bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The reduction in sigma-promoter recognition flexibility as induced by core RNAP is required for sigma to discern the optimal promoter spacing
Authors: Yeh Hsin-Yi , Hsu Hsiu-Ting , Chen Tsung-Ching , Chung Kuei-Min , Liou Kung-Ming , Chang Ban-Yang 
Published: July 2013

Sigma (σ) factors are bacterial transcription initiation factors that direct transcription at cognate promoters. The promoters recognized by primary σ are composed of −10 and −35 consensus elements separated by a spacer of 17±1 bp for optimal activity. However, how the optimal promoter spacing is sensed by the primary σ remains unclear. In the present study, we examined this issue using a transcriptionally active Bacillus subtilis N-terminally truncated σA (SND100-σA). The results of the present study demonstrate that SND100-σA binds specifically to both the −10 and −35 elements of the trnS spacing variants, of which the spacer lengths range from 14 to 21 bp, indicating that simultaneous and specific recognition of promoter −10 and −35 elements is insufficient for primary σ to discern the optimal promoter spacing. Moreover, shortening in length of the flexible linker between the two promoter DNA-binding domains of σA also does not enable SND100-σA to sense the optimal promoter spacing. Efficient recognition of optimal promoter spacing by SND100-σA requires core RNAP (RNA polymerase) which reduces the flexibility of simultaneous and specific binding of SND100-σA to both promoter −10 and −35 elements. Thus the discrimination of optimal promoter spacing by σ is core-dependent.
N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline reduces cardiac collagen cross-linking and inflammation in angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats
Authors: González Germán E. , Rhaleb Nour-Eddine , Nakagawa Pablo , Liao Tang-Dong , Liu Yunhe , Leung Pablo , Dai Xiangguo , Yang Xiao-Ping , Carretero Oscar A. 
Published: July 2013

We have reported previously that Ac-SDKP (N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline) reduces fibrosis and inflammation (in macrophages and mast cells). However, it is not known whether Ac-SDKP decreases collagen cross-linking and lymphocyte infiltration; lymphocytes modulate both collagen cross-linking and ECM (extracellular matrix) formation in hypertension. Thus we hypothesized that (i) in AngII (angiotensin II)-induced hypertension, Ac-SDKP prevents increases in cross-linked and total collagen by down-regulating LOX (lysyl oxidase), the enzyme responsible for cross-linking, and (ii) these effects are associated with decreased pro-fibrotic cytokine TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) and the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) and CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration. We induced hypertension in rats by infusing AngII either alone or combined with Ac-SDKP for 3 weeks. Whereas Ac-SDKP failed to lower BP (blood pressure) or LV (left ventricular) hypertrophy, it did prevent AngII-induced increases in (i) cross-linked and total collagen, (ii) LOX mRNA expression and LOXL1 (LOX-like 1) protein, (iii) TGFβ expression, (iv) nuclear translocation of NF-κB, (v) CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration, and (vi) CD68+ macrophages infiltration. In addition, we found a positive correlation between CD4+ infiltration and LOXL1 expression. In conclusion, the effect of Ac-SDKP on collagen cross-linking and total collagen may be due to reduced TGFβ1, LOXL1, and lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration, and its effect on inflammation could be due to lower NF-κB.
Fibulin-2 deficiency attenuates angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy by reducing transforming growth factor-β signalling
Authors: Zhang Hangxiang , Wu Jing , Dong Hailong , Khan Shaukat A. , Chu Mon-Li , Tsuda Takeshi 
Published: July 2013

