bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carers with chronic conditions: changes over time in their physical health
Authors: Tommis Yvonne , Robinson Catherine A. , Seddon Diane , Woods Bob , Perry Jenny , Russell Ian T.
Published: August 2009

Objectives: To explore the experiences of individuals with chronic conditions who are also caring for another person, usually a family member.

Method: A postal questionnaire was distributed to carers across Wales on three occasions approximately 18 months apart. It included the SF-12v2 together with fixed-choice and open-ended questions relating to carer demographics, carer assessment, support needs, services received and care recipient’s medical condition. A sub-sample of these carers was invited to take part in face-to-face interviews to allow for more in-depth exploration of their circumstances.

Results: The carers with chronic conditions experienced a decline in their physical health over time whereas the physical health of carers without a chronic condition remained stable. There was also evidence of carers neglecting their own health because of their caring responsibilities. Despite their health problems, over time the carers with chronic conditions received no more support than other carers.

Discussion: This article indicates that there are carers who are themselves suffering from a physical condition or conditions that suggest they are in need of care. Despite these difficulties, these carers are caring for people with quite severe conditions, without any help above that available to other carers.
A longitudinal study of economic pressure among people living with a progressive neurological illness
Authors: McCabe Marita P. , O'Connor Elodie J.
Published: August 2009

Objectives: Previous research has examined costs associated with progressive neurological illnesses, but has not examined predictors of economic pressure, or quality of life (QOL). The aim of the current study was to examine the predictors of both economic pressure and QOL among people with a range of progressive neurological illness.

Method: Participants were 257 people with motor neurone disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s.

Results: High levels of cut backs in spending predicted economic pressure for all groups. Economic pressure predicted QOL at 12-month follow-up for all groups except Parkinson’s. For Parkinson’s, predictors of QOL were long duration of illness, illness-related expenses and cut backs in spending. Cut backs in spending, and not income or expenses, were the most important predictor of economic pressure. QOL was predicted by high levels of economic pressure for most of the illness groups.

Discussion: The implications of these findings are discussed. They suggest that cut backs in spending, as opposed to income and expenses, are important factors to focus on assisting people to adjust to the changes to their financial situation that frequently occurs after developing one of these progressive neurological illnesses.
Private property and state finances. The emperor’s right to donate his subjects’ land in the Comnenian period
Authors: Smyrlis Kostis
Published: August 2009

The question of the respect of private property in Byzantium is examined through the analysis of a series of confiscations of real estate situated in Constantinople, which were carried out from 1082 to 1202 in favour of the Italian republics of Venice, Pisa and Genoa. It is argued that these confiscations were not arbitrary but justified by the circumstances. Finally, these expropriations are set against the developments in the system by which the state remunerated its servants in the period after the eleventh century, increasingly by land grants.
Symeon the Sanctified and the re-foundation of Xenophon
Authors: Morris Rosemary
Published: August 2009

The re-foundation of the Athonite monastery of Xenophon at the end of the eleventh century provides an interesting case study of the activities of a ‘second founder’. The activities of Symeon the Sanctified demonstrate how a high-ranking, ex-imperial official re-established the status and possessions of Xenophon by using the wealth, legal expertise and social connections at his disposal. Making use of a detailed study of documents from the archive of Xenophon, the article suggests solutions to the puzzling chronology of Symeon’s activities on the holy mountain and discusses the causes of his conflict with the Athonite authorities and subsequent re-instatement.
Palace churches of the Anatolian Seljuks: tolerance or necessity?
Authors: Tekinalp V. Macit
Published: August 2009

The edifice in Konya known as Eflatun and the church in the citadel of Alanya, both of which were maintained during the Anatolian Seljuk period, are discussed and interpreted. Architectural and historical information indicates that both structures were used during this period by the Christian spouses of the sultans as well as other Christians living and serving at court. Contrary to the common argument that the Seljuks retained churches near their palaces as a sign of their tolerance toward their Christian subjects, the paper presents evidence supporting the view that the sultans kept these structures for tactical and social reasons, for the use of their spouses and other Christian associates and servants of the Seljuk court.
The Goudelis family in Italy after the Fall of Constantinople
Authors: Harris Jonathan
Published: August 2009

Two letters from the Vatican Registers for 1461–2, regarding funds lodged in the Bank of St George in Genoa by George Goudelis, are presented. The investment was originally intended to provide an income for the convent of St Nicholas in Constantinople but Goudelis made a proviso that if the city were to fall to the Turks, it should be used to sustain the poor. His son Manuel and granddaughter, Maria, were now petitioning the pope to have the money released to support their families. The differences between the two letters are discussed as is their significance for late Byzantine prosopography.
The views of Franco’s regime on the ‘children’s issue’ during the Greek civil war
Authors: Hassiotis Loukianos
Published: August 2009

The suggestion is made here that, as part of its effort to identify the Spanish civil war with that of Greece, Madrid adopted the view that the two cases were similar in order to identify Franco’s regime with the other anti-communist regimes of Western Europe at the beginning of Cold War. During the civil wars in both Spain (1936–9) and Greece (1946–9), the ‘children’s issue’ became an important factor for humanitarian as well as for propaganda reasons. Indeed, the correspondence between the measures taken for the care of children by the two conflicting sides in both countries is impressive, in spite of the structural differences between the two civil conflicts.
Diffusion in diamond. I. Carbon isotope mapping of natural diamond
Authors: Craven J. A. , Harte B. , Fisher D. , Schulze D. J.
Published: August 2009

