bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the lymphocyte trafficking drug FTY720 in vaginal tissues
Authors: Tsuiki Ai , Luo Wei , Henning Tara , Vishwanathan Sundaram , Dinh Chuong , Adams Debra , Sweeney Elizabeth , Mitchell James , Bachman Shannon , Sharma Prachi , Powell Nathaniel , Hendry Michael , McNicholl Janet , Kersh Ellen 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundFTY720 is an immunomodulatory agent that reduces lymphocytes in peripheral tissues and circulation. Such agents may be effective as vaginal microbicides for HIV prevention. Systemic or vaginal application of FTY720 may reduce lymphocyte concentrations in genital tissues, reducing HIV target cell numbers.MethodsFive female pigtail macaques received topical vaginal gel FTY720 (n = 2), intravenous (IV) FTY720 (n = 2), or placebo gel (n = 1) in this pilot study. Circulating and mucosal lymphocytes and genital mucosa, cytokines, and tissue histology were analyzed to document topical and IV FTY720 effects.ResultsTopical and IV FTY720 appeared to decrease the levels of cervicovaginal IL‐8, IL‐1ra, and genital inflammatory cells. Small sample size precluded statistical analysis. Topical administration had no overt adverse effects.ConclusionsThis study introduces FTY720 as an immunomodulatory agent for the vaginal mucosa, compares topical effects to those of IV administration, and provides the basis for future studies involving FTY720 for HIV prevention.
Exophthalmos due to odontogenic intraorbital abscess in Cebus apella
Authors: Oriá Arianne P. , Pinna Melissa H. , Estrela‐Lima Alessandra , Junior Deusdete G. , Libório Fernanda A. , de Assis Dórea Neto Francisco , Oliveira Alberto V. D. , Nogueira Marcos , Requião Katia 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe accumulation of pus in the orbit originating from an infected dental root is classified as odontogenic intraorbital abscess.MethodsClinical, laboratory, and image evaluation of a non‐human primate was performed.ResultsThe patient was cured after surgical therapy.ConclusionsThis represents the first report of an odontogenic periodontal abscess in Cebus apella.
Male‐specific alteration in excitatory post‐synaptic development and social interaction in pre‐natal valproic acid exposure model of autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Kim Ki Chan , Kim Pitna , Go Hyo Sang , Choi Chang Soon , Park Jin Hee , Kim Hee Jin , Jeon Se Jin , dela Pena Ike Campomayor , Han Seol‐Heui , Cheong Jae Hoon , Ryu Jong Hoon , Shin Chan Young 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by three main behavioral symptoms including social deficits, impaired communication, and stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. ASD prevalence shows gender bias to male. Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a drug used in epilepsy and bipolar disorder, induces autistic symptoms in both human and rodents. As we reported previously, prenatally VPA‐exposed animals at E12 showed impairment in social behavior without any overt reproductive toxicity. Social interactions were not significantly different between male and female rats in control condition. However, VPA‐exposed male offspring showed significantly impaired social interaction while female offspring showed only marginal deficits in social interaction. Similar male inclination was observed in hyperactivity behavior induced by VPA. In addition to the ASD‐like behavioral phenotype, prenatally VPA‐exposed rat offspring shows crooked tail phenotype, which was not different between male and female groups. Both male and female rat showed reduced GABAergic neuronal marker GAD and increased glutamatergic neuronal marker vGluT1 expression. Interestingly, despite of the similar increased expression of vGluT1, post‐synaptic marker proteins such as PSD‐95 and α‐CAMKII expression was significantly elevated only in male offspring. Electron microscopy showed increased number of post‐synapse in male but not in female at 4 weeks of age. These results might suggest that the altered glutamatergic neuronal differentiation leads to deranged post‐synaptic maturation only in male offspring prenatally exposed to VPA. Consistent with the increased post‐synaptic compartment, VPA‐exposed male rats showed higher sensitivity to electric shock than VPA‐exposed female rats. These results suggest that prenatally VPA‐exposed rats show the male preponderance of ASD‐like behaviors including defective social interaction similar to human autistic patients, which might be caused by ectopic increase in glutamatergic synapses in male rats.
