bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A proteomic analysis of the salt, cadmium and peroxide stress responses inCandida albicansand the role of the Hog1 stress‐activated MAPK in regulating the stress‐induced proteome
Authors: Yin Zhikang , Stead David , Walker Jan , Selway Laura , Smith Deborah A. , Brown Alistair J. P. , Quinn Janet 
Published: October 2009

AbstractStress responses are important for the virulence of the major fungal pathogen of humans,Candida albicans. In this study we employed a 2‐DE approach to examine the impact of exposure to peroxide (5 mM H2O2), salt (300 mM NaCl) or cadmium stress (0.5 mM Cd2+) upon theC. albicansproteome. Highly reproducible changes in theC. albicansproteome were observed in response to each stress condition. Significantly more proteins were up‐regulated in response to cadmium (77) than to the salt (35) or peroxide stresses (35). These proteomic changes displayed minimal overlap with those observed in the transcriptome under equivalent conditions and, importantly, revealed functional categories that respond to stress at the protein level but not the transcript level. Six proteins were up‐regulated by all three conditions: Adh1, Atp2, Cip1, Eft2, Ssa1 and Ssb1, which is consistent with the concept that a core stress response exists inC. albicans.This is the first time that a fungal core stress response has been defined at the proteomic level. We have also shown that the Hog1 stress‐activated mitogen‐activated protein kinase, which is activated in response to the stresses examined in this study, makes a major contribution to theC. albicansstress proteome.
Synthesis of miktoarm star amphiphilic block copolymers via combination of NMRP and ATRP and investigation on self‐assembly behaviors
Authors: Zhang Weidong , Zhang Wei , Zhou Nianchen , Zhu Jian , Cheng Zhenping , Zhu Xiulin 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe novel trifunctional initiator, 1‐(4‐methyleneoxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpip‐eridinoxyl)‐3,5‐bi(bromomethyl)‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzene (TEMPO‐2Br), was successfully synthesized and used to prepare the miktoarm star amphiphilic poly(styrene)‐(poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide))2 (PS(PNIPAAM)2) via combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) techniques. Furthermore, the star amphiphilic block copolymer, poly (styrene)‐(poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐b‐4‐vinylpyridine))2 (PS(PNIPAAM‐b‐P4VP)2), was also prepared using PS(PNIPAAM)2 as the macroinitiator and 4‐vinylpyridine as the second monomer by ATRP method. The obtained polymers were well‐defined with narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn ≤ 1.29). Meanwhile, the self‐assembly behaviors of the miktoarm amphiphilic block copolymers, PS(PNIPAAM)2 and PS(PNIPAAM‐b‐P4VP)2, were also investigated. Interestingly, the aggregate morphology changed from sphere‐shaped micelles (4.7 < pH < 3.0) to a mixture of spheres and rods (1.0 < pH < 3.0), and rod‐shaped nanorods formed when pH value was below 1.0. The LCST of PS(PNIPAAM)2 (pH = 7) was about 31 °C and the LCST of PS(PNIPAAM‐b‐P4VP)2 was about 35 °C (pH = 3). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6304–6315, 2009
Concordance of quality of life assessments following pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Feichtl Rosemarie E. , Rosenfeld Barry , Tallamy Brad , Cairo Mitchell S. , Sands Stephen A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPurpose: To examine the concordance between pediatric patient's self‐report and parent‐report regarding a patient's quality of life (QoL) prior to and following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and to identify potential medical and demographic covariates of concordance.Patients and Methods: Utilizing the PedsQL 4.0, the longitudinal QoL data were obtained from 68 pediatric HSCT patient–parent dyads prior to and up to two years post‐transplantation.Results: Reliability based upon Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) indicates a parabolic pattern of concordance being significantly poorer in the acute phase of treatment 3 months post‐HSCT, followed by a return to pre‐transplant levels at subsequent assessments and a substantial rise at one‐ and two‐year follow‐up assessments (Baseline ICC = 0.42; 3 months = 0.11; 6 months = 0.54). Paired t‐tests further indicate that concordance was highest for observable domains of functioning (Physical and School) with greater inter‐rater discrepancies on the subjective domains (Emotional and Social) of QoL at baseline and 6 months post‐transplantation.Conclusion: Children typically rated their QoL as higher than parents at all time points and in virtually all domains; however, both perspectives are vital in providing a more accurate depiction of a patient's treatment experience. Dyads speaking the same language exhibited higher levels of QoL agreement than those that did not, while concordance among female‐patient‐dyads was more disparate than male‐patient‐dyads. Such findings highlight the importance of implementing psychosocial assessments and possible interventions for patients and parents proactively during the HSCT to effectively address the impact of the treatment and recovery experiences. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined effects of chronic nicotine and acute virus exposure on neurotrophin expression in rat lung
