bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of solubility in Escherichia coli and purification of an aminotransferase from Sphingopyxis sp. MTA144 for deamination of hydrolyzed fumonisin B1
Authors: Hartinger Doris , Heinl Stefan , Schwartz Heidi Elisabeth , Grabherr Reingard , Schatzmayr Gerd , Haltrich Dietmar , Moll Wulf-Dieter 
Published: August 2010

Abstract

Background
Fumonisin B1 is a cancerogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium verticillioides and other fungi. Sphingopyxis sp. MTA144 can degrade fumonisin B1, and a key enzyme in the catabolic pathway is an aminotransferase which removes the C2-amino group from hydrolyzed fumonisin B1. In order to study this aminotransferase with respect to a possible future application in enzymatic fumonisin detoxification, we attempted expression of the corresponding fumI gene in E. coli and purification of the enzyme. Since the aminotransferase initially accumulated in inclusion bodies, we compared the effects of induction level, host strain, expression temperature, solubility enhancers and a fusion partner on enzyme solubility and activity.

Results
When expressed from a T7 promoter at 30°C, the aminotransferase accumulated invariably in inclusion bodies in DE3 lysogens of the E. coli strains BL21, HMS174, Rosetta 2, Origami 2, or Rosetta-gami. Omission of the isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) used for induction caused a reduction of expression level, but no enhancement of solubility. Likewise, protein production but not solubility correlated with the IPTG concentration in E. coli Tuner(DE3). Addition of the solubility enhancers betaine and sorbitol or the co-enzyme pyridoxal phosphate showed no effect. Maltose-binding protein, used as an N-terminal fusion partner, promoted solubility at 30°C or less, but not at 37°C. Low enzyme activity and subsequent aggregation in the course of purification and cleavage indicated that the soluble fusion protein contained incorrectly folded aminotransferase. Expression in E. coli ArcticExpress(DE3), which co-expresses two cold-adapted chaperonins, at 11°C finally resulted in production of appreciable amounts of active enzyme. Since His tag-mediated affinity purification from this strain was hindered by co-elution of chaperonin, two steps of chromatography with optimized imidazole concentration in the binding buffer were performed to obtain 1.45 mg of apparently homogeneous aminotransferase per liter of expression culture.

Conclusions
We found that only reduction of temperature, but not reduction of expression level or fusion to maltose-binding protein helped to produce correctly folded, active aminotransferase FumI in E. coli. Our results may provide a starting point for soluble expression of related aminotransferases or other aggregation-prone proteins in E. coli.
Long noncoding RNA genes: conservation of sequence and brain expression among diverse amniotes
Authors: Chodroff Rebecca A , Goodstadt Leo , Sirey Tamara M , Oliver Peter L , Davies Kay E , Green Eric D , Molnár Zoltán , Ponting Chris P 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Background
Long considered to be the building block of life, it is now apparent that protein is only one of many functional products generated by the eukaryotic genome. Indeed, more of the human genome is transcribed into noncoding sequence than into protein-coding sequence. Nevertheless, whilst we have developed a deep understanding of the relationships between evolutionary constraint and function for protein-coding sequence, little is known about these relationships for non-coding transcribed sequence. This dearth of information is partially attributable to a lack of established non-protein-coding RNA (ncRNA) orthologs among birds and mammals within sequence and expression databases.

Results
Here, we performed a multi-disciplinary study of four highly conserved and brain-expressed transcripts selected from a list of mouse long intergenic noncoding RNA (lncRNA) loci that generally show pronounced evolutionary constraint within their putative promoter regions and across exon-intron boundaries. We identify some of the first lncRNA orthologs present in birds (chicken), marsupial (opossum), and eutherian mammals (mouse), and investigate whether they exhibit conservation of brain expression. In contrast to conventional protein-coding genes, the sequences, transcriptional start sites, exon structures, and lengths for these non-coding genes are all highly variable.

