bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A critical stress model for cell motility
Authors: Mehrayin Mehrnush , Farmanzad Farhad , Mozafari Masoud , Vashaee Daryoosh , Tayebi Lobat 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
A detailed theoretical model that combines the conventional viscoelastic continuum description of cell motion with a dynamic active stress is presented. The model describes the ameboid cells movement comprising of protrusion and adhesion of the front edge followed by detachment and movement of the tail. Unlike the previous viscoelastic descriptions in which the cell movement is steady, the presented model describes the “walking” of the cell in response to specific active stress components acting separately on the front and rear of the cell. In this locomotive model first the tail of the cell is attached to the substrate and active stress is applied to the front of the cell. Consequently, the stress in the tail increases. When the stress in the tail exceeds a critical value, namely critical stress, the conditions are updated so that the front is fixed and the tail of the cell is detached from the substrate and moves towards the front. Consequently, the stress in the tail decreases. When the stress goes to zero, the starting conditions become active and the process continues. At start the cell is stretched and its length is increased as the front of cell migrates more than the rear. However, after several steps the front and rear move equally and the cell length stays constant during the movement. In this manuscript we analyzed such cell dynamics including the length variation and moving velocity. Finally, by considering this fact that at the single-cell level, interactions with the extracellular environment occur on a nanometer length scale, the value of critical stress was estimated.
Factors associated with home delivery in Bahirdar, Ethiopia: A case control study
Authors: Abebe Fantu , Berhane Yemane , Girma Belaineh 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
In Ethiopia although pregnant mothers increasingly attend antenatal clinics, utilization of skilled delivery service remains very low. The individual or health system factors that affect women’s preferences for delivery places are not well known.

Method
A case control study was conducted in July 2010 to assess factors associated with utilization of institutional delivery service. A total of 324 mothers who recently delivered and visited either postnatal care or sought immunization services were included. Cases (n = 108) were mothers who gave birth at home and controls (n = 216) were those who delivered at health facility. Pre-tested and standardized questionnaires were used to collect relevant data by trained data collectors. Logistic regression model was used to control for confounding.

Result
The likelihood of delivering at home was greater among mothers with inadequate knowledge of pregnancy related services (AOR = 62, 95% CI: 3, 128.4), those who started attending ANC after 24 weeks of gestation (AOR 8.7, 95% CI: 2.2, 33.3), mothers having no formal education (Adjusted OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.63, 11.27) and rural residents (AOR = 3.6, 95%CI: 1.4, 9.0).

Conclusion
The predominant factors associated with home delivery services were lack of knowledge about obstetrics care, delay in starting Antenatal Care (ANC) follow up, having, Illiteracy and rural residence. Audience specific behavioral change communication should be designed to improve the demand for delivery services. Health professionals should take the opportunity to encourage mothers attend delivery services during ANC follow up. Improvements should be made in social conditions including literacy and major social mobilization endeavors.
Morphological and microsatellite DNA diversity of Nigerian indigenous sheep
Authors: Agaviezor Brilliant O , Peters Sunday O , Adefenwa Mufliat A , Yakubu Abdulmojeed , Adebambo Olufunmilayo A , Ozoje Michael O , Ikeobi Christian ON , Wheto Matthew , Ajayi Oyeyemi O , Amusan Samuel A , Ekundayo Oludotun J , Sanni Timothy M , Okpeku Moses , Onasanya Gbolabo O , De Donato Marcos , Ilori Babatunde M , Kizilkaya Kadir , Imumorin Ikhide G 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
Sheep is important in the socio-economic lives of people around the world. It is estimated that more than half of our once common livestock breeds are now endangered. Since genetic characterization of Nigerian sheep is still lacking, we analyzed ten morphological traits on 402 animals and 15 microsatellite DNA markers in 384 animals of the 4 Nigerian sheep breeds to better understand genetic diversity for breeding management and germplasm conservation.

