bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aberrant dentate gyrus cytoarchitecture and fiber lamination in LIS1 mutant mice
Authors: Wang Yanling , Baraban Scott C. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMutant mice with a heterozygous deletion of LIS1, show varying degrees of hippocampal abnormality and enhanced excitability. To examine how LIS1 affects cytoarchitecture and fiber lamination in dentate gyrus (DG), we performed a series of immunohistochemistry studies. By using different neuronal‐ and glial‐specific antibodies, we found that the majority of hippocampal cell populations were affected by heterozygous mutation of LIS1; some reelin‐positive Cajal‐Retzius cells were left undisturbed. Granule cell dispersion was significant in hippocampal sections from Lis1‐deficient mice. However, the fiber termination of commissural/associational fibers and mossy fibers appeared relatively compact despite obvious granule cell dispersion and CA1‐CA3 pyramidal cell disorganization. vGlut1‐immunoreactive axon terminals were found aberrantly traversing the dispersed granule cell layer. Consistent with previous observations, we also found that immature granule cells in Lis1 mutants, here stained with antibodies to doublecortin (DCX) and Mash‐1, are aberrantly located and bear an abnormal cellular morphology. Our findings suggest that LIS1 mutants exhibit abnormal cell positioning and aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis, but maintain relatively normal fiber termination patterns. The functional consequences of hippocampal granule cell dispersion could offer critical insight to the epileptic and cognitive disorder associated with LIS1 haploinsufficiency. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of tooth loss on spatial memory and trkB‐mRNA levels in rats
Authors: Yamazaki Kaoruko , Wakabayashi Noriyuki , Kobayashi Takuya , Suzuki Tetsuya 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe mechanism by which tooth loss accelerates spatial memory impairment is unknown. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that tooth loss affects trkB‐mRNA levels and leads to an accelerated decrease in the hippocampal cell density in rats. A radial maze was used to evaluate the spatial memory of male Wistar rats that were categorized based on the number of extracted molar teeth. Number of hippocampal pyramidal cells and the trkB‐mRNA expressions in the amygdala, perirhinal cortex, thalamus, and the hippocampal CA1, CA3, and CA4 areas, were evaluated using molecular biological techniques. Seven weeks after tooth extraction, maze performance was significantly lower in each tooth loss group than in the control group, and the number of extracted teeth was inversely proportional to the induction of the trkB‐mRNA and the hippocampal cell density. The average weight of rats increased by controlled feeding throughout the experiment without showing a significant difference between the control and experimental groups. The results indicated that, in rats, the spatial memory‐linked trkB‐mRNA was reduced in association with the tooth loss; this supports the hypothesis and suggests that teeth have a role in the prevention of spatial memory impairment. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exendin‐4 induction of Egr‐1 expression in INS‐1 β‐cells: Interaction of SRF, not YY1, with SRE site of rat Egr‐1 promoter
Authors: Kim Myung‐Jun , Kang Jung‐Hoon , Chang Seo‐Yoon , Jang Hyun‐Jong , Ryu Gyeong Ryul , Ko Seung Hyun , Jeong In‐Kyung , Kim Myung‐Suk , Jo Yang‐Hyeok 
Published: April 2008

AbstractGlucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) induces several immediate early response genes such as c‐fos, c‐jun, and early growth response‐1 (Egr‐1), which are involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. We recently reported that exendin‐4 (EX‐4), a potent GLP‐1 agonist, upregulated Egr‐1 expression via phosphorylation of CREB, a transcription factor in INS‐1 β‐cells. This study was designed to investigate the role of another transcription factors, serum response factor (SRF) and Yin Yang‐1 (YY1), in EX‐4‐induced Egr‐1 expression. EX‐4 significantly increased Egr‐1 mRNA and subsequently its protein level. EX‐4‐induced Egr‐1 expression was inhibited by pretreatment with a PKA inhibitor, H‐89, and an MEK inhibitor, PD 98059. The siRNA‐mediated inhibition of PKA and ERK1 resulted in significant reduction of EX‐4‐induced Egr‐1 expression. Promoter analyses showed that SRE clusters were essential for Egr‐1 transcription, and YY1 overexpression did not affect Egr‐1 promoter activity. EMSA results demonstrated that EX‐4‐induced transient increase in DNA–protein complex on SRE site, and that both SRF and phospho‐SRF were bound to this site. Treatment of either YY1 consensus oligonucleotide or YY1 antibody did not effect the change of density or migration of the DNA–protein complex. Collectively, EX‐4‐induced Egr‐1 expression is largely dependent on cAMP‐mediated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase activation, and EX‐4 induces Egr‐1 transcription via the interaction of SRF and phospho‐SRF to SRE sites. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 2261–2271, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
