bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Receptors, Chemistry of
Authors: Campbell Lioudmila A. , Ingraham Holly A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractNuclear hormone receptors are integral players in endocrine networks that lie at the interface between biology and chemistry. Unlike most other classes of transcription factors, these proteins are designed uniquely to bind small molecules and, thus, affect gene expression in response to the cellular and organismal chemical environment. After several decades of research, it is now appreciated that nuclear receptors bind very diverse lipophilic small molecules with a wide range of specificity and affinities. Recent nuclear receptor structures coupled with large‐scale screening efforts challenge the dogma that all nuclear receptors, especially the large subset of constitutively active receptors, will have ligands and will represent tractable drug targets. As such, the “pharmacologic future” for such orphan nuclear receptors may reside outside of the ligand‐binding pocket.
Passive Diffusion Across Membranes
Authors: Brandl Martin , Eide Flaten Gøril , Bauer‐Brandl Annette 
Published: March 2008

Abstract

This article deals with the passive transport of electrolytes, water, and small organic molecules across biologic membranes (cell membranes and membranes that confine cellular compartments). Passive transport may be classified into diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and bulk flow. The focus in the current article is on simple diffusion, a process described by the random movement of solutes that results in the net transport (flux) along a concentration gradient. This process, at first, may be described by the first law of Fick. More detailed models take into account the partitioning of solutes between the aqueous media and the barrier itself, as well as the flux resistance that arises from water layers adherent to the barrier, which results in the second law of Fick. The actual extent of the diffusion of molecules across biologic membranes is caused by the interaction between the composition and the structural arrangement of the membrane and by the physico‐chemical characteristics of the permeant. For the sake of simplification, the primary structural element of a biomembrane, which is a phospholipid bilayer, can be considered a continuous, lipophilic phase between two aqueous compartments. Commonly used permeability screening approaches include
in silico
modeling, liposome‐based experimental models, cell culture models, and
in situ
perfusion.
Glycosphingolipids, Chemistry of
Authors: Lingwood Clifford A. , Abram Richard , Mylvaganum Murugesapillai 
Published: March 2008

AbstractEukaryotic cell glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are central components of membrane lipid microdomains that function as trans plasmamembrane signaling foci. GSLs serve as important receptors and coreceptors, primarily to mediate host/microbial pathogen interactions, and undergo unique intracellular trafficking pathways. As such, their chemical modification can generate interventive therapeutic strategies and biologic probes. The process of achieving such goals via chemistry of the carbohydrate is in its infancy, but substitution within the lipid moiety has been used extensively. A consideration of the importance of the lipid moiety in GSL function has led to novel chemical approaches that attempt to retain this property.
Quorum Sensing
Authors: Singh Pratibha , Igarashi Jun , Suga Hiroaki 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Bacterial pathogenesis can cost in terms of loss of man‐hours, loss of livestock, and damage to cash crops. Quorum sensing (QS) is a mechanism by which bacteria regulate the expression of their virulence factors and the resultant pathogenicity. It presents itself as an attractive target for the design of small‐molecule inhibitors. An added advantage of targeting QS is that it does not threaten the viability of the bacteria as opposed to the traditional antibacterial agents. Thus, when compared with the traditional antibacterial agents, these small‐molecule inhibitors promise to maintain their efficacy over a longer period of time. In this article, the mechanism of bacterial QS systems will be discussed along with a survey of the small molecules/strategies designed to combat them.