Recent advances in ion microprobe instrumentation and techniques have enabled the mapping of C isotope ratios across the whole of a polished plate of a natural diamond from Guaniamo, Venezuela. The resultant map of C isotope variation closely matches the cathodoluminescence image of the growth structure of the diamond and, therefore, indicates an extremely limited scale of diffusion of C atoms sincethetimeof diamond formation. This result is compatible with thelimite d mobility of N atoms shown by theIaAB aggregation stateof thediamond. Inclusions in thediamond aree clogitic, in common with many Guaniamo diamonds with temperatures of formation of around 1200ºC. At such temperature the IaAB aggregation state indicates a mantle residence time on the order of 1 Ga. Such temperatures of formation and mantle residence times are common to many natural diamonds; thus the extremely limited diffusion of C isotopes shown by the mapping indicates that many diamonds will retain the C isotope compositions of their initial formation.
The Palaeogene Eskdalemuir dyke, Scotland: long-distance lateral transport of rhyolitic magma in a mixed-magma intrusion
Authors: Macdonald R. , Bagiński B. , Upton B. G. J. , Dzierżanowski P. , Marshall-Roberts W. , Prieto M.
Published: August 2009

The Palaeogene Eskdalemuir dyke, part of the Mull dyke swarm in the Southern Uplands of Scotland, is ~60 km long and up to 40 m thick. Its southern tip is 230 km from the inferred source on Mull. The dyke is composite, with tholeiitic basaltic margins and a vitreous central facies ranging from basaltic andesite to andesite in composition. Plagioclase and pyroxene phenocrysts and matrix crystals in the central facies show unusually large compositional ranges and complex textural relationships. Wholerock major and trace-element abundances show linear variations against MgO content, consistent with the rocks in the central facies having formed by mixing of basalt and rhyolite magmas. The rhyolite can be closely matched by rocks from the Mull centre. The mafic and silicic magmas were intruded from a compositionally zoned chamber beneath Mull, perhaps during collapse of the Centre 1 caldera. The lower-viscosity basaltic magma was emplaced before, but lubricated the lateral propagation of, the silicic magma, which mixed with the partially solidified basalt, the proportion of rhyolite increasing towards the dyke centre. The Eskdalemuir dyke represents an unusual, perhaps unique, example of a rhyolite magma being emplaced >200 km from its inferred source. The supposed correlative of the Eskdalemuir dyke north of the Southern Uplands Fault, the Dalraith-Linburn dyke, is not comagmatic with it.
Inhibition of the SDF-1α–CXCR4 axis by the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 suppresses the migration of cultured cells from ATL patients and murine lymphoblastoid cells from HTLV-I Tax transgenic mice
Authors: Kawaguchi Akira , Orba Yasuko , Kimura Takashi , Iha Hidekatsu , Ogata Masao , Tsuji Takahiro , Ainai Akira , Sata Tetsutaro , Okamoto Takashi , Hall William W. , Sawa Hirofumi , Hasegawa Hideki
Published: August 2009

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is a T-cell malignancy caused by human T lymphotropic virus type I, and presents as an aggressive leukemia with characteristic widespread leukemic cell infiltration into visceral organs and skin. The molecular mechanisms associated with leukemic cell infiltration are poorly understood. We have used mouse models of ATL to investigate the role of chemokines in this process. Transfer of splenic lymphomatous cells from transgenic to SCID mice reproduces a leukemia and lymphoma that is histologically identical to human disease. It could be shown that lymphomatous cells exhibit specific chemotactic activity in response to stromal cell–derived factor-1α (SDF-1α). Lymphomatous cells exhibited surface expression of CXCR4, the specific receptor of SDF-1α. AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, was found to inhibit both SDF-1α–induced migration and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2. Investigation of cultured cells from human ATL patients revealed identical findings. Using the SCID mouse model, it could be demonstrated that AMD3100 inhibited infiltration of lymphomatous cells into liver and lung tissues in vivo. These results demonstrate the involvement of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 interaction as one mechanism of leukemic cell migration and this may provide a novel target as part of combination therapy for ATL.
Outcome of congenital acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated on the Interfant-99 protocol
Authors: van der Linden Marieke H. , Valsecchi Maria Grazia , De Lorenzo Paola , Möricke Anja , Janka Gritta , Leblanc Thierry M. , Felice Maria , Biondi Andrea , Campbell Myriam , Hann Ian , Rubnitz Jeffrey E. , Stary Jan , Szczepanski Tomasz , Vora Ajay , Ferster Alina , Hovi Liisa , Silverman Lewis B. , Pieters Rob
Published: August 2009

