bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deletion of oligodendrocyte Cx32 and astrocyte Cx43 causes white matter vacuolation, astrocyte loss and early mortality
Authors: Magnotti Laura M. , Goodenough Daniel A. , Paul David L.
Published: May 2011

CNS glia exhibit a variety of gap junctional interactions: between neighboring astrocytes, between neighboring oligodendrocytes, between astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and as ‘reflexive’ structures between layers of myelin in oligodendrocytes. Together, these junctions are thought to form a network facilitating absorption and removal of extracellular K+ released during neuronal activity. In mice, loss of the two major oligodendrocyte connexins causes severe demyelination and early mortality, while loss of the two major astrocyte connexins causes mild dysmyelination and sensorimotor impairment, suggesting that reflexive and/or oligo–oligo coupling may be more important for the maintenance of myelin than other forms. To further explore the functional relationships between glial connexins, we generated double knockout mice lacking one oligodendrocyte and one astrocyte connexin. Cx32‐Cx43 dKO animals develop white matter vacuolation without obvious ultrastructural abnormalities in myelin. Progressive loss of astrocytes but not oligodendrocytes or microglia accompanies sensorimotor impairment, seizure activity and early mortality at around 16 weeks of age. Our data reveal an unexpected role for connexins in the survival of white matter astrocytes, requiring the expression of particular isoforms in both oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential and cooperative actions of Olig1 and Olig2 transcription factors on immature proliferating cells after contusive spinal cord injury
Authors: Kim Hyuk M. , Hwang Dong H. , Choi Jun Young , Park Chang Hwan , Suh‐Kim Haeyoung , Kim Seung U. , Kim Byung G.
Published: May 2011

Spontaneous remyelination after spinal cord injury (SCI) is limited probably due to inadequate signaling to generate sufficient OLs from progenitor cells. The present study tested a hypothesis that introduction of olig genes, critical regulators of OL development, into immature proliferating cells could increase oligodendrogenesis after contusive SCI in adult rats. Recombinant retroviruses encoding Olig1 and Olig2 transcription factors, separately or in combination, with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were injected into the injured spinal cord. Unexpectedly, introduction of Olig2‐GFP retroviruses led to a marked hyperplasia of GFP+ cells at 1 week, and soft agar colony forming assay of isolated GFP+ cells confirmed Olig2‐induced tumorous transformation. In contrast, Olig1 did not alter the number of GFP+ cells. Simultaneous expression of Olig1 and Olig2 (Olig1/2) led to a marked increase in the number of GFP+ cells without tumor formation. The proportion of GFP+ cells with OL progenitor markers was increased by Olig1/2. Moreover, Olig1/2 robustly increased the proportion of mature OLs and expression of myelin related proteins, while Olig1 alone exhibited only modest effects. Olig1/2 upregulated Sox10, which drives terminal OL differentiation, implicating Sox 10 as a mediator of Olig1/2 effects on the maturation. Finally, injection of Olig1/2 retroviruses significantly improved a quality of hindpaws locomotion and increased the total number of OLs after SCI. Activation of both Olig1 and Olig2 may be beneficial by both increasing the progenitor cell proliferation and enhancing OL differentiation in the injured spinal cord. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
‘Keeping your brain active’: the activities of people aged 50–65 years
Authors: Bowes Alison , McCabe Louise , Wilson Mike , Craig David
Published: May 2011

Objective

The paper aims to construct a baseline of knowledge about current activities, attitudes and motivations of a sample of people aged 50–65 years in relation to ‘keeping one's brain active’, with a particular focus on activities suggested in the literature and in popular parlance to have positive effects.

Methods

An online survey of people aged 50–65 years concerning their activities and motivations in relation to ‘keeping one's brain active’ was conducted with a sample of people employed in Scotland and in two online discussion forums. The survey ascertained respondents' background demographic data, data on health and lifestyle factors, activities they engaged in and reasons for engagement, including any concerns about dementia and experience of dementia. The achieved sample of 402 responses was representative of the general population on most counts, although the sample included more better‐educated people and more smokers.

Results

Dementia prevention was a motivating factor for 21% of the respondents. More women and more of those living alone reported this motivation. It was linked with experience of dementia and future fears of developing the condition. New ‘brain‐training’ technologies were used by younger people in higher socio‐economic groups, and dementia prevention was cited as a motivation.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that dementia prevention motivates activities perceived to keep the brain active, despite there being a virtual absence of scientific evidence showing that the desired effects will follow. Given the existence of evidence suggesting that other activities, particularly physical exercise, may be more important and the possibility that stress itself may promote the development of dementia, further research is urgently needed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential expression of molecular markers of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala in response to spatial learning, predator exposure, and stress‐induced amnesia
Authors: Zoladz Phillip R. , Park Collin R. , Halonen Joshua D. , Salim Samina , Alzoubi Karem H. , Srivareerat Marisa , Fleshner Monika , Alkadhi Karim A. , Diamond David M.
Published: May 2011

