bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological, Ultrastructural, and Molecular Characterization of Euplotidium rosati n. sp. (Ciliophora, Euplotida) from Guam
Authors: Modeo Letizia , Petroni Giulio , Lobban Christopher S. , Verni Franco , Vannini Claudia 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe combined morphological (i.e. live, stained, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy) with morphometric and molecular analysis to describe a ciliate species collected from shallow reefs in Guam, grown, and maintained in our laboratory. The species was recognized as a member of Euplotidium, and compared with established species of the genus: Euplotidium itoi Ito 1958; Euplotidium psammophilus (Vacelet 1961) Borror 1972; Euplotidium arenarium Magagnini and Nobili 1964; Euplotidium helgae Hartwig 1980; Euplotidium prosaltans Tuffrau 1985, and Euplotidium smalli Lei, Choi and Xu, 2002. To obtain more elements to compare the species, new morphometric data and additional SSU rRNA gene sequences of E. itoi and of E. arenarium are reported. On the basis of this comparison, we established the new species Euplotidium rosati that has a cirral pattern composed of 12 frontoventral and six transverse cirri, and lacks the left marginal cirrus. Euplotidium rosati harbors on its dorsal surface epixenosomes, the peculiar extrusive symbionts described in other Euplotidium species. The whole body of our observations together with the analysis of the data available in the literature leads us to propose a redefinition of the genus. The results may also be useful to clarify the tangled relationship between Euplotidium and Gastrocirrhus.
Morphological, Physiological, and Molecular Evidences Suggest that Euplotes parawoodruffi is a Junior Synonym of Euplotes woodruffi (Ciliophora, Euplotida)
Authors: Dai Renhai , Xu Kuidong , He Yingying 
Published: November 2012

AbstractEuplotes woodruffi Gaw 1939 is a striking ciliate species commonly used in many fields of protistology. Euplotes parawoodruffi Song and Bradbury 1997 is separated from E. woodruffi by several morphological differences (e.g. the absence of pre‐oral pouch) and in particular the brackish habitat (vs. freshwater). However, recent molecular data dispute the separation of E. woodruffi into two species. Based on a brackish isolate from the southeast of China, we investigated the morphology, molecular phylogeny, and adaptation of E. woodruffi using living observation, protargol impregnation, gene sequencing, and cultivation experiments. The morphological variability present in our isolate encompasses the previous descriptions of E. woodruffi and E. parawoodruffi. The pre‐oral pouch, which occurs in living cells of freshwater isolates, is also recognizable in the brackish specimens. Laboratory experiments suggested that the brackish isolate could acclimatize and reproduce in both brackish and fresh water. The molecular analyses using 13 available small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences showed that the minimum pairwise sequence similarity is as high as 99.2% and nine sequences from both brackish and freshwater isolates are even 100% matched. Therefore, we conclude that E. parawoodruffi is a junior synonym of E. woodruffi.
Expression of argininosuccinate synthetase in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wu Lina , Li Li , Meng Shucong , Qi Ruizhao , Mao Zebin , Lin Ming 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground and AimArginine is a nonessential amino acid for humans and mice because it can be synthesized from citrulline by argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) and argininosuccinate lyase. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is believed to be auxotrophic for arginine through the lack of expression of ASS. However, there are also some ASS‐positive HCC cells. Therefore, the aim of this article was to study the levels of arginine and the expression of ASS in patients with HCC.MethodsThirty patients with HCC who had undergone HCC surgery were enrolled in the study. Serum arginine levels were determined with an automatic amino acid analyzer. ASS expression was examined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Methylation specific polymerase chain reaction and methylation sequencing were performed to detect the methylation of DNA encoding ASS.ResultsThere was a decrease of arginine in HCC patients compared with that of healthy control. High expression of ASS was found in the adjacent tissues by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Little ASS expression was found in most HCC tissues, but there were also some HCC tissues that expressed low levels of ASS. Methylation of the DNA encoding ASS was obviously higher in HCC tissues than that in paired adjacent tissues.ConclusionsASS expression is decreased significantly in HCC tissues. The downregulation of arginine and ASS expression may be a self‐defense action of the body against malignant tumors, and the decreased arginine and ASS levels in HCC patients are an advantage for the arginine deiminase treatment.