Conclusions
The biological relevance of lncRNAs would be highly questionable if they were limited to closely related phyla. Instead, their preservation across diverse amniotes, their apparent conservation in exon structure, and similarities in their pattern of brain expression during embryonic and early postnatal stages together indicate that these are functional RNA molecules, of which some have roles in vertebrate brain development.
Imagined Concubinage
Authors: Naifei Ding 
Published: August 2010

Imagined concubinage refers to fictional representations of urban marriage and romantic love in crisis in early 1980s Taiwan by women writers in short stories, novellas, and novels featuring female protagonists. This article's main question arises from a Taiwan context wherein a populist feminist antisex sentiment necessitates renewed understanding of its cultural-historical lineage and affinities. One aspect of feminist antisex sentiment is embedded in an imagined concubinage against which an exemplary wife-in-monogamy envisions continuous battle. To the extent that this cultural and psychic battle is ongoing in Taiwan today, I argue that wife-in-monogamy feels as if it can never be fully installed as a structure of feeling, and that the very installment of such a structure of feeling entails reactivating in different ways an imagined concubinage (imagined to the extent that it is no longer viable as a legal institution, though is it not extinct as practice in both privileged and nonprivileged forms), against which an embattled wife-in-monogamy is sculpted in relief. The wife-in-monogamy in such a cultural-social milieu is thus constitutively produced as always at risk.
Fictional representations are one site where we may reread how status shame gets recoded as new sexual stigma. Feminist fictions invented a new subject as they constructed her for a rapidly changing Taiwan, pointing to how middle-class femininity needed to be reconstituted toward envisioning a gender-equal family-nation. Status shame for the wife-in-monogamy becomes reconstituted into stigmatic sex in new emergent social subjects and practices, such as mistresses and live-in migrant domestic maids, sex workers and predatory single urban professional women, adulterous women and men, promiscuous sex, commercial sex, and nonnormative and queer sex. Figuring the latter through recycled concubinage imaginaries places a limitation on the would-be modern feminine subject, programmatically warning her against what she cannot and must not become.
Trialkyl(pentafluorocyclotriphosphazenyl)ammonium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Acting as Nonflammable Room-temperature Ionic Liquids
Authors: Shiragami Tsutomu , Nakamura Yoko , Matsumoto Jin , Otsuki Masashi , Yasuda Masahide 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Trialkyl(pentafluorocyclotriphosphazenyl)ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide were synthesized. They were nonflammable room-temperature ionic liquid which showed low ionic conductivity (0.29–2.32 mS cm−1) and viscosity (33.3–56.2 mPa s). They displayed extremely low viscosity in spite of the high molecular weight.
A Facile Approach for Preparing Polymethylphenylsilsesquioxane with Well-defined Ladder Structure via Nonhydrolytic Condensation
Authors: Jia Xiu Wei , Rong Min Zhi , Zhang Ming Qiu , Ye Xiao Ji 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
A novel nonhydrolytic condensation approach was proposed, which enabled successful synthesis of well-ordered ladder-like polymethylphenylsilsesquioxane for the first time. In comparison with aqueous hydrolysis, the present route is more promising, which is easily carried out with readily available starting materials, and is applicable to a wide range of organosilanes.
p62+ Hyaline Inclusions in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Associated With Viral Hepatitis or Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Aishima Shinichi , Fujita Nobuhiro , Mano Yohei , Iguchi Tomohiro , Taketomi Akinobu , Maehara Yoshihiko , Oda Yoshinao , Tsuneyoshi Masazumi 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Mallory bodies (MBs) and hyaline globules (HGs) are recognized as hepatocellular cytoplasmic inclusions in liver diseases. We reviewed 123 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICCs) and encountered 16 cases (13.0%) in which cancer cells had MB-type inclusions and/or HG-type inclusions, both of which are positive for p62 and ubiquitin. The HG type was present in all 16 cases, and 5 cases contained the MB type. Of 16 patients, 12 had chronic liver disease that was related to alcoholic abuse in 4, hepatitis B surface antigen–positive in 3, and hepatitis C virus antibody–positive in 8. Viral infection and liver cirrhosis were more common in ICCs with p62+ inclusions (P = .0004 and P = .0199, respectively). Of 16 ICCs, 15 with hyaline inclusions had a peripheral tumor location (P = .0052). On ultrastructural examination, the MB type had an electron-dense fibrillar appearance, while the HG type appeared as rounded masses of granular materials. Our results suggest that intracytoplasmic hyaline bodies occasionally can be found in cholangiocarcinoma with chronic liver disease related to viral hepatitis or alcoholic intake.
