bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical manufacturing of recombinant human interleukin 15. I. Production cell line development and protein expression in E. coli with stop codon optimization
Authors: Vyas Vinay V. , Esposito Dominic , Sumpter Terry L. , Broadt Trevor L. , Hartley James , Knapp IV George C. , Cheng Wei , Jiang Man‐Shiow , Roach John M. , Yang Xiaoyi , Giardina Steven L. , Mitra George , Yovandich Jason L. , Creekmore Stephen P. , Waldmann Thomas A. , Zhu Jianwei 
Published: November 2011

AbstractInterleukin 15 (IL‐15) has shown remarkable biological properties of promoting NK‐ and T‐cell activation and proliferation, as well as enhancing antitumor immunity of CD8+ T cells in preclinical models. Here, we report the development of an E. coli cell line to express recombinant human Interleukin‐15 (rhIL‐15) for clinical manufacturing. Human IL‐15 cDNA sequence was inserted into a pET28b plasmid and expressed in several E. coli BL21 strains. Through product quality comparisons among several E. coli strains, including E. coli BL21(DE3), BL21(DE3)pLysS, BLR(DE3)pLysS, and BL21‐AI, E. coli BL21‐AI was selected for clinical manufacturing. Expression optimization was carried out at shake flask and 20‐L fermenter scales, and the product was expressed as inclusion bodies that were solubilized, refolded, and purified to yield active rhIL‐15. Stop codons of the expression construct were further investigated after 15–20% of the purified rhIL‐15 showed an extraneous peak corresponding to an extra tryptophan residue based on peptide mapping and mass spectrometry analysis. It was determined that the presence of an extra tryptophan was due to a stop codon wobble effect, which could be eliminated by replacing TGA (opal) stop codon with TAA (ochre). As a novel strategy, a simple method of demonstrating lack of tRNA suppressors in the production host cells was developed to validate the cells in this study. The E. coli BL21‐AI cells containing the rhIL‐15 coding sequence with a triplet stop codon TAATAATGA were banked for further clinical manufacturing. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Synthesis of CaCO3 nanoparticles by controlled precipitation of saturated carbonate and calcium nitrate aqueous solutions
Authors: Babou‐Kammoe Romuald , Hamoudi Safia , Larachi Faïçal , Belkacemi Khaled 
Published: November 2011

AbstractCalcium carbonate nanoparticles (CCNP) were synthesised by precipitation from saturated sodium carbonate and calcium nitrate aqueous solutions. The effect of agitation rate, mixing time, calcium/carbonate ions concentration and temperature on particle size and morphology were investigated. Particles were characterised using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Increasing the mixing time from 30 to 180 min resulted in a decrease in particles size. Mixing rate variation between 300 and 14 000 rpm decreased the particle size. Temperature increase favoured a significant growth in particle size and in the formation of aragonite beginning from 80°C. Calcium and carbonate ion concentrations are key parameters controlling the CCNP particle size. Calcite is the main polymorph obtained as revealed by XRD analysis. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies on removal of Cr(VI) by activated carbon prepared from Ricinus communis seed shell
Authors: Thamilarasu P. , Karunakaran K. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA study on the removal of hexavalent chromium ions from aqueous solution by using activated carbon prepared from Ricinus communis has been done. In this process, it was carbonised and activated by treating with concentrated sulphuric acid followed by heating for 5 h at 500°C. Batch adsorption experiments are also carried out as a function of pH, contact time, initial concentration of the adsorbate, adsorbent dosage and temperature. The experimental data are fitted well to the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG° are calculated, which indicated that the adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Adsorbent used in this study is characterised by FT‐IR and SEM before and after the adsorption of Cr(VI). © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Current or recent pregnancy is associated with adverse pathologic features but not impaired survival in early breast cancer
Authors: Murphy Conleth G. , Mallam Divya , Stein Samantha , Patil Sujata , Howard Jane , Sklarin Nancy , Hudis Clifford A. , Gemignani Mary L. , Seidman Andrew D. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Pregnancy‐associated breast cancer (PABC) may be defined as breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or within 1 year of giving birth. Conflicting data exist regarding the impact of pregnancy on clinical features and prognosis of breast cancer.METHODS:A single‐institution retrospective chart review was performed of 99 patients identified with PABC between 1992 and 2007. Non‐PABC controls were matched 2:1 to PABC cases by year of diagnosis and age. The differences in clinical features were compared between cases and controls using chi‐square tests. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the effect of PABC on survival.RESULTS:Of the 99 PABC cases, breast cancer was diagnosed during pregnancy in 36 patients, and after delivery in 63. PABC cases were more likely than controls to be negative for estrogen receptor (59% vs 31%, P < .0001) and negative for progesterone receptor (72% vs 40%, P < .0001). Cases were also more likely to have advanced T class (P = .0271) and N class (P = .0104) and higher grade tumors (P = .0115). With a median follow‐up of 6.3 years for cases and 4.7 years for controls, overall survival did not differ between cases and controls (P = .0787). On multivariate analysis, the independent prognostic factors for overall survival were estrogen receptor status (P = .0031) and N class (P = .0003). The diagnosis of PABC was not an independent prognostic factor (P = .1317).CONCLUSIONS:PABC is associated with more adverse tumor features than non‐PABC matched for age and year of diagnosis. After correcting for pathologic features, the diagnosis of PABC is not in itself an adverse prognostic factor for survival. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
