bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The MUC1 oncoprotein as a functional target: Immunotoxin binding to α/β junction mediates cell killing
Authors: Rubinstein Daniel B. , Karmely Maya , Pichinuk Edward , Ziv Ravit , Benhar Itai , Feng Ningping , Smorodinsky Nechama I. , Wreschner Daniel H. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMUC1, a heavily glycosylated mucin, has generated considerable interest as a target for tumor killing because of its overexpression in malignancies. Full‐length MUC1 (MUC1/TM) is proteolytically cleaved after synthesis generating α and β subunits, which specifically bind in a noncovalent interaction. Although the β chain remains on the cell surface, the α chain binds in an on‐and‐off interaction. Most anti‐MUC1 antibodies (Abs) described to date recognize epitopes within the highly immunogenic α‐chain tandem repeat. Because the α‐chain is shed, such Abs are sequestered and fail to reach MUC1‐expressing cells. Immunizing with cDNA encoding MUC1/TM and the spliced MUC1/X isoform from which the tandem repeat has been deleted yielded antibodies to the MUC1 α/β junction. Pseudomonas toxin PE38 linked to polyclonal anti‐MUC1 α/β junction Abs both bound and killed MUC1‐positive malignant cells. Monoclonal DMC209 binds the MUC1 α/β junction in both MUC1/X and MUC1/TM. When injected into SCID mice xenotransplanted with human breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231, monoclonal DMC209 showed significant in vivo tumor‐suppressive activity. The MUC1/X α/β junction presents a biologically‐significant target in MUC1‐expressing malignancies because (i) antibodies directed against cell‐bound α/β junction epitopes reach the intended cellular target, (ii) antibodies to junction epitope are internalized into cells, (iii) anti α/β junction antibodies can effectively kill high MUC1‐expressing cancer cells as antibody‐toxin conjugates and (iv) antibodies targeting the MUC1 cell‐bound α/β junction results in tumor suppression in vivo. Our results indicate that cell‐bound MUC1 α/β junction, unlike shed alpha chain, represents a highly effective moiety for targeting and killing MUC1‐expressing malignancies. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Starch and albumin mixture as replacement fluid in therapeutic plasma exchange is safe and effective
Authors: Agreda‐Vásquez Gladys P. , Espinosa‐Poblano Irma , Sánchez‐Guerrero Sergio A. , Crespo‐Solís Erick , Cabrera‐Vásquez Siram , López‐Salmorán Josefa , Barajas Josefina , Peñaloza‐Ramírez Paula , Tirado‐Cárdenas Nelly , Velázquez Antonio 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTherapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an effective treatment in Myasthenia gravis (MG) and Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) and 5% human albumin is the replacement fluid of choice; however, it is expensive. More recently, it has been suggested that starch is a safe and cheaper choice to human albumin. Objective: To evaluate our 5‐year experience using 3% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and 5% human albumin mixture, as replacement fluid in TPE for these diseases. Materials and methods: Retrospective study carried out from January 2001 through September 2006. We included those patients with MG and GBS undergoing TPE. We analyzed clinical outcome (CO) and adverse events (AE) and our results were compared with a previous study which included similar patients undergoing TPE using just 5% human albumin. Results: Thirty‐one procedures were carried out in 26 patients, a total of 147 TPE sessions. In the group of MG we had 57% complete responses (CR) and 86% overall response (OR) while in the group of GBS we had 40% CR and 60% OR. When we analyzed our CO with the previous study no statistical differences were found. Mean processed plasma volume (PPV) was 4.2 in MG and 5.5 in GBS. Twenty patients had AE, being hypotension and catheter dysfunction the most frequent ones, while tachycardia, hypertension and paresthesias were statistically more frequent in the HES/albumin group. Conclusions: TPE with a mixture of 3% HES and 5% human albumin is as effective and safe as 5% human albumin alone for patients with these diseases. