bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative proteomic analysis of LPS‐induced differential immune response associated with TLR4 Polymorphisms by multiplex amino acid coded mass tagging
Authors: Gu Sheng , Wang Tianyi , Chen Xian 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPolymorphisms at toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene have been found to be associated with immune disorders. A murine macrophage cell line GG2EE derived from C3H/HeJ mice with a polymorphism site at TLR4 is hyposensitive to lipopolysacchride (LPS). To study the molecular base of diverse TLR4‐mediated immune responses, the proteomic changes in both TLR4‐deficient and wild‐type cell lines in response to the same LPS challenge were quantitatively compared by using multiplex amino acid coded mass tagging (AACT)/SILAC‐assisted MS. This strategy allows encoding of two distinct cell populations with different stable isotope‐tagged lysine residues as the “in‐spectra” quantitative markers. In MS analysis of tryptic peptides derived from the equally mixed three cell populations, the lysine‐containing peptides originated from two LPS‐stimulated cell populations can be clearly distinguished by their different mass shifts from the unstimulated and unlabeled counterpart. The LPS‐induced differential protein expression in TLR4‐deficient and wild‐type proteomes were obtained by comparing the intensities of isotopically encoded peptides. Among the more than 900 proteins identified, 35 were found to be deregulated at different levels in these two cell lines stimulated by LPS. This multiplex mass‐tagging methodology can be readily extended to other comparative proteomic quantitation of different cell populations.
Proteomic analysis of larvae during development, attachment, and metamorphosis in the fouling barnacle, Balanus amphitrite
Authors: Thiyagarajan Vengatesen , Qian Pei‐Yuan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe barnacle, Balanus amphitrite, is one of the primary model organisms for rocky‐shore ecology studies and biofouling research. This barnacle species has a complex life cycle during which the swimming nauplius molts six times and transforms into a cyprid stage. Cyprids must attach to a surface to metamorphose into a juvenile barnacle. To clarify the overall profile of protein expression during larval development and metamorphosis, 2‐DE was used to compare the proteome of the nauplius, the swimming cyprid, the attached cyprid, and the metamorphosed cyprid. The proteome of the swimming cyprid was distinctly different from that of other life stages and had about 400 spots. The proteomes of the attached and metamorphosed cyprids were similar with respect to major proteins but had significantly lower numbers of spots compared to that of swimming larval stages. Obviously, synthesis of most proteins from swimming cyprids was switched off after attachment and metamorphosis. Our advanced MS analysis (MALDI‐TOF/TOF MS/MS) allowed us to identify the proteins that were differentially and abundantly expressed in the swimming cyprid. These proteins included signal transduction proteins (adenylate cyclase and calmodulin) and juvenile hormone binding proteins. In summary, for the first time, we have analyzed the global protein expression pattern of fouling marine invertebrate larvae during metamorphosis. Our study provides new insights into the mechanisms of barnacle larval metamorphosis and also provides a foundation for exploring novel targets for antifouling treatments.
Trypsin digest coupled with two‐dimensional shotgun proteomics reveals the involvement of multiple signaling pathways in functional remodeling of late‐gestation uteri in rats
Authors: Chen Guan‐Yuan , Chen Shu‐Hui , Yu Chen‐Hsiang , Huang Sheng‐Yu , Tsai Mei‐Ling 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPregnant uteri become quiescent after functional remodeling but details are not fully known. Here we revealed uterine proteins of late‐gestation rats by 2‐D shotgun proteomic analysis and correlated protein expression with uterine functions. After duplication, 239 proteins were identified. About 190 proteins commonly found in duplicate analyses were subjected to functional annotation. The proteins associated with signal transduction fell into three known pathways. Western blotting and functional data indicated that: (i) a reduction of Na+/K+‐ATPase‐related proteins was associated with the decrease of contraction rate, (ii) a reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase and cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase type II‐α regulatory chain (PKARIIα) was associated with an increase in the relaxation response to 8‐bromo‐cAMP, and (iii) in the presence of Ras, an increased expression of nucleolin was associated with the elevation of Bcl‐xL, an antiapoptotic protein. In conclusion, 2‐D shotgun proteomic analysis provides a global database of uterine proteins for hypothesis‐driven studies. Our data suggest that in late‐gestation uteri down‐regulation of PKARIIα and Na+/K+‐ATPase may cause functional remodeling and lead to uterine quiescent. Up‐regulation of antiapoptotic proteins (nucleolin and Bcl‐xL) in the Ras‐mediated pathway may maintain cell survival and counteract cell loss during remodeling.