A phase 2 study of pegylated interferon α‐2b (PEG‐Intron®) in children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma
Authors: Warren Katherine , Bent Robyn , Wolters Pamela L. , Prager Alisa , Hanson Ryan , Packer Roger , Shih Joanna , Camphausen Kevin 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Interferon‐α is a cytokine that has demonstrated activity in patients with supratentorial gliomas, but its ideal dose and schedule of administration is unknown. Studies suggest that low‐dose, continuous exposure is more efficacious than intermittent, high doses. The authors performed a phase 2 study of recombinant interferon α‐2b with monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (PEG‐Intron®) in children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a population with dismal survival despite decades of clinical investigation. The primary objective was to compare 2‐year survival with a historic cohort that received radiation therapy alone.METHODS:Patients received weekly subcutaneous PEG‐Intron® at a dose of 0.3 μg/kg beginning 2 to 10 weeks after the completion of radiation therapy until they developed disease progression. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at regular intervals. Serum and urine were assayed for biomarkers before each cycle. Quality‐of‐life (QOL) evaluations were administered at baseline and before every other cycle of therapy to the parents of patients ages 6 to 18 years.RESULTS:Thirty‐two patients (median age, 5.3 years; range, 1.8‐14.8 years) were enrolled and received a median of 7 cycles of therapy (range, from 1 cycle to ≥70 cycles). PEG‐Intron® was well tolerated, and no decrease in QOL scores was noted in the subset of patients tested. The 2‐year survival rate was 14%, which was not significantly improved compared with the historic cohort. However, the median time to progression was 7.8 months, which compared favorably with recent trials reporting a time to progression of 5 months in a similar population.CONCLUSIONS:Although low‐dose PEG‐Intron® therapy did not significantly improve 2‐year survival in children with DIPG compared with an historic control population, it did delay the time to progression. Cancer 2012;3607–3613. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Extracapsular spread and adjuvant therapy in human papillomavirus‐related, p16‐positive oropharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Sinha Parul , Lewis James S. , Piccirillo Jay F. , Kallogjeri Dorina , Haughey Bruce H. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:Extracapsular spread (ECS) is commonly used to justify adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. The role of ECS as a prognosticator and adjuvant therapy determinant in surgically resected, human papillomavirus‐related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), however, has never been determined.METHODS:Of 210 oropharynx patients in a prospective transoral laser microsurgery database, 152 patients who had p16‐positive primary OPSCC and pathologically positive necks were eligible for the study. ECS was measured from routine reporting (ECSreport) and by using a novel histologic grading system (ECSgraded). Proportional hazards models and matched analyses were used to compare the impact of ECS and adjuvant therapy on disease‐free survival (DFS). Patients with and without graded ECS were matched for T‐stage, surgical margins, and adjuvant therapy.RESULTS:At a median follow‐up of 43 months, the presence of ECS was not associated with poorer DFS in multivariate analyses (ECSreport: hazard ratio [HR], 3.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45‐25.88; P = .23; ECSgraded: HR, 2.54; 95% CI, 0.88‐7.34; P = .09). T‐stage and high‐grade ECS, ie soft tissue metastasis (STMgraded) were prognostic. Overall and in the presence of ECS or even STM, adjuvant CRT was not associated with better DFS over radiotherapy alone (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.06‐1.13; P = .07). In addition, matched analyses demonstrated no significant reduction in DFS for the presence of ECS versus the absence of ECS or reduced DFS for the administration of adjuvant radiotherapy alone versus CRT in ECS‐positive patients.CONCLUSIONS:Routinely reported ECS was not prognostic in this study. Adjuvant CRT versus radiotherapy alone produced no improvement in DFS for ECS‐positive patients. The authors propose that de‐escalated adjuvant therapy should be considered for patients with p16‐positive OPSCC who undergo surgery and that routinely reported ECS should not be used to justify adjuvant chemotherapy. Cancer 2012;3519–3530. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Cochrane Review: Probiotics for treating persistent diarrhoea in children