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Progressive recruitment of Runx2 to genomic targets despite decreasing expression during osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Pregizer Steven , Baniwal Sanjeev K. , Yan Xiting , Borok Zea , Frenkel Baruch 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe mRNAs encoding Runx2, a master osteoblast transcription factor, and its target gene Osteocalcin (OC), are commonly used as markers of osteoblast differentiation. We found that while OC mRNA levels do indeed increase during development of the osteoblast phenotype in MC3T3‐E1 cultures, Runx2 mRNA levels surprisingly decrease. Neither translational control of Runx2 (based on Western analysis) nor regulation of its DNA‐binding ability (assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay) could explain the unexpected opposite patterns of Runx2 and OC expression. Instead, a series of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays during osteoblast differentiation revealed that early on, when Runx2 protein amount and DNA‐binding activity are maximal, it is practically absent from the OC promoter. At later stages, Runx2 is recruited to the OC promoter while Runx2 mRNA, protein, and in vitro DNA binding progressively decrease. We also followed Runx2 occupancy at a novel genomic target discovered by ChIP‐Chip analysis of cells in which the OC promoter is maximally occupied. The results revealed that Runx2 is recruited to this locus and to the OC promoter with a remarkably similar temporal pattern. These observations highlight a mechanism that restrains Runx2‐mediated transcriptional control by confining its access to genomic targets to a narrow window of time. The need for such stringent control is consistent with the severe consequences of Runx2 over‐expression in vivo. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 965–970, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation and characterization of porcine adult muscle‐derived progenitor cells
Authors: Wilschut Karlijn J. , Jaksani Sridevi , Van Den Dolder Juliette , Haagsman Henk P. , Roelen Bernard A.J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHere, we report the isolation of progenitor cells from pig skeletal muscle tissue fragments. Muscle progenitor cells were stimulated to migrate from protease‐digested tissue fragments and cultured in the presence of 5 ng/ml basic fibroblast growth factor. The cells showed a sustained long‐term expansion capacity (>120 population doublings) while maintaining a normal karyotype. The proliferating progenitor cells expressed PAX3, DESMIN, SMOOTH MUSCLE ACTIN, VIMENTIN, CD31, NANOG and THY‐1, while MYF5 and OCT3/4 were only expressed in the lower or higher cell passages. Myogenic differentiation of porcine progenitor cells was induced in a coculture system with murine C2C12 myoblasts resulting in the formation of myotubes. Further, the cells showed adipogenic and osteogenic lineage commitment when exposed to specific differentiation conditions. These observations were determined by Von Kossa and Oil‐Red‐O staining and confirmed by quantitative RT‐PCR analysis. In conclusion, the porcine muscle‐derived progenitor cells possess long‐term expansion capacity and a multilineage differentiation capacity. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 1228–1239, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MicroRNAs in embryonic stem cells
Authors: Wang Yulei , Keys David N. , Au‐Young Janice K. , Chen Caifu 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe unique properties of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to self‐renew indefinitely or to differentiate to any cell type have great potential for clinical applications in regenerative medicine. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of post‐transcriptional gene expression and have been implicated as crucial elements in regulating ESCs. Here, we review recent progresses in characterizing the role of miRNAs in the maintenance and development of ESCs. J. Cell. Physiol. 218: 251–255, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modeling and Simulation of Liquid Phase Propylene Polymerizations in Industrial Loop Reactors
Authors: de Lucca Eneida A. , Filho Rubens Maciel , Melo Príamo A. , Pinto José Carlos 
Published: September 2008

AbstractLiquid phase tubular loop polymerization reactors are widely used in the polyolefin industries because of their capabilities to promote high mixing of reactants in the reaction vessel and to allow for high heat transfer rates with the cooling jacket due to their high aspect ratio. Previous works on this subject focused on the modeling of the polymerization system, but only a few compared their results with real industrial data. A literature review about the propylene production in loop reactors shows that the validation of a distributed model with actual industrial data is yet to be presented. A distributed mathematical model is presented for industrial liquid phase loop polypropylene reactors and validated with actual industrial data for the first time. The model is able to represent the dynamic trajectories of production rates, MFI and XS values during grade transitions within the experimental accuracy. The model indicates that the polymer quality can change significantly along the reactor train and that manipulation of feed flow rates can be successfully used for production of more homogeneous polymer products.
