bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electro‐active polymer actuators employing sulfonated poly(styrene‐ran‐ethylene) as ionic membranes
Authors: Wang Xuan‐Lun , Oh Il‐Kwon , Cheng Tai‐Hong 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWe first investigated sulfonated poly(styrene‐ran‐ethylene) (SPSE) as a novel ionic membrane for electro‐active polymer actuators. SPSE is a newly developed hydrocarbon ionomer synthesized through a post‐sulfonation procedure. The thermal, electrical, morphological and mechanical properties, as well as ion‐exchange capacity, proton conductivity and water uptake were investigated and compared to a Nafion® counterpart. Tensile tests revealed that the SPSE membrane has good mechanical stiffness and strength while immersed in water. SPSE copolymers have good thermal stability and are easily processed for the production of membranes. In this study, SPSE actuators were fabricated according to traditional ionomeric polymer–metal composite preparation procedures and tailored to moderate dimensions. The bending responses of the SPSE actuators under both AC and DC electric excitations were investigated. The voltage–current behaviors of the actuators under AC excitation were also measured. The results showed that the SPSE actuators have good electromechanical performance with regard to tip displacement. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Different deformation mechanisms of two modified‐polystyrene bimodal systems
Authors: Dai RuJun , Gao GuangHui , Zhang HuiXuan 
Published: February 2010

AbstractIt is well known that the dominant toughening mechanism of rubber‐modified polystyrene is multiple crazing. Some researchers have investigated polystyrene that can be modified by rubbers with dual particle sizes, leading to better mechanical properties. That is, the way to absorb energy during the deformation process is crazing and cavitation induced by rubber particles. Two types of polybutadiene‐graft‐polystyrene (PB‐g‐PS) rubber modifiers which have core‐shell structures were synthesized via an emulsion graft polymerization using redox and oil‐soluble initiators, respectively. To balance the yield strength, general‐purpose polystyrene was blended with the PB‐g‐PS modifiers, as well as commercial high‐impact polystyrene. Blends were defined as R‐bimodal and O‐bimodal corresponding to dispersed PB‐g‐PS particles formed using the redox and oil‐soluble initiators, respectively. The impact strength of R‐bimodal was improved significantly by altering the ratio of core to shell. However, little change of impact strength was observed for O‐bimodal. Transmission electron microscopy images of fracture surfaces indicated that the deformation mechanism of R‐bimodal is shear‐yielding induced by multi‐crazing. Moreover, PB‐g‐PS particles dispersed in O‐bimodal can form a ‘cluster’ structure, leading to crazing to absorb energy. Scanning electron microscopy images also showed obvious distinctness between the R‐bimodal and O‐bimodal systems due to different deformation mechanisms. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
The experience of bullying among secondary school students
Authors: Athanasiades Christina , Deliyanni‐Kouimtzis Vassiliki 
Published: February 2010

AbstractThe present study was designed to qualitatively investigate secondary students' interpretations and experiences of bullying (and victimization) in Greek schools, with a focus on gender similarities and differences. Overall, 95 students (50 boys and 45 girls), 15 or 16 years old, participated in focus group interviews that were homogeneous in terms of grade and gender. Data analysis, using the interpretative phenomenological approach, showed that different interpretations and meanings of bullying between genders have important consequences on actual behavior. Furthermore, students do not reveal bullying and victimization to either parents or teachers, who are described as indifferent and ineffective. Results are indicative of a school culture that is conducive to bullying behaviors and have important implications for antibullying interventions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parent involvement and views of school success: The role of parents' Latino and White American cultural orientations
Authors: Ryan Carey S. , Casas Juan F. , Kelly‐Vance Lisa , Ryalls Brigette O. , Nero Collette 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWe examined ethnicity and cultural orientation as predictors of parents' views of and involvement in children's education, using data gathered from the Latino (n = 74) and non‐Latino (17 White and 13 ethnic minority) parents of children in an elementary school's dual‐language program. Parents completed a questionnaire that assessed Latino and White American cultural orientations, importance of children's academic and social success, and self‐ and significant other involvement in children's education. Results indicated that Latino (and other ethnic minority) parents valued academic and social success equally and more strongly than did Whites and that Whites valued social success more strongly than academic success. Latinos also reported greater involvement of significant others. These differences were largely accounted for by cultural orientations. Educational practices that take into account differences in cultural orientations and the involvement of significant others thus seem more likely to improve academic outcomes than do efforts intended to promote the valuing of education. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Verification of protein disulfide bond arrangement by in‐gel tryptic digestion under entirely neutral pH conditions
Authors: Saito Kazuki , Yasuo Itsuki , Uchimura Hiromasa , Koide‐Yoshida Shizuyo , Mizuguchi Takaaki , Kiso Yoshiaki 
Published: February 2010

AbstractTo develop a concise proteomic procedure to verify the protein disulfide bond arrangement, non‐reductive trypsin digestion of neuregulin 1‐β1 (176–246), a model disulfide‐containing protein, was assessed by a proteolytic 18O‐labeling analysis. As a result, the commonly used in‐gel tryptic digestion method has been improved for use entirely under neutral pH conditions. With this procedure, the disulfide arrangement of proteins could represent a clinical index candidate in pathological proteomic studies.
