bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deletion of mitochondrial associated ubiquitin fold modifier protein Ufm1 in Leishmania donovani results in loss of β‐oxidation of fatty acids and blocks cell division in the amastigote stage
Authors: Gannavaram Sreenivas , Connelly Patricia S. , Daniels Mathew P. , Duncan Robert , Salotra Poonam , Nakhasi Hira L. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryRecently, we described the existence of the ubiquitin fold modifier 1 (Ufm1) and its conjugation pathway in Leishmania donovani. We demonstrated the conjugation of Ufm1 to proteins such as mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP) that catalyses β‐oxidation of fatty acids in L. donovani. To elucidate the biological roles of the Ufm1‐mediated modifications, we made an L. donovani Ufm1 null mutant (Ufm1−/−). Loss of Ufm1 and consequently absence of Ufm1 conjugation with MTP resulted in diminished acetyl‐CoA, the end‐product of the β‐oxidation in the Ufm1−/− amastigote stage. The Ufm1−/− mutants showed reduced survival in the amastigote stage in vitro and ex vivo in human macrophages. This survival was restored by re‐expression of wild‐type Ufm1 with concomitant induction of acetyl‐CoA but not by re‐expressing the non‐conjugatable Ufm1, indicating the essential nature of Ufm1 conjugation and β‐oxidation. Both cell cycle analysis and ultrastructural studies of Ufm1−/− parasites confirmed the role of Ufm1 in amastigote growth. The defect in vitro growth of amastigotes in human macrophages was further substantiated by reduced survival. Therefore, these studies suggest the importance of Ufm1 in Leishmania pathogenesis with larger impact on other organisms and further provide an opportunity to test Ufm1−/− parasites as drug and vaccine targets.
Apolipoprotein B is a new target of the GDNF/RET and ET‐3/EDNRB signalling pathways
Authors: Evangelisti C. , Bianco F. , Pradella L. M. , Puliti A. , Goldoni A. , Sbrana I. , Rossi M. , Vargiolu M. , Seri M. , Romeo G. , Stanghellini V. , de Giorgio R. , Bonora E. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground  GDNF/RET and Endothelin‐3 (ET‐3)/EDNRB regulate survival, differentiation, migration, and proliferation of neural crest‐derived cells. Although several RET and EDNRB signalling mediators have been characterized, most of the genes targeted by these two pathways are still largely unknown. We focused our study on apolipoprotein B (APOB) as a novel target gene of the RET and EDNRB pathways, based on previous data obtained using a Caenorhabditis elegans strain mutant for the homologue of mammalian ECE1.Methods  Molecular and cellular studies of Apob were performed in the murine Neuro2a cells, an in vitro model for studying neural crest‐derived cell development, along with a mouse knock‐in for the Hirschsprung‐associated mutation RetC620R. Silencing for Apob and Ret has been performed via shRNA.Key Results  GDNF/RET and ET‐3/EDNRB cooperated in inducing neuronal differentiation resulting in Apob activation in Neuro2a cell line. Apob expression was downregulated in mouse embryos homozygous for the RetC620R mutation and presenting a severe Hirschsprung phenotype. Ret silencing prevented Apob expression increase. MAPK P38 kinase activation evoked Apob expression via GDNF/RET signalling in Neuro2a cells. A p53‐dependent repressor element in Apob promoter resulted in a reduced Apob expression. Silencing of Apob reduced HuD protein expression.Conclusions & Inferences  Apob is a novel downstream target of the RET/EDNRB pathways with a role in neuronal survival and maintenance, as indicated by its effect on HuD expression. Our data provide a conceptual framework to investigate and establish the role of APOB gene in severe gut dysmotility.
