bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo study of phloretin‐induced apoptosis in human liver cancer cells involving inhibition of type II glucose transporter
Authors: Wu Chih‐Hsiung , Ho Yuan‐Soon , Tsai Chia‐Yi , Wang Ying‐Jan , Tseng How , Wei Po‐Li , Lee Chia‐Hwa , Liu Ren‐Shyan , Lin Shyr‐Yi 
Published: November 2008

AbstractPhloretin (Ph), a natural product found in apples and pears with glucose transporter (GLUT) inhibitory activity, exerts antitumor effects. However, little is known about its effects on human liver cancer. The purpose of this study is to test the cytotoxic effects of Ph on HepG2 cells and to identify the underlying molecular pathways. Human hepatocellular carcinoma specimens and HepG2 show a high level of GLUT2 transporter activity in the cell membrane. Real‐time PCR and MTT assays demonstrate that Ph‐induced cytotoxicity correlates with the expression of GLUT2. Flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation studies show that 200 μM Ph induces apoptosis in HepG2, which was reversed by glucose pretreatment. GLUT2 siRNA knockdown induced HepG2 apoptosis, which was not reversed by glucose. Western blot analysis demonstrates that both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways in addition to Akt and Bcl‐2 family signaling pathways are involved in Ph‐induced cell death in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, using flow cytometry analysis, a mitochondrial membrane potential assay and Western blot analysis, we show that cytochalasin B, a glucose transport inhibitor, enhances the Ph‐induced apoptotic effect on HepG2 cells, which was reversed by pretreatment with glucose. Furthermore, we found significant antitumor effects in vivo by administering Ph at 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally to severe combined immune deficiency mice carrying a HepG2 xenograft. A microPET study in the HepG2 tumor‐bearing mice showed a 10‐fold decrease in 18F‐FDG uptake in Ph‐treated tumors compared to controls. Taken together, these results suggest that Ph‐induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells involves inhibition of GLUT2 glucose transport mechanisms. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comprehensive gene expression profiling in lungs of mice infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis following DNAhsp65 immunotherapy
Authors: Zárate‐ Bladés Carlos Rodrigo , Bonato Vânia Luiza Deperon , da Silveira Eduardo Lani Volpe , e Paula Marina Oliveira , Junta Cristina Moraes , Sandrin‐Garcia Paula , Fachin Ana Lúcia , Mello Stephano Spanó , Cardoso Renato Sousa , de Sá Galetti Fábio Cícero , Coelho‐Castelo Arlete Aparecida Martins , Ramos Simone Gusmão , Donadi Eduardo Antonio , Sakamoto‐Hojo Elza Tiemi , da Silva Passos Geraldo Aleixo , Silva Celio Lopes 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackgroundThe continued increase in tuberculosis (TB) rates and the appearance of extremely resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains (XDR‐TB) worldwide are some of the great problems of public health. In this context, DNA immunotherapy has been proposed as an effective alternative that could circumvent the limitations of conventional drugs. Nonetheless, the molecular events underlying these therapeutic effects are poorly understood.MethodsWe characterized the transcriptional signature of lungs from mice infected with M. tuberculosis and treated with heat shock protein 65 as a genetic vaccine (DNAhsp65) combining microarray and real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The gene expression data were correlated with the histopathological analysis of lungs.ResultsThe differential modulation of a high number of genes allowed us to distinguish DNAhsp65‐treated from nontreated animals (saline and vector‐injected mice). Functional analysis of this group of genes suggests that DNAhsp65 therapy could not only boost the T helper (Th)1 immune response, but also could inhibit Th2 cytokines and regulate the intensity of inflammation through fine tuning of gene expression of various genes, including those of interleukin‐17, lymphotoxin A, tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6, transforming growth factor‐β, inducible nitric oxide synthase and Foxp3. In addition, a large number of genes and expressed sequence tags previously unrelated to DNA‐therapy were identified. All these findings were well correlated with the histopathological lesions presented in the lungs.ConclusionsThe effects of DNA therapy are reflected in gene expression modulation; therefore, the genes identified as differentially expressed could be considered as transcriptional biomarkers of DNAhsp65 immunotherapy against TB. The data have important implications for achieving a better understanding of gene‐based therapies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Halohydrination of epoxy resins using sodium halides as cationizing agents in MALDI‐MS and DIOS‐MS
Authors: Watanabe Takehiro , Kawasaki Hideya , Kimoto Takashi , Arakawa Ryuichi 
Published: November 2008

