bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SUMOylation of AhR modulates its activity and stability through inhibiting its ubiquitination
Authors: Xing Xinrong , Bi Hailian , Chang Alan K. , Zang Ming‐Xi , Wang Miao , Ao Xiang , Li Shen , Pan Hongming , Guo Qianping , Wu Huijian 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that belongs to the basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) Per‐Arnt‐Sim homology domain (PAS) family. AhR can be activated by 2, 3, 7, 8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (2, 3, 7, 8‐TCDD) and once activated, it promotes the abnormal expression of cytochrome P450, leading to several diseases, including cancer. In this study, we showed that AhR is subjected to post‐translational modification by SUMOylation and this modification could be reversed by SENP1. Two SUMOylation sites were identified, one in the bHLH domain (K63) and the other in the TAD domain (K510) of AhR. Substitution of either K63 or K510 with arginine resulted in reduced SUMOylation for AhR. Treatment of MCF‐7 cells with TCDD led to a reduced level of SUMOylated AhR in a time‐dependent manner, and this occurred mainly in the nucleus. SUMOylation of AhR enhanced its stability through inhibiting its ubiquitination. Moreover, SUMOylation also repressed the transactivation activity of AhR and this could be reversed by TCDD. These results suggested that SUMOylation of AhR might play an important role in the regulation of its function, and TCDD may activate the transcriptional activity of AhR through downregulating its SUMOylation. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3812–3819, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MED28 regulates MEK1‐dependent cellular migration in human breast cancer cells
Authors: Huang Chun‐Yin , Chou Yu‐Hsuan , Hsieh Nien‐Tsu , Chen Hsin‐Hung , Lee Ming‐Fen 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMED28, a mammalian Mediator subunit, exhibits several cellular roles, including a merlin, Grb2, and cytoskeleton‐associated protein (magicin), a repressor of smooth muscle cell differentiation, and an endothelial‐derived gene (EG‐1). Overexpression of MED28 may stimulate cell proliferation which presumably results from the transcriptional activation of the Mediator function. Additionally, several tumors, including breast cancer, highly express MED28. We have found recently that MED28 potentiated epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐induced migration in human breast cancer cells. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the role of MED28 in the aspect of cellular migration and invasion in human breast cancer cells. Suppression of MED28 blocked cellular migration and invasion with concomitant reduced expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP2) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MAP2K1; MEK1); overexpression of MED28 enhanced cellular migration and upregulated MMP2 and MEK1 expression. Moreover, suppression of MEK1, by dominant‐negative, kinase‐dead MEK1 cDNA construct or MEK1‐specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) as well as MEK1 inhibitors, blocked MED28‐induced MMP2 activation, cellular migration, and invasion in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, ectopic expression of MEK1 rescued the inhibitory effect of MED28 knockdown on invasion, and exogenous MMP2 recombinant protein recovered the suppression on invasion upon MED28 or MEK1 knockdown. Our data indicate that MED28 regulates cellular migration in a MEK1‐dependent manner in human breast cancer cells, reinforcing the important cellular roles of MED28. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3820–3827, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cytoskeletal architecture regulates cyclooxygenase‐2 in human endothelial cells: Autocrine modulation by prostacyclin
Authors: Eligini Sonia , Songia Paola , Cavalca Viviana , Crisci Mauro , Tremoli Elena , Colli Susanna 
Published: April 2012

AbstractEndothelium is a highly dynamic tissue that controls vascular homeostasis. This requires constant rearrangements of the shape or function of endothelial cells that cannot set aside the role of the cytoskeleton. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms by means of which cytoskeletal alterations induce cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) expression in human endothelial cells using compounds that interfere with microtubule or actin architecture. Microtubule disruption by nocodazole markedly increased Cox‐2 expression and activity, and provoked paracellular gap formation, a cardinal feature of endothelial barrier dysfunction. The Cox‐2 metabolite prostacyclin down‐regulated Cox‐2 through an autocrine receptor‐mediated mechanism, and partially prevented the disassembly of endothelial monolayers. There was also an interaction between microtubules and actin filaments in nocodazole‐induced Cox‐2 expression. Nocodazole provoked the dissolution of the F‐actin cortical ring and stress fiber