bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Munc18c Depletion Selectively Impairs the Sustained Phase of Insulin Release
Authors: Oh Eunjin , Thurmond Debbie C. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE
The Sec1/Munc18 protein Munc18c has been implicated in Syntaxin 4–mediated exocytosis events, although its purpose in exocytosis has remained elusive. Given that Syntaxin 4 functions in the second phase of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), we hypothesized that Munc18c would also be required and sought insight into the possible mechanism(s) using the islet β-cell as a model system.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Perifusion analyses of isolated Munc18c- (−/+) or Munc18c-depleted (RNAi) mouse islets were used to assess biphasic secretion. Protein interaction studies used subcellular fractions and detergent lysates prepared from MIN6 β-cells to determine the mechanistic role of Munc18c in Syntaxin 4 activation and docking/fusion of vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)2-containing insulin granules. Electron microscopy was used to gauge changes in granule localization.

RESULTS
Munc18c (−/+) islets secreted ∼60% less insulin selectively during second-phase GSIS; RNAi-mediated Munc18c depletion functionally recapitulated this in wild-type and Munc18c (−/+) islets in a gene dosage-dependent manner. Munc18c depletion ablated the glucose-stimulated VAMP2–Syntaxin 4 association as well as Syntaxin 4 activation, correlating with the deficit in insulin release. Remarkably, Munc18c depletion resulted in aberrant granule localization to the plasma membrane in response to glucose stimulation, consistent with its selective effect on the second phase of secretion.

CONCLUSIONS
Collectively, these studies demonstrate an essential positive role for Munc18c in second-phase GSIS and suggest novel roles for Munc18c in granule localization to the plasma membrane as well as in triggering Syntaxin 4 accessibility to VAMP2 at a step preceding vesicle docking/fusion.
Prenatal Stress or High-Fat Diet Increases Susceptibility to Diet-Induced Obesity in Rat Offspring
Authors: Tamashiro Kellie L.K. , Terrillion Chantelle E. , Hyun Jayson , Koenig James I. , Moran Timothy H. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE
Perturbations to the prenatal environment have been associated with the development of adult chronic disease, findings that gave rise to the “Barker Hypothesis” or the “developmental origins of adult disease” concept. In this study, we used an animal model to determine the metabolic consequences of maternal prenatal stress and high-fat feeding on the developing offspring.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained on standard chow or 60% high-fat diet throughout gestation and lactation. Half of each group were exposed to a novel variable stress paradigm during the 3rd week of gestation, whereas control dams were left undisturbed. Body weight, body composition, glucose tolerance, and endocrine parameters were measured in offspring through early adulthood.

RESULTS
Male and female pups from dams that experienced prenatal stress and/or were on a high-fat diet weighed more beginning on postnatal day 7 compared with standard chow–control pups. Access to high-fat diet at weaning increased the body weight effect through early adulthood and was attributable to greater adiposity. Pups weaned onto standard chow diet showed no significant difference in glucose clearance or insulin secretion. However, pups weaned onto high-fat diet had impaired glucose tolerance if their dams were on a high-fat diet, experienced prenatal stress, or both.

CONCLUSIONS
Our data demonstrate that prenatal stress and/or high-fat diet during the intrauterine or postnatal environment affects offspring in a manner that increases their susceptibility to diet-induced obesity and leads to secondary adverse metabolic consequences.
MicroRNAs Induced During Adipogenesis that Accelerate Fat Cell Development Are Downregulated in Obesity
Authors: Xie Huangming , Lim Bing , Lodish Harvey F. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE
We investigated the regulation and involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in fat cell development and obesity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Using miRNA microarrays, we profiled the expression of &gt;370 miRNAs during adipogenesis of preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells and adipocytes from leptin deficient ob/ob and diet-induced obese mice. Changes in key miRNAs were validated by RT-PCR. We further assessed the contribution of the chronic inflammatory environment in obese adipose tissue to the dysregulated miRNA expression by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α treatment of adipocytes. We functionally characterized two adipocyte-enriched miRNAs, miR-103 and miR-143, by a gain-of-function approach.

