bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of Skp2 in hematopoietic stem cell quiescence, pool size, and self-renewal
Authors: Wang Jing , Han Fei , Wu Juan , Lee Szu-Wei , Chan Chia-Hsin , Wu Ching-Yuan , Yang Wei-Lei , Gao Yuan , Zhang Xian , Jeong Yun Seong , Moten Asad , Samaniego Felipe , Huang Peng , Liu Quentin , Zeng Yi-Xin , Lin Hui-Kuan 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
Although the maintenance of HSC quiescence and self-renewal are critical for controlling stem cell pool and transplantation efficiency, the mechanisms by which they are regulated remain largely unknown. Understanding the factors controlling these processes may have important therapeutic potential for BM failure and cancers. Here, we show that Skp2, a component of the Skp2 SCF complex, is an important regulator for HSC quiescence, frequency, and self-renewal capability. Skp2 deficiency displays a marked enhancement of HSC populations through promoting cell cycle entry independently of its role on apoptosis. Surprisingly, Skp2 deficiency in HSCs reduces quiescence and displays increased HSC cycling and proliferation. Importantly, loss of Skp2 not only increases HSC populations and long-term reconstitution ability but also rescues the defect in long-term reconstitution ability of HSCs on PTEN inactivation. Mechanistically, we show that Skp2 deficiency induces Cyclin D1 gene expression, which contributes to an increase in HSC cycling. Finally, we demonstrate that Skp2 deficiency enhances sensitivity of Lin− Sca-1+ c-kit+ cells and leukemia cells to chemotherapy agents. Our findings show that Skp2 is a novel regulator for HSC quiescence and self-renewal and that targeting Skp2 may have therapeutic implications for BM transplantation and leukemia stem cell treatment.
Risk factors and prognosis of young stroke. The FUTURE study: A prospective cohort study. Study rationale and protocol
Authors: Rutten-Jacobs Loes CA , Maaijwee Noortje AM , Arntz Renate M , Van Alebeek Mayte E , Schaapsmeerders Pauline , Schoonderwaldt Henny C , Dorresteijn Lucille DA , Overeem Sebastiaan , Drost Gea , Janssen Mirian C , van Heerde Waander L , Kessels Roy PC , Zwiers Marcel P , Norris David G , van der Vlugt Maureen J , van Dijk Ewoud J , de Leeuw Frank-Erik 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
Young stroke can have devastating consequences with respect to quality of life, the ability to work, plan or run a family, and participate in social life. Better insight into risk factors and the long-term prognosis is extremely important, especially in young stroke patients with a life expectancy of decades. To date, detailed information on risk factors and the long-term prognosis in young stroke patients, and more specific risk of mortality or recurrent vascular events, remains scarce.

Methods/Design
The FUTURE study is a prospective cohort study on risk factors and prognosis of young ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke among 1006 patients, aged 18-50 years, included in our study database between 1-1-1980 and 1-11-2010. Follow-up visits at our research centre take place from the end of 2009 until the end of 2011. Control subjects will be recruited among the patients' spouses, relatives or social environment. Information on mortality and incident vascular events will be retrieved via structured questionnaires. In addition, participants are invited to the research centre to undergo an extensive sub study including MRI.

Discussion
The FUTURE study has the potential to make an important contribution to increase the knowledge on risk factors and long-term prognosis in young stroke patients. Our study differs from previous studies by having a maximal follow-up of more than 30 years, including not only TIA and ischemic stroke but also hemorrhagic stroke, the addition of healthy controls and prospectively collect data during an extensive follow-up visit. Completion of the FUTURE study may provide better information for treating physicians and patients with respect to the prognosis of young stroke.
BglBrick vectors and datasheets: A synthetic biology platform for gene expression
Authors: Lee Taek Soon , Krupa Rachel A , Zhang Fuzhong , Hajimorad Meghdad , Holtz William J , Prasad Nilu , Lee Sung Kuk , Keasling Jay D 
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Background
As engineered biological systems become more complex, it is increasingly common to express multiple operons from different plasmids and inducible expression systems within a single host cell. Optimizing such systems often requires screening combinations of origins of replication, expression systems, and antibiotic markers. This procedure is hampered by a lack of quantitative data on how these components behave when more than one origin of replication or expression system are used simultaneously. Additionally, this process can be time consuming as it often requires the creation of new vectors or cloning into existing but disparate vectors.

