bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fifty hertz extremely low‐frequency magnetic field exposure elicits redox and trophic response in rat‐cortical neurons
Authors: Di Loreto Silvia , Falone Stefano , Caracciolo Valentina , Sebastiani Pierluigi , D'Alessandro Antonella , Mirabilio Alessandro , Zimmitti Vincenzo , Amicarelli Fernanda 
Published: December 2008

AbstractLarge research activity has raised around the mechanisms of interaction between extremely low‐frequency magnetic fields (ELF‐MFs) and biological systems. ELF‐MFs may interfere with chemical reactions involving reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus facilitating oxidative damages in living cells. Cortical neurons are particularly susceptible to oxidative stressors and are also highly dependent on the specific factors and proteins governing neuronal development, activity and survival. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of exposures to two different 50 Hz sinusoidal ELF‐MFs intensities (0.1 and 1 mT) in maturing rat cortical neurons' major anti‐oxidative enzymatic and non‐enzymatic cellular protection systems, membrane peroxidative damage, as well as growth factor, and cytokine expression pattern. Briefly, our results showed that ELF‐MFs affected positively the cell viability and concomitantly reduced the levels of apoptotic death in rat neuronal primary cultures, with no significant effects on the main anti‐oxidative defences. Interestingly, linear regression analysis suggested a positive correlation between reduced glutathione (GSH) and ROS levels in 1 mT MF‐exposed cells. On this basis, our hypothesis is that GSH could play an important role in the antioxidant defence towards the ELF‐MF‐induced redox challenge. Moreover, the GSH‐based cellular response was achieved together with a brain‐derived neurotrophic factor over‐expression as well as with the interleukin 1β‐dependent regulation of pro‐survival signaling pathways after ELF‐MF exposure. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 334–343, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimization of agro‐residual medium for α‐amylase production from a hyper‐producingBacillus subtilisKCC103 in submerged fermentation
Authors: Rajagopalan Gobinath , Krishnan Chandraraj 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND:Although submerged fermentation (SmF) is the conventional method in industry, use of low‐cost agro‐residues for α‐amylase production in SmF has not been well established. Here we optimized agro‐residue‐based medium and culture conditions for α‐amylase production in SmF using a hyper‐producingBacillus subtilisKCC103.RESULTS:B. subtilisKCC103 produced α‐amylase in SmF by utilizing agro‐residues. Wheat bran (WB) and sunflower oil cake (SFOC) were selected as the best substrates using shake flasks. Medium containing WB (carbohydrate rich) and SFOC (rich in protein and free amino acids) at 1:1 (w/w) ratio produced high levels (90 IU mL−1) of α‐amylase at 30–36 h in a shake flask. The α‐amylase yield was 14‐fold enhanced (1258 IU mL−1) by optimizing process parameters and medium composition following response surface methodology in a bioreactor. The optimal conditions were: WB 1.27%, SFOC 1.42%, pH 7, 37 °C and 10–12 h. Both in shake flask and bioreactor α‐amylase synthesis was not repressed by the release of simple sugars into the medium.CONCLUSION:KCC103 with catabolite derepression and hyperproducing ability is useful for economic α‐amylase production using low‐cost agro‐residual substrates in conventional SmF. Since the production time (10–12 h) is much shorter than other strains this would improve productivity and further reduce the cost of α‐amylase production. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Purification of glycerol/water solutions from biodiesel synthesis by ion exchange: sodium removal Part I
Authors: Carmona Manuel , Valverde José L. , Pérez Angel , Warchol Jolanta , Rodriguez Juan F. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: In this study, equilibrium and kinetic data of the ion exchange of sodium from glycerol–water mixtures on the strong acid resin Amberlite‐252 were obtained. Basic parameters for the design of ion exchange units for the purification of the crude glycerol phase from biodiesel production have been determined.RESULTS: Equilibrium uptake of sodium ions with the strong acid ion exchanger Amberlite‐252 was studied at three temperatures. The Langmuir equation and the mass action law model were used to fit the experimental equilibrium data. Equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters were obtained at each temperature. Kinetic experiments were carried out to evaluate the effective diffusion coefficients of sodium on the resin Amberlite‐252 in glycerine–water media.CONCLUSIONS: Equilibrium results indicate that this process is favourable and also that its selectivity decreases with temperature increase from 303 to 333 K. Both models were able to fit the experimental equilibrium data. Kinetic experiments showed that the rate of mass transfer in this binary system is high. An Arrhenius type equation allowed the correlation of effective diffusion coefficients and temperature. The results indicate that the macroporous resin Amberlite‐252 could be useful for removal of sodium ions from glycerine/water solutions with a high salt concentration. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Solvent‐free preparation of phytosteryl esters with fatty acids from butterfat in equimolecular conditions in the presence of a lipase from Candida rugosa
