bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Localization of aquaporin‐1 water channel in glial cells of the human peripheral nervous system
Authors: Gao Hongwen , He Chengyan , Fang Xuedong , Hou Xia , Feng Xuechao , Yang Hong , Zhao Xuejian , Ma Tonghui 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of water channel proteins with at least 13 mammalian members (AQPs 0–12) expressed in diverse fluid transporting tissues. AQP1, AQP4, and AQP9 have been identified in the central nervous system and demonstrated or proposed to play important roles in brain water homeostasis. Aquaporin expression in the peripheral nervous system is poorly studied. Here we report that the AQP1 water channel is specifically localized to glial cells of the peripheral nervous system by immunohistochemistry, RT‐PCR, and immunoblotting. Paraffin‐embedded biopsies of human pancreas, esophagus, and sciatic nerves were accessed by immunoperoxidase staining using affinity‐purified AQP1, AQP4, and AQP9 antibodies. Strong AQP1 expression was identified in pancreatic nerve plexuses and in the submucosal and myenteric nerve plexuses in the esophagus. AQP1 was localized to the same cell population expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), but not to the neurons in the plexuses, indicating glial cell‐specific expression. RT‐PCR and immunoblot analysis of microdissected pancreatic ganglia confirmed the expression of AQP1 transcript and protein. Pancreatic and sciatic nerve bundles, which contain nonmyelinating and myelinating Schwann cells, respectively, were also selectively labeled by AQP1 antibody. AQP4 and AQP9, which are broadly expressed in astroglial cells in brain and spinal cord, were not localized in glial cells in the peripheral nerve plexuses. These results suggest that AQPs are differentially expressed in the peripheral versus central nervous system and that channel‐mediated water transport mechanisms may be involved in peripheral neuronal activity by regulating water homeostasis in nerve plexuses and bundles. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Minocycline affects microglia activation, Aβ deposition, and behavior in APP‐tg mice
Authors: Seabrook Timothy J. , Jiang Liying , Maier Marcel , Lemere Cynthia A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractActivated microglia and reactive astrocytes invade and surround cerebral β amyloid (Aβ) plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the role of microglia in plaque development is still unclear. In this study, minocycline was administered for 3 months, prior to and early in Aβ plaque formation in amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice (APP‐tg). When minocycline was given to younger mice, there was a small but significant increase in Aβ deposition in the hippocampus, concurrent with improved cognitive performance relative to vehicle treated mice. If APP‐tg mice received minocycline after Aβ deposition had begun, microglial activation was suppressed but this did not affect Aβ deposition or improve cognitive performance. In vitro studies demonstrated that minocycline suppressed microglial production of IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF, and NGF. Thus, minocycline has different effects on Aβ plaque deposition and microglia activation depending on the age of administration. Our data suggest that this may be due to the effects of minocycline on microglial function. Therefore, anti‐inflammatory therapies to suppress microglial activation or function may reduce cytokine production but enhance Aβ plaque formation early in AD. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relative risk of a shuffled deck: a generalizable logical consistency criterion for sample selection in health state valuation studies
Authors: Craig Benjamin M. , Ramachandran Sulabha 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIn a health state valuation study, respondents may be asked to rank a deck of cards, with each card representing a particular health state. A logical inconsistency occurs when a more severe health state card is ranked higher than a less severe card. Occasional inconsistencies may be justified by errors in judgment or measurement. However, when respondents return shuffled decks, their responses must be removed from the sample; otherwise, valuation estimates will be biased toward the median. In this paper, we present a logical consistency criterion for sample selection in health state valuation studies. This statistical criterion is based on the relative risk of a shuffled deck and generalizable to all health state classification systems, subsets (or decks) of health states, and valuation techniques. We applied the criterion to secondary data collected from 4048 United States and 3395 United Kingdom respondents. In both studies, respondents evaluated 12‐card decks of EQ‐5D health states using time trade‐off and visual analog scale techniques. Among the UK respondents, a small portion (approximately 5%) did not satisfy the criterion; their exclusion significantly changed the sample characteristics and the mean value estimates of the EQ‐5D health states. Similar results were found among the US respondents. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Causal effects of alcoholism on earnings: estimates from the NLSY