Results
Here, we report the development and characterization of a library of expression vectors compatible with the BglBrick standard (BBF RFC 21). We have designed and constructed 96 BglBrick-compatible plasmids with a combination of replication origins, antibiotic resistance genes, and inducible promoters. These plasmids were characterized over a range of inducer concentrations, in the presence of non-cognate inducer molecules, and with several growth media, and their characteristics were documented in a standard format datasheet. A three plasmid system was used to investigate the impact of multiple origins of replication on plasmid copy number.

Conclusions
The standardized collection of vectors presented here allows the user to rapidly construct and test the expression of genes with various combinations of promoter strength, inducible expression system, copy number, and antibiotic resistance. The quantitative datasheets created for these vectors will increase the predictability of gene expression, especially when multiple plasmids and inducers are utilized.
Evaluation of the Quantum Blue® rapid test for faecal calprotectin
Authors: Wassell Julie , Wallage Michael , Brewer Ella 
Published: September 2011

Background Calprotectin is an acute-phase protein used extensively in the assessment of gastrointestinal inflammation. It can readily be measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and recently by point-of-care testing (POCT). We evaluated the Quantum Blue® POCT in this study and compared it with our existing ELISA method. Methods The method comparison study used faecal samples ( n = 47) sent to the laboratory for routine calprotectin analysis. Linearity was assessed by serial dilution of extracted faeces ( n = 4). Extraction efficiency was determined by repeat extraction of three different stools. The variation in results as a consequence of reading the POCT cartridges either side of the recommended 12 min was also assessed. Results The assay was linear across the range stated by the manufacturer. When multiple samples were taken from the same stool, results varied from −31.3% to +31.5%. For the clinical arm of our study, strictly applying the 50 μg/g cut-off recommended for both assays as positive for gastrointestinal inflammation, there were four patients where results fell a different side of the clinical cut-off; two patients had results higher by Quantum Blue® and two higher by ELISA. Conclusions In our hands, the Quantum Blue® method was a suitable screening test for excluding inflammatory bowel disease. It may be of value to laboratories wishing to offer calprotectin but who do not have sufficient numbers to warrant ELISA methodology or in ‘one stop’ gastrointestinal clinics where an immediate result is required.
Informatics and Translational Medical Research: Challenges and Developments
Authors: Prasser Fabian , Wurst Sebastian H. R. , Lamla Gregor , Kohlmayer Florian , Blaser Rainer , Schmelcher Dominik , Vögele Bernd , Kuhn Klaus A. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
This article gives an overview of informatics challenges arising in the context of translational medical research. This research concept, which has developed during the last years, aims at transferring scientific knowledge from foundational (“bench”) to clinical research and further to clinical and medical practice (“bedside”). The reverse direction is also important: clinical data are needed for feedback and as stimuli for the generation of research hypotheses. To achieve this, collaboration is needed between separate domains with differing “cultures”, regulations and IT requirements. From the informatics perspective, novel and unique questions arise. While the scientific areas involved, biochemistry, molecular biology, medicine, statistics, epidemiology, and others, have been using informatics methods for many years, their concepts differ and communication is restricted. We will summarize the challenges in this rapidly evolving domain and present recent developments, focusing on integration architectures and concepts, on security and privacy, and on software engineering.
Effects of Physical Activity on Teen Smoking Cessation
Authors: Horn Kimberly , Dino Geri , Branstetter Steven A. , Zhang Jianjun , Noerachmanto N , Jarrett Traci , Taylor Melissa 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVE:
To understand the influence of physical activity on teen smoking-cessation outcomes.

METHODS:
Teens (N = 233; 14–19 years of age) from West Virginia high schools who smoked &gt;1 cigarette in the previous 30 days were included. High schools with &gt;300 students were selected randomly and assigned to brief intervention (BI), Not on Tobacco (N-O-T) (a proven teen cessation program), or N-O-T plus a physical activity module (N-O-T+FIT). Quit rates were determined 3 and 6 months after baseline by using self-classified and 7-day point prevalence quit rates, and carbon monoxide validation was obtained at the 3-month follow-up evaluation.

