bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural underwater adhesives
Authors: Stewart Russell J. , Ransom Todd C. , Hlady Vladimir 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe general topic of this review is protein‐based underwater adhesives produced by aquatic organisms. The focus is on mechanisms of interfacial adhesion to native surfaces and controlled underwater solidification of natural water‐borne adhesives. Four genera that exemplify the broad range of function, general mechanistic features, and unique adaptations are discussed in detail: blue mussels, acorn barnacles, sandcastle worms, and freshwater caddisfly larva. Aquatic surfaces in nature are charged and in equilibrium with their environment, populated by an electrical double layer of ions as well as adsorbed natural polyelectrolytes and microbial biofilms. Surface adsorption of underwater bioadhesives likely occurs by exchange of surface bound ligands by amino acid sidechains, driven primarily by relative affinities and effective concentrations of polymeric functional groups. Most aquatic organisms exploit modified amino acid sidechains, in particular phosphorylated serines and hydroxylated tyrosines (dopa), with high‐surface affinity that form coordinative surface complexes. After delivery to the surfaces as a fluid, permanent natural adhesives solidify to bear sustained loads. Mussel plaques are assembled in a manner superficially reminiscent of in vitro layer‐by‐layer strategies, with sequentially delivered layers associated through Fe(dopa)3 coordination bonds. The adhesives of sandcastle worms, caddisfly larva, and barnacles may be delivered in a form somewhat similar to in vitro complex coacervation. Marine adhesives are secreted, or excreted, into seawater that has a significantly higher pH and ionic strength than the internal environment. Empirical evidence suggests these environment triggers could provide minimalistic, fail‐safe timing mechanisms to prevent premature solidification (insolubilization) of the glue within the secretory system, yet allow rapid solidification after secretion. Underwater bioadhesives are further strengthened by secondary covalent curing. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011
Initial evaluation of an Internet intervention to improve the sleep of cancer survivors with insomnia
Authors: Ritterband Lee M. , Bailey Elaine T. , Thorndike Frances P. , Lord Holly R. , Farrell‐Carnahan Leah , Baum Lora D. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractObjective: Insomnia is a common complaint among cancer survivors. Fortunately, cognitive‐behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT‐I) has been shown to be an effective treatment in this population. However, it is rarely implemented given its limited availability. To address this barrier, we examined the ability of an easily accessible online CBT‐I program to improve insomnia symptoms in cancer survivors.Methods: Twenty‐eight cancer survivors with insomnia were randomly assigned to either an Internet insomnia intervention (n = 14) or to a waitlist control group (n = 14). The online program, Sleep Healthy Using The Internet, delivers the primary components of CBT‐I (sleep restriction, stimulus control, cognitive restructuring, sleep hygiene, and relapse prevention). Pre‐ and post‐assessment data were collected via online questionnaires and daily sleep diaries.Results: Participants in the Internet group showed significant improvements at post‐assessment compared with those in the control group in overall insomnia severity (F1,26 = 22.8; p<0.001), sleep efficiency (F1,24 = 11.45; P = 0.002), sleep onset latency (F1,24 = 5.18; P = 0.03), soundness of sleep (F1,24 = 9.34; P = 0.005), restored feeling upon awakening (F1,24 = 11.95; P = 0.002), and general fatigue (F1,26 = 13.88; P = 0.001). Although other group × time interactions were not significant, overall adjusted effect sizes for all sleep variables as well as for fatigue, depression, anxiety, and quality of life ranged from small to large.Conclusions: CBT‐I delivered through an interactive, individually tailored Internet intervention may be a viable treatment option for cancer survivors experiencing insomnia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infant formula alters surfactant protein A (SP‐A) and SP‐B expression in pulmonary epithelial cells