RESULTS
Similar miRNAs were differentially regulated during in vitro and in vivo adipogenesis. Importantly, miRNAs that were induced during adipogenesis were downregulated in adipocytes from both types of obese mice and vice versa. These changes are likely associated with the chronic inflammatory environment, since they were mimicked by TNF-α treatment of differentiated adipocytes. Ectopic expression of miR-103 or miR-143 in preadipocytes accelerated adipogenesis, as measured both by the upregulation of many adipogenesis markers and by an increase in triglyceride accumulation at an early stage of adipogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS
Our results provide the first experimental evidence for miR-103 function in adipose biology. The remarkable inverse regulatory pattern for many miRNAs during adipogenesis and obesity has important implications for understanding adipose tissue dysfunction in obese mice and humans and the link between chronic inflammation and obesity with insulin resistance.
Breast-Feeding Modifies the Association of PPARγ2 Polymorphism Pro12Ala With Growth in Early Life
Authors: Mook-Kanamori Dennis O. , Steegers Eric A.P. , Uitterlinden Andre G. , Moll Henriëtte A. , van Duijn Cornelia M. , Hofman Albert , Jaddoe Vincent W.V. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE
We examined whether the PPARγ2 Ala12 allele influences growth in early life and whether this association is modified by breast-feeding.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a prospective cohort study from early fetal life onward. PPARγ2 was genotyped in DNA obtained from cord blood samples in 3,432 children. Information about breast-feeding was available from questionnaires. Weight, head circumference, and femur length were repeatedly measured in second and third trimesters of pregnancy, at birth, and at the ages of 1.5, 6, 11, 14, and 18 months.

RESULTS
Genotype frequency distribution was 77.6% (Pro12Pro), 20.7% (Pro12Ala), and 1.7% (Ala12Ala). Growth rates in weight from second trimester of pregnancy to 18 months were higher for Pro12Ala and Ala12Ala than for Pro12Pro carriers (differences 1.11 g/week [95% CI 0.47–1.74] and 2.65 g/week [0.45–4.87], respectively). We found an interaction between genotype and breast-feeding duration (P value for interaction &lt;0.0001). In infants who were breast-fed for ≥4 months, PPARγ2 Pro12Ala was not associated with growth rate. When breast-feeding duration was &lt;2 months or 2–4 months, growth rate was higher in Ala12Ala than Pro12Pro carriers (differences 9.80 g/week [3.97–15.63] and 6.32 g/week [−1.04 to 13.68], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS
The PPARγ2 Ala12 allele is associated with an increased growth rate in early life. This effect may be influenced by breast-feeding duration. Further studies should replicate these findings, identify the underlying mechanisms, and assess whether these effects persist into later life.
Weight Loss May Reverse Blunted Sympathetic Neural Responsiveness to Glucose Ingestion in Obese Subjects With Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Straznicky Nora E. , Lambert Gavin W. , McGrane Mariee T. , Masuo Kazuko , Dawood Tye , Nestel Paul J. , Eikelis Nina , Schlaich Markus P. , Esler Murray D. , Socratous Florentia , Chopra Reena , Lambert Elisabeth A. 
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of weight loss on sympathetic nervous system responsiveness to glucose ingestion in obese subjects with metabolic syndrome, in whom such responses are reportedly blunted.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Thirty four subjects, 19 insulin resistant and 15 insulin sensitive and aged 55 ± 1 years (mean ± SE) with BMI 31.6 ± 0.6 kg/m2, who fulfilled the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for metabolic syndrome participated. Simultaneous measurements of whole-body norepinephrine spillover rate, calf blood flow, and intra-arterial blood pressure were made at times 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min postglucose (75 g). The experiment was repeated after a 3-month hypocaloric diet with or without an exercise program.

