bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immobilization of a nonspecific chitosan hydrolytic enzyme for application in preparation of water‐soluble low‐molecular‐weight chitosan
Authors: Feng Tao , Du Yumin , Yang Jianhong , Li Jin , Shi Xiaowen 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA nonspecific chitosan hydrolytic enzyme, cellulase, was immobilized onto magnetic chitosan microspheres, which was prepared in a well spherical shape by the suspension crosslinking technique. The morphology characterization of the microspheres was carried out with scanning electron microscope and the homogeneity of the magnetic materials (Fe3O4) in the microspheres was determined from optical micrograph. Factors affecting the immobilization, and the properties and stabilities of the immobilized enzyme were studied. The optimum concentration of the crosslinker and cellulase solution for the immobilization was 4% (v/v) and 6 mg/mL, respectively. The immobilized enzyme had a broader pH range of high activity and the loss of the activity of immobilized cellulase was lower than that of the free cellulase at high temperatures. This immobilized cellulase has higher apparent Michaelis–Menten constant Km (1.28 mg/mL) than that of free cellulase (0.78 mg/mL), and the maximum apparent initial catalytic rate Vmax of immobilized cellulase (0.39 mg mL−1 h−1) was lower than free enzyme (0.48 mg mL−1 h−1). Storage stability was enhanced after immobilization. The residual activity of the immobilized enzyme was 78% of original after 10 batch hydrolytic cycles, and the morphology of carrier was not changed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1334–1339, 2006
Encapsulation of plant growth‐promoting bacteria in alginate beads enriched with humic acid
Authors: Young Chiu‐Chung , Rekha P.D. , Lai Wei‐An , Arun A.B. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe key to achieving successful, reproducible results following the introduction of beneficial microbes into soil relies on the survival rate of the inoculated bacteria in a heterogeneous soil environment and hence an improved encapsulation method was developed. Owing to the constraints associated with the inoculum formulation, in this study, encapsulation of a plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) isolate Bacillus subtilis CC‐pg104 was attempted with alginate by enriching the bead microenvironment with humic acid. High viability of the encapsulated bacteria was observed with minimum cell loss upon storage for 5 months. Steady and constant cell release from the bead was observed for 1 week at different pH. Encapsulated cells remained active as evidenced by their ability to solubilize calcium phosphate in vitro. Successful plant growth promotion of lettuce by the encapsulated bacteria under gnotobiotic and sterile environment was also achieved. Feasibility of this improved encapsulation technique is mainly due to the dual benefits of humic acid to microbe and plant and its chemical properties allowing an easy mixing with alginate without interfering in the formation of the alginate gel beads by cross‐linking with Ca2+ ions. Thus, the encapsulation method described in this study can be effectively used to protect the PGPB inoculum from adverse conditions of the soil for their successful establishment in the rhizosphere. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of nitric oxide in heat shock protein induced apoptosis of γδT cells
Authors: Atre Nilangi , Thomas Loui , Mistry Rajesh , Pathak Kumar , Chiplunkar Shubhada 
Published: April 2006

AbstractActivation induced cell death (AICD) has been proposed to serve as a mechanism to limit T lymphocyte proliferation induced by antigenic stimulation. Heat shock proteins (hsp60 and hsp70) expressed on oral tumor cells serve as ligands for peripheral blood γδT lymphocytes. Tumor cell lysis by γδT lymphocytes is mediated via recognition of hsp expressed on tumor cells. In the present study, we report that upon stimulation with hsp, γδT lymphocytes isolated from oral cancer patients undergo AICD as confirmed by DNA ploidy, annexin V staining and confocal microscopy. In cocultures of γδT lymphocytes and tumor cells, addition of antihsp60 and antihsp70 MAb, but not anti‐Fas MAb (ZB4), inhibited DNA fragmentation of γδT lymphocytes. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a down regulation of Fas expression on γδT lymphocytes upon incubation with hsp60 and hsp70. Increased expression of iNOS was observed in hsp‐stimulated γδT lymphocytes. Addition of monomethyl L‐arginine monoacetate, competitive inhibitor of NOS, inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and apoptosis of γδT lymphocytes induced by hsp60 and hsp70. The NO‐induced apoptosis of γδT lymphocytes involves activation of caspase‐9 and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The present study explains a novel strategy adopted by tumor cells to evade immune recognition by γδT lymphocytes. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo expression of survivin and its splice variant survivin‐2B: Impact on clinical outcome in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Wagner Mandy , Schmelz Karin , Wuchter Christian , Ludwig Wolf‐Dieter , Dörken Bernd , Tamm Ingo 
