bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infrared Spectroscopy in the Identification of Microorganisms
Authors: Wenning Mareike , Scherer Siegfried , Naumann Dieter 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
The use of mid‐infrared (mid‐IR) spectroscopy in microbiology is presently the best developed and most frequent application of biomedical Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. The fingerprint‐like patterns generated by the absorption of IR light by cell components are highly specific and can be exploited to differentiate and classify microorganisms according to their phenotype. Identification of microbes at the species level by comparison of spectra to reference databases is certainly the most common and important application. The high potential of the technique for identification purposes is evident and has been demonstrated many times. Beside this, the high specificity of IR spectroscopy allows subtyping of microbes below the species level with respect to serovar, genotype, or resistance to certain antibiotics or bacteriocins as well. New avenues of microbiological applications can be expected from FT‐IR microspectroscopy, the combination of microscopy and FT‐IR spectroscopy, whether it will be for the analysis of mixed populations or to speed up the identification process. Improved spectroscopic technology with higher spatial resolution and sensitive detectors made it possible to record high‐quality spectra from very small amounts of samples that can be obtained after only a few hours of incubation.
Head and Neck Cancer: A Clinical Overview, and Observations from Synchrotron‐sourced Mid‐infrared Spectroscopy Investigations
Authors: Fisher Sheila E. , Harris Andrew T. , Chalmers John M. , Tobin Mark J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractCancer represents one of the key challenges to healthcare. Improvements in diagnostic technology could have a profound impact on the experiences of patients. This chapter places vibrational spectroscopy in a clinical context, outlining the biological factors, terminology, and therapeutic strategies that are core to cancer management. We use head and neck cancer as a model because of its global nature and the fact that it forms a good model for generic cancer themes, having a full range of pathology from premalignant mucosal lesions through to highly aggressive cancers.The chapter divides into two sections, the first part giving a clinical overview and the second looking at the ways we have used the potential offered by vibrational spectroscopy to investigate areas of clinical need.
Preparation and characterization of magnetite/hydroxyapatite/chitosan nanocomposite by in situ compositing method
Authors: Cui Wei , Hu Qiaoling , Wu Jia , Li Baoqiang , Shen Jiacong 
Published: May 2008