Synthesis, characterization, and optoelectronic properties of hyperbranched polyfluorenes containing pendant benzylether dendrons
Authors: Tsai Lin‐Ren , Li Chia‐Wei , Chen Yun 
Published: July 2008

AbstractLinear polyfluorenes with low generation of side benzylether dendrons (PLG0, PLG1) and hyperbranched polyfluorenes with 1,3,5‐benzene branch unit (PHG0 and PHG1) were prepared by the Suzuki coupling reaction to investigate the structural effect on optoelectronic properties. Their optical properties, both in solution and film state, were investigated using absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The excimer emission of polyfluorene at about 530 nm, induced by thermal annealing, was completely suppressed by the hyperbranched structure, but the suppression was not obvious by the side benzylether dendrons. The optoelectronic performance of the EL devices (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer/Ca/Al) was strongly dependent upon chemical structures of the emitting polyfluorenes. The hyperbranched PHG0 with zero generation of benzylether side groups revealed the best device performance, with maximal luminance and maximal luminance efficiency of 2350 cd/m2 and 0.33 cd/A, respectively. The results suggest that incorporation of branch units with low generation of benzylether dendrons is an effective way to improve annealing stability and EL performance of the polyfluorenes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5945–5958, 2008
Winter ground surface temperature regimes in the zone of sporadic discontinuous permafrost, Tatra Mountains (Poland and Slovakia)
Authors: Gądek Bogdan , Kędzia Stanisław 
Published: July 2008

AbstractGround surface temperatures in the zone of sporadic discontinuous permafrost in the Tatra Mountains were monitored over two winters at sites where either permafrost or deep seasonal frost had been previously posited. The results show that contemporary permafrost can exist beneath both thick and thin snow covers. We infer that its presence may relate more to local circulation of cold air over the surface and low summer solar irradiation than to elevation and snowpack development. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Permafrost distribution in talus slopes located within the alpine periglacial belt, Swiss Alps
Authors: Lambiel Christophe , Pieracci Kim 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe extent of permafrost in nine talus slopes located within the alpine periglacial belt in the western Swiss Alps was investigated using ground surface temperature measurements and one‐ dimensional geoelectrical profiles. Based on the thermal data, permafrost appears likely in the lower parts of the slopes. At the same locations, an electrically resistive layer, interpreted as frozen sediments, was identified beneath 3–5 m of surface materials. Further upslope, resistivities were lower and ground surface temperatures were warmer, suggesting that permafrost was absent. The cooling of the ground in the lower parts of some of the talus slopes investigated was apparently due to the chimney effect. It is inferred that this mechanism plays an important role in permafrost development in the lower half of talus slopes located within the discontinuous mountain permafrost belt. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of miniature temperature‐loggers to monitor snowpack evolution at mountain permafrost sites, northwestern Canada
Authors: Lewkowicz Antoni G. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA technique to monitor snowpack development using miniature temperature‐loggers mounted in a vertical array is evaluated from nearly 100 site‐years of measurements in northwestern Canada. The method shows good agreement between interpreted values and actual snow depths checked during site visits. Inferred snowpack build‐up and ablation follow the patterns recorded at nearby climatological stations while absolute amounts and the duration of snow cover vary with elevation and vegetation type. Interpretation of snowpack evolution was possible at 93 per cent of the monitoring sites, a success rate that is judged to be acceptable given the low costs of the technique and the difficulty of obtaining the same information through other methods. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of medicinal plants from Ghana: Cassia sieberiana, Haematostaphis barteri, Mitragyna inermis and Pseudocedrela kotschyi
