bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring asthma therapy using indirect bronchial provocation tests*
Authors: Brannan John D. , Koskela Heikki , Anderson Sandra D. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjectives:  Bronchial provocation tests that assess airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) are known to be useful in assisting the diagnosis of asthma and in monitoring inhaled corticosteroid therapy. We reviewed the use of bronchial provocation tests that use stimuli that act indirectly for monitoring the benefits of inhaled corticosteroids.Data Source:  Published clinical trials investigating the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in persons with asthma were used for this review.Study Selection:  Studies using indirect stimuli to provoke airway narrowing such as exercise, eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation, cold air hyperventilation, hypertonic saline, mannitol, or adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to assess the effect of inhaled corticosteroids were selected.Results:  Stimuli acting indirectly result in the release of a variety of bronchoconstricting mediators such as leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and histamine, from cells such as mast cells and eosinophils. A positive response to indirect stimuli is suggestive of active inflammation and AHR that is consistent with a diagnosis of asthma. Persons with a positive response to indirect stimuli benefit from daily treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. Symptoms and lung function are not useful to predict the long‐term success of inhaled corticosteroid dose as they usually resolve rapidly, and well before inflammation and AHR has resolved. Following treatment, AHR to indirect stimuli is attenuated. Further, during long‐term treatment, asthmatics can become as non‐responsive as non‐asthmatic healthy persons, suggesting that asthma is not active.Conclusions:  Non‐responsiveness to indirect bronchial provocation tests following inhaled corticosteroids occurs weeks to months following the resolution of symptoms and lung function. Non‐responsiveness to indirect stimuli may provide a goal for adequate therapy with inhaled corticosteroids.Please cite this paper as: Brannan JD, Koskela H and Anderson SD. Monitoring asthma therapy using indirect bronchial provocation tests. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2007;1:3–15.
Latitudinal Variations of the Convective Source and Propagation Condition of Inertio-Gravity Waves in the Tropics
Authors: Chun Hye-Yeong , Goh Jung-Suk , Song In-Sun , Ricciardulli Lucrezia 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
Latitudinal variations of the convective source and vertical propagation condition of inertio-gravity waves (IGWs) in the tropical region (30°S–30°N) are examined using high-resolution Global Cloud Imagery (GCI) and 6-hourly NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data, respectively, for 1 yr (March 1985–February 1986). The convective source is estimated by calculating the deep convective heating (DCH) rate using the brightness temperature of the GCI data. The latitudinal variation of DCH is found to be significant throughout the year. The ratio of the maximum to minimum values of DCH in the annual mean is 3.2 and it is much larger in the June–August (JJA) and December–February (DJF) means. Spectral analyses show that DCH has a dominant period of 1 day, a zonal wavelength of about 1600 km, and a Gaussian-type phase-speed spectrum with a peak at the zero phase speed.
The vertical propagation condition of IGWs is determined, in the zonal wavenumber and frequency domain, by two factors: (i) latitude, which determines the Coriolis parameter, and (ii) the basic-state wind structure in the target height range of wave propagation. It was found that the basic-state wind significantly influences the wave propagation condition in the lower stratosphere between 150 and 30 hPa, and accordingly a large portion of the source spectrum is filtered out. This is prominent not only in the latitudes higher than 15° where strong negative shear exists, but also near the equator where strong positive shear associated with the westerly phase of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) filters out large portions of the low-frequency components of the convective source. There is no simple relationship between the ground-based frequency and latitude; lower latitudes are not always favorable for low-frequency IGWs to be observed in the stratosphere. The basic-state wind in the Tropics, which has seasonal, annual, and interannual variations, plays a major role not only in determining the wave propagation condition in the stratosphere but also in producing convective sources in the troposphere.
