bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficient sorting of TNF‐alpha to rodent mast cell granules is dependent on N‐linked glycosylation
Authors: Olszewski Maciej B. , Trzaska Dominika , Knol Edward F. , Adamczewska Violetta , Dastych Jaroslaw 
Published: March 2006

AbstractMast cells play an important role at the early stages of immunological response to bacterial infections and parasite infestations. One of the major mast cell proinflammatory mediators is TNF‐α. Mast cells are considered the only cells capable of storing TNF‐α in cytoplasmic granules and rapidly releasing it upon activation. To determine what pathway is utilized to direct TNF‐α to cytoplasmic granules and what motifs are responsible for the sorting process, we constructed a fusion protein covering the full sequence of TNF‐α, N‐terminally fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). In rodent mast cells, such protein was sorted to secretory granules, and this process was inhibited by both brefeldin A and monensin. Considering the relationship between lysosomes and secretory granules and following TNF‐α sequence analysis, it was determined whether TNF‐α is sorted through the mannose‐6‐phosphate receptor (MPR)‐dependent pathway. We observed that ammonium chloride and tunicamycin blocked TNF‐α‐EGFP fusion protein delivery to secretory granules. In situ mutagenesis experiments confirmed the necessity of N‐linked glycosylation for efficient sorting of TNF‐α into rodent mast cell granules. In this work we established that TNF‐α travels from the ER to mast cell granules via a brefeldin A‐ and monensin‐sensitive route, utilizing the MPR‐dependent pathway, although this dependency does not seem to be absolute.
NK cell‐mediated immunopathology during an acute viral infection of the CNS
Authors: Alsharifi Mohammed , Lobigs Mario , Simon Markus M. , Kersten Astrid , Müller Klaus , Koskinen Aulikki , Lee Eva , Müllbacher Arno 
Published: March 2006

AbstractNatural killer (NK) and cytotoxic T (Tc) cells are prime effector populations in the antiviral response of the host. Tc cells are essential for recovery from many viral diseases but may also be responsible for immunopathology. The role of NK cells in recovery from viral infections is less well established. We have studied acute virulent Semliki Forest virus (vSFV) infection of the central nervous system in C57BL/6J mice, which was mainly controlled by NK cells without marked Tc cell involvement. We show that mice with defects in the Fas and/or granule exocytosis pathways of cytotoxicity are more resistant to lethal vSFV infection than wild‐type mice. On the other hand, mice defective in the IFN‐γ response are more sensitive than wild‐type mice, whereas mice lacking the Tc cell compartment (β‐2 microglobulin‐deficient mice) exhibit susceptibility similar to wild‐type mice. The additional finding that depletion of NK cells significantly delayed the mean time to death but did not prevent mortality in SFV‐infected B6 mice suggests that cytolytic activity of NK cells is detrimental, while IFN‐γ production is beneficial for recovery from SFV infection. This is the first study illustrating an NK cell‐mediated immunopathological outcome to an acute viral infection.
Modulation of dendritic cell phenotype and functionin an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium
Authors: Butler Matt , Ng Chi‐Yan , van Heel David A. , Lombardi Giovanna , Lechler Robert , Playford Raymond J. , Ghosh Subrata 
Published: March 2006

AbstractA network of dendritic cells (DC) can be detected in close proximity to the epithelial cells overlying Peyer's patches in the gut. Intestinal DC show distinct phenotypes as compared to DC from the systemic lymph nodes (relatively low MHC and costimulatory molecules and high IL‐10 and TGFβ) and may play a role in maintaining tolerance to enteric antigens. We show that a similar phenotype is induced in the presence of a polarised epithelial cell monolayer in vitro. Monocyte‐derived DC were co‐cultured with Caco‐2 intestinal epithelial monolayers for 24 h. Co‐culture resulted in DC with reduced expression of MHC class II, CD86, and CD80, and poor T cell stimulatory capacity. Cytokine profiles showed reduced levels of inflammatory cytokine production, and co‐cultured DC were less sensitive to stimulation via Toll‐like receptors (TLR2, 4, and 6) as a result of increased levels of autocrine TGFβ production. However, phenotypic changes in co‐cultured DC could not be blocked by removal of apoptotic cells or addition of anti‐TGFβ antibodies, suggesting that other soluble factors are involved in DC modulation. Thus, polarised epithelial cell monolayers create a ‘tolerogenic’ environment which modulates the activity of DC. These results highlight the regulatory importance of the epithelial microenvironment at mucosal surfaces.