AbstractHalohydrination of epoxy resins using sodium halides as cationizing agents in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) and desorption ionization on porous silicon mass spectrometry (DIOS‐MS) were investigated. Different mass spectra were observed when NaClO4 and NaI were used as the cationizing agents at the highest concentration of 10.0 mM, which is much higher than that normally used in MALDI‐MS. MALDI mass spectra of epoxy resins using NaI revealed iodohydrination to occur as epoxy functions of the polymers. The halohydrination also occurred using NaBr, but not NaCl, due to the differences in their nucleophilicities. On the basis of the results of experiments using deuterated CD3OD as the solvent, the hydrogen atom source was probably ambient water or residual solvent, rather than being derived from matrices. Halohydrination also occurred with DIOS‐MS in which no organic matrix was used; in addition, reduction of epoxy functions was observed with DIOS. NaI is a useful cationizing agent for changing the chemical form of epoxy resins due to iodohydrination and, thus, for identifying the presence of epoxy functions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent advances in linear and nonlinear Raman spectroscopy II
Authors: Kiefer W. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractFollowing the first review on recent advances in linear and nonlinear Raman spectroscopy, the present review summarizes papers mainly published in the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy during 2007. This serves to give a fast overview of recent advances in this research field as well as to provide readers of this journal a quick introduction to the various subfields of Raman spectroscopy. It also reflects the current research interests of the Raman community. Similar reviews of highly active areas of Raman spectroscopy will appear in future issues of this journal. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of postharvest processing and storage of foodstuffs on the bioavailability of flavonoids and phenolic acids
Authors: Cermak Rainer , Durazzo Alessandra , Maiani Giuseppe , Böhm Volker , Kammerer Dietmar R. , Carle Reinhold , Wiczkowski Wieslaw , Piskula Mariusz K. , Galensa Rudolf 
Published: November 2008

AbstractPostharvest processing and storage not only influence the content and composition of flavonoids and phenolic acids in foodstuffs, thereby altering the amount of potentially bioavailable bioactive compounds, but can also modify their chemical form. Moreover, due to the intensive metabolism during absorption, the metabolites circulating in blood differ from the parent compounds found in food. Thus, it is difficult to predict potential in vivo effects of phenolic compounds merely by their contents in foodstuffs. Their specific bioavailability needs to be determined. This review considers studies regarding the bioavailability of flavonoids and phenolic acids from foodstuffs that meet the following criteria: providing actual concentrations of flavonoids and phenolic acids in blood plasma, body tissues, or urine, comparing differently stored or processed foods (excluding studies that use supplements or pure substances), and considering the high interindividual variability by repeated measurements in the same individuals. Only a few studies meet all of these criteria. In conclusion, processing and storage of food can have either positive or negative effects on the bioavailability of flavonoids and phenolic acids because these treatments may not only change the content, but also the chemical form of these compounds.
A thermodynamic approach to the conformational preferences of the 180–195 segment derived from the human prion protein α2‐helix
Authors: Ronga Luisa , Palladino Pasquale , Ragone Raffaele , Benedetti Ettore , Rossi Filomena 
Published: November 2008