Pathway analysis of dilated cardiomyopathy using global proteomic profiling and enrichment maps
Authors: Isserlin Ruth , Merico Daniele , Alikhani‐Koupaei Rasoul , Gramolini Anthony , Bader Gary D. , Emili Andrew 
Published: February 2010

AbstractGlobal protein expression profiling can potentially uncover perturbations associated with common forms of heart disease. We have used shotgun MS/MS to monitor the state of biological systems in cardiac tissue correlating with disease onset, cardiac insufficiency and progression to heart failure in a time‐course mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy. However, interpreting the functional significance of the hundreds of differentially expressed proteins has been challenging. Here, we utilize improved enrichment statistical methods and an extensive collection of functionally related gene sets, gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the progressive alterations associated with functional decline in dilated cardiomyopathy. We visualize the enrichment results as an Enrichment Map, where significant gene sets are grouped based on annotation similarity. This approach vastly simplifies the interpretation of the large number of enriched gene sets found. For pathways of specific interest, such as Apoptosis and the MAPK (mitogen‐activated protein kinase) cascade, we performed a more detailed analysis of the underlying signaling network, including experimental validation of expression patterns.
Protein–protein‐interactions in a multiplexed, miniaturized format a functional analysis of Rho GTPase activation and inhibition
Authors: Schmohl Michael , Rimmele Stefanie , Pötz Oliver , Kloog Yoel , Gierschik Peter , Joos Thomas O. , Schneiderhan‐Marra Nicole 
Published: February 2010

AbstractA miniaturized, bead‐based protein–protein‐interaction assay was developed to study the interaction of Rho GTPases with regulatory proteins. The setup, which uses only minute amounts of sample, was used to analyze small molecules that inhibit the interaction between Rho GTPases and RhoGDIα. Prenylcysteine analogues and the replacement of GDP by non‐hydrolysable GTP analogues prevented the formation of Rho GTPase‐RhoGDIα complexes in a concentration‐dependent manner.
Proteomics of drug resistance in Candida glabrata biofilms
Authors: Seneviratne C. Jayampath , Wang Yu , Jin Lijian , Abiko Y. , Samaranayake Lakshman P. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractCandida glabrata is a fungal pathogen that causes a variety of mucosal and systemic infections among compromised patient populations with higher mortality rates. Previous studies have shown that biofilm mode of the growth of the fungus is highly resistant to antifungal agents compared with the free‐floating or planktonic mode of growth. Therefore, in the present study, we used 2‐D DIGE to evaluate the differential proteomic profiles of C. glabrata under planktonic and biofilm modes of growth. Candida glabrata biofilms were developed on polystyrene surfaces and age‐matched planktonic cultures were obtained in parallel. Initially, biofilm architecture, viability, and antifungal susceptibility were evaluated. Differentially expressed proteins more than 1.5‐fold in DIGE analysis were subjected to MS/MS. The transcriptomic regulation of these biomarkers was evaluated by quantitative real‐time PCR. Candida glabrata biofilms were highly resistant to the antifungals and biocides compared with the planktonic mode of growth. Candida glabrata biofilm proteome when compared with its planktonic proteome showed upregulation of stress response proteins, while glycolysis enzymes were downregulated. Similar trend could be observed at transcriptomic level. In conclusion, C. glabrata biofilms possess higher amount of stress response proteins, which may potentially contribute to the higher antifungal resistance seen in C. glabrata biofilms.
