bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CDK phosphorylates the polarisome scaffold Spa2 to maintain its localization at the site of cell growth
Authors: Wang Haitao , Huang Zhen‐Xing , Au Yong Jie Ying , Zou Hao , Zeng Guisheng , Gao Jiaxin , Wang Yanming , Wong Ada Hang‐Heng , Wang Yue 
Published: April 2016

SummaryPolarisome is a protein complex that plays an important role in polarized growth in fungi by assembling actin cables towards the site of cell growth. For proper morphogenesis, the polarisome must localize to the right place at the right time. However, the mechanisms that control polarisome localization remain poorly understood. In this study, using the polymorphic fungus Candida albicans as a model, we have discovered that the cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) Cdc28 phosphorylates the polarisome scaffold protein Spa2 to govern polarisome localization during both yeast and hyphal growth. In a yeast cell cycle, Cdc28‐Clb2 phosphorylates Spa2 and controls the timing of polarisome translocation from the bud tip to the bud neck. And during hyphal development, Cdc28‐Clb2 and the hyphal‐specific Cdc28‐Hgc1 cooperate to enhance Spa2 phosphorylation to maintain the polarisome at the hyphal tip. Blocking the CDK phosphorylation causes premature tip‐to‐neck translocation of Spa2 during yeast growth and inappropriate septal localization of Spa2 in hyphae and abnormal hyphal morphology under certain inducing conditions. Together, our results generate new insights into the mechanisms by which fungi regulate polarisome localization in the control of polarized growth.
Plasmenylethanolamine synthesis in Leishmania major
Authors: Pawlowic Mattie C. , Hsu Fong‐fu , Moitra Samrat , Biyani Neha , Zhang Kai 
Published: April 2016

SummaryEthanolamine glycerophospholipids are ubiquitous cell membrane components. Trypanosomatid parasites of the genus Leishmania synthesize the majority of their ethanolamine glycerophospholipids as 1‐O‐alk‐1′‐enyl‐2‐acyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine or plasmenylethanolamine (PME) through the Kennedy pathway. PME is a subtype of ether phospholipids also known as ethanolamine plasmalogen whose functions are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated the role of PME synthesis in Leishmania major through the characterization of an ethanolamine phosphotransferase (EPT) mutant. EPT‐null parasites are largely devoid of PME and fully viable in regular medium but fail to proliferate in the absence of fetal bovine serum. They exhibit significant abnormalities in the synthesis and localization of GPI‐anchored surface molecules. EPT‐null mutants also show attenuated virulence in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, in addition to PME synthesis, ethanolamine also contributes to the production of phosphatidylcholine, the most abundant class of lipids in Leishmania. Together, these findings suggest that ethanolamine production is likely required for Leishmania promastigotes to generate bulk phospholipids, to handle stress, and to control the expression of membrane bound virulence factors.
Complex polar machinery required for proper chromosome segregation in vegetative and sporulating cells of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Kloosterman Tomas G. , Lenarcic Rok , Willis Clare R. , Roberts David M. , Hamoen Leendert W. , Errington Jeff , Wu Ling J. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryChromosome segregation is an essential process of cell multiplication. In prokaryotes, segregation starts with the newly replicated sister origins of replication, oriCs, which move apart to defined positions in the cell. We have developed a genetic screen to identify mutants defective in placement of oriC during spore development in the Gram‐positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. In addition to the previously identified proteins Soj and DivIVA, our screen identified several new factors involved in polar recruitment of oriC: a reported regulator of competence ComN, and the regulators of division site selection MinD and MinJ. Previous work implicated Soj as an important regulator of oriC positioning in the cell. Our results suggest a model in which the DivIVA‐interacting proteins ComN and MinJ recruit MinD to the cell pole, and that these proteins work upstream of Soj to enable oriC placement. We show that these proteins form a polar complex, which acts in parallel with but distinct from the sporulation‐specific RacA pathway of oriC placement, and also functions during vegetative growth. Our study further shows that MinD has two distinct cell cycle roles, in cell division and chromosome segregation, and highlights that cell probably use multiple parallel mechanisms to ensure accurate chromosome segregation.
