bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structure and pH‐induced alterations of recombinant and natural spider silk proteins in solution
Authors: Leclerc Jérémie , Lefèvre Thierry , Pottier Fabien , Morency Louis‐Philippe , Lapointe‐Verreault Camille , Gagné Stéphane M. , Auger Michèle 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe spinning process of spiders can modulate the mechanical properties of their silk fibers. It is therefore of primary importance to understand what are the key elements of the spider spinning process to develop efficient industrial spinning processes. We have exhaustively investigated the native conformation of major ampullate silk (MaS) proteins by comparing the content of the major ampullate gland of Nephila clavipes, solubilized MaS (SolMaS) fibers and the recombinant proteins rMaSpI and rMaSpII using 1H solution NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate that the protein secondary structure is basically identical for the recombinant protein rMaSpI, SolMaS proteins, and the proteins in the dope, and corresponds to a disordered protein rich in 31‐helices. The data also show that glycine proton chemical shifts of rMaSpI and SolMaS are affected by pH, but that this change is not due to a modification of the secondary structure. Using a combination of NMR and dynamic light scattering, we have found that the spectral alteration of glycine is concomitant to a modification of the hydrodynamical diameter of recombinant and solubilized MaS. This led us to suggest new potential roles for the pH acidification in the spinning process of MaS proteins. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97: 337–346, 2012.
Fluorinert, an oxygen carrier, improves cell culture performance in deep square 96‐well plates by facilitating oxygen transfer
Authors: Meyer Aaron , Condon Russell G. G. , Keil Gregory , Jhaveri Nikita , Liu Zhong , Tsao Yung‐Shyeng 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn bioprocess development, the 96‐well plate format has been widely used for high‐throughput screening of production cell line or culture conditions. However, suspension cell cultures in conventional 96‐well plates often fail to reach high cell density under normal agitation presumably due to constraints in oxygen transfer. Although more vigorous agitation can improve gas transfer in 96‐well plate format, it often requires specialized instruments. In this report, we employed Fluorinert, a biologically inert perfluorocarbon, to improve oxygen transfer in 96‐well plate and to enable the growth of a Chinese Hamster Ovary cell line expressing a recombinant monoclonal antibody. When different amounts of Fluorinert were added to the cell culture medium, a dose‐dependent improvement in cell growth was observed in both conventional and deep square 96‐well plates. When sufficient Fluorinert was present in the culture, the cell growth rate, the peak cell density, and recombinant protein production levels achieved in deep square 96‐wells were comparable to cultures in ventilated shake flasks. Although Fluorinert is known to dissolve gases such as oxygen and CO2, it does not dissolve nor extract medium components, such as glucose, lactate, or amino acids. We conclude that mixing Fluorinert with culture media is a suitable model for miniaturization of cell line development and process optimization. Proper cell growth and cellular productivity can be obtained with a standard shaker without the need for any additional aeration or vigorous agitation. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
In Search of Oligo(2‐thienyl)‐Substituted Pyridine Derivatives: A Modular Approach to Di‐, Tri‐ and Tetra(2‐thienyl)pyridines
Authors: Bera Mrinal K. , Hommes Paul , Reissig Hans‐Ulrich 
Published: September 2011

AbstractHerein, we describe our attempts to systematically prepare a series of oligo(2‐thienyl)‐substituted pyridine derivatives. The crucial starting material, a β‐alkoxy‐β‐ketoenamide, is easily available on a large scale by the reaction of lithiated methoxyallene with thiophene‐2‐carbonitrile and thiophene‐2‐carboxylic acid. This three‐component reaction is followed by intramolecular cyclization to yield the suitably functionalized 2,6‐di(2‐thienyl)‐substituted pyridine derivates. The two oxygen atoms allow the programmed activation of positions C‐3, C‐4, or C‐5 of the pyridine ring to perform palladium‐catalyzed coupling reactions with thiophene‐2‐boronic acid or 2‐(tributylstannyl)thiophene, and alternatively, reductive removal of groups. With this concept, we were able to prepare five pyridine derivatives with 2‐thienyl substituents in the 2,6‐, 2,3,6‐, 2,4,6‐, 2,3,4,6‐, and 2,3,5,6‐positions. 2,3,4,5,6‐Penta(2‐thienyl)pyridine was not available with our methods. The UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra of all pyridines were recorded and showed a dependence on the substitution pattern and protonation state. For the protonated 2,3,5,6‐tetra(2‐thienyl)‐substituted pyridine, a Stokes shift of about 180 nm with an emission at 515 nm was observed.
