bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low aerobic mitochondrial energy metabolism in poorly- or undifferentiated neuroblastoma
Authors: Feichtinger Rene' G , Zimmermann Franz , Mayr Johannes A , Neureiter Daniel , Hauser-Kronberger Cornelia , Schilling Freimut H , Jones Neil , Sperl Wolfgang , Kofler Barbara 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) has been associated with carcinogenesis in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. In the present study we investigated components of the oxidative phosphorylation system in human neuroblastoma tissue samples.

Methods
Spectrophotometric measurements, immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot analysis were used to characterize the aerobic mitochondrial energy metabolism in neuroblastomas (NB).

Results
Compared to mitochondrial citrate synthase, SDH activity was severely reduced in NB (n = 14) versus kidney tissue. However no pathogenic mutations could be identified in any of the four subunits of SDH. Furthermore, no genetic alterations could be identified in the two novel SDH assembly factors SDHAF1 and SDH5. Alterations in genes encoding nfs-1, frataxin and isd-11 that could lead to a diminished SDH activity have not been detected in NB.

Conclusion
Because downregulation of other complexes of the oxidative phosphorylation system was also observed, a more generalized reduction of mitochondrial respiration seems to be present in neuroblastoma in contrast to the single enzyme defect found in hereditary pheochromocytomas.
Association between TGFBR1*6A and osteosarcoma: A Chinese case-control study
Authors: Hu Yun-Sheng , Pan Yong , Li Wen-Hai , Zhang Yong , Li Jun , Ma Bao-An 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
TGFBR1*6A is a common hypomorphic variant of transforming growth factor β receptor 1 (TGFBR1). TGFBR1*6A is associated with an increased cancer risk, but the association of this polymorphism with osteosarcoma remains unknown. We have measured the frequency of TGFBR1*6A variants in osteosarcoma cases and controls.

Methods
Our case-control study is based on 168 osteosarcoma patients and 168 age- and gender-matched controls. Blood samples were obtained and the TGFBR1*6A variant determined by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the TGFBR1*6A polymorphism were calculated by unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for both age and gender. Three models - dominant, additive and recessive - were used to analyze the contribution of the TGFBR1*6A variant to osteosarcoma susceptibility.

Results
Heterozygotic and homozygotic TGFBR1*6A variants represented 50.4% and 6.0% of the 168 cases, whereas the controls had 18. 5% and 1.3%, respectively. ORs for homozygosity and heterozygosity of the TGFBR1*6A allele were 4.6 [95% CI, 2.33-7.97] and 2.9 [95% CI, 1.59-5.34] in the additive model. There were significant increases in the TGFBR1*6A variants in osteosarcoma cases compared to control in all 3 models. Further analysis showed that TGFBR1*6A genotypes were not associated with gender, age, or tumor location. However, TGFBR1*6A was significantly associated with less metastasis.

Conclusions
TGFBR1*6A, a dominant polymorphism of TGFBR1, is associated with increased susceptibility and metastasis spread of osteosarcoma.
Enhanced fluorescent properties of an OmpT site deleted mutant of Green Fluorescent Protein
Authors: Salunkhe Shardul S , Raiker Veena A , Rewanwar Sachin , Kotwal Prakash , Kumar Avijeet , Padmanabhan Sriram 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
The green fluorescent protein has revolutionized many areas of cell biology and biotechnology since it is widely used in determining gene expression and for localization of protein expression. Expression of recombinant GFP in E. coli K12 host from pBAD24M-GFP construct upon arabinose induction was significantly lower than that seen in E. coli B cells with higher expression at 30°C as compared to 37°C in E. coli K12 hosts. Since OmpT levels are higher at 37°C than at 30°C, it prompted us to modify the OmpT proteolytic sites of GFP and examine such an effect on GFP expression and fluorescence. Upon modification of one of the two putative OmpT cleavage sites of GFP, we observed several folds enhanced fluorescence of GFP as compared to unmodified GFPuv (Wild Type-WT). The western blot studies of the WT and the SDM II GFP mutant using anti-GFP antibody showed prominent degradation of GFP with negligible degradation in case of SDM II GFP mutant while no such degradation of GFP was seen for both the clones when expressed in BL21 cells. The SDM II GFP mutant also showed enhanced GFP fluorescence in other E. coli K12 OmpT hosts like E. coli JM109 and LE 392 in comparison to WT GFPuv. Inclusion of an OmpT inhibitor, like zinc with WT GFP lysate expressed from an E. coli K12 host was found to reduce degradation of GFP fluorescence by two fold.

