bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cloning and characterization of E‐dlg, a novel splice variant of mouse homologue of the Drosophila discs large tumor suppressor binds preferentially to SAP102
Authors: Mao Peizhong , Tao Yuan‐Xiang , Fukaya Masahiro , Tao Feng , Li Dechun , Watanabe Masahiko , Johns Roger A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMembrane‐associated guanylate kinases (MAGUKs) act as scaffolds to coordinate signaling events through their multiple domains at the plasma membrane. The MAGUK SH3 domain is noncanonical and its function remains unclear. To identify potential binding partners of MAGUK SH3, the synapse‐associated protein 102 (SAP102) SH3 domain was used as bait in a yeast two‐hybrid screen of a mouse embryonic cDNA library. A mouse homologue of the Drosophila discs large tumor suppressor (Dlg, also known as SAP97) bound preferentially to SAP102 SH3. The 4347bp cDNA sequence encoded an 893 amino acid protein with 94% identity to mouse SAP97. A deleted region (33‐aa) strongly suggests this is a novel splice variant, which we call Embryonic‐dlg/SAP97 (E‐dlg). The interaction of SAP102 and E‐dlg was confirmed in mammalian cells. E‐dlg can also bind to potassium channel Kv1.4 in a pull‐down assay. E‐dlg was highly expressed in embryonic and some adult mouse tissues, such as brain, kidney, and ovary. Furthermore, in situ hybridization showed that E‐dlg was mostly expressed in olfactory bulb and cerebellum. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 60(10): 684–692, 2008
Caveolin‐1 promotes the transformation and anti‐apoptotic ability of mouse hepatoma cells
Authors: Wang Shujing , Jia Li , Zhou Huimin , Wang Xiaomin , Zhang Jianing 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCaveolin‐1 is a major structural protein of caveolae and plays important roles in signal transduction, cellular transformation and tumor metastasis. Our previous study demonstrated that caveolin‐1 expression level was positively correlated with the invasive ability of mouse hepatoma Hepa1‐6 and Hca‐F cells. However, the role of caveolin‐1 in cellular transformation and apoptosis remains undetermined. We found that exogenous expression of caveolin‐1 in Hepa1‐6 cells enhanced cell transformation capability both in vitro and in vivo and prevented actinomycin D‐induced apoptosis via the activation of survivin‐mediated survival pathway. Conversely, downregulation of caveolin‐1 in Hca‐F cells significantly attenuated cell transformation ability in vitro and in vivo and increased cell sensitivity to actinomycin D by inhibiting survivin‐mediated survival pathway. These results indicate that caveolin‐1 could play an active role in mediating the transformation and survival of mouse hepatoma cells and might be a potential target for gene and antitumor drugs therapy. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 60(10): 693–699, 2008
Extra‐nuclear signaling of estrogen receptors
Authors: Fu Xiao‐Dong , Simoncini Tommaso 
Published: July 2008

AbstractEstrogen controls multiple biological functions through binding to estrogen receptors (ERs). Traditionally, ERs have been regarded as transcription factors regulating the expression of target genes. However, growing evidence of rapid estrogen's actions in a number of tissues has been accumulating and alternative mechanisms of signal transduction have been proposed. These so called “extra‐nuclear actions” do not require gene expression or protein synthesis and are independent of the nuclear localization of ERs. Indeed, some of these actions are elicited by ERs residing at or near the plasma membrane. Membrane‐associated molecules such as ion channels, G proteins, the tyrosine kinase c‐Src as well as growth factor receptors are modulated by liganded ERs within the membrane, leading to the activation of downstream cascades such as mitogen‐activated protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3‐OH kinase, protein kinase A, and protein kinase C. These cascades mediate some important rapid actions of estrogen, such as the activation of nitric oxide synthesis or the remodeling of actin cytoskeleton. In addition, these pathways are critical for the regulation of the expression of a number of target proteins implicated in cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, movement, and homeostasis. In this manner, the extra‐nuclear pathways are tightly integrated with the genomic pathways to orchestrate the full spectrum of estrogen's biological functions. The recent advancements in the characterization of the molecular basis of the extra‐nuclear signaling of estrogen helps to understand the role of estrogen on human cells, and may in future turn out to be of relevance for clinical purposes. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 60(8): 502–510, 2008
Molecular characterization of nitrite reductase gene (aniA) and gene product in Neisseria meningitidis isolates: Is aniA essential for meningococcal survival?
