bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulatory effects ofN-acetyl-l-cysteine on human eosinophil apoptosis
Authors: Martinez-Losa M. , Cortijo J. , Juan G. , Ramón M. , Sanz M. J. , Morcillo E. J. 
Published: May 2007

Eosinophils are oxidant-sensitive cells considered relevant in allergic inflammation. The present study aimed to examine the effects of the antioxidantN-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) on constitutive and cytokine-delayed apoptosis in human isolated eosinophils.Human eosinophils were purified from the blood of healthy donors by a magnetic separation system. Apoptosis and cellular glutathione were assessed by cytofluorometric analysis and nuclear factor (NF)-κB binding activity assessed by electrophoresis mobility shift assay.The rate of spontaneous apoptosis of human eosinophils after 24 h culture, as assessed by annexin-V-positive staining, was mean±sem 48.2±1.4%, n = 5. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF; 10 ng·mL−1) decreased apoptosis to 19.4±1.8%, n = 5. NAC (5 mM) inhibited spontaneous apoptosis (33.6±2.7%, n = 5) but augmented apoptosis in the presence of GM-CSF (30.9±1.5%, n = 5). NAC (5 mM) also increased the rate of apoptosis in the presence of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α (10 ng·mL−1) and interleukin-5 (5 ng·mL−1). NAC (5 mM) increased eosinophil glutathione content. The increase in eosinophil NF-κB binding activity induced by GM-CSF and TNF-α was suppressed by NAC.In conclusion,N-acetylcysteine modulates eosinophil apoptosis by inhibiting constitutive apoptosis but reversing the survival effect produced by inflammatory cytokines in human eosinophils.
Regulatory conservation of protein coding and microRNA genes in vertebrates: lessons from the opossum genome
Authors: Mahony Shaun , Corcoran David L , Feingold Eleanor , Benos Panayiotis V 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
Background
Being the first noneutherian mammal sequenced, Monodelphis domestica (opossum) offers great potential for enhancing our understanding of the evolutionary processes that take place in mammals. This study focuses on the evolutionary relationships between conservation of noncoding sequences, cis-regulatory elements, and biologic functions of regulated genes in opossum and eight vertebrate species.

Results
Analysis of 145 intergenic microRNA and all protein coding genes revealed that the upstream sequences of the former are up to twice as conserved as the latter among mammals, except in the first 500 base pairs, where the conservation is similar. Comparison of promoter conservation in 513 protein coding genes and related transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) showed that 41% of the known human TFBSs are located in the 6.7% of promoter regions that are conserved between human and opossum. Some core biologic processes exhibited significantly fewer conserved TFBSs in human-opossum comparisons, suggesting greater functional divergence. A new measure of efficiency in multigenome phylogenetic footprinting (base regulatory potential rate [BRPR]) shows that including human-opossum conservation increases specificity in finding human TFBSs.

Conclusion
Opossum facilitates better estimation of promoter conservation and TFBS turnover among mammals. The fact that substantial TFBS numbers are located in a small proportion of the human-opossum conserved sequences emphasizes the importance of marsupial genomes for phylogenetic footprinting-based motif discovery strategies. The BRPR measure is expected to help select genome combinations for optimal performance of these algorithms. Finally, although the etiology of the microRNA upstream increased conservation remains unknown, it is expected to have strong implications for our understanding of regulation of their expression.
A global view of gene expression in lithium and zinc treated sea urchin embryos: new components of gene regulatory networks
Authors: Poustka Albert J , Kühn Alexander , Groth Detlef , Weise Vesna , Yaguchi Shunsuke , Burke Robert D , Herwig Ralf , Lehrach Hans , Panopoulou Georgia 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
Background
The genome of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus has recently been sequenced because it is a major model system for the study of gene regulatory networks. Embryonic expression patterns for most genes are unknown, however.