Authors: Bernaola Aponte Guillermo , Bada Mancilla Carlos Alfonso , Carreazo Pariasca Nilton Yhuri , Rojas Galarza Raúl Alberto 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundPersistent diarrhoea (diarrhoea lasting more than 14 days) accounts for one third of all diarrhoea related deaths in developing countries in some studies. Probiotics may help treatment.ObjectivesTo evaluate probiotics for treating persistent diarrhoea in children.Search strategyIn August 2010, we searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS. We also contacted authors of included trials and organizations working in the field, and checked reference lists.Selection criteriaRandomized controlled trials comparing a specified probiotic agent with placebo or no probiotic in children with persistent diarrhoea.Data collection and analysisTwo review authors assessed the eligibility, risk of bias, extracted and analysed data. Differences were resolved by discussion. Statistical analysis were performed using the fixed‐effect model and the results were expressed as mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI).Main resultsFour trials were included, with a total number of 464 participants; one trial had a low risk of bias. Meta‐analysis showed that probiotics reduced the duration of persistent diarrhoea (mean difference 4.02 days, 95% CI 4.61 to 3.43 days, n=324, 2 trials). Stool frequency was reduced with probiotics in two trials. One trial reported a shorter hospital stay, which was significant, but numbers were small. No adverse events were reported.Authors' conclusionsThere is limited evidence suggesting probiotics may be effective in treating persistent diarrhoea in children.Plain Language SummaryProbiotics for persistent diarrhoea in childrenPersistent diarrhoea is defined as a diarrhoeal episode that starts acutely but then lasts for 14 days or more, and it is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five years old in developing countries throughout the world. The cause of persistent diarrhoea is not completely understood but is likely to be complex; this in turn makes management of the condition difficult. Probiotics are bacteria and yeasts that are similar to the normal bacteria found in a healthy gut. These so called friendly bacteria have been used in several studies to treat acute infectious diarrhoea with encouraging results. This review found four trials involving children with persistent diarrhoea. Two studies with a combined total of 324, showed that probiotics shorten the duration of diarrhoea and reduce the stool frequency on day 5. One study (235 children) suggested that probiotics reduce the hospital stay. Three out of four trials reported that no adverse events occurred. However, this review is limited by few trials with small number of participants, and therefore may not represent a reliable estimate of probiotics' effect.
Commentary on ‘Interactive computer‐based interventions for sexual health promotion’ with a response from the review authors
Authors: Johnson Blair T. , Warren Michelle R. , Bailey Julia V. , Morris Richard W. , Murray Elizabeth , Rait Greta , Mercer Catherine H. , Peacock Richard , Cassell Jackie , Nazareth Irwin 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThese are commentaries of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Bailey JV, Murray E, Rait G, Mercer CH, Morris RW, Peacock R, Cassell J, Nazareth I. Interactive computer‐based interventions for sexual health promotion. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD006483. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006483.pub2.Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Summary article. Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Commentary on ‘Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health’ with a response from the review authors
Authors: Flores‐Mir Carlos , Deacon Scott , Deery Chris , Henue Mike , Robinson Peter G. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThese are commentaries of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Deacon SA, Glenny AM, Deery C, Robinson PG, Heanue M, Walmsley AD, Shaw WC. Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD004971. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004971.pub2.Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Summary article. Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
The use of the CO2 laser in sternotomy in cardiac surgery: A preliminary report
Authors: Russin Lester A. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA biologic adhesive bonding agent for bone and skin was first developed in 1966. Later experiments with cyanacrylate proved ineffective. A new 3M bonding agent, MBR 4197, was tried but proved ineffective owing to the nature of the cut surface. Use of the Sharplan CO2 laser eliminated this problem. Further experiments are now under way to determine more practical applications for this procedure.
pH‐Responsive Aggregation of Amphiphilic Glyco‐Homopolymer
Authors: Dan Krishna , Ghosh Suhrit 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe first example of amphiphilic glyco‐homopolymers is reported and their aggregation properties as a function of solution pH are studied. Two structurally similar polymers with different hydrophobicity (C8 and C6 alkyl chains) are examined. Both polymers form micelle‐type aggregates in aqueous solution. The size and micro‐environment of the aggregates are found to be strongly dependent on solution pH because of the state of protonation of the tertiary amine group. At acidic pH, swollen multi‐micellar aggregates are formed, presumably because of the electrostatic repulsion among the ammonium ions. At basic pH more compact particles are found, which further co‐assemble to generate either garland type (C8) or fractal‐aggregates (C6).