AngII (angiotensin II) is a potent neurohormone responsible for cardiac hypertrophy, in which TGF (transforming growth factor)-β serves as a principal downstream mediator. We recently found that ablation of fibulin-2 in mice attenuated TGF-β signalling, protected mice against progressive ventricular dysfunction, and significantly reduced the mortality after experimental MI (myocardial infarction). In the present study, we investigated the role of fibulin-2 in AngII-induced TGF-β signalling and subsequent cardiac hypertrophy. We performed chronic subcutaneous infusion of AngII in fibulin-2 null (Fbln2−/−), heterozygous (Fbln2+/−) and WT (wild-type) mice by a mini-osmotic pump. After 4 weeks of subpressor dosage of AngII infusion (0.2 μg/kg of body weight per min), WT mice developed significant hypertrophy, whereas the Fbln2−/− showed no response. In WT, AngII treatment significantly up-regulated mRNAs for fibulin-2, ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide), TGF-β1, Col I (collagen type I), Col III (collagen type III), MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)-2 and MMP-9, and increased the phosphorylation of TGF-β-downstream signalling markers, Smad2, TAK1 (TGF-β-activated kinase 1) and p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), which were all unchanged in AngII-treated Fbln2−/− mice. The Fbln2+/− mice consistently displayed AngII-induced effects intermediate between WT and Fbln2−/−. Pressor dosage of AngII (2 mg/kg of body weight per min) induced significant fibrosis in WT but not in Fbln2−/− mice with comparable hypertension and hypertrophy in both groups. Isolated CFs (cardiac fibroblasts) were treated with AngII, in which direct AngII effects and TGF-β-mediated autocrine effects was observed in WT. The latter effects were totally abolished in Fbln2−/− cells, suggesting that fibulin-2 is essential for AngII-induced TGF-β activation. In conclusion our data indicate that fibulin-2 is essential for AngII-induced TGF-β-mediated cardiac hypertrophy via enhanced TGF-β activation and suggest that fibulin-2 is a potential therapeutic target to inhibit AngII-induced cardiac remodelling.
Executive Summary: A Guide to Utilization of the Microbiology Laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: 2013 Recommendations by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM)a
Authors: Baron Ellen Jo , Miller J. Michael , Weinstein Melvin P. , Richter Sandra S. , Gilligan Peter H. , Thomson Richard B. , Bourbeau Paul , Carroll Karen C. , Kehl Sue C. , Dunne W. Michael , Robinson-Dunn Barbara , Schwartzman Joseph D. , Chapin Kimberle C. , Snyder James W. , Forbes Betty A. , Patel Robin , Rosenblatt Jon E. , Pritt Bobbi S. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
The critical role of the microbiology laboratory in infectious disease diagnosis calls for a close, positive working relationship between the physician and the microbiologists who provide enormous value to the health care team. This document, developed by both laboratory and clinical experts, provides information on which tests are valuable and in which contexts, and on tests that add little or no value for diagnostic decisions. Sections are divided into anatomic systems, including Bloodstream Infections and Infections of the Cardiovascular System, Central Nervous System Infections, Ocular Infections, Soft Tissue Infections of the Head and Neck, Upper Respiratory Infections, Lower Respiratory Tract infections, Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Intraabdominal Infections, Bone and Joint Infections, Urinary Tract Infections, Genital Infections, and Skin and Soft Tissue Infections; or into etiologic agent groups, including Tickborne Infections, Viral Syndromes, and Blood and Tissue Parasite Infections. Each section contains introductory concepts, a summary of key points, and detailed tables that list suspected agents; the most reliable tests to order; the samples (and volumes) to collect in order of preference; specimen transport devices, procedures, times, and temperatures; and detailed notes on specific issues regarding the test methods, such as when tests are likely to require a specialized laboratory or have prolonged turnaround times. There is redundancy among the tables and sections, as many agents and assay choices overlap. The document is intended to serve as a reference to guide physicians in choosing tests that will aid them to diagnose infectious diseases in their patients.
The far emission region of the γ-ray blazar PKS B1424–418
Authors: Tavecchio F. , Pacciani L. , Donnarumma I. , Stamerra A. , Isler J. , MacPherson E. , Urry C. M. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
We report multiwavelength (infrared–optical, ultraviolet, X-ray and γ-ray) data from the flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) PKS B1424−418 (z = 1.52) gathered during an active phase in 2013 April. As for a few other cases of FSRQs reported in literature, the detection by the Large Area Telescope on board Fermi of γ-rays with energy above 10 GeV indicates that the emission likely occurs beyond the highly opaque (τ ∼ 10) broad-line region. This conclusion is strengthened by a model fit to the spectral energy distribution, which allows us to locate the emission region even beyond the distance generally assumed for the dusty torus. The consequent large size (∼1 pc) inferred for the emission region cannot account for the observed daily-scale variability of the γ-ray flux. We discuss the possibility that short-term variability results from fast magnetic reconnection events, as proposed in recent works.
Cryptogein-Induced Transcriptional Reprogramming in Tobacco Is Light Dependent
Authors: Hoeberichts Frank A. , Davoine Céline , Vandorpe Michaël , Morsa Stijn , Ksas Brigitte , Stassen Catherine , Triantaphylidès Christian , Van Breusegem Frank 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe fungal elicitor cryptogein triggers a light-dependent hypersensitive response in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). To assess the effect of light on this nonhost resistance in more detail, we studied various aspects of the response under dark and light conditions using the tobacco-cryptogein experimental system. Here, we show that light drastically alters the plant’s transcriptional response to cryptogein, notably by dampening the induction of genes involved in multiple processes, such as ethylene biosynthesis, secondary metabolism, and glutathione turnover. Furthermore, chlorophyll fluorescence measurements demonstrated that quantum yield and functioning of the light-harvesting antennae decreased simultaneously, indicating that photoinhibition underlies the observed decreased photosynthesis and that photooxidative damage might be involved in the establishment of the altered response. Analysis of the isomer distribution of hydroxy fatty acids illustrated that, in the light, lipid peroxidation was predominantly due to the production of singlet oxygen. Differences in (reduced) glutathione concentrations and the rapid development of symptoms in the light when cryptogein was coinfiltrated with glutathione biosynthesis inhibitors suggest that glutathione might become a limiting factor during the cryptogein-induced hypersensitive response in the dark and that this response might be modified by an increased antioxidant availability in the light.
Anandamide modulates the neuroendocrine responses induced by extracellular volume expansion
Authors: Ruginsk Silvia G , Uchoa Ernane T , Elias Lucila LK , Antunes‐Rodrigues Jose 
Published: July 2013