Published: April 2006

AbstractSurvivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, is expressed in most human cancers, but undetectable in normal differentiated adult tissue in vivo. Because of this cancer‐related expression, survivin is a promising target for cancer therapy. To determine the expression and prognostic role of survivin in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we investigated the mRNA expression pattern of survivin and of the splice variants survivin‐2B and survivin‐ΔEx3 in adult (n = 74) and children (n = 31) with de novo AML using RT‐PCR. Survivin was the predominant transcript variant in AML cells, whereas significantly lower levels of survivin‐2B and survivin‐ΔEx3 were observed (p ≤ 0.0001). Neither expression of survivin nor of any splice variant correlated with maturation stage (FAB subtypes, immunophenotype) or cytogenetic risk groups. For AML cases treated according to AMLCG92 (adult) and AML‐BFM93 (children) protocols, respectively, expression patterns were correlated with clinical data: In adult AML (n = 51), low expression of survivin‐2B correlated with a better overall survival (p = 0.05; mean survival time 19 months vs. 9 months) and a better eventfree survival (p ≤ 0.01; 27 months vs. 10 months). In childhood AML (n = 31), high survivin‐ΔEx3 expression was associated with a shorter overall survival (p ≤ 0.05; 24 months vs. 43 months). We conclude that certain survivin splice variants have potential prognostic impact for long‐term therapy outcome in adult as well as childhood de novo AML. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Background, rationale, and design of a clinical trial to assess the effects of platelet dose on bleeding risk in thrombocytopenic patients
Authors: Slichter Sherrill J. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractOutlined is the background and rationale for the initiation of a randomized prospective platelet transfusion trial to evaluate the effects of platelet dose on hemostasis and platelet utilization rates. This clinical trial is being performed by the newly established Transfusion Medicine/Hemostasis Clinical Trial Network supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The trial will randomize 1,350 patients into three platelet transfusion arms based on body surface area (BSA). The lower dose will be 1.1 × 1011 platelets/m2, the medium dose will be 2.2 × 1011 platelets/m2, and the higher dose will be 4.4 × 1011 platelets/m2. The primary outcome measure will be the incidence of Grade 2 bleeding; i.e., gross hemorrhage without the need for red cell transfusion. Major secondary outcome measures will be the total number of platelets transfused, the total number of platelet transfusion events, the highest grade of bleeding, and bleeding severity. It is expected that this clinical trial will change platelet transfusion practice by identifying whether low‐dose platelet transfusion therapy provides adequate hemostasis and what is the most cost‐effective strategy for providing platelet transfusions. J. Clin. Apheresis 21: 78–84, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rituximab therapy for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: A proposed study of the Transfusion Medicine/Hemostasis Clinical Trials Network with a systematic review of rituximab therapy for immune‐mediated disorders
Authors: George James N. , Woodson Robert D. , Kiss Joseph E. , Kojouri Kiarash , Vesely Sara K. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe rationale for immunosuppressive therapy of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was established by observations that TTP may be caused by autoantibodies to ADAMTS13. Patients with high‐titer autoantibodies to ADAMTS13 may have a higher mortality, and survivors may require prolonged plasma exchange therapy in spite of adjunctive glucocorticoid treatment. More intensive immunosuppressive therapy with rituximab may provide benefit for many of these patients. The Transfusion Medicine/Hemostasis Clinical Trials Network is developing a randomized, clinical trial to test the hypothesis that addition of rituximab to standard treatment of TTP with plasma exchange and glucocorticoids will decrease initial treatment failure rates as well as subsequent relapses over the following 3 years. To provide the background data for this clinical trial, a systematic review of all published reports on rituximab treatment of immune‐mediated disorders was performed. Twelve articles have reported 27 patients treated with rituximab for TTP, with benefit described in 25 (93%) of the patients. Additional reports have described rituximab treatment of 37 other immune‐mediated disorders, with clinical response in most patients. These observations from small uncontrolled case series provide the background and rationale for a randomized clinical trial to establish the role of rituximab in the management of patients with TTP. J. Clin. Apheresis. 21: 49–56, 2006 © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Androgen receptor action in hormone‐dependent and recurrent prostate cancer