BMP signaling dynamics in embryonic orofacial tissue
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Partha , Webb Cynthia L. , Warner Dennis R. , Greene Robert M. , Pisano M. Michele 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family represents a class of signaling molecules, that plays key roles in morphogenesis, cell proliferation, survival and differentiation during normal development. Members of this family are essential for the development of the mammalian orofacial region where they regulate cell proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis, and cellular differentiation. Perturbation of any of these processes results in orofacial clefting. Embryonic orofacial tissue expresses BMP mRNAs, their cognate proteins, and BMP‐specific receptors in unique temporo‐spatial patterns, suggesting functional roles in orofacial development. However, specific genes that function as downstream mediators of BMP action during orofacial ontogenesis have not been well defined. In the current study, elements of the Smad component of the BMP intracellular signaling system were identified and characterized in embryonic orofacial tissue and functional activation of the Smad pathway by BMP2 and BMP4 was demonstrated. BMP2 and BMP4‐initiated Smad signaling in cells derived from embryonic orofacial tissue was found to result in: (1) phosphorylation of Smads 1 and 5; (2) nuclear translocation of Smads 1, 4, and 5; (3) binding of Smads 1, 4, and 5 to a consensus Smad binding element (SBE)‐containing oligonucleotide; (4) transactivation of transfected reporter constructs, containing BMP‐inducible Smad response elements; and (5) increased expression at transcriptional as well as translational levels of Id3 (endogenous gene containing BMP receptor‐specific Smad response elements). Collectively, these data document the existence of a functional Smad‐mediated BMP signaling system in cells of the developing murine orofacial region. J. Cell. Physiol. 216: 771–779, 2008, © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two distinct amplification events of the c‐myc locus in a colorectal tumour
Authors: La Farina Mario , Bellavia Maurizio , Tagliavia Marcello , Eterno Vincenzo , Colomba Paolo , Scibetta Angelo , Albanese Ida 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSouthern hybridisation of genomic DNA extracted from a human primary colorectal carcinoma revealed amplification of a fragment containing the wild‐type c‐myc locus. Two additional rearranged DNA fragments, lying upstream of c‐myc, fused to distant non‐contiguous sequences from the same chromosome, with an opposite configuration (head to head vs. head to tail), were also found to be amplified. Sequences analysis suggested that these rearrangements resulted from illegitimate recombination at two distinct points within the DNA sequence just upstream of the c‐myc ORF and further that these events triggered two different amplification mechanisms, only one of which, involving a strand invasion event following DNA double strand breaks, increased the copy number of the c‐myc ORF. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 34–39, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biomolecular characterization of human glioblastoma cells in primary cultures: Differentiating and antiangiogenic effects of natural and synthetic PPARγ agonists
Authors: Benedetti E. , Galzio R. , Cinque B. , Biordi L. , D'Amico M.A. , D'Angelo B. , Laurenti G. , Ricci A. , Festuccia C. , Cifone M.G. , Lombardi D. , Cimini A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractGliomas are the most commonly diagnosed malignant brain primary tumors. Prognosis of patients with high‐grade gliomas is poor and scarcely affected by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Several studies have reported antiproliferative and/or differentiating activities of some lipophylic molecules on glioblastoma cells. Some of these activities in cell signaling are mediated by a class of transcriptional factors referred to as peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs). PPARγ has been identified in transformed neural cells of human origin and it has been demonstrated that PPARγ agonists decrease cell proliferation, stimulate apoptosis and induce morphological changes and expression of