bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased expression of inducible HSP70 in apoptotic cells is correlated with their efficacy for antitumor vaccine therapy
Authors: Massé Delphine , Ebstein Frédéric , Bougras Gwenola , Harb Jean , Meflah Khaled , Grégoire Marc 
Published: May 2004

AbstractApoptosis is a physiologic process in normal development, tissue remodeling and cell turnover. This cell death is noninflammatory and nonimmunogenic, but when associated with a danger signal, it can activate the immune system. However, the capacity of apoptotic cells to activate the immune system is not clearly established, although dead tumor cells have been largely exploited as a source of TAA in cellular therapy against cancer. From these cellular preparations, contradictory results have been reported on the effect of apoptotic cells as an effective source of TAA and their immunologic properties. These conflicting data strongly suggest that the optimal preparation of apoptotic cells derived from tumor cells remains to be determined. In this work, we studied and compared the efficacy of antitumor immune responses derived from repeated injections using different preparations of apoptotic cells. We investigated the importance of HSP70 and TGF‐β expression in apoptotic cells used in the treatment of an established and nonimmunogenic rat carcinoma. UVB‐mediated apoptosis did not affect TGF‐β expression in tumor cells, whereas HS treatment sharply downregulated it. Thus, downregulation of TGF‐β permits normal DC activation and maturation and the induction of tumor immunity. We conclude that HS followed by UVB irradiation is a superior source of tumor antigen for the treatment of established tumors. Future work will determine whether HS independently upregulates HSP70, thereby suppressing expression of active TGF‐β, or whether the 2 are linked via a still undefined mechanism. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Elevated expression of CCL5/RANTES in adult T‐cell leukemia cells: Possible transactivation of the CCL5 gene by human T‐cell leukemia virus type I tax
Authors: Mori Naoki , Krensky Alan M. , Ohshima Koichi , Tomita Mariko , Matsuda Takehiro , Ohta Takao , Yamada Yasuaki , Tomonaga Masao , Ikeda Shuichi , Yamamoto Naoki 
Published: May 2004

AbstractHTLV‐I is the etiologic agent of ATL and of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV‐I‐associated myelopathy. Infiltration of various tissues by circulating leukemic cells and HTLV‐I‐infected T cells is a characteristic of ATL and HTLV‐I‐associated inflammatory diseases. Chemokines play important roles in migration and tissue localization of various lymphocyte subsets. Here, we report the highly frequent expression of CCL5 (RANTES) in ATL and HTLV‐I‐infected T‐cell lines. Among various human T‐cell lines, those infected with HTLV‐I selectively expressed the CCL5 gene and secreted CCL5. Furthermore, CCL5 was expressed by leukemic cells in peripheral blood and lymph nodes from patients with ATL. Inducible expression of HTLV‐I transcriptional activator Tax in a human T‐cell line Jurkat, up‐regulated CCL5 mRNA and induced CCL5 secretion. Analysis of the CCL5 promoter revealed that this gene is activated by Tax, via the activation of NF‐κB, whose responsive element, R(A/B), is located at positions −71 to −43 relative to the putative transcription start site. Aberrant expression of CCL5 by HTLV‐I‐infected T cells may impact on the pathophysiology of HTLV‐I‐associated diseases. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decreased expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 is associated with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ho Jenny C. , Cheung Siu Tim , Leung Ka Ling , Ng Irene O. , Fan Sheung Tat 
Published: May 2004