Authors: Chen Maurice G. , Atkins Constance L. , Bruce Shirley R. , Khan Amir M. , Liu Yuying , Alcorn Joseph L. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractSurfactant proteins A (SP‐A) and SP‐B are critical in the ability of pulmonary surfactant to reduce alveolar surface tension and provide innate immunity. Aspiration of infant milk formula can lead to lung dysfunction, but direct effects of aspirated formula on surfactant protein expression in pulmonary cells have not been described. The hypothesis that infant formula alters surfactant protein homeostasis was tested in vitro by assessing surfactant protein gene expression in cultured pulmonary epithelial cell lines expressing SP‐A and SP‐B that were transiently exposed (6 hr) to infant formula. Steady‐state levels of SP‐A protein and mRNA and SP‐B mRNA in human bronchiolar (NCI‐H441) and mouse alveolar (MLE15) epithelial cells were reduced in a dose‐dependent manner 18 hr after exposure to infant formula. SP‐A mRNA levels remained reduced 42 hr after exposure, but SP‐B mRNA levels increased 10‐fold. Neither soy formula nor non‐fat dry milk affected steady‐state SP‐A and SP‐B mRNA levels; suggesting a role of a component of infant formula derived from cow milk. These results indicate that infant formula has a direct, dose‐dependent effect to reduce surfactant protein gene expression. Ultimately, milk aspiration may potentially result in a reduced capacity of the lung to defend against environmental insults. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:903–912. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relation of early childhood growth and wheezing phenotypes to adult lung function
Authors: Sherrill Duane L. , Guerra Stefano , Wright Anne L. , Morgan Wayne J. , Martinez Fernando D. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractRationaleSeveral studies have reported associations between indicators of birth size and postnatal growth rates with levels of pulmonary function achieved as adults. The objective of this study was to determine if levels and/or rates of weight gain, measured in early life (birth‐6 years), are associated with FVC or FEV1 levels achieved in young adulthood and if these associations differ by early childhood wheezing phenotypes.MethodsWe used data from participants in the Tucson Children's Respiratory Study (CRS), a prospective birth cohort study. Weight was measured quarterly up to age 3 years and again at age 6 years. Pulmonary function was assessed at ages 16 and 22. Mean weight and slope of weight growth between 3 and 6 years were estimated using standardized residuals. Longitudinal models were used to determine predictors of FVC and FEV1 at ages 16 and 22 years.ResultsThere were 127 non‐Hispanic white subjects that had at least four weight measures and one or more pulmonary function measures as young adults. After adjusting for sex, height, and age, the standardized slope of weight growth (between 3 and 6 years) was positively associated with higher levels of FVC at age 16 and 22 years (P = 0.0001) among subjects who did not have preschool wheezing. However, this association was completely absent among subjects who had wheezing lower respiratory tract illnesses in the first 3 years of life. Similar trends were found for FEV1.ConclusionThe rate of weight gain between 3 and 6 years is significantly positively related to adult FVC and FEV1 and this association is modified by early wheezy phenotypes. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:956–963. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Active sonic hedgehog signaling between androgen independent human prostate cancer cells and normal/benign but not cancer‐associated prostate stromal cells
Authors: Shigemura Katsumi , Huang Wen‐Chin , Li Xiangyan , Zhau Haiyen E. , Zhu Guodong , Gotoh Akinobu , Fujisawa Masato , Xie Jingwu , Marshall Fray F. , Chung Leland W. K. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBACKGROUNDSonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling plays a pivotal role in stromal–epithelial interaction during normal development but its role in tumor–stromal interaction during carcinogenic progression is less well defined. Since hormone refractory prostate cancer with bone metastasis is difficult to treat, it is crucial to investigate how androgen independent (AI) human prostate cancer cells communicate with their associated stroma.METHODSShh and its target transcription factor, Gli1 mRNA, were assessed by RT‐PCR and/or quantitative RT‐PCR in co‐cultured cell recombinants comprised of AI C4–2 either with NPF (prostate fibroblasts from normal/benign prostate gland) or CPF (cancer‐associated stromal fibroblasts) under Shh/cyclopamine (a hedgehog signaling inhibitor) treatment. Human bone marrow stromal (HS27A) cells were used as controls. In vivo investigation was performed by checking serum PSA and immunohistochemical staining for the apoptosis‐associated M30 gene in mice bearing chimeric