Summary

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of anandamide (AEA), an inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase activity (URB597) and a CB1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist (AM251) on the homeostatic responses elicited by extracellular volume expansion (EVE) in male adult rats.

Pretreatment with AEA (100 ng/4 μL) significantly reduced the effect of hypertonic (H‐) EVE on plasma concentrations of prolactin (PRL), oxytocin (OT) and corticosterone, but not vasopressin (AVP). Administration of URB597 (20 μg/5 μL) alone significantly reduced PRL, OT, AVP and corticosterone in the H‐EVE group. Conversely, URB597 and AEA had no significant effect on basal hormone concentrations. Pretreatment with AM251 (200 ng/2 μL) potentiated OT but did not change AVP plasma levels in the H‐EVE group.

Hypertonic EVE significantly increased AVP and OT mRNA expression in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), an effect that was blunted in AEA‐pretreated rats. Pretreatment with AEA did not change the percentage of vasopressinergic or oxytocinergic neurons colocalizing c‐Fos in the SON, but increased nitrate concentrations in the median eminence of animals subjected to H‐EVE.

The present data suggest that: (i) vasopressinergic and oxytocinergic neurons may be differentially affected by AEA; (ii) activation of CB1R may restrain the response of the neurohypophyseal system (NHS) to EVE; (iii) the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, PRL and the NHS may still be sensitive to AEA after EVE, with these effects probably not dependent on AEA metabolism; and (iv) AEA and nitric oxide could interact in vivo as modulators to directly control stress‐induced responses.
High‐resolution DNA melt‐curve analysis for cost‐effective mass screening of pairwise species interactions
Authors: McCarthy James K. , Didham Raphael K. , Brockerhoff Eckehard G. , van Bysterveldt Katherine A. , Varsani Arvind 
Published: July 2013