Ten‐Coordinate Neodymium(III) Complexes with Triethylenetetraaminehexaacetic Acid
Authors: Mondry Anna , Starynowicz Przemysław 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe crystal structures and spectroscopic (IR, Raman, UV/Vis) data for the complexes [C(NH2)3]2[Nd(HTTHA)]·3H2O (I) and [C(NH2)3]3[Nd(TTHA)]·6H2O (II) are presented. Crystals of I are triclinic, P$\bar {1}$, a = 9.998(2), b = 10.730(2), c = 15.557(3) Å, α = 106.89(3)°, β = 90.27(3)°, γ = 93.24(3)°, V = 1594.0(5) Å3, Z = 2, while the chiral crystals of II are monoclinic, P21, a = 10.157(2), b = 15.958(3), c = 12.788(3) Å, β = 112.68(3)°, V = 1912.5(7) Å3, Z = 2. Both structures consist of the complex monomeric anions, guanidinium cations and water of hydration. The NdIII ions are ten‐coordinate. The TTHA ligand coordinates to the NdIII ions with six of its carboxyl oxygen atoms and four nitrogen atoms. Although the coordination environments of both NdIII cations are essentially the same, the spectral results of both crystals reveal the influence of the degree of protonation of the ligand on the NdIII ion. The IR and Raman spectra allowed us to assign some important frequencies. A comparison of the electronic absorption spectra of NdIII–TTHA complexes in solution and in single crystals of I and II allows the detection of a small elongation of the Nd–O and Nd–N bonds in these complexes as compared to the [Nd(TTHA)]3– moiety in the previously reported complex Na3[Nd(TTHA)]·2.5NaClO4·7.617H2O and indicates that the coordination geometry of the ten‐coordinate neodymium complex in solution is the same as in the chiral crystal II. The intensities of the f–f transitions in NdIII–TTHA solutions and of crystals I and II were analysed on the basis of the Judd–Ofelt theory. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Synthesis of a 7‐Deazaguanine‐Functionalized β‐Amino Acid: Improved Specificity of β‐Peptide Helix Organization
Authors: Chakraborty Pradip , Brückner Arndt M. , Diederichsen Ulf 
Published: March 2006

AbstractNucleobase‐functionalized β‐peptides are a suitable scaffold for the construction of well‐defined tertiary structures organized by nucleobase pair recognition. Since guanine‐rich oligomers are especially known to form higher aggregates, an enantiomerically pure 7‐deazaguanine (zG)‐functionalized nucleo‐β3‐amino acid was synthesized from a β‐lactam derivative as a key intermediate. Incorporated into β‐peptide 14‐helices it was possible to reduce aggregation phenomena and to increase recognition selectivity. Evidence for base‐pair‐mediated helix recognition was obtained by temperature‐dependent UV and CD spectroscopy. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Development of Novel Glucose and Pyruvate Biosensors at Poly(Neutral Red) Modified Carbon Film Electrodes. Application to Natural Samples
Authors: Ghica Mariana Emilia , Brett Christopher M. A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAmperometric biosensors based on the corresponding oxidase enzyme with poly(neutral red) redox mediator have been developed for the determination of glucose and pyruvate. The enzymes have been immobilized on top of poly(neutral red) modified carbon film electrodes with glutaraldehyde as the cross‐linking agent. The biosensors were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The glucose biosensor exhibited a linear response in the range 90 μM to 1.8 mM with a detection limit of 22 μM and the pyruvate biosensor in the range 90 to 600 μM with a detection limit of 34 μM. The relative standard deviations were found to be 2.1% (n=3) and 2.8% (n=4) respectively. The interference effects of various compounds were also studied. The glucose content of several types of wine and the amount of pyruvate in onion and garlic were determined and the results were compared with those obtained by standard spectrophotometric methods.
