bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of a wide-range yeast vector (CoMed™) system to recombinant protein production in dimorphic Arxula adeninivorans, methylotrophic Hansenula polymorpha and other yeasts
Authors: Steinborn Gerhard , Böer Erik , Scholz Anja , Tag Kristina , Kunze Gotthard , Gellissen Gerd 
Published: November 2006

Abstract

Background
Yeasts provide attractive expression platforms in combining ease of genetic manipulation and fermentation of a microbial organism with the capability to secrete and to modify proteins according to a general eukaryotic scheme. However, early restriction to a single yeast platform can result in costly and time-consuming failures. It is therefore advisable to assess several selected systems in parallel for the capability to produce a particular protein in desired amounts and quality. A suitable vector must contain a targeting sequence, a promoter element and a selection marker that function in all selected organisms. These criteria are fulfilled by a wide-range integrative yeast expression vector (CoMed™) system based on A. adeninivorans- and H. polymorpha- derived elements that can be introduced in a modular way.

Results
The vector system and a selection of modular elements for vector design are presented. Individual single vector constructs were used to transform a range of yeast species. Various successful examples are described. A vector with a combination of an rDNA sequence for genomic targeting, the E. coli- derived hph gene for selection and the A. adeninivorans-derived TEF1 promoter for expression control of a GFP (green fluorescent protein) gene was employed in a first example to transform eight different species including Hansenula polymorpha, Arxula adeninivorans and others. In a second example, a vector for the secretion of IL-6 was constructed, now using an A. adeninivorans-derived LEU2 gene for selection of recombinants in a range of auxotrophic hosts. In this example, differences in precursor processing were observed: only in A. adeninivorans processing of a MFα1/IL-6 fusion was performed in a faithful way.

Conclusion
rDNA targeting provides a tool to co-integrate up to 3 different expression plasmids by a single transformation step. Thus, a versatile system is at hand that allows a comparative assessment of newly introduced metabolic pathways in several organisms or a comparative co-expression of bottleneck genes in cases where production or secretion of a certain product is impaired.
Radiation-sparing managements for cervical cancer: a developing countries perspective
Authors: Candelaria Myrna , Cetina Lucely , Garcia-Arias Alicia , Lopez-Graniel Carlos , de la Garza Jaime , Robles Elizabeth , Duenas-Gonzalez Alfonso 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Cervical cancer is the seventh most frequent cancer worldwide but more than 80% of cases occur in developing countries. Till date, radiation therapy with external beam and brachytherapy remains as the core treatment for most stages of cervical cancer. However, radiation treatment protocols and equipment modelled on the best developed countries can be seldom applied directly to developing countries owing to financial constraints and lack of qualified personnel, thus, a substantial proportion of patients do not have access to even palliative radiation therapy. Treatment options when the standard therapy is either not available or difficult to reproduce in particular settings is highly desirable with the potential to save lives that otherwise could be lost by the lack of adequate treatment. These options of treatment ideally had to have show, 1) that these are not inferior to the "standard" in terms of either survival or quality of life; 2) that these can be delivered in settings were the "standard" is not available or if available its quality is poor; and 3) that the treatment option be accepted by the population to be treated.
Based on these considerations, it is obvious that cervical cancer patients, particularly those who live in countries with limited resources and therefore may not have sufficient radiation therapy resources are in need of newer therapeutical options. There is now a considerable amount of information emanating from clinical studies where surgery has a major role in treating this disease. These forms of "radiation-sparing" treatments include total mesometrial resection that could make unnecessary the use of adjuvant radiation; neoadjuvant chemotherapy that could avoid the use of adjuvant radiation in around 85% of patients and preoperative chemoradiation that could make brachytherapy dispensable. The feasibility and therapeutical value of these potential forms of management need to be prospectively evaluated.
Fibroblast activation protein is expressed by rheumatoid myofibroblast-like synoviocytes
Authors: Bauer Stefan , Jendro Michael C , Wadle Andreas , Kleber Sascha , Stenner Frank , Dinser Robert , Reich Anja , Faccin Erica , Gödde Stefan , Dinges Harald , Müller-Ladner Ulf , Renner Christoph 
Published: November 2006

