bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of preload reduction on sonographic myocardial integrated backscatter
Authors: Minczykowski Andrzej , Zaremba‐Drobnik Danuta , Pietrzak Irena , Czekalski Stanislaw , Wysocki Henryk
Published: December 2007

Purpose

Sonographic myocardial tissue characterization with integrated backscatter (IBS) is affected by both structural and functional properties of the myocardium. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of preload reduction by hemodialysis (HD) on IBS measurements.

Methods

Fifty‐two patients on maintenance HD underwent echocardiography before and after a routine HD session. Measurements included the variation of IBS during the cardiac cycle (CV‐IBS) and calibrated IBS (cal‐IBS).

Results

After HD, there were significant reductions in left ventricular end‐diastolic and end‐systolic dimensions and left atrial diameter. There was a reduction in stroke volume and LV ejection fraction consistent with a reduction in preload. Furthermore, CV‐IBS was significantly lower after HD (7.9 ± 2.2 versus 6.9 ± 1.8 dB, 7.0 ± 2.1 versus 6.2 ± 1.9 dB, and 9.0 ± 2.6 versus 8.1 ± 2.0 dB [p < 0.01], respectively, in the left anterior, lateral, and inferior wall of the ventricle). Cal‐IBS remained unchanged after dialysis compared with baseline. CV‐IBS and ultrafiltration volume were significantly correlated.

Conclusion

HD leads to a decrease in CV‐IBS that appears to be preload‐dependent. This finding is in concordance with diminished left ventricular performance during HD. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008
Common and distinct mechanisms of different redox‐active carcinogens involved in the transformation of mouse JB6P+ cells
Authors: Yang Sun , Misner Bobbye , Chiu Rita , Meyskens Frank L.
Published: December 2007

We transformed JB6P+ cells with prolonged intermittent low‐dose UVB radiation or prolonged exposure to low‐dose H2O2 or CdCl2. Stable transformation was confirmed by an anchorage‐independence assay. The JB6P+ transformants formed more colonies (∼six folds) in soft agar as compared to their JB6P+ parent cells and were associated with increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Activating protein‐1 (AP‐1) is a family of transcription factors that are rapidly activated by elevated intracellular ROS levels, and their composition is important in the process of cellular transformation and/or tumor progression. To investigate if carcinogenesis induced by distinct carcinogens was via similar molecular mechanisms in these transformants, gel mobility shift and immunoblot analyses were utilized to determine the distinct AP‐1 compositions. Compared to parent JB6P+ cells, the gain of JunB and Fra‐1 in AP‐1 DNA binding complexes was markedly increased in all transformed cells, which might contribute to a more proliferative phenotype, while loss of Fra‐2 occurred in JB6P+/H2O2 and JB6P+/Cd cells. Differential AP‐1 components in the transformants suggested that their transformations might be mediated by distinct transcription signalings with distinct AP‐1 dimer compositions. However, all three transformants exhibited increased activation of pathways involved in cell proliferation (ERK/Fra‐1/AP‐1 and JNK/c‐jun/AP‐1) and anti‐apoptosis (Bcl‐xl). The development of the JB6P+ transformants (JB6P+/UVB; JB6P+/H2O2; JB6P+/Cd) provides a unique tool to study the mechanisms that contribute to different redox‐active carcinogens in a single model. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of hydraulic dilation on changes of caliber and thickness in vascular vessel: An experimental study
Authors: Jiang Jia , Fan Cun‐Yi , Zeng Bing‐Fang
Published: December 2007

Objective: To study the proliferation of artery after hydraulic dilation under different pressures. Material and methods: Right carotid arteries of New Zealand white rabbits (group A, B, C, D) were dilated by hydraulic dilation under different pressures (0, 40, 80, 120 Kpa). The arterial caliber, thickness of tunica intima (TI) and smooth muscle (SM) were measured with TJTY‐300 automatic medical photograph analyzer at 0, 1, 2 weeks, respectively after dilation. Results: 1) The arterial caliber of group B was greater than that in group A (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) at 0 and 1 week after hydraulic dilation, but no difference was found in 2 weeks after dilation. The thickness of TI and SM of group B was not different from group A at every time point. 2) The arterial calibers of group C, D were significantly larger than that of group A immediately and at 1 week (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). Group B, D showed no difference with group A (P > 0.05) at 2 weeks. The thickness of TI and SM of group C, D had no difference with group A (P > 0.05) immediately, but greater than group A at 1 and 2 weeks (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). Conclusion: 1) Arterial caliber can be increased by hydraulic dilation under different pressures. But hydraulic dilation over 80 Kpa pressure may lead to proliferation of TI and SM. 2) It is safe for arterial hydraulic dilation to be conducted under pressure of 40 Kpa. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.
Recognition and treatment of neonatal community‐associated MRSA pneumonia and bacteremia
Authors: Yee‐Guardino Stephanie , Kumar Deepak , Abughali Nazha , Tuohy Marion , Hall Gerri S. , Kumar Mary L.
Published: December 2007

Community‐associated strains of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA‐MRSA) have recently emerged as a major cause of serious infections among older children and are now being seen in NICU patients. We present the case of a preterm infant with CA‐MRSA necrotizing pneumonia and secondary bacteremia. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:203–205. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lung function and somatic growth in patients with hemoglobin SC sickle cell disease
Authors: Koumbourlis Anastassios C. , Lee Donna J. , Lee Ada
Published: December 2007

Objective

To investigate the changes in lung function and somatic growth that occur over time in children with hemoglobin SC (Hb‐SC) sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods

Measurements of lung function and somatic growth were performed in patients with Hb‐SC twice with an interval of 50.2 ± 26.0 months. Comparisons were made with a group of patients with hemoglobin SS (Hb‐SS) SCD, matched by age, race, and gender who underwent similar testing and served as controls.

