bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inflammatory cytokines augments TGF‐β1‐induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in A549 cells by up‐regulating TβR‐I
Authors: Liu Xiangde 
Published: September 2008

AbstractEpithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is believed to play an important role in fibrosis and tumor invasion. EMT can be induced in vitro cell culture by various stimuli including growth factors and matrix metalloproteinases. In this study, we report that cytomix (a mixture of IL‐1β, TNF‐α and IFN‐γ) significantly enhances TGF‐β1‐induced EMT in A549 cells as evidenced by acquisition of fibroblast‐like cell shape, loss of E‐cadherin, and reorganization of F‐actin. IL‐1β or TNF‐α alone can also augment TGF‐β1‐induced EMT. However, a combination of IL‐1β and TNF‐α or the cytomix is more potent to induce EMT. Cytomix, but not individual cytokine of IL‐1β, TNF‐α or IFN‐γ, significantly up‐regulates expression of TGF‐β receptor type I (TβR‐I). Suppression of TβR‐I, Smad2 or Smad3 by siRNA partially blocks EMT induction by cytomix plus TGF‐β1, indicating cytomix augments TGF‐β1‐induced EMT through enhancing TβR‐I and Smad signaling. These results indicate that inflammatory cytokines together with TGF‐β1 may play an important role in the development of fibrosis and tumor progress via the mechanism of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Benzimidazolium Salts as Small, Nonpeptidic and BBB‐Permeable Human Prolyl Oligopeptidase Inhibitors
Authors: Tarragó Teresa , Masdeu Carme , Gómez Elena , Isambert Nicolás , Lavilla Rodolfo , Giralt Ernest 
Published: September 2008

AbstractProlyl oligopeptidase (POP) is a cytosolic serine peptidase that hydrolyzes proline‐containing peptides at the carboxy terminus of proline residues. This peptidase has gained importance as a target for the treatment of cognitive disturbances of patients with neuropsychiatric diseases. Our research addresses the identification of POP inhibitors from a small focused library of polar heterocyclic compounds arising from multicomponent reactions. Two selective POP‐specific inhibitors were identified on the basis of their inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV. The most active compounds were evaluated for their in vitro transport through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) using a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay. Our results show for the first time that benzimidazolium salts are new POP‐inhibitory scaffolds with properties of solubility, specificity, and lipophilicity that may allow them to cross the BBB by passive diffusion. These findings constitute an excellent starting point to synthesize new POP inhibitors with enhanced properties.
Temozolomide, thalidomide, and whole brain radiation therapy for patients with brain metastasis from metastatic melanoma
Authors: Atkins Michael B. , Sosman Jeffrey A. , Agarwala Sanjiv , Logan Theodore , Clark Joseph I. , Ernstoff Marc S. , Lawson David , Dutcher Janice P. , Weiss Geoffrey , Curti Brendan , Margolin Kim A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.The combination of temozolomide (TMZ) and thalidomide was reported to produce a high response rate, including shrinkage of brain metastases, in patients with metastatic melanoma. The authors tested the efficacy of a regimen including TMZ, thalidomide, and whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) in patients with brain (CNS) metastases from melanoma.METHODS.Patients with melanoma, CNS metastases documented by magnetic resonance imaging, and no prior systemic chemotherapy received WBRT, 30 Gray in 10 fractions, Days 1 to 5 and 8 to 12; TMZ, 75 mg/m2/day, Weeks 1 to 6; and thalidomide, 100 mg/day, Weeks 1 to 4, then escalated by 100 mg/day at Weeks 5, 7, and 9 as tolerated to a maximum of 400 mg/day. CNS and systemic tumor response was assessed at Week 10. Patients without CNS or clinically significant systemic disease progression received additional cycles of TMZ at 10‐week intervals.RESULTS.Thirty‐nine patients received treatment, and 3 exhibited CNS response (1 complete response, 2 partial responses) (response rate, 7.6%; 95% confidence interval, 0.7%‐16.1%), all unconfirmed by repeat imaging. Seven patients had stable CNS disease at 10 weeks. No patient exhibited a systemic response. Only 4 patients received 2 cycles of therapy, and just 1 received 3. Median time to progression was 7 weeks, and median overall survival was 4 months. Grade 3‐4 side effects included deep venous thrombosis (3), pulmonary embolism (1), and CNS events (12). Eighteen (45%) patients required admission for side effects (7) and/or symptomatic disease progression (11).CONCLUSIONS.The efficacy of TMZ, thalidomide, and WBRT in the treatment of CNS metastatic melanoma is low. Other treatment approaches should be considered for this patient population. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Currently used criteria for active surveillance in men with low‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Suardi Nazareno , Capitanio Umberto , Chun Felix K. H. , Graefen Markus , Perrotte Paul , Schlomm Thorsten , Haese Alexander , Huland Hartwig , Erbersdobler Andreas , Montorsi Francesco , Karakiewicz Pierre I. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.Active surveillance (AS) represents a treatment option for select patients with low‐risk, organ‐confined prostate cancer (PCa). In this report, the authors addressed the rates of misclassification associated with the use of 5 different clinical criteria for AS. Misclassification was defined as the presence of either nonorgan‐confined disease or high‐grade PCa.METHODS.Between 1992 and 2007, 4885 patients underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) at 1 of 2 European academic centers, and the patients were identified who fulfilled the criteria for AS according to 5 different investigational groups (Hardie et al, Roemeling et al, Choo et al, Klotz, and D'Amico and Coleman). Statistics targeted the rates of misclassification for each of the 5 definitions.RESULTS.Four thousand three hundred eight patients, 4047 patients, 3993 patients, 2455 patients, and 2345 patients fulfilled the AS criteria of Hardie et al, Roemeling et al, Choo et al, Klotz, and D'Amico and Coleman, respectively. Extracapsular extension was reported in 13.5% to 26% of patients, and seminal vesicle invasion was reported in 2.9% to 8.2% of patients. When PCa with Gleason scores from 8 to 10 at RP was considered high grade, the misclassification rates were 27%, 25%, 25%, 15%, and 14% for the 5 studies, respectively. Conversely, when PCa with Gleason scores from 7 to 10 was considered high grade, the misclassification rates increased to 56%, 55%, 45%, 42%, and 39%, respectively.CONCLUSIONS.The currently available AS criteria are limited by a high rate of misclassification. The use of more selective AS criteria may reduce the rate of misclassification but also may reduce significantly the percentage of patients who may be considered for AS. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Rhinal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex lesions produce selective impairments in object and spatial learning and memory in canines
Authors: Christie Lori‐Ann , Saunders Richard C. , Kowalska Danuta M. , MacKay William A. , Head Elizabeth , Cotman Carl W. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTo examine the effects of rhinal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex lesions on object and spatial recognition memory in canines, we used a protocol in which both an object (delayed nonmatching to sample, or DNMS) and a spatial (delayed nonmatching to position or DNMP) recognition task were administered daily. The tasks used similar procedures such that only the type of stimulus information to be remembered differed. Rhinal cortex (RC) lesions produced a selective deficit on the DNMS task, both in retention of the task rules at short delays and in object recognition memory. By contrast, performance on the DNMP task remained intact at both short and long delay intervals in RC animals. Subjects who received dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) lesions were impaired on a spatial task at a short, 5‐second delay, suggesting disrupted retention of the general task rules; however, this impairment was transient, and long‐term spatial memory performance was unaffected in dlPFC subjects. The present results provide support for the involvement of the RC in object, but not visuospatial, processing and recognition memory, whereas the dlPFC appears to mediate retention of a nonmatching rule. These findings support theories of functional specialization within the medial temporal lobe and frontal cortex and suggest that rhinal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices in canines are functionally similar to analogous regions in other mammals. J. Comp. Neurol. 511:257–270, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nucleosome Immobilization Strategies for Single‐Pair FRET Microscopy
Authors: Koopmans Wiepke J. A. , Schmidt Thomas , van Noort John 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAll genomic transactions in eukaryotes take place in the context of the nucleosome, the basic unit of chromatin, which is responsible for DNA compaction. Overcoming the steric hindrance that nucleosomes present for DNA‐processing enzymes requires significant conformational changes. The dynamics of these have been hard to resolve. Single‐pair Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (spFRET) microscopy is a powerful technique for observing conformational dynamics of the nucleosome. Nucleosome immobilization allows the extension of observation times to a limit set only by photobleaching, and thus opens the possibility of studying processes occurring on timescales ranging from milliseconds to minutes. It is crucial however, that immobilization itself does not introduce artifacts in the dynamics. Here we report on various nucleosome immobilization strategies, such as single‐point attachment to polyethylene glycol (PEG) or surfaces coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and confinement in porous agarose or polyacrylamide gels. We compare the immobilization specificity and structural integrity of immobilized nucleosomes. A crosslinked star polyethylene glycol coating performs best with respect to tethering specificity and nucleosome integrity, and enables us to reproduce for the first time bulk nucleosome unwrapping kinetics in single nucleosomes without immobilization artifacts.
