bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Middle-preserving pancreatectomy: report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Cheng Kun , Shen Bai-yong , Peng Cheng-hong , Na Li-ma , Cheng Dong-feng 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Middle-preserving pancreatectomy (MPP) is a parenchyma-sparing surgical procedure which has recently been sporadically reported for the treatment of multicentric periampullary-pancreatic lesions. However, a comprehensive recognition of this procedure has not been clearly elucidated.

Case presentation
We herein report two patients undergoing MPP due to synchronous multicentric pancreatic neoplasm. Patient one was a 24-year-old woman with a multicentric solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) and patient two was a 36-year-old woman with a multicentric serous cystic neoplasm (SCN). Simultaneous atypical pancreaticoduodenectomy and atypical left pancreatectomy were performed in patient one; simultaneous standard pancreaticoduodenectomy and atypical left pancreatectomy with spleen preservation were performed in patient two. Approximately 6 cm and 5 cm segments of the middle portion of the pancreas were preserved, respectively. At follow-up at 36 months and 6 months respectively, patient one had developed diabetes and malabsorption requiring dietary control, exercise and pancreatic enzyme supplement whereas patient two showed normal fasting blood glucose without diarrhea. Both patients were disease-free and in good nutritional condition. We reviewed twenty cases of MPP that were previously reported in the literature. Patient characteristics, surgical techniques and short- and long-term outcomes were analyzed.

Conclusion
MPP is mainly beneficial for multicentric noninvasive periampullary-pancreatic lesions. However, for multicentric periampullary-pancreatic lesions involving even primary invasive cancers, as long as the invasive cancers affect only one side of the pancreas (proximal or distal), MPP could serve as a rational choice in well-selected patients.
Effects of ethanol on immune response in the brain: region-specific changes in aged mice
Authors: Kane Cynthia JM , Phelan Kevin D , Douglas James C , Wagoner Gail , Johnson Jennifer Walker , Xu Jihong , Drew Paul D 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Alcohol abuse has dramatic effects on the health of the elderly. Recent studies indicate that ethanol increases immune activity in younger animals and that some of these proinflammatory molecules alter alcohol consumption and addiction. However, the effects of alcohol on immune activation in aged animals have not been thoroughly investigated.

Findings
We compared the effects of ethanol on chemokine and cytokine expression in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex of aged C57BL/6 mice. Mice were treated via gavage with 6 g/kg ethanol for 10 days and tissue was harvested 1 day post-treatment. Ethanol selectively increased mRNA levels of the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2/monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in the hippocampus and cerebellum, but not in the cortex of aged mice relative to control animals. In this paradigm, ethanol did not affect mRNA levels of the cytokines IL-6 or TNF-α in any of these brain regions in aged animals.

Conclusions
Collectively, these data indicate a region-specific susceptibility to ethanol regulation of neuroinflammatory and addiction-related molecules in aged mice. These studies could have important implications concerning alcohol-induced neuropathology and alcohol addiction in the elderly.
Immunocytochemical studies reveal novel neural structures in nemertean pilidium larvae and provide evidence for incorporation of larval components into the juvenile nervous system
Authors: Hindinger Sabine , Schwaha Thomas , Wanninger Andreas 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Nemertea is one of the least studied lophotrochozoan phyla concerning neurogenesis. The sparse data available do not unambiguously allow for answering questions with respect to the neural groundplan of the phylum or the fate of larval neural structures during metamorphosis. In order to contribute to this issue, we studied neurotransmitter distribution during development of the pilidiophoran Lineus albocinctus Verrill, 1900.