Phase 1 trial of everolimus plus sunitinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Molina Ana M. , Feldman Darren R. , Voss Martin H. , Ginsberg Michelle S. , Baum Michael S. , Brocks Dion R. , Fischer Patricia M. , Trinos Michael J. , Patil Sujata , Motzer Robert J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Simultaneous inhibition of the vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway may improve treatment response in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Everolimus, an oral mTOR inhibitor, and sunitinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting VEGF, are standard agents in the management of metastatic RCC.METHODS:Sequential cohorts of 3 to 6 patients with advanced RCC received dose‐escalated combinations of sunitinib (37.5 or 50 mg daily, 4 weeks on/2 weeks off) with everolimus (2.5‐5 mg daily or 20‐30 mg weekly). Dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) were assessed in the first 6‐week cycle to determine maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained.RESULTS:Twenty patients (13 clear cell and 7 nonclear cell RCC) were enrolled in 5 cohorts. Daily everolimus was not tolerated when combined with sunitinib; the first 2 patients on the second cohort suffered DLTs. With weekly everolimus, the MTD was 30 mg everolimus on days 7, 14, 21, and 28, plus 37.5 mg sunitinib on days 1 to 28 of a 42‐day cycle; however, chronic treatment was associated with grade 3 and 4 toxicities. A schedule of 20 mg everolimus weekly/37.5 mg sunitinib was tolerated as chronic therapy. Five patients (25%) had confirmed partial responses, and 3 had nonclear cell RCC. No unexpected accumulation of everolimus, sunitinib, or N‐desethyl sunitinib was observed.CONCLUSIONS:The combination of everolimus and sunitinib is associated with significant acute and chronic toxicities and is only tolerated at attenuated doses. Responses were observed in nonclear cell and clear cell RCC. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Phase II trial of continuous once‐daily dosing of sunitinib as first‐line treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Barrios Carlos H. , Hernandez‐Barajas David , Brown Michael P. , Lee Se‐Hoon , Fein Luis , Liu Jin‐Hwang , Hariharan Subramanian , Martell Bridget A. , Yuan Jinyu , Bello Akintunde , Wang Zhixiao , Mundayat Rajiv , Rha Sun‐Young 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Sunitinib at 50 mg/day on the 4‐weeks‐on‐2‐weeks‐off schedule is the current approved regimen for advanced/metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Escudier et al reported that continuous, once‐daily dosing with sunitinib 37.5 mg had a manageable safety profile and significant antitumor activity as second‐line mRCC therapy. In this prospective, multicenter, phase II study, we evaluated the activity of continuous once‐daily dosing with sunitinib 37.5 mg as first‐line mRCC treatment.METHODS:One hundred nineteen treatment‐naive patients with measurable mRCC received sunitinib. The primary endpoint was objective response; secondary endpoints included progression‐free survival (PFS), safety, pharmacokinetic measurements, exploration of response biomarkers, and patient reported outcomes (PRO).RESULTS:Objective response rate (ORR) was 35.3%; median response duration was 10.4 months; 36% of patients had stable disease ≥12 weeks. Median PFS at 1 year was 9 months, and 1‐year survival probability was 67.8%. The most common any‐grade treatment‐related adverse events (AEs) were diarrhea (50%) and hand‐foot syndrome (43%); the most common grade 3‐4 treatment‐related AEs were hand‐foot syndrome (13%), neutropenia (11%), and diarrhea (9%). Steady‐state pharmacokinetics were reached within 3 weeks, with no disproportionate accumulation of sunitinib or its active metabolite throughout the study. No significant correlations between trough drug, active metabolite, or soluble protein levels and clinical response were observed. PRO was largely maintained, although fatigue appeared to worsen after treatment started, with improvement over time.CONCLUSIONS:Continuous once‐daily dosing with sunitinib 37.5 mg was active with a manageable safety profile as first‐line mRCC therapy, making this a feasible alternative dosing regimen. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Improvement of racial disparities with respect to the utilization of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy in the United States
