bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photolithographic Patterning of C2C12 Myotubes using Vitronectin as Growth Substrate in Serum‐Free Medium
Authors: Molnar Peter , Wang Weishi , Natarajan Anupama , Rumsey John W. , Hickman James J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe C2C12 cell line is frequently used as a model of skeletal muscle differentiation. In our serum‐free defined culture system, differentiation of C2C12 cells into myotubes required surface‐bound signals such as substrate‐adsorbed vitronectin or laminin. On the basis of this substrate requirement of myotube formation, we developed a photolithography‐based method to pattern C2C12 myotubes, where myotubes formed exclusively on vitronectin surface patterns. We have determined that the optimal line width to form single myotubes is approximately 30 μm. To illustrate a possible application of this method, we patterned myotubes on the top of commercial substrate‐embedded microelectrodes. In contrast to previous experiments where cell patterning was achieved by selective attachment of the cells to patterned surfaces in a medium that contained all of the factors necessary for differentiation, this study illustrates that surface patterning of a signaling molecule, which is essential for skeletal muscle differentiation in a defined system, can result in the formation of aligned myotubes on the patterns. This technique is being developed for applications in cell biology, tissue engineering, and robotics.
Towards electrically conductive, self-healing materials
Authors: Williams Kyle A , Boydston Andrew J , Bielawski Christopher W 
Published: January 2007

A novel class of organometallic polymers comprising
N
-heterocyclic carbenes and transition metals was shown to have potential as an electrically conductive, self-healing material. These polymers were found to exhibit conductivities of the order of 10
−3
S cm
−1
and showed structurally dynamic characteristics in the solid-state. Thin films of these materials were cast onto silicon wafers, then scored and imaged using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The scored films were subsequently healed via thermal treatment, which enabled the material to flow via a unique depolymerization process, as determined by SEM and surface profilometry. A method for incorporating these features into a device that exhibits electrically driven, self-healing functions is proposed.
Synergistic growth inhibition by acyclic retinoid and vitamin K2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Kanamori Toh , Shimizu Masahito , Okuno Masataka , Matsushima‐Nishiwaki Rie , Tsurumi Hisashi , Kojima Soichi , Moriwaki Hisataka 
Published: January 2007

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. However, effective chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents for this cancer have not yet been developed. In clinical trials acyclic retinoid (ACR) and vitamin K2 (VK2) decreased the recurrence rate of HCC. In the present study we examined the possible combined effects of ACR or another retinoid 9‐cis retinoic acid (9cRA) plus VK2 in the HuH7 human HCC cell line. We found that the combination of 1.0 µM ACR or 1.0 µM 9cRA plus 10 µM VK2 synergistically inhibited the growth of HuH7 cells without affecting the growth of Hc normal human hepatocytes. The combined treatment with ACR plus VK2 also acted synergistically to induce apoptosis in HuH7 cells. Treatment with VK2 alone inhibited phosphorylation of the retinoid X receptor (RXR)α protein, which is regarded as a critical factor for liver carcinogenesis, through inhibition of Ras activation and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase phosphorylation. Moreover, the inhibition of RXRα phosphorylation by VK2 was enhanced when the cells were cotreated with ACR. The combination of retinoids plus VK2 markedly increased both the retinoic acid receptor responsive element and retinoid X receptor responsive element promoter activities in HuH7 cells. Our results suggest that retinoids (especially ACR) and VK2 cooperatively inhibit activation of the Ras/MAPK signaling pathway, subsequently inhibiting the phosphorylation of RXRα and the growth of HCC cells. This combination might therefore be effective for the chemoprevention and chemotherapy of HCC. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 431–437)
Depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells enhances interleukin‐2‐induced antitumor immunity in a mouse model of colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Imai Hisashi , Saio Masanao , Nonaka Kenichi , Suwa Tatsuhiko , Umemura Naoki , Ouyang Guan‐Feng , Nakagawa Jiro , Tomita Hiroyuki , Osada Shinji , Sugiyama Yasuyuki , Adachi Yosuke , Takami Tsuyoshi 
Published: January 2007

