bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altered deposition of basement‐membrane molecules in co‐cultures of colonic cancer cells and fibroblasts
Authors: Bouziges Françoise , Simo Pauline , Simon‐Assmann Patricia , Haffen Katy , Kedinger Michèle
Published: July 2010

Two human colon carcinoma cell lines, HT29 and Caco‐2 were co‐cultured with fetal rat or human skin fibroblasts. Their morphological features, ultra‐structural characteristics at the heterologous cell interface, and the deposition of basement‐membrane molecules [laminin, type‐IV collagen, heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG)] at the epithelialstromal junction were analyzed. The 2 cell lines behaved differently. HT29 cells did not spread on the fibroblasts and grew as clusters, while Caco‐2 cells formed a monoiayer over the fibroblastic feeder layer. Only the latter carcinoma cells exhibited cytoplasmic processes towards the fibroblasts and, after 5 days in co‐cultures, a structured basement membrane (BM). The immunocytochemicai analysis of the BM constituents revealed the absence of the molecules studied at the sites of heterologous contacts in the case of HT29 cells. In contrast, in the co‐cultures comprising Caco‐2 cells, laminin and type‐IV collagen were progressively deposited in a polar fashion at the epithelial‐fibroblastic interface which, however, remained devoid of HSPG molecules. Together with earlier data indicating a dual origin of the BM molecules located at the epithelial‐fibroblastic interface in normal intestine, the present study shows that the cancer cells as well as the fibroblastic ones under the influence of carcinoma cells display an altered capacity to synthesize and/or secrete BM molecules. The extent of such abnormalities correlates with the differentiation of the cells. Finally, these modifications occur concomitantly with alterations in cell interactions which vary among cell lines.
Ultrastructural evidence of the mechanisms responsible for interleukin‐4‐activated rejection of a spontaneous murine adenocarcinoma
Authors: Modesti Andrea , D'Orazi Gabriella , Masuelli Laura , Modica Alessandro , Scarpa Susanna , Bosco Maria Carla , Forni Guido
Published: July 2010

The ultrastructural pattern of the anti‐tumor response elicited by interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) was investigated by using a spontaneous mammary adenocarcinoma (TS/A) unable to elicit protective immunity in syngeneic BALB/c mice as suggested by a variety of preimmunization‐challenge experiments. A subcutaneous lethal challenge of TS/A tumor cells was inhibited in a significant number of BALB/c mice receiving recombinant murine IL‐4 injected daily for 10 days around the tumor‐draining lymph node. Tumor rejection was mainly the result of direct membrane and cytoplasmic damage to tumor cells by eosinophils, neutrophils and macrophages that deeply penetrated the proliferating tumor mass. Lymphocytes and fibroblasts participated in the reaction by interacting with tumor cells, granulocytes and each other. The most frequent cell interactions in the peri‐ and intra‐tumoral areas and in the tumor‐draining lymph nodes are illustrated. The efficiency with which the IL‐4‐activated reaction leads to tumor inhibition and induction of a T‐lymphocyte‐dependent tumor‐specific immune memory appears to depend on interactions between distinct leukocytes.
The permissive role of oxygen‐derived free radicals in the development of colonic cancer in the rat. A new theory for carcinogenesis
Authors: Salim Aws S.
Published: July 2010

The colonic carcinogen I,Z‐dimethylhydmzine (DMH) was given to male rats at 10 weeks of age in the form of weekly S.C. injections for 28 weeks. The results obtained show that the incidence of colonic cancer is directly dependent on dietary fat intake and that carcinogens which produce colonic cancer in the presence of a high‐fat diet are rendered harmless when a low‐fat diet is consumed. These results suggest that dietary fat is permissive for colonic carcinogenesis. Administration of the radical scavengers allopurinol and dimethyl sulfoxide afforded dose‐dependent protection against this permissive role.
Trends in cancer mortality in the USSR, 1965–1990
Authors: La Vecchia Carlo , Levi Fabio , Lucchini Franca , Negri Eva , Boyle Peter
Published: July 2010

Trends in age‐specific and age‐standardized mortality from 10 major cancer sites and total cancer mortality in the USSR were analyzed for the period 1965–1990, on the basis of the World Health Organization mortality database. Gastric cancer mortality declined substantially. Still, these rates were among the highest registered in the world, and in 1990 stomach cancer accounted for over 85, 000 deaths, being the second cause of cancer death (and the first one until 1980); further, there was some indication of a levelling of the declines in gastric‐cancer rates for both sexes over most recent calendar years. Likewise, uterine‐cancer mortality declined between 1965 and 1985, but there was no further decline over the last 5 years. Upward trends were registered for cancers of the intestine, of the breast and of the prostate. Mortality from these neoplasms, however, was still comparatively low by worldwide standards. Leukaemia rates were stable in both sexes. Substantial rises were observed for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, larynx and, chiefly, lung. Even more unfavourable was lung‐cancer mortality in young and middle‐aged males, since the truncated rate of 121/100, 000 in 1990 was higher than the values reached by countries like England and Wales or Finland even at the top of their epidemic in the 1960s, and trends in the USSR were still upwards. Thus, total cancer mortality was 176/100, 000 males in 1965, declined to 170 in 1970, but increased thereafter, particularly over the last decade, to reach 203/100, 000, i.e., one of the highest rates on a worldwide scale. Among females, the overall cancer mortality rate declined between 1965 and 1975, but rose thereafter to a value intermediate on a worldwide scale. These recent unfavourable trends of cancer mortality in the USSR indicate that, in the absence of adequate intervention, particularly on the tobacco‐related cancer epidemic, overall cancer mortality will continue to rise in the foreseeable future. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
p21‐ras‐peptide‐specific T‐cell responses in a patient with colorectal cancer. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells recognize a peptide corresponding to a common mutation (13Gly → Asp)
Authors: Fossum Beate , Gedde‐Dahl Tobias , Breivik Jarle , Eriksen Jon Amund , Spurkland Anne , Thorsby Erik , Gaudernack Gustav
Published: July 2010