Authors: Trinh Quoc‐Dien , Schmitges Jan , Sun Maxine , Sukumar Shyam , Sammon Jesse , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Jeldres Claudio , Bianchi Marco , Tian Zhe , Perrotte Paul , Rogers Craig G. , Graefen Markus , Peabody James O. , Menon Mani , Karakiewicz Pierre I. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Race represents an established barrier to health care access in the United States and elsewhere. We examined whether race affects the utilization rate of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP) in a population‐based sample of individuals from the United States.METHODS:Within the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), we focused on patients in whom MIRP and open radical prostatectomy (ORP) were performed between 2001 and 2007. We assessed the proportions and temporal trends in race distributions between MIRP and ORP. Multivariable logistic regression analyses further adjusted for age, year of surgery, baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index, annual hospital caseload tertiles, hospital region, insurance status, and median zip code income.RESULTS:Of 65,148 radical prostatectomies, 3581 (5.5%) were MIRPs. African Americans accounted for 11.4% of patients versus 78.8% for Caucasians versus 9.9% for others. Between 2001 and 2007, the annual proportions of Caucasian patients treated with MIRP were 2.2%, 0.9%, 2.6%, 7.2%, 4.7%, 9.3%, and 11.6%, respectively (chi‐square trend p<0.001). For the same years in African American patients, the proportions were 0.8, 0.3, 1.4, 4.4, 3.5, 9.0 and 8.4% (chi‐square trend P < .001). In multivariable analyses relative to Caucasian patients, African American patients were 14% less likely to undergo MIRP (P = .01). After period stratification between years 2001‐2005 versus 2006‐2007, African Americans were 22% less likely to undergo a MIRP in the early period (P = .007) versus 11% less likely to have a MIRP in the contemporary period (P = .1).CONCLUSIONS:The racial discrepancies in MIRP utilization rates are gradually improving. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Rare‐Earth Cobalt Gallides RE4Co3Ga16 (RE = Gd–Er, Y): Self‐Interstitial Derivatives of RE2CoGa8A Tale of Two Polymorphs – Growth and Characterization of α‐LnNiGa4 (Ln = Y, Gd–Yb) and β‐LnNi1–xGa4 (Ln = Tb–Er)Solution Chemistry Synthesis of Intermetallic Gold–Lithium NanoparticlesMetal Anions in Metal‐Rich Compounds and Polar IntermetallicsRevisiting the Zintl–Klemm Concept: A2AuBi (A = Li or Na)Crystal Structure and Properties of Yb5Ni4Ge10Magnetism in Giant Unit Cells – Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of R117Co52+δSn112+γ (R = Sm, Tb, Dy) (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 26/2011)
Authors: Mar Arthur , Chan Julia Y. , Schaak Raymond E. , Whangbo Myung‐Hwan , Miller Gordon J. , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Shatruk Michael 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe front cover picture shows the clock tower, the “Campanile”, of Iowa State University where John Corbett did the ground‐breaking research in polar intermetallics that forms the basis of his Viewpoint in this cluster issue. Superimposed on this background are structures and data to visualize the broad scope of topic. The complexity of structure is displayed by the ternary rare‐earth cobalt gallides that contain interstitial atoms (top left, A. Mar et al.), a calcium‐poor intermetallic phase of the Ca/Ni/Ge system (top right from the lab of T. Fässler), and a single crystal of a polymorph of thallium nickel gallide (bottom right, J. Chan et al.). The potentially general synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles – Au3Li from the lab of R. E. Schaak – is outlined mid left. The groups of M. H. Whangbo and G. Miller devote their contributions to the theoretical aspects of bonding (depicted top centre, the plots showing Au–Au bonding and antibonding interactions in Dy2Au2In and mid right, the effects of ionic interactions on the structural properties of isoelectronic intermetallic compounds, respectively). Representative of the range of properties discussed is the magnetic susceptibility of Yb5Ni4Ge10 (bottom left, M. G. Kanatzidis et al.). We thank the authors for the use of the graphics from their papers on the cover.