Results
Two serotonin-like immunoreactive (lir) neurons are present in the anterior part of the apical plate. They send numerous processes into the four lobes of the pilidium larva, where they form a complex subepithelial nerve net. All four larval lobes are underlain by a marginal neurite bundle, which is associated with numerous serotonin-lir monociliated perikarya. A serotonin-lir oral nerve ring encircles the stomach sphincter and is associated with few serotonin-lir conical cells. Two suboral neurites descend from the oral nerve ring and merge with the marginal neurite bundle. The oral nerve ring and the suboral neurites contain the mollusk-specific VD1/RPD2 α-neuropeptide. The lateral lobes of the larva have three and the anterior and the posterior lobes two VD1/RPD2-lir marginal neurite bundles. The lobar FMRFamide-lir plexus of Lineus albocinctus is much more complex than previously described for any pilidium larva. It includes a circumesophageal neurite that descends along each side of the larval esophagus and together with the inner marginal neurite bundle gives rise to the lobar plexus of the lateral lobes. An outer FMRFamide-lir marginal neurite bundle with numerous associated FMRFamide-lir marginal sensory cells surrounds all four lobes. FMRFamide-lir structures are absent in the larval apical region. The oral nerve ring and the two suboral serotonin-lir neurites are incorporated into the juvenile nervous system.

Conclusion
Our study confirms the presence of serotonin-lir components in the apical region of the pilidium larva of Lineus albocinctus and thus contradicts an earlier study on the same species. We show that the nervous system of pilidium larvae, especially the FMRFamide-lir components, is much more complex than previously assumed. The presence of the VD1/RPD2-α-neuropeptide indicates that this compound may have been part of the lophotrochozoan neural groundplan.
Health care management of sickness certification tasks: results from two surveys to physicians
Authors: Lindholm Christina , von Knorring Mia , Arrelöv Britt , Nilsson Gunnar , Hinas Elin , Alexanderson Kristina 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Background
Health care in general and physicians in particular, play an important role in patients’ sickness certification processes. However, a lack of management within health care regarding how sickness certification is carried out has been identified in Sweden. A variety of interventions to increase the quality of sickness certification were introduced by the government and County Councils. Some of these measures were specifically aimed at strengthening health care management of sickness certification; e.g. policy making and management support. The aim was to describe to what extent physicians in different medical specialties had access to a joint policy regarding sickness certification in their clinical settings and experienced management support in carrying out sickness certification.

Method
A descriptive study, based on data from two cross-sectional questionnaires sent to all physicians in the Stockholm County regarding their sickness certification practice. Criteria for inclusion in this study were working in a clinical setting, being a board-certified specialist, <65 years of age, and having sickness certification consultations at least a few times a year. These criteria were met by 2497 physicians in 2004 and 2204 physicians in 2008. Proportions were calculated regarding access to policy and management support, stratified according to medical specialty.

Results
The proportions of physicians working in clinical settings with a well-established policy regarding sickness certification were generally low both in 2004 and 2008, but varied greatly between different types of medical specialties (from 6.1% to 46.9%). Also, reports of access to substantial management support regarding sickness certification varied greatly between medical specialties (from 10.5% to 48.8%). More than one third of the physicians reported having no such management support.

