bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liquefaction, saccharification, and fermentation of ammoniated corn to ethanol
Authors: Taylor Frank , Kim Tae Hyun , Abbas Charles A. , Hicks Kevin B. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractTreatment of whole corn kernels with anhydrous ammonia gas has been proposed as a way to facilitate the separation of nonfermentable coproducts before fermentation of the starch to ethanol, but the fermentability of ammoniated corn has not been thoroughly investigated. Also, it is intended that the added ammonia nitrogen in ammonia treated corn (∼1 g per kg corn) may satisfy the yeast nutritional requirement for free amino nitrogen (FAN). In this study, procedures for ammoniation, liquefaction, saccharification, and fermentation at two scales (12‐L and 50‐mL) were used to determine the fermentation rate, final ethanol concentration, and ethanol yield from starch in ammoniated or nonammoniated corn. The maximum achievable ethanol concentration at 50 h fermentation time was lower with ammoniated corn than with nonammoniated corn. The extra nitrogen in ammoniated corn satisfied some of the yeast requirements for FAN, thereby reducing the requirement for corn steep liquor. Based upon these results, ammoniation of corn does not appear to have a positive impact on the fermentability of corn to ethanol. Ammoniation may still be cost effective, if the advantages in terms of improved separations outweigh the disadvantages in terms of decreased fermentability.
Different effects of L‐arginine on protein refolding: Suppressing aggregates of hydrophobic interaction, not covalent binding
Authors: Chen Jing , Liu Yongdong , Wang Yinjue , Ding Hong , Su Zhiguo 
Published: December 2008

AbstractArginine is one of the most favorable additives in protein refolding. However, arginine does not work for certain disulfide‐bond‐containing proteins, which is not yet well explained. In this work, refolding of three proteins in the presence of 0–2 M arginine was investigated and compared. Bovine carbonic anhydrase B (CAB), containing no cysteine, was successfully refolded with the help of arginine. The refolding yield could reach almost 100% in the presence of 0.75 M arginine. However, recombinant human colony stimulating factor (rhG‐CSF), containing five cysteines, could only achieve 65% refolding yield. The formation of aggregates was found. Blocking of free SH groups of the denatured rhG‐CSF by iodoacetamide and subsequently refolding of the protein could reduce the aggregate formation substantially. Further investigation on recombinant green fluorescence protein (GFP), containing two cysteines, also revealed the accumulation of oligomers. The content of oligomers increased with the concentration of arginine, reaching about 30% at 2 M arginine. Comparison of reduced and nonreduced SDS‐PAGE revealed that the oligomers were formed through intermolecular disulfide binding. Analysis of the refolding kinetics indicated that intermolecular disulfide bonds were probably formed in the intermediate stage where arginine slowed down the refolding rate and stabilized the intermediates. The accumulated intermediates with unpaired cysteine possessed more chances to react with each other to form oligomers, whereas arginine failed to inhibit disulfide bond formation.
