bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells in Melatonin‐Mediated Inhibition of Murine Gastric Cancer Cell Growth In Vivo and In Vitro
Authors: Liu Hui , Xu Li , Wei Jian‐En , Xie Mei‐Rong , Wang Shi‐E , Zhou Rui‐Xiang 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMelatonin is an important immune modulator with antitumor functions, and increased CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been observed in tumor tissues of patients and animal models with gastric cancer. However, the relationship between melatonin and Tregs remains unclear. To explore this potential connection, we performed an in vivo study by inoculating the murine foregastric carcinoma (MFC) cell line in mice and then treated them with different doses of melatonin (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) for 1 week. The results showed that melatonin could reduce the tumor tissue and decrease Tregs numbers and Forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) expression in the tumor tissue. An in vitro study was also performed to test the effects of purified Tregs on melatonin‐mediated inhibition of MFC cells. The cell cultures were divided into three groups: 1) MFC+ Tregs; 2) MFC only; and 3) MFC+CD4+CD25− T cells. After treatment with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mM) for 24 h, a dose‐dependent apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase was detected in melatonin‐treated MFC at melatonin concentration higher than 4 mM. There were no significant differences in the rates of apoptosis and cell cycle distributions of MFC among the three groups. In conclusion, the antigastric cancer effect of melatonin is associated with downregulation of CD4+CD25+ Tregs and its Foxp3 expression in the tumor tissue. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calretinin and Somatostatin Immunoreactivities Label Different Human Submucosal Neuron Populations
Authors: Kustermann Andreas , Neuhuber Winfried , Brehmer Axel 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn human myenteric plexus, calretinin (CALR) and somatostatin (SOM) coexist in Dogiel Type II neurons, which were considered as intrinsic primary afferent neurons in the guinea pig. The aims of this study were to test if also human submucosal neurons costain immunohistochemically for CALR and SOM and whether these or other neurons display Type II morphology. Two sets of submucosal wholemounts of small and large intestine from 29 patients (median age 65 years) were triple stained for CALR, SOM, and human neuronal protein Hu C/D (HU, a pan‐neuronal marker) as well as for CALR, SOM, and peripherin (PER), respectively. Only exceptionally, neurons coreactive for both CALR and SOM were found. The three major groups of neurons were CALR‐/HU‐coreactive (CALR‐neurons), SOM‐/HU‐coreactive (SOM‐neurons), and HU‐alone‐positive neurons. We observed significantly more CALR‐neurons in the external submucosal plexus (ESP) of all regions and more SOM‐neurons in the internal submucosal plexus (ISP), although with substantial interindividual variations. Comparisons of small vs. large intestine revealed more SOM‐neurons (ESP: 29% vs. 4%, ISP: 40% vs. 13%) but fewer CALR‐neurons (ESP: 37% vs. 77%, ISP: 21% vs. 67%) in small intestine. Morphologically, CALR‐neurons had multiple processes; in some cases, we identified multidendritic/uniaxonal neurons. In contrast, SOM‐neurons had mostly only one process. The functions of both populations as possible primary afferent neurons, interneurons, secretomotor neurons, or vasomotor neurons are discussed. Future morphochemical distinction of these groups may reveal different subgroups. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Timetable for Upper Eyelid Development in Staged Human Embryos and Fetuses
Authors: Byun Tae Ho , Kim Jeong Tae , Park Hyoung Woo , Kim Won Kyu 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIn this study, we examined the development of the upper eyelids to provide a basic understanding of gross anatomical structures and information relative to mechanisms of congenital anomalies in the upper eyelids. We studied the upper eyelids by external and histological observation in 48 human embryos and in fetuses from 5 to 36 weeks postfertilization. The upper eyelid fold began to develop at Stage 18. Upper and lower eyelids fused from the lateral cantus at Stage 22, and fusion was complete by 9 weeks of development. Mesenchymal condensations forming the orbital part of the orbicularis oculi (OO), tarsal plate, and the eyelashes and their appendages, were first seen at Week 9. Definite muscle structures of the upper eyelid, such as the orbital part of the OO and the levator palpebrae superioris and its aponeurosis, and the Müller's muscle were observed at 12 and 14 weeks, respectively. In addition, orbital septum, arterial arcade and orbital fat pad, and tarsal gland (TG) were apparent at 12, 14, and 18 weeks, respectively. Opening of the palpebral fissure was observed at Week 20. In addition, we defined the directional orientation between the levator aponeurosis and orbital septum and the growth pattern of the TG. Our results will be helpful in understanding the normal development of the upper eyelid and the origins of upper eyelid birth defects. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of extremely low‐frequency electric fields on the growth of Vigna radiata seedlings
