bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Image‐Guided Prostate Cancer Therapy Using Aptamer‐Functionalized Thermally Cross‐Linked Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Yu Mi Kyung , Kim Dongkyu , Lee In‐Hyun , So Jee‐Soo , Jeong Yong Yeon , Jon Sangyong 
Published: June 2011

AbstractCG‐rich duplex containing prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) aptamer‐conjugated thermally cross‐linked superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (TCL‐SPIONs) is reported as prostate cancer‐specific nanotheranostic agents. These agents are capable of prostate tumor detection in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and selective delivery of drugs to the tumor tissue, simultaneously. The prepared PSMA‐functionalized TCL‐SPION via a hybridization method (Apt–hybr–TCL‐SPION) exhibited preferential binding towards target prostate‐cancer cells (LNCaP, PSMA+) in both in vitro and in vivo when analyzed by T2‐weighted MRI. After Dox molecules were loaded onto the Apt–hybr–TCL‐SPION through the intercalation of Dox to the CG‐rich duplex containing PSMA aptamer as well as electrostatic interaction between the Dox‐and‐polymer coating layer of the nanoparticles, the resulting Dox@Apt–hybr–TCL‐SPION showed selective drug‐delivery efficacy in the LNCaP xenograft mouse model. These results suggest that Dox@Apt–hybr–TCL‐SPION has potential for use as novel prostate cancer‐specific nanotheranostics.
The gray area between synapse structure and function—Gray's synapse types I and II revisited
Authors: Klemann Cornelius J.H.M. , Roubos Eric W. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractOn the basis of ultrastructural parameters, the concept was formulated that asymmetric Type I and symmetric Type II synapses are excitatory and inhibitory, respectively. This “functional Gray synapses concept” received strong support from the demonstration of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in Type I synapses and of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid in Type II synapses, and is still frequently used in modern literature. However, morphological and functional evidence has accumulated that the concept is less tenable. Typical features of synapses like shape and size of presynaptic vesicles and synaptic cleft and presence of a postsynaptic density (PsD) do not always fit the postulated (excitatory/inhibitory) function of Gray's synapses. Furthermore, synapse function depends on postsynaptic receptors and associated signal transduction mechanisms rather than on presynaptic morphology and neurotransmitter type. Moreover, the notion that many synapses are difficult to classify as either asymmetric or symmetric has cast doubt on the assumption that the presence of a PsD is a sign of excitatory synaptic transmission. In view of the morphological similarities of the PsD in asymmetric synapses with membrane junctional structures such as the zonula adherens and the desmosome, asymmetric synapses may play a role as links between the postsynaptic and presynaptic membrane, thus ensuring long‐term maintenance of interneuronal communication. Symmetric synapses, on the other hand, might be sites of transient communication as takes place during development, learning, memory formation, and pathogenesis of brain disorders. Confirmation of this idea might help to return the functional Gray synapse concept its central place in neuroscience. Synapse, 2011. © 2011Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Attenuation of inhibitory synaptic transmission by glial dysfunction in rat thalamus
Authors: Yang Sunggu , Cox Charles L. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe thalamus serves as the obligatory gateway to the neocortex for sensory processing, and also serves as a pathway for corticocortical communication. In addition, the reciprocal synaptic connectivity between the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) and adjacent thalamic relay nuclei generates rhythmic activities similar to that observed during different arousal states and certain neurological conditions such as absence epilepsy. Epileptiform activity can arise from a variety of neural mechanisms, but in addition glia are thought to have an important role in such activities as well. Glia serve a central role in glutamine synthesis, a precursor for glutamate or GABA in nerve terminals. While alterations in glutamine shuttling from glia to neurons can influence GABA and glutamate neurotransmission; the consequences of such action on synaptic transmission and subsequent