Improving Quality Management Systems of Laboratories in Developing Countries
Authors: Yao Katy , McKinney Barbara , Murphy Anna , Rotz Phil , Wafula Winnie , Sendagire Hakim , Okui Scolastica , Nkengasong John N. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
The Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) program was developed to promote immediate, measurable improvement in laboratories of developing countries. The laboratory management framework, a tool that prescribes managerial job tasks, forms the basis of the hands-on, activity-based curriculum. SLMTA is implemented through multiple workshops with intervening site visits to support improvement projects. To evaluate the effectiveness of SLMTA, the laboratory accreditation checklist was developed and subsequently adopted by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO). The SLMTA program and the implementation model were validated through a pilot in Uganda. SLMTA yielded observable, measurable results in the laboratories and improved patient flow and turnaround time in a laboratory simulation. The laboratory staff members were empowered to improve their own laboratories by using existing resources, communicate with clinicians and hospital administrators, and advocate for system strengthening. The SLMTA program supports laboratories by improving management and building preparedness for accreditation.
Validation of Lamellar Body Counts Using Three Hematology Analyzers
Authors: Lockwood Christina M. , Crompton J. Chance , Riley Joan K. , Landeros Keith , Dietzen Dennis J. , Grenache David G. , Gronowski Ann M. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
The lamellar body count (LBC) represents an alternative method to the TDx-FLM II (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL), which is planned to be discontinued, for assessing fetal lung maturity. Our objective was to validate the LBC on 3 hematology analyzers (Coulter LH 750 and Coulter Ac·T diff2, Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA; and Sysmex XE-2100, Sysmex, Mundelein, IL) to serve as a template for other laboratories attempting to perform in-house validation.
Intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation ranged from 1.7% to 21.8% and 1.9% to 7.1%, respectively, and all analyzers demonstrated excellent linearity. Whole blood and meconium were shown to interfere with LBCs, and specimens with these contaminants should be tested using phosphatidyl glycerol. With a TDx-FLM II cutoff of 55 mg/g or more and an LBC cutoff of 50,000/μL or more for maturity, concordance between the TDx-FLM II and the LBC on all instruments was poor (&lt;80% in all cases). Concordance between hematology analyzers was excellent (≥94%). When laboratories are performing in-house validations, they should not correlate LBC with TDx-FLM II results without outcome data. Correlation with another validated LBC method is preferred.
TiO2 Nanotube Films via Laser Ablation for Solar Cells
Authors: Perara Sanjaya D. , Balkus Kenneth 
Published: August 2010

AbstractTitanium dioxide (TiO2) nanostructures are widely employed in photoconversion processes. In particular titanium dioxide nanotubes (TNTs) have shown promise in many applications including solar cells. While there are methods for making TNT films the preparation of high surface area small diameter (<10nm) TNT films is a challenge. We have now prepared TNT films by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of P25 and P90 TiO2TiO2 nanoparticles onto stainless steel foils followed by a hydrothermal treatment. The best results were obtained when the TiO2TiO2 films were deposited at 500°C. Subsequent hydrothermal treatment at 150°C results in a dense mat of TNTs that are ˜10 nm in diameter with a pore size of ˜5 nm. The TNTs were further functionalized with quantum dots including PbS with controlled particle size and location to access a greater portion of the solar spectrum. The titanium oxide nanotube/ quantum dot films were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy. Preliminary results for the formation and characterization of solar cells using the TNT films will be described.
