bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seladin‐1 and testicular germ cell tumours: new insights into cisplatin responsiveness
Authors: Nuti Francesca , Luciani Paola , Marinari Eliana , Erdei Edit , Bak Mihaly , Deledda Cristiana , Rosati Fabiana , Mazzinghi Benedetta , Danza Giovanna , Stoop Hans , Looijenga Leendert HJ , Peri Alessandro , Serio Mario , Krausz Csilla 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe molecular basis for the exquisite sensitivity of testicular germ cell tumours of adolescents and adults (TGCTs), ie seminomas and non‐seminomatous germ cell tumours, to chemo/radiotherapy has not been fully clarified so far. It has been suggested that it may be dependent on factors involved in the regulation of apoptosis. Seladin‐1 is a multi‐functional protein involved in various biological processes, including apoptosis. The aim of our study was to assess the expression of seladin‐1 in different histological types of TGCTs, known to have varying treatment sensitivity, in order to establish whether this protein may influence cisplatin responsiveness in vitro. Seladin‐1 expression levels, both at the mRNA and at the protein level, were higher in the adjacent normal parenchyma than in the pathological counterparts. In tumoural tissues, the level of expression differed among TGCT histological types. The highest tumour‐expression level was found in teratoma, whereas the lowest was detected in seminoma, corresponding to the different chemo/and radiosensitivities of these tumour types. In common with other cancers, in TGCT‐derived cell lines seladin‐1 showed anti‐apoptotic properties through inhibition of caspase‐3 activation. We confirmed our results using a non‐seminomatous cell line model (NT2) before and after differentiation with retinoic acid. Significantly higher seladin‐1 expression was observed in the differentiated derivatives (teratoma) and an inverse relationship was found between seladin‐1 expression and the amount of cleaved caspase‐3. Seladin‐1 silencing or overexpression in this cell line supports involvement of seladin‐1 in cisplatin responsiveness. Seladin‐1 silencing was associated with greater cisplatin responsiveness demonstrated by decreased cell viability and increased expression of apoptotic markers. In contrast, overexpression of seladin‐1 was associated with a higher survival rate and a clear anti‐apoptotic effect. In conclusion, we have demonstrated for the first time an important role for seladin‐1 in the biology of TGCTs and provided new insights into cisplatin responsiveness of these tumours. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Li–Fraumeni syndrome (LFS): a model for the initiation of p53 signatures in the distal Fallopian tube
Authors: Xian Wa , Miron Alexander , Roh Michael , Semmel Dana R , Yassin Yosuf , Garber Judy , Oliva Esther , Goodman Annekathryn , Mehra Karishma , Berkowitz Ross S , Crum Christopher P , Quade Bradley J 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA candidate early precursor to pelvic serous cancer, the ‘p53 signature’, is commonly found in the benign mucosa of the distal Fallopian tube and harbours p53 mutations and evidence of DNA damage. We examined tubes from women with pre‐existing (germ‐line) mutations in p53 [Li–Fraumeni syndrome (LFS)] for evidence of this precursor. Fallopian tubes from two cases of LFS were immunostained for p53, Ki‐67 (proliferation) and H2AX (DNA damage response) and analysed for p53 mutations by laser capture microdissection (LCM) and p53 genomic sequencing (exons 2–11). A common single nucleotide repeat (snp) in exon 3 (rs1042522) and deletion sequencing chromatograms in exon 4 were examined in combination to estimate LOH in both LFS tubes and advanced serous carcinomas from the general population. LFS tubal epithelium contained abundant (10–20 per section) p53 signatures with evidence of DNA damage and low proliferative activity. Six of 11 LFS microdissected p53 signatures (55%) and 15 of 21 serous carcinomas (71%) revealed LOH at the p53 locus, relative to background epithelium. The LFS model confirms prior observations that the distal Fallopian tube is particularly prone to focal epithelial p53 gene inactivation—p53 mutation and LOH—in the absence of malignancy or increased epithelial proliferation. The fact that the LFS is not associated with ovarian cancers is consistent with the concept that loss of p53 function must be accompanied by at least one more genotoxic event (including BRCA1/2 functional inactivation) to produce the malignant phenotype. This is in keeping with a general model of carcinogenesis, in which different and often independent risk factors operate at multiple points in the serous carcinogenic spectrum. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of VEGF‐dependent tumour micro‐environment on EDB fibronectin expression by subcutaneous human tumour xenografts in nude mice