An experimental study of nettle feeding in captive gorillas
Authors: Tennie Claudio , Hedwig Daniela , Call Josep , Tomasello Michael 
Published: March 2008

AbstractMountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in Karisoke, Rwanda, feed on the stinging nettle Laportea alatipes by means of elaborate processing skills. Byrne [e.g. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series B, Biological Sciences 358:529–536, 2003] has claimed that individuals acquire these skills by means of the so‐called program‐level imitation, in which the overall sequence of problem‐solving steps (not the precise actions) is reproduced. In this study we present western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with highly similar nettles. Twelve gorillas in three different groups (including also one nettle‐naïve gorilla) used the same program‐level technique as wild mountain gorillas (with differences mainly on the action level). Chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos did not show these program‐level patterns, nor did the gorillas when presented with a plant similar in structural design but lacking stinging defenses. We conclude that although certain aspects (i.e. single actions) of this complex skill may be owing to social learning, at the program level gorilla nettle feeding derives mostly from genetic predispositions and individual learning of plant affordances. Am. J. Primatol. 70:584–593, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treponema denticola Msp‐deduced peptide conjugate, P34BSA, promotes RhoA‐dependent actin stress fiber formation independent of its internalization by fibroblasts
Authors: Amin Mohsen , Magnusson Karl‐Eric , Kapus András , Glogauer Michael , Ellen Richard P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractP34BSA, a BSA conjugate of a synthetic 10‐mer peptide deduced from Treponema denticola major outer sheath protein (Msp), stabilizes actin filaments in fibroblasts and retards cell motility. We reported previously that it is internalized by cells, binds and bundles actin filaments in vitro, and activates RhoA; yet, its site and mechanism of action were not defined. We have assessed P34BSA's modes of interaction with and signaling to fibroblasts. At 4°C, P34BSA was not internalized, but it bound to the plasma membrane and promoted actin stress fiber formation at ∼80% capacity compared with 37°C controls, casting doubt that cellular uptake is a critical step for its cytoskeleton‐stabilizing property. In Rho G‐LISA™ and co‐immunoprecipitation assays, P34BSA was found to activate RhoA, even at 4°C, to promote its interaction with guanosine nucleotide exchange factor p114RhoGEF. It also caused phosphorylation of cofilin. Upon RhoA inhibition, either by C3 transferase RhoA inhibitor or by transfection with a dominant negative RhoA construct, P34BSA did not achieve the stress fiber formation seen with P34BSA alone. By inhibiting phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI 3‐K) with LY294002, the P34BSA effects were completely blocked. Depletion of cholesterol with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) partially inhibited P34BSA signaling via the plasma membrane to the cytoskeleton. This suggests that multivalent P34BSA activation of lipid raft components requires active PI 3‐K, and initiates the pathway through a RhoGEF and RhoA, which mediates stress fiber formation in fibroblasts. Hence, P34BSA may represent a novel tool to investigate RhoA‐dependent processes, such as remodeling filamentous actin in eukaryotic cells. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diffusion of surgical innovation among patients with kidney cancer
Authors: Miller David C. , Saigal Christopher S. , Banerjee Mousumi , Hanley Jan , Litwin Mark S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUNDDespite their potential benefits to patients with kidney cancer, the adoption of partial nephrectomy and laparoscopy has been gradual and asymmetric. To clarify whether this trend reflects differences in kidney cancer patients or differences in surgeon practice styles, the authors compared the magnitude of surgeon‐attributable variance in the use of partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic radical nephrectomy with that attributable to patient and tumor characteristics.METHODSBy using linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare data, the authors identified a cohort of 5483 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent surgery for kidney cancer between 1997 and 2002. Two primary outcomes were defined: 1) the use of partial nephrectomy and (2) the use of laparoscopy among patients undergoing radical nephrectomy. By using multilevel models, surgeon‐ and patient‐level contributions to observed variations in the use of partial nephrectomy and laparoscopic radical nephrectomy were estimated.RESULTSOf the 5483 cases identified, 611 (11.1%) underwent partial nephrectomy (43 performed laparoscopically), and 4872 (88.9%) underwent radical nephrectomy (515 performed laparoscopically). After adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidity, tumor size, and surgeon volume, the surgeon‐attributable variance was 18.1% for partial nephrectomy and 37.4% for laparoscopy. For both outcomes, the percentage of total variance attributable to surgeon factors was consistently higher than that attributable to patient characteristics.CONCLUSIONSFor many patients with kidney cancer, the surgery provided depends more on their surgeon's practice style than on the characteristics of the patient and his or her disease. Consequently, dismantling barriers to surgeon adoption of partial nephrectomy and laparoscopy is an important step toward improving the quality of care for patients with early‐stage kidney cancer. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Association between cholesteryl ester transfer protein Taq1B polymorphism with lipid levels in primary hyperlipidemic patients
Authors: Ghasabeh Taghi Hassanzadeh , Firoozrai Mohsen , Zonouz Abdolvahhab Ehsani , Paoli Max 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPrimary hyperlipidemia, characterized by hypertriacylglycerolemia and/or hypercholesterolemia, is considered to be one of the most important risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. This study was performed by using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. We measured lipids and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity in primary hyperlipidemic and normolipidemic subjects, with and without Taq1B polymorphism. Genotype distribution and allelic frequencies of polymorphism were determined and compared in both groups. Our results showed that plasma CETP activity was significantly higher in primary hyperlipidemia than in controls (p = 0.001). Plasma lipids were also remarkably increased in primary hyperlipidemic subjects. In both patient and control groups, individuals with B1B1 and B1B2 genotypes had higher plasma CETP activity, lower total cholesterol, lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher triacylglycerol than those with the B2B2 genotype. The values of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly increased in primary hyperlipidemic patients with the B2B2 genotype. The genotype and allelic frequencies for this polymorphism differed significantly between primary hyperlipidemic patients and controls (p = 0.022 and p = 0.039, respectively). Taq1B polymorphism of the CETP gene was associated with changes in lipid profile and plasma CETP activity in the selected population.