Results

Indices of lung function in patients with Hb‐SC were and remained within the normal range in the two testing periods and they were significantly higher than those measured among patients with Hb‐SS. However, there was significant and similar decline (as percentage from baseline) over time in both groups (forced vital capacity, FVC: −3.7 ± 9.4 vs. −3.8 ± 14.2; forced expiratory volume in the first second, FEV1: −7.4 ± 9.3 vs. −6.8 ± 15.2; forced expiratory flow at 25–75% of FVC, FEF25–75: −13.7 ± 20.6 vs. −12.1 ± 24.7 for Hb‐SC and Hb‐SS respectively). The body mass index (BMI, percentile) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher among patients with Hb‐SC (49 ± 36 vs. 26 ± 18) and increased over time in both groups (50 ± 33 vs. 32 ± 31).

Conclusion

Lung function is generally normal among children with Hb‐SC, but it declines over time in a fashion similar to that observed among patients with Hb‐SS SCD. The decline is slow and it is not associated with changes in somatic growth. Our findings suggest that patients with Hb‐SC should probably have the same close follow‐up as patients with Hb‐SS. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:175–178. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanical integrity—Stationary equipment reliability
Authors: Pinto F. Walter
Published: December 2007

This article describes the elements of a successful stationary equipment reliability program in a petrochemical facility. The paper addresses management systems, engineering practices, preventive/predictive maintenance/inspection systems, performance metrics, and resources. The paper shares the stationary equipment reliability program at Lyondell Chemical Company and a number of best practices developed as part of the reliability program. Also, some success stories and lessons learned are shared. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2008
Behavioral responding and nucleus accumbens cell firing are unaltered following periods of abstinence from sucrose
Authors: Jones Joshua L. , Wheeler Robert A. , Carelli Regina M.
Published: December 2007

A critical feature of cocaine addiction is the strong propensity to relapse following periods of abstinence. Here, we examined whether abstinence from sucrose self‐administration in rats altered behavioral responding and nucleus accumbens (NAc) cell firing in a manner similar to that observed following cocaine abstinence. Rats (n = 22) were trained to self‐administer sucrose on a short‐access schedule, previously shown to increase motivated behavior following sucrose abstinence, and then underwent either a 0, 7, or 30 day period of abstinence. Next, electrophysiological recording procedures were used to examine NAc activity (n = 199 neurons) during resumption of sucrose self‐administration. Results showed no increase in sucrose‐seeking or changes in cell firing of NAc neurons following any abstinence period. Furthermore, in a separate group of animals (n = 17) trained under identical conditions, sucrose‐seeking behaviors were assessed during extinction and cue‐induced reinstatement to further examine if any changes in motivated responding are evident following abstinence. Again, no evidence was obtained for any alterations in sucrose‐seeking across abstinence conditions. These results suggest that natural rewards, such as sucrose, when provided in short access, do not always elicit robust changes in motivated responding, or NAc cell firing following abstinence unlike that observed in prior studies with cocaine. These findings are discussed with respect to the role of the NAc in processing goal‐directed behaviors for drug vs. natural rewards following periods of abstinence. Synapse 62:219–228, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Profit sharing and investment by regulated utilities: A welfare analysis
Authors: Moretto Michele , Panteghini Paolo M. , Scarpa Carlo
Published: December 2007

We analyse the effects of different regulatory schemes (price cap and profit sharing) on the endogenous size of a firm's investment. Using a real option approach in continuous time, we show that profit sharing does not delay a firm's start‐up investment compared to a pure price‐cap scheme. Profit sharing does not necessarily affect total investment either, if the threshold for profit sharing is high enough. Only a profit sharing intervening for low profit levels could delay further investments. We also evaluate the effects of profit sharing on social welfare, determining profit level that should optimally trigger tighter regulation: profit sharing should be less stringent in sectors where there is more opportunity for larger investment.
The Concept of Pluralism in the case law of the ECtHR
Authors: Nieuwenhuis Aernout
Published: December 2007

Meanings of pluralism in different disciplines – Meaning in jurisprudence, esp. ECtHR – Feature of society and idea of society – Individual freedom v. group existence – Politics, religion, education – Pluralism as expression of rights and as guarantee of rights – Rejection of legal pluralism – Contradiction of elitist theory – State protection of pluralism and its limits
French Constitutional History, Garden or Graveyard?
Authors: van Nifterik Gustaaf
Published: December 2007

On 29 May 2005 the French said no to the draft of a European Constitution. And frankly, the French should know about constitutions! One can differ whether the history of France should be considered a fruitful garden of constitutional thought, a graveyard of constitutional experiments, a ‘musée des constitutions’, or a minefield; in any case it is beyond doubt that the French are rather experienced in constitutions and constitutional changes. Since the French Revolution in 1789, France has been a monarchy, a republic more than once, an empire twice and a constitutional monarchy in between; the nineteenth century shows the pattern monarchy, republic, empire; since 1958 the French live in their Fifth Republic.