Melatonin secretion and metabolism in patients with hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Chojnacki Cezary , Wachowska‐Kelly Patrycja , Błasiak Janusz , Reiter Russel J , Chojnacki Jan 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground and AimThe rhythm of melatonin secretion and its blood level changes in cirrhotic patients, but the causes of these alterations have not been sufficiently appreciated.The aim of study was to estimate the dependence between melatonin secretion and metabolism and the severity of hepatic encephalopathy.MethodsThe study included 75 alcoholic cirrhotic patients (A, B, C) with hepatic insufficiency and 25 healthy subjects (group K). Three groups of patients were identified, 25 patients each, with grade 1, 2, and 3 hepatic encephalopathy according to West‐Haven Scale. Immunoenzymatic method was used to measure serum melatonin (at 02:00 h and 09:00 h) level and 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin (6‐HMS) excretion in the urine (during night and day).ResultsNocturnal serum melatonin levels (pg/mL) in groups were: K—57.1 ± 11.4, A—38.5 ± 11.2, B—53.4 ± 17.9, C—79.5 ± 27.9 (P < 0.01); whereas diurnal levels were: K—10.9 ± 3.5, A—33.5 ± 12.0, B—53.8 ± 23.1, C—98.5 ± 34.6 (P < 0.01). Similar differences were found in the evaluation of 6‐HMS excretion (μg/9 h) in urine at night: group K—23.4 ± 14.4, A–16.6 ± 5.4, B—14.3 ± 6.2 (P < 0.01), C—3.3 ± 1.5 (P < 0.001). Diurnal 6‐HMS excretion (μg/15 h) was lower only in group C and it was respectively: K—6.9 ± 3.4, A–7.1 ± 1.7, B—7.6 ± 1.7, C—4.3 ± 2.2 (P < 0.001). Serum ammonia concentrations (μg/dL) were: group K—30.4 ± 8.9, A–51.8 ± 25.4 (P < 0.05), B—73.0 ± 29.8 (P < 0.001), C—107.5 ± 34.8 (P < 0.001). No correlation between melatonin and ammonia levels in all groups was found.ConclusionsThe elevated melatonin blood levels both at night and day may account for some of the clinical manifestations of hepatic encephalopathy (daytime sleepiness, fatigue).
Interferon‐gamma with peginterferon alpha‐2a and ribavirin in nonresponder patients with chronic hepatitis C (ANRS HC16 GAMMATRI)
Authors: Couzigou Patrice , Pérusat Sophie , Bourlière Marc , Trimoulet Pascale , Poynard Thierry , Leroy Vincent , Marcellin Patrick , Foucher Juliette , Bronowicki Jean‐Pierre , Chêne Geneviève ,   ANRS HC16 GAMMATRI Trial Group
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground and AimInterferon‐gamma‐1b (IFN‐γ‐1b) improves alpha interferon (IFN‐α) inhibition of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in replicon system. We described virological response after addition of IFN‐γ to a combination of ribavirin/peginterferon (PEG‐IFN)‐α‐2a or α‐2b.MethodsIn this non‐comparative, multicenter trial, patients chronically infected by HCV who were nonresponders to a previous treatment by PEG‐IFN and ribavirin were restarted on a regimen of PEG‐IFN‐α‐2a (180 μg/week) + ribavirin (1000–1200 mg/day) for 16 weeks. If HCV‐RNA decreased less than 2 log10 copies/mL (nonresponders), and if PEG‐IFN‐α‐2a and ribavirin dosages were unchanged while tolerance was good, IFNγ‐1b (100 μg three times per week) was added for the last 32 weeks of treatment. Virological response was evaluated at week 28 (12 weeks after initiation of IFN‐γ‐1b).ResultsAmong the 48 patients started on dual therapy, 23 patients (47%) were nonresponders at week 12 and received IFN‐γ‐1b from week 16 onward. Their mean HCV‐RNA (log10 IU/mL) was 6.83 at baseline, 5.81 at week 12, and 5.63 at week 28. No patient reached undetectable HCV‐RNA at week 28 (upper bound of 95% confidence interval: 14.8%); none had a decrease > 1 log10 IU/mL. One case of grade 4 neutropenia was reported.ConclusionAmong the strictly selected nonresponders, IFN‐γ‐1b (at a dosage of 100 μg thrice a week) in combination with PEG‐IFN‐α‐2a and ribavirin failed to show virological efficacy.
