bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Bacillus subtilis mannose regulator, ManR, a DNA‐binding protein regulated by HPr and its cognate PTS transporter ManP
Authors: Wenzel Marian , Altenbuchner Josef 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe transcriptional activator ManR of the Bacillus subtilis mannose utilization operon is composed of an N‐terminal DNA‐binding domain, two phosphotransferase system (PTS) regulation domains (PRDs), an EIIBBgl‐ and an EIIAFru‐like domain. Site‐specific mutagenesis of ManR revealed the role of conserved amino acids representing potential phosphorylation sites. This was investigated by β‐galactosidase activity tests and by mobility shift assays after incubation with the PTS components HPr and EI. In analogy to other PRD‐containing regulators we propose stimulation of ManR activity by phosphorylation. Mutations in PRD1 lowered ManR activity, whereas mutations in PRD2 abolished ManR activity completely. The Cys415Ala (EIIBBgl) and the His570Ala mutations (EIIAFru) provoked constitutive activities to different degrees, whereas the latter had the greater influence. Addition of EIIBAMan reduced the binding capability significantly in a wild‐type and a Cys415Ala background, but had no effect on a His570Ala mutant. The different expression levels originating from the two promoters PmanR and PmanP could be ascribed to different 5′‐untranslated mRNA regions. Sequences of 44 bp were identified and confirmed as the ManR binding sites by DNase I footprinting. The binding properties of ManR, in particular the equilibrium dissociation constant KD and the dissociation rate kdiss, were determined for both promoter regions.
Phosphorylation‐dependent localization of the response regulator FrzZ signals cell reversals in Myxococcus xanthus
Authors: Kaimer Christine , Zusman David R. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe life cycle of Myxococcus xanthus includes co‐ordinated group movement and fruiting body formation, and requires directed motility and controlled cell reversals. Reversals are achieved by inverting cell polarity and re‐organizing many motility proteins. The Frz chemosensory pathway regulates the frequency of cell reversals. While it has been established that phosphotransfer from the kinase FrzE to the response regulator FrzZ is required, it is unknown how phosphorylated FrzZ, the putative output of the pathway, targets the cell polarity axis. In this study, we used Phos‐tag SDS‐PAGE to determine the cellular level of phospho‐FrzZ under different growth conditions and in Frz signalling mutants. We detected consistent FrzZ phosphorylation, albeit with a short half‐life, in cells grown on plates, but not from liquid culture. The available pool of phospho‐FrzZ correlated with reversal frequencies, with higher levels found in hyper‐reversing mutants. Phosphorylation was not detected in hypo‐reversing mutants. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that FrzZ is recruited to the leading cell pole upon phosphorylation and switches to the opposite pole during reversals. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the Frz pathway modulates reversal frequency through a localized response regulator that targets cell polarity regulators at the leading cell pole.
Analysis of a Blainville's beaked whale's movement response to playback of killer whale vocalizations
Authors: Allen Ann N. , Schanze Julian J. , Solow Andrew R. , Tyack Peter L. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIncreasing evidence links exposure to Navy sonar with certain mass stranding events of deep diving beaked whales. Although the cause of these strandings is unknown, one theory suggests that the animals confuse the sonar signals with vocalizations of killer whales, a known predator. Here we analyze the movement patterns of a tagged female Blainville's beaked whale in reaction to playback of killer whale predation calls. During a deep foraging dive, the whale was exposed to a playback of killer whale vocalizations with the source level slowly increased until the whale prematurely ceased foraging. The heading data from the tag were analyzed using a rotation test with a likelihood ratio calculated for a nonparametric kernel density estimate. We found a significant difference (P < 0.005) in the distribution of Δheading (the change in heading averaged over 200 s) after the cessation of the killer whale playback. A test of the angular standard deviation (SD) of the Δheading showed that after the playback, the SD was significantly reduced (P = 0.0064), which indicates that the animal maintained a straighter than normal course for an extended period of time. The prolonged directed avoidance response observed here suggests a behavioral reaction that could pose a risk factor for stranding.