Results
Morphological traits of Uda and Balami were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than Yankasa, which were both higher than West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep. Stepwise discriminant analysis showed tail length, rump height, chest girth, ear length and chest depth as the most discriminating variables for classification. Mahalanobis distances show the least differentiation between Uda and Balami and the largest between WAD and Balami sheep. While 93.3% of WAD sheep were correctly assigned to their source genetic group, 63.9% of Yankasa, 61.2% of Balami and 45.2% of Uda were classified correctly by nearest neighbour discriminant analysis. The overall high Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) of all microsatellite markers ranged from 0.751 to 0.927 supporting their use in genetic characterization. Expected heterozygosity was high for all loci (0.783 to 0.93). Mean heterozygote deficiency across all populations (0.171 to 0.534) possibly indicate significant inbreeding (P < 0.05). Mean values for F

ST
, F
IT
and F
IS
statistics across all loci were 0.088, 0.394 and 0.336 respectively. Yankasa and Balami are the most closely related breeds (DA = 0.184) while WAD and Balami are the farthest apart breeds (DA = 0.665), which is coincident with distance based on morphological analysis and population structure assessed by STRUCTURE.

Conclusions
These results suggest that within-breed genetic variation in Nigerian sheep is higher than between-breeds and may be a valuable tool for genetic improvement and conservation. The higher genetic variability in Yankasa suggests the presence of unique ancestral alleles reflecting the presence of certain functional genes which may result in better adaptability in more agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. These genetic characteristics are potentially useful in planning improvement and conservation strategies in Nigerian indigenous sheep.
An indoor augmented-reality evacuation system for the Smartphone using personalized Pedometry
Authors: Ahn Junho , Han Richard 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThere currently exist widely used mobile phone emergency applications for the smartphone and limited mobile emergency applications for indoor environments. However, the outdoor applications only focus primarily on providing accident information to users, and the indoor applications are limited by the unavailability of GPS user-positioning and by WiFi-based access problems. To compensate for these limitations, we propose the RescueMe system, which uses an indoor mobile Augmented Reality application, personalized pedometry, and an optimal exit path algorithm. Together these components comprise a system that can quickly and easily recommend an efficient exit path to mobile phone users in emergency situations. We have developed the mobile-based RescueMe system for use in large-scale buildings that contain complex paths. We show how RescueMe leverages the sensors on a smartphone and utilizes Augmented Reality, cloud information, daily-based user walking patterns, and an adaptive GPS connection method, to deliver critical evacuation information to mobile phone users in indoor emergency situations.
Simultaneous production of animal feed enzymes (endoxylanase and endoglucanase) by Penicillium janthinellum from waste jute caddies
Authors: Kundu Aditi , Karmakar Moumita , Ray Rina Rani 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Background
In West Bengal, India, a huge amount of lignocellulosic jute waste products, in the form of unutilized cut pieces of jute caddies consisting 65% cellulose, 22.5% hemicellulose, and 11% lignin, is generated from jute industries. Naturally, the high percentage of lignocellulolytic material made it an attractive substrate for the hydrolytic cleavage of lignocellulolytic enzymes, namely xylanases and cellulases. The present study aims for the production of xylanolytic and cellulolytic enzymes by a fungal isolate Penicillium janthinellum MTCC10889 using a cheap medium containing residual jute caddies obtained from jute mill wastes and chemically defined basal medium under submerged fermentation.

Results
The fungal isolate P. janthinellum MTCC10889 is an outstanding producer of endoxylanase and also cellulase. A central composite design was applied to optimize its lignocellulolytic as well as cellulolytic enzyme production in submerged-state fermentation. The impact of three quantitative variables, namely pH, temperature, and substrate concentrations, on enzyme production was investigated by using a chemically defined basal medium supplemented with jute caddy as substrate. Such optimum conditions were as follows: pH 7.47, temperature of 30.35°C, and substrate concentration of 1.70% for endoxylanase, and pH 7.51, temperature of 29.69°C, and substrate concentration of 2.11% for cellulase production.

