bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vinyl sulfone silica: application of an open preactivated support to the study of transnitrosylation of plant proteins by S-nitrosoglutathione
Authors: Begara-Morales Juan C , López-Jaramillo F Javier , Sánchez-Calvo Beatriz , Carreras Alfonso , Ortega-Muñoz Mariano , Santoyo-González Francisco , Corpas Francisco J , Barroso Juan B 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundS-nitrosylaton is implicated in the regulation of numerous signaling pathways with a diversity of regulatory roles. The high lability of the S-NO bond makes the study of proteins regulated by S-nitrosylation/denitrosylation a challenging task and most studies have focused on already S-nitrosylated proteins. We hypothesize that: i) S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) transnitrosylation is a feasible mechanism to account for the physiological S-nitrosylation of rather electropositive sulfur atoms from proteins, ii) affinity chromatography is a suitable approach to isolate proteins that are prone to undergo S-transnitrosylation and iii) vinyl sulfone silica is a suitable chromatographic bead.ResultsThe combination of vinyl sulfone silica with GSNO yielded an affinity resin that withstood high ionic strength without shrinking or deforming and that it was suitable to isolate potential GSNO transnitrosylation target candidates. Fractions eluted at 1500 mM NaCl resulted in a symmetrical peak for both, protein and S-nitrosothiols, supporting the idea of transnitrosylation by GSNO as a selective process that involves strong and specific interactions with the target protein. Proteomic analysis led to the identification of 22 physiological significant enzymes that differ with the tissue analyzed, being regulatory proteins the most abundant group in hypocotyls. The identification of chloroplastidic FBPase, proteasome, GTP-binding protein, heat shock Hsp70, syntaxin, catalase I, thioredoxin peroxidase and cytochrome P450 that have already been reported as S-nitrosylated by other techniques can be considered as internal positive controls that validate our experimental approach. An additional validation was provided by the prediction of the S-nitrosylation sites in 19 of the GSNO transnitrosylation target candidates.ConclusionsVinyl sulfone silica is an open immobilization support that can be turnedad hocand in a straightforward manner into an affinity resin. Its potential in omic sciences was successfully put to test in the context of the analysis of post-translational modification by S-nitrosylation with two different tissues: mature pea leaves and embryogenic sunflower hypocotyls. The identified proteins reveal an intriguing overlap among S-nitrosylation and both tyrosine nitration and thioredoxin regulation. Chloroplastidic FBPase is a paradigm of such overlap of post-translational modifications since it is reversible modified by thioredoxin and S-nitrosylation and irreversibly by tyrosine nitration. Our results suggest a complex interrelation among different modulation mechanisms mediated by NO-derived molecules.
Brucella abortus induces TNF-α-dependent astroglial MMP-9 secretion through mitogen-activated protein kinases
Authors: Miraglia M Cruz , Scian Romina , Samartino Clara García , Barrionuevo Paula , Rodriguez Ana M , Ibañez Andrés E , Coria Lorena M , Velásquez Lis N , Baldi Pablo C , Cassataro Juliana , Delpino M Victoria , Giambartolomei Guillermo H 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Central nervous system (CNS) invasion by bacteria of the genus Brucella results in an inflammatory disorder called neurobrucellosis. We have recently demonstrated that B. abortus infects microglia and astrocytes, eliciting the production of a variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines which contribute to CNS damage. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) have been implicated in inflammatory tissue destruction in a range of pathological situations in the CNS. Increased MMP secretion is induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines in a variety of CNS diseases characterized by tissue-destructive pathology.

Methods
In this study, the molecular mechanisms that regulate MMP secretion from Brucella-infected astrocytes in vitro were investigated. MMP-9 was evaluated in culture supernatants by ELISA, zymography and gelatinolytic activity. Involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways was evaluated by Western blot and using specific inhibitors. The role of TNF-α was evaluated by ELISA and by assays with neutralizing antibodies.