Authors: Urrego Fernando , Scuri Mario , Auais Alexander , Mohtasham Lida , Piedimonte Giovanni 
Published: October 2009

AbstractStrong epidemiologic evidence indicates that tobacco smoke influences frequency and severity of respiratory infections. Previously, we have shown that infection with respiratory syncytial virus upregulates expression of neurotrophic factors and receptors in the lungs, but the effect of tobacco exposure on neurotrophins is unknown. Therefore, we first sought to determine the expression of neurotrophic pathways in lungs of rats chronically exposed to nicotine, and then we studied the interactions between pollution and infection by inoculating virus after nicotine exposure. Expression of the neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, of their high‐affinity tyrosine kinase receptors (trkA and trkB, respectively), and of the low‐affinity receptor p75NTRwas measured in the lungs of nicotine‐exposed rats both at the mRNA level by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and at the protein level by enzyme‐linked immunoassay. Nicotine increased NGF expression both at the mRNA and protein level and also created a receptor imbalance deriving from increased expression of the pro‐inflammatory p75NTRreceptor without any concomitant change in the high‐affinity trkA receptor. Viral infection after chronic nicotine exposure exerted an additive effect on NGF expression, and resulted in exaggerated neurogenic airway inflammation that was abolished by selective inhibition. In conclusion, nicotine levels comparable to those found in smokers are per se able to upregulate the expression of critical neurotrophic molecules in the respiratory tract, and combination of an acute infection following chronic nicotine exposure produces more severe neurotrophic dysregulation and neurogenic‐mediated inflammation compared to either infection or nicotine alone. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:1075–1084. ©2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Working outside the protein‐synthesis rules: insights into non‐ribosomal peptide synthesis
Authors: Marahiel Mohamed A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractNon‐ribosomally synthesized microbial peptides show remarkable structural diversity and constitute a widespread class of the most potent antibiotics and other important pharmaceuticals that range from penicillin to the immunosuppressant cyclosporine. They are assembled independent of the ribosome in a nucleic acids‐independent way by a group of multimodular megaenzymes called non‐ribosomal peptide synthetases. These biosynthetic machineries rely not only on the 20 canonical amino acids, but also use several different building blocks, including D‐configured‐ and β‐amino acids, methylated, glycosylated and phosphorylated residues, heterocyclic elements and even fatty acid building blocks. This structural diversity leads to a high density of functional groups, which are often essential for the bioactivity. Recent biochemical and structural studies on several non‐ribosomal peptide synthetase assembly lines have substantially contributed to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms and dynamics of individual catalytic domains underlying substrate recognition and substrate shuffling among the different active sites as well as peptide bond formation and the regio‐ and stereoselective product release. Copyright © 2009 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of polymers in CVD growth of nanocrystalline diamond films on foreign substrates
Authors: Kromka A. , Potocky S. , Rezek B. , Babchenko O. , Kozak H. , Vanecek M. , Michalka M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSpin coating of PVA polymer with fine grained diamond powder is used as the nucleation treatment for achieving growth of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) thin films. The growth is realized by standard microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The morphology and character of deposited NCD film is strongly related to the growth temperature. The low temperature process (430°C) results in a growth of well‐faceted continuous films. The high temperature process (830 °C) results in voids and openings in the layer. Addition of PVA as the interlayer between the substrate and the seeding polymer composite leads to more openings. The effect is the most pronounced at 830 °C. This is assigned to thermal instability of PVA and oxygen chemistry present in the early beginning of the CVD growth. An optimized seeding process based on the polymer composite procedure at low substrate temperature and low PVA amount allows the diamond growth on extremely soft substrates.