We have studied the effects of spatial learning and predator stress‐induced amnesia on the expression of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and calcineurin in the hippocampus, basolateral amygdala (BLA), and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Adult male rats were given a single training session in the radial‐arm water maze (RAWM) composed of 12 trials followed by a 30‐min delay period, during which rats were either returned to their home cages or given inescapable exposure to a cat. Immediately following the 30‐min delay period, the rats were given a single test trial in the RAWM to assess their memory for the hidden platform location. Under control (no stress) conditions, rats exhibited intact spatial memory and an increase in phosphorylated CaMKII (p‐CaMKII), total CaMKII, and BDNF in dorsal CA1. Under stress conditions, rats exhibited impaired spatial memory and a suppression of all measured markers of molecular plasticity in dorsal CA1. The molecular profiles observed in the BLA, mPFC, and ventral CA1 were markedly different from those observed in dorsal CA1. Stress exposure increased p‐CaMKII in the BLA, decreased p‐CaMKII in the mPFC, and had no effect on any of the markers of molecular plasticity in ventral CA1. These findings provide novel observations regarding rapidly induced changes in the expression of molecular plasticity in response to spatial learning, predator exposure, and stress‐induced amnesia in brainregions involved in different aspects of memory processing. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐wave radiation and heat flux estimates within a small tributary in Catamaran Brook (New Brunswick, Canada)
Authors: Benyahya Loubna , Caissie Daniel , Satish Mysore G. , El‐Jabi Nassir
Published: May 2011

River water temperature is an important water quality parameter that also influences most aquatic life. Physical processes influencing water temperature in rivers are highly complex. This is especially true for the estimation of river heat exchange processes that are highly dependent on good estimates of radiation fluxes. Furthermore, very few studies were found within the stream temperature dynamic literature where the different radiation components have been measured and compared at the stream level (at microclimate conditions). Therefore, this study presents results on hydrometeorological conditions for a small tributary within Catamaran Brook (part of the Miramichi River system, New Brunswick, Canada) with the following specific objectives: (1) to compare between stream microclimate and remote meteorological conditions, (2) to compare measured long‐wave radiation data with those calculated from an analytical model, and (3), to calculate the corresponding river heat fluxes. The most salient findings of this study are (1) solar radiation and wind speed are parameters that are highly site specific within the river environment and play an important role in the estimation of river heat fluxes; (2) the incoming, outgoing, and net long‐wave radiation within the stream environment (under the forest canopy) can be effectively calculated using empirical formula; (3) at the study site more than 80% of the incoming long‐wave radiation was coming from the forest; (4) total energy gains were dominated by solar radiation flux (for all the study periods) followed by the net long‐wave radiation (during some periods) whereas energy losses were coming from both the net long‐wave radiation and evaporation. Conductive heat fluxes have a minor contribution from the overall heat budget (<3·5%); (5) the reflected short‐wave radiation at the water surface was calculated on average as 3·2%, which is consistent with literature values. Results of this study contribute towards a better understanding of river heat fluxes and water temperature models as well as for more effective aquatic resources and fisheries management. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using multiple artificial DNA tracers in hydrology
Authors: Foppen Jan Willem , Orup Caesar , Adell Renaud , Poulalion Vincent , Uhlenbrook Stefan
Published: May 2011

Tracer testing is an efficient and versatile method to characterize hydrological processes both in surface waters and in the subsurface, and with synthetic DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) experiments can be performed with a theoretically unlimited number of tracers. We explored the use of six synthetic DNA tracers in injection experiments in the Strijbeekse Beek and the Merkske, two small brooks in the Netherlands. We wanted to test the applicability of synthetic DNA markers in combination with the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), an analytical technique used to determine DNA concentrations. The most important results from the two experiments were that DNA concentrations during breakthrough ranged from 0·1 to 100 fM (femtomolar = 10−15 mol/l), and that DNA mass transport in the stream was not retarded compared to transport of an injected NaCl mass. However, DNA mass was substantially reduced, most likely as a result of adsorption, attachment, decay and/or biological uptake processes in the stream itself. Although more insight in the various mass balance components of DNA mass in the stream is required, we concluded that the use of synthetic DNA markers in combination with qPCR has potential for spatially distributed surface water‐groundwater interaction tracer experiments. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of multiple surface soil moisture for Korean regional flux monitoring network sites: Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer E, land surface model, and ground measurements
Authors: Choi Minha
Published: May 2011

In the past few decades, there have been great developments in remotely sensed soil moisture, with validation efforts using land surface models (LSMs) and ground‐based measurements, because soil moisture information is essential to understanding complex land surface–atmosphere interactions. However, the validation of remotely sensed soil moisture has been very limited because of the scarcity of the ground measurements in Korea. This study validated Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer E (AMSR‐E) soil moisture data with the Common Land Model (CLM), one of the most widely used LSMs, and ground‐based measurements at two Korean regional flux monitoring network sites. There was reasonable agreement regarding the different soil moisture products for monitoring temporal trends except National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) AMSR‐E soil moisture, albeit there were essential comparison limitations by different spatial scales and soil depths. The AMSR‐E soil moisture data published by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VUA) showed potential to replicate temporal variability patterns (root‐mean‐square errors = 0·10–0·14 m3 m−3 and wet BIAS = 0·09 − 0·04 m3 m−3) with the CLM and ground‐based measurements. However, the NSIDC AMSR‐E soil moisture was problematic because of the extremely low temporal variability and the VUA AMSR‐E soil moisture was relatively inaccurate in Gwangneung site characterized by complex geophysical conditions. Additional evaluations should be required to facilitate the use of recent and forthcoming remotely sensed soil moisture data from Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity and Soil Moisture Active and Passive missions at representative future validation sites. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The maize evapotranspiration in the background of climate change: a case study in arid area
Authors: Liu Buchun , Mei Xurong , Lv Guohua , Yang Youlu , Bai Meilan , Wu Yongfeng , Song Jiqing , Bai Wenbo
Published: May 2011

Agricultural water resource security is faced with serious challenges in the background of climate change. It is important to study the trend of evapotranspiration (ET) for future planning and management of agricultural water resources. On the basis of the 1961–2004 weather data, the trends of six meteorological variables were analysed. Also, the potential ET (PET) of maize (Zea mays L.) in the growing season was simulated by the World Food Study (WOFOST) model. Results indicated that the maximum and minimum temperatures increased significantly, and the daily minimum temperature increased much faster than the daily maximum temperature, which resulted in the decrease in the diurnal temperature range (DTR). The precipitation showed an increasing trend, whereas the sunshine duration and wind speed (WS) showed a declining trend. No remarkable linear tendency was found on vapour pressure. As a result, the simulated maize PET showed a significant decrease by 1 mm year−1, and it was mainly as a result of decreased sunshine duration and WS. This may provide valuable information on the aspect of water resource management in the Yellow River basin. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of forest on annual water yield in the mountains of an arid inland river basin: a case study in the Pailugou catchment on northwestern China's Qilian Mountains
Authors: He Zhibin , Zhao Wenzhi , Liu Hu , Tang Zhenxing
Published: May 2011

The effect of forests on annual water yield is an unresolved central issue in forest hydrology despite years of study. There has been a particular shortage of research in the mountains of arid inland river basins. In the present study, we examined the effects of forests on hydrology using data on precipitation, evaporation, canopy interception, transpiration, and runoff from 1994 to 2008 for the Pailugou catchment of northwestern China's Qilian Mountains. We modelled the water balance to assess the contribution of different vegetation types to annual water yield. In our study area, Picea crassifolia forest covered 38·5% of the catchment area, but contributed little to annual water yield. For an annual average precipitation of 407·1 mm (from 2003 to 2008) at an elevation of 2700 m, the runoff depth from the forest was 11·6 mm, accounting for only 3·5% of total annual water yield of the catchment. For an annual average precipitation of 374·1 mm (from 1994 to 2002), the runoff depth from the forest was − 14·3 mm (i.e. 5·9% of total annual water yield of the catchment was consumed to sustain tree growth). This has significant implications, because forests are increasingly being planted in the Qilian Mountains, and this may decrease the downstream water supply. Thus, the relationship between the forest and water yield must be better understood to permit the establishment of an appropriate regional level of forest cover. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of fluorescent whitening agent on the transcription of cell damage‐related genes in zebrafish embryos
Authors: Jung Hyun , Seok Seung‐Hyeok , Han Ju‐Hee , Abdelkader Tamer Said , Kim Tae‐Hyoun , Chang Seo‐Na , Ko Ae‐Sun , Choi Seung‐Kyu , Lee Cho‐Rong , Seo Ji‐Eun , Byun Soo‐Hyun , Kim Jung‐A , Park Jae‐Hak
Published: May 2011

7‐Diethylamino‐4‐methylcoumarin (DEMC) is a fluorescent whitening agent (FWAs). There have been some studies on DEMC's protective effects against biological activity but there are few papers about the in vivo toxicity of DEMC. In this study, we used wild‐type zebrafish embryos 3 days post fertilization (dpf). Test solutions with DEMC concentrations were negative control (without vehicle), 0 (with vehicle, 0.01% v/v ethanol), 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5 and 2 ppm. Embryos and larvae were counted for survival rate and hatching rate. Heart rates were also counted at 2.5 and 3.0 dpf. At 3.0 dpf, quantitative RT‐PCR was performed with some samples (0, 0.25, 0.75 and 1.25 ppm) to determine the toxic effect to DEMC by detecting the expression levels of toxic‐responsive genes. We used 11 genes, which included oxidative stress‐related genes [sod(Mn), sod(Cu,Zn) and hsp70], mitochondrial metabolism‐related genes (coxI, pyc, cyt and cyclinG1) and apoptosis‐related genes (c‐jun, bcl2, bax and p53). High‐concentration DEMC‐treated groups showed significant different survival rate, hatching rate and heart rate compared with low‐concentration DEMC‐treated groups. The LC50 of this chemical, 0.959 ppm, was calculated. We also confirmed that some genes in the DEMC exposure groups showed significantly up‐regulations in expression levels compared with control groups. We concluded that the fluorescence agent, DEMC, has possible developmental toxicities and alteration effect of gene expression, which are related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial metabolism and apoptosis in zebrafish embryos. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective effect of apocynin on antimycin A‐induced cell damage in osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells
Authors: Choi Eun Mi , Lee Young Soon
Published: May 2011

