bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic functions of AMPK: Aspects of structure and of natural mutations in the regulatory gamma subunits
Authors: Moffat Cynthia , Ellen Harper Mary 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAMP‐activated protein kinase, AMPK, is widely accepted as the master regulator of energy levels within the cell. Responding quickly to changing energy demands, AMPK works to restore levels of ATP during times of cellular stress by promoting ATP producing catabolic pathways and inhibiting ATP consuming anabolic ones. As a heterotrimeric protein complex, AMPK's subunits each act in unique and crucial ways to control AMPK function and its localization within the cell. Research in the last decade has identified and begun to characterize the impact of naturally occurring mutations in the gamma regulatory subunits. Mutations in the γ2 subunit have implications for cardiac function and disease, while the R225W mutation in the γ3 subunit have implications for skeletal muscle fuel metabolism and resistance to fatigue. Research focused on structure‐function aspects of AMPK regulatory subunits will lead to a better understanding of the roles of AMPK in health and disease. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(10): 739–745, 2010
Dose‐dependent pharmacokinetics of toxic metabolites is not related to increased toxicity following high‐dose valproic acid in rats
Authors: Jung Byung Hwa , Kim Bo Jun , Lee Min Sun , Lee Joo Hyun , Oh Ju‐Hee , Lee Young‐Joo 
Published: October 2010

AbstractIt has been reported that urinary excretion of two metabolites of valproic acid (VPA), 4‐ene‐valproic acid (4‐VPA) and 2,4‐diene‐valproic acid (2,4‐VPA), increased exponentially with the administration of high doses of VPA, and this increased formation of toxic metabolites could be related to VPA hepatotoxicity in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the plasma level of 4‐VPA and 2,4‐VPA in rats corresponds to the urinary data for the same metabolites in humans. After the oral administration of VPA at doses of 20, 100 and 500 mg kg−1in rats, the AUC0–24 h, 4‐VPA/AUC0–24 h, VPAratios (0.0399, 0.0120 and 0.0100 for 20, 100 and 500 mg kg−1, respectively) and AUC0–24 h, 2,4‐VPA/AUC0–24 h, VPAratios (0.00104, 0.00201 and 0.00141, respectively) did not increase with increasing doses of VPA in rats. Thus, the plasma exposure of toxic metabolites normalized by dose remained unchanged (for 2,4‐VPA) or even decreased (for 4‐VPA) following high‐dose VPA administration; this contradicts the findings of previous studies. Our results suggest that toxicity induced by high doses of VPA cannot be explained by a nonlinear increase of toxic metabolites in rats. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterisation of DNA methylation status using spectroscopy (mid‐IR versus Raman) with multivariate analysis
Authors: Kelly Jemma G. , Najand Ghazal M. , Martin Francis L. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractMethylation status plays important roles in the regulation of gene expression and significantly influences the dynamics, bending and flexibility of DNA. The aim of this study was to determine whether attenuated total reflection Fourier‐transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) or Raman spectroscopy with subsequent multivariate analysis could determine methylation patterning in oligonucleotides variously containing 5‐methylcytosine, cytosine and guanine bases. Applied to Low‐E reflective glass slides, 10 independent spectral acquisitions were acquired per oligonucleotide sample. Resultant spectra were baseline‐corrected and vector normalised over the 1750 cm–1–760 cm–1 (for ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy) or the 1750 cm–1–600 cm–1 (for Raman spectroscopy) regions. Data were then analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) coupled with linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Exploiting this approach, biomolecular signatures enabling sensitive and specific discrimination of methylation patterning were derived. For DNA sequence and methylation analysis, this approach has the potential to be an important tool, especially when material is scarce. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ahead: Deflationary spiral or hyperinflation?