AbstractFibroblast activation protein (FAP), as described so far, is a type II cell surface serine protease expressed by fibroblastic cells in areas of active tissue remodelling such as tumour stroma or healing wounds. We investigated the expression of FAP by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) and compared the synovial expression pattern in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Synovial tissue from diseased joints of 20 patients, 10 patients with refractory RA and 10 patients with end-stage OA, was collected during routine surgery. As a result, FLSs from intensively inflamed synovial tissues of refractory RA expressed FAP at high density. Moreover, FAP expression was co-localised with matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1 and MMP-13) and CD44 splice variants v3 and v7/8 known to play a major role in the concert of extracellular matrix degradation. The pattern of signals appeared to constitute a characteristic feature of FLSs involved in rheumatoid arthritic joint-destructive processes. These FAP-expressing FLSs with a phenotype of smooth muscle actin-positive myofibroblasts were located in the lining layer of the synovium and differ distinctly from Thy-1-expressing and non-proliferating fibroblasts of the articular matrix. The intensity of FAP-specific staining in synovial tissue from patients with RA was found to be different when compared with end-stage OA. Because expression of FAP by RA FLSs has not been described before, the findings of this study highlight a novel element in cartilage and bone destruction of arthritic joints. Moreover, the specific expression pattern qualifies FAP as a therapeutic target for inhibiting the destructive potential of fibroblast-like synovial cells.
The proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α induce the expression of Synoviolin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, in mouse synovial fibroblasts via the Erk1/2-ETS1 pathway
Authors: Gao Beixue , Calhoun Karen , Fang Deyu 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe overgrowth of synovial tissues is critical in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The expression of Synoviolin (SYN), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is upregulated in arthritic synovial fibroblasts and is involved in the overgrowth of synovial cells during RA. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the elevated SYN expression are not known. Here, we found that SYN expression is elevated in the synovial fibroblasts from mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induce SYN expression in mouse synovial fibroblasts. Cultivation of mouse synovial fibroblasts with IL-1β activates mitogen-activated protein kinases, including extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk), JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), and p38, while only Erk-specific inhibitor blocks IL-1β-induced SYN expression. Expression of transcription factor ETS1 further enhances IL-1β-induced SYN expression. The dominant negative ETS1 mutant lacking the transcription activation domain inhibits SYN expression in a dose-dependent manner. The activation of both Erk1/2 and ETS1 is increased in the CIA synovial fibroblasts. Inhibition of Erk activation reduces ETS1 phosphorylation and SYN expression. Our data indicate that the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α induce the overgrowth of synovial cells by upregulating SYN expression via the Erk1/-ETS1 pathway. These molecules or pathways could therefore be potential targets for the treatment of RA.
Activated protein C improves intestinal microcirculation in experimental endotoxaemia in the rat
Authors: Lehmann Christian , Meissner Konrad , Knöck Andreas , Diedrich Stephan , Pavlovic Dragan , Gründling Matthias , Usichenko Taras , Wendt Michael , Birnbaum Jürgen 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Introduction
Successful treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock remains a major challenge in critical care medicine. The recently introduced recombinant human activated protein C (APC) remarkably improved the outcome of septic patients. The influence of APC on intestinal circulation is still poorly understood. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of APC on intestinal microcirculation during experimental endotoxaemia in rats by using intravital microscopy.

Methods
A total of 44 male Lewis rats were randomly assigned to receive intravenous injections of 15 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide alone (LPS) (n = 11) or LPS followed by subsequent injection of 2 mg/kg recombinant human APC (LPS + APC) (n = 11), whereas control animals received either APC (n = 11) or saline (n = 11). Animals underwent observations of functional capillary density and leucocyte adherence on venular endothelium in the microcirculation of the intestinal wall by means of intravital fluorescence microscopy. Indicators of macrocirculation as well as plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured.

