bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of the voltage‐gated potassium channel KCNQ1 in mammalian taste bud cells and the effect of its null‐mutation on taste preferences
Authors: Wang Hong , Iguchi Naoko , Rong Qi , Zhou Minliang , Ogunkorode Martina , Inoue Masashi , Pribitkin Edmund A. , Bachmanov Alexander A. , Margolskee Robert F. , Pfeifer Karl , Huang Liquan 
Published: November 2008

AbstractVertebrate taste buds undergo continual cell turnover. To understand how the gustatory progenitor cells in the stratified lingual epithelium migrate and differentiate into different types of mature taste cells, we sought to identify genes that were selectively expressed in taste cells at different maturation stages. Here we report the expression of the voltage‐gated potassium channel KCNQ1 in mammalian taste buds of mouse, rat, and human. Immunohistochemistry and nuclear staining showed that nearly all rodent and human taste cells express this channel. Double immunostaining with antibodies against type II and III taste cell markers validated the presence of KCNQ1 in these two types of cells. Co‐localization studies with cytokeratin 14 indicated that KCNQ1 is also expressed in type IV basal precursor cells. Null mutation of the kcnq1 gene in mouse, however, did not alter the gross structure of taste buds or the expression of taste signaling molecules. Behavioral assays showed that the mutant mice display reduced preference to some umami substances, but not to any other taste compounds tested. Gustatory nerve recordings, however, were unable to detect any significant change in the integrated nerve responses of the mutant mice to umami stimuli. These results suggest that although it is expressed in nearly all taste bud cells, the function of KCNQ1 is not required for gross taste bud development or peripheral taste transduction pathways, and the reduced preference of kcnq1‐null mice in the behavioral assays may be attributable to the deficiency in the central nervous system or other organs. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:384–398, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endothelial progenitor cells: Implications for cardiovascular disease
Authors: Möbius‐Winkler Sven , Höllriegel Robert , Schuler Gerhard , Adams Volker 
Published: November 2008

AbstractEndothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) reside in the bone marrow and are mobilized into the circulation by specific stimuli such as certain drugs, ischemia, and exercise training. Once in the circulation EPCs are thought to participate in the maintenance of the endothelial cell layer. Recently it was clearly demonstrated that the amount and function of EPCs is significantly impaired in different cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the level of circulating EPCs predicts the occurrence of cardiovascular events and death from cardiovascular causes and may help to identify patients at increased cardiovascular risk. After demonstrating the beneficial effect of applied EPCs in several animal experiments, these cells were also used to treat humans with different cardiovascular diseases. This review will focus on the characterization and liberation of EPCs from the bone marrow, as well as on the most important clinical cardiovascular diseases for which EPCs were used therapeutically. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
FTY720 suppresses the development of colitis in lymphoid‐null mice by modulating the trafficking of colitogenic CD4+ T cells in bone marrow
Authors: Fujii Toshimitsu , Tomita Takayuki , Kanai Takanori , Nemoto Yasuhiro , Totsuka Teruji , Sakamoto Naoya , Nakamura Tetsuya , Tsuchiya Kiichiro , Okamoto Ryuichi , Watanabe Mamoru 
Published: November 2008

Abstract2‐Amino‐2‐(2‐[4‐octylphenyl]ethyl)‐1,3‐propanediol hydrochloride (FTY720) suppresses T‐cell egress from LN, thereby preventing pathogenic T cells from migrating toward disease sites. However, little is known about whether FTY720 could control the trafficking of T cells without the presence of lymphoid tissues. Here we demonstrate that FTY720 treatment suppresses the recirculation of CD4+ T cells in splenectomized (SPX) lymphotoxin‐α−/− (LT‐α−/−) mice that lack LN and spleen, as shown by peripheral blood (PB) lymphopenia in FTY720‐treated SPX LT‐α−/− mice. In a short‐term transfer experiment, the cell number of transferred Ly5.1+CD4+ T cells recovered from host FTY720‐treated SPX LT‐α−/− mice (Ly5.2+) was markedly decreased in PB, but conversely increased in BM. Notably, FTY720 treatment prevented the development of colitis that is otherwise induced in untreated SPX LT‐α−/−×RAG‐2−/− mice upon transfer of colitic lamina propria CD4+ T cells. In such mice, the number of CD4+ T cells in PB or lamina propria of FTY720‐treated SPX LT‐α−/−×RAG‐2−/− recipients was significantly reduced, but that in the BM was significantly increased as compared with untreated control mice. Altogether, the present results indicate that FTY720 treatment may offer an additional role to direct trafficking of CD4+ T cells in BM, resulting in the prevention of colitis.
