bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and biological evaluation of carbon‐11‐labeled acyclic and furo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives of bicyclic nucleoside analogues (BCNAs) for structure–brain uptake relationship study of BCNA tracers
Authors: Chitneni Satish K. , Balzarini Jan , Celen Sofie , Dyubankova Natalia , Verbruggen Alfons M. , Bormans Guy M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe reported earlier on radiolabeled alkoxyphenyl bicyclic nucleoside analogues (BCNAs) as potential positron emission tomography (PET) reporter probes for imaging of varicella zoster virus thymidine kinase (VZV‐tk) gene in vivo. Despite their favorable physicochemical properties, these tracers are not taken up in the brain in mice. In order to probe the role of the deoxyribose sugar moiety in blood‐brain barrier (BBB) penetration of these molecules, we have synthesized and evaluated a carbon‐11‐labeled acyclic bicyclic nucleoside derivative ([11C]‐10) where the 2′‐deoxyribose sugar is replaced with a (2‐hydroxyethoxy)methyl group and [11C]‐12, which has no sugar moiety but a [11C]methyl group on the N‐3 position of the pyrimidine ring. Methylation was achieved on the phenol ([11C]‐10) or the N‐3 position ([11C]‐12) using [11C]methyl triflate (radiosynthesis). The (non‐radioactive) acyclic O‐methyl derivative 10 has rather poor affinity for the enzyme VZV‐TK in vitro (IC50: 430 µM), compared with the moderate affinity of the BCNA‐base N‐methyl derivative 12 (IC50: 79 µM). In normal mice, none of the two tracers ([11C]‐10 or [11C]‐12) showed significant uptake in the brain, suggesting that compounds containing a furo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine system do not cross the BBB. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunohistochemical localization of a ubiquitin ligase HRD1 in murine brain
Authors: Omura Tomohiro , Kaneko Masayuki , Tabei Naoki , Okuma Yasunobu , Nomura Yasuyuki 
Published: February 2008

AbstractHRD1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and plays an important role in endoplasmic reticulum‐associated degradation (ERAD). Parkin‐associated endothelin receptor‐like receptor (Pael‐R) is a substrate of the E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin, which has been implicated in ER stress‐induced cell death in dopamine neurons in autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism (AR‐JP). Recently, we demonstrated that endogenous HRD1 interacts with Pael‐R, and that HRD1 promotes the degradation of Pael‐R and protects cell death caused by the accumulation of Pael‐R. Another group recently reported that HRD1 suppresses the toxicity of polyglutamine‐expanded huntingtin. However, the topographical localization of HRD1 protein in the brain, especially related to neurodegenerative disease, is unclear. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to investigate the topographical localization of HRD1 in the brain and demonstrated that HRD1 immunoreactivity was expressed widely in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) containing dopaminergic neurons and was expressed in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, dentate gyrus, striatum, globus pallidus, and Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex. Furthermore, HRD1 immunoreactivity was detected in the neuronal cells but not in the glial cells. These results suggest that HRD1 may play an important role in maintaining higher brain function, including motor function or learning and memory. In addition, HRD1 may have substrates other than Pael‐R that are implicated in neurodegenerative disorders. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
July droughts over Homogeneous Indian Monsoon region and Indian Ocean dipole during El Niño events
Authors: Ihara Chie , Kushnir Yochanan , Cane Mark A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe monthly summer monsoon rainfall over the Homogeneous Indian Monsoon region (HI) that represents most of the variance of all‐India monsoon rainfall is investigated using observational data from 1880 to 2002. Severe droughts in July occur mostly during El Niño events of the boreal summer monsoon season. They occurred frequently in the late 19th to early 20th century, rarely in the middle of the 20th century, and again occasionally occurred after the 1960s.During El Niño events, severe droughts in July over HI are significantly associated with smaller sea surface temperature‐ (SST) based Indian Ocean Dipole mode index (SSTDMI) in May and July compared to the years without these outstanding events. The evolution of SSTDMI that usually starts around May/June during El Niño events tends to delay when July precipitation over HI is abnormally low. Niño3 values from May through October are not significantly associated with severe droughts over HI in July during El Niño events indicating that the strength of El Niño events is not related to the occurrences of severe droughts in July. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