AbstractOn consideration that intrinsic structural weakness could affect the segment spanning the α2‐helical residues 173–195 of the PrP, we have investigated the conformational stabilities of some synthetic Ala‐scanned analogs of the peptide derived from the 180–195 C‐terminal sequence, using a novel approach whose theoretical basis originates from protein thermodynamics. Even though a quantitative comparison among peptides could not be assessed to rank them according to the effect caused by single amino acid substitution, as a general trend, all peptides invariably showed an appreciable preference for an α‐type organization, consistently with the fact that the wild‐type sequence is organized as an α‐helix in the native protein. Moreover, the substitution of whatever single amino acid in the wild‐type sequence reduced the gap between the α‐ and the β‐propensity, invariably enhancing the latter, but in any case this gap was larger than that evaluated for the full‐length α2‐helix‐derived peptide. It appears that the low β‐conformation propensity of the 180–195 region depends on the simultaneous presence of all of the Ala‐scanned residues, indirectly confirming that the N‐terminal 173–179 segment could play a major role in determining the chameleon conformational behavior of the entire 173–195 region in the PrP. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonparametric methods for measurements below detection limit
Authors: Zhang Donghui , Fan Chunpeng , Zhang Juan , Zhang Cun‐Hui 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAnalytical data are often subject to left‐censoring when the actual values to be quantified fall below the limit of detection. The primary interest of this paper is statistical inference for the two‐sample problem. Most of the current publications are centered around naive approaches or the parametric Tobit model approach. These methods may not be suitable for data with high censoring rates and relatively small sample sizes. In this paper, we establish the theoretical equivalence of three nonparametric methods: the Wilcoxon rank sum, the Gehan, and the Peto‐Peto tests, under fixed left‐censoring and other mild conditions. We then develop a nonparametric point and interval estimation procedure for the location shift model. A large set of simulations compares 14 methods including naive, parametric, and nonparametric methods. The results clearly favor the nonparametric methods for a range of sample sizes and censoring rates. Simulations also demonstrate satisfactory point and interval estimation results. Finally, a real data example is given followed by discussion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exact and approximate unconditional confidence intervals for proportion difference in the presence of incomplete data
Authors: Tang Man‐Lai , Ling Man‐Ho , Tian Guo‐Liang 
Published: November 2008

AbstractConfidence interval (CI) construction with respect to proportion/rate difference for paired binary data has become a standard procedure in many clinical trials and medical studies. When the sample size is small and incomplete data are present, asymptotic CIs may be dubious and exact CIs are not yet available. In this article, we propose exact and approximate unconditional test‐based methods for constructing CI for proportion/rate difference in the presence of incomplete paired binary data. Approaches based on one‐ and two‐sided Wald's tests will be considered. Unlike asymptotic CI estimators, exact unconditional CI estimators always guarantee their coverage probabilities at or above the pre‐specified confidence level. Our empirical studies further show that (i) approximate unconditional CI estimators usually yield shorter expected confidence width (ECW) with their coverage probabilities being well controlled around the pre‐specified confidence level; and (ii) the ECWs of the unconditional two‐sided‐test‐based CI estimators are generally narrower than those of the unconditional one‐sided‐test‐based CI estimators. Moreover, ECWs of asymptotic CIs may not necessarily be narrower than those of two‐sided‐based exact unconditional CIs. Two real examples will be used to illustrate our methodologies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of requirements changes on specifications and state machines
Authors: Lin L. , Prowell S. J. , Poore J. H. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractRequirements change both during and after a phase of development for a variety of reasons, including error correction and feature changes. Requirements change management is one of the most complex and difficult problems to deal with in requirements elicitation and tracking. It is generally not understood how a specific change propagates through the specification and into the code. In this paper we capture requirements changes as series of atomic changes in specifications. Using a rigorous specification method called sequence‐based specification, we propose a set of algorithms for managing all possible atomic requirements changes. The algorithms have been formulated within an axiom system for sequence‐based specification and proven for correctness. They have also been implemented in a prototype tool with which users are able to push requirements changes through to changes in specifications, maintain old specifications over time and evolve them into new specifications with the least amount of human interaction and rework. The approach of utilizing state machines to model and manage requirements changes guarantees strong evidence about the correctness and completeness of the proposed theory that will lead to more reliable software in the presence of change, especially with embedded systems and safety‐critical systems. The solution described is general enough for adoption by software and system developers, and well suited for incremental development. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pyrimidone derivative inhibits simian immunodeficiency virus‐induced apoptosis of CEM x174 cells
Authors: Gao Libo , Fu Shigan , Li Hui , Wang Xiaowei , Liu Junyi , Liu Han , Guo Liyuan , Liu Xinhua , Li Mengsen , McNutt Michael A. , Li Gang 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe biochemical effects of 2‐(ethoxymethylthio)‐9‐phenyl‐cyclohepta[d]pyrimidone (EPCP), a novel non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, have been investigated. Treatment with EPCP (EC50 of 0.88 nM in CEM x174 cells) significantly inhibited the activity of SIV reverse transcriptase and elevated the percentage of viable cells in an SIV‐infected sample in a dose‐dependent manner. The percentage of cells accumulated in G1 phase increased significantly from 34.5 to 62.4%, with a concomitant reduction in S‐phase from 50.7% in the control to 22.6% in the infected group. This cell cycle profile was restored by treatment with EPCP. SIV upregulated the levels of the caspase‐3, p53 and bax proteins, and downregulated the level of bcl‐2 in infected cells. The apoptotic effect of SIV was also blocked by treatment with EPCP. The pharmacological effects of EPCP paralleled those of AZT, suggesting the possibility that EPCP might be a novel antiviral agent for SIV.
A novel association of mGluR1a with the PDZ scaffold protein CAL modulates receptor activity
Authors: Zhang Jiuqin , Cheng Shan , Xiong Ying , Ma Yanmei , Luo Dali , Jeromin Andreas , Zhang Hong , He Junqi 
Published: November 2008