Screening liver transplant patients for tolerance
Authors: Bishop Alex G. , Williams Rohan B. H. 
Published: November 2008

Martínez-Llordella M, Lozano JJ, Puig-Pey I, Orlando G, Tisone G, Lerut J, et al. Using transcriptional profiling to develop a diagnostic test of operational tolerance in liver transplant recipients. J Clin Invest 2008;118:2845–2857. (Reprinted with permission.)

Abstract
A fraction of liver transplant recipients are able to discontinue all immunosuppressive therapies without rejecting their grafts and are said to be operationally tolerant to the transplant. However, accurate identification of these recipients remains a challenge. To design a clinically applicable molecular test of operational tolerance in liver transplantation, we studied transcriptional patterns in the peripheral blood of 80 liver transplant recipients and 16 nontransplanted healthy individuals by employing oligonucleotide microarrays and quantitative real-time PCR. This resulted in the discovery and validation of several gene signatures comprising a modest number of genes capable of identifying tolerant and nontolerant recipients with high accuracy. Multiple peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets contributed to the tolerance-associated transcriptional patterns, although NK and γδTCR+ T cells exerted the predominant influence. These data suggest that transcriptional profiling of peripheral blood can be employed to identify liver transplant recipients who can discontinue immunosuppressive therapy and that innate immune cells are likely to play a major role in the maintenance of operational tolerance in liver transplantation.
Unsaturated fatty acids inhibit the expression of tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) via microRNA-21 up-regulation in hepatocytes # †
Authors: Vinciguerra Manlio , Sgroi Antonino , Veyrat-Durebex Christelle , Rubbia-Brandt Laura , Buhler Leo H. , Foti Michelangelo 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a regulator of phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling and an important tumor suppressor mutated/deleted in human cancers. PTEN deletion in the liver leads to insulin resistance, steatosis, inflammation, and cancer. We recently demonstrated that unsaturated fatty acids trigger steatosis by down-regulating PTEN expression in hepatocytes via activation of a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) complex, but the molecular mechanisms implicated in this process are still unknown. Here, we investigated potential genetic and epigenetic mechanisms activated by fatty acids leading to PTEN down-regulation. Our results indicate that unsaturated fatty acids down-regulate PTEN messenger RNA expression in hepatocytes through mechanisms unrelated to methylation of the PTEN promoter, histone deacetylase activities, or repression of the PTEN promoter activity. In contrast, unsaturated fatty acids up-regulate the expression of microRNA-21, which binds to PTEN messenger RNA 3′-untranslated region and induces its degradation. The promoter activity of microRNA-21 was increased by mTOR/NF-κB activation. Consistent with these data, microRNA-21 expression was increased in the livers of rats fed high-fat diets and in human liver biopsies of obese patients having diminished PTEN expression and steatosis. Conclusion: Unsaturated fatty acids inhibit PTEN expression in hepatocytes by up-regulating microRNA-21 synthesis via an mTOR/NF-κB–dependent mechanism. Aberrant up-regulation of microRNA-21 expression by excessive circulating levels of fatty acids exemplify a novel regulatory mechanism by which fatty acids affect PTEN expression and trigger liver disorders. (Hepatology 2009.)
Why we are wasting time in the operating theatre?