Authors: Costanzo Evelina 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe biological effects of extremely low‐frequency electric fields (ELF) on living organisms have been explored in many studies, but the results are controversial and only a few studies investigated the influence of the intensity of the applied field on seedling growth. Here we assess the effects of a 50 Hz sinusoidal electric field on the early growth of Vigna radiata seedlings while varying the field intensity. Experiments performed in a dark, constant‐climate chamber on several thousands of seedlings show that the field produces an inhibitory effect at a low field intensity and an enhancing one at a higher intensity. The maximum negative effect occurs at about 450 V/m, which is an intensity much lower than the exposure limits currently in force in the safety regulations. Bioelectromagnetics 32:589–592, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of the superoxide anion radical scavenging activity by tetracycline antibiotics in aprotic media
Authors: Kładna Aleksandra , Kruk Irena , Michalska Teresa , Berczyński Paweł , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe tetracycline family antibiotics are widely used as human and veterinary treatments. The drugs are effective as antibiotics and also show antimicrobial and non‐microbial action. However, the antioxidant properties of tetracyclines have not been characterized in aprotic media. To better understand their biological functions, the in vitro superoxide anion radical () scavenging activities of tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, doxycycline and methacycline were characterized, along with a very efficient scavenger, tiron, in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), using ultra‐weak chemiluminescence (CL). We found that tetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline efficiently inhibited CL from the ‐generating system at concentration levels of 0.02–1.0 mmol/L. Methacycline and oxytetracycline were the scavengers at concentration levels of 0.01–0.1 mmol/L, whereas when their concentration was lowered the drugs were capable of generating , leading to CL enhancement. For all the data obtained in this study, the scavenging activity for the compounds tested decreased in the following order: tetracycline > doxycycline > chlortetracycline > tiron methacycline > oxytetracycline. These results indicate that the tetracycline drugs directly alter redox chemistry in aprotic media. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Randomized clinical trial of combined preincisional infiltration and intraperitoneal instillation of levobupivacaine for postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Hilvering B , Draaisma W A , van der Bilt J D W , Valk R M , Kofman K E , Consten E C J 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackgroundPostoperative pain is one of the main reasons for a prolonged hospital stay after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Reduced postoperative pain might result in faster recovery and establish LC as a day-care surgical procedure. Peroperative local anaesthesia has been suggested to reduce postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of combined subcutaneous infiltration and intraperitoneal instillation of levobupivacaine before the start of LC on postoperative abdominal pain up to 24 h after surgery.MethodsPatients eligible for elective LC were randomized to receive preincisional infiltration and preoperative intraperitoneal instillation of 80 ml of either 0·125 per cent levobupivacaine (experimental group) or normal saline (placebo group). The primary outcome measure was abdominal pain estimated by means of a visual analogue scale at 0·5, 2, 4, 8 and 24 h after surgery.ResultsEighty of the 101 patients assessed for eligibility were randomized. There was no significant reduction in postoperative abdominal pain with levobupivacaine compared with placebo during the 24-h follow-up; the overall difference in pain score was 2·2 (95 per cent confidence interval − 4·9 to 9·3; P = 0·540). The duration of operation, use of anaesthesia, use of rescue analgesia, shoulder pain, duration of hospital stay and time to resumption of normal daily activities did not differ between the two groups.ConclusionCombined subcutaneous and intraperitoneal administration of levobupivacaine did not influence postoperative abdominal pain after LC. Registration number: NCT01199406 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Advances in the Catalytic Asymmetric Arylation of Imines using Organoboron Reagents: An Approach to Chiral Arylamines
Authors: Marques Carolina S. , Burke Anthony J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe production of chiral amines by means of catalytic asymmetric synthesis is a current challenge in the field of drug discovery and is discussed in this review. The use of cheap, easily handled, and low toxic organoboron reagents, such as boronic acids and derivatives, and easily prepared imine substrates, such as diphenylphosphinoyl, N‐Boc, N‐tosylaryl, N‐nosylaryl, or dimethylsulfamoyl imines, together with rhodium and palladium catalysts give the corresponding chiral amine products in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. A diverse range of chiral ligands, such as phosphines, phosphites, phosphoramidites, P,O‐ligands, olefins, NHCs, and N,N‐ligands can be used with this method, showing, therefore, its versatility. The application of aliphatic imine substrates and with the use of different palladium complexes show, on the other hand, the versatility of the method described.
