bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A young clade repeating an old pattern: diversity inNothonotusdarters (Teleostei: Percidae) endemic to the Cumberland River
Authors: KECK BENJAMIN P. , NEAR THOMAS J. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractHypotheses of diversification in eastern North American freshwater fishes have focused primarily on allopatric distributions of species between disjunct highland areas and major river systems. However, these hypotheses do not fully explain the rich diversity of species within highland regions and river systems. Relatively old diversification events at small geographic scales have been observed in the Barcheek Darter subclade that occurs in the Cumberland River drainage (CRD) in Kentucky and Tennessee, United States of America, but it is unknown if this pattern is consistent in other darter subclades. We explored phylogeographic diversity in two species ofNothonotusdarters,N. microlepidusandN. sanguifluus, endemic to the CRD to compare phylogenetic patterns between Barcheek Darters and species ofNothonotus. We collected sequence data for a mitochondrial gene (cytb) and three nuclear genes (MLL, S7 and RAG1) from 19 N. microlepidusand 35 N. sanguifluusspecimens. Gene trees were estimated using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods, and a ‘species tree’ was inferred using a Bayesian method. These trees indicate that species diversity inNothonotusis underestimated. Five distinct lineages were evident, despite retained ancestral polymorphism and unsampled extirpated populations. Comparison of chronograms for Barcheek Darters andNothonotusrevealed that microendemism resulting from species diversification at small geographic scales in the CRD is a consistent pattern in both old and young darter subclades. Our analyses reveal that geographic isolating mechanisms that result in similar phylogeographic patterns in the CRD are persistent through long expanses of evolutionary time.
Involvement of the Aspergillus nidulans protein kinase C with farnesol tolerance is related to the unfolded protein response
Authors: Colabardini Ana Cristina , de Castro Patrícia Alves , de Gouvêa Paula Fagundes , Savoldi Marcela , Malavazi Iran , Goldman Maria Helena S. , Goldman Gustavo Henrique 
Published: October 2010

SummaryPreviously, we demonstrated that the Aspergillus nidulans calC2 mutation in protein kinase C pkcA was able to confer tolerance to farnesol (FOH), an isoprenoid that has been shown to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis. Here, we investigate in more detail the role played by A. nidulans pkcA in FOH tolerance. We demonstrate that pkcA overexpression during FOH exposure causes increased cell death. FOH is also able to activate several markers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR). Our results suggest an intense cross‐talk between PkcA and the UPR during FOH‐induced cell death. Furthermore, the overexpression of pkcA increases both mRNA accumulation and metacaspases activity, and there is a genetic interaction between PkcA and the caspase‐like protein CasA. Mutant analyses imply that MAP kinases are involved in the signal transduction in response to the effects caused by FOH.
Review: Cerebral microvascular pathology in ageing and neurodegeneration
Authors: Brown W. R. , Thore C. R. 
Published: October 2010

