bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The scaffolding and signalling functions of a localization factor impact polar development
Authors: Curtis Patrick D. , Quardokus Ellen M. , Lawler Melanie L. , Guo Xiaoyun , Klein David , Chen Joseph C. , Arnold Randy J. , Brun Yves V. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryIn the differentiating alphaproteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus, organelle synthesis at cell poles is critical to forming different progeny after cell division. Co‐ordination of polar organelle synthesis, including pili and holdfast, and flagellum ejection, is mediated in part by the scaffolding protein PodJ. At the time of cell division, PodJ undergoes regulated processing to a short form that persists at the flagellar pole of swarmer cells. This study analyses how PodJ's role in structural and signalling protein localization impacts organelle synthesis. A PodJ mutant with an internal deletion exhibits reduced sensitivity to pili‐tropic phage ΦCbK, resulting from reduced pilA gene expression, which can be linked to altered signalling protein localization. The phage sensitivity defect of a ΔpodJ mutant can be partially suppressed by ectopic pilA expression. Induction of PodJ processing, by manipulation of podJ itself or controlled perP expression, resulted in decreased pilus biogenesis and, when coupled with a podJ mutation that reduced pilA expression, led to complete loss of phage sensitivity. As a whole, the results show that PodJ's scaffolding role for structural and signalling proteins both contribute to flagellar pole organelle development.
The histone chaperone ASF1 is essential for sexual development in the filamentous fungus Sordaria macrospora
Authors: Gesing Stefan , Schindler Daniel , Fränzel Benjamin , Wolters Dirk , Nowrousian Minou 
Published: April 2012

