bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyamide/Polystyrene Blend Compatibilisation by Montmorillonite Nanoclay and its Effect on Macroporosity of Gas Diffusion Layers for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Deyrail Y. , Mighri F. , Bousmina M. , Kaliaguine S. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThis work deals with a new route to modify polymer blend morphology in order to improve the porosity of gas diffusion layers (GDLs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). First, electrically conductive polymer‐based blends were carefully formulated using a twin‐screw extrusion process. Blend electrical conductivity was ensured by the addition of high specific surface area carbon black and synthetic graphite flakes. Final GDL porosity, in particular its macroporosity, was generated by melt blending polyamide 11 (PA11) matrix with polystyrene (PS) followed by PS extraction with tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent at room temperature. In order to improve GDL porosity by the optimisation of PS dispersion in the PA11 matrix, PA11/PS blends were compatibilised by the addition of 2 wt.‐% of clay. It was observed that both macroporosity and pore size distribution were beneficially modified after blend compatibilisation. Final GDL conductivity of about 1.25 S cm–1, a porosity of 53% and a specific pore surface area of 75 m2 g–1 were achieved.
Demand for medical care in the urban areas of Iran: an empirical investigation
Authors: Kermani Majid S. , Ghaderi Hossein , Yousefi Ayoub 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThis paper adapts a multinomial logit model to obtain the parameter estimates of demand with multiple choices for medical care services in the urban areas of Iran. The objective is to verify the effectiveness of the cost recovery policy by the Medical Services Insurance Organization of Iran. The results suggest that an out‐of‐pocket fee increase will not be conducive to the cost recovery and any increase in price would have a serious negative impact on the likelihood of healthcare utilization. Income appears to have a significant positive effect on the decision to seek medical care and the choice of facilities. Patients from wealthy families seem to seek more health care and prefer private facilities. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longevity bias in cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Liu Liqun , Rettenmaier Andrew J. , Saving Thomas R. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe use a simple lifetime utility maximization model to study the problem of medical resource allocation. This model leads to a welfare specification with a QALY (quality‐adjusted life‐year) component that captures an individual's preferences over both life expectancy and health status. The goal of medical cost‐effectiveness analysis (CEA) is characterized as maximizing the QALY measure for a given total medical expenditure. We show that the CEA with such a goal has a longevity bias: the CEA‐based division of a given total medical expenditure between extending life and improving health gives the former a larger share than is called for by welfare maximization. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxystress inducing antitumor therapeutics via tumor‐targeted delivery of PEG‐conjugated D‐amino acid oxidase
Authors: Fang Jun , Deng Dawei , Nakamura Hideaki , Akuta Teruo , Qin Haibo , Iyer Arun K. , Greish Khaled , Maeda Hiroshi 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe had developed a H2O2 generating enzyme, polyethylene glycol conjugated D‐amino acid oxidase (PEG‐DAO), which exhibited potent antitumor activity by generating toxic reactive oxygen species, namely oxidation therapy, subsequently showed remarkable antitumor effect on murine Sarcoma 180 solid tumor, by taking advantage of the enhanced permeability and retention effect. Along this line, we report here the preparation of PEG‐DAO by use of recombinant DAO and its antitumor activity by using various tumor cell lines and tumor models. Recombinant DAO (rDAO) was obtained from E. coli BL21 (DE3) carrying the porcine DAO expression vector with high yield (20 mg/l) and high enzyme activity (5.3 U/mg). Pegylated rDAO (PEG‐rDAO) showed high stability against sonication, repeated freezing/thawing, lyophilization and exhibited superior in vivo pharmacokinetics. PEG‐rDAO had a molecular size of 65 kDa and existed as nanoparticles in aqueous solution with mean particle diameter of 119 nm. Invitro experiments showed strong cytotoxicity of PEG‐rDAO against various tumor cells, whereas less cytotoxicity was found against various normal cells. In vivo antitumor treatment was carried out using 2 mice tumor models, namely colon 38 tumor and Meth A tumor model. PEG‐rDAO was administered i.v. and after an adequate lag time, D‐proline (the substrate of DAO) was injected i.p. to the tumor‐bearing mice. Consequently, preferential generation of H2O2 in the tumor was successfully achieved, which resulted in remarkable suppression of tumor growth without any visible side effects. These findings suggest a potential of PEG‐rDAO as a novel anticancer strategy toward clinical development. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis as predictors for high‐risk phenotype in familial Waldenström macroglobulinemia