W. R. Brown and C. R. Thore (2011) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology37, 56–74 Cerebral microvascular pathology in ageing and neurodegenerationThis review of age‐related brain microvascular pathologies focuses on topics studied by this laboratory, including anatomy of the blood supply, tortuous vessels, venous collagenosis, capillary remnants, vascular density and microembolic brain injury. Our studies feature thick sections, large blocks embedded in celloidin, and vascular staining by alkaline phosphatase. This permits study of the vascular network in three dimensions, and the differentiation of afferent from efferent vessels. Current evidence suggests that there is decreased vascular density in ageing, Alzheimer's disease and leukoaraiosis, and cerebrovascular dysfunction precedes and accompanies cognitive dysfunction and neurodegeneration. A decline in cerebrovascular angiogenesis may inhibit recovery from hypoxia‐induced capillary loss. Cerebral blood flow is inhibited by tortuous arterioles and deposition of excessive collagen in veins and venules. Misery perfusion due to capillary loss appears to occur before cell loss in leukoaraiosis, and cerebral blood flow is also reduced in the normal‐appearing white matter. Hypoperfusion occurs early in Alzheimer's disease, inducing white matter lesions and correlating with dementia. In vascular dementia, cholinergic reductions are correlated with cognitive impairment, and cholinesterase inhibitors have some benefit. Most lipid microemboli from cardiac surgery pass through the brain in a few days, but some remain for weeks. They can cause what appears to be a type of vascular dementia years after surgery. Donepezil has shown some benefit. Emboli, such as clots, cholesterol crystals and microspheres can be extruded through the walls of cerebral vessels, but there is no evidence yet that lipid emboli undergo such extravasation.
Cryptogein, a fungal elicitor, remodels the phenylpropanoid metabolism of tobacco cell suspension cultures in a calcium‐dependent manner
Authors: AMELOT NICOLAS , CARROUCHE AUDREY , DANOUN SAÏDA , BOURQUE STÉPHANE , HAIECH JACQUES , PUGIN ALAIN , RANJEVA RAOUL , GRIMA‐PETTENATI JACQUELINE , MAZARS CHRISTIAN , BRIERE CHRISTIAN 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTPlant cells use calcium‐based signalling pathways to transduce biotic and/or abiotic stimuli into adaptive responses. However, little is known about the coupling between calcium signalling, transcriptional regulation and the downstream biochemical processes. To understand these relationships better, we challenged tobacco BY‐2 cells with cryptogein and evaluated how calcium transients (monitored through the calcium sensor aequorin) impact (1) transcript levels of phenylpropanoid genes (assessed by RT‐qPCR); and (2) derived‐phenolic compounds (analysed by mass spectrometry). Most genes of the phenylpropanoid pathway were up‐regulated by cryptogein and cell wall‐bound phenolic compounds accumulated (mainly 5‐hydroxyferulic acid). The accumulation of both transcripts and phenolics was calcium‐dependent. The transcriptional regulation of phenylpropanoid genes was correlated in a non‐linear manner with stimulus intensity and with components of the cryptogein‐induced calcium signature. In addition, calmodulin inhibitors increased the sensitivity of cells to low concentrations of cryptogein. These results led us to propose a model of coupling between the cryptogein signal, calcium signalling and the transcriptional response, exerting control of transcription through the coordinated action of two decoding modules exerting opposite effects.
Biochemical, molecular and preclinical characterization of a double‐virus‐reduced human butyrylcholinesterase preparation designed for clinical use
Authors: Weber A. , Butterweck H. , Mais‐Paul U. , Teschner W. , Lei L. , Muchitsch E.‐M. , Kolarich D. , Altmann F. , Ehrlich H. J. , Schwarz H. P. 
Published: October 2010

Background and Objectives A human plasma‐derived butyrylcholinesterase preparation manufactured on the industrial scale is described.Material and Methods The human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) product was extensively investigated for its purity using immunological and electrophoretic methods and characterized by thorough glycoproteomic approaches. A comprehensive preclinical testing programme addressing safety and pharmacokinetic parameters supplemented the biochemical characterization.Results The high‐purity hBChE preparation is tetrameric and has high specific activity and molecular integrity of the protein backbone. Acute toxicity studies andin vivothrombogenicity studies provided evidence of a sufficient safety margin for use in humans.Conclusion Extensive preclinical safety and pharmacokinetic testing confirmed that this hBChE preparation can be used for further efficacy testing as a bioscavenger for toxic organophosphate compounds in appropriate animal models and ultimately in humans.
Population genetic structure of the endangered limpetCymbula nigrain a temperate Northern hemisphere region: influence of palaeoclimatic events?
Authors: Espinosa Free , Nakano Tomoyuki , Guerra‐García Jose M. , García‐Gómez Jose C. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractCymbula nigra(da Costa L, 1771) is the largest limpet in Europe and it is at present considered an endangered species. Nevertheless, its biology is poorly understood and there is a lack of knowledge about population genetic structure. A total of 61C. nigraspecimens were sampled and studied for a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochromecoxidase subunit I. The low genetic diversity, the absence of geographic structure, the significant values reported by measures to test for a recent population expansion and a star‐shaped phylogeny pattern are here interpreted as forming a hypothesis concerning the influence of palaeoclimatic events in the genetic pool of limpets, considering also the information available on different limpet species.
In Vitro Fertilization using Non‐sexed and Sexed Bovine Sperm: Sperm Concentration, Sorter Pressure, and Bull Effects
Authors: Barceló‐Fimbres M , Campos‐Chillón LF , Seidel Jr GE 
Published: October 2010