Results

B. abortus infection induced the secretion of MMP-9 from murine astrocytes in a dose-dependent fashion. The phenomenon was independent of bacterial viability and was recapitulated by L-Omp19, a B. abortus lipoprotein model, but not its LPS. B. abortus and L-Omp19 readily activated p38 and Erk1/2 MAPK, thus enlisting these pathways among the kinase pathways that the bacteria may address as they invade astrocytes. Inhibition of p38 or Erk1/2 significantly diminished MMP-9 secretion, and totally abrogated production of this MMP when both MAPK pathways were inhibited simultaneously. A concomitant abrogation of B. abortus- and L-Omp19-induced TNF-α production was observed when p38 and Erk1/2 pathways were inhibited, indicating that TNF-α could be implicated in MMP-9 secretion. MMP-9 secretion induced by B. abortus or L-Omp19 was completely abrogated when experiments were conducted in the presence of a TNF-α neutralizing antibody. MMP-9 activity was detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients suffering from neurobrucellosis.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that the inflammatory response elicited by B. abortus in astrocytes would lead to the production of MMP-9 and that MAPK may play a role in this phenomenon. MAPK inhibition may thus be considered as a strategy to control inflammation and CNS damage in neurobrucellosis.
A metabolite-centric view on flux distributions in genome-scale metabolic models
Authors: Riemer S Alexander , Rex René , Schomburg Dietmar 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Genome-scale metabolic models are important tools in systems biology. They permit the in-silico prediction of cellular phenotypes via mathematical optimisation procedures, most importantly flux balance analysis. Current studies on metabolic models mostly consider reaction fluxes in isolation. Based on a recently proposed metabolite-centric approach, we here describe a set of methods that enable the analysis and interpretation of flux distributions in an integrated metabolite-centric view. We demonstrate how this framework can be used for the refinement of genome-scale metabolic models.

Results
We applied the metabolite-centric view developed here to the most recent metabolic reconstruction of Escherichia coli. By compiling the balance sheets of a small number of currency metabolites, we were able to fully characterise the energy metabolism as predicted by the model and to identify a possibility for model refinement in NADPH metabolism. Selected branch points were examined in detail in order to demonstrate how a metabolite-centric view allows identifying functional roles of metabolites. Fructose 6-phosphate aldolase and the sedoheptulose bisphosphate bypass were identified as enzymatic reactions that can carry high fluxes in the model but are unlikely to exhibit significant activity in vivo. Performing a metabolite essentiality analysis, unconstrained import and export of iron ions could be identified as potentially problematic for the quality of model predictions.