Authors: Coltrini Daniela , Ronca Roberto , Belleri Mirella , Zardi Luciano , Indraccolo Stefano , Scarlato Valentina , Giavazzi Raffaella , Presta Marco 
Published: September 2009

AbstractFibronectin (FN) is an extracellular matrix cell‐adhesive glycoprotein. The alternative spliced isoform EDB‐FN (extra domain B containing FN) is highly expressed in tumour blood vessels and stroma and represents a candidate for tumour targeting. To investigate the impact of different angiogenic micro‐environments on EDB‐FN expression, we used a tumour model in which human endometrial adenocarcinoma Tet‐FGF2 cells overexpressing fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF2) driven by the tetracycline‐responsive promoter were further transfected with a VEGF antisense cDNA, generating AS‐VEGF/Tet‐FGF2 cells. In this model, the expression of FGF2 plus VEGF results in fast‐growing, highly vascularized Tet‐FGF2 tumours. Down‐regulation of FGF2 production by tetracycline administration and/or of VEGF production by AS‐VEGF transduction inhibited tumour growth and vascularization, with profound changes in tumour micro‐environment. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis using human EDB‐FN primers shows that subcutaneous grafting in immunodeficient mice is per se sufficient to cause a dramatic up‐regulation of EDB‐FN expression by these cells, as well as by human oesophageal cancer KYSE 30 cells and renal carcinoma Caki‐1 cells. However, in vivo down‐regulation of VEGF expression, as occurs in AS‐VEGF/Tet‐FGF2 tumours, and to a lesser extent of FGF2 expression, as occurs in tetracycline‐treated Tet‐FGF2 tumour‐bearing animals, causes significant inhibition of EDB‐FN production in tumour grafts, as shown by immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT‐PCR analysis. Accordingly, treatment of Tet‐FGF2 tumour‐bearing animals with the neutralizing anti‐murine VEGF receptor‐2 antibody DC101, or of Caki‐1 tumour‐bearing animals with the anti‐VEGF antibody bevacizumab, inhibited EDB‐FN expression in tumour grafts. EDB‐FN down‐regulation was paralleled by a decrease in vascularity, thus confirming EDB‐FN as a marker of tumour angiogenesis. These data demonstrate that the angiogenic micro‐environment, and in particular the VEGF/VEGFR‐2 system, plays a key role in modulating EDB‐FN expression by tumour cells in vivo. This may have implications for the design of therapeutic strategies targeting EDB‐FN in combination with anti‐angiogenic and/or cytotoxic drugs. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rheological behavior of polydispersed bubble suspensions in shear flows
Authors: Joh Sung Wu , Lee Seung Hwan , Youn Jae Ryoun 
Published: September 2009

AbstractEffects of the capillary number and size distribution of bubbles on rheological properties of bubble suspensions with different volume fractions were investigated through both experimental and theoretical analyses. Polydispersed bubble suspensions were prepared by using a bubble making device and characterized in steady and dynamic oscillatory shear flows to examine the effect of the bubble size distribution. To predict the rheological properties of the polydispersed bubble suspension, a constitutive equation was modified by applying superposition schemes, i.e., a probability density function was introduced to reflect the size distribution of bubbles. Dilute bubble suspensions showed shear thinning and linear viscoelastic behavior. At small capillary numbers, relative viscosity increased with increasing bubble volume fraction, whereas it decreased as bubble volume fraction increased at relatively large capillary numbers. It was found that rheological properties had been affected significantly by polydispersity of bubble suspensions and theoretical results were in good agreement with the experimental results. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Better characterization of raw natural rubber by decreasing the rotor speed of Mooney viscometer: Role of macromolecular structure
Authors: Kim Chandy , Morel Marie‐Hélène , Beuve Jérôme Sainte , Guilbert Stéphane , Bonfils Frédéric 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe objective of our work was to characterize natural rubber (NR) samples with different macromolecular structures by measuring Mooney viscosities (VR) at variable rotor speeds ≤2 rpm, called variable speed Mooney viscosity (MVS). Model samples of technically specified rubbers of constant Mooney viscosity (TSR5CV) were prepared with chosen specific clones. The structures of the samples were characterized by size‐exclusion chromatography coupled with an online multi‐angle light‐scattering detector (SEC‐MALS). Rheological properties of the samples were also characterized by a dynamic moving die rheometer. Measuring monoclonal model samples by MVS showed three types of VR flow curves. The VR at high rotor speed (2 rpm) was correlated with number‐average molar mass (Mn), whereas VR at low rotor speed (0.05 rpm) was correlated with weight‐average molar mass (Mw). Measuring MVS revealed the rheological behaviors of samples and enabled discrimination between samples with different macromolecular structures and should thus help in predicting processability. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
