bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of immunosuppressive effects of melanoma‐inhibiting activity (MIA) by antisense techniques
Authors: Jachimczak Piotr , Apfel Rainer , Bosserhoff Anja‐Kathrin , Fabel Klaus , Hau Peter , Tschertner Ines , Wise Petra , Schlingensiepen Karl‐Hermann , Schuler‐Thurner Beatrix , Bogdahn Ulrich 
Published: August 2004

AbstractMelanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) is an 11 kD protein secreted by malignant melanomas. Recent studies revealed an interaction of MIA with epitopes of extracellular matrix proteins including fibronectin. Structural homology of MIA with the binding sites of α4β1 integrin results in complex interactions of MIA with molecules binding to α4β1 integrin. As cells of the immune system express α4β1 integrins (VLA‐4), we investigated whether MIA may modulate the function of human leukocytes. Here we describe the effects of MIA on the activation of human PBMCs and auto‐/allogeneic lymphokine‐activated killer cell (LAK) cytotoxicity in human MIA‐negative glioma cell lines and MIA‐positive melanoma cell lines in vitro. MIA inhibits PHA‐ or IL‐2‐induced human PBMC proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner up to 63% (3H‐Tdr incorporation) and 59% (cell count), respectively, when added to the cell culture prior to mitogen stimulation. In addition, both autologous (GL and HW) and allogeneic (HTZ‐17, HTZ‐243 and HTZ‐374) antitumor LAK cytotoxicity was reduced by the addition of exogenous rhMIA (500 ng/ml, f.c.). Consequently, endogenous inhibition of MIA expression in human melanoma cells by MIA‐specific phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides enhanced the autologous LAK‐cell activity to the same level as observed in MIA‐negative human HMB melanoma cells expressing an MIA‐antisense construct. Our results indicate that MIA may contribute to immunosuppression frequently seen in malignant melanomas by inhibiting cellular antitumor immune reactions. Antagonization of MIA activity using antisense techniques may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of malignant melanomas.
In vitro analysis of anionic collagen scaffolds for bone repair
Authors: Moreira Patricia L. , An Yuehuei H. , Santos Arnaldo Rodrigues , Genari Selma Candelária 
Published: August 2004

AbstractCollagen has been extensively described as a beneficial material in bone tissue engineering due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, low antigenicity, and high tensile strength. However, collagen scaffolds in their pure form have some drawbacks and improvements in the physical, chemical, and biologic properties of collagen are necessary to overcome those inadequacies. Recently, the selective hydrolysis of carboxyamides of asparagine and glutamine residues of collagen has been employed to increase the number of negative sites and enhance the piezoelectric properties of collagen. Anionic collagen scaffolds were prepared by use of a hydrolysis treatment for either 24 h [bovine pericardium (BP 24)] or 48 h (BP 48). Bovine osteoblasts were cultured on them and on native matrices to understand the cellular interactions responsible for the good osteoconductivity and biocompatibility reported with in vivo tests. Based on the data obtained on cell adhesion, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and extracellular matrix macromolecule production, and cellular proliferation through histological analysis, we may conclude that the materials tested reveal sufficient biocompatibility level for bone repair. Further, the evidence of some connection between ALP activity and the mineralization process should be emphasized. BP 48 presented the most promising results stimulating in vitro mineralization, ALP production, and possible osteoblast differentiation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 71B: 229–237, 2004
Early diagnosis of lung cancer by detection of tumor liberated protein
Authors: Tarro Giulio , Perna Antonio , Esposito Ciro 
Published: August 2004

