bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GPI-anchored proteins, glycosphingolipids, and sphingomyelin are sequestered to caveolae only after crosslinking.
Authors: Fujimoto T
Published: April 2011

GPI-anchored proteins, glycosphingolipids, and sphingomyelin are all enriched in the detergent-insoluble complex which has been suggested to be purified caveolae. I studied the relationship of the molecules with caveolae in cultured cells by immunocytochemical methods. In cells reacted with antibodies to various membrane proteins and lipids on ice and fixed before applying secondary antibodies, labeling did not show concentration in caveolae. In contrast, when cells were incubated with the primary and secondary antibodies on ice and then transferred to 37 degrees C without fixation, labeled Thy-1.2, beta 2-microglobulin, lactosyl ceramide, ceramide tetrahexose, Forssman antigen, and sphingomyelin became concentrated in caveolae, whereas labeled transferrin receptor did not. Thy-1.2 and sphingolipids formed common patches and were sequestered in the same caveolae when crosslinked with two primary antibodies simultaneously. On the other hand, when either Thy-1.2 alone or lactosyl ceramide alone was crosslinked and sequestered to caveolae, the other antigen remained evenly distributed. Caveolar sequestration of the antigens occurred in the presence of cytochalasin D, nocodazole, or a mixture of the two reagents. The results show that not only GPI-anchored proteins but also glycosphingolipids and sphingomyelin are sequestered in caveolae only after crosslinking, and that the sequestration does not require the intact cytoskeleton.
THE HISTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION OF INDOLE DERIVATIVES BY THE ROSINDOLE REACTION OF E. FISCHER
Authors: GLENNER GEORGE G.
Published: April 2011

1. The application of the rosindole reaction of E. Fischer to the histochemical localization of indole derivatives is described. This method demonstrates predominantly the tryptophan moiety of proteins and it therefore depends on the degree of protein fixation produced by formaldehyde.

2. The specificity of the rosindole reaction is established and the comparison is made between it and both the xanthydrol and post-coupled benzylidene reactions.

3. The facility of the histochemical technique as well as its specificity, sensitivity, and sharp localizability recommends the use of the rosindole reaction in routine histopathological investigation.
HISTOCHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION OF PHOSPHORYLASE IN RODENT BRAIN FROM NEWBORN TO ADULTS
Authors: SHIMIZU NOBUO , OKADA MASAAKI
Published: April 2011

Phosphorylase activity of the brain of rats from newborn to adults was investigated histochemically by Takeuchi and Kuriaki's method, using the iodine reaction. Additional studies were made of the brain of adult guinea pigs, mice and rabbits.

The phosphorylase of newborn rats was generally slight in activity, except for moderate or strong action in some structures: arachnoid membrane, choroid plexuses, ventricular walls, area postrema, pineal and subcommissural bodies, raphe of the medulla oblongata, some brain stem nuclei such as the nucleus of the mesencephalic tract and motor nucleus of the fifth nerve, nuclei of the facial and hypoglossal nerves. Slight reaction appeared in the ventral thalamic and habenular nuclei on the 3rd day, in the cerebral and cerebellar cortices and superior colliculus on the 5th day after birth. The enzyme activity showed a general increase at 14 days and reached the maximal intensity at about 21 days of age, while the arachnoid membrane, choroid plexuses amid raphe exhibited evident decrease of activity. The white matter showed an initial activity at different ages from 5 to 21 days, to attain maximal activity by 1 month.

In the adult a moderate purple staining was consistently demonstrated in the area postrema, subcommissural body and ventricular walls. The neopallium as well as the superior colliculus and cerebellar cortex showed strong or moderate brownish purple color. Nuclei of the brain stem gave characteristic staining; a purple color was encountered in the nucleus of the mesencephalic tract and motor nucleus of the fifth nerve, nuclei of the facial and hypoglossal nerves, brown or purplish brown color occurring in the caudate nucleus, putamen, interpeduncular and inferior olivary nuclei.
STUDIES ON STREPTOCOCCAL HYALURONIDASE AND ANTIHYALURONIDASE. II. THE LOCALIZATION OF SITES OF ABSORPTION OF STREPTOCOCCAL HYALURONIDASE (GROUP C) WITH FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY
Authors: EMMART E. W. , COLE R. M. , MAY E. L. , LONGLEY J. B.
Published: April 2011

In an earlier report it was shown that streptococcal hyaluronidase isolated from the culture medium of Group C, strain 7 is antigenic in rabbits (10, lOa). The present report demonstrates the following:

1. Antihyaluronidase globulin, isolated from the sera of rabbits immunized with streptococcal hyaluronidase, is capable of completely inhibiting in vitro the hydrolytic action of the enzyme upon hyaluronic acid. Conjugation of the antihyaluronidase globulin fraction to fluorescein isocyanate does not affect the inhibiting action of the antibody upon the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme.

2. Using the Coons fluorescent antibody technique, streptococcal hyaluronidase has been identified in tissues of mice following the injection of the enzyme in the caudal vein.