O‐GLcNAc post‐translational modifications regulate the entry of neurons into an axon branching program
Authors: Francisco Herb , Kollins Katherine , Varghis Neal , Vocadlo David , Vosseller Keith , Gallo Gianluca 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMany neuronal cytosolic and nuclear proteins are post‐translationally modified by the reversible addition of O‐linked N‐acetylglucosamine (O‐GlcNAc) on serines and threonines. The cellular functions of O‐GlcNAc modifications in neuronal development are not known. We report that O‐GlcNAc‐modified proteins are distributed nonuniformly throughout cultured primary chicken forebrain neurons, with intense immunostaining of the cell body, punctuate immunostaining in axons and all processes, and localization in filopodia/lamellipodia. Overexpression of O‐GlcNAcase, the enzyme that removes O‐GlcNAc from proteins, increased the percentage of neurons exhibiting axon branching without altering the frequency of axon branches on a per neuron basis and increased the numbers of axonal filopodia. Conversely, pharmacologically increasing O‐GlcNAc levels on proteins through specific inhibition of O‐GlcNAcase with the inhibitor 9d decreased the numbers of axonal filopodia, but had no effect on axon length or branching. Treatment with an alternative O‐GlcNAcase inhibitor, PUGNAc, similarly decreased the number of axonal filopodia. Furthermore, axon branching induced by the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin was suppressed by pharmacological inhibition of O‐GlcNAcase. Western analysis revealed that O‐GlcNAc levels regulate the phosphorylation of some PKA substrates in response to forskolin. These data provide the first evidence of O‐GlcNAc modification‐specific influences in neuronal development in primary culture, and indicate specific roles for O‐GlcNAc in the regulation of axon morphology. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2009
In vivo analyzes of dystroglycan function during somitogenesis in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Hidalgo Magdalena , Sirour Cathy , Bello Valérie , Moreau Nicole , Beaudry Michèle , Darribère Thierry 
Published: December 2008

AbstractDystroglycan (Dg) is a cell adhesion receptor for laminin that has been reported to play a role in skeletal muscle cell stability, cytoskeletal organization, cell polarity, and signaling. Here we show that Dg is expressed at both the notochord/somite and the intersomitic boundaries, where laminin and fibronectin are accumulated during somitogenesis. Inhibition of Dg function with morpholino antisense oligonucleotides or a dominant negative mutant results in the normal segmentation of the presomitic mesoderm but affects the number, the size, and the integrity of somites. Depletion of Dg disrupts proliferation and alignment of myoblasts without affecting XMyoD and XMRF4 expression. It also leads to defects in laminin deposition at the intersomitic junctions, whereas expression of integrin β1 subunits and fibronectin assembly occur normally. Our results show that Dg is critical for both proliferation and elongation of somitic cells and that the Dg‐cytoplasmic domain is required for the laminin assembly at the intersomitic boundaries. Developmental Dynamics 238:1332–1345, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular imaging of glucose uptake in oral neoplasia following topical application of fluorescently labeled deoxy‐glucose
Authors: Nitin Nitin , Carlson Alicia L. , Muldoon Tim , El‐Naggar Adel K. , Gillenwater Ann , Richards‐Kortum Rebecca 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe clinical value of assessing tumor glucose metabolism via F‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET imaging in oncology is well established; however, the poor spatial resolution of PET is a significant limitation especially for early stage lesions. An alternative technology is optical molecular imaging, which allows for subcellular spatial resolution and can be effectively used with topical contrast agents for imaging epithelial derived cancers. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential of optical molecular imaging of glucose metabolism to aid in early detection of oral neoplasia. Fluorescently labeled deoxyglucose (2‐NBDG (2‐[N‐(7‐nitrobenz‐2‐oxa‐1,3‐diazol‐4‐yl)amino]‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose)) was applied topically to tissue phantoms, fresh oral biopsies (n = 32) and resected tumors specimens (n = 2). High‐resolution imaging results show that 2‐NBDG can be rapidly delivered to oral epithelium using topical application. In normal epithelium, the uptake of 2‐NBDG is limited to basal epithelial cells. In contrast, high‐grade dysplasia and cancers show uptake of 2‐NBDG in neoplastic cells throughout the lesion. Following 2‐NBDG labeling, the mean fluorescence intensity of neoplastic tissue averages 3.7 times higher than that of matched nonneoplastic oral biopsies in samples from 20 patients. Widefield fluorescence images of 8‐paired oral specimens were obtained pre and postlabeling with 2‐NBDG. Prior to labeling, neoplastic samples showed significantly lower autofluorescence than nonneoplastic samples. The fluorescence of neoplastic samples increased dramatically after labeling; the differential increase in fluorescence was on average 30 times higher in neoplastic samples than in normal samples. Topical application of 2‐NBDG can therefore provide image contrast in both widefield and high‐resolution fluorescence imaging modalities, highlighting its potential in early detection of oral neoplasia. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functionally gradient chitosan/hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds for controlled drug release
