐Crafts Reaction of Indoles with Functionalized Nitroallylic Acetates via an SN1 Process
Authors: Ho Ching‐Yin , Roy Suparna , Chen Yan‐Ming , Chen Kwunmin 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAn environmentally friendly Friedel‐Crafts reaction was demonstrated between indoles and functionalized nitroallylic acetates in the presence of silica gel, providing the corresponding C‐3‐selective regioisomers in good to high overall chemical yields (70‐93%).
Nano‐baskets in Emulsion Liquid Membranes for Selective Extraction of Alkali Metals
Authors: Mokhtari Bahram , Pourabdollah Kobra 
Published: May 2012

AbstractNano‐assisted inclusion separation of alkali metals from basic solutions was reported by inclusion‐facilitated emulsion liquid membrane process. The novelty of this study is application of nano‐baskets of calixarene in the selective and efficient separation of alkali metals as both the carrier and the surfactant. For this aim, four derivatives of p‐tert‐calix[4]arene bearing different sulfonamide moieties were synthesized and their inclusion‐extraction parameters were optimized. The selectivity of membrane over more than ten interfering cations was examined and the results reveled that under the optimized operating condition, the degree of inclusion‐extraction of alkali metals was as high as 98‐99%.
Syntheses, Crystal Structure, and Magnetic Properties of a Self‐assembling Dicopper(II) Helicate with Novel Bipyridine Ligand
Authors: Kao Hsien‐Chang , Wang Yi‐Chun , Wang Wen‐Jwu 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA novel double helical dicopper(II) complex was synthesized by reaction of a polydentate ligand L = 2,2′‐bipyridyl‐6,6′‐bis(2‐acetylpyrazinohydrazone) with copper(II) perchlorate in CH3CN. The self‐assembling process was studied by UV‐Vis spectrometric titration experiments which revealed the formation of dinuclear complexes [Cu2L2](ClO4)4. The structure of dicopper double‐helicate was confirmed by X‐ray diffractometry. Each copper(II) center occupies a distorted octahedral environment. Variable‐temperature magnetic measurements reveal weak antiferromagnetic interactions between Cu(II) ion centers with J = −0.63 cm−1.
On the Hamilton‐Waterloo Problem for Bipartite 2‐Factors
Authors: Bryant Darryn , Danziger Peter , Dean Matthew 
Published: May 2012

AbstractGiven two 2‐regular graphs F1 and F2, both of order n, the Hamilton‐Waterloo Problem for F1 and F2 asks for a factorization of the complete graph into α1 copies of F1, α2 copies of F2, and a 1‐factor if n is even, for all nonnegative integers α1 and α2 satisfying . We settle the Hamilton‐Waterloo Problem for all bipartite 2‐regular graphs F1 and F2 where F1 can be obtained from F2 by replacing each cycle with a bipartite 2‐regular graph of the same order.
A Phylogenetic Approach to Ontogeny and Heterochrony in the Fossil Record: Cranial Evolution and Development in Anguimorphan Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata)
Authors: Bhullar Bhart‐Anjan S. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTThe incorporation of ontogeny into the interpretation of the vertebrate fossil record promises major advances in palaeontology, systematics, and macroevolution. Here, a key additional component, the incorporation of phylogenetic bracketing into ontogenetic considerations, is demonstrated using cranial anatomy in anguimorphan lizards, a diverse modern clade with an extensive fossil record. The obstacles of fragmentary disarticulated fossil material and low representation in museum collections are overcome by using detailed analysis of individual elements and binning into broad ontogenetic stages, respectively. Results indicate the prevalence of classical macroevolutionary phenomena, notably heterochrony and homoplasy (convergence), throughout anguimorphan evolution. Furthermore, two problematic fossil anguimorph taxa are examined, both of which are unusually small for their clades, suggesting either immaturity or dwarfism. Using extant phylogenetic brackets of ontogenetic trajectories to distinguish between these hypotheses, it is shown that the holotype of one of these taxa is indeed a juvenile (also calling into question its taxonomy) and that the other is a dwarf. It is expected that a phylogenetic approach to ontogeny will yield similar insights across a broad range of fossil and extant organisms. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 318B:521–530, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An innovative approach to molecularly imprinted capillaries for polar templates by grafting polymerization