RESULTS
Body weight decreased by 8.1 ± 0.9 and 8.4 ± 1.1 kg and resting norepinephrine spillover by 94 ± 31 and 166 ± 58 ng/min (all P ≤ 0.01) in insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive subjects, respectively. Weight loss was accompanied by a marked increase in sympathetic responsiveness after glucose but only in insulin-resistant subjects. In this subgroup, comparative increases in norepinephrine spillover rates at baseline and after weight loss averaged −3 ± 25 versus 73 ± 24 ng/min at 30 min (P = 0.039), 36 ± 21 versus 115 ± 28 ng/min at 60 min (P = 0.045), 9 ± 21 versus 179 ± 50 ng/min at 90 min (P &lt; 0.001), and 40 ± 48 versus 106 ± 39 ng/min at 120 min (P = 0.24).

CONCLUSIONS
Weight loss reverses blunted sympathetic responsiveness to glucose ingestion in insulin-resistant subjects with metabolic syndrome, which is relevant to postprandial energy utilization and body weight homeostasis.
Hydromagnetic Three Dimensional Couette Flow and Heat Transfer
Authors: Das SS , Mohanty M , Panda JP , Sahoo SK 
Published: February 2009

This paper is concerned with the theoretical analysis of three dimensional couette flow of a viscous incompressible electrically conducting fluid between two infinite horizontal parallel porous flat plates in presence of a transverse magnetic field. The stationary plate and the plate in uniform motion are, respectively, subjected to a transverse sinusoidal injection and uniform suction of the fluid. The governing equations of the flow field are solved by using series expansion method and the expressions for the velocity field, the temperature field, skin friction and heat flux in terms of Nusselt number are obtained. The effects of the flow parameters on the velocity, temperature, skin friction and heat flux have been studied and analyzed with the help of figures and tables. It is observed that the magnetic parameter (M) has a retarding effect on the main velocity (u) and an accelerating effect on the cross velocity (w1) of the flow field. The suction parameter (Re) has a retarding effect on the main velocity as well as on the temperature field. The Prandtl number (Pr) reduces the temperature of the flow field and increases the rate of heat transfer at the wall (Nu). The effect of suction parameter is to reduce the x-component of skin friction and to enhance the magnitude of z-component of the skin friction at the wall. This problem is very much significant in view of its several engineering, geophysical and industrial applications.Keywords: Hydromagnetic, couette flow, heat transfer, three dimensions doi:10.3329/jname.v5i1.1784 Journal of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Vol. 5, No.Â 1 (June, 2008) 1-10.
Numerical Solutions of Heat and Mass Transfer Effects of an Unsteady MHD Free Convective Flow past an Infinite Vertical Plate with Constant Suction
Authors: Ambethkar V 
Published: February 2009

The objective of this work is to study heat and mass transfer in an unsteady MHD free convective flow past an infinite vertical plate with constant suction numerically.Â Dimensionless governing equations of the problem have been solved by using finite difference technique. Numerical solutions for temperature, velocity, concentration have been obtained for suitable parameters like Grashoff number, mass Grashoff number, Prandtl number and Schmidt number. Rate of heat transfer and mass transfer are studied. The results obtained are discussed with the help of graphs and tables to observe effect of various parameters concerned in the problem under investigation. Stability and convergence of the finite difference scheme is established. Key words: MHD, unsteady, constant suction, finite difference technique, Heat and mass transfer. doi:10.3329/jname.v5i1.1785 Journal of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Vol. 5, No.Â 1 (June, 2008) 27-36
Separation Points of Magneto-hydrodynamic Boundary Layer Flow Along a Vertical Plate with Exponentially Decreasing Free Stream Velocity
Authors: Alim MA , Rahman MM , Karim MM 
Published: February 2009