Peptides derived from mutated ras are immunogenic in mice and humans, and represent a group of specific tumor antigens that are potential targets for immunotherapy. T‐cell responses against mutant p21 ras can be initiated in vitro by repeated stimulation of peripheral‐blood mononuclear cells with mutant ras‐derived peptides. Patients with tumors commonly harbouring ras mutations may therefore show evidence of in vivo reactivity against such mutations. Peripheral‐blood mononuclear cells from 10 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma were screened for reactivity against synthetic ras‐derived peptides corresponding to the most commonly found mutations in this type of cancer. In one patient, T‐cell reactivity against the 1–25, 13Gly → Asp peptide was detected. From this patient, both CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell clones specific for the 1–25, 13Gly → Asp mutation could be raised. We were not, however, able to detect the corresponding mutation in the cancer. The 13Gly → Asp mutation in the ras oncogene is frequent and constitutes 9 to 27% of all K ras mutations found in biopsies from patients with colorectal carcinomas. Our study demonstrates a mutant ras‐specific T‐cell response of both the CD4+ and the CD8+ phenotype in a cancer patient. We speculate that in this patient a specific T‐cell response resulted in eradication of tumor cells harboring the 13Gly → Asp mutation. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of adsorption of human T‐cell‐leukemia virus type 1 by a plant lectin, wheat‐germ agglutinin
Authors: Yang Da‐wei , Haraguchi Yuji , Iwai Hideaki , Handa Atsushi , Shimizu Nobuaki , Hoshino Hiroo
Published: July 2010

Thirty‐six lectins that recognize various sugar chains were examined for inhibitory activities against infection with human T‐cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV‐I). Wheat‐germ agglutinin (WGA) was the most inhibitory among them: plating of the pseudotype of vesicular‐stomatitis virus (VSV) bearing envelope antigens of HTLV‐I was markedly inhibited by treatment of indicator cells with WGA just before adsorption, but not by treatment after virus adsorption. Treatment with WGA before adsorption, however, could not inhibit the plating of VSV, VSV pseudotypes of bovine leukemia virus, Moloney murine leukemia virus and human immunodeficiency virus type I. Syncytium formation induced by HTLV‐I was also inhibited by WGA upon co‐cultivation of U‐251 MG human glioma cells or MOLT‐4 human T‐cells with HTLV‐l‐producing C9I /PL cells. Formation of proviral DNA detected one day after infection was also inhibited when indicator cells had been treated with WGA before adsorption of HTLV‐I, but not after its adsorption. These findings indicated that WGA specifically inhibits plating of HTLV‐I when added to culture just before adsorption and suggested that a substance(s) containing sugar chains recognized by WGA might be involved in an adsorption step of HTLV‐I.
PEG‐based Polyplex Design for Gene and Nucleotide Delivery
Authors: Vachutinsky Yelena , Kataoka Kazunori
Published: July 2010

Gene delivery is a multiple‐step process which depends on the ability of a gene carrier to overcome several biological barriers and safely deliver a transgene to its target cells. Polymeric gene delivery systems, e. g., polyplexes, have emerged as a safe alternative to viral vectors. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) conjugation is a common modification approach to provide polyplexes with prolonged circulation time and reduced toxicity, and to allow their accumulation in tumor tissue through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. This review describes physicochemical properties related to the biological activity of PEG‐based polyplexes, and approaches undertaken to promote a rational design for their in vivo applications.
Adhesion and proliferation of human fibroblasts on sol‐gel coated titania
Authors: Meretoja V. V. , Rossi S. , Peltola T. , Pelliniemi L. J. , Närhi T. O.
Published: July 2010

The objective of this study was to evaluate growth and attachment of human gingival fibroblasts on nonresorbable sol‐gel‐derived nanoporous titania (TiO2) coated discs and noncoated commercially pure titania (cpTi) discs in vitro. The strength of attachment was evaluated using serial trypsinization. The number of cells detached from TiO2‐substrates was 30% ± 3%, whereas those detached from the cpTi was 58% ± 4% indicating a stronger cell attachment on the coated surfaces. In scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images fewer cells, with more rounded shape, were seen with cpTi than with TiO2 after the detachment assay. Fibroblasts grew more efficiently on TiO2 than on cpTi substrates, showing significantly higher cell activities at all times. In transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a continuous layer of two to three cells thick covered the coated and noncoated discs after 7 days of culture. The plasma membrane of cells in contact with the coating was in close opposition and the cytoplasm was ultrastructurally similar to the cells grown on noncoated discs with well‐preserved organelles. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the sol‐gel‐derived TiO2 coatings can facilitate cell growth and attachment of human gingival fibroblasts on titanium in vitro. This in vitro study is in line with our previous in vivo observations of improved soft tissue attachment of TiO2 coatings in comparison with cpTi. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010.
Parathyroid hormone gene family in a cartilaginous fish, the elephant shark (Callorhinchus milii)
Authors: Liu Yang , Ibrahim Alexander S , Tay Boon-Hui , Richardson Samantha J , Bell Justin , Walker Terence I , Brenner Sydney , Venkatesh Byrappa , Danks Janine A
Published: July 2010