3. The treatment of control normal tissues with fluorescent antihyaluronidase globulin solution gave negative results as did the treatment of experimental tissues with fluorescent normal globulin. As an additional and highly specific control the staining action of the fluorescent antibody upon hyaluronidase could be blocked by preliminary absorption of the tissue with unconjugated antibody.

4. Streptococcal hyaluronidase when injected intravenously, is widely distributed in tissues of the body but is absorbed and retained in selected areas and cells. The localization of fluorescent antigen-antibody complex may be nuclear or cytoplasmic or both. The selection of specific cells within any given tissue suggests that the basis for absorption of the enzyme may be the functional or the physiological state of the cell as well as the histogenesis of the cell.
DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID SYNTHESIS IN THE DEVELOPING MOUSE EMBRYO STUDIED WITH TRITIATED THYMIDINE
Authors: ATLAS M. , BOND V. P. , CRONKITE E. P.
Published: April 2011

1. Tritiated thymidine was injected into mice of pregnancy ages 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, and 17 days.

2. The incorporation of the thymidine into the tissues of the embryo, uterus and placenta were studied by the method of stripping film autoradiography.

3. Thymidine is incorporated into uterine cells at all stages. The greatest amount of uptake is effected by endothelial cells. Decidual cells show good uptake at the beginning, less later.

4. Embryonic tissues do not show any noticeable uptake until the ninth day, and then only in the outer membrane tissues of the trophoblast cells, giant cells and yolk sac cells.

5. On the tenth day incorporation occurs mainly in the blood and mesenchyme cells. On succeeding days more incorporation is found in other embryonic tissue. The nervous system does not incorporate the thymidine noticeably until the fourteenth day.
A COMPARISON BETWEEN DIFFERENT MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDE STAINS AS APPLIED TO CHICK EPIPHYSEAL CARTILAGE
Authors: BÉLANGER LEONARD F. , MIGICOVSKY B. B.
Published: April 2011

The localization of the periodic acid-Schiff reaction, of toluidine blue metachromasia, of alcian blue staining and the Hale reaction do not coincide in the epiphyscal cartilage of the chick.

The iron-adsorption pattern of the Hale reaction corresponds to that of Ca45 uptake in vitro and represents probably a binding fraction of cartilage, or unbound chondroitin sulfate.

Toluidine blue metachromasia is less specific and may well represent collagen-bound as well as unbound sulfated mucopolysaccharides.

The PAS stained material predominates in the articular cartilage and in the zone of large cells of the conjugation cartilage. Its intimate distribution matches the pattern of high density revealed by alpha-radiography. It is probably a protein-bound high polymer.

The intracellular and immature matrix distribution of alcian blue points to its staining of a precursor component, probably nonsulfated.

The existence of an interlacunar network of periodic acid Schiff reactive and alcian blue stained fibers in the articular cartilage has been confirmed.
HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON THE CYTOPLASMIC CONSTITUENTS OF KIDNEY OF TOAD (BUFO MELANOSTICUS) DURING ACUTE DEHYDRATION
Authors: DEB CHANDICHARAN , MUKHERJI MRITYUNJOY
Published: April 2011

1. A condition of reduced glomerular filtration and increased tubular reabsorption was produced experimentally in toads by the process of acute dehydration.

2. In such a condition there was an interesting change, hitherto unrecorded, in acid phosphatase and plasmalogen content of the kidney. There was a fall in plasmalogen and a rise in acid phosphatase in kidney glomeruli during dehydration, and opposite results were observed in the tubules.

3. It may be concluded that plasmalogen is related to the functional activity of the kidney; in the case of acid phosphatase, a non-functional accumulation has been observed.

4. There was also a rise in succinic acid dehydrogenase and esterase in the functioning kidney tubules during dehydration.
A HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF ACID AND ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE IN MOUSE LIVERS DURING VARIOUS CONDITIONS MODIFYING ACTIVITY OF THE RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM
Authors: THORBECKE G. J. , OLD L. J. , BENACERRAF B. , CLARKE D. A.
Published: April 2011

Under conditions in which the activity of the reticuloendothelial system is enhanced, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities of the mouse liver are increased. The acid phosphatase activity is localized in Kupffer cells, whereas the increased alkaline phosphatase activity is found within the endothelial linings of sinusoids. Changes in alkaline phosphatase activity occur earlier than those in acid phosphatase activity. The increase in acid phosphatase, but not the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, could be inhibited by cortisone. Similar changes in alkaline phosphatase activity have been observed following histamine or serotonin injections and after partial hepatectomy. Peritoneal cells from mice infected with B.C.G. strain tubercle bacilli display more acid phosphatase activity than such cells from normal mice.
QUANTITATIVE HISTOCHEMISTRY OF THE KIDNEY. I. SEGMENTAL DISTRIBUTION OF ENZYMES IN THE RENAL PROXIMAL TUBULE OF NORMAL RATS
Authors: KISSANE JOHN M.
Published: April 2011