ContentsThe objective of these experiments was to study bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF) conditions for blastocyst production using non‐sexed sperm (Experiment 1) and sexed sperm (Experiment 2). For Experiment 1, in vitro‐matured oocytes (N = 707) were allocated to a 2 × 3 × 4 factorial design: time of co‐incubation of gametes for fertilization (4 and 18 h), sperm dose (1, 0.33, and 0.11 × 106 frozen–thawed sperm/ml, and sperm source (four bulls). Pronuclear status was evaluated for a subset. Experiment 2 (N = 2155 oocytes) was a 2 × 3 × 2 × 6 factorial design: sex of sperm (X and Y), sperm dose (1, 0.33, and 0.11 × 106 frozen–thawed sperm/ml), and sperm‐sorting pressures (40 and 50 psi), replicated with sperm of six bulls. Presumptive zygotes were cultured 60 h in chemically defined medium‐1 (CDM‐1), and for 114 h in CDM‐2. For Experiment 1, pronuclear formation, cleavage and blastocysts rates were greater for 1, and 0.33 × 106 than 0.11 × 106 sperm/ml (72 and 62 vs 42%; 89 and 81 vs 58%; and 21 and 17 vs 9%, respectively; all p < 0.01); polyspermy was greater for 1, than 0.33 and 0.11 × 106 sperm concentrations (24 vs 2 and 0%; p < 0.01). There were greater main effects (p < 0.01) of pronuclear formation (69 vs 48%), polyspermy (13 vs 4%), and cleavage (63 vs 54%), at 18 than at 4 h of co‐incubation of gametes (all p < 0.01). For Experiment 2, cleavage and blastocyst rates were greater for 1 × 106 sperm/ml vs 0.33 and 0.11 (69%, 47%, and 30% cleavage and 30%, 14%, and 8% blastocysts) and 40 vs 50 psi (54% and 44% cleavage and 18% and 15% blastocysts) (p < 0.01). A marked bull by fertilization sperm dose interaction was found for cleavage (p < 0.05). The main conclusion was that the optimal sperm concentration for cleavage and producing blastocysts via IVF with sexed sperm was considerably higher and more variable among bulls than for unsexed sperm.
Two cases of Reciprocal Chromosomal Translocation (4; 7)(p+; q−) (2; 8)(q−; q+) in Piglets Produced by ICSI
Authors: García‐Vázquez FA , Hernández‐Caravaca I , Martín M , Gómez E , Rodríguez A , Sánchez‐Sánchez R , Gadea J 
Published: October 2010

ContentsIn this study, the karyotypes of 14 piglets from four different litters produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and embryo transfer were analysed. The chromosome analysis was based on a classical cytogenetic examination following the standard protocols of lymphocyte cultures. Two cases of reciprocal translocation [(4; 7)(p+; q−) and (2; 8)(q−; q+)] were detected in two female transgenic piglets. These animals showed neither anatomical nor physiological alterations and had normal growth. To our knowledge, this is the first karyotype study of piglets produced by ICSI.
Preeclamptic nephropathy
Authors: HENNESSY ANNEMARIE , MAKRIS ANGELA 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTWith the recent discovery of potential serum ‘toxins’ in human preeclampsia, it is timely to consider how these might relate to preeclamptic nephropathy. This review will discuss the clinical presentation of preeclampsia with an emphasis on renal involvement. It will explore the nature of the renal histological changes including endothelial and the more recently discovered podocyte changes, the implications of elevated anti‐angiogenic molecules, anti‐angiotensin‐1 receptor agonistic antibodies and other proposed mechanisms in causing or exacerbating renal lesions. It will also explore the role of pre‐existing renal disease in causing preeclampsia and the potential for new biomarkers, both serum and urinary, to inform clinical practice with regard to differentiating preeclampsia from pre‐existing renal disease. Recommendations about the future of women who have had preeclampsia are unclear but the general consensus is that there are future cardiovascular risks, and to a lesser extent, future renal risks in these women. Regular review of proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate as well as overall cardiovascular risk status seems a logical step.
Understanding cardiac biomarkers in end‐stage kidney disease: Frequently asked questions and the promise of clinical application
Authors: ROBERTS MATTHEW A , HEDLEY ADAM J , IERINO FRANCESCO L 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTA novel strategy in the management of cardiovascular disease in patients with end‐stage kidney disease is the use of biochemical markers to facilitate the detection of cardiovascular abnormalities in the hope that this will allow effective therapy to be instituted earlier. The cardiac troponins and B‐type natriuretic peptide are among the best studied of these biochemical markers of cardiovascular disease. However, controversy remains regarding the interpretation of such results and the subsequent clinical application of these biomarkers, particularly when abnormal in patients with end‐stage kidney disease. This review addresses some of the important issues to consider with the interpretation of abnormal cardiac troponin and B‐type natriuretic peptide results in patients undergoing dialysis.
Carvedilol protects tubular epithelial cells from ischemia–reperfusion injury by inhibiting oxidative stress
Authors: Hayashi Taiji , De Velasco Marco Antonio , Saitou Yoshitaka , Nose Kazuhiro , Nishioka Tsukasa , Ishii Tokumi , Uemura Hirotsugu 
Published: October 2010