The effect of a sitting vs supine posture on normative esophageal pressure topography metrics and Chicago Classification diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders
Authors: Xiao Y. , Read A. , Nicodème F. , Roman S. , Kahrilas P. J. , Pandolfino J. E. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground  Although, the current protocol for high resolution manometry (HRM) using the Chicago Classification is based on the supine posture, some practitioners prefer a sitting posture. Our aims were to establish normative esophageal pressure topography data for the sitting position and to determine the effect of applying those norms to Chicago Classification diagnoses.Methods  Esophageal pressure topography studies including test swallows in both a supine and sitting position of 75 healthy volunteers and 120 patients were reviewed. Integrated relaxation pressure (IRP), distal contractile integral (DCI), contractile front velocity (CFV), and distal latency were measured and compared between postures. Normative ranges were established from the healthy volunteers and the effect of applying sitting normative values to the patients was analyzed.Key Results  Normative values of IRP, DCI, and CFV all decreased significantly in the sitting posture. Applying normative sitting metrics to patient studies [27% reduction in IRP (15 to 11 mmHg), 69% reduction in DCI (8000–2500 mmHg‐s‐cm)] reclassified 13/120 (11%) patients as having abnormal esophagogastric junction relaxation and 26/120 (22%) as hypercontractile. Three patients with an abnormal supine IRP normalized when sitting with elimination of a vascular artifact.Conclusions & Inferences  Clinical HRM studies should include both a supine and sitting position to minimize misdiagnoses attributable to anatomical factors. However, until outcome studies demonstrating the significance of isolated abnormalities of IRP or DCI in the sitting position are available, the Chicago Classification of esophageal motility disorders should continue to be based on supine swallows using normative data from the supine posture.
Dwarf and deformed flower 1, encoding an F‐box protein, is critical for vegetative and floral development in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Duan Yuanlin , Li Shengping , Chen Zhiwei , Zheng Leilei , Diao Zhijuan , Zhou Yuanchang , Lan Tao , Guan Huazhong , Pan Runsen , Xue Yongbiao , Wu Weiren 
Published: August 2012

SummaryRecent studies have shown that F‐box proteins constitute a large family in eukaryotes, and play pivotal roles in regulating various developmental processes in plants. However, their functions in monocots are still obscure. In this study, we characterized a recessive mutant dwarf and deformed flower 1‐1 (ddf1‐1) in Oryza sativa (rice). The mutant is abnormal in both vegetative and reproductive development, with significant size reduction in all organs except the spikelet. DDF1 controls organ size by regulating both cell division and cell expansion. In the ddf1‐1 spikelet, the specification of floral organs in whorls 2 and 3 is altered, with most lodicules and stamens being transformed into glume‐like organs and pistil‐like organs, respectively, but the specification of lemma/palea and pistil in whorls 1 and 4 is not affected. DDF1 encodes an F‐box protein anchored in the nucleolus, and is expressed in almost all vegetative and reproductive tissues. Consistent with the mutant floral phenotype, DDF1 positively regulates B‐class genes OsMADS4 and OsMADS16, and negatively regulates pistil specification gene DL. In addition, DDF1 also negatively regulates the Arabidopsis LFY ortholog APO2, implying a functional connection between DDF1 and APO2. Collectively, these results revealed that DDF1, as a newly identified F‐box gene, is a crucial genetic factor with pleiotropic functions for both vegetative growth and floral organ specification in rice. These findings provide additional insights into the molecular mechanism controlling monocot vegetative and reproductive development.
Standard karyotyping concentrates microfilaria and can be a valid concentrating technique for their detection
Authors: Kerketta Lily S. , Rao Vundinti Babu , Ghosh Kanjaksha 
Published: August 2012

AbstractDuring karyotype preparation from the bone marrow aspirates of 209 haematological malignancy cases, microfilaria were detected in four samples, whereas routine marrow and peripheral blood smears of these four cases did not show any parasite. The patients were recalled, and their peripheral blood was processed by karyotyping and standard concentration techniques. Karyotype preparation from peripheral blood was performed with and without addition of colchicine. When the blood was processed for karyotyping with colchicine, microfilaria were detected in the peripheral blood of all four patients. In samples without added colchicine, no parasite was observed. The same samples were processed by Knott’s concentration technique, which showed microfilariae only in one of the four patients. Routine thick and thin smears of these patients showed no parasite. It seems that the standard karyotype preparation technique with colchicine concentrates the microfilariae in samples where parasite load is small and not demonstrable with standard techniques. Serological tests are available for W. bancrofti and costly, whereas no regular serodiagnosis is available for B. malayi. In a country like India, both parasites are endemic and patients are treated on clinical suspicion when parasitaemia could be low. Low parasitaemia is common because of repeated infection and partial immunity. In such circumstances, a cost‐effective concentration technique like this may be useful.