Estimating Reactivity Ratios From Triad Fraction Data
Authors: Hauch Emma , Zhou Xiaoqin , Duever Thomas A. , Penlidis Alexander 
Published: September 2008

AbstractReactivity ratio estimation is a non‐linear estimation problem. Typically, reactivity ratios are estimated using the instantaneous copolymer composition equation, otherwise known as the Mayo‐Lewis model, based on low conversion (<5%) copolymer composition data. However, there are other instantaneous models, which can be used to estimate reactivity ratios, such as the instantaneous triad fraction equations. The aim of this paper is to determine the potential improvement in reactivity ratio estimates when triad fraction data is used in place of and in combination with copolymer composition data. The interest in using triad fraction data in parameter estimation, stems from the fact that there are a greater number of responses measured (six triad fractions) compared to composition leading to data with theoretically more information content. In principle this should lead to reactivity ratio estimates having less uncertainty. In this study, the parameter estimates are obtained by employing the error in variables model (EVM), assuming a multiplicative error structure. Several case studies involving published literature data for different copolymer systems are presented. As the case studies demonstrate in general more precise estimates can be obtained from triad fraction data. Combining the triad fraction with composition data leads to little additional improvement. However, discrepancies arise between reactivity ratios estimated from composition data compared with those obtained from triad fraction data depending upon the copolymer system. Those copolymer systems exhibiting more heterogeneity due to phase separation during polymerization may be showing more discrepancy.
Microemulsion Polymerization Modeling Based on the Experimental Conversion Trend and its Derivative
Authors: López‐Serrano F. , López‐Aguilar J. E. , Mendizábal E. , Puig J. E. , Álvarez J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn this work, the microemulsion polymerization modeling problem is addressed with an integrodifferential approach. The procedure was applied to experimental data, previously presented, on the microemulsion polymerization of hexyl methacrylate (C6MA) and styrene (STY). It was found that: (i) the nucleation rate is not linear with time, as assumed before, (ii) a vitreous effect is observed even in reactions where the polymer's glass transition temperature is lower than the reaction temperature, (iii) radical entry to polymer particles and coagulation among particles are negligible, (iv) the rate decrease interval is also caused by a reduction of active sites, (v) a mechanism in which micelles provide monomer to living particles was detected, and (vi) a simple three‐parameter mechanistic model was obtained, capable of describing the studied systems.
Coagulation of Carboxylic Acid‐Functionalized Latexes
Authors: Santos Adélia , Santos Alexandre F. , Sayer Cláudia , Araújo Pedro H. H. , Fortuny Montserrat 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn the present work, the stability of particles produced by emulsion polymerization and stabilized by carboxylic acid groups was studied from turbidity measurements. To achieve this, a number of copolymerization runs was carried out under different reaction conditions, including the use of different carboxylic monomers. Partitioning analyses using conductimetric and potentiometric titrations were performed in order to assess the distribution of carboxylic monomers among the main phases of the produced latexes. Additionally, the stability and coalescence of particles were measured by turbidimetry in a diluted latex considering either the presence or not of the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate. Coalescence of particles was provoked in the latex samples at different temperatures by addition of an aliquot of a concentrated solution of electrolyte. The influence of surfactant, temperature and type of carboxylic acid group on the particle stability was investigated.