Authors: Asase Alex , Kokubun Tetsuo , Grayer Renée J. , Kite Geoffrey , Simmonds Monique S. J. , Oteng‐Yeboah Alfred A. , Odamtten George T. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe antimicrobial activity of the sequential n‐hexane, acetone and 50% aqueous methanol extracts of leaves, stem bark and roots of four species of medicinal plants, Cassia sieberiana DC. (Leguminosae), Haematostaphis barteri Hook. f. (Anacardiaceae), Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) O. Kuntze (Rubiaceae) and Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Schweinf.) Harms (Meliaceae), from Ghana were tested against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas syringae and Cladosporium herbarum using TLC direct‐autobiographic methods. Extracts from leaves, stem bark and roots of the four species gave a positive result against at least one test organism. Twelve of the 36 extracts were active against B. subtilis, four extracts were active against P. syringae and six were active against C. herbarum. Preliminary chemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, stilbenes and alkaloids. This is the first report of a stilbene from the Anacardiaceae. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fermented guava leaf extract inhibits LPS‐induced COX‐2 and iNOS expression in Mouse macrophage cells by inhibition of transcription factor NF‐κB
Authors: Choi Soo‐Youn , Hwang Joon‐Ho , Park Soo‐Young , Jin Yeong‐Jun , Ko Hee‐Chul , Moon Sang‐Wook , Kim Se‐Jae 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe goal of this study was to elucidate the antiinflammatory activities of Psidium guajava L. (guava) leaf. To improve the functionality of guava leaf, it was fermented with Phellinus linteus mycelia, Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The ethanol extract from fermented guava leaf inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. Western blot analysis showed that fermented guava leaf extract decreased LPS‐induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) protein level in RAW 264.7 cells. To investigate the mechanism involved, the study examined the effect of fermented guava leaf extract on LPS‐induced nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation. Fermented guava leaf extract significantly inhibited LPS‐induced NF‐κB transcriptional activity. Immunochemical analysis revealed that fermented guava leaf extract suppressed LPS‐induced degradation of I‐κBα. Taken together, the data indicate that fermented guava leaf extract is involved in the inhibition of iNOS and COX‐2 via the down‐regulation of NF‐κB pathway, revealing a partial molecular basis for the antiinflammatory properties of fermented guava leaf extract. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mosquito larvicidal activity of isolated compounds from the rhizome of Zingiber officinale
Authors: Rahuman A. Abdul , Gopalakrishnan Geetha , Venkatesan P. , Geetha Kannappan , Bagavan A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe larvicidal activity of a petroleum ether extract of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae) was evaluated against Aedes aegypti L. and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera). Bioassay‐guided fractionation led to the isolation of 4‐gingerol (1), (6)‐dehydrogingerdione (2) and (6)‐dihydrogingerdione (3); the latter has not previously been reported from Z. officinale. The structures were established from infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C‐NMR and mass spectral data. Following a 24 h exposure, compounds 1–3 exhibited larvicidal activities against fourth instar larvae of A. aegypti (LC50 4.25, 9.80, 18.20 ppm) and C. quinquefasciatus (LC50 5.52, 7.66, 27.24 ppm), respectively. The results show that the most effective compound was 4‐gingerol. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct determination of dialkyl phosphates by strong anion‐exchange liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry using a quadrupole ion trap instrument
Authors: Draper William M. , Behniwal Paramjit , Wijekoon Donald 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe direct determination of dialkyl phosphates (DAPs) in water by strong anion‐exchange (SAX) liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry was investigated. The SAX high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column was eluted with methanol/water gradients containing ammonium formate (AF) separating the DAPs which included six dimethyl‐ and diethyl‐substituted phosphates, thiophosphates, and dithiophosphates. The high buffer concentrations required for separation were compatible with −ve APCI, but in +ve APCI the DAPs were unstable giving anomalous ions such as [M+15]+ and [M+29]+. These ions are believed to result from ion molecule reactions with CH3OH in the plasma. DAPs are very stable in −ve APCI being detected as abundant [M–H]− ions, even with 200 mM AF. At higher AF concentration formate clusters ([M+45]− and [M+91]−) were seen. Fragmentation by collision‐activated dissociation (CAD) was more efficient for deprotonated ethyl‐substituted DAPs which lost ethylene followed by ethanol. APCI instrument detection limits were in the low ng/mL range and the response was highly linear. Isotope dilution quantitation using d10‐diethyl