bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation in the toll‐like receptor gene cluster (TLR10‐TLR1‐TLR6) and prostate cancer risk
Authors: Stevens Victoria L. , Hsing Ann W. , Talbot Jeffrey T. , Zheng Siqun Lilly , Sun Jielin , Chen Jinbo , Thun Michael J. , Xu Jianfeng , Calle Eugenia E. , Rodriguez Carmen 
Published: August 2008

AbstractToll‐like receptors (TLRs) are key players in the innate immune system and initiate the inflammatory response to foreign pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. The proposed role of chronic inflammation in prostate carcinogenesis has prompted investigation into the association of common genetic variation in TLRs with the risk of this cancer. We investigated the role of common SNPs in a gene cluster encoding the TLR10, TLR6 and TLR1 proteins in prostate cancer etiology among 1,414 cancer cases and 1,414 matched controls from the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort. Twenty‐eight SNPs, which included the majority of the common nonsynonymous SNPs in the 54‐kb gene region and haplotype‐tagging SNPs that defined 5 specific haplotype blocks, were genotyped and their association with prostate cancer risk determined. Two SNPs in TLR10 [I369L (rs11096955) and N241H (rs11096957)] and 4 SNPs in TLR1 [N248S (rs4833095), S26L (rs5743596), rs5743595 and rs5743551] were associated with a statistically significant reduced risk of prostate cancer of 29–38% (for the homozygous variant genotype). The association of these SNPs was similar when the analysis was limited to cases with advanced prostate cancer. Haplotype analysis and linkage disequilibrium findings revealed that the 6 associated SNPs were not independent and represent a single association with reduced prostate cancer risk (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.90). Our study suggest that a common haplotype in the TLR10‐TLR1‐TLR6 gene cluster influences prostate cancer risk and clearly supports the need for further investigation of TLR genes in other populations. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
S413‐PV cell penetrating peptide and cationic liposomes act synergistically to mediate intracellular delivery of plasmid DNA
Authors: Trabulo Sara , Mano Miguel , Faneca Henrique , Cardoso Ana Luísa , Duarte Sónia , Henriques Ana , Paiva Artur , Gomes Paula , Simões Sérgio , de Lima Maria C. Pedroso 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackgroundCell penetrating peptides have been successfully used to mediate the intracellular delivery of a wide variety of molecules of pharmacological interest. The main aim of the present work was to evaluate the potential of the S413‐PV cell penetrating peptide to mediate the intracellular delivery of plasmid DNA, aiming at its use in gene therapy applications. The S413‐PV cell penetrating peptide is a chimeric peptide that results from the combination of a cell penetrating sequence derived from the Dermaseptin S4 peptide with the nuclear localization signal present in the Simian Virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen.MethodsS413‐PV cell penetrating peptide and cationic liposomes composed of 1,2‐dioleoyl‐3‐trimethylammonium‐propane:1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine were complexed with pDNA at different charge ratios. Complexation of pDNA was assessed by gel electrophoresis. Luciferase assay, fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis were used to evaluate reporter gene delivery to TSA and HeLa cells. Cytotoxicity of the pDNA complexes was assessed by Alamar blue assay.ResultsComplexes obtained through electrostatic association of the S413‐PV cell penetrating peptide with plasmid DNA are able to very efficiently mediate transfection, particularly at high peptide/DNA charge ratios. Additionally, our results clearly demonstrate that, both in HeLa and TSA cells, ternary complexes, resulting from association of cationic liposomes to peptide/DNA complexes, are significantly more efficient in mediating transfection than the corresponding peptide/DNA or cationic liposome/DNA complexes.ConclusionsOverall, our data highlight the potential of cell penetrating peptides for the development of improved nonviral gene delivery systems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forbidden induced bipartite graphs
Authors: Allen Peter 
Published: August 2008

AbstractGiven a fixed bipartite graph H, we study the asymptotic speed of growth of the number of bipartite graphs on n vertices which do not contain an induced copy of H. Whenever H contains either a cycle or the bipartite complement of a cycle, the speed of growth is ${{2}}^{\Omega({{n}}^{{{{6}}\over {{5}}}})}$. For every other bipartite graph except the path on seven vertices, we are able to find both upper and lower bounds of the form ${{n}}^{{{cn}}+{{o}}({{n}})}$. In many cases we are able to determine the correct value of c. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 60: 219–241, 2009