MINT‐6797987, MINT‐6798009:

NHERF‐2 (uniprotkb:Q15599) binds (MI:0407) to mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by protein array (MI:0089)
MINT‐6798026, MINT‐6798048, MINT‐6798066:

mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) physically interacts (MI:0218) with CAL (uniprotkb:Q9HD26) by pull down (MI:0096)
MINT‐6797953, MINT‐6797970:

NHERF‐1 (uniprotkb:O14745) binds (MI:0407) to mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by protein array (MI:0089)
MINT‐6797935:

CAL (uniprotkb:Q9HD26) binds (MI:0407) to mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by protein array (MI:0089)
MINT‐6798084:

CAL (uniprotkb:Q9HD26) binds (MI:0407) to mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by filter binding (MI:0049)
MINT‐6798134:

mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) physically interacts (MI:0218) with CAL (uniprotkb:Q9HD26) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)
MINT‐6798158:

CAL (uniprotkb:B4F775) physically interacts (MI:0218) with mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)
MINT‐6798233:

CAL (uniprotkb:Q9HD26) colocalizes (MI:0403) with mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)
The role of microtubule‐associated protein 1S in SOCS3 regulation of IL‐6 signaling
Authors: Zou Tingting , Ouyang Lu , Chen Lu , Dong Wei , Qiao Hong , Liu Yingle , Qi Yipeng 
Published: November 2008

MINT‐6796998:

SOCS3 (uniprotkb:O35718) physically interacts (MI:0218) with MAP1S (uniprotkb:Q66K74) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)
MINT‐6796957:

SOCS3 (uniprotkb:O14543) physically interacts (MI:0218) with MAP1S (uniprotkb:Q66K74) by pull down (MI:0096)
MINT‐6796909, MINT‐6796875, MINT‐6796894, MINT‐6796936:

SOCS3 (uniprotkb:O14543) physically interacts (MI:0218) with MAP1S (uniprotkb:Q66K74) by two hybrid (MI:0018)
MINT‐6797017:

MAP1S (uniprotkb:Q8C052) physically interacts (MI:0218) with SOCS3 (uniprotkb:O35718) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)
MINT‐6796979:

