bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct-Tissue SELDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Analysis: A New Application for Clinical Proteomics
Authors: Bouamrani Ali , Ternier Jessica , Ratel David , Benabid Alim-Louis , Issartel Jean-Paul , Brambilla Elisabeth , Berger François 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Background: New molecular profiling technologies can aid in analysis of small pathologic samples obtained by minimally invasive biopsy and may enable the discovery of key biomarkers synergistic with anatomopathologic analysis related to prognosis, therapeutic response, and innovative target validation. Thus proteomic analysis at the histologic level in healthy and pathologic settings is a major issue in the field of clinical proteomics.
Methods: We used surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) technology with surface chromatographic subproteome enrichment and preservation of the spatial distribution of proteomic patterns to detect discrete modifications of protein expression. We performed in situ proteomic profiling of mouse tissue and samples of human cancer tissue, including brain and lung cancer.
Results: This approach permitted the discrimination of glioblastomas from oligodendrogliomas and led to the identification of 3 potential markers.
Conclusion: Direct tissue proteomic analysis is an original application of SELDI-TOF MS technology that can expand the use of clinical proteomics as a complement to the anatomopathological diagnosis.
Adiponectin and Leptin in Maternal Serum, Cord Blood, and Breast Milk
Authors: Weyermann Maria , Beermann Christopher , Brenner Hermann , Rothenbacher Dietrich 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBackground: The presence of the adipokines adiponectin and leptin in cord blood and placental and fetal tissues suggests a possible role in fetal development.Methods: We measured concentrations of adiponectin and leptin in maternal serum, cord blood, and breast milk and examined their correlations within a large, population-based study. Between November 2000 and November 2001, we recruited all mothers and their newborns after delivery at the University of Ulm (Ulm, Germany). The current analysis included 766 mothers with available breast milk samples collected 6 weeks postpartum. Adipokine concentrations were measured with commercially available ELISAs (R&D Systems).Results: Median adiponectin concentrations in maternal serum (n = 713), cord blood (n = 709), and breast milk (n = 766) were 8.6 mg/L, 30.6 mg/L, and 10.9 μg/L, respectively. Median leptin concentrations were 12.8 μg/L in maternal serum, 7.8 μg/L in cord blood, and 174.5 ng/L in breast milk. Whereas increases in leptin concentrations with increasing birth weight, birth weight according to gestational age, and ponderal index were statistically significant in cord blood (all P values &lt;0.0001), cord blood adiponectin was clearly related only to birth weight (P = 0.0004). Concentrations of both adipokines were moderately correlated in breast milk and maternal serum (both Spearman ρ values were 0.43; P &lt;0.0001).Conclusions: Concentrations of adiponectin and leptin vary strongly in maternal serum, cord blood, and breast milk, with only moderate correlations between both adipokines in maternal serum and breast milk. The health implications of these patterns warrant further investigation.
Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy of Serum Albumin: A Novel New Test for Cancer Diagnosis and Monitoring
Authors: Kazmierczak Steven C , Gurachevsky Andrey , Matthes Gert , Muravsky Vladimir 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Background: Proteins released by tumor cells can bind to serum albumin, leading to structural and functional modifications. We used electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy to measure these changes in serum albumin and evaluate their utility for the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer.
Methods: We used an ESR spectrometer and 16-doxyl stearic acid as spin probe to measure conformational changes in albumin in blood samples from a population of healthy donors and volunteers (n = 349), patients with a wide variety of hematologic and nonhematologic malignancy (n = 135), and patients with chronic diseases such as gastrointestinal and pulmonary disease, diabetes, and cirrhosis (n = 91). We added differing amounts of 16-doxyl stearic acid spin probe in ethanol to 50 μL of serum from each patient to create 3 different aliquots that differed in concentration of spin probe and ethanol, then incubated the aliquots for 10 min at 37 °C with continuous shaking. We measured the ESR spectra of each aliquot in triplicate and used proprietary software (MedInnovation GmbH) to evaluate the ESR spectrum for differences between cancer patients and the other groups.