Load‐regulated CSMA
Authors: Ashraf Manzur , Jayasuriya Aruna , Perreau Sylvie 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn this paper, we derive throughput of a threshold‐based transmission policy, namely load‐regulated carrier sense multiple access (CSMA), taking into account the propagation delay of the medium and the offered load at different probabilities of the fading channel. In case of the saturated load‐regulated CSMA, a trivial relationship between deterministic offered load to the channel at a particular fading channel condition and the maximum possible offered load has been shown. We further extend the load regulation concept into multi‐channel domain. Both single and multi‐channel load‐regulated CSMA improves the throughput of the system compared with the existing CSMA system, which does not consider channel fading to control the packet transmissions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Throughput analysis for interference limited TDMA and TDMA/CDMA wirelessad hocnetworks
Authors: Wang Jui Teng 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe node throughput, which is defined as the total rate received at each node, is evaluated for the interference limited TDMA and TDMA/CDMA wirelessad hocnetworks. In the TDMA wirelessad hocnetwork, there is only one transmission link connected to each node in the same time slot, whereas in the TDMA/CDMA wirelessad hocnetwork there are multiple transmission links connected to each node in the same time slot. We first derive the node throughput for these two wirelessad hocnetworks and then make a comparison of the node throughput between them. The theoretical results and simulation results both reveal that the TDMA wirelessad hocnetwork outperforms the TDMA/CDMA wirelessad hocnetwork in the node throughput. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transplanted neurons form both normal and ectopic projections in the adult brain
Authors: Magavi Sanjay S.P. , Lois Carlos 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTransplantation of embryonic or stem cell derived neurons has been proposed as a potential therapy for several neurological diseases. Previous studies reported that transplanted embryonic neurons extended long‐distance projections through the adult brain exclusively to appropriate targets. We transplanted E14 lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE) and E15 cortical precursors from embryonic mice into the intact adult brain and analyzed the projections formed by transplanted neurons. In contrast to previous studies, we found that transplanted embryonic neurons formed distinct long‐distance projections to both appropriate and ectopic targets. LGE neurons transplanted into the adult striatum formed projections not only to the substantia nigra, a normal target, but also to the claustrum and through all layers of fronto‐orbital cortex, regions that do not normally receive striatal input. In some cases, inappropriate projections outnumbered appropriate projections. To examine the relationship between the donor cells and host brain in establishing the pattern of projections, we transplanted cortical precursors into the adult striatum. Despite their heterotopic location, cortical precursors not only predominantly formed projections appropriate for cortical neurons, but they also formed projections to inappropriate targets. Transplantation of GFP‐expressing cells into β‐galactosidase‐expressing mice confirmed that the axonal projections were not created by the fusion of donor and host cells. These results suggest that repairing the brain using transplantation may be more complicated than previously expected, because exuberant ectopic projections could result in brain dysfunction. Understanding the signals regulating axonal extension in the adult brain will be necessary to harness stem cells or embryonic neurons for effective neuronal‐replacement therapies. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008.
