bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of the Coactivator Bridge-1 Results in Insulin Deficiency and Diabetes
Authors: Volinic Jamie L. , Lee Jee H. , Eto Kazuhiro , Kaur Varinderpal , Thomas Melissa K. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractMultiple forms of heritable diabetes are associated with mutations in transcription factors that regulate insulin gene transcription and the development and maintenance of pancreatic β-cell mass. The coactivator Bridge-1 (PSMD9) regulates the transcriptional activation of glucose-responsive enhancers in the insulin gene in a dose-dependent manner via PDZ domain-mediated interactions with E2A transcription factors. Here we report that the pancreatic overexpression of Bridge-1 in transgenic mice reduces insulin gene expression and results in insulin deficiency and severe diabetes. Dysregulation of Bridge-1 signaling increases pancreatic apoptosis with a reduction in the number of insulin-expressing pancreatic β-cells and an expansion of the complement of glucagon-expressing pancreatic α-cells in pancreatic islets. Increased expression of Bridge-1 alters pancreatic islet, acinar, and ductal architecture and disrupts the boundaries between endocrine and exocrine cellular compartments in young adult but not neonatal mice, suggesting that signals transduced through this coactivator may influence postnatal pancreatic islet morphogenesis. Signals mediated through the coactivator Bridge-1 may regulate both glucose homeostasis and pancreatic β-cell survival. We propose that coactivator dysfunction in pancreatic β-cells can limit insulin production and contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes.
Impaired Reproductive Behavior by Lack of GluR-B Containing AMPA Receptors But Not of NMDA Receptors in Hypothalamic and Septal Neurons
Authors: Shimshek Derya R. , Bus Thorsten , Grinevich Valery , Single Frank N. , Mack Volker , Sprengel Rolf , Spergel Daniel J. , Seeburg Peter H. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
The roles of ionotropic glutamate receptors in mammalian reproduction are unknown. We therefore generated mice lacking a major subtype of (S)-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors or all N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in GnRH neurons and other mainly limbic system neurons, primarily in hypothalamic and septal areas. Male mice without NMDA receptors in these neurons were not impaired in breeding and exhibited similar GnRH secretion as control littermates. However, male mice lacking GluR-B containing AMPA receptors in these neurons were poor breeders and severely impaired in reproductive behaviors such as aggression and mounting. Testis and sperm morphology, testis weight, and serum testosterone levels, as well as GnRH secretion, were unchanged. Contact with female cage bedding failed to elicit male sexual behavior in these mice, unlike in control male littermates. Their female counterparts had unchanged ovarian morphology, had bred successfully, and had normal litter sizes but exhibited pronounced impairments in maternal behaviors such as pup retrieval and maternal aggression. Our results suggest that NMDA receptors and GluR-B containing AMPA receptors are not essential for fertility, but that GluR-B containing AMPA receptors are essential for male and female reproduction-related behaviors, perhaps by mediating responses to pheromones or odorants.
Analysis of Albumin-Associated Peptides and Proteins from Ovarian Cancer Patients
Authors: Lowenthal Mark S , Mehta Arpita I , Frogale Kristina , Bandle Russell W , Araujo Robyn P , Hood Brian L , Veenstra Timothy D , Conrads Thomas P , Goldsmith Paul , Fishman David , Petricoin Emanuel F , Liotta Lance A 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground: Albumin binds low–molecular-weight molecules, including proteins and peptides, which then acquire its longer half-life, thereby protecting the bound species from kidney clearance. We developed an experimental method to isolate albumin in its native state and to then identify [mass spectrometry (MS) sequencing] the corresponding bound low–molecular-weight molecules. We used this method to analyze pooled sera from a human disease study set (high-risk persons without cancer, n= 40; stage I ovarian cancer, n = 30; stage III ovarian cancer, n = 40) to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach as a discovery method.Methods: Albumin was isolated by solid-phase affinity capture under native binding and washing conditions. Captured albumin-associated proteins and peptides were separated by gel electrophoresis and subjected to iterative MS sequencing by microcapillary reversed-phase tandem MS. Selected albumin-bound protein fragments were confirmed in human sera by Western blotting and immunocompetition.Results: In total, 1208 individual protein sequences were predicted from all 3 pools. The predicted sequences were largely fragments derived from proteins with diverse biological functions. More than one third of these fragments were identified by multiple peptide sequences, and more than one half of the identified species were in vivo cleavage products of parent proteins. An estimated 700 serum peptides or proteins were predicted that had not been reported in previous serum databases. Several proteolytic fragments of larger molecules that may be cancer-related were confirmed immunologically in blood by Western blotting and peptide immunocompetition. BRCA2, a 390-kDa low-abundance nuclear protein linked to cancer susceptibility, was represented in sera as a series of specific fragments bound to albumin.Conclusion: Carrier-protein harvesting provides a rich source of candidate peptides and proteins with potential diverse tissue and cellular origins that may reflect important disease-related information.
