bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Critical roles for JNK, c‐Jun, and Fas/FasL‐Signaling in vitamin E analog‐induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Jia Li , Yu Weiping , Wang Pei , Li Jing , Sanders Bob G. , Kline Kimberly 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBackgroundα‐Tocopherol ether‐linked acetic acid (α‐TEA), an analog of vitamin E (RRR‐α‐tocopherol), is a potent pro‐apoptotic agent for human cancer cells in vivo and in vitro.Methodsα‐TEA‐induced apoptosis was investigated in LNCaP and PC‐3 human prostate cancer cells. Apoptosis was measured by DAPI‐staining and FACS analyses of the sub‐G1 fraction. Signaling molecules involved in apoptosis were measured by Western immunoblot analyses with or without prior immunoprecipitation, FACS analyses of cell surface membrane expression, RT‐PCR analyses of mRNA levels, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Functional significance was determined using siRNAs, dominant negative mutant, chemical inhibitor, or neutralizing antibody.Resultsα‐TEA treatment increased Fas and Fas ligand mRNA and protein levels; as well as, levels of cell surface membrane Fas in both cell lines. Blockage of Fas signaling attenuated α‐TEA‐induced apoptosis. α‐TEA treatment also produced prolonged, elevated levels of activated (phosphorylated) c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and its substrate c‐Jun, both of which were demonstrated to be necessary for α‐TEA‐induced apoptosis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation results showed binding of c‐Jun to the promoters of both Fas and FasL in α‐TEA treated cells. Investigations of α‐TEA‐triggered apoptosis showed dual signaling from Fas with essential roles for both FADD and Daxx with FADD initiating the classical pathway mediated by caspase‐8 activation and Daxx initiating an alternate pathway involving activation of JNK, c‐Jun, and increased levels of Fas and FasL.ConclusionsCollectively, data support critical roles for JNK, c‐Jun, and dual signaling from Fas/FasL via FADD and Daxx in α‐TEA‐induced apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells. Prostate 68: 427–441, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pilot and feasibility study of serum chemokines as markers to distinguish prostatic disease in men with low total serum PSA
Authors: Macoska Jill A. , Begley Lesa A. , Dunn Rodney L. , Siddiqui Javed , Wei John T. , Sarma Aruna V. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe incidence and prevalence of both benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) increase with the aging process. Our laboratory recently showed that the chemokines CXCL5 and CXCL12, which normally function as inflammatory mediators, are secreted at higher levels by aging prostate stromal fibroblasts and elicit proliferative responses from both prostate stromal fibroblast and epithelial cells. Because both CXCL5 and CXCL12 are secreted molecules, we hypothesized that their levels in patient serum might serve as biomarkers to distinguish between BPH and PCa.METHODSSerum CXCL5 and CXCL12 levels were determined using sandwich ELISAs for 51 men demonstrating low serum PSA values of ≤10 ng/ml who underwent diagnostic needle biopsy for the detection of PCa. The bivariate relationship of circulating chemokine levels, age, and disease status in the prostate was tested using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test.ResultsTotal serum CXCL12 levels were significantly higher for men who were biopsy positive compared to those who were biopsy negative for cancer and histological prostatitis (P = 0.050). Among men who were biopsy negative for PCa, total serum CXCL5 levels were inversely associated with prostate volume and were significantly higher in men with concomitant BPH and histological prostatitis compared to those without evidence of prostatic disease (P < 0.003).CONCLUSIONSThe results of this pilot and feasibility study suggest that serum or plasma CXCL5 and CXCL12 levels may potentially distinguish between BPH and PCa among patients presenting with low serum PSA, and may be useful toward facilitating decisions to perform diagnostic needle biopsy in this patient population. Prostate 68: 442–452, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antisense MDM2 enhances the response of androgen insensitive human prostate cancer cells to androgen deprivation in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Mu Zhaomei , Hachem Paul , Hensley Harvey , Stoyanova Radka , Kwon Hae Won , Hanlon Alexandra L. , Agrawal Sudhir , Pollack Alan 