A study on the optical properties of three‐armed polystyrene and poly(styrene‐b‐isobutyl methacrylate)
Authors: Kurt Adnan , Demirelli Kadir 
Published: September 2009

AbstractAtom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of three‐armed polystyrene[PS] and poly(styrene‐b‐isobutyl methacrylate)[PS‐b‐PiBμMA] were accomplished using an initiator with tri‐active C‐Br end group function and cuprous (I) bromide/2,2′‐bipyridyne catalytic system. The characterization obtained by FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR, and GPC techniques. The average molecular weight and polydispersity of PS and PS‐b‐PiBμMA were determined as 19,800, 29,300 and as 1.37 and 1.15, respectively, which indicates that the constant concentration of growing chains are present throughout the polymerization. The refractive index and extinction coefficient of the samples were determined in the visible range as a function of wavelength. The refractive index dispersion curves of the thin films were fitted by the Cauchy‐Sellmeier model. The width of localized states (Eu) values changed inversely with optical band gaps (Eg) of the films. While the calculated Eu values of films for initiator, PS and PS‐b‐PiBμMA were determined as 2.72, 2.98, and 2.94 eV, the Eg values were determined as 3.43; 3.11, and 3.16 eV, respectively. The dispersion parameters of thin films were determined. These parameters changed in the investigated wavelength ranges. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Impression creep of PMR‐15 resin at elevated temperatures
Authors: Chen Rong , Lu Y.C. , Yang Fuqian , Tandon G.P. , Schoeppner G.A. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe polyimides formed from the polymerization of monomeric‐reactants (PMR) approach have been increasingly used as matrix materials in fiber‐reinforced composites on aerospace and space structures for high temperature applications. The performance of PMR‐based structures depends on the mechanical durability of PMR resins at elevated temperatures, including creep and stress relaxation. In this work, the creep behavior of PMR‐15 resin was studied using the impression technique in the temperature range of 563–613 K and the punching stress range of 76–381 MPa. It was found that there existed a steady state creep for the creep tests performed at temperatures of 563 K and higher, from which a constant impression velocity was calculated. The steady state impression velocity increased with temperature and punching stress with the stress exponent in the range of 1.5–2.2. The average of the apparent activation energy of the PMR‐15 was calculated as 122.7 ± 6.1 kJ/mol. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cavitation in unfilled and nano‐CACO3 filled HDPE subjected to tensile test: Revelation, localization, and quantification
Authors: Addiego Frédéric , Di Martino Jean , Ruch David , Dahoun Abdesselam , Godard Olivier , Lipnik Pascale , Biebuyck Jean‐Jacques 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThis paper is focused on the quantitative characterization of cavitation developing in unfilled and nano‐CaCO3 filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) subjected to tensile test. In particular, a methodology to reveal the voids, take into account their localization, and evaluate their characteristics (density and shape), is presented. For this, post‐mortem investigations coupling a cryosectioning method and a pressure‐controlled scanning electron microscope (PC‐SEM) were conducted. In the two materials, whatever the active cavitation mechanism (crazing in neat HDPE or debonding in CaCO3/HDPE system), it was shown that the cavity density and the cavity height/width ratio (shape factor) increase with the deformation state. These two parameters are also influenced by the macroscopic stress triaxiality generated by the necking process. Indeed, when the intensity of the triaxiality is high, the cavity density and the cavity shape factor significantly increase from the skin to the core of the specimen. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Melt viscoelastic properties of peroxide cured polypropylene‐ethylene octene copolymer thermoplastic vulcanizates