formation, increased actin glutathionylation, and concomitantly lowered intracellular levels of reduced glutathione. The restoration of glutathione levels by N‐acetylcysteine opposed Cox‐2 expression and preserved the integrity of endothelial monolayers. Among the signaling pathways connecting microtubule disruption with Cox‐2 up‐regulation, crucial roles are played by Src family kinase activation, serine/threonine phosphatase 2A inhibition, and the phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinase p38. Our findings provide a mechanistic insight into the observation that Cox‐2 is induced in endothelial cells under cytoskeleton‐perturbing conditions such as those occurring in the presence of atherogenic/inflammatory stimuli and oxidative stress. In this scenario, Cox‐2 up‐regulation by endothelia exposed to noxious conditions can be considered protective of the vasodilatory and anti‐thrombotic properties of the vessel wall. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3847–3856, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variability in the ENSO‐induced southern hemispheric circulation and Antarctic sea ice extent
Authors: Dash Mihir K. , Pandey P. C. , Vyas N. K. , Turner John 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe linkages between the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the sea ice extent (SIE) in the Weddell Sea (South Atlantic) and the Bellingshausen–Amundsen Sea (South‐Eastern Pacific) sectors of the Southern Ocean have been studied for the period 1979–2005 using crosswavelet analysis. The analysis showed that the relationship between the tropical expression of ENSO and the SIE in these two areas are different before and after 1992. Further, we investigated the structure and strength of the regional Ferrel cell (RFC) during El Niño and La Niña episodes using composite latitude–pressure cross‐sections of wind anomalies for these two periods. Contrasting features were observed in the structure and strength of the RFC before and after 1992 in both, the South Atlantic and the South‐Eastern Pacific. These modulations in the RFC control the heat transport from the tropics to high latitudes and hence the extent of sea ice in both the regions. We propose that the modulation of the RFC is responsible for the phase shift in the tropical–polar teleconnection. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Changes in Australian fire weather between 1973 and 2010
Authors: Clarke Hamish , Lucas Christopher , Smith Peter 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA data set of observed fire weather in Australia from 1973–2010 is analysed for trends using the McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI). Annual cumulative FFDI, which integrates daily fire weather across the year, increased significantly at 16 of 38 stations. Annual 90th percentile FFDI increased significantly at 24 stations over the same period. None of the stations examined recorded a significant decrease in FFDI. There is an overall bias in the number of significant increases towards the southeast of the continent, while the largest trends occur in the interior of the continent and the smallest occur near the coast. The largest increases in seasonal FFDI occurred during spring and autumn, although with different spatial patterns, while summer recorded the fewest significant trends. These trends suggest increased fire weather conditions at many locations across Australia, due to both increased magnitude of FFDI and a lengthened fire season. Although these trends are consistent with projected impacts of climate change on FFDI, this study cannot separate the influence of climate change, if any, with that of natural variability. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Relationship between rainfall and weather regimes in south‐eastern Queensland, Australia
Authors: Wilson L. , Manton M. J. , Siems S. T. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe present study aims to determine synoptic regimes associated with rain and no‐rain days in south‐eastern Queensland. A k‐means cluster analysis is used on upper‐air data from Brisbane Airport to identify dominant weather regimes for the region. Eight weather regimes appear to succinctly describe the main types of conditions experienced in south‐eastern Queensland. Using rainfall data from 307 sites across the region, the rainfall associated with each weather regime is then characterized. Four of the regimes are associated with moist conditions; each accounts for about 15–20% of the mean total annual rainfall. These regimes preferentially occur during the summer and are characterized by high onshore moisture flux. The four dry regimes are characterized by southerly moisture flux and generally occur throughout the year. These regimes combined account for less than 25% of the mean total annual rainfall but more than 60% of the days in a year. Back trajectories at five levels were computed for each of the regimes using the HYSPLIT model. Case studies were selected for the four wet regimes and examined in detail. The wet regimes exhibit geographically shorter back trajectories, particularly at lower levels, than the dry regimes. In addition, there is usually a northerly component to the 500 m level trajectories close to Brisbane for the wet regimes. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Model biases in long coupled runs of NCEP CFS in the context of Indian summer monsoon