Seed‐Mediated Synthesis of Gold Octahedra in High Purity and with Well‐Controlled Sizes and Optical Properties
Authors: Kim Do Youb , Li Weiyang , Ma Yanyun , Yu Taekyung , Li Zhi‐Yuan , Park O Ok , Xia Younan 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe report a facile method for the synthesis of uniform Au octahedra with well‐controlled sizes and optical properties by seed‐mediated growth. Starting from single‐crystal seeds of Au spheres with a uniform size, we could reproducibly obtain Au octahedra with a narrow size distribution (<7 % in standard deviation) and in high purity (>90 %). Moreover, the edge lengths of these Au octahedra could be readily tuned in a controllable fashion from 16 to 77 nm by varying the amount of seeds, the concentration of HAuCl4, or both. We have also investigated the effects of water and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) in the system, as well as the reaction temperature, on the evolution of octahedral shape.
The CFD driven optimisation of a modified venturi for cavitational activity
Authors: Bashir Tausif A. , Soni Advait G. , Mahulkar Amit V. , Pandit Aniruddha B. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis work presents CFD‐based optimisation of the important geometrical parameters of a cavitating venturi. The parameters for optimisation were selected based on the analysis of the steps involved in the cavitation process like cavity inception, cavity growth, and cavity collapse. It was seen that the ratio of the perimeter of the venturi to the cross‐sectional area of its constriction quantifies the possible location of the inception of the cavity. The ratio of the throat length to its height (in the case of a slit venturi) controls the maximum size of the cavity and the angle of the divergence section controls the rate of collapse of a cavity. Based on the numerical study, it was concluded that a slit venturi (α = 2.7) with the slit length equal to its height (1:1) and a half angle of divergence section of 5.5° is an optimum geometry for best cavitational activity.
Optimising the lipid production of the green alga Neochloris oleoabundans using box–behnken experimental design
Authors: Wang Bei , Lan Christopher Q. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractA systematic approach involving factor grouping, factorial design and response surface analysis was demonstrated to be an effective method for studying the effects of a large number of nutrients on cell growth and lipid production of the green alga Neochloris oleoabundans for the purpose of medium optimisation. Box–Behnken experimental design (BBD) was used for factorial experimental design and response surface method (RSM) was used for data analysis. The optimised medium obtained was able to support a lipid yield of 641.4 mg lipid/L and a cell density of 2.54 g/L, which were 4.5‐ and 2.2‐fold of that obtained with the basic medium, modified Bristol medium (MBM), respectively.