Apocynin is a naturally occurring methoxy‐substituted catechol, experimentally used as an inhibitor of NADPH‐oxidase. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of apocynin on antimycin A (AMA)‐induced toxicicy in osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells. Exposure of MC3T3‐E1 cells to AMA caused significant cell viability loss, as well as mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) dissipation, complex IV inactivation, ATP loss, intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) elevation and oxidative stress. Pretreatment with apocynin prior to AMA exposure significantly reduced AMA‐induced cell damage by preventing MMP dissipation, complex IV inactivation, ATP loss, [Ca2+]i elevation and oxidative stress. These results suggest that apocynin has a protective effect against AMA‐induced cell damage by its antioxidant effects and the attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction. Apocynin also induced the activation of PI3K (phosphoinositide 3‐kinase), Akt (protein kinase B) and CREB (cAMP‐response element‐binding protein) inhibited by AMA. All these data indicate that apocynin may reduce or prevent osteoblasts degeneration in osteoporosis or other degenerative disorders. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomimetic deposition of calcium phosphate minerals on the surface of partially demineralized dentine modified with phosphorylated chitosan
Authors: Xu Zhang , Neoh Koon Gee , Lin Chew Chong , Kishen Anil
Published: May 2011

The aim of this study is to remineralize partially demineralized dentine sections using phosphorylated chitosan (P‐chi) based on mimicking the nucleating role of the phosphorylated noncollagenous proteins in the biomineralization of dentine. The surface of partially demineralized dentine sections, mainly composed of type I collagen, were modified by covalent immobilization of P‐chi on the collagen surface. The dentine sections were subsequently put into remineralizing solution for remineralization, and then the remineralizing effect was investigated. The remineralization effect of this methodology was compared with that of fluoride. Moreover, the influence of surface properties of samples on remineralizing effect was investigated. The experimental results indicated that the effect of fluoride on remineralization of dentine was limited when residual crystals were lacking on the surface of partially demineralized dentine, whereas the covalent immobilization of P‐chi can significantly induce deposition of calcium phosphate minerals on the surface of the partially demineralized dentine. This biomimetic methodology resulted in favorable surface properties (i.e., highly negative charge and low interfacial free energy between substrate and remineralizing medium) for crystal nucleation. Thus, P‐chi can facilitate surface remineralization of dentine and thereby could find application in the minimally invasive management of dentine caries and dentine hypersensitivity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2011.
A clinician's guide to X-linked hypophosphatemia
Authors: Carpenter Thomas O , Imel Erik A , Holm Ingrid A , Jan de Beur Suzanne M , Insogna Karl L
Published: May 2011

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is the prototypic disorder of renal phosphate wasting, and the most common form of heritable rickets. Physicians, patients, and support groups have all expressed concerns about the dearth of information about this disease and the lack of treatment guidelines, which frequently lead to missed diagnoses or mismanagement. This perspective addresses the recommendation by conferees for the dissemination of concise and accessible treatment guidelines for clinicians arising from the Advances in Rare Bone Diseases Scientific Conference held at the NIH in October 2008. We briefly review the clinical and pathophysiologic features of the disorder and offer this guide in response to the conference recommendation, based on our collective accumulated experience in the management of this complex disorder. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Constitutive activation of nuclear factor‐E2‐related factor 2 induces biotransformation enzyme and transporter expression in livers of mice with hepatocyte‐specific deletion of Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1
Authors: Cheng Qiuqiong , Taguchi Keiko , Aleksunes Lauren M. , Manautou José E. , Cherrington Nathan J. , Yamamoto Masayuki , Slitt Angela L.
Published: May 2011

Chemicals that activate nuclear factor‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) often increase multidrug‐resistance‐associated protein (Mrp) expression in liver. Hepatocyte‐specific deletion of Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1) activates Nrf2. Use of hepatocyte‐specific Keap1 deletion represents a nonpharmacological method to determine whether constitutive Nrf2 activation upregulates liver transporter expression in vivo. The mRNA, protein expression, and localization of several biotransformation and transporters were determined in livers of wild‐type and hepatocyte‐specific Keap1‐null mice. Sulfotransferase 2a1/2, NADP(H):quinone oxidoreductase 1, cytochrome P450 2b10, 3a11, and glutamate–cysteine ligase catalytic subunit expression were increased in livers of Keap1‐null mice. Organic anion‐transporting polypeptide 1a1 expression was nearly abolished, as compared to that detected in livers of wild‐type mice. By contrast, Mrp 1–5 mRNA and protein levels were increased in Keap1‐null mouse livers, with Mrp4 expression being more than 15‐fold higher than wild types. In summary, Nrf2 has a significant role in affecting Oatp and Mrp expressions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 25:320–329, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.20392
Microarray profiling of monocytic differentiation reveals miRNA‐mRNA intrinsic correlation
Authors: Wang Jing , Xiang Guangxing , Mitchelson Keith , Zhou Yuxiang
Published: May 2011