markers typical of a more differentiated phenotype in glioblastoma and astrocytoma cell lines. These findings arise from studies mainly performed on long‐term cultured transformed cell lines. Such experimental models do not exactly reproduce the in vivo environment since long‐term culture often results in the accumulation of further molecular alterations in the cells. To be as close as possible to the in vivo condition, in the present work we investigated the effects of PPARγ natural and synthetic ligands on the biomolecular features of primary cultures of human glioblastoma cells derived from surgical specimens. We provide evidence that PPARγ agonists may interfere with glioblastoma growth and malignancy and might be taken in account as novel antitumoral drugs. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 93–102, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fuel cell power generation from marine sediments: Investigation of cathode materials
Authors: Scott K , Cotlarciuc I , Head I , Katuri K P , Hall D , Lakeman J B , Browning D 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Marine sediment microbial fuel cells (MFC) utilise oxidisable carbon compounds and other components present in sediments on ocean floors and similar environments to produce power in conjunction with, principally, oxygen reduction at the cathode in the overlying water. The aim of the work was to investigate a range of cathode materials for sediment MFC, to achieve relatively high levels of power.RESULTS: Cell potential and power density performance data are reported for sediment MFC using cathodes of: carbon sponge, cloth and paper, graphite and reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC), Co and Fe‐Co tetramethoxyphenyl porphyrin (FeCoTMPP) and platinised carbon and titanium. The anode was graphite cloth. After a period of stabilisation, open circuit voltages of 700 mV and maximum power densities of 62 mW m−2 were obtained, using FeCoTMPP. Relatively low cost carbon cathodes gave power densities of around 30 mW m−2.CONCLUSIONS: The study has shown that low level power can be produced from marine sediments using MFC without separators between the fuel and seawater containing dissolved oxygen. Cathode performance was an important factor determining the power output. Electrocatalyst at the cathode improved performance: FeCoTMMP gave power densities of 60 mW m−2 which was twice that achieved with the best un‐modified carbon. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
One‐step production of 2,3‐butanediol from starch by secretory over‐expression of amylase in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Zheng Yu , Zhang Haiyi , Zhao Li , Wei Liujing , Ma Xingyuan , Wei Dongzhi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: 2,3‐Butanediol (2,3‐BD) is a valuable chemical that can be biosynthesized from many kinds of substrates. For commercial biological production of 2,3‐BD, it is desirable to use cheap substrate without pretreatment, such as starch. However, there have been few reports on the production of 2,3‐BD directly from starch.RESULTS: In this work, gene malS coding for α‐amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) precursor was inserted into plasmid pUC18K, and secretory over‐expression of α‐amylase was achieved by engineered Klebsiella pneumoniae. The extracellular recombinant amylase accelerated the hydrolyzation of starch, and one‐step production of 2,3‐BD from starch was carried out by engineered K. pneumoniae. A 2,3‐BD concentration of 3.8 g L−1 and yield of 0.19 g 2,3‐BD g−1 starch were obtained after 24 h fermentation.CONCLUSION: The one‐step production of 2,3‐BD from starch was achieved by secretory over‐expression of amylase in K. pneumoniae. This would simplify the process and reduce the production cost considerably by enabling use of starch with minimal pretreatment. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
An unusual case of a glomus tumor developing in a subcutaneous vein of the wrist
Authors: Koibuchi Harumi , Fujii Yasutomo , Taniguchi Nobuyuki 
Published: April 2008

AbstractGlomus tumors are benign tumors that originate in a neuromyoarterial glomus body and most commonly occur in the subungual regions. We present an unusual case of a glomus tumor in a subcutaneous vein of the dorsum of the wrist in a 65‐year‐old man and describe its gray‐scale and power Doppler sonographic appearance, with a brief discussion of the clinical and histologic findings. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Evidence for a cross‐linking mechanism underlying glucose‐induced contraction of phenylboronate hydrogel