Objectives: Renal ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI), leading to acute kidney injury, is a frequent complication with renal transplantation and it is associated with graft function. Its pathogenesis involves ischemia, vascular congestion and reactive oxygen metabolites. Carvedilol is an antihypertensive drug with potent anti‐oxidant properties. In this study we investigated the protective effects of carvedilol in a rat renal IRI model.Methods: Twenty‐four rats were randomized into sham, untreated control and carvedilol (2 mg/kg 30 min before surgery and 12 hr after reperfusion) treatment groups and were subjected to 60 min of left renal ischemia followed by reperfusion at 24, 48, 96 and 168 hr.Results: Treatment with carvedilol significantly decreased plasma creatinine levels after IRI (up to 168 hr) compared to controls (P < 0.001), suggesting an improvement in renal function. Histopathological analysis revealed decreased IRI‐induced damage in kidneys from carvedilol‐treated rats. A significant increase in the expression levels of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and reduction of 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine and apoptosis levels (P < 0.005) suggested a protective effect after treatment with carvedilol.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that carvedilol ameliorates IRI resulting in improved renal function.
Retinoic acid receptor‐α signalling antagonizes both intracellular and extracellular amyloid‐β production and prevents neuronal cell death caused by amyloid‐β
Authors: Jarvis C. I. , Goncalves M. B. , Clarke E. , Dogruel M. , Kalindjian S. B. , Thomas S. A. , Maden M. , Corcoran J. P. T. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid‐β (Aβ) deposition in the brain, neuronal cell loss and cognitive decline. We show here that retinoic acid receptor (RAR)α signalling in vitro can prevent both intracellular and extracellular Aβ accumulation. RARα signalling increases the expression of a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10, an α‐secretase that processes the amyloid precursor protein into the non‐amyloidic pathway, thus reducing Aβ production. We also show that RARα agonists are neuroprotective, as they prevent Aβ‐induced neuronal cell death in cortical cultures. If RARα agonists are given to the Tg2576 mouse, the normal Aβ production in their brains is suppressed. In contrast, neither RARβ nor γ‐agonists affect Aβ production or Aβ‐mediated neuronal cell death. Therefore, RARα agonists have therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD.
Representations of visual proportions in the primate posterior parietal and prefrontal cortices
Authors: Vallentin Daniela , Nieder Andreas 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe primate prefrontal (PFC) and posterior parietal cortices (PPC) have been shown to be cardinal structures in processing abstract absolute magnitudes, such as numerosity or length. The neuronal representation of quantity relations, however, remained largely elusive. Recent functional imaging studies in humans showed that blood flow changes systematically both in the PFC and the PPC as a function of relational distance between proportions. We investigated the response properties of single neurons in the lateral PFC and the inferior parietal lobule (IPL, area 7) in rhesus monkeys performing a lengths‐proportion‐discrimination task. Neurons in both areas shared many characteristics and showed peaked tuning functions with preferred proportions. However, a significantly higher percentage of neurons coding proportions was found in the PFC compared with the IPL. In agreement with human studies, our study shows that proportions are represented in the fronto‐parietal network that has already been implicated for absolute magnitude processing.
Deglycosylation of puerarin and other aromatic C‐glucosides by a newly isolated human intestinal bacterium
Authors: Braune Annett , Blaut Michael 
Published: October 2010