The points of separation of magneto-hydrodynamic mixed convection boundary layer flow along a vertical plate have been investigated. The free stream velocity is considered decreasing exponentially in the stream wise direction. The governing boundary layer equations are transformed into a non-dimensional form and the resulting nonlinear system of partial differential equations are reduced to local non-similar boundary layer equations, which are solved numerically by implicit finite difference method known as Keller box scheme. Here we have focused our attention to find the effects of suction, magnetic field and other relevant physical parameters on the position of boundary layer separation. The numerical results are expressed in terms of local shear stress showing the effects of suction, buoyancy, Prandlt number and magnetic field on the shear stress as well as on the points of separation. Keywords: Separation points, magneto-hydrodynamic, mixed convection, boundary layer, suction, finite difference method, Keller box scheme. Â doi:10.3329/jname.v5i1.1868Journal of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Vol. 5, No.Â 1 (June, 2008) 11-18.Â
Defocused Wide‐field Imaging Unravels Structural and Temporal Heterogeneity in Complex Systems
Authors: Dedecker Peter , Muls Benoît , Deres Ania , Uji‐i Hiroshi , Hotta Jun‐ichi , Sliwa Michel , Soumillion Jean‐Philippe , Müllen Klaus , Enderlein Jörg , Hofkens Johan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractToday's miniature devices and biological systems share the fact that their dynamics and properties cannot be understood in terms of macroscopic concepts, but require a thorough understanding of the nanoscale structuring. This structuring is often very heterogeneous, both in time and in space, and is difficult or impossible to resolve with traditional approaches. In this Progress Report, we will discuss how single‐molecule microscopy—and defocused wide‐field imaging in particular—can be used to shed light on these phenomena.
Efficient Solid‐Phase Synthesis of Sulfotyrosine Peptides using a Sulfate Protecting‐Group Strategy
Authors: Ali Ahmed M. , Taylor Scott D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractZweierlei Schutzgruppen: Eine effiziente Fmoc‐Festphasensynthese (Fmoc‐SPPS) von Sulfotyrosin(sY)‐Peptiden gelingt durch Einführen von sY‐Resten als Dichlorvinyl(DCV)‐geschützte Sulfodiester, wobei die Fmoc‐Gruppe mit 2‐Methylpiperidin entfernt wird. Nach Abspaltung der übrigen Schutzgruppen wurden die sY‐Peptide durch milde Hydrogenolyse der DCV‐Gruppe in guten Ausbeuten erhalten.magnified image
Electrochemical Gene‐Function Analysis for Single Cells with Addressable Microelectrode/Microwell Arrays
Authors: Lin Zhenyu , Takahashi Yasufumi , Murata Tatsuya , Takeda Michiaki , Ino Kosuke , Shiku Hitoshi , Matsue Tomokazu 
Published: February 2009