Identification and functional characterization of lysine methyltransferases of Entamoeba histolytica
Authors: Borbolla‐Vázquez Jessica , Orozco Esther , Medina‐Gómez Christian , Martínez‐Higuera Aarón , Javier‐Reyna Rosario , Chávez Bibiana , Betanzos Abigail , Rodríguez Mario A. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryLysine methylation of histones, a posttranslational modification catalyzed by lysine methyltransferases (HKMTs), plays an important role in the epigenetic regulation of transcription. Lysine methylation of non‐histone proteins also impacts the biological function of proteins. Previously it has been shown that lysine methylation of histones of Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite that infects 50 million people worldwide each year and causing up to 100,000 deaths annually, is implicated in the epigenetic machinery of this microorganism. However, the identification and characterization of HKMTs in this parasite had not yet been determined. In this work we identified four HKMTs in E. histolytica (EhHKMT1 to EhHKMT4) that are expressed by trophozoites. Enzymatic assays indicated that all of them are able to transfer methyl groups to commercial histones. EhHKMT1, EhHKMT2 and EhHKMT4 were detected in nucleus and cytoplasm of trophozoites. In addition EhHKMT2 and EhHKMT4 were located in vesicles containing ingested cells during phagocytosis, and they co‐immunoprecipitated with EhADH, a protein involved in the phagocytosis of this parasite. Results suggest that E. histolytica uses its HKMTs to regulate transcription by epigenetic mechanisms, and at least two of them could also be implicated in methylation of proteins that participate in phagocytosis.
Shift in species composition in the Anopheles gambiae complex after implementation of long‐lasting insecticidal nets in Dielmo, Senegal
Authors: SOUGOUFARA S. , HARRY M. , DOUCOURÉ S. , SEMBÈNE P. M. , SOKHNA C. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLong‐lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are the cornerstones of malaria vector control. However, the effectiveness of these control tools depends on vector ecology and behaviour, which also largely determine the efficacy of certain Anopheles mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) as vectors. Malaria vectors in sub‐Saharan Africa are primarily species of the Anopheles gambiae complex, which present intraspecific differences in behaviour that affect how they respond to vector control tools. The focus of this study is the change in species composition in the An. gambiae complex after the implementation of LLINs in Dielmo, Senegal. The main findings referred to dramatic decreases in the proportions of Anopheles coluzzii and An. gambiae after the introduction of LLINs, and an increase in the proportion of Anopheles arabiensis. Two years after LLINs were first introduced, An. arabiensis remained the most prevalent species and An. gambiae had begun to rebound. This indicated a need to develop additional vector control tools that can target the full range of malaria vectors.
The role of Candida albicans in the severity of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Saroukolaei Shahla Amri , Ghabaee Mojdeh , Shokri Hojjatollah , Badiei Alireza , Ghourchian Shadi 
Published: April 2016

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to compare the specific activity of proteinase A in Candida albicans (C. albicans) between multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and controls. A total of 135 and 100 C. albicans strains were isolated from superficial surfaces of MS patients and healthy controls. Analytical models (regression and neural network) were applied to predict the severity of MS considering specific enzyme activity (SEA) and other factors which affect the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). The SEA of C. albicans in MS patients (3466.95 ± 277.25 μmol min−1 mg−1) was significantly more than that of healthy controls (1108.98 ± 294.51 μmol min−1 mg−1) that was confirmed by regression model (P < 0.001). The SEA had a positive correlation with the severity of MS (P < 0.001, r = 0.65). Analytical models showed that SEA played the most important role (among all included factors that affect on EDSS) in the severity of MS. The SEA of C. albicans in MS patients was significantly more than the healthy controls. The results suggest that the level of SEA of proteinase A and probably the capacity of C. albicans isolates to invade the host tissue is associated with the severity of MS.
