bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ryanodine Receptors, Calcium Signaling, and Regulation of Vascular Tone in The Cerebral Parenchymal Microcirculation
Authors: Dabertrand Fabrice , Nelson Mark T. , Brayden Joseph E. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe cerebral blood supply is delivered by a surface network of pial arteries and arterioles from which arise (parenchymal) arterioles that penetrate into the cortex and terminate in a rich capillary bed. The critical regulation of CBF, locally and globally, requires precise vasomotor regulation of the intracerebral microvasculature. This vascular region is anatomically unique as illustrated by the presence of astrocytic processes that envelope almost the entire basolateral surface of PAs. There are, moreover, notable functional differences between pial arteries and PAs. For example, in pial VSMCs, local calcium release events (“calcium sparks”) through ryanodine receptor (RyR) channels in SR membrane activate large conductance, calcium‐sensitive potassium channels to modulate vascular diameter. In contrast, VSMCs in PAs express functional RyR and BK channels, but under physiological conditions, these channels do not oppose pressure‐induced vasoconstriction. Here, we summarize the roles of ryanodine receptors in the parenchymal microvasculature under physiologic and pathologic conditions, and discuss their importance in the control of CBF.
The neuroinflammatory response in humans after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Smith C. , Gentleman S. M. , Leclercq P. D. , Murray L. S. , Griffin W. S. T. , Graham D. I. , Nicoll J. A. R. 
Published: December 2012

AimsTraumatic brain injury is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. An epidemiological association between head injury and long‐term cognitive decline has been described for many years and recent clinical studies have highlighted functional impairment within 12 months of a mild head injury. In addition chronic traumatic encephalopathy is a recently described condition in cases of repetitive head injury. There are shared mechanisms between traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease, and it has been hypothesized that neuroinflammation, in the form of microglial activation, may be a mechanism underlying chronic neurodegenerative processes after traumatic brain injury.MethodsThis study assessed the microglial reaction after head injury in a range of ages and survival periods, from <24‐h survival through to 47‐year survival. Immunohistochemistry for reactive microglia (CD68 and CR3/43) was performed on human autopsy brain tissue and assessed ‘blind’ by quantitative image analysis. Head injury cases were compared with age matched controls, and within the traumatic brain injury group cases with diffuse traumatic axonal injury were compared with cases without diffuse traumatic axonal injury.ResultsA major finding was a neuroinflammatory response that develops within the first week and persists for several months after traumatic brain injury, but has returned to control levels after several years. In cases with diffuse traumatic axonal injury the microglial reaction is particularly pronounced in the white matter.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that prolonged microglial activation is a feature of traumatic brain injury, but that the neuroinflammatory response returns to control levels after several years.
Treponema denticola associates with increased levels of MMP‐8 and MMP‐9 in gingival crevicular fluid
Authors: Yakob M , Meurman JH , Sorsa T , Söder B 
Published: December 2012

ObjectivesThe aim was to assess the association between the presence of site‐specific subgingival micro‐organisms and the levels of matrix metalloproteinases‐8 and matrix metalloproteinases‐9 (MMP‐8 and MMP‐9) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF).Materials and MethodsThe patient group consisted of 56 subjects with periodontitis and the control group of 43 subjects without periodontitis. GCF samples from four test sites for each subject were collected. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola. MMP‐8 concentrations were analyzed by a time‐resolved immunofluorometric assay, and MMP‐9 levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Student's unpaired t‐test, chi‐square test, and Fisher's exact P‐value were calculated.ResultsThe presence of T. denticola in the test sites was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. The presence of T. forsythia and T. denticola was associated with increased levels of MMP‐8 in the test sites. Respectively, site‐specific presence of T. denticola was associated with an increase in MMP‐9 levels in three of the four test sites.ConclusionsThe presence of subgingival micro‐organisms in GCF, particularly T. denticola, appeared to induce a host response with an increased release of MMP‐8 and MMP‐9 in the test sites.