The development of bone was a major step in the evolution of vertebrates. A bony skeleton provided structural support and a calcium reservoir essential for the movement from an aquatic to a terrestrial environment. Cartilaginous fishes are the oldest living group of jawed vertebrates. In this study we have identified three members of the parathyroid hormone (Pth) gene family in a cartilaginous fish, the elephant shark (Callorhinchus milii). The three genes include two Pth genes, designated as Pth1 and Pth2, and a Pthrp gene. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that elephant shark Pth2 is an ancient gene whose orthologue is lost in bony vertebrates. The Pth1 and Pth2 genes have the same structure as the Pth gene in bony vertebrates, whereas the structure of the Pthrp gene is more complex in tetrapods compared with elephant shark. The three elephant shark genes showed distinct patterns of expression, with Pth2 being expressed only in the brain and spleen. This contrasts with localization of the corresponding proteins, which showed considerable overlap in their distribution. There were conserved sites of localization for Pthrp between elephant shark and mammals, including tissues such as kidney, skin, skeletal and cardiac muscle, pancreas, and cartilage. The elephant shark Pth1(1–34) and Pthrp(1–34) peptides were able to stimulate cAMP accumulation in mammalian UMR106.01 cells. However, Pth2(1–34) peptide did not show such PTH-like biologic activity. The presence of Pth and Pthrp genes in the elephant shark indicates that these genes played fundamental roles before their recruitment to bone development in bony jawed vertebrates. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Predicting the accuracy of protein–ligand docking on homology models
Authors: Bordogna Annalisa , Pandini Alessandro , Bonati Laura
Published: July 2010

Ligand–protein docking is increasingly used in Drug Discovery. The initial limitations imposed by a reduced availability of target protein structures have been overcome by the use of theoretical models, especially those derived by homology modeling techniques. While this greatly extended the use of docking simulations, it also introduced the need for general and robust criteria to estimate the reliability of docking results given the model quality. To this end, a large‐scale experiment was performed on a diverse set including experimental structures and homology models for a group of representative ligand–protein complexes. A wide spectrum of model quality was sampled using templates at different evolutionary distances and different strategies for target–template alignment and modeling. The obtained models were scored by a selection of the most used model quality indices. The binding geometries were generated using AutoDock, one of the most common docking programs. An important result of this study is that indeed quantitative and robust correlations exist between the accuracy of docking results and the model quality, especially in the binding site. Moreover, state‐of‐the‐art indices for model quality assessment are already an effective tool for an a priori prediction of the accuracy of docking experiments in the context of groups of proteins with conserved structural characteristics. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010
Epigenetic pre‐patterning and dynamics during initial stages of mammalian preimplantation development
Authors: Rasmussen Theodore P. , Corry Gareth N.
Published: July 2010

Mammals, like all multicellular organisms, develop from a single cell—the totipotent zygote. During preimplantation development and subsequent development in utero, over 200 distinct cell types are established and integrated into the organ systems and tissues of the developing organism. Much of the field of mammalian developmental biology is devoted to investigation of mechanisms that govern the formation of complete organs and tissues. In contrast to later development, which consumes the vast majority of time associated with development in utero, preimplantation development and germ layer specification occur rapidly. Yet knowledge is limited regarding the regulatory mechanisms that specify the transient, but pluripotent, cellular lineages that form during the initial stages of mammalian development. Gametogenesis and preimplantation development are marked by dramatic and pervasive epigenetic changes rooted in chromatin dynamics. The fundamental mechanisms that specify subsequent cellular lineages of the conceptus are only now becoming understood, and tend to rely relatively heavily upon broad epigenetic mechanisms in addition to master transcription factors. This review considers epigenetic regulation in the very earliest stages of preimplantation development. In addition, recent advances which indicate that some epigenetic coding is imposed during gametogenesis and maintained during preimplantation development are considered. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 333–336, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TGFβ1 induces IL‐6 and inhibits IL‐8 release in human bronchial epithelial cells: The role of Smad2/3
Authors: Ge Qi , Moir Lyn M. , Black Judith L. , Oliver Brian G. , Burgess Janette K.
Published: July 2010

Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells contribute to asthmatic airway inflammation by secreting cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, including interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8 and transforming growth factor (TGF) β1, all of which are elevated in asthmatic airways. This study examines the signaling pathways leading to TGFβ1 induced IL‐6 and IL‐8 in primary HBE cells from asthmatic and non‐asthmatic volunteers. HBE cells were stimulated with TGFβ1 in the presence or absence of signaling inhibitors. IL‐6 and IL‐8 protein and mRNA were measured by ELISA and real‐time PCR respectively, and cell signaling kinases by Western blot. TGFβ1 increased IL‐6, but inhibited IL‐8 production in both asthmatic and non‐asthmatic cells; however, TGF induced significantly more IL‐6 in asthmatic cells. Inhibition of JNK MAP kinase partially reduced TGFβ1 induced IL‐6 in both cell groups. TGFβ1 induced Smad2 phosphorylation, and blockade of Smad2/3 prevented both the TGFβ1 modulated IL‐6 increase and the decrease in IL‐8 production in asthmatic and non‐asthmatic cells. Inhibition of Smad2/3 also increased basal IL‐8 release in asthmatic cells but not in non‐asthmatic cells. Using CHIP assays we demonstrated that activated Smad2 bound to the IL‐6, but not the IL‐8 promoter region. We conclude that the Smad2/3 pathway is the predominant TGFβ1 signaling pathway in HBE cells, and this is altered in asthmatic bronchial epithelial cells. Understanding the mechanism of aberrant pro‐inflammatory cytokine production in asthmatic airways will allow the development of alternative ways to control airway inflammation. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 846–854, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Agents that bind annexin A2 suppress ocular neovascularization
Authors: Lima e Silva Raquel , Shen Jikui , Gong Yuan Yuan , Seidel Christopher P. , Hackett Sean F. , Kesavan Kamala , Jacoby Douglas B. , Campochiaro Peter A.
Published: July 2010