Honokiol inhibits HepG2 migration via down‐regulation of IQGAP1 expression discovered by a quantitative pharmaceutical proteomic analysis
Authors: Liang Shufang , Fu Afu , Zhang Qiang , Tang Minghai , Zhou Jin , Wei Yuquan , Chen Lijuan 
Published: February 2010

AbstractHonokiol (HNK), a natural small molecular product, inhibited proliferation of HepG2 cells and exhibited anti‐tumor activity in nude mice. In this article, we applied a novel sensitive stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture‐based quantitative proteomic method and a model of nude mice to investigate the correlation between HNK and the hotspot migration molecule Ras GTPase‐activating‐like protein (IQGAP1). The quantitative proteomic analysis showed that IQGAP1 was 0.53‐fold down‐regulated under 10 μg/mL HNK exposure for 24 h on HepG2 cells. Migration ability of HepG2 cells under HNK treatment was correlated with its expression level of IQGAP1. In addition, the biochemical validation on HepG2 cells and the tumor xenograft model further demonstrated that HNK decreased the expression level of IQGAP1 and its upstream proteins Cdc42/Rac1. These data supported that HNK can modulate cell adhesion and cell migration by acting on Cdc42/Rac1 signaling via IQGAP1 interactions with its upstream Cdc42/Rac1 proteins, which is a new molecular mechanism of HNK to exert its anti‐tumor activity.
jmzML, an open‐source Java API for mzML, the PSI standard for MS data
Authors: Côté Richard G. , Reisinger Florian , Martens Lennart 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWe here present jmzML, a Java API for the Proteomics Standards Initiative mzML data standard. Based on the Java Architecture for XML Binding and XPath‐based XML indexer random‐access XML parser, jmzML can handle arbitrarily large files in minimal memory, allowing easy and efficient processing of mzML files using the Java programming language. jmzML also automatically resolves internal XML references on‐the‐fly. The library (which includes a viewer) can be downloaded from http://jmzml.googlecode.com.
Laser‐induced liquid bead ion desorption‐MS of protein complexes from blue‐native gels, a sensitive top‐down proteomic approach
Authors: Sokolova Lucie , Wittig Ilka , Barth Hans‐Dieter , Schägger Hermann , Brutschy Bernhard , Brandt Ulrich 
Published: February 2010

AbstractWe have developed an experimental approach that combines two powerful methods for proteomic analysis of large membrane protein complexes: blue native electrophoresis (BNE or BN‐PAGE) and laser‐induced liquid bead ion desorption (LILBID) MS. Protein complexes were separated by BNE and eluted from the gel. The masses of the constituents of the multiprotein complexes were obtained by LILBID MS, a detergent‐tolerant method that is especially suitable for the characterisation of membrane proteins. High sensitivity and small sample volumes required for LILBID MS resulted in low demands on sample quantity. Eluate from a single band allowed assessing the mass of an entire multiprotein complex and its subunits. The method was validated with mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone reductase from Yarrowia lipolytica. For this complex of 947 kDa, typically 30 μg or 32 pmol were sufficient to obtain spectra from which the subunit composition could be analysed. The resolution of this electrophoretic small‐scale approach to the purification of native complexes was improved markedly by further separation on a second dimension of BNE. Starting from a subcellular fraction obtained by differential centrifugation, this allowed the purification and analysis of the constituents of a large multiprotein complex in a single LILBID spectrum.
