bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production of active angiotensin‐I converting enzyme inhibitory peptides derived from bovine β‐casein by recombinant DNA technologies
Authors: Losacco Maurizio , Gallerani Raffaele , Gobbetti Marco , Minervini Fabio , De Leo Francesca 
Published: August 2007

AbstractA wide range of anti‐hypertensive peptides potentially able to lower blood pressure through the inhibition of vasoactive enzymes such as angiotensin‐I converting enzyme (ACE) are known. Currently, ACE‐inhibitory peptides can be produced from precursor proteins via enzymatic hydrolysis by proteolytic enzymes, or food fermentation with proteolytic starter cultures. These approaches are neither selective nor easy. In this study a novel procedure has been developed, based on recombinant DNA technologies, for the production of highly purified fractions of three polypeptides derived from bovine β‐casein active as ACE inhibitors in vitro. The procedure includes peptide expression in Escherichia coli cells as recombinant fusion proteins, purification by affinity chromatography, cleavage by proteinase from a selected strain of Lactobacillus helveticus and isolation of bioactive peptides (BPs). The reported concentration of inhibitor needed to reduce at 50% ACE activity (IC50) values for single BP calculated in inhibiting the ACE enzyme gave results in agreement with the same parameters available in literature for other milk‐derived BPs. This procedure could be used to obtain quantities of pure peptides to determine their interactions with ACE, with the aim of designing peptides that have stronger inhibitory properties and exhibit new pharmacological profiles. Moreover, its scale up would be of commercial interest for the production of functional foods, e.g., milk beverages with blood pressure‐lowering effects.
A unique physical‐chemistry approach for fabricating cell friendly surfaces
Authors: Irvine Scott , Sullivan Alice C. , McEwan Jean R. , Jayasinghe Suwan N. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractRecent interests in the fabrication of bio/cell‐friendly surfaces are consistently gaining much scientific coverage as these methods could be explored as novel regenerative and therapeutic medicinal protocols. Essentially two main components govern this aspect, the processing methodology possessing the required robustness to fabricate a wide range of materials and, not least, the synthesised materials that need to be cell‐compatible both in the short and long term after processing. In the study reported here we have combined one such robust jetting approach with a specially formulated siloxane sol. This has several unique properties in itself, and these have been demonstrated here to have a positive effect on the seeded cells. The current work demonstrates that this approach has great promise as a novel methodology for surface engineering for a wide range of applications spanning the physical to the life science areas of research.
Combined removal of sulfur compounds and nitrate by autotrophic denitrification in bioaugmented activated sludge system
Authors: Manconi I. , Carucci A. , Lens P. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAn autotrophic denitrification process using reduced sulfur compounds (thiosulfate and sulfide) as electron donor in an activated sludge system is proposed as an efficient and cost effective alternative to conventional heterotrophic denitrification for inorganic (or with low C/N ratio) wastewaters and for simultaneous removal of sulfide or thiosulfate and nitrate. A suspended culture of sulfur‐utilizing denitrifying bacteria was fast and efficiently established by bio‐augmentation of activated sludge with Thiobacillus denitrificans. The stoichiometry of the process and the key factors, i.e. N/S ratio, that enable combined sulfide and nitrogen removal, were determined. An optimum N/S ratio of 1 (100% nitrate removal without nitrite formation and low thiosulfate concentrations in the effluent) has been obtained during reactor operation with thiosulfate at a nitrate loading rate (NLR) of 17.18 mmol N L−1 d−1. Complete nitrate and sulfide removal was achieved during reactor operation with sulfide at a NLR of 7.96 mmol N L−1 d−1 and at N/S ratio between 0.8 and 0.9, with oxidation of sulfide to sulfate. Complete nitrate removal while working at nitrate limiting conditions could be achieved by sulfide oxidation with low amounts of oxygen present in the influent, which kept the sulfide concentration below inhibitory levels. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;98: 551–560. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Monitoring denitrification by pH‐Stat titration