Interleukin 2 (IL)‐2 induces antitumor immunity and clinical responses in melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. However, IL‐2 also increases the number of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells that suppress antitumor immune responses. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of depletion of Treg cells on IL‐2‐induced antitumor immunity. IL‐2‐transfected mouse colon adenocarcinoma (MC38/IL‐2) cells were implanted subcutaneously or intrahepatically into male C57BL/6 mice, and tumor growth and the proportion of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes with Treg‐cell depletion in response to treatment with anti‐CD25 monoclonal antibody (PC61) were determined. In mice treated with phosphate‐buffered saline, 40–60% of MC38/IL‐2 tumors were rejected. In contrast, all MC38/IL‐2 tumors were rejected in mice treated with PC61. The number of tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ T cells in mice treated with PC61 was approximately twice that in mice treated with PBS. The numbers of tumor‐infiltrating CD4+ and natural killer cells were also increased significantly. To test the antimetastatic effects of IL‐2 treatment in combination with Treg‐cell depletion, human recombinant IL‐2 (rIL‐2) and PC61 were administered to mice implanted with MC38/mock cells in the spleen, and hepatic metastasis was investigated. The average liver weight in mice treated with rIL‐2 plus PC61 was 1.04 ± 0.03 g, less than that in mice treated with rIL‐2 (2.04 ± 0.51 g) or PC61 alone (1.81 ± 0.38 g). We conclude that IL‐2‐induced antitumor immunity is enhanced by Treg‐cell depletion and is due to expansion of the tumor‐infiltrating cytotoxic CD8+ T‐cell population. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 416–423)
Genomic profiling of malignant pleural mesothelioma with array‐based comparative genomic hybridization shows frequent non‐random chromosomal alteration regions including JUN amplification on 1p32
Authors: Taniguchi Tetsuo , Karnan Sivasundaram , Fukui Takayuki , Yokoyama Toshihiko , Tagawa Hiroyuki , Yokoi Kohei , Ueda Yuichi , Mitsudomi Tetsuya , Horio Yoshitsugu , Hida Toyoaki , Yatabe Yasushi , Seto Masao , Sekido Yoshitaka 
Published: January 2007