A pulsing electric field (PEF) increases human chondrocyte proliferation through a transduction pathway involving nitric oxide signaling
Authors: Fitzsimmons Robert J. , Gordon Stephen L. , Kronberg James , Ganey Timothy , Pilla Arthur A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA potential treatment modality for joint pain due to cartilage degradation is electromagnetic fields (EMF) that can be delivered, noninvasively, to chondrocytes buried within cartilage. A pulsed EMF in clinical use for recalcitrant bone fracture healing has been modified to be delivered as a pulsed electric field (PEF) through capacitive coupling. It was the objective of this study to determine whether the PEF signal could have a direct effect on chondrocytes in vitro. This study shows that a 30‐min PEF treatment can increase DNA content of chondrocyte monolayer by approximately 150% at 72 h poststimulus. Studies intended to explore the biological mechanism showed this PEF signal increased nitric oxide measured in culture medium and cGMP measured in cell extract within the 30‐min exposure period. Increasing calcium in the culture media or adding the calcium ionophore A23187, without PEF treatment, also significantly increased short‐term nitric oxide production. The inhibitor W7, which blocks calcium/calmodulin, prevented the PEF‐stimulated increase in both nitric oxide and cGMP. The inhibitor L‐NAME, which blocks nitric oxide synthase, prevented the PEF‐stimulated increase in nitric oxide, cGMP, and DNA content. An inhibitor of guanylate cyclase (LY83583) blocked the PEF‐stimulated increase in cGMP and DNA content. A nitric oxide donor, when present for only 30 min, increased DNA content 72 h later. Taken together, these results suggest the transduction pathway for PEF‐stimulated chondrocyte proliferation involves nitric oxide and the production of nitric oxide may be the result of a cascade that involves calcium, calmodulin, and cGMP production. © 2008 Orthopaedic Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:854–859, 2008
Early inflammatory response of knee ligaments to prolotherapy in a rat model
Authors: Jensen Kristina T. , Rabago David P. , Best Thomas M. , Patterson Jeffrey J. , Vanderby Ray 
Published: February 2008

AbstractProlotherapy is an alternative injection‐based therapy for chronic musculoskeletal pain. Three different proliferants, D‐glucose (dextrose), phenol‐glucose‐glycerine (P2G), and sodium morrhuate, used in prolotherapy are hypothesized to strengthen and reorganize chronically injured soft tissue and decrease pain through modulation of the inflammatory process. Our hypothesis is that commonly used prolotherapy solutions will induce inflammation (leukocyte and macrophage infiltration) in medial collateral ligaments (MCLs) compared to needlestick, saline injection, and no‐injection controls. MCLs of 84 Sprague‐ Dawley rats were injected one time at both the tibial and femoral insertions. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to determine the inflammatory response at three locations (tibial and femoral insertions and midsubstance) 6, 24, and 72 h after dextrose injection compared to saline‐ and no‐injection controls and collagenase (positive control) (n = 4). qPCR was used to analyze gene expression 24 h postinjection (n = 4). Sodium morrhuate, P2G, and needlestick control were also investigated after 24 h (n = 4). In general, inflammation (CD43+, ED1+, and ED2+ cells) increased after prolotherapy injection compared to no‐injection control but did not increase consistently compared to saline and needlestick control injections. This response varied by both location and proliferant. Inflammation was observed at 6 and 24 h postinjection but was resolved by 72 h compared to no‐injection controls (p < 0.05). CD43+ leukocytes and ED2+ macrophages increased compared to needlestick and saline‐injection control, respectively, 24 h postinjection (p < 0.05). Prolotherapy injections created an inflammatory response, but this response was variable and overall, not uniformly different from that caused by saline injections or needlestick procedures. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:816–823, 2008
Comparative assessment of soybean meal with high and low glucosinolate rapeseed–mustard cake as protein supplement on performance of growing crossbred calves
