bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The p75NTR neurotrophin receptor is a tumor suppressor in human and murine retinoblastoma development
Authors: Dimaras Helen , Gallie Brenda L 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe transition from the benign retinal tumor retinoma to its malignant counterpart retinoblastoma is accompanied by the loss of expression of the p75NTR neurotrophin receptor. This change in expression is mimicked in the TAg‐RB murine model of retinoblastoma, where early tumors retain expression of p75NTR and advanced tumors lack it. We sought to determine the functional effect on tumor development of absence of p75NTR from the onset of TAg‐RB tumor initiation. TAg‐RB mice were crossed with either p75NTR exon 3 (E3KO) or exon 4 knockout (E4KO) mice to produce TAg‐RB offspring that lacked one or both normal p75NTR alleles. The average tumor area per eye as a percentage of retinal area was measured. TAg‐RB/E3KO (TAg‐RBE3KO) and heterozygous mice showed no significant difference in tumor area compared to the TAg‐RB control mice at any time point studied. However, TAg‐RB/E4KO (TAg‐RBE4KO) and heterozygous mice displayed a significantly larger tumor area than the TAg‐RB control mice. Furthermore, adenoviral‐mediated expression of p75NTR in a p75NTR‐deficient human retinoblastoma cell line resulted in increased apoptosis. Our results confirm that p75NTR suppresses progression of both human and TAg‐RB murine retinoblastoma, and holds promise as a target for future therapy of the disease. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymorphisms in XPC and ERCC2 genes, smoking and breast cancer risk
Authors: Shore Roy E. , Zeleniuch‐Jacquotte Anne , Currie Diane , Mohrenweiser Harvey , Afanasyeva Yelena , Koenig Karen L. , Arslan Alan A. , Toniolo Paolo , Wirgin Isaac 
Published: January 2008

AbstractTo evaluate the associations of breast cancer risk with polymorphisms in the XPC and XPD/ERCC2 DNA nucleotide excision repair genes, a case‐control study nested within a prospective cohort of 14,274 women was conducted. Genotypes were characterized for 612 incident, invasive breast cancer cases and their 1:1 matched controls. The homozygous variant of a poly(AT) insertion/deletion polymorphism in intron 9 of the XPC gene (XPC‐PAT+/+), was associated with breast cancer risk [odds ratio (OR) = 1.45, 95% confidence interval: 1.07–1.97], after adjustment for other breast cancer risk factors. The breast cancer risk associated with XPC‐PAT+/+ did not differ by age at diagnosis. There was an indication of an interaction (p = 0.08) between the XPC‐PAT+/+ genotype and cigarette smoking. Ever smokers with the XPC‐PAT+/+ genotype were at elevated risk of breast cancer (OR = 1.56, CI: 0.95–2.58), but no differences were observed among never smokers. Analyses of the ERCC2 Lys751Gln polymorphism did not show an association with breast cancer risk, either overall or at younger ages. The results suggest that breast cancer risk is related to the XPC haplotype tagged by the XPC‐PAT+/+ insertion‐deletion polymorphism in intron 9. Further study of the XPC haplotypes and their interactions with smoking in relation to breast cancer risk is needed. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The association of cyclin D1 G870A and E‐cadherin C‐160A polymorphisms with the risk of colorectal cancer in a case control study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tan Xiang‐Lin , Nieters Alexandra , Kropp Silke , Hoffmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann , Chang‐Claude Jenny 
Published: January 2008

AbstractCyclin D1 (CCND1) and E‐cadherin (CDH1) have been shown to be important genes of the β‐catenin/LEF pathway that is involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. However, epidemiological studies on relationship between genetic variants of these two genes and colorectal cancer (CRC) have shown inconsistent results. In a population‐based case‐control study (498 cases and 600 controls), we assessed the association of CCND1 G870A and CDH1 C‐160A polymorphisms with CRC risk. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between genotypes, environmental exposures and CRC risk, adjusting for potential confounders. Compared to common homozygotes, the OR for heterozygous and homozygote variant genotype was 1.08 (95% CI, 0.80–1.46) in CCND1 and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.75–1.25) in CDH1. Neither tumor stage nor location showed an association with genetic susceptibility. However, a significant interaction between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and CCND1 genotypes in CRC risk was found among postmenopausal women (pinteraction = 0.02). The risk reduction associated with HRT was substantial (OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.02–0.35) in women who were GG homozygous. A meta‐analyses including 11 published studies on CCND1 G870A in addition to our study showed a slightly increased risk of CRC for carriers of the A allele (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06–1.34); however, there was some indication of publication bias. We conclude that the CCND1 G870A and CDH1 C‐160A polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of CRC in the German population. However, the CCND1 G870A polymorphism may modify the protective effect of postmenopausal hormone use on the development of CRC. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultramicroscopy: 3D reconstruction of large microscopical specimens