Authors: Teng Shu‐Hua , Lee Eun‐Jung , Wang Peng , Jun Shin‐Hee , Han Cheol‐Min , Kim Hyoun‐Ee 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis study explored the potential of chitosan/hydroxyapatite (HA) composites to act as a controlled drug delivery system by developing functional scaffolds with a gradient of structure and drug concentration. Firstly, a porous composite scaffold was prepared and tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) was impregnated in the scaffold as a model drug. The pore size of the scaffold was negatively dependent on the HA content and ranged about 40–250 μm. Subsequently, a porous chitosan/HA composite layer without drug was coated on the scaffold to create a gradient drug concentration in the specimen. The in vitro drug‐release test demonstrated that the porous layer without drug on the outer surface of the scaffold significantly reduced the initial burst of drug release and extended the release period. Finally, a successive and dense chitosan/HA composite layer endowed the scaffold with a sustained, drug‐release pattern without any initial drug burst. These findings confirmed the high effectiveness of the hybrid scaffolds in regulating the release of drugs, and hence their capability to serve as a temporary drug carrier in tissue regeneration. These functional scaffolds also have potential application to the delivery of some bioactive molecules such as growth factors. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Embryonic overexpression of Galgt2 inhibits skeletal muscle growth via activation of myostatin signaling
Authors: Chandraskeharan Kumaran , Martin Paul T. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMany proteins that affect skeletal muscle growth are secreted glycoproteins, yet the nature of how glycosylation regulates the expression and growth‐promoting properties of such factors is not well understood. One type of glycosylation that affects muscle growth is that controlled by the CT GalNAc transferase (Galgt2), the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of the β1,4GalNAc linkage on the CT carbohydrate antigen (GalNAcβ1,4[Neu5Ac(or Gc)α2,3]Galβ1,4GlcNAcβ‐R). In the mouse, both Galgt2 protein and the CT carbohydrate become confined to the neuromuscular synapse in skeletal muscle by the second postnatal week. Galgt2 transgenic mice that overexpress the CT carbohydrate from embryonic time‐points onward in skeletal muscle had profoundly impaired muscle growth that was maintained throughout adulthood. Transgenic overexpression of Galgt2 increased myostatin protein expression and stimulated myostatin signaling, whereas expression of follistatin protein, a myostatin inhibitor, was decreased. Changed myostatin and follistatin protein levels were controlled at a posttranslational level, and inhibition of muscle growth was overcome if serum follistatin levels were normalized to wild‐type levels. In contrast to embryonic Galgt2 overexpression, postnatal overexpression of Galgt2 had no effect on either myostatin or follistatin expression or muscle growth. These experiments demonstrate that Galgt2 can control growth by modulating the expression of myostatin and myostatin inhibitors during particular periods of muscle development. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 39: 25–41, 2009
A Neumann–Neumann algorithm for a mortar finite element discretization of fourth‐order elliptic problems in 2D
Authors: Marcinkowski Leszek 
Published: December 2008

AbstractHere we present and analyze a Neumann–Neumann algorithm for the mortar finite element discretization of elliptic fourth‐order problems with discontinuous coefficients. The fully parallel algorithm is analyzed using the abstract Schwarz framework, proving a convergence which is independent of the parameters of the problem, and depends only logarithmically on the ratio between the subdomain size and the mesh size.© 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2009
N‐Hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI)/lead tetraacetate reactions with cyclic and acyclic alkenes
Authors: Coseri Sergiu 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe reactions between phthalimide N‐oxyl (PINO) radical and cyclohexene, cyclooctene, and trans‐3‐hexene were carried out. The PINO radical has been in situ generated from its hydroxylimide parent, N‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI), applying two approaches: using metallic salts, such as lead tetraacetate and cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN), and a “metal free” system in which the role of metallic species has been undertaken by antraquinone. In the former case, the strong influence of lead tetraacetate (or CAN) on the NHPI's reactivity, induce two different channels for the reaction pathway, radical and non‐radical, a complex mixture of both saturated and unsaturated diadducts together with the corresponding monoadduct being formed. This behavior will not occur in the case of PINO generation in non‐metallic systems, in this case the reaction pathway proceed exclusively via radical mechanism, with the formation of monoadducts as sole products. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How many peroxyl radicals can be scavenged by hydroxyl‐substituted Schiff bases in the oxidation of linoleic acid?