Molecular Architecture of Non‐Linear Polymers: Kinetic Modeling and Experimental Characterization of the System Methyl Methacrylate + Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate
Authors: Trigo Ivone M. R. , Gonçalves Miguel A. D. , Dias Rolando C. S. , Costa Mário Rui P. F. N. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA general kinetic approach allowing the prediction of the molecular architecture of non‐linear polymers is applied to the study of the copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). Dynamic predictions of molecular weight distributions, sequence length distributions and mean square radius of gyration are possible before and after gelation. A set of experiments concerning the copolymerization of MMA and EGDMA was carried out in toluene solution at 60 °C for which classic radical kinetics is a good approximation. The time evolution of key polymer properties was followed using a SEC system with a refractive index detector coupled with MALLS allowing the determination of absolute weight average molecular weight and apparent molecular size distributions as well as z‐average radius of gyration. Special focus was given to assess the influence of the initial amount of cross‐linker on the dynamics of the non‐linear structure build‐up of these products. A kinetic scheme comprising 23 different chemical species and 76 chemical reactions was used in the modeling studies of this chemical system. Most of the kinetic parameters used in the simulations have been collected from previous studies. For experiments at low monomer conversion (up to about 0.5) a good agreement between predictions and experimental measurements is observed for molecular weights and z‐average radius of gyration by fitting a small number of parameters describing gel effect (with a conversion dependent but chain length independent termination rate parameter) and the relative propagation on pendant double bonds. However, predicted values of weight‐average molecular weights and z‐average radius of gyration before gelation are too low at higher monomer conversions with non‐linear systems. The likely cause is the presence of intramolecular reactions which should not be neglected in these circumstances.
Preparation of Hybrid Nanocapsules
Authors: Ni K. , Bourgeat‐Lami E. , Sheibat‐Othman N. , Shan G. , Fevotte G. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHybrid nanoparticles with a polystyrene core and a hybrid copolymer shell were used to produce hybrid nanocapsules by dissolving the polystyrene core from the previously elaborated core‐shell particles. Following previous works, the core‐shell particles were prepared by emulsion polymerization of styrene and subsequent addition of γ‐methacryloxy propyl trimethoxy silane (MPS) to produce the shell by copolymerization reaction of MPS with the residual styrene. Core extraction was performed by diluting the core‐shell particles in an excess of tetrahydrofuran (THF). Two procedures were investigated to separate the dissolved polymer chains from the nanocapsules. In the first procedure, the polymer was isolated by successive centrifugation and redispersion in THF, whereas in the second procedure, the free polymer chains were removed by dialysis. The polymer molecular weight was optimized in order to promote dissolution of the polymer chains and allow them to diffuse through the shell.
Initialization of RAFT Agents with Different Leaving Groups – Determination of the Transfer Coefficients
Authors: Drache Marco , Schmidt‐Naake Gudrun 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe leaving group of the initial RAFT agent is one key factor during the initialization period of the RAFT polymerization. Benzyl‐, Phenylethyl‐ and Cumyl Dithiobenzoate RAFT mediated bulk polymerization of styrene at 120 °C was investigated by direct measurement of the concentration of the RAFT agent and determination of the molecular weight in the initial phase of the RAFT polymerization using Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). The initialization period can be described by means of two transfer coefficients that are determined by the stability of the free‐radical leaving group. By means of a Monte Carlo simulation the RAFT initialization process was characterized and the transfer coefficients from the experimental data were determined.