Authors: Giovannoli Cristina , Passini Cinzia , Baravalle Patrizia , Anfossi Laura , Giraudi Gianfranco , Baggiani Claudio 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTMolecularly imprinted polymers have been successfully used as selective stationary phases in capillary electrophoresis. Notwithstanding, this technique suffers from several drawbacks as the loss of molecular recognition properties in aqueous media and the lack of feasibility for imprinted systems directed towards highly polar templates soluble in aqueous environments only. Thus, the preparation of imprinted polymers for highly polar, water‐soluble analytes, represents a challenge. In this work, we present an innovative approach to overcome these drawbacks. It is based on a surface molecular imprinting technique that uses preformed macromonomers as both functional recognition elements and cross‐linking agents. A poly‐2‐hydroxyethyl‐co‐methacrylic acid linear polymer was grafted from the surface of silica capillaries. The grafted polymer was exhaustively esterified with methacrylic anhydride to obtain polyethylendimethacrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid linear chains. Then, as a proof of concept, an adequate amount of a very polar template like penicillin V was added in a hydro‐organic mixture, and a thin layer of imprinted polymer was obtained by cross‐linking the polymer linear chains. The binding behaviour of the imprinted and non‐imprinted capillaries was evaluated in different separation conditions in order to assess the presence of template selectivity and molecular recognition effects. The experimental results clearly show that this innovative kind of imprinted material can be easily obtained in very polar polymerization environments and that it is characterized by enhanced molecular recognition properties in aqueous buffers and good selectivity towards the template and strictly related molecules. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Image registration for targeted MRI‐guided transperineal prostate biopsy
Authors: Fedorov Andriy , Tuncali Kemal , Fennessy Fiona M. , Tokuda Junichi , Hata Nobuhiko , Wells William M. , Kikinis Ron , Tempany Clare M. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPurpose:To develop and evaluate image registration methodology for automated re‐identification of tumor‐suspicious foci from preprocedural MR exams during MR‐guided transperineal prostate core biopsy.Materials and Methods:A hierarchical approach for automated registration between planning and intra‐procedural T2‐weighted prostate MRI was developed and evaluated on the images acquired during 10 consecutive MR‐guided biopsies. Registration accuracy was quantified at image‐based landmarks and by evaluating spatial overlap for the manually segmented prostate and sub‐structures. Registration reliability was evaluated by simulating initial mis‐registration and analyzing the convergence behavior. Registration precision was characterized at the planned biopsy targets.Results:The total computation time was compatible with a clinical setting, being at most 2 min. Deformable registration led to a significant improvement in spatial overlap of the prostate and peripheral zone contours compared with both rigid and affine registration. Average in‐slice landmark registration error was 1.3 ± 0.5 mm. Experiments simulating initial mis‐registration resulted in an estimated average capture range of 6 mm and an average in‐slice registration precision of ±0.3 mm.Conclusion:Our registration approach requires minimum user interaction and is compatible with the time constraints of our interventional clinical workflow. The initial evaluation shows acceptable accuracy, reliability and consistency of the method. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:987–992. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Time‐resolved MR angiography of renal artery stenosis in a swine model at 3 Tesla using gadobutrol with digital subtraction angiography correlation
Authors: Morelli John N. , Ai Fei , Runge Val M. , Zhang Wei , Li Xiaoming , Schmitt Peter , McNeal Gary , Michaely Henrick J. , Schoenberg Stefan O. , Miller Matthew , Gerdes Clint M. , Sincleair Spencer T. , Spratt Heidi , Attenberger Ulrike I. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPurpose:To establish the minimum dose required for detection of renal artery stenosis using high temporal resolution, contrast enhanced MR angiography (MRA) in a porcine model.Materials and Methods:Surgically created renal artery stenoses were imaged with 3 Tesla MR and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 12 swine in this IACUC approved protocol. Gadobutrol was injected intravenously at doses of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mL for time‐resolved MRA (1.5 × 1.5 mm2 spatial resolution). Region of interest analysis was performed together with stenosis assessment and qualitative evaluation by two blinded readers.Results:Mean signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) values were statistically significantly less with the 0.5‐mL protocol (P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences among the other evaluated doses. Both readers found 10/12 cases with the 0.5‐mL protocol to be of inadequate diagnostic quality (κ = 1.0). All other scans were found to be adequate for diagnosis. Accuracies in distinguishing between mild/insignificant (<50%) and higher grade stenoses (>50%) were comparable among the higher‐dose protocols (sensitivities 73–93%, specificities 62–100%).Conclusion:Renal artery stenosis can be assessed with very low doses (∼0.025 mmol/kg bodyweight) of a high concentration, high relaxivity gadolinium chelate formulation in a swine model, results which are promising with respect to limiting exposure to gadolinium based contrast agents. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:704–713. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.