AbstractChitosan is an important kind of biomaterial that is widely used in medical applications. One of the key concerns about its use is the preparation of composites used for bone engineering. Aim of this study concerns the preparation of three‐dimensional nanocomposites having potential use in bone repair and regeneration. The magnetite/hydroxyapatite/chitosan nanocomposites were prepared via in situ compositing method by preparing precursor solutions and molds with chitosan membrane. These nanocomposites were characterized by chemical, spectroscopic, magnetic, and morphological methods. X‐ray diffraction analysis results demonstrate the formation of magnetite and hydroxyapatite in the chitosan matrix. FTIR analysis indicates that inorganic nanoparticles were chemically bound to the amino and hydroxyl groups in CS molecules. From TG/DTA data, it can be concluded that during preparation raw materials were almost perfectly incorporated into the nanocomposites, and the decrease in decomposition temperatures indicates the formation of chemical bonds between inorganic nanoparticles and chitosan molecules. TEM results show that the maximum size of inorganic particles in the magnetite/hydroxyapatite/chitosan nanocomposites was under 50 nm, and these particles were dispersed homogeneously in the chitosan matrix. From the magnetic measurement, it could be concluded that the nanocomposites were superparamagnetic, which is also the peculiarity of nanomagnetites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
New melamine–formaldehyde–ketone polymers. V. Coatings from melamine and MEK‐based reactive solvents
Authors: Głowacz‐Czerwonka Dorota , Kucharski Mieczysław 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPreparation and curing conditions of melamine–formaldehyde–butanone coatings are described. The coatings were prepared from melamine solutions in reactive solvents. The latter were obtained from ethyl‐methyl ketone and formaldehyde reacted at different molar rations. Most of the coating had good appearance and good resistance against boiling water. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Direct Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Cysteine and Cystine Based on Nafion/Lead Oxide‐Manganese Oxide Combined Catalyst
Authors: Sudhakara Prasad Kariate , Muthuraman Govindan , Zen Jyh‐Myng 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis article reports direct electrocatalytic oxidation of cysteine (CySH) and cystine (CyS‐SCy) at an inexpensive Nafion/lead oxide‐manganese oxide combined catalyst in physiological pH. The synthesized lead oxide‐manganese oxide material is simply mixed with Nafion in the form of cast solution and modified on a disposable screen‐printed carbon electrode (designated as SPE/Nf‐PMO) for biosensing application. Electrochemical study with a standard redox couple of quinone/hydroquinone demonstrates an enhanced current response at the combined catalyst compared to its individual component. Surface characterization further provides information regarding the structural morphology of the catalyst to its catalytic performance. Direct electrocatalytic oxidation signals are observed at +0.75 and +1.20 V vs. Ag/AgCl for cysteine and cystine, respectively, at the SPE/Nf‐PMO. To extend the applicability, we further apply the proposed system for the detection of cysteine and cystine by flow injection analysis (FIA). Under optimized conditions, the detection limit (S/N=3) is 0.43 μM and 0.33 μM for cysteine and cystine, respectively.
Self‐Assembly of Platinum Nanoparticle/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Multilayer Film on Au Substrate Electrode
Authors: Shi Jin , Hu Yu‐Qi , Hua Yi‐Xin 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA novel approach to assemble multilayer films of Pt nanoparticle/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNTs) composites on Au substrate has been developed for the purpose of improving the methanol oxidation efficiency by providing high catalytic surface area. MWNTs were firstly functionalized with 4‐mercaptobenzene and then assembled on an Au substrate electrode. Pt nanoparticles were fabricated and attached to the surface of the functionalized MWNTs subsequently. Thus a layer of Pt/MWNT composites were assembled on the Au substrate electrode. Repeating above process can assemble different layers of film of Pt/MWNTs composites on the Au electrode. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the Au electrode modified with two layers of film of Pt/MWNT composites exhibits high catalytic ability and long‐term stability for methanol oxidation. The layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly technique provides an efficient strategy to construct complex nanostructure for improving the methanol oxidation efficiency by providing high catalytic surface area.
Mechanism of T cell tolerance induction by murine hepatic Kupffer cells
Authors: You Qiang , Cheng Linling , Kedl Ross M. , Ju Cynthia 
Published: May 2008

Abstract

The liver is known to favor the induction of immunological tolerance rather than immunity. Although Kupffer cells (KC) have been indicated to play a role in liver tolerance to allografts and soluble antigens, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. We hypothesized that KCs could promote immune tolerance by acting as incompetent antigen-presenting cells (APC), as well as actively suppressing T cell activation induced by other potent APCs. The expression of antigen presentation-related molecules by KCs was phenotyped by flow cytometry. The abilities of KCs to act as APCs and to suppress T cell activation induced by splenic dendritic cells (DC) were examined by

in vitro

proliferation assays using CD4+ OVA-TCR (ovalbumin T cell receptor) transgenic T cells. We found that, compared with DCs, KCs expressed significantly lower levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II, B7-1, B7-2, and CD40. This result is consistent with our observation that KCs were not as potent as DCs in eliciting OVA-specific T cell proliferation. However, KCs isolated from polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid–treated mice expressed significantly higher levels of MHC II and costimulatory molecules than did naïve KCs and could stimulate stronger T cell responses. More importantly, we found that KCs could inhibit DC-induced OVA-specific T cell activation. Further investigation of the underlying mechanism revealed that prostaglandins produced by KCs played an important role. The results ruled out the possible involvement of interleukin-10, nitric oxide, 2,3-dioxygenase, and transforming growth factor β in KC-mediated T cell suppression.

