bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antigen-Specific T-Cell Response from Dendritic Cell Vaccination Using Cancer Stem-Like Cell-Associated Antigens
Authors: Xu Qijin , Liu Gentao , Yuan Xiangpeng , Xu Minlin , Wang Hongqiang , Ji Jianfei , Konda Bindu , Black Keith L. , Yu John S. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor, with current treatment remaining palliative. Immunotherapies harness the body's own immune system to target cancers and could overcome the limitations of conventional treatments. One active immunotherapy strategy uses dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination to initiate T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. It has been proposed that cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) may play a key role in cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to current treatments. However, whether using human CSC antigens may improve the antitumor effect of DC vaccination against human cancer is unclear. In this study, we explored the suitability of CSCs as sources of antigens for DC vaccination again human GBM, with the aim of achieving CSC-targeting and enhanced antitumor immunity. We found that CSCs express high levels of tumor-associated antigens as well as major histocompatibility complex molecules. Furthermore, DC vaccination using CSC antigens elicited antigen-specific T-cell responses against CSCs. DC vaccination-induced interferon-γ production is positively correlated with the number of antigen-specific T cells generated. Finally, using a 9L CSC brain tumor model, we demonstrate that vaccination with DCs loaded with 9L CSCs, but not daughter cells or conventionally cultured 9L cells, induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against CSCs, and prolonged survival in animals bearing 9L CSC tumors. Understanding how immunization with CSCs generates superior antitumor immunity may accelerate development of CSC-specific immunotherapies and cancer vaccines.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Wnt3a-Induced Mesoderm Formation and Cardiomyogenesis in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Tran Thanh H. , Wang Xiurong , Browne Carol , Zhang Yunyu , Schinke Martina , Izumo Seigo , Burcin Mark 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn vitro differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into pure human cardiomyocytes (hESCMs) would present a powerful tool to further the creation of cell models designed to advance preclinical drug development. Here, we report a novel differentiation method to substantially increase hESCM yield. Upon early and transient treatment of hESCs with Wnt3a, embryoid body and mesendoderm formation is enhanced, leading to greater differentiation toward cardiomyocytes. Moreover, the generated beating clusters are highly enriched with cardiomyocytes (50%) and express genes characteristic of cardiac cells, providing evidence that these hESCMs are competent to develop in vitro into functional and physiologically relevant cardiomyocytes. In summary, this protocol not only has the potential to guarantee a renewable supply of enriched cardiomyocyte populations for developing novel and more predictive cell models, but it also should provide valuable insights into pathways critical for cardiac regeneration.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
EpCAM Is Involved in Maintenance of the Murine Embryonic Stem Cell Phenotype
Authors: González Bárbara , Denzel Sabine , Mack Brigitte , Conrad Marcus , Gires Olivier 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule EpCAM is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is expressed on subsets of normal epithelia, numerous stem- and progenitor-type cells, and most carcinomas and highly overexpressed on cancer-initiating cells. The role of EpCAM in early development, particularly in stem-like cells, has remained unclear. Here, we show that the maintenance of self-renewal in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells depends on the high-level expression of EpCAM. Cultivation of ES cells under differentiation conditions in the absence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) caused down-regulation of EpCAM along with decreased expression of cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc), Sex-determining region Y-Box 2, Octamer 3/4 (Oct3/4), and Stat3. As a consequence ES cells were morphologically differentiated and ceased to proliferate. RNA interference-mediated inhibition of EpCAM expression under self-renewal conditions resulted in quantitatively decreased proliferation, decreased Oct3/4, SSEA-1, and c-Myc expression, and diminished alkaline phosphatase activity. Conversely, exogenous expression of EpCAM partially compensated for the requirement of ES cells for LIF to retain a stem cell phenotype. Thus, murine EpCAM is a transmembrane protein, which is essential but by itself is not sufficient for maintenance of the ES cell phenotype.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Proliferation of Human Glioblastoma Stem Cells Occurs Independently of Exogenous Mitogens
