bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyamine levels in breast milk are associated with mothers' dietary intake and are higher in preterm than full‐term human milk and formulas
Authors: Atiya Ali M. , Strandvik B. , Sabel K.‐G. , Palme Kilander C. , Strömberg R. , Yngve A. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundPolyamine intake from milk is considered essential for post‐natal maturation of the immune system and small intestine. The present study aimed to determine polyamine content in human milk after preterm delivery and the association with mothers' dietary intake. In comparison, the polyamine levels were compared with those in term breast milk and some corresponding formulas.MethodsTransitional breast milk was collected from 40 mothers delivering after 24–36 weeks of gestation, and from 12 mothers delivering after full term. Food intake was assessed in mothers delivering preterm babies using a 3‐day diary. Polyamines were analysed by high‐performance liquid chromatography.ResultsThe dietary intake of polyamines was significantly associated with breast milk content but weaker for spermine than for spermidine and putrescine. Total polyamine level was higher in preterm than term milk and lower in the corresponding formulas. Putrescine, spermidine and spermine contents [mean (SEM)] in preterm milk were 165.6 (25), 615.5 (80) and 167.7 (16) nmol dL−1, respectively, with the levels of putrescine and spermidine being 50% and 25% higher than in term milk. The content of spermine did not differ.ConclusionsDietary intake of polyamines has an impact on the content in breast milk. The difference between human milk after preterm and term delivery might be considered when using donor human milk for preterm infants. The corresponding formulas had lower contents. Further studies are important for determining the relationship between tissue growth and maturation and optimal intake.
Transglutaminase 2 accelerates neuroinflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis through interaction with misfolded superoxide dismutase 1
Authors: Oono Miki , Okado‐Matsumoto Ayako , Shodai Akemi , Ido Akemi , Ohta Yasuyuki , Abe Koji , Ayaki Takashi , Ito Hidefumi , Takahashi Ryosuke , Taniguchi Naoyuki , Urushitani Makoto 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAlthough the aberrant assembly of mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (mSOD1) is implicated in the pathogenesis of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the molecular basis of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) oligomerization remains undetermined. We investigated the roles of transglutaminase 2 (TG2), an endogenous cross‐linker inmSOD1‐linked ALS. TG2 interacted preferentially withmSOD1 and promoted its oligomerization in transfected cells. Purified TG2 directly oligomerized recombinant mutant SOD1 and the apo‐form of the wild‐type SOD1 proteins in a calcium‐dependent manner, indicating that misfolded SOD1 is a substrate of TG2. Moreover, the non‐cell‐autonomous effect of extracellular TG2 on the neuroinflammation was suggested, since the TG2‐mediated soluble SOD1 oligomers induced tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, and nitric oxide in microglial BV2 cells. TG2 was up‐regulated in the spinal cord of pre‐symptomatic G93A SOD1 transgenic mice and in the hypoglossal nuclei of mice suffering nerve ligation. Furthermore, inhibition of spinal TG2 by cystamine significantly delayed the progression and reduced SOD1 oligomers and microglial activation. These results indicate a novel role of TG2 in SOD1 oligomer‐mediated neuroinflammation, as well as in the involvement in the intracellular aggregation of misfolded SOD1 in ALS.imageA new role of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) in misfolded SOD1‐linked neuroinflammation has been clarified. TG2 recognized and oligomerized only misfolded forms of SOD1, which robustly activated microglia, and induce the expression of proinflammatory molecules such as iNOS, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α. The inhibition of spinal cord TG2 of mutant SOD1 transgenic mice successfully suppressed neuroinflammation and delayed the progression.
