bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple sites on Streptococcus gordonii surface protein PadA bind to platelet GPIIbIIIa
Authors: Keane Ciara , Petersen Helen J. , Tilley Dorothea O. , Haworth Jennifer , Cox Dermot , Jenkinson Howard F. , Kerrigan Steve W. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryInfective endocarditis is a life threatening disease caused by a bacterial infection of the endocardial surfaces of the heart. The oral pathogen, Streptococcus gordonii is amongst the most common pathogens isolated from infective endocarditis patients. Previously we identified a novel cell wall protein expressed on S. gordonii called platelet adherence protein A (PadA) that specifically interacts with platelet GPIIb/IIIa. The interaction between PadA and GPIIb/IIIa resulted in firm platelet adhesion, dense granule secretion and platelet spreading on immobilised S. gordonii. This study set out to identify specific motifs on the PadA protein that interacts with platelet GPIIb/IIIa. Proteomic analysis of the PadA protein identified two short amino acid motifs which have been previously shown to be important for fibrinogen binding to GPIIb/IIIa and contributing to the generation of outside-in signalling. Site directed mutagenesis on the PadA protein in which 454AGD was substituted to AAA, and the 383RGT was substituted to AAA suggests the RGT motif has no role in supporting platelet adhesion however plays a role in dense granule secretion and platelet spreading. In contrast to this the AGD motif has no role to play in supporting firm platelet adhesion or dense granule secretion however plays a role in platelet spreading. These results suggest that multiple sites on S. gordonii PadA interact with GPIIb/IIIa to mediate a number of platelet responses that likely contribute to the thrombotic complications of infective endocarditis.
Thirty years of changes in the decapod community from the deep-water fishing grounds off Kueishan Island, Taiwan
Authors: Wang Teng-Wei , Chan Tin-Yam , Huang Che-Wei , Chan Benny K. K. 
Published: October 2013

The deep water off Kueishan Island, NE Taiwan, is a traditional fishing ground for the deep-water fishing vessels based at Dasi fishing port. Since the opening of the deep-water fishing ports at Dasi in the late 1960s, the fishing grounds off Kueishan Island have been continuously trawled, for over 50 years now. The present study compares the decapod assemblages in the catches of Dasi fishing port among four periods of time, spanning more than 30 years, namely, 1981-1990, 1991-2000, 2001-2010, 2011-2012. A total of 66 families, 203 genera and 420 species of decapod crustaceans have thus been recorded in the catches landed at Dasi fishing port from 1981 to 2012. During 1981-1990, 202 species were recorded, followed by 262 species from 1991-2000, 236 species from 2001-2010, and 265 species from 2011-2012. In all four periods, crabs (Brachyura) were the largest group, representing more than 30%, followed by Dendrobranchiata. Comparing the species composition among the four periods, each period contains a group of species exclusively found at that particular period of time. There were 26 exclusive species in 1981-1990, 49 in 1991-2000, 21 in 2001-2010 and 50 in 2011-2012. On the other hand, there are 94 species common to all four periods. Trajectory plots in the nMDS ordinations shows a gradual directional change in species composition from 1981-1990 to 1991-2000, 2001-2010 and 2011-2012. Since each consecutive period has a higher similarity with the previous than with the other periods, this suggests that the observed trend is not a random pattern. The decapod community in the waters off Kueishan Island has a very high diversity, but the species composition is unstable over time and also changing with time. Under the locally prevailing circumstances, we hypothesize this likely is a succession process in response to the continuous disturbance from the trawl fisheries.
The Mean Sea Level Equation and Its Application to the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Pinardi N. , Bonaduce A. , Navarra A. , Dobricic S. , Oddo P. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
A formalism to obtain a mean sea level equation (MSLE) is constructed for any limited ocean region and/or the global ocean by considering the mass conservation equation with compressible effects and a linear equation of state. The MSLE contains buoyancy fluxes terms representing the steric effects and the mass flux is represented by surface water fluxes and volume transport terms. The MSLE is studied for the Mediterranean Sea case using a simulation experiment for the decade 1999–2008. It is found that the Mediterranean MSL tendency is made of a steric contribution that is almost periodic in time superimposed on a stochastic-like signal due to the mass balance, dominating the MSL tendency. The MSL tendency stochastic-like term is a result of the imbalance between the volume flux at Gibraltar and the area average surface water flux.
Out-of-Phase Relationship between Boreal Spring and Summer Decadal Rainfall Changes in Southern China*
Authors: Zhu Zhiwei , Li Tim , He Jinhai 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
A multivariate empirical orthogonal function (MV-EOF) analysis for 1979–2010 shows that low-level circulation and rainfall over East Asia experienced a significant decadal shift around the mid-1990s. During boreal spring (March–May), the first principal component (PC) of the MV-EOF exhibits a marked decadal change around the mid-1990s, while during boreal summer (June–August) the second PC shows a pronounced decadal shift around the same time. It is further noted that the decadal rainfall change over southern China experienced an out-of-phase relationship between boreal spring and summer; that is, from the pre-1994 to the post-1994 period, the rainfall tends to decrease in boreal spring but increase in boreal summer.
A mechanism is put forward to explain the out-of-phase decadal rainfall change over southern China between boreal spring and summer. In boreal spring, the composite differences of SST between the latter and former decadal periods indicate a La Niña–like pattern with warming in the western Pacific and cooling in the eastern Pacific. This pattern leads the enhanced convection over the Maritime Continent, which may further induce anomalous subsidence and thus negative rainfall anomalies over southern China through the local Hadley circulation. In boreal summer, dominant decadal SST warming appears in the entire tropical Indian Ocean while the negative SST anomalies in eastern Pacific are much weaker. The warm SST anomaly over the Indian Ocean leads to suppressed convection over the Maritime Continent, which, through the local Hadley cell, favors the strengthening the East Asian monsoon trough and leads to a positive rainfall anomaly over southern China.
Periprosthetic Osteolysis after Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Yoon Hang Seob , Lee Jongseok , Choi Woo Jin , Lee Jin Woo 
Published: October 2013