Authors: Ficara Elena , Canziani Roberto 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAn improved pH‐stat titrimetric procedure was developed, validated, and extensively applied to monitor biological heterotrophic denitrification in a lab‐scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR). So far, titrimetric procedures were not successful in monitoring denitrification processes in full‐scale wastewater (WW) treatment plants, mainly because the stoichiometric ratio between proton production and nitrate reduction is highly variable due to variability of both biomass and influent WW characteristics. In this article, a new titration procedure is proposed where a simple calibration step is performed before each experimental test. This procedure allows for the assessment of (i) nitrate content in a sample of mixed liquor; (ii) the maximum denitrification rate of sludge when fed on acetate; and (iii) the denitrification potential (DNP) of different substrates. As for (i), validation by comparison with spectrophotometric measures indicated an average discrepancy of less than 3% on more than 40 samples; as for (ii) and (iii) collected values compared well with literature data. The titrimetric method proposed here is also capable of assessing the biomass anoxic yield in a very simple way, since it does not require any analytical nitrate determination. According to the results of this experimentation, titrimetry appeared to be a simple, inexpensive, and powerful tool for monitoring and operating denitrification processes in WW treatment plants. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;98: 368–377. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving the growth rate of Escherichia coli DH5α at low temperature through engineering of GroEL/S chaperone system
Authors: Lee Jae‐Hun , Heo Mi‐Ae , Seo Joo‐Hyun , Kim June‐Hyung , Kim Byung‐Gee , Lee Sun‐Gu 
Published: August 2007

AbstractGroEL/S is a molecular chaperone system in Escherichia coli which not only assists the folding of intracellular proteins but also affects the cellular activity against the change of environmental condition. Here we show that the growth rate of E. coli DH5α can be improved at low temperature by expressing a GroEL/S variant achieved through irrational protein engineering approach. The GroELS variant (GroELSvar) accelerating the growth of E. coli DH5α was screened through enrichment culture of the mutant libraries obtained by random mutagenesis. E. coli DH5α harboring the groELSvar gene exhibited approximately 1.5–2 times higher growth rate compared to the strain with wild‐type GroELS at 15–30°C. At 10°C, a temperature that the growth of E. coli DH5α almost stops, the GroELSvar triggered the growth of E. coli DH5α. We identified that seven nucleotides of groELS gene and six amino acids of the GroELS were changed through the mutagenesis and screening. Site directed mutagenic analysis revealed that H360 in GroELvar is the most crucial residue determining the activity of GroELSvar and more than one of the other residues in GroELvar may be additionally involved in the activity of GroELSvar. The improvement of growth rate induced by the GroELSvar was observed only in the strain DH5α and not detected in other E. coli strains, such as BL21, BW25113, codon+, JM110, Top10, and XL1‐blue. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;99: 515–520. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prediction of diffusion coefficients of plasmids
Authors: Prazeres D.M.F. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe ability to predict diffusion coefficients is important in the design, analysis, and operation of plasmid downstream processing operations such as membrane and fixed‐bed chromatography. A correlation is proposed to predict the diffusion coefficient, D, of supercoiled plasmid DNA molecules in dilute solutions on the basis of the molecular weight, M, or size. Experimental data (18 points) collected from the literature confirmed the proposed variation of D with plasmid molecular weight as D ∝ M−2/3, for molecules within the 1,800–287,100 base‐pair range. The correlation was able to estimate the available experimental results with an average error of 6.3%. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008; 99; 1040–1044. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Treatment of halogenated organic compounds and monitoring of microbial dynamics in up‐flow fixed bed reactors under sequentially alternating pollutant scenarios