Conclusions
Most physicians did not work in a clinical setting with a well-established policy on sickness certification tasks, nor did they experience substantial support from their manager. The results indicate a need of strengthening health care management of sickness certification tasks in order to better support physicians in these tasks.
Microwave assisted solubilization of inclusion bodies
Authors: Datta Ishara , Gautam Saurabh , Gupta Munishwar N 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundProduction of recombinant proteins in bacterial hosts often produces insoluble intracellular particles called inclusion bodies. Recovery of active protein from inclusion bodies generally requires their solubilization in chemical denaturants followed by a refolding strategy. The solubilization is carried out with shaking/stirring and takes several hours.ResultsUsing inclusion bodies of seven diverse kinds of recombinant proteins [mutants of controller of cell division or death protein B (CcdB), human CD4D12, thioredoxin fusion protein (malETrx), mutants of maltose binding protein (MBP), single chain variable fragment (ScFv) b12 and single chain antigen binding fragment (ScFab) b12 (anti-HIV-1)], it is shown that exposure to microwave irradiation (200 W) for 2 min, solubilized these inclusion bodies completely. This was confirmed by data based upon turbidity measurements at 400 nm and dynamic light scattering studies. These solubilized inclusion bodies could be refolded correctly in all the cases by known methods. The refolding was confirmed by fluorescence emission spectra and biological activity studies.ConclusionSolubilization of the inclusion bodies before refolding is a part of protein production processes for several recombinant proteins which are overexpressed in the bacterial host systems. Our results show that microwave assistance can considerably shorten the process time.
Glycated Albumin Causes Pancreatic β-Cells Dysfunction Through Autophagy Dysfunction
Authors: Song Young Mi , Song Sun Ok , You Young-Hye , Yoon Kun-Ho , Kang Eun Seok , Cha Bong Soo , Lee Hyun Chul , Kim Ji-Won , Lee Byung-Wan 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are cytotoxic to pancreatic β-cells. The aims of this study were to investigate whether glycated albumin (GA), an early precursor of AGEs, would induce dysfunction in pancreatic β-cells and to determine which kinds of cellular mechanisms are activated in GA-induced β-cell apoptosis. Decreased viability and increased apoptosis were induced in INS-1 cells treated with 2.5 mg/mL GA under 16.7mM high-glucose conditions. Insulin content and glucose-stimulated secretion from isolated rat islets were reduced in 2.5 mg/mL GA-treated cells. In response to 2.5 mg/mL GA in INS-1 cells, autophagy induction and flux decreased as assessed by green fluorescent protein–microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 dots, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II conversion, and SQSTM1/p62 in the presence and absence of bafilomycin A1. Accumulated SQSTM1/p62 through deficient autophagy activated the nuclear factor-κB (p65)-inducible nitric oxide synthase-caspase-3 cascade, which was restored by treatment with small interfering RNA against p62. Small interfering RNA treatment against autophagy-related protein 5 significantly inhibited the autophagy machinery resulting in a significant increase in iNOS-cleaved caspase-3 expression. Treatment with 500μM 4-phenyl butyric acid significantly alleviated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers and iNOS in parallel with upregulated autophagy induction. However, in the presence of bafilomycin A1, the decreased viability of INS-1 cells was not recovered. Glycated albumin, an early precursor of AGE, caused pancreatic β-cell death by inhibiting autophagy induction and flux, resulting in nuclear factor-κB (p65)-iNOS-caspase-3 cascade activation as well as by increasing susceptibility to endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress.
Integrated Effects of Leptin in the Forebrain and Hindbrain of Male Rats
Authors: Desai Bhavna N. , Harris Ruth B. S. 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Leptin receptors (ObRs) in the forebrain and hindbrain have been independently recognized as important mediators of leptin responses. It is unclear how leptin activity in these areas is integrated. We tested whether both forebrain and hindbrain ObRs have to be activated simultaneously to change energy balance and to maintain metabolic homeostasis. Previous studies used acute leptin injections in either the third ventricle (1–5 μg) or the fourth ventricle (3–10 μg); here we used 12-day infusions of low doses of leptin in one or both ventricles (0.1 μg/24 h in third, 0.6 μg/24 h in fourth). Male Sprague Dawley rats were fitted with third and fourth ventricle cannulas, and saline or leptin was infused from Alzet pumps for 6 or 12 days. Rats that received leptin into only the third or the fourth ventricle were not different from controls that received saline in both ventricles. By contrast, rats with low-dose leptin infusions into both the third and fourth ventricle showed a dramatic 60% reduction in food intake that was reversed on day 6, a 20% weight loss that stabilized on day 6, and a 50% decrease in body fat at day 12 despite the correction of food intake. They displayed normal activity and maintained energy expenditure despite weight loss, indicating inappropriately high thermogenesis that coincided with increased signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation in the brainstem. Altogether, these findings show that with low doses of leptin, chronic activation of both hypothalamic and brainstem ObRs is required to reduce body fat.