Antibodies against RNA hydrolyze RNA and DNA
Authors: Krasnorutskii Michael A. , Buneva Valentina N. , Nevinsky Georgy A. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractImmunization of animals with DNA leads to the production of anti‐DNA antibodies (Abs) demonstrating both DNase and RNase activities. It is currently not known whether anti‐RNA Abs can possess nuclease activities. In an attempt to address this question, we have shown that immunization of three rabbits with complex of RNA with methylated BSA (mBSA) stimulates production of IgGs with RNase and DNase activities belonging to IgGs, while polyclonal Abs from three non‐immunized rabbits and three animals immunized with mBSA are catalytically inactive. Affinity chromatography of IgGs from the sera of autoimmune (AI) patients on DNA‐cellulose usually demonstrates a number of fractions, all of which effectively hydrolyze both DNA and RNA, while rabbit catalytic IgGs were separated into Ab subfractions, some of which demonstrated only DNase activity, while others hydrolyzed RNA faster than DNA. The enzymic properties of the RNase and DNase IgGs from rabbits immunized with RNA distinguish them from all known canonical RNases and DNases and DNA‐ and RNA‐hydrolyzing abzymes (Abzs) from patients with different AI diseases. In contrast to RNases and AI RNA‐hydrolyzing Abs, rabbit RNase IgGs catalyze only the first step of the hydrolysis reaction but cannot hydrolyze the formed terminal 2′,3′‐cyclophosphate. The data indicate that Abzs of AI patients hydrolyzing nucleic acids in part may be Abs against RNA and its complexes with proteins. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A survey of the year 2007 literature on applications of isothermal titration calorimetry
Authors: Bjelić Saša , Jelesarov Ilian 
Published: August 2008

AbstractElucidation of the energetic principles of binding affinity and specificity is a central task in many branches of current sciences: biology, medicine, pharmacology, chemistry, material sciences, etc. In biomedical research, integral approaches combining structural information with in‐solution biophysical data have proved to be a powerful way toward understanding the physical basis of vital cellular phenomena. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is a valuable experimental tool facilitating quantification of the thermodynamic parameters that characterize recognition processes involving biomacromolecules. The method provides access to all relevant thermodynamic information by performing a few experiments. In particular, ITC experiments allow to by‐pass tedious and (rarely precise) procedures aimed at determining the changes in enthalpy and entropy upon binding by van't Hoff analysis. Notwithstanding limitations, ITC has now the reputation of being the “gold standard” and ITC data are widely used to validate theoretical predictions of thermodynamic parameters, as well as to benchmark the results of novel binding assays. In this paper, we discuss several publications from 2007 reporting ITC results. The focus is on applications in biologically oriented fields. We do not intend a comprehensive coverage of all newly accumulated information. Rather, we emphasize work which has captured our attention with originality and far‐reaching analysis, or else has provided ideas for expanding the potential of the method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recombinase‐activating gene 1‐associated expression of the myelin basic protein 1‐11‐specific transgenic T‐cell receptor in H‐2b mice
Authors: Buenafe Abigail C. , Sherwood Courtney , Moes Nicole , Jones Richard E. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractWe pursued a breeding strategy intended to generate disease‐resistant mice with exclusive expression of the H‐2u‐restricted myelin basic protein (MBP) 1‐11 peptide‐specific transgenic (Tg) T‐cell receptor (TCR) on the T‐cell‐deficient RAG1KO (H‐2b) background. Utilizing specific screening assays for the offspring, analyses of the F1 intercross and subsequent crosses revealed that the TgTCR‐associated clonotypic marker detected by the 3H12 mAb could be found only in association with the H‐2b homozygous background in offspring possessing a functional rag1 gene. Moreover, expression of the MBP‐specific TgTCR could not be found in H‐2b homozygous offspring that were RAG1 deficient (rag1−/−). PCR analysis of genomic DNA from these 3H12‐negative offspring verified the presence of the TCR transgenes. Thus, the presence of a functional rag1 gene was required for the expression of the MBP‐specific TgTCR on the H‐2b background. Given the role for RAG1, the results have important implications for T‐cell repertoire development. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Green tea polyphenol (–)‐epigallocatechin gallate reduces neuronal cell damage and up‐regulation of MMP‐9 activity in hippocampal CA1 and CA2 areas following transient global cerebral ischemia