Authors: Liu Zai‐Qun , Wu Di 
Published: December 2008

AbstractEleven hydroxyl‐substituted Schiff bases (SchOHs) were synthesized by the reaction between hydroxyl‐substituted benzaldehydes and hydroxyl‐substituted anilines, and their antioxidant effects on the oxidation of linoleic acid (dissolved in sodium dodecyl sulfate micelle) induced by 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane hydrochloride) (AAPH) were investigated. The relationships between the period of the oxidation inhibited by SchOHs (tinh) and their concentrations ([SchOHs]) were measured firstly, and then treated by a chemical kinetic equation, tinh = (n/Ri)[SchOH], to obtain the number (n) of the oxidative chains terminated by one molecule of SchOH. Therefore, the antioxidant activities of SchOHs can be expressed quantitatively by the n value. Finally, the spin‐densities (SD) on O atom in the radical of SchOH (SchO.) were calculated by quantum chemical method, and, to some extent, SD provided an explanation to the difference of the antioxidant effects among various SchOH. Therefore, the obtained results provided an attempt to bridge the kinetic measurement and quantum calculation in the study on the property of an antioxidant. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Herbal medicine for dementia: a systematic review
Authors: May Brian H. , Lit M. , Xue Charlie C. L. , Yang Angela W. H. , Zhang Anthony L. , Owens Michael D. , Head Richard , Cobiac Lynne , Li Chun Guang , Hugel Helmut , Story David F. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines (HM) for treating dementia. Databases in English and Chinese were searched from their inceptions to February 2007. References in reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were screened by hand. Trials comparing orally administered HM with placebo, no intervention or other therapy were considered. Trials on Ginkgo biloba and its extracts were excluded to avoid duplication of existing reviews. Pairs of authors independently applied eligibility criteria, extracted data and assessed methodological quality using the Jadad Scale. Thirteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria of three or above on this scale. Six trials compared herbal medicine with placebo, one with no treatment, and the remainder with pharmaceutical intervention. Meta‐analyses were performed on common cognitive performance outcome measures. All studies reported HM had significant effects in improving symptoms. In studies that employed active controls, HM was at least as effective as the pharmaceutical intervention. Meta‐analyses found HM more effective than no treatment or placebo and at least equivalent to control interventions, although the overall effect was small. No severe adverse events were reported. These trials provide overall positive evidence for the effectiveness and safety of certain HMs for dementia management. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modified myocardial performance index for evaluation of fetal cardiac function in pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Api O. , Emeksiz M. Balcin , Api M. , Uǧurel V. , Unal O. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo assess cardiac function by means of the modified myocardial performance index (Mod‐MPI) in fetuses of pre‐eclamptic mothers without intrauterine growth restriction and to compare this with values from normal controls.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted including a total of 72 fetuses at between 26 and 40 weeks' gestation. Forty fetuses of healthy mothers were assigned as the control group (Group I) while 15 fetuses of mildly pre‐eclamptic mothers constituted Group II and 17 fetuses of severely pre‐eclamptic mothers constituted Group III. Two‐dimensional gray‐scale and Doppler fetal echocardiography was used to exclude cardiac anomalies and calculate the Mod‐MPI.ResultsThe mean ± SD Mod‐MPI values of Groups I, II and III were 0.43 ± 0.045, 0.44 ± 0.064 and 0.44 ± 0.064, respectively (P = 0.680). The mean aortic peak systolic velocity (PSV), the mean mitral valve early ventricular filling (E‐wave) and active atrial filling (A‐wave) peak velocities were significantly lower in fetuses of severely pre‐eclamptic mothers than in fetuses of mildly pre‐eclamptic mothers and control fetuses.ConclusionThe fetal global myocardial function assessed by Mod‐MPI does not seem to change in mild or severe pre‐eclampsia. The lower mitral E‐wave and A‐wave peak velocities and the lower aortic PSV seem to reflect the increased cardiac afterload against which the fetal heart has to work, rather than systolic or diastolic cardiac dysfunction, in the fetuses of severely pre‐eclamptic mothers. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of BH4 supplementation on phenylalanine tolerance