Authors: Becker K. , Jährling N. , Kramer E. R. , Schnorrer F. , Dodt H.‐U. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractUltramicroscopy is a microscopical technique that allows optical sectioning and 3D reconstruction of biological and medical specimens. While in confocal microscopy specimen size is limited to several hundred micrometers at best, using ultramicroscopy even centimeter sized objects like whole mouse embryos can be reconstructed with micrometer resolution. This is possible by using a combination of a clearing procedure and the principle of lightsheet illumination. We present ultramicroscopic 3D reconstructions of whole immunohistochemically labelled mouse embryos and adult Drosophila, giving detailed insight into their anatomy. Its speed and simplicity makes ultramicroscopy ideally suited for high‐throughput phenotype screening of transgenic mice and thus will benefit the investigation of disease models. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fast procedure for reconstruction of full‐atom protein models from reduced representations
Authors: Rotkiewicz Piotr , Skolnick Jeffrey 
Published: January 2008

AbstractWe introduce PULCHRA, a fast and robust method for the reconstruction of full‐atom protein models starting from a reduced protein representation. The algorithm is particularly suitable as an intermediate step between coarse‐grained model‐based structure prediction and applications requiring an all‐atom structure, such as molecular dynamics, protein‐ligand docking, structure‐based function prediction, or assessment of quality of the predicted structure. The accuracy of the method was tested on a set of high‐resolution crystallographic structures as well as on a set of low‐resolution protein decoys generated by a protein structure prediction algorithm TASSER. The method is implemented as a standalone program that is available for download from http://cssb.biology.gatech.edu/skolnick/files/PULCHRA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2008
A ligand‐pseudoreceptor system based on de novo designed peptides for the generation of adenoviral vectors with altered tropism
Authors: Zeng Yue , Pinard Maxime , Jaime Jaïro , Bourget Lucie , Uyen Le Phuong , O'Connor‐McCourt Maureen D. , Gilbert Rénald , Massie Bernard 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBackgroundDelivery of transgenes into specific tissues by adenovirus vectors (AdVs) relies on ablations of their natural tropism and on introduction of a new tropism. If the interaction with its natural receptor is ablated, a new packaging cell line is required to produce the AdV. In the present study, we have used two de novo designed peptides (E‐Coil and K‐Coil) that interact with each other with high affinity to establish a new receptor‐ligand system for the propagation of retargeted AdVs.MethodsWe produced a cell line (293E) expressing on its surface a pseudoreceptor containing the E‐Coil. An AdV (AdFK4m/GFP) lacking the interaction with the primary receptor for adenovirus (CAR) and containing the K‐Coil inserted at the fiber C‐terminus was constructed and tested using two strategies: (1) an RGD motif (Arg‐Gly‐Asp) was inserted into the HI‐loop of the fiber; (2) AdFK4m/GFP was conjugated to a bispecific adaptor for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).ResultsAdFK4m/GFP infected 293E cells more efficiently than cells lacking the pseudoreceptor. The transduction was due to the K‐Coil/E‐Coil specific interaction since it was competed by addition of soluble K‐Coil, but not soluble fiber. We demonstrated that the modified AdV was retargeted toward αv integrin by inclusion of the RGD motif, or toward EGFR using the bispecific adaptor.ConclusionsWe have established a new system to produce AdVs ablated of natural tropism. This system should permit the retargeting of AdVs by inserting new ligands within the fiber or through the interaction with bispecific adaptors. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term effect of gene therapy for chronic ischemic myocardium using platelet‐derived endothelial cell growth factor in dogs
Authors: Li Wei , Tanaka Kuniyoshi , Morioka Koichi , Takamori Atsushi , Handa Mitsuteru , Yamada Narihisa , Ihaya Akio 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBackgroundWe previously reported the 2‐week benefits of platelet‐derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD‐ECGF) gene therapy in chronically ischemic myocardium. However, the long‐term effects and safety using this gene have not been reported.MethodsChronic myocardial ischemia was created in 24 dogs by stenosing the origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) using an ameroid constrictor. Two weeks later, the PD‐ECGF gene, the LacZ gene, or saline was infused directly into the myocardium in the LAD area. The myocardial blood volume and myocardial function were examined prior to ischemia, immediately before gene injection, and for 6 months following injection, and then the organs were harvested for histological and molecular examination.ResultsPD‐ECGF gene treatment significantly attenuated endocardial infarction at 6 months. Myocardial blood volume and myocardial function decreased in all three groups after ameroid implantation, but recovered after 2 weeks in the PD‐ECGF‐treated group, and maintained a higher level of function during the examination period. Histological analysis demonstrated that angiogenesis and arteriogenesis occurred after PD‐ECGF gene treatment. There was a decreased expression of the pro‐apoptotic proteins, active caspase‐3 and Bax, and the number of apoptotic myocardial cells was lower in the PD‐ECGF‐treated group. Histological examination demonstrated that no abnormal histological changes or neoplasms were found in any organs.ConclusionsWe conclude that gene targeting of ischemic myocardium using PD‐ECGF generated long‐term improvement in cardiac function by causing angiogenesis, arteriogenesis and inhibiting apoptosis, but did not induce neoplasms in the remote organs, and may be a promising therapy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scottish psychoanalysis: A rational religion