AbstractEcological studies of pairwise interactions are constrained by the methods available for rapid species identification of the interacting organisms. The resolution of data required to characterize species interaction networks at multiple spatio‐temporal scales can be intensive, and therefore laborious and costly to collect. We explore the utility of high‐resolution DNA melt‐curve analysis (HRM) as a rapid species identification method. An approach was developed to identify organisms at the pairwise interaction level, with particular application to cryptic species interactions that are traditionally difficult to study. Here, we selected a challenging application; to identify the presence/absence of pathogenic fungi (Sporothrix inflata, Ophiostoma nigrocarpum and Ophiostoma galeiforme) transported by bark beetle vectors (Hylastes ater and Hylurgus ligniperda). The technique was able to distinguish between different species of DNA within a single, pooled sample. In test applications, HRM was effective in the mass screening and identification of pathogenic fungal species carried by many individual bark beetle vectors (n = 455 beetles screened) across large geographic scales. For two of the fungal species, there was no difference in the frequency of association with either of their vectors, but for the third fungal species there was a shift in vector–pathogen associations across locations. This technique allows rapid, mass screening and characterization of species interactions at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional methods. It is anticipated that this method can be readily applied to explore other cryptic species interactions, or other studies requiring rapid generation of large data sets and/or high‐throughput efficiency.
Genetic assessment of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) collection with microsatellite markers acquired via pyrosequencing method
Authors: Lee Gi‐An , Sung Jung‐Sook , Lee Sok‐Young , Chung Jong‐Wook , Yi Jung‐Yoon , Kim Yeon‐Gyu , Lee Myung‐Chul 
Published: July 2013

AbstractA genetic evaluation of safflower germplasm collections derived from different geographical regions and countries will provide useful information for sustainable conservation and the utilization of genetic diversity. However, the molecular marker information is limited for evaluation of genetic diversity of safflower germplasm. In this study, we acquired 509 putative genomic SSR markers for sufficient genome coverage using next‐generation sequencing methods and characterized thirty polymorphic SSRs in safflower collection composed of 100 diverse accessions. The average allele number and expected heterozygosity were 2.8 and 0.386, respectively. Analysis of population structure and phylogeny based on thirty SSR profiles revealed genetic admixture between geographical regions contrary to genetic clustering. However, the accessions from Korea were genetically conserved in distinctive groups in contrast to other safflower gene pool. In conclusion, these new genomic SSRs will facilitate valuable studies to clarify genetic relationships as well as conduct population structure analyses, genetic map construction and association analysis for safflower.
Bovine Model of Chronic Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Implications for Ventricular Assist Device Research
Authors: Bartoli Carlo R. , Sherwood Leslie C. , Giridharan Guruprasad A. , Slaughter Mark S. , Wead William B. , Prabhu Sumanth D. , Koenig Steven C. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract:Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have emerged as a successful treatment option for advanced heart failure. The objective of this study was to develop a clinically relevant model of chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy to investigate functional, histological, and molecular changes during mechanical circulatory support. In calves (n = 17, 94 ± 7 kg), 90 μm microspheres were injected percutaneously into the left coronary artery. Serial echocardiography was performed weekly to evaluate cardiac function. Sixty days after coronary microembolization, a terminal study was performed via thoracotomy to measure hemodynamics. Regional myocardial and end‐organ blood flows were quantified with 15‐μm fluorescent‐labeled microspheres. Myocardial fibrosis, myocyte size, and myocardial apoptosis were quantified with histological stains. Eleven animals survived coronary microembolization and exhibited clinical and statistically significant echocardiographic and hemodynamic signs of severe systolic dysfunction. Statistically significant decreases in regional myocardial blood flow and increases in myocardial fibrosis, myocyte size, total myocardial apoptosis, and cardiac myocyte‐specific apoptosis were observed. End‐organ hypoperfusion was observed. Coronary microembolization induced stable and reproducible chronic left ventricular failure in calves. The anatomical size and physiology of the bovine heart and thorax are appropriate to study novel interventions for the clinical management of heart failure. This model is an appropriate physiological substrate in which to test VAD and adjunctive biological therapies.
Design for a Lithographically Patterned Bioartificial Endocrine Pancreas
Authors: Park Jaehyun , Kalinin Yevgeniy V. , Kadam Sachin , Randall Christina L. , Gracias David H. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractCell encapsulation provides a means to transplant therapeutic cells for a variety of diseases including diabetes. However, due to the large numbers of cells, approximately on the order of a billion, that need to be transplanted for human diabetes therapy, adequate mass transport of nutrients such as oxygen presents a major challenge. Proof‐of‐concept for the design of a bioartificial endocrine pancreas (BAEP) that is optimized to minimize hypoxia in a scalable and precise architecture is demonstrated using a combination of simulations and experiments. The BAEP is composed of an array of porous, lithographically patterned polyhedral capsules arrayed on a rolled‐up alginate sheet. All the important structural variables such as the capsule dimensions, pore characteristics, and spacing can be precisely engineered and tuned. Further, all cells are encapsulated within a single device with a volume not much greater than the total volume of the encapsulated cells, and no cell within the device is located more than 200 μm from the surrounding medium that facilitates efficient mass transport with the surroundings. Compared with gel‐based encapsulation methods, our approach offers unprecedented precision and tunability of structural parameters as well as the volume of the encapsulated cells and consequently the amount of secreted insulin. Our work highlights the utility of lithography and self‐assembly in the fabrication of micro‐ and nanostructured three‐dimensional structures that simulate the function of natural endocrine organs.
Excess mortality during hospital stays among patients with recorded diabetes compared with those without diabetes
Authors: Holman N. , Hillson R. , Young R. J. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimTo assess the additional mortality during hospital admissions among patients with recorded diabetes and identify the extent of variation in English provider trusts.MethodsInpatient admissions to all English hospitals between April 2010 and March 2012 were extracted from Hospital Episode Statistics. Binary logistic regression was used to standardize for age, sex, deprivation, method and reason for admission, co‐morbidities and type of trust. Trust level standardized mortality ratios for inpatients with recorded diabetes were compared with those without recorded diabetes and with published measures of hospital mortality.ResultsOf the 10 169 003 hospital admissions analysed, 11.2% had recorded diabetes, but 21.5% of inpatient deaths occurred in this group. After adjustment for case mix, hospital admissions in patients with recorded diabetes had a 6.4% greater risk of dying (2052 more deaths over 2 years) than would be expected compared with similar patients without recorded diabetes. The additional risk of death was significantly greater in smaller trusts. The highest additional risk of death was found in hospital admissions of younger female patients admitted electively. At provider trust level, 37.4% of variation in adjusted mortality in patients with recorded diabetes was explained by the mortality in those without recorded diabetes.ConclusionA diagnosis of diabetes has an adverse impact on hospital mortality that cannot be explained by usual case‐mix adjustments, and the additional risk of dying is greatest among hospital admissions that would normally have a low risk of death. This implies that diabetes may override the usual risk factors for hospital mortality.
Grooming and Anxiety in Barbary Macaques
Authors: Semple Stuart , Harrison Christy , Lehmann Julia 
Published: July 2013