A Selective Voltammetric Method for Detecting Dopamine at Quercetin Modified Electrode Incorporating Graphene
Authors: Wang Zonghua , Xia Jianfei , Zhu Lingyan , Chen Xiaoyin , Zhang Feifei , Yao Shuyan , Li Yanhui , Xia Yanzhi 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe development of a quercetin‐graphene composite‐modified glassy carbon electrode (Qu/GH/GCE) for the selective and sensitive detection of dopamine (DA) is described in this paper. To fabricate the Qu/GH/GCE, graphene (GH) was first coated onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and then quercetin (Qu) was electrodeposited on the GH matrix. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the morphology of the obtained GH and Qu/GH, and the electrochemical properties of the modified electrode were studied using electrochemical techniques. The as‐prepared Qu/GH/GCE occupied a synthetic property between GH and Qu. The common overlapped electrochemical oxidation peaks of DA and AA were completely separated and a remarkable increasing electron‐oxidation current of DA occurred on the Qu/GH/GCE, which enabled the sensitive and selective electrochemical detection of DA in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA) with peak difference of ca. 452 mV between DA and AA. The peak current obtained at 0.174 V (vs. saturated calomel electrode, SCE) from differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) is linearly dependent on the DA concentration in the range from 3.0×10−8 to 4.0×10−4 mol/L with a detection limit of 1.0×10−8 mol/L. Furthermore, the Qu/GH/GCE exhibits good reproducibility and stability, and has been used for the determination of DA in samples of rat’s striatum tissue with satisfactory results.
Hedgehog signaling and osteoblast gene expression are regulated by purmorphamine in human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Oliveira F.S. , Bellesini L.S. , Defino H.L.A. , da Silva Herrero C.F. , Beloti M.M. , Rosa A.L. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractSeveral biological events are controlled by Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, including osteoblast phenotype development. This study aimed at evaluating the gene expression profile of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) treated with the Hh agonist, purmorphamine, focusing on Hh signaling and osteoblast differentiation. hMSCs from bone marrow were cultured in non‐osteogenic medium with or without purmorphamine (2 µM) for periods of up to 14 days. Purmorphamine up‐regulated gene expression of the mediators of Hh pathway, SMO, PTCH1, GLI1, and GLI2. The activation of Hh pathway by purmorphamine increased the expression of several genes (e.g., RUNX2 and BMPs) related to osteogenesis. Our results indicated that purmorphamine triggers Hh signaling pathway in hMSCs, inducing an increase in the expression of a set of genes involved in the osteoblast differentiation program. Thus, we conclude that Hh is a crucial pathway in the commitment of undifferentiated cells to the osteoblast lineage. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 204–208, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CD133 and CD44 Cell surface markers do not identify cancer stem cells in primary human gastric tumors
Authors: Rocco Alba , Liguori Eleonora , Pirozzi Giuseppe , Tirino Virginia , Compare Debora , Franco Renato , Tatangelo Fabiana , Palaia Raffaele , D'Armiento Francesco Paolo , Pollastrone Giorgia , Affuso Andrea , Bottazzi Enrico Coppola , Masone Stefania , Persico Giovanni , Nardone Gerardo 
Published: September 2011

AbstractEmerging evidence suggests that tumors contain and are driven by a cellular component that displays stem cell properties, the so‐called cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs have been identified in several solid human cancers; however, there are no data about CSCs in primary human gastric cancer (GC). By using CD133 and CD44 cell surface markers we investigated whether primary human GCs contain a cell subset expressing stem‐like properties and whether this subpopulation has tumor‐initiating properties in xenograft transplantation experiments. We examined tissues from 44 patients who underwent gastrectomy for primary GC. The tumorigenicity of the cells separated by flow cytometry using CD133 and CD44 surface markers was tested by subcutaneous or intraperitoneum injection in NOD/SCID and nude mice. GCs included in the study were intestinal in 34 cases and diffuse in 10 cases. All samples contained surface marker‐positive cells: CD133+ mean percentage 10.6% and CD133+/CD44+ mean percentage 27.7%, irrespective of cancer phenotype or grade of differentiation. Purified CD133+ and CD133+/CD44+ cells, obtained in sufficient number only in 12 intestinal type GC cases, failed to reproduce cancer in two mice models. However, the unseparated cells produced glandular‐like structures in 70% of the mice inoculated. In conclusion, although CD133+ and CD133+/CD44+ were detectable in human primary GCs, they neither expressed stem‐like properties nor exhibited tumor‐initiating properties in xenograft transplantation experiments. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2686–2693, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of immune activation and glucocorticoid administration on feather growth in greenfinches
