bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Importance of Extranuclear Estrogen Receptor-α and Membrane G Protein–Coupled Estrogen Receptor in Pancreatic Islet Survival
Authors: Liu Suhuan , Le May Cedric , Wong Winifred P.S. , Ward Robert D. , Clegg Deborah J. , Marcelli Marco , Korach Kenneth S. , Mauvais-Jarvis Franck 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE
We showed that 17β-estradiol (E2) favors pancreatic β-cell survival via the estrogen receptor-α (ERα) in mice. E2 activates nuclear estrogen receptors via an estrogen response element (ERE). E2 also activates nongenomic signals via an extranuclear form of ERα and the G protein–coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). We studied the contribution of estrogen receptors to islet survival.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We used mice and islets deficient in estrogen receptor-α (αERKO−/−), estrogen receptor-β (βERKO−/−), estrogen receptor-α and estrogen receptor-β (αβERKO−/−), and GPER (GPERKO−/−); a mouse lacking ERα binding to the ERE; and human islets. These mice and islets were studied in combination with receptor-specific pharmacological probes.

RESULTS
We show that ERα protection of islet survival is ERE independent and that E2 favors islet survival through extranuclear and membrane estrogen receptor signaling. We show that ERβ plays a minor cytoprotective role compared to ERα. Accordingly, βERKO−/− mice are mildly predisposed to streptozotocin-induced islet apoptosis. However, combined elimination of ERα and ERβ in mice does not synergize to provoke islet apoptosis. In αβERKO−/− mice and their islets, E2 partially prevents apoptosis suggesting that an alternative pathway compensates for ERα/ERβ deficiency. We find that E2 protection of islet survival is reproduced by a membrane-impermeant E2 formulation and a selective GPER agonist. Accordingly, GPERKO−/− mice are susceptible to streptozotocin-induced insulin deficiency.

CONCLUSIONS
E2 protects β-cell survival through ERα and ERβ via ERE-independent, extra-nuclear mechanisms, as well as GPER-dependent mechanisms. The present study adds a novel dimension to estrogen biology in β-cells and identifies GPER as a target to protect islet survival.
Short-Term Dynamics and Metabolic Impact of Abdominal Fat Depots After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Weiss Ram , Appelbaum Liat , Schweiger Chaya , Matot Idit , Constantini Naama , Idan Alon , Shussman Noam , Sosna Jacob , Keidar Andrei 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE
Bariatric surgery is gaining acceptance as an efficient treatment modality for obese patients. Mechanistic explanations regarding the effects of bariatric surgery on body composition and fat distribution are still limited.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Intra-abdominal and subcutaneous fat depots were evaluated using computed tomography in 27 obese patients prior to and 6 months following bariatric surgery. Associations with anthropometric and clinical changes were evaluated.

RESULTS
Excess weight loss 6 months following surgery was 47% in male and 42.6% in female subjects. Visceral fat and subcutaneous fat were reduced by 35% and 32%, respectively, in both sexes, thus the visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio remained stable. The strongest relation between absolute and relative changes in visceral and subcutaneous fat was demonstrated for the excess weight loss following the operations (r ∼0.6–0.7), and these relations were strengthened further following adjustments for sex, baseline BMI, and fat mass. Changes in waist circumference and fat mass had no relation to changes in abdominal fat depots. All participants met the criteria of the metabolic syndrome at baseline, and 18 lost the diagnosis on follow-up. A lower baseline visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (0.43 ± 0.15 vs. 0.61 ± 0.21, P = 0.02) was associated with clinical resolution of metabolic syndrome parameters.

CONCLUSIONS
The ratio between visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat remains fairly constant 6 months following bariatric procedures regardless of sex, procedure performed, or presence of metabolic complications. A lower baseline visceral-to-abdominal fat ratio is associated with improvement in metabolic parameters.