AbstractTumor liberated protein (TLP) is a protein that can be used to reveal the early development of a tumor. Besides being formed in the tumor, TLP is released in the blood when a patient starts producing cancer cells, which in turn enables the physician to intervene at a stage when the cancer is operable. To date, the available studies of tumor markers in lung cancer patients are CEA, NSE, TPA, Chromogranine, CA125, CA19‐9, and Cyfra 21‐1. The sensitivity and specificity for serum markers ranges between 50 and 90%, depending on the study and the clinical samples analyzed. Most of these markers show an increased rate of positivity as the stage advances. There are very limited data on TLP to draw any firm conclusion regarding the diagnostic value of this marker. TLP has been detected in 53.1% of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (N = 534) with 75% being positive in the early stage (stage I) and dropping to 45% in the late stage (stage IV). However, 7.6% blood donor sera and 17.4% chronic lung disease sera have also tested positive. In a confirmation study, the specificity was 89.94% and the sensibility was 63.63% from stage III to IV NSCLC patients. In an initial study of TLP as a marker for early detection in stage I, NSCLC patients showed a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 80% for TLP compared to a sensitivity of 33.3% for CA19‐9, 11.1% for Cyfra 21‐1 and CA125, and 0% for CEA; the specificity for all four of the latter markers was 100%. Using immunohistochemical analysis with peroxidase anti‐peroxidase (PAP), we observed that NSCLC cells were positive; we used the specific rabbit antiserum to TLP, which turned out negative in the presence of 1 mg/ml of the synthetized peptide. The pre‐serum was also negative. The same reactivity was found early in the modified epithelial cells of interstitial lung fibrosis and might be a predictive marker of cell transformation. The site of the peroxidase positivity was cytoplasmic, of diffuse and/or granular type. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell volume and the regulation of apoptotic cell death
Authors: Lang Florian , Gulbins Erich , Szabo Ildiko , Lepple‐Wienhues Albrecht , Huber Stephan M. , Duranton Christophe , Lang Karl S. , Lang Philipp A. , Wieder Thomas 
Published: August 2004

AbstractApoptosis is a physiological mechanism allowing for the removal of abundant or potentially harmful cells. The hallmarks of apoptosis include degradation of cellular DNA, exposure of phosphatidylserine at the outer leaflet of the cell membrane and cell shrinkage. Phosphatidylserine exposure favours adhesion to macrophages with subsequent phagocytosis of the shrunken apoptotic particles. The interaction of cell volume regulatory mechanisms and apoptosis is illustrated in two different model systems, i.e. (a) lymphocyte apoptosis following stimulation of CD95 receptor and (b) erythrocyte apoptosis upon cell shrinkage. (a) Triggering of CD95 in Jurkat T lymphocytes is paralleled by activation of cell volume regulatory Cl− channels, inhibition of the Na+/H+ exchanger and osmolyte release. The latter coincides with cell shrinkage, DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine exposure. CD95 stimulation leads to early inhibition of the voltage gated K+ channel Kv1.3, which may contribute to the inhibition of the Ca2+ release activated Ca2+ channel ICRAC. (b) Osmotic shock of erythrocytes activates a cell volume regulatory cation conductance allowing the entry not only of Na+ but of Ca2+ as well. Increased cytosolic Ca2+ stimulates a scramblase which disrupts the phosphatidylserine asymmetry of the cell membrane, leading to phosphatidylserine exposure. The cation conductance is further activated by oxidative stress and energy depletion and inhibited by Cl−. Shrinkage of erythrocytes stimulates in addition a sphingomyelinase with subsequent formation of ceramide which potentiates the effect of cytosolic Ca2+ on phosphatidylserine. In conclusion, cell volume‐sensitive mechanisms participate in the triggering of apoptosis following receptor stimulation or cell injury. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chaperonin function—effects of crowding and confinement
Authors: Martin Jörg 
Published: August 2004

AbstractChaperonins assist in the acquisition of native protein structure in the cell by providing a shielded environment for a folding polypeptide chain, generated by the interior surface of their cylindrical structure. The folding chain is isolated from the highly crowded cytoplasm, but at the same time confined within the chaperonin folding cage. Both confinement and macromolecular crowding can affect folding kinetics and yields, the modus operandi of chaperonins and their interaction with their protegés. Recent experimental data, as well as computer simulations, provide increasing evidence that the particular physico‐chemical conditions prevailing in the cellular interior have to be taken into account when trying to unravel the processes of cellular protein folding. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluorescence anisotropy as a probe to study tracer proteins in crowded solutions
Authors: Zorrilla Silvia , Rivas Germán , Lillo M. Pilar 
Published: August 2004