The activities of eight enzymes were measured with quantitative microchemical techniques in 0.005 to 0.1 µg samples of convoluted and straight portions of the renal proximal tubules of rats. Satisfactorily homogeneous analytical data were obtained from samples dissected directly from frozen-dried sections. Significant differences between the two regions were found in the activity of each of the eight enzymes. Malic dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase, isocitric dehydrogenase, and glutamic-oxalacetic-transaminase were more active in the convoluted than in the straight portion while glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase, glutamic dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase were more active in the straight segment.
Can type of school be used as an alternative indicator of socioeconomic status in dental caries studies? A cross-sectional study
Authors: Piovesan Chaiana , Pádua Monica Carneiro , Ardenghi Thiago Machado , Mendes Fausto Medeiros , Bonini Gabriela Cunha
Published: April 2011

Background

Despite the importance of collecting individual data of socioeconomic status (SES) in epidemiological oral health surveys with children, this procedure relies on the parents as respondents. Therefore, type of school (public or private schools) could be used as an alternative indicator of SES, instead of collecting data individually. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the variable type of school as an indicator of socioeconomic status as a substitute of individual data in an epidemiological survey about dental caries in Brazilian preschool children.

Methods

This study followed a cross-sectional design, with a random sample of 411 preschool children aged 1 to 5 years, representative of Catalão, Brazil. A calibrated examiner evaluated the prevalence of dental caries and parents or guardians provided information about several individual socioeconomic indicators by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. A multilevel approach was used to investigate the association among individual socioeconomic variables, as well as the type of school, and the outcome.

Results

When all significant variables in the univariate analysis were used in the multiple model, only mother's schooling and household income (individual socioeconomic variables) presented significant associations with presence of dental caries, and the type of school was not significantly associated. However, when the type of school was used alone, children of public school presented significantly higher prevalence of dental caries than those enrolled in private schools.

Conclusions

The type of school used as an alternative indicator for socioeconomic status is a feasible predictor for caries experience in epidemiological dental caries studies involving preschool children in Brazilian context.
Vitrification in Open and Closed Carriers at Different Cell Stages: Assessment of Embryo Survival, Development, DNA Integrity and Stability during Vapor Phase Storage for Transport
Authors: AbdelHafez Faten , Xu Jing , Goldberg Jeffrey , Desai Nina
Published: April 2011

Background

High cooling rates with vitrification can be achieved through the use of carriers that allow cryopreservation in fluid volumes < one μl. Open carriers allow direct contact of embryos with liquid nitrogen (LN2) whereas closed carrier systems sequester the embryo within a sealed system during immersion in LN2. The use of closed systems may be preferable to reduce the possibility of cross-contamination. In the present study, we compare open and closed carriers for vitrification of embryos. We also examine their ability to retain embryo viability during vapor phase transport.

Methods

Frozen one-cell mouse embryos were thawed and randomly allocated to treatment groups. Embryos were cultured and vitrified at the 8-cell (CL) or at the blastocyst (BL) stage. The cryoloop, an open carrier was tested against two closed systems, the Cryotip and the HSV straw. Carriers were tested for their ability to maintain embryo viability when held in the vapor phase of a dry shipper for a period of 96 hours. Outcome parameters monitored were embryo survival, recovery, subsequent development and signs of DNA damage.

Results

A total of 561 embryos were vitrified. The only parameter significantly affected by the type of carrier was the percentage of embryos recovered after warming. Vitrification of both CL and BL stage embryos in the Cryotip resulted in significantly lower recovery rates (P < 0.001). The subsequent developmental parameters were unaffected by either the carrier or the cell stage. Vapor phase storage for 96 hours under "transport conditions" did not appear to adversely affect the viability after warming. Quantitative analysis for DNA damage showed that <5% of cells were TUNEL positive. Interestingly, the overall percent of cells exhibiting DNA damage was lower after CL stage vitrification (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study is one of the first to examine DNA integrity after vitrification on different carriers and at different cell stages. It also provides insight on relative safety of short term vapor storage of vitrified embryos during transport. Within the limits of this study we could not detect an adverse effect of vapor storage on blastomere DNA or other measured outcome parameters.
Strain dyssynchrony index determined by three-dimensional speckle area tracking can predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Tatsumi Kazuhiro , Tanaka Hidekazu , Tsuji Takayuki , Kaneko Akihiro , Ryo Keiko , Yamawaki Kohei , Omar Alaa MS , Fukuda Yuko , Norisada Kazuko , Matsumoto Kensuke , Onishi Tetsuari , Yoshida Akihiro , Kawai Hiroya , Hirata Ken-ichi
Published: April 2011

Background

We have previously reported strain dyssynchrony index assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking strain, and a marker of both dyssynchrony and residual myocardial contractility, can predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). A newly developed three-dimensional (3-D) speckle tracking system can quantify endocardial area change ratio (area strain), which coupled with the factors of both longitudinal and circumferential strain, from all 16 standard left ventricular (LV) segments using complete 3-D pyramidal datasets. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that strain dyssynchrony index using area tracking (ASDI) can quantify dyssynchrony and predict response to CRT.