Oral Syphilis: a retrospective analysis of 12 cases and a review of the literature
Authors: Leuci S , Martina S , Adamo D , Ruoppo E , Santarelli A , Sorrentino R , Favia G , Mignogna MD 
Published: December 2012

ObjectiveTo present a retrospective analysis of multicentre case series of oral syphilis and a review of relevant literature.Subjects and MethodsA PUBMED search was carried out from 1950 to 2011. Clinical records of patients with exclusive/prevalent oral manifestations of syphilis were collected and examined in three independent hospitals.ResultsOf 23 reports describing 34 patients were detected through the review (35% primary, 56% secondary, and 9% tertiary disease), describing unspecific ulcers (59%), mucosal patches (23%), keratosis (6%), pseudomembranes (3%), and gumma (9%). Multicentre case series revealed 12 patients with oral syphilis, of which 17%, 58%, and 25% with, respectively, primary, secondary, and tertiary lesions. Clinically, patients showed white patches (17%), blistering mucositis (8%), chronic unspecific ulcers with/without skin lesions (50%), gumma (17%), and necrosis of the dorsum of the tongue (8%). Oral bullae and tongue necrosis are never described in the current review.ConclusionsDiagnosis of syphilis remains a challenge because of the multiform and polymorphous clinical pattern at onset and its ability to imitate different diseases. It is mandatory to include syphilis in the differential diagnosis of unusual oral lesions. Diagnosis of oral lesions of syphilis is often difficult, and biopsy is required in controversial cases.
Expression of an engineered granule‐bound Escherichia coli glycogen branching enzyme in potato results in severe morphological changes in starch granules
Authors: Huang Xing‐Feng , Nazarian‐Firouzabadi Farhad , Vincken Jean‐Paul , Ji Qin , Suurs Luc C. J. M. , Visser Richard G. F. , Trindade Luisa M. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe Escherichia coli glycogen branching enzyme (GLGB) was fused to either the C‐ or N‐terminus of a starch‐binding domain (SBD) and expressed in two potato genetic backgrounds: the amylose‐free mutant (amf) and an amylose‐containing line (Kardal). Regardless of background or construct used, a large amount of GLGB/SBD fusion protein was accumulated inside the starch granules, however, without an increase in branching. The presence of GLGB/SBD fusion proteins resulted in altered morphology of the starch granules in both genetic backgrounds. In the amf genetic background, the starch granules showed both amalgamated granules and porous starch granules, whereas in Kardal background, the starch granules showed an irregular rough surface. The altered starch granules in both amf and Kardal backgrounds were visible from the initial stage of potato tuber development. High‐throughput transcriptomic analysis showed that expression of GLGB/SBD fusion protein in potato tubers did not affect the expression level of most genes directly involved in the starch biosynthesis except for the up‐regulation of a beta‐amylase gene in Kardal background. The beta‐amylase protein could be responsible for the degradation of the extra branches potentially introduced by GLGB.
Transient Repetitive Exposure to Low Level Light Therapy Enhances Collateral Blood Vessel Growth in The Ischemic Hindlimb of The Tight Skin Mouse
Authors: Zaidi Maria , Krolikowki John G. , Jones Deron W. , Pritchard Kirkwood A. , Struve Janine , Nandedkar Sandhya D. , Lohr Nicole L. , Pagel Paul S. , Weihrauch Dorothée 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe tight skin mouse (Tsk−/+) is a model of scleroderma characterized by impaired vasoreactivity, increased oxidative stress, attenuated angiogenic response to VEGF and production of the angiogenesis inhibitor angiostatin. Low‐level light therapy (LLLT) stimulates angiogenesis in myocardial infarction and chemotherapy‐induced mucositis. We hypothesize that repetitive LLLT restores vessel growth in the ischemic hindlimb of Tsk−/+ mice by attenuating angiostatin and enhancing angiomotin effects in vivo. C57Bl/6J and Tsk−/+ mice underwent ligation of the femoral artery. Relative blood flow to the foot was measured using a laser Doppler imager. Tsk−/+ mice received LLLT (670 nm, 50 mW cm−2, 30 J cm−2) for 10 min per day for 14 days. Vascular density was determined using lycopersicom lectin staining. Immunofluorescent labeling, Western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation were used to determine angiostatin and angiomotin expression. Recovery of blood flow to the ischemic limb was reduced in Tsk−/+ compared with C57Bl/6 mice 2 weeks after surgery. LLLT treatment of Tsk−/+ mice restored blood flow to levels observed in C57Bl/6 mice. Vascular density was decreased, angiostatin expression was enhanced and angiomotin depressed in the ischemic hindlimb of Tsk−/+ mice. LLLT treatment reversed these abnormalities. LLLT stimulates angiogenesis by increasing angiomotin and decreasing angiostatin expression in the ischemic hindlimb of Tsk−/+ mice.