AbstractFluorescence anisotropy has been widely used to study the dynamics and interactions of biomolecules in diluted solutions. Comparable studies on single tracer macromolecules at the cellular level are now feasible because of the recent development of non‐invasive fluorescence markers, like the growing family of the green fluorescence proteins (GFPs), and the advances in time‐resolved fluorescence microscopy instrumentation. The interpretation of fluorescence polarization data in terms of dynamics and biological function of the macromolecular complexes in these physiological environments requires a deep understanding of the tracer rotational diffusion in such complex media. In this work we have studied the rotational diffusion of a tracer protein, apomyoglobin labeled with 1‐anilino‐8‐naphthalene sulfonate, in crowded solutions of an unrelated protein, ribonuclease A. We have evaluated the deviation of the different tracer rotational motions from the Stokes–Einstein–Debye diffusion behavior, and its relation to the properties of the transient molecular cavities where the tracer is rotating in the fluorescence lifetime window. Finally, we have analyzed the application of fluorescence polarization methods to determine the apparent equilibrium constants of homo and heteroassociations of macromolecules in crowded conditions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aggregation and surface‐enhanced Raman activity study of dye‐coated mixed silver–gold colloids
Authors: Fang Jinghuai , Huang Yunxia , Li Xia , Dou Xiaoming 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe aggregate morphologies of silver, gold, and mixed silver–gold nanoparticles coated with fuchsine basic were directly investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the aggregation of silver and gold colloids induced by the adsorption of fuchsine basic displayed different aggregate characteristics. The adsorption of fuchsine basic in mixed silver and gold colloidal systems led to altered aggregation and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement behavior. A suitable ratio of mixed silver and gold colloids could form a favorable state of aggregation and significantly increase the SERS activity of mixed colloids compared with single silver and gold colloids. This is the first report of the SERS of fuchsine basic on mixed silver and gold colloids. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vibrational analysis, conformational stability, force constants, barriers to internal rotations, RHF, MP2 and DFT calculations of trans,trans‐2,4‐hexadiene
Authors: Mohamed Tarek A. , Abo Aly Mohamed M. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSix conformers are proposed for the trans,trans‐2,4‐hexadiene (TTHD) molecule. Utilizing the 6–31G(d) and 6–311 + G(d) basis sets at the levels of RHF, MP2 with full electron correlation and DFT‐B3LYP, five conformers are found to be transition states, due to the calculated imaginary wavenumber(s). Accordingly, the totally symmetric TTT conformer where the two methyl groups are staggered to all trans vinylic hydrogen's (C2h symmetry) is the stable conformer in the gaseous, liquid and crystalline phases. Aided by MP2(full)/6–311 + G(d) geometric parameters, a chosen value of the kinetic parameter F = 6.11284856 was determined. Utilizing the observed band at 148 cm−1 in the far‐infrared spectrum of the gas, a value of 1.41 ± 0.06 kcal mol−1 was obtained for the C3v internal rotor (V3), compared with 1.83 ± 0.07 kcal mol−1 predicted from a potential energy surface scan (1 kcal = 4.184 kJ). Aided by normal coordinate analysis and quantum chemistry (QC) calculations, the scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field was obtained employing five scaling factors for different types of vibrational motions. The scaled vibrational wavenumbers from both MP2(full) and B3LYP levels using the 6–31G(d) basis set provides an excellent approach to the observed fundamentals in either infrared or Raman spectra of the TTT conformer. Thus, confident vibrational assignments and potential energy distributions (PEDs) were provided for all fundamental modes of the TTT conformer. Moreover, the conformational stabilities, structural parameters, rotational constants, infrared intensities and Raman scattering activities are also reported. These results are discussed and compared with the experimentally determined values for some related conjugate systems when appropriate. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic evaluation of polyacrylonitrile‐based carbon nanofibers prepared by electrospinning
Authors: Kim Chan , Park Sang‐Hee , Cho Jang‐Ik , Lee Do‐Young , Park Tae‐Jin , Lee Wan‐Jin , Yang Kap‐Seung 