Conclusion:

Our data indicate that KCs are a tolerogenic APC population within the liver. These findings suggest that KCs may play a critical role in regulating immune reactions within the liver and contributing to liver-mediated systemic immune tolerance. (Hepatology 2008.)
Effective transduction by self‐complementary adeno‐associated viruses of human dendritic cells with no alteration of their natural characteristics
Authors: Shin Ohkyu , Kim Sung Jin , Lee Won Il , Kim Jee Yeon , Lee Heuiran 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundEffective gene delivery techniques are required to genetically manipulate dendritic cells (DCs). We therefore investigated the feasibility of using various self‐complementary recombinant adeno‐associated virus (scAAV) serotypes to deliver genes to human DCs.MethodsMonocytes isolated from healthy volunteers were differentiated to immature DCs (iDC) by incubation with interleukin (IL)‐4 and granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. The iDCs were transduced with scAAV1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 at various multiplicities of infection (MOIs). Transduction efficiency (TE), cell viability and functional characteristics of the transduced DCs were evaluated.ResultsTE of scAAV was three‐fold greater than TE of conventional recombinant adeno‐associated virus with a single‐stranded genome. The TEs of scAAV2, 5, and 6 were much higher than those of the other scAAVs; at 1000 MOI, the TEs were 22.2% ± 9.5%, 27.0% ± 8.8% and 28.4% ± 6.0%, respectively. Exposure of iDCs to 5000 MOI of these viruses increased their TEs, leading to the transduction of nearly the entire DC population. In addition, gene transfer by scAAV did not cause any cytotoxicity. Flow cytometric analysis of scAAV‐transduced DCs showed no changes in surface marker profiles. Moreover, transduced cells maintained their functional properties, as represented by active antigen uptake. These cells could efficiently differentiate into mature DCs, as shown by their release of IL‐12, the substantial loss of antigen‐uptake activity, and the ability of T‐cell stimulation.ConclusionsThese findings strongly indicate that scAAVs, especially subtypes 2, 5 and 6, hold a promising potential as gene delivery tools in human DCs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent developments in adeno‐associated virus vector technology
Authors: Büning Hildegard , Perabo Luca , Coutelle Oliver , Quadt‐Humme Sibille , Hallek Michael 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAdeno‐associated virus (AAV), a single‐stranded DNA parvovirus, is emerging as one of the leading gene therapy vectors owing to its nonpathogenicity and low immunogenicity, stability and the potential to integrate site‐specifically without known side‐effects. A portfolio of recombinant AAV vector types has been developed with the aim of optimizing efficiency, specificity and thereby also the safety of in vitro and in vivo gene transfer. More and more information is now becoming available about the mechanism of AAV/host cell interaction improving the efficacy of recombinant AAV vector (rAAV) mediated gene delivery. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the infectious biology of AAV, provides an overview of the latest developments in the field of AAV vector technology and discusses remaining challenges. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the development of efficient FDTD‐PML formulations for general dispersive media
Authors: Prokopidis Konstantinos P. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA novel implementation of the perfectly matched layer (PML) absorbing boundary condition (ABC) to terminate the finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) algorithm for general dispersive and negative index materials is presented. The proposed formulation also adopts the complex frequency‐shifted (CFS) approach, involves simple FDTD expressions and avoids complex arithmetic. Several FDTD‐PML simulations with different parameters are conducted for the termination of various dispersive media validating the stability, accuracy and effectiveness of the schemes and indicating the advantage of the CFS‐PML. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flammability reduction of flexible polyurethane foams via carbon nanofiber network formation
Authors: Zammarano Mauro , Krämer Roland H. , Harris Richard , Ohlemiller Thomas J. , Shields John R. , Rahatekar Sameer S. , Lacerda Silvia , Gilman Jeffrey W. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractUntreated polyurethane flexible foams (PUFs) are prone to rapid fire growth due to their low density and low thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the low viscosity of the decomposition products generates severe dripping that increases the fire hazard related to the combustion of PUFs. In fact, this downward flow of flaming liquid often results in a pool‐fire that promotes flame propagation and boosts the rate of heat release (HRR) due to a significant increase in the burning area and to feed‐back between the flame on the pool‐fire and the residual foam. In this work the effect of nanoparticles, i.e., clays and carbon nanofibers (CNFs), on the HRR is investigated with special attention given to melt dripping. A modified cone calorimeter test has been developed for this purpose. It is shown that CNFs form an entangled fiber network which eliminates melt dripping and decreases the HRR. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of human androgen receptor gene analysis to aid the diagnosis of JMML in female noonan syndrome patients
Authors: Lavin Viviana A. , Hamid Rizwan , Patterson Johnequia , Alford Catherine , Ho Richard , Yang Elizabeth 
Published: May 2008