MiRNAs (microRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs involved in mammalian gene expression of cellular processes including differentiation, apoptosis and cancer development. Both specific miRNAs and mRNAs have been identified during monocytic differentiation, but their interactions have not been fully characterized. Here we report that by genome‐wide microarray analysis for U937 monocytic differentiation induced by TPA, a large number of miRNAs and mRNAs were differentially expressed, and by bioinformatics analysis could demonstrate that their functional pathway patterns overlap strongly. While expected negative correlation between the expression levels of miRNAs and their target mRNAs was seen, several positive correlations between miRNAs and host mRNAs were also observed, such as C13orf25/miR17, MCM7/miR93, and MGC14376/miR22. These microarray data were verified by quantitative RT‐PCR, and the TPA‐induced differentiation of U937 cells was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis. Our study suggests an intrinsic correlation between miRNAs and mRNAs underlying their interactions which would provide new insights for defining the mechanisms occurring during monocytic differentiation. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 2443–2453, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Altered expression levels of miRNAs in serum as sensitive biomarkers for early diagnosis of traumatic injury
Authors: Zhang Yi , Liao Yonghui , Wang Desheng , He Yong , Cao Dayong , Zhang Fuqin , Dou Kefeng
Published: May 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides in length which regulate gene expression negatively and play important roles in many pathological processes. It has been demonstrated that circulating miRNAs hold promise to serve as practicable molecular markers for diverse physiological and pathological conditions. In this investigation, we chose partial hepatectomy (PH) as traumatic injury model. There were significantly differential expression of miRNAs in rat serum post‐traumatic injury (21 miRNAs were more than twofold up‐regulated). Especially, the expression of miR‐9 showed the highest up‐regulated (>70‐fold), and it possessed the characteristics of biomarker that was more sensitive than aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and C‐reactive protein for traumatic liver injury. There was also a prominent increase in the expression levels of miR‐9 in different brain areas after traumatic injury. Our data suggest that serum miR‐9 may serve as promising biomarker for traumatic injury with high sensitivity. Furthermore, these findings may help to elucidate the complex network which mediates stress response to traumatic injury. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 2435–2442, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sonographic diagnosis of gastric duplication cyst communicating with the gastric lumen
Authors: Yang Dal Mo , Kim Hyun Cheol , Choi Sung Il , Lim Sung Jig
Published: May 2011

Gastric duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies, which account for about 7% of all enteric duplications. We report the sonographic findings of a rare case of gastric duplication cyst, communicating with the gastric lumen in a 30‐year‐old woman. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
Prolapsed simple ureterocele: Evaluation by transvaginal voiding sono‐urethrography
Authors: Taori Kishor , Joshi Manisha , Dhakate Suresh , Disawal Amit , Nathe Vibhavari , Mone Rachna
Published: May 2011

Prolapsed ureterocele is a rare complication that may present with acute bladder outlet obstruction, generally in female infants. We present a case of prolapsed simple ureterocele in an adult woman, evaluated by transvaginal micturating sono‐urethrography. High‐frequency transvaginal sonography of the urethra performed during micturation revealed the relationship of the ureterocele with the urethral wall. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011;
Prenatal two‐ and three‐dimensional imaging in two cases of severe penoscrotal hypospadias
Authors: Bamberg Christian , Brauer Martin , Degenhardt Petra , Szekessy David P. , Henrich Wolfgang
Published: May 2011

We present the prenatal two‐ and three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound (US) findings in two cases of severe penoscrotal hypospadias. 3D sonography was used for better definition of ambiguous genitalia. The images were compared with postnatal clinical features. Despite hypospadias being the most common urogenital anomaly of male neonates, the diagnosis is often missed before birth. Performing prenatal ultrasound should include the study of genitals, not only determining the sex. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
Inclusion bodies in loggerhead erythrocytes are associated with unstable hemoglobin and resemble human Heinz bodies
Authors: Basile Filomena , Di Santi Annalisa , Caldora Mercedes , Ferretti Luigi , Bentivegna Flegra , Pica Alessandra
Published: May 2011