Authors: Agoulnik Irina U. , Weigel Nancy L. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe importance of androgens and androgen receptors (AR) in primary prostate cancer is well established. Metastatic disease is usually treated with some form of androgen ablation, which is effective for a limited amount of time. The role of AR in prostate cancers that recur despite androgen ablation therapy is less certain. Most of these tumors express prostate specific antigen (PSA), an androgen‐regulated gene; moreover, AR is generally highly expressed in recurrent prostate cancer. We propose that AR continues to play a role in many of these tumors and that it is not only the levels of AR, ligands, and co‐regulators, but also the changes in cell signaling that induce AR action in recurrent prostate cancer. These pathways are, therefore, potential therapeutic targets. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 362–372, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
T‐cell cytokine induction of BMP‐2 regulates human mesenchymal stromal cell differentiation and mineralization
Authors: Rifas Leonard 
Published: April 2006

AbstractHow T‐cells, attracted to local sites of inflammation in arthritides, affect heterotopic ossification is presently unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that T‐cell cytokines play a role in the differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (HMSC) into the osteoblast phenotype by inducing autologous BMP‐2, providing a possible mechanism for heterotopic ossification. HMSC from multiple donor bones were treated with either activated T‐cell conditioned medium (ACTTCM) or physiological concentrations of the major inflammatory cytokines, TNF‐α, TGF‐β, IFN‐γ, and IL‐17 (TTII), individually or in combinations. ACTTCM induced BMP‐2 protein in a time‐dependent manner over a 48 h period and alkaline phosphatase (AlkP) within 7 days. In combination, TTII, like ACTTCM, induced AlkP and synergistically induced BMP‐2 protein. Either individually, or in combinations of up to three, the T‐cell cytokines failed to induce BMP‐2 above control levels while a combination of all four cytokines synergistically induced BMP‐2 10‐fold as assessed by ELISA. TTII induced mineralized matrix as effectively as dexamethasone. Inhibition of p38 MAPK completely inhibited TTII‐induced BMP‐2 production and matrix mineralization. Real time RT‐PCR analysis demonstrated a striking early (within 4 h) increase in BMP‐2 gene expression by TTII, which was suppressed by p38 MAP kinase inhibition. In localized chronic inflammatory diseases, T‐cell cytokines released at localized sites of inflammation may be the driving force for differentiation of local mesenchymal stromal cells into the osteoblast phenotype thereby playing a significant role in the heterotopic ossification observed in these diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 98: 706–714, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Repression of transcription by TSGA/Jmjd1a, a novel interaction partner of the ETS protein ER71
Authors: Knebel Julia , De Haro Luciano , Janknecht Ralf 
Published: April 2006

AbstractTestis‐specific gene A (TSGA) was originally identified in rat and shown to be expressed within the testes. Here, we have cloned the murine homolog [also known as jumonji domain‐containing 1a (Jmjd1a)] and for the first time characterized the TSGA protein and its functions. Although murine TSGA is expressed in testes, its mRNA is also present in many other tissues, including heart, thymus, liver, and skin. Immunostaining revealed that TSGA is a nuclear protein, whose N‐terminus contains a putative nuclear localization signal. TSGA displays significant homology to a suspected tumor suppressor and coactivator (5qNCA), to a thyroid hormone receptor interacting protein (TRIP8) and to the corepressor Hairless, pointing at a role of TSGA in transcription regulation. Indeed, TSGA contains several functional transcription repression domains. In addition, TSGA interacts both in vitro and in vivo with ER71 (ETS related 71), a transcription factor that is expressed in the testes of adult mice and during embryogenesis. Specifically, the N‐terminus of TSGA and the C‐terminus of ER71 are primarily engaged in their complex formation. Furthermore, TSGA impairs the ability of ER71 to activate transcription from the matrix metalloproteinase‐1 promoter. Thus, TSGA may modulate the function of ER71 and thereby affect spermatogenesis as well as embryonic development. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sperm chemotaxis in marine invertebrates—molecules and mechanisms