Chemomodulation of the antioxidative enzymes and peroxidative damage in the colon of 1,2‐dimethyl hydrazine‐induced rats by ellagicacid
Authors: Umesalma Syed , Sudhandiran Ganapasam 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPrevention of cancer remains a primary need and new chemopreventive agents must be developed for this purpose. Toward this goal, a chemopreventive study was conducted to evaluate the potential effect of ellagic acid (EA) against 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine (DMH‐) induced colon carcinogenesis in experimental rats. Rats were administered with DMH (20mg/kg body weight) subcutaneous injection once a week for 15 weeks and were supplemented with EA (60 mg/kg body weight/day orally). In the present study, the efficacy of EA on the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF), levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and activities of enzymic and non‐enzymic antioxidants in DMH‐induced colon‐cancer‐bearing rats were assessed. After the experimental period, frequency of ACF, levels of LPO were found to be increased, whereas a significant decrease in the activities of enzymic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione‐S‐transferase) and non‐enzymic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E) were observed in DMH‐induced rats. Supplementation of EA attenuated all these alterations to near normal levels, which indicates the anti‐carcinogenic efficacy of EA. This effect was further confirmed by histopathological studies. The results obtained in the present study suggest EA as an effective chemopreventive agent on colon carcinogenesis induced by DMH. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kaempferol protects HIT‐T15 pancreatic beta cells from 2‐deoxy‐D‐ribose‐induced oxidative damage
Authors: Lee Yun Jung , Suh Kwang Sik , Choi Moon Chan , Chon Suk , Oh Seungjoon , Woo Jeong‐Taek , Kim Sung‐Woon , Kim Jin‐Woo , Kim Young Seol 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDuring the progression of Type 2 diabetes, glucose toxicity is likely to contribute importantly to progressive beta cell failure. Oxidative stress is an important aspect of glucose toxicity in pancreatic beta cells, and reducing sugars, such as 2‐deoxy‐D‐ribose (dRib), produce reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, many of the biological properties of flavonoids are likely to be related to their antioxidant and free‐radical scavenging abilities. Accordingly, in the present study, we investigated whether kaempferol (a flavonol) protects beta cells from dRib‐induced oxidative damage. HIT‐T15 cells were cultured with various concentrations of dRib for 24h. Cell survivals, amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated, apoptosis, and lipid peroxidation were measured. dRib was found to dose‐dependently reduce cell survival and to markedly increase intracellular ROS levels, apoptosis, and lipid peroxidation. However, kaempferol (10 µM) suppressed dRib (20 mM) induced intracellular ROS, apoptosis, and lipid peroxidation. So, we demonstrate that kaempferol reduces dRib‐mediated beta cell damage interfering with ROS metabolism and protective effects against lipid peroxidation. Our findings indicate that kaempferol protects HIT‐T15 cells from dRib‐induced associated oxidative damage. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxidative stress modulation by Rosmarinus officinalis in CCl4‐induced liver cirrhosis
Authors: Gutiérrez Rosalinda , Alvarado José L. , Presno Manuel , Pérez‐Veyna Oscar , Serrano Carmen J. , Yahuaca Patricia 
Published: October 2009

AbstractRosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae) possesses antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effects, and so may provide a possible therapeutic alternative for chronic liver disease. The effect produced by a methanolic extract of Rosmarinus officinalis on CCl4‐induced liver cirrhosis in rats was investigated using both prevention and reversion models. Over the course of the development of cirrhosis, the increased enzymatic activities of gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase and alanine aminotransferase, and the rise in bilirubin levels caused by CCl4 administration, were prevented by Rosmarinus officinalis co‐administration. When the cirrhosis by oxidative stress was evaluated as an increase on liver lipoperoxidation, total lipid peroxides, nitric oxide in serum, and loss of erythrocyte plasma membrane stability, R. officinalis was shown to prevent such alterations. On cirrhotic animals treated with CCl4, histological studies showed massive necrosis, periportal inflammation and fibrosis which were modified by R. officinalis. These benefits on experimental cirrhosis suggest a potential therapeutic use for R. officinalis as an alternative for liver cirrhosis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of raw and processed garlic and onions on plasma classical and non‐classical atherosclerosis indices: investigations in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Gorinstein Shela , Leontowicz Hanna , Leontowicz Maria , Jastrzebski Zenon , Najman Katarzyna , Tashma Zev , Katrich Elena , Heo Buk‐Gu , Cho Ja‐Yong , Park Yun‐Jum , Trakhtenberg Simon 
