bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Myocardin Marks the Earliest Cardiac Gene Expression and Plays an Important Role in Heart Development
Authors: Chen Jian‐Fu , Wang Shusheng , Wu Qiulian , Cao Dongsun , Nguyen Thiha , Chen Yiping , Wang Da‐Zhi 
Published: September 2008

AbstractMyocardin belongs to the SAP domain family of transcription factors and is expressed specifically in cardiac and smooth muscle during embryogenesis and in adulthood. Myocardin functions as a transcriptional coactivator of SRF and is sufficient and necessary for smooth muscle gene expression. However, the in vivo function of myocardin during cardiogenesis is not completely understood. Here we clone myocardin from chick embryonic hearts and show that myocardin protein sequences are highly conserved cross species. Detailed studies of chick myocardin expression reveal that myocardin is expressed in cardiac and smooth muscle lineage during early embryogenesis, similar to that found in mouse. Interestingly, the expression of myocardin in the heart was found enriched in the outflow tract and the sinoatrial segments shortly after the formation of linear heart tube. Such expression pattern is also maintained in later developing embryos, suggesting that myocardin may play a unique role in the formation of those cardiac modules. Similar to its mouse counterpart, chick myocardin is able to activate cardiac and smooth muscle promoter reporter genes and induce smooth muscle gene expression in nonmuscle cells. Ectopic overexpression of myocardin enlarged the embryonic chick heart. Conversely, repression of the endogenous chick myocardin using antisense oligonucleotides or a dominant negative mutant form of myocardin inhibited cardiogenesis. Together, our data place myocardin as one of the earliest cardiac marker genes for cardiogenesis and support the idea that myocardin plays an essential role in cardiac gene expression and cardiogenesis. Anat Rec, 291:1200–1211, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Abnormal Myocardial and Coronary Vasculature Development in Experimental Hypoxia
Authors: Nanka Ondrej , Krizova Petra , Fikrle Michal , Tuma Michal , Blaha Milan , Grim Milos , Sedmera David 
Published: September 2008

AbstractFreshly isolated quail embryonic heart at Hamburger‐Hamilton stage 28, stained with voltage sensitive dye and optically mapped to reveal ventricular activation pattern (indicated by color isochrones in 1 ms intervals). The activation wave sweeps from left to right in the direction of the arrow. Maturation of ventricular activation patterns is accelerated by hypoxic incubation, as described in detail together with other changes in ventricular angio‐ and myoarchitecture. From “Abnormal Myocardial and coronary Vasculature Development in Experimental Hypoxia,” by Ondrej Nanka, et al., on page 1187, in this issue.
In vitro and in vivo effects of myo‐active peptides on larvae of the tomato moth Lacanobia oleracea and the cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae)
Authors: Matthews H.J. , Audsley N. , Weaver R.J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractNeuropeptides from five different neuropeptide families [Manduca sexta allatostatin (Manse‐AS), and Manse‐AS deletion analogue5‐15, M. sexta allatotropin (Manse‐AT), leucomyosuppressin, perisulfakinin, and myoinhibitory peptide I (MIP I)] were assayed for their ability to affect the development and food consumption of penultimate and last larval instars of two lepidopteran species, L. oleracea and S. littoralis. Injections of Manse‐AS deletion analogue5‐15, Manse‐AT, perisulfakinin, and MIP I had no observable effects on development, food consumption, or mortality compared to controls. Single injections of Manse‐AS significantly reduced the weight gain and increased mortality of L. oleracea and S. littoralis larvae compared to controls. By contrast, feeding Manse‐AS to L. oleracea had no such effects. These differences were probably due to the degradation of the peptide by digestive enzymes in the foregut of L. oleracea. In studies in vitro, perisulfakinin, and MIP I had no effect on the spontaneous foregut contractions of L. oleracea larvae. Leucomyosuppressin, however, had myoinhibitory effects on the foregut. Single injections of leucomyosuppressin significantly reduced the weight gain and food consumption of L. oleracea and S. littoralis larvae and increased mortality. These data suggest that the deleterious effects observed in vivo were due to the myoinhibition by Manse‐AS and leucomyosuppressin of the normal peristaltic movements of the gut either by the intact peptide or by its cleavage products resulting from degradation in the haemolymph. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 69:60–69, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression and localization of storage protein 1 (SP1) in differentiated fat body tissues of red hairy caterpillar,Amsacta albistrigaWalker