Immunoassay Interference by a Commonly Used Blood Collection Tube Additive, the Organosilicone Surfactant Silwet L-720
Authors: Bowen Raffick AR , Chan Yung , Ruddel Mark E , Hortin Glen L , Csako Gyorgy , Demosky Stephen J , Remaley Alan T 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Background: A small number of immunoassays on several different types of analyzers were recently adversely affected by tube additives in Becton Dickinson (BD) Vacutainer® SST™, SST II, and Microtainer™ blood collection tubes. We examined the effect of a commonly used tube surfactant, Silwet™ L-720, on immunoassays and the mechanism for the interference.
Methods: Immunoassays were performed on serum supplemented with Silwet L-720 on the IMMULITE™ 2500 and AxSYM™ analyzers. Direct effects of the surfactant on the chemiluminescent detection step of immunoassays and on antibody immobilization on the solid phase were examined.
Results: Increasing the final surfactant concentration from 0 to 400 mg/L in serum significantly increased (∼51%) the apparent total triiodothyronine (TT3) concentrations measured on the IMMULITE 2500 but not the AxSYM analyzer. Several other competitive, but not noncompetitive, assays were also significantly affected by the surfactant on the IMMULITE 2500 analyzer. The effect was independent of serum components, and the surfactant had no direct effect on chemiluminescence reactions. The capture antibody, however, was displaced from the solid phase by incubation with solutions containing surfactant under conditions similar to the IMMULITE TT3 assay.
Conclusions: The Silwet L-720 surfactant, which is used to coat the inner surfaces of tubes, appears to account for previously reported immunoassay interference by BD Vacutainer SST blood collection tubes. One of the mechanisms for the interference is the desorption of antibodies from the solid phase by the surfactant. The results identify an important factor in the selection of suitable blood collection tube surfactants and provide an approach for solving similar tube-assay interference problems in the future.
Childhood Overweight and Maturational Timing in the Development of Adult Overweight and Fatness: The Newton Girls Study and Its Follow-up
Authors: Must Aviva , Naumova Elena N. , Phillips Sarah M. , Blum Miriam , Dawson-Hughes Bess , Rand William M. 
Published: August 2005

Objective. Although several studies have suggested that early menarche is associated with the development of adult overweight, few have accounted for childhood overweight before menarche.
Study Design. A 30-year follow-up of the original participants in the Newton Girls Study, a prospective study of development in a cohort of girls followed through menarche, provided data on premenarcheal relative weight and overweight (BMI &gt;85th percentile), prospectively obtained age at menarche, self-reported adult BMI, overweight (BMI &gt; 25), obesity (BMI &gt; 30) and, for a subset of participants, percentage body fat by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.