Genome‐wide array‐based comparative genomic hybridization analysis of malignant pleural mesotheliomas (MPM) was carried out to identify regions that display DNA copy number alterations. Seventeen primary tumors and nine cell lines derived from 22 individuals were studied, some of them originating from the same patients. Regions of genomic aberrations observed in >20% of individuals were 1q, 5p, 7p, 8q24 and 20p with gains, and 1p36.33, 1p36.1, 1p21.3, 3p21.3, 4q22, 4q34‐qter, 6q25, 9p21.3, 10p, 13q33.2, 14q32.13, 18q and 22q with losses. Two regions at 1p32.1 and 11q22 showed a high copy gain. The 1p32.1 region contained a protooncogene, JUN, and we further demonstrated overexpression of JUN with real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis. As MPM cell lines did not overexpress JUN, our findings suggested that induction of JUN expression was involved in the development of MPM cells in vivo, which also might result in gene amplification in a subset of MPM. Meanwhile, the most frequent alteration was the 9p21.3 deletion, which includes the p16INK4a/p14ARF locus. With polymerase chain reaction analysis, we determined the extent of the homozygous deletion regions of the p16INK4a/p14ARF locus in MPM cell lines, which indicated that the deletion regions varied among cell lines. Our results with array comparative genomic hybridization analysis provide new insights into the genetic background of MPM, and also give some clues to develop a new molecular target therapy for MPM. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 438–446)
Non‐conventional uses of the Aintree Intubating Catheter in management of the difficult airway
Authors: Cook T. M. , Seller C. , Gupta K. , Thornton M. , O'Sullivan E. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryWe present 14 cases, of which three have been previously reported, in which non‐conventional use was made of the Aintree Intubating Catheter (AIC). In seven cases the AIC was used via a ProSeal Laryngeal mask airway (PLMA™). Two patients had anticipated difficult intubation, two unexpected difficult intubation and two required rescue of an obstructed airway prior to AIC‐assisted intubation. In two cases of tracheal stenosis the AIC was used as a ‘long narrow tracheal tube’ during fibre‐optic intubation: the AIC facilitated passage through the narrowed trachea and smooth railroading of a tracheal tube. In two cases the AIC was used in an awake patient. In three cases the AIC was used successfully despite gross laryngeal oedema. In three cases attempted AIC deployment failed: two patients had undergone radiotherapy to the mouth and PLMA placement failed; in the third, supraglottic oedema prevented visualisation of the larynx. The AIC via an LMA Classic™ was successful in one of these cases. In all cases where the larynx was visualised the AIC was rapidly successful without complications. In eight cases the anaesthetist had no experience of the technique outside workshops. These cases demonstrate general utility of the technique and successful use of the AIC via the PLMA, in awake patients, as an adjunct to fibre‐optic intubation and in patients with an oedematous larynx. Finally, cases where the combination of the PLMA and AIC was unsuccessful demonstrate the technique, like many, is not always successful.
Minimum and optimum light output of Macintosh size 3 laryngoscopy blades: a manikin study*
Authors: Scholz A. , Farnum N. , Wilkes A. R. , Hampson M. A. , Hall J. E. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryIllumination provided by laryngoscope blades varies widely. It is not known what the optimum level of illumination should be during laryngoscopy. So far, no published standards exist for light intensity provided by laryngoscopes. Fifty anaesthetists were recruited to perform laryngoscopy on a manikin with three different laryngoscopes attached to a variable voltage supply. Anaesthetists were asked to find the minimum and optimum level of light they would wish to have for intubation. This study demonstrated that anaesthetists can see the larynx at very low light levels. The optimum level was significantly greater than the minimum level. The vacuum bulb laryngoscopes provides a significant lower light output than halogen and xenon laryngoscopes. There is a large variation in illumination requirements amongst anaesthetists which may make setting standards difficult. A brighter laryngoscope, as suggested by some manufacturers, may not necessarily be a better one.
Peri‐operative atrioventricular block as a result of chemotherapy with epirubicin and paclitaxel
Authors: Wheeler D. W. , Liew T. V. , Bailey A. R. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryA 47‐year‐old woman presented for mastectomy and immediate latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction having been diagnosed with carcinoma of the breast 6 months previously. In the preceding months she had received neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy with epirubicin, paclitaxel (Taxol®) and cyclophosphamide. This had been apparently uncomplicated and she had maintained a remarkably high level of physical activity. She was found to be bradycardic at pre‐operative assessment but had no cardiac symptoms. Second degree Mobitz type II atrioventricular block was diagnosed on electrocardiogram, and temporary transvenous ventricular pacing instituted in the peri‐operative period. We discuss how evidence‐based guidelines would not have been helpful in this case, and how chemotherapy can exhibit substantial cardiotoxicity that may develop over many years. We suggest that patients who have received chemotherapy at any time should have a pre‐operative electrocardiogram even if they are asymptomatic.
Composite splenic marginal zone lymphoma and classic Hodgkin lymphoma – an unusual combination
Authors: ELMAHY H. , HAWLEY I. , BEARD J. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe simultaneous occurrence of Hodgkin lymphoma with a variety of B‐cell Non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (composite lymphoma) has been described. We report the first case of composite Hodgkin lymphoma and splenic marginal zone lymphoma occurring simultaneously in the same lymph node of a 64‐year‐old man who presented with cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy and massive splenomegaly. He had a peripheral blood lymphocytosis and a bone marrow infiltrated by small lymphocytes. However, cervical lymph node biopsy showed classic Hodgkin lymphoma. His splenomegaly showed only a partial response to six cycles of ABVD chemotherapy so he underwent splenectomy with biopsy of remaining nodes. Histology of the spleen and nodes showed splenic marginal zone lymphoma. Review of the original biopsy confirmed the presence of both diseases in the original lymph node.
Stress response of a freshwater clam along an abiotic gradient: too much oxygen may limit distribution
Authors: JOYNER‐MATOS JOANNA , CHAPMAN LAUREN J. , DOWNS CRAIG A. , HOFER TIM , LEEUWENBURGH CHRISTIAAN , JULIAN DAVID 
Published: January 2007