Immunohistochemical detection of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor 1 and 5 in human multiple sclerosis lesions
Authors: Brana Corinne , Frossard Marie José , Pescini Gobert Rosanna , Martinier Nicolas , Boschert Ursula , Seabrook Timothy J. 
Published: April 2013

AimsSphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulating therapies are currently in the clinic or undergoing investigation for multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment. However, the expression of S1PRs is still unclear in the central nervous system under normal conditions and during neuroinflammation.MethodsUsing immunohistochemistry we examined tissues from both grey and white matter MS lesions for sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) and 5 (S1P5) expression. Tissues from Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases were also examined.ResultsS1P1 expression was restricted to astrocytes and endothelial cells in control tissues and a decrease in endothelial cell expression was found in white matter MS lesions. In grey matter MS lesions, astrocyte expression was lost in active lesions, while in quiescent lesions it was restored to normal expression levels. CNPase colocalization studies demonstrated S1P5 expression on myelin and both were reduced in demyelinated lesions. In AD tissues we found no difference in S1P1 expression.ConclusionThese data demonstrate a differential modulation of S1PRs in MS lesions, which may have an impact on S1PR‐directed therapies.
Industry Dynamics and Competition from Low‐Wage Countries: Evidence on Italy
Authors: Federico Stefano 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis article analyses the effect of competition from low‐wage countries on domestic activity, using data on 230 Italian manufacturing sectors between 1995 and 2007. It finds that low‐wage import penetration is negatively related to employment and other measures of activity. The effect is significantly smaller in more skill, capital and R&D‐intensive sectors and in more vertically differentiated sectors. There is also evidence of significant effects of low‐wage competition through inter‐industry linkages: employment is negatively related to low‐wage import penetration in downstream sectors but positively related to low‐wage import penetration in upstream sectors.
Does Education Matter for Economic Growth?
Authors: Delgado Michael S. , Henderson Daniel J. , Parmeter Christopher F. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractEmpirical growth regressions typically include mean years of schooling as a proxy for human capital. However, empirical research often finds that the sign and significance of schooling depends on the sample of observations or the specification of the model. We use a non‐parametric local‐linear regression estimator and a non‐parametric variable relevance test to conduct a rigorous and systematic search for significance of mean years of schooling by examining five of the most comprehensive schooling databases. Contrary to a few recent articles that have identified significant nonlinearities between education and growth, our results suggest that mean years of schooling is not a statistically relevant variable in growth regressions. However, we do find evidence (within a cross‐sectional framework), that educational achievement, measured by mean test scores, may provide a more reliable measure of human capital than mean years of schooling.
Pediatric cardiopulmonary arrest in the postanesthesia care unit: analysis of data from the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines®‐Resuscitation registry
Authors: Christensen Robert , Voepel‐Lewis Terri , Lewis Ian , Ramachandran Satya Krishna , Malviya Shobha ,   for the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines‐Resuscitation (formerly the National Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) investigators
Published: April 2013

SummaryBackgroundNearly 20% of anesthesia‐related pediatric cardiopulmonary arrests (CPAs) occur during emergence or recovery. The aims of this study were to describe (i) the nature of pediatric postanesthesia care unit (PACU)CPAand subsequent outcomes and (ii) factors associated with mortality.MethodsCardiopulmonary Arrests occurring inPACUin children (<18 years) were identified from the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines®‐Resuscitation, multicenterCPAregistry. Demographics, underlying conditions, cause(s) ofCPA, monitoring, interventions and outcomes were extracted. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize data, and odds ratios (OR) with confidence intervals (CI) were calculated as appropriate to compare survivors and nonsurvivors.ResultsTwenty sevenCPAevents were included: 67% in children <5 years and 30% in infants (<1 year). Most children (78%) had underlying comorbidities, including 15% with congenital heart disease. Respiratory issues were the most frequent causes ofCPA(44%), but cardiac/hemodynamic causes were associated with nonsurvival (P = 0.01). Nonsurvival was also associated with older age (P = 0.02), weekend occurrence (P < 0.01), nonpediatric setting (P = 0.02) and occurrence at night (P = 0.04).ConclusionsThis study identified similar risk factors and underlying causes as described in previous reports of pediatric perioperativeCPA, with higher mortality following a cardiac/hemodynamic cause.