Results. Of the 448 women who participated in the adult follow-up at a mean age of 42.1 years (SD: 0.76 years), 307 had childhood data with which to characterize premenarcheal and menarcheal weight status and age at menarche. After a follow-up of 30.1 years (SD: 1.4 years), reported BMI was 23.4 (4.8), 28% were overweight, and 9% were obese. In multivariate linear and logistic-regression analyses, almost all of the influence on adult weight status was a result of premenarcheal weight status (model R2 = 0.199). Inclusion of a variable to reflect menarcheal timing provided very little additional information (model R2 = 0.208). Girls who were overweight before menarche were 7.7 times more likely to be overweight as adults (95% confidence interval: 2.3, 25.8), whereas early menarche (at ≤12 years of age) did not elevate risk (odds ratio: 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 0.66, 2.43). A similar pattern of results was observed when percentage body fat in adulthood was evaluated.
Conclusions. The apparent influence of early maturation on adult female overweight is largely a result of the influence of elevated relative weight on early maturation. Interventions to prevent and treat overweight should focus on girls before they begin puberty.
Partial Dehydration of the Retinal Binding Pocket and Proof for Photochemical Deprotonation of the Retinal Schiff Base in Bicelle Bacteriorhodopsin Crystals
Authors: Sanii Laurie S. , El‐Sayed Mostafa A. 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTIn bicelle bacteriorhodopsin (bcbR) crystals, the protein has a different structure from both native bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and in‐cubo bR (cbR) crystals. Recently, we studied the ability of bcbR crystals to undergo the photocycle upon laser excitation, characterized by the appearance of the M intermediate by single crystal resonance Raman spectroscopy. Calculation of the M lifetime by flash photolysis experiments demonstrated that in our bcbR crystals, the M rise time is much faster than in the native or cbR crystals, with a decay time that is much slower than these other two forms. Although it is now known that the bcbR crystals are capable of photochemical deprotonation, it is not known whether photochemical deprotonation is the only way to create the deprotonated Schiff base in the bcbR crystals. We measured both the visible and Raman spectra of crystals dried under ambient lighting and dried in the dark in order to determine whether the retinal Schiff base is able to thermally deprotonate in the dark. In addition, changes in the visible spectrum of single bcbR crystals under varying degrees of hydration and light exposure were examined to better understand the retinal binding environment.
Long-Term Proliferation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived Neuroepithelial Cells Using Defined Adherent Culture Conditions
Authors: Shin Soojung , Mitalipova Maisam , Noggle Scott , Tibbitts Deanne , Venable Alison , Rao Raj , Stice Steven L. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Research on the cell fate determination of embryonic stem cells is of enormous interest given the therapeutic potential in regenerative cell therapy. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the ability to renew themselves and differentiate into all three germ layers. The main focus of this study was to examine factors affecting derivation and further proliferation of multipotent neuroepithelial (NEP) cells from hESCs. hESCs cultured in serum-deprived defined medium developed distinct tube structures and could be isolated either by dissociation or adherently. Dissociated cells survived to form colonies of cells characterized as NEP when conditioned medium from human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line (MEDII) was added. However, cells isolated adherently developed an enriched population of NEP cells independent of MEDII medium. Further characterization suggested that they were NEP cells because they had a similar phenotype profile to in vivo NEP cells and expression SOX1, SOX2, and SOX3 genes. They were positive for Nestin, a neural intermediate filament protein, and Musashi-1, a neural RNA-binding protein, but few cells expressed further differentiation markers, such as PSNCAM, A2B5, MAPII, GFAP, or O4, or other lineage markers, such as muscle actin, α fetoprotein, or the pluripotent marker Oct4. Further differentiation of these putative NEP cells gave rise to a mixed population of progenitors that included A2B5-positive and PSNCAM-positive cells and postmitotic neurons and astrocytes. To proliferate and culture these derived NEP cells, ideal conditions were obtained using neurobasal medium supplemented with B27 and basic fibroblast growth factor in 5% oxygen. NEP cells were continuously propagated for longer than 6 months without losing their multipotent cell characteristics and maintained a stable chromosome number.