The Localization of Ultraviolet-Induced Excision Repair in the Nucleus and the Distribution of Repair Events in Higher Order Chromatin Loops in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Mullenders L. H. F. , Zeeland A. A. Van , Natarajan A. T. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
Several lines of evidence indicate that eukaryotic DNA is arranged in highly supercoiled domains or loops, and that the repeating loops are constrained by attachment to a nuclear skeletal structure termed the nuclear matrix. Active genes are transcribed at the nuclear matrix and during replication the loops are reeled through fixed matrix-associated replication complexes. We have investigated whether the repair of DNA damage also occurs in the nuclear matrix compartment. Biochemical analysis of confluent normal human fibroblasts, ultraviolet (u.v.)-irradiated with 30 J m−2 and post-u. v. incubated in the presence of hydroxyurea, did not show any evidence for the occurrence of repair synthesis at the nuclear matrix either 30 min or 13 h after irradiation. Autoradiographic visualization of repair events in single DNA halo-matrix structures confirmed the biochemical observations. At a biologically more relevant dose of 5 J m−2 repair synthesis seems to initiate at the nuclear matrix, although only part of the total repair could be localized there. In u.v.-irradiated (30 J m−2) normal human fibroblasts post-u.v. incubated in the presence of hydroxyurea and arabinosylcytosine for 2h, multiple single-stranded regions are generated in a DNA loop as a result of the inhibition of the excision repair process. Different biochemical approaches revealed that most of the single-stranded regions are clustered, indicating that the repair process itself is non-random or that domains in the chromatin are repaired at different rates. Preferential repair of certain domains in the chromatin was shown to occur in xeroderma pigmentosum cells of complementation group C (XP-C). In XP-C cells these domains are localized near the attachment sites of DNA loops at the nuclear matrix. In contrast, xeroderma pigmentosum cells of complementation group D as well as Syrian hamster embryonic cells with limited excision-repair capacities, revealed a random distribution of repair events in DNA loops. The preferential repair of matrix-associated DNA in XP-C cells may be related partly to repair of transcriptionally active DNA and this may account for the ability of XP-C cells, in contrast to XP- D cells, to recover u.v.-inhibited synthesis of DNA and RNA.
Excision Repair in the Yeast, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
Authors: Mccready Shirley J. , Boyce Joy M. , Cox Brian S. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
cdc9 mutants of yeast lack detectable DNA ligase activity at restrictive temperatures. They also appear to be more sensitive than wild-type cells to ultraviolet (u.v.) radiation and it has been assumed that this is because the CDC9 ligase is needed for the final ligation step in excision repair. The fact that single-strand breaks have been demonstrated in u.v.-irradiated cdc9 mutants has been regarded as evidence for this interpretation. However, the kinetics of appearance of nicks in the DNA do not support this since maximal levels of strand breaks appear almost immediately after exposure to u.v. light and not progressively as repair events are initiated. We believe, therefore, that these strand breaks are connected with a u.v.-dependent preincision event, possibly connected with reorganization of chromatin.
Initiating DNA synthesis: from recruiting to activating the MCM complex
Authors: Lei Ming , Tye Bik K. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
The exact duplication of a genome once per cell division is required of every proliferating cell. To achieve this goal, eukaryotes adopt a strategy that limits every replication origin to a single initiation event within a narrow window of the cell cycle by temporally separating the assembly of the pre-replication complex (pre-RC) from the initiation of DNA synthesis. A key component of the pre-RC is the hexameric MCM complex, which is also the presumed helicase of the growing forks. An elaborate mechanism recruits the MCM complex to replication origins, and a regulatory chain reaction converts the poised, but inactive, MCM complex into an enzymatically active helicase. A growing list of proteins, including Mcm10 and Cdt1, are involved in the recruitment process. Two protein kinases, the Cdc7-Dbf4 kinase (DDK) and the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), trigger a chain reaction that results in the phosphorylation of the MCM complex and finally in the initiation of DNA synthesis. A composite picture from recent studies suggests that DDK is recruited to the pre-RC during G1 phase but must wait until S phase to phosphorylate the MCM complex. CDK is required for the recruitment of Cdc45 and other downstream components of the elongation machinery.