Authors: Wolf Fran , Tackett James A. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe 2010 G20 Summit revealed sharply contrasting views among the world's major economic allies. The United States supported another round of government spending to stimulate job growth. But Germany, the United Kingdom, and others advocated fiscal restraint and higher taxes. When the major powers cannot agree on how to fix the world's ailing economy, can we even predict what our economic future holds? And which is the greater threat: fiscal restraint, which could trigger another major economic downturn and a deflationary spiral, or endless deficits, which could lead to hyperinflation? The authors discuss business strategies that treasury managers can use for dealing with each of these difficulties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
When oil spills, cash flows
Authors: Johnson Leigh Redd , Rudolph Holly R. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractNearly seven million businesses—in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas—may have been affected by the explosion of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform. The total costs to those businesses remain unknown. But losses will surely be staggering, since the annual sales volume for these firms is $5.2 trillion. Some companies may also fall victim to fraudulent scams in connection with the oil spill.Because of an anticipated interruption in business and the likelihood of scams, companies should plan ahead for sustaining their operations. The authors examine strategies for improving short‐term cash flow and look at long‐term cash problems created by litigation for companies affected by the spill. They also take a close look at scams associated with this disaster—and show how companies can avoid them. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is it time for a world currency unit?
Authors: Fanning Kurt , Goldberg Stephen R. , Northway Bethany 
Published: October 2010

AbstractA supranational currency, the World Currency Unit (Wocu), has recently been introduced. It creates potential opportunities for currency and risk management for businesses involved with international transactions. The authors look at the issues of a world currency, including how corporate treasurers can use it. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
States continue push to tax internet sales
Authors: Sonnier Blaise M. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractState and local governments have relied on sales tax as a significant source of revenue. But the Internet has made them lose sales tax revenue, as online purchases have soared. So states are continuing a push to tax sales made over the Internet, which can impact companies' cash flow. Here's an update of the situation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Time‐driven activity‐based costing: An implementation in a manufacturing company
Authors: Öker Figen , Adigüzel Hümeyra 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThis article demonstrates the implementation of time‐driven activity‐based costing (TDABC) in a manufacturing company, showing how it can provide far more relevant information about product profitability and capacity utilization than standard costing. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 is involved in glucose toxicity through SIRT1 modulation in HepG2 hepatocytes
Authors: Pang Jing , Gong Huan , Xi Chao , Fan Wei , Dai Yang , Zhang Tie‐mei 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAccelerated glucose metabolism leads to oxidative stress and DNA damage in cells; these effects are related to glucose toxicity. The precise mechanisms of glucose toxicity are still unclear. The aim of this work was to investigate the mechanism of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), which is a DNA repair enzyme activated by high‐glucose‐induced oxidative stress, and its effect on glucose toxicity in HepG2 hepatocytes. HepG2 cells were cultured under normal (5.5 mM) or high (30 mM) glucose conditions for 4 days. PJ34, which is an inhibitor of PARP1, was used to determine the downstream effects of PARP1 activation. PARP1 activity in 30 mM‐glucose‐treated cells was more than that in 5.5 mM‐glucose‐treated cells, and the activity correlated with the increase in ROS generation and DNA damage. PJ34 suppressed PARP1 activation and prevented the high‐glucose‐induced suppression of SIRT1 and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, which was similar to its effect on the restoration of intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) content. Further, the phosphorylation of insulin receptor was attenuated in response to insulin stimulation under high glucose conditions, and PJ34 could reverse this effect. The results of transfection of HepG2 cells with PARP1 small interfering RNA were similar to those obtained by treatment of the cells with PARP1 inhibitor PJ34. These data suggest that high‐glucose‐induced PARP1 activation might play a role in glucose toxicity by down‐regulating SIRT1 and AMPK activity through NAD depletion and resulting in insulin insensitivity. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 299–306, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Perfect difference families, perfect difference matrices, and related combinatorial structures