Structure elucidation and 1H/13C NMR spectral assignments of four trabectedin related compounds
Authors: Vermeulen Wim , Filliers Walter , García Carmen , Manzanaro Sonia , Montalvo David , Polanco Concepción , Spillemaeckers Frank , Van Hoof Bart , Winderickx Guido , Somers Ivan , Rodriguez‐Campos Ignacio 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis article presents the structure elucidation of four new compounds, formed during the hemisynthetic preparation of trabectedin, an anti‐tumor natural product from Ecteinascidia turbinata. We report herein on the use of UV, MS and NMR spectroscopic data along with 1H and 13C spectral assignments obtained by means of 1D and 2D homo‐ and heteronuclear NMR techniques. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenylated isoflavones from Flemingia philippinensis
Authors: Li Hua , Yang Meihua , Miao Jianhua , Ma Xiaojun 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTwo new prenylated isoflavones, named flemiphilippinins E and F, were isolated from the roots of Flemingia philippinensis, together with six known ones. The structures of the above compounds were established by spectroscopic methods. Flemiphilippinins E and F were identified as 5,4′‐dihydroxy‐8‐(3,3‐dimethylallyl)‐6″,6″‐dimethyl‐5″‐(1,1‐dimethylallyl) pyrano(2″,3″:7,6)isoflavone and 5,4′‐dihydroxy‐4″,4″,5″‐trimethyl‐4″,5″‐dihydrofurano(2″,3″:7,8) isoflavone, respectively, by a combination of HR‐EI‐MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY spectra. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MRI retinovascular studies in humans: research in patients with diabetes
Authors: Trick Gary L. , Edwards Paul A. , Desai Uday , Morton Paula E. , Latif Zahid , Berkowitz Bruce A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPurposeTo review existing applications of MRI for detecting blood–retinal barrier (BRB) damage and retinal oxygenation response abnormalities in patients with diabetes and highlight new information available from such applications.MethodsBRB studies were accomplished using dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI, and the retinal oxygenation response studies were accomplished by monitoring changes in the MRI signal associated with hyperoxic provocation. Participants were patients with diabetes and macular edema, with either no detectable or mild to moderate background retinopathy, as well as non‐diabetic individuals of similar age (controls). Single‐slice FLASH images were obtained using a Siemens Sonata, 1.5 T together with a Siemens ‘Loop Small’ surface coil fixed in place over the eye. Time‐dependent changes in image contrast in the pre‐retinal vitreous were quantified, and differences between patients and controls were assessed statistically.ResultsThe BRB breakdown studies showed a significant difference in the temporal evolution of the MRI signal enhancement post‐contrast injection between the controls and the patients with diabetic macular edema. The retinal oxygenation studies revealed a supernormal oxygenation response in the pre‐retinal vitreous in patients with diabetes who had no evidence of retinopathy, as well as in patients with background diabetic retinopathy. A nasal–temporal asymmetry in the evolution of retinal oxygenation response was found in patients with diabetes that was not present in healthy subjects.ConclusionsThese studies show that subtle differences in retinovascular function between patients with diabetes and non‐diabetic individuals, including changes that occur in advance of the clinical appearance of diabetic retinopathy, can be detected with MRI. These results, together with previous extensive preclinical data, establish MRI as a powerful non‐invasive method for measuring spatial and temporal changes in the same key retinovascular metrics in both animals and humans. Wide application of these techniques for diagnosis and evaluation of treatment efficacy in a variety of human retinopathies, including diabetic retinopathy, is expected. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The application of client‐centred occupational therapy for Korean children with developmental disabilities
Authors: Kang Dae Hyuk , Yoo Eun Young , Chung Bo In , Jung Min Ye , Chang Ki Yeon , Jeon Hye Seon 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe aim of this paper was to investigate the effectiveness of client‐centred occupational therapy using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). Eight girls and 23 boys from Korea, with developmental disabilities and from 3 to 10 years of age participated in this study. Each child participated in 20 to 24 sessions of client‐centred occupational therapy. Both the COPM and the AMPS change scores demonstrated statistically significant improvement (p < 0.01) in occupational performance. Significant correlations were found between COPM – Performance and AMPS – Motor skills (rs = 0.64, p < 0.05), and COPM – Satisfaction and AMPS – Process skills (rs = 0.62, p < 0.05) in a group positive towards client‐centred occupational therapy. The COPM was a valuable tool in guiding and measuring the client‐centred occupational therapy for children with developmental disabilities. The small sample size of 31 children limits the generalizability of the study's results. Future research needs to use a larger and more diverse sample of children to further validate the effectiveness of client‐centred occupational therapy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.