Authors: Stefanelli Paola , Colotti Gianni , Neri Arianna , Salucci Maria Luisa , Miccoli Roberto , Di Leandro Luana , Ippoliti Rodolfo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe present study evaluates sequence conservation in the gene coding for nitrite reductase (aniA) and AniA expression from a panel of Neisseria meningitidis isolates. Sequence analysis of the coding region in 19 disease‐associated and 4 carrier strains notwithstanding a high degree of sequence similarity showed a number of nucleotide changes, some of which possibly resulted in premature translation termination or function loss. In particular, in one disease‐associated strain a 9‐residues insertion was found to be located close to the type I Cu‐site and a catalytic histidine at position 280 was mutated into a leucine. In two strains from carriers, a sequence corresponding to a portion of a transposase gene within the aniA was also found. The AniA protein was always expressed, except for these two carriers strains and for other two strains in which the presence of the premature stop codons was recognized. The biochemical properties of the cloned soluble domain of the enzyme (sAniA) from N. meningitidis reference MC58 strain and from a clinical invasive isolate were studied. In particular, biochemical analysis of sAniA from MC58 demonstrated a clear dependence of its catalytic activity upon acidification, while the clinical isolate‐derived sAniA was not functional. Thus, the results obtained suggest that the presence of a conserved and functional aniA gene is not essential for meningococcal survival. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 60(9): 629–636, 2008
Comparison of two extraction procedures for determination of drugs of abuse in human saliva by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Fernández P. , Morales L. , Vázquez C. , Lago M. , Bermejo A. M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHigh performance liquid chromatography in combination with diode array detection (HPLC‐DAD) was used to determine morphine, 6‐acetylmorphine, cocaine, benzoylecgonine, cocaethylene, methadone and 2‐ethylene‐1,5‐dimethyl‐3,3,‐diphenylpyrrolidine in human saliva. For comparison, samples were prepared by either liquid–liquid extraction in Toxitubes A® or microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE), by mixing 1 ml of saliva with 10 ml of chloroform and operating at 100 ˚C for 10 min. Acetonitrile and 0.02 m phosphate buffer at pH 6.5 were used as mobile phase in HPLC in gradient mode. The detector response was linear over the drug concentration range of 0.05–2.0 µg ml−1 in human saliva. The analytical method was validated by determining its precision and accuracy (n = 5), which were lower than 5% as relative standard deviation and 6% as relative error. Limits of detection ranged from 10 to 35 ng ml−1; mean recoveries of drugs were from 53 to 95% with Toxitubes A and from 83 to 100% with MAE at two different concentrations (0.1 and 1.0 µg ml−1). The proposed method was applied to 24 saliva samples from individuals poisoned with opiates and/or cocaine. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐aggregation of water‐soluble chitosan and solubilization of thymol as an antimicrobial agent
Authors: Hu Ying , Du Yumin , Wang Xiaoying , Feng Tao 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWater‐soluble chitosan (WCS) with five different molecular weights was synthesized by N‐acetylation of chitosan with acetic anhydride. Degree of deacetylation of sample was determined by potentiometric titration. The structure of WCS was characterized by FTIR, XRD, and gel permeation chromatography. The critical aggregation concentration (cac) of self‐aggregation was determined by measuring the fluorescence intensity of pyrene as a fluorescent probe and the surface tension. With the decrease of weight‐average molecular weight (Mw), the cac values of WCSs in aqueous media were 0.48, 0.41, 0.35, 0.16, and 0.06 mg/mL, respectively. The surface tension–concentration plots of WCS5 had more than one turning point. It showed WCS had tendency to form monomolecular micelles in the very dilute solutions. In addition, WCSs were evaluated for efficacy of nanoparticle formation, which can solubilize and carry thymol, a water‐insoluble antimicrobial agent. The diameter and morphology of thymol‐loaded WCS nanoparticles were characterized by Zeta size nano series and TEM. Mean diameters of these thymol‐loaded WCS nanoparticles in aqueous media were 189, 167, 134, 35, and 21 nm, respectively. TEM photographs exhibited the thymol‐loaded WCS nanoparticle as a bimolecular micelle. Furthermore, thymol‐loaded WCS nanoparticles had stronger antibacterial activity than thymol. With the decrease of the size, the thymol‐loaded nanoparticles showed a stronger antimicrobial effect on gram‐positive bacteria and fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration value of thymol‐loaded WCS5 nanoparticle against Staphyococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis was 0.00313–0.00157% (w/v). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Increasing cell adhesion on plasma deposited fluorocarbon coatings by changing the surface topography