Alkaline neutralization of crude soybean oil by various adsorbents
Authors: Kuleasan Sukran , Tekin Aziz 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe effect of sodium hydroxide in neutralization was increased by using various adsorbents. NaOH in various concentrations was attached to the particles of Kieselguhr, Celite and Bentonite. The neutralization reaction was performed at ambient temperature, and different reaction times were applied. The soap formed after reaction was removed by centrifugation; thus, washing and drying steps were omitted. The amount of remaining soap, the acidity and color of oils were determined after each treatment. According to the results, free fatty acid neutralization in crude oil was achieved by Kieselguhr application. In this process, 9.5% NaOH was applied for 60 min of reaction time. The free fatty acid content of crude oil was decreased from 0.56 to 0.14%, and the remaining soap was found at 34 mg/kg after centrifugation. The use of adsorbents increased the efficiency of NaOH in the neutralization reaction and in the removal of soap from the neutralized oil. Neutralization with support material is a new and promising approach. The application is energy saving, more practical and in accordance with the strict environmental legislation about waste disposal.
Regioselective Addition of Allylindium Reagents to Allenes in Functionalized 1,6‐Diols Bearing Allenynes
Authors: Kim Sundae , Ho Lee Phil 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAddition reactions of allylindium reagents generated in situ from indium and allyl halides to functionalized allenyne 1,6‐diols proceeded regioselectively through anti‐Markovnikov addition to produce exclusively dienyne 1,6‐diols in good yields in THF at 70 °C. In the case of 3‐bromo‐2‐methylpropene, lithium iodide was used as an additive. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Undergraduate intentions to apply to the Northern Ireland Civil Service: the application of a theory of planned behaviour model
Authors: Cammock Tommy , Carragher Natacha , Prentice Garry 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe modern literature regarding the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) supports the distinction between self‐efficacy (SE) and perceived behavioural control (PBC, Ajzen, 2002). This study compared an extended TPB model (ETPB), incorporating a measure of SE, against the more traditional theory of reasoned action (TRA) and TPB models. In the historically recent context of fair participation and equal opportunity legislation, undergraduate behavioural intentions to apply to the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) for employment were explored in terms of: model superiority; the underlying motivational and belief determinants; religious and gender differences. Using structural equation modelling techniques, the overall ETPB model: provided a better fit than either the TRA or TPB variants; exhibited no religion or gender differences, paralleling current NICS employment profile data (EOU, 2002, 2003); and, accounted for 60% of the variance in behavioural intentions. Notwithstanding concerns regarding TPB construct measurement issues, these results provide additional empirical evidence in support of the SE and PBC distinction, and the incorporation of the former within the TPB model. However, descriptive analyses of the underlying motivational and belief determinants of intentions indicated that the students were unimpressed with several perceived NICS employment outcomes and indifferent in their intentions to apply. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrochemical Oxidation of Guanosine and Xanthosine at Physiological pH: Further Evidences of a Convergent Mechanism for the Oxidation of Purine Nucleosides
Authors: González‐Fernández Eva , de‐los‐Santos‐Álvarez Noemí , Lobo‐Castañón María Jesús , Miranda‐Ordieres Arturo J. , Tuñón‐Blanco Paulino 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe electrochemical oxidation of guanosine and xanthosine, which only differ in the presence of an oxygen atom at C2 position instead of an amine group, is studied on pyrolytic graphite electrodes at different electrolysis time scales in solutions of physiological pH. The oxidation products adsorbed on the electrode surface were electrochemical characterized in terms of variation of the formal potential with pH and catalytic activity towards the oxidation of NADH. The results were compared with those previously described for the oxidation of guanosine and adenosine in alkaline solutions. A common oxidation product is described, the oxidized form of 9‐β‐D‐ribofuranosyluric acid, which is proposed as the point of convergence in the oxidation routes of all three purine nucleosides.