Results
We describe the construction of two GFP variants with modified putative OmpT proteolytic sites by site directed mutagenesis (SDM). Such modified genes upon arabinose induction exhibited varied degrees of GFP fluorescence. While the mutation of K79G/R80A (SDM I) resulted in dramatic loss of fluorescence activity, the modification of K214A/R215A (SDM II) resulted in four fold enhanced fluorescence of GFP.

Conclusions
This is the first report on effect of OmpT protease site modification on GFP fluorescence. The wild type and the GFP variants showed similar growth profile in bioreactor studies with similar amounts of recombinant GFP expressed in the soluble fraction of the cell. Our observations on higher levels of fluorescence of SDM II GFP mutant over native GFPuv in an OmpT+ host like DH5α, JM109 and LE392 at 37°C reiterates the role played by host OmpT in determining differences in fluorescent property of the expressed GFP. Both the WT GFP and the SDM II GFP plasmids in E. coli BL21 cells showed similar expression levels and similar GFP fluorescent activity at 37°C. This result substantiates our hypothesis that OmpT protease could be a possible factor responsible for reducing the expression of GFP at 37°C for WT GFP clone in K12 hosts like DH5α, JM109, LE 392 since the levels of GFP expression of SDM II clone in such cells at 37°C is higher than that seen with WT GFP clone at the same temperature.
Differential alterations of the concentrations of endocannabinoids and related lipids in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese diabetic patients
Authors: Annuzzi Giovanni , Piscitelli Fabiana , Di Marino Lucrezia , Patti Lidia , Giacco Rosalba , Costabile Giuseppina , Bozzetto Lutgarda , Riccardi Gabriele , Verde Roberta , Petrosino Stefania , Rivellese Angela A , Di Marzo Vincenzo 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Background
The endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-AG, are produced by adipocytes, where they stimulate lipogenesis via cannabinoid CB1 receptors and are under the negative control of leptin and insulin. Endocannabinoid levels are elevated in the blood of obese individuals and nonobese type 2 diabetes patients. To date, no study has evaluated endocannabinoid levels in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of subjects with both obesity and type 2 diabetes (OBT2D), characterised by similar adiposity and whole body insulin resistance and lower plasma leptin levels as compared to non-diabetic obese subjects (OB).

Design and Methods
The levels of anandamide and 2-AG, and of the anandamide-related PPARα ligands, oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), in the SAT obtained by abdominal needle biopsy in 10 OBT2D, 11 OB, and 8 non-diabetic normal-weight (NW) subjects, were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. All subjects underwent a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp.

Results
As compared to NW, anandamide, OEA and PEA levels in the SAT were 2-4.4-fold elevated (p < 0.05), and 2-AG levels 2.3-fold reduced (p < .05), in OBT2D but not in OB subjects. Anandamide, OEA and PEA correlated positively (p < .05) with SAT leptin mRNA and free fatty acid during hyperinsulinaemic clamp, and negatively with SAT LPL activity and plasma HDL-cholesterol, which were all specifically altered in OBT2D subjects.

Conclusions
The observed alterations emphasize, for the first time in humans, the potential different role and regulation of adipose tissue anandamide (and its congeners) and 2-AG in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Eosinophilic pneumonia associated with bleomycin in a patient with mediastinal seminoma: a case report
Authors: Hapani Sanjaykumar , Chu David , Wu Shenhong 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Introduction
Lung toxicities resulting from the chemotherapeutic agent bleomycin encompass a variety of pathological changes, including bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, interstitial pneumonitis and progressive interstitial fibrosis. We report a rare case of eosinophilic pneumonia associated with bleomycin.

Case presentation
A 44-year-old Hispanic man with a primary mediastinal seminoma complicated by superior vena cava syndrome underwent treatment with four cycles of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin. He had a complete positive response to the chemotherapy. However, three months after treatment he presented with shortness of breath and severe hypoxemia associated with peripheral eosinophilia. Computed tomography showed bilateral diffuse interstitial infiltrates that were refractory to antibiotic treatment. A lung biopsy showed eosinophilic pneumonia. He was subsequently treated with high-dose prednisone, resulting in a complete resolution of his symptoms and lung infiltrates.