Effects of the Oxygenation Level on Formation of Different Reactive Oxygen Species During Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Price Michael , Heilbrun Lance , Kessel David 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWe examined the effect of the oxygenation level on efficacy of two photosensitizing agents, both of which target lysosomes for photodamage, but via different photochemical pathways. Upon irradiation, the chlorin termed NPe6 forms singlet oxygen in high yield while the bacteriopheophorbide WST11 forms only oxygen radicals (in an aqueous environment). Photokilling efficacy by WST11 in cell culture was impaired when the atmospheric oxygen concentration was reduced from 20% to 1%, while photokilling by NPe6 was unaffected. Studies in a cell‐free system revealed that the rates of photobleaching of these agents, as a function of the oxygenation level, were correlated with results described above. Moreover, the rate of formation of oxygen radicals by either agent was more sensitive to the level of oxygenation than was singlet oxygen formation by NPe6. These data indicate that the photochemical process that leads to oxygen radical formation is more dependent on the oxygenation level than is the pathway leading to formation of singlet oxygen.
Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy to Probe Photoactivation in Canonical Phytochromes
Authors: Song Chen , Rohmer Thierry , Tiersch Markus , Zaanen Jan , Hughes Jon , Matysik Jörg 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe photoreceptor phytochrome switches photochromically between two thermally stable states called Pr and Pfr. Here, we summarize recent solid‐state magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR work on this conversion process and interpret the functional mechanism in terms of a nano‐machine. The process is initiated by a double‐bond photoisomerization of the open‐chain tetrapyrrole chromophore at the methine bridge connecting pyrrole rings C and D. The Pr‐state chromophore and its surrounding pocket in canonical cyanobacterial and plant phytochromes has significantly less order, tends to form isoforms and is soft. Conversely, Pfr shows significantly harder chromophore–protein interactions, a well‐defined protonic and charge distribution with a clear classical counterion for the positively charged tetrapyrrole system. The soft‐to‐hard/disorder‐to‐order transition involves the chromophore and its protein surroundings within a sphere of at least 5.5 Å. The relevance of this collective event for signaling is discussed. Measurement of the intermediates during the Pfr → Pr back‐reaction provides insight into the well‐adjusted mechanics of a two‐step transformation. As both Pr → Pfr and Pfr → Pr reaction pathways are different in ground and excited states, a photochemically controlled hyper‐landscape is proposed allowing for ratchet‐type reaction dynamics regulating signaling activity.
Immunomodulatory effects of helminths and protozoa in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Hasseldam H. , Hansen C. S. , Johansen F. F. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryMultiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory CNS disease, which affects about 1 in 1000 individuals in the western world. During the last couple of decades, epidemiological data have accumulated, pointing towards increases in incidence. This has been suggested to be linked to the relatively high hygiene standards that exist in the western world, with reduced exposure to various pathogens, including parasites, as a consequence. Parasites are known to employ various immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory strategies, which enable them to evade destruction by the immune system. This is most likely one of the reasons for the disease‐dampening effects, reported in numerous studies investigating parasite infections and autoimmunity. This review will focus on recent advances in the field of parasites as beneficial immunomodulators, in multiple sclerosis and the animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Plasma Concentrations of Pregnancy‐Associated Glycoproteins Measured Using Anti‐Bovine PAG‐2 Antibodies on Day 120 of Gestation Predict Abortion in Dairy Cows Naturally Infected with Neospora caninum
Authors: García‐Ispierto I , Almería S , Serrano B , de Sousa NM , Beckers JF , López‐Gatius F 
Published: December 2012

ContentsThe present study sought to determine: (i) the effects of Neospora caninum infection and twin pregnancy on plasma pregnancy‐associated glycoprotein‐2 (PAG‐2) concentrations throughout pregnancy and (ii) whether plasma PAG‐2 concentrations could predict abortion in N. caninum‐infected cows. The study was performed on a commercial Holstein‐Friesian dairy herd in northeastern Spain and the final data included those recorded in 53 non‐aborting and 19 aborting animals. Blood samples were collected immediately before pregnancy diagnosis (on Days 40, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 post‐insemination) in non‐aborting cows or until the time of abortion detection in aborting cows. General lineal models (GLM) repeated measures anova revealed the different behaviour of PAG‐1 and PAG‐2, and significant effects of Neospora seropositivity, cool season and twin pregnancy on plasma PAG‐2 concentrations throughout gestation (between‐subject effects). In addition, based on the odds ratios, the likelihood of abortion increased in Neospora‐seropositive cows (by a factor of 7.0) compared to seronegative animals and decreased in cows with a high plasma PAG‐2 concentration (>4.5 ng/ml) on Day 120 of pregnancy (by a factor of 0.24), compared to the remaining cows. In conclusion, there is a relationship between plasma PAG‐2 concentrations and the risk of abortion in Neospora‐infected dairy cows. Thus, plasma PAG concentrations measured using anti‐boPAG‐2 antiserum on Day 120 of gestation could serve as an indicator of the abortion risk in N. caninum infected animals; values <4.5 ng/ml indicating a high risk of abortion in chronically infected animals.