Conclusions
The system-wide analysis of split ratios and branch points allows a much deeper insight into the metabolic network than reaction-centric analyses. Extending an earlier metabolite-centric approach, the methods introduced here establish an integrated metabolite-centric framework for the interpretation of flux distributions in genome-scale metabolic networks that can complement the classical reaction-centric framework. Analysing fluxes and their metabolic context simultaneously opens the door to systems biological interpretations that are not apparent from isolated reaction fluxes. Particularly powerful demonstrations of this are the analyses of the complete metabolic contexts of energy metabolism and the folate-dependent one-carbon pool presented in this work. Finally, a metabolite-centric view on flux distributions can guide the refinement of metabolic reconstructions for specific growth scenarios.
Cost-effectiveness of depression case management in small practices
Authors: Gensichen Jochen , Petersen Juliana J. , Von Korff Michael , Heider Dirk , Baron Steffen , König Jochem , Freytag Antje , Krauth Christian , Gerlach Ferdinand M. , König Hans-Helmut 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundCase management undertaken by healthcare assistants in small primary care practices is effective in improving depression symptoms and adherence in patients with major depression.AimsTo evaluate the cost-effectiveness of depression case management by healthcare assistants in small primary care practices.MethodCost-effectiveness analysis on the basis of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (2005-2008): practice-based healthcare assistants in 74 practices provided case management to 562 patients with major depression over 1 year. Our primary outcome was the incremental costeffectiveness ratio (ICER) calculated as the ratio of differences in mean costs and mean number of qualityadjusted life-years (QALYs). Our secondary outcome was the mean depression-free days (DFDs) between the intervention and control group at 24-month follow-up. The study was registered at the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Registry: ISRCTN66386086.ResultsIntervention v. control group: no significant difference in QALYs; significantly more DFDs (mean: 373 v. 311,P<0.01); no significant difference in mean direct healthcare costs (€4495 v. €3506, P = 0.16); considerably lower mean indirect costs (€5228 v. €7539, P = 0.06), resulting in lower total costs (€9723 v. €11 045, P = 0.41). The point estimate for the cost-utility ratio was €38 429 per QALY gained if only direct costs were considered, and ‘dominance’ of the intervention if total costs were considered. Yet, regardless of decision makers' willingness to pay per QALY, the probability of the intervention being cost-effective was never above 90%.ConclusionsIn small primary care practices, 1 year of case management did not increase the number of QALYs but it did increase the number of DFDs. The intervention was likely to be cost-effective.
Power output of skinned skeletal muscle fibres from the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Authors: West Timothy G. , Toepfer Christopher N. , Woledge Roger C. , Curtin Nancy A. , Rowlerson Anthea , Kalakoutis Michaeljohn , Hudson Penny , Wilson Alan M. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryMuscle samples were taken from the gluteus, semitendinosus and longissimus muscles of a captive cheetah immediately after euthanasia. Fibres were "skinned" to remove all membranes leaving the contractile filament array intact and functional. Segments of skinned fibres from these cheetah muscles and from rabbit psoas muscle were activated at 20°C by a temperature jump protocol. Step and ramp length changes were imposed after active stress had developed. The stiffness of the non-contractile ends of the fibres (series elastic component) was measured at two different stress values in each fibre; stiffness was strongly dependent on stress. Using these stiffness values, the speed of shortening of the contractile component was evaluated, and hence the power it was producing. Fibres were analysed for myosin heavy chain content using gel electrophoresis, and identified as either slow (Type I) or fast (Type II). The power output of cheetah Type II fibre segments was 92.5 ± 4.3 W kg-1 (mean ±s.e., 14 fibres) during shortening at relative stress 0.15 (=stress during shortening/isometric stress). For rabbit psoas fibre segments (presumably Type IIX) the corresponding value was significantly higher (P&lt;0.001), 119.7 ± 6.2 W kg-1 (mean ±s.e.,7 fibres). These values are our best estimates of the maximum power output under the conditions used here. Thus the contractile filament power from cheetah was less than that of rabbit when maximally activated at 20°C, and does not account for the superior locomotor performance of the cheetah.
New methods for field collection of human skin volatiles and perspectives for their application in the chemical ecology of human/pathogen/vector interactions
Authors: Dormont Laurent , Bessière Jean-Marie , McKey Doyle , Cohuet Anna 
Published: April 2013