Background: Periprosthetic osteolysis in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a substantial problem. We report the incidence and characteristics of periprosthetic osteolysis and its association with clinical outcomes after TAA using the HINTEGRA ankle system. Methods: Between May 2004 and April 2010, 126 primary TAA were performed on 115 patients. We excluded 27 ankles with a follow-up of less than 24 months; thus, 99 ankles in 90 patients with a mean follow-up of 40.8 (range, 24–89) months were included in the study. Pain and clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analog scale and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score. Fluoroscopy was used for optimum visualization of the bone-implant interfaces on radiographs. Computed tomography (CT) was conducted on 25 ankles that exhibited progression of osteolysis. Results: Radiographs revealed that 37 of the 99 ankles showed radiologic evidence of osteolysis; of these, 10 demonstrated continuous progression over the study period. Helical CT scans were more accurate than radiographs for identifying and measuring periprosthetic osteolysis in TAA. None of the demographic parameters were substantially different between the 2 groups of subjects (with or without osteolysis). No major association was found between the presence of osteolysis and clinical and radiologic outcomes. Conclusion: Osteolysis associated with TAA may indeed be common in the postoperative period. Although most of the osteolytic lesions observed here were relatively quiescent, these lesions raise concerns in contemporary TAA because of their incidence rate and the potential for later mechanical failure as compared to arthrodesis. Early diagnosis and careful evaluation of osteolysis may provide a clinical opportunity for limited revision surgery in ankles of impending prosthesis failure. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
The antiallergic mechanisms ofCitrus sunkiand bamboo salt (K-ALL) in an allergic rhinitis model
Authors: Oh Hyun-A , Kim Myong-Jo , Shin Tae-Yong , Kim Hyung-Min , Jeong Hyun-Ja 
Published: October 2013