Standardized Characterization of Electrocatalytic Electrodes
Authors: Svoboda Vojtech , Cooney Michael , Liaw Bor Yann , Minteer Shelley , Piles Elizabeth , Lehnert David , Calabrese Barton Scott , Rincon Rosalba , Atanassov Plamen 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis paper investigates the utility of ‘cross–lab’ comparative analysis of electrocatalytic electrode performance using standardized modular stack cells and test protocols. Using poly(methylene green)‐modified glassy carbon electrodes as the model system, we characterized electrode fabrication and performance with respect to the catalytic oxidation of NADH at neutral pH and low overpotential. Three sets of experiments were duplicated across four independent laboratories and the experimental results from each set were analyzed and compared in terms of key electroanalytical parameters. Statistical analyses were performed at three distinct levels: 1) the standard deviation among repetitive cycles within an experiment; 2) the standard deviation among repetitive experiments in the same laboratory, and 3) the standard deviation among experiments performed across all four laboratories. Using predefined criteria of ‘reproducibility’ for each level, most parameters were found to be statistically reproducible at most levels. When a particular parameter was found to be irreproducible in a given level, commentary is given on how that information can be used diagnose what chemical/physical aspects of the process were uncontrolled or poorly understood and therefore candidates for future research. This exercise, which is presented as a ‘proof–of‐principle’ step towards the concept of standardizing electrocatalytic evaluation, illustrates the importance of executing electrochemical characterization protocols across several labs and using fixed geometry and dimensions, system configuration, and applied electrochemical conditions. Future work is under way to extend these principles to systems with fluid flow.
Nonlinear robust control of power system considering wide‐area signals' delay and incompleteness
Authors: Yu G. , Zhang B. , Bo Z. , Xie H. , Wang C. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA novel nonlinear robust controller based on the wide‐area measurement system (WAMS) is proposed using the inverse system algorithm and linear matrix inequality technique. The controller not only takes into account time delays introduced by remote signals' transmission in WAMS, but also eliminates the effect of wide‐area information's incompleteness when not all generators are equipped with the phase measurement unit (PMU) in power system. Digital simulation studies with respect to a four‐machine system are conducted for various time delays of remote incomplete measured information. The results demonstrate that the nonlinear robust integrated controller (NRIC) has a significant potential in improving the dynamic performance and transient stability of power system. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Searching for epistasis and linkage heterogeneity by correlations of pedigree‐specific linkage scores
Authors: Schaid Daniel J. , McDonnell Shannon K. , Carlson Erin E. , Thibodeau Stephen N. , Stanford Janet L. , Ostrander Elaine A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRecognizing that multiple genes are likely responsible for common complex traits, statistical methods are needed to rapidly screen for either interacting genes or locus heterogeneity in genetic linkage data. To achieve this, some investigators have proposed examining the correlation of pedigree linkage scores between pairs of chromosomal regions, because large positive correlations suggest interacting loci and large negative correlations suggest locus heterogeneity (Cox et al. [1999]; Maclean et al. [1993]). However, the statistical significance of these extreme correlations has been difficult to determine due to the autocorrelation of linkage scores along chromosomes. In this study, we provide novel solutions to this problem by using results from random field theory, combined with simulations to determine the null correlation for syntenic loci. Simulations illustrate that our new methods control the Type‐I error rates, so that one can avoid the extremely conservative Bonferroni correction, as well as the extremely time‐consuming permutational method to compute P‐values for non‐syntenic loci. Application of these methods to prostate cancer linkage studies illustrates interpretation of results and provides insights into the impact of marker information content on the resulting statistical correlations, and ultimately the asymptotic P‐values. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Depressive symptoms, vascular risk factors, and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Luchsinger José A. , Honig Lawrence S. , Tang Ming‐Xin , Devanand Devangere P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundDepressive symptoms in the elderly are associated with an increased Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. We sought to determine whether the association between depressive symptoms and AD is explained by a history of vascular risk factors and stroke.MethodsFive hundred and twenty‐six elderly persons from New York City without dementia at baseline were followed for a mean of 5 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM). Incident AD was ascertained using standard criteria. Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, current smoking and stroke were ascertained by self‐report. Proportional hazards regression was used to relate HAM scores to incident AD.ResultsHAM scores were higher in persons with hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, which in turn were related to higher AD risk. AD risk increased with increasing HAM scores as a continuous logarithmically transformed variable (HR for one point increase = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.1,1.8) and as a categorical variable (HR for HAM ≥ 10 = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.5,8.1; p for trend = 0.004 with HAM = 0 as the reference). These results were virtually unchanged after adjustment for vascular risk factors and stroke, individually (HR for HAM ≥ 10 = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.5,8.1; p for trend = 0.004), and in a composite measure (HR for HAM ≥ 10 = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.2,7.8; p for trend = 0.02).ConclusionThe prospective relation between depressive symptoms and AD is not explained by a history of vascular risk factors and stroke, suggesting that other mechanisms may account for this association. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.