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) diagnosed in the first month of life (congenital ALL) is very rare. Although congenital ALL is often assumed to be fatal, no studies have been published on outcome except for case reports. The present study reports the outcome of 30 patients with congenital ALL treated with the uniform Interfant-99 protocol, a hybrid regimen combining ALL treatment with elements designed for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Congenital ALL was characterized by a higher white blood cell count and a strong trend for higher incidence of MLL rearrangements and CD10-negative B-lineage ALL compared with older infants. Induction failure rate was 13% and not significantly different from that in older infants (7%, P = .14), but relapse rate was significantly higher in congenital ALL patients (2-year cumulative incidence [SE] was 60.0 [9.3] vs 34.2 [2.3], P < .001). Two-year event-free survival and survival of congenital ALL patients treated with this protocol was 20% (SE 9.1%). Early death in complete remission and treatment delays resulting from toxicity were not different. The survival of 17% after last follow-up, combined with a toxicity profile comparable with that in older infants, justifies treating congenital ALL with curative intent. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as no. NCT 00015873, and at www.controlled-trials.com as no. ISRCTN24251487.
Selective depletion of alloreactive T cells by targeted therapy of heat shock protein 90: a novel strategy for control of graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Stuehler Claudia , Mielke Stephan , Chatterjee Manik , Duell Johannes , Lurati Sarah , Rueckert Florian , Einsele Hermann , Bargou Ralf C. , Topp Max S.
Published: August 2009

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Current treatment of GVHD relies on immunosuppressive regimens, considerably increasing the incidence of opportunistic infections. As T cells mediate both GVHD as well as protection against viral infections and the malignant disease, strategies to selectively target host-reactive T cells without impairing pathogen- and disease-specific immunity are highly warranted. Activation of T cells is accompanied by increased expression of the chaperone heat shock protein of 90 kDa (Hsp90), which stabilizes several key signaling pathways crucial for T-cell activation. In this study, selective targeting of Hsp90 in activated T lymphocytes with pharmacologic inhibitors already applied successfully in anticancer therapy resulted in induction of apoptosis predominantly in activated cells. Moreover, if T cells were stimulated with allogeneic dendritic cells, alloreactive T cells were selectively eliminated. In contrast, third party reactions including antiviral T-cell immunity were quantitatively and functionally fully preserved. These data suggest that Hsp90 represents a novel target for selective depletion of alloreactive T cells, and provide the rationale for application of Hsp90 inhibitors as potential approach to selectively prevent and treat GVHD in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients without impairing pathogen- and disease-specific T-cell immunity.
CSA: An efficient algorithm to improve circular DNA multiple alignment
Authors: Fernandes Francisco , Pereira Luísa , Freitas Ana T
Published: August 2009

Background

The comparison of homologous sequences from different species is an essential approach to reconstruct the evolutionary history of species and of the genes they harbour in their genomes. Several complete mitochondrial and nuclear genomes are now available, increasing the importance of using multiple sequence alignment algorithms in comparative genomics. MtDNA has long been used in phylogenetic analysis and errors in the alignments can lead to errors in the interpretation of evolutionary information. Although a large number of multiple sequence alignment algorithms have been proposed to date, they all deal with linear DNA and cannot handle directly circular DNA. Researchers interested in aligning circular DNA sequences must first rotate them to the "right" place using an essentially manual process, before they can use multiple sequence alignment tools.

Results

In this paper we propose an efficient algorithm that identifies the most interesting region to cut circular genomes in order to improve phylogenetic analysis when using standard multiple sequence alignment algorithms. This algorithm identifies the largest chain of non-repeated longest subsequences common to a set of circular mitochondrial DNA sequences. All the sequences are then rotated and made linear for multiple alignment purposes.

To evaluate the effectiveness of this new tool, three different sets of mitochondrial DNA sequences were considered. Other tests considering randomly rotated sequences were also performed. The software package Arlequin was used to evaluate the standard genetic measures of the alignments obtained with and without the use of the CSA algorithm with two well known multiple alignment algorithms, the CLUSTALW and the MAVID tools, and also the visualization tool SinicView.

Conclusion

The results show that a circularization and rotation pre-processing step significantly improves the efficiency of public available multiple sequence alignment algorithms when used in the alignment of circular DNA sequences. The resulting alignments lead to more realistic phylogenetic comparisons between species.
Phylogenetic distribution and membrane topology of the LytR-CpsA-Psr protein family
Authors: Hübscher Judith , Lüthy Lucas , Berger-Bächi Brigitte , Stutzmann Meier Patricia
Published: August 2009

Background

The bacterial cell wall is the target of many antibiotics and cell envelope constituents are critical to host-pathogen interactions. To combat resistance development and virulence, a detailed knowledge of the individual factors involved is essential. Members of the LytR-CpsA-Psr family of cell envelope-associated attenuators are relevant for β-lactam resistance, biofilm formation, and stress tolerance, and they are suggested to play a role in cell wall maintenance. However, their precise function is still unknown. This study addresses the occurrence as well as sequence-based characteristics of the LytR-CpsA-Psr proteins.

Results

A comprehensive list of LytR-CpsA-Psr proteins was established, and their phylogenetic distribution and clustering into subgroups was determined. LytR-CpsA-Psr proteins were present in all Gram-positive organisms, except for the cell wall-deficient Mollicutes and one strain of the Clostridiales. In contrast, the majority of Gram-negatives did not contain LytR-CpsA-Psr family members. Despite high sequence divergence, the LytR-CpsA-Psr domains of different subclusters shared a highly similar, predicted mixed a/β-structure, and conserved charged residues. PhoA fusion experiments, using MsrR of Staphylococcus aureus, confirmed membrane topology predictions and extracellular location of its LytR-CpsA-Psr domain.