Neuronal Galectin‐4 is required for axon growth and for the organization of axonal membrane L1 delivery and clustering
Authors: Velasco Silvia , Díez‐Revuelta Natalia , Hernández‐Iglesias Teresa , Kaltner Herbert , André Sabine , Gabius Hans‐Joachim , Abad‐Rodríguez José 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAxon membrane glycoproteins are essential for neuronal differentiation, although the mechanisms underlying their polarized sorting and organization are poorly understood. We describe here that galectin‐4 (Gal‐4), a lectin highly expressed in gastrointestinal tissues and involved in epithelial glycoprotein transport, is expressed by hippocampal and cortical neurons where it is sorted to discrete segments of the axonal membrane in a microtubule‐ and sulfatide‐dependent manner. Gal‐4 knockdown retards axon growth, an effect that can be rescued by recombinant Gal‐4 addition. This Gal‐4 reduction, as inhibition of sulfatide synthesis does, lowers the presence and clustered organization of axon growth‐promoting molecule NCAM L1 at the axon membrane. Furthermore, we find that Gal‐4 interacts with L1 by specifically binding to LacNAc branch ends of L1 N‐glycans. Impairing the maturation of these N‐glycans precludes Gal‐4/L1 association resulting in a failure of L1 membrane cluster organization. In all, Gal‐4 sorts to axon plasma membrane segments by binding to sulfatide‐containing microtubule‐associated carriers and being bivalent, it organizes the transport of L1, and likely other axonal glycoproteins, by attaching them to the carriers through their LacNAc termini. This mechanism would underlie L1 functional organization on the plasma membrane, required for proper axon growth.
Age‐dependent dystonia in striatal Gγ7 deficient mice is reversed by the dopamine D2 receptor agonist pramipexole
Authors: Sasaki Keita , Yamasaki Tatsuro , Omotuyi Idowu O. , Mishina Masayoshi , Ueda Hiroshi 
Published: January 2013

AbstractGγ7 is enriched in striatum and forms a heterotrimeric complex with Gαolf/Gβ, which is coupled to D1 receptor (D1R). Here, we attempted to characterize the pathophysiological, neurochemical, and pharmacological features of mice deficient of Gγ7 gene. Gγ7 knockout mice exhibited age‐dependent deficiency in rotarod behavior and increased dystonia‐like clasping reflex without loss of striatal neurons. The neurochemical basis for the motor manifestations using immunoblot analysis revealed increased levels of D1R, ChAT and NMDA receptor subunits (NR1 and NR2B) concurrent with decreased levels of D2R and Gαolf, possibly because of the secondary changes of decreased Gαolf/Gγ7‐mediated D1R transmission. These behavioral and neurochemical changes are closely related to those observed in Huntington's disease (HD) human subjects and HD model mice. Taking advantage of the finding of D2R down‐regulation in Gγ7 knockout mice and the dopamine‐mediated synergistic relationship in the control of locomotion between D2R‐striatopallidal and D1R‐stritonigral neurons, we hypothesized that D2‐agonist pramipexole would reverse behavioral dyskinesia caused by defective D1R/Gαolf signaling. Indeed, the rotarod deficiency and clasping reflex were reversed by pramipexole treatment under chronic administration. These findings suggest that Gγ7 knockout mice could be a new type of movement disorders, including HD and useful for the evaluation of therapeutic candidates.
Stress‐induced changes in adrenal neuropeptide Y expression are regulated by a negative feedback loop
Authors: Wang Qian , Whim Matthew D. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractNeuropeptide Y is a co‐transmitter that is synthesized by chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla. During the fight‐or‐flight response these cells release NPY in addition to epinephrine and norepinephrine. Following the stress‐induced reflex, the levels of NPY are increased as part of a homeostatic response that modulates catecholaminergic signaling. Here, we examined the control of NPY expression in mice after brief exposure to the cold water forced swim test. This treatment led to a shift in NPY expression between two populations of chromaffin cells that reversed over the course of 1 week. When NPY(GFP) BAC transgenic animals were exposed to stress, there was an increase in cytoplasmic, non‐secretable GFP, indicating that stress increased NPY promoter activity. In vivo blockage of Y2 (but not Y1 or Y5) receptors increased basal adrenal NPY expression and so modulated the effects of stress. We conclude that release of NPY mediates a negative feedback loop that inhibits its own expression. Thus, the levels of NPY are determined by a balance between the potentiating effects of stress and the tonic inhibitory actions of Y2 receptors. This may be an efficient way to ensure the levels of this modulator do not decline following intense sympathetic activity.