Aggressive lung donor management increases graft procurement without increasing renal graft loss after transplantation
Authors: Miñambres Eduardo , Ballesteros Maria A. , Rodrigo Emilio , García‐Miguélez Ana , Llorca Javier , Ruiz Juan C. , Arias Manuel 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundTo determine the impact of an aggressive protocol on the rate of lung grafts available for transplant. We analyzed the impact of this management on kidney graft survival after kidney transplantation.MethodsA cohort study. Lung donors and kidney recipients from 2009 and 2010 were considered the prospective cohort with 2003–2008 as the historical control period. The number of lungs available for transplantation was the main outcome measures. For recipients, kidney graft survival was the main outcome measure.ResultsWe quadrupled the number of lung donors in the period 2009–2010 compared with the historical control. Management in the prospective cohort included higher use of positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) (p < 0.0001), increased use of hormonal resuscitation therapy (HRT) (p < 0.0001), and lower level of central venous pressure (p < 0.05) than historical control. The probability of renal graft survival at one yr after transplant was 88.6% (CI 95%: 74.8–95.1) in historical control and 94.7% (CI 95%: 81–98.7%) in the prospective cohort (p = 0.226).ConclusionsAggressive management strategy in potential lung donors, which includes ventilator recruitment maneuvers, PEEP ≥8 cm H2O, the use of HRT, and restrictive fluid balance increases the rate of lung grafts available for transplantation without adverse effect on kidney graft survival.
Mucormycosis in a liver allograft: salvage re‐transplantation and targeted immunosuppressive management
Authors: Gurevich M. , Levi I. , Steinberg R. , Shonfeld T. , Shapiro R. , Israeli M. , Sprecher H. , Shalit I. , Mor E. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractZygomycetes infection is associated with a high mortality in transplant populations. We describe a child with liver allograft Rhizopus oryzae infection who was salvaged by liver re‐transplantation. A 10‐year‐old child presented with anastomotic bile leak that was repaired. A combined antibiotics and voriconazole regimen was introduced for Escherichia coli and Candida krusei growth in the peritoneal fluid. Despite broad antibiotic and antifungal coverage, the patient continued to have an ongoing infection. A follow‐up computed tomography scan 8 weeks later showed 2 liver abscesses infiltrating the stomach and the diaphragm, with splenic infarcts and pericardial effusion. Aspirated samples from the liver abscess and the pericardial fluid revealed R. oryzae. Immunosuppression was discontinued and an antifungal regimen combining amphotericin B, posaconazole, and caspofungin was introduced. After 3 weeks of treatment with control of the systemic signs of infection, a positron emission tomography showed the fluorescence stain limited to the liver. With infection confined to the liver, the child underwent liver re‐transplantation, splenectomy, and partial gastrectomy. Immunosuppression was reintroduced with recovery of the immune response observed by the CD4 cells adenosine triphophate release (Cylex™ ImmuKnow® assay) and posaconazole was continued for another year. At 3‐year follow‐up, the child maintained normal graft function. We conclude that discontinuation of immunosuppression combined with a modern antifungal regimen may allow salvage re‐transplantation in patients with liver mucormycosis.
Early identification of infectious complications in lung transplant recipients using procalcitonin
Authors: Suberviola B. , Castellanos‐Ortega A. , Ballesteros M.A. , Zurbano F. , Naranjo S. , Miñambres E. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine how sequential measurements of procalcitonin (PCT) could improve the diagnosis of early infectious complications after lung transplantation, and to compare this molecule with other commonly used markers (serum C‐reactive protein [CRP] and leukocyte count).MethodsProspective observational study in a 34‐bed university hospital intensive care unit (ICU). All lung transplant (LT) recipients between January and November 2010 were included. Biomarkers were measured just before surgery, on ICU admission, and daily on postoperative days 2, 3, 4, and 7.ResultsA total of 25 patients were included. Those patients with infectious complications presented with significantly higher levels of PCT as early as the first day after transplantation and during subsequent days. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve for PCT as a predictor of infection ranged between 0.83 and 0.97. PCT cutoff of 8.18 ng/mL on day 2 had a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 100% for prediction of infection development. Neither CRP levels nor leukocyte count could discriminate between the patients with and without infections at any time.ConclusionsIn contrast with CRP levels and leukocyte counts, measurement of PCT appears to be a useful diagnostic tool in detecting early infectious complications in LT patients.