Authors: McMaster Mary L. , Csako Gyorgy 
Published: November 2007

AbstractProtein electrophoresis is used for the detection, evaluation and follow‐up of monoclonal gammopathy (MG) conditions such as Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). Immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) is currently the most common method for isotyping of monoclonal gammopathy because of its superior sensitivity relative to immunoelectrophoresis (IEP). We designed a study to evaluate the clinicobiological relevance of small monoclonal bands detected by serum protein electrophoresis, IEP, and IFE. Serum protein electrophoresis, IEP, and IFE were used to evaluate possible monoclonal gammopathy in 46 members (29 relatives and 17 nonbloodline spouses) from 3 families with multiple cases of WM. IFE identified small monoclonal bands initially missed by IEP in 5 individuals (2 blood relatives, 3 spouses) among 46 study participants. All bands were IgM type. Twenty‐three individuals, including the 2 blood relatives and 2 of 3 spouses with monoclonal gammopathy, were then followed for a median of 17 years (range, 13–25). The monoclonal gammopathy progressed in the 2 relatives but disappeared in the spouses, and new IgM MG developed in 2 additional relatives with a prior history of IgM polyclonal gammopathy. Small monoclonal bands detected by IFE in a familial context may be biologically meaningful, both as phenotypic biomarkers and possibly as predictors of high risk for WM. Polyclonal IgM may also be a marker of genetic susceptibility in WM families. Larger studies are needed to confirm these observations. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of transcription factors Sp1 and YY1 in proximal promoter region in initiation of transcription of the mu opioid receptor gene in human lymphocytes
Authors: Li Hui , Liu Han , Wang Zimei , Liu Xinhua , Guo Liyuan , Huang Lijun , Gao Libo , McNutt Michael A. , Li Gang 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAlthough previous studies have shown that the mechanism of the lymphocyte mu opioid receptor (MOR) gene expression was distinctly different from that in the central nervous system, and is involved in several disparate aspects of the immune response, its precise molecular mechanism is still undefined. In this study, we analyzed the proximal promoter region of the MOR gene in lymphocytes to identify the influences of potential trans‐acting factors in activating the initiation of the expression of the MOR gene in lymphocytes. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that two transcription factors, Sp1 and YY1, were able to bind the promoter region. Using sequence overlapping probes and mutation assays, we determined that the CCC sequence of Sp1 and the GGC sequence of YY1 binding elements were core sequences, and replacement of these sequences lead to substantial loss of promoter activity. Stimulation with morphine was capable of up‐regulating the intracellular level of Sp1 and YY1 proteins. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that the blockage of naloxone is achieved through down‐regulation of transcription factor YY1. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation and transfection assays confirmed that the functional interaction of Sp1 and YY1 transcription factors was a crucial step in the initiation of expression of the MOR in lymphocytes. Thus, we conclude that the cooperative interaction of Sp1 and YY1 transcription factors is the critical event triggering the initiation of transcription of the MOR gene in lymphocytes, and this finding will be helpful to understand the pharmacological effect of morphine on lymphocytes. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 237–250, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Down‐modulation of erbB2 activity is necessary but not enough in the differentiation of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes
Authors: Pagano Eleonora , Coso Omar , Calvo Juan Carlos 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe high incidence of obesity‐related pathologies, led to the study of the mechanisms involved in preadipose cell proliferation and differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that modulation of erbB2, plays a fundamental role during proliferation and adipogenic induction of preadipocytes. Using 3T3‐L1 cells as model, we demonstrate that EGF (10 nM, 5 min) in addition to stimulate receptor tyrosine phosphorylation of both erbB2 and EGFR, is able to induce the heterodimer erbB2‐EGFR. We treated proliferating 3T3‐L1 cells with two inhibitors, AG 825 (IC50 0.35 µM, 54 times more selective for erbB2 than for EGFR, IC50 19 µM), and AG 879 (IC50 of 1 µM for erbB2 versus 500 µM for EGFR). We found that both inhibited the proliferation on a dose‐dependent basis, reaching a 30% maximal inhibition at 100 µM (P < 0.001) for AG825, and a 20% maximal inhibition at 10 µM (P < 0.001) for AG 879. These results involve erbB2 in 3T3‐L1 proliferation. When studying the differentiation process, we found that the action of MIX–Dexa immediately activates MEK, JNK and p38 kinases. We observed that PD98059 and SP600125 (MEK–ERK and JNK inhibitors, respectively) added 1 h prior to the MIX–Dexa induction produced a decrease in erbB2 expression after 6 h, which is even greater than the one produced by the inducers, MIX–Dexa. This work supports erbB2 as a key factor in 3T3‐L1 adipogenesis, acting mostly and not only during the proliferative phase but also during the differentiation through modulation of both its expression and activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 274–285, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
F413C and A531V but not R894X myotonia congenita mutations cause defective endoplasmic reticulum export of the muscle‐specific chloride channel CLC‐1
Authors: Papponen Hinni , Nissinen Marja , Kaisto Tuula , Myllylä Vilho V. , Myllylä Raili , Metsikkö Kalervo 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIn northern Finland myotonia congenita is caused by three main mutations in the ClC‐1 chloride channel. We studied the molecular basis of these mutations (1238T>G/F413C, 1592C>T/A531V, and 2680C>T/R894X). The mutated cDNAs were expressed either in L6 myotubes or in isolated rat myofibers using recombinant Semliki Forest virus. Experiments in L6 cells indicated that A531V and R894X proteins suffered from stability problems in these cells. Analysis in myofibers indicated that the A531V protein was totally retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), whereas the export of the F413C protein was severely reduced. The C‐terminal nonsense mutant (R894X), however, was normally transported to the Golgi elements in the myofibers. Defective export or reduced stability of the mutated proteins may thus be reasons for the myotonic symptoms. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Development of microwave‐assisted protein digestion based on trypsin‐immobilized magnetic microspheres for highly efficient proteolysis followed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis
Authors: Lin Shuang , Lin Zhenxin , Yao Guoping , Deng Chunhui , Yang Pengyuan , Zhang Xiangmin 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIn this study, very easily prepared trypsin‐immobilized magnetic microspheres were applied in microwave‐assisted protein digestion and firstly applied for proteome analysis by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS). Magnetic microspheres with small size were synthesized and modified by 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GLYMO). Trypsin was immobilized onto magnetic microspheres through only a one‐step reaction of its amine group with GLYMO. When these easily prepared trypsin‐immobilized magnetic microspheres were applied in microwave‐assisted protein digestion, the magnetic microspheres not only functionalized as substrate for trypsin immobilization, but also as an excellent microwave absorber and thus improved the efficiency of microwave‐assisted digestion greatly. Cytochrome c was used as a model protein to verify its digestion efficiency. Without any additives such as organic solvents or urea, peptide fragments produced in 15 s could be confidently identified by MALDI‐TOF‐MS and better digestion efficiency was obtained comparing to conventional in‐solution digestion (12 h). Besides, with an external magnet, trypsin could be used repeatedly and at the same time no contaminants were introduced into the sample solution. It was verified that the enzyme maintained high activity after seven runs. Furthermore, reversed‐phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) fractions of rat liver extract were also successfully processed using this novel method. These results indicated that this fast and efficient digestion method, which combined the advantages of immobilized trypsin and microwave‐assisted protein digestion, will greatly hasten the application of top‐down proteomic techniques for large‐scale analysis in biological and clinical research. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A semi‐Markov model for multistate and interval‐censored data with multiple terminal events. Application in renal transplantation