Conclusion
This case illustrates that eosinophilic pneumonia may be a late sequela of bleomycin toxicity, and may respond dramatically to steroid treatment.
Iron content of ferritin modulates its uptake by intestinal epithelium: implications for co-transport of prions
Authors: Bhupanapadu Sunkesula Solomon Raju , Luo Xiu , Das Dola , Singh Ajay , Singh Neena 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
The spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the deer and elk population has caused serious public health concerns due to its potential to infect farm animals and humans. Like other prion disorders such a sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob-disease of humans and Mad Cow Disease of cattle, CWD is caused by PrP-scrapie (PrPSc), a β-sheet rich isoform of a normal cell surface glycoprotein, the prion protein (PrPC). Since PrPSc is sufficient to cause infection and neurotoxicity if ingested by a susceptible host, it is important to understand the mechanism by which it crosses the stringent epithelial cell barrier of the small intestine. Possible mechanisms include co-transport with ferritin in ingested food and uptake by dendritic cells. Since ferritin is ubiquitously expressed and shares considerable homology among species, co-transport of PrPSc with ferritin can result in cross-species spread with deleterious consequences. We have used a combination of in vitro and in vivo models of intestinal epithelial cell barrier to understand the role of ferritin in mediating PrPSc uptake and transport. In this report, we demonstrate that PrPSc and ferritin from CWD affected deer and elk brains and scrapie from sheep resist degradation by digestive enzymes, and are transcytosed across a tight monolayer of human epithelial cells with significant efficiency. Likewise, ferritin from hamster brains is taken up by mouse intestinal epithelial cells in vivo, indicating that uptake of ferritin is not limited by species differences as described for prions. More importantly, the iron content of ferritin determines its efficiency of uptake and transport by Caco-2 cells and mouse models, providing insight into the mechanism(s) of ferritin and PrPSc uptake by intestinal epithelial cells.
Helicobacter pylori: a poor man's gut pathogen?
Authors: Khalifa Mohammed Mahdy , Sharaf Radwa Raed , Aziz Ramy Karam 
Published: April 2010

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is one of the human pathogens with highest prevalence around the world; yet, its principal mode of transmission remains largely unknown. The role of H. pylori in gastric disease and cancer has not been established until the end of the 20th century. Since then, its epidemiology has been extensively studied, and an accruing body of literature suggests that not all humans are equally at risk of infection by this gut pathogen. Here, we briefly review the different epidemiological aspects of H. pylori infection with emphasis on those factors related to human poverty. The epidemiology of H. pylori infection is characterized by marked differences between developing and developed countries, notably among children. In addition, congruent lines of evidence point out to socioeconomic factors and living standards as main determinants of the age-dependent acquisition rate of H. pylori, and consequently its prevalence. These data are alarming in the light of the changing global climate and birth rate, which are expected to change the demography of our planet, putting more children at risk of H. pylori and its complications for years to come.
4G/5G polymorphism of PAI-1 gene is associated with multiple organ dysfunction and septic shock in pneumonia induced severe sepsis: prospective, observational, genetic study
Authors: Madách Krisztina , Aladzsity István , Szilágyi Ágnes , Fust George , Gál János , Pénzes István , Prohászka Zoltán 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Introduction
Activation of inflammation and coagulation are closely related and mutually interdependent in sepsis. The acute-phase protein, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a key element in the inhibition of fibrinolysis. Elevated levels of PAI-1 have been related to worse outcome in pneumonia. We aimed to evaluate the effect of functionally relevant 4G/5G polymorphism of PAI-1 gene in pneumonia induced sepsis.

Methods
We enrolled 208 Caucasian patients with severe sepsis due to pneumonia admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Patients were followed up until ICU discharge or death. Clinical data were collected prospectively and the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Patients were stratified according to the occurrence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, septic shock or death.