MAP1S (uniprotkb:Q66K74) and SOCS3 (uniprotkb:O14543) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)
A Cross-National Comparison of Welfare Lobby Groups: The British Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)
Authors: Mendes Philip 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
Theories of globalisation suggest that national lobby groups continue to exert significant impact on social policy outcomes. This paper compares two prominent national welfare lobby groups, the British Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), and the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS). Attention is drawn to their similarities and differences in a number of areas including their origins, major aims and objectives, representation, ideology, funding, lobbying strategies and targets, and political influence and effectiveness. Some conclusions are drawn from this comparison about the complexity of the relationship between globalisation and national welfare states.
Wage Reforms, Fiscal Policies and their Impact on Doctors’ Clinical Behaviour in China's Public Health Sector
Authors: Yang Jingqing 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
A recent report evaluating the medical reform carried out over the past two decades describes the outcome of the reform as a failure. It contends that the medical reform failed to contain the costs of health care, making medical services less and less accessible to the people, especially the poor. This paper explores how the wage reforms in Chinas public health sector since 1978 have contributed to the failure, with a focus on three new wage schemes: the bonus scheme, the “commission” scheme and the contract responsibility system. The paper argues that the decline of government investment in health care, the government's continuous control of medical services pricing and the pressure for the public medical facilities and professionals to increase their income have not only driven the health costs irrationally high, but also forced the facilities and doctors to resort to illegal means for this income.
Effect of αs1-casein (CSN1S1) genotype on milk CSN1S1 content in Malagueña and Murciano-Granadina goats
Authors: Caravaca Francisco , Amills Marcel , Jordana Jordi , Angiolillo Antonella , Agüera Pastora , Aranda Cristina , Menéndez-Buxadera Alberto , Sánchez Alfonso , Carrizosa Juan , Urrutia Baltasar , Sànchez Armand , Serradilla Juan Manuel 
Published: November 2008

There is substantial evidence showing that the polymorphism of the goat αs1-casein (CSN1S1) gene has a major effect on milk protein, casein and fat content as well as on cheese yield. However, its influence on the synthesis rate of CSN1S1 has been less studied, with measurements only available in French breeds. In this article, we have measured milk CSN1S1 content in 89 Malagueña and 138 Murciano-Granadina goats with 305 and 460 phenotypic registers, respectively. In the Malagueña breed, average values of CSN1S1 content estimated forBB,BF,EEandFFgenotypes were 6·94±0·38, 5·36±0·22, 4·58±0·13 and 3·98±0·27 g/l, respectively, being all significantly different (P<0·05). Conversely, in the Murciano-Granadina breed only theBBgenotype (8·50±0·60 g/l) was significantly associated with increased levels of CSN1S1 (P<0·05), whereasBF(6·56±0·82 g/l),EE(6·39±0·60 g/l) andEF(6·91±0·76 g/l) genotypes displayed non-significant differences when compared with each other. Our results highlight the existence of breed-specific genetic and/or environmental factors modulating the impact of theCSN1S1gene polymorphism on the synthesis rate of the corresponding protein.
The efficacy of HPV 16/18 vaccines on sexually active 18–23 year old women and the impact of HPV vaccination on organized cervical cancer screening
Authors: SIGURDSSON KRISTJAN , SIGVALDASON HELGI , GUDMUNDSDOTTIR THORBJORG , SIGURDSSON RAFN , BRIEM HARALDUR 
Published: November 2008

AbstractObjective. Evaluate the efficacy of catch‐up HPV vaccination in sexually active young women and the potential impact of HPV vaccines on the practice of organized screening. Sample. (1) Women enrolled in the Future II study and (2) from a separate population‐based study in Iceland. Methods. (1) Analysis of cytological and histological results and colposcopic examinations among 710 women, aged 18–23, with less than five sexual partners, irrespectively of baseline HPV status at enrolment. (2) The impact on screening practice as determined by evaluating the distribution of 12 oncogenic HPV types in 582 cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN 2–3) and cancer cases. Main outcome measures. (1) Distribution of evaluated parameters according to age at enrolment. (2) Age distribution of four HPV groups, within age classes and HPV groups: mean time to development of lesions, mean time to development of CIN 2–3+, cumulative frequency for CIN 2–3+ lesions after the last normal smear. Results. (1) After an average 52 months of post‐enrolment follow‐up, significant reductions in all evaluated parameters were observed in women aged 18–19 at enrolment. (2) Among women <25years, the proportion of cases with only HPV 16/18 was significantly lower and the proportion containing HPV16/18 plus ≥1 out of 10 non‐vaccine HPV types (31/33/45/52/58/35/39/51/56/59) was higher than at age 25–49. The proportion of cases containing only the non‐vaccine types was the same within all age groups. Cases with HPV 16/18 and some non‐vaccine types decreased significantly with age and accumulated more slowly after the last negative smear. Conclusions. Catch‐up vaccination of younger women should be considered in the context of sexual practices and the effects of prevalent disease on observed vaccine efficacy. Current data do not support a change in the lower age limit or screening intervals for women.