AbstractZellen als Individualisten: Eine adressierbare elektrochemische Funktionseinheit mit Elektroden in orthogonalen Zeilen und Spalten wurde entworfen, um die Proteinexpression in einzelnen gentechnisch veränderten Zellen zu verfolgen. Aus dem Verhalten von HeLa‐Zellen, die mit einem Plasmidvektor für sekretierte alkalische Phosphatase transfiziert waren, beim Durchfahren von Redoxzyklen ging der unterschiedliche Expressionsgrad des Enzyms hervor.magnified image
Efficient Solid‐Phase Synthesis of Sulfotyrosine Peptides using a Sulfate Protecting‐Group Strategy
Authors: Ali Ahmed M. , Taylor Scott D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDouble protection: Efficient Fmoc‐based solid‐phase synthesis (SPPS) of sulfotyrosine (sY) peptides is achieved by incorporating the sY residue(s) as a dichlorovinyl‐protected (DCV) sulfodiester(s) and using 2‐methylpiperidine for Fmoc removal. After removal of the other protecting groups, the DCV group could be cleaved by mild hydrogenolysis giving the sY peptides in good yield.magnified image
Self‐Assembly of Fivefold‐Symmetric Molecules on a Threefold‐Symmetric Surface
Authors: Guillermet Olivier , Niemi Eeva , Nagarajan Samuthira , Bouju Xavier , Martrou David , Gourdon André , Gauthier Sébastien 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBuckybowls: The adsorption of penta‐tert‐butylcorannulene, a molecule with fivefold symmetry, on Cu(111), a surface with threefold symmetry, is investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy complemented by structure calculations. The symmetry mismatch is resolved by the formation of threefold‐symmetric subunits consisting of three molecules, which combine with single molecules to form a nearly perfect filling of the plane (see picture).magnified image
Electrochemical Gene‐Function Analysis for Single Cells with Addressable Microelectrode/Microwell Arrays
Authors: Lin Zhenyu , Takahashi Yasufumi , Murata Tatsuya , Takeda Michiaki , Ino Kosuke , Shiku Hitoshi , Matsue Tomokazu 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTo each his own: An addressable electrochemical device consisting of orthogonally arranged rows and columns of electrodes has been constructed to monitor protein expression in genetically engineered cells at the single‐cell level. The response based on redox cycling reflected the different expression levels of the enzyme from individual HeLa cells transfected with a plasmid vector including secreted alkaline phosphatase.magnified image
An exploration into the practices of library Web usability in ARL academic libraries
Authors: Chen Yu‐Hui , Germain Carol Anne , Yang Huahai 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA survey of the 113 academic libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) was administered to investigate whether Web usability Policies/Standards/Guidelines (PSGs) are in place, the levels of difficulty surrounding implementation, the impact of PSGs on actual usability practice, e.g., testing, resources, etc., and the relationship between ARL ranking and usability practice or PSGs. The response rate was over 74%. Results show that 25 (30%) libraries have PSGs dedicated to Web usability. Seventy‐one (85%) libraries have conducted usability testing on their main Web sites, online public access catalogs (OPAC), or lower‐level pages. Nevertheless, only seven libraries performed iterative testing of these platforms at pre‐, during, and post‐design stages. Statistical analysis indicates that having PSGs does not affect the amount of usability testing performed or the resources available for library Web usability initiatives. In addition, ARL ranking has no or little impact on PSGs, testing, or resources.
Hybrider statischer Nachweis für einen Stahlbeton‐Großsilo – Bausubstanzerhaltung versus Abriss und Neubau
Authors: Arnold Andreas , Kapphahn Gerd , Riepe Nicolai , Steffens Klaus 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDem Betreiber eines Gebäudes oder einer baulichen Anlage obliegt die verantwortliche Wahrnehmung der Verkehrssicherungspflicht. Er muss Vorkehrungen gegen voraussehbare Gefahrenquellen treffen. Die Verpflichtung umschließt sowohl den eigenen Betrieb als auch die Umwelt. Der hier geschilderte Fall einer vorsorgenden Klärung der Tragsicherheit von vorgeschädigten Flüssigkeitssilos ist bemerkenswert wegen seiner Komplexität, des eingeschlagenen Lösungsweges und des Ergebnisses (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ermittlung des Aufbaus und der Stoffkennwerte von Außenbauteilen mit Hilfe von In‐situ‐Messungen und FEM‐Berechnungen