Long‐term nicotine treatment down‐regulates α6β2* nicotinic receptor expression and function in nucleus accumbens
Authors: Perez Xiomara A. , McIntosh J.Michael , Quik Maryka 
Published: August 2013

AbstractLong‐term nicotine exposure induces alterations in dopamine transmission in nucleus accumbens that sustain the reinforcing effects of smoking. One approach to understand the adaptive changes that arise involves measurement of endogenous dopamine release using voltammetry. We therefore treated rats for 2–3 months with nicotine and examined alterations in nAChR subtype expression and electrically evoked dopamine release in rat nucleus accumbens shell, a region key in addiction. Long‐term nicotine treatment selectively decreased stimulated α6β2* nAChR‐mediated dopamine release compared with vehicle‐treated rats. It also reduced α6β2* nAChRs, suggesting the receptor decline may contribute to the functional loss. This decreased response in release after chronic nicotine treatment was still partially sensitive to the agonist nicotine. Studies with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor demonstrated that the response was also sensitive to increased endogenous acetylcholine. However, unlike the agonists, nAChR antagonists decreased dopamine release only in vehicle‐ but not nicotine‐treated rats. As antagonists function by blocking the action of acetylcholine, their ineffectiveness suggests that reduced acetylcholine levels partly underlie the dampened α6β2* nAChR‐mediated function in nicotine‐treated rats. As long‐term nicotine modifies dopamine release by decreasing α6β2* nAChRs and their function, these data suggest that interventions that target this subtype may be useful for treating nicotine dependence.
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Long‐term nicotine treatment decreases dopamine (DA) transmission in the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. Our data suggest this may involve a decrease in α6β2* nicotinic receptor expression and function. These changes may play a key role in nicotine reward and dependence.
Cytochrome c dysregulation induced by HIV infection of astrocytes results in bystander apoptosis of uninfected astrocytes by an IP3 and calcium‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Eugenin Eliseo A. , Berman Joan W. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractHIV entry into the CNS is an early event after peripheral infection, resulting in neurologic dysfunction in a significant number of individuals despite successful anti‐retroviral therapy. The mechanisms by which HIV mediates CNS dysfunction are not well understood. Our group recently demonstrated that HIV infection of astrocytes results in survival of HIV infected cells and apoptosis of surrounding uninfected astrocytes by the transmission of toxic intracellular signals through gap junctions. In the current report, we characterize the intracellular signaling responsible for this bystander apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate that HIV infection of astrocytes results in release of cytochrome C from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm, and dysregulation of inositol trisphosphate/intracellular calcium that leads to toxicity to neighboring uninfected astrocytes. Blocking these dysregulated pathways results in protection from bystander apoptosis. These secondary messengers that are toxic in uninfected cells are not toxic in HIV infected cells, suggesting that HIV protects these cells from apoptosis. Thus, our data provide novel mechanisms of HIV mediated toxicity and generation of HIV reservoirs. Our findings provide new potential therapeutic targets to reduce the CNS damage resulting from HIV infection and to eradicate the generation of viral reservoirs.
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We demonstrated that HIV infection of astrocytes protects infected cells from apoptosis but results in cell death of surrounding uninfected astrocytes by a mechanism that is dependent on gap junction channels, dysregulation of mitochondrial cytochrome C (CytC), and cell to cell diffusion of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and calcium. Our data provide essential information about generation of brain reservoirs and the mechanism of toxicity mediated by the virus.
Effect of experimental jaw muscle pain on EMG activity and bite force distribution at different level of clenching
Authors: Shimada A. , Hara S. , Svensson P. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryBite force at different levels of clenching and the corresponding electromyographic (EMG) activity in jaw‐closing muscles were recorded in 16 healthy women before, during and after painful stimulation of the left masseter muscle. Experimental pain was induced by infusion of 5·8% hypertonic saline (HS), and 0·9% isotonic saline (IS) was infused as a control. EMG activity was recorded bilaterally from the masseter and temporalis muscles, and static bite force was assessed by pressure‐sensitive films (Dental Pre‐scale) at 5, 50 and 100% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) during each session. Visual feedback was applied by showing EMG activity to help the subject perform clenching at 5, 50 and 100% MVC, respectively. EMG activity at 100% MVC in left and right masseter decreased significantly during painful HS infusion (1·7–44·6%; P < 0·05). EMG activity at 5% and 50% MVC was decreased during HS infusion in the painful masseter muscle (4·8–18·6%; P < 0·05); however, EMG activity in the other muscles increased significantly (18·5–128·3%; P < 0·05). There was a significant increase in bite force in the molar regions at 50% MVC during HS infusion and in the post‐infusion condition (P < 0·05). However, there were no significant differences in the distribution of forces at 100% MVC. In conclusion, experimental pain in the masseter muscle has an inhibitory effect on jaw muscle activity at maximal voluntary contraction, and compensatory mechanisms may influence the recruitment pattern at submaximal efforts.