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of the erythrocyte inclusions found during the hematological screening of loggerhead population of the Mediterranean Sea. We studied the erythrocyte inclusions in blood specimens collected from six juvenile and nine adult specimens of the loggerhead turtle,Caretta caretta, from the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas. Our study indicates that the percentage of mature erythrocytes containing inclusions ranged from 3 to 82%. Each erythrocyte contained only one round inclusion body. Inclusion bodies stained with May Grünwald–Giemsa show that their cytochemical and ultrastructure characteristics are identical to those of human Heinz bodies. Because Heinz bodies originate from the precipitation of unstable hemoglobin (Hb) and cause globular osmotic resistance to increase, we analyzed loggerhead Hb using electrophoresis and high‐performance liquid chromatography to detect and quantitate Hb fractions. We also tested the resistance of Hb to alkaline pH, heat, isopropanol denaturation, and globular osmosis. Our hemogram results excluded the occurrence of any infection, which could be associated with an inclusion body, in all the specimens. Negative Feulgen staining indicated that the inclusion bodies are not derived from DNA fragmentation. We hypothesize that amino acid substitutions could explain why loggerhead Hb precipitates under normal physiologic conditions, forming Heinz bodies. The identification of inclusion bodies in loggerhead erythrocytes allow us to better understand the haematological characteristics and the physiology of these ancient reptiles, thus aiding efforts to conserve such an endangered species.J. Exp. Zool. 315:416–423, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular architecture of muscles in an acoel and its evolutionary implications
Authors: Chiodin Marta , Achatz Johannes G. , Wanninger Andreas , Martinez Pedro
Published: May 2011

We have characterized the homologs of an actin, a troponin I, and a tropomyosin gene in the acoel Symsagittifera roscoffensis. These genes are expressed in muscles and most likely coexpressed in at least a subset of them. In addition, and for the first time for Acoela, we have produced a species‐specific muscular marker, an antibody against the tropomyosin protein. We have followed tropomyosin gene and protein expression during postembryonic development and during the posterior regeneration of amputated adults, showing that preexisting muscle fibers contribute to the wound closure. The three genes characterized in this study interact in the striated muscles of vertebrates and invertebrates, where troponin I and tropomyosin are key regulators of the contraction of the sarcomere. S. roscoffensis and all other acoels so far described have only smooth muscles, but the molecular architecture of these is the same as that of striated fibers of other bilaterians. Given the proposed basal position of acoels within the Bilateria, we suggest that sarcomeric muscles arose from a smooth muscle type, which had the molecular repertoire of striated musculature already in place. We discuss this model in a broad comparative perspective. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 316:427–439, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Amlodipine and atorvastatin exert protective and additive effects via antiapoptotic and antiautophagic mechanisms after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in Zucker metabolic syndrome rats
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Deguchi Shoko , Deguchi Kentaro , Ohta Yasuyuki , Yamashita Toru , Shang Jingwei , Tian Fengfeng , Liu Ning , Liu Wentao , Ikeda Yoshio , Matsuura Tohru , Abe Koji
Published: May 2011

We examined the neuroprotective effects amlodipine and/or atorvastatin in metabolic syndrome (MetS) Zucker fatty rats against transient (90 min) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The rats were pretreated with vehicle, amlodipine, atorvastatin, or amlodipine plus atorvastatin for 28 days, and 24 hr after transient MCAO the infarct size was assessed via hematoxylin and eosin staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin in situ nick end labeling (TUNEL) and microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) expression were examined by immunohistochemistry to evaluate apoptosis and autophagy, respectively. Compared with the vehicle group, rats treated with amlodipine or atorvastatin alone showed a significant decrease in infarct volume (P < 0.01), which was further decreased in the amlodipine plus atorvastatin group (P < 0.001). Compared with the vehicle group, the numbers of TUNEL‐ and LC3‐positive cells were markedly reduced by amlodipine or atorvastatin alone (P < 0.01) and further decreased by amlodipine plus atorvastatin (P < 0.001). The number of apoptotic TUNEL/autophagic LC3 double‐positive cells was also significantly decreased with amlodipine or atorvastatin alone compared with vehicle (P < 0.01) and was further decreased by amlodipine plus atorvastatin (P < 0.001). These data suggest additive neuroprotective effects of combination amlodipine and atorvastatin treatment after acute ischemic stroke in MetS model Zucker rats. These effects are mediated, at least in part, via antiapoptotic and antiautophagic mechanisms. Further studies are now needed to expand these preliminary results to understand fully the mechanisms involved in the protective effects of amlodipine and atorvastatin against ischemic stroke. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Potassium‐induced structural changes of the endoplasmic reticulum in pyramidal neurons in murine organotypic hippocampal slices
Authors: Kucharz Krzysztof , Wieloch Tadeusz , Toresson Håkan
Published: May 2011