Monsoon Dynamics with Interactive Forcing. Part II: Impact of Eddies and Asymmetric Geometries
Authors: Privé Nikki C. , Plumb R. Alan 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
The roles of eddies and forcing asymmetry in the dynamics of the large-scale monsoon circulation are investigated with a general circulation model. The net impact of eddies is found to be a slight weakening of the zonal mean monsoon circulation. The eddies strongly impact the momentum budget of the circulation, but the qualitative behavior of the monsoon flow is not substantially altered. The introduction of asymmetric forcing reveals the limitations of axisymmetric studies in representing the fully three-dimensional monsoon. Advection of low subcloud moist static energy air from the midlatitude oceans is seen to strongly impact the subcloud moist static energy budget in the continental subtropics, limiting the poleward extent of the monsoon. The advection of low moist static energy air must be blocked by orography, or the source of low moist static energy air must be removed, in order to induce strong precipitation over the subtropical landmass. An equatorial SST gradient is needed to induce a cross-equatorial meridional monsoon circulation. The location of the maximum subcloud moist static energy remains a good indicator for the limit of the monsoon.
A novel mechanism controls the Ca2+ oscillations triggered by activation of ascidian eggs and has an absolute requirement for Cdk1 activity
Authors: Levasseur Mark , Carroll Michael , Jones Keith T. , McDougall Alex 
Published: May 2007

Fertilisation in ascidians triggers a series of periodic rises in cytosolic Ca2+ that are essential for release from metaphase I arrest and progression through meiosis II. These sperm-triggered Ca2+ oscillations are switched off at exit from meiosis II. Ascidian zygotes provided the first demonstration of the positive feedback loop whereby elevated Cdk1 activity maintained these Ca2+ oscillations. Since then it has been reported that Cdk1 sensitises the type I inositol trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] receptor in somatic cells, and that sperm-triggered Ca2+ oscillations in mouse zygotes stop because the forming pronuclei sequester phospholipase C zeta that was delivered to the egg by the fertilising sperm.Here, using enucleation, we demonstrate in ascidian eggs that Ca2+ spiking stops at the correct time in the absence of pronuclei. Sequestration of sperm factor is therefore not involved in terminating Ca2+ spiking for these eggs. Instead we found that microinjection of the Cdk1 inhibitor p21 blocked Ca2+ spiking induced by ascidian sperm extract (ASE). However, such eggs were still capable of releasing Ca2+ in response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor agonists, indicating that ASE-triggered Ca2+ oscillations can stop even though the response to Ins(1,4,5)P3 remained elevated. These data suggest that Cdk1 activity promotes Ins(1,4,5)P3 production in the presence of the sperm factor, rather than sensitising the Ca2+ releasing machinery to Ins(1,4,5)P3. These findings suggest a new link between this cell cycle kinase and the Ins(1,4,5)P3 pathway.
Chemical Biology that Controls DNA Structure and Function: Lessons in Organic Chemistry from Nature
Authors: Sugiyama Hiroshi 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
Fifty years after the discovery of the double-helical structure of DNA, the complete sequence of the human genome has been determined. All genetic information, which is necessary for life, is written in 30 billion base pairs of DNA. Many diseases, including cancer, and hereditary and viral diseases, can now be understood at the DNA sequence level. Local DNA conformations are also thought to play an important role in biological processes, such as gene expression. Therefore, DNA sequences and local DNA conformations are the targets of novel drugs that would precisely switch certain genes on or off. Modified bases that perform various functions can also be incorporated into defined DNA sequences. DNA can now be synthesized by the phosphoramidite method and amplified by PCR, and by using organisms such as Escherichia coli, DNA becomes a promising unit for nanotechnology applications. In this review, I focus on our efforts in understanding the DNA reactivity, structure, and function of DNA. The prospective uses of the chemical biology of DNA will also be discussed.
The Effect of Magnetic Field on the Bleaching of Indigo Dyes with Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzed by Imidazole
Authors: Rousan Akram A , Al-Ajlouni Ahmad M 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
The effect of applying an external magnetic field on the catalytic oxidation of indigo dyes with H2O2/imidazole was investigated. It was found that the rate of oxidation, in the presence of imidazole as a catalyst, was enhanced by applying an external magnetic field in the range of 0.035–0.12 T. The magnetic field did not affect the reaction in the absence of imidazole. A mechanism that involves radical intermediates is proposed.
Cationic Iron-catalyzed Addition of Carboxylic Acids to Olefins
Authors: Komeyama Kimihiro , Mieno Yasuhiro , Yukawa Syotaro , Morimoto Takayuki , Takaki Ken 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
Cationic iron salts were found to be good catalysts for intra- and intermolecular addition of carboxylic acids to olefins, which afforded the corresponding esters in good yields.