There is a lot to learn from the constitutional history (perhaps struggle is a better word in this context) of this important European country for any political entity in search of a proper constitution. Which constitutional institutions were a success, which were not; why did it or did it not work out the way it was planned?
Geomorphic expression of midcrustal extension in convergent orogens
Authors: Pazzaglia Frank J. , Selverstone Jane , Roy Mousumi , Steffen Kurt , Newland‐Pearce Sarah , Knipscher Will , Pearce Justin
Published: December 2007

Channel orientation, gradient, drainage basin spacing, drainage patterns, and alluvial fan sedimentology define a set of geomorphic observables for fingerprinting modes of extensional tectonism in convergent settings. Anomalous, finely textured trellis drainage patterns in the Alps are spatially coincident with the low‐angle Simplon and Brenner detachments. The detachment footwalls are characterized by numerous high‐angle brittle faults, which are etched out by low‐order stream gullies and channels. We quantify the relationship between these faults and watershed‐scale geomorphology using high‐resolution digital topography to extract channel and basin metrics. Topographic data are complemented by a field data set of channel gradients and the integrated erosional response of the watersheds preserved in valley bottom alluvial fans. In footwall regions adjacent to the detachments, channels are steeper, more closely spaced, have statistically coherent orientations, and feed coarse, steep alluvial fans. Drainage spacing increases in the footwall away from the detachment, and the trellis pattern diminishes. In the detachment hanging walls, which typically lack high‐angle brittle faults, there is a poor correlation between channel steepness, density, or orientation, and hanging wall alluvial fans tend to be relatively larger, gentler, and debris‐flow dominated. Comparisons are made to the Ticino dome region of the Alps as well as to the Pioneer core complex of central Idaho. In both cases, our analysis suggests high‐angle brittle faulting of the footwall is particularly well preserved in the region adjacent to a detachment. These results are consistent with a subvertical simple shear model for footwall extrusion as well as annealing or a lack of reactivation of brittle structures in the footwall distal to the rolling hinge.
How TRMM precipitation radar and microwave imager retrieved rain rates differ
Authors: Seo Eun‐Kyoung , Sohn Byung‐Ju , Liu Guosheng
Published: December 2007

Analysis of the collocated rain retrievals from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission's precipitation radar and microwave radiometer reveals that their difference depends on the intensity and the type of rain – the radiometer‐derived rain rates vary from higher to lower than the radar‐derived ones as rain rate or convective fraction increases. To better understand how this difference occurs, the relations between the two leading EOFs (Empirical Orthogonal Functions) of the observed brightness temperatures and the radiometer‐ or radar‐derived rain rates were examined for convective, mixed and non‐convective rain categories. In all types of rain, the two EOFs respond to the variation of the radiometer‐ and radar‐derived rain rates in a similar fashion in low rain rates, while they respond quite differently in high rain rates.
Characterization of growth and metabolism of Drosophila melanogaster cells transfected with the rabies‐virus glycoprotein gene
Authors: Swiech Kamilla , da Silva Clóvis S. , Arantes Mabel K. , dos Santos Alexandra S. , Astray Renato M. , Pereira Carlos A. , Suazo Cláudio A. T.
Published: December 2007

In the present study, the growth and key metabolic features of a gene‐transfected Drosophila melanogaster (fruitfly) S2 (Schneider 2) cell population (S2AcRVGP cells), cultured in Sf900‐II medium, have been evaluated to provide substantial support for the development of a bioprocess to produce RVGP (rabies‐virus glycoprotein). Experimental cultures were grown both in a 100 ml Schott flask incubated in a shaker at 28 °C and 100 rev./min and in a 3 litre stirred‐tank bioreactor at 28 °C, with increasing agitation. In small‐scale culture, S2AcRVGP cells reached a maximum cell concentration of 1.13×107 cell/ml, presented a μmax (maximum specific growth rate) of 0.037 h−1 and the growth was limited by oxygen deprivation. An early and remarkably long stationary phase was observed under hypoxia. Cell cultures grown in the bioreactor without oxygen limitation exhibited a maximum cell concentration of 2.2×107 cells/ml and μmax values as high as 0.048 h−1. The main substrate consumed in order to reach such a high growth rate was the amino acid proline, which seems to play an important role as a source of metabolic energy in the culture of S2AcRVGP cells. Under conditions of hypoxia, the cells were able to survive for 15 h without apparent damage, recovering their previous metabolic activity.
Osteogenic effects of bone‐morphogenetic‐protein‐2 plasmid gene transfer
Authors: Seol Yang‐Jo , Kim Kyoung‐Hwa , Park Yoon‐Jeong , Lee Yong‐Moo , Ku Young , Rhyu In‐Chul , Lee Seung‐Jin , Han Soo‐Boo , Chung Chong‐Pyoung
Published: December 2007