A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Chronic Pain in Patients with HIV
Authors: Merlin Jessica S. , Zinski Anne , Norton Wynne E. , Ritchie Christine S. , Saag Michael S. , Mugavero Michael J. , Treisman Glenn , Hooten W. Michael 
Published: April 2013

AbstractChronic pain is common in persons with HIV and is often associated with psychiatric illness and substance abuse. Current literature links psychiatric illness and substance abuse with worse HIV outcomes; however, the relationship of chronic pain, alone and in the context of psychiatric illness and substance abuse, to outcomes in HIV has not been described. To develop this new area of inquiry, we propose an adapted biopsychosocial framework specifically for chronic pain in HIV. This framework will describe these relationships and serve as a conceptual framework for future investigations.
A global view of transcriptome dynamics during flower development in chickpea by deep sequencing
Authors: Singh Vikash K. , Garg Rohini , Jain Mukesh 
Published: April 2013

SummaryMeasurement of gene expression can provide important clues about gene function and molecular basis of developmental processes. Here, we have analysed the chickpea transcriptome in vegetative and flower tissues by exploiting the potential of high‐throughput sequencing to measure gene expression. We mapped more than 295 million reads to quantify the transcript abundance during flower development. We detected the expression of more than 90% genes in at least one tissue analysed. We found quite a large number of genes were differentially expressed during flower development as compared to vegetative tissues. Further, we identified several genes expressed in a stage‐specific manner. Various transcription factor families and metabolic pathways involved in flower development were elucidated. The members of MADS‐box family were most represented among the transcription factor genes up‐regulated during various stages of flower development. The abundant expression of several well‐known genes implicated in flower development in chickpea flower development stages confirmed our results. In addition, we detected the expression specificities of lineage‐specific genes during flower development. The expression data presented in this study is the most comprehensive dataset available for chickpea as of now and will serve as resource for unraveling the functions of many specific genes involved in flower development in chickpea and other legumes.
The unconventional P‐loop NTPase OsYchF1 and its regulator OsGAP1 play opposite roles in salinity stress tolerance
Authors: CHEUNG MING‐YAN , LI MAN‐WAH , YUNG YUK‐LIN , WEN CHAO‐QING , LAM HON‐MING 
Published: April 2013

AbstractYchF proteins are a group of mysterious but ubiquitous unconventional G‐proteins found in all kingdoms of life except Archaea. Their functions have been documented in microorganisms, protozoa and human, but those of plant YchF homologues are largely unknown. Our group has previously shown that OsYchF1 and its interacting protein, OsGAP1, play opposite roles in plant defense responses. OsGAP1 was found to stimulate the GTPase/ATPase activities of OsYchF1 and regulate its subcellular localization. In this report, we demonstrate that both OsYchF1 and OsGAP1 are localized mainly in the cytosol under NaCl treatment. The ectopic expression of OsYchF1 in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana leads to reduced tolerance towards salinity stress, while the ectopic expression of OsGAP1 has the opposite effect. Similar results were also obtained with the Arabidopsis homologues, AtYchF1 and AtGAP1, by using AtGAP1 overexpressors and underexpressors, as well as an AtYchF1‐knockdown mutant. OsYchF1 and OsGAP1 also exhibit highly significant effects on salinity‐induced oxidative stress tolerance. The expression of OsYchF1 suppresses the anti‐oxidation enzymatic activities and increases lipid peroxidation in transgenic Arabidopsis, and leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tobacco BY‐2 cells, while the ectopic expression of OsGAP1 has the opposite effects in these two model systems.