Authors: Chandrasekar Raman , Jae Seo Sook , Krishnan M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe accumulation and utilization of storage proteins are prominent events linked to the metamorphosis of holometabolous insects. The female‐specific storage protein 1 (SP1) is the major storage protein found in the hemolymph and fat body of female larvae of the groundnut pest,Amsacta albistriga. Here we show SP1 expression and localization in differentiated fat body tissues using biochemical and immunohistochemistry scrutiny. Comparison ofA. albistrigaSP1 with that of other species with respect to amino acid composition and N‐terminal sequences show that SP1 is a methonine‐rich protein and its identity was confirmed by means of immunoblot analysis. Northern blot studies revealed that the SP1 gene demonstrates stage‐ and tissue‐specific expression in the peripheral fat body cells during the mid‐larval period of fifth instar ofA. albistriga. During the larval pupal transformation, SP1 are sequestered mainly by the perivisceral fat body tissues, until they serve the purpose of supplying amino acids for the production of egg yolk proteins. Further, electron microscopic studies using immunogold tracer techniques confirmed the localization of crystalline SP1 reserves, stored in the perivisceral fat body tissues. Hence, the peripheral fat body is responsible for biosynthesis of storage proteins, whereas the perivisceral fat body is a specialized storage organ. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 69:70–84, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proteinaceous adhesive secretions from insects, and in particular the egg attachment glue of Opodiphthera sp. moths
Authors: Li Dongmei , Huson Mickey G. , Graham Lloyd D. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBiochemical and electrophoretic screening of 29 adhesive secretions from Australian insects identified six types that appeared to consist largely of protein. Most were involved in terrestrial egg attachment. Hydrogel glues were subjected to gravimetric analyses and assessed for overall amino acid composition. When 32 proteins in glues from eight insect species were analyzed individually, many proved to be rich in Gly, Ser, and/or Pro, and some contained substantial levels of 4‐hydroxyproline. A few proteins were heavily glycosylated. Abundant protein‐based secretions were tested as adhesives, mainly by measuring dry shear strength on wood. The strongest (1–2 MPa) was an egg attachment glue produced by saturniid gum moths of the genus Opodiphthera. It was harvested from female colleterial gland reservoirs as a treacle‐like liquid that underwent irreversible gelation, and recovered from the capsules of laid eggs as a highly elastic orange‐brown hydrogel that could also display high tack. Its protein‐based nature was confirmed and explored by spectroscopy, enzymatic degradation, and 2D gel electrophoresis. Its proteins are mostly 80–95 kDa, and sequences (almost all novel) were established for 23 tryptic peptides. Scanning probe microscopy of Opodiphthera hydrogel in water returned median values of 0.83 nN for adhesion, 63 kPa for modulus, and 87% for resilience. Recombinant mimics of this material might be useful as biodegradable commodity adhesives or as specialty biomedical products. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 69:85–105, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the h‐index at patent level
Authors: Guan Jian Cheng , Gao Xia 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAs an acceptable proxy for innovative activity, patents have become increasingly important in recent years. Patents and patent citations have been used for construction of technology indicators. This article presents an alternative to other citation‐based indicators, i.e., the patent h‐index, which is borrowed from bibliometrics. We conduct the analysis on a sample of the world's top 20 firms ranked by total patents granted in the period 1996–2005 from the Derwent Innovations Index in the semiconductor area. We also investigate the relationships between the patent h‐index and other three indicators, i.e., patent counts, citation counts, and the mean family size (MFS). The findings show that the patent h‐index is indeed an effective indicator for evaluating the technological importance and quality, or impact, for an assignee. In addition, the MFS indicator correlates negatively and not significantly with the patent h‐index, which indicates that the “social value” of a patent is in disagreement with its “private value.” The two indicators, patent h‐index and MFS, both provide an overview of the value of patents, but from two different angles.