SummaryDistribution and abundance patterns are influenced by cellular responses to abiotic stressors.The freshwater clamSphaeriumsp. inhabits swamp/stream systems in Uganda, in which dissolved O2(DO), pH and water transparency form ecotonal gradients along tributary streams. Along a swamp/stream transect, clam abundance was negatively related to DO, pH and transparency; clams were most abundant in the hypoxic/acidic swamp, less abundant in the ecotone, and absent from stream sites (neutral pH and higher DO).We tested the hypothesis that individuals living in low abundance at the distribution edge have increased stress by assessing cellular‐level stress indicators in clams from four sites: dense swamp interior (reference site), swamp margin, ecotone and stream. Compared with swamp interior clams, stream clams had decreased RNA : DNA ratio (decreased protein synthesis and growth) and increased DNA and RNA oxidation (free radical damage). Of seven stress proteins related to general damage and free radical detoxification, expression of nearly all were higher in margin and ecotone clams than in swamp interior or stream clams.This pattern, which includes the first measurement of DNA and RNA oxidation in a natural population, demonstrates that stress increases along the transect, inversely to clam abundance. Additionally, this pattern is consistent with free radical stress, which suggests that inhabiting swamp conditions minimizes oxidative damage in this species.
Low temperature limits of root growth in deciduous and evergreen temperate tree species
Authors: ALVAREZ‐URIA P. , KÖRNER C. 
Published: January 2007

Summary

To assess low temperature limits of root growth in woody plants from periodically cold climates, we exposed seedlings of broadleaved and conifer taxa to contrasting soil temperature gradients under unlimited nutrient supply.
Five of the six species tested (Alnus viridis, Alnus glutinosa, Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus cembra) produced hardly any (<3%) new roots at temperatures below 6 °C, while Betula pendula did produce a few roots. Across all species, 85% of all new roots in the cold profile were confined to the rooting zone above 9 °C. Total root production in the gradual 16 to 2 °C temperature profile was only 40% of that obtained at a constant temperature of 16 °C.
New shoot growth (21–23 °C) was unaffected by these soil temperature differences. Neither specific root length nor root width responded to treatments. Low and high elevation taxa did not differ in any of the traits or responses tested.
Given that shoots were experiencing optimal conditions, the root data suggest a direct growth (sink) limitation by low temperatures during spring at low elevation, and potentially year‐round limitation at the high‐elevation climatic treeline. The critical temperature for significant root growth is ≈6 °C, which is close to the worldwide mean soil temperature at climatic treelines.
Habitat avoidance and speciation for phytophagous insect specialists
Authors: FEDER JEFFREY L. , FORBES ANDREW A. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryModels of sympatric speciation via host shifting for phytophagous insect specialists are based on a synergistic feedback between habitat‐specific mating and performance genes. Under these models, insects are presumed to choose host plants based on the cumulative, additive effects of attraction alleles at one or several host preference loci.Host choice for insects may not be based solely on attraction genes, however. Habitat avoidance may also play an important role in host use and the evolutionary implications of avoidance may differ from attraction. Insects that are heterozygous for avoidance alleles to alternate host plants may be behaviourally conflicted and have difficulty accepting any suitable host to feed, mate or oviposit on in a timely manner.Here, we perform computer simulations of a three locus, epistatic model for ecological specialization involving host attraction, avoidance and performance genes. We show that the role habitat avoidance potentially plays in sympatric speciation is predicated on the strength of host‐specific mating and fitness trade‐offs.When host discrimination and performance trade‐offs are relatively strong, avoidance alleles that reduce the host‐finding ability of hybrids (heterozygotes) can be favoured by selection and drive sympatric divergence to completion. The effect is similar to reinforcement, except that habitat avoidance not only strengthens pre‐zygotic barriers to gene flow, but also causes post‐zygotic isolation due to the behavioural sterility of hybrids.In contrast, when host discrimination and performance trade‐offs are weak, avoidance alleles with negative fitness effects in hybrids tend to be eliminated from populations. Habitat avoidance genes under these conditions are therefore akin to attraction alleles, increasing in frequency only if they have minimal or no detrimental effects on hybrids.
The potential of cropping systems and soil amendments for carbon sequestration in soils under long‐term experiments in subtropical India
Authors: MANDAL B. , MAJUMDER B. , BANDYOPADHYAY P. K. , HAZRA G. C. , GANGOPADHYAY A. , SAMANTARAY R. N. , MISHRA A. K. , CHAUDHURY J. , SAHA M. N. , KUNDU S. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAn understanding of the dynamics of carbon (C) stock in soils, as impacted by management strategies, is necessary to identify the pathways of C sequestration in soils and for maintaining soil organic C (SOC) at a level critical for upkeeping soil health and also for restraining global warming. This is more important in tropical and subtropical region where soils are inherently low in organic C content and the production system is fragile. We evaluated the long‐term role of crop residue C inputs to soil in SOC sequestration and also the critical value of C inputs for maintenance of SOC across five different rice‐based cropping systems and four soil management practices including a fallow (no cultivation since initiation of the experiments) using five long‐term (7–36 years) fertility experiments in subtropical India. Croppingper sealways caused a net depletion of SOC. Such depletion was inversely proportional to the amount of crop residue C incorporated into the soils (r=−0.92,P=0.001). Balanced fertilization with NPK, however, caused an enrichment (9.3–51.8% over the control) of SOC, its extent being influenced by the cropping systems. Long‐term application of organic amendments (5–10 Mg ha−1 yr−1) through farmyard manure (FYM) or compost could increase SOC hardly by 10.7% constituting only 18% of the applied C, the rest getting lost through oxidation. The total quantity of soil C sequestered varied from −11.5 to 14.5 Mg C ha−1and was linearly related (r2=0.40,P=0.005) with cumulative crop residue C inputs to the soils. On an average, the rate of its conversion to SOC came out to be 6.4%. This was more in presence of added organics (6.9%) than in its absence (4.2%). For sustenance of SOC level (zero change due to cropping) we found that a minimum quantity of 2.9 Mg C is required to be added per hectare per annum as inputs. The cropping systems and the management practices that could provide C input higher than the above critical level are likely to sustain the SOC level and maintain good soil health in the subtropical regions of the Indian subcontinent.
Linking growth strategies to long‐term population dynamics in a guild of desert annuals
Authors: ANGERT A. L. , HUXMAN T. E. , BARRON‐GAFFORD G. A. , GERST K. L. , VENABLE D. L. 
Published: January 2007