Authors: Gristina Roberto , D'Aloia Erica , Senesi Giorgio S. , Milella Antonella , Nardulli Marina , Sardella Eloisa , Favia Pietro , d'Agostino Riccardo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn designing new biomaterials, it is of outstanding importance to consider how cells respond to specific chemical and topographical features on the material surface. The behavior of most cell types in vivo is strictly related to specific chemical and topographical cues that characterize the extra cellular environment. In particular, during their lives cells react to topographical patterns such as those of the extracellular matrix (ECM), of micro and/or nanometric dimensions. The production of micrometric and/or nanometric features on artificial materials usually involves expensive and time‐consuming methods of manufacturing, such as electron beam and colloidal lithography. In this article, different “Teflon‐like” structured surfaces were deposited from tetrafluoroethylene (C2F4)‐fed plasmas, for the study of cell adhesion and growth. The reaction of different cell lines to different topographical features was evaluated and compared with cell behavior on flat samples with the same chemical composition. Cell adhesion was calculated from area covered by cells at different time of culture. Beside this, cell proliferation was determined with the MTT test. Cell morphology and filopodia interaction with the nanofeatures were also estimated by optical and scanning electron microscopy. A dramatic difference both in adhesion and growth was found between cells seeded on flat and rough surfaces with the density and spreading of adhered cells varying as a function of the roughness of coatings. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Chitosan‐NAC nanoparticles as a vehicle for nasal absorption enhancement of insulin
Authors: Wang Xin , Zheng Chao , Wu Zhongming , Teng Dayong , Zhang Xinge , Wang Zhen , Li Chaoxing 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe purpose of this work was to investigate chitosan‐N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (chitosan‐NAC) nanoparticles as a potential carrier system for the nasal delivery of insulin. For the study, we used insulin‐loaded chitosan‐NAC nanoparticles (140–210 nm in diameter) prepared by in situ gelation with tripolyphosphate (TPP), with positive zeta potential values of +19.5–31.7 mV and insulin loading capacities of 13–42%. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were affected by the number of thiol groups present. Mucoadhesive properties, which were evaluated by measuring the in vitro absorbed mass of mucin, of chitosan‐NAC nanoparticles were >1.8‐fold that of unmodified chitosan nanoparticles. In aqueous solution, chitosan‐NAC nanoparticles exhibited fast swelling behavior. Insulin was released from chitosan‐NAC nanoparticles in vitro in an initial burst followed by slow release. Intranasal administration of chitosan‐NAC nanoparticles in rats enhanced the absorption of insulin by the nasal mucosa compared with unmodified chitosan nanoparticles and control insulin solution. In light of these observations, the novel thiolated chitosan nanoparticles represent a promising vehicle for nasal insulin administration. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
HPLC analysis of eluted monomers from two composite resins cured with LED and halogen curing lights
Authors: Tabatabaee Masumeh Hasani , Mahdavi Hosein , Zandi Shiller , Kharrazi M. J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis study investigated the leaching of monomers (Bis‐GMA and TEGDMA) from nano‐hybrid (Filtek Supreme) and flowable (Filtek Flow) dental composite resins cured with LED or conventional halogen curing lights, and immersed in saliva or water for 24 h. Nine disc specimens were made for each experimental group. After the polymerization process, the specimens were immersed in either water or saliva and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Eluted Bis‐GMA and TEGDMA monomers were detected using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The data were analyzed using three‐way ANOVA (p = 0.05) and the independent samples t test. TEGDMA (53.15–1 μg/L) was leached from the resins at a higher level than Bis‐GMA (28–0.5 μg/L) (p < 0.01), regardless of the affecting factors: composite type, solvent (media) and type of curing light. In general, Filtek Flow resin released more TEGDMA than Filtek Supreme (p < 0.05), but the Supreme resin released more Bis‐GMA than TEGDMA (p < 0.05). Halogen light induced greater monomer elution than LED light immersion in water. Saliva released more TEGDMA than water (p < 0.05). We conclude that (1) total leached TEGDMA was higher than total Bis‐GMA, (2) saliva and halogen light (lower intensity than LED) leached more monomers from the resins, and (3) the flowable composite resin leached more TEGDMA than the nano‐hybrid. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Twisted product of cocycles and factorization of semi‐regular relative difference sets
