bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selection and identification of human Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone promoter binding peptides by phage display‐CEMSA
Authors: Xiao Yichuan , Zhou Yuxun , Wang Jianhui , Yu Minghui , Wang Gang , Jin Jian , Xiao Junhua 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSpecific interactions between transcription factors and cis‐acting DNA sequences form the molecular basis of gene expression regulation. Here, we applied phage display technology to DNA–protein interaction studies. A phage‐displayed peptide library was used to select Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone promoter (GP) binding peptides. After four sequential rounds of biopanning on GP‐conjugated magnetic beads, phage clones encoding GQPTPRNAGLPL (B6), SRLNVEPLTTYS (B3), and TTLHWASLTTGR (B11) were enriched. Phages bearing these peptides showed specific binding to GP in solution by capillary electrophoresis mobility shift assay (CEMSA). In addition, some human transcription factors were speculated as the potential transcription factors or co‐activators of GnRH gene by bioinformatic analysis. These results suggest that phage display‐CEMSA methodology should be a powerful tool to screen and identify site‐specific DNA‐binding peptides. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying angiogenesis in VEGF‐enhanced tissue‐engineered bladder constructs by dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI using contrast agents of different molecular weights
Authors: Cheng Hai‐Ling Margaret , Wallis Chad , Shou Zhiping , Farhat Walid A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPurposeTo compare Gadomer, a macromolecular magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent, and gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐DTPA) for quantifying angiogenesis in tissue‐engineered bladder constructs.Materials and MethodsConstructs enhanced with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were grafted onto the bladder of 12 rabbits (N= 3/VEGF, VEGF = 0,10,15,20 ng/g tissue). After eight days dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) was performed in each animal using Gadomer and Gd‐DTPA, separated by a one‐hour interval. DCE‐MRI parameters were calculated from two‐compartment pharmacokinetics (plasma volume fraction, vp; transfer constant, Ktrans) and model‐free analysis, area under the concentration–time curve (AUC). Histology assessment of microvessel density (MVD) and Evans blue permeability were compared to DCE‐MRI.ResultsMVD was elevated (P < 0.05) at the highest VEGF but not among lower levels; permeability differences were absent. Contrast enhancement increased with VEGF and was better resolved with Gadomer than Gd‐DTPA. Gadomer was the better assay for estimating plasma volume: vp provided the best distinction (P < 0.005), but both vp and AUC were correlated to MVD. With Gd‐DTPA, only AUC distinguished MVD differences (P< 0.05). Changes in Ktrans were insignificant.ConclusionMacromolecular contrast agents are valuable for monitoring angiogenesis in tissue‐engineered bladder grafts. Compared to Gd‐DTPA, Gadomer provides more accurate and precise quantification of microvessel function, and is better suited to pharmacokinetic analysis for accurate physiological quantification. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prostate cancer screening: The clinical value of diffusion‐weighted imaging and dynamic MR imaging in combination with T2‐weighted imaging
Authors: Tanimoto Akihiro , Nakashima Jun , Kohno Hidaka , Shinmoto Hiroshi , Kuribayashi Sachio 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the clinical value of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic MRI in combination with T2‐weighted imaging (T2W) for the detection of prostate cancer.Materials and MethodsA total of 83 patients with elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels (>4.0 ng/mL) were evaluated by T2W, DWI, and dynamic MRI at 1.5 T prior to needle biopsy. The data from the results of the T2W alone (protocol A), combination of T2W and DWI (protocol B), and the combination of T2W+DWI and dynamic MRI (protocol C) were entered into a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, under results of systemic biopsy as the standard of reference.ResultsProstate cancer was pathologically detected in 44 of the 83 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the ROC curve (Az) for the detection of prostate cancer were as follows: 73%, 54%, 64%, and 0.711, respectively, in protocol A; 84%, 85%, 84%, and 0.905, respectively, in protocol B; and 95%, 74%, 86%, and 0.966, respectively, in protocol C. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were significantly different between the three protocols (P < 0.01).ConclusionIn patients with elevated serum PSA levels, the combination of T2W, DWI, and dynamic MRI may be a valuable tool for detecting prostate cancer and avoiding an unnecessary biopsy without missing prostate cancer. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic imaging of contrast‐enhanced coronary vessels with a magnetization prepared rotated stripe keyhole acquisition
Authors: Gui Dawei , Tsekos Nikolaos V. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate dynamic coronary imaging based on a magnetization prepared contrast‐enhanced (CE) rotated stripe keyhole acquisition scheme.Materials and MethodsBackground suppression of long T1 tissue was used so that the k‐space would be selectively dominated by the contribution of the CE vessel. The phase‐encoding axis was then adjusted parallel to the long axis of the vessel to sample the significant power spectrum of the vessel. The performance of this approach was evaluated by means of computer simulations and experimental studies on phantoms and a pig model instrumented with an intracoronary catheter for infusion of contrast media.ResultsComputer simulations and phantom studies demonstrated that by rotating the gradient axes to match the k‐space pattern of the frequency spectrum, one can reduce the keyhole band to 20% of the full k‐space while preserving the structure's lumen width and sharpness. In vivo studies validated those findings, and dynamic angiograms of the CE coronary arteries were obtained as rapidly as 140 msec per image, with an in‐plane spatial resolution of 1.5 mm.ConclusionWith efficient background suppression, a rotated stripes keyhole acquisition can efficiently acquire the significant k‐space of a CE vessel, and provide improved vessel definition with a reduced acquisition matrices scheme. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute, chronic and withdrawal effects of the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55212‐2 on the sequential activation of MAPK/Raf‐MEK‐ERK signaling in the rat cerebral frontal cortex: Short‐term regulation by intrinsic and extrinsic pathways
Authors: Moranta David , Esteban Susana , García‐Sevilla Jesús A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe cannabinoids (CB) modulate the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), leading to various forms of plasticity in the brain. Little is known, however, on the in vivo short‐ and long‐term activation and regulation of the components of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signaling by CB. The CB agonist WIN55212‐2 (8 mg/kg) increased the immunodensities of phosphorylated c‐Raf‐1 (42%), MEK1/2 (63%), ERK1 (24%), and ERK2 (28%) in the rat cerebral frontal cortex. These effects were antagonized by SR141716A (rimonabant, 10 mg/kg), a selective CB1 receptor antagonist. Repeated WIN55212‐2 treatment (2–8 mg/kg for 5 days) resulted in tachyphylaxis to the acute activation of Raf‐MEK‐ERK signaling. Acute WIN55212‐2 also induced a hypothermic effect in rats, which was reduced after repeated administration (tolerance). Treatment with SR141716A after chronic WIN55212‐2 resulted in the expected cannabinoid withdrawal syndrome, without concomitant alterations in the phosphorylation state of c‐Raf‐1, MEK1/2, or ERK1/2. Pretreatment with SL327 (20 mg/kg, a MEK1/2 inhibitor) increased the basal phosphorylation of c‐Raf‐1 (40%) and MEK1/2 (74%; feedback regulation) and fully prevented the up‐regulation of ERK1/2 (23–31%) induced by WIN55212‐2. Pretreatment with MK801 (1 mg/kg, a NMDA receptor antagonist) effectively blocked the up‐regulation c‐Raf‐1 (41%), MEK1/2 (57%) and ERK1/2 (25–30%) induced by the CB agonist. The main findings demonstrate that the acute stimulation of CB1 receptors in the frontal cortex results in the sequential phosphorylation of Raf‐MEK‐ERK cascade, in which c‐Raf‐1 activation (rate‐limiting process) plays a crucial role. Moreover, the in vivo stimulating effect of WIN55212‐2 on Raf‐MEK‐ERK signaling is under the extrinsic regulation of an excitatory glutamatergic mechanism. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How does alcohol impair neuronal migration?