Authors: Emanuelsson Maria A.E. , Osuna M. Begoña , Sipma Jan , Castro Paula M.L. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractTwo up‐flow fixed bed reactors (UFBR) were operated for 8 months treating a model synthetic wastewater containing 2‐fluorobenzoate (2‐FB) and dichloromethane (DCM). The stability of the reactors under dynamic conditions, that is, sequentially alternating pollutants (SAP), shock loads, and starvation periods was assessed. Two support materials were used: expanded clay (EC) that does not adsorb 2‐FB or DCM, and granular‐activated carbon (GAC) that adsorbs 180 mg g−1 of 2‐FB and 390 mg g−1 of DCM. The reactors were inoculated with a 2‐FB‐degrading strain (FB2) and a DCM degrader (TM1). 2‐FB was fed at organic loads ranging from 0 to 800 mg L−1 d−1, while DCM was fed at 0–250 mg L−1 d−1. 2‐FB or DCM were never detected at the outlet of the GAC reactor, while in the EC reactor outlet small amounts were observed. Nevertheless, the highest biological elimination capacity was observed in the EC reactor (over 700 mg L−1 d−1 of 2‐FB). DGGE analysis revealed a fairly stable bacterial community with the largest shifts occurring during starvation periods and changes in feed composition. Several bacterial strains isolated from the reactors showed capacity for 2‐FB degradation, while only strain TM1 degraded DCM. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;99: 800–810. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of gentrification on environmental pressure in service micro‐enterprises
Authors: Mir Debby F. , Sanchez Adolfo E. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe study investigates whether local service micro‐enterprises (MEPs) in gentrifying neighborhoods face increasing complaints triggering inspections and regulatory pressure. Environmental records from 1992 to 2000 were reviewed for 383 filling stations, motor vehicle repair firms and dry cleaners in five Chicago neighborhoods. Significant differences in the number of complaints and inspections were found between gentrifying and gentrified neighborhoods, especially in the higher‐income gentrified neighborhood. No significant difference was found in enforcement. Regulatory pressure from environmental agencies adds to the financial, social and other regulatory pressures facing service MEPs that drove away or closed manufacturing firms in the past. Alternatively, new market opportunities with regulatory and social pressure could provide incentives to improve environmental behavior. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Identification of a Hybrid PKS/NRPS Required for Pseurotin A Biosynthesis in the Human Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Maiya Shubha , Grundmann Alexander , Li Xiang , Li Shu‐Ming , Turner Geoffrey 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe genome sequence of Aspergillus fumigatus revealed the presence of a single hybrid polyketide synthase–non‐ribosomal peptide synthetase (PKS/NRPS) gene that is present within a cluster of five genes suggestive of its involvement in secondary metabolism. Here, we present evidence that it is required for the biosynthesis of pseurotin A, a compound with an unusual heterospirocyclic γ‐lactam structure. We have confirmed that the genome reference strain A. fumigatus Af293 produces pseurotin A, a compound previously reported to be a competitive inhibitor of chitin synthase and an inducer of nerve‐cell proliferation. Deletion or overexpression of the PKS/NRPS gene psoA in A. fumigatus leads to the absence or accumulation of pseurotin A, respectively; this indicates that this gene is essential for the biosynthesis of pseurotin A. It is likely that the first product of psoA is converted to pseurotin A by the products of other genes in this cluster.
A Type II Polyketide Synthase is Responsible for Anthraquinone Biosynthesis in Photorhabdus luminescens
Authors: Brachmann Alexander O. , Joyce Susan A. , Jenke‐Kodama Holger , Schwär Gertrud , Clarke David J. , Bode Helge B. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractType II polyketide synthases are involved in the biosynthesis of numerous clinically relevant secondary metabolites with potent antibiotic or anticancer activity. Until recently the only known producers of type II PKSs were members of the Gram‐positive actimomycetes, well‐known producers of secondary metabolites in general. Here we present the second example of a type II PKS from Gram‐negative bacteria. We have identified the biosynthesis gene cluster responsible for the production of anthraquinones (AQs) from the entomopathogenic bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens. This is the first example of AQ production in Gram‐negative bacteria, and their heptaketide origin was confirmed by feeding experiments. Deletion of a cyclase/aromatase involved in AQ biosynthesis resulted in accumulation of mutactin and dehydromutactin, which have been described as shunt products of typical octaketide compounds from streptomycetes, and a pathway for AQ formation from octaketide intermediates is discussed.