The effects of litter accumulation through succession on seed bank formation for small‐ and large‐seeded species
Authors: Egawa Chika , Tsuyuzaki Shiro 
Published: January 2013

AbstractQuestionsHow does litter accumulation through succession affect secondary seed dispersal and buried seed viability and consequently control seed bank formation for small‐ and large‐seeded species?LocationA post‐mined peatland in northern Japan (45°06′ N, 141°42′ E) where the chronological sequence of plant community succession is known.MethodsThe movements of seeds after reaching the ground surface and the availability of viable seeds potentially contributing to seed bank formation at various depths were experimentally investigated for 1 yr in four species that produce different‐sized seeds: Drosera rotundifolia (seed mass 0.01 mg), Lobelia sessilifolia (0.25 mg), Rhynchospora alba (0.87 mg) and Moliniopsis japonica (1.82 mg). The experiments were conducted in three successional stages with 0‐, 4‐ and 9‐cm thick litter layers.ResultsSeed emigration decreased and seed retention increased with an increase in litter thickness. Large seeds were retained within the litter throughout the experimental period, and fewer seeds were buried in peat compared to small seeds trapped by thick litter, which had shifted downward by the following early spring. Litter contributed to increasing the number of viable and ungerminated seeds. The number of viable seeds for all species was nearly zero on the bare peat surface. The numbers of viable seeds on and beneath the peat surface increased with increases in litter cover thickness.ConclusionsThe patterns of secondary seed dispersal and the availability of viable seeds were altered by litter accumulation through the progress of succession. Moreover, the effects of litter on seeds varied among species for which seed size differed. Overall, our results suggest that temporal changes in litter thickness through the progress of succession can play an important role in seed bank formation, which has potential impacts on the long‐term dynamics of plant populations and the whole community.
H2A.Z/H2B.Z double‐variant nucleosomes inhabit the AT‐rich promoter regions of the Plasmodium falciparum genome
Authors: Hoeijmakers Wieteke A. M. , Salcedo‐Amaya Adriana M. , Smits Arne H. , Françoijs Kees‐Jan , Treeck Moritz , Gilberger Tim‐Wolf , Stunnenberg Hendrik G. , Bártfai Richárd 
Published: January 2013

SummaryHistone variants are key components of the epigenetic code and evolved to perform specific functions in transcriptional regulation, DNA repair, chromosome segregation and other fundamental processes. Although variants for histone H2A and H3 are found throughout the eukaryotic kingdom, variants of histone H2B and H4 are rarely encountered. H2B.Z is one of those rare H2B variants and is apicomplexan‐specific. Here we show that in Plasmodium falciparum H2B.Z localizes to euchromatic intergenic regions throughout intraerythrocytic development and together with H2A.Z forms a double‐variant nucleosome subtype. These nucleosomes are enriched in promoters over 3′ intergenic regions and their occupancy generally correlates with the strength of the promoter, but not with its temporal activity. Remarkably, H2B.Z occupancy levels exhibit a clear correlation with the base‐composition of the underlying DNA, raising the intriguing possibility that the extreme AT content of the intergenic regions within the Plasmodium genome might be instructive for histone variant deposition. In summary, our data show that the H2A.Z/H2B.Z double‐variant nucleosome demarcates putative regulatory regions of the P. falciparum epigenome and likely provides a scaffold for dynamic regulation of gene expression in this deadly human pathogen.
A novel interference mechanism by a type IIIB CRISPR‐Cmr module in Sulfolobus
Authors: Deng Ling , Garrett Roger A. , Shah Shiraz A. , Peng Xu , She Qunxin 
Published: January 2013

SummaryRecent studies on CRISPR‐based adaptive immune systems have revealed extensive structural and functional diversity of the interference complexes which often coexist intracellularly. The archaeon Sulfolobus islandicus REY15A encodes three interference modules, one of type IA and two of type IIIB. Earlier we showed that type IA activity eliminated plasmid vectors carrying matching protospacers with specific CCN PAM sequences. Here we demonstrate that interference‐mediated by one type IIIB module Cmr‐α, and a Csx1 protein, efficiently eliminated plasmid vectors carrying matching protospacers but lacking PAM motifs. Moreover, Cmr‐α‐mediated interference was dependent on directional transcription of the protospacer, in contrast to the transcription‐independent activities of the type IA and type IIIA DNA interference. We infer that the interference mechanism involves transcription‐dependent DNA targeting. A rationale is provided for the intracellular coexistence of the different interference systems in S. islandicus REY15A which cooperate functionally by sharing a single Cas6 protein for crRNA processing and utilize crRNA products from identical CRISPR spacers.