Conclusions
A combination of one-factor-at-a-time approach is replaced by response surface methodology using central composite design, which resulted in 3.08- and 3.84-fold increases in the yields of endoxylanase (1,750 IU/ml) and endoglucanase (192 IU/ml), respectively. The highest endoxylanase and endoglucanase productions under optimized conditions were achieved within 48 h of growth.
Functional and histopathological identification of the respiratory failure in a DMSXL transgenic mouse model of Myotonic Dystrophy
Authors: Panaite Petrica-Adrian , Kuntzer Thierry , Gourdon Geneviève , Lobrinus Johannes Alexander , Barakat-Walter Ibtissam 
Published: November 2012

Summary
Acute and chronic respiratory failure is one of the major and potentially life-threatening features in patients with Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Despite the several clinical demonstrations showing respiratory problems in DM1 patients, the mechanisms are still not completely known. This study was designed to investigate whether the DMSXL transgenic mouse model for DM1 exhibit respiratory disorder, and if so to identify the pathological changes underlying these respiratory problems. Using pressure plethysmography we assessed the breathing function in control mice and DMSXL mice generated after large expansions of CTG repeat in successive generations of DM1 transgenic mice. The statistical analysis of breathing function measurements revealed a significant decrease in the most relevant respiratory parameters in DMSXL mice, indicating impaired respiratory function. The histological and morphometric analysis showed pathological changes in diaphragmatic muscle of DMSXL mice characterized by an increase in the percentage of type I muscle fibers, the presence of central nuclei, partial denervation of end-plates (EPs) and a significant reduction in their size, shape complexity and density of acetylcholine receptors, all of which reflect a possible break down in communication between the diaphragmatic muscles fibers and the nerve terminals. Diaphragm muscle abnormalities were accompanied by an accumulation of mutant DMPK RNA foci in muscle fiber nuclei. Moreover, in DMSXL mice, the unmyelinated phrenic afferents are significantly lower. Also in these mice, significant neuronopathy was not detected in either cervical phrenic motor neurons or brainstem respiratory neurons. Since EPs are involved in the transmission of action potentials and the unmyelinated phrenic afferents exert a modulating influence on the respiratory drive, the pathological alterations affecting these structures may underlie the respiratory impairment detected in DMSXL mice. Understanding mechanisms of respiratory deficiency should guide pharmaceutical and clinical research towards better therapy for the respiratory deficits associated with DM1.
Myosin isoform switching during assembly of the Drosophila flight muscle thick filament lattice
Authors: Orfanos Zacharias , Sparrow John C. 
Published: November 2012

Summary
During muscle development myosin molecules form symmetrical thick filaments, which integrate with the thin filaments to produce the regular sarcomeric lattice. In Drosophila indirect flight muscles (IFMs) the details of this process can be studied using genetic approaches. The weeP26 transgenic line has a GFP-encoding exon inserted into the single Drosophila muscle myosin heavy chain gene, Mhc. The weeP26 IFM sarcomeres have a unique MHC-GFP-labelling pattern restricted to the sarcomere core, explained by non-translation of the GFP exon following alternative splicing. Characterisation of wild-type IFM MHC mRNA confirmed the presence of an alternately spliced isoform, expressed earlier than the major IFM-specific isoform. The two wild-type IFM-specific MHC isoforms differ by the presence of a C-terminal ‘tailpiece’ in the minor isoform. The sequential expression and assembly of these two MHCs into developing thick filaments suggest a role for the tailpiece in initiating A-band formation. The restriction of the MHC-GFP sarcomeric pattern in weeP26 is lifted when the IFM lack the IFM-specific myosin binding protein flightin, suggesting that it limits myosin dissociation from thick filaments. Studies of flightin binding to developing thick filaments reveal a progressive binding at the growing thick filament tips and in a retrograde direction to earlier assembled, proximal filament regions. We propose that this flightin binding restricts myosin molecule incorporation/dissociation during thick filament assembly and explains the location of the early MHC isoform pattern in the IFM A-band.
HIV-1 Tat protein inhibits neurosecretion by binding to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate
Authors: Tryoen-Tóth Petra , Chasserot-Golaz Sylvette , Tu Annie , Gherib Patricia , Bader Marie-France , Beaumelle Bruno , Vitale Nicolas 
Published: November 2012