Published: October 2009

AbstractGarlic and white and red varieties of onion were subjected to processing by a variety of culinary methods, and bioactive compounds then determined. For in vivo studies, 84 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 14 diet groups, each of six rats, including two control groups (one with no supplementation and one with cholesterol supplementation only). During the 30‐day trial, the basal diets of the other 12 groups were supplemented with 1% cholesterol and raw or processed vegetables.Both raw red onion and red onion subjected to blanching for 90 s hindered the rise in plasma lipids more than the other vegetables studied in the supplemented diets. The decrease in antioxidant activity compared to the cholesterol‐supplemented control group was significantly less for the group fed with red onion subjected to blanching for 90 s.No histological changes were detected in the studied organs of rats that had been fed cholesterol. In conclusion, blanching for 90 s most fully preserved the bioactive compounds and antioxidant potentials, and hindered the rise in plasma lipid levels and the decrease in plasma antioxidant activity of rats fed cholesterol. Alkaline phosphatase levels correlated with classical atherosclerosis indices, and determination of alkaline phosphatase is suggested as an additional index in atherosclerosis testing. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antifungal activity of the aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis against Malassezia furfur
Authors: Filip Rosana , Davicino Roberto , Anesini Claudia 
Published: October 2009

AbstractMalassezia furfur is a lipodependent, dimorphic and saprophyte fungus which causes pityriasis versicolor, dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis in humans. The drugs available to treat this fungal infection are few. These drugs are highly toxic and are costly when used in prolonged treatments. For these reasons, it is necessary to find new compounds to treat these infections. Ilex paraguariensis St Hilaire is a plant that grows in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis on the growth of M. furfur. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to identify and isolate compounds of I. paraguariensis and the agar‐well diffusion method was used to assess the antifungal activity of the extract. The fungicidal/fungistatic effect was evaluated by the modified Thompson assay. The results demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis (1000 mg/ml) possesses inhibitory activity against M. furfur. This antimalassezial activity was equivalent to 2.7 μg/ml of ketoconazole. Therefore, the topical use of Ilex paraguariensis extract as alternative antifungal agent can be suggested. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ethnopharmacy of turkish‐speaking cypriots in greater London
Authors: Yöney Ahmet , Prieto José M. , Lardos Andreas , Heinrich Michael 
Published: October 2009

AbstractFor centuries, in the Eastern Mediterranean region, medicinal plant use has been widely accepted as a treatment method for both minor and major diseases. Although some knowledge exists on the use of such medicinal plants within the Greek Cypriot culture and considerable information is available on various regions in Turkey, no detailed ethnopharmaceutical or ethnobotanical studies exist on Turkish‐speaking Cypriots (TSC) both in Cyprus and within one of the largest TSC migrant communities in London, UK.Semi‐structured interviews with members of the TSC community in London were conducted by using a questionnaire consisting both of open and closed questions. Open questions were aimed at identifying herbs, spices, medicinal plants and their uses. Also, graded questions were used to define informants' opinions as a quantitative parameter, constructing a statistical basis.A wide range of therapeutic claims were recorded, including 13 chronic illnesses within 85 different plant species, of which 18 were cited more than 10 times. The most frequently mentioned species were Mentha spicata, Salvia fruticosa and Pimpinella anisum. The plants recorded are frequently based on knowledge derived from Turkish‐Cypriot traditions, but many examples of medicinal plants with a use based on UK or general western herbal medical traditions were also recorded. Informants highlighted the risk of knowledge loss in younger generations and thus this study serves as a repository of knowledge for use in the future. Due to a lack of knowledge about such usages in the healthcare professions, our study also highlights the need to develop information sources for use by healthcare practitioners in order to raise awareness about benefits and risks of such medical and health food products. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction between RNA segment (adenine‐uracil) and model of protein unit (formamide): A density‐functional theory study