Authors: Miller Gavin 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe ambition to rationally preserve a Christian religious inheritance distinctively informs Scottish psychoanalytic ideas. Scottish psychoanalysis presents the human personality as born into communion with others. The aim of therapy is to restore, preserve, and promote genuinely interpersonal relations. The Scottish psychoanalysis apparent in the work of W. R. D. Fairbairn, Ian Suttie, Hugh Crichton‐Miller, and in the philosophy of John Macmurray, is exported to New Zealand, where it is promoted by the New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists. Scottish psychoanalytic ideas also remain effective in post‐war Britain: the idea of communion appears in dialogue with other theories in thework of Harry Guntrip, John Macquarrie, R. D. Laing, and Aaron Esterson. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Demythologizing the machine: Patrick geddes, lewis mumford, and classical sociological theory
Authors: Renwick Chris , Gunn Richard C. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis paper reconsiders the work of the Scottish biologist, sociologist, and town planner Patrick Geddes and his most famous intellectual disciple: the American independent scholar Lewis Mumford. It is argued that existing interpretations of their work, ranging from a dismissal of the two men as eccentric polymaths to the speculative emphasis on the importance of psychological theories in Mumford's oeuvre, are fundamentally flawed. Examining their writings and the letters they exchanged during their 17‐year correspondence, this paper shows that the only way we can appreciate the scholarly conventions underpinning Geddes's and Mumford's work, as well as the context in which it was produced, is by looking to the principles of classical sociological theory. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The anatomy of fertilization in the yellow dung fly Scathophaga stercoraria
Authors: Arthur B.I. , Sbilordo S.H. , Pemberton A.J. , Ward P.I. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractFemale yellow dung flies, Scathophaga stercoraria, can influence the traffic of sperm stored in their spermathecae to the site of fertilization in the bursa copulatrix. However, the anatomical mechanisms employed are largely unknown. We investigated the anatomy of the female genital tract, seeking structures involved in sperm transfer and egg fertilization. We found a membranous structure descending from the ends of the spermathecal and accessory gland ducts into the bursa copulatrix. We call this the prolatus. Sperm accumulate in the prolatus during oviposition. When an egg is in the bursa the egg micropyle, rather than being aligned towards the dorsal openings of the spermathecal ducts, lies on the opposite, ventral side. We also confirm the presence, and suggest a function for, a cuticularized pouch on the ventral wall of the anterior bursa copulatrix. This pouch, plus a previously undescribed chamber, may be homologous to the ventral receptacle/fertilization chamber found in other dipterans. Further, we describe a translucent cap, apparently transversed by channels, covering the micropyle. Sperm were observed to aggregate on and in the micropyle cap, which appears to attract and hold sperm. We interpret the prolatus as a structure that allows an ovipositing female to transfer a few sperm onto the ventral bursal wall and thus, indirectly, onto the micropyle cap. Such anatomy potentially gives the female a large degree of control over sperm traffic from storage to the site of fertilization. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessing the scalability of dynamic field gradient focusing by linear modeling
Authors: Tracy Noah I. , Ivory Cornelius F. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractDynamic field gradient focusing (DFGF) separates and concentrates proteins in native buffers, where proteins are most soluble, using a computer‐controlled electric field gradient which lets the operator adjust the pace and resolution of the separation in real‐time. The work in this paper assessed whether DFGF could be scaled up from microgram analytical‐scale protein loads to milligram preparative‐scale loads. Linear modeling of the electric potential, protein transport, and heat transfer simulated the performance of a preparative‐scale DFGF instrument. The electric potential model showed where the electrodes should be placed to optimize the shape and strength of the electric field gradient. Results from the protein transport model suggested that in 10 min the device should separate 10 mg each of two proteins whose electrophoretic mobilities differ by 5×. Proteins with electrophoretic mobilities differing by only 5% should separate in 3 h. The heat transfer model showed that the preparative DFGF design could dissipate 1 kW of Joule heat while keeping the separation chamber at 25°C. Model results pointed to DFGF successfully scaling up by 1000× using the proposed instrument design.