Serum BAFF and APRIL might be associated with disease activity and kidney damage in patients with anti‐glomerular basement membrane disease
Authors: Xin Gang , Cui Zhao , Su Yun , Xu Li‐Xia , Zhao Ming‐Hui , Li Kang‐Sheng 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimB cell activating factor belonging to the tumour necrosis factor family (BAFF) and a proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) are two tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐like cytokines that were found to be elevated in many autoimmune diseases. Anti‐glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease is a typical severe autoimmune disease characterized by raised serum anti‐GBM antibodies. In this study we aimed to detect the serum levels of BAFF and APRIL in patients with anti‐GBM disease, and their clinical significance was further analyzed.MethodsForty‐seven patients with anti‐GBM disease were enrolled in this study. Forty‐eight healthy individuals were used as normal controls. The levels of serum BAFF and APRIL were assessed using commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits. The association between the levels of serum BAFF and APRIL, and the clinical and pathological parameters were further evaluated.ResultsThe serum levels of BAFF and APRIL in patients with anti‐GBM disease were significantly higher than that in normal controls (12.3 ± 14.1 ng/mL vs. 0.9 ± 0.3 ng/mL, P < 0.001; 19.1 ± 22.9 ng/mL vs. 1.6 ± 4.6 ng/mL, P < 0.001), respectively. The levels of serum APRIL were correlated with the titres of anti‐GBM antibodies (r = 0.347, P = 0.041), and the levels of serum BAFF were associated with the percentage of glomeruli with crescents (r = 0.482, P = 0.015) in patients with anti‐GBM disease.ConclusionThe levels of serum BAFF and APRIL were raised in patients with anti‐GBM disease and might be associated with disease activity and kidney damage.
Spatiotemporal maps reveal regional differences in the effects on gut motility for Lactobacillus reuteri and rhamnosus strains
Authors: Wu R. Y. , Pasyk M. , Wang B. , Forsythe P. , Bienenstock J. , Mao Y.–K. , Sharma P. , Stanisz A. M. , Kunze W. A. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackground  Commensal bacteria such as probiotics that are neuroactive acutely affect the amplitudes of intestinal migrating motor complexes (MMCs). What is lacking for an improved understanding of these motility effects are region specific measurements of velocity and frequency. We have combined intraluminal pressure recordings with spatiotemporal diameter maps to analyze more completely effects of different strains of beneficial bacteria on motility.Methods  Intraluminal peak pressure (PPr) was measured and video recordings made of mouse ex vivo jejunum and colon segments before and after intraluminal applications of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (JB‐1) or Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938). Migrating motor complex frequency and velocity were calculated.Key Results  JB‐1 decreased jejunal frequencies by 56% and 34% in colon. Jejunal velocities increased 171%, but decreased 31% in colon. Jejunal PPr decreased by 55% and in colon by 21%. DSM 17938 increased jejunal frequencies 63% and in colon 75%; jejunal velocity decreased 57%, but increased in colon 146%; jejunal PPr was reduced 26% and 12% in colon. TRAM‐34 decreased frequency by 71% and increased velocity 200% for jejunum, but increased frequency 46% and velocity 50% for colon; PPr was decreased 59% for jejunum and 39% for colon.Conclusions & Inferences  The results show that probiotics and other beneficial bacteria have strain and region‐specific actions on gut motility that can be successfully discriminated using spatiotemporal mapping of diameter changes. Effects are not necessarily the same in colon and jejunum. Further research is needed on the detailed effects of the strains on enteric neuron currents for each gut region.
The diagnostic potential of salivary protease activities in periodontal health and disease
Authors: Thomadaki K , Bosch JA , Oppenheim FG , Helmerhorst EJ 
Published: January 2013

Periodontal disease is characterised by proteolytic processes involving enzymes that are released by host immune cells and periodontal bacteria. These enzymes, when detectable in whole saliva, may serve as valuable diagnostic markers for disease states and progression. Because the substrate specificities of salivary proteases in periodontal health and disease are poorly characterised, we probed these activities using several relevant substrates: (i) gelatin and collagen type IV; (ii) the Arg/Lys–rich human salivary substrate histatin‐5; and (iii) a histatin‐derived synthetic analog benzyloxycarbonyl‐Arg‐Gly‐Tyr‐Arg‐methyl cumaryl amide (Z‐RGYR‐MCA). Substrate degradation was assessed in gel (zymography) and in solution. Whole saliva supernatant enzyme activities directed at gelatin, quantified from the 42 kDa, 92 kDa and 130 kDa bands in the zymograms, were 1.3, 1.4 and 2.0‐fold higher, respectively, in the periodontal patient group (P < 0.01), consistent with enhanced activities observed towards collagen type IV. On the other hand, histatin 5 degraded equally fast in healthy and periodontal patients' whole saliva supernatant samples (P > 0.10). Likewise, the hydrolysis rates of the Z‐RGYR‐MCA substrate were the same in the healthy and periodontal patient groups (P > 0.10). In conclusion, gelatinolytic/collagenolytic activities but not trypsin‐like activities in human saliva differentiate health from periodontal disease and may thus provide an adjuvant to diagnosis for monitoring disease activity.