Summary
Odours emitted by human skin are of great interest to biologists in many fields, with practical applications in forensics, health diagnostic tools and the ecology of blood-sucking insect vectors of human disease. Convenient methods are required for sampling human skin volatiles under field conditions. We experimentally compared four modern methods for sampling skin odours: solvent extraction, headspace SPME, and two new techniques not previously used for the study of mammal volatiles, contact SPME and dynamic headspace with a Chromatoprobe design. These methods were tested and compared both on European subjects under laboratory conditions, and on young African subjects under field conditions. All four methods permitted effective trapping of skin odours, including the major known human skin volatile compounds. In both laboratory and field experiments, contact SPME, in which the time of collection was restricted to 3 minutes, provided results very similar to those obtained with classical headspace SPME, a method that requires 45 minutes of collection. Chromatoprobe sampling also proved to be very sensitive, rapid, and convenient for the collection of human-produced volatiles in natural settings. Both these two new techniques, contact SPME and Chromatoprobe design, may considerably facilitate the study of human skin volatiles under field conditions, opening new possibilities for examining the olfactory cues mediating the host-seeking behaviour of mosquito vectors implicated in transmission of major diseases.
Construction of a Synchrotron-Radiation Vacuum-Ultraviolet Circular-Dichroism Spectrophotometer and Its Application to the Structural Analysis of Biomolecules
Authors: Matsuo Koichi , Gekko Kunihiko 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
A vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) circular-dichroism (CD) spectrophotometer usable down to 140 nm was constructed using synchrotron radiation and applied to the structural analyses of various saccharides, amino acids, and proteins in aqueous solutions. Most monosaccharides and disaccharides exhibited a positive CD peak around 170 nm, depending on anomeric and axial/equatorial configurations of hydroxy groups, trans–gauche configurations of hydroxymethyl groups, and the type of glycosidic linkage. The VUVCD spectra of glycosaminoglycans sensitively reflected the characteristic contributions of constituent functional groups in the VUV region. l-Isomers of amino acids showed two successive positive peaks around 200 and 180 nm, depending on the types of side chains. The VUVCD spectrum of alanine theoretically calculated using a time-dependent density functional theory revealed the important role of hydration for stabilizing the alanine structure. The VUVCD spectra of native proteins down to 160 nm improved the predictive accuracy for the contents, numbers of segments, and sequences of α-helices and β-strands. These secondary-structure analyses were also successfully applied to various types of nonnative proteins. The obtained results demonstrate that synchrotron-radiation VUVCD spectroscopy is a powerful technique for the structural analysis of biomolecules in aqueous solution, and hence could open a new field in structural biology.
Functional patterns of thumb key pinch and their influence on thumb strength and stability
Authors: Punsola-Izard Vicenç , Salas-Gómez Diana , Sirvent-Rivalda Enric , Esquirol-Caussà Jordi 
Published: April 2013

Introduction Trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC OA) is a common condition frequently related to instability and hypermobility. Many factors are involved in the development of this degenerative process. Recent research suggests that the position of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint may influence TMC joint contact wear patterns and subsequent development of OA. The aim of this study is to explore the alignment of the MCP joint of the thumb during lateral pinch in order to describe the naturally occurring alignment in a group of healthy volunteers without symptoms. Methods One hundred and nine participants were asked to apply a lateral pinch manoeuvre to a pinchmeter, while their thumbs were assessed. Passive hypermobility of the thumb MCP (MCP) joint was assessed, key pinch strength was measured, key pinch position was photographed and the angle of the joints during the assessment was measured. Results Four different functional pinch patterns were identified. The most frequent pattern seems to be MCP hyperextension described by Moulton as harmful for the TMC joint. The level of strength obtained did not correspond to the pinch pattern used, and hypermobility of the thumb MCP joint did not determine the position of the thumb during key pinch. Conclusion Four different thumb postures were identified during lateral pinch; however, these postures were not associated with any difference in pinch strength. We conclude that the more unstable and mechanically inefficient postures are compensated by functional capacity.
Requesting radiological investigations – do junior doctors know their patients? A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Bosanquet Dc , Cho Js , Williams N , Gower D , Thomas K Gower , Lewis Mh 
Published: April 2013

Summary Objectives To ascertain clinicians’ knowledge of their patients when requesting radiological investigations, as required legally by UK government legislation ‘Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000’ (IRMER 2000), following the implementation of European Working Time Directive. Design Cross sectional survey. Participants All doctors requesting radiological requests every Monday, following the weekend on-call, over an 8-week period. There were no exclusion criteria. Main outcome measures Baseline data analysis, including grade and specialty of requesting doctor, types of modality requested, knowledge of their patient, addressograph signature confirming identity and appropriateness of investigation. Results 164 requests were received, the majority (61%) were made by Foundation Programme 1 (FP1) doctors and general medical specialties accounted for the highest proportion of requests (45%). Ultrasound scanning was the most frequently requested investigation (47%), closely followed by computed tomography (CT) scans (42%). Almost a third (30%) of requests were made by doctors who had not seen the patient to be investigated, predominantly by FP1 doctors (p=0.003) and more frequently by general medical specialties (p=0.001). Signatures were absent on 20% of the addressographs and overall, 10% of requests were deemed inappropriate. Conclusions In almost a third of radiological requests, doctors have not seen patients to be investigated, most likely as a result of shift working patterns. This does not fulfil the IRMER 2000 criteria and potentially exposes patients to unnecessary and inappropriate radiation.
Effect of Sustained Typing Work on Changes in Scapular Position, Pressure Pain Sensitivity and Upper Trapezius Activity
Authors: Park Se‐Yeon , Yoo Won‐Gyu 
Published: April 2013