The aim of the present study was to test the osteogenic effects of BMP‐2 (bone morphogenetic protein‐2) gene transfer in BMSCs (bone‐marrow stromal cells) and rabbit calvarial bone defects. The pBMP‐2‐cDNA3.1 plasmid was constructed by subcloning hBMP‐2 (human BMP‐2) cDNA into the plasmid pcDNA3.1. BMSCs were transfected with a pBMP‐2‐cDNA3.1–Lipofect‐amine™ complex. Transfected cells were observed for localization of the BMP‐2 coding plasmid. Also, the level of BMP‐2 in the culture medium of transfected cells was measured. The culture medium was collected and we tested whether this medium could induce non‐transfected BMSCs to express ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and osteocalcin. The pBMP‐2‐cDNA3.1 complexes were incorporated into the collagen scaffold and the plasmid‐loaded collagen scaffolds were then grafted into rabbit calvarial defects. After 2 weeks, granulation tissue at the grafted site was obtained and mRNA of BMP‐2 was examined via RT (reverse transcriptase)–PCR. After 4 and 8 weeks, the animals were killed and the calvarial tissue was excised. After specimen preparation, optical microscopical examination was performed to evaluate bone formation. The results show that transfected cells were able to incorporate the BMP‐2 gene into their nuclei. Also, the level of expressed and secreted BMP‐2 was significantly higher in transfected cells than in untransfected cells (P<0.01). The retrieved culture medium could induce the expression of ALP and osteocalcin in non‐transfected BMSCs. hBMP‐2 mRNA was detected at the granulation tissue of experimental animals, but not in control animals after 2 weeks. At both 4 and 8 weeks, experimental groups showed significantly more newly formed bone area than the control group (P<0.01). Therefore pBMP‐2‐cDNA3.1 gene delivery could induce BMSCs into osteoblastic phenotype cells and enhance bone regeneration in rabbit calvarial bone defects.
Preparation of mannan–protein conjugates using high‐temperature glycation
Authors: Kanska Urszula , Budzynska Renata , Nevozhay Dmitry , Boratynski Janusz
Published: December 2007

In the present paper, we describe a procedure for the preparation of mannan–protein conjugates. Mannan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) was oxidized by NaIO4 and coupled with BSA by means of high‐temperature glycation. Depending on the temperature and degree of mannan oxidation, the procedure enabled different levels of substitution to be obtained. For conjugate prepared under selected conditions, the average substitution level was 1.64 molecules of mannan per albumin molecule. The mannan–albumin conjugate was purified by means of ion‐exchange chromatography on CM‐cellulose at a pH below the pI of albumin. The influence of coupling conditions on protein activity was examined using urease as an example. Urease linked to mannan retained its activity. The mannan–protein conjugates can be used, for example, as carriers of therapeutic substances to macrophages.
Evaluation of refolding conditions for a human recombinant fusion cytokine protein, promegapoietin‐1a
Authors: Boyle Denis M. , Johnson Gary V. , Heeren Robert A. , Shell Robert E. , Banerjee Amit , Gustafson Mark E.
Published: December 2007

Conditions to obtain correctly folded PMP‐1a (promegapoietin‐1a), an engineered fusion IL‐3 (interleukin‐3) and thrombopoietin receptor agonist from recombinant Escherichia coli IBs (inclusion bodies), were defined to generate sufficient amounts of protein for evaluation as a potential therapeutic compound. Several ionic and non‐ionic detergents, as well as the chaotrope urea, in combination with selected additives, were screened for their ability to dissolve IB protein and promote formation of monomeric, oxidized protein. Upon dissolution, soluble aggregates constituted 50–60% of total protein in detergent‐solubilized IBs depending on the level of detergent used, whereas use of urea increased aggregation to approx. 70%. Subsequent addition of 5 mM cysteine or DTT (dithiothreitol) reduced the levels of aggregation, but never lower than approx. 20%. Refolds from detergent‐solubilized IBs with or without organic modifiers characteristically produced multiple persistent misfolded species. However, the addition of a 12:1 molar excess of cystine (cystine/DTT) to urea‐dissolved IBs containing DTT, followed by dilution, promoted the formation of correctly oxidized, disulfide‐paired PMP‐1a monomer with minimal misfolds present. Thus treatment of urea‐dissolved proteins with thiol‐group‐containing additives and control of dilution, pH, protein concentration and order of addition were able to produce a maximum refold efficiency of 40–50% of correctly paired protein monomer.
Three‐dimensional organization of dermal fibroblasts by macromass culture
Authors: Deshpande Manisha
Published: December 2007

The three‐dimensional organization of cells by high‐cell‐seeding‐density culture, termed ‘macromass culture’, is described. By macromass culture, dermal fibroblasts can be made to organize themselves into a unified three‐dimensional form without the aid of a scaffold, and macroscopic constructs, named macromasses, can be made wholly from cells. The sole factor causing three‐dimensional organization is culture of cells at high cell seeding density per unit area. No scaffold or extraneous matrix is used for the generation of macromasses; they are of completely cellular origin. No other agents or external influences such as tissue‐inducing chemicals, tissue‐inducing growth factors, substratum with special properties, rotational culture, centrifugation etc. are employed for macromass formation, and all seeded cells become part of the cohesive construct. These three‐dimensional constructs have the potential for use as in vitro tissue analogues, and a possible application for in vitro cytotoxicity testing is demonstrated.
Association of yeast Upf1p with direct substrates of the NMD pathway
Authors: Johansson Marcus J. O. , He Feng , Spatrick Phyllis , Li Chunfang , Jacobson Allan
Published: December 2007

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a surveillance mechanism that detects and degrades transcripts containing premature translation termination codons. Gene expression profiling experiments have shown that inactivation of the NMD pathway leads to the accumulation of both aberrant, nonsense-containing mRNAs, and many apparently wild-type transcripts. Such increases in transcript steady-state levels could arise from direct changes in the respective mRNA half-lives, or indirectly, as a consequence of the stabilization of transcripts encoding specific regulatory proteins. Here, we distinguished direct from indirect substrates by virtue of their association with the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Upf1 protein. Analyses of this dataset, and its comparison to the sets of transcripts that respectively increase or decrease in abundance when NMD is either inactivated or reactivated, indicate that the number of direct NMD substrates is larger than previously thought and that low abundance, alternatively transcribed mRNAs, i.e., mRNAs whose 5′ ends are derived from previously unannotated 5′ flanking sequences, comprise a significant class of direct substrates. Using thiamine metabolism as an example, we also show that apparent NMD-regulated cellular pathways may actually reflect the detection of low-abundance alternative transcripts under conditions where a pathway is repressed.
Regulation of p53 tetramerization and nuclear export by ARC
Authors: Foo Roger S.-Y. , Nam Young-Jae , Ostreicher Marc Jason , Metzl Mark D. , Whelan Russell S. , Peng Chang-Fu , Ashton Anthony W. , Fu Weimin , Mani Kartik , Chin Suet-Feung , Provenzano Elena , Ellis Ian , Figg Nichola , Pinder Sarah , Bennett Martin R. , Caldas Carlos , Kitsis Richard N.
Published: December 2007