Results
Using large-scale screens on arrays carrying 50% to 70% of all genes, we identified novel territory-specific markers. Our strategy was based on computational selection of genes that are differentially expressed in lithium-treated embryos, which form excess endomesoderm, and in zinc-treated embryos, in which endomesoderm specification is blocked. Whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) analysis of 700 genes indicates that the apical organ region is eliminated in lithium-treated embryos. Conversely, apical and specifically neural markers are expressed more broadly in zinc-treated embryos, whereas endomesoderm signaling is severely reduced. Strikingly, the number of serotonergic neurons is amplified by at least tenfold in zinc-treated embryos. WISH analysis further indicates that there is crosstalk between the Wnt (wingless int), Notch, and fibroblast growth factor signaling pathways in secondary mesoderm cell specification and differentiation, similar to signaling cascades that function during development of presomitic mesoderm in mouse embryogenesis. We provide differential expression data for more than 4,000 genes and WISH patterns of more than 250 genes, and more than 2,400 annotated WISH images.

Conclusion
Our work provides tissue-specific expression patterns for a large fraction of the sea urchin genes that have not yet been included in existing regulatory networks and await functional integration. Furthermore, we noted neuron-inducing activity of zinc on embryonic development; this is the first observation of such activity in any organism.
Adenosine A2a receptor-mediated, normoxic induction of HIF-1 through PKC and PI-3K-dependent pathways in macrophages
Authors: De Ponti Cristina , Carini Rita , Alchera Elisa , Nitti Maria Paola , Locati Massimo , Albano Emanuele , Cairo Gaetano , Tacchini Lorenza 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAdenosine released by cells in injurious or hypoxic environments has tissue-protecting and anti-inflammatory effects, which are also a result of modulation of macrophage functions, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production. As VEGF is a well-known target of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), we hypothesized that adenosine may activate HIF-1 directly. Our studies using subtype-specific adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists showed that by activating the A2A receptor, adenosine treatment induced HIF-1 DNA-binding activity, nuclear accumulation, and transactivation capacity in J774A.1 mouse macrophages. Increased HIF-1 levels were also found in adenosine-treated mouse peritoneal macrophages. The HIF-1 activation induced by the A2A receptor-specific agonist CGS21680 required the PI-3K and protein kinase C pathways but was not mediated by changes in iron levels. Investigation of the molecular basis of HIF-1 activation revealed the involvement of transcriptional and to a larger extent, translational mechanisms. HIF-1 induction triggered the expression of HIF-1 target genes involved in cell survival (aldolase, phosphoglycerate kinase) and VEGF but did not induce inflammation-related genes regulated by HIF-1, such as TNF-α or CXCR4. Our results show that the formation of adenosine and induction of HIF-1, two events which occur in response to hypoxia, are linked directly and suggest that HIF-1 activation through A2A receptors may contribute to the anti-inflammatory and tissue-protecting activity of adenosine.
Loss of Integrity of Thyroid Morphology and Function in Children Born to Mothers with Inadequately Treated Graves’ Disease
Authors: Kempers Marlies J. E. , van Trotsenburg A. S. Paul , van Rijn Rick R. , Smets Anne M. J. B. , Smit Bert J. , de Vijlder Jan J. M. , Vulsma Thomas 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
Context: Central congenital hypothyroidism (CH-C) in neonates born to mothers with inadequately treated Graves’ disease usually needs T4 supplementation. The thyroid and its regulatory system have not yet been extensively studied after T4 withdrawal, until we observed disintegrated thyroid glands in some patients.
Objective: The aim was to study the occurrence and pathogenesis of disintegrated thyroid glands in CH-C patients.
Design, Setting, Patients, Participants: Thyroid function was measured and thyroid ultrasound imaging was performed in 13 children with CH-C due to inadequately treated maternal Graves’ disease after T4-supplementation withdrawal (group Aa). In addition, thyroid ultrasound imaging was performed in six children with CH-C born to inadequately treated mothers with Graves’ disease, in whom T4 supplementation was not withdrawn yet (group Ab) or never initiated (group Ac), in six euthyroid children born to adequately treated mothers with Graves’ disease (group B), and in 10 T4-supplemented children with CH-C as part of multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (group C).
Main Outcome Measures: Thyroid function and aspect (volume, echogenicity, echotexture) were measured.