Authors: Jones Alison Snow , Richmond David W. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractPropensity score matching is used to investigate the causal relationship between alcoholism and earnings in a young cohort of males and females drawn from the 1989 and 1994 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) in order to investigate productivity losses attributed to alcoholism and to quantify these effects. Results suggest that there are productivity losses attributable to alcoholism; that they become more pronounced over the life cycle; and that they differ between men and women. Ways in which estimates from propensity score matching may or may not improve on instrumental variables estimates are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of discriminative sequence motifs in proteins obtained from prokaryotes grown at various temperatures
Authors: Wu Li‐Cheng , Horng Jorng‐Tzong , Huang Shir‐Ly , Huang Hsien‐Da , Liu Baw‐Jhiune 
Published: March 2006

AbstractRecent investigations on the stability of proteins have demonstrated various structural factors, but few have considered sequence factors such as protein motifs. These motifs represent highly conserved regions and describe critical regions that may only exist on proteins that remain functional at high temperatures. This investigation presents a method for identifying and comparing corresponding mesophilic and thermophilic sequence motifs between protein families. Discriminative motifs that are conserved only in the mesophilic or thermophilic subfamily are identified. Analysis of the results shows that, although the subfamilies of most protein families share similar motifs, some discriminative motifs are present in particular thermophilic/mesophilic subfamilies. The thermophilic discriminative motifs are conserved only in thermophilic organisms, revealing that physiochemical principles support thermostability. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 798–808, 2006
Nuclear‐targeted minicircle to enhance gene transfer with non‐viral vectors in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Vaysse Laurence , Gregory Lisa G. , Harbottle Richard P. , Perouzel Eric , Tolmachov Oleg , Coutelle Charles 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundTo develop more efficient non‐viral vectors, we have previously described a novel approach to attach a nuclear localisation signal (NLS) to plasmid DNA, by generating a fusion protein between the tetracycline repressor protein TetR and an SV40 NLS peptide (TetR‐NLS). The high affinity of TetR for the DNA sequence tetO is used to bind the NLS to DNA. We have now investigated the ability of this system displaying the SV40 NLS or HIV‐1 TAT peptide to enhance nuclear import of a minimised DNA construct more suitable for in vivo gene delivery: a minicircle.MethodsWe have produced a new LacZ minicircle compatible with the TetR system. After transfection of the minicircle in combination with TetR‐NLS or TetR‐TAT using different transfection agents, we first measured β‐galactosidase activity in vitro. We then used a special delivery technique, in which DOTAP/cholesterol liposomes and DNA/protein complexes are sequentially injected intravenously, to evaluate the activity of this system in vivo.ResultsIn vitro results showed a 30‐fold increase in transfection efficiency of the nuclear‐targeted minicircle compared to normal plasmid lipofection. Results on cell cycle arrested cells seem to indicate a different mechanism between the TetR‐NLS and TetR‐TAT. Finally, we demonstrate a more than 6‐fold increase in β‐galactosidase expression in the mouse lung using the minicircle and the TetR‐TAT protein. This increase is specific for the peptide sequence and is not observed with the control protein TetR.ConclusionsOur results indicate that the combination of a minicircle DNA construct with a TetR nuclear‐targeting system is able to potentiate gene expression of non‐viral vectors. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel two‐stage screening procedure leads to the identification of a new class of transfection enhancers