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBackgroundAntisense MDM2 oligonucleotide (AS‐MDM2) sensitizes androgen sensitive LNCaP cells to androgen deprivation (AD) in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we investigated the effects of AS‐MDM2 combined with AD on androgen resistant LNCaP (LNCaP‐Res) and moderately androgen resistant bcl‐2 overexpressing LNCaP (LNCaP‐BST) cells.MethodsThe LNCaP‐Res cell line was generated by culturing LNCaP cells in medium containing charcoal‐stripped serum for more than 1 year. Apoptosis was quantified in vitro by Annexin V staining and caspase 3 + 7 activity. For the in vivo studies, orthotopic tumor growth was monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). AS‐MDM2 and the mismatch control were given by i.p. injection at doses of 25 mg/kg per day, 5 days/week for 15 days.ResultsLNCaP‐Res cells expressed high levels of androgen receptor (AR) and bcl‐2, and displayed no growth inhibition to AD. AS‐MDM2 caused significant reductions in MDM2 and AR expression, and increases in p53 and p21 expression in both cell lines. AS‐MDM2 + AD resulted in the highest levels of apoptosis in vitro and tumor growth inhibition in vivo in both cell lines; although, these effects were less pronounced in LNCaP‐BST cells.ConclusionsAS‐MDM2 + AD enhanced apoptotic cell death in vitro and tumor growth inhibition in vivo in androgen resistant cell lines. The action of AS‐MDM2 + AD was influenced somewhat by bcl‐2 expression as an isolated change (LNCaP‐BST cells), but not when accompanied by other molecular changes associated with androgen insensitivity (LNCaP‐Res cells). MDM2 knockdown has promise for the treatment of men with early hormone refractory disease. Prostate 68: 599–609, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A kinetic model of fumigant sorption by grain using batch experimental data
Authors: Darby James A 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Most fumigants are adsorbed by grain at differing rates depending on the fumigant or grain type. Sorption can reduce the concentrations of fumigation doses to sublethal levels before grain has been disinfested. A model to predict fumigant losses due to sorption in industrial scenarios is needed.RESULTS: This work reviews the kinetics of grain fumigant sorption and develops a new alternative model based upon key factors established from the literature and batch experimental results. The novel model accounts for linear mass transfer within the grain, irreversible ‘binding’ and linear partitioning of the fumigant to the grain. Model coefficients were estimated by minimizing the sum of squared residuals between model predictions and experimental data. The model was compared with other options including diffusion into spheres, and results for methyl bromide and phosphine are provided.CONCLUSION: The model describes the transient changes of fumigant concentrations in both the intergranular air and grain. It provides the capacity to predict fumigant concentrations throughout grain stacks for a wide range of scenarios of industrial importance. Copyright © 2008 CSIRO, Australia. Published by John Wiley & Sons,Ltd.
Interaction of peptides with biomembranes assessed by potential‐sensitive fluorescent probes
Authors: Matos Pedro M. , Gonçalves Sónia , Santos Nuno C. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractPeptide–membrane interaction is an important step to be evaluated in a study of the activity and mode of action of several bioactive peptides. A variety of methods are available; however, few of them satisfy the criteria of being sensitive, biocompatible, versatile, easy to perform, and allowing real‐time monitoring as the use of potential‐sensitive fluorescent probes. Here we review methods for detecting the effects of membrane‐active peptides, even those that are not intrinsically fluorescent, on the different types of membrane potentials, with a special emphasis on studies conducted with living cells. FPE is a probe sensitive to surface potential and detects electrostatic interactions at the water‐lipid interface. Di‐8‐ANEPPS is sensitive to dipole potential and detects membrane incorporations. Transmembrane potential changes reveal major membrane destabilizations, such as in pore formation. The combination of the information obtained from the three potential variations can lead to a more elucidative picture of the mechanisms of the interaction of relevant peptides with biomembranes. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What can light scattering spectroscopy do for membrane‐active peptide studies?