Authors: Park Jong‐Wan , Jang Young‐Ho , Kim Jin‐Mo , Lee Hyung , Park Weon‐Kyun , Lim Man‐Bin , Chu Yeun‐Kyung , Lo Eng H. , Lee Seong‐Ryong 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPrevious studies have demonstrated that (–)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, protects against ischemia and reperfusion‐induced injury in many organ systems. Here, we test the hypothesis that part of EGCG's neuroprotective effects may involve a modulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) after cerebral ischemia. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 20 min of transient global cerebral ischemia. EGCG (50 mg/kg) or vehicle (saline) was administered i.p. immediately after ischemia. Brains were examined 3 days after ischemia. The effects of EGCG on MMP (gelatinase) activity and neuronal damage in the hippocampus were assessed. Gelatin gel zymography showed induction of active forms of MMP‐9 protein after transient global cerebral ischemia. In situ zymography showed that ischemic gelatinase activity occurred primarily in pyramidal neuronal areas after brain ischemia. Mice treated with EGCG showed significantly reduced gelatinase levels. Neuronal damage was evident in CA1 and CA2 pyramidal sectors, corresponding to TUNEL‐positive signals. In EGCG‐treated mice, delayed neuronal damage was significantly reduced compared with vehicle‐treated mice. These results demonstrate that the green tea polyphenol EGCG suppresses MMP‐9 activation and reduces the development of delayed neuronal death after transient global cerebral ischemia in mouse brain. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long‐term variations of surface air temperature during summer in India
Authors: Ganguly Nandita D. , Iyer K. N. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIncrease in our earth's surface air temperature has been a subject of major concern in the recent years, as it may destroy the existing ecosystem and exert varied adverse effects on mankind and vegetation. In view of the gravity of the impending crises, the changes in surface air temperature during summer (March–June), their expected statistical critical limits and possible association with the changes in stratospheric ozone, aerosol concentration and solar irradiance have been investigated for different Indian regions over a period of 103 years from 1901 to 2003. It is observed that the overall air temperature is higher in the northwest (NW), north central (NC) and interior peninsula (IP) regions of India compared to the east coast (EC), west coast (WC), northeast (NE) and western Himalayan (WH) regions. However, the surface air temperature during summer is found to exhibit a small decreasing trend in the NW and WH regions and a small increasing trend in the IP, EC, NC, NE and WC regions. The results are discussed in light of observed decreasing trend in stratospheric column ozone (SCO), solar irradiance, concentration of aerosols and overall wind direction during summer. The maximum surface air temperatures for different Indian regions are observed to be well within the statistically computed critical limits. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Acceleration of spinal fusion using syngeneic and allogeneic adult adipose derived stem cells in a rat model
Authors: Lopez Mandi J. , McIntosh Kevin R. , Spencer Nakia D. , Borneman Jade N. , Horswell Ronald , Anderson Paul , Yu Gang , Gaschen Lorrie , Gimble Jeffrey M. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPosterolateral spinal fusion is the standard treatment for lumbar compression fractures. Adult adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (ASCs) promote osteogenesis in vivo and in vitro. The hypothesis tested in this study was that syngeneic and allogeneic ASCs on a biomaterial scaffold composed of tricalcium phosphate and collagen I will accelerate spinal fusion in a rat model. ASCs from male Fischer or ACI rats were loaded onto scaffolds (53,571 cells/mm3) and cultured in stromal media for 48 h. Male Fisher rats were assigned to 4 cohorts (n = 14/cohort) after bilateral decortication of the L4 and L5 transverse processes: (1) No treatment; (2) scaffold only; (3) scaffold + syngeneic ASCs; or (4) scaffold + allogeneic ASCs. Half of each cohort was harvested 4 or 8 weeks after surgery. Spinal fusion was evaluated with radiographs, microcomputed tomography, and light microscopy. Callus did not form in spines without scaffolds. There were no significant differences in callus formation among scaffold cohorts 4 weeks after surgery. Callus formation was more mature in both ASC cohorts versus scaffold alone 8 weeks after surgery based on microstructure as well as radiographic and microcomputed tomographic evidence of active bone formation. Inflammatory cell infiltrate was significantly lower in both ASC cohorts (syngeneic = 18.3 ± 0.85%; allogeneic = 23.5 ± 2.33%) versus scaffold alone (46.8 ± 11.8%) 4 weeks after surgery. Results of this study support syngeneic and allogeneic ASC acceleration of posterior lumbar spinal fusion in a rat model. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:366–373, 2009
Activation of rat nucleus pulposus cells by coculture with whole bone marrow cells collected by the perfusion method
Authors: Umeda Masayuki , Kushida Taketoshi , Sasai Kunihiko , Asada Taku , Oe Kenichi , Sakai Daisuke , Mochida Joji , Ikehara Susumu , Iida Hirokazu 
Published: August 2008

AbstractCell proliferation and matrix synthesis were compared for rat nucleus pulposus cells cocultured with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or fresh whole bone marrow cells (BMCs), harvested by the perfusion or aspiration methods. Nucleus pulposus cells were isolated from tail intervertebral discs of F344/slc rats, and BMCs were obtained from femora. Proteoglycan synthesis, DNA synthesis, and aggrecan mRNA expression were measured. The level of transforming growth factor‐β in supernatants from the culture system was also measured. Cell number, aggrecan mRNA expression, and uptake of [35S]‐sulfate and [3H]‐thymidine by nucleus pulposus cells cocultured with fresh whole BMCs all increased significantly compared with nucleus pulposus cells cocultured with MSCs. TGF‐β secreted by nucleus pulposus cells cocultured with fresh whole BMCs also significantly increased when compared with cocultures with MSCs. The perfusion method was superior to the aspiration method for preventing contamination of BMCs with peripheral red blood cells and lymphocytes, which may cause an autoimmune response in the disc. In conclusion, we suggest that fresh whole BMCs harvested by the perfusion method are more effective for increasing the proliferative and matrix synthesis capacity of nucleus pulposus cells. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:222–228, 2009
Ultrasound‐induced modifications of cytoskeletal components in osteoblast‐like SAOS‐2 cells
Authors: Hauser Joerg , Hauser Manfred , Muhr Gert , Esenwein Stefan 
Published: August 2008

AbstractIn clinical and experimental studies an acceleration of fracture healing and increased callus formation induced by low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been demonstrated. The exact molecular mechanisms of ultrasound treatment are still unclear. In this study ultrasound transmitted cytoskeletal and growth rate changes of SAOS‐2 cells were examined. Osteoblast‐like cell lines (SAOS‐2) were treated using low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound. Cytoskeletal changes were analyzed using rhodamine phalloidine for f‐actin staining and indirect immunofluorescence techniques with different monoclonal antibodies against several tubulin modifications. To examine changes of cell number after ultrasound treatment cell counts were done. Significant changes in cytoskeleton structure were detected compared to controls, including an enhancement of stress fiber formation combined with a loss of cell migration after ultrasound application. We further observed that sonication altered the proportion of the more stable microtubules to the more labile microtubule subclass. The labile tyrosinated microtubules appeared highly enhanced, whereas the amount of the more stable acetylated microtubules was remarkably diminished. All these observations were quantified by fluorometric measurements. The centrosomal γ‐tubulin was frequently scattered throughout the cell's cytoplasm, giving rise to additional polyglu‐positive microtubular asters, which induced multipolar spindles, leading either to aneuploid mini‐or giant cells. Moreover, a significant increase of cell number was noticed in the sonicated group. These experiments demonstrate that ultrasound treatment increases cell number and leads to significant changes of the cytoskeletal structure and composition in vitro. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:286–294, 2009