Authors: Ravichandiran S , Sharma Kusumakar , Dutta Narayan , Pattanaik Ashok K , Chauhan J S , Agnihotri Abha 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Feeding of high glucosinolate rapeseed–mustard cakes (RMCs) imparts adverse effects on dry matter (DM) intake, health and overall performance of animals. Recently, plant breeding efforts have resulted in many cultivars of RMCs containing low to moderate levels of glucosinolate in India. The feeding value of RMC cultivars with high and low glucosinolate was evaluated relative to commonly used soybean meal as a protein supplement in growing crossbred calves.RESULTS: Eighteen growing crossbred calves (62.9 ± 3.8 kg body weight) were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments SBM, LG and HG containing soybean meal, low glucosinolate B. napus (15 µmol glucosinolates g−1) and high glucosinolate B. juncea (135 µmol glucosinolates g−1), respectively. Although daily intake of total DM and wheat straw did not differ (P > 0.05) among the dietary treatments, intake (g/kgW0.75) of concentrate moiety decreased quadratically (P < 0.01) with increasing glucosinolate levels in diets. Nutrient digestibility and balances of N, Ca and P by calves were similar (P > 0.05) among dietary treatments. However, average daily gain (g) decreased and feed conversion ratio values increased quadratically (P < 0.05) with increasing glucosinolate levels. Serum metabolic profile and triiodothyronine remained within the normal range; however, thyroxine changed quadratically.CONCLUSION: The results suggested that while high glucosinolate RMCs may reduce the palatability and consequently growth rate in crossbred calves, SBM can be replaced completely by low glucosinolate rapeseed without compromising their performance. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Capillary electrophoresis enzyme immunoassay for alpha‐fetoprotein and thyroxine in human serum with electrochemical detection
Authors: Li Xue‐Mei , Zhang Fan , Zhang Shu‐Sheng 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA novel CE‐based enzyme immunoassay (CE‐EIA) method was developed in o‐aminophenol (OAP)‐H2O2‐horseradish peroxidase (HRP) system and applied to benign liver disease and hyperthyroidism research in the clinical practical field. In the presented method, after the enzyme immunoreaction, the HRP‐labeled antibody or HRP‐labeled antigen catalyzed the enzyme substrate OAP and H2O2. The product of the enzymatic catalysis reaction 2‐aminophenoxazine‐3‐one (AP) was determined using electrochemical detection on a Pt electrode at the outlet of the reaction capillary. Factors influencing the performance, including running buffer concentration, separation, and detection voltage, were investigated to the optimum conditions. Noncompetitive and competitive models were utilized to detect alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) and thyroxine (T4) in human sera, respectively. The linear ranges and the detection limits (S/N = 3) were from 1.5 to 66.6 ng/mL and 0.48 ng/mL for AFP, and from 1.7 to 260.0 ng/mL and 1.0 ng/mL for T4. The results of this method were linear proportional to those of spectrophotometric ELISA method, giving a good prospect for a new clinical diagnostic instrument.
Stereoselective quantitation of a serine protease inhibitor using LC‐MS/MS at elevated column temperature
Authors: Shen Jim X. , Merka Eric A. , Dreyer Daniel P. , Clement Robert P. , Hayes Roger N. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractA LC‐MS/MS method using a LC column packed with sub‐2 micron particles and elevated column temperatures was validated for the quantitation of SCH 503034 diastereomers (SCH 534128 and SCH 534129) in human plasma. The method was validated over the concentration range of 2.5 to 1250 ng/mL. Inter‐assay precision, based on percent relative deviation for n = 18 replicate quality controls, was 4.5% for SCH 534128 and 4.9% for SCH 534129. Inter‐assay accuracy based on n = 18 replicate quality controls was ±7.8% for both SCH 534128 and SCH 534129. The method involved the novel application of ion pairing reagents to increase the stereoselectivity of the separation. Temperature, types of ion pairing reagent, and concentration of ion pairing reagent were all found to play significant roles in the resolution of the SCH 534128 and SCH 534129 diastereomers on a LC column packed with sub‐2 micron particles. Specifically, a sensitivity increase of five‐fold was demonstrated by increasing the column temperature. Without sacrificing resolution, the run time was significantly shortened when the column temperature was elevated to 100°C.
