bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
C‐reactive protein and metabolic syndrome in women with previous gestational diabetes
Authors: Di Cianni G. , Lencioni C. , Volpe L. , Ghio A. , Cuccuru I. , Pellegrini G. , Benzi L. , Miccoli R. , Del Prato S. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackgroundThis study evaluates the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its association with C‐reactive protein (CRP) and other cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, in a sample of women with and without previous Gestational Diabetes (pGDM).MethodsOne hundred and sixty‐six women with pGDM and 98 women (controls) with uncomplicated pregnancy were studied 16 months after delivery. In all women, plasma glucose, insulin, lipid profile, serum uric acid, C‐reactive protein, fibrinogen and homocysteine were measured. MS was defined according to NCEP ATPIII criteria.ResultsMS was identified in 15 pGDM women (9%) versus 1 control (1%) (p < 0.001). The more frequent metabolic traits were abdominal obesity (36% vs 17%) and low HDL‐cholesterol (34% vs 17% in pGDM women and controls, respectively; all p < 0.01). HOMA‐R, LDL‐cholesterol, fibrinogen, serum uric acid and CRP resulted significantly higher in pGDM women with MS as compared to those without MS after adjustment for BMI.In women with no criteria for MS, only CRP levels were found to be higher in pGDM women compared to controls (p < 0.05). Seventeen percent of pGDM women with no criteria for MS had CRP levels ≥1 mg/L (all controls showed CRP levels <1 mg/L).After a stepwise regression analysis, CRP levels were independently correlated to HOMA‐R (r2 = 0.27, p < 0.001) and fibrinogen (r2 = 0.30, p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn our population, MS occurs in a sizable proportion of pGDM women and is associated with increased levels of CRP, fibrinogen, uric acid and LDL‐cholesterol. Moreover, higher levels of CRP, a marker of chronic low‐grade inflammation, are present in a subset of women with pGDM, independently of MS. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative expression of mouse and chicken shisa homologues during early development
Authors: Filipe Mário , Gonçalves Lisa , Bento Margaret , Silva Ana Cristina , Belo José António 
Published: June 2006

AbstractDuring vertebrate embryogenesis, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt signaling have been implicated in diverse cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and tissue patterning. The recently identified Xenopus Shisa protein promotes head formation by inhibiting Wnt and FGF signaling through its interaction with the immature forms of Frizzled and FGF receptors in the endoplasmic reticulum, which prevents their posttranslational maturation. Here, we describe the mouse and chicken homologues of Xenopus Shisa. The mouse and chicken Shisa proteins share, respectively, 33.6% and 33.8% identity with the Xenopus homolog. In situ hybridization analysis shows that mouse shisa is expressed throughout embryonic development, predominantly in the anterior visceral endoderm, headfolds, somites, forebrain, optic vesicle, and limb buds. Cross‐species comparison shows that the expression pattern of cshisa closely mirrors that of mshisa. Our observations indicate that the Shisa family genes are typically expressed in tissues known to require the modulation of Wnt and FGF signaling. Developmental Dynamics 235:2567–2573, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The expression of Scratch genes in the developing and adult brain
Authors: Marín Faustino , Nieto M. Angela 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe Scratch genes belong to the Snail superfamily of zinc‐finger transcription factors present in the metazoa, represented in mammals by the Scratch1 and Scratch2 genes. We have analyzed the expression of these genes in the brain of mice at developmental stages between 9.5 days‐post‐coitum to adulthood. Both genes are expressed in the mantle layer of the neuroepithelium at mid‐gestational stages in all regions except for the region corresponding to the V2 interneuron column, which lacked Scratch2 transcripts. From perinatal to adult stages, the expression patterns of the two genes differ. Scratch1 remains strongly expressed in almost all brain regions, although it is not found in some ventral structures such as motor nuclei and hypothalamic regions. In contrast, Scratch2 expression progressively diminishes and virtually no expression can be detected in the adult brain. Nevertheless, strong expression of Scratch2 is retained in the postnatal cortical subventricular zone, in the inner part of the cerebellar external granular layer, and in the glial cells of the adult vomeronasal nerve. Developmental Dynamoics 235:2586–2591, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cyanoresorc[5]arenes: Isolation, Conformation and Crystal Structure