Authors: Saha Prithwiraj , Pinjani Anita , Al‐Shabibi Nawar , Madari Sheethal , Ruston John , Magos Adam 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjectives To determine reasons for delay during elective operating lists and suggest solutions.Design Prospective observational study.Setting A large under‐graduate teaching hospital.Participants Fifty‐five consecutive women undergoing elective gynaecological surgery under general anaesthesia.Interventions Every time point of individual patient's passage through the operating theatre (patients sent for, arrival in the anaesthetic room, general anaesthetic commenced, transfer to the operating theatre, surgery started, surgery completed, anaesthetic reversed, patient taken to recovery area) was documented.Main outcome measures Time intervals between the various time points with particular reference to wait by the anaesthetist and surgeon between cases.Results We monitored 55 operations carried out during 22 operating lists. Apart from the surgery itself (median 81 min per procedure), the longest interval was the time taken to get patients into the anaesthetic room from the ward (median 20 min). Although patients waited a median of 10 min before the start of anaesthesia, if the first procedure on the list was excluded, the anaesthetist was waiting for the patient to arrive in the anaesthetic room in 13/30 (43%) cases, wasting a median of 7 min per case. The surgeon had to wait a median of 22.5 min between operations.Conclusions Considerable operating theatre time is wasted while patients are transferred to and from the operating theatre resulting in both anaesthetists and surgeons having to wait between patients in a high proportion of cases, averaging 1 h during a 4 h operating list. Surgery could be made more time efficient by ensuring that patients arrive in the operating theatre complex early enough (to reduce time wasted for anaesthetists and surgeons), and by having two anaesthetists available at the end of surgery, one to reverse the anaesthetic while the other starts the next induction (to reduce time waste for the surgeon), coupled to adequate recovery area capacity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of low dose quercetin: Cancer cell‐specific inhibition of cell cycle progression
Authors: Jeong Jae‐Hoon , An Jee Young , Kwon Yong Tae , Rhee Juong G. , Lee Yong J. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractQuercetin is a flavonoid present in many vegetables, fruits, and beverages. Due to its anti‐oxidant, anti‐tumor, and anti‐inflammatory activity, quercetin has been studied extensively as a chemoprevention agent in several cancer models. Since most of these studies used higher doses of quercetin than clinically achievable, we focused on the effectiveness of physiologically relevant doses of quercetin. A low dose of quercetin exerted cancer cell‐specific inhibition of proliferation and this inhibition resulted from cell cycle arrest at the G1phase. Quercetin induced p21 CDK inhibitor with a concomitant decrease of phosphorylation of pRb, which inhibits the G1/S cell cycle progression by trapping E2F1. A low dose of quercetin induced mild DNA damage and Chk2 activation, which is the main regulator of p21 expression by quercetin. In addition, quercetin down‐regulated the cyclin B1 and CDK1, essential components of G2/M cell cycle progression. Inhibition of the recruitment of key transcription factor NF‐Y to cyclin B1 gene promoter by quercetin led to transcriptional inhibition. This study proved that the chemo‐preventive efficacy of a physiologically relevant dose of quercetin can be achievable through the inhibition of cell cycle progression. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 73–82, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sonocatalytic damage of bovine serum albumin (BSA) under ultrasonic irradiation by mixed TiO2/SiO2 powder
Authors: Wang Jun , Ding Na , Zhang Zhaohong , Wang Shixian , Guo Ying , Liu Bin , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Xiangdong 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: In order to effectively damage some biomolecules under ultrasonic irradiation, a mixed TiO2/SiO2 powder with high catalytic activity and selectivity was used as a sonocatalyst.RESULTS: The mixed TiO2/SiO2 powder heat treated at 450 °C for 30 min was adopted as a sonocatalyst and the damage to BSA molecules under ultrasonic irradiation was assessed. In addition, the effects of such variables as molar ratio of TiO2 and SiO2, treatment temperature and time, ultrasonic irradiation time, catalyst amount, solution acidity, ionic nature and strength, ultrasonic irradiation power and D2O concentration on the damage to BSA molecules were studied by means of UV‐visible and fluorescence spectra. The results showed that the degree of damage was aggravated by an increase in ultrasonic irradiation time, catalyst amount, solution acidity, ultrasonic irradiation power and D2O concentration, but was reduced by an increase in ionic strength.CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the mixed TiO2/SiO2 powder displayed higher activity and selectivity compared with nano‐sized TiO2 and SiO2 powders during the sonocatalytic damage of BSA. The extent of the damage decreased in the order TiO2/SiO2 > nano‐sized TiO2 > nano‐sized SiO2. These results are of great significance for applying sonocatalytic methods to treat tumours. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of saline wastewater influence on activated sludge flocs through automated image analysis