Authors: Burlina A. , Blau N. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryBackground:Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a potential new orphan drug for the treatment of some patients with phenylketonuria (PKU), mostly mild forms. Numerous studies have confirmed this finding and BH4‐responsiveness may be predicted to some extent from the corresponding genotype.Aim:To investigate the response to BH4 loading test, the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) mutations and the long‐term therapeutic efficacy of BH4 in patients with PKU, and to better define BH4‐responsive patients according to phenylalanine (Phe) levels and dietary phenylalanine tolerance.Methods:30 Italian PKU patients (age range: 6 months–24 years; 12 female, 18 male) were included in this retrospective study. Eleven out of 30 patients presented with Phe levels below 450 μmol/L and 19 patients with Phe levels between 450 and 900 μmol/L. In the second group, we investigated the effect of long‐term (6 months–7 years) oral administration of BH4 on blood Phe levels and daily Phe tolerance.Results:In all patients with initial blood Phe levels <450 μmol/L (n = 11), BH4 loading test was positive, but no treatment was introduced. In 12 out of 19 patients with blood Phe levels >450 μmol/L and positive at BH4 loading, the treatment with BH4 (10 mg/kg per day) was initiated. Before BH4 treatment, Phe tolerance was less than 700 mg/day in all patients except for one (patient no. 9), increasing to 2–3‐fold (from 498 ± 49 to 1475 ± 155 mg/day) on BH4 treatment. In these patients the amino acid mixture supplementation was stopped and the diet was a combination of low‐protein foods and natural proteins, mostly from animal sources.Conclusion:Long‐term BH4 substitution (up to 7 years) in a group of moderate PKU patients allowed a substantial relaxation of the dietary restrictions or even replacement of the diet with BH4 without any adverse effects.
Long‐standing mild hypertransaminasaemia caused by congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) type IIx
Authors: Calvo P. L. , Pagliardini S. , Baldi M. , Pucci A. , Sturiale L. , Garozzo D. , Vinciguerra T. , Barbera C. , Jaeken J. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryA 32 year‐old asymptomatic male came to our attention with a 21‐year history, documented elsewhere, of puzzling increases in his serum transaminase level. At first, very low serum ceruloplasmin level suggested Wilson disease. Two liver biopsies showed mild portal inflammation, steatosis and mild fibrosis. Further investigation revealed low levels of the glycoproteins AT III and clotting factor XI, leading to a diagnosis of congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG) type II. Further studies as to the cause of this ‘apparently new’ CDG, are ongoing. On the basis of our data and a literature review, we suggest that subjects with asymptomatic hypertransaminasaemia be screened for CDG.
Vulnerability to strong winds for major tree species in a northern Japanese mixed forest: analyses of historical data
Authors: Yoshida Toshiya , Noguchi Mahoko 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis study examined historical census data to evaluate the vulnerability of major tall‐tree species in northern Japan to strong winds. Intensive data, which measured more than 20,000 damaged trees (defined as trees that were killed or lost their major crown) in >500 ha of a natural mixed forest, were collected immediately after a severe typhoon in 1954. More than half of the damaged trees had been uprooted, and the negative size‐dependency was found for the proportion of uprooting throughout species. Simple correlation analyses with respect to the averaged species‐specific characteristics suggested that tree species with a high crown‐depth/height tended to uproot (against to stem breakage) in a size‐class with diameter at breast height 30–50 cm. Although the census data had yielded no information about non‐damaged trees, the estimation of pre‐disturbed stand (based on 63 1‐ha plot data together with aerial photographs and GIS) revealed that the observed damage reached ca. 25% in terms of basal area. The proportion of damaged trees seemed to be doubled among species (15–42% in basal area). A higher proportion of uprooting, which indicates a large supply of tip‐up mounds, and mixture of less vulnerable species, might contribute to recovery process after a wind disturbance in this type of mixed forests.