bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organization and regulation of intracellular plasma membrane-connected HIV-1 assembly compartments in macrophages
Authors: Mlcochova Petra , Pelchen-Matthews Annegret , Marsh Mark 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
In HIV-1-infected human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs), virus particles assemble primarily on intracellularly sequestered plasma membrane domains termed intracellular plasma membrane-connected compartments (IPMCs). Despite their clear role in virus formation, little is known of the organization, composition, dynamics or function of these compartments.

Results
We have used amphipathic membrane dyes to reveal the complex three-dimensional structure of IPMCs in whole MDMs and to visualize connections between IPMCs and the cell surface. The observation of similar IPMC structures in both infected and uninfected cells indicates that these compartments are not induced by virus infection, but are present constitutively in MDMs. By expressing a phospholipase Cδ pleckstrin homology domain linked to green fluorescent protein, we demonstrate that IPMCs contain phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Live cell imaging of cells expressing this probe shows that IPMCs are dynamic, but relatively stable, sub-domains of the plasma membrane. As recent electron microscopy studies indicated that portions of IPMCs are coated with β2 integrin-containing focal adhesion-like complexes linked to actin, we investigated whether the actin cytoskeleton is required for the organization of IPMCs. In MDMs treated with the actin polymerization inhibitor latrunculin, the normally compact IPMCs dispersed into smaller structures that remained connected to the plasma membrane. Moreover, latrunculin enhanced the release of preformed, mature HIV-1 particles from infected MDMs.

Conclusions
IPMCs are constitutive features of MDMs that are continuous with the plasma membrane and are used as unique sites for the assembly of new virions following infection by HIV-1. A functionally intact actin cytoskeleton is required to maintain the organization of the IPMCs and, in HIV-1-infected cells, perturbation of the actin cytoskeleton influences both the organization of the compartment and the release of sequestered virus.
Prehypertension and incidence of cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Yuli , Wang Sheng , Cai Xiaoyan , Mai Weiyi , Hu Yunzhao , Tang Hongfeng , Xu Dingli 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Prospective cohort studies of prehypertension and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are controversial after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors. This meta-analysis evaluated the association between prehypertension and CVD morbidity.

Methods
Databases (PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library) and conference proceedings were searched for prospective cohort studies with data on prehypertension and cardiovascular morbidity. Two independent reviewers assessed the reports and extracted data. The relative risks (RRs) of CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke morbidity were calculated and reported with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Subgroup analyses were conducted on blood pressure, age, gender, ethnicity, follow-up duration, number of participants and study quality.

Results
Pooled data included the results from 468,561 participants from 18 prospective cohort studies. Prehypertension elevated the risks of CVD (RR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.41 to 1.71); CHD (RR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.30 to 1.74); and stroke (RR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.55 to 1.89). In the subgroup analyses, even for low-range prehypertension, the risk of CVD was significantly higher than for optimal BP (RR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.32 to 1.62), and further increased with high-range prehypertension (RR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.41 to 2.31). The relative risk was significantly higher in the high-range prehypertensive populations than in the low-range populations (χ2
= 5.69, P = 0.02). There were no significant differences among the other subgroup analyses (P>0.05).

Conclusions
Prehypertension, even in the low range, elevates the risk of CVD after adjusting for multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
Galactosialidosis: review and analysis of CTSA gene mutations
Authors: Caciotti Anna , Catarzi Serena , Tonin Rodolfo , Lugli Licia , Perez Carmen Rodriguez , Michelakakis Helen , Mavridou Irene , Donati Maria Alice , Guerrini Renzo , d’Azzo Alessandra , Morrone Amelia 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Mutations in the CTSA gene, that encodes the protective protein/cathepsin A or PPCA, lead to the secondary deficiency of β-galactosidase (GLB1) and neuraminidase 1 (NEU1), causing the lysosomal storage disorder galactosialidosis (GS). Few clinical cases of GS have been reported in the literature, the majority of them belonging to the juvenile/adult group of patients.