Authors: Kelly John J. P. , Stechishin Owen , Chojnacki Andrew , Lun Xueqing , Sun Beichen , Senger Donna L. , Forsyth Peter , Auer Roland N. , Dunn Jeff F. , Cairncross J. Gregory , Parney Ian F. , Weiss Samuel 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Primary glial tumors of the central nervous system, most commonly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are aggressive lesions with a dismal prognosis. Despite identification and isolation of human brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs), characteristics that distinguish BTSCs from neural stem cells remain to be elucidated. We cultured cells isolated from gliomas, using the neurosphere culture system, to understand their growth requirements. Both CD133+ and CD133− adult GBM BTSCs proliferated in the absence of exogenous mitogenic stimulation and gave rise to multipotent GBM spheres that were capable of self-renewal. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 enhanced GBM BTSC survival, proliferation, and subsequent sphere size. Blockade of EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling reduced exogenous mitogen-independent GBM sphere growth. Implantation of as few as 10 exogenous mitogen-independent GBM BTSCs led to the formation of highly invasive intracranial tumors, which closely resembled human GBMs, in immunocompromised mice. These results demonstrate that exogenous mitogen independence, mediated in part through EGFR signaling, is one characteristic that distinguishes CD133+ and CD133− GBM BTSCs from neural stem cells. This novel experimental system will permit the elucidation of additional constitutively activated mechanisms that promote GBM BTSC survival, self-renewal, and proliferation.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Regulation of Neural Specification from Human Embryonic Stem Cells by BMP and FGF
Authors: LaVaute Timothy M. , Yoo Young Dong , Pankratz Matthew T. , Weick Jason P. , Gerstner Jason R. , Zhang Su-Chun 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is required for vertebrate neural induction, and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) may affect neural induction through phosphorylation at the linker region of Smad1, thus regulating BMP signaling. Here we show that human embryonic stem cells efficiently convert to neuroepithelial cells in the absence of BMP antagonists, or even when exposed to high concentrations of exogenous BMP4. Molecular and functional analyses revealed multiple levels of endogenous BMP signaling inhibition that may account for the efficient neural differentiation. Blocking FGF signaling inhibited neural induction, but did not alter the phosphorylation of the linker region of Smad1, suggesting that FGF enhances human neural specification independently of BMP signaling.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Congenital disorder of glycosylation type Ia: Heterogeneity in the clinical presentation from multivisceral failure to hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia as leading symptoms in three infants with phosphomannomutase deficiency
Authors: Shanti B. , Silink M. , Bhattacharya K. , Howard N. J. , Carpenter K. , Fietz M. , Clayton P. , Christodoulou J. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryWe describe three patients with congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) type Ia, all of whom had persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia responding to diazoxide therapy as a common feature. The first patient, an infant girl, presented with recurrent vomiting, failure to thrive, liver impairment, hypothyroidism and a pericardial effusion. The second patient, also female, had a milder disease with single organ involvement, presenting as isolated hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia, not associated with any cognitive impairment. The third patient, a boy presented with multi‐organ manifestations including congenital hypothyroidism, persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia, coagulopathy, olivopontocerebellar hypoplasia and recurrent pancreatitis. All three patients had a type 1 serum transferrin isoform pattern, and were subsequently found to have low phosphomannomutase activity, confirming the diagnosis of CDG type Ia. Our findings emphasize that CDG should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia and that it may even occasionally be the leading symptom in CDG Ia.
Intraguild predation of water scorpion Laccotrephes japonensis (Nepidae: Heteroptera)
Authors: Ohba Shin‐ya , Swart Charles C. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPrevious work on community structure of the invertebrate fauna of Japanese wetlands indicates the presence of intraguild predation between the heteropterans Laccotrephes japonensis (Nepidae) and Kirkaldyia deyrolli (Belostomatidae). We designed a series of experiments to understand the biotic interactions of several species of sympatric heteroptera and their shared prey. Adult Laccotrephes japonensis (Nepidae), first‐instar nymph of Kirkaldyia (=Lethocerus) deyrolli (Belostomatidae), Hyla japonica tadpole, and fourth‐instar nymph of Appasus japonicus (Belostomatidae) have been shown to be intraguild predator, intraguild prey, common prey, and prey of L. japonensis, respectively. To further understand the factors affecting prey preference by L. japonensis, we also examined the comparison of swimming speed in the three prey animals (K. deyrolli first‐instar nymph, A. japonicus fourth‐instar nymph, and H. japonica tadpole), and effects of prey animals on weight gain of L. japonensis adult. Despite there being no significant difference in weight gain or swimming speed of the three prey species, L. japonensis exhibited a strong preference for the 1st‐instar nymph of K. deyrolli. We suggested that this may be evidence for one of elimination of a potential competitor, K. deyrolli, by L. japonensis through intraguild predation.