Authors: D’Acquarica Ilaria , Nevola Laura , Delle Monache Giuliano , Gács‐Baitz Eszter , Massera Chiara , Ugozzoli Franco , Zappia Giovanni , Botta Bruno 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAs a result of our ongoing studies on resorcarenes, we obtained three new resorc[5]arene decamethyl ethers 3a–3c containing cyanomethyl side chains together with the three previously described resorc[4]arenes 2a–2c by treatment of 2‐(2,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)acrylonitrile (1) with BF3·Et2O. From the X‐ray crystallographic structure of 3a, molecular mechanics calculations of the three novel stereoisomers in the gas phase, and the NMR spectroscopic data, the three compounds were attributed architectures of partial 1,3‐alternate (3a), partial cone (3b) and partial 1,2‐alternate (3c). The relative positions of the substituents were determined by DIF NOE experiments. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Synthesis of Pyrrolizidine Derivatives by 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of Chiral Five‐Membered Cyclic Azomethine Ylides
Authors: Argyropoulos Nikolaos G. , Sarli Vasiliki C. , Gdaniec Maria 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions of chiral five‐membered cyclic azomethine ylides, generated in situ from ethyl glyoxylate and protected (3S,4S)‐dihydroxypyrrolidines 3 and 6 have been studied. The facial selectivity of the cycloaddition reaction is governed by the steric effect of the substituent on the pyrrolidine ring next to the azomethine ylide functionality, leading in all cases to an exclusive Si face approach of the dipolarophile. The exo/endo selectivity depends on the dipolarophile and on the size of the other substituent on the pyrrolidine ring. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Numerical study on flash‐boiling spray of multicomponent fuel
Authors: Kawano Daisuke , Ishii Hajime , Suzuki Hisakazu , Goto Yuichi , Odaka Matsuo , Senda Jiro 
Published: June 2006

AbstractFlash‐boiling occurs when a fuel is injected into a combustion chamber where the ambient pressure is lower than the saturation pressure of the fuel. It has been known that flashing is a favorable mechanism for atomizing liquid fuels. On the other hand, alternative fuels, such as gaseous fuels and oxygenated fuels, are used to achieve low exhaust emissions in recent years. In general, most of these alternative fuels have high volatility and flash‐boiling takes place easily in the fuel spray when injected into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine under high pressure. In addition the multicomponent mixture of high‐ and low‐volatility fuels has been proposed in the previous study in order to control the spray and combustion processes in an internal combustion engine. It was found that the multicomponent fuel produces flash‐boiling with an increase in the initial fuel temperature. Therefore, it is important to investigate these flash‐boiling processes in fuel spray.In the present study, the submodels of a flash‐boiling spray are constructed. These submodels consider the bubble nucleation, growth, and disruption in the nozzle orifice and injected fuel droplets. The model is implemented in KIVA3V and the spray characteristics of multicomponent fuel with and without flashing are numerically investigated. In addition, these numerical results are compared with experimental data obtained in the previous study using a constant volume vessel. The flashing spray characteristics from numerical simulation qualitatively show good agreement with the experimental results. In particular, it is confirmed from both the numerical and experimental data that flash‐boiling effectively accelerates the atomization and vaporization of fuel droplets. This means that a lean homogeneous mixture can be quickly formed using flash‐boiling in the combustion chamber. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 35(5): 369–385, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20117
Experimental research of high‐temperature regenerative heat transfer
Authors: Mao Ying , Jia Li 
Published: June 2006

AbstractA small‐scale high‐temperature air combustion experimental system was set up. The effects of the switching period on the heat transfer characteristics of a regenerator were discussed, and an optimal switching period was suggested. The temperature distribution in the combustion chamber was analyzed and the emission of NOX and CO with the operational parameters was summarized. The decomposability of CF4 was primarily studied. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 35(5): 359–368, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20118
Experimental study on heat transfer enhancement on natural convection in a vertical plate by using longitudinal vortex generators arranged in rows
Authors: Long JingAn , Yang ZeLiang 
Published: June 2006