Morphology, phylogeny, dynamics, and ichthyotoxicity of Pheopolykrikos hartmannii (Dinophyceae) isolates and blooms from New York, USA
Authors: Tang Ying Zhong , Harke Matthew J. , Gobler Christopher J. 
Published: August 2013

We report on morphological observations, phylogenetic analyses, bloom dynamics, and ichthyotoxicity of the common but poorly characterized dinoflagellate Pheopolykrikos hartmannii (Zimmermann) Matsuoka et Fukuyo. From 2008 to 2010 in the Forge River Estuary, NY, USA, P. hartmannii bloomed during summer and early fall, achieving densities exceeding 8,000 cells · mL−1 and often dominating microphytoplankton communities. Large subunit (LSU) and small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences demonstrated that NY isolates of P. hartmannii sequences were 99%–100% identical to P. hartmannii isolates from eastern US and Korea. In both the LSU and SSU rDNA phylogenies, the clades containing P. hartmannii sequences were distinct sister clades to those composed of Polykrikos schwartzii and P. kofoidii. In the LSU rDNA phylogeny, however, the clade composed of P. hartmannii and a sequence of the photosynthetic Polykrikos lebourae was well separated from the clade composed of 10 entries of Polykrikos schwartzii and P. kofoidii. In addition, a gap of ~180 bases was observed when the LSU rDNA sequences of P. hartmannii were aligned with P. schwartzii and P. kofoidii but was not observed in the alignment between P. hartmannii and P. lebourae. Using scanning electron microscopy, several morphological features previously not reported for P. hartmannii were observed: a ventral groove located in the sulcus, a deep arc‐like apical concavity within the area of apical groove, scale‐like vesicles, and a shallow, completely enclosed, loop‐like apical groove. Resting cysts with arrow‐like surface spines were produced heterothallically by crossing clonal isolates and germinated single gymnoid cells. Finally, filtered and unfiltered bloom water from the Forge River and clonal cultures of P. hartmannii exhibited acute ichthyotoxicity to juvenile sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegates) and aeration did not mitigate this effect, suggesting P. hartmannii is an ichthyotoxic, harmful alga.
Parentage analysis of Ansell's mole‐rat family groups indicates a high reproductive skew despite relatively relaxed ecological constraints on dispersal
Authors: Patzenhauerová Hana , Šklíba Jan , Bryja Josef , Šumbera Radim 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTo better understand evolutionary pathways leading to eusociality, interspecific comparisons are needed, which would use a common axis, such as that of reproductive skew, to array species. African mole‐rats (Bathyergidae, Rodentia) provide an outstanding model of social evolution because of a wide range of social organizations within a single family; however, their reproductive skew is difficult to estimate, due to their cryptic lifestyle. A maximum skew could theoretically be reached in groups where reproduction is monopolized by a stable breeding pair, but the value could be decreased by breeding‐male and breeding‐female turnover, shared reproduction and extra‐group mating. The frequency of such events should be higher in species or populations inhabiting mesic environments with relaxed ecological constraints on dispersal. To test this prediction, we studied patterns of parentage and relatedness within 16 groups of Ansell's mole‐rat (Fukomys anselli) in mesic miombo woodland. Contrary to expectation, there was no shared reproduction (more than one breeder of a particular sex) within the studied groups, and proportion of immigrants and offspring not assigned to current breeding males was low. The within‐group parentage and relatedness patterns observed resemble arid populations of ‘eusocial’ Fukomys damarensis, rather than a mesic population of ‘social’ Cryptomys hottentotus. As a possible explanation, we propose that the extent ecological conditions affect reproductive skew may be markedly affected by life history and natural history traits of the particular species and genera.