Cyperus Eragrostis Lam. - A New Adventitious Species in the Flora of Slovenia
Authors: Dakskobler Igor , Vreš Branko 
Published: July 2009

Cyperus EragrostisLam. - A New Adventitious Species in the Flora of SloveniaAbout ten years agoCyperus eragrostis, a species originating in the tropical parts of South America, settled in a trench near the house at Podsabotin 49 in the Goriška Brda. From there the plant spread to similar neighbouring ruderal sites with hydromorphic soil, to roadside ditches and gravelly banks of the Pevmica, a stream on the border between Slovenia and Italy. Applying the standard Central-European phytosociological method we studied the stands in which this species grows together with other hygrophilous and ruderal species. These stands are dominated by character species of the classesBidentetea tripartitae, Filipendulo-Convolvuletea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, Stellarietea mediaeandGalio-Urticetea. Cyperus eragrostisis a new adventitious species in the Slovenian flora. Its ephemeral occurrence in Slovenia was first noted in Istria in 2003 (near Portorož, probably in the Sečovlje salt-pans) and later in 2006 (Gračišče). Its presence in Podsabotin and along the Pevmica, however, is not merely transitional (ephemeral); here, this alien species is likely to have already naturalized in the environment with warm and relatively moist sub-Mediterranean climate.
B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator Tempers Early Infection Immunity
Authors: Sun Yonglian , Brown Nicholas K. , Ruddy Matthew J. , Miller Mendy L. , Lee Youjin , Wang Yang , Murphy Kenneth M. , Pfeffer Klaus , Chen Lieping , Kaye Jonathan , Fu Yang-Xin 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Coinhibitory pathways are thought to act in later stages of an adaptive immune response, but whether coinhibition contributes to early innate immunity is unclear. We show that engagement of the newly discovered coinhibitory receptor B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) by herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) is critical for negatively regulating early host immunity against intracellular bacteria. Both HVEM−/− and BTLA−/−, but not LIGHT−/−, mice are more resistant to listeriosis compared with wild-type mice, and blockade of the BTLA pathway promotes, while engagement inhibits, early bacterial clearance. Differences in bacterial clearance were seen as early as 1 day postinfection, implicating the initial innate response. Therefore, innate cell function in BTLA−/− mice was studied. We show that innate cells from BTLA−/− mice secrete significantly more proinflammatory cytokines upon stimulation with heat-killed Listeria. These results provide the first evidence that a coinhibitory pathway plays a critical role in regulating early host innate immunity against infection.
Inflamed Lymphatic Endothelium Suppresses Dendritic Cell Maturation and Function via Mac-1/ICAM-1-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Podgrabinska Simona , Kamalu Okebugwu , Mayer Lloyd , Shimaoka Motomu , Snoeck Hans , Randolph Gwendalyn J. , Skobe Mihaela 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
The lymphatic system is essential for the generation of immune responses by facilitating immune cell trafficking to lymph nodes. Dendritic cells (DCs), the most potent APCs, exit tissues via lymphatic vessels, but the mechanisms of interaction between DCs and the lymphatic endothelium and the potential implications of these interactions for immune responses are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) modulate the maturation and function of DCs. Direct contact of human monocyte-derived DCs with an inflamed, TNF-α-stimulated lymphatic endothelium reduced expression of the costimulatory molecule CD86 by DCs and suppressed the ability of DCs to induce T cell proliferation. These effects were dependent on adhesive interactions between DCs and LECs that were mediated by the binding of Mac-1 on DCs to ICAM-1 on LECs. Importantly, the suppressive effects of the lymphatic endothelium on DCs were observed only in the absence of pathogen-derived signals. In vivo, DCs that migrated to the draining lymph nodes upon inflammatory stimuli, but in the absence of a pathogen, showed increased levels of CD86 expression in ICAM-1-deficient mice. Together, these data demonstrate a direct role of LECs in the modulation of immune response and suggest a function of the lymphatic endothelium in preventing undesired immune reactions in inflammatory conditions.