Methods
The correct nomenclature of mutations for this gene is discussed through the analysis of the three PPCA/CTSA isoforms available in the GenBank database. Phenotype-genotype correlation has been assessed by computational analysis and review of previously reported single amino acid substitutions.

Results
We report the clinical and mutational analyses of four cases with the rare infantile form of GS. We identified three novel nucleotide changes, two of them resulting in the missense mutations, c.347A>G (p.His116Arg), c.775T>C (p.Cys259Arg), and the third, c.1216C>T, resulting in the p.Gln406* stop codon, a type of mutation identified for the first time in GS. An Italian founder effect of the c.114delG mutation can be suggested according to the origin of the only three patients carrying this mutation reported here and in the literature.

Conclusions
In early reports mutations nomenclature was selected according to all CTSA isoforms (three different isoforms), thus generating a lot of confusion. In order to assist physicians in the interpretation of detected mutations, we mark the correct nomenclature for CTSA mutations. The complexity of pathology caused by the multifunctions of CTSA, and the very low numbers of mutations (only 23 overall) in relation to the length of the CTSA gene are discussed.
In addition, the in silico functional predictions of all reported missense mutations allowed us to closely predict the early infantile, late infantile and juvenile phenotypes, also disclosing different degrees of severity in the juvenile phenotype.
Analysis of nine compounds from Alpinia oxyphyllafruit at different harvest time using UFLC-MS/MS and an extraction method optimized by orthogonal design
Authors: Li Yong-Hui , Chen Feng , Wang Jun-fang , Wang Yong , Zhang Jun-Qing , Guo Tao 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
The dried fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq have been widely used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of diarrhea and enuresis in China. Medicinal chemistry studies revealed that the tepenes, diphenylheptanes and flavones were the main components. Therefore, these three kinds of components should be chosen as the bioactive marker compounds for the quality control of A. oxyphylla fruits. Moreover, multiple active components has been widely recognized to be a more feasible method for the quality control of herbal medicines. This study firstly provided a better method for comprehensive component analysis of A. oxyphylla fruits. Meanwhile, the different harvest time was also evaluated.

Results
The solvent-to-sample ratio was the most important factor comparing with solvent, extraction time and temperature. The highest yield of nine compounds was achieved with 70% ethanol-water and a solvent-to-sample ratio of 20:1 at 60°C for 30 min. The optimized analytical method for ultra fast high performance liquid chromatography (UFLC) was a gradient elution using water containing 0.04‰ formic acid (A) and methanol containing 0.04‰ formic acid (B), at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Using this optimized method, nine compounds were simultaneously separated and quantified by UFLC coupled with tandem electro-spray ionized mass spectrometry (MS/MS).

Conclusions
The contents of the six bioactive compounds were reported in A. oxyphylla for the first time. The contents of nine compounds of different harvest time fruits of A. oxyphylla were assessed under the optimized extraction and UFLC-MS/MS analytical conditions, and the 45-day culture fruit had the highest content levels.
Hydrogen atoms in protein structures: high-resolution X-ray diffraction structure of the DFPase
Authors: Elias Mikael , Liebschner Dorothee , Koepke Jurgen , Lecomte Claude , Guillot Benoit , Jelsch Christian , Chabriere Eric 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Hydrogen atoms represent about half of the total number of atoms in proteins and are often involved in substrate recognition and catalysis. Unfortunately, X-ray protein crystallography at usual resolution fails to access directly their positioning, mainly because light atoms display weak contributions to diffraction. However, sub-Ångstrom diffraction data, careful modeling and a proper refinement strategy can allow the positioning of a significant part of hydrogen atoms.

Results
A comprehensive study on the X-ray structure of the diisopropyl-fluorophosphatase (DFPase) was performed, and the hydrogen atoms were modeled, including those of solvent molecules. This model was compared to the available neutron structure of DFPase, and differences in the protein and the active site solvation were noticed.

