bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transactivation of the Mouse Sulfonylurea Receptor I Gene by BETA2/NeuroD
Authors: Kim Ji-Won , Seghers Victor , Cho Jang-Hyeon , Kang Yup , Kim Soyeon , Ryu Yoonseok , Baek Kwanghee , Aguilar-Bryan Lydia , Lee Young-Don , Bryan Joseph , Suh-Kim Haeyoung 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) plays a key role in regulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. In this study we investigated the mechanism for tissue-specific expression of the SUR1 gene. A −138/−20 fragment exhibited basal promoter activity while the −660/−20 fragment contained a regulatory element for tissue-specific expression of the mouse SUR1 gene. A pancreatic β-cell-specific transcription factor, BETA2 (β-cell E box transcription factor)/NeuroD, enhanced the promoter activity of the −660/−20 fragment in cooperation with E47. Coexpression of a dominant negative mutant of BETA2/NeuroD, BETA2(1–233), repressed the promoter activity of the −660/−20 fragment. BETA2/NeuroD bound specifically to the E3 element located at −141. The E3 sequence in a heterologous context conferred transactivation by BETA2/NeuroD in HeLa and HIT cells. Mutation of E3 eliminated the stimulatory effect of BETA2/NeuroD. Unlike BETA2/NeuroD, neurogenin 3 (ngn3) could not activate the E3 element in HeLa cells. Overexpression of ngn3 concomitantly increased expression of BETA2/NeuroD and SUR1 in HIT cells but not in HeLa cells. These results indicate that BETA2/NeuroD induces tissue-specific expression of the SUR1 gene through the E3 element. These results also suggest that E3 is specific for BETA2/NeuroD, and the stimulatory effect of ngn3 in HIT cells may require factors specifically expressed in HIT cells.
Regulation of Cholesterol Homeostasis by the Liver X Receptors in the Central Nervous System
Authors: Whitney Karl D. , Watson Michael A. , Collins Jon L. , Benson William G. , Stone Tammy M. , Numerick Mary Jo , Tippin Timothy K. , Wilson Joan G. , Winegar Deborah A. , Kliewer Steven A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe nuclear oxysterol receptors liver X receptor-α [LXRα (NR1H3)] and LXRβ (NR1H2) coordinately regulate genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis. Although both LXR subtypes are expressed in the brain, their roles in this tissue remain largely unexplored. In this report, we show that LXR agonists have marked effects on gene expression in murine brain tissue both in vitro and in vivo. In primary astrocyte cultures, LXR agonists regulated several established LXR target genes, including ATP binding cassette transporter A1, and enhanced cholesterol efflux. In contrast, little or no effect on gene expression or cholesterol efflux was detected in primary neuronal cultures. Treatment of mice with a selective LXR agonist resulted in the induction of several LXR target genes related to cholesterol homeostasis in the cerebellum and hippocampus. These data provide the first evidence that the LXRs regulate cholesterol homeostasis in the central nervous system. Because dysregulation of cholesterol balance is implicated in central nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Niemann-Pick disease, pharmacological manipulation of the LXRs may prove beneficial in the treatment of these disorders.
NUBIScan, an in Silico Approach for Prediction of Nuclear Receptor Response Elements
Authors: Podvinec Michael , Kaufmann Michel R. , Handschin Christoph , Meyer Urs A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractNuclear receptors (NRs) are transcription factors activated by a multitude of hormones, other endogenous substances, and exogenous molecules. These proteins modulate the regulation of target genes by contacting their promoter or enhancer sequences at specific recognition sites. The identification of these response elements is the first step toward detailed insight into the regulatory mechanisms affecting a gene. We have developed NUBIScan, a computer algorithm to predict DNA recognition sites for NRs in the regulatory regions of genes. The algorithm is based on weighted nucleotide distribution matrices and combines scores from both half-sites necessary for NR dimer binding. It provides more specific identification of functional sites than previous in silico approaches, as evidenced by scanning published regulatory regions of drug-inducible genes and comparing the obtained predictions with experimental results. In prospective analyses, NUBIScan consistently identified new functional NR binding sites in sets of large sequences, which had eluded previous analyses. This is exemplified by the detailed functional analysis of the flanking region of two genes. This approach therefore facilitates the selection of likely sites of gene regulation for subsequent experimental analysis.