dithiophosphate (DEDTP) as an internal standard produced an instrument detection limit of 2 ng DEDTP/mL and method detection limit (MDL) of 9.3 ng/mL with accuracy of 99% (spike concentration, 25 ng/mL). DAP mixtures required storage in cold, dry conditions and alcohol solvents should be avoided because of solvolysis reactions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous determination of mercapturic acids derived from ethylene oxide (HEMA), propylene oxide (2‐HPMA), acrolein (3‐HPMA), acrylamide (AAMA) and N,N‐dimethylformamide (AMCC) in human urine using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Schettgen Thomas , Musiol Anita , Kraus Thomas 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMercapturic acids are highly important and specific biomarkers of exposure to carcinogenic substances in occupational and environmental medicine. We have developed and validated a reliable, specific and very sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of five mercapturic acids derived from several high‐production chemicals used in industry, namely ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, acrylamide, acrolein and N,N‐dimethylformamide. Analytes are enriched and cleaned up from urinary matrix by offline solid‐phase extraction. The mercapturic acids are subsequently separated by means of high‐performance liquid chromatography on a Luna C8 (2) column and specifically quantified by tandem mass spectrometric detection using isotopically labelled analytes as internal standards. The limits of detection (LODs) for N‐acetyl‐S‐2‐carbamoylethylcysteine (AAMA) and N‐acetyl‐S‐2‐hydroxyethylcysteine (HEMA) were 2.5 µg/L and 0.5 µg/L urine, while for N‐acetyl‐S‐3‐hydroxypropylcysteine (3‐HPMA), N‐acetyl‐S‐2‐hydroxypropylcysteine (2‐HPMA) and N‐acetyl‐S‐(N‐methylcarbamoyl)cysteine (AMCC) it was 5 µg/L. These LODs were sufficient to detect the background exposure of the general population. We applied the method on spot urine samples of 28 subjects of the general population with no known occupational exposure to these substances. Median levels for AAMA, HEMA, 3‐HPMA, 2‐HPMA and AMCC in non‐smokers (n = 14) were 52.6, 2.0, 155, 7.1 and 113.6 µg/L, respectively. In smokers (n = 14), median levels for AAMA, HEMA, 3‐HPMA, 2‐HPMA and AMCC were 243, 5.3, 1681, 41.7 and 822 µg/L, respectively. Due to the simultaneous quantification of these mercapturic acids, our method is well suited for the screening of workers with multiple chemical exposures as well as the determination of the background excretion of the general population. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive neural control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with unknown time delay
Authors: Wang Dan , Lan Weiyao 
Published: July 2008

AbstractA neural network (NN)‐based robust adaptive control design scheme is developed for a class of nonlinear systems represented by input–output models with an unknown nonlinear function and unknown time delay. By approximating on‐line the unknown nonlinear functions with a three‐layer feedforward NN, the proposed approach does not require the unknown parameters to satisfy the linear dependence condition. The control law is delay independent and possible controller singularity problem is avoided. It is proved that with the proposed neural control law, all the signals in the closed‐loop system are semiglobally bounded in the presence of unknown time delay and unknown nonlinearity. A simulation example is presented to demonstrate the method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GSE: A flexible, yet efficient, encapsulation for IP over DVB‐S2 continuous generic streams
Authors: Cantillo Juan , Collini‐Nocker Bernhard , De Bie Ulrik , Del Rio Oscar , Fairhurst Gorry , Jahn Axel , Rinaldo Rita 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe second‐generation specification for Digital Video Broadcast over Satellite, DVB‐S2, defines an improved and adaptive physical layer. A new framing structure at the link layer, known as the generic stream (GS), is introduced offering an alternative to the well‐known MPEG transport stream (TS). This paper presents the requirements for and the design of an encapsulation protocol to transport IPv4 and IPv6 datagrams and other network protocol packets directly over DVB‐S2 using this GS profile. The resulting generic stream encapsulation (GSE) is a novel method that provides flexible encapsulation with support for fragmentation. A flexible extension header format allows GSE to carry additional header information, suitable for enhanced features, such as link layer encryption and IP header compression. The paper assesses GSE performance by simulation using realistic traffic profiles and attenuation fading. This demonstrates considerable improvement in efficiency compared with the MPE/MPEG‐2 TS, especially when used with adaptive coding and modulation (ACM). Although designed for DVB‐S2 systems, the new encapsulation is suitable for other second‐generation physical layer standards. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluorescent Liposomes as Contrast Agents for In Vivo Optical Imaging of Edemas in Mice