Comparative Stress Distribution of Implant-Retained Mandibular Ball-Supported and Bar-Supported Overlay Dentures: A Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Vafaei Fariborz , Khoshhal Masoumeh , Bayat-Movahed Saeed , Ahangary Ahmad Hassan , Firooz Farnaz , Izady Alireza , Rakhshan Vahid 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Implant-retained mandibular ball-supported and bar-supported overlay dentures are the two most common treatment options for the edentulous mandible. The superior option in terms of strain distribution should be determined. The three-dimensional model of mandible (based on computerized tomography scan) and its overlying implant-retained bar-supported and ball-supported overlay dentures were simulated using SolidWorks, NURBS, and ANSYS Workbench. Loads A (60 N) and B (60 N) were exerted, respectively, in protrusive and laterotrusive motions, on second molar mesial, first molar mesial, and first premolar. The strain distribution patterns were assessed on (1) implant tissue, (2) first implant-bone, and (3) second implant-bone interfaces. Protrusive: Strain was mostly detected in the apical of the fixtures and least in the cervical when bar design was used. On the nonworking side, however, strain was higher in the cervical and lower in the apical compared with the working side implant. Laterotrusive: The strain values were closely similar in the two designs. It seems that both designs are acceptable in terms of stress distribution, although a superior pattern is associated with the application of bar design in protrusive motion.
Evaluation of isoeugenol for anesthesia in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Gladden Juliet N. , Brainard Ben M. , Shelton James L. , Camus Alvin C. , Divers Stephen J. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate isoeugenol as an anesthetic agent in koi carp.
Animals—216 juvenile koi carp (Cyprinus carpio).
Procedures—Fish were randomly allocated to 9 groups of 24, and each group was randomly exposed to isoeugenol concentrations ranging from 0 to 500 mg/L. General activity, excitement, fin and gill color changes, opercular movement rate, loss of equilibrium, muscle tone, jaw tone, and handleability were assessed. Five fish from the control (0 mg/L), 200 mg/L, and 500 mg/L groups were randomly selected prior to anesthetic recovery and again 24 hours after recovery for euthanasia, gross necropsy, and histologic assessment of gills, internal viscera, and skeletal muscles.
Results—Mean ± SD interval to achieve stage 2 anesthesia with isoeugenol ranged from 22.4 ± 6.2 minutes at 20 mg/L to 0.25 ± 0.4 minutes at 500 mg/L, whereas the mean interval to stage 3 anesthesia ranged from 28.1 ± 3.9 minutes at 20 mg/L to 0.33 ± 0.48 minutes at 500 mg/L. With the exception of the 500 mg/L group, opercular movements were maintained throughout. Death was observed only in the 500 mg/L group, in which 50% of the fish either failed to recover or died within 24 hours after anesthetic exposure. There were no pathological differences between fish exposed to isoeugenol at 0 or 500 mg/L.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Isoeugenol appeared to have a wide margin of safety with predictable dose-related effects. Concentrations of 40 to 80 mg/L induced anesthesia within 4 to 11 minutes and were considerably less than the concentration associated with fish death.
Effects of positive end-expiratory pressure on anesthesia-induced atelectasis and gas exchange in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated sheep
Authors: Staffieri Francesco , Driessen Bernd , Monte Valentina De , Grasso Salvatore , Crovace Antonio 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the effects of 10 cm H2O of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on lung aeration and gas exchange in mechanically ventilated sheep during general anesthesia induced and maintained with propofol.
Animals—10 healthy adult Bergamasca sheep.
Procedures—Sheep were sedated with diazepam (0.4 mg/kg, IV). Anesthesia was induced with propofol (5 mg/kg, IV) and maintained with propofol via constant rate infusion (0.4 mg/kg/min). Muscular paralysis was induced by administration of vecuronium (25 μg/kg, bolus IV) to facilitate mechanical ventilation. After intubation, sheep were positioned in right lateral recumbency and mechanically ventilated with pure oxygen and zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP). After 60 minutes, 10 cm H2O of PEEP was applied for 20 minutes. Spiral computed tomography of the thorax was performed, and data were recorded for hemodynamic and gas exchange variables and indicators of respiratory mechanics after 15 (T15), 30 (T30), and 60 (T60) minutes of ZEEP and after 20 minutes of PEEP (TPEEP). Computed tomography images were analyzed to determine the extent of atelectasis before and after PEEP application.