Methods

We studied 14 heart failure patients with ejection fraction of 27 ± 7% (all≤35%) and QRS duration of 172 ± 30 ms (all≥120 ms) who underwent CRT. Echocardiography was performed before and 6-month after CRT. ASDI was calculated as the average difference between peak and end-systolic area strain of LV endocardium obtained from 3-D speckle tracking imaging using 16 segments. Conventional dyssynchrony measures were assessed by interventricular mechanical delay, Yu Index, and two-dimensional radial dyssynchrony by speckle-tracking strain. Response was defined as a ≥15% decrease in LV end-systolic volume 6-month after CRT.

Results

ASDI ≥ 3.8% was the best predictor of response to CRT with a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 100% and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 (p < 0.001). Two-dimensional radial dyssynchrony determined by speckle-tracking strain was also predictive of response to CRT with an AUC of 0.82 (p < 0.005). Interestingly, ASDI ≥ 3.8% was associated with the highest incidence of echocardiographic improvement after CRT with a response rate of 100% (7/7), and baseline ASDI correlated with reduction of LV end-systolic volume following CRT (r = 0.80, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

ASDI can predict responders and LV reverse remodeling following CRT. This novel index using the 3-D speckle tracking system, which shows circumferential and longitudinal LV dyssynchrony and residual endocardial contractility, may thus have clinical significance for CRT patients.
T cells enhance gold nanoparticle delivery to tumors in vivo
Authors: Kennedy Laura C , Bear Adham S , Young Joseph K , Lewinski Nastassja A , Kim Jean , Foster Aaron E , Drezek Rebekah A
Published: April 2011

Gold nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy (PTT) has shown great potential for the treatment of cancer in mouse studies and is now being evaluated in clinical trials. For this therapy, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are injected intravenously and are allowed to accumulate within the tumor via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. The tumor is then irradiated with a near infrared laser, whose energy is absorbed by the AuNPs and translated into heat. While reliance on the EPR effect for tumor targeting has proven adequate for vascularized tumors in small animal models, the efficiency and specificity of tumor delivery in vivo, particularly in tumors with poor blood supply, has proven challenging. In this study, we examine whether human T cells can be used as cellular delivery vehicles for AuNP transport into tumors. We first demonstrate that T cells can be efficiently loaded with 45 nm gold colloid nanoparticles without affecting viability or function (e.g. migration and cytokine production). Using a human tumor xenograft mouse model, we next demonstrate that AuNP-loaded T cells retain their capacity to migrate to tumor sites in vivo. In addition, the efficiency of AuNP delivery to tumors in vivo is increased by more than four-fold compared to injection of free PEGylated AuNPs and the use of the T cell delivery system also dramatically alters the overall nanoparticle biodistribution. Thus, the use of T cell chaperones for AuNP delivery could enhance the efficacy of nanoparticle-based therapies and imaging applications by increasing AuNP tumor accumulation.
Copper nanofiber-networked cobalt oxide composites for high performance Li-ion batteries
Authors: Nam Sang Hoon , Kim Yong Seok , Shim Hee-Sang , Kim Jong Guk , Kim Won Bae
Published: April 2011

We prepared a composite electrode structure consisting of copper nanofiber-networked cobalt oxide (CuNFs@CoO
x
). The copper nanofibers (CuNFs) were fabricated on a substrate with formation of a network structure, which may have potential for improving electron percolation and retarding film deformation during the discharging/charging process over the electroactive cobalt oxide. Compared to bare CoO
x
thin-film (CoO
x
TF) electrodes, the CuNFs@CoO
x
electrodes exhibited a significant enhancement of rate performance by at least six-fold at an input current density of 3C-rate. Such enhanced Li-ion storage performance may be associated with modified electrode structure at the nanoscale, improved charge transfer, and facile stress relaxation from the embedded CuNF network. Consequently, the CuNFs@CoO
x
composite structure demonstrated here can be used as a promising high-performance electrode for Li-ion batteries.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors of sporadic Hepatitis E in central China
Authors: Zhang Shujun , Wang Jingjing , Yuan Quan , Ge Shengxiang , Zhang Jun , Xia Ningshao , Tian Deying
Published: April 2011

Background

Epidemiological investigations, detections and vaccines of hepatitis E (HE) have been paid a focus of attention in prior studies, while studies on clinical features and risk factors with a large number of sporadic HE patients are scarce.

Results

Sporadic HE can occur throughout the year, with the highest incidence rate in the first quarter of a year, in central of China. Of the 210 patients, 85.2% were male, and the most common clinical symptoms were jaundice (85.7%), fatigue (70.5%) and anorexia (64.8%). Total bilirubin (TBil), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and international normalized ratio (INR) were found as major risk factors for death of HE patients. There was an overall mortality of 10%, and the mortality in the cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic group was 25% and 6.47%, respectively. Moreover, hepatitis E virus (HEV) infected patients with liver cirrhosis had a higher mortality and incidence of complications.