Simultaneous determination of simvastatin and simvastatin acid in human plasma by LC‐MS/MS without polarity switch: Application to a bioequivalence study
Authors: Patel Bhavin N. , Sharma Naveen , Sanyal Mallika , Shrivastav Pranav S. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA simple, specific and sensitive LC‐MS/MS assay for simultaneous determination of simvastatin (SV) and its active β‐hydroxy acid metabolite, simvastatin acid (SVA) in human plasma was developed using a statin analog as internal standard (IS). The method was validated over a dynamic linear range of 0.20–100.00 ng/mL for SV and 0.10–50.00 ng/mL for SVA with correlation coefficient r ⪈ 0.9987 and 0.9989, respectively. The analytes and IS were extracted from 500 μL aliquots of human plasma via liquid‐liquid extraction using methyl tert‐butyl ether and separated through an Aquasil C18 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 5 μm). Detection of analytes and IS was done by MS/MS with a turbo ion spray interface operating in positive ion and selective reaction monitoring acquisition mode. The total chromatographic run time was 3.0 min. Flash freezing of the aqueous phase was an added advantage during liquid‐liquid extraction, which considerably reduced time and labour. The method was extensively validated for its accuracy, precision, recovery, stability studies and matrix effect. The method was successfully used for bioequivalence study of 40 mg SV tablet formulation in 12 human subjects under fasting condition.
Determination of nine active components in Radix Hedysari and Radix Astragali using capillary HPLC with diode array detection and MS detection
Authors: Zhao Jing , Yu Qing‐Tao , Li Ping , Zhou Peng , Zhang Yuan‐Jie , Wang Wei 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA capillary HPLC (cHPLC) coupled with diode array detection (DAD) and MS method was developed for the simultaneously qualitative and quantitative determination of nine components, namely vanillic acid, calycosin‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside, (6αR,11αR)‐9,10‐dimethoxypterocarpan‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside, ononin, calycosin, (3R)‐2′‐hydroxy‐3′,4′‐dimethoxyisoflavan‐7‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside, isoliquiritigenin, formononetin, (3R)‐8,2′‐dihydroxy‐7,4′‐dimethoxyisoflavan, in Radix Hedysari (Hongqi) and Radix Astragali (Huangqi). Simultaneous separation of these nine compounds was achieved on a Zorbax C18 microcolumn (5 μm, 150×0.3 mm). The mobile phase consisted of (A) 0.3% aqueous formic acid and (B) ACN with a gradient elution. The identification of nine compounds in both Hongqi and Huangqi was confirmed by TOF‐MS. All calibration curves showed good linearity (R2 >0.998) within test ranges. This method showed good repeatability for the quantification of these nine components in Hongqi and Huangqi with intra‐ and inter‐day variations of less than 1.89 and 3.13%, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied to quantify nine investigated components in eighteen samples of Hongqi and Huangqi. Hierarchical cluster analysis of 18 samples was performed using the peak area of nine analytes on cHPLC chromatograms. The result showed that Hongqi and Huangqi are significantly different, though the two species of Astragalus are very similar.