Formation of Single Crystal of Hofmann Clathrate, Ni(NH3)2Ni(CN)4·0.5H2O, at Higher Temperature by Means of Spray Pyrolysis of Sucrose and Nickel Nitrate
Authors: Kashiwagi Takeshi , Suzuki Hiroe , Nina Masashi , Nishiguchi Hiroyasu , Nagaoka Katsutoshi , Takita Yusaku 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
Single crystal of Ni(NH3)2Ni(CN)4·0.5H2O was formed by the pyrolysis of mist of aqueous sucrose and nickel nitrate solution at higher temperatures as 873–1073 K in an inert gas without using harmful organic and inorganic compounds such as NH3 and HCN.
Synergistic Effects of Nell-1 and BMP-2 on the Osteogenic Differentiation of Myoblasts
Authors: Cowan Catherine M , Jiang Xinquan , Hsu Tiffany , Soo Chia , Zhang Beiji , Wang Joyce Z , Kuroda Shun'ichi , Wu Benjamin , Zhang Zhiyuan , Zhang Xinli , Ting Kang 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
Osteogenesis is synergistically enhanced by the combined effect of complimentary factors. This study showed that Nell-1 and BMP-2 synergistically enhanced osteogenic differentiation of myoblasts and phosphorylated the JNK MAPK pathway. The findings are important because of the osteochondral specificity of Nell-1 signaling and the potential therapeutic effects of coordinated BMP-2 and Nell-1 delivery.
Introduction: BMPs play an important role in the migration and proliferation of mesenchymal cells and have a unique ability to alter the differentiation of mesenchymal cells toward chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages. Signaling upstream of Cbfa1/Runx2, BMPs effects are not limited to cells of the osteoblast lineage. Thus, additional osteoblast-specific factors that could synergize with BMP-2 would be advantageous for bone regeneration procedures. NELL-1 (NEL-like molecule-1; NEL [a protein strongly expressed in neural tissue encoding epidermal growth factor like domain]) is a novel growth factor believed to preferentially target cells committed to the osteochondral lineage.
Materials and Methods: C2C12 myoblasts were transduced with AdLacZ, AdNell-1, AdBMP-2, or AdNell-1+AdBMP-2 overexpression viruses. Effects were studied by cell morphology, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteopontin production, and MAPK signaling. Additionally, in a nude mouse model, viruses were injected into leg muscles, and new bone formation was examined after 2 and 8 wk.
Results: C2C12 myoblasts co-transduced with AdNell-1+AdBMP-2 showed a synergistic effect on osteogenic differentiation as detected by alkaline phosphatase activity and osteopontin production. Nell-1 stimulation on AdNell-1 + AdBMP-2 preconditioned C2C12 cells revealed significant activation of the non-BMP-2 associated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK signaling pathway, but not the p38 or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) MAPK pathways. Importantly Nell-1 alone did not induce osteogenic differentiation of myoblasts. In a nude mouse model, injection of AdNell-1 alone stimulated no bone formation within muscle; however, injection of AdNell-1+AdBMP-2 stimulated a synergistic increase in bone formation compared with AdBMP-2 alone.
Conclusions: These findings are important because of the confirmed osteochondral specificity of Nell-1 signaling and the potential therapeutic effects of enhanced BMP-2 action with coordinated Nell-1 delivery.
Hydrophobic Chromophores in Aqueous Micellar Solution Showing Large Two‐Photon Absorption Cross Sections
Authors: Tian Y. , Chen C.‐Y. , Cheng Y.‐J. , Young A. C. , Tucker N. M. , Jen A. K.‐Y. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA series of new hydrophobic two‐photon absorbing (2PA) chromophores with varied electron‐donating groups in quasi‐linear and multibranched structures are synthesized to correlate their structure/photophysical property relationships. The feasibility of using these large two‐photon absorption cross‐sectional (δ, expressed in GM = 1 × 10–50 cm4 s photon–1 molecule–1) materials in aqueous solution is also explored. All four hydrophobic 2PA materials can be encapsulated into micelles generated by dispersing an amphiphilic block copolymer, poly(methacrylic acid)‐block‐polystyrene (PMAA‐b‐PS), into water. The micellar nanostructures are characterized using dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. After these dyes are incorporated into micelles, they exhibit strong fluorescence in water. It is found that the quantum yield and δ values of these chromophores are strongly dependent on the diameters of the micelles, concentrations of the PMAA‐b‐PS, and molecular structures of the 2PA chromophores. One of the compounds that has a strong triarylamino donor and a multibranched structure exhibits a large δ value of 2790 GM and high quantum yield (0.56) in micelle‐containing water. Although this value is smaller than the original value of 5300 GM in toluene, it is still substantially larger than the values of most water‐soluble 2PA materials, which have δ values of less than 100 GM.