Conclusions

TBil, BUN, and INR are major risk factors of mortality for HE. Liver cirrhosis can aggravate HE, and lead to a higher mortality. HEV infection can cause decompensation in patients with cirrhosis, as evidenced by a worsening Child-Pugh score.
Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy induced by gastric carcinoma: Morphometric and immunohistochemical analysis of six autopsy cases
Authors: Okubo Yoichiro , Wakayama Megumi , Kitahara Kanako , Nemoto Tetsuo , Yokose Tomoyuki , Abe Fumihito , Hiruta Nobuyuki , Sasai Daisuke , Shinozaki Minoru , Nakayama Haruo , Ishiwatari Takao , Shibuya Kazutoshi
Published: April 2011

Background

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) has been known as a rare and serious cancer-related pulmonary complication. However, the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of this debilitating condition still remains obscure and no effective management was recommended. The present study aims to elucidate the pathophysiology of PTTM.

Methods

Autopsy records were searched to extract cases of pulmonary tumor embolism induced by metastasis of gastric carcinoma in the Toho University Omori Medical Center from 2000 to 2006. And then, tissue sections of extracted cases were prepared for not only light microscopic observation but morphometric analysis with the use of selected PTTM cases.

Results

Six autopsies involved PTTM and clinicopathological data of them were summarized. There was a significant negative association between pulmonary arterial diameter and stenosis rate in four cases. Although all cases showed an increase of stenosis rate to some degree, the degree of stenosis rate varied from case to case. Significant differences were found for average stenosis rate between the under 100 micrometer group or the 100 to 300 micrometer group and the 300 micrometer group in four cases. However, no significant differences were found for average stenosis rate between the under 100 micrometer group and the 100 to 300 micrometer group in all cases. Meanwhile, all cases showed positive reactivity for tissue factor (TF), five showed positive reactivity for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and three showed positive reactivity for osteopontin (OPN).

Conclusions

In the present study, we revealed that the degree of luminal narrowing of the pulmonary arteries varied from case to case, and our results suggested that pulmonary hypertension in PTTM occurs in selected cases which have a widespread pulmonary lesion with severe luminal narrowing in the smaller arteries. Furthermore, our immunohistochemical examination indicated that gastric carcinoma indicating PTTM shows a higher TF-positive rate than typical gastric carcinoma. However, it remains still obscuring whether gastric carcinoma indicating PTTM shows a higher VEGF or OPN-positive rate as determined by immunohistochemistry.

Virtual Slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/9204869075191730.
Deregulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system is the predominant molecular pathology in OPMD animal models and patients
Authors: Anvar Seyed Yahya , 't Hoen Peter A. C. , Venema Andrea , van der Sluijs Barbara , van Engelen Baziel , Snoeck Marc , Vissing John , Trollet Capucine , Dickson George , Chartier Aymeric , Simonelig Martine , van Ommen Gert-Jan B. , van der Maarel Silvere M. , Raz Vered
Published: April 2011

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a late-onset progressive muscle disorder caused by a poly-alanine expansion mutation in the Poly(A) Binding Protein Nuclear 1 (PABPN1). The molecular mechanisms that regulate disease onset and progression are largely unknown. In order to identify molecular pathways that are consistently associated with OPMD, we performed an integrated high-throughput transcriptome study in affected muscles of OPMD animal models and patients. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) was found to be the most consistently and significantly OPMD-deregulated pathway across species. We could correlate the association of the UPS OPMD-deregulated genes with stages of disease progression. The expression trend of a subset of these genes is age-associated and therefore, marks the late onset of the disease, and a second group with expression trends relating to disease-progression. We demonstrate a correlation between expression trends and entrapment into PABPN1 insoluble aggregates of OPMD-deregulated E3 ligases. We also show that manipulations of proteasome and immunoproteasome activity specifically affect the accumulation and aggregation of mutant PABPN1. We suggest that the natural decrease in proteasome expression and its activity during muscle aging contributes to the onset of the disease.
Subretinal gene delivery using helper-dependent adenoviral vectors
Authors: Wu Linda , Lam Simon , Cao Huibi , Guan Rui , Duan Rongqi , van der Kooy Derek , Bremner Rod , Molday Robert S , Hu Jim
Published: April 2011

This study describes the successful delivery of helper-dependent adenoviral vectors to the mouse retina with long term and robust levels of reporter expression in the retina without apparent adverse effects. Since these vectors have a large cloning capacity, they have great potential to extend the success of gene therapy achieved using the adeno-associated viral vector.
Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis in dogs: A review
Authors: O'Neill Emma J. , Merrett Darren , Jones Boyd
Published: April 2011

Granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system in dogs that is characterised by focal or disseminated granulomatous lesions within the brain and/or spinal cord, non-suppurative meningitis and perivascular mononuclear cuffing. The aetiology of the disease remains unknown, although an immune-mediated cause is suspected. This article reviewed the typical history, clinical signs and pathology of the condition along with current opinions on pathogenesis. The potential differential diagnoses for the disease were discussed along with current treatment options.
Gastrointestinal nematode control practices on lowland sheep farms in Ireland with reference to selection for anthelmintic resistance
Authors: Patten Thomas , Good Barbara , Hanrahan James P , Mulcahy Grace , de Waal Theo
Published: April 2011