SummaryAscomycetes develop four major types of fruiting bodies that share a common ancestor, and a set of common core genes most likely controls this process. One way to identify such genes is to search for conserved expression patterns. We analysed microarray data of Fusarium graminearum and Sordaria macrospora, identifying 78 genes with similar expression patterns during fruiting body development. One of these genes was asf1 (anti‐silencing function 1), encoding a predicted histone chaperone. asf1 expression is also upregulated during development in the distantly related ascomycete Pyronema confluens. To test whether asf1 plays a role in fungal development, we generated an S. macrospora asf1 deletion mutant. The mutant is sterile and can be complemented to fertility by transformation with the wild‐type asf1 and its P. confluens homologue. An ASF1–EGFP fusion protein localizes to the nucleus. By tandem‐affinity purification/mass spectrometry as well as yeast two‐hybrid analysis, we identified histones H3 and H4 as ASF1 interaction partners. Several developmental genes are dependent on asf1 for correct transcriptional expression. Deletion of the histone chaperone genes rtt106 and cac2 did not cause any developmental phenotypes. These data indicate that asf1 of S. macrospora encodes a conserved histone chaperone that is required for fruiting body development.
Enhanced formation of aerenchyma and induction of a barrier to radial oxygen loss in adventitious roots of Zea nicaraguensis contribute to its waterlogging tolerance as compared with maize (Zea mays ssp. mays)
Authors: ABIKO TOMOMI , KOTULA LUKASZ , SHIONO KATSUHIRO , MALIK AL IMRAN , COLMER TIMOTHY DAVID , NAKAZONO MIKIO 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTEnhancement of oxygen transport from shoot to root tip by the formation of aerenchyma and also a barrier to radial oxygen loss (ROL) in roots is common in waterlogging‐tolerant plants. Zea nicaraguensis (teosinte), a wild relative of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays), grows in waterlogged soils. We investigated the formation of aerenchyma and ROL barrier induction in roots of Z. nicaraguensis, in comparison with roots of maize (inbred line Mi29), in a pot soil system and in hydroponics. Furthermore, depositions of suberin in the exodermis/hypodermis and lignin in the epidermis of adventitious roots of Z. nicaraguensis and maize grown in aerated or stagnant deoxygenated nutrient solution were studied. Growth of maize was more adversely affected by low oxygen in the root zone (waterlogged soil or stagnant deoxygenated nutrient solution) compared with Z. nicaraguensis. In stagnant deoxygenated solution, Z. nicaraguensis was superior to maize in transporting oxygen from shoot base to root tip due to formation of larger aerenchyma and a stronger barrier to ROL in adventitious roots. The relationships between the ROL barrier formation and suberin and lignin depositions in roots are discussed. The ROL barrier, in addition to aerenchyma, would contribute to the waterlogging tolerance of Z. nicaraguensis.
Barriers to conducting effective obstetric audit in Ifakara: a qualitative assessment in an under‐resourced setting in Tanzania
Authors: van Hamersveld Koen T. , den Bakker Emil , Nyamtema Angelo S. , van den Akker Thomas , Mfinanga Elirehema H. , van Elteren Marianne , van Roosmalen Jos 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective  To explore barriers to and solutions for effective implementation of obstetric audit at Saint Francis Designated District Hospital in Ifakara, Tanzania, where audit results have been disappointing 2 years after its introduction.Methods  Qualitative study involving participative observation of audit sessions, followed by 23 in‐depth interviews with health workers and managers. Knowledge and perceptions of audit were assessed and suggestions for improvement of the audit process explored.Results  During the observational period, audit sessions were held irregularly and only when the head of department of obstetrics and gynaecology was available. Cases with evident substandard care factors were audited. In‐depth interviews revealed inadequate knowledge of the purpose of audit, despite the fact that participants regarded obstetric audit as a potentially useful tool. Insufficient staff commitment, managerial support and human and material resources were mentioned as reasons for weak involvement of health workers and poor implementation of recommendations resulting from audit. Suggestions for improvement included enhancing feedback to all staff and managers to attend sessions and assist with the effectuation of audit recommendations.Conclusion  Obstetric staff in Ifakara see audit as an important tool for quality improvement. They recognise, however, that in their own situation, insufficient staff commitment and poor managerial support are barriers to successful implementation. They suggested training in concept and principles of audit as well as strengthening feedback of audit outcomes, to achieve structural health care improvements through audit.
Evolutionary stasis in Euphorbiaceae pollen: selection and constraints
Authors: MATAMORO‐VIDAL A. , FURNESS C. A. , GOUYON P.‐H. , WURDACK K. J. , ALBERT B. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAlthough much attention has been paid to the role of stabilizing selection, empirical analyses testing the role of developmental constraints in evolutionary stasis remain rare, particularly for plants. This topic is studied here with a focus on the evolution of a pollen ontogenetic feature, the last points of callose deposition (LPCD) pattern, involved in the determination of an adaptive morphological pollen character (aperture pattern). The LPCD pattern exhibits a low level of evolution in eudicots, as compared to the evolution observed in monocots. Stasis in this pattern might be explained by developmental constraints expressed during male meiosis (microsporogenesis) or by selective pressures expressed through the adaptive role of the aperture pattern. Here, we demonstrate that the LPCD pattern is conserved in Euphorbiaceae s.s. and that this conservatism is primarily due to selective pressures. A phylogenetic association was found between the putative removal of selective pressures on pollen morphology after the origin of inaperturate pollen, and the appearance of variation in microsporogenesis and in the resulting LPCD pattern, suggesting that stasis was due to these selective pressures. However, even in a neutral context, variation in microsporogenesis was biased. This should therefore favour the appearance of some developmental and morphological phenotypes rather than others.
Proteins within the intracellular calcium store determine cardiac RyR channel activity and cardiac output
Authors: Dulhunty Angela F , Wium Elize , Li Linwei , Hanna Amy D , Mirza Shamaruh , Talukder Sadik , Ghazali Nuur AA , Beard Nicole A 
Published: April 2012