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) structure is of central importance for the regulation of cellular anabolism, stress response, and signal transduction. Generally continuous, the ER can temporarily undergo dramatic structural rearrangements resulting in a fragmented appearance. In this study we assess the dynamic nature of ER fission in pyramidal neurons in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures stimulated by depolarizing concentration of potassium (50 mM). The slices were obtained from transgenic mice expressing fluorescent ER‐targeted DsRed2 protein. We employed live tissue confocal microscopy imaging with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to monitor the extent of structural rearrangements of the ER. In control slices, the ER structure was continuous. Potassium stimulation resulted in extensive fragmentation (fission), whereas return to basal potassium levels (2.5 mM) led to ER fusion and normalization of ER structure. This ER fission/fusion could be repeated several times in the same neuron, demonstrating the reversibility of the process. Blockade of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) with the antagonist D‐AP5 or removal of extracellular Ca2+ prevented depolarization‐induced ER fission. ER fission is sensitive to temperature, and decreasing temperature from 35°C to 30°C augments fission, implying that the altering of ER continuity may be a protective response against damage. We conclude that events that generate membrane depolarisation in brain tissue lead to the release of endogenous glutamate that may regulate neuronal ER continuity. The rapid and reversible NMDAR‐mediated changes in ER structure reflect an adaptive, innate property of the ER for synaptic activation as well as response to tissue stress, injury, and disease. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SKF83959 suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission in rat hippocampus via a dopamine receptor‐independent mechanism
Authors: Chu Hong‐Yuan , Wu Qianqian , Zhou Shanglin , Cao Xiaohua , Zhang Ao , Jin Guo‐Zhang , Hu Guo‐Yuan , Zhen Xuechu
Published: May 2011

Dopamine (DA) profoundly modulates excitatory synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the brain. In the present study the effects of SKF83959, the selective agonist of phosphatidylinositol (PI)‐linked D1‐like receptor, on the excitatory synaptic transmission were investigated in rat hippocampus. SKF83959 (10–100 μM) reversibly suppressed the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) elicited by stimulating the Schaffer's collateral‐commissural fibers in CA1 area of hippocampal slices. However, the inhibition was not blocked by the D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390, the D2 receptor antagonist raclopride, the 5‐HT2A/2C receptor antagonist mesulergine, or the α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin. In addition, SKF83959 inhibited the afferent volley and significantly reduced the paired‐pulse facilitation ratios. In dissociated hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, SKF83959 had no detectable effect on glutamate‐induced currents but potently inhibited voltage‐activated Na+ current (IC50 value = 26.9 ± 1.0 μM), which was not blocked by SCH23390 or by intracellular dialysis of GDP‐β‐S. These results demonstrate that SKF83959 suppressed the excitatory synaptic transmission in hippocampal CA1 area, which was independent of D1‐like receptor. The mechanism underlying the effect could be mainly inhibition of Na+ channel in the afferent fibers. The suppression of excitatory synaptic transmission and the Na+ channel by SKF83959 may contribute to its therapeutic benefits in Parkinson's disease. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Down‐regulation of Kir4.1 in the cerebral cortex of rats with liver failure and in cultured astrocytes treated with glutamine: Implications for astrocytic dysfunction in hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Obara‐Michlewska Marta , Pannicke Thomas , Karl Anett , Bringmann Andreas , Reichenbach Andreas , Szeliga Monika , Hilgier Wojciech , Wrzosek Antoni , Szewczyk Adam , Albrecht Jan
Published: May 2011

Brain edema in acute hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is due mainly to swelling of astrocytes. Efflux of potassium is implicated in the prevention of glial swelling under hypoosmotic conditions. We investigated whether pathogenic factors of HE, glutamine (Gln) and/or ammonia, induce alterations in the expression of glial potassium channels (Kir4.1, Kir2.1) and Na+‐K+‐2Cl− cotransporter‐1 (NKCC1) in rat cerebral cortex and cultured rat cortical astrocytes and whether these alterations have consequences for potassium efflux and astrocytic swelling. Thioacetamide‐induced acute liver failure in rats resulted in significant decreases in the Kir4.1 mRNA and protein contents of cerebral cortex, whereas expression of Kir2.1 and NKCC1 remained unaltered. Incubation of primary cortical astrocytes for 72 hr in the presence of Gln (5 mM), but not of ammonia (5 mM or 10 mM), induced a decrease in the levels of Kir4.1 mRNA and protein. Similarly to incubation with Gln, reduction of Kir4.1 mRNA expression by RNA interference caused swelling of astrocytes as shown by confocal imaging followed by 3D computational analysis. Gln reduced the astrocytic uptake of D‐[3H]aspartate, but, in contrast to the earlier reported effect of ammonia, this reduction was not accompanied by decreased expression of the astrocytic glutamate transporter GLT‐1 mRNA. Both Gln and ammonia decreased hypoosmolarity‐induced 86Rb efflux from the cells, but the effect was more pronounced with Gln. The results indicate that down‐regulation of Kir4.1 may mediate distinct aspects of Gln‐induced astrocytic dysfunction in HE. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resonant Raman scattering in CdSxSe1−xnanocrystals: effects of phonon confinement, composition, and elastic strain
Authors: Neto E. S. Freitas , da Silva S. W. , Morais P. C. , Vasilevskiy M. I. , Pereira‐da‐Silva M. A. , Dantas N. O.
Published: May 2011