SummaryHIV-1 transcriptional activator (Tat) enables viral transcription and is also actively released by infected cells. Extracellular Tat can enter uninfected cells and affect some cellular functions. Here, we examine the effects of Tat protein on the secretory activity of neuroendocrine cells. When added to the culture medium of chromaffin and PC12 cells, Tat was actively internalized and strongly impaired exocytosis as measured by carbon fiber amperometry and growth hormone release assay. Expression of Tat mutants that do not bind to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] did not affect secretion, and overexpression of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K), the major PtdIns(4,5)P2 synthesizing enzyme, significantly rescued the Tat-induced inhibition of neurosecretion. This suggests that the inhibition of exocytosis may be the consequence of PtdIns(4,5)P2 sequestration. Accordingly, expression of Tat in PC12 cells interfered with the secretagogue-dependent recruitment of annexin A2 to the plasma membrane, a PtdIns(4,5)P2-binding protein that promotes the formation of lipid microdomains that are required for exocytosis. In addition Tat significantly prevented the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton necessary for the movement of secretory vesicles towards plasma membrane fusion sites. Thus, the capacity of extracellular Tat to enter neuroendocrine cells and sequester plasma membrane PtdIns(4,5)P2 perturbs several PtdIns(4,5)P2-dependent players of the exocytotic machinery, thereby affecting neurosecretion. We propose that Tat-induced inhibition of exocytosis is involved in the neuronal disorders associated with HIV-1 infection.
An intracellular membrane junction consisting of flagellum adhesion glycoproteins links flagellum biogenesis to cell morphogenesis in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Sun Stella Y. , Wang Chao , Yuan Y. Adam , He Cynthia Y. 
Published: November 2012

Summary
African trypanosomes have a single, membrane-bounded flagellum that is attached to the cell cortex by membrane adhesion proteins and an intracellular flagellum attachment zone (FAZ) complex. The coordinated assembly of flagellum and FAZ, during the cell cycle and the life cycle development, plays a pivotal role in organelle positioning, cell division and cell morphogenesis. To understand how the flagellum and FAZ assembly are coordinated, we examined the domain organization of the flagellum adhesion protein 1 (FLA1), a glycosylated, transmembrane protein essential for flagellum attachment and cell division. By immunoprecipitation of a FLA1-truncation mutant that mislocalized to the flagellum, a novel FLA1-binding protein (FLA1BP) was identified in procyclic Trypanosoma brucei. The interaction between FLA1 on the cell membrane and FLA1BP on the flagellum membrane acts like a molecular zipper, joining flagellum membrane to cell membrane and linking flagellum biogenesis to FAZ elongation. By coordinating flagellum and FAZ assembly during the cell cycle, morphology information is transmitted from the flagellum to the cell body.
β amyloid protein precursor-like (Appl) is a Ras1/MAPK-regulated gene required for axonal targeting in Drosophila photoreceptor neurons
Authors: Mora Natalia , Almudi Isabel , Alsina Berta , Corominas Montserrat , Serras Florenci 
Published: November 2012