Interactions Between Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Sotiropoulou Panagiota A. , Perez Sonia A. , Gritzapis Angelos D. , Baxevanis Constantin N. , Papamichail Michael 
Published: August 2005

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells representing an attractive therapeutic tool for regenerative medicine. They possess unique immunomodulatory properties, being capable of suppressing T-cell responses and modifying dendritic cell differentiation, maturation, and function, whereas they are not inherently immunogenic, failing to induce alloreactivity to T cells and freshly isolated natural killer (NK) cells. To clarify the generation of host immune responses to implanted MSCs in tissue engineering and their potential use as immunosuppressive elements, the effect of MSCs on NK cells was investigated. We demonstrate that at low NK-to-MSC ratios, MSCs alter the phenotype of NK cells and suppress proliferation, cytokine secretion, and cyto-toxicity against HLA-class I– expressing targets. Some of these effects require cell-to-cell contact, whereas others are mediated by soluble factors, including transforming growth factor–β1 and prostaglandin E2, suggesting the existence of diverse mechanisms for MSC-mediated NK-cell suppression. On the other hand, MSCs are susceptible to lysis by activated NK cells. Overall, these data improve our knowledge of interactions between MSCs and NK cells and consequently of their effect on innate immune responses and their contribution to the regulation of adaptive immunity, graft rejection, and cancer immunotherapy.
Isolation and Angiogenesis by Endothelial Progenitors in the Fetal Liver
Authors: Cherqui Stephanie , Kurian Sunil M. , Schussler Olivier , Hewel Johannes A. , Yates John R. , Salomon Daniel R. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have significant therapeutic potential. However, the low quantity of such cells available from bone marrow and their limited capacity to proliferate in culture make their use difficult. Here, we present the first definitive demonstration of the presence of true EPCs in murine fetal liver capable of forming blood vessels in vivo connected to the host's vasculature after transplantation. This population is particularly interesting because it can be obtained at high yield and has a high angiogenic capacity as compared with bone marrow–derived EPCs. The EPC capacity is contained within the CD31+Sca1+ cell subset. We demonstrate that these cells are dependent for survival and proliferation on a feeder cell monolayer derived from the fetal liver. In addition, we describe a novel and easy method for the isolation and ex vivo proliferation of these EPCs. Finally, we used gene expression profiling and tandem mass spectrometry proteomics to examine the fetal liver endothelial progenitors and the feeder cells to identify possible proangiogenic growth factor and endothelial differentiation-associated genes.
Visualizations of Boger fluid flows in a 4:1 square–square contraction
Authors: Alves M. A. , Pinho F. T. , Oliveira P. J. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractVisualizations of the 3‐D flow in a 4:1 square–square sudden contraction for two viscoelastic Boger fluids and two Newtonian fluids were carried out at low Reynolds numbers. In these creeping flow conditions, the vortex length remained unchanged for Newtonian fluids, whereas a nonmonotonic variation with flow rate was observed for the Boger fluids. Initially, the corner vortex slightly increased with flow rate to a local peak at a Deborah number of De2 ≈ 6, before decreasing significantly to a minimum at De2 ≈ 15 (De2 is based on downstream characteristics). Finally, for Deborah numbers > 20 there was intense vortex enhancement until a periodic flow was established at higher flow rates (De2 ≈ 45–52). The strong elastic vortex enhancement was preceded by the appearance of diverging streamlines on the approach flow and, for the Boger fluid with higher polymer concentration, vortex enhancement took place through a lip vortex mechanism. AIChE J, 2005
Properties of polyacrylamide‐based hydrogels prepared by electron beam irradiation for possible use as bioactive controlled delivery matrices
Authors: Abd El‐Rehim H. A. , Hegazy El‐Sayed A. , Abd El‐Mohdy H. L. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractPolyacrylamide/poly(ethylene oxide) (PAAm/PEO) crosslinked hydrogels were designed for controlled delivery of an herbicide, Atrazine, which is used in the agricultural field. Atrazine was incorporated into a PAAm/PEO matrix during an electron beam irradiation process. The Atrazine release rate from matrices prepared under different conditions was studied to determine which factors have the most affect and control over the PAAm/PEO matrix release property. The copolymer blend composition, copolymer gel content, and irradiation dose greatly affected the Atrazine release rate. In addition, its release rate was influenced by the pH and temperature of the matrix‐surrounding medium. The Atrazine release rate decreased as the pH increased, but it increased as the temperature increased. The properties of the prepared crosslinked hydrogels may make them acceptable for practical use as bioactive controlled release matrices. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1262–1270, 2005