Authors: Neukamm Birgit , Weimann Andreas , Wu Shuling , Danevad Margrete , Lang Christine , Geßner Reinhard 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundNon‐viral gene transfer efficiency is low as compared to viral vector systems. Here we describe the discovery of new drugs that are capable of enhancing non‐viral gene transfer into mammalian cells using a novel two‐stage screening procedure.MethodsFirst, potential candidates are preselected from a molecular library at various concentrations by a semi‐automated yeast transfection screen (YTS). The maximal transfection efficiency of every positive drug is subsequently determined in independent experiments at the optimal concentration and compared to the inhibitory effect of the drug on cell growth (IC50). In a subsequent mammalian cell transfection screen (MTS), the maximal transfection efficiency and the IC50 are determined for all preselected drugs using a human cell line and a luciferase reporter gene construct.ResultsEmploying our novel system we have been able to identify a new class of transfection enhancers, the tricyclic antidepressants (i.e. doxepin, maprotiline, desipramine and amoxapine). All positive drugs enhanced gene transfer in both yeast and human cell lines, but lower concentrations were sufficient for mammalian cells. With a triple combination of doxepin, amoxapine and chloroquine we obtained a transfection efficiency that exceeded that of chloroquine, one of the best‐known transfection enhancers of mammalian cells, by nearly one order of magnitude.ConclusionsNon‐viral gene transfer efficiency can be increased significantly using new transfection enhancers that are identified by a novel, semi‐automated two‐stage screening system employing yeast cells in the first and specific human target cells in the second round. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Specific and efficient targeting of adenovirus vectors to macrophages: application of a fusion protein between an adenovirus‐binding fragment and avidin, linked to a biotinylated oligonucleotide
Authors: Emile Gras J. C. , Verkuijlen Paul , Frants Rune R. , Havekes Louis M. , van Berkel Theo J. C. , Biessen Erik A. L. , van Dijk K. Willems 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundThe application of serotype 5 adenoviruses (Ad5) in macrophages is hampered by the absence of the endogenous coxsackie adenovirus receptor (CAR).MethodsTo overcome this limitation, we first generated a linker protein consisting of the virus‐binding domain of CAR and the C‐terminus of avidin. Second, to target macrophages, this linker protein was equipped with the biotinylated (bio) oligonucleotide dA6G10, which was previously shown to display a high affinity for the scavenger receptor A (SR‐A).ResultsAs compared to nontargeted virus, the linker protein equipped with bio‐dA6G10 showed a 500‐fold increased reporter gene expression in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. A linker protein equipped with a bio‐dA16 control oligonucleotide was inactive. Moreover, the bio‐dA6G10‐equipped linker showed a 390‐fold increased luciferase expression in the macrophage cell line J774 and 276‐ and 150‐fold increased reporter gene expression in primary peritoneal and bone marrow (BM)‐derived macrophages, respectively. Using BM‐derived macrophages from SR‐A knockout mice, it was shown that the dA6G10‐mediated uptake is predominantly SR‐A‐mediated.ConclusionsThus, we have developed a novel tool to link biotinylated ligands to a virus‐binding fragment of CAR and have exploited this linker protein to extend the applicability of Ad5 to infect transformed and primary macrophages. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening of siRNA target sequences by using fragmentized DNA
Authors: Kasim Vivi , Taira Kazunari , Miyagishi Makoto 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackgroundRNA interference (RNAi) has become a powerful tool in silencing target genes in various organisms. In mammals, RNAi can be induced by using short interfering RNA (siRNA). The efficacy of inducing RNAi in mammalian cells by using siRNA depends very much on the selection of the target sequences.MethodsWe developed an siRNA target sequence selection system by first constructing parallel‐type siRNA expression vector libraries carrying siRNA expression fragments originating from fragmentized target genes, and then using a group selection system. For a model system, we constructed parallel‐type siRNA expression vector libraries against DsRed and GFP reporter genes.ResultsWe carried out the first screening of groups containing more than 100 random siRNA expression plasmids in total for each target gene, and successfully obtained target sequences with very strong efficacy. Furthermore, we also obtained some clones that express dsRNAs of various lengths that might induce cytotoxicity.ConclusionsThis system should allow us to perform screening for powerful target sequences, by including all possible target sequences for any gene, even without knowing the whole sequence of the target gene in advance. At the same time, target sequences that should be avoided due to cytotoxicity can be identified. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eddy‐current induction in extended metallic parts as a source of considerable torsional moment