Authors: Kumada Tatsuro , Jiang Yulan , Cameron D. Bryant , Komuro Hitoshi 
Published: November 2006

AbstractMaternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects, of which fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the most devastating. Recognized by characteristic craniofacial abnormalities and growth deficiency, this condition produces severe alcohol‐induced damage in the developing brain. FAS children experience ataxia; deficits in intellectual functioning; and difficulties in learning, memory, problem solving, and attention. Multiple aspects of central nervous system development can be affected by alcohol exposure, but the most striking abnormalities are neuronal and glial migration. Little is known about cellular mechanisms by which alcohol affects the migration of immature neurons. Recently, it has been found that Ca2+ signaling and cyclic nucleotide signaling are the central targets of the action of alcohol in neuronal cell migration. Most importantly, the aberrant migration of immature neurons caused by alcohol exposure is significantly ameliorated by controlling the activity of these second‐messenger pathways. In this Mini‐Review, we first describe how alcohol exposure impairs the migration of cerebellar granule cells and then discuss the signaling mechanisms involved. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Procedural justice's relationship with turnover: explaining past inconsistent findings
Authors: Posthuma Richard A. , Maertz Carl P. , Dworkin James B. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractDespite arguments for a significant negative relationship, there have been ambiguous findings on the empirical relationship between procedural justice and turnover behavior. This study attempts to clarify these past findings by examining the effects of multiple dimensions of procedural justice on the voluntary turnover behavior of nurses in a work‐scheduling context (N = 190). The advance notice and consistency dimensions were significantly and negatively correlated with turnover behavior. Two dimensions of procedural justice had divergent effects on actual turnover behaviors in a logistic regression model. Advance notice was negatively related to turnover, while representativeness of views was positively related to turnover. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biotransformation enzymes in Cunninghamella blakesleeana (NCIM‐687)
Authors: Bhosale Sanjyot , Saratale Ganesh , Govindwar Sanjay 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPresence of higher enzyme levels of aminopyrine N‐demethylase, aniline hydroxylase and 11‐β hydroxylase activities were observed in Cunninghamella blakesleeana grown in potato‐dextrose medium for 96 h. The enzyme activity preferred NADPH as a cofactor and showed inhibition with CO, indicating cytochrome P450 mediated reactions. A significant increase in aniline hydroxylase enzyme activity was observed when mycelia incubated in incubation medium containing different inducers (viz. camphor, cholesterol, naphthalene, veratrole, phenobarbital, n ‐hexadecane and ethyl alcohol) when compared with mycelia incubated in same way but in absence of inducers. Cunninghamella blakesleeana (NCIM 687) have shown the ability to degrade cholesterol, camphor and naphthalene when 96 h grown mycelia incubated in incubation medium containing these organic compounds. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The influence of extracellular H2O2 production on decolorization ability in fungi
Authors: Eichlerová Ivana , Homolka Ladislav , Lisá Ludmila , Nerud František 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA set of 50 randomly chosen fungal strains belonging to different basidiomycete species was tested for H2O2 and ligninolytic enzyme production and for decolorization of synthetic dyes Orange G and Remazol Brilliant Blue R. The decolorization capacity of individual strains was influenced by the level of H2O2 and laccase activity. The strains producing H2O2 at a concentration of 1.0–1.5 µM exhibited the most efficient decolorization; higher or lower H2O2 concentration reduced this ability. None of the strains without a detectable laccase activity was able to decolorize the tested dyes. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ecto‐glycanases and metabolic stability of the capsule in Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Maceková Danka , Farkaš Vladimír , Kishida Eriko , Takeo Kanji 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe have identified a number of ecto‐glycanases (glycosylhydrolases) associated with the capsule and/or the cell wall of Cryptococcus neoformans. The enzyme activities detected included α ‐mannosidase, α ‐, and β ‐glucosidase, α ‐, and β ‐galactosidase, β ‐xylosidase, β ‐glucuronidase, and endo‐β ‐1,3‐glucanase. Small portions of the enzymes were also secreted into the growth medium. Cell‐wall associated endo‐β ‐1,3‐glucanases exhibited highest activity in the acidic range between pH 2.5 and 5.0. The products of