Automated derivatization and analysis of malondialdehyde using column switching sample preparation HPLC with fluorescence detection
Authors: Lord Heather L. , Rosenfeld Jack , Raha Sandeep , Hamadeh Mazen J. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractAnalyte derivatization is advantageous for the analysis of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a biomarker of oxidative stress in biological samples. Conventionally, however, derivatization is time consuming, error‐prone and has limited options for automation. We have addressed these challenges for the solid phase analytical derivatization of MDA from small volume tissue homogenate samples. A manual derivatization method was first developed using Amberlite XAD‐2 (12 mg) as the solid phase. Subsequently an automated column switching process was developed that provided simultaneous derivatization and extraction of the MDA‐DH hydrazone product on a cartridge packed with XAD‐2, followed by quantitative elution of the product to an analytical LC column (Waters NovoPak C18, 3.9×150 mm). The LOD was 0.02 μg/mL and recovery was quantitative. The method was linear (r2 >0.999) with precision < 5% from the LOQ (0.06 μg/mL) to at least 35 μg/mL. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of small volume (30 μL) mouse tissue homogenate samples. Endogenous levels of MDA in the tissues ranged from 20 to 40 nmol/g tissue (ca. 0.1–0.2 μg/mL homogenate). Compared to conventional MDA analyses, the current method has advantages in automation, selectivity, precision and sensitivity for analysis from very small sample volumes.
Generation of transgenic chickens that produce bioactive human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor
Authors: Kwon Mo Sun , Koo Bon Chul , Choi Bok Ryul , Park Yoon‐Yub , Lee Young Man , Suh Hun Suk , Park Young Sik , Lee Hoon Taek , Kim Jin‐Hoi , Roh Ji Yeol , Kim Nam‐Hyung , Kim Teoan 
Published: January 2008

AbstractWe report here the generation of transgenic chickens that produce human granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (hG‐CSF) using replication‐defective Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV)‐based vectors packaged with vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein (VSV‐G). The recombinant retrovirus was injected beneath the blastoderm of nonincubated chicken embryos (stage X). Out of 140 injected eggs, 17 chicks hatched after 21 days of incubation and all hatched chicks were found to express vector‐encoded hG‐GSF gene. The biological activity of the recombinant hG‐CSF was significantly higher than its commercially derived E. coli‐derived counterpart. Successful germline transmission of the transgene was also confirmed in G1 transgenic chicks produced from the cross of Go transgenic roosters with nontransgenic hens, but most of the G1 progeny were dead within 1 month of hatching. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1120–1126, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation and characterization of embryonic stem‐like cells derived from in vivo‐produced cat blastocysts
Authors: Yu Xianfeng , Jin Guangzhen , Yin Xijun , Cho Sujin , Jeon Jintae , Lee Sangsuk , Kong Ilkeun 
Published: January 2008

AbstractEmbryonic stem (ES)‐like cells were isolated from in vivo‐produced cat embryos. Total of 101 blastocysts were collected from female cats. The inner cell mass (ICM) were mechanically isolated and cultured on mitomycin‐C‐treated cat embryonic fibroblast feeder layers in medium supplemented with knockout™ Serum Replacement (KSR‐medium) or fetal bovine serum (FBS‐medium). Putative ES‐like cell colonies developed in both KSR‐ and FBS‐medium conditions, but formed domed and flat colonies, respectively. ICM cell attachment and ES‐like cell colony formation were significantly higher in KSR‐medium, but subsequent cell proliferation was significantly lower than in FBS‐medium. For passaging, 32 and 18 colonies in KSR‐ and FBS‐medium were separated by enzymatic dissociation or mechanical disaggregation. Enzymatic dissociation resulted in cell differentiation; however, mechanical disaggregation generated cells that remained undifferentiated over more than four passages and yielded two cat ES‐like cell lines that continued to grow for up to eight passages in FBS‐medium. These cells had typical stem cell morphology, expressed high levels of alkaline phosphatase activity, and were positive for the ES cell‐markers Oct‐4, stage‐specific embryonic antigen‐1 (SSEA‐1), SSEA‐3, and SSEA‐4. These cells formed embryoid bodies (EBs) in suspension culture after extended suspension culture. When simple EBs were cultured on tissue culture plates, they differentiated into several cell types, including epithelium‐like and neuron‐like cells. In addition, EBs were positive for mesoderm marker, desmin. After prolonged in vitro culture, some colonies spontaneously differentiated into beating myocardiocytes, and were positive for alpha‐actinin. These observations indicate that cat ES‐like cells were successfully isolated and characterized from in vivo‐produced blastocysts. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1426–1432, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.