The Mechanism of Osteoclast Differentiation Induced by IL-1
Authors: Kim Jung Ha , Jin Hye Mi , Kim Kabsun , Song Insun , Youn Bang Ung , Matsuo Koichi , Kim Nacksung 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
IL-1 is a potent cytokine that can induce bone erosion in inflammatory sites such as rheumatoid joint regions via activation of osteoclasts. Not only is IL-1 capable of activating osteoclasts, but it is also a key cytokine involved in the differentiation, multinucleation, and survival of osteoclasts. Herein, we show that IL-1 has the potential to drive osteoclast differentiation via a receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/RANK-independent mechanism. Although IL-1 has a synergistic effect on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation, IL-1 alone cannot induce osteoclast differentiation from osteoclast precursors (bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs)) due to a lack of IL-1 signaling potential in these cells. However, we demonstrate that overexpression of the IL-1RI receptor in BMMs or induction of IL-1RI by c-Fos overexpression enables IL-1 alone to induce the formation of authentic osteoclasts by a RANKL/RANK-independent mechanism. The expression of IL-1RI is up-regulated by RANKL via c-Fos and NFATc1. Furthermore, the addition of IL-1 to IL-1RI overexpressing BMMs (IL-1/IL-1RI) strongly activates NF-κB, JNK, p38, and ERK which is a hallmark gene activation profile of osteoclastogenesis. Interestingly, IL-1/IL-1RI does not induce expression of c-Fos or NFATc1 during osteoclast differentiation, although basal levels of c-Fos and NFATc1 seem to be required. Rather, IL-1/IL-1RI strongly activates MITF, which subsequently induces osteoclast-specific genes such as osteoclast-associated receptor and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Together, these results reveal that IL-1 has the potential to induce osteoclast differentiation via activation of microphthalmia transcription factor under specific microenvironmental conditions.
Murine B Cell Response to TLR7 Ligands Depends on an IFN-β Feedback Loop
Authors: Green Nathaniel M. , Laws Amy , Kiefer Kerstin , Busconi Liliana , Kim You-Me , Brinkmann Melanie M. , Trail Erin Hodges , Yasuda Kei , Christensen Sean R. , Shlomchik Mark J. , Vogel Stefanie , Connor John H. , Ploegh Hidde , Eilat Dan , Rifkin Ian R. , van Seventer Jean Maguire , Marshak-Rothstein Ann 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Type I IFNs play an important, yet poorly characterized, role in systemic lupus erythematosus. To better understand the interplay between type I IFNs and the activation of autoreactive B cells, we evaluated the effect of type I IFN receptor (IFNAR) deficiency in murine B cell responses to common TLR ligands. In comparison to wild-type B cells, TLR7-stimulated IFNAR−/− B cells proliferated significantly less well and did not up-regulate costimulatory molecules. By contrast, IFNAR1−/− B cells did not produce cytokines, but did proliferate and up-regulate activation markers in response to other TLR ligands. These defects were not due to a difference in the distribution of B cell populations or a failure to produce a soluble factor other than a type I IFN. Instead, the compromised response pattern reflected the disruption of an IFN-β feedback loop and constitutively low expression of TLR7 in the IFNAR1−/− B cells. These results highlight subtle differences in the IFN dependence of TLR7 responses compared with other TLR-mediated B cell responses.
Lack of CD200 Enhances Pathological T Cell Responses during Influenza Infection
Authors: Rygiel Tomasz P. , Rijkers Eva S. K. , de Ruiter Talitha , Stolte Ellen H. , van der Valk Martin , Rimmelzwaan Guus F. , Boon Louis , van Loon Anton M. , Coenjaerts Frank E. , Hoek Robert M. , Tesselaar Kiki , Meyaard Linde 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Influenza virus infection can be accompanied by life-threatening immune pathology most likely due to excessive antiviral responses. Inhibitory immune receptors may restrain such overactive immune responses. To study the role of the inhibitory immune receptor CD200R and its ligand CD200 during influenza infection, we challenged wild-type and CD200−/− mice with influenza virus. We found that CD200−/− mice in comparison to wild-type controls when inoculated with influenza virus developed more severe disease, associated with increased lung infiltration and lung endothelium damage. CD200−/− mice did develop adequate adaptive immune responses and were able to control viral load, suggesting that the severe disease was caused by a lack of control of the immune response. Interestingly, development of disease was completely prevented by depletion of T cells before infection, despite dramatically increased viral load, indicating that T cells are essential for the development of disease symptoms. Our data show that lack of CD200-CD200R signaling increases immune pathology during influenza infection, which can be reduced by T cell depletion.