Comparison of optic area measurement using fundus photography and Optical Coherence Tomography between optic nerve head drusen and control subjects
Authors: Flores‐Rodríguez Patricia , Gili Pablo , Martín‐Ríos María Dolores , Grifol‐Clar Eulalia 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPurposeTo compare optic disc area measurement between optic nerve head drusen (ONHD) and control subjects using fundus photography, time‐domain optical coherence tomography (TD‐OCT) and spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT). We also made a comparison between each of the three techniques.MethodsWe performed our study on 66 eyes (66 patients) with ONHD and 70 healthy control subjects (70 controls) with colour ocular fundus photography at 20º (Zeiss FF 450 IR plus), TD‐OCT (Stratus OCT) with the Fast Optic Disc protocol and SD‐OCT (Cirrus OCT) with the Optic Disc Cube 200 × 200 protocol for measurement of the optic disc area. The measurements were made by two observers and in each measurement a correction of the image magnification factor was performed. Measurement comparison using the Student's t‐test/Mann–Whitney U test, the intraclass correlation coefficient, Pearson/Spearman rank correlation coefficient and the Bland‐Altman plot was performed in the statistical analysis.ResultsMean and standard deviation (SD) of the optic disc area in ONHD and in controls was 2.38 (0.54) mm2 and 2.54 (0.42) mm2, respectively with fundus photography; 2.01 (0.56) mm2 and 1.66 (0.37) mm2, respectively with TD‐OCT, and 2.03 (0.49) mm2 and 1.75 (0.38) mm2, respectively with SD‐OCT. In ONHD and controls, repeatability of optic disc area measurement was excellent with fundus photography and optical coherence tomography (TD‐OCT and SD‐OCT), but with a low degree of agreement between both techniques.ConclusionsOptic disc area measurement is smaller in ONHD compared to healthy subjects with fundus photography, unlike time‐domain and spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography in which the reverse is true. Both techniques offer good repeatability, but a low degree of correlation and agreement, which means that optic disc area measurement is not interchangeable or comparable between techniques.
Assessment of neuroretinal function in a group of functional amblyopes with documented LGN deficits
Authors: Brown Brian , Feigl Beatrix , Gole Glen A , Mullen Kathy , Hess Robert F 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPurposeIn this study we examine neuroretinal function in five amblyopes, who had been shown in previous functional MRI (fMRI) studies to have compromised function of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), to determine if the fMRI deficit in amblyopia may have its origin at the retinal level.MethodsWe used slow flash multifocal ERG (mfERG) and compared averaged five ring responses of the amblyopic and fellow eyes across a 35 deg field. Central responses were also assessed over a field which was about 6.3 deg in diameter. We measured central retinal thickness using optical coherence tomography. Central fields were measured using the MP1‐Microperimeter which also assesses ocular fixation during perimetry. MfERG data were compared with fMRI results from a previous study.ResultsAmblyopic eyes had reduced response density amplitudes (first major negative to first positive (N1‐P1) responses) for the central and paracentral retina (up to 18 deg diameter) but not for the mid‐periphery (from 18 to 35 deg). Retinal thickness was within normal limits for all eyes, and not different between amblyopic and fellow eyes. Fixation was maintained within the central 4° more than 80% of the time by four of the five participants; fixation assessed using bivariate contour ellipse areas (BCEA) gave rankings similar to those of the MP‐1 system. There was no significant relationship between BCEA and mfERG response for either amblyopic or fellow eye. There was no significant relationship between the central mfERG eye response difference and the selective blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) LGN eye response difference previously seen in these participants.ConclusionsRetinal responses in amblyopes can be reduced within the central field without an obvious anatomical basis. Additionally, this retinal deficit may not be the reason why the LGN BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) responses are reduced for amblyopic eye stimulation.