Knockout of Pentraxin 3, a Downstream Target of Growth Differentiation Factor-9, Causes Female Subfertility
Authors: Varani Simona , Elvin Julia A. , Yan Changning , DeMayo Janet , DeMayo Francesco J. , Horton Heidi F. , Byrne Michael C. , Matzuk Martin M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe ovulatory process is tightly regulated by endocrine as well as paracrine factors. In the periovulatory period, extensive remodeling of the follicle wall occurs to allow the extrusion of the oocyte and accompanying cumulus granulosa cells. Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) and bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15) are secreted members of the TGFβ superfamily that are expressed beginning in the oocyte of small primary follicles and through ovulation. Besides its critical role as a growth and differentiation factor during early folliculogenesis, GDF-9 also acts as a paracrine factor to regulate several key events in preovulatory follicles. By analyzing GDF-9-regulated expression profiles using gene chip technology, we identified TNF-induced protein 6 (Tnfip6) and pentraxin 3 (Ptx3 or PTX3) as novel factors induced by GDF-9 in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles. Whereas Tnfip6 is induced in all granulosa cells by the LH surge, Ptx3 expression in the ovary is specifically observed after the LH surge in the cumulus granulosa cells adjacent to the oocyte. PTX3 is a member of the pentraxin family of secreted proteins, induced in several tissues by inflammatory signals. To define PTX3 function during ovulation, we generated knockout mice lacking the Ptx3 gene. Homozygous null (Ptx3−/−) mice develop normally and do not show any gross abnormalities. Whereas Ptx3−/− males are fertile, Ptx3−/− females are subfertile due to defects in the integrity of the cumulus cell-oocyte complex that are reminiscent of Bmp15−/−Gdf9+/− double mutant and BMP type IB receptor mutant mice. These studies demonstrate that PTX3 plays important roles in cumulus cell-oocyte interaction in the periovulatory period as a downstream protein in the GDF-9 signal transduction cascade.
Polyamines Modulate the Interaction between Nuclear Receptors and Vitamin D Receptor-Interacting Protein 205
Authors: Maeda Yutaka , Rachez Christophe , Hawel Leo , Byus Craig V. , Freedman Leonard P. , Sladek Frances M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractNuclear receptors (NR) activate transcription by interacting with several different coactivator complexes, primarily via LXXLL motifs (NR boxes) of the coactivator that bind a common region in the ligand binding domain of nuclear receptors (activation function-2, AF–2) in a ligand-dependent fashion. However, how nuclear receptors distinguish between different sets of coactivators remains a mystery, as does the mechanism by which orphan receptors such as hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) activate transcription. In this study, we show that HNF4α interacts with a complex containing vitamin D receptor (VDR)-interacting proteins (DRIPs) in the absence of exogenously added ligand. However, whereas a full-length DRIP205 construct enhanced the activation by HNF4α in vivo, it did not interact well with the HNF4α ligand binding domain in vitro. In investigating this discrepancy, we found that the polyamine spermine significantly enhanced the interaction between HNF4α and full-length DRIP205 in an AF-2, NR-box-dependent manner. Spermine also enhanced the interaction of DRIP205 with the VDR even in the presence of its ligand, but decreased the interaction of both HNF4α and VDR with the p160 coactivator glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein 1 (GR1P1). We also found that GR1P1 and DRIP205 synergistically activated HNF4α-mediated transcription and that a specific inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis, α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), decreased the ability of HNF4α to activate transcription in vivo. These results lead us to propose a model in which polyamines may facilitate the switch between different coactivator complexes binding to NRs.