Variation of aluminium tolerance in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)
Authors: Singh D. , Dikshit H. K. , Singh R. 
Published: August 2012

With 5 figures and 5 tables
AbstractAluminium (Al) tolerance of 60 genotypes was evaluated using the growth response and haematoxylin staining methods. Major traits used to evaluate Al tolerance were score of root staining, root regrowth after staining, root and shoot length, dry weight of roots and shoots, and pods/plant. Significant variability was noted for tolerance to Al toxicity among the lentil genotypes for all traits except score of root staining. Score of haematoxylin root staining did not show any correlation with growth response method. However, root regrowth after staining showed significant correlation with root and shoot length, dry weight of roots and shoots, and pods/plant. In a further long‐term experiment, the Al tolerance of three tolerant (‘L‐7903’, ‘L‐4602’ and ‘ILL‐6002’) and two sensitive (‘L‐4147’ and ‘BARI Massor‐4’) lines was assessed at the adult stage to evaluate the consistency of Al tolerance. This study also showed that Al tolerance of lentil does not vary with plant growth stage, so selection for increased Al tolerance can be carried out at the seedling growth stage.
The origin of litter chemical complexity during decomposition
Authors: Wickings Kyle , Grandy A. Stuart , Reed Sasha C. , Cleveland Cory C. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe chemical complexity of decomposing plant litter is a central feature shaping the terrestrial carbon (C) cycle, but explanations of the origin of this complexity remain contentious. Here, we ask: How does litter chemistry change during decomposition, and what roles do decomposers play in these changes? During a long‐term (730 days) litter decomposition experiment, we tracked concurrent changes in decomposer community structure and function and litter chemistry using high‐resolution molecular techniques. Contrary to the current paradigm, we found that the chemistry of different litter types diverged, rather than converged, during decomposition due to the activities of decomposers. Furthermore, the same litter type exposed to different decomposer communities exhibited striking differences in chemistry, even after > 90% mass loss. Our results show that during decomposition, decomposer community characteristics regulate changes in litter chemistry, which could influence the functionality of litter‐derived soil organic matter (SOM) and the turnover and stabilisation of soil C.
Agrobacteria lacking ornithine lipids induce more rapid tumour formation
Authors: Vences‐Guzmán Miguel Ángel , Guan Ziqiang , Bermúdez‐Barrientos José Roberto , Geiger Otto , Sohlenkamp Christian 
Published: August 2012

SummaryOrnithine lipids (OLs) are phosphorus‐free membrane lipids that are widespread among Gram‐negative bacteria. Their basic structure consists of a 3‐hydroxy fatty acyl group attached in amide linkage to the α‐amino group of ornithine and a second fatty acyl group ester‐linked to the 3‐hydroxy position of the first fatty acid. It has been shown that OLs can be hydroxylated within the amide‐linked fatty acyl moiety, the secondary fatty acyl moiety or within the ornithine moiety. These modifications have been related to increased stress tolerance and symbiotic proficiency in different organisms such as Rhizobium tropici or Burkholderia cenocepacia. Analysing the membrane lipid composition of the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens we noticed that it forms two different OLs. In the present work we studied if OLs play a role in stress tolerance and pathogenicity in A. tumefaciens. Mutants deficient in the OLs biosynthesis genes olsB or olsE were constructed and characterized. They either completely lack OLs (ΔolsB) or only form the unmodified OL (ΔolsE). Here we present a characterization of both OL mutants under stress conditions and in a plant transformation assay using potato tuber discs. Surprisingly, the lack of agrobacterial OLs promotes earlier tumour formation on the plant host.