C4–2/NPF tumors.RESULTSWe found that (1) Shh has minimal growth‐stimulating effects on prostate cancer cells, but it stimulated the growth of NPF but not CPF; (2) active Shh signaling was found between AI C4–2 cells and NPF but not CPF; and (3) osteonectin (ON) is a Gli1 target gene in NPF and not in CPF, and ON up‐regulation in NPF can be blocked by cyclopamineCONCLUSIONSBased on co‐culture and chimeric tumor models, active Shh‐mediated signaling was demonstrated between AI prostate cancer and NPF in a paracrine‐ and tumor progression‐dependent manner. Our study suggests that drugs like cyclopamine that interfere with Shh signaling could be beneficial in preventing AI progression in prostate cancer cells. Prostate 71:1711–1722, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanistic role of NS4A and substrate in the activation of HCV NS3 protease
Authors: Zhu Haimei , Briggs James M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease is the key enzyme for its maturation. Three hypotheses have been advanced in the literature to demonstrate the mechanism of the activation of the HCV NS3 protease. A virus‐encoded protein NS4A and substrate are proposed to be involved in the activation of the HCV NS3 protease. However, the three hypotheses are not completely consistent with one another. Multiple molecular dynamics simulations were performed on various NS3 protease systems: free NS3 protease, NS3/4A, NS3/inhibitor, and NS3/4A/inhibitor complexes, to further unravel the mechanism of the activation of the NS3 protease. Simulation results suggest that the binding of NS4A induces a classic serine protease conformation of the catalytic triad of the NS3 protease. NS4A rearranges the secondary structure of both the N‐terminus and catalytic site of the NS3 protease, reduces the mobility of the global structure of the NS3 protease, especially the catalytic site, and provides a rigid and tight structure, except for the S1 pocket, for the binding and hydrolysis of substrates. The binding of substrate also contributes to the activation of the NS3 protease by an induced‐fit of the classic serine protease catalytic triad. However, the global structure of the NS3 protease is still loose and highly flexible without stable secondary structural elements, such as helix α0 at the N‐terminus and helix α1 and β‐sheet E1‐F1 at the catalytic site. The structure of the NS3 protease without NS4A is not suitable for the binding and hydrolysis of substrates. Proteins 2011; © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A missense mutation in CLIC2 associated with intellectual disability is predicted by in silico modeling to affect protein stability and dynamics
Authors: Witham Shawn , Takano Kyoko , Schwartz Charles , Alexov Emil 
Published: April 2011

AbstractLarge‐scale next generation resequencing of X chromosome genes identified a missense mutation in the CLIC2 gene on Xq28 in a male with X‐linked intellectual disability (XLID) and not found in healthy individuals. At the same time, numerous nsSNPs (nonsynonomous SNP) have been reported in the CLIC2 gene in healthy individuals indicating that the CLIC2 protein can tolerate amino acid substitutions and be fully functional. To test the possibility that p.H101Q is a disease‐causing mutation, we performed in silico simulations to calculate the effects of the p.H101Q mutation on CLIC2 stability, dynamics, and ionization states while comparing the effects obtained for presumably harmless nsSNPs. It was found that p.H101Q, in contrast with other nsSNPs, (a) lessens the flexibility of the joint loop which is important for the normal function of CLIC2, (b) makes the overall 3D structure of CLIC2 more stable and thus reduces the possibility of the large conformational change expected to occur when CLIC2 moves from a soluble to membrane form, and (c) removes the positively charged residue, H101, which may be important for the membrane association of CLIC2. The results of in silico modeling, in conjunction with the polymorphism analysis, suggest that p.H101Q may be a disease‐causing mutation, the first one suggested in the CLIC family. Proteins 2011; © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural studies of the Nudix GDP‐mannose hydrolase from E. coli reveals a new motif for mannose recognition