Inactivation of the transcription factor p53 is central to carcinogenesis. Yet only approximately one-half of cancers have p53 loss-of-function mutations. Here, we demonstrate a mechanism for p53 inactivation by apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC), a protein induced in multiple cancer cells. The direct binding in the nucleus of ARC to the p53 tetramerization domain inhibits p53 tetramerization. This exposes a nuclear export signal in p53, triggering Crm1-dependent relocation of p53 to the cytoplasm. Knockdown of endogenous ARC in breast cancer cells results in spontaneous tetramerization of endogenous p53, accumulation of p53 in the nucleus, and activation of endogenous p53 target genes. In primary human breast cancers with nuclear ARC, p53 is almost always WT. Conversely, nearly all breast cancers with mutant p53 lack nuclear ARC. We conclude that nuclear ARC is induced in cancer cells and negatively regulates p53.
Complex carbohydrate specificity of lectin from fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum. A surface plasmon resonance study
Authors: Thakur Atul , Pal Lakhan , Ahmad Absar , Khan M. I.
Published: December 2007

The thermodynamics and kinetics of binding of glycans and glycoproteins to Ganoderma lucidum lectin was studied using surface plasmon resonance. The lectin showed highest affinity for asialo triantennary N glycan (Ka = 3.52×105) among the glycans tested. There was a several fold increase in affinity for glycoproteins compared to their corresponding glycans and coincident increase in contribution from enthalpy (ΔH), suggesting the involvement of hydrogen bonding in the interaction as well as involvement of protein‐protein interactions. Increased affinity also showed increase in unfavorable negative binding entropy (ΔS) which was compensated with higher enthalpy. The glycoproteins showed faster association rates (k1) and the activation energy (E†1) in the association process was much lower for the glycoproteins than glycans, resulting in their faster associations. These observations elaborate the role of protein matrix in lectin‐glycoconjugate interaction.
Analysis of 5‐Methylcytosine in DNA of Breast and Colon Cancer Tissues
Authors: Barciszewska Anna‐Maria , Murawa Dawid , Gawronska Iwona , Murawa Pawel , Nowak Stanislaw , Barciszewska Miroslawa Z.
Published: December 2007

5‐methylcytosine (m5C) can be used as a sensitive marker of progress of the tumor formation induced by the oxidative damage reactions. We have analyzed the amount of m5C in DNA of patients with breast and colon cancers. Two dimensional thin layer chromatography (TLC) has been used to monitor 5‐methylcytosine level in DNA extracted from cancer tissues. The level of methylation of cytosine at C‐5 position in DNA from breast cancer patients correlates well with the malignancy of tumors. Interestingly higher amount of m5C in DNA for the breast cancer patients treated with different chemotherapeutics was observed. It suggests an activation of DNA methyltransferase as well as a genomic suppression of the DNA repair genes expression. These differences clearly reflect the health condition of patients and support the global analysis of m5C in DNA as a good marker for diagnosis of neoplasia in clinical practice.
Human herpesvirus 6B induces phosphorylation of p53 in its regulatory domain by a CK2- and p38-independent pathway
Authors: Øster B. , Bundgaard B. , Hupp T. R. , Höllsberg P.
Published: December 2007

Here, we demonstrate that human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) infection upregulates the tumour suppressor p53 and induces phosphorylation of p53 at Ser392. Interestingly, phosphorylation at the equivalent site has previously been shown to correlate with p53 tumour suppression in murine models. Although the signalling pathways leading to Ser392 phosphorylation are poorly understood, they seem to include casein kinase 2 (CK2), double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR), p38 or cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9). By using column chromatography andin vitrokinase assays, CK2 and p38, but not PKR or Cdk9, eluted in column fractions that phosphorylated p53 at Ser392. However, treatment of cells with neither the CK2 and Cdk9 inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-β-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB) nor p38 kinase inhibitors reduced HHV-6B-induced Ser392 phosphorylation significantly. Knockdown of the CK2βsubunit or p38αby small interfering RNA had no effect on HHV-6B-induced phosphorylation of p53 at Ser392. Thus, HHV-6B induces p53 Ser392 phosphorylation by an atypical pathway independent of CK2 and p38 kinases, whereas mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signalling pathways are involved in viral replication.
Dendritic cell-induced apoptosis of human cytomegalovirus-infected fibroblasts promotes cross-presentation of pp65 to CD8+ T cells
Authors: Mandron Marie , Martin Hélène , Bonjean Béatrice , Lulé Jacqueline , Tartour Eric , Davrinche Christian
Published: December 2007

