bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chromatographic benefits of elevated temperature for the proteomic analysis of membrane proteins
Authors: Blackler Adele R. , Speers Anna E. , Wu Christine C. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIntegral membrane proteins (IMPs) perform crucial cellular functions and are the primary targets for most pharmaceutical agents. However, the hydrophobic nature of their membrane‐embedded domains and their intimate association with lipids make them difficult to handle. Numerous proteomic platforms that include LC separations have been reported for the high‐throughput profiling of complex protein samples. However, there are still many challenges to overcome for proteomic analyses of IMPs, especially as compared to their soluble counterparts. In particular, considerations for the technical challenges associated with chromatographic separations are just beginning to be investigated. Here, we review the benefits of using elevated temperatures during LC for the proteomic analysis of complex membrane protein samples.
From complementarity to comprehensiveness – targeting the membrane proteome of growing Bacillus subtilis by divergent approaches
Authors: Hahne Hannes , Wolff Susanne , Hecker Michael , Becher Dörte 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe analysis of integral membrane proteins (IMPs) with mass spectrometry‐centered technologies has undergone great progress during the past few years, allowing for the analysis of several hundreds of IMPs. In this study, we investigated three promising shotgun approaches for the identification of IMPs of the model organism Bacillus subtilis. One comprises a classical membrane preparation procedure with carbonate and high‐ionic‐strength buffers, followed by SDS‐PAGE and LC‐MS/MS analysis. The two others are based on enzymatic trimming of the crude membrane fraction either with trypsin or proteinase K and subsequent gel‐free analysis. As a result, we observed the highest degree of complementarity between the gel‐based and the proteinase K approach, since the first exclusively addresses soluble loops and domains of IMPs and gave rise to 8709 unique peptides, whereas the latter contributed 1180 unique peptide identifications from otherwise inaccessible transmembrane helices (TMHs). All three methods contribute significant numbers (381, 284, and 276, respectively) to the total of 527 IMP identifications from the membrane fraction of exponentially growing B. subtilis cells, thus representing approximately 69% of all transcribed IMPs.
Flow Pattern Tracing for Mass Flow Rate Measurement in Pneumatic Conveying Using Twin Plane Electrical Capacitance Tomography
Authors: Mosorov Volodymyr 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper presents an original concept for automatic determination of the time intervals for calculation of the mass flow rate of intermittent flow using a twin‐plane electrical capacitance tomography system. The concept allows a solids mass flow rate to be calculated more accurately. It is based on images of instantaneous distributions of the material inside the measured volume by means of Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT), and extraction of the appropriate flow patterns, which are further used for calculation of the mass flow rate. The preliminary results of the mass flow rate measurement using the proposed concept for gas‐solid flow during pneumatic conveying are presented.
A novel knot‐tying approach for minimally invasive surgical robot systems
Authors: Wang Shuxin , Wang Huijuan , Yue Longwang 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackgroundIn robot‐assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS), knot‐tying is an important but challenging task for surgeons when performing surgery by manipulating a master–slave robot system. Knot‐tying in the conventional way is restricted by a confined workspace, which may cause the suture loop to be unstable and make knot‐tying difficult and time‐consuming in robot‐assisted MIS.MethodsA knot‐tying approach named ‘bending–twisting knot‐tying’ (BTKT) has been developed for robot‐assisted surgery systems operating in a confined workspace. The non‐linear deformation of sutures during knot‐tying is qualitatively described using knot theory. The length ratio of a knot (LoK) and the feasible coefficient (Fc) are introduced to evaluate the quality of BTKT knots. Simulations and experiments are performed based on finite segment dynamic models and the MicroHand surgical system, respectively, to describe the dynamic behaviours of the knots. Sensitive parameters, including the length of a suture (L), the distance between two ends (d) and the angle between tangents of the two ends (α) are analysed based on the model.ResultsFor a terylene suture, the length of the sutureLand the distance between the two endsdshould satisfy 1.12d⩽L⩽14.4d. WhenLand α are constant, the smallerdis, the larger are LoK and Fc relative to different sutures. A knot of high quality can be tied with a small α.ConclusionsSimulation and experimental results show that BTKT requires a smaller workspace and can form more stable loops compared to conventional methods. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meta‐analysis of Mendelian randomization studies incorporating all three genotypes