Conflict at Work, Negative Emotions, and Performance: A Diary Study
Authors: Rispens Sonja , Demerouti Evangelia 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis study examines how daily conflict events at work affect people's active (anger, contempt) and passive (sadness, guilt) negative emotions and in‐ and extra‐role performance. We introduce the concept of conflict detachment and examined whether this coping strategy alleviates the degree of negative emotions a person feels due to a conflict experience. Sixty‐two individuals from various professions in the Netherlands provided questionnaire and daily survey measures during five consecutive workdays. Multilevel analyses showed that daily relationship and process conflict experiences at work were positively related to daily negative emotions. In addition, the results demonstrated a lagged effect of passive negative emotions: feelings of guilt and sadness predicted lower in‐role and extra‐role performance the following day. We also found that conflict detachment moderated the relationship between daily conflict and negative emotions. We discuss the implications of our findings for organizational practice and suggest possible ways for future research.
Indian chronic kidney disease study: Design and methods
Authors: Kumar Vivek , Yadav Ashok Kumar , Gang Sishir , John Oommen , Modi Gopesh K , Ojha Jai Prakash , Pandey Rajendra , Parameswaran Sreejith , Prasad Narayan , Sahay Manisha , Varughese Santosh , Baid‐Agarwal Seema , Jha Vivekanand 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimThe rate and factors that influence progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in developing countries like India are unknown. A pan‐country prospective, observational cohort study is needed to address these knowledge gaps.MethodsThe Indian Chronic Kidney Disease (ICKD) study will be a cohort study of approximately 5000 patients with mild to moderate CKD presenting to centres that represent different geographical regions in India. Time to 50% decline in baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate, need of renal replacement therapy or any new cardiovascular disease (CVD) event or death from CVD are the primary end points.Value of StudyThis study will provide the opportunity to determine risk factors for CKD progression and development of CVD in Indian subjects and perform international comparisons to determine ethnic and geographical differences. A bio‐repository will provide a chance to discover biomarkers and explore genetic risk factors.
Live donor study – implications of kidney donation on cardiovascular risk with a focus on lipid parameters including lipoprotein a
Authors: Doucet Brian , Kostner Karam , Kaiser Omar , Hawley Carmel , Isbel Nicole 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn this prospective observational cohort study, we evaluate the change in cardiovascular risk parameters, with a focus on lipids, in live kidney donors 1 year post donation. Body mass index, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, kidney function (chromium‐51 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid estimated glomerular filtration) and lipid parameters were measured at baseline and 1 year. Data on 87 live kidney donors were collected. Body mass index increased from 26.5 ± 2.7 pre to 27.4 ± 3.0 kg/m2 post donation (p < 0.0001). Chromium‐51 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid estimated glomerular filtration decreased from 111.8 ± 20.0 pre to 72.1 ± 13.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 post donation (p < 0.0001). Serum triglyceride levels increased from 0.8 (interquartile range 0.6–1.3) pre to 1.0 mmol/L (interquartile range 0.7–1.6) post donation (p = 0.0004). Statin use increased from 11.5% pre to 21% post donation (p < 0.005). Low‐density lipoprotein remained stable, and other lipids (high‐density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein a) did not change post donation.
Ear length and kidney function decline after kidney donation
Authors: Katavetin Pisut , Watanatorn Salin , Townamchai Natavudh , Avihingsanon Yingyos , Praditpornsilpa Kearkiat 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe preservation of kidney function after kidney donation depends on the kidney reserve – the potential of the remaining kidney to boost their function after loss of the other kidney. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, size and shape of the external ears are examined to evaluate the person's kidney health. We hypothesized that ear size might be a practical yet overlooked marker of kidney reserve. Fifty kidney transplantation donors were participated in this study. The length and width of both ears of all participants were measured during one of the post‐donation visits. Pre‐donation serum creatinine and post‐donation serum creatinine as well as other relevant parameters (age, sex, weight, height, etc.) of the participants were extracted from medical records. The estimated GFR was calculated from serum creatinine, age and sex using the CKD‐EPI equation. Ear length negatively associated with %GFR decline after kidney donation. For every 1 cm increase in ear length, it was associated with 5.7% less GFR decline after kidney donation (95% Confidence Interval 0.2 to 11.3, P = 0.04). Ear width, as well as age, sex, body weight, height, body mass index, and pre‐donation eGFR did not significantly associate with the GFR decline. Our findings support the notion of Traditional Chinese Medicine that ear morphology may be associated with kidney health and suggest that ear length might be a useful predictor of kidney function decline after kidney donation.