Authors: Torrelo Guzman , Torres Carlos F , Señorans F Javier , Blanco Rosa M , Reglero Guillermo 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Enzymatic esterification of phytosterols with fatty acids from butterfat in equimolecular conditions to produce phytosteryl esters was performed in solvent‐free medium. Commercial and immobilized Candida rugosa lipases were used as biocatalysts for the reaction.RESULTS: By this methodology, under simple and mild reaction conditions (without solvents, 50 °C and short reaction times), 94% and 99% (w/w) of phystosteroyl esters were obtained in 48 h and 9 h with the commercial and the immobilized lipase, respectively. The effects of temperature, fatty acid specificity, enzyme amount and residual activity of each lipase were also evaluated.CONCLUSIONS: The phytosteryl esters from butterfat produced in this study are expected to have lower melting point, improved oil and fat solubility and bioavailability compared to that of their corresponding free phytosterols. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of soybean peroxidase with laccase in the removal of phenol from synthetic and refinery wastewater samples
Authors: Steevensz Aaron , Al‐Ansari Mohammad Mousa , Taylor Keith E , Bewtra Jatinder K , Biswas Nihar 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility of treating aqueous phenols and aromatic amines with oxidoreductases in synthetic wastewater samples. However, little work has been done on the effectiveness of enzymatic treatment on real wastewater. Here a comparison was made of the oxidative coupling of phenol catalyzed by laccase or soybean peroxidase (SBP) using synthetic and refinery wastewaters.RESULTS: Optimization of pH, enzyme concentration, effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) addition, and reducing anions were examined for a 3 h reaction time. Laccase had an optimum pH of 5.6–6.0, while SBP had a broad optimum from 6.0 to 8.0. In synthetic samples in tap water to achieve ≥ 95% removal of 1.0 mmol L−1 phenol in 3 h required 0.12 and 1.5 U mL−1 of catalytic activity of laccase and SBP, respectively. In refinery samples comparable removals required 1.2‐ to 1.8‐fold more enzyme than in synthetic tap water samples. Added PEG allowed for a small reduction in the SBP concentration for synthetic wastewater but was ineffective with either enzyme in treating refinery samples. Reducing ions increased the demand for oxidant but, with the exception of cyanide, phenol removal still occurred.CONCLUSION: Both laccase and SBP were effective in removing phenol from aqueous refinery samples, albeit at slightly higher concentrations than required for the corresponding synthetic samples. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Human beta‐defensin‐3 promotes wound healing in infected diabetic wounds
Authors: Hirsch Tobias , Spielmann Malte , Zuhaili Baraa , Fossum Magdalena , Metzig Marie , Koehler Till , Steinau Hans‐Ulrich , Yao Feng , Onderdonk Andrew Bruce , Steinstraesser Lars , Eriksson Elof 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackgroundInfected wounds present a major complication in patients with diabetes. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common single isolate in diabetic wounds. Human beta‐defensin (hBD)‐3 is antimicrobial active and appears to play a key role in the immune response. The present study aimed to analyse the effect of hBD‐3 expression in a model of infected diabetic wounds.MethodsExcisional wounds were created on the backs of Yorkshire pigs and Ad5‐CMV‐hBD‐3 vectors were microseeded. Wounds were inoculated with S. aureus, covered with a polyurethane chamber and analysed for transgene expression, bacterial infection, re‐epithelialization, wound contraction, wound fluid production and blood vessel formation.ResultshBD‐3‐treated wounds showed a total bacterial load of 2.1 × 108 colony‐forming units (CFU)/g tissue, versus 1.3 × 109 CFU/g tissue for controls (p < 0.001) at day 4. At day 12, no statistical difference could be detected. Re‐epithelialization showed 75 ± 15% wound closure for hBD‐3 expressing wounds and 50 ± 16% for controls (p < 0.01). hBD‐3 expression was in the range 15–20 ng/ml of wound fluid during day 1–4. The lower dose of 2 × 109 Ad5‐CMV‐hBD‐3 showed no effect, suggesting a dose dependency for hBD‐3.ConclusionsIn the present study, we show that hBD‐3 expression significantly promotes wound closure in S. aureus infected diabetic wounds in a preclinical large‐animal model. Furthermore, a ten‐fold reduction of bacterial growth on day 4 was detected. These findings indicate that beta‐defensin‐3 may play a major role in diabetic wound healing and wound infections. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The action of pulse‐modulated GSM radiation increases regional changes in brain activity and c‐Fos expression in cortical and subcortical areas in a rat model of picrotoxin‐induced seizure proneness