Simultaneous Determination of Uric Acid and Ascorbic Acid Using Edge Plane Pyrolytic Graphite Electrodes
Authors: Kachoosangi Roohollah Torabi , Banks Craig E. , Compton Richard G. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractEdge plane pyrolytic graphite electrodes have been applied for the determination of uric acid and ascorbic acid. The separate determination of uric acid was found to produce three linear ranges from 100 nM to 3400 μM with a detection limit of 30 nM found to be possible. Uric acid detection was also explored in the presence of 200 μM ascorbic acid where a detection limit of 52 nM was found to be possible. The detection of ascorbic acid in the presence of uric acid was also explored over three linear ranges of ascorbic acid with a limit of detection of 80 nM. Last the simultaneous determination of both uric acid and ascorbic acid is investigated over the range 100 nM to 1000 μM where detection limits of 50 nM and 120 nM were obtained respectively. Analysis of uric acid in a growth tissue medium was found to be successful, confirming the applicability of the methodology to real matrices. This protocol is shown to provide low detection limits, easy handling (no electrode modification), good voltammetric peak separation of uric acid and ascorbic acid and a wide linear dynamic range.
Synthesis and olfactory properties of 2‐alkylalkanals, analogues of 2‐methylundecanal
Authors: Gibka Julia , Gliński Marek 
Published: March 2006

AbstractA series of 2‐alkylalkanals containing 14 carbon atoms was obtained in a two‐step synthesis starting from tridecan‐x‐ones, (x = 2–6) in the Darzens reaction. In the first step, 1‐carbomethoxy‐2,2‐dialkyl oxiranes (glycidyl esters) were synthesized with moderate yields (27–49%) in the reaction between ketone and methyl chloroacetate in the presence of sodium t‐butoxide. The esters derived from tridecan‐2‐one and tridecan‐3‐one have pleasant, fruity wild‐strawberry odours, while the others are almost odourless. In the second step, the hydrolysis of the obtained esters was performed and their subsequent decarboxylation led to the formation of 2‐alkylalkanals with good or moderate yields (65–39%). The odour characteristics of these aldehydes are quite similar to that of 2‐methylundecanal (MNA). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mapping the functional anatomy of task preparation: Priming task‐appropriate brain networks
Authors: Fassbender Catherine , Foxe John J. , Garavan Hugh 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe present study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a cued version of a flanker paradigm to elucidate the effects of task preparation on subsequent brain activation patterns. A mixed block and event‐related design was employed to examine activations associated with the cue periods themselves and the cued and un‐cued correct responses to incongruent flankers. A number of areas were active during the cues, most notably left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which was interpreted as subserving a role in task‐set maintenance. Widespread activity was noted for correct responses to incongruent flankers, including bilateral parietal and frontal regions, consistent with previous studies. Activation was increased in these regions for correct responses after cue periods. An overlapping network of regions was also noted for cues and correct responses, suggesting preparation of task‐appropriate anatomical regions during the cue period. These results suggest that cue periods allow participants to prime task‐relevant areas within the brain and highlight the importance of left DLPFC in top‐down control. Hum Brain Mapp, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Issues in World Commission on Dams report development: inconsistencies between the facts found and the guidelines
Authors: Nakayama Mikiyasu , Fujikura Ryo 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe World Commission on Dams (WCD) is an international and independent body consisting of 12 dam experts. It published its only and final report ‘Dams and Development’ in November 2000 after 2·5 years of preparation. The report is composed of two parts: part I contains the facts found and part II contains recommendations. The aim of part I was to present solid facts about both the benefits and the costs of building dams. The aim of part II is not as clear to the authors. Many members of the media in developed nations believed that part II proposed a concrete set of guidelines, a blueprint for the future. This perception was shared with many environmentally concerned non‐governmental organizations, who regarded the guidelines in part II as a blueprint to be observed. However, in February 2001, the Chair of the WCD stated that the guidelines were intended only to offer guidance, and are not a rigid regulatory framework. The question to be asked and answered is whether the guidelines in part II may be regarded as a rigid framework to be implemented as it stands. The authors do not regard the guidelines in part II as ready for implementation, as this part of the report has many shortcomings, which stem from a ‘missing link’ between part I and part II, in that the latter does not reflect the findings in the former. Moreover, part II of the report includes some suggestions that are not based on findings in part I. This paper tries to answer the following questions about the WCD's report: (1) Why was the set of guidelines in part II regarded as the blueprint by so many people and institutions? (2) What ‘incompatibilities’ exist between the two parts of the report? (3) Why were such incompatibilities mostly disregarded in developing the report? (4) How may the set of suggested guidelines in part II become an operational instrument. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of decision‐making indicators for ecosystem‐based river basin management