Authors: Kaupp U.B. , Hildebrand E. , Weyand I. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractSperm are attracted by chemical substances which are released by the egg. This process is called chemotaxis. Several molecules that are involved in chemotactic signaling of sperm from marine invertebrates are described and a model of the signaling pathway is presented. We discuss the motor response during chemotaxis and propose a model of the navigation strategy of sperm. J. Cell. Physiol. 208: 487–494, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
FHL2 interacts with both ADAM‐17 and the cytoskeleton and regulates ADAM‐17 localization and activity
Authors: Canault Matthias , Tellier Edwige , Bonardo Bernadette , Mas Eric , Aumailley Monique , Juhan‐Vague Irène , Nalbone Gilles , Peiretti Franck 
Published: April 2006

AbstractADAM‐17 is a metalloprotease‐disintegrin responsible for the ectodomain shedding of several transmembrane proteins. Using the yeast two‐hybrid system, we showed that ADAM‐17 interacts with the Four and Half LIM domain 2 protein (FHL2), a LIM domain protein that is involved in multiple protein‐protein interaction. We demonstrated that this interaction involved the amino‐acid sequence of ADAM‐17 from position 721 to739. In the cardiomyoblast cells H9C2, ADAM‐17 and FHL2 colocalize with the actin‐based cytoskeleton and we showed that FHL2 binds both ADAM‐17 and the actin‐based cytoskeleton. We found that mainly the mature form of ADAM‐17 associates with the cytoskeleton, although the maturation of ADAM‐17 by furin is not necessary for its binding to the cytoskeleton. Interestingly, less ADAM‐17 was detected at the surface of wild‐type mouse macrophages compared to FHL2 deficient macrophages. However, wild‐type cells have a higher ability to release ADAM‐17 substrates under PMA stimulation. Altogether, these results demonstrate a physical and functional interaction between ADAM‐17 and FHL2 that implies that FHL2 has a role in the regulation of ADAM‐17. J. Cell. Physiol. 208: 363–372, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isothermal frontal polymerization: Confirmation of the isothermal nature of the process and the effect of oxygen and polymer seed molecular weight on front propagation
Authors: Evstratova Svetlana I. , Antrim Daniel , Fillingane Chip , Pojman John A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIsothermal frontal polymerization is a directional polymerization that utilizes the Norish‐Trommsdorff (gel) effect to produce optical gradient materials. When a solution of methyl methacrylate and thermal initiator contacts a polymer seed (a small piece of poly(methyl methacrylate), a viscous region is formed in which the polymerization rate is faster than in the bulk solution. We obtained definitive evidence of the isothermal nature of the process by placing thermocouples above the propagating front. Using the optical technique of laser line deflection (Weiner's method), we studied the front propagation to determine the induction period, and the maximum distance propagated as a function of the molecular weight of the seed. We determined that the polymer seed must have a minimum molecular weight to initiate a front. We also determined that oxygen would act as a bulk polymerization inhibitor and increase the front propagation distance, but after purging the monomer–initiator solution with oxygen for several hours, the distance was shortened. We ascribed this behavior to the formation of peroxy radicals from the slow decomposition of the initiator and subsequent reaction with oxygen. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3601–3608, 2006
Computational determination of the relative polarizabilities of molecular components
Authors: Jin Ping , Murray Jane S. , Politzer Peter 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIt is well known that the polarizabilities of both atoms and molecules correlate well with their volumes (V). We have shown in earlier work that these relationships can be further improved by including an inverse dependence on the average local ionization energy ($\bar{I}$S,ave) over the surface of the atom or molecule. We have recently suggested that this be extended to the components of molecules (atoms or groups) and that V/$\bar{I}$S,ave be viewed as a measure of their relative polarizabilities (α). We have now extended this approach computationally to a total of nine atoms and groups: F, Cl, Br, OH, SH, NH2, CH3, CN, and NO2. The transferability of $\bar{I}$S,ave, V, and V/$\bar{I}$S,ave for a given component from one molecule to another is analyzed in detail, and it is shown that components of molecules containing the nitro group are likely to have anomalously low polarizabilities. By converting our α to absolute αi via a correlation with Miller's values, we are able to predict the polarizabilities of a large number of molecules. The agreement with available experimental data is quite reasonable (average absolute difference = 0.23 A3), given the inevitable uncertainty associated with the concept of component properties. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Conformational studies on parathion