Helicobacter pyloricagA 12‐bp insertion can be a marker for duodenal ulcer in Okinawa, Japan
Authors: Matsuo Yuichi , Shiota Seiji , Matsunari Osamu , Suzuki Rumiko , Watada Masahide , Binh Tran Thanh , Kinjo Nagisa , Kinjo Fukunori , Yamaoka Yoshio 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground and AimHelicobacter pylori cagA can be classified into mainly two types (East‐Asian‐type and Western‐type cagA) according to the repeat regions located in the 3′ region. Recent studies showed that the Western‐type cagA in strains from Okinawa, Japan formed a different cluster (J‐Western‐type cagA subtype). It has also been reported that J‐Western‐type cagA possesses a 12‐bp insertion located in the 5′ region of cagA sequence.MethodsThe prevalence of 12‐bp insertion in cagA in Okinawa and the United States (U.S.) was examined by DNA sequencing. The primer pair that can detect the 12‐bp insertion only by polymerase chain reaction was then designed. The prevalence of strains with 12‐bp insertion was examined in 336 strains isolated from Okinawa by polymerase chain reaction.ResultsIn case of Western‐type cagA/vacA s1m2 strains, the prevalence of 12‐bp insertion was significantly higher in strains isolated from Okinawa than that from the U.S. (P = 0.002). Phylogenetic tree showed that strains with 12‐bp insertion formed two individual clusters within J‐Western‐type cagA subtype; one is from Okinawa and another is from the U.S. The designed primer set showed high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (90.8%) in Okinawa. The 12‐bp insertion was found in 23.7%, 14.3%, 4.2%, and 4.0% of strains with duodenal ulcer (DU), gastritis, gastric cancer, and gastric ulcer (GU), respectively (P < 0.001 for DU vs GU) in Okinawa.ConclusionsAlthough the mechanisms are unknown, the presence of 12‐bp insertion was associated with the presence of DU and might have a suppressive action on GU and gastric cancer.
Differences in food consumption according to weight status and physical activity levels among Greek children between 1992/93 and 2006/07
Authors: Smpokos E. A. , Linardakis M. , Sarri K. , Papadaki A. , Theodorou A. S. , Kafatos A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundThere is a lack of data in Greece on trends in food intake according to weight status and physical activity (PA), despite the high prevalence of obesity. The present study aimed to examine differences in these parameters among first‐grade children from Crete, Greece, over a 15‐year period.MethodsChildren (aged 5.9–7.6 years) from two representative cross‐sectional studies participated during 1992/93 (n = 245) and 2006/07 (n = 257). Estimated 3‐day food records were used to assess food consumption and energy‐density (ED) [kJ g−1 (kcal g−1)]. Moderate‐to‐vigorous‐PA (MVPA) and cardiorespiratory‐fitness were assessed by questionnaires and the 20‐m shuttle‐run test (20mSRT), respectively.ResultsIn 2006/07, compared to 1992/93, both sexes had a significantly higher intake of dairy products and snacks (P < 0.001), a lower intake of cereals (P < 0.001) and higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels (P < 0.001). Among girls, fruit/vegetable consumption was higher (P < 0.05), although legume intake was lower (P < 0.005). Among overweight/obese (OW/OB) children, ED significantly decreased (P < 0.05) and the mean consumption of fruits/vegetables was higher (P < 0.001). The percentage of OW/OB boys was significantly higher (P < 0.001); however, MVPA was significant higher in this group compared to 1992/93 (P < 0.001). During the two time‐periods, active children in 2006/07 appeared to have a lower ED than active ones in 1992/93 (P < 0.001).ConclusionsSeveral differences in food intake were observed among first‐grade children of Crete between 1992/93 and 2006/07, as characterised by significant increases in the consumption of dairy products and snacks and a decrease in the intake of cereals, among both sexes. Future school‐based interventions in this population should emphasise the need to increase fruit/vegetable, unrefined cereal and legume consumption.