Results: The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of this test were 87.4% and 95.7%, respectively, for differentiating healthy individuals from cancer patients and 87.4%, and 85.7% for differentiating cancer patients from chronic disease patients. Serial evaluation of albumin conformation changes in several patients followed during the course of their disease showed excellent agreement between the magnitude of abnormality in the ESR spectrum of albumin and clinical and pathologic estimates of disease severity.
Conclusions: ESR spectroscopy of serum albumin is a sensitive and noninvasive technique that clearly demonstrates diagnostic utility in patients with cancer. This test also enables monitoring of the disease course through use of serial measurements.
A Drainage Column Test for Determining Unsaturated Properties of Coarse Materials
Authors: Chapuis RP , Masse I , Madinier B , Aubertin M 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
A column test was developed to define the water retention curve and the unsaturated permeability function of coarse materials during drainage. The test includes five steps. First, the material is placed in the column at a constant density, using vacuum and deaired water to reach close to 100 % saturation, which is checked using a mass and volume method. Second, the saturated hydraulic conductivity is determined by a constant head test. Third, a gravity drainage test is performed and the volume of drained water is monitored versus time. Fourth, after full drainage, which can take several weeks, the material is removed from the top of the column, to determine the water content versus elevation and thus the water retention curve. Fifth, the water retention data and selected models are used to predict the drainage flow rate and compare the predictions to the experimental data. This helps to define the best hydraulic functions for the material. Examples are provided to illustrate the key elements of the test.
Effect of DHEA-sulfate on adiponectin gene expression in adipose tissue from different fat depots in morbidly obese humans
Authors: Hernandez-Morante Juan Jose , Milagro Fermin , Gabaldon Jose Antonio , Martinez Jose Alfredo , Zamora Salvador , Garaulet Marta 
Published: September 2006

Objective: A growing body of studies has demonstrated the inverse relationship between DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S) and the pathological alterations associated with the metabolic syndrome. However, the mechanism by which DHEA-S treatment operates has not been elucidated completely. Adiponectin, an adipose-specific protein, is thought to have anti-diabetic and anti-atherosclerotic properties. Because fat depots differ in the impact of their relationship with the undesirable consequences of obesity, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of DHEA-S on adiponectin expression in both s.c. and visceral tissues in a morbidly obese population.
Design and methods: We studied the in vitro expression of the adiponectin gene from paired biopsies of human visceral and s.c. adipose tissue, obtained from men and women (body mass index = 48.68± 7.43 kg/m2). Adipocytes were incubated for 24 h with or without DHEA-S. Adiponectin mRNA was measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR.
Results: In this population, DHEA-S plasma values were 141 ± 105 μg/100 ml. Serum adiponectin values were under normal ranges. In basal conditions, s.c. tissue expressed higher amounts (58%) of adiponectin mRNA than visceral tissue (P = 0.027). Adiponectin expression was differentially regulated in the two depots by DHEA-S. There was a significant increase in adiponectin expression specifically in the visceral tissue (P = 0.020), but no significant effect of DHEA-S on the s.c. tissue (P = 0.738).
Conclusions: In the present study, for the first time in humans, we have shown that DHEA-S treatment is a strong upregulator of adiponectin gene expression in omental adipocytes, suggesting that the positive effects observed by DHEA-S treatment in humans suffering from metabolic syndrome could be exerted through overexpression of adiponectin in the visceral depot.
Production of Green Fluorescent Protein Transgenic Embryonic Stem Cells Using the GENSAT Bacterial Artificial Chromosome Library
Authors: Tomishima Mark J. , Hadjantonakis Anna-Katerina , Gong Shiaoching , Studer Lorenz 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Transgenic green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter embryonic stem (ES) cells are powerful tools for studying gene regulation and lineage choice during development. Here we present a rapid method for the generation of ES cells expressing GFP under the control of selected genes. Bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) from a previously constructed GFP transcriptional fusion library (Gene Expression Nervous System Atlas [GENSAT]) were modified for use in ES cells, and multiple BAC transgenic ES cell lines were generated. Specific GFP expression in transgenic cell lines was confirmed during neural differentiation marking neural stem cells, neuronal precursors, and glial progeny by Hes5, Dll1, and GFAP, respectively. GFP was dynamically regulated in ES cell progeny in response to soluble factors that inhibit Notch signaling and a factor that directs astroglial fate choice. Our protocols provide a simple and efficient strategy to utilize the whole GENSAT BAC library to create hundreds of novel fluorescent cell lines for use in ES cell biology.