Physical Vapor Growth of Ultralong Microwires of Copper Phthalocyanine on 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate Ionic Liquid
Authors: Xiao Yan , Wang Kai-Kai , Liu Yong-Qiang , Wang Feng-Xia , Pan Ge-Bo 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Ultralong microwires of CuPc were prepared by physical vapor deposition on [BMIM]BF4 ionic liquid. The as-prepared microwires are highly pure and single crystals. Moreover, this method is applicable to prepare microwires of NiPc and CoPc.
Photosubstitution of Dicyanoarenes by Hypervalent Allylsilicon Reagents via Photoinduced Electron Transfer
Authors: Matsuoka Daisuke , Nishigaichi Yutaka 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Photosubstitution of dicyanoarenes with hypervalent allylsilicon reagents in the presence of anthracene efficiently proceeded to afford the allyl-substituted product in moderate to good yields. The efficiency for the present photoreaction was much higher than that for the tetracoordinate allylsilanes, because hypervalent allylsilicon reagents possess lower oxidation potential than the tetracoordinate ones, which resulted in more efficient photoinduced electron-transfer process.
A long-term follow-up study of open reduction using Ludloff’s approach for congenital or developmental dislocation of the hip
Authors: Yamada K. , Mihara H. , Fujii H. , Hachiya M. 
Published: January 2014

Objectives There are several reports clarifying successful results following open reduction using Ludloff’s medial approach for congenital (CDH) or developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH). This study aimed to reveal the long-term post-operative course until the period of hip-joint maturity after the conventional surgical treatments. Methods A long-term follow-up beyond the age of hip-joint maturity was performed for 115 hips in 103 patients who underwent open reduction using Ludloff’s medial approach in our hospital. The mean age at surgery was 8.5 months (2 to 26) and the mean follow-up was 20.3 years (15 to 28). The radiological condition at full growth of the hip joint was evaluated by Severin’s classification. Results All 115 hips successfully attained reduction after surgery; however, 74 hips (64.3%) required corrective surgery at a mean age of 2.6 years (one to six). According to Severin’s classification, 69 hips (60.0%) were classified as group I or II, which were considered to represent acceptable results. A total of 39 hips (33.9%) were group III and the remaining seven hips (6.1%) group IV. As to re-operation, 20 of 21 patients who underwent surgical reduction after 12 months of age required additional corrective surgeries during the growth period as the hip joint tended to subluxate gradually. Conclusion Open reduction using Ludloff’s medial approach accomplished successful joint reduction for persistent CDH or DDH, but this surgical treatment was only appropriate before the ambulating stage. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:1–6.
Do Low-Skilled Migrants Contribute More to Home Country Income? Evidence from South Asia
Authors: Cooray Arusha 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
A recursive system is employed to investigate the indirect effect of out-migration on gross domestic product (GDP) through remittances in South Asia, namely Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Out-migration is further disaggregated by skill level and country of destination (Middle East and other), and their effects on GDP through remittances are examined. The results suggest that migration and remittances have an important significant effect on the GDP of the countries under study. Of the skill categories, the unskilled category has the largest robust indirect effect on GDP. The effects of migration on GDP by country of destination suggest that migration to the Middle East has a robust and significant impact on GDP. There is some evidence of a combination between the altruistic and self-interested motives of migrants’ to remit.
A Dense Linkage Map for Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Reveals Variable Chromosomal Divergence After an Ancestral Whole Genome Duplication Event
Authors: Brieuc Marine S O , Waters Charles D , Seeb James E , Naish Kerry A 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Comparisons between the genomes of salmon species reveal that they underwent extensive chromosomal rearrangements following whole genome duplication that occurred in their lineage 58−63 million years ago. Extant salmonids are diploid, but occasional pairing between homeologous chromosomes exists in males. The consequences of re-diploidization can be characterized by mapping the position of duplicated loci in such species. Linkage maps are also a valuable tool for genome-wide applications such as genome-wide association studies, quantitative trait loci mapping or genome scans. Here, we investigated chromosomal evolution in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) after genome duplication by mapping 7146 restriction-site associated DNA loci in gynogenetic haploid, gynogenetic diploid, and diploid crosses. In the process, we developed a reference database of restriction-site associated DNA loci for Chinook salmon comprising 48528 non-duplicated loci and 6409 known duplicated loci, which will facilitate locus identification and data sharing. We created a very dense linkage map anchored to all 34 chromosomes for the species, and all arms were identified through centromere mapping. The map positions of 799 duplicated loci revealed that homeologous pairs have diverged at different rates following whole genome duplication, and that degree of differentiation along arms was variable. Many of the homeologous pairs with high numbers of duplicated markers appear conserved with other salmon species, suggesting that retention of conserved homeologous pairing in some arms preceded species divergence. As chromosome arms are highly conserved across species, the major resources developed for Chinook salmon in this study are also relevant for other related species.