network activities within thalamic circuits is less understood. We investigated the consequences of altering glutamine transport on inhibitory transmission and intrathalamic activities using the in vitro thalamic slice preparation. Disruption of the glutamine shuttling by the neuronal glutamine transporter (system A transporter) antagonist, α‐(methylamino)isobutyric acid (MeAIB), or the selective gliotoxic drug, fluorocitric acid (Fc) dramatically decreased intrathalamic rhythmic activities. At the single cell level, MeAIB and Fc significantly attenuated electrically evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents (eIPSCs) in thalamic relay neurons; however, miniature IPSCs were unaffected. These data indicate that glutamate‐glutamine shuttle is critical for sustaining thalamic synaptic transmission, and thereby alterations in this shuttle can influence intrathalamic rhythmic activities associated with absence epilepsy. Synapse, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prochloraz effects on biomarkers activity in zebrafish early life stages and adults
Authors: Domingues Inês , Oliveira Rhaul , Musso Carolina , Cardoso Marco , Soares Amadeu M.V.M. , Loureiro Susana 
Published: June 2011

AbstractZebrafish early life stages (ELS) assays have been increasingly used to assess the toxicity of chemicals and waste waters, showing a great potential due to the wide variety of endpoints that can be incorporated in the test. Moreover, zebrafish ELS test have been proposed, mainly for ethical reasons, as a surrogate for tests with adults. In this work, the fungicide Prochloraz (PCZ) was used as a chemical model to compare sensitivities of embryos/larvae and adult zebrafish focusing on lethality and biomarkers as endpoints. Effects on embryo development were also assessed. Organization for economic cooperation and development (OECD) guidelines were followed and adapted to include the analyses of the biomarkers cholinesterase, glutathione S‐transferase, and lactate dehydrogenase. The acute toxicity of PCZ for zebrafish ELS and adults seemed to be similar with 96h‐LC50 values of 8.5 and 4.6 mg/L, respectively. However, biomarkers were only responsive in larvae indicating a higher sensitivity of this life stage at sublethal level. PCZ also proved to be teratogenic: at intermediate concentrations effects on embryo development could be noticed, including spine deformations, edemas, lack of pigmentation, slower heart rate, and complete hatching failure. At the lowest concentrations, the more relevant effects (edemas and abnormal absorption of the yolk sac) were observed after hatching. The measurement of biomarkers in the zebrafish ELS assay seems to a useful tool in the detection of chemical effects showing higher sensitivity than adults. Further research should focus on the link between biomarkers responses in larvae and effects at later life stages of zebrafish. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013.
Antioxidative and antigenotoxic effect of vitamin E against patulin cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in HepG2 cells
Authors: Ayed‐Boussema Imen , Abassi Haila , Bouaziz Chayma , Hlima Wiem Ben , Ayed Yosra , Bacha Hassen 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPatulin (PAT) is a mycotoxin produced in fruits, mainly in apples, by certain species of Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Byssochlamys. It has been shown that PAT is cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic in different cell types. Several studies incriminate the oxidative stress as a mechanism of PAT‐mediated toxicity. In this context, our aim was to investigate the protective role of Vitamin E (Vit E), an antioxidant agent, against PAT induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in cultured HepG2 cells. The obtained results showed that addition of Vit E in cells treated with PAT significantly reduce cell mortality induced by this toxin. In the same conditions, Vit E decreased the intracellular level of ROS, reduced PAT induced p53 expression, and reversed PAT induced DNA damage. In addition, Vit E prevented significantly the percentage of chromosome aberrations induced by PAT in HepG2 cells in a concentration dependant manner. These results suggest that Vit E, an exogenous antioxidant agent, plays an important role in defense against PAT‐induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, which confirms the involvement of oxidative stress in the induction of DNA damage by PAT in HepG2 cells. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013.