Results—At TPEEP, the volume of poorly aerated and atelectatic compartments was significantly smaller than at T15, T30, and T60, which indicated that there was PEEP-induced alveolar recruitment and clearance of anesthesia-induced atelectasis. Arterial oxygenation and static respiratory system compliance were significantly improved by use of PEEP.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Pulmonary atelectasis can develop in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated sheep breathing pure oxygen; application of 10 cm H2O of PEEP significantly improved lung aeration and gas exchange.
Assessment of the relationship between body weight and gastrointestinal transit times measured by use of a wireless motility capsule system in dogs
Authors: Boillat Carol S. , Gaschen Frédéric P. , Hosgood Giselle L. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Objective—To assess the relationship between body weight and gastrointestinal transit times measured by use of a wireless motility capsule (WMC) system in healthy dogs.
Animals—31 healthy adult dogs that weighed between 19.6 and 81.2 kg.
Procedures—Food was withheld overnight. The following morning, a WMC was orally administered to each dog, and each dog was then fed a test meal that provided a fourth of the daily energy requirements. A vest was fitted on each dog to hold a receiver that collected and stored data from the WMC. Measurements were obtained with each dog in its home environment. Regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between body weight and gastrointestinal transit times.
Results—Gastric emptying time (GET) ranged from 405 to 897 minutes, small bowel transit time (SBTT) ranged from 96 to 224 minutes, large bowel transit time (LBTT) ranged from 427 to 2,573 minutes, and total transit time (TTT) ranged from 1,294 to 3,443 minutes. There was no positive relationship between body weight and gastrointestinal transit times. A nonlinear inverse relationship between body weight and GET and between body weight and SBTT best fit the data. The LBTT could not be explained by this model and likely influenced the poor fit for the TTT.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—A positive relationship did not exist between body weight and gastrointestinal transit times. Dogs with the lowest body weight of the cohort appeared to have longer gastric and small intestinal transit times than did large- and giant-breed dogs.
Use of serum biomarkers to predict the development and severity of osteochondrosis lesions in the distal portion of the femur in pigs
Authors: Frantz Nolan. Z. , Friesen Kim G. , Andrews Gordon A. , Tokach Michael D. , Yamka Ryan M. , Loughin Tom L. , Nelssen Jim L. , Dritz Steve S. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the use of serum biomarkers of cartilage and bone metabolism to predict the occurrence and severity of osteochondrosis (OC) lesions in the distal portion of the femur in growing swine.
Animals—71 gilts.
Procedures—At an abattoir, serum samples for analysis of 10 biomarkers indicative of cartilage and bone metabolism were obtained prior to processing of the pigs. The distal portion of each pig's left femur was directly examined and cut into longitudinal sections to evaluate the number and severity of abnormalities on the external surface, articular cartilage, and growth plate. Each specimen was categorized as with (n = 56) or without (15) OC, and an overall OC severity score was assigned to affected pigs. Logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to predict odds of OC on the basis of biomarker concentrations and predict the severity of OC values in affected pigs, respectively.
Results—Compared with values in unaffected pigs, serum concentrations of C-propeptide of type II collagen (CPII) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein were significantly increased and concentrations of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type II collagen 3/4-length fragment (C2C) and pyridinoline cross-links were significantly decreased in affected pigs. A 2-fold increase in CPII concentration increased the odds of pigs having OC by a factor of 97 (95% confidence interval, 6 to infinity). Changes in serum C2C concentration accounted for 49% of the variation in overall OC severity score.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Assessment of serum biomarker concentrations may be useful in the diagnosis of OC and aid in reduction of lameness in swine herds.