AbstractLongitudinal vortices are capable of producing beneficial effects in heat transfer enhancement. Experiments in natural convection heat transfer enhancement were done on a vertical flat heating plate using delta‐winglet longitudinal vortex generators (LVGs) arranged in rows. In an experimental range of Rayleigh number, the height and width of the winglet of the longitudinal vortex generator (LVG), the array form of the longitudinal vortex generators on the heat transfer performance were experimentally investigated, and the best height of the winglet of the longitudinal vortex generator was obtained. The results showed the change of the array form of the longitudinal vortex generators could affect the heat transfer effect. Finally by arranging some longitudinal vortex generator arrays with the appropriate interval, the whole heat transfer effect of the interval could reach a prime value. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 35(5): 351–358, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20119
Quantum mechanical and molecular dynamics simulations of ureases and Zn β‐lactamases
Authors: Estiu Guillermina , Suárez Dimas , Merz Kenneth M. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractHerein we briefly review theoretical contributions that have increased our understanding of the structure and function of metallo‐β‐lactamases and ureases. Both are bimetallic metalloenzymes, with the former containing two zinc ions and the latter containing two nickel ions. We describe the use of several different methodologies, including quantum chemical calculations, molecular dynamic simulations, as well as mixed QM/MM approaches and how they have impacted our understanding of the structure and function of metallo‐β‐lactamases and ureases. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 1240–1262, 2006
Sensitive analysis of aconitine, hypaconitine, mesaconitine and jesaconitine in human body fluids and Aconitum tubers by LC/ESI‐TOF‐MS
Authors: Kaneko Rina , Hattori Satoshi , Furuta Shiho , Hamajima Makoto , Hirata Yukari , Watanabe Kanako , Seno Hiroshi , Ishii Akira 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe Aconitum species (Ranunculaceae) are widely distributed in northern Asia and North America. Their roots are popularly used in herbal medicines in China and Japan. Many cases of accidental, suicidal and homicidal intoxication with this plant have been reported; some of these were fatal because the toxicity of Aconitum is very high. It is thus important to detect and quantify Aconitum alkaloids in body fluids, with high sensitivity. We have developed a simple and sensitive method for measuring four kinds of Aconitum alkaloids (aconitine, hypaconitine, jesaconitine and mesaconitine) by LC/electrospray (ESI)‐time‐of‐flight (TOF)‐MS. For all of them, only molecular ions were observed at an orifice voltage of 75 V; at 135 V, base peaks corresponding to [M − 60 + H]+ ions were observed. These four compounds and methyllycaconitine (internal standard) in human plasma samples were purified by solid‐phase extraction. The four extracted compounds were completely separated in mass chromatograms; the calibration curves showed good linearity in the range 10–300 ng/ml, and the detection limits were estimated to be 0.2–0.5 ng/ml. Using our method, we also determined the amounts of these compounds in tuber samples. The present method is applicable in clinical and forensic toxicology. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous separation and identification of oligomeric procyanidins and anthocyanin‐derived pigments in raw red wine by HPLC‐UV‐ESI‐MSn
Authors: Pati S. , Losito I. , Gambacorta G. , Notte E. La , Palmisano F. , Zambonin P. G. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSamples of raw red wine (Primitivo di Manduria, Apulia, Southern Italy) were analysed without any pre‐treatment (except 1 : 2 dilution with water) using HPLC with detection based on UV absorbance and Electrospray Ionisation Sequential Mass Spectrometry (ESI‐MSn, with n = 1–3) in a series configuration.In particular, absorbance at 520 nm was monitored for UV detection in order to identify pigments responsible for wine colour. On the other hand, two subsequent stages of MS detection based on positive ions were adopted. The first consisted of an explorative MS acquisition, aimed at the individuation of the m/z ratios for positively charged compounds; the second was based on fragmentation of the detected ions within an ion trap analyser, followed by MS/MS and, if required, MS3 acquisitions.The synergy between UV detection and MSn analysis led to the identification of 41 pigments, which can be classified into five groups: grape anthocyanins, pyranoanthocyanins, vinyl‐linked anthocyanin‐flavanol pigments, ethyl‐bridged anthocyanin‐flavanol pigments and flavanol‐anthocyanin compounds. Many isomeric and oligomeric structures were found within each group.A further class of compounds, not absorbing in the visible spectrum, could be also characterised by ESI‐MSn and corresponded to B‐type procyanidins, i.e. proanthocyanidins arising from C4→C8/C4→C6 couplings between catechin or epicatechin units. In particular, oligomeric structures (from dimers to pentamers), often present with several isomers, were identified and their fragmentation patterns clarified. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fundamental aspects of electrospray droplet impact/SIMS