RESULTS:
Trends for observed and imputed self-classified and 7-day point prevalence rates indicated that teens in the N-O-T+FIT group had significantly higher cessation rates compared with those in the N-O-T and BI groups. Effect sizes were large. Overall, girls quit more successfully with N-O-T compared with BI (relative risk [RR]: &gt;∞) 3 months after baseline, and boys responded better to N-O-T+FIT than to BI (RR: 2–3) or to N-O-T (RR: 1–2). Youths in the N-O-T+FIT group, compared with those in the N-O-T group, had greater likelihood of cessation (RR: 1.48) at 6 months. The control group included an unusually large proportion of participants in the precontemplation stage at enrollment, but there were no significant differences in outcomes between BI and N-O-T (z = 0.94; P = .17) or N-O-T+FIT (z = 1.12; P = .13) participants in the precontemplation stage.

CONCLUSIONS:
Adding physical activity to N-O-T may enhance cessation success, particularly among boys.
Irlen Colored Overlays Do not Alleviate Reading Difficulties
Authors: Ritchie Stuart J. , Sala Sergio Della , McIntosh Robert D. 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVES:
To test the efficacy of Irlen colored overlays for alleviating reading difficulties ostensibly caused by Irlen syndrome, a proposed perceptual disorder with controversial diagnostic status.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS:
Sixty-one schoolchildren (aged 7–12 years) with reading difficulties were assessed by an Irlen diagnostician. We used a within-subject study design to examine differences in reading rate across 3 conditions: using an overlay of a prescribed color; using an overlay of a nonprescribed color; and using no overlay. In a subset of 44 children, all of whom had a diagnosis of Irlen syndrome, we also used a between-group design to test the effects of Irlen colored overlays on a global reading measure.

RESULTS:
The Irlen diagnostician diagnosed Irlen syndrome in 77% of our poor readers. We found no evidence for any immediate benefit of Irlen colored overlays as measured by the reading-rate test or the global reading measure.