Authors: Ge Gennian , Miao Ying , Sun Xianwei 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe existence problems of perfect difference families with block size k, k=4,5, and additive sequences of permutations of length n, n=3,4, are two outstanding open problems in combinatorial design theory for more than 30 years. In this article, we mainly investigate perfect difference families with block size k=4 and additive sequences of permutations of length n=3. The necessary condition for the existence of a perfect difference family with block size 4 and order v, or briefly (v, 4,1)‐PDF, is v≡1(mod12), and that of an additive sequence of permutations of length 3 and order m, or briefly ASP (3, m), is m≡1(mod2). So far, (12t+1,4,1)‐PDFs with t<50 are known only for t=1,4−36,41,46 with two definiteexceptions of t=2,3, and ASP (3, m)'s with odd 3<m<200 are known only for m=5,7,13−29,35,45,49,65,75,85,91,95,105,115,119,121,125,133,135,145,147,161,169,175,189,195 with two definite exceptions of m=9,11. In this article, we show that a (12t+1,4,1)‐PDF exists for any t⩽1,000 except for t=2,3, and an ASP (3, m) exists for any odd 3<m<200 except for m=9,11 and possibly for m=59. The main idea of this article is to use perfect difference families and additive sequences of permutations with “holes”. We first introduce the concepts of an incomplete perfect difference matrix with a regular hole and a perfect difference packing with a regular difference leave, respectively. We show that an additive sequence of permutations is in fact equivalent to a perfect difference matrix, then describe an important recursive construction for perfect difference matrices via perfect difference packings with a regular difference leave. Plenty of perfect difference packings with a desirable difference leave are constructed directly. We also provide a general recursive construction for perfect difference packings, and as its applications, we obtain extensive recursive constructions for perfect difference families, some via incomplete perfect difference matrices with a regular hole. Examples of perfect difference packings directly constructed are used as ingredients in these recursive constructions to produce vast numbers of perfect difference families with block size 4. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 18: 415–449, 2010
Removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals from contaminated industrial groundwater using chitin as a biosorbent
Authors: Krupadam Reddithota J. , Sridevi P. , Sakunthala Sistu 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND: The removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from drinking water is of great importance. Chitin isolated from crab shells was used as a biosorbent for removal of three EDCs—benzo(a)antracene, β‐estradiol and bisphenol A—present in contaminated groundwater. Fourier transform infra‐red (FTIR) spectroscopy, porosimetry and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used for structural elucidation of chitin. Experiments were conducted using batch adsorption mode under different conditions of initial EDCs concentration, solution pH and adsorbent dose. The effect of chitin particle size was also investigated. Batch adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and pseudo‐first‐ and second‐order models for kinetic study.RESULTS: The maximum adsorption capacity of chitin by the three EDCs, calculated using the Langmuir equation, ranged from 42.9 to 84 mg g−1. The adsorption of EDCs by chitin was due primarily to electrostatic forces. The measurement of zeta potential indicated that chitin has higher surface charge in alkaline pH, resulting in reduction in removal of EDCs with increasing pH. Complementary to the experimental results molecular simulations were also performed on HyperChem software to understand the adsorption mechanism between chitin and EDCs in aquesous solutions. Chitin was regenerated after washing with methanol/acetic acid (1/3, v/v) and the regeneration process was repeated for 10 cycles, which showed 90% adsorption capacity retained by chitin.CONCLUSIONS: The experimental results suggest that chitin could be employed as an adsorbent in the removal of EDCs from aqueous solutions, and the adsorption potential of used chitin can be recovered by methanol/acetic acid solvent washings. The reusable biosorbent chitin would be cost‐effective and a better option for future water remediation endeavours. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
A nano‐Fe0/ACF cathode applied to neutral electro‐Fenton degradation of Orange II