Authors: Hiraoka Kenzo , Mori Kunihiko , Asakawa Daiki 
Published: June 2006

AbstractA new ionization method, electrospray droplet impact ionization (EDI), has been developed for matrix‐free secondary‐ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The charged droplets formed by electrospraying 1 M acetic acid aqueous solution are sampled through an orifice with a diameter of 400 µm into the first vacuum chamber, transported into a quadrupole ion guide, and accelerated by 10 kV after exiting the ion guide. The droplets impact on a dry solid sample (no matrix used) deposited on a stainless steel substrate. The secondary ions formed by the impact are transported to a second quadrupole ion guide and mass‐analyzed by an orthogonal time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (TOF‐MS). Ten pmol of gramicidin S could be detected with the presence of as much as 10 nmol of NaCl. The ion signal for arginine disappeared with decrease in the substrate temperature below 150 K owing to the formation of ice film over the sample surface. While 10 fmol of gramicidin S could be detected for 30 min, the ionization/desorption efficiency for EDI becomes smaller with an increase in the molecular weight (MW) of a biological sample. The largest protein samples detected to date are cytochrome c and lysozyme. The high sensitivity for EDI is due to the fact that samples only a few monolayers thick are subject to desorption/ionization by EDI, with little fragmentation. A coherent phonon excitation may be the main mechanism for the desorption/ionization of the solid sample. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
17β‐estradiol attenuates excitatory neurotransmission and enhances the excitability of rat parabrachial neurons in vitro
Authors: Fatehi Mohammad , Zidichouski Jeffrey A. , Kombian Samuel B. , Saleh Tarek M. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe steroid hormone 17β‐estradiol and its respective receptors have been found in several cardiovascular nuclei in the central nervous system including the parabrachial nucleus. In a previous study, we provided evidence that 17β‐estradiol attenuated an outward potassium conductance in parabrachial neurons of male rats, using an in vitro slice preparation. In this study we sought to enhance the comprehensive information provided previously on estradiol's postsynaptic effects in the parabrachial nucleus by directly examining whether 17β‐estradiol application will modulate excitatory synaptic neurotransmission. Using a pontine slice preparation and whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording, bath application of either 17β‐estradiol (20–100 μM) or BSA‐17β‐estradiol (50 μM) decreased the amplitude of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (from 30–60% of control) recorded from neurons in the parabrachial nucleus. The paired pulse ratio was not significantly affected and suggests a post‐synaptic site of action. The inhibitory effect on the synaptic current was relatively long‐lasting (non‐reversible) and was blocked by the selective estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182,780. Furthermore, 17β‐estradiol reduced the maximum current elicited by a ramp protocol, increased the input resistance measured between resting membrane potential and action potential threshold and caused an increase in the firing frequency of the cells under current‐clamp. In summary, 17β‐estradiol caused 3 effects: first, a depolarization; second, a reduction in evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials; and third, an enhancement of action potential firing frequency in neurons of the parabrachial nucleus. These observations are consistent with our previous findings and support a role for estrogen in modulating neurotransmission in this nucleus. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Myelin basic protein functions as a microtubule stabilizing protein in differentiated oligodendrocytes