TM601 is a synthetic polypeptide with sequence derived from the venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus that has anti‐neoplastic activity. It has recently been demonstrated to bind annexin A2 on cultured tumor and vascular endothelial cells and to suppress blood vessel growth on chick chorioallantoic membrane. In this study, we investigated the effects of TM601 in models of ocular neovascularization (NV). When administered by intraocular injection, intravenous injections, or periocular injections, TM601 significantly suppressed the development of choroidal NV at rupture sites in Bruch's membrane. Treatment of established choroidal NV with TM601 caused apoptosis of endothelial cells and regression of the NV. TM601 suppressed ischemia‐induced and vascular endothelial growth factor‐induced retinal NV and reduced excess vascular permeability induced by vascular endothelial growth factor. Immunostaining with an antibody directed against TM601 showed that after intraocular or periocular injection, TM601 selectively bound to choroidal or retinal NV and co‐localized with annexin A2, which is undetectable in normal retinal and choroidal vessels, but is upregulated in endothelial cells participating in choroidal or retinal NV. Intraocular injection of plasminogen or tissue plasminogen activator, which like TM601 bind to annexin A2, also suppressed retinal NV. This study supports the hypothesis that annexin A2 is an important target for treatment of neovascular diseases and suggests that TM601, through its interaction with annexin A2, causes suppression and regression of ocular NV and reduces vascular leakage and thus may provide a new treatment for blinding diseases such as neovascular age‐related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 855–864, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of core‐binding factor β with the malignant phenotype of prostate and ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Davis J. Nathan , Rogers Donna , Adams Lisa , Yong Thomas , Jung Jette S. , Cheng Bing , Fennell Katie , Borazanci Erkut , Moustafa Yara W. , Sun Amanda , Shi Runhua , Glass Jonathan , Mathis J. Michael , Williams B. Jill , Meyers Shari
Published: July 2010

Core binding factor (CBF) is a transcription factor complex that plays roles in development, stem‐cell homeostasis, and human disease. CBF is a heterodimer composed of one of three DNA‐binding RUNX proteins plus the non‐DNA‐binding protein, CBFβ. Recent studies have showed that the RUNX factors exhibit complex expression patterns in prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers, and CBF has been implicated in the control of cancer‐related genes. However, the biologic roles of CBF in solid tumors have not been fully elucidated. To test whether CBF is required for the malignant phenotype of various epithelial cancers, we used lentiviral delivery of CBFβ‐specific shRNA to significantly decrease CBFβ expression in two prostate cancer cell lines (PPC1 and PC‐3) and the SKOV‐3 ovarian cancer cell line. We found that knockdown of CBFβ significantly inhibited anchorage independent growth of each cell line. Further, CBFβ knockdown in PPC1 cells suppressed xenograft tumor growth compared to controls. Mice injected with SKOV‐3 ovarian cancer cells knocked‐down for CBFβ exhibited a survival time similar to control mice. However, human cells recovered from the ascites fluid of these mice showed CBFβ expression levels similar to those from mice injected with control SKOV‐3 cells, suggesting that CBFβ knockdown is incompatible with tumor cell growth. Gene expression profiling of CBFβ knockdown cells revealed significant changes in expression in genes involved in various developmental and cell signaling pathways. These data collectively suggest that CBFβ is required for malignancy in some human cancers. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 875–887, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transcriptional activity of TAp63 promoter is regulated by c‐jun
Authors: Yao Jeng‐Yuan , Pao Chia‐Chu , Chen Jan‐Kan
Published: July 2010

The transcription factor p63 belongs to the p53 protein family and plays an important role in epithelial development. Recent studies showed that p63 is over‐expressed in some human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, suggesting a role in carcinogenesis. The p63 gene contains two promoters and alternative promoter usage generates two groups of proteins with (TAp63) or without (ΔNp63) the transactivation domain. Although the roles of TAp63 in epithelial development have been described in numerous recent studies, the regulation of its expression has not been elucidated. In this study, we showed that the transcriptional activity of the TAp63 promoter and TAp63 protein level were both up‐regulated by an increased c‐jun activity in Hep3B human hepatocellular carcinoma cell. Moreover, the elevated TAp63 expression was coincided with an increased binding of c‐jun to the TAp63 promoter. Point mutation of the sp1 binding site within the TAp63 promoter region attenuated the effect of c‐jun on TAp63 expression. Knockdown of TAp63 expression by shRNA led to increased proliferation of Hep3B cell compared to that of the mock cell, suggesting a growth suppressive effect of TAp63. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 898–904, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ectopia cordis in a fetus with mosaic trisomy 16
Authors: Arnaoutoglou Christos , Meditskou Soultana , Keivanidou Anastasia , Manthou Marilena , Anesidis Nikolaos , Assimakopoulos Efstratios , Athanasiadis Apostolos , Kumar Sailesh
Published: July 2010