Micro‐void toughening of thermosets and its mechanism
Authors: Kim Nam Ho , Kim Ho Sung 
Published: August 2005

AbstractVoid toughening is studied using epoxy resin. Voids were produced mechanically without any chemical agents so that it was possible to isolate the role of micro‐voids from other factors. Toughness of the epoxy resin owing to voids was improved over that of the control by an order of magnitude. The toughening mechanism was found to be strongly related to intervoid distance and, hence, to void‐to‐crack distance. Large deformation bands between the crack and voids were deduced to be the source of toughening. The intervoid distance was directly measured on scanning electron microscope photos. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1290–1295, 2005
Preparation of porous spherical MgCl2/SiO2 complex support as precursor for catalytic propylene polymerization
Authors: Jiang Tao , Chen Wei , Zhao Feng , Liu Yuexiang , Wang Ruen , Du Hongbin , Zhang Tianyi 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe MgCl2/SiO2 complex support was prepared by spray drying using alcoholic suspension, which contained MgCl2 and SiO2. The complex support reacted with TiCl4 and di‐n‐butyl phthalate, giving a catalyst for propylene polymerization. The catalyst was spherical and porous with high specific surface area. TEA was used as a cocatalyst, and four kinds of alkoxysilane were used as external donors. The bulk polymerization of propylene was studied with the catalyst system. The effect of the reaction conditions and external donor on the polymerization were investigated. The results showed that the catalyst had high activity, high stereospecificity, and sensitive hydrogen responsibility. Polypropylene has good grain morphology because of duplicating the morphology of the catalyst. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1296–1299, 2005
Thermal analysis of novel underfill materials with optimum processing characteristics
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Yi‐Feng , Gerasimov Timofey G. , Heffner Kenneth H. , Harmon Julie P. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis work encompasses the development of low‐viscosity cyclic oligomer underfill formulations that cure without heat evolution. Boron nitride, silica‐coated aluminum nitride, and alumina ceramic powders were used as fillers in cyclic butylene terephthalate oligomer melts. The melts were heated with a suitable catalyst to induce polymerization. The effects of the filler type and composition on the thermal and mechanical properties of the poly(butylene terephthalate)/filler composites were examined with differential scanning calorimetry, temperature‐modulated differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, thermomechanical analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to elucidate the morphology of these composites. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1300–1307, 2005
Preparation of starch‐graft‐poly(acrylamide)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite
Authors: Li An , Liu Ruifeng , Wang Aiqin 
Published: August 2005

AbstractA novel starch‐graft‐poly(acrylamide)/attapulgite superabsorbent composite was synthesized by graft copolymerization reaction of starch, acrylamide (AM), and attapulgite micropowder using N.N‐methylene‐bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and ammonium persulphate (APS) as an initiator in aqueous solution, followed by hydrolysis with sodium hydroxide. The effects on water absorbency, such as amount of crosslinker, initiator, attapulgite, weight ratio of acrylamide to starch in the feed, gelatinization conditions of starch and molar ratio of NaOH to acrylamide, and so forth, were investigated. These superabsorbent composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The water absorbencies for these superabsorbent composites in water and saline solution were investigated, and water retention tests were carried out. Results obtained from this study showed that the water absorbency of superabsorbent composite synthesized under optimal synthesis conditions with an attapulgite content of 10% exhibit absorption of 1317 g H2O/g sample and 68 g H2O/g sample in distilled water and in 0.9 wt % NaCl solution, respectively. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1351–1357, 2005