Authors: Mesquita Daniela P , Amaral Antonio L , Ferreira Eugenio C , Coelho Maria AZ 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: In activated sludge systems, sludge settling ability is considered a critical step in effluent quality and determinant of solid–liquid separation processes. However, few studies have reported the influence of saline wastewater on activated sludge. This work aims the evaluation of settling ability properties of microbial aggregates in a sequencing batch reactor treating saline wastewaters of up to 60 g L−1 NaCl, by image analysis procedures.RESULTS: It was found that the sludge volume index (SVI) decreased with salt content up to 20 g L−1, remaining somewhat stable above this value. Furthermore, it was found that between the first salt concentration (5 g L−1) and 20 g L−1 aggregates suffered a strong deflocculation phenomenon, leading to a heavy loss of aggregated biomass. Regarding SVI prediction ability, a good correlation coefficient of 0.991 between observed and predicted SVI values was attained.CONCLUSION: From this work the deflocculation of aggregated biomass with salt addition due to pinpoint floc formation, dispersed bacteria growth and protozoa absence could be established. With respect to SVI estimation, and despite the good correlation obtained, caution is advisable given the low number of SVI data points. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Finite element power diode model optimized through experiment‐based parameter extraction
Authors: Chibante R. , Araújo A. , Carvalho A. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis paper presents a finite element physics‐based power diode model with parameters established through an extraction procedure validated experimentally. The model core is a numerical module that solves the ambipolar diffusion equation through a variational formulation followed by an approximate solution with the finite element method. Other zones of the device are modeled with classical methods in an analytical module. This hybrid approach enables accurate modeling and simulation of power bipolar semiconductor devices, using standard SPICE circuit simulators, with low execution times. As physics‐based models need a significant number of parameters, an automatic parameter extraction method has been developed. The procedure, based on an optimization algorithm (simulated annealing), enables an efficient extraction of parameters using some simple device waveform measurements. Implementation details of power diode model, in IsSpice simulator, are presented. Experimental validation is performed. Results prove the usefulness of the proposed methodology for efficient design of power circuits through simulation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding patellofemoral pain with maltracking in the presence of joint laxity: Complete 3D in vivo patellofemoral and tibiofemoral kinematics
Authors: Sheehan Frances T. , Derasari Aditya , Brindle Timothy J. , Alter Katharine E. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractPatellofemoral pain is widely accepted as one of the most common pathologies involving the knee, yet the etiology of this pain is still an open debate. Generalized joint laxity has been associated with patellofemoral pain, but is not often discussed as a potential source of patellar maltracking. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the complete 6 degree of freedom patellofemoral and tibiofemoral kinematics from a group of patients diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome and maltracking to those from an asymptomatic population. The following null hypotheses were tested: kinematic alterations in patellofemoral maltracking are limited to the axial plane; knee joint kinematics are the same in maltrackers with and without generalized joint laxity (defined by a clinical diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome); and no correlations exist between tibiofemoral and patellofemoral kinematics or within patellofemoral kinematics. This study demonstrated that alterations in patellofemoral kinematics, associated with patellofemoral pain, are not limited to the axial plane, minimal correlations exist between patellofemoral and tibiofemoral kinematics, and distinct subgroups likely exist within the general population of maltrackers. Being able to identify subgroups correctly within the omnibus diagnosis of patellar maltracking is a crucial step in correctly defining the pathophysiology and the eventual treatment of these patients. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27: 561–570, 2009