Sensitivity of antioxidant‐deficient yeast to hypochlorite and chlorite
Authors: Kwolek‐Mirek Magdalena , Bartosz Grzegorz , Spickett Corinne M. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractSodium hypochlorite and sodium chlorite are commonly used as disinfectants, and understanding the mechanisms of microbial resistance to these compounds is of considerable importance. In this study, the role of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in the sensitivity of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to hypochlorite and chlorite was studied. Yeast mutants lacking Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase, but not mutants deficient in cytoplasmic and peroxisomal catalase, were hypersensitive to the action of both hypochlorite and chlorite. Both compounds depleted cellular glutathione, induced the production of reactive oxygen species and decreased the viability of the cells. The toxicity of hypochlorite and chlorite was abolished by hypoxic and anoxic conditions and ameliorated by thiol antioxidants and ascorbate. The results demonstrated that the action of hypochlorite and chlorite involves the formation of superoxide and peroxide and that SOD1 is protective, probably by limiting the formation of hydroxyl radicals and damage to proteins. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dimers of Ag2+ Ions – Synthesis and Characterization of the Quaternary Silver Fluoride Ag2ZnZr2F14 with [Ag2F7]3– Units
Authors: Tong Jianwei , Kraus Florian , Köhler Jürgen , Simon Arndt , Liu Jia , Whangbo Myung‐Hwan 
Published: June 2011

AbstractDeep blue‐violet colored powder samples of Ag2ZnZr2F14 were synthesized by heating Zn(NO3)2·4H2O, Ag and ZrOCl2·8H2O at 300 °C under fluorine atmosphere. The crystal structure of Ag2ZnZr2F14 was refined from X‐ray powder diffraction data using the Rietveld method (C2/m, a = 9.0206(1) Å, b = 6.6373(1) Å, c = 9.0563(1) Å, β = 90.44(1)°, Z = 2). The structure is derived from the isotypic Ag3Zr2F14 by replacing only one of the two crystallographically different Ag2+ ions with Zn2+ ions, thus leading to discrete Ag2F7 dimers. These dimers are connected via nearly linear Ag–F···F–Ag bridges with short F···F distances of 2.33 Å to form two‐legged ladders. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and density functional calculations show that the two Ag2+ ions in each Ag2F7 dimer are strongly coupled antiferromagnetically.
Environmental Impact of Ether Carboxylic Derivative Surfactants
Authors: Jurado Encarnación , Fernández‐Serrano Mercedes , Lechuga Manuela , Ríos Francisco 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe ultimate aerobic biodegradability and toxicity of three ether carboxylic derivative surfactants having different alkyl chains and degrees of ethoxylation were investigated. Ultimate aerobic biodegradability was screened by means of dissolved organic carbon determinations at different initial surfactant concentrations. For comparison, the characteristic parameters of the biodegradation process, such as half‐life, mean biodegradation rate, and residual surfactant concentration, were determined. Increased surfactant concentrations decreased mineralization and lengthened the estimated half‐life. The results demonstrate that the ultimate aerobic biodegradability is higher for the surfactants with the shortest alkyl chain and highest degree of ethoxylation. Toxicity values of the surfactants, and their binary mixtures, were determined using three test organisms, the freshwater crustacea Daphnia magna, the luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri and the microalgae Selenastrum capricornutum. The toxicity is lower for the surfactants with the shortest alkyl chain and highest degree of ethoxylation. The toxicity of binary mixtures of the three ether carboxylate surfactants at a 1:1 weight ratio was also measured. The least toxic mixture is formed by the surfactants having lower individual toxicity.
Mild dehydration impairs cognitive performance and mood of men
Authors: Ganio Matthew S. , Armstrong Lawrence E. , Casa Douglas J. , McDermott Brendon P. , Lee Elaine C. , Yamamoto Linda M. , Marzano Stefania , Lopez Rebecca M. , Jimenez Liliana , Le Bellego Laurent , Chevillotte Emmanuel , Lieberman Harris R. 
Published: June 2011

The present study assessed the effects of mild dehydration on cognitive performance and mood of young males. A total of twenty-six men (age 20·0 (sd0·3) years) participated in three randomised, single-blind, repeated-measures trials: exercise-induced dehydration plus a diuretic (DD; 40 mg furosemide); exercise-induced dehydration plus placebo containing no diuretic (DN); exercise while maintaining euhydration plus placebo (EU; control condition). Each trial included three 40 min treadmill walks at 5·6 km/h, 5 % grade in a 27·7°C environment. A comprehensive computerised six-task cognitive test battery, the profile of mood states questionnaire and the symptom questionnaire (headache, concentration and task difficulty) were administered during each trial. Pairedttests compared the DD and DN trials resulting in >1 % body mass loss (mean 1·59 (sd0·42) %) with the volunteer's EU trial (0·01 (sd0·03) %). Dehydration degraded specific aspects of cognitive performance: errors increased on visual vigilance (P = 0·048) and visual working memory response latency slowed (P = 0·021). Fatigue and tension/anxiety increased due to dehydration at rest (P = 0·040 and 0·029) and fatigue during exercise (P = 0·026). Plasma osmolality increased due to dehydration (P < 0·001) but resting gastrointestinal temperature was not altered (P = 0·238). In conclusion, mild dehydration without hyperthermia in men induced adverse changes in vigilance and working memory, and increased tension/anxiety and fatigue.