Gastrointestinal parasitism is a widely recognised problem in sheep production, particularly for lambs. While anthelmintics have a pivotal role in controlling the effects of parasites, there is a paucity of data on how farmers use anthelmintics. A representative sample of Irish lowland farmers were surveyed regarding their parasite control practices and risk factors that may contribute to the development of anthelmintic resistance. Questionnaires were distributed to 166 lowland Irish sheep producers. The vast majority of respondents treated their sheep with anthelmintics. Lambs were the cohort treated most frequently, the majority of farmers followed a set programme as opposed to treating at sign of disease. A substantial proportion (61%) administered four or more treatments to lambs in a 'normal' year. Departures from best practice in anthelmintic administration that would encourage the development of anthelmintic resistance were observed. In conclusion, in the light of anthelmintic resistance, there is a need for a greater awareness of the principles that underpin the sustainable use of anthelmintics and practices that preserve anthelmintic efficacy should be given a very high priority in the design of helminth control programmes on each farm. To this end, given that veterinary practitioners and agricultural advisors were considered to be the farmer's most popular information resource, the capacity of these professions to communicate information relating to best practice in parasite control should be targeted.
A HACCP-based approach to mastitis control in dairy herds. Part 2: Implementation and evaluation
Authors: Beekhuis-Gibbon Lies , Devitt Catherine , Whyte Paul , O'Grady Luke , More Simon J , Redmond Bairbre , Quin Suzanne , Doherty Michael L
Published: April 2011

Part 1 of the study described the development of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) based programme and accompanying handbook for the control of mastitis. This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of customised HACCP-based programmes, which were developed from the handbook and assessed on six Irish dairy farms. Both quantitative and qualitative (action research) research methodologies were used to measure the success of implementation and efficacy of control of sub-clinical mastitis as measured by Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) and the degree of compliance by farmers in adopting and maintaining recommendations throughout the course of the study period. No overall differences in SCC before and during the implementation of the study were found when all six farms were considered together. Three of the six study farms experienced a significant decrease in herd milk recorded SCC during the implementation of the control programme. An essential part of the study was achieving initial agreement on recommendations as well as ongoing monitoring of compliance during the study. This pilot study shows that HACCP can be implemented on farms as a means of working towards the control of mastitis and that farmer attitude, and understanding of mastitis are crucial in terms of motivation irrespective of practical approaches used to manage mastitis.
Characterization of diverse natural variants of CYP102A1 found within a species of Bacillus megaterium
Authors: Kang Ji-Yeon , Kim So-Young , Kim Dooil , Kim Dong-Hyun , Shin Sun-Mi , Park Sun-Ha , Kim Keon-Hee , Jung Heung-Chae , Pan Jae-Gu , Joung Young Hee , Chi Youn-Tae , Chae Ho Zoon , Ahn Taeho , Yun Chul-Ho
Published: April 2011

An extreme diversity of substrates and catalytic reactions of cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes is considered to be the consequence of evolutionary adaptation driven by different metabolic or environmental demands. Here we report the presence of numerous natural variants of P450 BM3 (CYP102A1) within a species of Bacillus megaterium. Extensive amino acid substitutions (up to 5% of the total 1049 amino acid residues) were identified from the variants. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that this P450 gene evolve more rapidly than the rRNA gene locus. It was found that key catalytic residues in the substrate channel and active site are retained. Although there were no apparent variations in hydroxylation activity towards myristic acid (C14) and palmitic acid (C16), the hydroxylation rates of lauric acid (C12) by the variants varied in the range of >25-fold. Interestingly, catalytic activities of the variants are promiscuous towards non-natural substrates including human P450 substrates. It can be suggested that CYP102A1 variants can acquire new catalytic activities through site-specific mutations distal to the active site.
Alliinase from Ensifer adhaerens and Its Use for Generation of Fungicidal Activity
Authors: Yutani Masahiro , Taniguchi Hiroko , Borjihan Hasibagan , Ogita Akira , Fujita Ken-ichi , Tanaka Toshio
Published: April 2011

A bacterium Ensifer adhaerens FERM P-19486 with the ability of alliinase production was isolated from a soil sample. The enzyme was purified for characterization of its general properties and evaluation of its application in on-site production of allicin-dependent fungicidal activity. The bacterial alliinase was purified 300-fold from a cell-free extract, giving rise to a homogenous protein band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The bacterial alliinase (96 kDa) consisted of two identical subunits (48 kDa), and was most active at 60°C and at pH 8.0. The enzyme stoichiometrically converted (-)-alliin ((-)-S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide) to form allicin, pyruvic acid, and ammonia more selectively than (+)-alliin, a naturally occurring substrate for plant alliinase ever known. The C-S lyase activity was also detected with this bacterial enzyme when S-alkyl-L-cysteine was used as a substrate, though such a lyase activity is absolutely absent in alliinase of plant origin. The enzyme generated a fungicidal activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a time- and a dose-dependent fashion using alliin as a stable precursor. Alliinase of Ensifer adhaerens FERM P-19486 is the enzyme with a novel type of substrate specificity, and thus considered to be beneficial when used in combination with garlic enzyme with respect to absolute conversion of (±)-alliin to allicin.
Extremes of weight centile are associated with increased risk of mortality in pediatric intensive care
Authors: Numa Andrew , McAweeney John , Williams Gary , Awad John , Ravindranathan Hari
Published: April 2011

Introduction

Although numerous studies have linked extremes of weight with poor outcome in adult intensive care patients, the effect of weight on intensive care outcome has not previously been reported in the pediatric population. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between admission weight centile and risk-adjusted mortality in pediatric intensive care patients.