Policosanol content and composition of wheat varieties as affected by environment
Authors: Chen Yongfen , T Dunford Nurhan , Edwards Jeff , Carver Brett , Goad Carla 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Policosanol (PC) is a mixture of high‐molecular‐weight aliphatic primary saturated alcohols which possesses cholesterol‐lowering properties. Literature on PC contents and compositions of wheat varieties is limited. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of genotype and environment on PC content and composition in wheat grain.RESULTS: Grain samples were collected from three varieties, Jagger, Trego and Intrada, grown at three locations, Alva, Balko and Goodwell, OK, in 2005. Two sets of samples were obtained from Goodwell (irrigated and dryland samples). Total PC content and PC composition in whole wheat grain samples were determined using a gas chromatography system. PC contents of the whole wheat grain samples varied from 15.9 to 28.7 mg kg−1. Tricosanol, tetracosanol, hexacosanol, octacosanol and triacontanol were the most abundant PC components. Within each location a significant variety effect was observed. There was also a significant location × variety random effect on PC content.CONCLUSION: A fundamental understanding of compositional variation in wheat grain requires multi‐environment testing of genotypes, perhaps over several years. This study is the first step towards achieving this goal by revealing significant genetic differences in a limited set of genotypes. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Metal cations for the determination of fluorescent phosphoinositides by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Otieno Anthony C. , Quainoo Emmanuel W. , Mwongela Simon M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractPhosphatidylinositol (PI) and its phosphorylated derivatives known as phosphoinositides (PIPs), are essential regulators of cell signaling and membrane trafficking, cytoskeletal dynamics, and nuclear functions. Disruption of PI metabolism is associated with disorders such as immune dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and cancer; therefore, there is currently great interest in studying PIPs and their metabolic enzymes. Here, we describe a method for the separation of fluorescent PI and its seven fluorescent phosphorylated derivatives by CE‐LIF. The CE method utilizes a Tris buffer and sodium deoxycholate in the presence of 30% 1‐propanol and 5% of a dynamic coating reagent, EOTrolTMlow reverse (EOTrol LR). It is simple, fast, highly sensitive, and it offers LODs in the order of 1.5 amol. The effect of cations such as lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, barium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, calcium, spermine, and gentamicin were evaluated. Calcium and magnesium provided the best selectivity and resolution for the separation of the analytes while magnesium offered the best data reproducibility. The developed CE method would be useful in the studies of enzymatic activity in the PI and PIPs metabolic pathways using CE‐basedin vitroand CE cell‐based assays, and/or for drug screening.
Thermo‐Responsive Polyoxazolines with Widely Tuneable LCST
Authors: Diehl Christina , Schlaad Helmut 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe “click” modification of statistical poly[2‐(isopropyl/3‐butenyl)‐2‐oxazoline] copolymers with ω‐functionalized thiols can be used to generate a toolbox of thermo‐responsive polymers. The cloud points of the polymers can be finely tuned over a wide range as a function of composition and hydrophilicity of the side chain (hydrocarbon, alcohol, carboxylic acid, etc.). Glycopolymers can be prepared exhibiting predictable cloud points in the whole accessible temperature range for water.magnified image
Low Bandgap Polymers by Copolymerization of Thiophene with Benzothiadiazole
Authors: He Youjun , Wang Xiang , Zhang Jing , Li Yongfang 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThree low bandgap copolymers of thiophene and benzothiadiazole with electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing substituents, P1, P2, and P3, have been synthesized by Pd‐catalyzed Stille‐coupling. Electronic energy levels of the polymers are estimated by cyclic voltammetry. The polymer films show a broad absorption band in the wavelength range from 300 to 750 nm. Among the polymers, the polymer that contains the 5,6‐dinitrobenzothiadiazole unit, P3, possesses the smallest bandgap of 1.55 eV calculated from its absorption band‐edge at ≈800 nm. With the increase of the electron‐withdrawing ability of the substituents on the benzothiadiazole unit, the energy bandgap of the polymers decreased in the order P1 > P2 > P3. The results indicate that stronger electron‐withdrawing substituents on the acceptor unit can effectively decrease the bandgap of the polymers.magnified image