laminarin hydrolysis by the enzymes located on the cell surface were glucose and β ‐1,3‐linked glucooligosaccharides. The same products were released from isolated cell walls incubated in the buffer. Endo‐β ‐1,3‐glucanase activity extracted from the cell surfaces by mild sonication consisted of six isoforms separable by isoelectric focusing. In spite of the presence of the whole array of glycanase activities on the cell surfaces, capsular polysaccharides released from C. neoformans cells into the growth medium were practically metabolically stable. From the defined polysaccharides tested, only laminarin (β ‐1,3‐glucan) and to some extent also mixed‐linkage β ‐1,3/β ‐1,4‐glucan and/or 4‐O‐methyl‐D‐glucurono‐D‐xylan were able to support the yeast growth. The activities of majority of identified ecto‐glycanases were low when the yeast was grown on glucose but were considerably elevated when the cells were grown on glycerol indicating that their synthesis is regulated by catabolite repression. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of mutations in the GanB/RgsA G protein mediated signalling on the autolysis of Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Molnár Zsolt , Emri Tamás , Zavaczki Erzsébet , Pusztahelyi Tünde , Pócsi István 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPhysiological changes taking place in carbon‐starved, autolysing cultures of Aspergillus (Emericella) nidulans strains with mutations in the GanB/RgsA heterotrimeric G protein signalling pathway were studied and compared. Deletion of the ganB, rgsA or both genes did not alter markedly either the autolytic loss of biomass or the extracellular chitinase production. However, they caused a significant decrease in the proteinase formation, which was detected by measuring both extracellular enzyme activity and the transcription of the prtA gene. The deletion mutants also showed significantly higher specific γ ‐glutamyltranspeptidase activities than the control strain. Deletion of the rgsA gene affected the glutathione peroxidase and catalase formation, as well as the peroxide content of the cells. The concomitant initiations of cell death and developmental genomic programmes may be interconnected via heterotrimeric G‐protein signalling and subsequent changes in intracellular ROS levels in ageing A. nidulans. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Simulated changes in fatty acid intake in humans through n‐3 fatty acid enrichment of foods from animal origin
Authors: De Henauw Stefaan , Van Camp John , Sturtewagen Geert , Matthys Christophe , Bilau Maaike , Warnants Nathalie , Raes Katleen , Van Oeckel Monique , De Smet Stefaan 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe ratio of n‐6 over n‐3 fatty acids (FA) in the Western diet is today on average between 10 and 15, while evidence suggests that humans would benefit substantially from a more balanced intake. Different strategies to reverse this trend can potentially be adopted. This paper explores the effect of n‐3 enrichment at the level of primary animal production on human FA intake. Consumption data from adolescents were linked to ‘currently available’ and to simulated ‘enriched’ FA profiles of foods from animal origin (by feeding α‐linolenic‐rich diets to pigs, dairy and beef cattle, and broiler and layer chickens). Under enriched conditions, population intakes for α‐linolenic acid and for all n‐3 FA shifted to recommended values. For long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated FA, the favourable trend in intake was not sufficient to meet recommendations. The effect on other FA was small. The n‐6/n‐3 ratio decreased considerably from an average value of 6.6 to 4.6. It is concluded that feasible and realistic n‐3 FA enrichments of foods from animal origin can add substantially to the overall efforts for reducing the n‐6/n‐3 intake ratio in the population. However, foods rich in long‐chain n‐3 FA remain essential in the human diet under such conditions. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Modelling the effect of super‐atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations on the respiration of fresh‐cut butterhead lettuce
Authors: Geysen Sabine , Escalona Victor H , Verlinden Bert E , Nicolaï Bart M 
Published: November 2006