Methods

Data were collected on 6337 consecutively admitted patients over an 8.5 year period in a 15 bed pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) located in a university-affiliated tertiary referral children's hospital. A weight centile variable was entered into a multivariate logistic regression model that included all other pediatric index of mortality (PIM-2) variables, in order to determine whether weight centile was an independent risk factor for mortality.

Results

Weight centile was associated with mortality in both univariate and multivariate analysis, with the lowest mortality being associated with weights on the 75th centile and increasing symmetrically around this nadir. A transformed weight centile variable (absolute value of weight centile-75) was independently associated with mortality (odds ratio 1.02, P = 0.000) when entered into a multivariate logistic regression model that included the PIM-2 variables.

Conclusions

In this single-center cohort, weight centile was an independent risk factor for mortality in the ICU, with mortality increasing for patients at either end of the weight spectrum. These observations suggest that the accuracy of mortality prediction algorithms may be improved by inclusion of weight centile in the models. A prospective multicenter study should be undertaken to confirm our findings.
Excluding Muslim Women: From Hijab to Niqab, from School to Public Space
Authors: Tissot Sylvie
Published: April 2011

Six years after banning pupils from wearing a hijab in public high schools, in July 2010, French deputies passed a law that forbids women from wearing the “integral veil” (or niqab, an outfit hiding the entire face except the eyes) in public spaces. This article examines why such a repressive policy toward Muslim women was unanimously embraced by the conservative majority and some left-wing leaders with so little protest. It aims at underscoring the specific phenomena that, on the basis of a new “orientalism,” contribute in France to institutionalizing a category of people on the basis of race and gender.
Obstetric opinions regarding the method of delivery in women that have had surgery for retinal detachment
Authors: Papamichael Esther , Aylward George William , Regan Lesley
Published: April 2011

Objectives

We sought to determine international obstetric opinions regarding the influence of a history of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment on the management of labour and to review the evidence base.

Design

A questionnaire containing closed questions, with pre-coded response opinions, was designed to obtain a cross-section of the obstetric opinions.

Setting

Questionnaires were distributed at the 20th European Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Lisbon, Portugal.

Participants

One hundred questionnaires were distributed among obstetricians attending the congress and 74 agreed to participate.

Main outcome measures

Participants were asked to state their preferred method of delivery in such patients and the reasons for their recommendation. Furthermore, we questioned whether there was any difference in opinions depending on generation.

Results

The majority of respondents (76%) would recommend assisted delivery (either Caesarean section or instrumental delivery), whereas the remaining 24% would advise normal delivery. Generation is not a factor influencing this decision. The majority (58%) based their decision to alter the management of labour on their personal opinion of standard of care.

Conclusion

The literature shows that there is little evidence to support the belief that previous retinal surgery increases the risk of re-detachment of the retina during spontaneous vaginal delivery. This short survey shows that the majority of an international sample of obstetricians questioned does not share this viewpoint. Therefore, unnecessary interventions may be occurring in otherwise fit women with a history of retinal detachment.
Renal function parameters during early and late recovery periods following an all-out 21-km run in trained adolescent runners
Authors: Tian Ye , Tong Tom K. , Lippi Giuseppe , Huang Chuanye , Shi Qingde , Nie Jinlei
Published: April 2011

Background: This study investigated the changes in biomarkers of renal function and the corresponding estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in 10 male adolescent (16.2±0.6 years) trained runners during early and late recovery periods after an all-out 21-km run.

Methods: Venous blood samples were taken immediately before, and at 2-h, 4-h, and 24-h following the 21-km run. Samples were analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct), and serum urea (U), creatinine (Cr), creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). U/Cr ratio, eGFR, and plasma volume change (%ΔPV) were calculated based on the associated measured variables.

Results: At 2-h and 4-h, there were increases (26%–146%) in U, Cr, U/Cr, CK, and LDH, and decreases (8%–13%) in Hb and Hct, as compared with the corresponding pre-exercise values. The calculated %ΔPV increased by 17% while the eGFR decreased 20% from the corresponding pre-exercise value, respectively. At 24-h, the changes of the blood variables and renal function parameters observed at early recovery period were sustained.