Authors: Nakamura Takehiro 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe use of a set of indicators is proposed for the purpose of making an effective decision within an ecosystem‐based approach to river basin management. The indicators are selected to reflect and represent hydrological, geochemical, ecological and socio‐economic functions identified as relevant ecosystem functions and services included in the target river basin. Depending on the river basin management objectives, these indicators are defined and then weighted. The ecosystem function index is formulated using the weighted indicators, and indicates proposed management options within the framework of the ecosystem‐based river basin management regarding the management objectives. The ecosystem function index is intended to represent the ecosystem vulnerability and resilience to pressures and threats caused by human intervention within the specific river basin. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transpiration from a Cryptomeria japonica plantation, part 1: aerodynamic control of transpiration
Authors: Komatsu Hikaru , Kang Yihuei , Kume Tomonori , Yoshifuji Natsuko , Hotta Norifumi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractTo our knowledge, no one has examined the canopy conductance of a Cryptomeria japonica plantation, although such forests are very common in Japan. We plan to examine the canopy conductance of a Cryptomeria japonica plantation (canopy height 8 m) based on 1‐year sap‐flow data using the simplified Penman–Monteith equation. This study examines the effect of the aerodynamic control of transpiration before calculating canopy conductance using the simplified Penman–Monteith equation, because the equation assumes that the effect of aerodynamic control is negligible. To examine the effect of aerodynamic control, we examined the dependency of the relationship between the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and transpiration on wind speed, when solar radiation, air temperature, and soil water content do not limit transpiration greatly. The relationship between VPD and the heat pulse velocity measured 11 m above the ground was dependent on wind speed only when the wind speed was <0·7 m s−1. This suggests that the effect of aerodynamic control was negligible when the wind speed was ≥0·7 m s−1, but that the effect was not negligible when the wind speed was <0·7 m s−1. Therefore, we should use data from when the wind speed was ≥0·7 m s−1 for calculating canopy conductance Gc, based on the simplified Penman–Monteith equation. Although this criterion is site specific, the methods used to develop it are applicable to other sites. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transpiration from a Cryptomeria japonica plantation, part 2: responses of canopy conductance to meteorological factors
Authors: Komatsu Hikaru , Kang Yihuei , Kume Tomonori , Yoshifuji Natsuko , Hotta Norifumi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractTo our knowledge, there is no information on the canopy conductance of Cryptomeria japonica plantations, although such forests are very common in Japan. We examined the canopy conductance Gc of a C. japonica plantation based on 1‐year sap‐flow data using the simplified Penman–Monteith equation. After selecting data based on the criterion proposed in part 1 of this study (Komatsu et al., 2006. Hydrological Processes 20: this issue), we now examine Gc responses to meteorological factors.Gc was expressed using functions of solar radiation S (W m−2), the vapour pressure deficit D (kPa), and air temperature T ( °C). The resulting functions were f1(S) = [(1000 + 30)S]/[1000(S + 30)], f2(D) = exp(−0·54D)/exp(−0·54), and f3(T) = {[(30 − 5) + 14](T − 5)}/{(30 − 5)[(T − 5) + 14]}, where f1(S), f2(D), and f3(T) are functions expressing the Gc responses to S, D, and T respectively. The functions were characterized by comparing general functions for coniferous forests, which showed that it was necessary to consider f3(T) to reproduce the 1‐year transpiration at the site, and that f1(S) and f2(D) determined here were not very different from the general functions.This paper is the first to determine Gc responses to meteorological factors for a C. japonica plantation. When predicting transpiration from a C. japonica plantation using hydrological or ecological models, the functions determined here should be used instead of the default functions of the models. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decrease of river runoff in the Lake Balkhash basin in Central Asia