Authors: Männiste Marju , Hõrak Peeter 
Published: September 2011

AbstractElevation of glucocorticoid (GC) hormone levels is an integral part of stress response (as well as its termination) and immunomodulation. These hormones are also responsible for mobilizing energy stores by stimulation of gluconeogenesis and inhibition of protein synthesis. Elevation of GCs is thus incompatible with other protein‐demanding processes, such as moult. Previous studies have shown that chronic elevation of GC hormones suppresses feather growth. Here, we asked whether similar effect would also occur in the case of acute GC elevation and induction of an inflammatory response by foreign antigen. We performed an experiment on captive wild‐caught greenfinches (Carduelis chloris) injecting birds with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and dexamethasone (DEX) in a factorial design. To assess the possible somatic impacts of these manipulations, we removed one of the outermost tail feathers before the experiment and measured mass and rachis diameter and length of the replacement feathers grown in captivity. Immunostimulation by PHA reduced rachis length, but did not affect feather mass or rachis diameter. Single injection of a synthetic GC hormone DEX significantly reduced all three parameters of feather size. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the sensitivity of feather growth to manipulation of immune and adrenal functions. Our results corroborate the somatic costs of immune activation and suggest that even a short‐term elevation of GC hormones may induce long‐term somatic costs with a potential impact on fitness. Our findings also imply that a single injection of DEX, frequently used as a diagnostic tool, can have lasting effects and researchers must consider this when designing experiments. J. Exp. Zool. 315:527–535, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
FORMAL AND INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME DIFFERENTIALS IN URBAN CHINA
Authors: Chen Guifu , Hamori Shigeyuki 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThis study estimates the formal–informal as well as the formal and informal male–female employment hourly income differentials in urban China. The results indicate that differences between the characteristics of formal and informal employment account for a much higher percentage of the hourly income differential than does discrimination in the labour market. In addition, we found that ignoring the sample selection bias results in the overestimation of the formal and informal male–female hourly income differential and the degree of discrimination against informal employment of women and conversely, the underestimation of the degree of discrimination against formal employment of women. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of the Indian summer monsoon rainfall variability with the geophysical parameters over the Arctic region
Authors: Prabhu Amita , Mahajan P. N. , Khaladkar R. M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA study is carried out to understand whether the Indian summer monsoon rainfall variability is associated with the geophysical parameters over the Arctic region. The correlation analyses of the satellite‐derived sea ice data for 29 years indicate that out of 9 sectors of the Arctic region, the Kara and Barents Seas sector's Sea Ice Extent (KBS SIE) during October has a strong relationship with the All‐India Summer Monsoon Rainfall (AISMR) in the following year. This relationship is more pronounced for the extreme cases, which are identified as the drought or the excess monsoon years. Moreover, the composites of certain geophysical parameters over the Arctic also behave in tandem with the monsoon rainfall. In order to test the relationship of these geophysical parameters with the monsoon rainfall, a case of the recent drought of 2009 is independently evaluated. The results obtained in this study bring out that KBS SIE and some other parameters of the Arctic region can be used as potential predictors in the long‐range forecasting of AISMR with a lead period of more than six months. A table indicating the qualitative forecast of the monsoon rainfall is presented on the basis of some parameters of the Arctic region. The mean sea level pressure anomaly tendency over northwest Europe during winter, which is one of the predictors used for forecasting the AISMR, is significantly correlated with the KBS SIE during the preceding October. As such, with the knowledge of October KBS SIE, this parameter can also be foreseen a few months in advance. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society