Distinct Requirements for CD1d Intracellular Transport for Development of Vα14 iNKT Cells
Authors: Sillé Fenna C. M. , Boxem Mike , Sprengers Dave , Veerapen Natacha , Besra Gurdyal , Boes Marianne 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
The positive selection of Vα14 invariant (i)NKT cells in mice requires CD1d-mediated Ag presentation by CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. Maturation of newly selected iNKT cells continues in the periphery and also involves CD1d expression. CD1d molecules acquire Ags for presentation in endosomal compartments, to which CD1d molecules have access through an intrinsic CD1d-encoded tyrosine motif and by association with the class II MHC chaperone, invariant chain. In this study, we report the generation of mice in which all CD1d is replaced by CD1d-enhanced yellow fluorescent fusion protein (EYFP). CD1d-EYFP molecules are stable, present lipid Ags, and have near normal subcellular distribution. CD1d-EYFP molecules mediated positive selection of Vα14 iNKT cell precursors at decreased efficiency, caused a delay in their terminal maturation, and did not invoke Vα14 iNKT cell effector function as wild-type CD1d could. Using these mice, we show that the intrinsic CD1d-encoded sorting motif mediates thymic selection and activation of Vα14 iNKT cells by professional APCs, while for peripheral terminal differentiation the intrinsic CD1d sorting motif is dispensable.
Ferric Chloride Hexahydrate‐Catalyzed Highly Regio‐ and Stereoselective Conjugate Addition Reaction of 2,3‐Allenoates with Grignard Reagents: An Efficient Synthesis of β,γ‐Alkenoates
Authors: Chai Guobi , Lu Zhan , Fu Chunling , Ma Shengming 
Published: July 2009

AbstractFerric chloride hexahydrate was shown to be an efficient catalyst for the conjugate addition of 2,3‐allenoates with alkyl‐, aryl‐, or vinyl‐Grignard reagents to synthesize polysubstituted β,γ‐unsaturated alkenoates with high regio‐ and stereoselectivity. The in situ formed magnesium dienolate may readily react with different electrophilic reagents under different reaction conditions with or without a catalyst to construct an allylic quaternary carbon at the α‐position of the ester group and a stereocontrollable retention of the carbon‐carbon double bond.
LiClO4‐doped plasticized chitosan as biodegradable polymer gel electrolyte for supercapacitors
Authors: Kumar M. Selva , Bhat D. Krishna 
Published: July 2009

AbstractStudies on redox supercapacitors using electronically conducting polymers are of great importance for hybrid power sources and pulse power applications. In this study, electrochemical properties of a chitosan‐based biodegradable polymer gel electrolyte (PGE) and a p/p polypyrrole supercapacitor fabricated using this electrolyte have been investigated. The variation of conductivity and dielectric properties of the electrolyte film with temperature has also been measured. The PGE film chosen for the study exhibited a specific conductivity of 5.5 × 10−3 S cm−1. The electric modulus of the electrolyte film exhibits a long tail feature indicative of good capacitance. The fabricated supercapacitor showed a fairly good specific capacitance of 120 F g−1 and a time constant of 1 s. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
The synthesis of poly(butylene terephthalate) from terephthalic acid, part I: The influence of terephthalic acid on the tetrahydrofuran formation
Authors: Devroede Jan , Duchateau Robbert , Koning Cor E. , Meuldijk Jan 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAn in depth study is performed on the origin of and influences on the formation of tetrahydrofuran (THF) during the first stage of the terephthalic acid (TPA) based synthesis of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT). Although many improvements on the synthesis process of PBT have been reported in literature to suppress this undesired side reaction, only few studies reported on the actual mechanism of the THF formation, which is not completely understood. Low molecular weight compounds have been used to model the side reactions occurring during the polymerization reaction. It could be concluded that, in contrast to previous reportage, only the THF formation from the monomer, 1,4‐butanediol, is directly influenced by the use of TPA as a starting material for the production of PBT. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Development of porous UHMWPE morphologies for fixation of gel‐based materials
Authors: Plumlee Kevin , Schwartz Christian J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractNovel gel‐based materials including hydrogels and bioderived polymers show great potential in orthopedics but require a means of mechanical fixation to a substrate. The development of controlled porous ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) morphologies is targeted to expand the future potential for UHMWPE‐based composites with such novel bioderived materials. Porous UHMWPE morphologies were produced by means of a sodium chloride leaching process. Compression‐molded samples were prepared by dry mixing of sized NaCl particles and UHMWPE powder. These were then soaked in water to remove the porogen, leaving a porous UHMWPE structure. The mass of removed porogen and resulting void density were found to match well with Monte Carlo simulations. Distribution of NaCl particles was greatly influenced by the ratio of particle sizes between NaCl and UHMWPE. Limited percolation was achievable at NaCl concentrations below 50 wt %, whereas porogen concentrations above 60 wt % led to interconnected networks. Porous UHMWPE scaffolds were impregnated with gelatin to explore the penetration of a gel‐based phase. It was observed that the gelatin was able to permeate the UHMWPE to a great extent, except for unfilled voids due either to entrapped air or insufficient channel diameters to accommodate gelatin flow. These results confirm that porous morphologies can be created in a controlled manner and tailored for chosen applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Synthesis of ion‐imprinting chitosan/PVA crosslinked membrane for selective removal of Ag(I)