An efficient host response to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection may depend on rapid sensing of the infection by the innate immune response prior to deployment of viral immunosubversive functions. Control of HCMV dissemination could be ensured by apoptosis of cells immediately following infection. In the present report, it is demonstrated that changes in the ratio of c-FLIP to FLICE contributed to early sensitivity of HCMV-infected MRC5 fibroblasts to tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), providing an innate response to infection. Dendritic cells (DCs) co-cultured with HCMV-infected MRC5 cells acquired the ability to secrete TNF-α in an amount sufficient to kill infected fibroblasts. Blockage of TNF-α binding to its receptor on MRC5 cells with soluble TNF-R reduced the number of dead, HCMV-infected fibroblasts ingested by DCs, thus highlighting the impact of the apoptotic state of infected cells for efficient loading of DCs. Those DCs loaded with antigens available early in infection, such as input virion-associated pp65, could then engage antigen processing for cross-presentation to specific CD8+ T cells. Cross-presentation was impaired when MRC5 cells were treated with the pan-caspase inhibitor ZVAD before co-culture with DCs. Altogether, our data suggest that the innate killing capacity of DCs at the early stage of infection plays a role in the activation of anti-HCMV CD8+ T cells.
Genomic and phylogenetic analysis of two novel bovine papillomaviruses, BPV-9 and BPV-10
Authors: Hatama Shinichi , Nobumoto Kiyoko , Kanno Toru
Published: December 2007

Eight bovine papillomavirus (BPV) types, BPV-1–8, have been classified, based on genome nucleotide sequence similarities, in the genera Deltapapillomavirus (BPV-1 and -2), Epsilonpapillomavirus (BPV-5 and -8), Xipapillomavirus (BPV-3, -4 and -6) and an unassigned genus (BPV-7). We report here the complete genome sequence of two new BPV types isolated from separate epithelial squamous papilloma lesions on cattle teats. The genomes are 7303 and 7399 bp in length, respectively, and both have genetic organization and consensus motifs typical of papillomaviruses. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree revealed that both viruses cluster with BPV-3, -4 and -6. Nucleotide sequence identities of the BPV L1 major capsid protein of these two new BPVs with BPV-3, their closest relative, are 74.2 and 71.2 %, respectively. These results suggest that both viruses are new BPV types in the genus Xipapillomavirus, and they are designated BPV-9 and BPV-10.
Evaluation of potential risks associated with recombination in transgenic plants expressing viral sequences
Authors: Turturo Camilla , Friscina Arianna , Gaubert Stéphane , Jacquemond Mireille , Thompson Jeremy R. , Tepfer Mark
Published: December 2007

Virus-resistant transgenic plants have been created primarily through the expression of viral sequences. It has been hypothesized that recombination between the viral transgene mRNA and the RNA of an infecting virus could generate novel viruses. As mRNA/viral RNA recombination can occur in virus-resistant transgenic plants, the key to testing this risk hypothesis is to compare the populations of recombinant viruses generated in transgenic and non-transgenic plants. This has been done with two cucumoviral systems, involving either two strains of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), or CMV and the related tomato aspermy virus (TAV). Although the distribution of the sites of recombination in the CMV/CMV and TAV/CMV systems was quite different, equivalent populations of recombinant viruses were observed in both cases. These results constitute the first comparison of the populations of recombinants in transgenic and non-transgenic plants, and suggest that there is little risk of emergence of recombinant viruses in these plants, other than those that could emerge in non-transgenic plants.
Concentrations of Dapivirine in the Rhesus Macaque and Rabbit following Once Daily Intravaginal Administration of a Gel Formulation of [
14
C]Dapivirine for 7 Days
Authors: Nuttall Jeremy P. , Thake Daryl C. , Lewis Mark G. , Ferkany John W. , Romano Joseph W. , Mitchnick Mark A.
Published: December 2007

Dapivirine is a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor being developed as a topical microbicide for the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection. The distribution of radioactivity and drug in plasma and in vaginal, cervical, and draining lymph node tissues was investigated after daily application of a vaginal gel formulation of [
14
C]dapivirine to rhesus macaques. This was preceded by a preliminary study with rabbits. Following the intravaginal administration of [
14
C]dapivirine (∼0.1 mg/ml [15 μCi/ml]) to rabbits (0.5 ml/day) and macaques (1 ml/day) for 7 days, the dapivirine levels associated with vaginal and cervical tissue samples 1 h after the final dose were high (quantities of μg/g of tissue) and remained detectable at 24 h (mean, ≥2.5 ng/g in rabbits) and 48 h (mean, >80 ng/g in macaques). Radioactivity levels were low in the plasma and very low or unquantifiable in the draining lymph nodes of the macaques. Microautoradiography identified drug-related material (DRM) on the surfaces of the vaginal and cervical tissues of the rabbits and macaques. Although DRM was primarily associated with the outermost layer of shedding cells in rabbits, two animals showed some evidence of small quantities in the mucosal epithelium of the cervix. In macaques, DRM was seen within the keratinized layer of the vaginal epithelium and and was found to extend into the superficial cellular layers, and in at least one animal it appeared to be present in the deepest (germinal) layer of the epithelium and in submucosal tissues. The persistence of biologically significant concentrations of dapivirine in vaginal and cervical tissues for >24 h supports the development of dapivirine as a microbicide for once daily application.
Dectin-1 Fc Targeting of
Aspergillus fumigatus
Beta-Glucans Augments Innate Defense against Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Mattila Polly E. , Metz Allison E. , Rapaka Rekha R. , Bauer Lynne D. , Steele Chad
Published: December 2007