AbstractCytochrome P450‐2E1 (CYP2E1) is one of the major hepatic enzymes involved in the metabolism of procarcinogen. Our study aimed to investigate the differential expression level of CYP2E1 and its clinicopathological significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CYP2E1 revealed low level of expression in 70% of the tumor tissues, when compared to the adjacent nontumor tissues, at both mRNA and protein levels. The low expression of CYP2E1 was significantly correlated with the aggressive tumor phenotype, including poor differentiation status (by the Edmondson grading system) (p=0.038), absence of tumor capsule (p=0.030) and younger age of the patients (p=0.002). Multivariate analysis indicated that CYP2E1 expression level and pTNM stage were independent prognostic factors for disease‐free survival. CYP2E1 was also shown to have a differential expression level in different liver tissues. The level of CYP2E1 was significantly higher in nontumor tissues from HCC patients compared to the intermediate level in cirrhosis livers from noncancer patients and normal livers from healthy persons. Tumor tissues were shown to have the lowest expression level. In conclusion, our results have shown that CYP2E1 is upregulated in the nontumor tissue and downregulated in tumor tissue, which is associated with aggressive tumor type and poor prognosis of the patients. It suggested that the differential expression of CYP2E1 may play an important role in HCC tumorigenesis. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the role of CO2 laser treatment in the human serum albumin and human plasma fibronectin adsorption on zirconia (MGO‐PSZ) bioceramic surface
Authors: Hao L. , Lawrence J. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe nature of the surface strongly influences the composition and recognizability of the adsorbed protein layer, which in turn affects the subsequent cellular interactions. Thus, to understand the biological response to a material, especially in vitro, one must fully understand the nature of the adsorbed protein film that forms on the material. This study investigates the fundamental interactions between the human serum albumin (no‐cell adhesive) and human plasma fibronectin and bioinert ceramic following CO2 laser treatment. The analysis of the albumin and fibronectin adsorption was conducted on the untreated and CO2 laser‐modified magnesia partially stabilized zirconia (MgO‐PSZ) bioceramic using an ellipsometry. It was found that the adsorptions of albumin and fibronectin were influenced by the surface properties. The albumin adsorption was affected by the surface roughness and wettability characteristics of the MgO‐PSZ and decreased with these properties, while the fibronectin adsorption was increased with wettability characteristics and predominantly governed by this property. Moreover, the considerable change in the polar component of surface energy, γ, and its effect on protein adsorption implied that the albumin and fibronectin adsorption on the MgO‐PSZ surfaces was probably due to the polar and chemical interactions. The value of this work is to provide a novel technique and useful information for manipulating protein adsorption and thereof cellular interactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 69A: 748–756, 2004
Analysis of the relationship between the North Atlantic oscillation and sea‐level changes in northwest Europe
Authors: Yan Zhongwei , Tsimplis Michael N. , Woolf David 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe impact of the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO) on sea level around northern European coasts is explored on the basis of mean monthly sea level time series back to the 19th century at 10 sites. Two types of relationship with the NAO are found. Most of northern Europe shows a positive relationship with higher sea levels under stronger NAO conditions, which is clearer for the winter season. In contrast, a negative relationship exists to the south, covering southwest England. Both the relationships are variable in time and were enhanced during recent decades, possibly due to movements of the NAO‐related pressure centres. The analysis of the NAO and sea level variability in different frequency bands suggests that the relationship is strongest at the annual and interannual time scales at all sites. The NAO is also strongly correlated with decadal and longer term sea level changes in the Baltic Sea. The wavelet spectral power peaks at about 12 months for the NAO and 13–15 months for sea level. Unusually strong and weak annual cycles in sea level are closely related to two types of seasonal variation in the NAO. The anomalous annual cycles in sea level tend to lag those in the NAO by a month for most of the sites analysed, suggesting that sea level does not simply respond to the pressure forcing, but is additionally responsive to changes in thermal conditions and fluxes associated with the NAO. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.
Monte Carlo simulation of polymer analogous reaction in confined conditions: effects of ordering
Authors: Yashin Victor V. , Kudryavtsev Yaroslav V. , Kriksin Yury A. , Litmanovich Arkady D. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe influence of energetic parameters of the interchain homo‐ and heterocontacts on a local ordering of Bernoullian copolymers has been studied using Monte Carlo simulations and probabilistic analysis. The results of both methods are in a good agreement. Then simple Monte Carlo procedure was employed to study the ordering in products of a polymeranalogous reaction with accelerating effect of neighboring groups. When the reaction with intra‐ and interchain acceleration and local ordering proceed simultaneously in confined conditions, the ordering might affect the process so that the formation of certain nano‐structures (in particular, not trivial strip‐like ones) is possible.
Studies on the copolymerisation of N‐isopropyl‐acrylamide with glycidyl methacrylate
Authors: Choudhary Veena , Rajya Sonal , Singh Dipti 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe paper describes the homopolymerisation and copolymerisation of N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) in solution at 60°C using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator and dioxan as solvent. Copolymers were synthesized by varying the mol fraction of GMA in the initial feed from 0.025‐0.125. All the polymerization reactions were terminated at low % conversion (10‐15%) and the copolymer composition was determined by measuring the epoxy content. Percent epoxy content was determined by titration method using pyridine‐HCl mixture. The reactivity ratios determined using Fineman‐Ross method were found to be 0.94±0.05 (r1, NIPAM) and 1.05±0.08 (r2, GMA). All the polymers have high molecular weights with wide molecular weight distribution as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) i.e. Mn in the range of 3.7 x 104 ‐ 7.8 x 104 and Mw in the range of 1.2 x 105 ‐ 4.1 x 105 with a polydispersity index in the range of 2.3‐5.3. Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of NIPAM homopolymer and copolymers was determined by recording DSC scans of polymers in aqueous solution. Incorporation of GMA in the poly(NIPAM) backbone resulted in a decrease in the LCST.
Synthesis of halogen‐free amino‐functionalized polymethyl methacrylate by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)
Authors: Sadhu Veera Bhadraiah , Pionteck Jürgen , Voigt Dieter , Komber Hartmut , Voit Brigitte 
Published: May 2004