Authors: Chaudhari Hemantkumar S. , Pokhrel Samir , Saha Subodh K. , Dhakate Ashish , Yadav R. K. , Salunke Kiran , Mahapatra Somnath , Sabeerali C. T. , Rao Suryachandra A. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis study examines the performance of National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System (CFS) over the Indian monsoon region in 100 years long coupled run, in terms of biases of sea surface temperature (SST), rainfall and circulation. The study further explores the role of the feedback processes in maintaining these biases. The model simulates reasonable monsoon climatology during JJAS (June–September). It shows dry (wet) rainfall bias concomitant with cold (warm) SST bias over east (west) equatorial Indian Ocean. These biases of SST and rainfall affect both lower‐ and upper‐level circulations in a feedback process, which in turn regulates the SST and rainfall biases by maintaining a coupled feedback process. A dry (wet) rainfall bias over east (west) Indian Ocean induces anomalous low level easterlies over tropical Indian Ocean and causes cold SST bias over east Indian Ocean by triggering evaporation and warm SST bias over west Indian Ocean through advection of warm waters. The persistent SST bias retains the zonal asymmetric heating and meridional temperature gradient resulting in a circum‐global subtropical westerly jet core, which in turn magnifies the mid‐latitude disturbances and decreases the Mascarene high. The decreased Mascarene high diminishes the strength of monsoon cross‐equatorial flow and results in less upwelling as compared to that in the observation. It further increases the SST bias over the West Indian Ocean. The coupled interaction among SST, rainfall and circulation works in tandem through a closed feedback loop to maintain the model biases over tropical Indian Ocean. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Significant reduction of cold temperature extremes at Faraday/Vernadsky station in the Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Franzke Christian 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis study examines the daily observed temperature at the Faraday/Vernadsky station in the Antarctic Peninsula for the period February 1947 through January 2011. Faraday/Vernadsky is experiencing a significant warming trend of about 0.6 °C/decade over the last few decades. Concurrently, the magnitude of extremely cold temperatures has reduced while there is no evidence for an increase of the annual maximum temperature. An empirical mode decomposition reveals that most of the temperature variability occurs on intraannual time scales and that changes in the magnitude of the annual cycle can be explained by a simple periodic stochastic process. Extremely cold temperatures below a threshold follow a generalised Pareto distribution (GPD) with a negative shape parameter and thus are bounded. We find that the extremely cold behaviour in the first half of the record is significantly different from the second half. At the same time there is no evident increase of warm temperatures or in the location of the maximum of the temperature probability distribution. These findings provide evidence that at Faraday/Vernadsky, it is the change in the shape of the temperature distribution that has substantially contributed to the observed warming over the last few decades. Furthermore, we find evidence for clustering of extreme cold events and show that they are predictable a few days in advance using a precursor‐based prediction scheme. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Effects of organic and conventional production systems and cultivars on the technological properties of winter wheat
Authors: Ceseviciene Jurgita , Slepetiene Alvyra , Leistrumaite Alge , Ruzgas Vytautas , Slepetys Jonas 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The current study aimed to estimate the effects of organic and conventional production systems and four winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) bread cultivars on the technological properties of grain, flour, dough and bread, to increase current knowledge regarding the interactions of the technological properties of winter wheat and assess the cultivars for their suitability for organic production systems.RESULTS: All the technological properties winter wheat which were investigated were significantly affected by the agricultural production system and cultivars, and some of them, mostly grain quality parameters, by the harvest year. Grain from organic winter wheat had significantly lower protein and gluten contents, lower sedimentation and flour water absorption values, shorter dough stability time and lower loaf volume, but higher values of starch content and stronger gluten, compared with grain from the conventional wheat. For both production systems significant positive correlations of protein content with gluten content, sedimentation value, dough stability time, loaf volume, farinograph water absorption, and negative with starch content, gluten index were determined.CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant differences between agricultural production systems were found. The cultivars Ada and Alma had better technological properties that make them more suitable for the organic production system, compared to Širvinta 1 and Zentos. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Differentiation of raw spirits of rye, corn and potato using chromatographic profiles of volatile compounds
Authors: Ziółkowska Angelika , Jeleń Henryk H 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The origin of the raw spirits influences the sensory quality of rectified spirits that are subsequently used for the production of vodka. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of two methods based on the comparison of profiles of volatile compounds [solid phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME‐GC‐MS) and gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC‐FID)] for the determination of origin of raw spirits obtained from rye, corn (maize) and potato.RESULTS: Profiles obtained for the volatile compounds by using these methods were different and were influenced by the sample introduction method. The main groups of volatiles obtained using SPME‐GC‐MS method were fatty acid ethyl esters, while in the case of GC‐FID fusel alcohols and ethyl acetate dominated. Data obtained from these methods were treated using principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis to test the possibility of sample differentiation and classification. It was relatively easy to differentiate potato spirits from the remainder; however, it was not possible to fully distinguish the corn samples from rye samples. The classification ability of the SPME‐GC‐MS method was 95% but the prediction ability was 97.4%. For the GC‐FID method the classification ability was 90.1%, whereas the prediction ability was 94.27%.CONCLUSIONS: The methods presented can be used for reliable differentiation of potato spirits from corn and rye spirits. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Efficacy of cellulase and mannanase hydrolysates of konjac glucomannan to promote the growth of lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Al‐Ghazzewi Farage H , Tester Richard F 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Glucomannan polysaccharides may be hydrolysed to lower molecular weight molecules using acids or enzymes, specifically mannanases or cellulases. Mannanases (β‐mannanases) hydrolyse β‐(1–4)‐linked mannose residues randomly in mannans whilst cellulases (β‐glucanase) hydrolyse β‐(1–4)‐linked glucose residues. The molecular weight of the hydrolysate is clearly dependent on the amount of hydrolysis. One use of such hydrolysates has been towards their capacity to function as prebiotics. The relative efficacy of cellulase and/or mannanase hydrolysates of konjac glucomannan to promote the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has been evaluated.RESULTS: The LAB growth profiles (expressed in colony forming units, as a function of time) in UHT milk containing konjac glucomannan hydrolysed with cellulase were significantly greater than those containing glucose (control) or konjac glucomannan mannanase hydrolysates. An equivalent mixture (1:1) of cellulase–mannanase hydrolysates added to the UHT milk also showed significant improvement on the LAB growth profiles (compared to the glucose or mannanase alone hydrolysates). Different LAB strains showed some variation in growth profiles on the hydrolysates although this was not significant as a function of carbon source.CONCLUSIONS: Glucomannan hydrolysates produced with either mannanase or cellulase enzymes were effective growth promoters (carbon sources) of LAB. However, cellulase hydrolysates were most effective. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Anti‐obesity role of adzuki bean extract containing polyphenols: in vivo and in vitro effects
