bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vascular responses to nitrite are mediated by xanthine oxidoreductase and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase in the ratThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a special issue on Advances in Cardiovascular Research.
Authors: Golwala Neel H. , Hodenette Christopher , Murthy Subramanyam N. , Nossaman Bobby D. , Kadowitz Philip J.
Published: December 2009

Sodium nitrite has been shown to have vasodilator activity in experimental animals and in human subjects. However, the mechanism by which nitrite anion is converted to vasoactive nitric oxide (NO) is uncertain. It has been hypothesized that deoxyhemoglobin, xanthine oxidoreductase, mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase, and other heme proteins can reduce nitrite to NO, but studies in the literature have not identified the mechanism in the intact rat, and several studies report no effect of inhibitors of xanthine oxidoreductase. In the present study, the effects of the xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor allopurinol and the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor cyanamide on decreases in mean systemic arterial pressure in response to i.v. sodium nitrite administration were investigated in the rat. The decreases in mean systemic arterial pressure in response to i.v. administration of sodium nitrite were inhibited in a selective manner after administration of allopurinol in a dose of 25 mg/kg i.v. A second 25 mg/kg i.v. dose had no additional inhibitory effect on the response to sodium nitrite. The decreases in mean systemic arterial pressure in response to sodium nitrite were attenuated by cyanamide and a second 25 mg/kg i.v. dose had no additional inhibitory effect. In l-NAME-treated animals, allopurinol attenuated responses to sodium nitrite and a subsequent administration of cyanamide had no additional effect. When the order of administration of the inhibitors was reversed, responses to sodium nitrite were attenuated by administration of cyanamide and a subsequent administration of allopurinol had no additional inhibitory effect. The results of these studies suggest that nitrite can be reduced to vasoactive NO in the systemic vascular bed of the rat by xanthine oxidoreductase and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase and that the 2 pathways of nitrite activation act in a parallel manner.
Emerging concepts in cardiac matrix biologyThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a special issue on Advances in Cardiovascular Research.
Authors: Espira Leon , Czubryt Michael P.
Published: December 2009

The cardiac extracellular matrix, far from being merely a static support structure for the heart, is now recognized to play central roles in cardiac development, morphology, and cell signaling. Recent studies have better shaped our understanding of the tremendous complexity of this active and dynamic network. By activating intracellular signal cascades, the matrix transduces myocardial physical forces into responses by myocytes and fibroblasts, affecting their function and behavior. In turn, cardiac fibroblasts and myocytes play active roles in remodeling the matrix. Coupled with the ability of the matrix to act as a dynamic reservoir for growth factors and cytokines, this interplay between the support structure and embedded cells has the potential to exert dramatic effects on cardiac structure and function. One of the clearest examples of this occurs when cell–matrix interactions are altered inappropriately, contributing to pathological fibrosis and heart failure. This review will examine some of the recent concepts that have emerged regarding exactly how the cardiac matrix mediates these effects, how our collective vision of the matrix has changed as a result, and the current state of attempts to pharmacologically treat fibrosis.
ON THE WRAPPING CORRECTION TO SINGLE MAGNON ENERGY IN TWISTED ${\mathcal N}=4$ SYM
Authors: BECCARIA MATTEO , DE ANGELIS GIAN FABRIZIO
Published: December 2009

We apply Zeilberger summation to derive a closed formula for the wrapping correction to one-impurity states in the [Formula: see text] sector of the β-deformed [Formula: see text] SYM theory at β = 1/2. As an application depending heavily on the result, we compute the large volume expansion of the wrapping correction.
ANALYSIS OF THE $B_q\to D_q(D_q^*)P$ AND $B_q\to D_q(D_q^*)V$ DECAYS WITHIN THE FACTORIZATION APPROACH IN QCD
Authors: AZIZI K. , KHOSRAVI R. , FALAHATI F.
Published: December 2009

Using the factorization approach and considering the contributions of the current–current, QCD penguin and electroweak penguin operators at the leading approximation, the decay amplitudes and decay widths of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] transitions, where q = u, d, s and P and V are pseudoscalar and vector mesons, are calculated in terms of the transition form factors of the Bq→Dq and [Formula: see text]. Having computed those form factors in three-point QCD sum rules, the branching fraction for these decays are also evaluated. A comparison of our results with the predictions of the perturbative QCD as well as the existing experimental data is presented.
NEAR-THRESHOLD W-PAIR PRODUCTION IN THE MODEL OF UNSTABLE PARTICLES WITH SMEARED MASS
Authors: KUKSA V. I. , PASECHNIK R. S.
Published: December 2009

Near-threshold production of charged boson pairs is considered within the framework of the model of unstable particles with smeared mass. The results of calculations are in good agreement with LEP II data and Monte Carlo simulations. Suggested approach significantly simplifies calculations with respect to standard perturbative one.
Update on Powassan Virus: Emergence of a North American Tick-Borne Flavivirus
Authors: Ebel Gregory D.
Published: December 2009

Powassan virus (POW) (Flaviviridae: Flavivirus) is the cause of rare but severe neuroinvasive disease in North America and Russia. The virus is transmitted among small- and medium-sized mammals by ixodid ticks. Human infections occur via spillover from the main transmission cycle(s). Since the late 1990s, the incidence of human disease seems to be increasing. In addition, POW constitutes a genetically diverse group of virus genotypes, including Deer tick virus, that are maintained in distinct enzootic transmission cycles. This review highlights recent research into POW, focusing on virus genetics and ecology and human disease. Important directions for future research are also discussed.
Dicistroviruses
Authors: Bonning Bryony C. , Miller W. Allen
Published: December 2009

Dicistroviruses are members of a recently defined and rapidly growing family of picornavirus-like RNA viruses called the Dicistroviridae. Dicistroviruses are pathogenic to beneficial arthropods such as honey bees and shrimp and to insect pests of medical and agricultural importance. Our understanding of these viruses is uneven. We present highly advanced studies of the virus particle structure, remarkable mechanisms of internal ribosome entry in translation of viral RNA, and the use of dicistroviruses to study the insect immune system. However, little is known about dicistrovirus RNA replication mechanisms or gene function, except by comparison with picornaviruses. The recent construction of infectious clones of dicistrovirus genomes may fill these gaps in knowledge. We discuss economically important diseases caused by dicistroviruses. Future research may lead to protection of beneficial arthropods from dicistroviruses and to application of dicistroviruses as biopesticides targeting pestiferous insects.
Olive Fruit Fly: Managing an Ancient Pest in Modern Times
Authors: Daane Kent M. , Johnson Marshall W.
Published: December 2009

Olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is the major pest of commercial olives worldwide. Various aspects of its biology, ecology, management, and impact on olive production are highlighted. With the discovery of insecticidal resistance in some populations frequently treated with organophosphates, old and new control options are being investigated. The potential of biological control is examined. Surveys suggest that a small group of braconids in the Opiinae subfamily best represent the primary parasitoids attacking olive fruit fly in its native range. These species include Psyttalia lounsburyi, P. dacicida, P. concolor, P. ponerophaga, and Utetes africanus. Bracon celer, another braconid but in the Braconinae subfamily, is also reared from the fruit fly in its native range. The potential of these and other natural enemies is discussed with respect to olive fruit fly biology, commercial olive production, and biological constraints that may limit their success. We suggest that numerous species exist that should be further investigated as control agents for olive fruit fly in the many climatic regimes where the pest is found.
Upregulation of tissue factor in monocytes by cleaved high molecular weight kininogen is dependent on TNF-α and IL-1β
Authors: Khan Mohammad M. , Liu Yuchuan , Khan Munir E. , Gilman Megan L. , Khan Sabina T. , Bromberg Michael , Colman Robert W.
Published: December 2009

Inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis are associated with contact activation that results in cleavage of kininogen to form high molecular weight kininogen (HKa) and bradykinin. We have previously demonstrated that HKa can stimulate inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion from human monocytes. We now show that HKa can upregulate tissue factor antigen and procoagulant activity on human monocytes as a function of time (1–4 h) and HKa concentration (75–900 nM). The amino acid sequence responsible to block HKa effects is G440–H455. The HKa receptor macrophage-1 (Mac-1; CD11b18) is the binding site as shown by inhibition by a monoclonal antibody to CD11b/18. Chemical inhibitors of JNK, ERK, and p38 signaling pathways block cell signaling, as does an inhibitor to the transcription factor NF-κB. A combination of monoclonal antibodies to TNF-α and IL-1β but neither alone inhibited the HKa induction of tissue factor. These results suggest that HKa mimics LPS by triggering a paracrine pathway in monocytes that depends on TNF-α and IL-1β. Antibodies to kininogen or peptidomimetics might be a useful and safe therapy in inflammatory diseases or sepsis involving cytokines.
Reduced expression of the Na+/Ca2+exchanger in adult cardiomyocytes via adenovirally delivered shRNA results in resistance to simulated ischemic injury
Authors: Maddaford Thane G. , Dibrov Elena , Hurtado Cecilia , Pierce Grant N.
Published: December 2009

The Na+/Ca2+exchanger (NCX) is proposed to be an important protein in the regulation of Ca2+movements in the heart. This Ca2+regulatory action is thought to modulate contractile activity in the heart under normal physiological conditions and may contribute to the Ca2+overload that occurs during ischemic reperfusion challenge. To evaluate these hypotheses, adult rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to an adenovirus that codes for short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting NCX gene expression through RNA interference. An adenovirus transcribing a short RNA with a scrambled nucleotide sequence was compared with the NCX-shRNA nucleotide sequence and used as a control. Freshly isolated rat cardiomyocytes were infected with virus for 48 h before examination. Cardiomyocytes maintained their characteristic morphological appearance during this short time period after isolation. NCX expression was inhibited by up to ∼60% by the shRNA treatment as determined by Western blot analysis. The depletion in NCX protein was accompanied by a significant depression of NCX activity in shRNA-treated cells. Ca2+homeostasis was unaltered in the shRNA-treated cells upon electrical stimulation compared with control cells. However, when cardiomyocytes were exposed to a simulated ischemic solution, NCX-depleted cells were significantly protected from the rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+and damage that was detected in control cells during ischemia and reperfusion. Our data support the role for NCX in ischemic injury to the heart and demonstrate the usefulness of altering gene expression with an adenoviral-delivery system of shRNA in adult cardiomyocytes.
Rare and Challenging Tumor Entity: Phyllodes Tumor of the Prostate
Authors: Bannowsky Andreas , Probst Andreas , Dunker Helmut , Loch Tillmann
Published: December 2009

Cystic epithelial-stromal tumors of the prostate are rare, with 82 cases reported in literature. These cases have been published under a variety of diagnoses, including phyllodes tumor and prostatic stromal proliferation of uncertain malignant potential as well as a malignant tumor called “prostatic stromal sarcoma”. We report a case of a 60-year-old man with the histological diagnosis of phyllodes tumor of the prostate in transurethral resection specimen.
A New Land Surface Hydrology within the Noah-WRF Land-Atmosphere Mesoscale Model Applied to Semiarid Environment: Evaluation over the Dantiandou Kori (Niger)
Authors: Decharme B. , Ottlé C. , Saux-Picart S. , Boulain N. , Cappelaere B. , Ramier D. , Zribi M.
Published: December 2009

Land-atmosphere feedbacks, which are particularly important over the Sahel during the West African Monsoon (WAM), partly depend on a large range of processes linked to the land surface hydrology and the vegetation heterogeneities. This study focuses on the evaluation of a new land surface hydrology within the Noah-WRF land-atmosphere-coupled mesoscale model over the Sahel. This new hydrology explicitly takes account for the Dunne runoff using topographic information, the Horton runoff using a Green-Ampt approximation, and land surface heterogeneities. The previous and new versions of Noah-WRF are compared against a unique observation dataset located over the Dantiandou Kori (Niger). This dataset includes dense rain gauge network, surfaces temperatures estimated from MSG/SEVIRI data, surface soil moisture mapping based on ASAR/ENVISAT C-band radar data and in situ observations of surface atmospheric and land surface energy budget variables. Generally, the WAM is reasonably reproduced by Noah-WRF even if some limitations appear throughout the comparison between simulations and observations. An appreciable improvement of the model results is also found when the new hydrology is used. This fact seems to emphasize the relative importance of the representation of the land surface hydrological processes on the WAM simulated by Noah-WRF over the Sahel.
Developing Nervous Systems in Molluscs: Navigating the Twists and Turns of a Complex Life Cycle
Authors: Croll Roger P.
Published: December 2009

Molluscs constitute a richly diversified phylum, containing abundant species that have successfully invaded a variety of habitats. Despite the long-standing importance of its various members as model species for neurobiology, research on the development of the molluscan nervous system has lagged behind that on several other phyla. Recent studies, however, have begun to sketch an overview of neural development during the complex life cycles of these animals, involving multiple larval and postlarval stages and often including processes of torsion and occasionally detorsion affecting the entire body plan. The first neurons appear early in life and innervate a variety of larval organs. The central and peripheral neurons that comprise the adult nervous system generally appear later in larval life. Metamorphosis involves the loss of many neurons and the gain of others, and yet more neurons change to accommodate transitions in modes of locomotion, feeding and habitat. But such large-scale transitions do not stop at metamorphosis as massive changes in body size and behavior occur during juvenile and adult stages, and the nervous system must change accordingly to meet the demands of expanding target tissues and the need to generate new behaviors. Work over the years has gradually revealed some of the genes important in molluscan neural development, but recent whole-genome, EST and microarray projects are now allowing much more rapid progress and providing a valuable molluscan perspective for understanding broader issues concerning the evolution of the nervous system across the animal kingdom.
Long-Term Outcomes of Ischemic Stroke Patients with Concurrent Intracranial and Extracranial Stenoses and Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Man B.L. , Fu Y.P. , Chan Y.Y. , Lam W. , Hui C.F. , Leung W.H. , Mok V. , Wong K.S.
Published: December 2009

Background and Purpose: Coexisting ischemic heart disease (IHD) and concurrent atherosclerosis of intracranial and extracranial vessels is common in Asians. This study aims to investigate the long-term outcomes of ischemic stroke patients with concurrent stenoses and IHD. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study in Hong Kong. Consecutive Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke underwent MRI, magnetic resonance angiography and carotid duplex sonography. Results: A total of 428 patients were included. The mean follow-up period was 65 months (up to 87 months). Ninety-three patients (22%) died of any cause and 104 patients (22%) suffered from nonfatal vascular events. Fifty-four patients (13%) had IHD. Among them, 27 patients (50%) had concurrent stenoses. In patients with concurrent stenoses and IHD, only 3 (11%) were free of death and recurrent vascular events. Eight (30%) had recurrent nonfatal stroke, 7 (26%) had nonfatal myocardial infarct (MI) and 11 (41%) died, 6 (22%) of them due to fatal MI. The overall 5-year cumulative rates of mortality, recurrent vascular events and combined poor outcomes were 21, 23 and 43%, respectively. In patients with concurrent stenoses and IHD, these rates were 40, 50 and 83%, respectively. More deaths (log rank: 6.56; p = 0.01), recurrent vascular events (log rank: 25.24; p < 0.001) and poor outcomes (log rank: 27.50; p < 0.001) were found among patients with concurrent stenoses and IHD. Conclusions: Ischemic stroke patients with concurrent stenoses and IHD had high risks of death and recurrent vascular events. Future studies on aggressive medical therapy and early cardiac interventions in this high-risk group of stroke patients are warranted.
Endothelial-Vasoprotective Effects of High-Density Lipoprotein Are Impaired in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus but Are Improved After Extended-Release Niacin Therapy
Authors: Sorrentino Sajoscha A. , Besler Christian , Rohrer Lucia , Meyer Martin , Heinrich Kathrin , Bahlmann Ferdinand H. , Mueller Maja , Horváth Tibor , Doerries Carola , Heinemann Mariko , Flemmer Stella , Markowski Andrea , Manes Costantina , Bahr Matthias J. , Haller Hermann , von Eckardstein Arnold , Drexler Helmut , Landmesser Ulf
Published: December 2009

Background—

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)–raising therapies are currently under intense evaluation, but the effects of HDL may be highly heterogeneous. We therefore compared the endothelial effects of HDL from healthy subjects and from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and low HDL (meeting the criteria for metabolic syndrome), who are frequently considered for HDL-raising therapies. Moreover, in diabetic patients, we examined the impact of extended-release (ER) niacin therapy on the endothelial effects of HDL.

Methods and Results—

HDL was isolated from healthy subjects (n=10) and patients with type 2 diabetes (n=33) by sequential ultracentrifugation. Effects of HDL on endothelial nitric oxide and superoxide production were characterized by electron spin resonance spectroscopy analysis. Effects of HDL on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and early endothelial progenitor cell–mediated endothelial repair were examined. Patients with diabetes were randomized to a 3-month therapy with ER niacin (1500 mg/d) or placebo, and endothelial effects of HDL were characterized. HDL from healthy subjects stimulated endothelial nitric oxide production, reduced endothelial oxidant stress, and improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation and early endothelial progenitor cell–mediated endothelial repair. In contrast, these beneficial endothelial effects of HDL were not observed in HDL from diabetic patients, which suggests markedly impaired endothelial-protective properties of HDL. ER niacin therapy improved the capacity of HDL to stimulate endothelial nitric oxide, to reduce superoxide production, and to promote endothelial progenitor cell–mediated endothelial repair. Further measurements suggested increased lipid oxidation of HDL in diabetic patients, and a reduction after ER niacin therapy.

Conclusions—

HDL from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome has substantially impaired endothelial-protective effects compared with HDL from healthy subjects. ER niacin therapy not only increases HDL plasma levels but markedly improves endothelial-protective functions of HDL in these patients, which is potentially more important.

Clinical Trial Registration—

clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier: NCT00346970.
Effects of Angiotensin Metabolites in the Coronary Vascular Bed of the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat
Authors: Moltzer Els , Verkuil Anna V.A. , van Veghel Richard , Danser A. H. Jan , van Esch Joep H.M.
Published: December 2009

Because angiotensin (Ang) metabolites mediate functions independent of Ang II, we investigated their effects on coronary flow in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Results were compared with those in the iliac artery and abdominal aorta and the coronary circulation of the Wistar rat. Ang II, III, and IV decreased coronary flow in SHRs and Wistar rats, with Ang III and IV being ≈10 and ≈1000 times less potent than Ang II. Ang-(1-7) decreased coronary flow at concentrations >1 μmol/L in SHRs. The Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist irbesartan blocked the effects of Ang II, III, and IV, whereas the Ang II type 2 receptor antagonist PD123319 blocked the effects of Ang-(1-7). The maximal Ang II- and III-induced decreases in coronary flow in SHRs were twice as large as those in Wistar rats. PD123319 enhanced the constrictor effects of Ang II and III in Wistar rats so that, in the presence of this drug, their effects were comparable to those in SHRs. In contrast, PD123319 did not alter the Ang II- and III-induced responses in SHRs and blocked the constrictor effect of Ang II in iliac arteries. Ang II type 2 receptor–mediated relaxation did not occur in iliac arteries and abdominal aortas, and the constrictor effects of Ang metabolites in these vessels were identical in Wistar rats and SHRs. In conclusion, coronary constriction induced by Ang II, Ang III, and Ang-(1-7) is enhanced in SHRs as compared with Wistar rats. This is attributable to the absence of counterregulatory Ang II type 2 receptor–mediated relaxation and/or a change of the Ang II type 2 receptor phenotype from relaxant to constrictor.
Conversational Grammar- Feminine Grammar? A Sociopragmatic Corpus Study
Authors: Rühlemann Christoph
Published: December 2009

One area in language and gender research that has so far received only little attention is the extent to which the sexes make use of what recent corpus research has termed “conversational grammar.” The author’s initial findings have suggested that the majority of features distinctive of conversational grammar may be used predominantly by female speakers. This article reports on a study designed to test the hypothesis that conversational grammar is “feminine grammar” in the sense that women’s conversational language is more adapted to the conversational situation than men’s. Based on data from the conversational subcorpus of the British National Corpus and following the situational framework for the description of conversational features elaborated in the author’s previous research, features distinctive of conversational grammar are grouped into five functional categories and their normed frequencies compared across the sexes. The functional categories distinguish features that can be seen as adaptations to constraints set by the situational factors of (1) Shared Context, (2) Co-Construction, (3) Real-Time Processing, (4) Discourse Management, and (5) Relation Management. The study’s results, described in detail in relation to the biological category of speaker sex and cultural notions of gender, suggest that the feminine grammar hypothesis is valid.
Review: A narrative review of the published ethical debates in palliative care research and an assessment of their adequacy to inform research governance
Authors: Duke Sue , Bennett Helen
Published: December 2009

The quality of research, and the resulting quality of evidence available to guide palliative care, is dependent on the ethical decisions underpinning its design, conduct and report. Whilst much has been published debating the ethics of palliative care research, an assessment of the quality and synthesis of the central debates is not available. Such a review is timely to inform research governance. The methodology of this study is based on the principles of systematic reviews. Fifty-seven papers were reviewed following a thorough search, and were critically appraised for their literary quality, the knowledge on which they drew and the research standards they addressed. The debates identified address vulnerability, moral appropriateness, consent, gate-keeping and inclusion and research culture. The quality of debate and the sources of knowledge varied. The debate was rich in quality and knowledge with respect to the protection of the dignity, rights and safety of research participants, but less developed in relation to those of researchers and other staff. There is also little debate about the ethics of reporting of research and the ethics underpinning research leadership. A framework is offered that reconciles the ethical issues raised with potential methodological strategies identified from the review.
Effect of acute brain tyrosine depletion on MDMA-induced changes in brain 5-HT
Authors: Rodsiri R. , Green AR , Marsden CA , Fone KCF
Published: December 2009

The mechanism by which 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produces 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) neurotoxicity has been suggested to involve an acute release of tyrosine and its non-enzymatic conversion to dopamine. To determine whether brain tyrosine availability is important in MDMA-induced neurotoxicity, brain tyrosine was acutely depleted with a tyrosine-free amino acid mixture (1 g/kg intraperitoneal; twice 1 h apart) which was administered prior to an injection of MDMA (12.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal). A small increase in both the hippocampal and striatal tyrosine concentration occurred in control rats treated with MDMA. The tyrosine-free amino acid mixture significantly decreased tyrosine levels by more than 50% in both brain regions 2 h after injection of either MDMA or saline. MDMA significantly reduced brain 5-HT content 2 h later, but this was of a similar magnitude in control and tyrosine-depleted groups. The long-term neurotoxic 5-HT loss in the hippocampus induced two weeks after MDMA administration was unaltered by the tyrosine-free amino acid mixture. Striatal dopamine content was unaffected by acute MDMA in all groups, while the tyrosine-free amino acid mixture given with MDMA significantly decreased striatal dopamine content 2 weeks later. The tyrosine-free amino acid mixture given alone had no affect on rectal body temperature but attenuated the duration of MDMA-induced hyperthermia. The results confirmed the ability of systemic MDMA to acutely increase brain tyrosine content, but also indicated that a marked acute reduction of brain tyrosine does not directly affect either immediate 5-HT release (as measured by tissue depletion) or long-term hippocampal serotonergic neurotoxicity produced by MDMA.
Progesterone reduces depressive behavior of young ovariectomized, aged progestin receptor knockout, and aged wild type mice in the tail suspension test
Authors: Frye Cheryl A
Published: December 2009

Progestins may have effects to reduce depressive behavior, in part through actions of its metabolite, 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP) at GABAA receptors, rather than through intracellular progestin receptors. In this study, we examined the effects of progesterone (10 mg/kg, subcutaneous injection) versus vehicle control (propylene glycol) on the depressive behavior of young and aged mice in the tail suspension test. In Experiment 1, we first characterized progesterone’s anti-depressant effects by utilizing young (4–6-month-old) intact or ovariectomized female, and intact or gonadectomized male, C57BL/6 mice. Young female mice showed more depressive behavior than the young male mice. Compared with vehicle administration, progesterone reduced depressive behavior of ovariectomized female, but not male or intact female mice. In Experiment 2, mice were aged (20–24-month-old) intact wild type or progestin receptor knockout mice. Progestin receptor knockout mice showed less depressive behavior than wild type mice. Administration of progesterone to wild type and progestin receptor knockout mice reduced depressive behavior. Together, these data suggest that progesterone can decrease depressive behavior of young adult ovariectomized female, aged wild type and progestin receptor knockout mice. Thus, progesterone’s effect to reduce depressive behavior of aged mice may not require actions at the intracellular progestin receptors.
Femoral Radiographic Landmarks for Lateral Collateral Ligament Reconstruction and Repair
Authors: Kamath Ganesh V. , Redfern John C. , Burks Robert T.
Published: December 2009

Background

Little work has been made regarding the use of radiographic landmarks in fibular collateral ligament reconstruction. Radiographic tools can be of use to the surgeon in posterolateral reconstruction as secondary checks in the setting of tissue and bony attrition.

Hypothesis

Using standardized radiographic imaging, a zone for femoral tunnel placement in lateral collateral ligament (LCL) reconstruction can be identified.

Study Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Methods

Eight fresh-frozen unmatched knees, free of any osseous or articular pathological changes, were selected for dissection (mean age, 61.3 years). Skin and surrounding soft tissues were left intact. Subsequent dissection was carried out to identify the true origin of the LCL. A radiographic marker was applied. True lateral radiographs of the distal femur (posterior condyles overlapping) were taken. Digital radiographic images were obtained and analyzed.

Results

The Blumensaat line was found to be closely associated with the LCL origin on lateral radiographic imaging. On average, the LCL ligament was found to be 58% (±4.7%) across the width of the condyle and 2.3 mm (±2.3 mm) distal to the Blumensaat line. In all specimens, the anatomical LCL origin was found to have less than 5 mm variance from the mean.

Conclusion

The LCL origin is located within a specific region that is noted to have a small amount of variance. This is of benefit to the clinician in the traumatic and reconstructive setting where the true origin may not be easily identifiable through dissection.

Clinical Relevance

Intraoperative fluoroscopic imaging can be used as an adjunctive tool for femoral tunnel placement during posterolateral corner and LCL reconstruction.
Convective Heat Transfer of the Bunsen Flame in the UL94 Vertical Burning Test for Polymers
Authors: Yong Wang  , Feng Zhang  , Chuanmei Jlao  , Yang Jin  , Jun Zhang
Published: December 2009

The heat flux received from the Bunsen flame by the polymer specimen in the UL94 test is unknown, which makes the UL94 test elusive and difficult to be correlated with other fire tests such as the cone calorimetry. In this article, a copper slug with thermal sensor was applied to derive the heat flux according to ASTM D 5207-03. With the lumped heat capacity method and the least square method, the convective heat transfer coefficient and the flame temperature were regressed to be 54.31 W/m2/K and 2026 K, respectively, which corresponds to an initial convective heat flux approaching 100 kW/m2. A multidimensional convective heating model was presented. Ignition times predicted by the model agreed well with ignition times measured through proposed test procedures, which verified the regression results and convective heat transfer characteristics of the UL94 vertical burning test. Furthermore, the edge effect was found to be significant in predicting ignition times. Apart from the heat flux, the edge effect was also an important factor, which should be considered for correlating the UL94 test with the cone calorimeter test.
Identification of MarvelD3 as a tight junction-associated transmembrane protein of the occludin family
Authors: Steed Emily , Rodrigues Nelio TL , Balda Maria S , Matter Karl
Published: December 2009

Background

Tight junctions are an intercellular adhesion complex of epithelial and endothelial cells, and form a paracellular barrier that restricts the diffusion of solutes on the basis of size and charge. Tight junctions are formed by multiprotein complexes containing cytosolic and transmembrane proteins. How these components work together to form functional tight junctions is still not well understood and will require a complete understanding of the molecular composition of the junction.

Results

Here we identify a new transmembrane component of tight junctions: MarvelD3, a four-span transmembrane protein. Its predicted transmembrane helices form a Marvel (MAL and related proteins for vesicle traffic and membrane link) domain, a structural motif originally discovered in proteins involved in membrane apposition and fusion events, such as the tight junction proteins occludin and tricellulin. In mammals, MarvelD3 is expressed as two alternatively spliced isoforms. Both isoforms exhibit a broad tissue distribution and are expressed by different types of epithelial as well as endothelial cells. MarvelD3 co-localises with occludin at tight junctions in intestinal and corneal epithelial cells. RNA interference experiments in Caco-2 cells indicate that normal MarvelD3 expression is not required for the formation of functional tight junctions but depletion results in monolayers with increased transepithelial electrical resistance.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that MarvelD3 is a third member of the tight junction-associated occludin family of transmembrane proteins. Similar to occludin, normal expression of MarvelD3 is not essential for the formation of functional tight junctions. However, MarvelD3 functions as a determinant of epithelial paracellular permeability properties.
Expression of classic cadherins and δ-protocadherins in the developing ferret retina
Authors: Etzrodt Johannes , Krishna-K K , Redies Christoph
Published: December 2009

Background

Cadherins are a superfamily of calcium-dependent adhesion molecules that play multiple roles in morphogenesis, including proliferation, migration, differentiation and cell-cell recognition. The subgroups of classic cadherins and δ-protocadherins are involved in processes of neural development, such as neurite outgrowth, pathfinding, target recognition, synaptogenesis as well as synaptic plasticity. We mapped the expression of 7 classic cadherins (CDH4, CDH6, CDH7, CDH8, CDH11, CDH14, CDH20) and 8 δ-protocadherins (PCDH1, PCDH7, PCDH8, PCDH9, PCDH10, PCDH11, PCDH17, PCDH18) at representative stages of retinal development and in the mature retina of the ferret by in situ hybridization.

Results

All cadherins investigated by us are expressed differentially by restricted populations of retinal cells during specific periods of the ferret retinogenesis. For example, during embryonic development, some cadherins are exclusively expressed in the outer, proliferative zone of the neuroblast layer, whereas other cadherins mark the prospective ganglion cell layer or cells in the prospective inner nuclear layer. These expression patterns anticipate histogenetic changes that become visible in Nissl or nuclear stainings at later stages. In parallel to the ongoing development of retinal circuits, cadherin expression becomes restricted to specific subpopulations of retinal cell types, especially of ganglion cells, which express most of the investigated cadherins until adulthood. A comparison to previous results in chicken and mouse reveals overall conserved expression patterns of some cadherins but also species differences.

Conclusions

The spatiotemporally restricted expression patterns of 7 classic cadherins and 8 δ-protocadherins indicate that cadherins provide a combinatorial adhesive code that specifies developing retinal cell populations and intraretinal as well as retinofugal neural circuits in the developing ferret retina.
Soluble iron modulates iron oxide particle-induced inflammatory responses via prostaglandin E2 synthesis: In vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Beck-Speier Ingrid , Kreyling Wolfgang G , Maier Konrad L , Dayal Niru , Schladweiler Mette C , Mayer Paula , Semmler-Behnke Manuela , Kodavanti Urmila P
Published: December 2009

Background

Ambient particulate matter (PM)-associated metals have been shown to play an important role in cardiopulmonary health outcomes. To study the modulation of PM-induced inflammation by leached off metals, we investigated intracellular solubility of radio-labeled iron oxide (59Fe2O3) particles of 0.5 and 1.5 μm geometric mean diameter. Fe2O3 particles were examined for the induction of the release of interleukin 6 (IL-6) as pro-inflammatory and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as anti-inflammatory markers in cultured alveolar macrophages (AM) from Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. In addition, we exposed male WKY rats to monodispersed Fe2O3 particles by intratracheal instillation (1.3 or 4.0 mg/kg body weight) to examine in vivo inflammation.

Results

Particles of both sizes are insoluble extracellularly in the media but moderately soluble in AM with an intracellular dissolution rate of 0.0037 ± 0.0014 d-1 for 0.5 μm and 0.0016 ± 0.0012 d-1 for 1.5 μm 59Fe2O3 particles. AM exposed in vitro to 1.5 μm particles (10 μg/mL) for 24 h increased IL-6 release (1.8-fold; p < 0.05) and also PGE2 synthesis (1.9-fold; p < 0.01). By contrast, 0.5 μm particles did not enhance IL-6 release but strongly increased PGE2 synthesis (2.5-fold, p < 0.005). Inhibition of PGE2 synthesis by indomethacin caused a pro-inflammatory phenotype as noted by increased IL-6 release from AM exposed to 0.5 μm particles (up to 3-fold; p < 0.005). In the rat lungs, 1.5 but not 0.5 μm particles (4.0 mg/kg) induced neutrophil influx and increased vascular permeability.

Conclusions

Fe2O3 particle-induced neutrophilic inflammatory response in vivo and pro-inflammatory cytokine release in vitro might be modulated by intracellular soluble iron via PGE2 synthesis. The suppressive effect of intracellular released soluble iron on particle-induced inflammation has implications on how ambient PM-associated but soluble metals influence pulmonary toxicity of ambient PM.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Danish sheep: confirmation by DNA sequencing
Authors: Kiilerich Anne M , Christensen Henrik , Thamsborg Stig M
Published: December 2009

Background

The presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an Ixodes ricinus transmitted bacterium, was investigated in two flocks of Danish grazing lambs. Direct PCR detection was performed on DNA extracted from blood and serum with subsequent confirmation by DNA sequencing.

Methods

31 samples obtained from clinically normal lambs in 2000 from Fussingø, Jutland and 12 samples from ten lambs and two ewes from a clinical outbreak at Feddet, Zealand in 2006 were included in the study. Some of the animals from Feddet had shown clinical signs of polyarthritis and general unthriftiness prior to sampling. DNA extraction was optimized from blood and serum and detection achieved by a 16S rRNA targeted PCR with verification of the product by DNA sequencing.

Results

Five DNA extracts were found positive by PCR, including two samples from 2000 and three from 2006. For both series of samples the product was verified as A. phagocytophilum by DNA sequencing.

Conclusions

A. phagocytophilum was detected by molecular methods for the first time in Danish grazing lambs during the two seasons investigated (2000 and 2006).
Estrogen-Dependent Transactivation of Amphioxus Steroid Hormone Receptor via Both Estrogen and Androgen Response Elements
Authors: Katsu Yoshinao , Kubokawa Kaoru , Urushitani Hiroshi , Iguchi Taisen
Published: December 2009

Estrogens are necessary for ovarian differentiation during critical developmental windows in most vertebrates and promote the growth and differentiation of the adult female reproductive system. Estrogen actions are largely mediated through the estrogen receptors (ERs), which are ligand-activated transcription factors. To understand the molecular evolution of sex steroid hormone receptors, we isolated cDNAs encoding two steroid receptors from Japanese amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri: an ER ortholog and a ketosteroid receptor (SR) ortholog. Reporter gene assays revealed that the SR ortholog has molecular functions similar to those of the vertebrate ER. Surprisingly, the ER ortholog is an estrogen-insensitive repressor of SR-mediated transcription. Furthermore, we found that the SR ortholog can bind to both estrogen-responsive elements (EREs) and androgen-responsive elements (AREs) and mediates transcriptional activation by estrogens through both types of elements. Our findings suggest that the ancestral SR, but not ER, could bind estrone and induce the ERE- and ARE-dependent transactivation and that it gained the ability to be regulated by ketosteroid and recognize ARE specifically before jawless vertebrates split. These results highlight the importance of comparative experimental approaches for the evolutionary study of endocrine systems.
Subclinical thyroid dysfunctions are independent risk factors for mortality in a 7.5-year follow-up: the Japanese–Brazilian thyroid study
Authors: Sgarbi José A , Matsumura Luiza K , Kasamatsu Teresa S , Ferreira Sandra R , Maciel Rui M B
Published: December 2009

Objective

The currently available data concerning the influence of subclinical thyroid disease (STD) on morbidity and mortality are conflicting. Our objective was to investigate the relationships between STD and cardiometabolic profile and cardiovascular disease at baseline, as well as with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a 7.5-year follow-up.