Conclusions
A further examination of the DFPase X-ray structure provides substantial evidence about the presence of an activated water molecule that may constitute an interesting piece of information as regard to the enzymatic hydrolysis mechanism.
Immunomodulation therapy with lenalidomide in follicular, transformed and diffuse large B cell lymphoma: current data on safety and efficacy
Authors: Desai Madhav , Newberry Kate J , Romaguera Jorge , Zhang Liang , Ou Zhishuo , Wang Michael 
Published: August 2013

AbstractLenalidomide is an immunomodulatory agent which has been approved for multiple myeloma. Lenalidomide is also effective in and tolerated well by patients with follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and transformed large cell lymphoma. This review summarizes the results of current preclinical and clinical studies of lenalidomide, alone or in combination with the monoclonal antibody rituximab, as a therapeutic option for these three lymphoma types. This review will serve as a tool guiding future clinical investigations to improve survival rates for these three lymphomas.
DNA methylation and differentiation: HOX genes in muscle cells
Authors: Tsumagari Koji , Baribault Carl , Terragni Jolyon , Chandra Sruti , Renshaw Chloe , Sun Zhiyi , Song Lingyun , Crawford Gregory E , Pradhan Sriharsa , Lacey Michelle , Ehrlich Melanie 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Tight regulation of homeobox genes is essential for vertebrate development. In a study of genome-wide differential methylation, we recently found that homeobox genes, including those in the HOX gene clusters, were highly overrepresented among the genes with hypermethylation in the skeletal muscle lineage. Methylation was analyzed by reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) of postnatal myoblasts, myotubes and adult skeletal muscle tissue and 30 types of non-muscle-cell cultures or tissues.

Results
In this study, we found that myogenic hypermethylation was present in specific subregions of all four HOX gene clusters and was associated with various chromatin epigenetic features. Although the 3′ half of the HOXD cluster was silenced and enriched in polycomb repression-associated H3 lysine 27 trimethylation in most examined cell types, including myoblasts and myotubes, myogenic samples were unusual in also displaying much DNA methylation in this region. In contrast, both HOXA and HOXC clusters displayed myogenic hypermethylation bordering a central region containing many genes preferentially expressed in myogenic progenitor cells and consisting largely of chromatin with modifications typical of promoters and enhancers in these cells. A particularly interesting example of myogenic hypermethylation was HOTAIR, a HOXC noncoding RNA gene, which can silence HOXD genes in trans via recruitment of polycomb proteins. In myogenic progenitor cells, the preferential expression of HOTAIR was associated with hypermethylation immediately downstream of the gene. Other HOX gene regions also displayed myogenic DNA hypermethylation despite being moderately expressed in myogenic cells. Analysis of representative myogenic hypermethylated sites for 5-hydroxymethylcytosine revealed little or none of this base, except for an intragenic site in HOXB5 which was specifically enriched in this base in skeletal muscle tissue, whereas myoblasts had predominantly 5-methylcytosine at the same CpG site.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that myogenic hypermethylation of HOX genes helps fine-tune HOX sense and antisense gene expression through effects on 5′ promoters, intragenic and intergenic enhancers and internal promoters. Myogenic hypermethylation might also affect the relative abundance of different RNA isoforms, facilitate transcription termination, help stop the spread of activation-associated chromatin domains and stabilize repressive chromatin structures.
Reduced expression of brain cannabinoid receptor 1 (Cnr1) is coupled with an increased complementary micro-RNA (miR-26b) in a mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Authors: Stringer Randa L , Laufer Benjamin I , Kleiber Morgan L , Singh Shiva M 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Prenatal alcohol exposure is known to result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, a continuum of physiological, behavioural, and cognitive phenotypes that include increased risk for anxiety and learning-associated disorders. Prenatal alcohol exposure results in life-long disorders that may manifest in part through the induction of long-term gene expression changes, potentially maintained through epigenetic mechanisms.

Findings
Here we report a decrease in the expression of Canabinoid receptor 1 (Cnr1) and an increase in the expression of the regulatory microRNA miR-26b in the brains of adult mice exposed to ethanol during neurodevelopment. Furthermore, we show that miR-26b has significant complementarity to the 3’-UTR of the Cnr1 transcript, giving it the potential to bind and reduce the level of Cnr1 expression.