Results
Although APC administration of both LPS-treated and control rats did not change macrocirculation or release of inflammatory cytokines, it increased mucosal and muscular functional capillary density (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) and reduced the number of firmly adhering leucocytes in intestinal submucosal V1 and V3 venules (p < 0.01) in LPS + APC-treated compared with LPS-treated animals, which did not receive APC. No remarkable differences that could be attributed to APC treatment were observed between the two control groups.

Conclusion
APC administration during experimental endotoxaemia improved intestinal microcirculation by protecting functional capillary density as a measure of microvascular perfusion and exerted anti-inflammatory effects by reducing leucocyte adherence to the endothelium in submucosal venules. Therefore, beneficial effects of APC in septic patients might be due, in part, to improved intestinal microcirculation.
Analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteome with PeptideAtlas
Authors: King Nichole L , Deutsch Eric W , Ranish Jeffrey A , Nesvizhskii Alexey I , Eddes James S , Mallick Parag , Eng Jimmy , Desiere Frank , Flory Mark , Martin Daniel B , Kim Bong , Lee Hookeun , Raught Brian , Aebersold Ruedi 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe present the Saccharomyces cerevisiae PeptideAtlas composed from 47 diverse experiments and 4.9 million tandem mass spectra. The observed peptides align to 61% of Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD) open reading frames (ORFs), 49% of the uncharacterized SGD ORFs, 54% of S. cerevisiae ORFs with a Gene Ontology annotation of 'molecular function unknown', and 76% of ORFs with Gene names. We highlight the use of this resource for data mining, construction of high quality lists for targeted proteomics, validation of proteins, and software development.
ST2, an IL-1R family member, attenuates inflammation and lethality after intestinal ischemia and reperfusion
Authors: Fagundes Caio T , Amaral Flávio A , Souza Adriano L S , Vieira Angélica T , Xu Damo , Liew Foo Y , Souza Danielle G , Teixeira Mauro M 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIschemia reperfusion injury is characterized by local and systemic inflammation leading to considerable mortality. Previously, we have reported that soluble T1/ST2 (sST2), a member of the IL-1 receptor gene family, inhibits LPS-induced macrophage proinflammatory cytokine production. Here, we report the therapeutic effect of sST2-Fc in a murine model of intestinal ischemia reperfusion-induced injury. Administration of sST2-Fc fusion protein i.v., 10 min before reperfusion, reduced the production of TNF-α dose-dependently in the intestine and in the lungs. The sST2-Fc treatment with the highest dose (100 μg) resulted in inhibited vascular permeability, neutrophilia, and hemorrhage in the intestine and the lungs compared with controls treated with normal IgG. This was associated with down-regulated tissue levels of proinflammatory cytokines, markedly reduced serum TNF-α levels, and increased survival of mice from the sST2-Fc-treated group after ischemia and reperfusion injury. The beneficial effect of sST2-Fc treatment was associated with elevated IL-10 production in intestine and lung. sST2-Fc was not able to prevent the inflammatory response associated with intestinal ischemia and reperfusion in IL-10-deficient mice, suggesting that sST2 exerts its anti-inflammatory effect in a IL-10-dependent manner. These results also demonstrate that sST2-Fc may provide a novel, complementary approach in treating ischemic reperfusion injury.
Harmony in Linguistic Cognition
Authors: Smolensky Paul 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn this article, I survey the integrated connectionist/symbolic (ICS) cognitive architecture in which higher cognition must be formally characterized on two levels of description. At the microlevel, parallel distributed processing (PDP) characterizes mental processing; this PDP system has special organization in virtue of which it can be characterized at the macrolevel as a kind of symbolic computational system. The symbolic system inherits certain properties from its PDP substrate; the symbolic functions computed constitute optimization of a well‐formedness measure called Harmony. The most important outgrowth of the ICS research program is optimality theory (Prince & Smolensky, 1993/2004), an optimization‐based grammatical theory that provides a formal theory of cross‐linguistic typology. Linguistically, Harmony maximization corresponds to minimization of markedness or structural ill‐formedness. Cognitive explanation in ICS requires the collaboration of symbolic and connectionist principles. ICS is developed in detail in Smolensky and Legendre (2006a); this article is a précis of and guide to those volumes.
Early Child Grammars: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Morphosyntactic Production
Authors: Legendre Géraldine 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis article reports on a series of 5 analyses of spontaneous production of verbal inflection (tense and person–number agreement) by 2‐year‐olds acquiring French as a native language. A formal analysis of the qualitative and quantitative results is developed using the unique resources of Optimality Theory (OT; Prince & Smolensky, 2004). It is argued that acquisition of morphosyntax proceeds via overlapping grammars (rather than through abrupt changes), which OT formalizes in terms of partial rather than total constraint rankings. Initially, economy of structure constraints take priority over faithfulness constraints that demand faithful expression of a speaker's intent, resulting in child production of tense that is comparable in level to that of child‐directed speech. Using the independent Predominant Length of Utterance measure of syntactic development proposed in Vainikka, Legendre, and Todorova (1999), production of agreement is shown first to lag behind tense then to compete with tense at an intermediate stage of development. As the child's development progresses, faithfulness constraints become more dominant, and the overall production of tense and agreement becomes adult‐like.
Distribution of lovastatin to bone and its effect on bone turnover in rats
Authors: Jadhav Satyawan B , Murthy P S Narayana , Singh M M , Jain G K 
Published: November 2006