Authors: López‐Martín E. , Bregains J. , Relova‐Quinteiro J.L. , Cadarso‐Suárez C. , Jorge‐Barreiro F.J. , Ares‐Pena F.J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe action of the pulse‐modulated GSM radiofrequency of mobile phones has been suggested as a physical phenomenon that might have biological effects on the mammalian central nervous system. In the present study, GSM‐exposed picrotoxin‐pretreated rats showed differences in clinical and EEG signs, and in c‐Fos expression in the brain, with respect to picrotoxin‐treated rats exposed to an equivalent dose of unmodulated radiation. Neither radiation treatment caused tissue heating, so thermal effects can be ruled out. The most marked effects of GSM radiation on c‐Fos expression in picrotoxin‐treated rats were observed in limbic structures, olfactory cortex areas and subcortical areas, the dentate gyrus, and the central lateral nucleus of the thalamic intralaminar nucleus group. Nonpicrotoxin‐treated animals exposed to unmodulated radiation showed the highest levels of neuronal c‐Fos expression in cortical areas. These results suggest a specific effect of the pulse modulation of GSM radiation on brain activity of a picrotoxin‐induced seizure‐proneness rat model and indicate that this mobile‐phone‐type radiation might induce regional changes in previous preexcitability conditions of neuronal activation. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peripheral challenge with double‐stranded RNA elicits global up‐regulation of cytokine gene expression in the brain
Authors: Konat Gregory W. , Borysiewicz Elizabeth , Fil Daniel , James Isaac 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIt is well established that mediators of peripheral inflammation are relayed to the brain and elicit sickness behavior via neuroinflammatory agents that target neuronal substrates. In the present study, we used double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA), a viral replication intermediate, to mimic the acute phase of viral infection. C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with 12 mg/kg of synthetic dsRNA, i.e., polyinosinic‐polycytidylic acid (PIC). The treatment induced severe sickness behavior in the animals as revealed by the burrowing test performed 6 hr postinjection. PIC challenge also induced up‐regulation of mRNA for several cytokines in the brain as determined by real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR. In all brain regions, i.e., the forebrain, brainstem, and cerebellum, the gene encoding the CXCL2 chemokine featured the most robust up‐regulation over the basal level (saline‐injected animals), followed by the genes encoding the CCL2 chemokine, interferon‐β (IFNβ), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα), and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). The forebrain featured the highest extent of up‐regulation of the Ifnb gene, whereas the other genes attained the highest expression in the cerebellum. Most of the genes featured transient up‐regulation, with peaks occurring 3–6 hr after PIC challenge. The TNFα, CCL2, CXCL2, IFNβ, and IL‐1β messages remained profoundly up‐regulated even at 24 hr. The expression of genes encoding inducible and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the brain was not affected by the peripheral PIC challenge. However, the endothelial NOS message was initially down‐regulated and subsequently up‐regulated, indicating stimulation of cerebral vasculature. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low‐intensity treadmill exercise‐related changes in the rat stellate ganglion neurons
Authors: Cavalcanti Renato Albuquerque de Oliveira , da Pureza Demilto Yamaguchi , de Melo Mariana Pereira , de Souza Romeu Rodrigues , Bergamaschi Cássia T. , do Amaral Sandra Lia , Tang Helen , Loesch Andrzej , Ribeiro Antonio Augusto Coppi Maciel 
Published: December 2008