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) has significantly increased over the last decade. Here, a fusion protein consisting of the Dectin-1 extracellular domain linked to the Fc portion of murine immunoglobulin G1 augmented alveolar macrophage killing of
Aspergillus fumigatus
and shifted mortality associated with IPA via attenuation of
A. fumigatus
growth in the lung.
Isolation and Purification of Enterocin E-760 with Broad Antimicrobial Activity against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Line J. E. , Svetoch E. A. , Eruslanov B. V. , Perelygin V. V. , Mitsevich E. V. , Mitsevich I. P. , Levchuk V. P. , Svetoch O. E. , Seal B. S. , Siragusa G. R. , Stern N. J.
Published: December 2007

Strain NRRL B-30745, isolated from chicken ceca and identified as
Enterococcus durans
,
Enterococcus faecium
, or
Enterococcus hirae
, was initially identified as antagonistic to
Campylobacter jejuni
. The isolate produced a 5,362-Da bacteriocin (enterocin) that inhibits the growth of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis,
S. enterica
serovar Choleraesuis,
S. enterica
serovar Typhimurium,
S. enterica
serovar Gallinarum,
Escherichia coli
O157:H7,
Yersinia enterocolitica
,
Citrobacter freundii
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
,
Shigella dysenteriae
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
,
Proteus mirabilis
,
Morganella morganii
,
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Staphylococcus epidermidis
,
Listeria monocytogenes
,
Campylobacter jejuni
, and 20 other
Campylobacter
species isolates. The enterocin, E-760, was isolated and purified by cation-exchange and hydrophobic-interaction chromatographies. The proteinaceous nature of purified enterocin E-760 was demonstrated upon treatment with various proteolytic enzymes. Specifically, the antimicrobial peptide was found to be sensitive to beta-chymotrypsin, proteinase K, and papain, while it was resistant to lysozyme and lipase. The enterocin demonstrated thermostability by retaining activity after 5 min at 100°C and was stable at pH values between 5.0 and 8.7. However, activity was lost below pH 3.0 and above pH 9.5. Administration of enterocin E-760-treated feed significantly (
P
< 0.05) reduced the colonization of young broiler chicks experimentally challenged and colonized with two strains of
C. jejuni
by more than 8 log
10
CFU. Enterocin E-760 also significantly (
P
< 0.05) reduced the colonization of naturally acquired
Campylobacter
species in market age broiler chickens when administered in treated feed 4 days prior to analysis.
ViableBorrelia burgdorferiEnhances Interleukin-10 Production and Suppresses Activation of Murine Macrophages
Authors: Lazarus John J. , Kay Maria A. , McCarter Akisha L. , Wooten R. Mark
Published: December 2007

Although it is capable of eliciting strong innate and adaptive immune responses,Borrelia burgdorferioften evades immune clearance through largely unknown mechanisms. Our previous studies determined that infected interlukin-10−/−(IL-10−/−) mice show significantly lowerB. burgdorferilevels than wild-type (B6) mice and that IL-10 inhibits innate immune responses critical for controllingB. burgdorferiinfection. To determine whether virulentB. burgdorferipreferentially enhances IL-10 production, we developed an in vitro coculture medium (RPMI.B) in which bothB. burgdorferiand primary macrophages (Mφs) remain viable.B. burgdorferigrew at similar rates and was able to regulate expression of immunoreactive proteins with similar kinetics in RPMI.B and in traditional BSK medium; in contrast,B. burgdorfericultured in conventional tissue culture medium (RPMI) rapidly lost viability. Coculture of viableB. burgdorferiin RPMI.B with Mφs resulted in more rapid and significant increases in IL-10 transcripts and secreted proteins than coculture with nonviableB. burgdorferiin RPMI, which corresponded with decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines. Addition of liveB. burgdorferito Mφs in RPMI.B also elicited substantially higher IL-10 levels than heat-killed bacteria elicited, confirming that increased IL-10 production was not inherent to coculture in RPMI.B. Transfer of supernatants fromB. burgdorferi-stimulated Mφs into naïve Mφ cultures resulted in suppressed activation upon subsequent stimulation with different bacterial agonists, and this suppression was obviated by IL-10-specific antibody. In vivo analyses determined that murine skin samples exhibited substantial upregulation of IL-10 within 24 h of injection ofB. burgdorferi. Together, these results suggest that viableB. burgdorferican suppress early Mφ responses during infection by causing increased release of IL-10.
ON THE COMPLEXITY OF THE WHITEHEAD MINIMIZATION PROBLEM
Authors: ROIG ABDÓ , VENTURA ENRIC , WEIL PASCAL
Published: December 2007

The Whitehead minimization problem consists in finding a minimum size element in the automorphic orbit of a word, a cyclic word or a finitely generated subgroup in a finite rank free group. We give the first fully polynomial algorithm to solve this problem, that is, an algorithm that is polynomial both in the length of the input word and in the rank of the free group. Earlier algorithms had an exponential dependency in the rank of the free group. It follows that the primitivity problem — to decide whether a word is an element of some basis of the free group — and the free factor problem can also be solved in polynomial time.
EVANS' NORMAL FORM THEOREM REVISITED
Authors: SMITH JONATHAN D. H.
Published: December 2007

Evans defined quasigroups equationally, and proved a Normal Form Theorem solving the word problem for free extensions of partial Latin squares. In this paper, quasigroups are redefined as algebras with six basic operations related by triality, manifested as coupled right and left regular actions of the symmetric group on three symbols. Triality leads to considerable simplifications in the proof of Evans' Normal Form Theorem, and makes it directly applicable to each of the six major varieties of quasigroups defined by subgroups of the symmetric group. Normal form theorems for the corresponding varieties of idempotent quasigroups are obtained as immediate corollaries.
FRACTIONAL EULER-LAGRANGE AND FRACTIONAL HAMILTON EQUATIONS FOR SUPER SYMMETRIC CLASSICAL MODEL
Authors: BALEANU DUMITRU , MUSLIH SAMI I.
Published: December 2007