Authors: Palmer Tom M. , Thompson John R. , Tobin Martin D. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn Mendelian randomization a carefully selected gene is used as an instrumental variable in the estimation of the association between a biological phenotype and a disease. A study using Mendelian randomization will have information on an individual's disease status, the genotype and the phenotype. The phenotype must be on the causal pathway between gene and disease for the instrumental‐variable analysis to be valid. For a biallelic polymorphism there are three possible genotypes with which to compare disease risk. Existing methods select two of the three possible genotypes for use in a Mendelian randomization analysis. Multivariate meta‐analysis models for Mendelian randomization case–control studies are proposed, which extend previous methods by estimating the pooled phenotype–disease association across both genotype comparisons by using the gene–disease log odds ratios and differences in mean phenotypes. The methods are illustrated using a meta‐analysis of the effect of a gene related to collagen production on bone mineral density and osteoporotic fracture. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid Isomers Reduce Cholesterol Accumulation in Acetylated LDL‐Induced Mouse RAW264.7 Macrophage‐Derived Foam Cells
Authors: Ringseis Robert , Wen Gaiping , Saal Daniela , Eder Klaus 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSynthetic activators of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPAR)‐α and ‐γ are capable of reducing macrophage foam cell cholesterol accumulation through the activation of genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis. Since conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) were also demonstrated to activate PPARα and PPARγ in vivo and in vitro, we tested the hypothesis that CLA are also capable of reducing macrophage foam cell cholesterol accumulation. Thus, mouse RAW264.7 macrophage‐derived foam cells were treated with CLA isomers, c9t11‐CLA and t10c12‐CLA, and linoleic acid (LA), as reference fatty acid, and analyzed for the concentrations of free and esterified cholesterol, cholesterol efflux and expression of genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis (CD36, ABCA1, LXRα, NPC‐1, and NPC‐2). Treatment with c9t11‐CLA and t10c12‐CLA, but not LA, lowered cholesterol accumulation, stimulated acceptor‐dependent cholesterol efflux, and increased relative mRNA concentrations of CD36, ABCA1, LXRα, NPC‐1, and NPC‐2 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study showed that CLA isomers reduce cholesterol accumulation in RAW264.7 macrophage‐derived foam cells presumably by enhancing lipid acceptor‐dependent cholesterol efflux.
Populationsgenetik autosomaler Polymorphismen
Authors: Schneider P.M. 
Published: September 2008

Zusammenfassung
Für die Sammlung valider populationsgenetischer Daten zu den in der forensischen Genetik gebräuchlichen autosomalen DNA-Polymorphismen müssen eine Reihe von Kriterien erfüllt werden. Diese umfassen zunächst die untersuchten polymorphen Marker und ihre Typisierungsverfahren, da nur auf der Basis einer gesicherten Unterscheidung der Allele sowie einer verbindlichen Nomenklatur die Vergleichbarkeit und Reproduzierbarkeit der gesammelten Daten gegeben ist. Die genetische Validierung umfasst den Nachweis des Mendel-Erbgangs sowie die Überprüfung der Mutationsrate. Die Selektion der Probanden für die Bestimmung der Allelhäufigkeiten, die für eine Bevölkerungsgruppe repräsentativ sein sollen, muss zufällig erfolgen, und die Daten müssen auf das Vorliegen des Hardy-Weinberg-Gleichgewichts geprüft werden. Eine allgemein anerkannte Definition von Populationen im forensisch-genetischen Kontext ist Gegenstand der aktuellen Diskussion. Daher beruht die Auswahl der Probanden aus pragmatischen Gründen primär auf ihrer geografischen Herkunft. Zusätzlich wird empfohlen, bei der biostatistischen Bewertung populationsgenetische Maßzahlen wie Fst und Θ als Korrekturen für mögliche Inhomogenitäten in der untersuchten Populationsstichprobe zu verwenden.