Harmonization of biodiesel specifications
Authors: Alleman Teresa L. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWorldwide biodiesel production has grown dramatically over the last several years. Biodiesel standards vary across countries and regions, and there is a call for harmonization. For harmonization to become a reality, standards have to be adapted to cover all feedstocks. Additionally, all feedstocks cannot meet all specifications, so harmonization will require standards to either tighten or relax. For harmonization to succeed, the biodiesel market must be expanded with the alignment of test methods and specification limits, not contracted.
Dietary exposure to brominated flame retardants correlates with male blood levels in a selected group of Norwegians with a wide range of seafood consumption
Authors: Knutsen Helle K. , Kvalem Helen E. , Thomsen Cathrine , Frøshaug May , Haugen Margaretha , Becher Georg , Alexander Jan , Meltzer Helle M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis study investigates dietary exposure and serum levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in a group of Norwegians (n= 184) with a wide range of seafood consumption (4–455 g/day). Mean dietary exposure to Sum 5 PBDEs (1.5 ng/kg body weight/day) is among the highest reported. Since concentrations in foods were similar to those found elsewhere in Europe, this may be explained by high seafood consumption among Norwegians. Oily fish was the main dietary contributor both to Sum PBDEs and to the considerably lower HBCD intake (0.3 ng/kg body weight/day). Milk products appeared to contribute most to the BDE‐209 intake (1.4 ng/kg body weight/day). BDE‐209 and HBCD exposures are based on few food samples and need to be confirmed. Serum levels (mean Sum 7 PBDEs = 5.2 ng/g lipid) and congener patterns (BDE‐47 > BDE‐153 > BDE‐99) were comparable with other European reports. Correlations between individual congeners were higher for the calculated dietary exposure than for serum levels. Further, significant but weak correlations were found between dietary exposure and serum levels for Sum PBDEs, BDE‐47, and BDE‐28 in males. This indicates that other sources in addition to diet need to be addressed.
Determination of brominated flame retardants and brominated dioxins in fish collected from three regions of Japan
Authors: Ashizuka Yuki , Nakagawa Reiko , Hori Tsuguhide , Yasutake Daisuke , Tobiishi Kazuhiro , Sasaki Kumiko 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe concentrations of brominated dioxins which are polybrominated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins/polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDD/DFs) and mono‐bromo polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins/dibenzofurans, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were investigated in a total of 45 fish samples collected from three regions in Japan. In the brominated dioxins, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8‐heptabromodibenzofuran (HpBDF) was the most abundant congener, and it was found in seven fish samples at 0.10–25.6 pg/g wet weight (ww). The highest concentration of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8‐HpBDF was found in the pike eel. Regarding other congeners, 2,3,7,8‐tetrabromodibenzo‐p‐dioxin was detected in the sea bream at 0.02 pg/g ww, and 2,3,7,8‐tetrabromodibenzofuran was detected in the conger eel at 0.03 pg/g ww. 3‐Bromo‐2,7,8‐trichlorodibenzofuran was detected in the Sardinella zunasi and the conger eel at 0.01 pg/g ww and 0.02 pg/g ww, respectively. Using toxic equivalency factors of chlorinated dioxins, we calculated the PBDD/DFs concentrations of these fish samples at 0.001–0.256 pg TEQ/g ww. PBDEs were detected in all of the fish samples. The concentrations of total PBDEs were 0.01–2.88 ng/g ww. The seerfish and the yellowtail containd PBDEs in high concentrations. The most dominant congener in most of the fish was 2,2′,4,4′‐tetrabromo diphenyl ether. TBBPA was detected in 29 fish samples at 0.01–0.11 ng/g ww. The mean level of TBBPA was about one‐tenth or less of the total level of PBDEs. A good correlation was obtained between total PBDEs and fat content. On the other hand, no correlation was obtained between TBBPA and fat content. The daily intakes from fish were estimated to be 0.58 ng/kg body weight (bw)/day for total PBDEs, 0.03 ng/kg bw/day for TBBPA, and 0.01 pg TEQ/kg bw/day for brominated dioxins in the case assuming that the average bw of a Japanese adult person is 50 kg and that the average fish consumption is 82 g/day. For PBDEs, the provisionally calculated value was much less than the lowest observed adverse effect level value (1 mg/kg bw/day). For brominated dioxins, the daily intake was at a very low level compared with the Japanese daily intake of polychlorinated dioxins from fish. Even if the value of PBDD/DFs is added to the amount of chlorinated dioxin exposure, it was estimated that it is less than the tolerable daily intake (4 pg TEQ/kg bw/day) in Japan.