Authors: Foucher Yohann , Giral Magali , Soulillou Jean‐Paul , Daures Jean‐Pierre 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe semi‐Markov assumption emphasizes the importance of time spent in a state. In order to compute this type of multistate model, most transition times are always considered to be exactly identified or right censored. However, in the longitudinal analysis of chronic diseases, investigators are often confronted with interval‐censored data (transition times are known to have occurred in some interval). Thus, the two key issues are the modeling of the duration dependence and the interval censoring. In this article, we define a semi‐Markov model, allowing for interval censoring, for parametric hazard functions with a ∪‐ or ∩‐shape and for determination of initial states according to covariates. Our modeling approach is specific to each transition, so as to obtain a more coherent model. Parallel to competing risks models, the multistate model takes into account several final events. We consider an example of kidney transplant recipient follow‐up to illustrate the utility of the method. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mobility protocols and RSVP performance in wireless IPv6 networks: shortcomings and solutions
Authors: Belhoul Ahmad , Şekercioğlu Y. Ahmet , Mani Nallasamy 
Published: November 2007

AbstractResource reservation protocol (RSVP) is a network‐control protocol used to guarantee Quality‐of‐Service (QoS) requirements for real‐time applications such as Voice‐over‐IP (VoIP) or Video‐over‐IP (VIP). However, RSVP was designed for end‐systems whose IP addresses do not change. Once mobility of an end‐system is allowed, the dynamically changing mobile IP address inevitably impacts on RSVP performance. Our study aims to first quantify the significance of this impact, and then propose a modified RSVP mechanism that provides improved performance during handoffs. Our simulations reveal that the deployment of standard RSVP over Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6) does not yield a satisfactory result, particularly in the case of VIP traffic. Fast Handovers for Mobile IPv6 (FMIPv6) was found to be providing the best performance in all tested scenarios, followed by Hierarchical Mobile IPv6 (HMIPv6) with a single exception: during low handoff rates with VoIP traffic, MIPv6 outperformed HMIPv6. We then designed a new RSVP mechanism, and tested it against standard RSVP. We found that the proposed approach provides a significant improvement of 54.1% in the Total Interruption in QoS (TIQoS) when deployed over a MIPv6 wireless network. For HMIPv6, performance depended primarily on the number of hierarchical levels in the network, with no improvement in TIQoS for single‐level hierarchy and up to 37% for a 5‐level hierarchy. FMIPv6 on the other hand, provided no room for improvement due to pre‐handoff signaling and the tunneling mechanism used to ensure a mobile node (MN)'s connectivity during a handoff, regardless of the RSVP mechanism used. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
God's purpose as irrelevant to life's meaning: reply to Affolter
Authors: METZ THADDEUS 
Published: November 2007

AbstractElsewhere I have contended that if a God-centred account of meaning in life were true, it would not be because meaning comes from fulfilling God's purpose for us. Specifically, I have argued that this ‘purpose theory’ of life's meaning cannot be the correct God-based view since God would have to be atemporal, immutable, and simple for meaning to logically depend on His existence, and since such a being lacking extension could not be purposive. Jacob Affolter has developed a fresh account of the kind of purpose that is necessary for meaning in life, has argued that a God without extension could ground it, and has also provided some tentative reason to believe that only such a God could do so. I respond in three ways: by questioning whether the sort of purpose Affolter thinks is necessary for meaning in fact is; by arguing that an extensionless God could not ground it; and by indicating the way that a purely physical world could.
Reasons for worship: a response to Bayne and Nagasawa
Authors: CROWE BENJAMIN D. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWorship is a topic that is rarely considered by philosophers of religion. In a recent paper, Tim Bayne and Yujin Nagasawa challenge this trend by offering an analysis of worship and by considering some difficulties attendant on the claim that worship is obligatory. I argue that their case for there being these difficulties is insufficiently supported. I offer two reasons that a theist might provide for the claim that worship is obligatory: (1) a divine command, and (2) the demands of justice with respect to God's redemption of humanity. I also challenge the soundness of some of the analogies they employ in their argument.
Characterization of a novel, cytokine-inducible carboxypeptidase D isoform in haematopoietic tumour cells
Authors: O'Malley Padraic G. P. , Sangster Shirley M. , Abdelmagid Salma A. , Bearne Stephen L. , Too Catherine K. L. 