Results
We found that carriers of the PAI-1 4G/4G and 4G/5G genotypes have a 2.74-fold higher risk for multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.335 - 5.604; p = 0.006) and a 2.57-fold higher risk for septic shock (OR 95%CI = 1.180 - 5.615; p = 0.018) than 5G/5G carriers. The multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for independent predictors, such as age, nosocomial pneumonia and positive microbiological culture also supported that carriers of the 4G allele have a higher prevalence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.957; 95%CI = 1.306 -6.698; p = 0.009) and septic shock (aOR = 2.603; 95%CI = 1.137 - 5.959; p = 0.024). However, genotype and allele analyses have not shown any significant difference regarding mortality in models non-adjusted or adjusted for acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II. Patients bearing the 4G allele had higher disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score at admission (p = 0.007) than 5G/5G carriers. Moreover, in 4G allele carriers the length of ICU stay of non-survivors was longer (p = 0.091), fewer ventilation-free days (p = 0.008) and days without septic shock (p = 0.095) were observed during the first 28 days.

Conclusions
In Caucasian patients with severe sepsis due to pneumonia carriers of the 4G allele of PAI-1 polymorphism have higher risk for multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and septic shock and in agreement they showed more fulminant disease progression based on continuous clinical variables.
Stratified liquefied petroleum gas—dimethyl ether compression ignition engine combustion at various intake valve open timings
Authors: Yeom K , Bae C 
Published: April 2010

The combustion and exhaust emissions characteristics of compression ignition engine with a variable valve timing device were investigated for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and dimethyl ether (DME) under various LPG injection timing conditions. LPG was used as the main fuel injected directly into the combustion chamber. DME was used as an ignition promoter injected into the intake port. Different LPG injection timings were tested to verify the effects of the mixture homogeneity on the combustion and exhaust emission characteristics of the LPG and DME compression ignition engine. The average charge temperature was calculated to analyse the pollutant formation. The ringing intensity was used for the analysis of knock characteristics. The combustion and exhaust emission characteristics differed significantly depending on the LPG injection and intake valve open timings. The carbon monoxide (CO) emission increased as the intake valve opened and LPG injection timings were retarded owing to the local mixture inhomogeneity. However, the particulate matter (PM) emission decreased and the nitrogen oxides (NO x) emission increased as the intake valve open timing was retarded in the diffusion combustion regime. Finally, the combustion efficiency decreased as the intake valve open and LPG injection timings were retarded.
Synthesis, Structures, and Reactivity of Kinetically Stabilized Anthryldiphosphene Derivatives
Authors: Tsurusaki Akihiro , Nagahora Noriyoshi , Sasamori Takahiro , Matsuda Kazunari , Kanemitsu Yoshihiko , Watanabe Yasuaki , Hosoi Yoshinobu , Furukawa Yukio , Tokitoh Norihiro 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
The first stable anthryldiphosphenes, 1 and 2, were synthesized by utilizing kinetic stabilization of 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Tbt) and 2,6-bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-4-[tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl (Bbt) groups, and were characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses. The UV–visible spectroscopic data suggested the electronic communication between the anthryl moiety and the P=P unit. It was found that TbtP=P(9-Anth) (1a: 9-Anth = 9-anthryl) showed weak fluorescence in hexane solution. Furthermore, the reactivities of anthryldiphosphene 1 with a chromium complex, chalcogenation reagents, a diene, and electron-deficient olefins have been revealed.
The β-Sheet Structure pH Dependence of the Core Fragments of β2-Microglobulin Amyloid Fibrils
Authors: Hiramatsu Hirotsugu , Lu Ming , Goto Yuji , Kitagawa Teizo 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Amyloid fibril structures of peptides having the sequence of the #20–41 region of β2-microglobulin (β2m20–41 and β2m21–29) were investigated with FTIR microscope spectroscopy. pH dependence of the amide I band of the IR absorption spectra was analyzed. For β2m20–41, the β-sheet content at pH 6.0 was 55% (12.1 residues) and the β-sheet was located in the N21–G29 and I35–V37 regions, but at pH 2.5 it was 60% (13.1 residues) and located in the F22–V27 and P32–V37 regions. The two structures with different amounts of β-sheet were switched at pH 4.5, which was close to the pI of this sequence (ca. 4.3) rather than the pKa of the carboxyl groups (5.8 ± 0.3 and 3.3 ± 0.4), suggesting the importance of the total number of charges rather than protonation of specific residue(s). The spectral characteristics of the IR linear dichroism and 13C isotope labeling indicated the formation of parallel β-sheet structure in both regions, and the stacking direction was unaltered by pH change. Unexpectedly however, the IR spectra of the β2m21–29 fibril demonstrated the simultaneous presence of parallel/anti-parallel β-sheets. The relevance of the pH dependence of the β2m20–41 fibril structure to that of β2m fibrils is discussed.
Nickel(II) Complexes of tpa Ligands with 6-Phenyl Substituents (Phntpa). Structure and H2O2-Reactivity
Authors: Tano Tetsuro , Doi Yoshitaka , Inosako Masayuki , Kunishita Atsushi , Kubo Minoru , Ishimaru Hirohito , Ogura Takashi , Sugimoto Hideki , Itoh Shinobu 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
Nickel(II) complexes supported by a series of tpa {tris[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]amine} ligand derivatives containing different numbers of phenyl substituent on the 6-position of pyridine donor group (Phntpa, n = 0–3) have been prepared and structurally characterized. Ligand tpa and its derivatives with one or two 6-Ph substituent(s) (Ph0tpa, Ph1tpa, and Ph2tpa) afforded nickel(II) complexes 1[0], 1[1], and 1[2] with a distorted octahedral geometry, whereas the ligand having three 6-Ph groups (Ph3tpa) gave nickel(II) complex 1[3] with a five-coordinate trigonal bipyramidal structure. All the complexes exhibited a high spin ground state (S = 1). Reactivity of the nickel(II) complexes 1[0] and 1[1] toward H2O2 was very poor, whereas 1[2] and 1[3] readily gave bis(μ-oxo)dinickel(III) complexes 2[2] and 2[3], respectively, in the reaction with H2O2 at a low temperature. The bis(μ-oxo)dinickel(III) complexes 2[2] and 2[3] gradually decomposed to cause an aromatic hydroxylation reaction of one of the 6-Ph groups of the supporting ligands. The ligand substituent effects on the formation and decomposition processes of the bis(μ-oxo)dinickel(III) complexes are discussed based on the structures and the redox potentials of the starting nickel(II) complexes.
Peptide Thioester Formation by an N to S Acyl Shift Reaction at the Cysteinyl Prolyl Cysteine Position
Authors: Kawakami Toru , Shimizu Sakiko , Aimoto Saburo 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
In protein synthesis, peptide thioesters are frequently used as key building blocks for the ligation strategy. We report herein on the synthesis of a peptide thioester using an N to S acyl shift reaction. A peptide containing a Cys–Pro–Cys (CPC) sequence was transformed into a peptide diketopiperazine (DKP) thioester under acidic conditions. In this reaction, the CPC moiety undergoes a tandem N to S acyl shift, followed by DKP formation to give the desired thioester. Since proteins containing a CPC sequence can be prepared by recombinant DNA techniques, the CPC peptide represents a new method for preparing peptide thioesters as recombinant proteins for protein synthesis.
Abdul-Baha's First Thousand-Verse Tablet: History and Provisional Translation
Authors: Rabbani Ahang , Fananapazir Khazeh 
Published: April 2010