Heterogeneity of atherosclerotic plaque characteristics in human coronary artery disease: A three‐dimensional intravascular ultrasound study
Authors: Box Lyndon C. , Angiolillo Dominick J. , Suzuki Nobuaki , Box Lesleigh A. , Jiang Julie , Guzman Luiz , Zenni Martin A. , Bass Theodore A. , Costa Marco A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjectives: The objective of this study was to describe the intraplaque variability of coronary atherosclerosis in humans. Background: Atherosclerosis is a heterogeneous process. The degree and patterns of intraplaque heterogeneity are not well described. This study uses 3D intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to examine variability in individual atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries. Methods: IVUS images of 170 coronary plaques in 98patients were evaluated. Each plaque was divided into proximal, middle, and distal sections. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed for each section using a dedicated 3D IVUS protocol. Intralesion heterogeneity was assessed between sections. Results: Heterogeneity in composition was observed in most plaques (89%). The pattern of remodeling was heterogeneous in 23% of lesions. External elastic membrane (EEM) areas demonstrated an average percent deviation of 28.9% ± 15.5%. Positive remodeling was associated with longer lesions (≫ median length of 12.7 mm) (P = 0.031). Soft and calcific sections had a smaller mean EEM area (P = 0.034). Calcific lesions had a smaller mean lumen area (P = 0.027) and a greater percent plaque burden (PPB) (P = 0.001). Neither the location within the vessel or within the plaque was associated with plaque morphology. Greater qualitative heterogeneity was found in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a high degree of heterogeneity in composition and morphological features within individual atherosclerotic plaques in human coronary arteries. Intraplaque heterogeneity represents a challenge for imaging protocols correlating plaque features with cardiovascular events and for the development of future therapeutic options. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thoracic radiotherapy in patients with lymphoma and restenosis after coronary stent placement
Authors: Schömig Kathrin , Ndrepepa Gjin , Mehilli Julinda , Pache Jürgen , Kastrati Adnan , Schömig Albert 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjectives:The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of restenosis after coronary stenting in patients with lymphoma treated with thoracic radiation. Background: Patients with Hodgkin lymphoma treated with thoracic radiation have an increased incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). The incidence of restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions is completely unknown. Methods: This study included 12,626 consecutive patients with CAD treated with coronary stenting during a 10‐year period. Within this cohort, three subgroups of patients were assessed: patients with lymphoma and previous thoracic radiation (15 patients), patients with lymphoma without thoracic radiation (7 patients) and patients without lymphoma or previous thoracic radiation (control group; 12,604 patients). Coronary stenting was performed after a median [25th; 75th percentiles] of 8 years [4; 17] after thoracic radiation. The primary end point of the study was restenosis at 6‐month coronary angiography. Results: Six‐month coronary angiography was performed in 14 patients (93%) in the group with lymphoma and radiation, 6 patients (86%) in the group with lymphoma without radiation and 10,032 patients (80%) in the control group (P = 0.38). Angiographic restenosis was found in 12 patients (85.7%) in the group with lymphoma and radiation, 1 patient (16.7%) in the group with lymphoma without radiation and 2,555 patients (25.5%) in the control group (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression identified thoracic radiation as an independent predictor of coronary restenosis (odds ratio 21.7, 95% confidence interval, 4.7–100.9, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with lymphoma treated with thoracic radiation have an increased risk of restenosis after coronary artery stenting. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Significant aortic regurgitation associated with transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects with a deficient aortic rim
Authors: Kenny Damien , Tometzki Andrew , Martin Robin 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWe report on two patients who developed significant aortic regurgitation during transcatheter closure of a perimembranous ventricular septal defect, both requiring further surgical intervention. Both patients were noted prior to the procedure to have limited subaortic margins to the defect. The potential mechanisms for development of aortic regurgitation in this setting are discussed. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sirolimus‐eluting stent implantation for treatment of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery lesions: Long‐term outcome and predictors of adverse cardiac events