Published: August 2004

AbstractPoly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) solutions in N,N‐dimethylformamide were electrospun into webs consisting of 350 nm ultra‐fine fibers. The webs were oxidatively stabilized and followed by heat treatment in the range of 700–1000°C. Characterization of the microstructure of PAN‐based carbon nanofibers was performed by x‐ray diffraction, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, electrical conductivity and Raman spectroscopy. The Lc(002) and La(10) values were calculated to be 1.85–2.15 and 2.23–3.36 nm, respectively. The Lc(002) and La(10) values increased by about 86% and 66%, respectively, when the heat treatment temperature (HTT) was increased from 700 to 1000°C. The electrical conductivity of carbonized PAN nanofiber webs increased with increasing carbonization temperature, being 6.8 × 10−3 and 1.96 S cm−1 at 700 and 1000°C, respectively. The D and G bands from Raman scattering were fitted into a Gaussian–Lorentzian hybridized function, and the crystallite sizes in the nanofibers were evaluated from the R‐values determined from the ratios of the intensity of the G band to that of the D band. The domain size of the graphitic layers was in the range 1.6–3.2 nm with higher values at higher HTT. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel Fibers Prepared from Cellulose in NaOH/Urea Aqueous Solution
Authors: Cai Jie , Zhang Lina , Zhou Jinping , Li Hao , Chen Hui , Jin Huiming 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSummary: Novel regenerated cellulose fibers have been successfully spun from the cellulose dope in NaOH/urea aqueous solution, which could rapidly dissolve cellulose. The fibers possess circular cross‐sections as well as relatively high molecular weight, and a crystallinity index with cellulose II family crystal structure, leading to good mechanical properties. This technology is simple, cheap, and environmentally friendly, promising to substitute for viscose rayon production having hazardous byproducts.SEM micrograph of the cross‐section of the novel cellulose fibers generated here.imageSEM micrograph of the cross‐section of the novel cellulose fibers generated here.
Synthesis of Polystyrene and Polystyrene/Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nanoparticles
Authors: He Guangwei , Pan Qinmin 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSummary: Polystyrene nanosize particles have been synthesized by a differential microemulsion polymerization process involving the use of a small amount of poly(methyl methacrylate) as the seeds. Sodium dodecyl sulfate and ammonium persulfate were used as the surfactant and initiator, respectively. The effects of various reaction conditions on the particle size have been investigated. Particle sizes of less than 20 nm have been achieved at milder conditions than those previously reported in the literature.An HRTEM image of PS/PMMA nanoparticles.imageAn HRTEM image of PS/PMMA nanoparticles.
Mathematical Modeling of the Bulk Photopolymerization of Furfuryl Acrylate
Authors: Lange Jurgen , Davidenko Natalia , Rieumont Jacques , Sastre Roberto 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSummary: Experimental data for the photopolymerization of furfuryl acrylate (FA) conformed satisfactorily to the kinetics model proposed for the photopolymerization of furfuryl methacrylate (FM). This model allowed the kinetic constants of the basic steps of the studied mechanism, namely propagation, degradative transfer, re‐initiation and cross‐termination, to be determined. The calculated values of these constants were in agreement with the chemical nature of FA. For each of these constants, the confidence intervals were determined, and the statistical dependence between some of them was analyzed using the ellipse error method. The equations of moments of the distribution of molecular sizes of the primary chains in the network with order greater than one were developed to describe different molecular averages, such as weight‐average chain length and size‐average heterogeneity of the primary chains. The results found for the monomer conversion, the cross‐link degree and number‐average length of the primary chains of the network for FA were compared with those obtained for FM, and it was shown that the process of polymerization of the former monomer was more retarded and produced gels with a greater degree of cross‐linking than the latter as expected.Network structures with different heterogeneity in size of the primary chains.imageNetwork structures with different heterogeneity in size of the primary chains.