Results: In group A, five children had developed thyroidal hypothyroidism characterized by persistently elevated TSH concentrations and exaggerated TSH responses after TRH stimulation. In the majority of patients in groups A and C, thyroid echogenicity and volume were decreased, and echotexture was inhomogeneous. Thyroid ultrasound imaging was normal in group B children.
Conclusions: Inadequately treated maternal Graves’ disease not only may lead to CH-C but also carries an, until now, unrecognized risk of thyroid disintegration in the offspring as well. We speculate that insufficient TSH secretion due to excessive maternal-fetal thyroid hormone transfer inhibits physiological growth and development of the child’s thyroid.
Transient Scrotal Hyperthermia and Levonorgestrel Enhance Testosterone-Induced Spermatogenesis Suppression in Men through Increased Germ Cell Apoptosis
Authors: Wang Christina , Cui Yu-Gui , Wang Xing-Hai , Jia Yue , Sinha Hikim Amiya , Lue Yan-He , Tong Jian-Son , Qian Li-Xin , Sha Jia-Hao , Zhou Zuo-Min , Hull Laura , Leung Andrew , Swerdloff Ronald S. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractContext: In rodents and monkeys, a combination of hormonal and physical agents accelerates germ cell death.Objective: A “proof of concept” study was performed to investigate whether addition of heat exposure or a progestin to an androgen induces germ cell death and more complete and rapid spermatogenesis suppression.Design and Settings: A randomized clinical trial was performed at academic medical centers.Participants: We treated four groups of healthy male volunteers (18 per group) for 18 wk: 1) testosterone undecanoate (TU) 1000 mg im (first dose), followed by 500 mg im every 6 wk; 2) submersion of scrota at 43 C in water for 30 min/d for 6 consecutive days; 3) TU plus heat; and 4) TU plus oral levonorgestrel (LNG) 250 μg/d.Main Outcome Measures: Semen parameters, testicular histology, and germ cell apoptosis were the main outcome measures.Results: Heat alone and TU plus heat suppressed sperm counts more than TU alone by wk 6. By wk 9, recovery began in the heat only group, whereas spermatogenesis remained suppressed in the TU plus heat group. Oral LNG plus TU suppressed spermatogenesis earlier and more severely than TU alone. At wk 2, significantly greater germ cell apoptosis occurred in heat and heat plus TU subjects, but not in subjects without heat treatment, compared with pretreatment subjects. By 9 wk, markedly smaller seminiferous tubule diameters and fewer spermatocytes and spermatids were noted in all 12 biopsies from men receiving TU, TU plus LNG, with most dramatic differences for the TU plus heat group, whereas no differences from pretreatment biopsies were observed in men who received heat treatment only.Conclusions: Heat causes a rapid and transient suppression of spermatogenesis. TU plus heat resulted in low-sperm output that was maintained by continuous treatment with TU. Addition of an oral progestin accelerated spermatogenesis suppression by TU alone. Increased germ cell apoptosis contributed to suppression of spermatogenesis.
Sirtuin 1 Is Required for Antagonist-Induced Transcriptional Repression of Androgen-Responsive Genes by the Androgen Receptor
Authors: Dai Yan , Ngo Duyen , Forman Lora W. , Qin David C. , Jacob Johanna , Faller Douglas V. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAndrogen antagonists or androgen deprivation is a primary therapeutic modality for the treatment of prostate cancer. Invariably, however, the disease becomes progressive and unresponsive to androgen ablation therapy (hormone refractory). The molecular mechanisms by which the androgen antagonists inhibit prostate cancer proliferation are not fully defined. In this report, we demonstrate that sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide-dependent histone deacetylase (HDAC) linked to the regulation of longevity, is required for androgen antagonist-mediated transcriptional repression and growth suppression. Androgen antagonist-bound androgen receptor (AR) recruits SIRT1 and nuclear receptor corepressor to AR-responsive promoters and deacetylates histone H3 locally at the prostate-specific antigen promoter. Furthermore, SIRT1 down-regulation by small interfering RNA or by pharmacological means increased the sensitivity of androgen-responsive genes to androgen stimulation, enhanced the sensitivity of prostate cancer cell proliferative responses to androgens, and decreased the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to androgen antagonists. In this study, we demonstrate the ligand-dependent recruitment of a class III HDAC into a corepressor transcriptional complex and a necessary functional role for a class III HDAC as a transcriptional corepressor in AR antagonist-induced transcriptional repression. Collectively, these findings identify SIRT1 as a corepressor of AR and elucidate a new molecular pathway relevant to prostate cancer growth and approaches to therapy.