The effects of impingement and dysplasia on stress distributions in the hip joint during sitting and walking: A finite element analysis
Authors: Chegini Salman , Beck Martin , Ferguson Stephen J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractSoft tissue damage has been observed in hip joints with pathological geometries. Our primary goal was to study the relationship between morphological variations of the bony components of the hip and resultant stresses within the soft tissues of the joint during routine daily activities. The secondary goal was to find the range of morphological parameters in which stresses are minimized. Computational models of normal and pathological joints were developed based on variations of morphological parameters of the femoral head (Alpha angle) and acetabulum (CE angle). The Alpha angle was varied between 40° (normal joint) and 80° (cam joint). The CE angle was varied between 0° (dysplastic joint) and 40° (pincer joint). Dynamic loads and motions for walking and standing to sitting were applied to all joint configurations. Contact pressures and stresses were calculated and crosscompared to evaluate the influence of morphology. The stresses in the soft tissues depended strongly on the head and acetabular geometry. For the dysplastic joint, walking produced high acetabular rim stresses. Conversely, for impinging joints, standing‐to‐sitting activities that involved extensive motion were critical, inducing excessive distortion and shearing of the tissue–bone interface. Zones with high von Mises stresses corresponded with clinically observed damage zones in the acetabular cartilage and labrum. Hip joint morphological parameters that minimized were 20° ≤ CE ≤ 30° and alpha ≤ 50°. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:195–201, 2009
First evidence for episodic flooding events in the arid interior of central Saudi Arabia over the last 60 ka
Authors: McLaren Sue J. , Al‐Juaidi Farhan , Bateman Mark D. , Millington Andrew C. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAlthough evidence for Quaternary environmental changes in the Arabian Peninsula is now growing, research has mostly been conducted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and in the Sultanate of Oman. There have been virtually no recent studies in Saudi Arabia, especially in the central region such as around Al‐Quwaiayh. In this area there are a series of outwash plains developed along the eastern edge of the Arabian Shield that formed in the late Quaternary. Four sedimentary sections, which are representative of the deposits that have accumulated, have been studied and five luminescence ages obtained. These are the first luminescence ages acquired from Quaternary sediments in central Saudi Arabia. The preserved fluvial deposits in the study area have formed during humid events at ca. 54 ka, ca. 39 ka and ca. 0.8 ka. In more recent times aeolian sands have been encroaching on to the distal parts of the outwash plains. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuity properties of preference relations
Authors: Baroni Marian A. , Bridges Douglas S. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractVarious types of continuity for preference relations on a metric space are examined constructively. In particular, necessary and sufficient conditions are given for an order‐dense, strongly extensional preference relation on a complete metric space to be continuous. It is also shown, in the spirit of constructive reverse mathematics, that the continuity of sequentially continuous, order‐dense preference relations on complete, separable metric spaces is connected to Ishihara's principleBD‐ℕ, and therefore is not provable within Bishop‐style constructive mathematics alone. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Connectivity properties of dimension level sets
Authors: Lutz Jack H. , Weihrauch Klaus 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThis paper initiates the study of sets in Euclidean spaces ℝn (n ≥ 2) that are defined in terms of the dimensions of their elements. Specifically, given an interval I ⊆ [0, n ], we are interested in the connectivity properties of the set DIMI , consisting of all points in ℝn whose (constructive Hausdorff) dimensions lie in I, and of its dual DIMI str, consisting of all points whose strong (constructive packing) dimensions lie in I. If I is [0, 1) or (n – 1, n ], it is easy to see that the sets DIMI and DIMI str are totally disconnected. In contrast, we show that if I is [0, 1] or [n – 1, n ], then the sets DIMI and DIMI str are path‐connected. Our proof of this fact uses geometric properties of Kolmogorov complexity in Euclidean spaces. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)