Conclusion

The LytR-CpsA-Psr domain is unique to bacteria. The presence of diverse subgroups within the LytR-CpsA-Psr family might indicate functional differences, and could explain variations in phenotypes of respective mutants reported. The identified conserved structural elements and amino acids are likely to be important for the function of the domain and will help to guide future studies of the LytR-CpsA-Psr proteins.
Targeted isolation, sequence assembly and characterization of two white spruce (Picea glauca) BAC clones for terpenoid synthase and cytochrome P450 genes involved in conifer defence reveal insights into a conifer genome
Authors: Hamberger Björn , Hall Dawn , Yuen Mack , Oddy Claire , Hamberger Britta , Keeling Christopher I , Ritland Carol , Ritland Kermit , Bohlmann Jörg
Published: August 2009

Background

Conifers are a large group of gymnosperm trees which are separated from the angiosperms by more than 300 million years of independent evolution. Conifer genomes are extremely large and contain considerable amounts of repetitive DNA. Currently, conifer sequence resources exist predominantly as expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and full-length (FL)cDNAs. There is no genome sequence available for a conifer or any other gymnosperm. Conifer defence-related genes often group into large families with closely related members. The goals of this study are to assess the feasibility of targeted isolation and sequence assembly of conifer BAC clones containing specific genes from two large gene families, and to characterize large segments of genomic DNA sequence for the first time from a conifer.

Results

We used a PCR-based approach to identify BAC clones for two target genes, a terpene synthase (3-carene synthase; 3CAR) and a cytochrome P450 (CYP720B4) from a non-arrayed genomic BAC library of white spruce (Picea glauca). Shotgun genomic fragments isolated from the BAC clones were sequenced to a depth of 15.6- and 16.0-fold coverage, respectively. Assembly and manual curation yielded sequence scaffolds of 172 kbp (3CAR) and 94 kbp (CYP720B4) long. Inspection of the genomic sequences revealed the intron-exon structures, the putative promoter regions and putative cis-regulatory elements of these genes. Sequences related to transposable elements (TEs), high complexity repeats and simple repeats were prevalent and comprised approximately 40% of the sequenced genomic DNA. An in silico simulation of the effect of sequencing depth on the quality of the sequence assembly provides direction for future efforts of conifer genome sequencing.

Conclusion

We report the first targeted cloning, sequencing, assembly, and annotation of large segments of genomic DNA from a conifer. We demonstrate that genomic BAC clones for individual members of multi-member gene families can be isolated in a gene-specific fashion. The results of the present work provide important new information about the structure and content of conifer genomic DNA that will guide future efforts to sequence and assemble conifer genomes.
Aberrant Expression of ID2 protein and its correlation with EBV-LMP1 and P16(INK4A) in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma in China
Authors: Zhao Po , Lu Yali , Liu Lin , Zhong Mei
Published: August 2009

Background

The relationships between the expression of ID2, EBV-LMP1 and P16(INK4A) in Chinese classical Hodgkin lymphoma are unknown and need exploring.

Methods

Samples of classical Hodgkin lymphoma from 60 Chinese patients were analyzed for the expression of ID2, EBV-LMP1 and p16(INK4A) proteins by immunohistochemistry.

Results

ID2 protein was expressed in 83.3% of this group of classical Hodgkin lymphoma, staining strongly in both cytoplasm and nucleus of the Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells. EBV-LMP1 and P16(INK4A) were overexpressed in 85.0% and 71.7% of Hodgkin lymphoma, respectively. EBV-LMP1 was noted in the cytoplasm, membrane and nucleus of HRS cells; P16(INK4A) was in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Microscopically, ID2, EBV-LMP1 and P16(INK4A) staining distinguished the HRS cells from the complex background of lymphocytes. ID2 was positively correlated with EBV-LMP1(P < 0.01), but P16(INK4A) was inversely related to EBV-LMP1 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

It is suggested that ID2, EBV-LMP1 and P16(INK4A) could play an important role in the evolution of classical Hodgkin lymphoma, and be considered as potential adjunct markers to identify HRS cells in diagnosis.
Gamma-phage lysin PlyG sequence-based synthetic peptides coupled with Qdot-nanocrystals are useful for developing detection methods for Bacillus anthracis by using its surrogates, B. anthracis-Sterne and B. cereus-4342
Authors: Sainathrao Shilpakala , Mohan Ketha V Krishna , Atreya Chintamani
Published: August 2009

Background

Previous reports of site-directed deletion analysis on gamma (γ)-phage lysin protein (PlyG) have demonstrated that removal of a short amino acid sequence in the C-terminal region encompassing a 10-amino acid motif (190LKMTADFILQ199) abrogates its binding activity specific to the cell wall of Bacillus anthracis. Whether short synthetic peptides representing the10-amino acid PlyG putative binding motif flanked by surrounding N- and C-terminal residues also selectively bind to the bacterial cell wall has not been evaluated. If such peptides do demonstrate selective binding to the cell wall, they could serve as bio-probes towards developing detection technologies for B. anthracis. Furthermore, by using B. anthracis (Sterne, 34F2), an animal vaccine and B. cereus-4342, a γ-phage susceptible rare strain as surrogates of B. anthracis, development of proof-of-concepts for B. anthracis are feasible.