Authors: Chen Yu Qing 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn this article, we introduce what we call twisted Kronecker products of cocycles of finite groups and show that the twisted Kronecker product of two cocycles is a Hadamard cocycle if and only if the two cocycles themselves are Hadamard cocycles. This enables us to generalize some known results concerning products and factorizations of central semi‐regular relative difference sets. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 16: 431–441, 2008
Abductive inferences to psychological variables: Steiger's question and best explanations of psychopathy
Authors: Markus Keith A. , Hawes Samuel W. , Thasites Rula J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAbductive inference often involves inference to the best explanation. A focus on the bestness of explanations facilitates a comparative analysis of how abductive inference would differ if approached with four contrasting sets of assumptions about how scientific inference works: positivism, realism, and two kinds of pragmatism. As a thought experiment, one can imagine a situation in which competing models of psychopathy differ in parsimony and fit to the data, but produce a tie when considering both virtues in combination. The thought experiment demonstrates that Steiger's (1990) question about how best to combine competing virtues in scientific inference applies to abductive inference and that the answers depend upon other assumptions about how science works. The comparative analysis helps focus some of the issues that require clarification before abductive inference can enter the Pantheon of standard research methods in psychology. More constructively, the analysis also demonstrates that one need not accept scientific realism to accept and use abductive inference. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64:1–20, 2008.
In situ immunocytochemical detection of altered membrane composition induced by cell–cell contact in cultured mammalian cells
Authors: Du Wei , Cui Zheng , Tsui Zhao‐Chun , Chen Qirui , Willingham Mark C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn cultured mammalian cells, both normal and transformed, cell–cell contact was shown to alter the detergent extractability of nuclear and plasma membranes detected using immunocytochemistry of fixed cells. This alteration occurred in each cell individually, occurred in less than 1 hour after altered cell–cell contact, and did not involve new protein or mRNA synthesis. These results indicate that composition of cellular membranes is highly affected by cell–cell contact and culture density. This suggests a possible role for alterations in membrane composition in the regulation of normal cell behavior, including signaling of contact inhibition of growth and movement, behaviors that are not effectively regulated by cell–cell contact in malignantly transformed cells. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adaptive or maladaptive response to adenoviral adrenomedullin gene transfer is context‐dependent in the heart
Authors: Leskinen Hanna , Rauma‐Pinola Tanja , Szokodi István , Kerkelä Risto , Pikkarainen Sampsa , Uusimaa Paavo , Hautala Timo , Vuolteenaho Olli , Ruskoaho Heikki 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundAdrenomedullin (AM) is a potent vasodilator and natriuretic peptide produced in the heart, but controversy persists regarding its cardiac effects. We explored the potential role of AM on cardiac function and remodeling by direct recombinant adenoviral AM gene delivery into the anterior wall of the left ventricle (LV).MethodsAM was overexpressed in healthy rat hearts and in hearts during the remodeling process in response to pressure overload and myocardial infarction. The AM effects were analysed with echocardiography and in an isolated perfused rat heart preparation. The expression of AM and the activation of underlying signaling pathways were also investigated.ResultsAM mRNA increased by 20.9‐fold (p < 0.001) in healthy rat heart and improved fractional shortening by 14% (p < 0.05) and ejection fraction by 8% (p < 0.05). In isolated perfused hearts, an increase (p < 0.05) in the first derivative of isovolumic LV pressure rise (dP/dtmax) without alteration in diastolic properties was noted. The overexpression of AM activated protein kinase Cε and Cδ isoforms in the LV, whereas p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase activity decreased. Angiotensin II‐induced LV hypertrophy was significantly attenuated by AM (p < 0.01) without compromising cardiac contractility. By contrast, AM enhanced LV dilatation (p < 0.01) and anterior wall thinning (p < 0.001) and augmented the deterioration of LV function (p < 0.05) post‐infarction.ConclusionsThe results obtained in the present study show that AM overexpression improves LV systolic function without altering cardiac diastolic properties in the normal heart. Moreover, AM is a potent context‐dependent modulator of LV remodeling because it promotes an adaptive response in pressure overload‐induced LV hypertrophy and triggers a maladaptive process in post‐infarction remodeling. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical‐grade preparation of human natural regulatory T‐cells encoding the thymidine kinase suicide gene as a safety gene