A Luminescence and Electrochemical Study of Photoinduced Electron Transfer within the Layers of Zirconium Phosphate
Authors: Brunet E. , Alonso M. , Cerro C. , Juanes O. , Rodríguez‐Ubis J.‐C. , Kaifer Á. E. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractElectron donors based on Ru(bpy)3 (bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) are covalently attached to the walls of γ‐ZrP and acceptor species based on viologen are arranged side by side following quite simple experimental protocols. The resulting materials are characterized by using the usual techniques and their luminescence and electrochemical properties are assessed. Strong evidence is presented of the efficient occurrence of photoinduced electron transfer in the solid state among the active species attached to the transparent inorganic matrix. The prepared materials may find applications in the clean conversion of light into useful energy.
Increased familial risk and genomewide significant linkage for Alzheimer's disease with psychosis
Authors: Hollingworth P. , Hamshere M.L. , Holmans P.A. , O'Donovan M.C. , Sims Rebecca , Powell J. , Lovestone S. , Myers A. , DeVrieze F.W. , Hardy J. , Goate A. , Owen M. , Williams J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractPsychotic symptoms are common in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are associated with increased cognitive impairment and earlier institutionalization. One study has suggested that they are genetically modified and two genome screens have been performed to search for susceptibility loci for AD with psychosis (AD + P). The aim of this study was to further investigate the familial aggregation of AD + P and perform a genome screen for AD, conditioning on the presence or absence of psychotic symptoms. Samples from the UK and US were combined, providing data from 374 families in which at least two members met criteria for AD and had complete data regarding psychotic symptoms. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to assess the relationship of psychotic symptoms between siblings. A total of 321 affected relative pairs (ARPs) were genotyped for linkage. There was a significant association between proband psychosis status and the occurrence of AD + P in siblings in the UK (OR = 4.17, P = 0.002) and US (OR = 3.2, P < 0.001) samples. Chromosomewide and genomewide significant linkage peaks were observed on chromosomes 7 (LOD = 2.84) and 15 (LOD = 3.16), respectively, with the strongest evidence coming from pairs concordant for AD without psychosis. A LOD score of 2.98 was observed close to a previously reported AD + P linkage region on chromosome 6, however the increase in LOD attributable to psychosis was not significant. These findings support the hypothesis that psychotic symptoms in AD are genetically modified and that a gene/s implicated in their aetiology may be located on chromosome 7 and 15. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is the Wisconsin card sorting test a useful neurocognitive endophenotype?