Authors: Pan Xiaohan , Yang Xiaoping , Lowe Christopher R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe glucose‐dependent cross‐linking of phenylboronate gels was investigated in order to understand the principle underlying glucose‐induced hydrogel contraction. Glucose conformation upon binding to phenylboronates in aqueous solution was also examined and a 1:2 glucofuranose: boronate model was suggested by the results obtained. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Well width‐dependent electron Raman scattering in ZnS/CdSe cylindrical quantum dot quantum well
Authors: Zhong Qing‐Hu , Liu Cui‐Hong 
Published: April 2008

AbstractElectron Raman scattering (ERS) is investigated in ZnS/CdSe cylindrical quantum dot quantum well (QDQW). The differential cross section (DCS) is calculated as a function of the scattering frequency and the sizes of QDQW. Single parabolic conduction and valence bands are assumed. Different scattering configurations are discussed and the selection rules for the processes are also studied. Singularities in the spectrum are found and interpreted. The ERS studied here can be used to provide direct information about the electron band structure of these systems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of irrigation level and harvest mechanization on virgin olive oil quality in a traditional rain‐fed ‘Souri’ olive orchard converted to irrigation
Authors: Dag Arnon , Ben‐Gal Alon , Yermiyahu Uri , Basheer Loai , Nir Yogev , Kerem Zohar 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Olive trees are generally grown under rain‐fed conditions. Since yield response to application of water in the growing season may be considerable, irrigation is increasingly introduced to existing, mature orchards. An additional feature of modernization of olive cultivation is mechanical harvesting. To investigate the effect of irrigation level on the quality of virgin olive oil (VOO) produced from cv. Souri, six regimes, ranging from deficit to excess, were applied to trees in a mature, traditional orchard as it was converted to irrigation. Furthermore, in order to investigate the effect of damage incurred during harvest, oil quality of hand‐picked fruit was compared to that of mechanically harvested olives.RESULTS: Data were collected from two consecutive growing seasons. Increased irrigation quantity increased the free acidity level of the oil and decreased the total phenol content of VOO, while the peroxide level of the oil was not affected. Oil of hand‐picked fruits had lower free acidity, higher polyphenol content and slightly lower peroxide level compared to the oil of mechanically harvested olives.CONCLUSION: Fruits from irrigated trees demonstrated an apparent sensitivity to mechanical wounding that subsequently led to increased free acidity, increased peroxide level and decreased total phenol content in oil. Management of irrigated orchards including method and timing of harvest and oil extraction techniques should consider these results in order to optimize production of high‐quality oil. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigation of interaction between human hemoglobin A0 and platinum anticancer drugs by capillary isoelectric focusing with whole column imaging detection
Authors: Lemma Tibebe , Mandal Rupasri , Li Xing‐Fang , Pawliszyn Janusz 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCIEF with whole column imaging detection (WCID) was used to investigate the interaction of platinum‐based anticancer drugs, cis‐platinum(II) diamine dichloride (cisplatin) and [SP‐4‐2‐{1R‐trans)]‐(1,2‐cyclohexanediamine‐N,N′)[ethanedioata(2–)‐O,O′]platinum (oxaliplatin), with human hemoglobin A0 (Hb). This technique facilitates the investigation and characterization of the formation of adducts between drugs and proteins. Cisplatin and oxaliplatin were mixed with the target protein at different concentrations (0:1, 1:1, 1:10, 1:50, and 1:100), and the reaction mixtures were incubated for 0, 0.5, 1, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h at 37°C in a water‐bath. The focused Hb–drug adduct profiles were imaged by WCID. At higher drug to protein molar ratios (for both oxaliplatin and cisplatin), the results exhibit significant changes in the peak shapes and heights, which may indicate the destabilization of the protein. However, the conformational change was less evident at lower molar ratios. In addition, a major pI shift was observed for the oxaliplatin reaction mixtures (for 1:10, 1:50, and 1:100 ratios). In comparison with previously reported findings obtained by other analytical methods, conclusions were drawn about the validity of CIEF as a simple and convenient method for the investigation of protein–drug interactions. These results may provide useful information for further understanding the activity and toxicity of these chemotherapeutic drugs and improving their clinical performance.