Molecular basis for insecticide‐enhanced thermotolerance in the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera:Delphacidae)
Authors: Ge Lin‐Quan , Huang Liu‐Juan , Yang Guo‐Qin , Song Qi‐Sheng , Stanley David , Gurr G. M. , Wu Jin‐Cai 
Published: August 2013

AbstractClimate change is likely to have marked ecological effects on terrestrial ecosystems, including the activities of insect pests. Most attention has focused on the increasing geographical ranges of pests; however, if extrinsic factors enhance their thermotolerance, populations may express increased voltinism and longer daily and annual activity periods. These changes in pest populations have the potential for severe consequences, including increased crop losses and decreased food security at the global level. The brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) is a serious pest of rice crops in temperate and tropical regions of Asia. It is often present in rice microclimates at temperatures close to its maximum thermotolerance. Recent BPH outbreaks in tropical Asia are considered to be associated with excess use of pesticides and increasing temperature. This study tested whether exposure to sublethal concentrations of triazophos (tzp), an insecticide widely used in Asian rice production, enhances thermotolerance of BPH. Tzp exposure (40 ppm at 40 °C) significantly decreased mortality (from 94% in controls to 50% at 48 h post‐treatment) and increased lethal mean time (LT50) of adults by 17.2 h. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of this tzp‐enhanced thermotolerance, we selected Hsp70 and Arginine kinase (Argk) for detailed study. Transcripts encoding both proteins in third‐instar nymphs and brachypterous adult females were up‐regulated, compared with controls, after exposure to tzp. RNAi silencing of both genes demonstrated that Hsp70 and Argk are essential for survival and tzp‐increased thermotolerance. We propose that tzp induces thermotolerance in BPHs by increasing the expression of genes that act in cell protection mechanisms. The significance of our proposal relates to the importance of understanding the influence of sublethal concentrations of insecticides on pest biology. In addition to its influence on thermotolerance, tzp also enhances BPH reproduction. We infer that exposure to a pesticide stressor can produce cross‐tolerance, that is, increased tolerance to one stressor also increases tolerance to other stressors, including temperature. Aside from needing a better understanding of these effects in nature and in other pest/cropping systems, we suggest that pest management programmes can be improved with better understanding of the influences of stressors, including increased environmental temperatures and sublethal concentrations of insecticides, on pest biology.
Plant genetics and interspecific competitive interactions determine ectomycorrhizal fungal community responses to climate change
Authors: Gehring Catherine , Flores‐Rentería Dulce , Sthultz Christopher M. , Leonard Tierra M. , Flores‐Rentería Lluvia , Whipple Amy V. , Whitham Thomas G. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAlthough the importance of plant‐associated microbes is increasingly recognized, little is known about the biotic and abiotic factors that determine the composition of that microbiome. We examined the influence of plant genetic variation, and two stressors, one biotic and one abiotic, on the ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal community of a dominant tree species, Pinus edulis. During three periods across 16 years that varied in drought severity, we sampled the EM fungal communities of a wild stand of P. edulis in which genetically based resistance and susceptibility to insect herbivory was linked with drought tolerance and the abundance of competing shrubs. We found that the EM fungal communities of insect‐susceptible trees remained relatively constant as climate dried, while those of insect‐resistant trees shifted significantly, providing evidence of a genotype by environment interaction. Shrub removal altered the EM fungal communities of insect‐resistant trees, but not insect‐susceptible trees, also a genotype by environment interaction. The change in the EM fungal community of insect‐resistant trees following shrub removal was associated with greater shoot growth, evidence of competitive release. However, shrub removal had a 7‐fold greater positive effect on the shoot growth of insect‐susceptible trees than insect‐resistant trees when shrub density was taken into account. Insect‐susceptible trees had higher growth than insect‐resistant trees, consistent with the hypothesis that the EM fungi associated with susceptible trees were superior mutualists. These complex, genetic‐based interactions among species (tree‐shrub‐herbivore‐fungus) argue that the ultimate impacts of climate change are both ecological and evolutionary.