Arabidopsis RING Peroxins are E3 Ubiquitin Ligases that Interact with Two Homologous Ubiquitin Receptor ProteinsF
Authors: Kaur Navneet , Zhao Qingzhen , Xie Qi , Hu Jianping 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPeroxisomes are essential eukaryotic organelles that mediate various metabolic processes. Peroxisome import depends on a group of peroxisome biogenesis factors called peroxins, many of which are evolutionarily conserved. PEX2, PEX10, and PEX12 are three RING‐finger‐domain‐containing integral membrane peroxins crucial for protein import. In yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae), RING peroxins act as E3 ligases, facilitating the recycling of the peroxisome import receptor protein PEX5 through ubiquitination. In plants, RING peroxins are essential to plant vitality. To elucidate the mode of action of the plant RING peroxins, we employed in vitro assays to show that the Arabidopsis RING peroxins also have E3 ligase activities. We also identified a PEX2‐interacting protein, DSK2b, which is a member of the ubiquitin receptor family known to function as shuttle factors ferrying polyubiquitinated substrates to the proteasome for degradation. DSK2b and its tandem duplicate DSK2a are localized in the cytosol and the nucleus, and both interact with the RING domain of PEX2 and PEX12. DSK2 artificial microRNA lines did not display obvious defects in plant growth or peroxisomal processes, indicating functional redundancies among Arabidopsis ubiquitin receptor proteins. Our results suggest that Arabidopsis RING peroxins can function as E3 ligases and act together with the ubiquitin receptor protein DSK2 in the peroxisomal membrane‐associated protein degradation system.
Transient exposure to echinacoside is sufficient to activate Trk signaling and protect neuronal cells from rotenone
Authors: Zhu Min , Lu Chuanzhen , Li Wenwei 
Published: November 2012

AbstractNeurotrophins exert their physiological functions mainly through Trk receptors, and the neurotrophic signaling network is critical to the survival of neurons. However, therapeutic use of neurotrophins in treating neurodegenerative diseases is hampered by a number of pharmacological challenges, and the most significant challenge is their delivery into the central nervous system. Here, we reported that echinacoside, a small natural compound, elicits neuroprotection by activating Trk receptors and their downstream signal pathways. Echinacoside is the major active component of Cistanches Herba, a widely used Chinese herb with neuroprotective effects. We showed in this study that transient exposure to echinacoside is sufficient to protect neuronal cells and non‐neuronal cells over‐expressed with TrkA or TrkB against rotenone injury. Additional investigations on the mechanisms underlying suggested that transient treatment with echinacoside inhibits cytochrome c release and caspase‐3 activation caused by ensuing rotenone exposure via activating Trk‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in neuronal cells. As echinacoside is able to cross the blood–brain barrier freely, it may have a promising potential in neurodegenerative diseases treatment.
The cysteine‐rich region and the whey acidic protein domain are essential for anosmin‐1 biological functions
Authors: Esteban Pedro F. , Murcia‐Belmonte Verónica , García‐González Diego , de Castro Fernando 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe protein anosmin‐1, coded by the KAL1 gene responsible for the X‐linked form of Kallmann syndrome (KS), exerts its biological effects mainly through the interaction with and signal modulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1). We have previously shown the interaction of the third fibronectin‐like type 3 (FnIII) domain and the N‐terminal region of anosmin‐1 with FGFR1. Here, we demonstrate that missense mutations reported in patients with KS, C172R and N267K did not alter or substantially reduce, respectively, the binding to FGFR1. These substitutions annulled the chemoattraction of the full‐length protein over subventricular zone (SVZ) neuronal precursors (NPs), but they did not annul it in the N‐terminal‐truncated protein (A1Nt). We also show that although not essential for binding to FGFR1, the cysteine‐rich (CR) region is necessary for anosmin‐1 function and that FnIII.3 cannot substitute for FnIII.1 function. Truncated proteins recapitulating nonsense mutations found in KS patients did not show the chemotropic effect on SVZ NPs, suggesting that the presence behind FnIII.1 of any part of anosmin‐1 produces an unstable protein incapable of action. We also identify the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway as necessary for the chemotropic effect exerted by FGF2 and anosmin‐1 on rat SVZ NPs.
Dissimilar expression of multidrug resistance mdr1 and bcrp by the replication of hepatitis C virus: role of the nonstructural 5A protein
Authors: W. Rivero C. , Rosso N. , Gentile E. , Cuestas M. , Tiribelli C. , Oubiña J. R. , Mathet V. L. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryMultidrug resistance associated with the overexpression of ATP‐dependent binding cassette (ABC) proteins is widely accepted as an important cause of treatment failure in patients with neoplastic or infectious diseases. Some of them play also a pivotal role in detoxification processes. Herein, we investigated the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and nonstructural 5A (NS5A) protein on the expression and functional activity of two ABC transport proteins: MDR1 and BCRP. RT‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was carried out for mdr1 and bcrp mRNAs in both Huh7 cells expressing NS5A and Huh7.5 cells containing either full‐length‐ or subgenomic‐HCV replicon systems. The functional activity of these pumps was studied by performing a dye efflux assay with DiOC2 and Rhodamine 123. A dose‐dependent down‐regulation of mdr1 expression was documented in Huh7 cells expressing the NS5A protein, as well as in both replicon systems. In contrast, a significant increase of bcrp expression in both systems was recorded, which were in full agreement with the dye efflux assay results. These results warrant further in vivo studies in HCV patients with cholestasis and/or patients that are refractive to the pharmacotherapy due to the activity of these pumps.