Authors: Domingues Marco M. , Santiago Patrícia S. , Castanho Miguel A. R. B. , Santos Nuno C. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractHighly charged peptides are important components of the immune system and belong to an important family of antibiotics. Although their therapeutic activity is known, most of the molecular level mechanisms are controversial. A wide variety of different approaches are usually applied to understand their mechanisms, but light scattering techniques are frequently overlooked. Yet, light scattering is a noninvasive technique that allows insights both on the peptide mechanism of action as well as on the development of new antibiotics. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and static light scattering (SLS) are used to measure the aggregation process of lipid vesicles upon addition of peptides and molecular properties (shape, molecular weight). The high charge of these peptides allows electrostatic attraction toward charged lipid vesicles, which is studied by zeta potential (ζ‐potential) measurements. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of magnon–LA phonon interaction on LA phonon excitation at finite temperature
Authors: Cheng Tai‐Min , Li Lin , Shen Long‐hai 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA magnon–longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonon interaction model is developed on the basis of a two‐dimensional square Heisenberg ferromagnetic system. The LA phonon excitation is studied by Matsubara–Green function theory, and the LA phonon excitation dispersion curves are calculated on the main symmetric lines in Brillouin zone (BZ). It is found that there exists obvious LA phonon hardening. The hardening of LA phonons becomes more evident near the M point of the BZ boundary. The influences of various parameters on LA phonon hardening are also discussed. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Investigation of operational characteristics and possibility of obtaining highly detuned GaInNAsSb VCSEL
Authors: Gutowski K. , Sarzała R. P. , Nakwaski W. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractComprehensive computer simulation was used to investigate a possibility to highly detune GaInNAsSb VCSEL devices from the wavelength of 1422 nm, corresponding to the highest RT optical gain of their Ga0.62In0.38N0.023As0.95Sb0.027/GaN0.025As0.975 quantum‐well (QW) active regions, to 1500 nm, closer to the wavelength used in the third generation of the fibre optical communication. The RT continuous‐wave (CW) lasing operation of the 1500‐nm VCSEL, with an identical active region to that of the 1422‐nm one and the cavity properly re‐designed for the 1500‐nm wavelength, may be obtained for the active‐region temperature increased by about 94 K over RT which is necessary for a required QW gain shift to longer wavelengths. However, such a temperature‐induced CW RT VCSEL lasing operation at 1500 nm is reached at the expense of an increase in its threshold current density by as much as 10 times as compared to that of the 1422‐nm VCSEL. Detuned devices has different operational characteristics e.g. worse mode selectivity and threshold current decrease with ambient temperature either quantum‐wells number increase. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Theory of electronic structure of BGaAs and related alloys
Authors: Lindsay A. , O'Reilly E. P. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractPrevious experiments on Bx Ga1–x As containing a few percent boron show a dramatic increase in electron effective mass, m*e , similar to that observed in many GaNx As1–x samples. By contrast, there is a near‐linear blue‐shift of the energy gap, which can be conventionally described using the virtual crystal approximation. We use a tight‐binding model to show that isolated B atoms have little effect either on the band gap or lowest conduction band dispersion in Bx Ga1–x As. By contrast, B pairs and clusters introduce defect levels close to the conduction band edge (CBE) which, through a weak band‐anticrossing (BAC) interaction, significantly reduce the band dispersion in and around the Γ ‐point, thus accounting for the strong increase in m*e and reduction in mobility observed in these alloys. Calculations show that replacing gallium by aluminium shifts the CBE upwards, leading to a large density of B‐related states in the energy gap. By contrast, indium shifts the band edge downwards, leading eventually to a band edge m*e close to that predicted by the virtual crystal approximation. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of covalent addition products of chlorogenic acid quinone with amino acid derivatives in model systems and apple juice by high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Schilling Susanne , Sigolotto Constance‐Isabelle , Carle Reinhold , Schieber Andreas 
Published: January 2008

AbstractHigh‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MSn) was used to study the covalent interactions between chlorogenic acid (CQA) quinone and two amino acid derivatives, tert‐butyloxycarbonyl‐L‐lysine and N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine. In a model system at pH 7.0, the formation of covalent addition products was demonstrated for both derivatives. The addition product of CQA dimer and tert‐butyloxycarbonyl‐L‐lysine was characterized by LC/MSn as a benzacridine structure. For N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine, mono‐ and diaddition products at the thiol group with CQA quinone were found. In apple juice at pH 3.6, covalent interactions of CQA quinone were observed only with N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine. Taking together these results and those reported by other groups it can be concluded that covalent interactions of amino side chains with phenolic compounds could contribute to the reduction of the allergenic potential of certain food proteins. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman scattering characterisation of electrochemical growth of CuInSe2 nanocrystalline thin films for photovoltaic applications: Surface and in‐depth analysis
Authors: Izquierdo‐Roca V. , Álvarez‐García J. , Calvo‐Barrio L. , Pérez‐Rodríguez A. , Morante J. R. , Bermudez V. , Ramdani O. , Grand P.‐P. , Kerrec O. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractA detailed Raman scattering analysis of the electrodeposition process of nanocrystalline CuInSe2 layers for solar cell devices is reported. The correlation of the Raman spectra measured after the growth of the layers with different times has allowed investigating the chemical phases involved in the film formation process and their resulting nanocrystalline structure. The experimental data indicate the presence of elemental Se and CuSe binary compounds as the main secondary phases in the layers, which are directly related to the Se and Cu excess conditions used in the electrodeposition growth. These data show the existence of a high content of elemental Se at the region close to the interface of the layer with the Mo‐coated glass substrate, this being likely related to a lack of incorporation of In at the initial growth stages. Nanoscopic Cu‐deficient domains are also revealed by the presence of a band at the low frequency side of the main CuInSe2 peak. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A rank‐based sample size method for multiple outcomes in clinical trials