Authors: Deissler Verena , Rüger Ronny , Frank Wilhelm , Fahr Alfred , Kaiser Werner A. , Hilger Ingrid 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis study assesses if specially designed fluorescent liposomes can be used as contrast agent for near‐infrared fluorescence (NIRF) optical imaging of cultured macrophages in vitro and for NIRF imaging of inflammatory processes, like edema, in an in vivo mouse model. Fluorescent liposomes are prepared by the film hydration and extrusion method using cholesterol, L‐phosphatidylcholine, and the NIR fluorescent dye DY‐676‐C18 ester. Photon correlation spectroscopy and flow cytometry reveal that fluorescent liposomes are structurally stable for up to 133 days. Distinct uptake/labeling of cultured murine J774 macrophages is demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), flow cytometry, and macroscopic NIRF imaging system at wavelengths >670 nm. Moreover, CLSM analysis reveals fluorescence signals within intracellular compartments. Ear edema is induced in mice (n = 16) by subcutaneous injection of zymosan A. Whole‐body NIRF imaging is performed after intravenous injection (0–24 h) of fluorescent liposomes (55 nmol dye per kg body weight). Distinctly higher fluorescence intensities (1613.6 ± 61.7 a.u.) are detected at inflamed areas of diseased mice as compared to controls (892.8 ± 19.4 a.u.). Furthermore, cell isolated from ear lavage reveals the presence of labeled F4/80 positive tissue macrophages. Taken together, the results indicate both that mouse macrophages labeled with fluorescent liposomes can be detected in vitro with fluoro‐optical methods and that in vivo optical imaging of inflammatory processes with fluorescent liposomes as contrast agent is feasible. Possibly, early stages of other inflammatory diseases could also be detected by the proposed diagnostic tool in the long term.
Prenasal thickness in trisomy‐21 fetuses at 16–24 weeks of gestation
Authors: Persico N. , Borenstein M. , Molina F. , Azumendi G. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo construct a reference range for fetal prenasal thickness between 16 and 24 weeks of gestation and to evaluate the thickness in fetuses with trisomy 21.MethodsWe acquired three‐dimensional (3D) volumes of the fetal profile from 135 normal fetuses and 26 fetuses with trisomy 21 at 16–24 weeks' gestation. We used the multiplanar mode to obtain the exact mid‐sagittal plane and measured the prenasal thickness as the shortest distance between the anterior edge of the lowest part of the frontal bone (at the junction with the nasal bone when present) and the skin anteriorly.ResultsIn the normal group prenasal thickness increased with gestation from a mean of 2.4 mm at 16 weeks to 4.6 mm at 24 weeks. Repeatability studies demonstrated that in 95% of the cases the difference between two measurements of prenasal thickness by the same operator and by different operators was less than 1 mm. In the trisomy‐21 fetuses the mean prenasal thickness was significantly larger than in normal fetuses and in 19 (73.1%) cases it was above the 95th centile of the normal range. There was no significant difference in prenasal thickness between the trisomic fetuses with and without ventriculomegaly, nuchal edema, absent nasal bone or a cardiac defect.ConclusionsThe fetal profile is routinely examined during the second‐trimester scan and therefore the skill needed to obtain the view necessary for the measurement of prenasal thickness is widely available. If the finding of our study—that in more than 70% of fetuses with trisomy 21 prenasal thickness is above the 95th centile—is confirmed in prospective screening studies this measurement alone could prove a highly sensitive method of second‐trimester screening for trisomy 21. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Structures of Metallated N‐Heterocyclic Derivatives
Authors: Ponikiewski Lukasz , Shi Weifeng , Rothenberger Alexander 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe synthesis and structures of five new compounds are reported. [Mg(6‐Oq)2(phen)2] (1), [Na(phen)3][(6‐HOq)(6‐Oq)] (2), 1/∞[Cu(3‐Opy)(3‐HOpy)2(PPh3)]∞ (3), 1/∞[Cu2{μ‐(6‐Oq)}(PPh3)2]∞ (4) and [Cu2(pht)2(μ‐dppm)2] (5) (6‐HOq = 6‐hydroxyquinoline; phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline, 3‐HOpy = 3‐hydroxypyridine; Hpht = phthalimide; dppm = bis‐(diphenylphosphino)methane) were prepared by deprotonation of N‐heterocyclic aromatic compounds with metal alkoxides. 1–5 represent useful starting materials for investigating the supramolecular cordination chemistry of organic anhydrides.