Authors: Graf Hansjörg , Lauer Ulrike A. , Schick Fritz 
Published: March 2006

AbstractPurposeTo examine eddy‐current‐provoked torque on conductive parts due to current induction from movement through the fringe field of the MR scanner and from gradient switching.Materials and MethodsFor both cases, torque was calculated for frames of copper, aluminum, and titanium, inclined to 45° to B0 (maximum torque case). Conditions were analyzed in which torque from gravity (legal limit, ASTM F2213‐02) was exceeded. Experiments were carried out on a 1.5 T and a 3 T scanner for copper and titanium frames and plates (≈50 × 50 mm2). Movement‐induced torque was measured at patient table velocity (20 cm/second). Alternating torque from gradient switching was investigated by holding the specimens in different locations in the scanner while executing sequences that exploited the gradient capabilities (40 mT/m).ResultsThe calculations predicted that movement‐induced torque could exceed torque from gravity (depending on the part size, electric resistance, and velocity). Two experiments on moving conductive frames in the fringe fields of the scanners confirmed the calculations. For maximum torque case parameters, gradient‐switching‐induced torque was calculated to be nearly 100 times greater than the movement‐induced torque. Well‐conducting metal parts located off center vibrated significantly due to impulse‐like fast alternating torque characteristics.ConclusionTorque on metal parts from movement in the fringe field is weak under standard conditions, but for larger parts the acceptable limit can be reached with a high static field and increased velocity. Vibrations due to gradient switching were confirmed and may explain the sensations occasionally reported by patients with implants. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Safety and efficacy of a novel hepatobiliary MR contrast agent, Gd‐DTPA‐DeA: Results of phase I and phase II clinical trials
Authors: Tanimoto Akihiro , Kadoya Masumi , Kawamura Yasutaka , Kuwatsuru Ryohei , Gokan Takehiko , Hirohashi Shinji 
Published: March 2006

AbstractPurposeTo assess the safety, effective dose, and efficacy of a novel hepatobiliary MR contrast agent Gd‐DTPA‐DeA for imaging liver tumors, from the clinical phase I and phase II trials in Japan.Materials and MethodsIn a phase I trial, 33 healthy volunteers were intravenously administered a single dose of 0.03–10 μmol/kg of Gd‐DTPA‐DeA. In a nationwide phase II trial, 80 patients suspected to have hepatic mass were divided into three dosing groups: 2.5, 5.0, or 7.5 μmol/kg. T1‐weighted gradient echo images were obtained before and after Gd‐DTPA‐DeA administration at three time points. Liver signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and lesion‐liver contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) were calculated at each time point. A reading committee evaluated the contrast, diagnostic, and overall efficacy using a five‐point scale.ResultsIn a phase I trial, dosages up to 10 μmol/kg were well tolerated by healthy volunteers. In a phase II trial, the contrast, diagnostic, and overall efficacy increased dose‐dependently. The overall efficacy was 63.0%, 85.2%, and 88.0%, for 2.5, 5, and 7.5 μmol/kg, respectively. Liver SNR and CNR increase was greater at late phase than at early phase. No serious adverse events occurred.ConclusionGd‐DTPA‐DeA is a well‐tolerated and promising contrast agent for liver MR imaging. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Raman and infrared spectra of carbonates of calcite structure
Authors: Gunasekaran S. , Anbalagan G. , Pandi S. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe Raman and mid‐range infrared spectra have been measured on natural limestone and dolomite minerals. The carbonate minerals show four prominent absorption bands in the regions 1450–1420, 890–870, 720–700 and 1000–1100 cm−1. The positions of the wavenumbers are unique for each carbonate mineral and are thus diagnostic of their mineralogy. Calcite and dolomite groups are characterized by the Raman wavenumbers at 288 and 309 cm−1 and the infrared absorption bands at 712 and 728 cm−1, respectively. The principal wavenumber at 1092 cm−1 in the limestone spectra is accompanied by two satellites with values of 1062 and 1075 cm−1. The observed non‐split peaks ν2 and ν4 in the infrared spectra of limestone indicate the presence of calcite structure in all these samples. The principal reflections occurring at the d‐spacings, 3.03482, 1.91658 and 1.87962 Å, confirm the presence of calcite structure in limestone minerals. The principal reflections occurring at the d‐spacings, 3.037, 1.79179 and 2.19750 Å, confirm the existence of dolomite structure in the dolomite minerals. The calculated lattice parameters for the limestone minerals are: a = 4.9781 Å, c = 17.1188 Å and V = 367.392(Å)3 and the corresponding values for the dolomite minerals are: a = 4.8247 Å, c = 15.9868 Å and V = 322.28 (Å)3. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface‐enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy of rifamycins on silver nanoparticles: insight into their adsorption mechanisms
Authors: Howes Barry D. , Scatragli Silvia , Marzocchi Mario P. , Smulevich Giulietta 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThree widely used antibiotics from the rifamycin family, rifamycin SV sodium salt, rifampicin and rifaximin, have been characterized by resonance Raman (RR) and surface‐enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS). SERRS spectra were recorded using aqueous silver colloidal dispersions prepared with two reducing agents, sodium borohydride and hydroxylamine hydrochloride, for a range of pH values to identify the SERRS‐active substrate surface most suitable for each of the three antibiotics. Rifampicin was found to give intense SERRS signals only for the borohydride‐reduced colloid and only at pH < 7.7, whereas the hydroxylamine HCl‐reduced colloid was the best substrate for rifaximin, giving considerably more intense SERRS spectra than the borohydride colloid. SERRS spectra of rifaximin were observed only at pH < 7.0. It is proposed that the marked pH dependence of the SERRS enhancement results from a transition from an anionic to a neutral zwitterionic state. SERRS spectra of rifamycin SV were not observed for any experimental conditions. The antibiotics display remarkably contrasting SERRS behaviour, reflecting differences in the nature of the substituent groups on the chromophore ring. A vibrational assignment of the RR spectra and detailed comparison between the RR and SERRS data have given insight into the mechanism of adsorption of the antibiotics onto the Ag surface. Rifampicin and rifaximin adsorb adopting an approximately similar vertical orientation of the chromophore ring with respect to the surface; however, rifampicin adsorbs by direct chemical interaction with the Ag whereas rifaximin does not form a direct bond with the Ag surface. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The micro Raman analysis of paint evidence in criminalistics: case studies
Authors: Buzzini Patrick , Massonnet Geneviève , Monard Sermier Florence 
Published: March 2006

AbstractPaint is a widely used material, and painted objects are often encountered in criminal cases. The present article illustrates forensic cases involving paint evidence. The integration of Raman spectroscopy in the analytical sequence provides useful information about the main pigment(s) present in paint samples. One of the main advantages of micro Raman spectroscopy is the possibility of carrying outin situmeasurements of paint smears directly on their support, thereby avoiding the handling and contamination of small trace particles. Raman spectroscopy also adds discriminating power to the standard sequence of paint analysis, which is an important added value in forensic science. Six cases submitted to our laboratory are described in order to show the versatility of application of this technique. Cases including automotive, household and spray paints were submitted to such analyses. Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provide important and complementary information to characterise unknown samples. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic study of the heterogeneity of microcolonies of a pigmented bacterium
Authors: Goodwin James R. , Hafner Louise M. , Fredericks Peter M. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractSmall colonies (90–350 µm in diameter) of the pigmented halophilic bacterium Halobacterium salinarium have been studied by Raman microspectroscopy using excitation at 632.8 nm. The Raman spectra were dominated by bands due to carotenoid compounds. The intensity of the pigment bands varied across the diameter of the colonies in a way that suggested the presence of concentric rings of higher pigment concentration. Although the colonies were grown in a transparent incubator in an open laboratory, it was demonstrated that the rings were not a result of the diurnal variation of light and dark. These results support a proposed model relating cell motility and cell concentration. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.