Ectopia cordis and mosaic trisomy 16 are two rare fetal anomalies, which have not been reported in association. We report a case of an isolated ectopia cordis at 11+3 weeks. Subsequent embryological examination confirmed thoracic ectopia cordis with normal heart structure and array comparative genomic hybridization of fetal tissue detected trisomy 16 mosaicism. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 38:386‐388, 2010
Seasonal changes of myostatin expression and its relation to body Mass acclimation in the Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus
Authors: Braulke L.J. , Heldmaier G. , Berriel Diaz M. , Rozman J. , Exner C.
Published: July 2010

The Djungarian hamster is an animal that is prominent for distinct seasonal adaptations. Cued by shortening day length in autumn they spontaneously exhibit reductions in food intake, body mass (BM), fat mass and also in lean mass (LM). The mechanisms behind the seasonal regulation of body composition are only partly resolved. Although most studies focused on the participation of body fat in seasonal body weight regulation, we addressed the influence of LM, moreover of muscle mass (MM) on seasonal BM changes. Therefore, we analyzed body composition, MM and the expression of myostatin, a hormone negatively regulating muscle growth and differentiation, in Djungarian hamsters in response to naturally changing photoperiod in winter compared to long photoperiod (LP). Winter‐acclimated hamsters upregulated myostatin mRNA when compared with hamsters adapted to natural and artificial LP, whereas MM remained unchanged when compared with natural LP. Moreover, in natural short photoperiod, individual myostatin expression levels were negatively correlated with MM. These results suggest that myostatin is under seasonal control in order to regulate MM and hence contributes to the overall LM and therefore BM changes in seasonal mammals. J. Exp. Zool. 313A:548–556, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of vitellogenin coding sequences in the Antarctic fish Trematomus bernacchii
Authors: Barucca Marco , Biscotti Maria Assunta , Forconi Mariko , Regoli Francesco , Olmo Ettore , Canapa Adriana
Published: July 2010

Vitellogenin is the yolk protein precursor. Multiple vitellogenins identified in several teleosts have been attributed different roles in the control of egg buoyancy and in early embryonic vs. late larval nutrition. In this study, the cDNA encoding VtgAa was characterized in the Antarctic fish Trematomus bernacchii (suborder Notothenioidei). The sequence contains 4,964 nucleotides and encodes 1,629 amino acids of the precursor molecule. To gain insights into the evolution of vitellogenin in Antarctic fishes, we identified the partial sequence of vtgAb, and vtgAa and vtgAb partial sequences of five other notothenioids. The phylogenetic analysis highlighted a close correlation between the Vtg amino acid sequences of the six Antarctic species and VtgAa and VtgAb of other perciforms. Finally, analysis of the ratio of vtgAa to vtgAb expression, evaluated in T. bernacchii by real‐time PCR, showed a considerably greater expression of vtgAa in different periods of austral summer. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 314B:645–652, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative punting kinematics and pelvic fin musculature of benthic batoids
Authors: Macesic Laura J. , Kajiura Stephen M.
Published: July 2010

Although the majority of batoid elasmobranchs, skates and rays, are benthically associated, benthic locomotion has been largely overlooked in this group. Only skates have been previously described to perform a form of benthic locomotion termed “punting.” While keeping the rest of the body motionless, the skate's pelvic fins are planted into the substrate and then retracted caudally, which thrusts the body forward. In this study, we demonstrate that this form of locomotion is not confined to the skates, but is found across a range of phylogenetically and morphologically diverse batoid species. However, only the clearnose skate, Raja eglanteria, and the lesser electric ray, Narcine brasiliensis, performed “true punting,” in which only the pelvic fins were engaged. The yellow stingray, Urobatis jamaicensis, and the Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina, performed “augmented punting,” in which pectoral fin movement was also used to generate thrust. Despite this supplemental use of pectoral fins, the augmented punters failed to exceed the punting capabilities of the true punters. The urobatid and the true punters all punted approximately half their disc length per punt, whereas the dasyatid punted a significantly shorter distance. The skate punted significantly faster than the other species. Examination of the pelvic fin musculature revealed more specialized muscles in the true punters than in the augmented punters. This concordance of musculature with punting ability provides predictive power regarding the punting kinematics of other elasmobranchs based upon gross muscular examinations. In contrast to previous assumptions, our results suggest that benthic locomotion is widespread among batoids. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Halving imaging time of whole brain diffusion spectrum imaging and diffusion tractography using simultaneous image refocusing in EPI
Authors: Reese Timothy G. , Benner Thomas , Wang Ruopeng , Feinberg David A. , Wedeen Van J.
Published: July 2010

Purpose

To increase the efficiency of densely encoded diffusion imaging of the brain, such as diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI), we time‐multiplex multiple slices within the same readout using simultaneous image refocusing echo‐planar imaging (SIR‐EPI).

Materials and Methods

Inefficiency in total scan time results from the long time of diffusion encoding gradient pulses which must be repeated for each and every image. We present a highly efficient multiplexing method, simultaneous image refocusing (SIR), for reducing the total scan time of diffusion imaging by nearly one‐half. SIR DSI is performed in 10 minutes rather than 21 minutes, acceptable for routine clinical application.

Results

Two identical studies were completed, comparing conventional single‐slice EPI DSI and SIR‐EPI DSI, showing equal signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and contrast and small differences in registration, likely due to typical subject motion. Comparison of DSI and DTI tractographs showed matching quality and detection of white matter tracts.