Authors: Babu R. Rajesh , Singha Nikhil K. , Naskar Kinsuk 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe dynamic viscoelastic properties of uncrosslinked and dynamically crosslinked blends of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene octene copolymer (EOC) were investigated in the melt state to study the mechanism of reinforcement, influence of particle size, and kinetics of modulus recovery. Dynamic vulcanization was performed by coagent assisted peroxide crosslinking system. Addition of peroxide in PP/EOC blend involves two major competing reactions: crosslinking in EOC and degradation of PP by β chain‐scission. In this article, morphological and melt rheological properties of the TPVs were studied with special reference to the effect of mixing protocol. Three different mixing techniques were investigated. They are: (i) conventional or preblending method—melt mixing of PP and EOC followed by dynamic vulcanization (ii) phase mixing method—curative master batch of EOC added on the molten PP (iii) split addition of PP—preblending method followed by addition of half part of PP (dilution procedure). The type of mixing protocol has a significant influence on the rheological behavior. Rheological properties have been evaluated at the processing temperature (180°C) in a Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA 2000). A variety of rheological observations such as Payne effect, modulus recovery and shear rate sensitivity were studied by carrying out frequency and strain amplitude sweeps. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Interactive functional poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes with modulated lysozyme affinity: a promising class of new interfaces for contactor crystallizers
Authors: Gugliuzza Annarosa , Aceto Marianna C , Drioli Enrico 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND: One of the challenges of current researches in biotechnological fields is the achievement of regular and increasingly smaller protein crystals for genomics and biocatalyst applications. The membrane contactor‐based methodology appears to be a time‐effective and economically competitive technology for accomplishing this target.RESULTS: A new class of interactive polymeric interfaces enabling the nucleation of very small protein crystals in a short time through controlling attractive interactions is discussed. Specifically, the role of attractive interfacial forces between a model lysozyme solution and modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes is examined. The insertion of amphiphilic motifs in the fluorinated membranes allows quicker agglomeration of protein crystals at the membrane surface reducing significantly the induction time for protein nucleation. The chemical nature of the modifier permits the modulation of the membrane affinity to the lysozyme, involving polar and non‐polar attractive interactions and preserving intrinsic structural features, transport properties and the hydrophobic character of the interfaces, according to the basics of membrane crystallization technology. The formation of critical nuclei is observed after 3 h and micro‐sized crystals are formed in less than 24 h.CONCLUSION: The experimental evidence suggests these membranes as a promising class of interactive interfaces that may rapidly bring advances in genomics research. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Proteomic analysis of sera of asymptomatic, early‐stage patients with Wilson's disease
Authors: Park Jung‐Young , Mun Joo Hee , Lee Beom Hee , Heo Sun Hee , Kim Gu‐Hwan , Yoo Han‐Wook 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWilson's disease (WD) is characterized by excessive accumulation of intracellular copper in liver and extrahepatic tissues, leading to significant oxidative stress and tissue damage. To date, several diagnostic biomarkers for WD such as serum ceruloplasmin, serum or urine copper levels and copper content in liver have been identified. However, these biomarkers may not be convincing for the diagnosis in some WD patients. To identify additional novel diagnostic biomarkers, we compared the serum protein profiles of asymptomatic childhood WD patients (n=20), without neurologic manifestation or liver cirrhosis, with normal controls (n=13). Fourteen spots, five up‐regulated and nine down‐regulated (>2‐fold), were differentially expressed in WD patients in comparison to normal control on 2‐DE. Among them, three spots were down‐regulated in both male and female WD. MS/MS analysis revealed that the three spots were complement component C3, complement factor B and alpha‐2 macroglobulin. By comparative proteome analysis, complement component C3, complement factor B and alpha‐2 macroglobulin, which are related to oxidative stress and inflammation, turned out to be good candidates for novel diagnostic biomarkers for early stages of WD.