Essential Roles of Sphingosine 1-Phosphate/S1P1 Receptor Axis in the Migration of Neural Stem Cells Toward a Site of Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Kimura Atsushi , Ohmori Tsukasa , Ohkawa Ryunosuke , Madoiwa Seiji , Mimuro Jun , Murakami Takashi , Kobayashi Eiji , Hoshino Yuichi , Yatomi Yutaka , Sakata Yoichi 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) migrate toward a damaged area of the central nervous system (CNS) for the purpose of limiting and/or repairing the damage. Although this migratory property of NSPCs could theoretically be exploited for cell-based therapeutics of CNS diseases, little is known of the mechanisms responsible for migratory responses of NSPCs. Here, we found that sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P), a physiological lysophospholipid mediator, had a potent chemoattractant activity for NSPCs, in which, of Sph-1-P receptors, S1P1 was abundantly expressed. Sph-1-P-induced NSPC migration was inhibited by the pretreatment with pertussis toxin, Y-27632 (a Rho kinase inhibitor), and VPC23019 (a competitive inhibitor of S1P1 and S1P3). Sph-1-P does not act as intracellular mediator or in an autocrine manner, because [3H]sphingosine, incorporated into NSPCs, was mainly converted to ceramide and sphingomyeline intracellularly, and the stimulation-dependent formation and extracellular release of Sph-1-P were not observed. Further, Sph-1-P concentration in the spinal cord was significantly increased at 7 days after a contusion injury, due to accumulation of microglia and reactive astrocytes in the injured area. This locally increased Sph-1-P concentration contributed to the migration of in vivo transplanted NSPCs through its receptor S1P1, given that lentiviral transduction of NSPCs with a short hairpin RNA interference for S1P1 abolished in vivo NSPC migration toward the injured area. This is the first report to identify a physiological role for a lipid mediator in NSPC migration toward a pathological area of the CNS and further indicates that the Sph-1-P/S1P1 pathway may have therapeutic potential for CNS injuries.
Epicardial Cells of Human Adults Can Undergo an Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Obtain Characteristics of Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro
Authors: van Tuyn John , Atsma Douwe E. , Winter Elizabeth M. , van der Velde-van Dijke Ietje , Pijnappels Daniel A. , Bax Noortje A.M. , Knaän-Shanzer Shoshan , Gittenberger-de Groot Adriana C. , Poelmann Robert E. , van der Laarse Arnoud , van der Wall Ernst E. , Schalij Martin J. , de Vries Antoine A.F. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Myocardial and coronary development are both critically dependent on epicardial cells. During cardiomorphogenesis, a subset of epicardial cells undergoes an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invades the myocardium to differentiate into various cell types, including coronary smooth muscle cells and perivascular and cardiac interstitial fibroblasts. Our current knowledge of epicardial EMT and the ensuing epicardium-derived cells (EPDCs) comes primarily from studies of chick and mouse embryonic development. Due to the absence of an in vitro culture system, very little is known about human EPDCs. Here, we report for the first time the establishment of cultures of primary epicardial cells from human adults and describe their immunophenotype, transcriptome, transducibility, and differentiation potential in vitro. Changes in morphology and β-catenin staining pattern indicated that human epicardial cells spontaneously undergo EMT early during ex vivo culture. The surface antigen profile of the cells after EMT closely resembles that of subepithelial fibroblasts; however, only EPDCs express the cardiac marker genes GATA4 and cardiac troponin T. After infection with an adenovirus vector encoding the transcription factor myocardin or after treatment with transforming growth factor-β1 or bone morphogenetic protein-2, EPDCs obtain characteristics of smooth muscle cells. Moreover, EPDCs can undergo osteogenesis but fail to form adipocytes or endothelial cells in vitro. Cultured epicardial cells from human adults recapitulate at least part of the differentiation potential of their embryonic counterparts and represent an excellent model system to explore the biological properties and therapeutic potential of these cells.