Proteomic identification of interactions between histones and plasma proteins: Implications for cytoprotection
Authors: Pemberton Alan D. , Brown Jeremy K. , Inglis Neil F. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractExtracellular histones released from cells during acute inflammation contribute to organ failure and death in a mouse model of sepsis, and histones are known to exert in vitro cytotoxicity in the absence of serum. Since addition of histones to serum and plasma is known to induce protein aggregation, we reasoned that plasma proteins may afford protection from cytotoxicity. We found that MODE‐K mouse small intestinal epithelial cells were protected from histone‐induced toxicity in the presence of 10% FCS. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to identify histone‐interacting plasma proteins that might be involved in cytoprotection. The precipitate formed following addition of calf thymus histones to human EDTA plasma was characterised by shotgun proteomics, identifying a total of 36 protein subunits, including complement components, coagulation factors, protease inhibitors and apolipoproteins. The highly sulphated glycosaminoglycan heparin inhibited histone‐induced plasma protein aggregation. Moreover, histones bound to heparin agarose were capable of pulling down plasma proteins from solution, indicating their effective cross‐linking properties. It was particularly notable that inter‐α‐trypsin inhibitor was prominent among the histone‐precipitated proteins, since it contains a chondroitin sulphate glycan chain, and suggests a potential role for this protein in histone sequestration during acute inflammation in vivo.
Single‐Chamber Deposition of Multilayer Barriers by Plasma Enhanced and Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition of Organosilicones
Authors: Coclite Anna Maria , Ozaydin‐Ince Gozde , Palumbo Fabio , Milella Antonella , Gleason Karen K. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractA novel technique, combining the plasma assisted deposition of SiOx‐like coatings with the initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) of organosilicon films in a single‐chamber process, was investigated for the production of multistack barriers against the water vapor permeation. Hexavinyldisiloxane (HVDSO) was used as the film precursor for both kinds of polymerization. iCVD of HVDSO resulted in highly crosslinked and adherent carbon‐rich polymer which reduced the substrate roughness of the substrate, thus acting as a primer for the deposition of the denser C‐depleted uplayer. The plasma ion bombardment of the C‐rich underlayer produced a graded interphase which enhanced the adhesion between the layers and of the multilayer stack to the polymer substrate. The C‐rich interlayers effectively decoupled the defects of the C‐depleted layers, indeed a barrier improvement factor of 100 over the single C‐depleted barrier layer was obtained with a hexalayer structure.
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Reaction Chemistry of 1,4‐Benzopyrone Derivates in Non‐Equilibrium Low‐Temperature Plasmas
Authors: Grzegorzewski Franziska , Rohn Sascha , Quade Antje , Schröder Karsten , Ehlbeck Jörg , Schlüter Oliver , Kroh Lothar W. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract1,4‐Benzopyrone derivates are exposed to different cold gas discharges. Reactions are carried out using different feed gases (argon, oxygen) and excitation sources (radio frequency, microwave) at both atmospheric and low pressure. A structure‐dependent degradation upon plasma‐chemical reactions can be observed. From contact‐angle measurements a strong surface oxidation is suggested. Independent of the source used plasma treatment leads to a significant increase in oxygen content of the samples through newly introduced carbonyl‐ and carboxyl‐functions. This is in agreement to results showing that during thermal food processes oxidative species lead to the formation of characteristic low‐molecular weight degradation products.magnified image
A study of high‐dose oral silybin‐phytosome followed by prostatectomy in patients with localized prostate cancer
Authors: Flaig Thomas W. , Glodé Michael , Gustafson Daniel , van Bokhoven Adrie , Tao Yuzhen , Wilson Shandra , Su Lih‐Jen , Li Yuan , Harrison Gail , Agarwal Rajesh , Crawford E. David , Lucia M. Scott , Pollak Michael 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBACKGROUNDSilibinin is a polyphenolic flavonolignan derived from milk thistle (Silybum marianium) with anti‐oxidant properties. The purpose of the current trial was to determine the tissue and blood effects of high‐dose silybin‐phytosome in prostate cancer patients.METHODSSubjects with localized prostate cancer planning for a prostatectomy were eligible to enroll. Six patients received 13 g of silybin‐phytosome daily with six additional participants serving as control subjects.RESULTSPatients in the treatment arm received silybin‐phytosome for 14–31 days (mean was 20 days) prior to surgery. Silibinin blood levels were measured 1 hr after the first silybin‐phytosome dose with a mean value of 19.7 µM. Trough silibinin levels were assessed at the end of the trial with an average concentration of 