Conclusion

The net reduction to nearly half the number of diffusion encoding gradient pulses in SIR‐EPI significantly reduces acquisition times of DSI and DTI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:517–522. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Agglutinine in marinen Braunalgen
Authors: Wagner M. , Wagner Barbara
Published: July 2010

Extracts from the brown algaeFucus vesiculosus, F. serratus, andHalidrys siliquosaagglutinated human erythrocytes of groups A, B, 0, and AB as well as erythrocytes from some animal species, ascites tumour cells from mice, and streptococci of many groups of theLANCEFIELDsystem. The extract ofChorda filumdid not show haemagglutination but agglutinated ascites tumour cells and streptococci of a few groups.
Eisenoxydierende, stäbchenförmige Bakterien III. Quantitative Untersuchungen zum Effekt von Eisen auf das Wachstum
Authors: Kullmann K.‐H. , Schweisfurth R.
Published: July 2010

Wachstum mit Oxalat und Citrat konnte bei 2 der von SCHULZE u. SCHWEINSFURTH (1971) isolierten Stämme durch Eisen gefördert werden, wobei ein Fe(II)‐Zusatz einen stärkeren Effekt zeigte als ein Zusatz von Fe(III). Bei Stamm 31 konnte der positive Effekt durch Eisen auf ein physiologisch günstiges tieferes pH zurückgeführt werden, das sich bei der Bildung von Fe(III)‐hydroxid einstellt. St. 68 dagegen zeigte auch bei konstantem pH einen positiven Wachstumseffekt von Eisen. Mikroaerophile Bedingungen im Kulturmedium mit Eisen hemmten das Wachstum.
Regulative influence ofo‐aminobenzoic acid on the biosynthesis of nourseothricin in cultures ofStreptomyces nourseiJA 3890b III. Change of redox state of nicotinamide‐adenine‐dinucleotides in the presence of aminobenzoic acids
Authors: Gräfe U. , Bocker H. , Reinhardt G. , Thrum H.
Published: July 2010

o‐Aminobenzoic acid (OABA, anthranilic acid) and related compounds which are known to stimulate the biosynthesis of streptothricin‐type antibiotic nourseothricin byStreptomyces nourseiJA 3890b were found to increase strongly the NADH/NAD+ ratio in growing mycelium of this strain suggesting that these effectors are capable of interfering with the function of the respiratory chain. In parallel, a complex shift of metabolism was induced shown by simultaneous alteration of mycelial activities of alanine dehydrogenase, glutamine synthetase, and glutamate dehydrogenase. These changes may be responsible for the observed delay of amino acid catabolism and may improve the precursor supply of the secondary metabolism.
Effects of some inorganic elements on nitrogen‐fixation in blue‐green algae and some ecological aspects of pollution
Authors: Henriksson L. E. , Dasilva E. J.
Published: July 2010

Nitrogen‐fixation by two species of Nostoc, one of them a lichen phycobiont, was generally stimulated by low concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, nickel, lead, palladium, and zinc. Higher concentrations (0.025 to 0.125 ppm) of arsenic, nickel, and palladium were also stimulatory; however, higher concentrations of cadmium, lead, and zinc tended to inhibit fixation. With the exception of palladium and zinc at low concentrations these six tested elements tended to inhibit nitrogen‐fixation in Chlorogloea fritschii and Westiellopsis sp.
Two different types of surface structures of methane utilizing bacteria
Authors: Haubold R.
Published: July 2010

Methylocystis spec., strain IC 493s/5, and Methylomonas albus WHITTENBURY, strain BG 8 (WHITTENBURY et al. 1970), are shown to form surface structures unusual with methane utilizing bacteria.
Rhizosphere fungi of five plants in Egypt
Authors: El‐Hissy F. T. , Abdel‐Hafez S. I. , Abdel‐Kader M. I.
Published: July 2010

75 species which belong to 25 genera were collected during this investigation. All of these fungi were previously isolated from Egyptian soils and other sources. The total count and the number of genera and species in the rhizosphere soil of the 5 plants were regularly higher than in non‐rhizosphere soil.

The composition of the rhizosphere fungus flora was considerably influenced by the type and the age of the plant. The most prevalent fungi in the rhizosphere of the test plants after 45, 90, and 150 days were as follows: in Helianthus annuus, Stachybotrys atra and Aspergillus niger; in Chrysanthemum coronarium, Cladosporium herbarum, A. sydowii and Penicillium funiculosum; in Nigella sativa, Fusarium moniliforme and A. sydowii; in Datura innoxia, A. fumigatus and A. terreus; in Hyoscyamus muticus, C. herbarum and A. sydowii; and in soil, P. funiculosum, A. terreus and A. niger. The counts of total fungi and most of the common fungal species, except in the case of Datura innoxia, reached their maxima after 90 days and sharply declined after 150 days.
Gallertlager einer besonderen Mikroorganismengesellschaft an verbautem Grubenholz
Authors: Kraepelin G. , Passern D.
Published: July 2010

Conspicuous gelatinous deposits found on permanetly drenched pitwood planks in an old ore mine were analyzed microscopically. They contained a very characteristic microbial community consisting primarily of bacteria producing various kinds of slime capsules, stalks, hyphae or other appendages. The high degree of morphological diversity and the remarkable enrichment of differentiated cell types may reflelct selective advantages realized under the continous pressure imposed by such an unusual biotope.
Schutz zellfremder DNA vor wirtskontrollierter Restriktion in Bakterienzellen. II. Schutz des Plasmids pSF2124 durch die ocr+ Genfunktion der Bakteriophagen T3 und T7
Authors: Reuter Monika , Krüger D. H. , Scholz D. , Rosenthal H. A.
Published: July 2010

When restriction‐active Escherichia coli cells (rm) are transformed with the pSF2124 plasmid, a common vector in experimental gene transfer, the efficiency of transformation (e.o.t.) is lowered by 2 orders of magnitude compared with restriction‐negative (rm or rm) recipient cells due to restriction of the pSF2124 DNA by endoR.EcoP1.