Effect of Sustained Typing Work on Changes in Scapular Position, Pressure Pain Sensitivity and Upper Trapezius Activity: Se‐Yeon PARK, et al. Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Inje University, Republic of Korea—ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sustained computer keyboard typing on the human musculoskeletal system by assessing the pressure‐pain threshold (PPT), scapular position and activation of the upper trapezius.MethodsVertical and horizontal positional changes of the scapular were measured with a palpation meter before and after keyboard work, and the PPT was measured using a pressure algometer. Activation of the upper trapezius during 20 minutes of computer keyboard work was measured by electromyography, and four consecutive 5‐minute segments were analyzed.ResultsThe vertical distance from the seventh cervical process to the acromion, and the horizontal distance from the inferior angle to the same level of the spinal process were significantly increased after keyboard typing work compared with before keyboard typing work (p<0.05). The average value of the upper trapezius activity increased with increased time at the keyboard. The percent reference voluntary contraction of phase 1 (from start to 5 minutes) was lower than those of phase 2 (from 5 to 10 minutes), and phase 3 (from 10 to 15 minutes) (p<0.05).ConclusionsWe observed that sustained computer work changed the scapular position in the stretched upper trapezius. To prevent musculoskeletal problems in the shoulder region, posture reeducation during computer work should be considered in terms not only of neck and trunk posture, but also of scapular position.
Interim Performance Measures and Private Information
Authors: Hofmann Christian , Rothenberg Naomi R. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT:
This study investigates whether having an upstream or downstream agent privately observe an interim performance measure and disseminating this measure to the other agent is valuable to the principal. The signal is informative about the upstream agent's action and positively correlated with output. If the upstream agent privately observes the signal, then there can be a higher cost of the downstream agent if the signal is sufficiently forward-looking. If the downstream agent privately observes the signal, then the trade-off involves rents to the downstream agent versus a reduced cost for the upstream agent. Private observation of an interim signal is valuable to the principal if it is not too forward-looking. The choice between upstream and downstream agent depends nontrivially on the signal's backward-looking quality. The results suggest that the value of observation and dissemination of an interim signal depends on the informativeness of output and the signal about upstream and downstream production.
JEL Classifications: D82, D83, L20, M40.
Delayed intracranial hypertension after cranial vault remodeling for nonsyndromic single-suture synostosis
Authors: Cetas Justin S. , Nasseri Morad , Saedi Targol , Kuang Anna A. , Selden Nathan R. 
Published: April 2013

Object
Delayed intracranial hypertension may occur after cranial vault remodeling for synostosis and may result in visual loss and developmental delay. Delayed intracranial hypertension is relatively common in children with syndromic, multisuture synostosis, but the incidence is poorly defined in children with single-suture nonsyndromic synostosis. This study evaluates the frequency of reoperation for delayed intracranial hypertension after single-suture synostosis repair.

Methods
Patients who had undergone cranial vault remodeling for nonsyndromic single-suture synostosis and were treated at a single tertiary pediatric hospital between July 2000 and December 2010 were analyzed for the occurrence of delayed intracranial hypertension and reoperation for cranial vault remodeling.

Results
Eighty-one patients with clinical follow-up of at least 3 years were analyzed from a total of 156 consecutive patients. The average patient age at the initial operation was 9.1 months. Five (6.2%) of 81 patients presented with delayed clinical and ophthalmological signs and symptoms of intracranial hypertension following initial cranial vault reconstruction, confirmed indirectly in each case by CT findings and directly by intracranial pressure monitoring. These 5 patients underwent repeat cranial vault reconstruction.

Conclusions
Calvarial growth restriction and intracranial hypertension occur sporadically following primary cranial vault reconstruction for single-suture nonsyndromic cranial synostosis. In this series, delayed intracranial hypertension occurred only in male patients who underwent primary repair of isolated sagittal synostoses at an age less than or equal to 5 months.