Clinical and morphologic spectrum of renal involvement in patients with HBV‐associated cryoglobulinaemia
Authors: Li Shi‐jun , Xu Shu‐tian , Chen Hui‐ping , Zhang Ming‐chao , Xu Feng , Cheng Shui‐qin , Liu Zhi‐hong 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimCryoglobulinaemic glomerulonephritis related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been rarely reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features, renal biopsy findings in patients with HBV‐associated cryoglobulinaemia.MethodsTwelve patients with HBV‐associated cryoglobulinaemia were identified in this study. The demographic, clinical, pathological characteristics, treatment and follow‐up data were analyzed.ResultsRenal involvement was characterized by nephrotic range proteinuria with microscopic haematuria in all patients, and impaired renal function in nine patients (75%). Purpuric rash was the main extrarenal manifestation (58.3%). Type II cryoglobulinaemia was presented in three patients and type III in nine patients. Hypocomplementaemia and positive of rheumatoid factors were present in all patients. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) was observed in all kidney specimens. Seven patients also had evidence of prominent cryoglobulins thrombi on renal biopsy, but only three patients had HBV antigen deposits in renal tissues. Antiviral and steroids or immunosuppressive agents have been used in most of patients. During follow‐up, two patients died, and four reaching end‐stage renal disease; three patients had complete remission, and three patients had renal function improved after therapy.ConclusionsNephrotic syndrome with haematuria and renal insufficiency are the main clinical manifestation; cryoglobulinaemic glomerulonephritis are the main renal lesion in patients with HBV‐Associated cryoglobulinaemia; half of patients have poor outcome even with antiviral and immunosuppressive therapy. The results of this study indicate that cryoglobulins should be detected in hepatitis B virus‐Associated nephropathy in endemic area.
Analysis of clinical presentation, pathological spectra, treatment and outcomes of biopsy‐proven acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis in adult indigenous people of the Northern Territory of Australia
Authors: Ramanathan Ganesh , Abeyaratne Asanga , Sundaram Madhivanan , Fernandes David Kiran , Pawar Basant , Perry Greg John , Sajiv Cherian , Majoni Sandawana William 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAimAcute postinfectious glomerulonephritis is common in indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, Australia. It is a major risk factor for the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease. We aimed to analyse the clinical presentation, pathological spectra, treatment and outcomes of biopsy‐proven acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis in the Northern Territory.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort analysis of all adult patients (≥18 years) who were diagnosed with acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis on native renal biopsies from 01/01/2004 to 31/05/2014. The outcome measure was end‐stage renal disease requiring long‐term dialysis.ResultsForty‐three of 340 patients who had renal biopsies had acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis. Most were Aboriginals (88.4%). They had co‐morbidities; diabetes mellitus (60.5%), hypertension (60.5%) and smoking (56.4%). Forty‐nine per cent had multiple pathologies on biopsy. Predominant histological pattern was diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (72%). Main sites of infections were skin (47.6%) and upper respiratory tract infection (26.2%) with streptococcus and staphylococcus as predominant organisms. Fifty per cent of patients developed end‐stage renal disease. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, those on dialysis had higher baseline creatinine (P = 0.003), higher albumin/creatinine ratio at presentation (P = 0.023), higher serum creatinine at presentation (P = 0.02) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate at presentation (P = 0.012).ConclusionOverall, most patients had pre‐existing pathology with superimposed acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis that led to poor outcomes in our cohort.