Results

Using four different methods, we evaluated six synthetic peptides representing the putative binding motif including flanking sequences (PlyG-P1 through P6) for the bacterial cell wall binding capacity. Our analysis identified PlyG-P1, PlyG-P3 and PlyG-P5 to have binding capability to both B. anthracis (Sterne, 34F2) and B. cereus-4342. The peptides however did not bind to B. cereus-11778, B. thuringiensis, and B. cereus-10876 suggesting their specificity for B. anthracis-Sterne and B. cereus-4342. PlyG-P3 in combination with fluorescent light microscopy detected even a single bacterium in plasma spiked with the bacteria.

Conclusion

Overall, these studies illustrate that the short 10-amino acid sequence 'LKMTADFILQ' in fact is a stand-alone bacterial cell wall-binding motif of PlyG. In principle, synthetic peptides PlyG-P1, PlyG-P3 and PlyG-P5, especially PlyG-P3 coupled with Qdot-nanocrystals are useful as high-sensitivity bio-probes in developing detection technologies for B. anthracis.
Facial expression (mood) recognition from facial images using committee neural networks
Authors: Kulkarni Saket S , Reddy Narender P , Hariharan SI
Published: August 2009

Background

Facial expressions are important in facilitating human communication and interactions. Also, they are used as an important tool in behavioural studies and in medical rehabilitation. Facial image based mood detection techniques may provide a fast and practical approach for non-invasive mood detection. The purpose of the present study was to develop an intelligent system for facial image based expression classification using committee neural networks.

Methods

Several facial parameters were extracted from a facial image and were used to train several generalized and specialized neural networks. Based on initial testing, the best performing generalized and specialized neural networks were recruited into decision making committees which formed an integrated committee neural network system. The integrated committee neural network system was then evaluated using data obtained from subjects not used in training or in initial testing.

Results and conclusion

The system correctly identified the correct facial expression in 255 of the 282 images (90.43% of the cases), from 62 subjects not used in training or in initial testing. Committee neural networks offer a potential tool for image based mood detection.
Molecular genetics analysis of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer patients in India
Authors: Soumittra Nagasamy , Meenakumari Balaiah , Parija Tithi , Sridevi Veluswami , Nancy Karunakaran N , Swaminathan Rajaraman , Rajalekshmy Kamalalayam R , Majhi Urmila , Rajkumar Thangarajan
Published: August 2009

Background

Hereditary cancers account for 5–10% of cancers. In this study BRCA1, BRCA2 and CHEK2*(1100delC) were analyzed for mutations in 91 HBOC/HBC/HOC families and early onset breast and early onset ovarian cancer cases.

Methods

PCR-DHPLC was used for mutation screening followed by DNA sequencing for identification and confirmation of mutations. Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities were computed for five-year survival data on Breast and Ovarian cancer cases separately, and differences were tested using the Log-rank test.

Results

Fifteen (16%) pathogenic mutations (12 in BRCA1 and 3 in BRCA2), of which six were novel BRCA1 mutations were identified. None of the cases showed CHEK2*1100delC mutation. Many reported polymorphisms in the exonic and intronic regions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 were also seen. The mutation status and the polymorphisms were analyzed for association with the clinico-pathological features like age, stage, grade, histology, disease status, survival (overall and disease free) and with prognostic molecular markers (ER, PR, c-erbB2 and p53).

Conclusion

The stage of the disease at diagnosis was the only statistically significant (p < 0.0035) prognostic parameter. The mutation frequency and the polymorphisms were similar to reports on other ethnic populations. The lack of association between the clinico-pathological variables, mutation status and the disease status is likely to be due to the small numbers.
Endotoxin tolerance dysregulates MyD88- and Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adapter inducing IFN-β-dependent pathways and increases expression of negative regulators of TLR signaling
Authors: Piao Wenji , Song Chang , Chen Haiyan , Quevedo Diaz Marco A , Wahl Larry M , Fitzgerald Katherine A , Li Liwu , Medvedev Andrei E
Published: August 2009

Endotoxin tolerance interferes with TLR4 signalosome assembly, kinase/transcription factor activation, and increases negative TLR pathway regulators.

Endotoxin tolerance reprograms cell responses to LPS by repressing expression of proinflammatory cytokines, while not inhibiting production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial effectors. Molecular mechanisms of induction and maintenance of endotoxin tolerance are incompletely understood, particularly with regard to the impact of endotoxin tolerization on signalosome assembly, activation of adaptor-kinase modules, and expression of negative regulators of TLR signaling in human cells. In this study, we examined LPS-mediated activation of MyD88-dependent and Toll-IL-1R-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β (TRIF)-dependent pathways emanating from TLR4 and expression of negative regulators of TLR signaling in control and endotoxin-tolerant human monocytes. Endotoxin tolerization suppressed LPS-inducible TLR4-TRIF and TRIF-TANK binding kinase (TBK)1 associations, induction of TBK1 kinase activity, activation of IFN regulatory factor (IRF)-3, and expression of RANTES and IFN-β. Tolerance-mediated dysregulation of the TLR4-TRIF-TBK1 signaling module was accompanied by increased levels of suppressor of IκB kinase-ε (SIKE) and sterile α and Armadillo motif-containing molecule (SARM). LPS-tolerant cells showed increased expression of negative regulators Toll-interacting protein (Tollip), suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1, IL-1R-associated kinase-M, and SHIP-1, which correlated with reduced p38 phosphorylation, IκB-α degradation, and inhibited expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8. To examine functional consequences of increased expression of Tollip in LPS-tolerized cells, we overexpressed Tollip in 293/TLR4/MD-2 transfectants and observed blunted LPS-inducible activation of NF-κB and RANTES, while TNF-α responses were not affected. These data demonstrate dysregulation of TLR4-triggered MyD88- and TRIF-dependent signaling pathways and increased expression of negative regulators of TLR signaling in endotoxin-tolerant human monocytes.
Formation of Specific Charge-transfer Complexes between Hyperbranched Polymer Viologen and Neutral Donors in Solid Films Depending on Donor Fraction
Authors: Sakano Takeshi , Ito Fuyuki , Hirata Osamu , Ozawa Masaaki , Nagamura Toshihiko
Published: August 2009