CONCLUSIONS:
Our data suggest that Irlen colored overlays do not have any demonstrable immediate effect on reading in children with reading difficulties.
Laser direct writing of nanocompounds
Authors: Ostendorf Andreas , Chakif M’Barek , Guo Qingchuan 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTLaser direct polymerization has been proven as a powerful tool to generate microstructures. Often photosensitive polymer materials are used because they can be tuned by photoactive molecules to be susceptible to a specific wavelength of light to initiate the polymerization process. One of the main drawbacks of this technique is the lack of functional polymers, e.g. conductive, magnetic, mechanical, optical or bioactive materials. Nanocomposites (nanocompounds), i.e. polymers with inorganic nanomaterials incorporated in the matrix offer a huge variety of new functionalities. A new approach will be presented how functional nanocomposite polymers can be generated and used for laser direct writing techniques. This can open the door for completely new MEMS and MOEMS devices comprising active and passive subcomponents.
Sb2Te3 and Bi2Te3 Thin Films Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy at Room Temperature
Authors: Aabdin Z. , Winkler M. , Bessas D. , König J. , Peranio N. , Eibl O. , Hermann R. , Böttner H. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTNano-alloyed p-type Sb2Te3 and n-type Bi2Te3 thin films were grown on SiO2/Si and BaF2 substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) in two steps: (i) Repeated deposition of five-layer stacks with sequence Te-X-Te-X-Te (X = Sb or Bi) with elemental layer thicknesses of 0.2 nm on substrates at room temperature, (ii) annealing at 250 °C for two hours at which phase formation of Sb2Te3 or Bi2Te3 occurred. The room temperature MBE deposition method reduces surface roughness, allows the use of non lattice-matched substrates, and yields a more accurate and easier control of the Te content compared to Bi2Te3 thin films, which were epitaxially grown on BaF2 substrates at 290 °C. X-ray diffraction revealed that the thin films were single phase, poly-crystalline, and textured. The films showed grain sizes of 500 nm for Sb2Te3 and 250 nm for Bi2Te3, analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The in-plane transport properties (thermopower S, electrical conductivity σ, charge carrier density n, charge carrier mobility μ, power factor S2σ) were measured at room temperature. The nano-alloyed Sb2Te3 thin film revealed a remarkably high power factor of 29 μW cm-1 K-2 similar to epitaxially grown Bi2Te3 thin films and Sb2Te3 single crystalline bulk materials. This large power factor can be attributed to a high charge carrier mobility of 402 cm2 V−1 s-1 similar to high-ZT Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 superlattices. However, for the nano-alloyed Bi2Te3 thin film a low power factor of 8 μW cm−1 K-2 and a low charge carrier mobility of 80 cm2 V−1 s−1 were found. Detailed microstructure and phase analyses were carried out by energy-filtered TEM in cross-sections. Quantitative chemical analysis by energy-dispersive x−ray spectroscopy (EDS) was also applied. In Bi2Te3 thin films, few nanometer thick Bi-rich blocking layers at grain boundaries and Te fluctuations by 1.3 at.% within the grains were observed. The small charge carrier densities are explained by a reduced antisite defect density due to the low temperatures to which the thin films were exposed during annealing.
Evaluation of Segregation in Polycrystalline 10 mol% Yttria Doped Zirconia (10YSZ)
Authors: Idris Muhammad Asri , Nowotny Janusz , Li Sean S. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTThe present work reports surface segregation in polycrystalline yttria-stabilised zirconia (cubic) including 10 mol% Y2O3 (10YSZ). The 10YSZ specimen was annealed in the range 1073 K - 1673 K in the gas phase of controlled oxygen activity. The segregation-induced intensity profiles of 89Y, 40Ca, 28Si, 27Al, 133Cs, 197Au and 90Zr was measured using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The data obtained show that (i) annealing of 10YSZ results in the formation of segregation-induced concentration gradients of 89Y, 40Ca, 28Si, 27Al and (ii) segregation-induced profiles depend on oxygen activity.
What Can Lasers Do in the Nano-Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube Based Devices?
Authors: Zhou Yun Shen , Xiong Wei , Mahjouri-Samani Masoud , Gao Yang , Mitchell Matt , Lu Yong Feng 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTNumerous applications based on CNTs have been conceived and developed at laboratory scale. However, only a handful of applications have been successfully implemented due to the difficulties in controlled growth, manipulation, and integration of CNTs. In spite of countless efforts having been devoted into this field, high-performance-on-demand solution packages are still absent. In this study, we investigated applications of lasers in the controlled growth and integration of CNTs, and developed laser-based strategies to achieve nano-fabrication of CNTbased devices. By making use of unique features of lasers, we achieved 1) parallel integration of CNTs into pre-designed micro/nano-architectures in a single-step laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) process, 2) selective removal of metallic CNTs in open air, 3) growing CNTs of controlled-alignments, and 4) diameter modulation in individual CNTs. The laser-based strategies developed in this study suggest a laser-based solution-package to meet the challenges for the nano-fabrication of CNT-based devices and promises a reliable and scalable approach to achieve CNT-integrated devices.
The Adaptor Protein Bam32 in Human Dendritic Cells Participates in the Regulation of MHC Class I-Induced CD8+ T Cell Activation
Authors: Ortner Daniela , Grabher Daniela , Hermann Martin , Kremmer Elisabeth , Hofer Susanne , Heufler Christine 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