Expression of Adrenergic Receptors in Bovine and Rabbit Oocytes and Preimplantation Embryos
Authors: Čikoš Š , Czikková S , Chrenek P , Makarevich AV , Burkuš J , Janštová Ž , Fabian D , Koppel J 
Published: August 2013

ContentsCatecholamines play an important role in embryogenesis, and data obtained in the rodent model indicate that they can act even during the preimplantation period of development. Using RT‐PCR with specific oligonucleotide primers distinguishing among all members of the adrenergic receptor family, we examined expression of adrenergic receptors in bovine and rabbit oocytes, morulas and blastocysts. We found several profiles of adrenoceptor mRNA expression. Transcripts for some receptor subtypes (bovine alpha 2 receptors, rabbit α2A, α2C, β1 and β2 receptors) were detected at all examined stages, which suggests receptor expression throughout (or at most stages) the preimplantation developmental period. Expression in oocytes but not at later stages was found in only one adrenoceptor subtype (rabbit α1B). In contrast, mRNA for several adrenoceptors was found in embryos but not in oocytes (bovine beta adrenoceptors and rabbit α1A). Nucleotide sequences of our PCR products amplified in rabbit oocytes, and preimplantation embryos represent the first published mRNA sequences (partial sequences coding at least one transmembrane region) of rabbit α2C, β1 and β2 adrenoceptors. Our results suggest that the expression of adrenergic receptors can be a general feature of mammalian oocytes and preimplantation embryos. On the other hand, comparison of three mammalian species (cattle, rabbit and mouse) revealed possible interspecies differences in the expression of particular adrenoceptor subtypes. Our results support the opinion that stress mediators can act directly in cells of preimplantation embryos.
Cutaneous Listeriosis in a Veterinarian with the Evidence of Zoonotic Transmission – A Case Report
Authors: Zelenik K. , Avberšek J. , Pate M. , Lušicky M. , Krt B. , Ocepek M. , Zdovc I. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryA case of Listeria monocytogenes skin infection in a man is presented. A 54‐year‐old male veterinary practitioner developed pustular changes on the skin of arms and hands after assisting with the delivery of a stillborn calf. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from the skin lesions on the arms and from the bovine placenta. Listeria monocytogenes isolates were serotyped and genotyped with pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to confirm the suspected transmission of the pathogen from animal to human. All isolates were of serotype 4b with identical pulsotype. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of cutaneous listeriosis in which the evidence for zoonotic transmission of L. monocytogenes is supported by genotyping methods.
Differential vasomotor effects of insulin on gastrocnemius and soleus feed arteries in the OLETF rat model: role of endothelin‐1
Authors: Jenkins Nathan T. , Padilla Jaume , Martin Jeffrey S. , Crissey Jacqueline M. , Thyfault John P. , Rector R. Scott , Laughlin M. Harold 
Published: August 2013

New findings
What is the central question of this study?This study investigated the influence of obesity on insulin‐induced vasomotor reactivity in rat skeletal muscle feed arteries.
What is the main finding and its importance?Irrespective of obesity, the gastrocnemius feed artery displayed diminished insulin‐induced vasodilatory response compared to the soleus feed artery. This difference between the arteries was abolished in the presence of an endothelin‐1 receptor antagonist. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that insulin‐induced endothelin‐1 production is not uniform among all skeletal muscle resistance vessels.
The vascular actions of insulin are complex, because it can stimulate both nitric oxide‐mediated dilatation and endothelin (ET)‐1‐mediated constriction. We examined vasoreactivity to insulin in isolated feed arteries of the gastrocnemius (GFA) and soleus muscles (SFA) of 32‐week‐old Long–Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) and Otsuka Long–Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats, a hyperphagic rodent model of obesity and insulin resistance. The insulin‐induced vasoreactivity of SFA and GFA was similar in LETO (healthy) and OLETF (obese/insulin‐resistant) rats. However, examination of between‐vessel effects revealed a number of novel insights into the heterogeneous vascular effects of insulin. Soleus feed arteries dilated more than GFA in LETO at 100 and 1000 μIU ml−1 insulin (23 versus 6 and 28 versus 0%, respectively; P < 0.05 for between‐vessel differences). Likewise, in OLETF rats there was significantly greater dilatation in SFA than GFA at 10, 100 and 1000 μIU ml−1 insulin (28 versus 3, 30 versus 0 and 34 versus 0%, respectively; all P < 0.05). In the presence of 3 μm tezosentan, a non‐specific endothelin‐1 receptor blocker, insulin‐induced dilatation of the GFA was enhanced such that differences between vessels were largely abolished in both groups. Furthermore, acetylecholine‐induced dilatation was significantly greater in SFA than GFA within each group, whereas sodium nitroprusside‐induced dilatory responses were greater in the GFA compared with the SFA. Overall, our findings indicate that the insulin/endothelin‐1 vasoconstrictor pathway is more active in GFA than in SFA, independent of obesity in the OLETF rat model.