Neutral donors and hyperbranched polymer with many viologen groups formed charge-transfer complexes in solutions and solid films. The charge-transfer absorption and fluorescence spectra showed red shifts with increasing donor fractions only in the case of polymer solid films, strongly suggesting solvatochromism in solid films and formation of multichromophore CT complex. These are unique microenvironmental effects of the present cationic polymer.
Post-synthesis Emission Control of CdSe–ZnS Quantum Dots by Surface Oxidation through In Situ Generation of Oxidant under Mild Reaction Conditions
Authors: Kim Yong Tae , Kim Jae Il , Lee Jin-Kyu , Chae Hee K
Published: August 2009

We proposed in situ generation of cyclohexenyl peroxide as a surface oxidant in solution of CdSe quantum dots and verified it by monitoring emission wavelengths and intensities of CdSe and CdSe–ZnS in cyclohexene, respectively. A clear 80 nm blue shift in the emission was observed in CdSe–ZnS over 3 mon due to the slow diffusion of the oxidant, while a 10 nm shift was in CdSe for 24 h.
The 3′ end of Turnip crinkle virus contains a highly interactive structure including a translational enhancer that is disrupted by binding to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
Authors: Yuan Xuefeng , Shi Kerong , Meskauskas Arturas , Simon Anne E.
Published: August 2009

Precise temporal control is needed for RNA viral genomes to translate sufficient replication-required products before clearing ribosomes and initiating replication. A 3′ translational enhancer in Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) overlaps an internal T-shaped structure (TSS) that binds to 60S ribosomal subunits. The higher-order structure in the region was examined through alteration of critical sequences revealing novel interactions between an H-type pseudoknot and upstream residues, and between the TSS and internal and terminal loops of an upstream hairpin. Our results suggest that the TSS forms a stable scaffold that allows for simultaneous interactions with external sequences through base pairings on both sides of its large internal symmetrical loop. Binding of TCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) to the region potentiates a widespread conformational shift with substantial rearrangement of the TSS region, including the element required for efficient ribosome binding. Degrading the RdRp caused the RNA to resume its original conformation, suggesting that the initial conformation is thermodynamically favored. These results suggest that the 3′ end of TCV folds into a compact, highly interactive structure allowing RdRp access to multiple elements including the 3′ end, which causes structural changes that potentiate the shift between translation and replication.
Increased Tissue Factor Expression Is Associated with Reduced Survival in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer and with Mutations of TP53 and PTEN
Authors: Regina Sandra , Valentin Jean-Baptiste , Lachot Sébastien , Lemarié Etienne , Rollin Jérôme , Gruel Yves
Published: August 2009

Background: Tissue factor (TF), the main initiator of blood coagulation, is also a signaling protein that regulates cancer progression. TF synthesis was recently shown to be affected by tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) in tumor cell lines. We therefore studied TF gene (F3) expression and the status of genes coding for tumor protein p53 (TP53), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11) in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Heparanase (HPSE) gene expression was also measured because this endo-β-D-glucuronidase was recently shown to enhance TF gene expression.

Methods: TF and heparanase mRNA expression was measured by real-time PCR in 53 NSCLC tumors. Exons 5–8 of TP53 were sequenced from genomic DNA. Mutations of PTEN and STK11 were screened by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification.

Results: TF mRNA levels were significantly higher in T3–T4 tumors (P = 0.04) and in stages III–IV of NSCLC (P = 0.03). Mutations of TP53, STK11, and PTEN were identified in 20 (37.7%), 21 (39%), and 20 (37.7%) of tumors, respectively. TF expression was higher in mutated TP53 (TP53Mut) (P = 0.02) and PTENMut (P = 0.03) samples. Moreover, TF mRNA increased from 2700 copies (no mutation) to 11 6415 when 3 TSG were mutated. Heparanase gene expression did not differ according to TF gene (F3) expression or TSG mutation. The median survival time was shorter in patients with tumor TF mRNA levels above median values (relative risk 2.2; P = 0.03, multivariate analysis) and when TP53 was mutated (relative risk 1.8; P = 0.02).