Clinical and neuropsychological correlates in two brothers with pantothenate kinase–associated neurodegeneration
Authors: Marelli Cecilia , Piacentini Sylvie , Garavaglia Barbara , Girotti Floriano , Albanese Alberto 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAdult‐onset focal dystonia was the presenting sign of pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) in a patient with a novel homozygous missense mutation (C856T). His brother shared the same mutation and showed similar, albeit minor, motor signs, but a different behavioral profile. Both brothers had an atypical form of PKAN. The neuropsychological assessment showed that, despite a normal Mini‐Mental State Examination, both patients presented a deficit of executive functions and of attention. The profile of cognitive impairment in these cases was typically that of a subcortical dementia. Both patients fulfilled Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders criteria for obsessive–compulsive disorder; however, paranoia was associated with depression and aggressive behavior in Patient 1, whereas Patient 2 had hyperactivity, disinhibition, and euphoria. Our findings suggest that these two brothers had a different pattern of involvement of motor and nonmotor basal ganglia–thalamocortical circuits. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Expanded paper towel test: An objective test of urine loss for stress incontinence
Authors: Neumann Patricia , Blizzard Leigh , Grimmer Karen , Grant Ruth 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAimTo investigate the repeatability of a short stress test of coughing and jumping (the expanded Paper Towel Test (PTT)) to quantify urine loss in stress incontinent adult women.Materials and MethodsIn the laboratory, the reliability of two methods of measuring the size of the wet area, produced by a typical volume of water titrated onto paper towel was investigated and some absorbency properties of the brand of towel used were quantified. Thirty one women performed a provocative coughing and jumping test on consecutive days using a “perineal pad” of paper towel. The repeatability coefficient was calculated.ResultsThe provocative test was repeatable to within 2.8 ml of urine loss, but with the exclusion of one anomalous result, the repeatability improved to lie within 1 ml. The coefficient of variation (CV) for the between‐method differences (computer scanning and graph paper) was 1.27%. A volume of 1 ml of water produced a wet area of 25.7 cm2. The range of measurable areas corresponded to volumes of 0.005–8 ml. Standardization of method is required because the size of the wet area differed by manufacturer of paper towel (P < 0.01, two products compared) and with time elapsed since titration (P < 0.01).ConclusionsThe “expanded PTT” is a simple tool for quantification of urine loss (0.005–8 ml) in women to 72 years with stress incontinence. With a suggested modification, it should prove reliable for detection of between‐visit differences of 1 ml. The reliability of the test is dependent upon the use of standard protocol and paper towel with known volume–area ratio. To improve clinical diagnosis, it can also be used with any brand of paper towel to confirm the sign of stress incontinence on exertion. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A modified finite difference sensitivity analysis method allowing remeshing in large strain path‐dependent problems
Authors: Muñoz‐Rojas Pablo A. , Fonseca Jun S. O. , Creus Guillermo J. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractFinite difference sensitivity analysis is simple and general yet usually inefficient and inaccurate compared to the analytical sensitivity approach. Although its high computational cost is not an issue in iteratively solved problems, its inaccuracies are critical in path‐dependent problems when remeshing is required. In this case, the errors caused by parametric inversion and interpolation in variables transfer to the new mesh can be as large as the gradient components. This paper presents an efficient modified finite difference approach that allows remeshing either in path‐independent or path‐dependent problems, not being affected by the aforementioned errors. The strategy to cope with remeshing is extensive to the semi‐analytical method which, for non‐linear analyses, is shown to be a particular case of the proposed finite difference sensitivity approach. With this implementation, the finite difference, the semi‐analytical and the analytical sensitivity methods all have comparable computational costs. The perturbation of unstructured meshes is performed with an inverse power Laplacian smoothing. The low cost and the accuracy of the sensitivity fields obtained after remeshing are shown in two examples, considering shape and constitutive design variables. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The disparate labor market impacts of monetary policy
Authors: Carpenter Seth B. , Rodgers III William M. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractEmploying two widely used approaches to identify the effects of monetary policy, this paper explores the differential impact of policy on the labor market outcomes of teenagers, minorities, out‐of‐school youth, and less‐skilled individuals. Evidence from recursive vector autoregressions and autoregressive distributed lag models that use information on the Federal Reserve's contractionary initiatives indicate that the employment‐population ratio of minorities is more sensitive to contractionary monetary policy than that of whites. The ratio falls primarily because of an increase in unemployment and not because of a decline in labor force participation. Monetary policy appears to have a disproportionate effect on the unemployment rate of teenagers, particularly African American teenagers. Their employment‐population ratios fall because of increased difficulty in obtaining employment. The larger responses are not caused by their higher likelihood of having been employed in industries and occupations that are more sensitive to contractionary monetary policy. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.