Authors: Li Hualiang , Lei Hengyi , Chen Kai , Yao Chuang , Zhang Xinghong , Leng Qi , Wang Wei 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND: To extend the working pH range of electro‐Fenton, activated carbon fibre cathode (ACF) supported nano‐Fe0 catalysts were prepared by electo‐deposition and applied to treat a dye effluent in a neutral aqueous medium. The morphology of the Fe0/ACF cathode was characterized by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental conditions, such as the initial pH, dye concentration and current density of the degradation of the dye effluent were investigated. A pseudo‐first‐order model was used to simulate the experimental results.RESULTS: Compared with Fe2+ and Fe3+, the degradation of Orange II solution by an Fe0/ACF cathode was shown to achieve much better results at neutral pH values. Additionally, the dissolved iron concentration in the solution was also evaluated. The results showed that 0.79 mg L−1 of total iron was present after 120 min reaction time at neutral pH, suggesting that the Fe0/ACF cathode can be used for a long time and is reusable under neutral pH conditions. A complete description of the possible degradation mechanism in solution is provided.CONCLUSION: The high catalytic activity of this cathode is probably due to the efficient electrotransfer at the Fe0/iron oxide interface. All this demonstrates that Fe0/ACF is a good and promising cathode for the neutral electro‐Fenton process. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Gene knockdown with lentiviral vector‐mediated intrathecal RNA interference of protein kinase C gamma reverses chronic morphine tolerance in rats
Authors: Song Zongbin , Zou Wangyuan , Liu Chang , Guo Qulian 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackgroundAlthough morphine is a widely used opioid analgesic, morphine tolerance (MT) has limited the use of the drug because it creates the necessity for high doses. Protein kinase C (PKC), especially the PKCγ isoform, is considered to play a key role in the development of MT. Because RNA interference provides a powerful method for the investigation of gene function, and lentiviral delivery systems have been approved for human use, this present study examined rats tolerant to morphine to determine whether an intrathecal injection of a lentiviral vector of PKCγ short hairpin RNA (LV‐shPKCγ) down‐regulated the expression of the PKCγ gene and reversed MT.MethodsMT was induced by intrathecal morphine (10 µg b.i.d.) for six consecutive days. A lentiviral‐mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) system was synthesized to deliver the PKCγ shRNAs to the spinal cord of the rats with MT. Mechanical and thermal paw withdrawal threshold were assessed to determine the analgesic effects of morphine. Expression of PKCγ mRNA and protein was determined by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis, respectively.ResultsThe chronic administration of morphine induced a stabilized analgesic tolerance. A single injection of LV‐shPKCγ significantly reversed morphine antinociceptive tolerance. Compared to the control group, PKCγ mRNA and protein levels were dramatically down‐regulated in the LV‐shPKCγ group.ConclusionsA single injection of LV‐shPKCγ reversed MT by reducing the expression of PKCγ in the spinal cord. These findings indicate that the use of LV‐shPKCγ might be a potential strategy for therapy in MT. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of a dockerin‐based affinity tag: application for purification of a broad variety of target proteins
Authors: Demishtein Alik , Karpol Alon , Barak Yoav , Lamed Raphael , Bayer Edward A. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractCellulose, a major component of plant matter, is degraded by a cell surface multiprotein complex called the cellulosome produced by several anaerobic bacteria. This complex coordinates the assembly of different glycoside hydrolases, via a high‐affinity Ca2+‐dependent interaction between the enzyme‐borne dockerin and the scaffoldin‐borne cohesin modules. In this study, we characterized a new protein affinity tag, ΔDoc, a truncated version (48 residues) of the Clostridium thermocellum Cel48S dockerin. The truncated dockerin tag has a binding affinity (KA) of 7.7 × 108 M−1, calculated by a competitive enzyme‐linked assay system. In order to examine whether the tag can be used for general application in affinity chromatography, it was fused to a range of target proteins, including Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP), C. thermocellum β‐glucosidase, Escherichia coli thioesterase/protease I (TEP1), and the antibody‐binding ZZ‐domain from Staphylococcus aureus protein A. The results of this study significantly extend initial studies performed using the Geobacillus stearothermophilus xylanase T‐6 as a model system. In addition, the enzymatic activity of a C. thermocellum β‐glucosidase, purified using this approach, was tested and found to be similar to that of a β‐glucosidase preparation (without the ΔDoc tag) purified using the standard His‐tag. The truncated dockerin derivative functioned as an effective affinity tag through specific interaction with a cognate cohesin, and highly purified target proteins were obtained in a single step directly from crude cell extracts. The relatively inexpensive beaded cellulose‐based affinity column was reusable and maintained high capacity after each cycle. This study demonstrates that deletion into the first Ca2+‐binding loop of the dockerin module results in an efficient and robust affinity tag that can be generally applied for protein purification. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteolysis activity of IgM antibodies from rheumatoid arthritis patients' sera: evidence of atypical catalytic site
Authors: Kamalanathan A. S. , Goulvestre C. , Weill B. , Vijayalakshmi M. A. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe IgM antibodies from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients' sera were screened for peptide hydrolyzing activity. Recovery of structurally intact IgM antibodies (Abs), in a single step, was achieved using a weak anion‐exchange methacrylate monolith disk. The IgM Abs from patients' sera hydrolyzed the Pro‐Phe‐Arg‐4‐methyl‐coumaryl‐7‐amide (PFR‐MCA) substrate appreciably compared to the healthy donors. The apparent Km values of IgM Abs from patients' sera were between 0.4 and 0.7 mM. Furthermore, IgM Abs displayed 5 to 10‐folds greater proteolysis activity than IgG Abs, recovered from the same pathological serum. The proteolysis activity, as a function, was found to be independent of IgM‐RF titer value. Affinity labeling approach targeted at the catalytic site histidine was studied, using a specific irreversible inhibitor, N‐α‐tosyl‐L‐lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK). Despite modification of catalytic His, observation of serine protease like activity suggest presence of an atypical catalytic framework in a few pathological IgM Abs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bead‐based protein–protein interaction assays for the analysis of Rho GTPase signaling
Authors: Rimmele Stefanie , Gierschik Peter , Joos Thomas O. , Schneiderhan‐Marra Nicole 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBead‐based interaction assays are excellently suited to study protein–protein interactions, as they require only minimal amounts of sample material. Miniaturized protein–protein interaction assays were designed to analyze Rho GTPase activation based on its interaction with Rho GDI or p21‐activated kinase (PAK).Rho GDI plays a key role in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions through its interaction with Rho GTPases. Rho GDI is frequently overexpressed in many human cancers. Therefore, there is a growing and as yet unfulfilled demand for screening assays to identify biologically active compounds that may inhibit the Rho GTPase–Rho GDI interaction. Bead‐based interaction assays provide an interesting alternative that facilitate such assays to be performed faster with only small amounts of material compared to routinely used co‐immunoprecipitation followed by Western Blot analysis.Bead‐based protein interaction assays for overexpressed HA‐tagged Rho GTPases were established to study the GTPγS‐dependent interaction of five different Rho GTPases with the regulatory protein Rho GDIα and the downstream effector PAK1. In addition, it was demonstrated that the ability of Rho GTPases to interact with Rho GDI in this experimental system was markedly, but differentially sensitive to post‐translational modification of their carboxyl terminus. Importantly, this modification also notably affected the ability of Rac1 and Rac2, but not of Cdc42, to interact with PAK1. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro studies with mammalian cell lines and gum arabic‐coated magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Bicho Ana , Roque Ana Cecília A. , Cardoso Ana Sofia , Domingos Patrícia , Batalha Íris Luz 
Published: October 2010

AbstractIron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized by the chemical co‐precipitation method and coated with gum arabic (GA) by physical adsorption and covalent attachment. Cultures of mammalian cell lines (HEK293, CHO and TE671) were grown in the presence of uncoated and GA‐coated MNPs. Cellular growth was followed by optical microscopy in order to assess the proportion of cells with particles, alterations in cellular density and the presence of debris. The in vitro assays demonstrated that cells from different origins are affected differently by the presence of the nanoparticles. Also, the methods followed for GA coating of MNPs endow distinct surface characteristics that probably underlie the observed differences when in contact with the cells. In general, the nanoparticles to which the GA was adsorbed had a smaller ability to attach to the cells' surface and to compromise the viability of the cultures. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.