Mapping the Architecture of Secretin Receptors with Intramolecular Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Using Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter-Based Spectral Imaging
Authors: Lisenbee Cayle S. , Harikumar Kaleeckal G. , Miller Laurence J. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe molecular structure and agonist-induced conformational changes of class II G protein-coupled receptors are poorly understood. In this work, we developed and characterized a series of dual cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)-tagged and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)-tagged secretin receptor constructs for use in various functional and fluorescence analyses of receptor structural variants. CFP insertions within the first or second intracellular loop domains of this receptor were tolerated poorly or partially, respectively, in receptors tagged with a carboxyl-terminal yellow fluorescent protein that itself had no effect on secretin binding or cAMP production. A similar CFP insertion into the third intracellular loop resulted in a plasma membrane-localized receptor that bound secretin and signaled normally. This fully active third-loop variant exhibited a significant decrease in fluorescence resonance energy transfer signals that were recorded with an acousto-optic tunable filter microscope after exposure to secretin agonist but not to a receptor antagonist. These data demonstrate changes in the relative positions of intracellular structures that support a model for secretin receptor activation.
The Arabian Nights, Arab-European Literary Influence, and the Lineages of the Novel
Authors: Johnson Rebecca Carol , Maxwell Richard , Trumpener Katie 
Published: May 2007

Rebecca Carol Johnson is a doctoral candidate in comparative literature at Yale University. Her research focuses on the development of Arabic and European novels as an inquiry into the global circulation of form. Her interests also include the poetics, politics, and practice of translation. Her translation of Sinan Antoon's novel, I'jaam: An Iraqi Rhapsody, is forthcoming.
Richard Maxwell teaches comparative literature at Yale University. He is author of The Mysteries of Paris and London (1992) and editor of The Victorian Illustrated Book (2002), Charles Dickens's Tale of Two Cities (2003), and, with Katie Trumpener, The Cambridge Companion to Fiction of the Romantic Period (forthcoming). He is working on a study of historical fiction from 1660 to the present. His essay “Pretenders in Sanctuary” appeared in the June 2000 issue of MLQ.
Katie Trumpener is professor of comparative literature and English at Yale University. Her first book, Bardic Nationalism: The Romantic Novel and the British Empire (1997), surveys the novel's rise in Ireland, Scotland, and the early British Empire. A forthcoming book compares the East and West German cinemas. Her current book project is a comparative study of European modernism.
Induced Amnesia for Distressing Information in a Nonclinical Sample
Authors: Moulds Michelle L. , Bryant Richard A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractDissociative reactions during and subsequent to traumatic events are theorised to result in memory deficits for trauma-related information. This study investigated the interaction between induced amnesia and dissociative reactions. Participants (N = 29) were presented with a word list, a series of disfigured or neutral faces and a second word list, followed by free recall and recognition tasks. Participants presented with disfigured faces recalled fewer words from the postimage list in the free recall task than those presented with neutral faces; however, there were no between-group differences for recognition. No relationship was observed between dissociative tendencies and memory performance. Trait dissociation was unrelated to induced amnesia effects. Findings are interpreted in terms of impaired consolidation of information following encoding of distressing information. Implications of the results for the clinical management of traumatized individuals are considered.