How to maximize the capacity of general quantum noisy channels
Authors: Gordon G. , Kurizki G. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractA general quantum noisy channel is analyzed, wherein the transmitted qubits may experience symmetry‐breaking decoherence, along with memory effects. We examine generalized Bell‐basis and find that the optimal basis is not the fully entangled one, but a combination of factorized and partially‐entangled states in the presence of memory, asymmetry and the state‐bias of the noise. Capacity‐maximization is shown to be achievable by combining temporal shaping of the transmitted qubits and optimal basis selection.
Solid‐state NMR and simulation studies of equinatoxin II N‐terminus interaction with lipid bilayers
Authors: Lam Yuen Han , Hung Andrew , Norton Raymond S. , Separovic Frances , Watts Anthony 
Published: September 2009

AbstractThe interaction with model membranes of a peptide, EqtII1–32, corresponding to the N‐terminal region of the pore‐forming toxin equinatoxin II (EqtII) has been studied using solid‐state NMR and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The distances between specifically labeled nuclei in [19F‐para]Phe16‐[1‐13C]Leu19 and [19F‐para]Phe16‐[15N]Leu23 analogs of EqtII1–32 measured by REDOR in lyophilized peptide were in agreement with published crystal and solution structures. However, in both DMPC and mixed DMPC:SM membrane environments, significant changes in the distances between the labeled amino acid pairs were observed, suggesting changes in helical content around the experimentally studied region, 16–23, in the presence of bilayers. 19F‐31P REDOR experiments indicated that the aromatic ring of Phe16 is in contact with lipid headgroups in both membrane environments. For the DMPC:SM mixed bilayers, a closer interaction between Phe16 side chains and lipid headgroups was observed, but an increase in distances was observed for both labeled amino acid pairs compared with those measured for EqtII1–32 in pure DMPC bilayers. The observed differences between DMPC and DMPC:SM bilayers may be due to the greater affinity of EqtII for the latter. MD simulations of EqtII1–32 in water, on a pure DMPC bilayer, and on a mixed DMPC:SM bilayer indicate significant peptide secondary structural differences in the different environments, with the DMPC‐bound peptide adopting helical formations at residues 16–24, whereas the DMPC:SM‐bound peptide exhibits a longer helical stretch, which may contribute to its enhanced activity against PC:SM compared with pure PC bilayers. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Binding of nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates (N‐BPs) to the Trypanosoma cruzi farnesyl diphosphate synthase homodimer
Authors: Huang Chuan‐Hsiang , Gabelli Sandra B. , Oldfield Eric , Amzel L. Mario 
Published: September 2009

AbstractBisphosphonates (BPs) are a class of compounds that have been used extensively in the treatment of osteoporosis and malignancy‐related hypercalcemia. Some of these compounds act through inhibition of farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS), a key enzyme in the synthesis of isoprenoids. Recently, nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates (N‐BPs) used in bone resorption therapy have been shown to be active against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), suggesting that they may be used as anti‐trypanosomal agents. The crystal structures of TcFPPS in complex with substrate (isopentenyl diphosphate, IPP) and five N‐BP inhibitors show that the C‐1 hydroxyl and the nitrogen‐containing groups of the inhibitors alter the binding of IPP and the conformation of two TcFPPS residues, Tyr94 and Gln167. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments suggest that binding of the first N‐BPs to the homodimeric TcFPPS changes the binding properties of the second site. This mechanism of binding of N‐BPs to TcFPPS is different to that reported for the binding of the same compounds to human FPPS. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Photoluminescence dynamics of AlGaN quantum wells with built‐in electric fields and localized states
Authors: Mickevičius J. , Kuokštis E. , Liuolia V. , Tamulaitis G. , Shur M. S. , Yang J. , Gaska R. 
Published: September 2009

AbstractWe report on photoluminescence (PL) studies of AlGaN/AlGaN multiple quantum well (MQW) structures with well widths spanning from 1.65 to 5.0 nm under various excitations and temperatures. The samples were fabricated by migration‐enhanced metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition technique (MEMOCVD®). Screening of the built‐in electric field by photogenerated carriers reduced quantum‐confined Stark effect (QCSE). This is confirmed by solving the Poisson and Schrodinger equations for AlGaN‐based quantum wells (QWs) under study. Analysis of the PL internal quantum efficiency under different excitations in MQWs with different widths shows strong influence of the carrier localization on the radiative properties of MQWs.