Authors: Kremen William S. , Eisen Seth A. , Tsuang Ming T. , Lyons Michael J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) has been utilized extensively as a measure of executive function and working memory and as a neurocognitive probe of prefrontal brain function. In studies of psychiatric illness—particularly schizophrenia—it has also been considered to be a cognitive vulnerability marker or endophenotype. Heritability is an important criterion for an endophenotype, but the very few studies of the heritability of the WCST have yielded inconsistent results. The goal of this study was to investigate the extent to which genetic and environmental factors influence WCST performance in a large adult twin sample. A computerized WCST was administered to 660 middle‐aged male twins (170 monozygotic pairs and 160 dizygotic pairs). Polychoric intrapair correlations for six WCST scores were compared between MZ and DZ twins in order to assess heritability. Correlations were relatively low and there were no significant MZ–DZ differences. To our knowledge, this is the largest twin study of the WCST to date. There was no evidence for heritability of the WCST in this midlife adult sample. The WCST remains a valuable research tool, and we do not think that one should conclude from these results that genetic influences on frontal‐executive function are unimportant. Rather, we believe that our results suggest that some properties of this particular test make it undesirable for use as an endophenotype. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The First Cyclopentadienylalkylphosphane Nickel Chelates: Synthesis, Structures, and Reactions
Authors: Hussain Mazhar , Albert Dieter , Wartchow Rudolf , Butenschön Holger 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe first cyclopentadienylalkylphosphane nickel chelate complexes are reported. The anionic ligand obtained by reaction of spiro[2.4]hepta‐4,6‐diene with lithium di‐tert‐butylphosphide was treated with NiCl2 to yield [η5:κ1‐(di‐tert‐butylphosphanylethyl)cyclopentadienyl]chloronickel(II). From this complex, some acetonitrile‐stabilized cationic complexes were obtained by reaction with the respective silver salts in acetonitrile. Methyl‐ and alkynylnickel chelates were prepared by reaction of the chloronickel complex with methyllithium and by copper‐mediated coupling with terminal alkynes, respectively. Some of the complexes prepared were investigated by X‐ray crystallography or cyclic voltammetry. The alkynylnickel chelates undergo cycloaddition reactions with ethoxycarbonylisothiocyanate or tetracyanoethylene, and the cyclobutenes obtained undergo ring opening to the corresponding dienes. The study includes an NMR spectroscopic investigation of the two conformers of one of these dienes.
The investigation of protein adsorption behaviors on different functionalized polymers films
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Hong , Feng Chuan‐Liang 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe adsorption of BSA and fibrinogen onto plasma‐polymerized di‐(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether, allylamine, and maleic anhydride films were investigated in detail by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR). The chemical properties of the plasma polymers were initially determined by the plasma deposition conditions during the generation procedure. The analysis of the chemical structure of the films and the refractive index of plasma polymers in aqueous solution was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and waveguide mode spectroscopy, respectively.Using water contact angle measurement, the surface wettability of plasma polymers was also characterized. These properties have a critical influence on the behavior of protein adsorption on the surface of the plasma polymers. Protein adsorption was found to depend not only on the types of functionalized groups, but also on the plasma polymer thickness since the protein molecules penetrate into the plasma polymer network bulk. According to the size of protein molecules in aqueous solution and the amount of adsorbed proteins observed by SPR, the conformational changes of proteins could be deduced.
Efficient solubilization of inclusion bodies
Authors: Freydell Esteban J. , Ottens Marcel , Eppink Michel , van Dedem Gijs , van der Wielen Luuk 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe overexpression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli leads in most cases to their accumulation in the form of insoluble aggregates referred to as inclusion bodies (IBs). To obtain an active product, the IBs must be solubilized and thereafter the soluble monomeric protein needs to be refolded. In this work we studied the solubilization behavior of a model‐protein expressed as IBs at high protein concentrations, using a statistically designed experiment to determine which of the process parameters, or their interaction, have the greatest impact on the amount of soluble protein and the fraction of soluble monomer. The experimental methodology employed pointed out an optimum balance between maximum protein solubility and minimum fraction of soluble aggregates. The optimized conditions solubilized the IBs without the formation of insoluble aggregates; moreover, the fraction of soluble monomer was ∼75% while the fraction of soluble aggregates was ∼ 5%. Overall this approach guarantees a better use of the solubilization reagents, which brings an economical and technical benefit, at both large and lab scale and may be broadly applicable for the production of recombinant proteins.
On the Coherent Description of Diffusion‐Influenced Fluorescence Quenching Experiments
Authors: Rosspeintner Arnulf , Kattnig Daniel R. , Angulo Gonzalo , Landgraf Stephan , Grampp Günter , Cuetos Alejandro 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe fluorescence quenching by electron transfer of a fluorophore, 2,5‐bis(dimethylamino)‐1,3‐benzenedicarbonitrile, to 1,3‐dimethyl‐2‐nitrobenzene, has been studied by means of time‐resolved and steady‐state experiments at different viscosities and up to large quencher concentrations. Differential Encounter Theory (DET) has been used to rationalize the results, in combination with electron transfer modelled by the Marcus theory. Additionally, the solvent structure and the hydrodynamic effect on the diffusion coefficient have been taken into account. Any simpler model failed to simultaneously fit all the results. The large number of quencher concentrations used is crucial to unambiguously extract the electron transfer parameters.