Romanian Cinematic Nationhood
Authors: Andreescu Florentina C. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis article analyses the way the concept of nation is reflected in film using the theory of cinematic nationhood and the method of relational constructivism. More specifically, it looks at how the nation can be legitimised when it occupies a strategic position within the national structure of fantasy and when it is closely associated with the most relevant commonplaces present within the social space. The article further investigates the situation in which the concept of nation loses legitimacy because of a change in the way it is imagined. The research addresses the case of Romania, choosing three films representing three distinct periods and characterised by different forms of political and economic organisation: communism, transition, and post‐transition.
Language and Conflict: The Political History of Arabisation in Sudan and Algeria
Authors: Sharkey Heather J. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractUpon decolonisation, nationalist leaders in two North African countries, Algeria and Sudan, promoted a policy called Arabisation (ta'rib), which sought to impose standard literary Arabic at the expense of English (in Sudan), French (in Algeria), and other local languages (in both places). This language policy reflected the worldview of Muslim leaders, who hoped to break from the colonial past and start afresh while forging alliances with Arab Islamic states. Arabisation succeeded in expanding the use of literary Arabic in Sudanese and Algerian government bureaus as well as in schools and universities. However, in some circles it helped to stimulate oppositional identities that rejected pan‐Arabism as a focal point for national pride and that challenged the cultural foundations of national cohesion. Taking a comparative approach, this study argues that Arabic language policy in Algeria and Sudan featured strongly in postcolonial nationalism and civil conflict. It concludes by considering the status of language cultures and policies today in Algeria, the Republic of the Sudan, and the newly independent Republic of South Sudan, and contends that state‐led efforts at ‘language rationalisation’ have not eliminated multilingualism in practice.
Potassium transport in developing fleshy fruits: the grapevine inward K+ channel VvK1.2 is activated by CIPK–CBL complexes and induced in ripening berry flesh cells
Authors: Cuéllar Teresa , Azeem Farrukh , Andrianteranagna Mamy , Pascaud François , Verdeil Jean‐Luc , Sentenac Hervé , Zimmermann Sabine , Gaillard Isabelle 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe grape berry provides a model for investigating the physiology of non‐climacteric fruits. Increased K+ accumulation in the berry has a strong negative impact on fruit acidity (and quality). In maturing berries, we identified a K+ channel from the Shaker family, VvK1.2, and two CBL‐interacting protein kinase (CIPK)/calcineurin B‐like calcium sensor (CBL) pairs, VvCIPK04–VvCBL01 and VvCIPK03–VvCBL02, that may control the activity of this channel. VvCBL01 and VvCIPK04 are homologues of Arabidopsis AtCBL1 and AtCIPK23, respectively, which form a complex that controls the activity of the Shaker K+ channel AKT1 in Arabidopsis roots. VvK1.2 remained electrically silent when expressed alone in Xenopus oocytes, but gave rise to K+ currents when co‐expressed with the pairs VvCIPK03–VvCBL02 or VvCIPK04–VvCBL01, the second pair inducing much larger currents than the first one. Other tested CIPK–CBL pairs expressed in maturing berries were found to be unable to activate VvK1.2. When activated by its CIPK–CBL partners, VvK1.2 acts as a voltage‐gated inwardly rectifying K+ channel that is activated at voltages more negative than –100 mV and is stimulated upon external acidification. This channel is specifically expressed in the berry, where it displays a very strong induction at veraison (the inception of ripening) in flesh cells, phloem tissues and perivascular cells surrounding vascular bundles. Its expression in these tissues is further greatly increased upon mild drought stress. VvK1.2 is thus likely to mediate rapid K+ transport in the berry and to contribute to the extensive re‐organization of the translocation pathways and transport mechanisms that occurs at veraison.