The K+/H+ antiporter LeNHX2 increases salt tolerance by improving K+ homeostasis in transgenic tomato
Authors: HUERTAS RAÚL , RUBIO LOURDES , CAGNAC OLIVIER , GARCÍA‐SÁNCHEZ MARÍA JESÚS , ALCHÉ JUAN DE DIOS , VENEMA KEES , FERNÁNDEZ JOSÉ ANTONIO , RODRÍGUEZ‐ROSALES MARÍA PILAR 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe endosomal LeNHX2 ion transporter exchanges H+ with K+ and, to lesser extent, Na+. Here, we investigated the response to NaCl supply and K+ deprivation in transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) overexpressing LeNHX2 and show that transformed tomato plants grew better in saline conditions than untransformed controls, whereas in the absence of K+ the opposite was found. Analysis of mineral composition showed a higher K+ content in roots, shoots and xylem sap of transgenic plants and no differences in Na+ content between transgenic and untransformed plants grown either in the presence or the absence of 120 mm NaCl. Transgenic plants showed higher Na+/H+ and, above all, K+/H+ transport activity in root intracellular membrane vesicles. Under K+ limiting conditions, transgenic plants enhanced root expression of the high‐affinity K+ uptake system HAK5 compared to untransformed controls. Furthermore, tomato overexpressing LeNHX2 showed twofold higher K+ depletion rates and half cytosolic K+ activity than untransformed controls. Under NaCl stress, transgenic plants showed higher uptake velocity for K+ and lower cytosolic K+ activity than untransformed plants. These results indicate the fundamental role of K+ homeostasis in the better performance of LeNHX2 overexpressing tomato under NaCl stress.
The treatment of children suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia: A comparison of the result of treatment with imatinib mesylate and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Hamidieh Amir Ali , Ansari Shahla , Darbandi Bahram , Soroush Alborz , Arjmandi Rafsanjani Khadijeh , Alimoghaddam Kamran , Bahosh Gholamreza , Behfar Maryam , Ghavamzadeh Ardeshir 
Published: April 2013

AbstractHSCT is the only proven treatment option for CML, a rare disease in children. Recently, there are promising reports on the advantageous effect of imatinib mesylate for pediatric patients with CML. We conducted a retrospective study on 33 pediatric patients suffering from CML. Fourteen underwent HSCT and the rest were treated with imatinib. With a median follow‐up of 24 months, the two‐yr OS in the HSCT group and the imatinib group was 84% and 87%, respectively (p = 0.714). The probabilities of two‐yr DFS were 59% in the HSCT group and 82% in the imatinib group, either (p = 0.880). Relapse occurred in 5 (35.7%) patients of the HSCT group, and 8 (42.1%) patients showed relapse in the imatinib group. Among nine patients who died, five were in the HSCT group and the rest were in the imatinib group. The probability of relapse in the patients of the imatinib group followed up for several consecutive years may be higher than observed in the HSCT group, so we cannot easily conclude which way is more reliable.
Donor‐specific antibodies: Can they predict C4d deposition in pediatric heart recipients?
Authors: Peng David M. , Law Yuk M. , Kemna Mariska S. , Warner Paul , Nelson Karen , Boucek Robert J. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThere is limited evidence regarding the utility of circulating DSA in surveillance for AMR of pediatric heart recipients. Our hypothesis is that quantitation of DSA improves their power for predicting a C4d+, an integral component in the current diagnostic criteria of AMR. All pediatric recipients transplanted between 10/2005 and 1/2011 were retrospectively reviewed for DSA determined within 48 h of EMB. C4d+ was defined as >25% endothelial cell staining by immunohistochemical methods. A total of 183 paired DSA–EMB determinations were identified in 60 patients, a median of three paired studies per patient (range: 1–9). DSA were detected in 60 of these determinations. A receiver‐operating characteristic plot identified a threshold single‐antibody MFI of >6000 that strongly correlated with C4d+ (p < 0.0001) with a high negative predictive value (0.97) and specificity (0.95). The sensitivity and positive predictive values were 0.71 and 0.60, respectively. The predictive power of single‐antigen DSA for C4d deposition was improved in pediatric heart recipients using an institution‐specific MFI threshold value. In post‐transplant care, quantitative DSA should be an essential component in the surveillance for AMR.