AbstractIn order to obtain amino‐terminated polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA‐NH2) free of halogen we used the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to polymerize methyl methacrylate (MMA) in presence of an initiator containing an alkyl bromide unit and a protected amine functional group. The use of CuBr / N,N,N′,N′′,N′′‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as co‐catalyst system results in a polymer free of halogen due to hydrogen transfer from PMDETA to the growing polymer chain. However, side reactions occur affecting the typically “living” character of the ATRP. The measured molecular weights are consistently higher than the theoretical ones and the molecular weight distributions are relatively broad.
Monolayers of reactive cellulose derivatives
Authors: Wenz Gerhard , Liepold Petra , Bordeanu Nico 
Published: May 2004

AbstractFunctional cellulose derivatives are very versatile materials for the creation of mono‐ and multilayer systems. Hydrophobic alkyl and trimethylsilyl celluloses form highly ordered Langmuir‐Blodgett multilayers on hydrophobic substrates. Cellulose thiosulfates and methyl thio ethers were self‐assembled on gold and silver surfaces to form hydrophilic monolayers. Cellulose layer systems are capable for chemical transformations under conservation of the structural order. They are suitable platforms for the investigation of molecular recognition at surfaces and the construction of sensor devices. Both biological ligands, e.g. biotin, and enzymes, e.g. horse radish peroxidase, could be attached to cellulose under conservation of their biological function.
Reactive methacrylate systems for dental bioadhesives
Authors: Gibas Mirosław , Kupka Tomasz , Tanasiewicz Marta , Malec Witold 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe procedure of restoring missing crown part of a human tooth with use of experimental materials, including new functional dimethacrylate monomers, is presented. The essential steps are precise evaluation of root canal cavities and providing a good adhesion of restorative materials to tooth structures. Magnetic resonance microscopy is considered to be a valuable supporting technique in restorative dentistry.
Polypropylene surface peroxidation with heterofunctional polyperoxides
Authors: Nosova Natalya , Roiter Yuri , Samaryk Volodymyr , Varvarenko Sergiy , Stetsyshyn Yuri , Minko Sergiy , Stamm Manfred , Voronov Stanislav 
Published: May 2004

AbstractMethod of polyolefin surface activation via covalent grafting of polyperoxide nanolayer by free radical mechanism has been presented. The features of such the nanolayer formation under the thermoprocessing conditions, i.e.: formation of 3D crosslinked network in polyperoxide bulk; and its grafting with complete coating of polyolefin surface, ‐‐ is considered. The method provides an availability of uniformly placed peroxide groups of one type over the polyolefin surface activated, which may further be utilized for the tailored modification of polymer surfaces using the “grafting to” and “grafting from” techniques in that time when it is necessary.
Application of sensitive hydrogels in chemical and pH sensors
Authors: Gerlach Gerald , Guenther Margarita , Suchaneck Gunnar , Sorber Joerg , Arndt Karl‐Friedrich , Richter Andreas 
Published: May 2004