Science of Swimming and the Swimming of the Soft Shelled Turtle
Authors: Ito Shinichiro 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTSwimming is dynamically a part of the hydrodynamic field and can be considered as a field of the optimal control motion. Animals move by instinct according to the situation which they are confronting with. Therefore, their instinctive motion is optimal most of the time. The movement of animals can be classified roughly into two kinds: the fast motion with the maximum speed and the motion with the minimum energy consumption. Considering the foreleg of the soft shelled turtle as a flat plane, several sets of movement of the foreleg were observed and calculated theoretically. The theoretical results agreed the observation results in the both cases with the maximum speed and the minimum energy consumption. Applying the theoretical movement of the soft shelled turtle foreleg to human movement in swimming, the general S-shaped pull stroke is the minimum energy consumption motion in free-style. It became clear that there was a different stroke for generating the maximum speed in free-style. That was the soft shelled turtle style of fast swimming, the I-shaped pull strokes. In 2002 when the author announced this theory, there was only one fast swimmer whose free-style swimming strokes coincidentally accorded with the I-shaped pull with fewer numbers of strokes at that time. He was the Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorp. Now the I-shaped stoke has become main stream in free style.
Via, homem e veiculo: fatores de risco associados a gravidade dos acidentes de transito
Authors: Almeida Rosa Livia Freitas de , Bezerra Filho Jose Gomes , Braga Jose Ueleres , Magalhaes Francismeire Brasileiro , Macedo Marinila Calderaro Munguba , Silva Kellyanne Abreu 
Published: January 2014

OBJETIVO Analisar as características das vítimas, vias e veículos envolvidos em acidentes de trânsito e os fatores de risco de acidentes com ocorrência de óbito. MÉTODOS Estudo de coorte não concorrente considerando os acidentes de trânsito em Fortaleza, CE, de janeiro de 2004 a dezembro de 2008. Foram utilizados dados do Sistema de Informação de Acidente de Trânsito de Fortaleza, do Sistema de Informações de Mortalidade, do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares e dos bancos de dados de Habilitação e Veículos do Departamento Estadual de Trânsito. Técnicas de relacionamento determinístico e probabilístico foram aplicadas para integrar as bases de dados. Efetuou-se a análise descritiva das variáveis relativas às pessoas, às vias, aos veículos e ao tempo. Foram utilizados os modelos lineares generalizados na investigação de fatores de risco para óbito por acidente de trânsito. O ajuste do modelo foi verificado pela razão de verossimilhança e análise ROC. RESULTADOS Registraram-se 118.830 acidentes no período. Predominaram colisão/abalroamento (78,1%), atropelamentos (11,9%) e choque com obstáculo fixo (3,9%) e com motocicletas (18,1%). Ocorreram óbitos em 1,4% dos acidentes. Estiveram independentemente associados ao óbito por acidente de trânsito: bicicletas (OR = 21,2; IC95% 16,1;27,8), atropelamentos (OR = 5,9; IC95% 3,7;9,2), choque com obstáculo fixo (OR = 5,7; IC95% 3,1;10,5) e acidentes com motociclistas (OR = 3,5; IC95% 2,6;4,6). Os principais fatores contribuintes foram envolvimento de uma única pessoa (OR = 6,6; IC95% 4,1;10,73), presença de condutores não habilitados (OR = 4,1; IC95% 2,9;5,5) um único veículo envolvido (OR = 3,9; IC95% 2,3;6,4), sexo masculino (OR = 2,5; IC95% 1,9;3,3), tráfego em vias de jurisdição federal (OR = 2,4; IC95% 1,8;3,7), horário madrugada (OR = 2,4; IC95% 1,8;3,0) e dia de domingo (OR = 1,7; IC95% 1,3;2,2), todas ajustadas segundo modelo log-binomial. CONCLUSÕES As ações de promoção e prevenção de acidentes no trânsito devem focar os acidentes com veículos de duas rodas, que mais frequentemente envolvem uma única pessoa, não habilitada, do sexo masculino, em horários noturnos, em finais de semana e nas vias onde se desenvolvem maiores velocidades.