Authors: Beißner Eckhard , Eilering Siegfried 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDie international und national formulierten Ziele zum Klimaschutz können nur unter Einbeziehung des energieeffizienten Bauens und Sanierens des Gebäudebestandes erreicht werden. Kenntnisse über den konstruktiven Aufbau und der Stoffkennwerte der wärmeübertragenden Außenbauteile sind Voraussetzungen für die energetische Bilanzierung von Gebäuden. Die dazu erforderlichen Angaben können, insbesondere bei älteren Bauwerken, den Bauunterlagen häufig nicht mehr entnommen werden, da sie nicht mehr auffindbar oder unvollständig sind. Am Beispiel einer ein‐ und zweischaligen Außenwandkonstruktion wird gezeigt, dass die thermophysikalischen Eigenschaften mit Hilfe von In‐situ‐Messverfahren, kombiniert mit Simulationsrechnungen nach der Finite‐Elemente‐Methode, zerstörungsfrei ermittelt werden können (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dynamische Steifigkeit und Dämpfung von Pfahlgruppen
Authors: Sadegh‐Azar Hamid , Balthaus Hansgeorg , Hartmann Hans‐Georg 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn diesem Beitrag werden die dynamische Steifigkeit und Dämpfung von Pfahlgruppen und ihre Auswirkung auf die Auslegung und Wirtschaftlichkeit der Pfahlgründung selbst und der Bauwerke darauf untersucht. Die Berechungen werden mit der sogenannten “Thin‐Layer‐Method”, einer sehr leistungsfähigen Berechnungsmethode im Frequenzbereich, durchgeführt (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quantitative assessment of dielectric parameters for membrane lipid bi‐layers from RF permittivity measurements
Authors: Merla Caterina , Liberti Micaela , Apollonio Francesca , d'Inzeo Guglielmo 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn this article, we propose and validate theoretical and experimental methods to quantitatively assess the Debye dielectric model of membrane lipid bi‐layers. This consists of two steps: permittivity measurements of biological solutions (liposomes), and estimation of the model parameters by inverse application of the Effective Medium Theory. The measurements are conducted in the frequency domain between 100 MHz and 2 GHz using a modified coaxial connector, at the temperatures of 27 and 30 °C. Estimations have been performed using a three‐layered model based on the Maxwell–Wagner formulation. Debye parameters (mean value ± standard error) found from fitting experimental data are:εs = 11.69 ± 0.09,ε∞ = 4.00 ± 0.07,frelax = 179.85 ± 6.20 MHz andεs = (1.1 ± 0.1) × 10−7S/m. This model can be used in microdosimetric studies aiming to precisely determine the E‐field distribution in a biological target down to the single cell level. In this context the use of an accurate membrane dielectric model, valid through a wide frequency range, is particularly appropriate. Bioelectromagnetics 30:286–298, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zeitabhängiges Verhalten von Makrokunststofffaserbeton und dessen Einfluss auf die Bemessung von Industriefußböden
Authors: Gossla Ulrich , Rieder Klaus‐Alexander 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn diesem Beitrag werden Material‐ und Bauteilversuche an Makrokunststofffaserbeton vorgestellt. Die experimentellen Untersuchungen umfassen das Trag‐ und Verformungsverhalten unter Kurzzeit‐ und Langzeitbeanspruchung.Anhand von Biegezugversuchen unter Dauerlast wird ein kritisches Belastungsniveau bestimmt, oberhalb dessen mit einem Kriechversagen zu rechnen ist. Unter Gebrauchslastniveau werden Kriechbeiwerte über einen Zeitraum von bis zu drei Jahren ermittelt.Vergleichende Untersuchungen an elastisch gebetteten Platten unter mittiger Einzellast wurden durchgeführt. Zwei Platten waren aus Makrokunststofffaserbeton und zwei aus Stahlbeton. Daran wurden Kurzzeitbelastungen sowie Langzeitbelastungen über einen Zeitraum von 18 Monaten durchgeführt.Das Hauptanwendungsgebiet von Makrokunststofffaserbeton ist die Bodenplatte. Die Bemessung erfolgt entweder als elastisch gebettete Platte nach der Elastizitätstheorie oder im gerissenen Zustand unter Berücksichtigung der Faserwirkung. Aufbauend auf den vorgestellten Untersuchungen werden Vorschläge zur Bemessung im gerissenen Zustand unter Berücksichtigung von ständig wirkenden Lasten vorgestellt.