Length and site of the small intestine exposed to fat influences hunger and food intake
Authors: Maljaars P. W. Jeroen , Peters Harry P. F. , Kodde Andrea , Geraedts Maartje , Troost Fred J. , Haddeman Edward , Masclee Ad A. M. 
Published: June 2011

The site of intestinal fat delivery affects satiety and may affect food intake in humans. Animal data suggest that the length of the small intestine exposed to fat is also relevant. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether increasing the areas of intestinal fat exposure and the way it is exposed would affect satiety parameters and food intake. In the present single-blind, randomised, cross-over study, fifteen volunteers, each intubated with a naso-ileal tube, received four treatments on consecutive days. The oral control (control treatment) was a liquid meal (LM) containing 6 g fat ingested att = 0 min, with saline infusion att = 30–120 min. Experimental treatments were a fat-free LM att = 0 min, with either 6 g oil delivered sequentially (2 g duodenal,t = 30–60 min; 2 g jejunal,t = 60–90 min; 2 g ileal,t = 90–120 min), simultaneously (2 g each to all sites,t = 30–120 min) or ileal only (6 g ileal,t = 30–120 min). Satiety parameters (hunger and fullness) and cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY) secretion were measured untilt = 180 min, whenad libitumfood intake was assessed. Only the ileum treatment reduced food intake significantly over the control treatment. The ileum and simultaneous treatments significantly reduced hunger compared with the control treatment. Compared with control, no differences were observed for PYY, CCK and GLP-1 with regard to 180 min integrated secretion. Ileal fat infusion had the most pronounced effect on food intake and satiety. Increasing the areas of intestinal fat exposure only affected hunger when fat was delivered simultaneously, not sequentially, to the exposed areas. These results demonstrate that ileal brake activation offers an interesting target for the regulation of ingestive behaviour.
Supplement of bamboo extract lowers serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 concentration in mice fed a diet containing a high level of saturated fat
Authors: Higa Jason K. , Liu Wanyu , Berry Marla J. , Panee Jun 
Published: June 2011

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is an inflammatory chemokine up-regulated in obese subjects, contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes. The present study investigated the inhibitory effect of an ethanol–water extract from bamboo (BEX,Phyllostachys edulis) on the blood concentration of MCP-1. C57BL/6J mice were fed a standard diet or a high-fat diet with or without the BEX supplement (11 g dry mass/17 000 kJ) for 6 months. A total of ten mice were used in each group. Body weight and food consumption were measured weekly. After euthanisation, the weight of visceral fat and circulating MCP-1 concentration were measured. In comparison with the standard control group, the high-fat control group had increased body weight, abdominal fat storage and serum MCP-1 concentration by 60 % (P < 0·001), 266 % (P < 0·001) and 180 % (P < 0·01), respectively. In comparison with the high-fat control group, the high-fat BEX group showed a 3 % decrease in body weight (P < 0·01), 24 % decrease in mesenteric fat depot (P < 0·01) and 49 % decrease in serum MCP-1 concentration (P < 0·05). The present study suggests that the BEX supplement in the high-fat diet ameliorates elevated MCP-1 concentrations in the blood, and whether this is related to modulated endocrine properties of the visceral fat is to be studied.