Analysis of Iris yellow spot virus replication in vector and non‐vector thrips species
Authors: Birithia R. , Subramanian S. , Pappu H. R. , Muthomi J. , Narla R. D. 
Published: April 2013

Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV, genus Tospovirus) is a viral disease of bulb and seed onion crops and is transmitted by Thrips tabaci. Foliage damage of up to 75% has been reported in Kenya and Uganda. In this study, the rate of IYSV replication in the larva, pupa and adult stages of T. tabaci and other non‐vector thrips species and colour forms such as Frankliniella occidentalis, F. schultzei (dark) and F. schultzei (pale) was evaluated by monitoring relative levels of nucleocapsid (N) and non‐structural (NSs) proteins using N‐ and NSs‐specific antibodies. The effect of IYSV replication on mortality of thrips was also determined. N protein levels increased in all three stages of IYSV‐fed T. tabaci, indicating replication of IYSV. In IYSV‐fed non‐vector thrips, the increase of N protein levels in the larval stage was lower than IYSV‐fed T. tabaci but higher than their healthy counterparts. The N protein levels did not increase at pupal and adult stages. NSs protein was not detected in first instar of either vector or non‐vector thrips species. After a 4 h post‐acquisition period, a significant increase in NSs proteins was only observed in IYSV‐fed T. tabaci, clearly differentiating vectors and non‐vectors of IYSV. IYSV replication did not influence the survival of the vector thrips species, T. tabaci populations or the non‐vector thrips species. This study indicates the effectiveness of monitoring non‐structural proteins such as NSs, compared to nucleocapsid proteins, for differentiating vectors and non‐vectors of IYSV.
Reversibility of brain morphology after shunt operations and preoperative clinical symptoms in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Wada Tamiki , Kazui Hiroaki , Yamamoto Daisuke , Nomura Keiko , Sugiyama Hiromichi , Shimizu Yoshiro , Yoshida Tetsuhiko , Yoshiyama Kenji , Yamashita Fumio , Kishima Haruhiko , Yoshimine Toshiki , Takeda Masatoshi 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAimBrain deformations might prevent clinical symptoms from worsening in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). We investigated the relationship between reversibility of brain morphology after shunt operations and preoperative clinical symptoms in iNPH patients.MethodsUsing head magnetic resonance images with voxel‐based morphometry, we measured the cerebrospinal fluid volume in the combined areas of the lateral and third ventricles and Sylvian fissure (the volume of the ventricles and Sylvian fissure (vVS)) and the volume of the subarachnoid space at high convexity and midline areas (vHCM) before and 1 year after lumboperitoneal shunt operations in 12 patients with shunt‐responsive iNPH. We used the ratio of normalized vVS to normalized vHCM (nvVS/nvHCM) as an index of the severity of the brain deformation. The degree of reversibility of the brain morphology after the shunt operation was defined as the change ratio of the preoperative nvVS/nvHCM to the postoperative nvVS/nvHCM (CR‐nvVS/nvHCM). Higher CR‐nvVS/nvHCM values indicated more improvement in the brain deformation. In addition, we rated the severity of the white matter lesions on the preoperative magnetic resonance images based on the Fazekas scale. Dependency in activities of daily living, gait and cognition were evaluated before and 1 year after the shunt operations.ResultsAfter the shunt operations, the nvVS/nvHCM and nvVS decreased significantly, and nvHCM increased significantly. The CR‐nvVS/nvHCM negatively correlated with the preoperative severity of dependency in activities of daily living, gait and cognitive impairments. The CR‐nvVS/nvHCM negatively correlated with the Fazekas scale, but not with age, duration of the disease and cerebrospinal fluid pressure.ConclusionsReversibility of brain morphology, which varied among iNPH patients, would prevent clinical symptoms from worsening in iNPH patients. The presence of white matter lesions reduced the degree of reversibility of the brain deformations in iNPH patients.