From the onset of his ministry, Abdul-Baha faced significant family opposition to his authority and position. These family members, led by Mirza Muhammad-Ali, a younger half-brother of Abdul-Baha to whom Bahaullah had given a rank subordinate to Abdul-Baha, colluded in spreading false
allegations against Abdul-Baha who was seeking to spread the Baha'i Faith to Europe and North America. For several years, Abdul-Baha worked hard to contain these defections and to prevent news of them from reaching other Baha'i communities.
By 18967, the Baha'is of Egypt had heard enough
of the details that when Mirza abbullh Afnn was going on a visit to Akka, they asked him to learn as much of the details as he could. To his great shock, while in Akka, the Afnan learned that indeed Abdul-Baha's brothers and the majority of his family had arisen against him in rebellion. As
instructed by Abdul-Baha, the young pilgrim on his return to Egypt informed the Baha'i community of the occurrences in Akka and the opposition to Abdul-Baha. The celebrated Mirza Ab'l-Fadl found this hard to accept. Therefore, he wrote to Abdul-Baha inquiring about the veracity of this news,
and received in response a lengthy tablet dated 26 March 1897, which we propose to be called the First Thousand-Verse Tablet. This paper will provide historical background and a provisional translation of this momentous tablet.
Using the World Atlas of Language Structures
Authors: Cysouw Michael 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
The World Atlas of Language Structures is a recently published resource providing data on the geographical distribution of grammatical structures for a large sample of the world′s languages. The articles in this special issue are the result of some first attempts to use the wealth of data available in the Atlas. This introduction discusses some general aspects of the data available in the Atlas and summarizes the articles.