Authors: Kitano‐Okada Tomoko , Ito Ayano , Koide Ai , Nakamura Yumi , Han Kyu‐Ho , Shimada Kenichiro , Sasaki Kyoko , Ohba Kiyoshi , Sibayama Shinichi , Fukushima Michihiro 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of polyphenol‐rich adzuki bean extract on lipid metabolism, triglyceride accumulation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion in vivo and in vitro.RESULTS: For the in vivo study, rats were divided into four groups: group C was fed a control diet, group A was fed the control diet with 1% adzuki bean extract, group CF was fed a high fat diet, and group AF was fed a high fat diet with 1% adzuki bean extract. For the in vitro study, the ability of adzuki bean extract to suppress triglyceride incorporation, glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase activity and inflammatory response was investigated in cultured human adipocytes. Data from the animal study showed that adzuki bean extract improved lipid metabolism in both the normal and high‐fat diet groups. Adzuki bean extract treatment in the high‐fat group resulted in significant reductions in total hepatic lipid accumulation and lipid secretion into the feces. Incubation of adipocytes with adzuki bean extract significantly decreased triglyceride accumulation, glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase activity and inflammatory responses without affecting cell viability.CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that adzuki bean extract has high potential to serve as a natural anti‐obesity agent. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Morbidity and mortality after non‐curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer in elderly patients
Authors: Shim Jung Ho , Ko Kyung Jai , Yoo Han Mo , Oh Seong Il , Jeon Dong Jin , Jeon Hae Myung , Park Cho Hyun , Song Kyo Young 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThis study examined the surgical outcome of non‐curative resection in elderly patients with gastric cancer.MethodsThe study reviewed 278 patients who underwent non‐curative resection for advanced gastric cancer. The clinicopathological features of elderly patients (≥75 years, n = 257) and younger patients (<75 years, n = 21) were compared.ResultsAlthough no difference was observed in terms of preoperative performance, there were distinct differences in terms of albumin level, presence of symptoms, and the rate of comorbidities between the two groups. The postoperative morbidity and mortality rate did not differ between the two groups. Age, preoperative performance status, preoperative transfusion, and presence of comorbidity were not independent predictors of postoperative complications. However, the extent of gastric resection and combined resection were closely related to postoperative complications in patients with non‐curative gastrectomy.ConclusionsIn a setting of non‐curative resection for gastric cancer, age was not a limiting factor. Rather, the risk of postoperative morbidity should be considered carefully in total gastrectomy and combined resection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:753–756. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fluorescently Labeled Branched Polymers and Thermal Responsive Nanoparticles for Live Cell Imaging
Authors: Di Zhou  , Ma Yujie , Poot André A. , Dijkstra Pieter J. , Feijen Jan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBranched poly(methoxy‐PEG acrylate) and thermally responsive poly(methoxy‐PEG acrylate)‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) are synthesized by RAFT polymerization. After reduction, these polymers are fluorescently labeled by reacting the free thiol groups with N‐(5‐fluoresceinyl)maleimide. As shown by DLS, the labeled copolymer poly(methoxy‐PEG acrylate)‐block‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) forms nanoparticles at body temperature (37 °C) due to the presence of the thermosensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide). These materials were used as bioprobes for imaging HUVECs in vitro and chick embryo CAM in vivo. Both labeled polymer and nanoparticles are biocompatible and can be used as efficient fluorescent bioprobes.magnified image
Regulation of Stem Cell Differentiation by Control of Retinoic Acid Gradients in Hydrospun 3D Scaffold
Authors: Tzezana Roey , Reznik Stanislav , Blumenthal Jacob , Zussman Eyal , Levenberg Shulamit 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMorphogen gradients have been associated with differential gene expression and are implicated in the triggering and regulation of developmental biological processes. This study focused on creating morphogenic gradients through the thickness of hydrospun scaffolds. Specifically, electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone) fibers were loaded with all‐trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA), and designed to release ATRA at a predetermined rate. Multilayered scaffolds designed to present varied initial ATRA concentrations were then exposed to flow conditions in a bioreactor. Gradient formation was verified by a simple convection‐diffusion mathematical model approving establishment of a continuous solute gradient across the scaffold. The biological value of the designed gradients in scaffolds was evaluated by monitoring the fate of murine embryonal carcinoma cells embedded within the scaffolds. Cell differentiation within the different layers matched the predictions set forth by the theoretical model, in accordance with the ATRA gradient formed across the scaffold. This tool bears powerful potential in establishing in vitro simulation models for better understanding the inner workings of the embryo.magnified image