bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developmental potential of selectively enucleated immature mouse oocytes upon nuclear transfer
Authors: Mohammed A.A. , Karasiewicz J. , Modliński J.A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSelective enucleation (SE) was applied to germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes by removing the chromatin attached to nuclear envelope, and leaving the liquid contents of GV in the cytoplast. However, after reconstruction with 1/8 blastomeres or fetal fibroblasts (FFs) neither the maturation efficiency nor the frequency of normal (asymmetric) division was improved as compared with completely enucleated (CE) oocytes. Chromosomal aberrations introduced with somatic nuclei were not rescued in SE oocytes either. On the other hand, timing of maturation division in SE GV oocytes, but not in CE GV oocytes, reconstructed with GV‐karyoplasts was like in the control. After maturation and fertilization in vitro, SE oocytes reconstructed with 1/8 blastomeres developed nucleolated donor pronuclei, contrary to CE oocytes. The latter could be rescued with nucleoli‐containing nucleus, but not anucleolate nucleus, from a 1/2 blastomere. SE oocytes reconstructed with FFs contained nucleolated pronuclei upon activation, unlike CE GV oocytes. These experiments show that the ooplast nucleolar material and/or embryonic nucleolus are indispensable for pronuclei formation. SE oocytes reconstructed with 1/8 blastomeres or FFs failed to cleave after activation or in vitro fertilization. Control GV oocytes enucleolated before fertilization seized cleavage at the 6‐cell stage, as oppose to intact GV oocytes, which in 50.9% yielded morulae/blastocysts. These results suggest that ooplast nucleolar material is essential for the cleavage divisions. Activation of cumulus‐enclosed SE GV oocytes matured in hormone‐supplemented medium and fused to 1/2 blastomere‐karyoplasts, yielded morulae, and blastocysts in 45.5% and 23.4% of reconstructed oocytes, respectively. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1269–1280, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of a novel sperm gelatinase in prawn sperm by the male reproduction‐related kazal‐type peptidase inhibitor
Authors: Li Ye , Ma Wen‐Ming , Dai Jie‐Qiong , Feng Chen‐Zhuo , Yang Fan , Ohira Tsuyoshi , Nagasawa Hiromichi , Yang Wei‐Jun 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPreviously, we have identified and characterized a male reproduction‐related kazal‐type peptidase inhibitor (MRPINK) gene from the prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. In the present study, MRPINK was discovered to have an inhibitory effect on the gelatinolytic activity of M. rosenbergii sperm and immunofluorescence analysis revealed it bound specifically onto the base of sperm. The proteolytic activity of sperm extracts to vitelline coat components was also detected to be interfered by MRPINK. Furthermore, a novel gelatinase on sperm was found to be specifically inhibited by MRPINK and was named M. rosenbergii sperm gelatinase (MSG). MSG was then isolated and purified by reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatography combining with gelatinolytic assay. By amino‐terminal amino acid sequence analysis and molecular cloning, the primary structure of MSG was determined. The data presented in this study provided evidence that MRPINK has an inhibitory effect on the gelatinolytic activity as well as proteolytic activity of prawn sperm and specifically blocks the activity of MSG. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1327–1337, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Germ cell‐specific expression of GFP gene induced by chicken vasa homologue (Cvh) promoter in early chicken embryos
Authors: Minematsu Takeo , Harumi Takashi , Naito Mitsuru 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn the present study, we cloned the promoter sequence of the chicken vasa homologue (Cvh) gene, and observed the induction of germ cell‐specific gene expression regulated by Cvh promoter in vitro and in vivo. The 2,718‐bp Cvh promoter sequence involved putative binding sites of transcription factors such as Oct‐1, Nkx2‐5, HNF‐4 and v‐Myb, and a putative CpG island. The reporter vectors, which expressed humanized recombinant green fluorescent protein (hrGFP) under the control of one of three lengths (827, 1,555 and 2,718 bp) of Cvh promoter, were transfected to the dispersed gonadal cells of 7‐day incubated embryos in vitro. Every length of promoter‐induced germ cell‐specific hrGFP expression was verified by immunohistochemistry for germ cell‐specific antigens, and the intensity of fluorescence was significantly higher in the transfected gonadal cells using 1,555‐ and 2,718‐bp Cvh promoter compared with 827‐bp promoter. These results suggested that the germ cell‐specific and enhanced gene expression required at least a 1,555‐bp sequence of the 5′ flanking region of Cvh gene. In vivo transfection of the reporter vector with 1,555‐bp Cvh promoter, which was performed by injecting liposome‐DNA complex into the blood vessels of 2‐day incubated embryos, also induced germ cell‐specific hrGFP expression. The Cvh promoter could provide the basis for a methodology for the visualization, purification and genetical modification of germ cells, and might further contribute to our understanding of the development, proliferation, migration and differentiation of germ cells in the chicken. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1515–1522 © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of prostaglandin E2 and tumor necrosis factor α on the VEGF‐Receptor system expression in cultured porcine luteal cells