Improved crack growth resistance and its molecular origin of natural rubber/carbon black by nanodispersed clay
Authors: Wu Xiaohui , Wang Yiqing , Liu Jun , He Shaojian , Zhang Liqun 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn practice, rubber articles often fail attributed to crack growth under static and dynamic conditions. In this work we designed various experimental methods with precut samples to characterize the effect of nanodispersed clay on the crack growth resistance. The results indicate that the incorporation of nanodispersed clay can greatly improve the crack growth resistance of natural rubber (NR)/carbon black (CB), as evidenced by the enhancement of the tensile strength under static conditions, and improvement of flex‐fatigue properties under dynamic conditions, which could find wide application in the industry. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations and molecular simulations are combined to uncover the underlying mechanism of the crack growth resistance, highlighting the enhanced polymer orientation and highly stretched ligaments, and the orientation of the clay sheets. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
The N‐terminal domains of SOCS proteins: A conserved region in the disordered N‐termini of SOCS4 and 5
Authors: Feng Zhi‐Ping , Chandrashekaran Indu R. , Low Andrew , Speed Terence P. , Nicholson Sandra E. , Norton Raymond S. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractSuppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins function as negative regulators of cytokine signaling and are involved in fine tuning the immune response. The structure and role of the SH2 domains and C‐terminal SOCS box motifs of the SOCS proteins are well characterized, but the long N‐terminal domains of SOCS4–7 remain poorly understood. Here, we present bioinformatic analyses of the N‐terminal domains of the mammalian SOCS proteins, which indicate that these domains of SOCS4, 5, 6, and 7 are largely disordered. We have also identified a conserved region of about 70 residues in the N‐terminal domains of SOCS4 and 5 that is predicted to be more ordered than the surrounding sequence. The conservation of this region can be traced as far back as lower vertebrates. As conserved regions with increased structural propensity that are located within long disordered regions often contain molecular recognition motifs, we expressed the N‐terminal conserved region of mouse SOCS4 for further analysis. This region, mSOCS486–155, has been characterized by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, both of which indicate that it is predominantly unstructured in aqueous solution, although it becomes helical in the presence of trifluoroethanol. The high degree of sequence conservation of this region across different species and between SOCS4 and SOCS5 nonetheless implies that it has an important functional role, and presumably this region adopts a more ordered conformation in complex with its partners. The recombinant protein will be a valuable tool in identifying these partners and defining the structures of these complexes. Proteins 2011. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the discrimination between bulk and surface traps in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs from trapping characteristics
Authors: Ťapajna Milan , Jimenez Jose L. , Kuball Martin 
Published: November 2011

AbstractDrain current trapping characteristics is shown to be able to distinguish between bulk and surface traps. This is illustrated on stressed and unstressed AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with different surface oxygen content. A trapping characteristic with positive amplitude is shown to be related to surface traps located in the transistor access region close to the gate edge. In contrast, current trapping characteristic with negative amplitude is related to emission from AlGaN bulk traps located underneath the gate. This method enables easy distinguishing between bulk and surface traps generated during reliability testing.
Exploring behavioural change through an agent‐oriented system dynamics model: the use of personal protective equipment among pesticide applicators in Colombia
Authors: Feola Giuseppe , Gallati Justus A. , Binder Claudia R. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe misuse of Personal Protective Equipment results in health risk among smallholders in developing countries, and education is often proposed to promote safer practices. However, evidence point to limited effects of education. This paper presents a System Dynamics model which allows the identification of risk‐minimizing policies for behavioural change. The model is based on the IAC framework and survey data. It represents farmers' decision‐making from an agent‐oriented standpoint. The most successful intervention strategy was the one which intervened in the long term, targeted key stocks in the systems and was diversified. However, the results suggest that, under these conditions, no policy is able to trigger a self sustaining behavioural change. Two implementation approaches were suggested by experts. One, based on constant social control, corresponds to a change of the current model's parameters. The other, based on participation, would lead farmers to new thinking, i.e. changes in their decision‐making structure. Copyright © 2011 System Dynamics Society.
Visualizing Human Telomerase Activity with Primer‐Modified Au Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Jiasi , Wu Li , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang 
Published: November 2011

AbstractTelomerase is over‐expressed in over 85% of all known human tumors. This renders the enzyme a valuable biomarker for cancer diagnosis and an important therapeutic target. The most widely used telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay has been questioned for telomerase detection. It is reported that human telomerase activity can be visualized by using primer‐modified Au nanoparticles. The working principle is based on the elongated primers conjugated to the gold nanoparticle (AuNP) surface, which can fold into a G‐quadruplex to protect the AuNPs from the aggregation. The developed simple and sensitive colorimetric assay can measure telomerase activity down to 1 HeLa cell µL−1. More importantly, this assay can be easily extended to high‐throughput and automatic format. The AuNP‐TS method is PCR‐free and therefore avoids the amplification‐related errors and becomes more reliable to evaluate telomerase activity. This assay has also been used for initial screening of telomerase inhibitors as anticancer drug agents.