Authors: Guillot‐Delost Maude , Cheraï Mustapha , Hamel Yamina , Rosenzwajg Michelle , Baillou Claude , Simonin Ghislaine , Leclercq Virginie , Mariotti‐Ferrandiz Maria Encarnita , Six Adrien , Bon‐Durand Véronique , Maury Sébastien , Salomon Benoit L. , Cohen José L. , Klatzmann David , Lemoine François M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundHuman CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ natural regulatory T‐cells (nTreg) have a great therapeutic potential for the induction of tolerance in allo‐transplanted patients or for the control of severe auto‐immune diseases. However, clinical‐grade production of nTreg remains difficult to achieve because of the absence of a truly specific surface marker and of their low frequency that implies a need for their ex vivo expansion. Furthermore, safety issues should be taken into consideration due to the risk of either uncontrolled nTreg‐induced immunosuppression or uncontrolled proliferation of autoreactive contaminating T‐cells particularly in an auto‐immune context.MethodsWe compared different clinical‐grade conditions for immuno‐magnetic selection and ex vivo expansion of nTreg. For safety, expanded cells were genetically modified with retroviral vectors co‐expressing human CD90 and HSV1 thymidine kinase. The CD90 surface marker and thymidine kinase allow for selection and elimination of transduced cells by ganciclovir, respectively.ResultsWe showed that (i) nTreg could be enriched in a one step using CD25 microbeads, were functionally suppressive and mainly FOXP3+; (ii) using anti‐CD28‐ and anti‐CD3‐coated beads, interleukin‐2 and rapamycin, nTreg were expanded 150–200‐fold after 3 weeks. Under these clinical‐grade conditions, they remained suppressive, and no major alteration of the TCR repertoire was observed; (iii) after efficient retroviral transduction and CD90 selection, nTreg maintained their suppressive activity; (iv) transduced nTreg could be eliminated by ganciclovir upon activation.ConclusionsThe efficient procedure reported here for the preparation of nTreg, whose safety has been ensured, is now applicable for further clinical trials. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The administration of an adenoviral thymidine kinase suicide gene to the uterine artery of rabbits does not affect fertility: a safety study of pregnant and nonpregnant rabbits and their offspring
Authors: Laurema Anniina , Riekkinen Mervi , Heikura Tommi , Vähäkangas Elisa , Manninen Hannu , Heinonen Seppo , Ylä‐Herttuala Seppo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundAdenoviral gene therapy, based on herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (AdvTK) is being developed for clinical use but no safety data are available with respect to the effects on female germ cells should the virus accidentally be released into systemic circulation. We studied the effects of AdvTK gene therapy on ovaries and germ cells in pregnant and nonpregnant rabbits and also the potential transmission of a transgene to offspring.MethodsTo mimic the severest of conditions, gene transfer was made by direct catheter‐mediated injection into the uterine artery of pregnant and nonpregnant rabbits. AdvTK or AdvLacZ at 1 × 1010 pfu were used for gene transfer. Ganciclovir was administered to AdvTK‐treated rabbits to induce gene therapy. The rabbits were mated 6 and 12 weeks following gene transfer and the surviving young (89 from a total of 114) were analysed.ResultsNo change in fertility was observed in the two matings after the gene transfer. In addition, no change was observed in ovarian histology between the AdvTK group, the AdvLacZ group and the nontreated controls. Southern blotting analysis showed no genomic integration of the transgene. However, in PCR analysis, transgene DNA was found in 9.3% of the litter samples. This was not the case for results from the reverse transcription‐PCR assay.ConclusionsAlthough AdvTK gene therapy may initially affect ovarian cells, the influence appears to be transient. However, after direct exposure of the ovarian cells in high concentration of adenoviruses, transmission of a transgene in the offspring cannot be excluded. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.