Reminiscences of a journeyman scientist: Studies of thermoregulation in non‐human primates and humans
Authors: Adair Eleanor Reed 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAfter graduating from Mount Holyoke College in 1948 where I majored in experimental psychology I worked at the College for 2 years with the Johns Hopkins Thermophysiological Unit. My graduate work later at the University of Wisconsin, centering on sensory psychology, culminated in my 1955 PhD thesis on human dark adaptation. I continued work in sensory psychology later with Neal Miller at Yale and then moved to the John B. Pierce Foundation—a Yale affiliate—where I began the studies of thermoregulation that constitute the center of my scientific career. Those studies were largely—later wholly—conducted using microwave energy as a thermal load and were thus published in Bioelectromagnetics even as I played an active role in the Bioelectromagnetics Society. In the beginning this work was centered on the responses of Squirrel Monkeys to thermal loads. Later, serving as Senior Scientist at the Air Force Research Laboratory at San Antonio, I completed an extensive analysis of thermal regulation in humans. I consider this work of special note inasmuch as the extraordinary human thermoregulatory ability was surely among the attributes that were paramount in initially separating humans from the other anthropoid primates. Bioelectromagnetics 29:586–597, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of blood flow and millimeter wave exposure on skin temperature in different thermal models
Authors: Alekseev S.I. , Ziskin M.C. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractRecently we showed that the Pennes bioheat transfer equation was not adequate to quantify mm wave heating of the skin at high blood flow rates. To do so, it is necessary to incorporate an “effective” thermal conductivity to obtain a hybrid bioheat equation (HBHE). The main aim of this study was to determine the relationship between non‐specific tissue blood flow in a homogeneous unilayer model and dermal blood flow in multilayer models providing that the skin surface temperatures before and following mm wave exposure were the same. This knowledge could be used to develop multilayer models based on the fitting parameters obtained with the homogeneous tissue models. We tested four tissue models consisting of 1–4 layers and applied the one‐dimensional steady‐state HBHE. To understand the role of the epidermis in skin models we added to the one‐ and three‐layer models an external thin epidermal layer with no blood flow. Only the combination of models containing the epidermal layer was appropriate for determination of the relationship between non‐specific tissue and dermal blood flows giving the same skin surface temperatures. In this case we obtained a linear relationship between non‐specific tissue and dermal blood flows. The presence of the fat layer resulted in the appearance of a significant temperature gradient between the dermis and muscle layer which increased with the fat layer thickness. Bioelectromagnetics 30:52–58, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemiluminescence determination of chlorpheniramine using tris(1,10‐phenanthroline)–ruthenium(II) peroxydisulphate system and sequential injection analysis
Authors: Suliman Fakhr Eldin O. , Al‐Hinai Mohammed M. , Al‐Kindy Salma M. Z. , Salama Salama B. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA sequential injection (SI) method was developed for the determination of chlorpheniramine (CPA), based on the reaction of this drug with tris(1,10‐phenanthroline)–ruthenium(II) [Ru(phen)32+] and peroxydisulphate (S2O82–) in the presence of light. The instrumental set‐up utilized a syringe pump and a multiposition valve to aspirate the reagents [Ru(phen)32+ and S2O82–] and a peristaltic pump to propel the sample. The experimental conditions affecting the chemiluminescence reaction were systematically optimized, using the univariate approach. Under the optimum conditions linear calibration curves of 0.1–10 µg/ml were obtained. The detection limit was 0.04 µg/ml and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was always < 5%. The procedure was applied to the analysis of CPA in pharmaceutical products and was found to be free from interferences from concomitants usually present in these preparations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of trace α‐fetoprotein variant by affinity adsorption solid substrate‐room temperature phosphorimetry