AbstractNoonan syndrome (NS) patients are at increased risk for developing juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), an aggressive clonal disorder of aberrant cell proliferation. Many NS patients exhibit spontaneously remitting monocytosis and transient myeloproliferation. The distinction between bone marrow hyperproliferation due to germline mutation and leukemia resulting from clonal transformation can be difficult in NS patients. The GM‐CSF hypersensitivity assay, diagnostic of sporadic JMML, can be positive in NS patients at baseline. In this report, we demonstrate the utility of determining the clonal status of the monocyte population by the HUMARA assay in distinguishing JMML and benign myeloproliferation in female NS patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:298–302. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lumbar spinal fluid collections in children treated with intrathecal chemotherapy: Elevated CSF protein as a diagnostic clue
Authors: Almanjomi Fahd , Armstrong Derek , Abla Oussama , Naqvi Ahmed , Weitzman Sheila , Hitzler Johann 
Published: May 2008

AbstractSubdural fluid collections can interfere with the effective intrathecal administration of chemotherapy by lumbar puncture (LP). We detected this complication in six children who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and presented with an elevated protein concentration of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during routine LP. Contrary to expectation the lumbar fluid collections persisted in two cases and in one case required the insertion of an Ommaya reservoir to continue intrathecal chemotherapy. Awareness and detection of this complication by imaging is important because of its potential to interfere with effective CNS‐directed chemotherapy of ALL. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:295–298. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluating the compatibility of three colorimetric protein assays for two‐dimensional electrophoresis experiments
Authors: Kao Shao‐Hsuan , Wong Hin‐Kwan , Chiang Chia‐Ying , Chen Han‐Min 
Published: May 2008