Conclusions
These findings elucidate a mechanism through which some genes show long-term altered expression following prenatal alcohol exposure, leading to persistent alterations to cognitive function and behavioural phenotypes observed in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Single-feature polymorphism mapping of isogenic rice lines identifies the influence of terpene synthase on brown planthopper feeding preferences
Authors: Kamolsukyunyong Wintai , Sukhaket Wissarut , Ruanjaichon Vinitchan , Toojinda Theerayut , Vanavichit Apichart 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background

Bph3, a major brown planthopper (BPH) resistance locus derived from the rice cultivar Rathu Heenati (RH), has been used as a stable donor of traits that improve highly susceptible aromatic rice varieties in Thailand. Map-based cloning was initiated using a set of isogenic lines (ILs) harboring the major Bph3 locus on chromosome 6. IL genomes were scanned with a 57 K Affymetrix Rice GeneChip to identify the gene responsible for Bph3.

Findings
Single-feature polymorphism (SFP) mapping was used to localize 84 candidate genes. An expression analysis of 15 selected candidate genes in the aromatic rice cultivar KDML105 (KD) and the ILs under normal conditions revealed two differentially expressed sequences. Following hopper feeding, only one candidate gene, Os04g27430, was differentially expressed. Os04g27430 encodes a putative sesquiterpene synthase (STPS) gene that was induced by BPH feeding in ILs. An antixenosis test in three selected ILs revealed a major role for STPS in insect preference during the first 120 hours of the rice-insect interaction. Functional SNPs in exon 5 that resulted in the deletion of seven amino acids in the susceptible rice line were identified. Moreover, three additional SNPs associated with three transcription binding sites were also identified, which might explain the differential response of Os04g27430 during the anti-feeding test.

Conclusion
Os04g27430 is the second known rice STPS induced by BPH. The gene may involve an antixenosis BPH resistance mechanism. The combination of the STPS and the Bph3 locus was more effective than Bph3 alone in the tested ILs.
Organizational performance, Marketing strategy, and Financial strategic alignment: an empirical study on Iranian pharmaceutical firms
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Mehdi , Aarabi Sied Mohammad , Salamzadeh Jamshid 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Strategic Functional-level planning should be aligned with business level and other functional strategies of a company. It is presumed that assimilating the strategies could have positive contribution to business performance, in this regard alignment between marketing strategy and financial strategy seems to be the most important strategies being studied. An empirical work in generic pharmaceutical manufacturing companies for evaluating effect of alignment between these two functions on organizational performance was developed in this paper.

Methods
All Iranian pharmaceutical generic manufactures listed in Tehran stock market have been tested for period of five years between 2006–2010 and their marketing strategies were determined by using Slater and Olson taxonomy and their financial strategies have been developed by calculating total risk and total return of sample companies for five years based on rate of risk and return in the frame of a 2 × 2 matrix. For the business performance three profitability indices including Q-Tubin (Rate of market value to net asset value), ROA (Return on Asset), ROE (Return on Equity) have been tested. For analysis, a series of one-way ANOVAs as a collection of statistical models within marketing strategies considering financial strategy as independent variable and the three performance measures as dependent variables was used.

Results
Results show strategic alignment between financial and marketing has significant impact on profitability of company resulting in arise of all three profitability indices. Q tubing’s rate were 2.33,2.09,2.29,2.58 and rate of ROA were 0.21,0.194,0.25,0.22 and rate of ROE were 0.44,0.46,0.45,0.42 for matched strategy types, respectively the rates shown here are more than average meaning that specific type of marketing strategy is fitted with specific type of financial strategy.

Conclusion
Managers should not consider decisions regarding marketing strategy independently of their financial strategy.
18F-MK-9470 PET imaging of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor in prostate carcinoma: a pilot study
Authors: Emonds Kimy M , Koole Michel , Casteels Cindy , Van den Bergh Laura , Bormans Guy M , Claus Filip , De Wever Liesbeth , Lerut Evelyne , Van Poppel Hendrik , Joniau Steven , Dumez Herlinde , Haustermans Karin , Mortelmans Luc , Goffin Karolien , Van Laere Koen , Deroose Christophe M , Mottaghy Felix M 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Preclinical and histological data show overexpression of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) in prostate carcinoma (PCa). In a prospective study, the feasibility of 18F-MK-9470 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in patients with primary and metastatic PCa was evaluated.