Calcium signaling: A common thread in vertebrate left–right axis development
Authors: Langenbacher Adam , Chen Jau‐Nian 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe establishment of a left–right axis during vertebrate development is essential for coordinating the relative positions of the internal organs to ensure that they function appropriately. Studies in numerous model organisms have revealed differences in regulative mechanisms upstream of nodal signaling, a conserved pathway in left–right axis specification. This review will summarize the diverse pathways involved in the break of left–right symmetry and explore in depth the multiple roles of calcium in vertebrate left–right axis specification. Developmental Dynamics 237:3491–3496, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of human plasmacytoid dendritic cells depends on the combined action of the basic helix‐loop‐helix factor E2‐2 and the Ets factor Spi‐B
Authors: Nagasawa Maho , Schmidlin Heike , Hazekamp Mark G. , Schotte Remko , Blom Bianca 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPlasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are central players in the innate and adaptive immune response against viral infections. The molecular mechanism that underlies pDC development from progenitor cells is only beginning to be elucidated. Previously, we reported that the Ets factor Spi‐B and the inhibitors of DNA binding protein 2 (Id2) or Id3, which antagonize E‐protein activity, are crucially involved in promoting or impairing pDC development, respectively. Here we show that the basic helix‐loop‐helix protein E2‐2 is predominantly expressed in pDC, but not in their progenitor cells or conventional DC. Forced expression of E2‐2 in progenitor cells stimulated pDC development. Conversely, inhibition of E2‐2 expression by RNA interference impaired the generation of pDC suggesting a key role of E2‐2 in development of these cells. Notably, Spi‐B was unable to overcome the Id2 enforced block in pDC development and moreover Spi‐B transduced pDC expressed reduced Id2 levels. This might indicate that Spi‐B contributes to pDC development by promoting E2‐2 activity. Consistent with notion, simultaneous overexpression of E2‐2 and Spi‐B in progenitor cells further stimulated pDC development. Together our results provide additional insight into the transcriptional network controlling pDC development as evidenced by the joint venture of E2‐2 and Spi‐B.
Structural Peculiarities and Electrophysical Properties of Lithium Ion Conducting Lanthanum Niobate Prepared by Solid‐State Reaction and Precipitation from Solution
Authors: Belous Anatolii , Gavrilenko Oksana , Pashkova Olena , Bohnké Odile , Bohnké Claude 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSynthesis of lithium ion conducting niobate was carried out by a conventional solid‐state reaction (SSR) and by precipitation from solution (PS). X‐ray powder diffraction was used to determine both intermediate phases that are formed during the preparation of these niobate from powder precursors and to determine the structure of sintered ceramics. It is shown that the PS technique leads to the formation of a perovskite phase at a lower temperature relative to the temperature required for the SSR technique. The electrophysical properties of the sintered ceramics were investigated by ac impedance spectroscopy. It is shown that not only the resistance but also the capacitance of the grain boundary are strongly affected by the method of synthesis used. It was found for the first time that the ceramic obtained from powders prepared by precipitation from solution can be used as pH sensors with good sensitivity (48 mV/pH) in the pH range from 4 to 10 and with a fast response time.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Stability Constants and Dissociation Rates of the EDTMP Complexes of Samarium(III) and Yttrium(III)
Authors: Kálmán Ferenc Krisztián , Király Róbert , Brücher Ernő 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe stability constants of Sm(EDTMP) (log KML = 20.71) and Y(EDTMP) (log KML = 19.19) were determined by a competition reaction between the Ln3+ ion (Ln3+ = Sm3+ or Y3+) and Cu2+ for the EDTMP ligand by spectrophotometry at pH ≈ 10, in the presence of an excess amount of citrate (0.15 M NaCl, 25 °C). For determining the stability constants of Cu(EDTMP) (log KML = 19.36) and Ca(EDTMP) (log KML = 8.71) pH–potentiometry was used. In the pH range 4–9 the EDTMP complexes are present in the form of nonprotonated and mono‐, di‐ and triprotonated species. The Ca2+ ion forms a dinuclear complex with Ln(EDTMP). In a simplified blood plasma model consisting of Sm3+, Ca2+ and Zn2+ metal ions, EDTMP, citrate, cysteine and histidine