Fungal polymerase chain reaction testing in equine ulcerative keratitis
Authors: Zeiss Caroline , Neaderland Marjorie , Yang Fu‐Chen , Terwilliger Gordon , Compton Susan 
Published: December 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic utility of fungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in forty‐three horses with naturally acquired corneal ulcers presenting to a private practice.MethodsRoutine evaluation of cytologic, histologic, and microbiologic samples was performed. Two PCR approaches were compared – generic and specific fungal nested PCR followed by sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR). PCRs were applied to pure control fungal cultures, corneal tissue from ulcerated eyes and in a subset of 9 horses, to swabs from contralateral normal eyes.ResultsThe expected fungus was identified by nested PCR andqPCRin all control fungal cultures. In all fungal culture–positive affected eyes (10/43), one or more fungi were identified by nested PCR and 4/10 were positive byqPCR. In 6/10 animals, the same fungus was identified by nested PCR and culture. Of these 6, only three were positive byqPCR. Fungal agents were identified by morphology in 8/10 horses. Diagnosis of fungal keratitis was reserved for only those cases in which the same fungus could be identified by PCR, culture, and morphology (5 horses). In 33/43 culture‐negative affected eyes and in 6/9 unaffected eyes, one or more fungi were identified by nested PCR in 26 samples and byqPCRin 2 samples. Apart fromAspergillusspp, similar fungi were identified in affected and control eyes. Most eyes harbored mixed bacterial and fungal agents.ConclusionsNested PCR results confirmed all cytologically positive cases of fungal keratitis. Nested PCR identified a greater spectrum of agents than either culture orqPCR.
The development of peripheral fatigue and short‐term recovery during self‐paced high‐intensity exercise
Authors: Froyd Christian , Millet Guillaume Y. , Noakes Timothy D. 
Published: December 2012

Key points
In this study we describe the time course of fatigue development during and after an intense bout of self‐paced, high‐intensity dynamic exercise using various electrical stimulation parameters to assess neuromuscular function (NMF) changes.
Most of the decrease in muscle function occurs within the first 40% of the exercise bout, and substantial recovery in muscle function occurs within 1–2 min after exercise termination.
Decreases in muscle function varied greatly with different methods of stimulation, suggesting that the extent to which muscle fatigue is documented during exercise depends upon NMF assessment methodology.
Measurements of muscle function must be performed as soon as possible after exercise termination, and previous studies may have underestimated the extent to which muscle fatigue develops during exercise.
Abstract  The time course of muscular fatigue that develops during and after an intense bout of self‐paced dynamic exercise was characterized by using different forms of electrical stimulation (ES) of the exercising muscles. Ten active subjects performed a time trial (TT) involving repetitive concentric extension/flexion of the right knee using a Biodex dynamometer. Neuromuscular function (NMF), including ES and a 5 s maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC), was assessed before the start of the TT and immediately (<5 s) after each 20% of the TT had been completed, as well as 1, 2, 4 and 8 min after TT termination. The TT time was 347 ± 98 s. MVCs were 52% of baseline values at TT termination. Torque responses from ES were reduced to 33–68% of baseline using different methods of stimulation, suggesting that the extent to which peripheral fatigue is documented during exercise depends upon NMF assessment methodology. The major changes in muscle function occurred within the first 40% of exercise. Significant recovery in skeletal muscle function occurs within the first 1–2 min after exercise, showing that previous studies may have underestimated the extent to which peripheral fatigue develops during exercise.