An Extended Macro-Finance Model with Financial Factors
Authors: Dewachter Hans , Iania Leonardo 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis paper extends the benchmark macro-finance (MF) model by introducing, next to the standard macroeconomic factors, additional liquidity-related and return-forecasting factors. Liquidity factors are obtained from a decomposition of the money market spread, while the return-forecasting (risk premium) factor is extracted by imposing a single-factor structure on the 1-period expected excess holding return. The model is estimated on U.S. data using Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques. Two findings stand out. First, the model significantly outperforms most structural and nonstructural MF yield curve models in terms of the cross-sectional fit of the yield curve. Second, financial shocks have a statistically and economically significant impact on the yield curve.
Non-viral genetic transfection of rat Schwann cells with FuGENE HD©lipofection and AMAXA©nucleofection is feasible but impairs cell viability
Authors: Kraus Armin , Täger Joachim , Kohler Konrad , Haerle Max , Werdin Frank , Schaller Hans-Eberhard , Sinis Nektarios 
Published: June 2011

Purpose:To determine transfection efficiency of FuGENE HD©lipofection and AMAXA©nucleofection on rat Schwann cells (SC).Methods:The ischiadic and median nerves of 6-8 week old Lewis rats were cultured in modified melanocyte-growth medium. SCs were genetically transfected with green fluorescent protein (GFP) as reporter gene using FuGENE HD©lipofection and AMAXA©nucleofection. Transfection rates were determined by visualization of GFP fluorescence under fluorescence microscopy and cell counting. Transfected cell to non-transfected cell relation was determined.Results:Purity of Schwann cell culture was 88% as determined by immunohistologic staining. Transfection rate of FuGENE HD©lipofection was 2%, transfection rate of AMAXA©nucleofection was 10%. With both methods, Schwann cells showed pronounced aggregation behavior which made them unfeasible for further cultivation. Settling of Schwann cells on laminin and poly-l-ornithine coated plates was compromised by either method.Conclusion:Non-viral transfection of rat SC with FuGENE HD©lipofection and AMAXA©nucleofection is basically possible with a higher transfection rate for nucleofection than for lipofection. As cell viability is compromised by either method however, viral transfection is to be considered if higher efficiency is required.
Age-Related Benefits of Digital Noise Reduction for Short-Term Word Learning in Children With Hearing Loss
Authors: Pittman Andrea 
Published: June 2011

PurposeTo determine the rate of word learning for children with hearing loss (HL) in quiet and in noise compared to normal-hearing (NH) peers. The effects of digital noise reduction (DNR) were examined for children with HL.MethodForty-one children with NH and 26 children with HL were grouped by age (8–9 years and 11–12 years). The children learned novel words associated with novel objects through a process of trial and error. Functions relating performance across trials were calculated for each child in each listening condition and were compared.ResultsSignificant effects were observed for age (older > younger) in the children with NH and listening condition (quiet > noise) in the children with HL. Significant effects of hearing status were also observed across groups (NH > HL), indicating that the children with HL required more trials to learn the new words. However, word learning improved significantly in noise with the use of DNR for the older but not for the younger children with HL. Hearing aid history and signal-to-noise ratio did not contribute to performance.ConclusionWord learning was significantly reduced in younger children, in noise, and in the presence of hearing loss. Age-related benefits of DNR were apparent for children over 10 years of age.
Formation of new alumina by shearing at high pressure
Authors: Furuichi H 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The structures of inorganic solids sheared at high pressure more frequently persist at ambient conditions than those hydrostatically pressurized to high pressure. Accordingly, we can expect to fabricate materials with high-pressure structure to use them for practical purposes at ambient conditions. I, therefore, sheared α-alumina, at gradually heightened pressure up to 18 GPa at room temperature and took transmission X-ray diffraction patterns from the central area of the specimens on imaging plates, one year after the shearing. They showed broad diffused rings. This indicates that the sheared structure is highly disordered. The rings roughly correspond to a highly disordered structure consisting of simple cubic lattices, with the exception of two rings. Alumina with the former structure has not yet been reported. The latter rings correspond to those of alumina above 90 GPa (the structure is unknown). The fact mentioned above suggests the existence of an intermediate state between α-alumina and the alumina above 90 GPa. The above facts also suggest that the transformation mentioned above and the disordering of lattices contributed to plastic deformation of the specimen during the shearing.