AbstractIn the present work, pH‐sensitive poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) (PVA/PAA) blends as well as hydrogels based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), which are sensitive to organic solvent concentration in aqueous solutions, were used in silicon micromachined sensors. A sensitivity of approximately 15 mV/pH was obtained for a pH sensor with a 50 μm thick PVA/PAA hydrogel layer in a pH range above the acid exponent of acrylic acid (pKa=4.7). The output voltage versus pH‐value characteristics and the long‐term signal stability of hydrogel‐based sensors were investigated and the measurement conditions necessary for high signal reproducibility were determined. The influence of the preparation conditions of the hydrogel films on the sensitivity and response time of the chemical and pH sensors is discussed.
Novel reactive thermosensitive polyethers – control of transition point
Authors: Dworak Andrzej , Trzebicka Barbara , Wałach Wojciech , Utrata Alicja , Tsvetanov Christo 
Published: May 2004

AbstractA new class of thermosensitive polymers based on polyethers is discussed. Using living anionic polymerisation techniques a series of homo‐ and block copolymers of 2,3‐epoxypropanol‐1 (the glycidol), ethoxy ethyl glycidol ether, its hydrophobic derivative, and ethylene oxide of different molar masses and topology (linear and comb‐like) was obtained. By simple chemical modification of hydroxyl groups in polyglycidol segments hydrophobic elements were introduced into polymer chains, which allowed to control the transition point related to the lower critical solution temperature between 0 to 100°C. The relation between the transition temperature and the structure of obtained polymers is discussed.
Complexes of cellulose and trypsin
Authors: Kotelnikova Nina E. , Mikhailova Sofia A. , Vlasova Elena N. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractAdsorption of trypsin to microcrystalline cellulose has been determined as functions of protein concentration and pH of the aqueous medium. The study of adsorption at several pH values indicates that interaction of trypsin to the microcrystalline cellulose interface is controlled by the electrostatic effect. The FTIR, desorption, and SEM data reveal that a part of trypsin is strongly bound to the microcrystalline cellulose matrix. Resulting complexes consist of microcrystalline cellulose, trypsin, and water.
Automatically and electronically controllable hydrogel based valves and microvalves – design and operating performance
Authors: Richter Andreas , Howitz Steffen , Kuckling Dirk , Kretschmer Katja , Arndt Karl‐Friedrich 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThis paper describes automatically and electronically controlled valves and microvalves based on smart hydrogels. The operating performance of such devices will be discussed in dependence on various design parameters. Furthermore, it will be shown that hydrogel based valves are showing an outstanding possibility of miniaturization, a leakage free switching behavior up to a pressure drop of 8.4 bar, and a pronounced particle tolerance.
The sol‐gel approach towards thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) hydrogels with improved mechanical properties
Authors: Loos Wouter , Du Prez Filip 
Published: May 2004

AbstractA new type of thermo‐responsive hydrogels based on the polymer poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAA) has been synthesized with the sol‐gel technology. For the preparation of this type of nano‐structured hydrogels, the inorganic silica phase was synthesized by the sol‐gel process in the presence of an aqueous solution of high molecular weight PNIPAA. This combination of the organic and inorganic phases forms hybrid hydrogels with a semi‐IPN morphology. The unique structure of these hydrogels improves the mechanical stability to a great extent as compared to conventional PNIPAA‐hydrogels. This was shown by stress‐strain experiments and the capability to absorb and desorb large amounts of water. The silica only slightly influences the transition temperature of the hydrogels but allows us to vary the thermo‐responsive properties of the materials to a great extent.
Encapsulation of living cells with polymeric systems
Authors: Schwinger Christian , Klemenz Albrecht , Busse Karsten , Kressler Jörg 
Published: May 2004