Authors: Boto Agedi N. , Xu Wenlian , Jakoncic Jean , Pannuri Archana , Romeo Tony , Bessman Maurice J. , Gabelli Sandra B. , Amzel L. Mario 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe Nudix hydrolase superfamily, characterized by the presence of the signature sequence GX5EX7REUXEEXGU (where U is I, L, or V), is a well‐studied family in which relations have been established between primary sequence and substrate specificity for many members. For example, enzymes that hydrolyze the diphosphate linkage of ADP‐ribose are characterized by having a proline 15 amino acids C‐terminal of the Nudix signature sequence. GDPMK is a Nudix enzyme that conserves this characteristic proline but uses GDP‐mannose as the preferred substrate. By investigating the structure of the GDPMK alone, bound to magnesium, and bound to substrate, the structural basis for this divergent substrate specificity and a new rule was identified by which ADP‐ribose pyrophosphatases can be distinguished from purine‐DP‐mannose pyrophosphatases from primary sequence alone. Kinetic and mutagenesis studies showed that GDPMK hydrolysis does not rely on a single glutamate as the catalytic base. Instead, catalysis is dependent on residues that coordinate the magnesium ions and residues that position the substrate properly for catalysis. GDPMK was thought to play a role in biofilm formation because of its upregulation in response to RcsC signaling; however, GDPMK knockout strains show no defect in their capacity of forming biofilms. Proteins 2011; © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Potential energy surfaces for van der waals complexes of rare gases with H2S and H2S2: Extension to xenon interactions and hyperspherical harmonics representation
Authors: Barreto Patrícia R. P. , Albernaz Alessandra F. , Palazzetti Federico 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis article is an account and extension of a series of recent investigations, which using extensive quantum chemical methods provide analytical hyperspherical representations of the potential energy surfaces for the interactions of rare gases with H2S as a rigid molecule, and H2S2, considered as a floppy molecule with respect to torsional mode. For the H2S‐rare gas systems, the representation is based on a minimal model, here introduced and discussed. For H2S2, the study of the interaction with Xe, not considered previously, completes the series. The results are discussed with reference to the properties and trends expected for interactions of van der Waals type. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Development of a robotic FD‐CT‐guided navigation system for needle placement—preliminary accuracy tests
Authors: Tovar‐Arriaga Saúl , Tita Ralf , Pedraza‐Ortega Jesús Carlos , Gorrostieta Efren , Kalender Willi A. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundA needle placement system using a serial robot arm for manipulation of biopsy and/or treatment needles is introduced. A method for fast calibration of the robot and the preliminary accuracy tests of the robotic system are presented.MethodsThe setup consists of a DLR/KUKA Light Weight Robot III especially designed for safe human/robot interaction mounted on a mobile platform, a robot‐driven angiographic C‐arm system and a navigation system.ResultsCalibration of the robot with the navigation system has a residual error of 0.23 mm (rms) with a standard deviation of ± 0.1 mm. Needle targeting accuracy with different trajectories was 1.2 mm (rms) with a standard deviation of ± 0.4 mm.ConclusionsRobot absolute positioning accuracy was reduced to the navigation camera accuracy. The approach includes control strategies that may be very useful for interventional applications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tuning the Mechanical Properties of Composites from Elastomeric to Rigid Thermoplastic by Controlled Addition of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Khan Umar , May Peter , O’Neill Arlene , Vilatela Juan J. , Windle Alan H. , Coleman Jonathan N 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA commercial thermoplastic polyurethane is identified for which the addition of nanotubes dramatically improves its mechanical properties. Increasing the nanotube content from 0% to 40% results in an increase in modulus, Y, (0.4–2.2 GPa) and stress at 3% strain, σϵ = 3%, (10–50 MPa), no significant change in ultimate tensile strength, σB, (≈50 MPa) and decreases in strain at break, ϵB, (555–3%) and toughness, T, (177–1 MJ m−3). This variation in properties spans the range from compliant and ductile, like an elastomer, at low mass fractions to stiff and brittle, like a rigid thermoplastic, at high nanotube content. For mid‐range nanotube contents (≈15%) the material behaves like a rigid thermoplastic with large ductility: Y = 1.5 GPa, σϵ = 3% = 36 MPa, σB = 55 MPa, ϵB = 100% and T = 50 MJ m−3. Analysis suggests that soft polyurethane segments are immobilized by adsorption onto the nanotubes, resulting in large changes in mechanical properties.