Summary

The contractile function of the heart requires the release of Ca2+ from intracellular Ca2+ stores in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of cardiac muscle cells. The efficacy of Ca2+ release depends on the amount of Ca2+ loaded into the Ca2+ store and the way in which this ‘Ca2+ load’ influences the activity of the cardiac ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channel (RyR2).
The effects of the Ca2+ load on Ca2+ release through RyR2 are facilitated by: (i) the sensitivity of RyR2 itself to luminal Ca2+ concentrations; and (ii) interactions between the cardiac Ca2+‐binding protein calsequestrin (CSQ) 2 and RyR2, transmitted through the ‘anchoring’ proteins junctin and/or triadin.
Mutations in RyR2 are linked to catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and sudden cardiac death. The tachycardia is associated with changes in the sensitivity of RyR2 to luminal Ca2+. Triadin‐, junctin‐ or CSQ‐null animals survive, but their longevity and ability to tolerate stress is compromised. These studies reveal the importance of the proteins in normal muscle function, but do not reveal the molecular nature of their functional interactions, which must be defined before changes in the proteins leading to CPVT and heart disease can be understood.
Herein, we discuss known interactions between the RyR, triadin, junctin and CSQ with emphasis on the cardiac isoforms of the proteins. Where there is little known about the cardiac isoforms, we discuss evidence from skeletal isoforms.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of insulin aspart in patients with Type 2 diabetes: Assessment using a meal tolerance test under clinical conditions
Authors: Ando Hitoshi , Kurita Seiichiro , Shimizu Akiko , Kato Ken‐ichiro , Ishikura Kazuhide , Taji Koumei , Uno Masafumi , Takeshita Yumie , Misu Hirofumi , Fujimura Akio , Kaneko Shuichi , Takamura Toshinari 
Published: April 2012

Summary

Few studies have evaluated the pharmacokinetics of rapid‐acting insulin analogues in patients with Type 2 diabetes, especially under clinical conditions. The aim of the present study was to assess both the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of insulin aspart in Type 2 diabetic patients who were being treated with the analogue alone.
Meal tolerance tests with and without self‐injection of a customary dose of insulin aspart (0.05–0.22 U/kg) were conducted in 20 patients in a randomized cross‐over study.
The dose of insulin aspart (per bodyweight) was significantly correlated with both the maximum concentration (r2 = 0.59; P < 0.01) and area under the concentration–time curve for insulin aspart (r2 = 0.53; P < 0.01). However, the time to maximum concentration (Tmax), which varied widely from < 60 to ≥ 120 min, was not associated with either dosage (r2 = 0.02; P = 0.51) or body mass index (r2 = 0.02; P = 0.57). Injection of insulin aspart exacerbated delayed hyperinsulinaemia after meal loading, mainly in patients with Tmax ≥ 120 min. With regard to pharmacodynamics, insulin aspart had favourable effects on postprandial hyperglycaemia, hyperglucagonaemia and hyperlipidaemia.
The Tmax for this insulin analogue differed greatly between individuals and delayed hyperinsulinaemia was particularly exacerbated in patients with higher Tmax values. Identification of the factors contributing to interindividual variation in the absorption lag time is essential for improving the efficacy and safety of insulin aspart.
Protective role of chrysin against oxidative stress in d‐galactose‐induced aging in an experimental rat model
Authors: Anand Kalaiselvi Velayutham , Mohamed Jaabir Mohamed Sultan , Thomas Philip A , Geraldine Pitchairaj 
Published: April 2012

Aim:  To evaluate the putative protective role of chrysin, an isoflavone, on d‐galactose‐induced aging in an experimental rat model.Methods:  Rats were divided into five groups of five each. Group I received 0.9% saline only. Groups II, III and IV received d‐galactose (50 mg/kg bodyweight) intraperitoneally, additionally group III and group IV received chrysin (20 mg/kg bodyweight) and α‐tocopherol acetate (200 mg/kg bodyweight), respectively. Group V received chrysin alone. The experiment period was for a period of 8 weeks. After the rats were killed, the tissue samples were analyzed for mean activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, glutathione reductase, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, reduced glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl. Histopathological studies were also carried out for morphological conformation.Results:  Tissue samples from d‐galactose‐exposed untreated rats showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower levels of enzymatic and non‐enzymatic anti‐oxidants, and significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl when compared with group I and group III rats. Oral administration of chrysin for a period of 8 weeks, concomitant with the exposure to d‐galactose, appeared to protect against oxidative damage and maintained all parameters at near normal levels. Histopathological studies confirmed the oxidative damage caused by d‐galactose alone in tissues and also showed the tissue protective role of chrysin in rats receiving d‐galactose and chrysin.Conclusion:  These results suggest that chrysin protects against oxidative stress‐induced tissue damage in d‐galactose‐induced aging in an experimental rat model. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; ••: ••–••.
Predicting the in‐patient outcomes of acute medical admissions from the nursing home: The experience of St James's Hospital, Dublin, 2002–2010
Authors: Romero‐Ortuno Roman , O'Shea Diarmuid , Silke Bernard 
Published: April 2012