AbstractStatins, the widely used lipid-lowering drugs, are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, which catalyses a rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Many previous reports show that statins can act both as bone anabolic and as anti-resorptive agents but their beneficial effects on bone turnover are still controversial. Considering their high liver specificity and low oral bioavailability, the distribution of statins to the bone microenvironment is questionable. In this study, the distribution of lovastatin and its active metabolites to bone, with respect to plasma and liver compartments, was examined after oral and intravenous administration in female rats. As compared with oral administration, the distribution of lovastatin to the bone compartment was significantly enhanced after intravenous administration. Further, the effect of lovastatin on bone turnover was studied in-vitro and in-vivo to assess its anti-osteoporotic potential. Lovastatin acid but not lovastatin was found to inhibit parathyroid-hormone-induced bone resorption in an in-vitro chick embryo bone assay. Oral, as well as intravenous, short-term lovastatin treatment significantly reduced the serum total cholesterol, serum total alkaline phosphatase and urinary crosslinks in ovariectomized rats. In accordance with its increased distribution to the bone compartment, intravenously administered lovastatin was more effective in reducing the ovariectomy-induced increase in markers of bone metabolism, especially urinary crosslinks. The findings of this study suggest that statins inhibit bone resorption and that their anti-resorptive efficacy can be increased by administering them by routes other than oral so as to achieve their enhanced concentration in bone.
In-vitro study on the competitive binding of diflunisal and uraemic toxins to serum albumin and human plasma using a potentiometric ion-probe technique
Authors: Davilas A , Koupparis M , Macheras P , Valsami G 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
The competitive binding of diflunisal and three well-known uraemic toxins (3-indoxyl sulfate, indole-3-acetic acid and hippuric acid) to bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA) and human plasma was studied by direct potentiometry. The method used the potentiometric drug ion-probe technique with a home-made ion sensor (electrode) selective to the drug anion. The site-oriented Scatchard model was used to describe the binding of diflunisal to BSA, HSA and human plasma, while the general competitive binding model was used to calculate the binding parameters of the three uraemic toxins to BSA. Diflunisal binding parameters, number of binding sites, ni and association constants for each class of binding site, Ki, were calculated in the absence and presence of uraemic toxins. Although diflunisal exhibits high binding affinity for site I of HSA and the three uraemic toxins bind primarily to site II, strong interaction was observed between the drug and the three toxins, which were found to affect the binding of diflunisal on its primary class of binding sites on both BSA and HSA molecules and on human plasma. These results are strong evidence that the decreased binding of diflunisal that occurs in uraemic plasma may not be solely attributed to the lower albumin concentration observed in many patients with renal failure. The uraemic toxins that accumulate in uraemic plasma may displace the drug from its specific binding sites on plasma proteins, resulting in increased free drug plasma concentration in uraemic patients.
The antioxidant role of pterostilbene in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in Wistar rats
Authors: Satheesh M Amarnath , Pari L 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