Hierarchical effects of rainfall, nurse plants, granivory and seed banks on cactus recruitment
Authors: Holland J. Nathaniel , Molina‐Freaner Francisco 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimsPlant facilitation is recognized as an important process, contributing not only to the ecology of individual species, but the diversity, organization and stability of communities as a whole. While decades of studies have enhanced our knowledge of the mechanisms contributing to plant facilitation, greater attention is now being given to the conditionality of the mechanisms, whereby multiple biotic and abiotic factors may act independently and jointly with one another in shaping plant–plant facilitation. Our objective was to evaluate the conditionality and hierarchy of mechanisms contributing to cactus germination and early seedling recruitment arising from plant–plant facilitation, including the effects of seed banks, rainfall, granivory and nurse plants.LocationBahia de Kina, Sonora, Mexico; Sonoran Desert of North America.MethodsWe employed descriptive analyses and a factorial experiment to examine the consequences of rainfall, nurse plants, granivory and seed banks for senita cactus recruitment (Pachycereus schottii) in two plant communities of the Sonoran Desert: one degraded of its key nurse plants and the other with its nurse plants intact.ResultsSeed banks did not occur in either of the plant communities, indicating that seed banks and seed dormancy do not affect senita recruitment and thereby do not modulate other mechanisms that contribute to nurse plant facilitation and cactus recruitment. Juvenile senita cacti were consistently associated with nurse plants in both plant communities. Yet, the density and species composition of nurse plants differed between the communities, resulting in reduced senita recruitment and shifts to alternative nurse plants in the community degraded of its key nurse plants compared to the intact community. In a factorial experiment manipulating rainfall, granivory and nurse plants, we found that rainfall and granivory had significant main factor effects, leading to increases and decreases in seedling recruitment, respectively. There was no main factor effect of nurse plants, but there was a significant nurse plant by granivory interaction, indicating that nurse plants increase seedling recruitment through escape from granivory conditional upon rainfall.ConclusionsTaken together, these results reveal a conditional hierarchy of mechanisms of plant–plant facilitation shaping senita cactus recruitment, namely the predominant effects of rainfall increasing recruitment and of granivory decreasing recruitment, for which nurse plants played a key role in increasing seedling recruitment with rainfall and by reducing granivory.
Differences in space use and habitat selection between captive‐bred and wild‐born houbara bustards in Saudi Arabia: results from a long‐term reintroduction program
Authors: Islam M. Z. , Singh A. , Basheer M. P. , Judas J. , Boug A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIn light of widespread declines of houbara bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii populations across its extant range, captive breeding has emerged as a viable option for regenerating viable populations of houbaras in addition to limiting hunting pressure, habitat management and amelioration of predation pressure. Although reintroductions of captive‐bred houbaras have been carried out in many regions in recent years, information on differences in ranging behavior and habitat selection between captive‐bred and wild‐born houbaras is lacking. In this study, we utilized radiotelemetry data spanning 13 years to assess differences in home range use and habitat selection by houbara bustards in the Mahazat as‐Sayd reserve in Saudi Arabia. The mean (±standard error of the estimate) annual home range size, estimated using the Kernel density method, was 307.76 ± 15.91 km2, and did not differ significantly between genders. Annual home ranges of wild‐born houbaras were however larger than those of their captive‐born counterparts (wild‐born: 423.77 ± 62.66 km2, captive‐bred: 299.31 ± 16.39 km2). Rainy season home ranges were the largest (279.29 ± 27.75 km2) followed by winter home ranges (245.79 ± 19.19 km2) and summer home ranges (110.51 ± 8.91 km2) indicating larger‐scale movements of houbaras when forage was available. Seasonal home ranges did not differ significantly between wild‐born or captive‐bred houbaras. Analysis of habitat selection patterns using the distance‐based method revealed consistent patterns of habitat preferences across years and seasons and between genders, ages and whether the bird was captive‐bred or wild‐born. Results indicate that scrub forms the most preferred habitat for houbaras, and should be conserved for the population welfare of the houbara in Saudi Arabia.