Authors: Kowalczyk Anna E. , Kaczmarek Monika M. , Schams Dieter , Ziecik Adam J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, fms‐like tyrosine kinase (Flt‐1) and fetal liver kinase‐1/kinase insert domain‐containing receptor (Flk‐1/KDR), in cultured porcine luteal cells. Real‐time PCR was used for quantification of VEGF and its receptors mRNA, whereas VEGF release by luteal cells was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Only the highest dose of PGE2 (1 µM) after 6 hr of incubation stimulated VEGF release by luteal cells collected in the mid‐luteal phase (P < 0.05). Moreover, PGE2 (100 nM, 1 µM) significantly stimulated VEGF secretion by luteal cells in the late phase and during pregnancy on Days 10–12 (P < 0.05). Elevated mRNA expression of both VEGF 120 and VEGF 164 isoforms was found in luteal cells cultured with PGE2. The lack of an effect of PGE2 on VEGF receptors mRNA expression was observed. TNFα was able to significantly stimulate VEGF release from cells obtained in the mid‐ and late luteal phase or during early pregnancy. All tested doses enhanced mRNA levels of VEGF 120 isoform, but not VEGF 164. Additionally, TNFα was able to decrease Flk‐1/KDR mRNA expression, whereas Flt‐1 mRNA levels were not affected. These results indicated that PGE2 and TNFα influenced VEGF ligand‐receptor system expression in porcine luteal cells and may therefore play an important role in regulation of luteal functions during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in pigs. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1558–1566 © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stability and convergence of the spectral Galerkin method for the Cahn‐Hilliard equation
Authors: He Yinnian , Liu Yunxian 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA spectral Galerkin method in the spatial discretization is analyzed to solve the Cahn‐Hilliard equation. Existence, uniqueness, and stabilities for both the exact solution and the approximate solution are given. Using the theory and technique of a priori estimate for the partial differential equation, we obtained the convergence of the spectral Galerkin method and the error estimate between the approximate solution uN(t) and the exact solution u(t). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2008
Is there gender bias in nursing research?
Authors: Polit Denise F. , Beck Cheryl Tatano 
Published: March 2008

AbstractUsing data from a consecutive sample of 259 studies published in four leading nursing research journals in 2005–2006, we examined whether nurse researchers favor females as study participants. On average, 75.3% of study participants were female, and 38% of studies had all‐female samples. The bias favoring female participants was statistically significant and persistent. The bias was observed regardless of funding source, methodological features, and other participant and researcher characteristics, with one exception: studies that had male investigators had more sex‐balanced samples. When designing studies, nurse researchers need to pay close attention to who will benefit from their research and to whether they are leaving out a specific group about which there is a gap in knowledge. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 31:417–427, 2008
Elevated expression of SerpinA1 and SerpinA3 in HLA‐positive cervical carcinoma
Authors: Kloth JN , Gorter A , Fleuren GJ , Oosting J , Uljee S , Haar N ter , Dreef EJ , Kenter GG , Jordanova ES 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn cervical cancer, an important mechanism by which tumour cells escape immune surveillance is loss of HLA class I, enabling tumours to evade recognition and lysis by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Some tumours, however, escape from immune surveillance without accumulating defects in antigen presentation. We hypothesized that tumours with no or partial loss of HLA class I develop alternative mechanisms to prevent immune elimination. To investigate this hypothesis, genome‐wide expression profiling using Illumina arrays was performed on cervical squamous cell carcinomas showing overall loss of HLA class I, partial, and normal HLA class I protein expression. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in gene expression between tumours with partial (n = 11) and normal HLA class I expression (n = 10). Comparison of tumours with normal/partial HLA class I expression (n = 21) with those with overall loss of HLA class I expression (n = 11) identified 150 differentially expressed genes. Most of these genes were involved in the defence response (n = 27) and, in particular, inflammatory and acute phase responses. Especially SerpinA1 and SerpinA3 were found to be up‐regulated in HLA‐positive tumours (3.6‐ and 8.2‐fold, respectively), and this was confirmed by real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry. In a group of 117 tumours, high SerpinA1 and SerpinA3 expression in association with normal/partial HLA expression correlated significantly with poor overall survival (p = 0.035 and p = 0.05, respectively). Thus, HLA‐positive tumours are characterized by higher expression of genes associated with an inflammatory profile. In addition, expression of the acute phase proteins SerpinA1 and SerpinA3 in HLA‐positive tumours is associated with worse prognosis. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility study of early fetal growth parameters