Role of diffusion processes in a model reaction of reesterification
Authors: Naphadzokova L. K. , Kozlov G. V. , Zaikov G. E. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA model of diffusion processes for chemical reactions is shown to describe well the main characteristics of a model reaction of reesterification. The structure of the reaction product (a heptylbenzoate molecule) and the formation of its parts are the main factors controlling the diffusion processes in this case. The processes are described within the framework of strange (anomalous) diffusion. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Metal ion interaction of water‐soluble copolymers containing carboxylic acid groups in aqueous phase by membrane filtration technique
Authors: Pizarro Guadalupe Del C. , Marambio Oscar G. , Jeria‐Orell Manuel , Huerta Margarita R. , Rodríguez Oscar O. , Rivas Bernabé L. , Geckeler Kurt E. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThis article reports the synthesis of poly(N‐maleoylglycine‐co‐itaconic acid) by radical copolymerization under different feed mole ratios and its properties to remove various metal ions, such as Cu(II), Cr(III), Co(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and Fe(III), in aqueous phase with the liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention(LPR) technique. The interactions of inorganic ions with the hydrophilic water‐soluble polymer were determined as a function of pH and filtration factor. Metal ion retention was found to strongly depend on the pH. Metal ion retention increased as pH and MG content units in the macromolecular backbone increased. The copolymers were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, intrinsic viscosity, molecular weight, and polydispersity have been determined for the copolymers. Copolymer and polymer–metal complex thermal behavior was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) techniques under nitrogen atmosphere. The thermal decomposition temperatures (TDT) were influenced by the copolymer composition. The copolymers present lower TDT than the polymer–metal complex with the same copolymer composition. All copolymers present a single Tg, indicating the formation of random copolymers. A slight deviation of the Tg for the copolymers and its complexes can be observed. The copolymer Tg is higher than the Tg value for the polymer–metal complexes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Preparation of calcium carbonate/poly(methyl methacrylate) composite microspheres by soapless emulsion polymerization
Authors: Ma Xiaokun , Zhou Bing , Sheng Ye , Wang Chengyu , Pan Yan , Ma Shanshan , Gao Ye , Wang Zichen 
Published: May 2007

AbstractCalcium carbonate (CaCO3)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composite microspheres were synthesized in a soapless emulsion polymerization process. CaCO3 nanoparticles were pretreated with oleic acid to improve the compatibility between CaCO3 and the monomer methyl methacrylate, and this effectively enhanced the mass fraction of CaCO3 in the composite. The results of the thermogravimetric analysis showed that the thermal stability of the composite microspheres was better than that of PMMA. X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared were applied to investigate the chemical and physical properties of the composite microspheres, and the results proved that the composites were composed of CaCO3 and PMMA. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy pictures showed that the morphology of the composite microspheres was uniform, and the CaCO3 nanoparticles could be well dispersed in the polymeric matrix. The soapless emulsion polymerization process effectively increased the filling amount of CaCO3 in the composite microspheres. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Evolution of direct‐developing larvae: selection vs loss
Authors: Smith Margaret Snoke , Zigler Kirk S. , Raff Rudolf A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObservations of a sea urchin larvae show that most species adopt one of two life history strategies. One strategy is to make numerous small eggs, which develop into a larva with a required feeding period in the water column before metamorphosis. In contrast, the second strategy is to make fewer large eggs with a larva that does not feed, which reduces the time to metamorphosis and thus the time spent in the water column. The larvae associated with each strategy have distinct morphologies and developmental processes that reflect their feeding requirements, so that those that feed exhibit indirect development with a complex larva, and those that do not feed form a morphologically simplified larva and exhibit direct development. Phylogenetic studies show that, in sea urchins, a feeding larva, the pluteus, is the ancestral form and the morphologically simplified direct‐developing larva is derived. The current hypothesis for evolution of the direct‐developing larval form in sea urchins suggests that major developmental changes occur by neutral loss of larval features after the crucial transition to a nonfeeding life history strategy. We present evidence from Clypeaster rosaceus, a sea urchin with a life history intermediate to the two strategies, which indicates that major developmental changes for accelerated development have been selected for in a larva that can still feed and maintains an outward, pluteus morphology. We suggest that transformation of larval form has resulted from strong selection on early initiation and acceleration of adult development. BioEssays 29:566–571, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Magic Character of Al6Au‐.
Authors: Kimble Michele L. , Castleman Albert W. Jr. , Reveles Jose U. , Khanna Shiv N. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
Crystal Structure of the TmAgTe2 Compound.
Authors: Gulay L. D. , Stepien‐Damm J. , Daszkiewicz M. , Pietraszko A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.