Enrichment of previously uncultured bacteria from natural complex communities by adhesion to solid surfaces
Authors: Gich Frederic , Janys Monika Anna , König Melanie , Overmann Jörg 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe adhesion to inert solid surfaces was explored as a novel approach for the enrichment of previously uncultured bacteria from natural microbial communities. Enrichments on solid steel, glass and synthetic polymeric surfaces were established using samples from five freshwater lakes, a marine microbial mat and an alpine soil, and were subsequently analysed by molecular fingerprinting and sequencing of their 16S rRNA gene fragments. The majority of the enriched phylotypes grouped with the Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria or Bacteroidetes and in several cases were related to typical biofilm‐forming species and genera. Most enrichments were most closely related to previously uncultured phylotypes and none had previously been cultivated from the original environments even when applying improved high throughput liquid cultivation techniques. Of the 13 phylotypes enriched from freshwater samples, seven were previously unknown, three matched so‐far uncultured environmental clones, and three were identical to previously cultivated bacteria. Of the 17 phylotypes recovered from soil, 12 were previously unknown with five of these phylotypes representing novel genera, whereas five phylotypes were identical to previously cultured soil bacteria. The feasibility of the biofilm‐enrichment approach was exemplified by the successful isolation of a not‐yet cultured Betaproteobacterium that constituted a discernible component of the alpine soil microbial community in situ and exhibited only 93% similarity to its closest cultured relative. Based on these results, cultivation on solid surfaces represents a promising approach to recover isolates that have so far escaped cultivation as suspended cultures in liquid media.
Phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships of the Polypedates leucomystax complex (Amphibia)
Authors: KURAISHI NORIHIRO , MATSUI MASAFUMI , HAMIDY AMIR , BELABUT DAICUS M. , AHMAD NORHAYATI , PANHA SOMSAK , SUDIN AHMAD , YONG HOI S. , JIANG JIAN‐PING , OTA HIDETOSHI , THONG HO T. , NISHIKAWA KANTO 
Published: August 2012

Kuraishi, N., Matsui, M., Hamidy, A., Belabut, D. M., Ahmad, N., Panha, S., Sudin, A., Yong, H. S., Jiang, J.‐P., Ota, H., Thong, H. T. & Nishikawa, K. (2012). Phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships of the Polypedates leucomystax complex (Amphibia). —Zoologica Scripta, 42, 54–70.We investigated the phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships and estimated the history of species diversification and biogeography in the Asian rhacophorid genus Polypedates, focusing on the Polypedates leucomystax complex, whose members are notoriously difficult to classify. We first estimated phylogenetic relationships within the complex using 2005‐bp sequences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, tRNAval and 16S rRNA genes with maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian methods of inference. Polypedates exhibits well‐supported monophyly, with distinct clades for P. otilophus, P. colletti, P. maculatus and the P. leucomystax complex, consisting of P. macrotis, and the Malay (Polypedates sp. from Malay Peninsula), North China (P. braueri), South China (Polypedates cf. mutus 1), Indochina (P. megacephalus), Sunda (P. leucomystax) and Laos (Polypedates cf. mutus 2) clades. In a subsequent phylogenetic analysis of 4696‐bp sequences of the nuclear brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), sodium/calcium exchanger 1 (NCX), POMC, Rag‐1, Rhod and Tyr genes using Bayesian methods of inference, all of these clades were recovered. Some clades of the P. leucomystax complex occur sympatrically and show high genetic diversity or morphological and acoustic differences. Similar tendencies were observed between some allopatric clades. Therefore, we consider each of these groups to be distinct specifically. We also estimated absolute divergence times within the genus using Bayesian methods. Divergence in Polypedates began with the divergence of a primarily South Asian Clade from the common ancestor of secondarily South‐East Asia P. maculatus and South‐East Asian members. The divergence between the latter occurred much later. The P. leucomystax complex diverged in the Pliocene, much later than other congeners, and seems to have been greatly affected by human‐related dispersal after the Pleistocene.