Authors: Ma Ke‐Sheng , You Jin‐Mao , Zhou Zheng‐Yu , Su Chun‐Fang , Wang Xiang‐Xiang 
Published: October 2009

AbstractVarious possible structures of adenine‐uracil‐formamide hydrogen‐bond complexes were optimized at 6‐311++G(d,p) level, and the binding energies of these complexes were also calculated at DFT B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level. Eight stable cyclic structures being involved in the interaction are found on the potential energy surface. By analyzing the structure, NPA charge and interaction energy of complexes, we obtain the most stable geometry structure. The results show that the interactions between formamide and adenine‐uracil (A‐U) base pair affect the stabilities of the base pairs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Energetic stability of boron nitride nanostructures doped with one carbon atom
Authors: Gonçalves Rebeca D. , Azevedo Sérgio , Moraes Fernando , Machado M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe have investigated, using first‐principles calculations, the role of a substitutional carbon atom on the geometric stability of boron nitride monolayers, nanotubes, and nanocones. It is shown that the formation of energy depends on the number of atoms for the monolayers and on the diameter for the tubes. It is also found, for the carbon‐doped boron nitride nanotubes, that the value for the strain energy approaches the one obtained for nondoped tubes with increasing diameter. For the structural stability, we have verified that the doping, which introduces an excess of nitrogen or boron, makes each structure more favorable in its reverse atmosphere, i.e., excess of nitrogen is more stable in a boron‐rich growth environment, whereas excess of boron is preferred in a nitrogen‐rich condition. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Asymptotic stabilization of high‐order feedforward systems with delays in the input
Authors: Zhang Xianfu , Boukas E. K. , Liu Yungang , Baron L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis paper deals with the state feedback controller design for a class of high‐order feedforward (upper‐triangular) nonlinear systems with delayed inputs. The uncertainties in the systems are assumed to be dominated by higher‐order nonlinearities multiplying by a constant growth rate. The designed controller, which is a continuous but not smooth feedback, could achieve global asymptotical stability. Based on the appropriate state transformation of time‐delay systems, the problem of controller design can be converted into the problem of finding a parameter, which can be obtained by appraising the nonlinear terms of the systems. The nonlinear systems considered here are more general than conventional feedforward systems and they could be viewed as generalized feedforward systems. Two examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed design procedure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of formulation and processing parameters on the morphology of extruded polypropylene‐(waste ground rubber tire powder) foams
Authors: Xin Zhen Xiang , Zhang Zhen Xiu , Pal Kaushik , Lu Bing Xue , Deng Xu , Lee Sung Hyo , Kim Jin Kuk 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis paper presents an experimental study of the foaming behavior of polypropylene (PP)/(waste ground rubber tire powder) (WGRT) blends when using a chemical blowing agent in an extrusion foaming process. The effects of formulations (i.e., WGRT content, blowing agent content, compatibilizer) and the processing parameters (i.e., die temperature, screw speed) on the void fraction, average cell size, cell density, and cell morphology of the PP/WGRT foams were investigated. The blowing agent loading affected the cell structure of the foams and the average cell size, and the void fraction increased with increasing blowing agent loading. Both increasing the screw speed and decreasing the die temperature could establish a high pressure drop in the extruder die, and these were beneficial to the foaming extrusion. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers