bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase induced transport of a Brownian particle in a periodic potential in the presence of an external noise: A semiclassical treatment
Authors: Bhattacharya Satyabrata , Chattopadhyay Sudip , Chaudhury Pinaki , Chaudhuri Jyotipratim Ray
Published: July 2011

We develop, invoking a suitable system-reservoir model, the Langevin equation with a state-dependent dissipation associated with a quantum Brownian particle submerged in a heat bath that offers a state-dependent friction to study the directed motion (by studying the phase-induced current) in the presence of an external noise. We study the phase induced current when both system and bath are subjected to external modulation by the noise and thereby expose the system to two cross-correlated noises. We also demonstrate the well-known fact that two noises remain mutually correlated if they share a common origin. We study the effects of correlation on the current in a periodic potential and envisage that the steady state current increases with increase in the extent of correlation, implying that exercising control on the degree of correlation can enhance the current in a properly designed experiment. To establish our model, we analyze numerically the effect of the external noise on system and bath separately as well as on composition of both.
Full-dimensional analytical ab initio potential energy surface of the ground state of HOI
Authors: de Oliveira-Filho Antonio G. S. , Aoto Yuri A. , Ornellas Fernando R.
Published: July 2011

Extensive ab initio calculations using a complete active space second-order perturbation theory wavefunction, including scalar and spin-orbit relativistic effects with a quadruple-zeta quality basis set were used to construct an analytical potential energy surface (PES) of the ground state of the [H, O, I] system. A total of 5344 points were fit to a three-dimensional function of the internuclear distances, with a global root-mean-square error of 1.26 kcal mol−1. The resulting PES describes accurately the main features of this system: the HOI and HIO isomers, the transition state between them, and all dissociation asymptotes. After a small adjustment, using a scaling factor on the internal coordinates of HOI, the frequencies calculated in this work agree with the experimental data available within 10 cm−1.
Sperm chemotaxis, fluid shear, and the evolution of sexual reproduction
Authors: Zimmer Richard K. , Riffell Jeffrey A.
Published: July 2011

Chemical communication is fundamental to sexual reproduction, but how sperm search for and find an egg remains enigmatic. For red abalone (
Haliotis rufescens
), a large marine snail, the relationship between chemical signaling and fluid motion largely determines fertilization success. Egg-derived attractant plumes are dynamic, changing their size and shape in response to unique combinations of physical and chemical environmental features. Attractant plumes that promote sexual reproduction, however, are limited to a precise set of hydrodynamic conditions. Performance-maximizing shears are those that most closely match flows in native spawning habitats. Under conditions in which reproductive success is chronically limited by sperm availability, gametes are under selection for mechanisms that increase sperm–egg encounter. Here, chemoattraction is found to provide a cheap evolutionary alternative for enhancing egg target size without enlarging cytoplasmic and/or cell volume. Because egg signaling and sperm response may be tuned to meet specific fluid-dynamic constraints, shear could act as a critical selective pressure that drives gamete evolution and determines fitness.
Optical measurement of cycle-dependent cell growth
Authors: Mir Mustafa , Wang Zhuo , Shen Zhen , Bednarz Michael , Bashir Rashid , Golding Ido , Prasanth Supriya G. , Popescu Gabriel
Published: July 2011

Determining the growth patterns of single cells offers answers to some of the most elusive questions in contemporary cell biology: how cell growth is regulated and how cell size distributions are maintained. For example, a linear growth in time implies that there is no regulation required to maintain homeostasis; an exponential pattern indicates the opposite. Recently, there has been great effort to measure single cells using microelectromechanical systems technology, and several important questions have been explored. However, a unified, easy-to-use methodology to measure the growth rate of individual adherent cells of various sizes has been lacking. Here we demonstrate that a newly developed optical interferometric technique, known as spatial light interference microscopy, can measure the cell dry mass of many individual adherent cells in various conditions, over spatial scales from micrometers to millimeters, temporal scales ranging from seconds to days, and cell types ranging from bacteria to mammalian cells. We found evidence of exponential growth in
Escherichia coli
, which agrees very well with other recent reports. Perhaps most importantly, combining spatial light interference microscopy with fluorescence imaging provides a unique method for studying cell cycle-dependent growth. Thus, by using a fluorescent reporter for the S phase, we measured single cell growth over each phase of the cell cycle in human osteosarcoma U2OS cells and found that the G2 phase exhibits the highest growth rate, which is mass-dependent and can be approximated by an exponential.
Transparent lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Yang Yuan , Jeong Sangmoo , Hu Liangbing , Wu Hui , Lee Seok Woo , Cui Yi
Published: July 2011

Transparent devices have recently attracted substantial attention. Various applications have been demonstrated, including displays, touch screens, and solar cells; however, transparent batteries, a key component in fully integrated transparent devices, have not yet been reported. As battery electrode materials are not transparent and have to be thick enough to store energy, the traditional approach of using thin films for transparent devices is not suitable. Here we demonstrate a grid-structured electrode to solve this dilemma, which is fabricated by a microfluidics-assisted method. The feature dimension in the electrode is below the resolution limit of human eyes, and, thus, the electrode appears transparent. Moreover, by aligning multiple electrodes together, the amount of energy stored increases readily without sacrificing the transparency. This results in a battery with energy density of 10 Wh/L at a transparency of 60%. The device is also flexible, further broadening their potential applications. The transparent device configuration also allows in situ Raman study of fundamental electrochemical reactions in batteries.
Comparative genomics of xylose-fermenting fungi for enhanced biofuel production
Authors: Wohlbach Dana J. , Kuo Alan , Sato Trey K. , Potts Katlyn M. , Salamov Asaf A. , LaButti Kurt M. , Sun Hui , Clum Alicia , Pangilinan Jasmyn L. , Lindquist Erika A. , Lucas Susan , Lapidus Alla , Jin Mingjie , Gunawan Christa , Balan Venkatesh , Dale Bruce E. , Jeffries Thomas W. , Zinkel Robert , Barry Kerrie W. , Grigoriev Igor V. , Gasch Audrey P.
Published: July 2011

Cellulosic biomass is an abundant and underused substrate for biofuel production. The inability of many microbes to metabolize the pentose sugars abundant within hemicellulose creates specific challenges for microbial biofuel production from cellulosic material. Although engineered strains of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
can use the pentose xylose, the fermentative capacity pales in comparison with glucose, limiting the economic feasibility of industrial fermentations. To better understand xylose utilization for subsequent microbial engineering, we sequenced the genomes of two xylose-fermenting, beetle-associated fungi,
Spathaspora passalidarum
and
Candida tenuis
. To identify genes involved in xylose metabolism, we applied a comparative genomic approach across 14 Ascomycete genomes, mapping phenotypes and genotypes onto the fungal phylogeny, and measured genomic expression across five Hemiascomycete species with different xylose-consumption phenotypes. This approach implicated many genes and processes involved in xylose assimilation. Several of these genes significantly improved xylose utilization when engineered into
S. cerevisiae
, demonstrating the power of comparative methods in rapidly identifying genes for biomass conversion while reflecting on fungal ecology.
Robust averaging during perceptual judgment
Authors: de Gardelle Vincent , Summerfield Christopher
Published: July 2011

An optimal agent will base judgments on the strength and reliability of decision-relevant evidence. However, previous investigations of the computational mechanisms of perceptual judgments have focused on integration of the evidence mean (i.e., strength), and overlooked the contribution of evidence variance (i.e., reliability). Here, using a multielement averaging task, we show that human observers process heterogeneous decision-relevant evidence more slowly and less accurately, even when signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, category uncertainty, and low-level perceptual variability are controlled for. Moreover, observers tend to exclude or downweight extreme samples of perceptual evidence, as a statistician might exclude an outlying data point. These phenomena are captured by a probabilistic optimal model in which observers integrate the log odds of each choice option. Robust averaging may have evolved to mitigate the influence of untrustworthy evidence in perceptual judgments.
Iron-containing urease in a pathogenic bacterium
Authors: Carter Eric L. , Tronrud Dale E. , Taber Scott R. , Karplus P. Andrew , Hausinger Robert P.
Published: July 2011

Helicobacter mustelae
, a gastric pathogen of ferrets, synthesizes a distinct iron-dependent urease in addition to its archetypical nickel-containing enzyme. The iron-urease is oxygen-labile, with the inactive protein exhibiting a methemerythrin-like electronic spectrum. Significantly, incubation of the oxidized protein with dithionite under anaerobic conditions leads to restoration of activity and bleaching of the spectrum. Structural analysis of the oxidized species reveals a dinuclear iron metallocenter bridged by a lysine carbamate, closely resembling the traditional nickel-urease active site. Although the iron-urease is less active than the nickel-enzyme, its activity allows
H. mustelae
to survive the carnivore’s low-nickel gastric environment.
PolyU tail of rho-independent terminator of bacterial small RNAs is essential for Hfq action
Authors: Otaka Hironori , Ishikawa Hirokazu , Morita Teppei , Aiba Hiroji
Published: July 2011

Major bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) regulate the translation and stability of target mRNAs through base pairing with the help of the RNA chaperone Hfq. The Hfq-dependent sRNAs consist of three basic elements, mRNA base-pairing region, Hfq-binding site, and rho-independent terminator. Although the base-pairing region and the terminator are well documented in many sRNAs, the Hfq-binding site is less well-defined except that Hfq binds RNA with a preference for AU-rich sequences. Here, we performed mutational and biochemical studies to define the sRNA site required for Hfq action using SgrS as a model sRNA. We found that shortening terminator polyU tail eliminates the ability of SgrS to bind to Hfq and to silence
ptsG
mRNA. We also demonstrate that the SgrS terminator can be replaced with any foreign rho-independent terminators possessing a polyU tail longer than 8 without losing the ability to silence
ptsG
mRNA in an Hfq-dependent manner. Moreover, we found that shortening the terminator polyU tail of several other sRNAs also eliminates the ability to bind to Hfq and to regulate target mRNAs. We conclude that the polyU tail of sRNAs is essential for Hfq action in general. The data also indicate that the terminator polyU tail plays a role in Hfq-dependent stabilization of sRNAs.
Loss of the retinoblastoma binding protein 2 (RBP2) histone demethylase suppresses tumorigenesis in mice lackingRb1orMen1
Authors: Lin Wenchu , Cao Jian , Liu Jiayun , Beshiri Michael L. , Fujiwara Yuko , Francis Joshua , Cherniack Andrew D. , Geisen Christoph , Blair Lauren P. , Zou Mike R. , Shen Xiaohua , Kawamori Dan , Liu Zongzhi , Grisanzio Chiara , Watanabe Hideo , Minamishima Yoji Andrew , Zhang Qing , Kulkarni Rohit N. , Signoretti Sabina , Rodig Scott J. , Bronson Roderick T. , Orkin Stuart H. , Tuck David P. , Benevolenskaya Elizaveta V. , Meyerson Matthew , Kaelin William G. , Yan Qin
Published: July 2011

Aberrations in epigenetic processes, such as histone methylation, can cause cancer. Retinoblastoma binding protein 2 (RBP2; also called JARID1A or KDM5A) can demethylate tri- and dimethylated lysine 4 in histone H3, which are epigenetic marks for transcriptionally active chromatin, whereas the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) tumor suppressor promotes H3K4 methylation. Previous studies suggested that inhibition of RBP2 contributed to tumor suppression by the retinoblastoma protein (pRB). Here, we show that genetic ablation ofRbp2decreases tumor formation and prolongs survival inRb1+/−mice andMen1-defective mice. These studies link RBP2 histone demethylase activity to tumorigenesis and nominate RBP2 as a potential target for cancer therapy.
War and early state formation in the northern Titicaca Basin, Peru
Authors: Stanish Charles , Levine Abigail
Published: July 2011

Excavations at the site of Taraco in the northern Titicaca Basin of southern Peru indicate a 2,600-y sequence of human occupation beginningca. 1100 B.C.E. Previous research has identified several political centers in the region in the latter part of the first millennium B.C.E. The two largest centers were Taraco, located near the northern lake edge, and Pukara, located 50 km to the northwest in the grassland pampas. Our data reveal that a high-status residential section of Taraco was burned in the first century A.D., after which economic activity in the area dramatically declined. Coincident with this massive fire at Taraco, Pukara adopted many of the characteristics of state societies and emerged as an expanding regional polity. We conclude that organized conflict, beginning approximately 500 B.C.E., is a significant factor in the evolution of the archaic state in the northern Titicaca Basin.
Salinomycin inhibits Wnt signaling and selectively induces apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells
Authors: Lu Desheng , Choi Michael Y. , Yu Jian , Castro Januario E. , Kipps Thomas J. , Carson Dennis A.
Published: July 2011

Salinomycin, an antibiotic potassium ionophore, has been reported recently to act as a selective breast cancer stem cell inhibitor, but the biochemical basis for its anticancer effects is not clear. The Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction pathway plays a central role in stem cell development, and its aberrant activation can cause cancer. In this study, we identified salinomycin as a potent inhibitor of the Wnt signaling cascade. In Wnt-transfected HEK293 cells, salinomycin blocked the phosphorylation of the Wnt coreceptor lipoprotein receptor related protein 6 (LRP6) and induced its degradation. Nigericin, another potassium ionophore with activity against cancer stem cells, exerted similar effects. In otherwise unmanipulated chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells with constitutive Wnt activation nanomolar concentrations of salinomycin down-regulated the expression of Wnt target genes such as
LEF1
,
cyclin D1
, and
fibronectin
, depressed LRP6 levels, and limited cell survival. Normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes resisted salinomycin toxicity. These results indicate that ionic changes induced by salinomycin and related drugs inhibit proximal Wnt signaling by interfering with LPR6 phosphorylation, and thus impair the survival of cells that depend on Wnt signaling at the plasma membrane.
Abrogation of CD30 and OX40 signals prevents autoimmune disease in FoxP3-deficient mice
Authors: M.Gaspal Fabrina , Withers David , Saini Manoj , Bekiaris Vasileios , McConnell Fiona M. , White Andrea , Khan Mahmood , Yagita Hideo , Walker Lucy S.K. , Anderson Graham , Lane Peter J.L.
Published: July 2011

Our previous studies have implicated signaling through the tumor necrosis family receptors OX40 and CD30 as critical for maintaining CD4 memory responses. We show that signals through both molecules are also required for CD4 effector-mediated autoimmune tissue damage. Under normal circumstances, male mice deficient in the forkhead transcription factor FoxP3, which lack regulatory CD4 T cells, develop lethal autoimmune disease in the first few weeks of life. However, in the combined absence of OX40 and CD30, FoxP3-deficient mice develop normally and breed successfully. The extensive tissue infiltration and organ destruction characteristic of FoxP3 disease does not appear in these mice, and their mortality is not associated with autoimmunity. Although the absence of OX40 plays the dominant role, FoxP3-deficient mice sufficient in CD30 but deficient in OX40 signals still eventually develop lethal disease. This result was supported by the observation that blocking antibodies to OX40 and CD30 ligands also abrogated disease mediated by FoxP3-deficient T cells. These observations identify OX40 and CD30 signals as essential for the development of clinically relevant CD4-dependent autoimmunity and suggest that combination therapies that abrogate these signals might be used to treat established human autoimmune diseases.
Cortactin deficiency is associated with reduced neutrophil recruitment but increased vascular permeability in vivo
Authors: Schnoor Michael , Lai Frank P.L. , Zarbock Alexander , Kläver Ruth , Polaschegg Christian , Schulte Dörte , Weich Herbert A. , Oelkers J. Margit , Rottner Klemens , Vestweber Dietmar
Published: July 2011

Neutrophil extravasation and the regulation of vascular permeability require dynamic actin rearrangements in the endothelium. In this study, we analyzed in vivo whether these processes require the function of the actin nucleation–promoting factor cortactin. Basal vascular permeability for high molecular weight substances was enhanced in cortactin-deficient mice. Despite this leakiness, neutrophil extravasation in the tumor necrosis factor–stimulated cremaster was inhibited by the loss of cortactin. The permeability defect was caused by reduced levels of activated Rap1 (Ras-related protein 1) in endothelial cells and could be rescued by activating Rap1 via the guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) exchange factor EPAC (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP). The defect in neutrophil extravasation was caused by enhanced rolling velocity and reduced adhesion in postcapillary venules. Impaired rolling interactions were linked to contributions of β2-integrin ligands, and firm adhesion was compromised by reduced ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) clustering around neutrophils. A signaling process known to be critical for the formation of ICAM-1–enriched contact areas and for transendothelial migration, the ICAM-1–mediated activation of the GTPase RhoG was blocked in cortactin-deficient endothelial cells. Our results represent the first physiological evidence that cortactin is crucial for orchestrating the molecular events leading to proper endothelial barrier function and leukocyte recruitment in vivo.
Flt3L controls the development of radiosensitive dendritic cells in the meninges and choroid plexus of the steady-state mouse brain
Authors: Anandasabapathy Niroshana , Victora Gabriel D. , Meredith Matthew , Feder Rachel , Dong Baojun , Kluger Courtney , Yao Kaihui , Dustin Michael L. , Nussenzweig Michel C. , Steinman Ralph M. , Liu Kang
Published: July 2011

Antigen-presenting cells in the disease-free brain have been identified primarily by expression of antigens such as CD11b, CD11c, and MHC II, which can be shared by dendritic cells (DCs), microglia, and monocytes. In this study, starting with the criterion of Flt3 (FMS-like receptor tyrosine kinase 3)-dependent development, we characterize the features of authentic DCs within the meninges and choroid plexus in healthy mouse brains. Analyses of morphology, gene expression, and antigen-presenting function established a close relationship between meningeal and choroid plexus DCs (m/chDCs) and spleen DCs. DCs in both sites shared an intrinsic requirement for Flt3 ligand. Microarrays revealed differences in expression of transcripts encoding surface molecules, transcription factors, pattern recognition receptors, and other genes in m/chDCs compared with monocytes and microglia. Migrating pre-DC progenitors from bone marrow gave rise to m/chDCs that had a 5–7-d half-life. In contrast to microglia, DCs actively present self-antigens and stimulate T cells. Therefore, the meninges and choroid plexus of a steady-state brain contain DCs that derive from local precursors and exhibit a differentiation and antigen-presenting program similar to spleen DCs and distinct from microglia.
The Heart failure and Optimal Outcomes from Pharmacy Study (HOOPS): rationale, design, and baseline characteristics
Authors: Lowrie Richard , Mair Frances S. , Greenlaw Nicola , Forsyth Paul , McConnachie Alex , Richardson Janice , Khan Nina , Morrison Deborah , Messow Claudia‐Martina , Rae Brian , McMurray John J.V.
Published: July 2011

Aims

The effect on mortality and morbidity of pharmacist‐led intervention to optimize pharmacological therapy in patients with systolic heart failure (HF) has not been tested in a large‐scale, long‐term, clinical trial.

Methods

We describe the rationale and design of a UK, primary care‐based, prospective cluster‐randomized controlled trial of a pharmacist‐led intervention in HF and report baseline characteristics of the patients randomized. Eighty‐seven practices (1092 patients) were assigned to the intervention arm and 87 practices (1077 patients) to usual care. The average age of patients at baseline was 71 years, 70% were male, 86% were treated with an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker and 62% with a beta‐blocker. Data for the primary outcome of death from any cause or hospitalization for HF will be available up to 31 December 2010, giving a mean follow‐up of 5 years. More than 750 patients would have experienced the primary outcome during this period. The first secondary outcome is death from any cause or hospitalization for a cardiovascular reason. Deaths and hospitalizations are being identified using the Scottish National Health Service electronic patient record‐linkage system (hence the delay between the end of follow‐up and database lock).

Conclusion

This trial is powered to provide a robust evaluation of the effect of pharmacist‐led treatment optimization in patients with systolic HF in primary care.
Prognostic utility of plasma neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin in patients with acute heart failure: The NGAL EvaLuation Along with B‐type NaTriuretic Peptide in acutely decompensated heart failure (GALLANT) trial
Authors: Maisel Alan S. , Mueller Christian , Fitzgerald Robert , Brikhan Robert , Hiestand Brian C. , Iqbal Navaid , Clopton Paul , van Veldhuisen Dirk J.
Published: July 2011

Aims

Neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a measure of acute kidney injury. Renal dysfunction portends significant risk after discharge from acute heart failure (AHF). Thus, a sensitive marker of renal injury might also help to risk stratify HF patients.