The antiallergic effects of traditional medicines have long been studied. Traditional Korean medicine, Citrus sunki and bamboo salt, has been used for the treatment of allergic diseases in Korea. K-ALL, composed of Citrus sunki and bamboo salt, is a newly prepared prescription for allergic patients. To develop the new antiallergic agent, we examined the effects of K-ALL through in vivo and in vitro models. K-ALL and naringin (an active compound of K-ALL) significantly inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. This inhibitory effect of K-ALL on histamine release was higher than effects from other known histamine inhibitors such as bamboo salt, Citrus sunki or disodium cromoglycate. K-ALL significantly inhibited systemic anaphylactic shock induced by the compound 48/80 and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis induced by the IgE. K-ALL also inhibited production and mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and the calcium ionophore A23187 on HMC-1 cells (a human mast cell line). In the ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis animal model, rub scores, histamine, IgE, inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cell counts were all reduced by the oral or nasal administration of K-ALL (pre and posttreatment). These results indicate the great potential of K-ALL as an active immune modulator for the treatment of mast cell-mediated allergic diseases.
Difference of perceptions and evaluation of cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder patients across psychiatrists internationally
Authors: Hammi Emna El , Samp Jennifer , Rémuzat Cécile , Auray Jean-Paul , Lamure Michel , Aballéa Samuel , Kooli Amna , Akhras Kasem , Toumi Mondher 
Published: October 2013

Background: Many studies have suggested that major depressive disorder (MDD) is often associated with cognitive dysfunction. Despite this, guidance addressing assessment of cognitive dysfunction in MDD is lacking. The aim of this study was to examine psychiatrists’ perceptions and evaluation of cognitive dysfunction in routine practice in MDD patients across different countries. Method: A total of 61 psychiatrists in the US, Germany, France, Spain, Hong Kong, and Australia participated in an online survey about perceptions of cognitive dysfunction in MDD patients, evaluation of cognition and instruments used in cognitive evaluation. Results: Most psychiatrists reportedly relied on patient history interviews for cognitive evaluation (83% in France and approximately 60% in the USA, Germany, Australia and Hong Kong). The remainder used a cognitive instrument or a combination of cognitive instrument and patient history interview for assessment. Of those using instruments for cognitive assessment, only nine named instruments that were appropriate for cognitive evaluation. The remainder reported other clinical measures not intended for cognitive evaluation. Conclusions: Overall, psychiatrists in routine clinical practice value the assessment of cognitive in MDD. However, there is a lack of standardization in these assessments and misconceptions regarding proper assessment.
MicroRNA-155 controls RB phosphorylation in normal and malignant B lymphocytes via the noncanonical TGF-β1/SMAD5 signaling module
Authors: Jiang Daifeng , Aguiar Ricardo C. T. 
Published: October 2013

Key Points
miR-155 regulates the RB/E2F axis in DLBCL. SMAD5 plays a dominant role in transducing TGF-β effects in B lymphocytes.
Alterations in regional homogeneity assessed by fMRI in patients with migraine without aura stratified by disease duration
Authors: Zhao Ling , Liu Jixin , Dong Xilin , Peng Yulin , Yuan Kai , Wu Fumei , Sun Jinbo , Gong Qiyong , Qin Wei , Liang Fanrong 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Advanced neuroimaging approaches have been employed to prove that migraine was a central nervous system disorder. This study aims to examine resting-state abnormalities in migraine without aura (MWoA) patients stratified by disease duration, and to explore the neuroimaging markers for reflecting the disease duration.

Methods
40 eligible MWoA patients and 20 matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis was used to identify the local features of spontaneous brain activity in MWoA patients stratified by disease duration, and analysis was performed to investigate the correlation of overlapped brain dysfunction in MWoA patients with different disease duration (long-term and short-term) and course of disease.

Results
Compared with healthy controls, MWoA patients with long-term disease duration showed comprehensive neuronal dysfunction than patients with short-term disease duration. In addition, increased average ReHo values in the thalamus, brain stem, and temporal pole showed significantly positive correlations with the disease duration. On the contrary, ReHo values were negatively correlated with the duration of disease in the anterior cingulate cortex, insula, posterior cingulate cortex and superior occipital gyrus.