AbstractTo evaluate compatibility of commonly used colorimetric protein assays for 2‐DE experiments, we investigated the interfering mechanisms of major 2‐DE component(s) in the Lowry‐based assay, the Bradford assay and the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay. It was found that some 2‐DE components did not directly interfere with the assays' color development reaction, but possibly influenced the quantitation results by interacting with proteins. Generally, simultaneous presence of 2‐DE components in the samples demonstrated a cooperative rather than additive interference. Interference by reductants in the Lowry‐based assay and the BCA assay were too prominent and could not be completely eliminated by either the reported alkylation procedure or the water dilution procedure. The Bradford assay however, presented a more suitable method for quantitating 2‐DE samples because it was less interfered by most 2‐DE components. Furthermore, despite slightly compromising protein solubility, utilization of reductant free 2‐DE sample buffers conferred application of the Lowry‐based and BCA assays in the 2‐DE experiments.
Proteomic and transcriptomic analysis for streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat pancreas in response to fungal polysaccharide treatments
Authors: Kim Sang Woo , Hwang Hye Jin , Baek Yu Mi , Lee Sung Hak , Hwang Hee Sun , Yun Jong Won 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIn an attempt to search for novel biomarkers for monitoring diabetes prognosis, we examined the influence of the hypoglycemic fungal extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) on the differential change in pancreatic proteome and transcriptome in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats using 2‐DE‐based protein mapping and oligonucleotide microarray analysis. The 2‐DE system separated more than 2000 individual spots, demonstrating that 34 proteins out of about 500 matched spots were differentially expressed. A total of 22 overexpressed and 12 underexpressed proteins in 2‐DE map were observed (p<0.05) between the healthy and diabetic rats, of which 26 spots were identified by PMF analysis. Of these, significant down regulation of carbonyl reductase (Cbr), hydroxymethylglutaryl‐CoA synthase (HMGCS), and putative human mitogen‐activated protein kinase activator with WD repeats‐binding protein (MAWDBP) in diabetic pancreas were reported for the first time in this study. When treated with EPS, all these four proteins were reverted to normal levels. The microarray analysis revealed that 96 out of 1272 genes were down‐ or up‐regulated in the diabetic rats and the altered transcript levels of many of these genes were reversed after EPS treatment. In particular, ROS generation in rat islets was significantly increased after STZ treatment, thereafter EPS treatment was likely to play a preventive role in β‐cell destruction mediated by STZ. Taken together, EPS may act as a potent regulator of gene expression for a wide variety of genes in diabetic rats, particularly in antioxidative stress, insulin biosynthesis, and cell proliferation.
Immobilization strategies for single‐chain antibody microarrays
Authors: Seurynck‐Servoss Shannon L. , Baird Cheryl L. , Miller Keith D. , Pefaur Noah B. , Gonzalez Rachel M. , Apiyo David O. , Engelmann Heather E. , Srivastava Sudhir , Kagan Jacob , Rodland Karin D. , Zangar Richard C. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractSandwich ELISA microarrays have great potential for validating disease biomarkers. Each ELISA relies on robust‐affinity reagents that retain activity when immobilized on a solid surface or when labeled for detection. Single‐chain antibodies (scFv) are affinity reagents that have greater potential for high‐throughput production than traditional IgG. Unfortunately, scFv are typically less active than IgG following immobilization on a solid surface and not always suitable for use in sandwich ELISAs. We therefore investigated different immobilization strategies and scFv constructs to determine a more robust strategy for using scFv as ELISA reagents. Two promising strategies emerged from these studies: (i) the precapture of epitope‐tagged scFv using an antiepitope antibody and (ii) the direct printing of a thioredoxin (TRX)/scFv fusion protein on glass slides. Both strategies improved the stability of immobilized scFv and increased the sensitivity of the scFv ELISA microarray assays, although the antiepitope precapture method introduced a risk of reagent transfer. Using the direct printing method, we show that scFv against prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) are highly specific when tested against 21 different IgG‐based assays. In addition, the scFv microarray PSA assay gave comparable quantitative results (R2 = 0.95) to a commercial 96‐well ELISA when tested using human serum samples. In addition, we find that TRX‐scFv fusions against epidermal growth factor and toxin X have good LOD. Overall, these results suggest that minor modifications of the scFv construct are sufficient to produce reagents that are suitable for use in multiplex assay systems.
Proteomic analysis of the chicken egg vitelline membrane
Authors: Mann Karlheinz 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe avian vitelline membrane (VM) is a multilayered proteinaceous structure separating egg white from yolk. The innermost layer of the VM, deposited onto the oocyte plasma membrane in the ovary, corresponds to the mammalian zona pellucida (ZP). The outer layer is produced in the infundibulum, the first section of the oviduct. Using high‐throughput, high‐end LC‐MSn 137 proteins were identified, only 13 of which were known previously to be components of the VM. Depending on the washing protocol, two largely overlapping, but not identical, sets of identified proteins were produced from water‐washed and salt‐washed VMs. Most of the components of the VM were known previously from other egg compartments, such as, for instance, the egg white proteins lysozyme C, ovalbumin, ovotransferrin, and ovomucin. Specific components of the VM not identified previously in other egg compartments included eight ZP proteins, oviductin protease, and two ATPases. The vitelline outer membrane protein (VMO) VMO II was identified as β‐defensin‐11. The list of VM proteins presented in this report is by far the most comprehensive dataset available at present and complements proteomic analyses of chicken egg compartments published previously.