Conclusions: These results provide clear evidence that combined oncogene events affecting TSG dramatically increase TF gene expression in lung tumors. Moreover, this study suggests that TF gene expression could be used as a prognostic marker in NSCLC. .
Marine benthic algae of the South Kamchatka state wildlife sanctuary (Kamchatka, Russia)
Authors: Selivanova Olga N. , Zhigadlova Galina G.
Published: August 2009

We present new data on marine algae of the South Kamchatka state wildlife sanctuary (Yuzhno-Kamchatskii Zakaznik, Russia), a protected natural area of federal significance. The species list of macrophytic marine algae is accompanied by information on their reproduction and distribution. This list updates the taxonomy and expands a previous list, with many new species, including 2 species previously unknown from the Pacific coasts of Russia (Colaconema endophyticum, Acrochaetium plumosum), 2 species new to the coasts of Kamchatka (Colaconema daviesii and Acrochaete geniculata), and 11 species recorded for the first time from the area studied (Erythrocladia irregularis, Palmaria hecatensis, Palmaria mollis, Meiodiscus concrescens, Crossocarpus lamuticus, Cirrulicarpus ruprechtianum, Rhodomela sibirica, Urospora elongata, Zygomitus reticulatus, Acrochaete ramosa, Acrochaete pterosiphoniae) (Nagai) Zhigadlova, comb. nov. (=Entocladia pterosiphoniae). The importance of the wildlife sanctuary for the conservation of biodiversity in Kamchatka is noted.
Composition and annual cycle of phytoplankton assemblages in the northeastern Adriatic Sea
Authors: Viličić Damir , Djakovac Tamara , Burić Zrinka , Bosak Sunčica
Published: August 2009

Phytoplankton abundance and seasonality in the northeastern Adriatic Sea were directly related to the annual regime of the Po River discharge in the period 2002–2007. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, there was a shift in the timing of the annual Po River maximum discharge and of phytoplankton maxima from spring to autumn. In addition, the eastern coastal area was greatly influenced by oligotrophic karstic rivers and the Eastern Adriatic Current. Dominant phytoplankton taxa were defined on the basis of abundance and frequency of appearance. Such an approach may help in the comparison of phytoplankton communities within different environments. The dominant taxa were the diatomsCerataulina pelagica,Chaetoceros socialis,Chaetoceros vixvisibilisandPseudo-nitzschiaspp., which appeared at maximum abundances >106cells l-1in more than 20% of samples. Among other phytoplankton, the most common was the coccolithophoridEmiliania huxleyi(maximum abundance of 2×105cells l-1in 50% of samples), and the dinoflagellateProrocentrum minimum(maximum abundance of 3×105cells l-1in 12% of samples). The present state of the phytoplankton community may provide valuable information for evaluation of possible future environmental changes in the shallow Mediterranean ecosystem.
Phylogenetic position of freshwater and marine Sigmoidea species: introducing a marine hyphomycete Halosigmoidea gen. nov. (Halosphaeriales)
Authors: Jones E.B. Gareth , Zuccaro Alga , Mitchell Julian , Nakagiri Akira , Chatmala Ittichai , Pang Ka-Lai
Published: August 2009

The aquatic hyphomycete genus Sigmoidea, with freshwater and marine representatives, is re-examined at the morphological and molecular levels. Currently six species are accepted, four from freshwater habitats (S. prolifera, S. aurantiaca, S. contorta, S. praelonga) and two marine species (S. marina, S. luteola). Phylogenetic analyses of the ribosomal small subunit rRNA gene sequences of freshwater and marine Sigmoidea species indicate that the marine species are distantly placed from the freshwater species, S. prolifera and Pseudosigmoidea cranei. The latter species are placed in the Dothideomycetes, in sister clades, with 81% bootstrap support. The phylogenetic placement of both marine Sigmoidea species, inferred from large subunit rRNA gene sequences, was within the genus Corollospora (Halosphaeriales, Sordariomycetes, Pezizomycotina). An undescribed Sigmoidea species isolated from the Baltic Sea and one previously incorrectly identified as S. marina from Japan (S. parvula sp. nov.) formed a clade together with Corollospora quinqueseptata and Varicosporina ramulosa, and were located in a sister group to S. luteola and S. marina. Based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence, Halosigmoidea gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate the three marine Sigmoidea species (S. luteola, S. marina, S. parvula sp. nov.). Identification keys to the genera Halosigmoidea, Pseudosigmoidea and Sigmoidea, and Halosigmoidea species are provided.
Proline metabolism in response to salt stress in common reed [Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud]
Authors: Zhen Wei-Bo , Ma Qing-Hu
Published: August 2009

We studied effects of salt stress on proline accumulation and the activities of proline metabolic enzymes in reed, a salt-tolerant, cosmopolitan, aquatic grass. A concentration-dependent inhibition of plant growth occurred in the presence of NaCl, which was accompanied by high amounts of proline accumulation. Reed tolerance of salt stress reaches a limit at approximately 200 mm NaCl. Free proline content and pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS) activity both increased with salt stress treatment, while ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) activity appeared to be unaffected, suggesting that the glutamate pathway, rather than the ornithine pathway, plays a vital role in proline accumulation during osmotic regulation. The activity of the proline degrading enzyme, proline dehydrogenase (PDH), decreased under salt stress, indicating that proline catabolism may also be responsible for proline accumulation in response to salt stress. Furthermore, high salinity ≥250 mm NaCl, which stops growth of reed, decreases proline accumulation and P5CS, OAT, and PDH activities. This suggests that changes in enzyme activities of proline metabolism coupled with increased proline accumulation are involved in osmotic regulation of reed plants only when they are grown at salinities ≤200 mm NaCl.
Seagrasses: biology, ecology and conservation
Authors: Dennison William C.
Published: August 2009