Fractional Euler-Lagrange equations were investigated in the presence of the elements of Berezin algebra. The super fractional Hessian was defined and the fractional Hamiltonian of the super symmetric classical model was constructed.
Aberrant gene expression patterns in placentomes are associated with phenotypically normal and abnormal cattle cloned by somatic cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Everts Robin E. , Chavatte-Palmer Pascale , Razzak Anthony , Hue Isabelle , Green Cheryl A. , Oliveira Rosane , Vignon Xavier , Rodriguez-Zas Sandra L. , Tian X. Cindy , Yang Xiangzhong , Renard Jean-Paul , Lewin Harris A.
Published: December 2007

Transcription profiling of placentomes derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT, n = 20), in vitro fertilization (IVF, n = 9), and artificial insemination (AI, n = 9) at or near term development was performed to better understand why SCNT and IVF often result in placental defects, hydrops, and large offspring syndrome (LOS). Multivariate analysis of variance was used to distinguish the effects of SCNT, IVF, and AI on gene expression, taking into account the effects of parturition (term or preterm), sex of fetus, breed of dam, breed of fetus, and pathological finding in the offspring (hydrops, normal, or other abnormalities). Differential expression of 20 physiologically important genes was confirmed with quantitative PCR. The largest effect on placentome gene expression was attributable to whether placentas were collected at term or preterm (i.e., whether the collection was because of disease or to obtain stage-matched controls) followed by placentome source (AI, IVF, or SCNT). Gene expression in SCNT placentomes was dramatically different from AI ( n = 336 genes; 276 >2-fold) and from IVF ( n = 733 genes; 162 >2-fold) placentomes. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEG) showed that IVF has significant effects on genes associated with cellular metabolism. In contrast, DEG associated with SCNT are involved in multiple pathways, including cell cycle, cell death, and gene expression. Many DEG were shared between the gene lists for IVF and SCNT comparisons, suggesting that common pathways are affected by the embryo culture methods used for IVF and SCNT. However, the many unique gene functions and pathways affected by SCNT suggest that cloned fetuses may be starved and accumulating toxic wastes due to placental insufficiency caused by reprogramming errors. Many of these genes are candidates for hydrops and LOS.
RIN1 Is a Breast Tumor Suppressor Gene
Authors: Milstein Marc , Mooser Chelsea K. , Hu Hailiang , Fejzo Marlena , Slamon Dennis , Goodglick Lee , Dry Sarah , Colicelli John
Published: December 2007

Breast cancer progression is driven by altered gene expression. We show that the RIN1 gene, which encodes a RAS effector regulating epithelial cell properties, is silenced in breast tumor cell lines compared with cultured human mammary epithelial cells. We also report that RIN1 is often reduced in human breast tumor cells compared with morphologically normal breast glandular cells. At least two silencing mechanisms seem to be involved. Overexpression of the transcription repressor SNAI1 (Snail) was observed in ZR75-1 cells, and SNAI1 knockdown restored RIN1 expression. In addition, DNA methylation within the RIN1 promoter and the first exon in KPL-1 cells suggested that epigenetic modifications may contribute to silencing, and demethylation was shown to restore RIN1 expression. Reexpression of RIN1 was shown to inhibit anchorage-independent growth in soft agar. In addition, RIN1 expression inhibited both the initiation and progression of tumorigenesis for two breast tumor cell lines in a mouse model, consistent with a tumor suppressor function. We also show that RIN1 acts as a negative regulator of tumor cell invasive growth and that this requires the ABL kinase–signaling function of RIN1, suggesting a mechanism through which RIN1 silencing may contribute to breast cancer progression. [Cancer Res 2007;67(24):11510–6]
Cytosolic Phospholipase A2α Regulates Cell Growth in RET/PTC-Transformed Thyroid Cells
Authors: Mariggiò Stefania , Filippi Beatrice Maria , Iurisci Cristiano , Dragani Luana Katia , De Falco Valentina , Santoro Massimo , Corda Daniela
Published: December 2007

Modulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (PLA2) expression levels and production of its metabolites have been reported in several tumor types, indicating involvement of arachidonic acid and its derivatives in tumorigenesis. Following our demonstration that the PLA2 group IV isoform α (PLA2IVα) controls TSH-independent growth of normal thyroid (PCCl3) cells, we have investigated the mitogenic role of PLA2IVα in rat thyroid cells transformed by the RET/PTC oncogenes (PC-PTC cells). We now report that PLA2IVα acts downstream of the RET/PTC oncogenes in a novel pathway controlling RET-dependent cell proliferation. In addition, we show that PLA2IVα is in its phosphorylated/active form not only in RET/PTC-transformed cells and in cells derived from human papillary carcinomas but also in lysates from tumor tissues, thus relating constitutive activation of PLA2IVα to RET/PTC-dependent tumorigenesis. Moreover, p38 stress-activated protein kinase is the downstream effector of RET/PTC that is responsible for PLA2IVα phosphorylation and activity. In summary, our data elucidate a novel mechanism in the control of thyroid tumor cell growth that is induced by the RET/PTC oncogenes and which is distinguishable from that of other oncogenes, such as BRAF. This mechanism is mediated by PLA2IVα and should be amenable to targeted pharmacologic intervention. [Cancer Res 2007;67(24):11769–78]