Authors: Verburg Bero O. , Mulder Paul G. H. , Hofman Albert , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Witteman Jacqueline C. M. , Steegers Eric A. P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the intra‐ and interobserver reproducibility of fetal biometry measurements by transabdominal ultrasound in early pregnancy.MethodsThe study consisted of 21 singleton pregnancies with a gestational age between 9 and 14 weeks. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficients of variation (CVs) were calculated. Bland and Altman plots were computed to analyze agreement for measurements between and among observers. Limits of agreement ± 2 SD for the differences in fetal biometry measurements in proportions of the mean of the measurements were derived.ResultsHigh intra‐ and interobserver ICCs were found, ranging from 0.998, crown‐rump length (CRL) to 0.982, femur length (FL) and CVs ranging from 1.4% (CRL) to 5.9% (FL). Limits of agreement in the Bland and Altman plots ranged from − 2.7 to 2.3% (CRL) difference from the mean to − 13 to 23% (FL) difference. Agreement for fetal biometry increased with fetal size.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated good reproducibility of most measurements of fetal biometry in early pregnancy by abdominal ultrasound. CRL and biparietal diameter (BPD) showed high reproducibility and agreement, and head circumference (HC) to a lesser extend, from 9 weeks of gestational age onwards. abdominal circumference (AC) is only reliable from circa 11 weeks onwards. FL has a poor reproducibility before 14 weeks of gestational age. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of labor on postpartum clearance of cell‐free fetal DNA from the maternal circulation
Authors: Hui L. , Vaughan J. I. , Nelson M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the effect of mode of delivery on the postpartum clearance of cell‐free fetal (cff) DNA.MethodsWomen who gave birth to a single‐term male infant by any mode of delivery had blood collected on three occasions: within 3 h of birth, on day 1–2 postpartum and at 2 weeks postpartum. The SRY sequence was used as a marker of cff DNA, and was detected using conventional PCR.ResultsEighty‐seven women were included in the study. There were 28 women in the elective caesarean section group and 59 in the labor group. Cell‐free fetal DNA was detected in 38/87 (44%) of women within 3 h of birth. There was a significant difference between the group that labored and the group that did not (54 vs 21%, p = 0.003). Twelve percent of women who labored had persistent cff DNA on day 1–2 postpartum, compared with none of the women who delivered without labor. No woman had DNA that persisted up to 2 weeks postpartum.ConclusionThe presence of labor increases the rate of detectable DNA in women within 3 h of birth and on day 1–2 postpartum. Postpartum clearance was completed by 2 weeks in all women tested regardless of mode of delivery. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blood pressure control and ACE inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker usage
Authors: Woodward A , Mugarza J , Khan M , Smith E , Wilding J , Gill G 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe aim of this audit was to determine the changes over a four‐year period in the numbers of type 2 patients with microalbuminuria (MA) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE‐I) and/or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy and who had achieved target blood pressure (BP) control.We undertook a retrospective electronic case note audit of 200 type 2 patients attending hospital diabetes clinics. Patients were divided into three groups: MA, DN and normoalbuminuric. Results were compared with a similar audit carried out four years previously.The three groups were well matched for numbers, age, sex and HbA1c. The numbers achieving target BP had not improved in all three groups. There was no improvement in systolic BP but diastolic BP improved significantly in all groups— MA 74±12 to 69±11 (p = 0.03); DN 78±12 to 70±13 (p = 0.02); and normoalbuminuric 73±12 to 69±11 (p = 0.006). Only the normoalbuminuric group showed a significant increase in the numbers prescribed ≥ three antihypertensive drugs (14% to 28%, p = 0.008). Treatment with ACE‐I and/or ARB had improved overall in the MA group (53% to 92%, p<0.0001), and in the normoalbuminuric group (41% to 57%, p = 0.01). Usage of ARB therapy increased significantly in all groups— MA 3% to 23% (p = 0.01); DN 13% to 47% (p = 0.003); and normoalbuminuric 2% to 15% (p = 0.0003).We conclude that hypertension remains under‐treated, especially in the MA and DN groups despite an improvement in the usage of ACE‐I and ARB therapy. Widespread use of protocol‐driven, nurse‐led clinics may help to intensify management. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons.