Improving penetration testing through static and dynamic analysis
Authors: Halfond William G. J. , Choudhary Shauvik Roy , Orso Alessandro 
Published: April 2011

AbstractPenetration testing is widely used to help ensure the security of web applications. Using penetration testing, testers discover vulnerabilities by simulating attacks on a target web application. To do this efficiently, testers rely on automated techniques that gather input vector information about the target web application and analyze the application's responses to determine whether an attack was successful. Techniques for performing these steps are often incomplete, which can leave parts of the web application untested and vulnerabilities undiscovered. This paper proposes a new approach to penetration testing that addresses the limitations of current techniques. The approach incorporates two recently developed analysis techniques to improve input vector identification and detect when attacks have been successful against a web application. This paper compares the proposed approach against two popular penetration testing tools for a suite of web applications with known and unknown vulnerabilities. The evaluation results show that the proposed approach performs a more thorough penetration testing and leads to the discovery of more vulnerabilities than both the tools. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Motor activity affects dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems of the dorsal horn of the rat lumbar spinal cord
Authors: Gerin Christine G. , Smith Kristin , Hill Seritta , Hill Angela , Madueke Ikenna C. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractDopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) modulate responses to nociceptive stimuli, within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Both neurotransmitters may play a role in supraspinal regulation in response to proprioceptive afferences to the dorsal horn. However, direct evidence of changes in neurotransmitter release within the dorsal horn due to non‐noxious stimuli is lacking. The present study was designed to determine, whether non‐nociceptive exercise produces changes in release of DA and NA within the dorsal horn, and whether these changes are associated with long‐lasting inhibition after the exercise stops. Microdialysis probes, implanted in layers 2–5 of Rexed, in combination with high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection (HPLC‐EC) were used to measure concentrations of DA and NA metabolite (MHPG) in lumbar spinal cords of rats. Microdialysate was sampled before, during, and after a treadmill exercise of one hour. Results indicate that DA and NA releases are inhibited during non‐nociceptive motor activity. At rest, DA concentration was 204 ± 10.5 pg/10 μl and was significantly decreased during exercise to −11.4% (P ≤ 0.05). Greater decrease occurred after 30 min of exercise and was of −31.4% (P ≤ 0.05). Similarly, MHPG was significantly decreased of −18% during exercise (P ≤ 0.05). When exercise stopped, both systems showed long‐lasting inhibition. Exercise post‐release lasted 30 min for DA and 90 min for MHPG. MHPG greatest decrease of −47.8% occurred 30 min after stopping the exercise (P ≤ 0.001). Thus, DA and NA systems seem to respond to exercise‐induced proprioceptive afferent stimuli to the dorsal horn. Synapse, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ethanol production by a new pentose‐fermenting yeast strain, Scheffersomyces stipitis UFMG‐IMH 43.2, isolated from the Brazilian forest
Authors: Ferreira Adriana D. , Mussatto Solange I. , Cadete Raquel M. , Rosa Carlos A. , Silva Silvio S. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe ability of a recently isolated Scheffersomyces stipitis strain (UFMG‐IMH 43.2) to produce ethanol from xylose was evaluated. For the assays, a hemicellulosic hydrolysate produced by dilute acid hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse was used as the fermentation medium. Initially, the necessity of adding nutrients (MgSO4·7H2O, yeast extract and/or urea) to this medium was verified, and the yeast extract supplementation favoured ethanol production by the yeast. Then, in a second stage, assays under different initial xylose and cell concentrations, supplemented or not with yeast extract, were performed. All these three variables showed significant (p < 0.05) influence on ethanol production. The best results (ethanol yield and productivity of 0.19 g/g and 0.13 g/l/h, respectively) were obtained using the hydrolysate containing an initial xylose concentration of 30 g/l, supplemented with 5.0 g/l yeast extract and inoculated with an initial cell concentration of 2.0 g/l. S. stipitis UFMG‐IMH 43.2 was demonstrated to be a yeast strain with potential for use in xylose conversion to ethanol. The establishment of the best fermentation conditions was also proved to be of great importance to increasing the product formation by this yeast strain. These findings open up new perspectives for the establishment of a feasible technology for ethanol production from hemicellulosic hydrolysates. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.