Methods and results

GALLANT [NGAL EvaLuation Along with B‐type NaTriuretic Peptide (BNP) in acutely Decompensated Heart Failure] was a multicentre, prospective study to assess the utility of plasma NGAL, alone and in combination with BNP, as an early risk marker of adverse outcomes. We studied 186 patients (61% male). There were 29 events (AHF readmissions and all‐cause mortality) at 30 days (16%). Patients with events had higher levels of NGAL than those without (134 vs. 84 ng/mL, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was higher for NGAL (0.72) than BNP (0.65), serum creatinine (0.57), or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; 0.55). In multivariable analyses, NGAL predicted events (P= 0.001), BNP approached significance (P= 0.052 and 0.070 without creatinine and GFR, respectively) while neither serum creatinine nor eGFR were significant. The addition of discharge NGAL over BNP alone improved classification by a net 10.3% in those with events and 19.5% in those without events, for a net reclassification improvement of 29.8% (P= 0.010). Subjects with both BNP and NGAL elevated were at significant risk [hazard ratio (HR) = 16.85, P= 0.006], as were subjects with low BNP and high NGAL (HR = 9.95, P= 0.036).

Conclusions

Plasma NGAL is a measure of kidney injury that at the time of discharge is a strong prognostic indicator of 30 days outcomes in patients admitted for AHF.

Clinical trial registration number: NCT 00693745
Interpreting the large fish indicator for the Celtic Sea
Authors: Shephard Samuel , Reid David G. , Greenstreet Simon P. R.
Published: July 2011

Shephard, S., Reid, D. G., and Greenstreet, S. P. R. 2011. Interpreting the large fish indicator for the Celtic Sea. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1963–1972. The large fish indicator (LFI) was developed in the North Sea as a size-based indicator of fish community state. It is now established as OSPAR's fish community Ecological Quality Objective (EcoQO) metric and will be applied across all OSPAR regions. To produce a protocol for use when developing regional LFIs, the North Sea experience is interpreted using data from the Celtic Sea. Differences in fish community species composition and size distribution were reflected in a different species complex and large fish threshold (50 cm) for the Celtic Sea LFI. However, a lag of 12–14 years in the relationship between assemblage-averaged fishing mortality Fcom,y and the LFI suggested similar underlying ecological mechanisms to the North Sea. The indicator responded to changes in small fish biomass that follow fishing-induced changes in the level of predation by large demersal piscivores. The Celtic Sea LFI showed maximum observed values >0.40 before 1990, and 0.40 is here proposed as an EcoQO. Development of regional LFIs demands a flexible process rather than a strictly prescriptive protocol.
Effects of Glycemic Regulation on Chronic Postischemia Pain
Authors: Ross-Huot Marie-Christine , Laferrière André , Gi Cho Min , Khorashadi Mina , Schricker Thomas , Coderre Terence J.
Published: July 2011

Background

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injuries consist of enhanced oxidative and inflammatory responses along with microvascular dysfunction after prolonged ischemia and reperfusion. Because I/R injuries induce chronic postischemia pain (CPIP) in laboratory animals, it is possible that surgical procedures using prolonged ischemia may result in chronic postoperative pain. Glycemic modulation during ischemia and reperfusion could affect pain after I/R injury because glucose triggers oxidative, inflammatory, and thrombotic reactions, whereas insulin has antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and vasodilatory properties.

Methods

One hundred ten rats underwent a 3-h period of ischemia followed by reperfusion to produce CPIP. Rats with CPIP had previously been divided into six groups with differing glycemic modulation paradigms: normal feeding; fasting; fasting with normal saline administration; fasting with dextrose administration; normal feeding with insulin administration; and normal feeding with insulin and dextrose administration. Blood glucose concentration was assessed during I/R in these separate groups of rats, and these rats were tested for mechanical and cold allodynia over the 21 days afterward (on days 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 21 after I/R injury).

Results

I/R injury in rats with normoglycemia or relative hyperglycemia (normal feeding and fasting with dextrose administration groups) led to significant mechanical and cold allodynia; conversely, relative hypoglycemia associated with insulin treatment or fasting (fasting, fasting with normal saline administration, and normal feeding with insulin administration groups) reduced allodynia induced by I/R injury. Importantly, insulin treatment did not reduce allodynia when administered to fed rats given dextrose (normal feeding with dextrose and insulin administration group).

Conclusion

Study results suggest that glucose levels at the time of I/R injury significantly modulate postinjury pain thresholds in rats with CPIP. Strict glycemic control during I/R injury significantly reduces CPIP and, conversely, hyperglycemia significantly enhances it, which could have potential clinical applications especially in the surgical field.
Characterization of the Phosphate Starvation-Induced Glycerol-3-phosphate permease Gene Family in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ramaiah Madhuvanthi , Jain Ajay , Baldwin James C. , Karthikeyan Athikkattuvalasu S. , Raghothama Kashchandra G.
Published: July 2011