Conclusions
Our findings of progressive brain damage in relation to increasing disease duration suggest that migraine without aura is a progressive central nervous disease, and the length of the disease duration was one of the key reasons to cause brain dysfunction in MwoA patients. The repeated migraine attacks over time result in resting-state abnormalities of selective brain regions belonging to the pain processing and cognition. We predict that these brain regions are sensitive neuroimaging markers for reflecting the disease duration of migraine patients without aura.
Diacylated lipopeptide from Mycoplasma synoviae mediates TLR15 induced innate immune responses
Authors: Oven Irena , Resman Rus Katarina , Dušanić Daliborka , Benčina Dušan , Keeler Calvin L , Narat Mojca 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Avian-specific toll like receptor 15 (TLR15) is functionally equivalent to a group of TLR2 family proteins that the mammalian innate immune system utilizes to recognize a broad spectrum of microbe-associated molecular patterns, including bacterial lipoproteins. In this study we examined the role of chicken TLR2 family members in the innate immune response to the avian pathogenic bacterium, Mycoplasma synoviae. We found that Mycoplasma synoviae, and specifically the N-terminal diacylated lipopeptide (MDLP) representing the amino-terminal portion of its mature haemagglutinin protein, significantly induces the expression of TLR15, but not TLR1 and TLR2 in chicken macrophages and chondrocytes. TLR15 activation is specific and depends on diacylation of the lipopeptide. Activation of TLR15 after stimulation with Mycoplasma synoviae and MDLP triggers an increase in the expression of transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B and nitric oxide production. Moreover, transfection of avian macrophage cells with small interfering RNA reduces the expression of TLR15 after stimulation with MDLP. This leads to decreased activation of the innate immune response, as measured by nitric oxide production. Additionally, pretreatment of cells with neutralizing anti-TLR15 antibody results in a notable attenuation of MDLP-driven release of nitric oxide. This positive correlation may constitute a mechanism for stimulating the innate immune response against avian mycoplasmas in chicken cells via TLR15.
Interrelationship of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus colonization within and between pneumococcal-vaccine naïve mother-child dyads
Authors: Shiri Tinevimbo , Nunes Marta C , Adrian Peter V , Van Niekerk Nadia , Klugman Keith P , Madhi Shabir A 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
A high prevalence of bacterial nasopharyngeal co-infections has been reported in children, however, such data is limited in adults. We examined the interaction of Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae pharyngeal colonization in mother-child dyads.

Methods
Pneumococcal-vaccine naïve children and their mothers had pharyngeal swabs undertaken at 1.6, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 7.4, 9.5, 12.5, 16.2 and 24.2 months of child’s age. Swabs were cultured for S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and S. aureus using standard microbiologic methods. Multivariate generalized estimating equation-models were used to explore the associations of the three bacteria within and between children and their mothers.

Results
In children, the observed probability of co-colonization was higher than expected. Well-defined associations in colonization between the bacteria were observed in children but not among mothers. In children, a synergistic association was observed between S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.75, 95% CI: 1.32-2.32) and a negative association between S. pneumoniae and S. aureus (AOR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.39-0.67) or H. influenzae and S. aureus (AOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.16-0.34) colonization. Additionally, all three bacteria had a higher likelihood of concurrent colonization. There was a strong association in colonization by the bacteria in children and their mothers, including increased likelihood of maternal colonization if the child was colonized by S. pneumoniae (AOR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.28-2.63) and H. influenzae (AOR: 6.34, 95% CI: 2.24-18.0).

Conclusions
The effects of immunization of children with pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine in settings such as ours needs monitoring with regard to potential changes of pharyngeal bacterial ecology which could occur in vaccinated and –unvaccinated age-groups.
Selective steroid oxyfunctionalisation by CYP154C5, a bacterial cytochrome P450
Authors: Bracco Paula , Janssen Dick B , Schallmey Anett 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases – able to regio- and stereoselectively hydroxylate non-activated carbon atoms – are important enzymes for the synthesis of valuable intermediates in the production of steroid hormones in the pharmaceutical industry. However, up to now only a few bacterial enzymes able to hydroxylate steroids have been reported. CYP154C5 from Nocardia farcinica IFM 10152, a bacterial P450 monooxygenase, was previously shown to convert testosterone to 16α-hydroxytestosterone. Since the hydroxylation at 16α-position is of special interest for the pharmaceutical industry, we have studied this enzyme in more detail to investigate its activity and selectivity in bioconversions of further steroids.