Determinants and clinical impact of pressure drift in manoscan anorectal high resolution manometry system
Authors: Parthasarathy G. , McMaster J. , Feuerhak K. , Zinsmeister A. R. , Bharucha A. E. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundPressure drift (PD), resulting from differences between room and body temperature, reduces the accuracy of pressure measurements with the Manoscan high resolution manometry (HRM) system. Our aims were to assess PD during anorectal HRM.MethodsDefined as the residual pressure measured immediately after the catheter was removed, PD was calculated for each sensor and averaged across all 12 sensors in 454 anorectal consecutive studies recorded with 3 HRM catheters. The relationship between PD and study duration, number of prior uses of a catheter, and peak and average pressure exposure during a study were evaluated. The correction of PD with a software algorithm (thermal compensation) was evaluated in 76 studies where the most distal sensor was outside the body.Key ResultsThe PD varied among sensors and across catheters. The average PD (7.3 ± 0.2 mmHg) was significantly greater for newer catheters, during longer studies, or when sensors were exposed to higher pressures. Together, these factors explained 81% of the variance in overall PD. After thermal compensation, the uncorrected median PD for the most distal sensor was 2.5–5 mmHg over the study duration. Correcting this changed the interpretation (e.g., as abnormal instead of normal) of at least 1 anorectal parameter in eight of 76 studies.Conclusions & InferencesDuring anorectal HRM, PD declines with catheter use and is greater for newer catheters, when sensors are exposed to higher pressures, and for studies of longer duration. While PD is partially corrected with thermal compensation algorithms, the impact on interpretation is modest.
Competency based medical education in gastrointestinal motility
Authors: Yadlapati R. , Keswani R. N. , Pandolfino J. E. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTraditional apprenticeship‐based medical education methods focusing on subjective evaluations and case‐volume requirements do not reliably produce clinicians that provide high‐quality care in unsupervised practice. Consequently, training approaches are shifting towards competency based medical education, which incorporates robust assessment methods and credible standards of physician proficiency. However, current gastroenterology and hepatology training in the US continues to utilize procedural volume and global impressions without standardized criteria as markers of competence. In particular, efforts to optimize competency based training in gastrointestinal (GI) motility are not underway, even though GI motility disorders account for nearly half of outpatient gastroenterology visits. These deficiencies compromise the quality of patient care. Thus, there is a great need and opportunity to shift our focus in GI motility training towards a competency based approach. First, we need to clarify the variable rates of learning for individual diagnostic tests. We must develop integrated systems that standardize training and monitor physician competency for GI motility diagnostics. Finally, as a profession and society, we must create certification processes to credential competent physicians. These advances are critical to optimizing the quality of GI motility diagnostics in practice.
A commonly used ecto‐ATPase inhibitor, ARL‐67156, blocks degradation of ADP more than the degradation of ATP in murine colon
Authors: Durnin L. , Moreland N. , Lees A. , Mutafova‐Yambolieva V. N. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundAdenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) is released extracellularly as a neurotransmitter and an autocrine or paracrine mediator in numerous systems, including the gastrointestinal tract. It is rapidly degraded to active and inactive metabolites by membrane‐bound enzymes. Investigators frequently use inhibitors of ATP hydrolysis such as ARL‐67156 and POM‐1 to suppress the catabolism of ATP and prolong its effects in pharmacological studies. Our aim was to investigate directly the effects of ARL‐67156 and POM‐1 on the degradation of ATP and adenosine 5′‐diphosphate (ADP) in mouse colonic muscles.MethodsThe degradation of ATP and ADP was evaluated by superfusing tissues with 1,N6‐etheno‐ATP (eATP) and 1,N6‐etheno‐ADP (eADP) as substrates and monitoring the decrease in substrate and increase in products (i.e., eADP, eAMP, and e‐adenosine) by high‐performance liquid chromatography techniques with fluorescence detection. Relaxation responses to etheno‐derivatized and non‐derivatized ATP and ADP were examined in isometric tension experiments.Key ResultsARL‐67156 inhibits the degradation of ADP but not of ATP, whereas POM‐1 inhibits the degradation of ATP but not of ADP in murine colonic muscles. Consequently, ARL‐67156 enhances relaxation responses to both ATP and ADP, whereas POM‐1 reduces relaxation to ATP and does not affect relaxation to ADP.Conclusions & InferencesStudies that use ARL‐67156 to inhibit ATP degradation in smooth muscle likely evaluate responses to accumulated ADP rather than ATP. POM‐1 appears to be a more selective inhibitor of ATP degradation in the mouse colon. The choice of pharmacological tools in studies on extracellular ATP signaling may affect the interpretation of experimental data in functional studies.