Authors: Galiano M.R. , Andrieux A. , Deloulme J.C. , Bosc C. , Schweitzer A. , Job D. , Hallak M.E. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractMyelin basic protein (MBP) is an oligodendrocyte‐specific protein essential for oligodendrocyte morphogenesis at late stages of cell differentiation. There is evidence that the morphogenetic function of MBP is mediated by MBP interaction with the cytoskeleton. Thus, an MBP/cytoplasmic microtubule association has been reported, and MBP has Ca2+/calmodulin‐regulated microtubule cold‐stabilizing activity in vitro. However, the unambiguous demonstration of a microtubule‐stabilizing activity for MBP in cells has been difficult because oligodendrocytes contain variants of STOP (stable tubule only polypeptide) proteins, which are responsible for microtubule cold stability in different cell types. Herein, we have used genetic mouse models and RNA interference to assay independently the microtubule cold‐stabilizing activities of MBP and of STOP in developing oligodendrocytes. In wild‐type oligodendrocytes, microtubules were cold stable throughout maturation, which is consistent with the presence of STOP proteins from early stages of differentiation. In contrast, in oligodendrocytes from STOP‐deficient mice, microtubules were cold labile in the absence of MBP expression or when MBP expression was restricted to the cell body and became stable in fully differentiated oligodendrocytes, where MBP is expressed in cell extensions. The suppression of MBP by RNA interference in STOP‐deficient oligodendrocytes suppressed microtubule cold stability. Additionally, STOP suppression in oligodendrocytes derived from shiverer mice that lack MBP led to the complete suppression of microtubule cold stability at all stages of cell differentiation. These results demonstrate that both STOP and MBP function as microtubule‐stabilizing proteins in differentiating oligodendrocytes and could be important for the morphogenetic function of MBP. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bone marrow stromal cells reduce axonal loss in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice
Authors: Zhang Jing , Li Yi , Lu Mei , Cui Yisheng , Chen Jieli , Noffsinger Lori , Elias Stanton B. , Chopp Michael 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWe investigated the ability of human bone marrow stromal cell (hBMSC) treatment to reduce axonal loss in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice. EAE was induced in SJL/J mice by injection with proteolipid protein (PLP). Mice were injected intravenously with hBMSCs or PBS on the day of clinical onset, and neurological function was measured daily (score 0–5) until 45 weeks after onset. Mice were sacrificed at week 1, 10, 20, 34, and 45 after clinical onset. Bielshowsky silver was used to identify axons. Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and MAB1281, a marker of hBMSCs. hBMSC treatment significantly reduced the mortality, the disease severity, and the number of relapses in EAE mice compared with PBS treatment. Axonal density and NGF+ cells in the EAE brain were significantly increased in the hBMSC group compared with the PBS group at 1, 10, 20, 34, and 45 weeks. Disease severity was significantly correlated with decreased axonal density and decreased NGF, and increased axonal density was significantly correlated with reduced loss of NGF expression after hBMSC treatment. Most of the NGF+ cells are brain parenchymal cells. Under 5% of MAB1281+ cells colocalized with NG2+, a marker of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Nearly 10% of MAB1281+ cells colocalized with GFAP, a marker of astrocytes, and MAP‐2, a marker of neurons. Our findings indicate that hBMSCs improve functional recovery and may provide a potential therapy aimed at axonal protection in EAE mice, in which NGF may play a vital role. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitation of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and myelin basic protein in the thymus and central nervous system and its relationship to the clinicopathologic features of autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Sakuma Hiroshi , Park Il‐Kwon , Kohyama Kuniko , Feng Dongyun , Matsumoto Yoh 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThere is controversy whether the amount of autoantigens expressed in the thymus regulates negative selection of autoreactive T cells and determine susceptibility or resistance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In the present study, we have addressed this issue by quantifying neuroantigens in the thymus of two EAE‐susceptible (LEW and LEW.1AV1) and one EAE‐resistant (BN) rat strains. We further examined whether amounts of neuroantigens in various parts of the central nervous system (CNS) affect the clinical course and lesion distribution of acute and chronic EAE. Real‐time PCR and histologic analyses showed that there was no significant difference in the amount and distribution of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and myelin basic protein in the thymus and CNS among the three strains and that both acute and chronic EAE lesions in the CNS were preferentially distributed in the area where neuroantigens were abundantly present. These findings suggest that susceptibility or resistance to EAE is not regulated by the amount of the neuroantigens expressed in the thymus. Furthermore, the lesion distribution, but not the clinical course, of EAE is related to the neuroantigen expression in the CNS. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.