Authors: Kezer Kader , Matsuyama Hiroshi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe decrease of river runoff draining into Lake Balkhash in Central Asia was investigated using hydrological and meteorological data over a long‐term period. The data from the difference integral curves of the annual runoff from 1911 to 1986 suggested that a low‐flow period began in 1970 in the River Ili, and in 1973 in the east rivers, continuing until 1986. Compared with the runoff before 1969, the decrease of runoff in the upper reaches of the River Ili was less than those in the middle and lower reaches. The decrease in the upper reaches resulted from natural variability, whereas those of the middle and lower reaches were due to a combination of the effects of climate and human activity. There are two reasons for this. First, after 1970, precipitation did not decrease uniformly across the entire basin. Second, in 1970, the Kapchagay dam started operating. As a result, the annual inflow into Lake Balkhash from the River Ili after 1970 decreased to 77% of the pre‐1969 mean. Similarly, after 1973, the inflow from the east rivers was 75% of the pre‐1972 mean.The characteristics of the runoff in the growing season (April to September) and those in the non‐growing season (October to March) were investigated for the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the River Ili. In all reaches, the runoff in the non‐growing season remained unchanged both before and after 1969. However, from 1970 to 1986, decreases of river flow in the growing season were 2·0 to 2·5 times greater in the middle and lower reaches than in the upper reaches. This was primarily due to the impacts of human activity. In conclusion, it can be deduced that the decrease in runoff after 1970 in the middle and lower reaches was the result of human activity during the low‐flow period. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human microvascular endothelial cellular interaction with atomic N‐doped DLC compared with Si‐doped DLC thin films
Authors: Okpalugo T. I. T. , Murphy H. , Ogwu A. A. , Abbas G. , Ray S. C. , Maguire P. D. , McLaughlin J. , McCullough R. W. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis article reports results of endothelial cell interaction with atom beam source N‐doped a‐C:H (diamond‐like carbon, DLC) as it compares with that of Si‐doped DLC thin films. The RF plasma source exhibits up to 40% N‐dissociation and N‐atomic fluxes of ∼0.85 × 1018 atoms/s, which ensures better atomic nitrogen incorporation. Two different types of nitrogen species (with and without the use of sweep plates to remove charged ions) were employed for nitrogen doping. The number of attached endothelial cells is highest on Si‐DLC, followed by the N‐DLC (where the sweep plates were used to remove ions), the N‐DLC (without the use of sweep plates), undoped DLC, and finally the uncoated sample. The contact angle values for these films suggest that water contact angle is higher in the atomic nitrogen neutral films and Si‐DLC films compared to the ionized‐nitrogen specie doped films and undoped DLC thin films, suggesting that the more hydrophobic films, semiconducting films, and film with relieved stress have better interaction with human microvascular endothelial cells. It seems evident that N‐doping increases the Raman ID/IG ratios, whereas N‐neutral doping decreases it slightly and Si‐doping decreases it even further. In this study, lower Raman ID/IG ratios are associated with increased sp3/sp2 ratio, an increased H concentration, photoluminescence intensity, and a higher endothelial cellular adhesion. These investigations could be relevant to biocompatibility assessment of nanostructured biomaterials and tissue engineering. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Collapse pressures of bilayered biodegradable stents
Authors: Tan L. P. , Venkatraman Subbu S. , Joso J. F. D. , Boey Freddy Y. C. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBiodegradable helicoidal stent prototypes made up of layers of poly‐L‐lactic acid (PLLA) and poly(L‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymers were fabricated by temperature conditioning the stents at different stages of fabrication. The process incorporated elastic memory, or self‐expandability in the stent, which is desirable to minimize stent recoil. The collapse pressures of such stents were studied, with and without in vitro degradation. The effects of thickness and the composition of each layer on the collapse pressure were modeled using the simple series model. Results of the in vitro studies for over 3 months showed that collapse pressure of the stents depended mainly on the degradation and other side‐effects brought about by the degradation of different polymer compositions. Generally, the trend is dominated by the thicker of the two layers that were used to form the stents. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006