The antioxidant effect of pterostilbene on streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats has been assessed. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione was significantly decreased in liver and kidney of diabetic animals when compared with normal control. There were significant improvements in these activities after treatment with pterostilbene at a dose of 40 mg kg−1 for six weeks. The increased levels of lipid peroxidation measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver and kidney of diabetic rats were also normalized by treatment with pterostilbene. Chronic treatment of pterostilbene remarkably reduced the pathological changes observed in liver and kidney of diabetic rats. These results indicated the antioxidant property of pterostilbene.
Investigations on the toxicological profile of functionalized fifth-generation poly(propylene imine) dendrimer
Authors: Agashe Hrushikesh B , Dutta Tathagata , Garg Minakshi , Jain N K 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
Dendrimers have generated tremendous interest in the field of drug delivery. Despite indications of their utility as drug carriers, the inherent cytotoxicity associated with polycationic dendrimers acts as a limiting factor to their clinical applications. Many functionalization strategies have been adopted to mask peripheral amines in order to overcome this limitation. The object of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of functionalization on the toxicological profile of fifth-generation poly(propylene imine) dendrimer (PPI-5.0G). Four forms of functionalized dendrimers, including protected glycine and phenylalanine, and mannose and lactose functionalized poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimer, were synthesized as prospective drug carriers. These dendrimeric systems were evaluated for haemolytic toxicity, cytotoxicity, immunogenicity and haematological parameters. PPI-5.0G demonstrated a positive charge-based time- and concentration-dependent toxicity profile. Functionalization greatly improved the toxicity profile of the parent dendrimer. Hence it is proposed that these functionalized forms of PPI dendrimer have great potential as bio-compatible drug vehicles.
Gastroprotective activity and cytotoxic effect of cyperenoic acid derivatives
Authors: Pertino Mariano , Rodríguez Jaime A , Theoduloz Cristina , Razmilic Iván , Schmeda-Hirschmann Guillermo 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
The gastroprotective effect of the sesquiterpene cyperenoic acid and seven semi-synthetic derivatives was assessed in the HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in mice. At doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg kg−1, cyperenoic acid showed a dose-dependent gastroprotective effect reducing the lesions by 45 and 75% at 50 and 100 mg kg−1, respectively. Seven derivatives of the sesquiterpene were prepared and their gastroprotective activity compared at 50 mg kg−1. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated in fibroblasts and AGS cells. At 50 mg kg−1, patchoulan-15-oic acid (compound 8) presented the best gastroprotective effect, reducing the gastric lesions by 86%, with a similar effect to lansoprazole at 20 mg kg−1. The gastroprotective effect of cyperenol, cyperenoic acid methyl ester and the ethylamide and butylamide from cyperenoic acid were in the same range, reducing the gastric lesions by 72–77%. Cyperenol and cyperenoic acid methyl ester, however, were more cytotoxic with IC50 (concentration that produces a 50% inhibitory effect) values of 44 and 75, 48 and 75 μM against AGS cells and fibroblasts, respectively. The best gastroprotective effect with lower cytotoxicity was found for the compound 8, cyperenoic acid and the p-anisidyl derivative 7.