Results
CYP154C5 was coexpressed in Escherichia coli together with putidaredoxin and putidaredoxin reductase from Pseudomonas putida as redox partners for electron transfer and applied in bioconversions of various pregnanes and androstanes [pregnenolone (1), dehydroepiandrosterone (2), progesterone (3), androstenedione (4), testosterone (5) and nandrolone (6)]. Structure elucidation of the formed products revealed an exclusive regio- and stereoselectivity of CYP154C5, always yielding the corresponding 16α-hydroxylated steroids. Application of whole cells expressing the three components, P450, Pdx and PdR, in steroid biotransformations resulted in significantly higher conversions and total turnover numbers (TTN) compared to reactions using cell-free extracts. Additionally, considerably higher substrate loads (up to 15 mM) were tolerated by the whole-cell system. Furthermore, turnover numbers (TON) were determined for the six different steroids using whole cells. Thus, testosterone was found to be the worst substrate with a TON of only 0.8 μmol substrate consumed min-1 μmol-1 CYP154C5, while progesterone and pregnenolone were converted the fastest resulting in TON of 3.3 μmol substrate consumed min-1 μmol-1 CYP154C5.

Conclusion
CYP154C5 from N. farcinica constitutes a promising catalyst due to its high regio- and stereoselectivity in the hydroxylation of different steroids as well as its efficient expression in E. coli at high yields. Using this enzyme, 16α-hydroxylated steroids, which are important precursors for the synthesis of high value steroidal drugs in the pharmaceutical industry, can be selectively produced on preparative scale with TTN (μmol substrate consumed μmol-1 CYP154C5) exceeding 2000.
Effects of parental origins and length of residency on adiposity measures andnutrition in urban middle school students: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kuryan Ranita , Frankel David , Cervoni Barbie , Koltun Audrey , Lowell Barbara , Altshuler Lisa , Rosenbaum Michael , Shelov Steven P , Carey Dennis E , Accacha Siham , Fennoy Ilene , Rapaport Robert , Rosenfeld Warren , Ten Svetlana , Speiser Phyllis W 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
The prevalence of obesity in U.S. has been rising at an alarming rate,particularly among Hispanic, African, and Asian minority groups. This trendis due in part to excessive calorie consumption and sedentary lifestyle. Wesought to investigate whether parental origins influence eating behaviors inhealthy urban middle school students.

Methods
A multiethnic/racial population of students (N = 182) enrolled inthe ROAD (Reduce Obesity and Diabetes) Study, a school-based trial to assessclinical, behavioral, and biochemical risk factors for adiposity and itsco-morbidities completed questionnaires regarding parental origins, lengthof US residency, and food behaviors and preferences. The primary behavioralquestionnaire outcome variables were nutrition knowledge, attitude,intention and behavior, which were then related to anthropometric measuresof waist circumference, BMI z-scores, and percent body fat. Two-way analysisof variance was used to evaluate the joint effects of number of parents bornin the U.S. and ethnicity on food preference and knowledge score. TheTukey-Kramer method was used to compute pairwise comparisons to determinewhere differences lie. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyzethe joint effects of number of parents born in the US and student ethnicity,along with the interaction term, on each adiposity measure outcome. Pearsoncorrelation coefficients were used to examine the relationships betweenmaternal and paternal length of residency in the US with measures ofadiposity, food preference and food knowledge.

Results
African Americans had significantly higher BMI, waist circumference and bodyfat percentage compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Neitherethnicity/race nor parental origins had an impact on nutrition behavior.Mothers’ length of US residency positively correlated withstudents’ nutrition knowledge, but not food attitude, intention orbehavior.

Conclusions
Adiposity measures in children differ according to ethnicity and race. Incontrast, food behaviors in this middle school sample were not influenced byparental origins. Longer maternal US residency benefited offspring in termsof nutrition knowledge only. We suggest that interventions to preventobesity begin in early childhood.