AbstractGrooming is a fundamental component of sociality in many gregarious animal species, and elucidating the costs and benefits of this behaviour is crucial for understanding its function. There is evidence that animals giving grooming pay a cost in terms of the time and energy they invest, while recipients benefit not just from the removal of dirt and parasites, but also from the relaxing effects of being groomed. Recently, however, studies of primates have indicated that giving grooming may also provide such hedonic benefits, reducing levels of stress or anxiety in the groomer. In this study of free‐ranging adult female Barbary macaques at Trentham Monkey Forest (Stoke‐on‐Trent, UK), we tested the hypothesis that grooming reduces anxiety in the donor and/or the recipient. During focal follows, we quantified females' rates of self‐scratching as a behavioural index of their anxiety levels. Self‐scratching rates in the 2‐min periods after bouts of grooming (given, received and reciprocated) were compared to overall mean self‐scratching rates; we predicted that if grooming reduces anxiety, self‐scratching rates would be significantly lower after grooming bouts than mean levels. We first analysed all grooming bouts and then analysed separately grooming bouts with adult males, with all adult females, with subordinate adult females and with dominant adult females. Contrary to our prediction, self‐scratching rates were never seen to be lower after grooming than mean levels. In fact, for the majority of grooming partner–direction combinations, we found significantly higher rates of self‐scratching after grooming compared to mean levels. The hypothesis that grooming reduces anxiety was therefore not supported. Grooming seems in some cases to increase, not alleviate, anxiety. We explore possible explanations for these unexpected results.