Authors: Shawky Hosam A. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA novel ion‐imprinted membranes were synthesized for selective removal and preconentration for Ag(I) ions from aqueous solutions. The membranes were obtained via crosslinking of chitosan (CS), PVA, and blend chitosan/PVA using glutaraldehyde (GA) as crosslinker. The FTIR spectra were used to confirm the membrane formation. Comparing with the nonimprinted membranes, Ag(I)‐imprinted CS and CS/PVA has higher removal capacity and selectivity for Ag+ ions. An enhancement in the Ag+ removal capacity by ∼ 20% (from 77.8 to 94.4 mg g–1) and ∼ 50% (from 83.9 to 125 mg g–1) was found in the Ag(I)‐imprinted CS and Ag(I)‐imprinted CS/PVA membranes, respectively, when compared with the nonimprinted membranes. Removal equilibra was achieved in about 40 min for the non‐ and ion‐imprinted CS/PVA. The pH and temperature significantly affected the removal capacity of ion‐imprinted membrane. The relative selectivity coefficient values of Ag+/Cu2+ and Ag+/Ni2+ are 9 and 10.7 for ion‐imprinted CS membrane and 11.1 and 15 for ion‐imprinted CS/PVA membrane when compared with nonimprinted membranes. The imprinted membranes can be easily regenerated by 0.01M EDTA and therefore can be reused at least five times with only 15% loss of removal capacity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Poly(lactide acid) composites reinforced with fibers obtained from different tissue types of Picea sitchensis
Authors: Gregorova A. , Hrabalova M. , Wimmer R. , Saake B. , Altaner C. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWood fibers vary in their properties across species, across trees of the same species, and within single trees. This work takes advantage of wood fibers reinforcing poly(lactic acid) composites that originate from different tissue types of the species Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis). Fibers were prepared with high temperature thermo‐mechanical processing (TMP) from juvenile, mature, and compression wood tissues of Sitka spruce. Composites were made by solution casting with subsequent hot‐pressing. Thermal as well as mechanical properties were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and tensile testing. The obtained results showed that the chemical and physical properties of different tissue‐type Sitka spruce fibers have significant effects on the thermal and mechanical properties of the Polylactic acid (PLA)/Sitka fiber composites. To increase interfacial compatibility between the hydrophilic fibers and the hydrophobic polymer matrix, the fibers were treated with vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMO), while PLA was modified with 4,4‐methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). It was found that PLA/Sitka composites treated with VTMO and MDI exhibited improved thermal and mechanical properties, compared to the unmodified control. The work also demonstrates that there is potential to improve biobased composites by utilizing the natural variability of wood fibers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Structure and properties of an organic rectorite/poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte by in situ synthesis
Authors: Chen Fang , Ma Xiaoyan , Qu Xiaohong , Yan Hongxia 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe synthesis of organic‐modified rectorite (OREC)/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte (NGPE) via in situ polymerization was investigated using free radical initiator in an solution, in which organic plasticizer, propylene carbonate(PC) acted as a solvent. A serious of NGPE membranes with different OREC content were prepared and characterized. The dispersion and exfoliation statuses of the OREC in the prepared NGPE membranes were analyzed through X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), and the results indicated that for the NGPE with 5 wt % OREC membrane, OREC was partly exfoliated and well dispersed in the gel polymer electrolyte system. The electrochemical properties of the NGPE were determined by alternating current (AC) impedance spectroscopy, which illustrated that the ionic conductivity of the nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte firstly increased and then decreased with increasing OREC content. Meanwhile, the maximum value of ionic conductivity for nanocomposite gel polymer electrolytes was obtained when organic clay amount was 5 wt %. The interactions among the components of the NGPE were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It was shown that there were specific interactions between OREC and the other components, which may influence the conductivity and the stability of GPEs. Finally, an thermal stability enhancement was presented by NGPE with 5 wt % OREC compared with GPE, which was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009