The management of women with gestational diabetes can be stratified according to diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test results
Authors: Wong ML , Butson S , Gatling W , Masding MG 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe ACHOIS trial (Australian Carbohydrate Intolerance Study in Pregnant Women) confirmed the benefits of treating gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Optimum management strategies remain uncertain. In our unit, women with GDM are allocated into two treatment groups according to their diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) result. Those with a fasting glucose <6mmol/L and two‐hour post‐load glucose of 7.8–9mmol/L are treated conservatively: dietitian‐led, with weekly blood glucose test two hours post‐meal; while those with a fasting glucose ≥ 6mmol/L or two‐hour post‐load glucose ≥ 9mmol/L are treated intensively: regular clinic reviews, with four times daily home blood glucose monitoring (HBGM).This study aimed to investigate any difference in outcomes between the conservative group (n = 35) and the intensive group (n = 46).Eighty‐one GDM patients attending the joint obstetric clinic between May 2001 and March 2004 were identified, and pregnancy outcomes in the two groups were compared.There were no significant differences in mean birth weight (conservative group 3572±458g, intensive group 3601±666g, p = 0.597), rates of macrosomia [>4kg] (conservative 20%, intensive 30%, p = 0.3) and large for gestational age [>95th centile] (conservative 29%, intensive 41%, p = 0.2).It was concluded that the care of women with GDM can be stratified based on diagnostic OGTT results and managed accordingly, which may allow for a more resource‐efficient management strategy in this group. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons.
Experimental therapy of prostate cancer with novel natural product anti‐cancer ginsenosides
Authors: Wang Wei , Rayburn Elizabeth R. , Hao Miao , Zhao Yuqing , Hill Donald L. , Zhang Ruiwen , Wang Hui 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBACKGROUNDGinseng and its components exert various biological effects, including antioxidant, anti‐carcinogenic, anti‐mutagenic, and anti‐tumor activity, and recent research has focused on their value in human cancer prevention and treatment. We recently isolated 25‐hydroxyprotopanaxadiol (25‐OH‐PPD) and 25‐hydroxyprotopanaxatriol (25‐OH‐PPT) from Panax ginseng and evaluated their anti‐cancer activity in vitro.METHODSWe compared the effects of the two compounds on human prostate cancer LNCaP and PC3 cells in vitro and in a mouse PC3 xenograft tumor model. We also accomplished a preliminary determination of the mechanisms of action of the compounds.RESULTS25‐OH‐PPD, but not 25‐OH‐PPT, inhibited prostate cancer cell growth and proliferation, induced apoptosis, and led to arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. In nude mice bearing PC3 xenograft tumors, 25‐OH‐PPD inhibited tumor growth in a dose‐dependent manner and could be safely combined with chemotherapeutic agents (taxotere and gemcitabine) and radiation therapy to improve the anti‐tumor effects. Further, in both PC3 and LNCaP cell lines, 25‐OH‐PPD increased expression of p21, p27, and Bax, induced PARP cleavage and activated caspases. The compound also reduced expression of MDM2, E2F1, Bcl2, cdk2/4/6, and cyclin D1, which correlated with the cell cycle arrest in G1 and the decrease in proliferation. Moreover, 25‐OH‐PPD demonstrated low toxicity to non‐cancer cells and no observable host toxicity in animals either alone or in combination with conventional therapies.CONCLUSIONSThe newly identified ginsenoside 25‐OH‐PPD may have potential as a novel prostate cancer therapeutic agent. Prostate 68:809–819, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic changes and DNA damage responses in the prostate