Conclusions: Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that mild decline in renal function occurred during the early recovery period following the 21-km run. The decline in renal function did not return to normal during the later recovery period.
Purification of Eucalyptus globulus water prehydrolyzates using the HiTAC process (high-temperature adsorption on activated charcoal)
Authors: Gütsch Jenny Sabrina , Sixta Herbert
Published: April 2011

The implementation of biorefinery concepts into existing pulp and paper mills is a key step for a sustainable utilization of the natural resource wood. Water prehydrolysis of wood is an interesting process for the recovery of xylo-oligosaccharides and derivatives thereof, while at the same time cellulose is preserved to a large extent for subsequent dissolving pulp production. The recovery of value-added products out of autohydrolyzates is frequently hindered by extensive lignin precipitation, especially at high temperatures. In this study, a new high-temperature adsorption process (HiTAC process) was developed, where lignin is removed directly after the autohydrolysis, which enables further processing of the autohydrolyzates. The suitability of activated charcoals as a selective adsorbent for lignin under process-relevant conditions (150 and 170°C) has not been considered up to now, because former experiments showed decreasing efficiency of charcoal adsorption of lignin with increasing temperature in the range 20–80°C. In contrast to these results, we demonstrated that the adsorption of lignin at 170°C directly after autohydrolysis is even more efficient than after cooling the hydrolyzate to room temperature. The formation of lignin precipitation and incrustations can thus be efficiently prevented by the HiTAC process. The carbohydrates in the autohydrolysis liquor remain unaffected over a wide charcoal concentration range and can be further processed to yield valuable products.
Detecting Major Genetic Loci Controlling Phenotypic Variability in Experimental Crosses
Authors: Rönnegård Lars , Valdar William
Published: April 2011

Traditional methods for detecting genes that affect complex diseases in humans or animal models, milk production in livestock, or other traits of interest, have asked whether variation in genotype produces a change in that trait’s average value. But focusing on differences in the mean ignores differences in variability about that mean. The robustness, or uniformity, of an individual’s character is not only of great practical importance in medical genetics and food production but is also of scientific and evolutionary interest (e.g., blood pressure in animal models of heart disease, litter size in pigs, flowering time in plants). We describe a method for detecting major genes controlling the phenotypic variance, referring to these as vQTL. Our method uses a double generalized linear model with linear predictors based on probabilities of line origin. We evaluate our method on simulated F2 and collaborative cross data, and on a real F2 intercross, demonstrating its accuracy and robustness to the presence of ordinary mean-controlling QTL. We also illustrate the connection between vQTL and QTL involved in epistasis, explaining how these concepts overlap. Our method can be applied to a wide range of commonly used experimental crosses and may be extended to genetic association more generally.
Molecular Chaperone Hsp104 Can Promote Yeast Prion Generation
Authors: Kryndushkin Dmitry S , Engel Abbi , Edskes Herman , Wickner Reed B
Published: April 2011

[URE3] is an amyloid-based prion of Ure2p, a regulator of nitrogen catabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Ure2p of the human pathogen Candida albicans can also be a prion in S. cerevisiae. We find that overproduction of the disaggregating chaperone, Hsp104, increases the frequency of de novo  [URE3] prion formation by the Ure2p of S. cerevisiae and that of C. albicans. This stimulation is strongly dependent on the presence of the [PIN+] prion, known from previous work to enhance [URE3] prion generation. Our data suggest that transient Hsp104 overproduction enhances prion generation through persistent effects on Rnq1 amyloid, as well as during overproduction by disassembly of amorphous Ure2 aggregates (generated during Ure2p overproduction), driving the aggregation toward the amyloid pathway. Overproduction of other major cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp70 and Hsp40 families (Ssa1p, Sse1p, and Ydj1p) inhibit prion formation, whereas another yeast Hsp40, Sis1p, modulates the effects of Hsp104p on both prion induction and prion curing in a prion-specific manner. The same factor may both enhance de novo prion generation and destabilize existing prion variants, suggesting that prion variants may be selected by changes in the chaperone network.
Increasing Power of Genome-Wide Association Studies by Collecting Additional Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms
Authors: Kostem Emrah , Lozano Jose A , Eskin Eleazar
Published: April 2011

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been effectively identifying the genomic regions associated with a disease trait. In a typical GWAS, an informative subset of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), called tag SNPs, is genotyped in case/control individuals. Once the tag SNP statistics are computed, the genomic regions that are in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the most significantly associated tag SNPs are believed to contain the causal polymorphisms. However, such LD regions are often large and contain many additional polymorphisms. Following up all the SNPs included in these regions is costly and infeasible for biological validation. In this article we address how to characterize these regions cost effectively with the goal of providing investigators a clear direction for biological validation. We introduce a follow-up study approach for identifying all untyped associated SNPs by selecting additional SNPs, called follow-up SNPs, from the associated regions and genotyping them in the original case/control individuals. We introduce a novel SNP selection method with the goal of maximizing the number of associated SNPs among the chosen follow-up SNPs. We show how the observed statistics of the original tag SNPs and human genetic variation reference data such as the HapMap Project can be utilized to identify the follow-up SNPs. We use simulated and real association studies based on the HapMap data and the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium to demonstrate that our method shows superior performance to the correlation- and distance-based traditional follow-up SNP selection approaches. Our method is publicly available at http://genetics.cs.ucla.edu/followupSNPs.