Comparative analysis for three different immobilisation strategies in the hexavalent chromium biosorption process using Bacillus sphaericus S‐layer
Authors: Carrero Diana Marcela , Morales Johanna Maritza , Garcia Andrea Carolina , Florez Nathalia , Delgado Paula Andrea , Dussan Jenny , Uribe Andrés Córdoba , Barrios Andrés Fernando González 
Published: March 2011

AbstractHexavalent chromium constitutes an important water pollutant due to its cancerogenic properties. In countries such as Colombia it is widely used as a preservative in the leather industry. Bacillus sphaericus S‐layer exhibits high metal‐binding capacity hence the use of this microorganism to remove metals such as chromium from polluted regions based on immobilised cells systems is suggested to be an interesting proposal. The paper describes thermodynamic adsorption process of Cr(VI) on immobilised biomass of B. sphaericus cells on polyurethane foam, sol–gel, and sawdust. The adsorption isotherms describe different immobilisation mechanisms regarding the support utilised. For example, polyurethane and sawdust immobilisation process were described with the classical Langmuir model while sol–gel followed Generalised Freundlich–Kiselev behaviour. Moreover, through determining breakthrough curves in packed columns with each medium we found surface diffusion and mass bulk transfer rate as crucial factors when scaling‐up the process.
Solar Water Splitting: Progress Using Hematite (α‐Fe2O3) Photoelectrodes
Authors: Sivula Kevin , Le Formal Florian , Grätzel Michael 
Published: March 2011

AbstractPhotoelectrochemical (PEC) cells offer the ability to convert electromagnetic energy from our largest renewable source, the Sun, to stored chemical energy through the splitting of water into molecular oxygen and hydrogen. Hematite (α‐Fe2O3) has emerged as a promising photo‐electrode material due to its significant light absorption, chemical stability in aqueous environments, and ample abundance. However, its performance as a water‐oxidizing photoanode has been crucially limited by poor optoelectronic properties that lead to both low light harvesting efficiencies and a large requisite overpotential for photoassisted water oxidation. Recently, the application of nanostructuring techniques and advanced interfacial engineering has afforded landmark improvements in the performance of hematite photoanodes. In this review, new insights into the basic material properties, the attractive aspects, and the challenges in using hematite for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting are first examined. Next, recent progress enhancing the photocurrent by precise morphology control and reducing the overpotential with surface treatments are critically detailed and compared. The latest efforts using advanced characterization techniques, particularly electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, are finally presented. These methods help to define the obstacles that remain to be surmounted in order to fully exploit the potential of this promising material for solar energy conversion.
Rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in aspirate, effusions, and cerebrospinal fluid by immunocytochemical detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex specific antigen MPT64
Authors: Purohit Manju Raj , Mustafa Tehmina , Wiker Harald G. , Sviland Lisbet 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of immunocytochemical staining for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex‐specific antigen MPT64, in tuberculous lymph node aspirates, cerebrospinal fluid, and effusions from pleura and abdomen. One hundred ninety patients with a diagnosis of tuberculosis (cases) and 80 patients with nontuberculous lesions (controls) were enrolled and differentiated on the basis of clinical features, histology, cytology, clinical biochemistry, Ziehl‐Neelsen staining, Lowenstein‐Jensen culture, and response to antituberculous therapy. Cervical lymph nodes fine‐needle aspirate (n = 150), cerebrospinal fluid (n = 27), pleural fluid (n = 41), and peritoneal fluid (n = 52) were collected and stained with anti‐MPT64 and anti‐BCG antibodies using immunocytochemistry. Nested‐PCR for IS6110 was done for comparison and to calculate the diagnostic indices of the ICC staining. ICC staining with anti‐MPT64 was positive in 128/190 (67.4%) tuberculous smears and in 4/80 (5%) control smears thus giving sensitivity of 67.4% and the specificity of 95%, while anti‐BCG was positive in 112 (58.9%) tuberculous smears and in 16/80 (20%) control smears with sensitivity of 58.9% and specificity of 80%. When diagnostic validation of ICC was done using PCR as the gold standard, the overall sensitivity, specificity, positive‐ and negative‐predictive values for ICC staining in smears with anti‐MPT64 was 96, 96, 95, and 97%, respectively, while the corresponding values for anti‐BCG were 87, 88, 86, and 88%. ICC staining using anti‐MPT64 represents a robust and simple method for establishing an early etiological diagnosis of M. tuberculosis complex infection in extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of LKB1‐SAD/MARK pathway in neuronal polarization