Reversal of IFN‐γ, oxLDL and prolactin serum levels correlate with clinical improvement in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy
Authors: Forster Olaf , Hilfiker‐Kleiner Denise , Ansari Aftab A. , Sundstrom J. Bruce , Libhaber Elena , Tshani Winnie , Becker Anthony , Yip Anthony , Klein Gunnar , Sliwa Karen 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAim:Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is characterized by acute onset of heart failure of unknown aetiology. We aimed to identify mechanisms involved in initiation and progression of the disease.Methods and results:Serum markers related to cardiac function, apoptosis, oxidative stress, remodelling, inflammation and the nursing hormone prolactin were analyzed in PPCM patients and healthy controls. The kinetics of these markers were compared between patients who improved cardiac function (IMP) and those patients who did not improve (NIMP), over 6 months follow‐up. All patients received ACE‐inhibitors, beta‐blockers and diuretics. Baseline levels of TGF‐beta‐1 were significantly lower, MMP‐9 and VEGF were not different; all other markers were significantly higher in PPCM compared with controls. Only baseline NT‐proBNP levels were higher in NIMP compared with IMP. After 6 months, NT‐proBNP, oxLDL and IFN‐γ were significantly lower in IMP and the decrease in oxLDL, IFN‐γ and prolactin was significant in IMP but not in NIMP. Significant correlations were observed between the kinetics of NT‐proBNP, oxLDL, prolactin and IFN‐γ in PPCM patients.Conclusion:Baseline NT‐proBNP and the failure to decrease oxLDL, IFN‐γ and prolactin are associated with poor outcome in PPCM, suggesting a potential role of these factors in the pathophysiology of PPCM and for risk stratification of PPCM patients.
Type D personality and depressive symptoms are independent predictors of impaired health status in chronic heart failure☆
Authors: Schiffer Angélique A. , Pedersen Susanne S. , Widdershoven Jos W. , Denollet Johan 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjective:To examine whether Type D personality exerts a stable, independent effect on health status in CHF over time, adjusted for depressive symptoms.Subjects:CHF outpatients (n=166; 75% men; mean age 66 years) completed the Type D Scale and Beck Depression Inventory (baseline) and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire and Short‐Form Health Survey (baseline and 12 months).Results:There was a general improvement in disease‐specific physical (p=.029) and mental (p<.001) health over time, but Type D patients scored significantly lower on both outcomes (p≤.001). The interaction effects Type D×time were not significant, indicating stability of the personality effect. Type D patients also scored significantly lower on all generic physical (p values between .001 and .04) and mental (all p values ≤.01) health status subdomains; these effects were also stable over time. Type D was an independent predictor of disease‐specific mental health (p<.001), social functioning (p=.04), role emotional functioning (p≤.001), bodily pain (p=.05), and general health (p=.04), adjusted for depressive symptoms, baseline health status and clinical characteristics. Depressive symptoms was an independent predictor of role physical functioning and bodily pain.Conclusions:Type D personality and depressive symptoms were independent predictors of impaired health status in CHF.
Effect of bariatric surgery on pregnancy outcome
Authors: Weintraub Adi Y. , Levy Amalia , Levi Isaac , Mazor Moshe , Wiznitzer Arnon , Sheiner Eyal 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the perinatal outcomes of women who delivered before with women who delivered after bariatric surgery.MethodsA retrospective study was undertaken to compare perinatal outcomes of women who delivered before with women who delivered after bariatric surgery in a tertiary medical center between 1988 and 2006. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to control for confounders.ResultsDuring the study period, 301 deliveries preceded bariatric surgery and 507 followed surgery. A significant reduction in rates of diabetes mellitus (17.3% vs 11.0; P = 0.009), hypertensive disorders (23.6% vs 11.2%; P < 0.001), and fetal macrosomia (7.6% vs 3.2%; P = 0.004) were noted after bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery was found to be independently associated with a reduction in diabetes mellitus (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.26–0.67; P < 0.001), hypertensive disorders (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.25–0.59; P < 0.001), and fetal macrosomia (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.21–0.94; P = 0.033).ConclusionA decrease in maternal complications, such as diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders, as well as a decrease in the rate of fetal macrosomia is achieved following bariatric surgery.