Phosphate (Pi) deficiency is one of the leading causes of loss in crop productivity. Plants respond to Pi deficiency by increasing Pi acquisition and remobilization involving organic and inorganic Pi transporters. Here, we report the functional characterization of a putative organic Pi transporter, Glycerol-3-phosphate permease (G3Pp) family, comprising five members (AtG3Pp1 to -5) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). AtG3Pp1 and AtG3Pp2 showed 24-and 3-fold induction, respectively, in the roots of Pi-deprived seedlings, whereas Pi deficiency-mediated induction of AtG3Pp3 and -4 was evident in both roots and shoots. Furthermore, promoter-β-glucuronidase (GUS) fusion transgenics were generated for AtG3Pp2 to -5 for elucidation of their in planta role in Pi homeostasis. During Pi starvation, there was a strong expression of the reporter gene driven by AtG3Pp4 promoter in the roots, shoots, anthers, and siliques, whereas GUS expression was specific either to the roots (AtG3Pp3) or to stamens and siliques (AtG3Pp5) in other promoter-GUS fusion transgenics. Quantification of reporter gene activities further substantiated differential responses of AtG3Pp family members to Pi deprivation. A distinct pattern of reporter gene expression exhibited by AtG3Pp3 and AtG3Pp5 during early stages of germination also substantiated their potential roles during seedling ontogeny. Furthermore, an AtG3Pp4 knockdown mutant exhibited accentuated total lateral root lengths under +phosphorus and −phosphorus conditions compared with the wild type. Several Pi starvation-induced genes involved in root development and/or Pi homeostasis were up-regulated in the mutant. A 9-fold induction of AtG3Pp3 in the mutant provided some evidence for a lack of functional redundancy in the gene family. These results thus reflect differential roles of members of the G3Pp family in the maintenance of Pi homeostasis.
Acute epidural haematoma following epidural steroid injection in a patient with spinal stenosis*
Authors: Shanthanna H. , Park J.
Published: July 2011

Extradural haematoma is a rare but known complication of neuraxial procedures. Although the literature quotes an incidence of 1:150 000 and 1:220 000 after epidural and spinal procedures, respectively, there is only a limited number of case reports described in pain practice. This case report describes an unusual occurrence of thoracic extradural haematoma following a lumbar epidural steroid injection. An entirely unique feature was its occurrence at a level distant to the site of injection, which has not been reported previously unless associated with catheterisation. We would like to highlight this report as it raises several pertinent and challenging questions; both for regional anaesthesia and pain practice.
Study of Blastocystis hominis isolates in urticaria: a case–control study
Authors: Zuel-Fakkar N. M. , Abdel Hameed D. M. , Hassanin O. M.
Published: July 2011

Blastocystis hominis is a common intestinal parasite, with a prevalence in developing countries of up to 50%. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of this parasite with urticaria by determining the genotypic isotypes in the Egyptian population. In total, 54 patients with urticaria and 50 controls were enrolled in the study. Stool samples were examined and assessed by PCR. The parasite was detected in a significantly higher number (P < 0.001) of the patient group than the control group. There was no significant difference between the patients with acute and those with chronic urticaria (P = 0.2). The amoeboid form was found in 60.6% of Blastocystis-positive patients with urticaria, but in none of the healthy controls. Subtype 3 was the only isolate found in both the patient and control groups. We recommend treatment for Blastocystis-positive patients with urticaria in developing countries. The prevalence is much lower (around 10%) in developed countries, where treatment should only be considered in the absence of other possible causes of urticaria.
Joint health and functional ability in children with haemophilia who receive intensive replacement therapy
Authors: GROEN W. , VAN DER NET J. , BOS K. , ABAD A. , BERGSTROM B. ‐M. , BLANCHETTE V. S. , FELDMAN B. M. , FUNK S. , HELDERS P. , HILLIARD P. , MANCO‐JOHNSON M. , PETRINI P. , ZOURIKIAN N. , FISCHER K.
Published: July 2011

Summary.  Joint physical examination is an important outcome in haemophilia; however its relationship with functional ability is not well established in children with intensive replacement therapy. Boys aged 4–16 years were recruited from two European and three North American treatment centres. Joint physical structure and function was measured with the Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) while functional ability was measured with the revised Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ38). Two haemophilia‐specific domains were created by selecting items of the CHAQ38 that cover haemophilia‐specific problems. Associations between CHAQ, HJHS, cumulative number of haemarthroses and age were assessed. A total of 226 subjects – mean 10.8 years old (SD 3.8) – participated; the majority (68%) had severe haemophilia. Most severe patients (91%) were on prophylactic treatment. Lifetime number of haemarthroses [median = 5; interquartile range (IQR) = 1–12] and total HJHS (median = 5; IQR = 1–12) correlated strongly (ρ = 0.51). Total HJHS did not correlate with age and only weakly (ρ = −0.19) with functional ability scores (median = 0; IQR = −0.06–0). Overall, haemarthroses were reported most frequently in the ankles. Detailed analysis of ankle joint health scores revealed moderate associations (ρ = 0.3–0.5) of strength, gait and atrophy with lower extremity tasks (e.g. stair climbing). In this population, HJHS summating six joints did not perform as well as individual joint scores, however, certain elements of ankle impairment, specifically muscle strength, atrophy and gait associated significantly with functional loss in lower extremity activities. Mild abnormalities in ankle assessment by HJHS may lead to functional loss. Therefore, ankle joints may warrant special attention in the follow up of these children.
Molecular evidence of HIV‐1 transmission in 20 Korean individuals with haemophilia: phylogenetic analysis of the vif gene
Authors: CHO Y.‐K. , JUNG Y. , LEE J.‐S. , FOLEY B. T.
Published: July 2011