AbstractStellate ganglion (SG) represents the main sympathetic input to the heart. This study aimed at investigating physical exercise–related changes in the quantitative aspects of SG neurons in treadmill‐exercised Wistar rats. By applying state‐of‐the‐art design‐based stereology, the SG volume, total number of SG neurons, mean perikaryal volume of SG neurons, and the total volume of neurons in the whole SG have been examined. Arterial pressure and heart rate were also measured at the end of the exercise period. The present study showed that a low‐intensity exercise training program caused a 12% decrease in the heart rate of trained rats. In contrast, there were no effects on systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, or mean arterial pressure. As to quantitative changes related to physical exercise, the main findings were a 21% increase in the fractional volume occupied by neurons in the SG, and an 83% increase in the mean perikaryal volume of SG neurons in treadmill‐trained rats, which shows a remarkable neuron hypertrophy. It seems reasonable to infer that neuron hypertrophy may have been the result of a functional overload imposed on the SG neurons by initial posttraining sympathetic activation. From the novel stereological data we provide, further investigations are needed to shed light on the mechanistic aspect of neuron hypertrophy: what role does neuron hypertrophy play? Could neuron hypertrophy be assigned to the functional overload induced by physical exercise? © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deleterious effects of minocycline after in vivo target deprivation of thalamocortical neurons in the immature, metallothionein‐deficient mouse brain
Authors: Potter Emily G. , Cheng Ying , Natale JoAnne E. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractCompared with adults, immature metallothionein I and II knockout (MT−/−) mice incur greater neuronal loss and a more rapid rate of microglia accumulation after target deprivation‐induced injury. Because minocycline has been proposed to inhibit microglial activation and associated production of neuroinflammatory factors, we investigated its ability to promote neuronal survival in the immature, metallothionein‐deficient brain. After ablation of the visual cortex, 10‐day‐old MT−/− mice were treated with minocycline or saline and killed 24 or 48 hr after injury. By means of stereological methods, the number of microglia and neurons were estimated in the ipsilateral dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) by an investigator blinded to the treatment. No effect on neuronal survival was observed at 24 hr, but 48 hr after injury, an unanticipated but significant minocycline‐mediated increase in neuronal loss was detected. Further, while failing to inhibit microglial accumulation, minocycline treatment increased the proportion of amoeboid microglia in the ipsilateral dLGN. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this neurotoxic response, we identified minocycline‐mediated changes in the expression of three potentially proapoptotic/inflammatory genes: growth arrest– and DNA damage–inducible gene 45γ (GADD45γ); interferon‐inducible protein 1 (IFI1), and cytokine‐induced growth factor. We also observed increased mitogen‐activated protein kinase p38 phosphorylation with minocycline treatment. Although minocycline inhibited calpain activity at 12 hr after injury, this effect was not sustained at 24 hr. Together, these results help to explain how minocycline has a deleterious effect on neuronal survival in this injury model. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adult stem cell therapies for neurological disorders: Benefits beyond neuronal replacement?
Authors: Boucherie Cédric , Hermans Emmanuel 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe modest capacity of endogenous repair processes in the central nervous system (CNS) justifies the broad interest in the development of effective stem cell based therapies for neurodegenerative disorders and other acute or chronic lesions. Motivated by the ambitious expectation to achieve functional neuronal replacement, several studies have already evidenced a potential benefit of stem cell grafts in animal models of human disorders. Nevertheless, growing evidence suggests that the effects orchestrated by stem cells, in most experimental cases, are not necessarily associated with the generation of new neurons. This hypothesis correlates with the versatile properties of adult and embryonic stem cells. When introduced into the lesioned CNS, nondifferentiated stem cells can have a positive influence through intrinsic neuroprotective capacities related to the production of neurotrophic factors, stimulation of endogenous neurogenesis, and modulation of neuroinflammation. Stem cells are also endowed with a multipotent differentiation profile, suggesting that a positive outcome could result from the replacement of nonneuronal cell types, in particular astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Focusing on adult stem cells, this Review aims at summarizing experimental observations supporting the concept that, in cell‐based therapies, stem cells operate not through a unidirectional mechanism (e.g., generating neurons) but rather as cellular mediators of a multitude of biological activities that could provide a favorable outcome for diverse nervous disorders. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Factors associated with detection failure and false‐negative sentinel node biopsy findings in gastric cancer: Results of prospective single center trials