Study of the grafting reaction of SnMe4 on the surface of ZSM‐5 zeolite
Authors: Zheng Ying , Wang Xu‐xu , Li Zhao‐hui , Fu Xian‐zhi , Wei Ke‐mei 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe grafting reaction of tetramethyltin on the surface of ZSM‐5 zeolite (Si:Al = 55.0) was studied under vacuum conditions, and the chemical compositions, structure and properties of the resulting solid were characterized by in situ FTIR, ICP, XRD, XPS, UV–vis DRS, temperature programmed decomposition (TPD) and N2 adsorption. The results show that the reaction occurs on the surface of ZSM‐5 zeolite at 223 K without destroying the zeolite framework. The BET surface area and the pore volume of the zeolite decrease and the surface properties change; however, the microporous structure is retained during the reaction and post treatment. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Who will win Wimbledon? The recognition heuristic in predicting sports events
Authors: Serwe Sascha , Frings Christian 
Published: September 2006

AbstractGoldstein and Gigerenzer (2002) described the recognition heuristic as a fast, frugal, and effective decision strategy. However, most studies concerning the recognition heuristic have been conducted in static domains, that is, in domains where it could plausibly be argued that relevant variables stay relatively constant. Yet the question is whether the heuristic would also work in dynamic environments where the quality of the actors rises and falls, such as in sports. We tested performance of the recognition heuristic in a dynamic environment and used it to predict the outcomes of tennis matches in Wimbledon 2003. Recognition data of amateur tennis players and laypeople was used to build recognition rankings. These rankings correlated with official rankings and led to at least as good predictions. Simulations of individual choices showed high recognition validities of both amateurs (0.73) and laypeople (0.67). In a second study the recognition heuristic correctly predicted 90% of actual individual choices. Overall, the recognition heuristic may be effectively generalized to dynamic environments. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The reasoning skills and thinking dispositions of problem gamblers: a dual‐process taxonomy
Authors: Toplak Maggie E. , Liu Eleanor , Macpherson Robyn , Toneatto Tony , Stanovich Keith E. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe present a taxonomy that categorizes the types of cognitive failure that might result in persistent gambling. The taxonomy subsumes most previous theories of gambling behavior, and it defines three categories of cognitive difficulties that might lead to gambling problems: The autonomous set of systems (TASS) override failure, missing TASS output, and mindware problems. TASS refers to the autonomous set of systems in the brain (which are executed rapidly and without volition, are not under conscious control, and are not dependent on analytic system output). Mindware consists of rules, procedures, and strategies available for explicit retrieval. Seven of the eight tasks administered to pathological gamblers, gamblers with subclinical symptoms, and control participants were associated with problem gambling, and five of the eight were significant predictors in analyses that statistically controlled for age and cognitive competence. In a commonality analysis, an indicator from each of the three categories of cognitive difficulties explained significant unique variance in problem gambling, indicating that each of the categories had some degree of predictive specificity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gestational stage sensitivity to ultrasound effect on postnatal growth and development of mice
Authors: Rao Suresh , Ovchinnikov Nikolai , McRae Amanda 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBACKGROUND: An experiment was conducted to find out whether ultrasound exposure leads to changes in postnatal growth and development in the mouse. METHODS: A total of 15 pregnant Swiss albino mice were exposed to diagnostic levels of ultrasound (3.5 MHz, 65 mW/cm2, ISPTP = 1 mW/cm2 Intensity(Spatial Peak‐Temporal Peak), ISATA = 240 mW/cm2 Intensity(Spatial Average‐Temporal Average)) for 30 min for a single day between days 10 and 18 of gestation (GD 10–18). Virgin female mice were placed with same age group males for mating in the ratio 2 females : 1 male and examined the next morning for the presence of vaginal plug, a sign of successful