Summary.  To assess whether a genetic relationship exists between the viruses infecting HIV‐positive patients with haemophilia and those infecting plasma donors, we determined the vif sequences in 169 individuals, including 20 haemophilia patients, 3 plasma donors, and 146 local controls. Twenty haemophilia patients were diagnosed with HIV‐1 at 1–2 years after exposure to factor IX (FIX) manufactured in Korea, beginning in 1989–1990. Plasma samples from donors O and P were used to manufacture clotting factors including FIX used to treat the 20 haemophiliacs. The vif gene from frozen stored serum samples obtained 1–3 years after diagnosis was amplified by RT‐PCR, and subjected to direct sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that vif sequences from 128 of the samples (including haemophilia patients and donors) belonged to the Korean subclade of HIV‐1 subtype B (KSB). Sequences from 41 other participants were identified as subtype B, but outside the Korean subclade. Sequences of the vif gene from donors O and P plus the 20 individuals with haemophilia comprised two subclusters within KSB. In addition, signature pattern analysis disclosed the presence of conserved nucleotides at two positions in donors and haemophiliacs only. Together with information on KSB, dates of plasma donations and seroconversion of haemophilia patients, our results suggest that the haemophiliacs examined here became infected by viruses in the domestic clotting factor used for treatment.
Diagnostic yield of conventional radiographic and cone‐beam computed tomographic images in patients with atypical odontalgia
Authors: Pigg M. , List T. , Petersson K. , Lindh C. , Petersson A.
Published: July 2011

Pigg M, List T, Petersson K, Lindh C, Petersson A. Diagnostic yield of conventional radiographic and cone‐beam computed tomographic images in patients with atypical odontalgia. International Endodontic Journal, 44, 1092–1101, 2011.

Aim  To investigate whether the additional diagnostic yield of a cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination over conventional radiographs in patients primarily suspected of having atypical odontalgia (AO) improves differentiation between AO and symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP) in patients with severe chronic intraoral pain.

Methodology  In this clinical study, 25 patients (mean age 54 ± 11 years, range 34–72) participated; 20 were diagnosed with AO and 5 with SAP. All patients were recruited from the clinics of the Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University. AO inclusion criteria were chronic pain (>6 months) in a region where a tooth had been endodontically or surgically treated, with no pathological cause detectable in clinical or radiologic examinations. SAP inclusion criteria were recurrent pain from a tooth diagnosed with apical periodontitis in clinical and radiographic examinations. Assessments comprised a self‐report questionnaire on pain characteristics, a comprehensive clinical examination and a radiographic examination including panoramic and intraoral radiographs and CBCT images. The main outcome measure was periapical bone destruction.

Results  Sixty per cent of patients with AO had no periapical bone destructions detectable with any radiographic method. Overall, CBCT rendered 17% more periapical bone destructions than conventional radiography. Average pain intensity in patients with AO was 5.6 (±1.8) on a 0–10 numerical rating scale, and average pain duration was 4.3 (±5.2) years.

Conclusion  Cone‐beam computed tomography improves identification of patients without periapical bone destruction, which may facilitate differentiation between AO and SAP.
The cell wall binding domain of Listeria bacteriophage endolysin PlyP35 recognizes terminal GlcNAc residues in cell wall teichoic acid
Authors: Eugster Marcel R. , Haug Martina C. , Huwiler Simona G. , Loessner Martin J.
Published: July 2011

The cell wall binding domains (CBD) of bacteriophage endolysins target the enzymes to their substrate in the bacterial peptidoglycan with extraordinary specificity. Despite strong interest in these enzymes as novel antimicrobials, little is known regarding their interaction with the bacterial wall and their binding ligands. We investigated the interaction of Listeria phage endolysin PlyP35 with carbohydrate residues present in the teichoic acid polymers on the peptidoglycan. Biochemical and genetic analyses revealed that CBD of PlyP35 specifically recognizes the N‐acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residue at position C4 of the polyribitol‐phosphate subunits. Binding of CBDP35 could be prevented by removal of wall teichoic acid (WTA) polymers from cell walls, and inhibited by addition of purified WTAs or acetylated saccharides. We show that Listeria monocytogenes genes lmo2549 and lmo2550 are required for decoration of WTAs with GlcNAc. Inactivation of either gene resulted in a lack of GlcNAc glycosylation, and the mutants failed to bind CBDP35. We also report that the GlcNAc‐deficient phenotype of L. monocytogenes strain WSLC 1442 is due to a small deletion in lmo2550, resulting in synthesis of a truncated gene product responsible for the glycosylation defect. Complementation with lmo2550 completely restored display of characteristic serovar 1/2 specific WTA and the wild‐type phenotype.
Ipr1 Gene Mediates RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cell Line Resistance to Mycobacterium bovis
Authors: He X. N. , Su F. , Lou Z. Z. , Jia W. Z. , Song Y. L. , Chang H. Y. , Wu Y. H. , Lan J. , He X. Y. , Zhang Y.
Published: July 2011

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) seriously affects efficiency of animal production with impacts on public health as well. Effective programmes of prevention and eradication of M. bovis infection therefore are urgently needed. Intracellular pathogen resistance gene 1 (Ipr1) is well known to mediate innate immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), but there are no reports as to whether Ipr1 can enhance the phagocytic ability of macrophage against M. bovis. In this investigation, RAW 264.7 macrophage was transduced with lentiviral vector carrying Ipr1 (named Lenti‐Ipr1); transgenic cells were identified by RT‐PCR and western blotting. Transgenic positive cells (R‐Ipr1) were then infected with an M. bovis virulent strain, with non‐transduced cells used as control. When cell proliferation, viability and apoptosis of the two groups were investigated, it was found that infected RAW 264.7 died by necrosis whereas R‐Ipr1 underwent apoptosis. Furthermore, the numbers of intracellular bacteria in R‐Ipr1 were lower than those in control cells (P < 0.05). To identify the role of Ipr1, we measured the genes of Casp3, Mcl‐1 and NOS2A which associated with macrophage activation and apoptosis by real‐time quantitative PCR. The results demonstrated that Ipr1 gene expression can enhance anti‐M. bovis infection of macrophage. This establishes a basis for the future production of Ipr1‐transgenic cattle to strengthen the tuberculosis resistance.
Characterization of Linaria KNOX genes suggests a role in petal‐spur development
Authors: Box Mathew S. , Dodsworth Steven , Rudall Paula J. , Bateman Richard M. , Glover Beverley J.
Published: July 2011