Authors: Liu Jia‐Ming , Liu Zhen‐Bo , Li Xue‐Lin , Li Zhi‐Ming , Huang Xiao‐Mei , Hong Feng‐Shan , Lin Wei‐Nv , Chen Fang 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe 3.5‐generation dendrimers (3.5G‐D)–porphyrin (P) dual luminescent molecule (3.5G‐D–P) was used to label concanavalin agglutinin (Con A); the product of the reaction is 3.5G‐D–P–Con A. A new method for the determination of trace AFP‐V by affinity adsorption solid substrate–room temperature phosphorimetry (AA‐SS–RTP) was established, based on the room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) property of the product on polyamide membrane (PAM) substrate and the specific affinity adsorption (AA) reaction between 3.5G‐D–P–Con A and α‐fetoprotein variant (AFP‐V), which caused the RTP of the system to be sharply enhanced, the ΔIp was linearly correlated to the content of AFP‐V. The sensitivity of the method was obviously high. It could accurately detect the content of AFP‐V in serum. The results were tallied well with those obtained by the ELISA method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Luminescent sensor for Cd2+, Hg2+ and Ag+ in water based on a sulphur‐containing receptor: quantitative binding–softness relationship
Authors: Saleh Na'il 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA water‐soluble, high‐output fluorescent sensor, based on a lumazine ligand with a thiophene substituent for Cd2+, Hg2+ and Ag+ metal ions, is reported. The sensor displays fluorescence enhancement upon Cd2+ binding (log β = 2.79 ± 0.08) and fluorescence quenching by chelating with Ag+ and Hg2+ (log β = 4.31 ± 0.15 and 5.42 ± 0.1, respectively). The mechanism of quenching is static and occurs by formation of a ground‐state non‐fluorescent complex followed by rapid intersystem crossing. The value of the Stern–Volmer quenching rate constant (kq) by Ag+ ions is close to 6.71 × 1012 mol/L/s at 298 K. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS) were also evaluated and indicated that the complexation process is spontaneous, exothermic and entropically favourable. The quantitative linear relationship between the softness values of Klopman (σK) or Ahrland (σA) and the experimental binding constants (β) being in the order of Hg2+ > Ag+ > Cd2+ suggests that soft–soft interactions are the key for the observed sensitivity and selectivity in the presence of other metal ions, such as: Pb2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Zn2+ and Mg2+ ions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extended‐release PEG–luciferin allows for long‐term imaging of firefly luciferase activity in vivo
Authors: Chandran Sachin S. , Williams Simon A. , Denmeade Samuel R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBioluminescence has gained favour in the last decade as an approach for observing tumours in vivo in a non‐destructive manner. This very sensitive technique is based on light emission by the reaction of luciferin with the enzyme luciferase, as measured by a photodetector. Ever since the development of recombinant tumour cell lines that have been engineered to produce luciferase, a vast number of experiments have been carried out examining tumour growth, tumour metastasis and the effect of therapeutic regimens in such cases. A primary stumbling block, however, is the relatively short circulatory half‐life of luciferin. In this paper, we propose the PEGylation of 6‐amino‐d‐luciferin to extend its in vivo circulatory half‐life, thus making the possibility of long‐term observations in animals possible. The covalent attachment was through a carbamate linker that is known to hydrolyse in vivo, releasing the parent compound. Based on our studies, longer emission of the PEGylated luciferin was observed, as compared to free luciferin in mice bearing PC3 prostate tumours expressing luciferase. This result suggests that this reagent can be used in applications requiring extended monitoring of luciferase activation in vivo. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemiluminescence method for the determination of piroxicam by the enhancement of the tris‐(4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthrolinedisulphonic acid) ruthenium(II) (RuBPS)–cerium(IV) system and its application
Authors: Yu Fengshan , Zhang Yangbin , Chen Fang , Chen Lanhua 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA simple, rapid chemiluminescence (CL) method was described for the determination of piroxicam, a commonly used analgesic agent drug. A strong CL signal was detected when cerium(IV) sulphate was injected into tris‐(4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthrolinedisulphonic acid) ruthenium(II) (RuBPS)–piroxicam solution. The CL signal was proportional to the concentration of piroxicam in the range 2.8 × 10–8–1.2 × 10–5 mol/L. The detection limit was 2 × 10–8 mol/L and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.7% (c = 7.0 × 10–7 mol/L piroxicam; n = 11). The proposed method was applied to the determination of piroxicam in pharmaceutical preparations in capsules, spiked serum and urine samples with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spectrofluorimetric determination of vitamin B1 using horseradish peroxidase as catalyst in the presence of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Khan Mir Azam , Jin Seung Oh , Lee Sang Hak , Chung Hye Young 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn this work a new spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of vitamin B1, based on the catalytic activity of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), has been developed. Non‐fluorescent vitamin B1 was easily converted through catalytic oxidation in alkaline medium into a fluorescent compound, even without exposure to light. The linear range for vitamin B1 observed was 0.026–16.83 µg/mL (RSD = 1.75%). The correlation coefficient for the calibration curve and limit of detection were found to be 0.9964 and 0.015 µg/mL, respectively. The developed method is practical, simple, sensitive and relatively free from interference by coexisting substances and has been successfully applied for the determination of vitamin B1 in pharmaceutical preparations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous hydrogen production during fermentation of α‐cellulose by the thermophillic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum
Authors: Magnusson Lauren , Cicek Nazim , Sparling Richard , Levin David 
Published: September 2008

AbstractContinuous hydrogen (H2) production during fermentation of α‐cellulose was established using the thermophillic, anaerobic bacterium Clostridium thermocellum ATCC 27405. The objectives of this work were to characterize growth of C. thermocellum, quantify H2 production and determine soluble end‐product synthesis patterns during fermentation of a cellulosic substrate under continuous culture conditions. A 5 L working volume fermentor was established and growth experiments were maintained for over 3,000 h. Substrate concentrations were varied from 1 to 4 g/L and the feed was introduced with continuous nitrogen gas sparging to prevent clogging of the feed‐line. The pH and temperature of the reactor were maintained at 7.0 and 600°C, respectively, throughout the study. At concentrations above 4 g/L, the delivery of α‐cellulose was impaired due to feed‐line clogging and it became difficult to maintain a homogenous suspension. The highest total gas (H2 plus CO2) production rate, 56.6 mL L−1 h−1, was observed at a dilution rate of 0.042 h−1 and substrate concentration of 4 g/L. Under these conditions, the H2 production rate was 5.06 mmol h−1. Acetate and ethanol were the major soluble end‐products, while lactate and formate were greatly reduced compared to production in batch cultures. Concentrations of all metabolites increased with increasing substrate concentration, with the exception of lactate. Despite a number of short‐term electrical and mechanical failures during the testing period, the system recovered quickly, exhibiting substantial robustness. A carbon balance was completed to ensure that all end‐products were accounted for, with final results indicating near 100% carbon recovery. This study shows that long‐term, stable H2 production can be achieved during direct fermentation of an insoluble cellulosic substrate under continuous culture conditions. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 102: 759–766. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cell cycle progression inEscherichia coliB/r affects transcription of certain genes: Implications for synthetic genome design
Authors: Echtenkamp Patricia L. , Wilson David B. , Shuler Michael L. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe propose that transcript levels for some genes are affected by the bacterial cell division cycle and this may be an important factor to consider when designing synthetic bacterial genomes. To test this hypothesis, transcript levels of 58 genes inEscherichia coliB/r A were determined at five times during the cell division cycle. A two‐step ANOVA technique was used to analyze data from custom oligonucleotide microarrays containing genes involved in important cellular processes including central metabolism, macromolecular synthesis, and transport and secretion. Consistent with results previously found inCaulobacter, approximately 17% of the transcript levels were cell cycle dependent. Cell cycle regulation can be divided into two classes: genes displaying increased transcript concentrations following gene replication and genes displaying an increased transcript concentration prior to replication initiation. Transcripts levels forhns,uspA, andzwfwere affected by the cell division cycle, but did not fit well into either class. These results indicate that transcription of a significant fraction of the genome is affected by replication cycle progression. The results also show that both physical gene position and the physiological function of a gene affect when it is transcribed. In addition to the simple association with replication fork progression, other phenomena must be occurring to account for some of our observations. In conclusion, gene position, with regard to the C period, and gene function are important factors to incorporate into design criteria for synthetic bacterial genomes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 102: 902–909. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.