Amenorrhea and resumption of menstruation after uterine artery embolization for fibroids
Authors: Katsumori Tetsuya , Kasahara Toshiyuki , Tsuchida Yoko , Nozaki Taiki 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectivesTo determine whether women will experience permanent amenorrhea following uterine artery embolization for fibroids, and whether rates of onset differ in the long term according to age at the time of the procedure.MethodsOver 77 months, 211 consecutive eligible women were grouped by age (group A, < 40 years [n = 39]; group B, 40–44 years [n = 98]; and group C, ≥ 45 years [n = 74]) and the cumulative rates of onset of permanent amenorrhea were compared between the groups.ResultsThe likelihood of incurring permanent amenorrhea was significantly higher in group C. The cumulative rates in groups A, B, and C were 0%, 1.4%, and 19.7% at 3 years and 0%, 11.2%, and 40.4% at 6 years.ConclusionThe rates of onset of permanent amenorrhea changed over time and differed according to age at the time of the procedure, with little likelihood of permanent amenorrhea at 6 years for women younger than 40 years at the time of the procedure.
Clioquinol targets zinc to lysosomes in human cancer cells
Authors: Yu Haijun , Zhou Yunfeng , Lind Stuart E. , Ding Wei-Qun 
Published: September 2008

We have previously demonstrated that clioquinol (5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline) acts as a zinc ionophore and induces apoptosis of human cancer cells; however, the mechanisms of clioquinol/zinc-induced apoptotic cell death remain to be elucidated further. Using fluorescence-labelled probes, the present study has examined intracellular zinc distribution after clioquinol treatment in human cancer cells in order to identify cellular targets for zinc ionophores. DU 145, a human prostate cancer line, was chosen as a model system for the present study, and results were confirmed in other human cancer cell lines. Although treatment of cancer cells with 50 μM ZnCl2 for 3 days had no effect on cell viability, addition of clioquinol dramatically enhanced the cytotoxicity, confirming our previous observations. The ionophore activity of clioquinol was confirmed using fluorescence microscopy. Intracellular free zinc was found to be concentrated in lysosomes, indicating that lysosomes are the primary target of zinc ionophores. Furthermore, lysosomal integrity was disrupted after addition of clioquinol and zinc to the cells, as shown by redistribution of both Acridine Orange and cathepsin D. Clioquinol plus zinc resulted in a cleavage of Bid (BH3-interacting domain death agonist), a hallmark of lysosome-mediated apoptotic cell death. Thus the present study demonstrates for the first time that clioquinol generates free zinc in lysosomes, leading to their disruption and apoptotic cell death.
Signifying Race
Authors: Carter J. Kameron 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
This chapter interrogates religious historian Charles Long's construal of black religion and the discourse of (black) theology as these bear on Afro‐Christian faith. Central to Long's outlook, which is in ascendancy in the field of African American religious studies, is his notion of “the opaque” and his rather postmodern notion of “signification.” The chapter unpacks these notions, while raising a serious note of alarm about the field's direction, given that a Longian perspective is unable to make sense of the Christianity of Afro‐Christianity. Indeed, it interprets black Christianity as diverse significations, as varied cultural reflexes, of black religion. Yet paradoxically, does this not show this form of thought's captivity to the very supersessionism or Christian anti‐Jewishness that is the constituting foundation of modernity? In arguing that it does, the chapter calls for a new direction for interpreting Afro‐Christian faith, one that escapes modernity's racial gaze of whiteness.