Preinfection of rm cells with UV‐inactivated ocr+ phages (T3, T7, T3sam−) still able to express their early genes protects the plasmid DNA against restriction by endoR.EcoP1: The e.o.t. of rm recipient cells with pSF2124 attains the same high value as that of r−m− cells. The specific role of the ocr+ gene function was demonstrated by the use of ocr− mutants (T3/R7, T7/ D111): Preinfection with such phage mutants does not increase the e.o.t. of rm cells. An unspecific e.o.t. alteration of restriction‐negative (r−m−) recipient cells by ocr+ or ocr− phages was excluded.

The ocr− gene function can be exploited to protect pSF2124 against DNA restriction. The recipient cells survive the process of phage preinfection and transformation and stably replicate themselves as well as the plasmid DNA.
Untersuchungen zur Frage einer Laugung von Erzen mit heterotrophen Mikroorganismen–Entwicklung eines Screening‐Verfahrens
Authors: Klages D. , Meyer I. , Schwartz W. , Näveke R.
Published: July 2010

Besides leaching of sulfidic ores with thiobacilli, a second way of microbial leaching is tested with carbon‐heterotrophic fungi and bacteria for those types of ores, where thiobacilli fail to work. The active agents are metabolic products, f. i. organic acids, which are released into the medium producing water soluble compounds with heavy metals

A screening method is described for recognizing active strains in samples of soil, metal‐containing sites, mining heaps and other biocoenoses, using the dilution method in plates with different media. The critical signs of supposed leaching activity are halo formations around growing colonies in turbid agar media with suspended particles of Ca carbonate or Ca phosphates of low solubility, and in a second group of experiments with insoluble compounds of heavy metals, f. i. oxides. The leaching activity was tested with metal compounds suspended in liquid media and inoculated with active strains of the screening program. First results were reached with oxides of copper (CuO), uranium (U3O8) and an uranium‐containing phosphorite.
Leukaemomycin‐geblockte Mutanten des Streptomyces griseus und ihre Pigmente
Authors: Wagner Christina , Stengel Cornelia , Eritt Inge , Schumann G. , Fleck W. F.
Published: July 2010

In a continued search for leukaemomycin‐blocked mutants of three leukaemomycin‐producing strains IMET JA 3933, IMET JA 5142 and IMET JA 5570 of Streptomyces griseus, 32 mutants producing aerial mycelium and spores were detected. Furthermore, in all mutants cosynthetic capability has been observed. This report describes characterization of leukaemomycin‐blocked mutants obtained by mutagenic treatment experiments using NTG and combined UV‐/X‐rays. According to the biosynthetic capability for anthracyclinones or other pigments the mutants could be divided into six classes. The first class contains 14 leukaemomycin‐blocked mutants unable to synthesize anthracyclinones. Besides two classes of mutants (12)synthesizing well‐known anthracyclinones as epsilon‐rhodomycinone, 7‐deoxy‐epsilon‐rhodomycinone, 11‐deoxy‐derivatives of daunomycinone, three new classes of mutants (6) synthesizing reddish‐brown, brown and blue‐violet pigments on solid media with structures not elucidated as yet, will be described.
Rubredoxin‐Reductase in Rohextrakten von Acinetobacter calcoaceticus in Abhängigkeit von C‐Quelle und Wachstumsphase
Authors: Claus R. , Kleber H.‐P.
Published: July 2010

By immunization of rabbits with discelectrophoretically purified rubredoxin‐reductase from Ac. calcoaceticus an antiserum against this enzyme was prepared. The antiserum was monospecifical to a diaphoretic activity, which had a RF‐value identical with the rubredoxin‐reductase‐RF value.

It has been shown by discelectrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis, OUCHTERLONY technique and kinetic investigations that crude extracts of bacteria grown on C16, malate, succinate or acetate contain rubredoxin‐reductase.

By the LAURELL technique we demonstrated that the amount of the enzyme is nearly independent of the carbon source. There are only differences during the different growth phases.
Isolation of membrane‐associated folded chromosomes from Anacystis nidulans
Authors: Ellinger A. , Dworsky P. , Weisshäupl V.
Published: July 2010

Particles containing folded DNA were isolated from the blue‐green alga Anacystis nidulans. The structure of these particles is vesicle‐like and similar to that of membrane‐associated nuclear bodies which had been isolated form Escherichia coli under comparable conditions. The sedimentation constant is between 8000 and 9000 Svedbergs. The DNA is inside the particles and is attached to the thylakoid membranes.
Anthracyclic products fromStreptomyces erythromogenes nov. sp.Biotransformation of daunomycin (Dn) by an acellular preparation and synergism between Dn and some known antibiotics
Authors: Abdallah Nadia M. , Devys M. , Barbier M.
Published: July 2010

The filtrate broth as well as mycelium of the new strainStreptomyces erythrochromogenes nov. sp.isolated from Saudi Arabian soil, produce the antitumor antibiotic daunomycin1and two anthracyclic derivatives: 7‐deoxy 13‐dihydrodaunomycinone2and 7‐deoxy daunomycinone4. The biotransformation of1to2and4by an acellular enzyme preparation from the strain was found to be NADPH and/or NADH dependent.