Intense Red Catho- and Photoluminescence from 200 nm Thick Samarium Doped Amorphous AlN Thin Films
Authors: Maqbool Muhammad , Ali Tariq 
Published: April 2009

AbstractSamarium (Sm) doped aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films are deposited on silicon (100) substrates at 77 K by rf magnetron sputtering method. Thick films of 200 nm are grown at 100–200 watts RF power and 5–8 m Torr nitrogen, using a metal target of Al with Sm. X-ray diffraction results show that films are amorphous. Cathodoluminescence (CL) studies are performed and four peaks are observed in Sm at 564, 600, 648, and 707 nm as a result of4G5/2→6H5/2,4G5/2→6H7/2,4G5/2→6H9/2, and4G5/2→6H11/2transitions. Photoluminescence (PL) provides dominant peaks at 600 and 707 nm while CL gives the intense peaks at 600 nm and 648 nm, respectively. Films are thermally activated at 1,200 K for half an hour in a nitrogen atmosphere. Thermal activation enhances the intensity of luminescence.
Ultra-fast Microwave Synthesis of ZnO Nanowires and their Dynamic Response Toward Hydrogen Gas
Authors: Qurashi Ahsanulhaq , Tabet N , Faiz M , Yamzaki Toshinari 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Ultra-fast and large-quantity (grams) synthesis of one-dimensional ZnO nanowires has been carried out by a novel microwave-assisted method. High purity Zinc (Zn) metal was used as source material and placed on microwave absorber. The evaporation/oxidation process occurs under exposure to microwave in less than 100 s. Field effect scanning electron microscopy analysis reveals the formation of high aspect-ratio and high density ZnO nanowires with diameter ranging from 70 to 80 nm. Comprehensive structural analysis showed that these ZnO nanowires are single crystal in nature with excellent crystal quality. The gas sensor made of these ZnO nanowires exhibited excellent sensitivity, fast response, and good reproducibility. Furthermore, the method can be extended for the synthesis of other oxide nanowires that will be the building block of future nanoscale devices.
Enhanced Luminescence of Eu-Doped TiO2Nanodots
Authors: Luo Ming , Cheng Kui , Weng Wenjian , Song Chenlu , Du Piyi , Shen Ge , Xu Gang , Han Gaorong 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Monodisperse and spherical Eu-doped TiO2nanodots were prepared on substrate by phase-separation-induced self-assembly. The average diameters of the nanodots can be 50 and 70 nm by changing the preparation condition. The calcined nanodots consist of an amorphous TiO2matrix with Eu3+ions highly dispersed in it. The Eu-doped TiO2nanodots exhibit intense luminescence due to effective energy transfer from amorphous TiO2matrix to Eu3+ions. The luminescence intensity is about 12.5 times of that of Eu-doped TiO2film and the luminescence lifetime can be as long as 960 μs.
Differential expression of Dicer and Argonaute genes duringthe differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Potenza Nicoletta , Papa Umberto , Russo Aniello 
Published: April 2009

AbstractDicer and Argonaute 1–4 proteins are key components of the cytoplasmic enzyme machinery responsible for biogenesis and performance of microRNAs. To gain insight into the roles of these proteins in cell differentiation, we investigated possible changes in the expression levels of Dicer and Argonaute 1–4 genes during the differentiation of cultured neural and glial cells. The results show that the 5 genes are differentially expressed along the 2 differentiation pathways and suggest a prevalent role of Dicer and Argonaute 4 in neural cell differentiation.
Background ELF magnetic fields in incubators: A factor of importance in cell culture work
Authors: Mild Kjell Hansson , Wilén Jonna , Mattsson Mats‐Olof , Simko Myrtill 
Published: April 2009

AbstractExtremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields in cell culture incubators have been measured. Values of the order of tens of μT were found which is in sharp contrast to the values found in our normal environment (0.05–0.1 μT). There are numerous examples of biological effects found after exposure to MF at these levels, such as changes in gene expression, blocked cell differentiation, inhibition of the effect of tamoxifen, effects on chick embryo development, etc. We therefore recommend that people working with cell culture incubators check for the background magnetic field and take this into account in performing their experiments, since this could be an unrecognised factor of importance contributing to the variability in the results from work with cell cultures.