The Tenacity of Unreasonable Beliefs
Authors: Schimmel Solomon 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
This book is a passionate yet analytical critique of and polemic against Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scriptural fundamentalists. It examines the ways in which otherwise intelligent and bright Jews, Christians, and Muslims defend their belief in the divine authorship of the Bible or of the Koran, as well as other religious beliefs derived from those claims, against overwhelming evidence and argument to the contrary from science, scholarship, common sense, and rational analysis. The book also examines the motives, fears, and anxieties of scriptural fundamentalists that induce them to cling tenaciously to their unreasonable beliefs. The author begins with reflections on his own journey from commitment to Orthodox Judaism, through doubts about its theological claims, and eventually to denial of their truth. This is followed by an examination of theological and philosophical debate about the proper relationships between faith, reason, and revelation. The book then devotes one chapter of detailed analysis to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scriptural fundamentalism, noting their differences and similarities. It then analyzes the psychological and social reasons why people acquire, maintain, and protect unreasonable religious beliefs. The book also discusses some unethical and immoral consequences of scriptural fundamentalism, such as gender inequality, homophobia, lack of intellectual honesty, self‐righteousness, intolerance, propagation of falsehood, and in some instances (especially among some Muslim fundamentalists) the advocacy of violence and terrorism. It concludes with a discussion of why, when, and where it is appropriate to critique and assertively challenge and combat scriptural fundamentalists.
The Shape of American Protestantism
Authors: Wellman Jr. James K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis chapter details the debate on the decline of American Protestantism. Some argue that the overall percentage of Protestants has declined. This may be true, but what is beyond dispute is the evangelical piece of that Protestant pie has grown substantially. This is due in large part to increase in evangelical fertility, the socialization of evangelical children and youth, and a strong evangelical focus on the importance the reproduction of the family and the faith. The traditional transfer of evangelicals to liberal churches has dropped dramatically as well, sealing for now the marginalization of liberal Protestant congregations.
Complicating the Two‐Party Protestant Explanation
Authors: Wellman Jr. James K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe two‐party system in American Protestantism is a convenient rubric to generalize American religion. However, it does not frame the facts on the ground; American religion generally and Protestantism in particular is a patch‐work of subcultures, which this chapter defines and uses to understand the mosaic of Protestantism in the Pacific Northwest. This chapter presents the problem of the two‐party system and uses Fred Kniss' two-dimensional moral map of American religious culture to show how religious subcultures negotiate the ambiguous center of American political power, along axes that are horizontally defined by libertarian and communalist moral projects, and vertically expressed by modernist and traditionalist sources of authority.
The Spiritual Capital of Moral Worldviews
Authors: Wellman Jr. James K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractEntrepreneurial evangelicals have carved out a foothold in the region though the future is less certain. They use the aesthetics of the popular culture; create networks of small groups; nurture entrepreneurial leaders; appeal to young families; offer alternative forms of religiously‐based activities; provide a core conservative theology that puts forward religious and moral absolutes that attract and maintain vital subcultures in suburban, and in urban settings. With less numerical success, liberal congregations create vital congregations that embody a progressive liberal theology; mixing traditional liturgy and active social justice programs; facilitating adult education and worship experiences that allow for informal communities; and, with effort — shown by several congregations in this study — integrate a worship design that appeals to families and children.
Six RESTORYING OUR LIVES: THE NEED FOR NARRATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Randall William L , McKim A. Elizabeth 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis chapter argues that the changes which accompany later life are actually an impetus for narrative development. Whereas aging is typically associated with cognitive decline, research in neuroscience suggests that the aging brain continues to develop in response to learning. The consequence of being unaware of our potential for such development is narrative foreclosure, a form of “arrested aging” by which our identity becomes frozen in patterns of self-telling and self-reading that are laid down earlier in our lives. Thus, older adults can be just as challenged as adolescents by questions of identity. The identity statuses that characterize the latter, as identified by James Marcia, can also be applied to them. The chapter considers various factors behind narrative foreclosure — including gender, culture, and narrowing environments — and outlines ways in which engaging with our stories through expanding, examining, transforming, and ultimately transcending them can help offset it.
Sustainable Conservation: Can It Be Done?
Authors: Likens Gene E. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis chapter identifies the conservation and protection of ecosystems and landscapes as a critical need in the largely destabilized world of the early 21st century. This threat comes from several factors, including (1) war and terrorism, which seriously threaten and degrade natural and human-dominated ecosystems and the ecosystem services they provide; (2) increased globalization of the marketplace, which markedly accelerates the invasion of alien species and spread of infectious disease; (3) the accelerating rate of suburban sprawl and fragmentation of landscapes and shorelines; and (4) the deficiency of leadership on these issues from the US.