ligands, Sm3+ is practically present in the form of [Sm(HEDTMP)Ca]2–, whereas Zn2+ predominantly forms [Zn(HEDTMP)]5– and [Zn(H2EDTMP)]4– complexes. For studying the dissociation rates of the complexes, the kinetics of the metal exchange (transmetallation) reactions between the Ln(EDTMP) complexes and Cu2+–citrate were investigated in the pH range 7–9 by the stopped‐flow method. The rates of the exchange reactions are independent of the Cu2+ concentration and increase with the H+ concentration. The rate constants, characterizing the proton‐assisted dissociation of the Ln(EDTMP) complexes, are several orders of magnitude higher than those of the similar Ln(EDTA) complexes, because the protonation constants of Ln(EDTMP) are high and the protonated Ln(HEDTMP) and Ln(H2EDTMP) species are present in higher concentration. The half‐times of dissociation of Sm(EDTMP) and Y(EDTMP) at pH = 7.4 and 25 °C are 4.9 and 7.5 s, respectively. These relatively short dissociation half‐time values do not predict the deposition of Ln3+ ions in bones in the form of intact Ln(EDTMP) complexes. It is more probable that sorption of the EDTMP ligand and Sm3+ or Y3+ ions occurs independently after the dissociation of complexes.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Synthesis, Structures and Reactions of Isolable Terminal Aryl/Biaryl‐butadiynes (Ar–C≡C–C≡CH)
Authors: West Kara , Hayward Laura N. , Batsanov Andrei S. , Bryce Martin R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe synthesis and isolation is reported of five terminal aryl/biaryl‐butadiynes, Ar–C≡C–C≡CH, (5a–c, 10a and 10b) from 2‐methyl‐6‐aryl/biaryl‐hexa‐3,5‐diyn‐2‐ol precursors [Ar–C≡C–C≡C–C(Me)2OH; Ar = 2‐MeOC6H4, 3‐MeOC6H4, 4‐MeOC6H4, 2‐phenylpyridin‐5‐yl, 3‐phenylpyridin‐2‐yl, respectively]. The X‐ray crystal structures have been obtained for compounds 5c and 10a. Surprisingly, no ≡C–H···X (X = N or O) hydrogen bonds exist in the crystals of 5c and 10a. These structures illustrate the fact that ≡C–H···X hydrogen bonds are not always reliable tools for crystal engineering. Palladium‐catalysed cross‐coupling of 5c with 2‐iodopyrimidine gave the unsymmetrical 1,4‐diarylbutadiyne derivative 12; copper‐catalysed reactions of 5c and 10a with benzyl azide proceeded regioselectively to give alkynyltriazoles 13 and 14.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Digital cellular mobile‐radio system ECR900
Authors: Ballard M. , Issenmann E. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn Europe, second generation equipment for mobile telecommunications will operate in the WMHz band as defined by the Groupe Spécial Mobile (GSM) of the European Conference of Posts and Telecommunications (CEPT). By contributing to and complying with these recommendations, Alcatel, in cooperation with Nokia and AEG, has contributed in developing a pan‐European digital Cellular mobile‐Radio system, the ECR900.This system is based on the Intelligent Network (IN) concept. The Alcatel E10 and the System 12 digital switches are compatible IN components and naturally accommodate the ECR900 system.Outside these digital exchanges, specific mobile functions are concentrated at mobile‐radio service control points, built on ALCATEL8300 telecommunication processors.The ECR900 system has already been ordered in France for the GSM Mobile‐Radio network, in the Federal Republic of Germany and in the Netherlands.
Large vocabulary hidden markov model based speech recognition
Authors: Rigoll Cerhard 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper gives an introduction to the use of Hidden Markov Models and Information Theory principles for speech recognition. The use of these techniques has led to powerful large vocabulary speech recognition systems developed in the recent years. The use of Hidden Markov Models for stochastic modeling of speech and the basic modules of a Hidden Markov Model based speech recognition system are explained. It is shown how the speech waveform can be transformed into acoustic features and into prototypes which characterize the acoustic state space of the given speaker. The phonemes of the language can be represented by Hidden Markov Models. The statistical parameters of these Markov models can be obtained during a training session. During recognition the input to the linguistic decoder is the acoustic label string resulting from the speech signal of a spoken sentence. The decoder picks the sentence which maximizes the probability of the word sequence of this sentence if the given label stream is seen. The paper concludes with a more detailed explanation of the acoustic processor of the speech recognition system and some proposed algorithms for its improvement which can lead to a better system performance.