Published: November 2007

CPD-N is a cytokine-inducible CPD (carboxypeptidase-D) isoform identified in rat Nb2 T-lymphoma cells. The prototypic CPD (180 kDa) has three CP domains, whereas CPD-N (160 kDa) has an incomplete N-terminal domain I but intact domains II and III. CPD processes polypeptides in the TGN (trans-Golgi network) but the Nb2 CPD-N is nuclear. The present study identified a cryptic exon 1′, downstream of exon 1 of the rat CPD gene, as an alternative transcription start site that encodes the N-terminus of CPD-N. Western-blot analysis showed exclusive synthesis of the 160 kDa CPD-N in rat Nb2 and Nb2-Sp lymphoma cells. Several haematopoietic cell lines including human K562 myeloma, Jurkat T-lymphoma and murine CTLL-2 cytotoxic T-cells express a 160 kDa CPD-immunoreactive protein, whereas mEL4 T-lymphoma cells express the 180 kDa CPD. The CPD-immunoreactive protein in hK562 cells is also nuclear and cytokine-inducible. In contrast, MCF-7 breast cancer cells express only the 180 kDa CPD, which is mainly in the TGN. CPD/CPD-N assays using substrate dansyl-L-alanyl-L-arginine show approx. 98% of CPD-N activity in the Nb2 nucleus, whereas MCF-7 CPD activity is enriched in the post-nuclear 10000 g pellet. The Km for CPD-N and CPD are 132±30 and 63±9 μM respectively. Specific activity/Km ratios show that dansyl-L-alanyl-L-arginine is a better substrate for CPD-N than for CPD. CPD-N has an optimal pH of 5.6 (due to domain II), whereas CPD has activity peaks at pH 5.6 (domain II) and pH 6.5–7.0 (domain I). CPD and CPD-N are inhibited non-competitively by zinc chelator 1,10-phenanthroline and competitively by peptidomimetic inhibitor DL-2-mercaptomethyl-3-guanidinoethylthiopropanoic acid. The Nb2 CPD-N co-immunoprecipitated with phosphatase PP2A (protein phosphatase 2A) and α4 phosphoprotein. In summary, a cytokine-inducible CPD-N is selectively expressed in several haematopoietic tumour cells. Nuclear CPD-N is enzymatically active and interacts with known partners of CPD.
NOX4 activity is determined by mRNA levels and reveals a unique pattern of ROS generation
Authors: Serrander Lena , Cartier Laetitia , Bedard Karen , Banfi Botond , Lardy Bernard , Plastre Olivier , Sienkiewicz Andrzej , Fórró Lászlo , Schlegel Werner , Krause Karl-Heinz 
Published: November 2007

NOX4 is an enigmatic member of the NOX (NADPH oxidase) family of ROS (reactive oxygen species)-generating NADPH oxidases. NOX4 has a wide tissue distribution, but the physiological function and activation mechanisms are largely unknown, and its pharmacology is poorly understood. We have generated cell lines expressing NOX4 upon tetracycline induction. Tetracycline induced a rapid increase in NOX4 mRNA (1 h) followed closely (2 h) by a release of ROS. Upon tetracycline withdrawal, NOX4 mRNA levels and ROS release decreased rapidly (&lt;24 h). In membrane preparations, NOX4 activity was selective for NADPH over NADH and did not require the addition of cytosol. The pharmacological profile of NOX4 was distinct from other NOX isoforms: DPI (diphenyleneiodonium chloride) and thioridazine inhibited the enzyme efficiently, whereas apocynin and gliotoxin did not (IC50&gt;100 μM). The pattern of NOX4-dependent ROS generation was unique: (i) ROS release upon NOX4 induction was spontaneous without need for a stimulus, and (ii) the type of ROS released from NOX4-expressing cells was H2O2, whereas superoxide (O2−) was almost undetectable. Probes that allow detection of intracellular O2− generation yielded differential results: DHE (dihydroethidium) fluorescence and ACP (1-acetoxy-3-carboxy-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine) ESR measurements did not detect any NOX4 signal, whereas a robust signal was observed with NBT. Thus NOX4 probably generates O2− within an intracellular compartment that is accessible to NBT (Nitro Blue Tetrazolium), but not to DHE or ACP. In conclusion, NOX4 has a distinct pharmacology and pattern of ROS generation. The close correlation between NOX4 mRNA and ROS generation might hint towards a function as an inducible NOX isoform.