Brominated flame retardants in fish and shellfish – levels and contribution of fish consumption to dietary exposure of Dutch citizens to HBCD
Authors: van Leeuwen Stefan P. J. , de Boer Jacob 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn order to determine the contamination with brominated flame retardants (BFR) in fish regularly consumed by Dutch citizens, 44 samples of freshwater fish, marine fish, and shellfish were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), tetrabromobisphenol‐A (TBBP‐A) and its methylated derivative (me‐TBBP‐A), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), including its α‐, β‐ and γ‐diastereomers. The highest BFR concentrations were found in pike‐perch and eel from the highly industrialized and urbanized rivers Rhine and Meuse. The sum concentrations of BDE 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183, 209, and brominated biphenyl (BB) 153 and HBCD (selection based on The European Food Safety Authority monitoring recommendation) ranged from below quantification limits to 17 ng/g wet weight (ww) in marine fish and in freshwater fish from 0.6 ng/g ww in pike‐perch to 380 ng/g ww in eel. The BDE congener profile in all fish and shellfish samples is dominated by BDE 47, followed by BDE 99, except for eel in which BDE 100 is higher than BDE 99. BDE 209 was detected in two mussel samples, most likely due to BDE 209 contaminated particulate matter in their intestines. Total‐HBCD (as determined by GC/electron capture negative ion (ECNI)‐MS) was detected in 22 out of the 44 samples in concentrations between 0.20 ng/g in marine fish and 230 ng/g ww in eel. Three HBCD diastereomers were determined by HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS. α‐HBCD was the prevalent congener in most fish samples, followed by γ‐HBCD. β‐HBCD, TBBP‐A and me‐TBBP‐A were only detected in a few samples and at low concentrations. A considerable difference was found between HBCD results obtained from GC/ECNI‐MS and HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS: the GC/ECNI‐MS results were 4.4 times higher, according to regression analysis. There is hardly any data on human dietary exposure to HBCD available. We have estimated the fish‐related dietary exposure of HBCD for the average Dutch population. The medium bound intake was estimated at 8.3 ng/day for a 70‐kg person (0.12 ng/kg bodyweight/day). For this estimation, we relied mostly on HPLC/ESI‐MS/MS data as we argue that these results are more accurate than those obtained by GC/ECNI‐MS.
Characterization of a novel, testis‐specific equine serine/threonine kinase
Authors: Sabeur Khalida , Ball Barry A. , Corbin C. Jo , Conley Alan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractTestis‐specific protein kinases are important because of their potential role in spermiogenesis, sperm maturation, and sperm function. In the present study, a novel serine–threonine kinase with high identity to human serine–threonine kinase 31 (STK31) was cloned from equine testis and expression of the protein was characterized in equine testis and ejaculated spermatozoa. Five over‐lapping independent clones were plaque purified after screening of a λ ZAP cDNA expression library constructed from equine testis. Sequence analysis and alignment of all five clones showed high identity with human STK31 with approximately 200 bp of the equine N‐terminal sequence incomplete. The putative full‐length coding sequence of this testis specific equine cDNA was completed by amplification of a 200‐bp fragment using a human primer upstream of the reported translational start site with equine specific nested primers. Northern blot analysis using the equine STK31 cDNA detected an RNA transcript of ∼3.1 kb present in testis but not in other reproductive or somatic tissues. Immunolocalization of the protein in equine testis and spermatozoa demonstrated that STK31 was present in post‐meiotic germ cells with localization to the equatorial segment of testicular spermatozoa. Analysis of the domain structure of equine STK31 revealed a protein kinase domain along with a putative RNA‐binding region. The post‐meiotic expression of this protein along with its domain structure suggests that STK31 may have a role in reorganization of sperm chromatin during spermiogenesis. The cloning of this novel, testis‐specific equine STK provides a new tool to explore the role of kinases in sperm function. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 867–873, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.