Authors: Huang Peng , Woolson Robert F. , O'Brien Peter C. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractO'Brien (Biometrics 1984; 40:1079–1087) introduced a rank‐sum‐type global statistical test to summarize treatment's effect on multiple outcomes and to determine whether a treatment is better than others. This paper presents a sample size computation method for clinical trial design with multiple primary outcomes, and O'Brien's test or its modified test (Biometrics 2005; 61:532–539) is used for the primary analysis. A new measure, the global treatment effect (GTE), is introduced to summarize treatment's efficacy from multiple primary outcomes. Computation of the GTE under various settings is provided. Sample size methods are presented based on prespecified GTE both when pilot data are available and when no pilot data are available. The optimal randomization ratio is given for both cases. We compare our sample size method with the Bonferroni adjustment for multiple tests. Since ranks are used in our derivation, sample size formulas derived here are invariant to any monotone transformation of the data and are robust to outliers and skewed distributions. When all outcomes are binary, we show how sample size is affected by the success probabilities of outcomes. Simulation shows that these sample size formulas provide good control of type I error and statistical power. An application to a Parkinson's disease clinical trial design is demonstrated. Splus codes to compute sample size and the test statistic are provided. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
oDect: an RFID‐based object detection API to support applications development on mobile devices
Authors: Bellotti Francesco , Berta Riccardo , Margarone Massimiliano , De Gloria Alessandro 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe RFID technology is becoming ever more popular in the development of ubiquitous computing applications. A full exploitation of the RFID potential requires the study and implementation of human–computer interaction (HCI) modalities to be able to support wide usability by the target audience. This implies the need for programming methodologies specifically dedicated to support the easy and efficient prototyping of applications to have feedback from early tests with users. On the basis of our field‐working experience, we have designed oDect, a high‐level language and platform‐independent application programming interface (API), ad hoc designed to meet the needs of typical applications for mobile devices (smart phones and PDAs). oDect aims at allowing application developers to create their prototypes focusing on the needs of the final users, without having to care about the low‐level software that interacts with the RFID hardware. Further, in an end‐user developing (EUD) approach, oDect provides specific support for the application end‐user herself to cope with typical problems of RFID applications in detecting objects. We describe in detail the features of the API and discuss the findings of a test with four programmers, where we analyse and evaluate the use of the API in four sample applications. We also present results of an end‐user test, which investigated strengths and weaknesses of the territorial agenda (TA) concept. The TA is an RFID‐based citizen guide that aids—through time‐ and location‐based reminders—users in their daily activities in a city. The TA directly exploits EUD features of oDect, in particular concerning the possibility of linking detected objects with custom actions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An empirical study on software development with open source components in the chinese software industry
Authors: Chen Weibing , Li Jingyue , Ma Jianqiang , Conradi Reidar , Ji Junzhong , Liu Chunnian 
Published: January 2008

AbstractChinese software companies are increasingly using open source software (OSS) components in software development. Development with OSS components faces challenges with respect to component selection, component integration, licensing compliance, and system maintenance. Although these issues have been investigated in the industry in other countries, few similar studies have been performed in China. It is therefore difficult for Chinese software companies to be aware of their special issues and to make the necessary improvements. This article describes a questionnaire‐based survey of software development with OSS components in Chinese software companies. Data from 47 completed development projects in 43 companies were collected. The results show that the main motivation behind using OSS components was their modifiability and low license cost. Using a web search engine was the most common method of locating OSS components. Local acquaintance and compliance requirements were the major decisive factors in choosing a suitable component. To avoid legal exposure, the common strategy was to use components without licensing constraints. The major cost of OSS‐based projects was the cost to learn and understand OSS components. Almost 84% of the components needed bug fixing or other changes to the code. However, close participation with the OSS community was rare. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A component‐based process for modelling and evolving legacy systems
Authors: Kotonya Gerald , Hutchinson John 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe potential benefits of evolving legacy systems to component‐based system architectures are well documented. These include rapid, non‐intrusive modernization through the use of commercial off‐the‐shelf (COTS) components and significantly reduced post‐maintenance costs. However, the hype has not translated to a corresponding increase in the migration of legacy systems to component‐based architectures. There are two main reasons for this. First, many legacy systems provide adequate core functionality. For this type of system, replacement may not be the most cost‐effective solution. Second, there is a general lack of scalable methods and tools that support component‐based modelling and evolution for legacy systems. The article discusses challenges of evolving legacy systems and proposes COMPonent‐Oriented Software Engineering (COMPOSE), a component‐based approach built on an extensible ADL that provides a framework for modelling, verifying and evolving legacy systems using black‐box components. We also describe our experience of using it to evolve a legacy system. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.