In vitro glucan synthesis by membranes of celery petioles: the role of the membrane in determining the type of linkage formed
Authors: Jacob Sally R. , Northcote D. H. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
Glucan synthesis was achieved with an in vitro membrane fraction from the petioles of celery (Apiumgraveolens). The optimum conditions for maximum synthesis were established. The Km and Vmax for the enzymic system were 1·0mM and 0·19gMmin-1mg protein-1, respectively.
Mechanical damage to the membrane fraction altered the proportion of β-(l→3) to β-(l→4) glucosyl linkages that were synthesized. We suggest that cellulose synthesis β-(l→4)-linked glucan chains) is controlled by the availability of UDP-glucose at the plasma membrane surface in conjunction with an organized relationship between the synthase system and a specifically oriented glucosyl radical acting as an acceptor held on the membrane surface. An intact membrane is therefore necessary to direct synthesis for the β-(1 →4) bond by an enzyme that is capable of transglucosyla- tion to the secondary alcoholic groups on C-2, C-3 or C-4 of the acceptor radical. The specificity of the system is controlled by the whole enzyme complex held on the membrane.
Surface of the shoot apex: a reinforcement-field theory for phyllotaxis
Authors: Green Paul B. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
Theory for leaf patterning, phyllotaxis, is usually expressed in terms of interactions in the surface of the apical dome of the shoot. Mechanisms for leaf formation, however, usually relate to phenomena in the longitudinal section, e.g. periclinal divisions. Studying epidermal cell file patterns and the directionality of cellulose in the outer walls of the dome we have found distinct patterns of cells and reinforcing cellulose on the surface. Changes in the epidermal pattern correlate with the phyllotactic sequence to suggest that :
Recently established leaves are associated with fields of tangential cellulose reinforcement which extend toward the apical dome. Where such aligned fields come into contact so as to generate relatively abrupt angular changes in reinforcement pattern, a new leaf will appear. As this region of discontinuity develops into a hoop-reinforced structure, the visible primor-dium, a new single field of tangentially aligned reinforcement is generated. The new field interacts with other fields to continue the cycle.
In whorled phyllotaxis two angular discontinuities appear to be involved with each new leaf; the pertinent older leaves are just one plastochron older than the leaf being initiated. In spiral phyllotaxis (3:2) a single angular discontinuity appears to be involved initially; the pertinent older leaves are three and five plastochrons older than the leaf being formed.
There are two major differences from previous theories of phyllotaxis. First, the cyclic changes in leaf initiation are thought to be based on the constructive involvement of new leaves in modifying the dome’s reinforcement pattern. Many theories assume that leaf formation is spontaneous and the role of nearby leaves is inhibitory. Second, the pattern sequence can explain the concurrent appearance of reinforced stem tissue along with leaves.
Characterization of chlamydomonas sexual agglutinins
Authors: Adair W. S. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
Molecules (agglutinins) mediating mating-type-specific adhesion of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii plus and minus gametes have been purified and shown to be homologous by several criteria. Both are large, extrinsic glycoproteins, rich in hydroxyproline and serine, which display similar sensitivities to a variety of inactivating agents. Direct visualization of agglutinins by the rapid-freeze deep-etch technique of Heuser reveals that both are extremely asymmetric, fibrous molecules with similar but distinct topographies. Each has a globular head, a rigid domain, a relatively flexible region and a terminal hook. In situ images show that the molecules associate with the flagellar surface via the latter (hook) domain, projecting the globular head distally. A functional role for the head is implied from inactivation studies (thermolysin digestion and reduction/alkylation) showing a selective modification of this domain.
A library of monoclonal antibodies, raised against thep/zw agglutinin, has been used to probe the structural organization of this molecule by immunotopographic mapping. Two distinct classes of monoclonal antibodies are shown to react with carbohydrate epitopes localized to the two termini (head and hook) of the plus agglutinin while a third recognizes a polypeptide determinant that repeats along the rod-like portion of the molecule. The latter class is gamete (but not mating-type)-specific while the other two classes display distinct patterns of cross reactivity.
Finally, the Chlamydomonas agglutinins show a striking compositional and structural resemblance to the major cell wall glycoproteins of this organism. Wall glycoproteins, which are also rich in hydroxyproline and serine and capable of self-assembly, may therefore share a common evolutionary heritage with the agglutinins.