AbstractMicroencapsulation of cells producing recombinant proteins or hormones leads to immunoprotection and immobilization in culture or in vivo. We are investigating three different strategies for the production of calcium cross‐linked alginate beads of a small size with immobilized and immunoprotected mammalian cells: a) the AirJet technology (coaxial gas flow extrusion), b) the vibrating nozzle technology, and c) the JetCutter technology. A alginate/poly‐L‐lysine/alginate complexation was used as the polymeric system. All three methods may be used for production of homogeneous beads with a diameter of approximately 350 μm. While the vibrating nozzle technique was limited to an alginate viscosity of 0.2 Pa·s or less, the AirJet and JetCutter technology were less sensitive to higher viscosities. High frequency Scanning Acoustic Microscopy is used for mechanical characterization of the microspheres as well as for investigation of surface properties.
Electrical properties of σ‐conjugated polymers with additives and their applications in sensors
Authors: Nešpůrek Stanislav , Wang Geng , Böhm Stanislav , Kořínek Marek , Adler Hans‐J. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe charge carrier transport in poly[methyl(phenyl)silylene] (PMPSi) proceeds predominantly along the σ‐delocalized Si backbone with participation of interchain hopping and polaron formation. The charge carrier mobility increases with increasing electron affinity of acceptor dopands having zero dipole moments. On the other band, the hole drift mobility is influenced by the dipole moment of the dopand. The electrostatic charge‐dipole interactions cause a broadening of the energy distribution of transport states, which results in a decrease in the charge carrier mobility. An addition of organic salts leads, under the conditions of increased humidity, to an increase in electrical conductivity and capacitance. This is demonstrated on the layers PMPSi/1,5‐dimorpholino‐1,5‐diphenylpentamethinium perchlorate.
Fine‐tuning the prediction of sequences cleaved by signal peptidase II: A curated set of proven and predicted lipoproteins of Escherichia coli K‐12
Authors: Gonnet Pedro , Rudd Kenneth E. , Lisacek Frédérique 
Published: May 2004

AbstractA curated set of 81 proven and 44 predicted lipoproteins of Escherichia coli K‐12 was defined with the combined use of a literature survey, a variety of predictive tools and human expertise. The well‐documented Gram‐negative proteome of E. coli K‐12 was chosen to assess how the different approaches complement each other and to ensure a stable definition of a consistent set of lipoproteins. The results of detailed analysis of such proteins at the level of a single proteome are presented, corroborated and rationalized.
Umbilical cord occlusion of the donor versus recipient fetus in twin–twin transfusion syndrome
Authors: Nakata M. , Chmait R. H. , Quintero R. A. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractObjectivesTo compare the technical characteristics and perinatal outcomes of selected twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) cases treated with primary umbilical cord occlusion (UCO) of the donor vs. recipient twin.MethodsTTTS patients who underwent primary UCO via ultrasound endoscopic‐guided umbilical cord ligation (UCL) or endoscopic umbilical cord photocoagulation (UCP) were eligible for the study. Primary UCO was offered only if a discordant lethal anomaly was present or by patient choice in TTTS Stages III/IV on the cord of the fetus with abnormal Doppler studies or hydrops.ResultsPrimary UCO was performed in 25 TTTS cases between July 1997 and June 2002. UCO was performed in six (24%) donor twins and 19 (76%) recipient twins. UCL was performed in 23 cases and UCP in two cases. Overall, 22 (88%) patients had liveborn infants. There were no differences in cotwin survival (100% vs. 84.2%), median gestational age at delivery (34.8 vs. 33.8 weeks) and preterm premature rupture of membranes rate (16.6% vs. 15.7%) whether the donor or recipient twin, respectively, was the subject of UCO. However, two‐trocar access (50% vs. 5.3%; P = 0.03) and amnioinfusion (83.3% vs. 0%; P < 0.001) were required more often in the UCO of the donor than of the recipient twin, respectively. Operating time (75 vs. 40 min) was significantly longer in UCO of the donor twin (P = 0.04). UCP was more likely to be used in occlusion of the donor's cord (33%) than of the recipient's cord (0%; P = 0.05).ConclusionPrimary UCO of the donor twin is technically more demanding than that of the recipient twin, but perinatal outcomes of the cotwins are comparable. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Congenital constriction band of the upper arm: the role of three‐dimensional ultrasound in diagnosis, counseling and multidisciplinary consultation
Authors: Paladini D. , Foglia S. , Sglavo G. , Martinelli P. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractConstriction band syndrome represents a sporadic condition that may result in amputations, constrictions and other deformities of the fetal limbs and body. Prenatal diagnosis by two‐dimensional ultrasound has been reported. We present a case of constriction band involving the upper arm in which the assessment by three‐dimensional ultrasound significantly contributed to the diagnosis and the multidisciplinary counseling. In fact, multiplanar imaging and surface rendering allowed a clear depiction of the extent of the constriction, the club‐hand deformity and the relationship between the amniotic band, the cord and the fetal limb. This case represents a unique and effective application of three‐dimensional ultrasound in prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.