SummaryThe human intestinal microbiota may influence the fate of bioactive polyphenols, such as the isoflavone puerarin (daidzein 8‐C‐glucoside), following their oral intake. Faecal suspensions from 19 healthy subjects were tested for their ability to C‐deglycosylate puerarin. Only one of these catalysed this reaction. A rod‐shaped Gram‐positive bacterium, strain CG19‐1, capable of deglycosylating puerarin to daidzein was isolated from the corresponding suspension. However, the strictly anaerobic isolate was unable to utilize puerarin as sole carbon and energy source nor any of the tested carbohydrates. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain CG19‐1 is a new species of the Lachnospiraceae. Strain CG19‐1 also converted other aromatic C‐glucosides in addition to puerarin. The xanthone C‐glucoside mangiferin was deglycosylated to norathyriol. The flavone C‐glucosides homoorientin and vitexin were degraded to 3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid via luteolin and 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid respectively. In addition, strain CG19‐1 converted flavonoid O‐glucosides, but at rates that were lower than those of the C‐glucosides tested. The isolate deglycosylated the isoflavone O‐glucosides daidzin and genistin to daidzein and genistein respectively. Several O‐glucosides of the flavones luteolin and apigenin undergoing deglycosylation were subsequently cleaved to 3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid and 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid respectively. Moreover, strain CG19‐1 cleaved both O‐desmethylangolensin and 6′‐hydroxy‐O‐desmethylangolensin to yield 2‐(4‐dihydroxyphenyl)propionic acid. The corresponding cleavage product, resorcinol, was only observed for O‐desmethylangolensin.
A novel, mat‐forming Thiomargarita population associated with a sulfidic fluid flow from a deep‐sea mud volcano
Authors: Girnth Anne‐Christin , Grünke Stefanie , Lichtschlag Anna , Felden Janine , Knittel Katrin , Wenzhöfer Frank , de Beer Dirk , Boetius Antje 
Published: October 2010

SummaryA mat‐forming population of the giant sulfur bacterium Thiomargarita was discovered at the flank of the mud volcano Amon on the Nile Deep Sea Fan in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. All cells were of a spherical and vacuolated phenotype and internally stored globules of elemental sulfur. With a diameter of 24–65 µm, Thiomargarita cells from the Eastern Mediterranean were substantially smaller than cells of previously described populations. A 16S rRNA gene fragment was amplified and could be assigned to the Thiomargarita‐resembling cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization. This sequence is monophyletic with published Thiomargarita sequences but sequence similarities are only about 94%, indicating a distinct diversification. In the investigated habitat, highly dynamic conditions favour Thiomargarita species over other sulfur‐oxidizing bacteria. In contrast to Thiomargarita namibiensis populations, which rely on periodic resuspension from sulfidic sediment into the oxygenated water column, Thiomargarita cells at the Amon mud volcano seem to remain stationary at the sediment surface while environmental conditions change around them due to periodic brine flow.
A genetic element present on megaplasmids allows Enterococcus faecium to use raffinose as carbon source
Authors: Zhang Xinglin , Vrijenhoek Joyce E. P. , Bonten Marc J. M. , Willems Rob J. L. , van Schaik Willem 
Published: October 2010

Summary Enterococcus faecium is a commensal of the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. Since the 1990s, it has also emerged as a nosocomial pathogen. Little is known about carbon metabolism of E. faecium even though the ability to utilize different sugars could be an important factor in adapting to different ecological niches. In this study we identify an E. faecium gene cluster that is responsible for the metabolism of the α‐galactoside sugar raffinose. Phenotypic testing of seven E. faecium isolates of which the genomes were previously sequenced showed that one isolate (strain E980) could grow on raffinose. Genome analysis identified a gene cluster containing two genes encoding α‐galactosidases (termed agaA and agaB) that was uniquely present in E980. The agaA and agaB genes were significantly more frequently found in strains that are phylogenetically related to E980 and were more prevalent in surveillance isolates from hospital and community sources than in isolates from clinical infections. Disruption of the α‐galactosidase gene agaB, but not of agaA, disabled growth on raffinose in strain E980. In all strains agaA and agaB are carried on megaplasmids that are between 150 and 300 kb in size. Filter‐mating experiments showed that the megaplasmid of E980 can be transferred to a plasmidless recipient which then gains the ability to grow on raffinose. The observation that raffinose utilization by E. faecium is a trait carried by megaplasmids indicates that these megaplasmids can have important roles in shaping the competitive fitness of E. faecium in the environment, for example by expanding the metabolic repertoire of this organism.