Comparison of murine dental follicle precursor and retinal progenitor cells after neural differentiation in vitro
Authors: Ernst Wolfgang , Saugspier Michael , Felthaus Oliver , Driemel Oliver , Morsczeck Christian 
Published: April 2009

AbstractHuman dental stem or precursor cells can differentiate into multiple cell types like adipocytes, osteoblasts or chondrocytes. Recently, a number of different human dental stem cell lines were differentiated into neurons. This makes dental stem cells interesting as possible cell‐based therapeutics for neural degenerative diseases. To test this hypothesis, we have investigated the neural differentiation potential of murine dental follicle precursor cells (mDFPCs). The mDFPC cell line was newly established without cell immortalization. After differentiation, neural cell marker expression in mDFPCs was checked and compared with that of murine retinal progenitor cells (mRPCs). Differentiated mDFPCs became neuron‐like cells with small cell bodies and long/branching neurites, similar to differentiated mRPCs. However, mRPCs showed more complete neural differentiation. Furthermore, 5% of the differentiated mDFPCs and 37% of the differentiated mRPCs were positive for the glia cell marker GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein). The data presents new evidence of neural differentiation of mDFPCs, but only a small percentage of mDFPCs differentiated into glia cells, unlike mRPCs.
Effect of FK506 and cyclosporine A on the expression of BDNF, tyrosine kinase B and p75 neurotrophin receptors in astrocytes exposed to simulated ischemia in vitro
Authors: Gabryel Bozena , Bernacki Jacek 
Published: April 2009

AbstractWe investigated whether the immunosuppressive drugs, FK506 and cyclosporine A, increase BDNF protein and/or mRNA expression in ischemic astrocytes and if an increase could be related to changes in the nuclear expression of p‐CREB, p‐Erk1/2 and p‐Akt. The influence of these immunosuppressants on protein and mRNA levels of TrkB and p75NTR receptors was also examined. On day 21, cultures of rat astrocytes were subjected to ischemic conditions simulated in vitro (combined oxygen glucose deprivation, OGD) for 8 h and exposed to FK506 (10–1000 nM) and cyclosporine A (0.25–10 μM). FK506 and cyclosporine A (at 1000 nM and 0.25 μM, respectively) stimulated the expression and release of BDNF in cultured rat cerebral cortical astrocytes exposed to OGD. The immunosuppressants at these doses simultaneously increased p‐CREB and p‐Erk1/2 expression in the nuclear fraction of astrocytes. The results RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis provided further evidence of a modulating influence of the drugs on the expression of trkB and p75NTR genes and their protein products in ischemic astrocytes.
Three key variables involved in feeder preparation for the maintenance of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Zhou Di , Liu Tiancheng , Zhou Xiaoying , Lu Guangxiu 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAlthough the development of a feeder‐free culture system for future applications of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), at present the regular culture system uses mitotically inactivated mouse embryonic fibroblasts (mEFs) as feeder cells for maintaining undifferentiated hESCs. Mitomycin C (MMC) is used to inactivate mEFs, but this causes DNA damage, and it is unclear whether MMC remains in the culture system after several washes. Three variables have been evaluated with respect to feeder preparation and MMC involvement, including mEF exposure to MMC, density of feeder cells, and different wash steps during the preparation of feeder cells. These variables are critical to the subsequent planting of hESCs because remnants of MMC would be unsafe with respect to long‐term culture of hESCs The novel data here evaluates the remnant amounts of MMC in a hESCs culture system using HPLC/MS/MS. The ultimate objective of this study is the control of MMC within a safe range.
Effect of silicon dioxide on expression of poly (ADP‐Ribose) polymerase mRNA and protein
Authors: Gao Ai , Song Shanshan , Wang Danlin , Peng Wei , Tian Lin 
Published: April 2009

AbstractSilicon dioxide induces acute injury and chronic pulmonary fibrosis. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) listed it as a human carcinogen in 1996. However, the molecular mechanisms to induce cancer are not understood yet. The content of poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerases (PARP) mRNA and protein in Hela cells treated with concentrations of silicon dioxide up to 400 μg/ml was determined by real‐time fluorogenetic quantitative PCR (RQ‐PCR) and immunofluorescence assay, respectively. MTT assay was used to determine cell viability. The results showed that viability at 400 μg/ml silica was significantly decreased but not at lower concentrations. The protein content of γ‐H2AX in silica‐treated group was significantly higher than the controls. The PARP mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced with a dose response manner from the lowest silicon dioxide level. Our findings suggested that silicon dioxide increased the expression of γ‐H2AX and inhibited the expression of PARP mRNA and protein in Hela cells.