No abstract available
Activation of thermomechanical pulp by laccases as studied by UV-Vis, UV resonance Raman and FTIR spectroscopy 10th EWLP, Stockholm, Sweden, August 25–28, 2008
Authors: Lähdetie Anni , Liitiä Tiina , Tamminen Tarja , Pere Jaakko , Jääskeläinen Anna-Stiina
Published: August 2009

The changes in lignin structure of spruce thermomechanical pulp (TMP), induced by treatment with laccase of Trametes hirsuta (ThL) and laccase of Melanocarpus albomyces (MaL), has been investigated by UV-Vis, UV resonance Raman (UVRR), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The spectroscopic results showed that the structural changes were small; however, the changes were slightly more pronounced in the case of MaL. Nevertheless, the brightness of the pulps remained higher after treatment with MaL than after treatment with ThL. Accordingly, MaL is a promising enzyme for fiber activation and functionalization.
Acute Care in Cervical Spinal Cord Trauma with Long-Term Benefit: A Review
Authors: Ashare Alan B. , Lyckman Alvin W.
Published: August 2009

Spinal cord injury involves three phases. In the first, trauma events deliver direct pressure to the cervical spine, which may compress, dislocate, or fracture the spine, and in turn compress, crush, or transect the spinal cord. In the process, local neurons are destroyed and sensory and motor pathways can be severed. In the second phase, acute tissue responses, bleeding, and inflammation rapidly and radically change the physical and chemical conditions at the wound site. Finally, days, weeks, and months after the initial trauma, chronic post-injury processes reform the wound site into a lasting scar that impedes regeneration of spinal cord pathways. A major goal of current spinal cord injury research should be rapid and lasting inhibition of acute and chronic tissue reactions in the spinal cord wound that lead to a growth-inhibiting environment and diverting these reactions toward conditions that favor regeneration of severed spinal pathways. Here, we consider experimental strategies that could form the basis for treatments that can be rapidly administered after trauma and provides lasting benefit to spinal cord regeneration and rehabilitation.
Ovarian aging in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)
Authors: Walker Margaret L , Anderson Daniel C , Herndon James G , Walker Lary C
Published: August 2009

In female squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), the reproductive period normally extends from ∼2.5 years to the mid-teens. In the present study, we examined the age-associated cytological changes in the ovaries of 24 squirrel monkeys ranging in age from newborn to ∼20 years. We found a significant, age-related decline in the number of primordial follicles, with the most pronounced loss occurring between birth and 5 years. After ∼8 years of age, relatively few primordial follicles were evident in the ovarian sections examined. An unusual feature of the aging squirrel monkey ovary is the emergence of highly differentiated, encapsulated clusters of granulosa cells that increase in size and number, particularly after the age of 8 years. Many of these cells express anti-Müllerian hormone, and, histologically, the clusters resemble granulosa cell tumors in humans. However, granulosa cell clusters (GCCs) are present in both ovaries of all older squirrel monkeys, and they display no obvious signs of malignancy, suggesting that they are a normal feature of ovarian aging in this species. Our findings indicate that reproductive senescence in female squirrel monkeys, as in other primates, involves the inexorable depletion of ovarian follicles. In addition, the consistent appearance of abundant, well-differentiated clusters of granulosa cells in older squirrel monkeys, prior to the cessation of reproduction, suggests that these structures may influence the later stages of reproductive potential in this species. Analysis of GCCs in older squirrel monkeys also could yield insights into the pathophysiology of granulosa cell tumors in humans.
Avaliação da rede de centros de atenção psicossocial: entre a saúde coletiva e a saúde mental
Authors: Campos Rosana Teresa Onocko , Furtado Juarez Pereira , Passos Eduardo , Ferrer Ana Luiza , Miranda Lilian , Gama Carlos Alberto Pegolo da
Published: August 2009

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os modelos assistenciais, de gestão e de formação de trabalhadores de uma rede centros de atenção psicossocial (CAPS). MÉTODOS: Pesquisa avaliativa qualitativa, sustentada pela hermenêutica gadameriana, realizada na cidade de Campinas (SP), em 2006-2007. Os dados foram coletados por meio de 20 grupos focais, em CAPS III, realizados com diferentes grupos de interesse (trabalhadores, gestores municipais, usuários, familiares e gestores locais). Após a transcrição do material gravado de cada grupo, foram construídas narrativas, seguindo o referencial teórico de Ricoeur. Na segunda etapa de grupos focais essas narrativas foram apresentadas aos participantes para contestá-las, corrigi-las e validá-las. Os resultados preliminares foram discutidos em oficinas para elaboração de um guia de boas práticas em CAPS III. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados pontos fortes e fragilidades no que concerne à atenção à crise, articulação com a rede básica, formulação de projetos terapêuticos, gestão e organização em equipes de referência, formação educacional e sofrimento psíquico. CONCLUSÕES: A rede de centros de atenção psicossocial em Campinas destaca-se pela sua originalidade na implantação de seis CAPS III , e pela sua eficácia na continência com usuários e familiares no momento da crise e na reabilitação. A organização por técnico e/ou equipe de referência prevalece, assim como a construção de projetos terapêuticos. A redução das equipes noturnas desponta como principal problema e fonte de estresse para os trabalhadores. A formação dos profissionais se mostrou insuficiente para os desafios enfrentados por esses serviços.