Design

Prospective, observational study.

Methods

An overall of 1110 Japanese–Brazilians aged above 30 years, free of thyroid disease, and not taking thyroid medication at baseline were studied. In a cross-sectional analysis, we investigated the prevalence of STD and its relationship with cardiometabolic profile and cardiovascular disease. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates were assessed for participants followed for up to 7.5 years. Association between STD and mortality was drawn using multivariate analysis, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 913 (82.3%) participants had euthyroidism, 99 (8.7%) had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 69 (6.2%) had subclinical hyperthyroidism. At baseline, no association was found between STD and cardiometabolic profile or cardiovascular disease. Multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs (95% confidence interval)) for all-cause mortality were significantly higher for individuals with both subclinical hyperthyroidism (HR, 3.0 (1.5–5.9); n=14) and subclinical hypothyroidism (HR, 2.3 (1.2–4.4); n=13) than for euthyroid subjects. Cardiovascular mortality was significantly associated with subclinical hyperthyroidism (HR, 3.3 (1.4–7.5); n=8), but not with subclinical hypothyroidism (HR, 1.6 (0.6–4.2); n=5).

Conclusion

In the Japanese–Brazilian population, subclinical hyperthyroidism is an independent risk factor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, while subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with all-cause mortality.
Mutational Analysis of Candida albicans SNF7 Reveals Genetically Separable Rim101 and ESCRT Functions and Demonstrates Divergence in bro1-Domain Protein Interactions
Authors: Wolf Julie M , Davis Dana A
Published: December 2009

The opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans can grow over a wide pH range, which is associated with its ability to colonize and infect distinct host niches. C. albicans growth in neutral-alkaline environments requires proteolytic activation of the transcription factor Rim101. Rim101 activation requires Snf7, a member of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) pathway. We hypothesized that Snf7 has distinct functions in the Rim101 and ESCRT pathways, which we tested by alanine-scanning mutagenesis. While some snf7 alleles conferred no defects, we identified alleles with solely ESCRT-dependent, solely Rim101-dependent, or both Rim101- and ESCRT-dependent defects. Thus, Snf7 function in these two pathways is at least partially separable. Both Rim101- and ESCRT-dependent functions require Snf7 recruitment to the endosomal membrane and alleles that disrupted both pathways were found to localize normally, suggesting a downstream defect. Most alleles that conferred solely Rim101-dependent defects were still able to process Rim101 normally under steady-state conditions. However, these same strains did display a kinetic defect in Rim101 processing. Several alleles with solely Rim101-dependent defects mapped to the C-terminal end of Snf7. Further analyses suggested that these mutations disrupted interactions with bro-domain proteins, Rim20 and Bro1, in overlapping but slightly divergent Snf7 domains.
The Psychology of Eco-Consumption
Authors: Teisl Mario F. , Noblet Caroline L. , Rubin Jonathan
Published: December 2009

Information programs to promote cellulosic biofuels may not achieve their objectives unless consumers can be induced to care about the information presented to them. The social psychology literature highlights two commonly used models to link psychological variables to environmentally related behaviors: the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Norm Activation Theory (NAT). Other studies have compared the strength of these models or have adapted these models by adding additional variables, but few have compared across the alternative variable combinations noted in the literature. That is, most studies have added one or two psychological variables to the NAT or TPB models and have found that the additional variable is a significant factor influencing behavior. However, we are unfamiliar with any study that has included the full suite of examined variables within one model. This could be a problem in that the psychological variables are likely to be correlated. In turn, the output of these models may suffer from omitted variable bias; which could lead to erroneous conclusions about the importance of any specific variable. Previous findings that individual variables are significant in influencing behaviors may be incorrect. One objective here then is to start examining whether these 'significant findings' are robust, and if not, whether we can be more parsimonious in future modeling efforts. Economists often assume preferences are adequately proxied by the person's socioeconomic characteristics or by the person's participation in some environmental behavior. Recently, economists have begun to recognize that these characteristics are poor proxies especially since the proxies commonly used are binary (0/1) variables that provide relatively little detail, are usually not policy or program relevant and lack a theoretical justification. Thus, another objective is to compare the performance of models that incorporate these proxy variables with models incorporating psychological variables. Our results suggest: that a combined TPB and NAT model may be more effective than either model alone; that many variables seen as important in the literature may be less important than previously thought (allowing for more parsimonious models - resulting in less costly data collection); and that common proxy variables like membership in an environmental group may not work that well.