Reiseimpfungen
Authors: Jelinek Tomas 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Die Reisemedizin bietet eine Vielzahl von Ansätzen zur Krankheitsprävention. Ein besonderer Schwerpunkt sollte auf ausführliche Beratung über wesentliche Risiken im Reisegebiet, auf Vorsorgemaßnahmen und Verhaltensregeln in den Tropen liegen. Die Impfberatung und Durchführung von Reiseimpfungen sind ein wesentlicher Teil der reisemedizinischen Beratung. Von den individualmedizinischen Aspekten abgesehen, gibt es auch zahlreiche Argumente aus Sicht des Public Health und der Gesundheitsökonomie, die für eine intensive Beratung und Betreuung von Reisenden sprechen. Reiseimpfungen sind ein wichtiges Präventionstool und sollten auch im Sinne der Allgemeinheit intensiv eingesetzt werden.
ON WEAKLY RIGID RINGS
Authors: NASR-ISFAHANI A. R. , MOUSSAVI A. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractLet R be a ring with a monomorphism α and an α-derivation δ. We introduce (α, δ)-weakly rigid rings which are a generalisation of α-rigid rings and investigate their properties. Every prime ring R is (α, δ)-weakly rigid for any automorphism α and α-derivation δ. It is proved that for any n, a ring R is (α, δ)-weakly rigid if and only if the n-by-n upper triangular matrix ring Tn(R) is (, )-weakly rigid if and only if Mn(R) is (, )-weakly rigid. Moreover, various classes of (α, δ)-weakly rigid rings is constructed, and several known results are extended. We show that for an (α, δ)-weakly rigid ring R, and the extensions R[x], R[[x]], R[x; α, δ], R[x, x−1; α], R[[x; α]], R[[x, x−1; α]], the ring R is quasi-Baer if and only if the extension over R is quasi-Baer. It is also proved that for an (α, δ)-weakly rigid ring R, if any one of the rings R, R[x], R[x; α, δ] and R[x, x−1; α] is left principally quasi-Baer, then so are the other three. Examples to illustrate and delimit the theory are provided.
EXTENDED QUANTUM ENVELOPING ALGEBRAS OF (2)
Authors: ZHIXIANG WU 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn present paper we define a new kind of quantized enveloping algebra of (2). We denote this algebra by Ur,t, where r, t are two non-negative integers. It is a non-commutative and non-cocommutative Hopf algebra. If r = 0, then the algebra Ur,t is isomorphic to a tensor product of the algebra of infinite cyclic group and the usual quantum enveloping algebra of (2) as Hopf algebras. The representation of this algebra is studied.
ON THE RESTRICTION OF CHARACTERS OF STEINBERG–TITS TRIALITY GROUP 3D4(q) ON UNIPOTENT CLASSES
Authors: DABBAGHIAN VAHID 
Published: April 2009

AbstractLet G be a finite Steinberg–Tits triality group 3D4(q), and let H be a maximal unipotent subgroup of G. In this paper we classify irreducible characters χ of G such that χH has a linear constituent with multiplicity one.
ON GLOBAL ROUGH SOLUTIONS TO A NON-LINEAR SCHRÖDINGER SYSTEM
Authors: MA LI , SONG XIANFA , ZHAO LIN 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe non-linear Schrödinger systems arise from many important physical branches. In this paper, employing the ‘I-method’, we prove the global-in-time well-posedness for a coupled non-linear Schrödinger system in Hs(n) when n = 2, s > 4/7 and n = 3, s > 5/6, respectively, which extends the results of J. Colliander, M. Keel, G. Staffilani, H. Takaoka and T. Tao (Almost conservation laws and global rough solutions to a nonlinear Schrödinger equation, Math Res. Lett. 9, 2002, 659–682) to the system.