The B lymphocyte adaptor molecule of 32 kDa (Bam32) is strongly induced during the maturation of dendritic cells (DC). Most known functions of Bam32 are related to the signaling of the B cell receptor for Ag. Because DC do not express receptors specific for Ags, we aim at characterizing the role of Bam32 in human monocyte-derived DC in this study. Our results show that binding of allogeneic T cells to mature DC causes accumulation of Bam32 on the contact sites and that this translocation is mimicked by Ab-mediated engagement of MHC class I. Silencing of Bam32 in mature monocyte-derived DC results in an enhanced proliferation of CD8+ T cells in an Ag-specific T cell proliferation assay. Further studies identify galectin-1 as an intracellular binding partner of Bam32. Regulating immune responses via regulatory T cell (Treg) modulation is one of the many immunological activities attributed to galectin-1. Therefore, we assayed mixed leukocyte reactions for Treg expansion and found fewer Treg in reactions stimulated with DC silenced for Bam32 compared to reactions stimulated with DC treated with a nontarget control. Based on our findings, we propose a role for Bam32 in the signaling of MHC class I molecules in professional Ag-presenting DC for the regulation of CD8+ T cell activation. It is distinct from that of MHC class I recognized by CD8+ T cells leading to T cell death. Thus, our data pinpoint a novel level of T cell regulation that may be of biological relevance.
The Liver Kinase B1 Is a Central Regulator of T Cell Development, Activation, and Metabolism
Authors: MacIver Nancie J. , Blagih Julianna , Saucillo Donte C. , Tonelli Luciana , Griss Takla , Rathmell Jeffrey C. , Jones Russell G. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract
T cell activation leads to engagement of cellular metabolic pathways necessary to support cell proliferation and function. However, our understanding of the signal transduction pathways that regulate metabolism and their impact on T cell function remains limited. The liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is a serine/threonine kinase that links cellular metabolism with cell growth and proliferation. In this study, we demonstrate that LKB1 is a critical regulator of T cell development, viability, activation, and metabolism. T cell-specific ablation of the gene that encodes LKB1 resulted in blocked thymocyte development and a reduction in peripheral T cells. LKB1-deficient T cells exhibited defects in cell proliferation and viability and altered glycolytic and lipid metabolism. Interestingly, loss of LKB1 promoted increased T cell activation and inflammatory cytokine production by both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was decreased in LKB1-deficient T cells. AMPK was found to mediate a subset of LKB1 functions in T lymphocytes, as mice lacking the α1 subunit of AMPK displayed similar defects in T cell activation, metabolism, and inflammatory cytokine production, but normal T cell development and peripheral T cell homeostasis. LKB1- and AMPKα1-deficient T cells each displayed elevated mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling and IFN-γ production that could be reversed by rapamycin treatment. Our data highlight a central role for LKB1 in T cell activation, viability, and metabolism and suggest that LKB1–AMPK signaling negatively regulates T cell effector function through regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin activity.
Effect of Backbone Chemical Structure of Polymers on Selective (n,m)Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Recognition/Extraction Behavior
Authors: Ozawa Hiroaki , Fujigaya Tsuyohiro , Niidome Yasuro , Nakashima Naotoshi 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe development of a simple and facile method to extract single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with a specific chirality index is one of the most‐crucial issues in the fundamental study and applications of the SWNTs. We have compared the selective recognition/extraction of the SWNT chirality of poly(9,10‐dioctyl‐9,10‐dihydrophenanthrene‐2,7‐diyl) (2C8‐PPhO) to that of poly(9,9‐dioctyfluoreny1‐2,7‐diyl) (2C8‐PFO) that are able to extract specific semiconducting SWNTs free of any metallic SWNTs. Vis/NIR absorption, 2D photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy as well as molecular mechanical simulations were used to analyze and understand the obtained chiral selective solubilization behavior. We found that 2C8‐PPhO selectively extracts and enriches the (8,6), (8,7), and (9,7)SWNTs, whose behaviors are different from that of 2C8‐PFO, which preferentially extracts the (7,5), (7,6), (8,6), and (8,7)SWNTs. Our results indicate that 2C8‐PPhO preferably recognizes larger‐diameter SWNTs with higher chiral angles compared to those recognized by 2C8‐PFO. These findings demonstrate that the difference in the non‐aromatic ring numbers on the polymers results in different SWNT chirality recognition/extraction behaviors.
Elastin‐like recombinamers: Biosynthetic strategies and biotechnological applications
Authors: Girotti Alessandra , Fernández‐Colino Alicia , López Isabel M. , Rodríguez‐Cabello José C. , Arias Francisco J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe past few decades have witnessed the development of novel naturally inspired biomimetic materials, such as polysaccharides and proteins. Likewise, the seemingly exponential evolution of genetic‐engineering techniques and modern biotechnology has led to the emergence of advanced protein‐based materials with multifunctional properties. This approach allows extraordinary control over the architecture of the polymer, and therefore, monodispersity, controlled physicochemical properties, and high sequence complexity that would otherwise be impossible to attain. Elastin‐like recombinamers (ELRs) are emerging as some of the most prolific of these protein‐based biopolymers. Indeed, their inherent properties, such as biocompatibility, smart nature, and mechanical qualities, make these recombinant polymers suitable for use in numerous biomedical and nanotechnology applications, such as tissue engineering, “smart” nanodevices, drug delivery, and protein purification. Herein, we present recent progress in the biotechnological applications of ELRs and the most important genetic engineering‐based strategies used in their biosynthesis.