1.2 µM. In contrast to the high peak levels of silibinin observed in blood, the highest silibinin level observed in the harvested prostate tissue was 496.6 pmol/g. There were no significant differences noted in baseline and post‐treatment blood levels of IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3. One of the treated patients developed a grade 4 post‐operative thromboembolic event. The other observed toxicities in the treatment group were mild: four subjects had diarrhea and one had asymptomatic grade 2 hyperbilirubinemia which was transient.CONCLUSIONSHigh‐dose oral silybin‐phytosome achieves high blood concentrations transiently, but low levels of silibinin are seen in prostate tissue. Silibinin's lack of tissue penetration may be explained by its short half‐life, the brief duration of therapy in this study or an active process removing silibinin from the prostate. Prostate 70: 848–855, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fibronectin confers survival against chemotherapeutic agents but not against radiotherapy in DU145 prostate cancer cells: Involvement of the insulin like growth factor‐1 receptor
Authors: Thomas Francis , Holly Jeff M.P. , Persad Raj , Bahl Amit , Perks Claire M. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBACKGROUNDTumor growth is influenced by an increase in cell proliferation and a reduction in apoptosis; both of which are affected by alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM). Our aim was to assess if the susceptibility of prostate cancer cells to apoptosis induced by either chemotherapeutics or radiotherapy was altered by changes in the ECM.METHODSProstate cancer cell lines LNCaP and DU145 (androgen independent) cells were treated with chemotherapeutics (ceramide and docetaxel) or radiotherapy in the presence or absence of fibronectin, laminin, or vitronectin. Cell death was assessed using Trypan blue cell counting and apoptosis was confirmed by measuring PARP cleavage by Western immunoblotting (WIB). To identify a mechanism of action, changes in the abundance (WIB) or association (immunoprecipitation followed by WIB) of key proteins was also assessed.RESULTSWe found that fibronectin, but not laminin or vitronectin activated a survival pathway that protected DU145 but not LNCaP prostate cancer cells against ceramide and docetaxel‐induced apoptosis but not that induced by radiotherapy. This survival effect involved the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐I) and β1 integrin receptors and was associated with an increase in the recruitment of the β1 integrin to a complex containing the IGF‐IR and protein receptor for activated C kinase (RACK‐1) and an increase in the abundance of a MAPK‐phosphatase‐1 (MKP‐1).CONCLUSIONSChanges in the ECM associated with disease progression may contribute to resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs but not to radiation therapy. The susceptibility to chemotherapy may be improved by targeting either the IGF‐I or β1 integrin receptors. Prostate 70: 856–865, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of androgen receptor transactivity and mTOR–S6 kinase pathway by Rheb in prostate cancer cell proliferation
Authors: Kobayashi Takashi , Shimizu Yosuke , Terada Naoki , Yamasaki Toshinari , Nakamura Eijiro , Toda Yoshinobu , Nishiyama Hiroyuki , Kamoto Toshiyuki , Ogawa Osamu , Inoue Takahiro 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBACKGROUNDRas homolog‐enriched in brain (Rheb), a small GTP‐binding protein, is associated with prostate carcinogenesis through activating mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. This study aimed to elucidate whether Rheb promotes proliferation of prostate cancer cells and can act as a potent therapeutic target in prostate cancer.METHODSProstate cancer cell lines and human prostatic tissues were examined for the expression of Rheb. The effects of forced expression or knockdown of Rheb on cell proliferation were also examined. Semi‐quantitative and quantitative RT‐PCR were performed to evaluate mRNA expression. Western blotting was used to examine protein expression. Cell count and WST‐1 assay were used to measure cell proliferation. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting was used to assess the cell cycle.RESULTSRheb mRNA and protein expression was higher in more aggressive, androgen‐independent prostate cancer cell lines PC3, DU145, and C4‐2, compared with the less aggressive LNCaP. Rheb expression was higher in cancer tissues than in benign prostatic epithelia. Forced expression of Rheb in LNCaP cells accelerated proliferation without enhancing androgen receptor transactivity. Attenuation of Rheb expression or treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin decreased proliferation of PC3 and DU145 cells, with a decrease in the activated form of p70S6 kinase, one of the main targets of mTOR.CONCLUSIONSRheb potentiates proliferation of prostate cancer cells and inhibition of Rheb or mTOR can lead to suppressed proliferation of aggressive prostate cancer cell lines in vitro. Rheb and the mTOR pathway are therefore probable targets for suppressing prostate cancer. Prostate 70: 866–874, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.