Methods
Eight patients were included and underwent 18F-MK-9470 PET/CT imaging. For five patients with primary PCa, dynamic PET/CT imaging was performed over three acquisition intervals (0 to 30, 60 to 90 and 120 to 150 min post-injection). In malignant and benign prostate tissue regions, time activity curves of the mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) were determined as well as the corresponding area under the curve to compare 18F-MK-9470 uptake over time. Muscle uptake of 18F-MK-9470 was used as reference for non-specific binding. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used as anatomical reference and for delineating intraprostatic tumours. Histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) examination was performed on the whole-mount histopathology sections of four patients who underwent radical prostatectomy to assess the MRI-based tumour versus benign tissue classification. For three patients with proven advanced metastatic disease, two static PET/CTs were performed 1 and 3 h post-injection. 18F-MK-9470 uptake was evaluated in bone lesions of metastatic PCa by comparing SUVmean values of metastases with these of the contralateral bone tissue.

Results

18F-MK-9470 uptake was significantly higher in benign and malignant prostate tissue compared to muscle, but it did not differ between both prostate tissue compartments. IHC findings of corresponding prostatic histopathological sections indicated weak CB1R expression in locally confined PCa, which was not visualized with 18F-MK-9470 PET. Metastases in the axial skeleton could not be detected while some metastases in the appendicular skeleton showed higher 18F-MK-9470 uptake as compared to the uptake in contralateral normal bone.

Conclusions

18F-MK-9470 PET could not detect local PCa or bone metastases in the axial skeleton but was able to visualize metastases in the appendicular skeleton. Based on these pilot observations, it seems unlikely that CB1R PET will play a significant role in the evaluation of PCa.
Effect of mercaptoethanol and Na2S dropwise addition rate on zinc sulfide semiconductor nanocrystals: synthesis and characterization
Authors: Rahdar Abbas 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Zinc sulfide (ZnS) semiconductor nanocrystals with mercaptoethanol (ME) as a stabilizer (capping agent) were synthesized by coprecipitation method in room temperature using the solution of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and sodium sulfide (Na2S) as starting material. The effect of ME and Na2S dropwise addition rate on the preparation of these samples was measured using UV–vis absorption and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption and XRD of the prepared ZnS nanoparticles show increase of band gap and decrease of particle size with decrease in ME and Na2S dropwise addition rate to the reaction medium. This behavior is related to the size quantization effect due to the small size of the particles. The photoluminescence emission peak positions exhibit obvious blue shift from 510 to 455 nm. The particle sizes were obtained from transmission electron microscopy images.
Trace detection of thiols with Fourier transforms cyclic voltammetry technique in flowing solutions
Authors: Barshan-Tashnizi Mohammad , Ebrahimi-Hoseinzadeh Bahman , Daneshgar Parandis , Norouzi Parviz 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Electrochemical experiments have an increasing demand for determining the concentration of biological and environmental samples as simple, inexpensive, and rapid analytical methods. Most developments in electroanalytical chemistry in recent years have originated from advances in sensor design, chemical modification, and functionalization of electrodes for enhanced sensitivity and selectivity of electroanalysis. In this work, a novel method for the fast monitoring of a thiol compound in flow injection systems has been developed. The fast Fourier transform continuous cyclic voltammetry at carbon paste electrode in flowing solution system was used for the determination of a thiol compound. The suggested technique demonstrated some advantages over other reported methods. Picomolar detection limit that is fast enough for the determination of any thiol compound was achieved. The linearization equation was current = 24.601x + 3.7068, with the correlation coefficients of 0.9812. The obtained detection limit was calculated to be 14.80 × 10−14 mol thiocholine (thiol compound sample). This system offers the necessary accuracy, sensitivity, and selectivity to assay a thiol compound in various sensors.