Authors: Kiviharju‐af Hällström Taija M. , Laiho Marikki 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe integrity of genomic DNA is challenged by genotoxic stress originating during normal cellular metabolism or by external insults. Cellular responses to DNA damage involve elegant checkpoint cascades enforcing cell cycle arrest, damage repair, apoptosis or cellular senescence. The loss or alterations of genes involved in the damage response pathways have been reported in many cancer susceptibility syndromes and in sporadic tumors. Furthermore, this surveillance pathway is activated during early tumourigenesis presumably due to uncontrolled replicative cycles and has been recognized as one of the main barriers against the development of cancer. This review discusses the relevance of prostatic epithelial cells in prostate tumourigenesis and highlights common molecular changes associated with prostate cancer. Furthermore, DNA damage responses of primary cultures of human prostatic epithelial cells and fresh human prostate tissues are discussed providing evidence for alterations in crucial DNA damage checkpoint molecules. New insights connecting prostate tumourigenesis to alterations and defects in the pathways maintaining genomic integrity will be discussed. Prostate 68:902–918, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
All‐atom replica exchange molecular simulation of protein BBL
Authors: Zhang Jian , Li Wenfei , Wang Jun , Qin Meng , Wang Wei 
Published: March 2008

AbstractDownhill folding is one of the most important predictions of energy landscape theory. Recently, the Escherichia coli 2‐oxoglutarate dehydrogenase PSBD was described as a first example of global downhill folding (Garcia‐Mira et al., Science 2002;298:2191), classification that has been later subject of significant controversy. To help resolve this problem, by using intensive all‐atom simulation with explicit water model and the replica exchange method, we sample the phase space of protein BBL and depict the free energy landscape. We give an estimate of the free energy barrier height of 1–2 kBT, dependent on the way the energy landscape is projected. We also study the conformational distribution of the transition region and find that the three helices generally take the similar positions as that in the native states whereas their spatial orientations show large variability. We further detect the inconsistency between different signals by individually fitting the thermal denaturation curves of five structural features using two‐state model, which gives a wide spread melting temperature of 19 K. All of these features are consistent with a picture of folding with very low cooperativities. Compared with the experimental data (Sadqi et al., Nature 2006; 442:317), our results indicate that the Naf‐BBL (pH5.3) may have an even lower barrier height and cooperativity. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Scan2S: Increasing the precision of PROSITE pattern motifs using secondary structure constraints
Authors: Skrabanek Lucy , Niv Masha Y. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractSequence signature databases such as PROSITE, which include protein pattern motifs indicative of a protein's function, are widely used for function prediction studies, cellular localization annotation, and sequence classification. Correct annotation relies on high precision of the motifs. We present a new and general approach for increasing the precision of established protein pattern motifs by including secondary structure constraints (SSCs). We use Scan2S, the first sequence motif‐scanning program to optionally include SSCs, to augment PROSITE pattern motifs. The constraints were derived from either the DSSP secondary structure assignment or the PSIPRED predictions for PROSITE‐documented true positive hits. The secondary structure‐augmented motifs were scanned against all SwissProt sequences, for which secondary structure predictions were precalculated. Against this dataset, motifs with PSIPRED‐derived SSCs exhibited improved performance over motifs with DSSP‐derived constraints. The precision of 763 of the 782 PSIPRED‐augmented motifs remained unchanged or increased compared to the original motifs; 26 motifs showed an absolute precision increase of 10–30%. We provide the complete set of augmented motifs and the Scan2S program at http://physiology.med.cornell.edu/go/scan2s. Our results suggest a general protocol for increasing the precision of protein pattern detection via the inclusion of SSCs. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.