Spurs are tubular outgrowths of perianth organs that have evolved iteratively among angiosperms. They typically contain nectar and often strongly influence pollinator specificity, potentially mediating reproductive isolation. The identification of Antirrhinum majus mutants with ectopic petal spurs suggested that petal‐spur development is dependent on the expression of KNOTTED 1‐like homeobox (KNOX) genes, which are better known for their role in maintaining the shoot apical meristem. Here, we tested the role of KNOX genes in petal‐spur development by isolating orthologs of the A. majus KNOX genes Hirzina (AmHirz) and Invaginata (AmIna) from Linaria vulgaris, a related species that differs from A. majus in possessing long, narrow petal spurs. We name these genes LvHirz and LvIna, respectively. Using quantitative reverse‐transcription PCR, we show that LvHirz is expressed at high levels in the developing petals and demonstrate that the expression of petal‐associated KNOX genes is sufficient to induce sac‐like outgrowths on petals in a heterologous host. We propose a model in which KNOX gene expression during early petal‐spur development promotes and maintains further morphogenetic potential of the petal, as previously described for KNOX gene function in compound leaf development. These data indicate that petal spurs could have evolved by changes in regulatory gene expression that cause rapid and potentially saltational phenotypic modifications. Given the morphological similarity of spur ontogeny in distantly related taxa, changes in KNOX gene expression patterns could be a shared feature of spur development in angiosperms.
Arabidopsis MAP kinase phosphatase 1 and its target MAP kinases 3 and 6 antagonistically determine UV‐B stress tolerance, independent of the UVR8 photoreceptor pathway
Authors: González Besteiro Marina A. , Bartels Sebastian , Albert Andreas , Ulm Roman
Published: July 2011

Plants perceive UV‐B radiation as an informational signal by a pathway involving UVR8 as UV‐B photoreceptor, activating photomorphogenic and acclimation responses. In contrast, the response to UV‐B as an environmental stress involves mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling cascades. Whereas the perception pathway is plant specific, the UV‐B stress pathway is more broadly conserved. Knowledge of the UV‐B stress‐activated MAPK signalling pathway in plants is limited, and its potential interplay with the UVR8‐mediated pathway has not been defined. Here, we show that loss of MAP kinase phosphatase 1 in the mutant mkp1 results in hypersensitivity to acute UV‐B stress, but without impairing UV‐B acclimation. The MKP1‐interacting proteins MPK3 and MPK6 are activated by UV‐B stress and are hyperactivated in mkp1. Moreover, mutants mpk3 and mpk6 exhibit elevated UV‐B tolerance and partially suppress the UV‐B hypersensitivity of mkp1. We show further that the MKP1‐regulated stress‐response MAPK pathway is independent of the UVR8 photoreceptor, but that MKP1 also contributes to survival under simulated sunlight. We conclude that, whereas UVR8‐mediated acclimation in plants promotes UV‐B‐induced defence measures, MKP1‐regulated stress signalling results when UV‐B protection and repair are insufficient and damage occurs. The combined activity of these two mechanisms is crucial to UV‐B tolerance in plants.
Transepidermal water loss in healthy and atopic dogs, treated and untreated: a comparative preliminary study
Authors: Cornegliani Luisa , Vercelli Antonella , Sala Elisabetta , Marsella Rosanna
Published: July 2011

An impaired skin barrier function is thought to be crucial for allergic sensitization. In humans, the skin barrier is assessed by noninvasive methods, such as the measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Although limitations have been reported, measurement of TEWL has been demonstrated to be a suitable method to assess barrier function indirectly in dogs. The purposes of this prospective clinical study were twofold. The first aim was to evaluate and compare TEWL in healthy and atopic dogs. The second aim was to evaluate TEWL in a population of atopic dogs and to assess TEWL in dogs whose disease was in remission after successful therapy and compare it with dogs whose disease was not controlled or receiving treatment. One hundred and fifty dogs were selected and divided into the following three groups: 50 atopic dogs before specific treatment (group A); 50 in remission (group B); and 50 control dogs (group C). The mean values for TEWL for each group were 22.47 (g/m2 h) (group A; 95% confidence interval 20.85–24.09), 12.57 (g/m2 h) (group B; 95% confidence interval 11.43–13.7) and 8.81 (g/m2 h) (group C; 95% confidence interval 8.09–9.52); P‐value was 0.0001 for TEWL (groups A, B and C). This study showed a significant difference of TEWL between healthy control dogs and dogs with atopic dermatitis. Additionally, TEWL was lower in atopic dogs whose disease was in remission due to treatment. These results were consistent with reports in human medicine about TEWL.