Summary
In a genome-wide expression profile search for genes required for Drosophila R7 photoreceptor development we found β amyloid protein precursor-like (Appl), the ortholog of human APP, which is a key factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. We analyzed Appl expression in the eye imaginal disc and found that is highly accumulated in R7 photoreceptor cells. The R7 photoreceptor is responsible for UV light detection. To explore the link between high expression of Appl and R7 function, we have analyzed Appl null mutants and found reduced preference for UV light, probably because of mistargeted R7 axons. Moreover, axon mistargeting and inappropriate light discrimination are enhanced in combination with neurotactin mutants. R7 differentiation is triggered by the inductive interaction between R8 and R7 precursors, which results in a burst of Ras1/MAPK, activated by the tyrosine kinase receptor Sevenless. Therefore, we examined whether Ras1/MAPK is responsible for the high Appl expression. Inhibition of Ras1 signaling leads to reduced Appl expression, whereas constitutive activation drives ectopic Appl expression. We show that Appl is directly regulated by the Ras/MAPK pathway through a mechanism mediated by PntP2, an ETS transcription factor that specifically binds ETS sites in the Appl regulatory region. We also found that zebrafish appb expression increased after ectopic fgfr activation in the neural tube of zebrafish embryos, suggesting a conserved regulatory mechanism.
Ubiquitin-independent function of optineurin in autophagic clearance of protein aggregates
Authors: Korac Jelena , Schaeffer Veronique , Kovacevic Igor , Clement Albrecht M. , Jungblut Benno , Behl Christian , Terzic Janos , Dikic Ivan 
Published: November 2012

Summary
Aggregation of misfolded proteins and the associated loss of neurons are considered a hallmark of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Optineurin is present in protein inclusions observed in various neurodegenerative diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob disease and Pick's disease. Optineurin deletion mutations have also been described in ALS patients. However, the role of optineurin in mechanisms of protein aggregation remains unclear. In this report, we demonstrate that optineurin recognizes various protein aggregates via its C-terminal coiled-coil domain in a ubiquitin-independent manner. We also show that optineurin depletion significantly increases protein aggregation in HeLa cells and that morpholino-silencing of the optineurin ortholog in zebrafish causes the motor axonopathy phenotype similar to a zebrafish model of ALS. A more severe phenotype is observed when optineurin is depleted in zebrafish carrying ALS mutations. Furthermore, TANK1 binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is colocalized with optineurin on protein aggregates and is important in clearance of protein aggregates through the autophagy-lysosome pathway. TBK1 phosphorylates optineurin at serine 177 and regulates its ability to interact with autophagy modifiers. This study provides evidence for a ubiquitin-independent function of optineurin in autophagic clearance of protein aggregates as well as additional relevance for TBK1 as an upstream regulator of the autophagic pathway.
Specific roles of Gi protein family members revealed by dissecting SST5 coupling in human pituitary cells
Authors: Peverelli Erika , Busnelli Marta , Vitali Eleonora , Giardino Elena , Galés Celine , Lania Andrea G. , Beck-Peccoz Paolo , Chini Bice , Mantovani Giovanna , Spada Anna 
Published: November 2012

Summary
Despite intensive investigation over the past 20 years, the specific role played by individual Gi protein family members in mediating complex cellular effects is still largely unclear. Therefore, we investigated the role of specific Gi proteins in mediating somatostatin (SS) effects in somatotroph cells. Because our previous data showed that SS receptor type 5 (SST5) carrying a spontaneous R240W mutation in the third intracellular loop had a similar ability to inhibit intracellular cAMP levels to the wild-type protein but failed to mediate inhibition of growth hormone (GH) release and cell proliferation, we used this model to check specific receptor–G-protein coupling by a bioluminescent resonance energy transfer analysis. In HEK293 cells, wild-type SST5 stimulated the activation of Gαi1–3 and GαoA, B, whereas R240W SST5 maintained the ability to activate Gαi1–3 and GαoB, but failed to activate the splicing variant GαoA. To investigate the role of the selective deficit in GαoA coupling, we co-transfected human adenomatous somatotrophs with SST5 and a pertussis toxin (PTX)-resistant GαoA (GαoA(PTX-r)) protein. In PTX-treated cells, GαoA(PTX-r) rescued the ability of the selective SST5 analog BIM23206 to inhibit extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, GH secretion and intracellular cAMP levels. Moreover, we demonstrated that silencing of GαoA completely abolished SST5-mediated inhibitory effects on GH secretion and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, but not on cAMP levels. In conclusion, by analysing the coupling specificity of human SST5 to individual Gαi and Gαo subunits, we identified a crucial role for GαoA signalling in human pituitary cells.