copulation. The females with vaginal plugs were separated and labeled as 0‐day pregnant. Maternal vaginal temperature was also measured. A sham exposed control group of 15 pregnant mice was maintained for comparison. All exposed as well as control animals were left to complete gestation and parturition. Their offspring were used in our further studies. They were monitored during early postnatal life for standard developmental markers, postnatal mortality, body weight, body length, head length, and head width, and growth restriction was recorded up to 6 weeks of age. RESULTS: An exposure to ultrasound induced nonsignificant deviations in the maternal vaginal temperature or developmental markers. Significant low birth weight was observed in the present study, after exposure at GD 11, 12, 14, and 16. However, 14 and 16 days postcoitus during the fetal period appears to be the most sensitive to the ultrasound effect, in view of the number of different effects as well as severity of most of the observed effects when exposed on these gestation days. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that diagnostic ultrasound can induce harmful effects on mouse growth and development when given at certain critical periods of gestation. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 76:602–608, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wnt9b is the mutated gene involved in multifactorial nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in A/WySn mice, as confirmed by a genetic complementation test
Authors: Juriloff Diana M. , Harris Muriel J. , McMahon Andrew P. , Carroll Thomas J. , Lidral Andrew C. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractBACKGROUND: Nonsyndromic cleft lip (CL) with or without cleft palate (CLP) is a common human birth defect with complex genetic etiology. One of the unidentified genes maps to chromosome 17q21. A mouse strain, A/WySn, has CLP with complex genetic etiology that models the human defect, and 1 of its causative genes, clf1, maps to a region homologous to human 17q21. Extensive studies of the candidate region pointed to a novel insertion of an IAP transposon 3′ from the gene Wnt9b as the clf1 mutation. Independently a recessive knockout mutation of Wnt9b (Wnt9b−) was reported to cause a lethal syndrome that includes some CLP. METHODS: A standard genetic test of allelism between clf1 and the Wnt9b− mutation was done. A total of 83 F1 embryos at gestation day 14 (GD 14) from Wnt9b−/+ males crossed with A/WySn females, and 79 BC1 GD 14 embryos from F1 Wnt9b−/clf1 males back‐crossed to A/WySn females were observed for CL. Embryo genotypes at clf1 and Wnt9b were obtained from DNA markers. Genotypes for a second unlinked modifier locus from A/WySn, clf2, were similarly obtained. RESULTS: The compound mutant embryos (Wnt9b−/clf1) had high frequencies of CL: 27% in the F1 and 63% in the BC1. The clf2 modifier gene was found to have 3 alleles segregating in this study and to strongly influence the penetrance of CL in the compound mutant. CONCLUSIONS: The noncomplementation of clf1 and Wnt9b− confirms that clf1 is a mutation of the Wnt9b gene. The homologous human WNT9B gene and 3′ conserved noncoding region should be examined for a role in human nonsyndromic CLP. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 76:574–579, 2006. © 2006 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Endomesoderm specification in Caenorhabditis elegans and other nematodes
Authors: Maduro Morris F. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe endomesoderm gene regulatory network (GRN) of C. elegans is a rich resource for studying the properties of cell‐fate‐specification pathways. This GRN contains both cell‐autonomous and cell non‐autonomous mechanisms, includes network motifs found in other GRNs, and ties maternal factors to terminal differentiation genes through a regulatory cascade. In most cases, upstream regulators and their direct downstream targets are known. With the availability of resources to study close and distant relatives of C. elegans, the molecular evolution of this network can now be examined. Within Caenorhabditis, components of the endomesoderm GRN are well conserved. A cursory examination of the preliminary genome sequences of two parasitic nematodes, Haemonchus contortus and Brugia malayi, suggests that evolution in this GRN is occurring most rapidly for the zygotic genes that specify blastomere identity. BioEssays 28: 1010–1022, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.