Mixtures of daunomycin1with chloramphenicol or penicillin showed superior antimicrobial activities againstBacillus subtilisICC strain, than the individual antibiotics.
Anwendung der Dielektrophorese für die präparative Trennung thermotoleranter Hefezellen
Authors: Krause G. , Schade W. , Glaser R. , Gräger B.
Published: July 2010

Dielectrophoresis as a new method for preparative separation of cells is being presented. This method responds to differences in the polarization of cells, which correlate with a number of complex physiological properties of cells. It is shown that yeast cells of different thermotolerant properties can be differentiated by dielectrophoresis. Moreover, the application of this method permitted to separate cells with a high selectivity, which produce more biomass at a temperature of 40°C than the initial population.

Investigations on the ability of cells to survive in an inhomogeneous a. c. field have shown that the number of dead cells at frequencies of 105 cps and 106 cps and at field strengths (on the surface of the central electrode) below 2.4 × 105 V/m is small. This fact should be considered when picking out suitable separation conditions.
Lysogenie und lysogene Konversion bei methylotrophen Bakterien II. Lysogene Konversion bei fakultativ methanolassimilierenden Acetobacter‐Stämmen
Authors: Wünsche L. , Kiesel B. , Fischer H.
Published: July 2010

The lysogenic state of the methylotrophic strain Acetobacter MB 58/1 is completely demonstrated by curing and lysogenization experiments. During these investigations we found that some phenotypic characteristics are modified by the presence or loss of the prophage MO 1. It could be shown that changes of the serological behaviour, the adsorption of the phages and the sensitivity against oxytetracycline are caused by lysogenic conversion. The phenotypic alterations of the bacterial cells induced by the phage genome are the result of modifications of the lipopolysaccharide structures on the cell surface. In the case of oxytetracycline resistance, interactions between the modified lipopolysaccharide structures and specific transport proteins of the cell membranes must be assumed.
Modification by genetic changes of the pleiotropic interference of butyrolactone‐type autoregulators with differentiation of Streptomyces griseus
Authors: Gräfe U. , Eritt I. , Reinhardt G. , Krebs D. , Fleck W. F.
Published: July 2010

Two series of aerial‐mycelium‐negative (Amy−), anthracycline‐nonproducing (Ant−) mutants were obtained from ancestral Amy+Ant+ strains of S. griseus: a) derivatives represented by the met− strain 39 which could not differentiate although they were still producing both the butyrolactone‐type autoregulator 1 and NADP‐glycohydrolase, and b) mutants whose incapability to form spores and anthracycline pigments was apparently caused by the loss of autoregulator production. These latter mutants responded to the addition of 1 or the naturally occurring dihydro derivative 2 with complete or at least partial reconstitution of differentiation‐associated functions. All of the b)‐type mutant strains exhibited similar biochemical alterations in the presence of 1 or 2 regardless of the presence of additional genetic changes in the primary metabolism. Two mutants, however, displayed an altered pattern of secondary product formation. In submerged cultures the major biochemical changes observed in presence of 1 (or 2) were an increase of the lipid level in the mycelium, an alteration of the lipid composition, and a stimulation of neutral proteinase production. All of the blocked autoregulator‐negative mutants were discernible from the ancestral strains and strain 39 by their lack of NADP‐glycohydrolase production. This suggested the existance of a common genetic locus or a common pleiotropic regulator gene controling both gene functions. Present ideas concerning the role of butyrolactone‐type autoregulator 1 as a pleiotropic effector molecule interacting with development of S. griseus are summarized in a hypothetical scheme.
Genetic analysis of sexual hybrids and protoplast fusion products of the yeast Saccharomycopsis lipolytica
Authors: Kurischko Cornelia , Spata Liselotte
Published: July 2010

Protoplast fusion of genetically marked Saccharomycopsis lipolytica strains was carried out succesfully. Mitotic segregation was induced to prove the presence of parental markers in fusion products. Methylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl‐carbamate has been shown to induce efficiently mitotic segregation in this yeast. The segregation pattern of genetic markers in a sexual hybrid was compared to that of a parasexual hybrid.
Effect of phosphate on the biosynthesis of nourseothricin by Streptomyces noursei JA 3890b
Authors: Müller P. J. , Haubold G. , Menner M. , Grosse H. H. , Ozegowski J. H. , Bocker H.
Published: July 2010

The results present evidence for the important role of phosphate‐mediated regulation of the nourseothricin biosynthesis by the processes of phosphate limitation and release of phosphate. Also, higher initial concentrations of phosphate were found to have a strong inhibitory effect on the biosynthesis of nourseothricin. It is concluded that the initial phosphate concentration was the primary target for the biometrical optimization of the fermentation medium. The presence of zinc ions neutralized the negative effect of high initial concentrations of phosphate which was also strongly influenced by the regime of sterilization.
Formation of extracellular α‐amylase by Bacillus subtilis in relation to guanosine polyphosphates
Authors: Wambutt R. , Riesenberg D. , Krüger M. , Schultze M.
Published: July 2010

The kinetics of growth, extracellular α‐amylase formation and pool sizes of guanosine polyphosphates (p)ppGpp and adenosine phosphates (ATP and AMP) were determined during discontinuous cultivation of Bacillus subtilis 44. The results indicate a positive involvement of (p)ppGpp in the regulation of the expression of the α‐amylase gene.