Prevalence of Septicaemia and Antibiogram of Different Etiological Agents in Patients of Intensive Care Units of a Tertiary Care Centre in Northern India
Authors: Mishra P P , Verma S K , Joshi H S , Sinha S 
Published: January 2014

Background Septicaemia is a leading cause of mortality in ICU patients. Any delay in diagnosis and /or antibiotic treatment have been shown to increase in mortality.We planned to study the prevalence, bacteriological profile of septicaemia along with their antibiogram in patients of different ICUs in a tertiary care Hospital, Northern region. Materials and Methods Blood culture was performed on total of 223 blood samples from 218 patients suspected for septicaemic episodes using Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth. The isolates were identified by standard microbiological techniques and their antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby Bauer method. Results Bacterial growth was seen in 54 samples (54 episodes of septicaemia) from 49(22.47%) patients (40, 4, 5 from Neonatal ICU, Medicine ICU, Surgical ICU respectively). The commonest isolate was Staphylococcus aureus (45.45%) [80% in NICU, 12% in MICU & 8% in SICU], followed by Klebsiella (30.9%) [100% from NICU], and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.1%) [40% in NICU, 20% in MICU & 40% in SICU]. The Gram positive isolates showed high sensitivity against teicoplanin (96%), vancomycin (93%), netillin (76%), erythromycin (72%), & gentamicin (72%), The Gram negative isolates showed high sensitivity against imipenem & amikacin. Conclusion As prevalence of septicaemia and its etiology varies among hospitals, a rational protocol is warranted to manage sepsis of critically ill patients based on adequate knowledge of sensitivity pattern of prevalent causative agents.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v3i4.9516
Osteoporosis Self Assessment Tool for Asian (OSTA) Index in Comparison to Quantitative Ultrasound of the Calcaneal in Predicting Low Bone Density.
Authors: Sherchan Binod , Lamichhane Arjun , Mahara Deepak Prakash 
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Osteoporosis represent a worldwide public health problem, frequently resulting in fractures and leading to psychological problem, social consequences, functional limitation and poor quality of life. So it is important to identify those people who have high risk of osteoporosis, in order to reduce the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. The Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA) index is a simple tool based on age and body weight. Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is another simple and low-cost instrument used to prescreen osteoporotic subjects. The aim of this study was to correlate between these two screening methods and to validate usefulness of Osteoporosis self assessment tool for Asian ( OSTA) in comparison with QUS of the calcaneum for the prediction of low bone density in Nepalese women. Methods: This was a two-year descriptive observational study comprising 100 subjects performed at TU Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, from 2007 January to 2009 January who completed semi structured questionnaire with subsequent measurement of Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) of the calcaneum. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of OSTA index was validated with the QUS T-score. Results: When the risk category was defined as OSTA index ≤ -1, and low QUS value as t-score ≤ -2.5, the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the index were 93.3%, 56.5%, and 62% respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.7651. When the low QUS value was taken as t score ≤ -1.0, the sensitivity, speciÞ city and diagnostic accuracy was 85.2%, 89.1% and 87% respectively. Conclusions: The OSTA index, a simple and free risk assessment tool, can be used to estimate the prevalence of low QUS values in Nepalese women and may help to increase awareness and prevention of low bone mineral density. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/noaj.v3i2.9524 NOAJ July-December 2013, Vol 3, Issue 2, 20-25