AbstractFor the design of high oxygen modified atmosphere packages, knowledge and modelling of respiration rates at both low and super‐atmospheric oxygen levels is required. Fresh‐cut butterhead lettuce was stored in glass jars at three different temperatures (1 °C, 5 °C and 9 °C), three carbon dioxide levels (0, 10 and 20 kPa) and eight different levels of oxygen partial pressures (0, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 70 and 100 kPa). Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production rates were measured. The respiration rates were significantly reduced by low temperatures and elevated carbon dioxide concentrations up to 10 kPa. At carbon dioxide concentrations of 20 kPa the respiration rates were comparable to those at 0 kPa CO2 probably due to an injury response. Oxygen concentrations had to be below 2 kPa to significantly reduce the respiration rates compared to air conditions. Respiration rates were also slightly lower under super‐atmospheric (50, 70 and 100 kPa) oxygen partial pressures than at air conditions. Additionally, a Michaelis–Menten based model to describe the respiration rates as a function of oxygen, carbon dioxide and temperature was constructed. Models that include respiration rates at super‐atmospheric oxygen levels have not previously been described. The inhibitive effects of carbon dioxide and high oxygen concentrations were incorporated by an uncompetitive and a non‐competitive inhibition term respectively. Temperature effects were described using Arrhenius' law. The model gave a good description (R2adj = 0.82) of the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production rates over the temperature, oxygen and carbon dioxide range tested. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Chemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Origanum minutiflorum O Schwarz & PH Davis
Authors: Vardar‐Ünlü Gülhan , Ünlü Mehmet , Dönmez Erol , Vural Nilüfer 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Origanum minutiflorum O Schwarz & PH Davis, an endemic species in Turkey, was analysed for its antimicrobial activity in vitro. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the essential oil resulted in the identification of 34 constituents accounting for 961.5 mL L−1 of the oil, the major compounds present being carvacrol (793.4 mL L−1), p‐cymene (32.6 mL L−1) and γ‐terpinene (21.4 mL L−1). The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was investigated in order to evaluate its efficacy against 16 bacteria and two yeasts, using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration methods. The essential oil showed strong antimicrobial activity against all test micro‐organisms except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Its main components carvacrol and p‐cymene were also assayed for their antimicrobial activities. Carvacrol exhibited comparable activity to the crude oil, proving it to be the main component responsible for the biological activity observed. This study demonstrates the in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of this endemic remedy against a wide spectrum of clinically important micro‐organisms, including pathogenic yeasts, being the first report on the anticandidal properties of the essential oil of O. minutiflorum. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Unique solutions
Authors: Schuster Peter 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIt is folklore that if a continuous function on a complete metric space has approximate roots and in a uniform manner at most one root, then it actually has a root, which of course is uniquely determined. Also in Bishop's constructive mathematics with countable choice, the general setting of the present note, there is a simple method to validate this heuristic principle. The unique solution even becomes a continuous function in the parameters by a mild modification of the uniqueness hypothesis. Moreover, Brouwer's fan theorem for decidable bars turns out to be equivalent to the statement that, for uniformly continuous functions on a compact metric space, the crucial uniform “at most one” condition follows from its non‐uniform counterpart. This classification in the spirit of the constructive reverse mathematics, as propagated by Ishihara and others, sharpens an earlier result obtained jointly with Berger and Bridges. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quasi‐completeness and functions without fixed‐points
Authors: Batyrshin Ilnur I. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe prove a completeness criterion for quasi‐reducibility and generalize it to higher levels of the arithmetical hierarchy. As an application of the criterion we obtain Q‐completeness of the set of all pairs (x,n) such that the prefix‐free Kolmogorov complexity ofxis less thann. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effective Borel degrees of some topological functions
Authors: Gherardi Guido 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe focus of this paper is the incomputability of some topological functions (with respect to certain representations) using the tools of Borel computability theory, as introduced by V. Brattka in [3] and [4]. First, we analyze some basic topological functions on closed subsets of ℝn , like closure, border, intersection, and derivative, and we prove for such functions results of Σ02‐completeness and Σ03‐completeness in the effective Borel hierarchy. Then, following [13], we re‐consider two well‐known topological results: the lemmas of Urysohn and Urysohn‐Tietze for generic metric spaces (for the latter we refer to the proof given by Dieudonné). Both lemmas define Σ02‐computable functions which in some cases are even Σ02‐complete. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)