Authors: Shelly Maya , Poo Mu‐Ming 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe formation of axon/dendrite polarity is critical for the neuron to perform its signaling function in the brain. Recent advance in our understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of neuronal polarity has been greatly facilitated by the use of the culture system of dissociated hippocampal neurons. Among many polarization‐related proteins, we here focus on the mammalian LKB1, the counterpart of the C. elegans Par‐4, which is an upstream regulator among six Par (partitioning‐defective) genes that act as master regulators of cell polarity in different cell types across evolutionary distant species. Recent studies have identified LKB1 and its downstream targets SAD/MARK kinases (mammalian homologs of Par‐1) as key regulators of neuronal polarization and axon development in cultured neurons and in developing cortical neurons in vivo. We will review the properties of and interactions among proteins in this LKB1‐SAD/MARK pathway, drawing upon information obtained from both neuronal and non‐neuronal systems. Due to central role of the protein kinase A ‐ dependent phosphorylation of LKB1 in the activation of this pathway, we will review recent findings on how cAMP and cGMP signaling may serve as antagonistic second messengers for axon/dendrite development, and how these cyclic nucleotides may mediate the action of extracellular polarizing factors by modulating the activity of the LKB1‐SAD/MARK pathway. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 71: 508–527, 2011
Pbx homeodomain proteins: TALEnted regulators of limb patterning and outgrowth
Authors: Capellini Terence D. , Zappavigna Vincenzo , Selleri Licia 
Published: March 2011

AbstractLimb development has long provided an excellent model for understanding the genetic principles driving embryogenesis. Studies utilizing chick and mouse have led to new insights into limb patterning and morphogenesis. Recent research has centered on the regulatory networks underlying limb development. Here, we discuss the hierarchical, overlapping, and iterative roles of Pbx family members in appendicular development that have emerged from genetic analyses in the mouse. Pbx genes are essential in determining limb bud positioning, early bud formation, limb axes establishment and coordination, and patterning and morphogenesis of most elements of the limb and girdle. Pbx proteins directly regulate critical effectors of limb and girdle development, including morphogen‐encoding genes like Shh in limb posterior mesoderm, and transcription factor‐encoding genes like Alx1 in pre‐scapular domains. Interestingly, at least in limb buds, Pbx appear to act not only as Hox cofactors, but also in the upstream control of 5′ HoxA/D gene expression. Developmental Dynamics 240:1063–1086, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Snow accumulation following forest disturbance
Authors: Boon Sarah 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTMountain pine beetle (MPB) infestation and salvage logging create a post‐disturbance landscape composed of a patchwork of alive, dead, and clearcut forest stands. Subsequent impacts on runoff generation in snowmelt‐dominated hydrological regimes are largely a function of the proportion of landscape covered by each stand type, but basic information on snow accumulation variations between stand types following beetle infestation is lacking. This study examines snow accumulation in the post‐disturbance landscape of northern interior British Columbia, Canada, to quantify the effects of MPB‐related forest cover change. Field measurements collected in a live and a dead coniferous plot during the 2007 and 2008 winters are compared with those collected in a clearcut (canopy‐free control) to identify inter‐plot differences in snow depth, density, and water equivalent. Interannual variability in snow density and water equivalent is significantly affected by interannual variability in meteorological conditions. In high snow years, the dead and alive plots behave similarly due to the ability of large snowfalls to exceed the interception capacity of the canopy. In low‐to‐average snow years, however, distinct differences in snow accumulation between the dead and alive plots are observed. These are largely due to the canopy structure in the dead plot, which differs significantly from that in the healthy plot largely due to defoliation (needle drop) and the loss of fine branches and stems following beetle infestation. Research results provide key process information for modelling studies examining the effects of these changes on runoff generation at the watershed scale. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.