Authors: Lee Cheol Whan , Tan Chong‐Hiok , Suh Jon , Lee Se‐Whan , Park Duk‐Woo , Lee Seung‐Whan , Kim Young‐Hak , Hong Myeong‐Ki , Kim Jae‐Joong , Park Seong‐Wook , Park Seung‐Jung 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjectives: Acute and long‐term results after sirolimus‐eluting stent (SES) implantation of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) disease were evaluated. Background: Although SES has been used increasingly for the treatment of LAD disease, data regarding their safety and efficacy in a real‐world population are limited. Methods: We investigate the short‐ and long‐term results in 966 patients who underwent SES implantation for stenosis of proximal LAD. Results: The procedural success rate was 97.6%, and procedural non‐Q‐wave myocardial infarction (MI) rate was 14.5%. In‐hospital major complications occurred in five patients (0.5%), including three deaths and two Q‐wave MIs. During follow‐up (20.4 ± 8.9 months), there were 16 deaths (1.7%; 10 cardiac, 6 noncardiac), 2 Q‐wave MIs, and 22 target lesion revascularizations (2.3%). Late stent thrombosis occurred in two patients (0.2%), 14 and 23 months after the procedure. The event‐free survival rates for cardiac death/Q‐wave MI were 98.6% ± 0.4% at 1 year and 97.8% ± 0.6% at 2 years. The cumulative probabilities of survival without major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were 96.7% ± 0.6% at 1 year and 95.4% ± 0.8% at 2 years. In multivariate analysis, stented length (HR 1.04, 95%CI 1.01–1.07, P = 0.009) and infarct‐related artery (HR 5.18, 95%CI 1.09–24.64, P = 0.039) were independently related to cardiac death/Q‐wave MI. In addition, stented length (HR 1.04, 95%CI 1.02–1.06, P << 0.001) and left ventricular dysfunction (HR 2.66, 95%CI 1.07–6.63, P = 0.036) were significant independent predictors of MACE. Conclusions: SES implantation for proximal LAD disease appears safe and effective in a real‐world population, and the independent predictors of MACE included stented length and left ventricular dysfunction. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stent thrombosis after sirolimus‐ and paclitaxel‐eluting stent implantation in daily clinical practice: Analysis of a single center registry
Authors: Trabattoni Daniela , Fabbiocchi Franco , Montorsi Piero , Ravagnani Paolo , Galli Stefano , Teruzzi Giovanni , Calligaris Giuseppe , De Martini Stefano , Bartorelli Antonio L. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjectives: To evaluate stent thrombosis (ST) rate after sirolimus‐eluting stent (SES) and paclitaxel‐eluting stent (PES) implantation in daily clinical practice. Background: The safety profile of drug‐eluting stents (DES) was predominantly determined in randomized clinical trials with narrow inclusion criteria. Concerns about ST have been raised in unselected patients treated with DES. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 867 patients undergoing DES implantation, 618 patients with SES, and 249 with PES, in a single academic center. Results: Multivessel disease was present in 72% of patients, multivessel stenting was performed in 17%, long (>18 mm) lesions were treated in 30%, and multiple stents per lesion were needed in 31%. On average, 1.7 ± 0.8 stents per patient were implanted (stented segment length: 32 ± 25 mm/vessel). IIb/IIIa inhibitors were used in 7.5%. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance was employed in 65% of SES and 50% of PES implantations, and the procedural success rate was 100% in SES and 99% in PES cases. Six‐month follow‐up was performed in all patients, whereas one‐year follow‐up was completed in 87% patients of the SES group and in 95% of the PES group. We considered that ST occurred when angiographic evidence of thrombus was available, or when patients experienced sudden cardiac death or either ST‐elevation or non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (MI) through the 12‐month follow‐up period. The overall incidence of ST was 0.9% (0.4% in SES and 2% in PES, P = 0.03). Of the eight ST, two (25%) were acute, four (50%) subacute, one (12.5%) was a late event, and one (12.5%) a very late event. Seven ST were confirmed by angiography. No IVUS guidance was used in 4/8 (50%) ST patients, while antiplatelet therapy was prematurely discontinued in 3/8 (37.5%). Among ST patients, mortality and nonfatal MI rates were 25% and 37.5%, respectively. No ST was diagnosed between 6 and 12 months, while one very late thrombosis occurred at 15 months. Conclusions: The incidence of ST after DES use in daily clinical practice is low and similar to that observed in randomized clinical trials. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.