Optical phonon modes, confined in CdSxSe1−xnanocrystal (NC) quantum dots (≈2 nm in radius) grown in a glass matrix by the melting‐nucleation method, were studied by resonant Raman scattering (RRS) spectroscopy and theoretical modeling. The formation of nanocrystalline quantum dots (QDs) is evidenced by the observation of absorption peaks and theoretically expected resonance bands in the RRS excitation spectra. This system, a ternary alloy, offers the possibility to investigate the interplay between the effects of phonon localization by disorder and phonon confinement by the NC/matrix interface. Based on the concept of propagating optical phonons, which is accepted for two‐mode pseudo‐binary alloys in their bulk form, we extended the continuous lattice dynamics model, which has successfully been used for nearly spherical NCs of binary materials, to the present case. After determining the alloy composition for NCs (that was evaluated with only 2–3% uncertainty using the bulk longitudinal optical phonon wavenumbers) and the NC size (using atomic force microscopy and optical absorption data), the experimental RRS spectra were described rather well by this theory, including the line shape and polarization dependence of the scattering intensity. Even though the presence of a compressive strain in the NCs (introduced by the matrix) masks the expected downward shift owing to the phonons' spatial quantization, the asymmetric broadening of both Raman peaks is similar to that characteristic of NCs of pure binary materials. Although with some caution, we suggest that both CdSe‐like and CdS‐like optical phonon modes indeed are propagating within the NC size unless the alloy is considerably heterogeneous. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental parameters for the SERS of nitrate ion for label‐free semi‐quantitative detection of proteins and mechanism for proteins to form SERS hot sites: a SERS study
Authors: Zhou Zhen , Huang Genin Gary , Kato Tomoki , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: May 2011

We have explored the effects of the experimental parameters on the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) intensities of NO3− and proteins observed by a heat‐induced SERS method developed by our group. The results have shown that a strong SERS signal can be obtained at pH 4.0, using an Ag colloid prepared with the reduction time of 15 min (the average size of Ag nanoparticle is 56.5 nm) dilution prepared Ag colloid by a factor of 2 by use of a 5 mM citrate buffer, using 6 mM NaNO3 and drying the sample at 100 °C, respectively. Based on the results, two possible mechanisms for proteins to form SERS hot sites during the sample preparations are proposed. A semi‐quantitative SERS detection of ribonuclease B has been investigated. Also, NaNO2, Mg (NO3)2, MgSO4 and Na2SO4 have been found to be suitable for the heat‐induced SERS method. Importantly, samples prepared by the heat‐induced SERS method are so stable that these samples can be used as a standard and transferred to different laboratories for direct comparison. Namely, it can overcome uncontrollable aggregation of Ag colloids in a solution sample. All these advantages and the simplicity of experimental setup have demonstrated that the heat‐induced SERS method using NaNO3 as an electrolyte is very promising for label‐free routine and quantitative detection of proteins. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative detection of adulterated olive oil by Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Fang , Zou Ming‐Qiang , Qi Xiao‐Hua , Liu Feng , Zhang Cheng , Yin Feng
Published: May 2011

Commercially available extra virgin olive oils are often adulterated with some other cheaper edible oils with similar chemical compositions. A set of extra virgin olive oil samples adulterated with soybean oil, corn oil and sunflower seed oil were characterized by Raman spectra in the region 1000–1800 cm−1. Based on the intensity of the Raman spectra with vibrational bands normalized by the band at 1441 cm−1 (CH2), external standard method (ESM) was employed for the quantitative analysis, which was compared with the results achieved by support vector machine (SVM) methods. By plotting the adulterant content of extra virgin olive oil versus its corresponding band intensity in the Raman spectrum at 1265 cm−1, the calibration curve was obtained. Coefficient of determination (R2) of each curve was 0.9956, 0.9915 and 0.9905 for extra virgin olive oil samples adulterated with soybean oil, corn oil and sunflower seed oil, respectively. The mean absolute relative errors were calculated as 7.41, 7.78 and 9.45%, respectively, with ESM, while they were 5.10, 6.96 and 4.55, in the SVM model, respectively. The prediction accuracy shows that the ESM based on Raman spectroscopy is a promising technique for the authentication of extra virgin olive oil. The method also has the advantages of simplicity, time savings and non‐requirement of sample preprocessing; especially, a portable Raman system is suitable for on‐site testing and quality control in field applications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The vibrational spectra of the cyanide ligand revisited: the ν(CN) infrared and Raman spectroscopy of Prussian blue and its analogues
Authors: Kettle Sidney F. A. , Diana Eliano , Marchese Edoardo M. C. , Boccaleri Enrico , Stanghellini Pier Luigi
Published: May 2011

A careful analysis of the Raman spectra of the M′x[M(CN)6]y Prussian blue species has enabled a general model for the interpretation of the ν(CN) vibrational spectra. The spectral patterns are derived from those of the metal ions with local Oh symmetry. Two limiting models are discussed. A ‘localized mode’ model, involving matrix‐isolated species, is in much better accord with the observations than a ‘factor group’ model. The use of the infrared feature as fingerprint of specific MCNM′ units arises from the axis‐specific nature of individual T1u modes. The interpretation of the A1g and Eg Raman features is done in terms of localized vibrations, with involvement of additional energy terms from the lattice motions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.