Authors: Lee Jun Ho , Ryu Keun Won , Nam Byung‐Ho , Kook Myeong‐Cherl , Cho Soo‐Jeong , Lee Jong Yeul , Kim Chan Gyoo , Choi Il Ju , Park Sook Ryun , Kim Young Woo 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe factors associated with successful sentinel node biopsy (SNB) are limited in gastric cancer despite a wide range of sensitivities reported. This study was performed to identify the factors associated with detection failure and SNB false‐negativity in gastric cancer.MethodsSNB was performed on 156 gastric cancer patients from May 2002 to April 2007 at the Korean National Cancer Center during three consecutive prospective trials. Indications for SNB were determined preoperatively in cT1‐2N0 patients. Dissected SNs and non‐SNs after D2 lymphadenectomy were pathologically evaluated for metastasis. Clinical, pathological, and technical factors were analyzed for detection failure and false‐negativity.ResultsSNs were detected in 147 patients (94.2%) and the median number of SNs detected per patient was 3 (1–12). Twenty‐five of 37 with nodal metastasis were diagnosed by SNB (sensitivity, 67.6%). Surgeon's inexperience (≤30 procedures) and a male patient gender were significantly associated with detection failure (P = 0.014 and 0.031, respectively). A small number of SNs (≤ 3) was found to be significantly associated with false‐negativity (P = 0.027).ConclusionsSNB requires experience for successful detection and should be performed cautiously in male patients. Harvesting of more than three SNs is warranted to reduce false‐negatives when diagnosing nodal metastasis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99: 137–142. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vascular endothelial growth factor‐C and ‐D expression correlates with lymph node micrometastasis in pN0 early gastric cancer
Authors: Arigami Takaaki , Natsugoe Shoji , Uenosono Yoshikazu , Yanagita Shigehiro , Ehi Katsuhiko , Arima Hideo , Mataki Yuko , Nakajo Akihiro , Ishigami Sumiya , Aikou Takashi 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesVascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)‐C and ‐D play an important role in lymphangiogenesis, and the expressions of these factors are related to lymphatic invasion and lymph node metastasis in various malignant neoplasms. The present study investigates the expression of VEGF‐C and ‐D in early gastric cancer and analyzes its relationship to lymph node micrometastasis determined by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).MethodsWe examined 1,828 lymph nodes obtained from 80 patients with node‐negative early gastric cancer. All dissected lymph nodes were examined by RT‐PCR for CEA mRNA in addition to hematoxylin–eosin staining. The resected primary specimens were immunostained using anti‐VEGF‐C and ‐D polyclonal antibodies.ResultsThe incidence of lymph node micrometastasis determined by RT‐PCR was 23.8% (19/80). The high expression of VEGF‐C and ‐D was found in 27.5% (22/80) and in 21.3% (17/80), respectively. The expression of VEGF‐C and ‐D was closely related to lymph node micrometastasis (P = 0.0390 and 0.0213, respectively).ConclusionsWe demonstrated a close relationship between micrometastasis and VEGF‐C and ‐D expression of the primary tumor. Thus, levels of VEGF‐C and ‐D expression might be useful for predicting micrometastasis in patients with early gastric cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99: 148–153. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Behavior of Endothelial Cells Regulated by a Dynamically Changed Microenvironment of Biodegradable PLLA‐PC
Authors: Chen Yuanwei , Chen Niancao , Qiu Zhi , Wang Lijian , Wan Changxiu , Luo Xianglin , Li Suming 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe influence of PLLA‐PC membranes on the behavior of vascular ECs is studied. It was found that the membranes were not cytotoxic. The cell adhesion and spread on PLLA‐PC 30/1 were initially depressed. After 1 d, however, cells attached and spread on the copolymer, and proliferated beyond 2 d. To elucidate the mechanism of this behavior, the surface morphology and the degradation products of the PLLA/PC 30/1 membrane during the culture period were tested, and Fg adsorption to the membranes was examined. It is concluded that the behavior of ECs can be regulated by a dynamically changed microenvironment of the PLLA‐PC membrane. PLLA‐PC copolymers might therefore serve as a novel material for tissue engineering.magnified image