A Novel Route for Polystyrene Grafted Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes and their Characterization
Authors: Nayak Rati Ranjan , Shanmugharaj Andikkadu M. , Ryu Sung Hun 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA novel route to graft polystyrene from the surface of single walled carbon nanotubes has been discussed. Grafting of one styrene unit onto SWCNT sidewalls was successfully done by Friedel Craft acylation reaction using cheap and reusable ZnO catalyst. FT‐IR and Raman spectra and TGA show the effective grafting of styrene onto the SWCNT. End‐grafted polystyrene polymer was synthesized on the SWCNT surface by free radical polymerization. It is found that optimum monomer concentration, reaction temperature and time exist. NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopy confirm the grafting of polystyrene from the SWCNT surface. Little change in the nature of SWCNT is observed from Raman spectroscopy. Nanocomposite films prepared using polystyrene and functionalized carbon nanotubes exhibits low volume resistivity.magnified image
Fabrication of Light‐Guiding Core/Sheath Fibers by Coaxial Electrospinning
Authors: Kwak Giseop , Lee Ga Hyoung , Shim Shang‐hun , Yoon Keun‐Byoung 
Published: April 2008

AbstractLight‐guiding core/sheath fibers are fabricated from two different refractive index (RI) polymers by coaxial electrospinning. The morphology and fiber diameter are analyzed with scanning electron and fluorescence microscopies. It is found that the diameter of the core and the thickness of the sheath could be varied from 100 to 400 nm by changing the concentration of the outer solution. The incorporation of a chromophore into the inner material confirmed the uniformity of the core/sheath structure in long segments of the fibers. The boundary is clearly seen: the core diameter and the thickness of the sheath are constant along the fiber axis in fluorescence images. The ejected beam is circular and light‐guided along the fiber axis as in an optical fiber.magnified image
Preconditioned gradient flows for nonlinear eigenvalue problems and application to the Hartree‐Fock functional
Authors: Alouges François , Audouze Christophe 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn this article, we propose to solve numerically the problem of finding the smallest eigenvalues of a Hermitian operator (and the space spanned by the corresponding eigenvectors) by a gradient flow technique. This method is then applied to the Hartree‐Fock problem. Improvements are also proposed in two directions: preconditioning of the dynamical system and development of a specific flow that enables to compute directly the eigenvectors. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2009
Effects of organic modifications of clay on the ultraviolet‐curing behavior and structure of a polyester‐acrylate/clay nanocomposite system
Authors: Kim Yong Hoon , Kim Dae Su 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA pristine clay (Na+‐montmorillonite (MMT) and three different organoclays (20A‐MMT, vinylbenzyl dimethyldodecyl ammonium (VDA)‐MMT, and siloxane diamine ammonium (SDA)‐MMT) that originated from the pristine clay were used to prepare polyester‐acrylate (PEA)/clay nanocomposites by in situ ultraviolet (UV)‐curing. Except for the commercial organoclay (20A‐MMT), VDA‐MMT, and SDA‐MMT were prepared in this study by ion exchange method. The effects of organic modifications of the pristine clay on the UV‐curing behavior and structure of the nanocomposite system were investigated. The organic modifications of the clay affected considerably the UV‐curing behavior and structure of the nanocomposite system. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polylactide (PLA) designed with desired end‐use properties: 1. PLA compositions with low molecular weight ester‐like plasticizers and related performances
Authors: Murariu Marius , Da Silva Ferreira Amália , Alexandre Michaël , Dubois Philippe 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPolylactide (PLA) is an attractive candidate for replacing petrochemical polymers because it is biodegradable and produced from annually renewable resources. Characterized by high tensile strength, unfortunately the brittleness and rigidity of PLA limit its applicability. For a great number of applications such as packaging, fibers, films, etc., it is of high interest to formulate new grades with improved flexibility and better impact properties. In this objective, a specific PLA grade (L/D isomer ratio of 96:4, high molecular weight) was melt‐mixed with selected plasticizers: bis(2‐ethylhexyl) adipate (DOA), glyceryl triacetate (GTA), and tributyl O‐acetylcitrate (TBAC). Their effect on the molecular, thermal, and mechanical properties of PLA was investigated for content up to 20 wt% plasticizer and the results were correlated with a particular attention to the relationship between property and application. Using the solubility and interaction parameters, a tentative evaluation of the product that could act as the most effective plasticizer for PLA has been performed and the obtained results have been corroborated with the materials physical properties. Excellent mechanical performances were obtained using the plasticizer having the lowest molecular mass (GTA) and the best interaction parameter. In relation to plasticizer amount/nature, the glass transition temperature of PLA (62°C) is decreased by plasticizing by more than 30°C, whereas better impact properties and lower stiffness are measured. The optimal formulations targeted to the final applications are clearly characterized by specific end‐use properties: improved crystallization rates (PLA‐DOA); high elongation at break and tensile strength (PLA‐GTA, PLA‐TBAC), medium to high impact properties (PLA‐DOA, PLA‐GTA) compositions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.