Summary

Combining long‐term observational studies with comparative physiological ecology can yield a deeper understanding of the contribution of individual function to population and community dynamics. Sonoran Desert winter annuals exhibit striking year‐to‐year variation in population dynamics that is driven by variable precipitation, but species differ in the strength of demographic response to precipitation and hence in the degree of temporal variance in population dynamics. To understand the physiological mechanisms of differing population dynamic responses to environmental variation, we investigated interspecific differences in functional traits that mediate responsiveness to precipitation.
We conducted sequential harvests throughout the growing season to examine relative growth rate and biomass allocation patterns. We then related growth parameters to leaf‐level carbon isotope discrimination (a time‐integrated measure of water‐use efficiency) and long‐term demographic variation.
We hypothesized that water‐use efficiency should trade‐off with rapid growth rates. Furthermore, we hypothesized that species having efficient water use should have buffered population dynamics in dry years but sacrifice high growth and fecundity in wet years, resulting in low long‐term variance in demographic success. Conversely, species with high growth capacity should be very responsive to infrequent periods of high precipitation and thus exhibit high temporal variance.
Species differed in seasonal relative growth rate and allocation patterns. Species with the highest relative growth rates rapidly deployed large leaf area displays following mid‐season rainfall. Species with intermediate relative growth rates exhibited high biomass assimilation rates per unit leaf area. Species with low relative growth rates exhibited low leaf area ratios and low assimilation rates per unit leaf area.
Relative growth rate was positively related to leaf carbon isotope discrimination, consistent with a trade‐off between growth rate and water‐use efficiency.
Seasonal relative growth rate did not predict long‐term demographic variance. However, leaf area plasticity in response to precipitation was positively related to long‐term demographic variance. Our results illustrate how morphological and physiological traits influence demographic tracking of environmental variability and demonstrate how species differences in functional strategies determine population and community dynamics.