Authors: Ford‐Green Jason , Majumdar D. , Leszczynski Jerzy 
Published: April 2006

AbstractTheoretical conformational studies have been carried out at the density functional theory (DFT) level on parathion (O,O‐diethyl‐O‐p‐nitrophenyl phosphorothioate), to correlate the conformational properties of this molecule with its biological activity. Different conformers of parathion have been taken into account, and the accuracy of our theoretical approach has been gauged against the results of the second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation calculations. The aqueous solvation of these molecules has been studied at the DFT level, using a polarized continuum model (PCM) with a conductor‐like screening reaction field approach. The results show that parathion has high conformational flexibility in the gas phase, as well as in an aqueous medium, and the barriers to transition to different low‐energy conformers are thermally allowed. The molecular electrostatic potential surfaces of the various low‐energy conformers of this molecule have been compared with the related non‐aged enzyme‐bound organophosphorus structure to investigate the role of the calculated conformers on the biological activity of this molecule. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Comparative analysis of ArnCl2 (2 ≤ n ≤ 30) clusters taking into account molecular relaxation effects
Authors: Ferreira G. G. , Borges E. , Braga J. P. , Belchior J. C. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractCluster structures are discussed in a nonrigid analysis, using a modified minima search method based on stochastic processes and classical dynamics simulations. The relaxation process is taken into account considering the internal motion of the Cl2 molecule. Cluster structures are compared with previous works in which the Cl2 molecule is assumed to be rigid. The interactions are modeled using pair potentials: the Aziz and Lennard–Jones potentials for the ArAr interaction, a Morse potential for the ClCl interaction, and a fully spherical/anisotropic Morse–Spline–van der Waals (MSV) potential for the ArCl interaction. As expected, all calculated energies are lower than those obtained in a rigid approximation; one reason may be attributed to the nonrigid contributions of the internal motion of the Cl2 molecule. Finally, the growing processes in molecular clusters are discussed, and it is pointed out that the growing mechanism can be affected due to the nonrigid initial conditions of smaller clusters such as ArnCl2 (n ≤ 4 or 5), which are seeds for higher‐order clusters. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Polaron stability under collision with different defects in conjugated polymers
Authors: Lima Matheus Paes , e Silva Geraldo Magela 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPolarons are charge carriers generated by doping or photo‐excitation in conjugated polymers. The dynamics of polaron–soliton and polaron–bipolaron collisions in conjugated polymers is numerically studied using the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model extended to include an external electric field, Coulomb interactions, and impurities interactions. The time‐dependent unrestricted Hartree–Fock approximation is considered. The stability of polarons determines whether the charge transport by these structural defects are modified under these collisions. An energetic analysis determines whether the energy levels associated with solitons, polarons, and bipolarons change with collisions. We show that these structural defects have great stability in collisions. The bipolaron mobility does not change under polaron–bipolaron collisions. In contrast, we find that there is a great exchange of linear momentum in the collisions between solitons and polarons. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Evolution of an international joint venture: The case of a French‐Brazilian joint venture
Authors: Prevot Frèdèric , Meschi Pierre‐Xavier 
Published: April 2006

AbstractConsidering the situation of low performance of joint ventures, a certain number of studies have concluded that there is a close relationship between the initial conditions of creation of joint ventures and their success or failure. Nevertheless, other explanatory factors can be identified through dynamic analysis of the joint venture. For this purpose, on the basis of the case of the Franco‐Brazilian Algar‐Bull joint venture in the information technology sector, from its creation in 1983 to its dissolution in 1998, the aim of our research is to study the influence of external evolution processes ( partners' adaptive strategies and changes in environmental constraints) on the success or failure of a joint venture. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.