Aim:  To identify predictors of negative in‐patient outcomes (prolonged hospital stay and death) in nursing home (NH) residents admitted to the hospital as medical emergencies.Methods:  This was a retrospective patient series set at St James's Hospital (Dublin, Ireland). The participants were all NH patients requiring acute medical admission under the on‐call medical team between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2010. Patient characteristics on admission, such as demographics, comorbidity level, major diagnostic categories, vital signs and laboratory profile, were measured. The outcomes of the study were prolonged hospital stay (≥30 days) and in‐hospital mortality. The characteristics of NH patients were compared with those of non‐NH patients aged ≥65 years. Multivariate analyses were based on generalized estimating equations and classification trees.Results:  There were 55 763 acute medical admissions over the period, of which 1938 (3.5%) were from NH. As compared with non‐NH patients aged ≥65 years, NH patients had greater acute illness severity. NH patients had a median length of stay of 7 days, and 17% had a prolonged admission. Their overall mortality rate was 23%. However, the classification analysis showed substantial patient heterogeneity; the subgroup with the highest mortality (54%, n = 100) had positive serum troponin and a respiratory major diagnosis. The lowest mortality rate (4%) was seen in those without positive troponin, urea of 12 mmol/L or less, and albumin of more than 37 mg/L (n = 226).Conclusions:  Simple serum markers, such as troponin, urea and albumin, might predict mortality in medically admitted NH patients. This might help health‐care practitioners to anticipate their clinical course at an early stage. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; ••: ••–••.
Changes in nucleus accumbens and neostriatal c‐Fos and DARPP‐32 immunoreactivity during different stages of food‐reinforced instrumental training
Authors: Segovia Kristen N. , Correa Merce , Lennington Jessica B. , Conover Joanne C. , Salamone John D. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractNucleus accumbens is involved in several aspects of instrumental behavior, motivation and learning. Recent studies showed that dopamine (DA) release in the accumbens shell was significantly increased on the first day of training on a fixed ratio (FR) 5 schedule (i.e. the transition from FR1 to FR5) compared with those rats that continued FR1 training, even though the rats on their first day of FR5 training received less food reinforcement than rats continuing on the FR1 schedule. Additionally, the second day of FR5 responding was marked by a significant increase in DA release in accumbens core. The present studies employed immunohistochemical methods to characterize the changes in cellular markers of accumbens and neostriatal neural activity that occur during various stages of food‐reinforced FR5 training. c‐Fos and DARPP‐32 immunoreactivity in accumbens shell was significantly increased on the first day of FR5 training, while core c‐Fos and DARPP‐32 expression showed large increases on the second day of FR5 training. Additional studies showed that c‐Fos and DARPP‐32 expression in neostriatum increased after more extensive training. Double‐labeling studies with immunofluorescence methods indicated that increases in accumbens c‐Fos and DARPP‐32 expression were primarily seen in substance‐P‐positive neurons. These increases in accumbens c‐Fos and DARPP‐32 immunoreactivity seen during the initial phases of FR training may reflect several factors, including novelty, learning, stress or the presentation of a work‐related challenge to the organism. Moreover, it appears that the separate subregions of the striatal complex are differentially activated at distinct phases of instrumental training.
Multilocus sequence typing reveals high genetic diversity and epidemic population structure for the fish pathogen Yersinia ruckeri
Authors: Bastardo Asmine , Ravelo Carmen , Romalde Jesús L. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryYersinia ruckeri is the causative agent of enteric redmouth in fish and one of the major bacterial pathogens causing losses in salmonid aquaculture. Previously typing methods, including restriction enzyme analysis, pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) have indicated a clonal population structure. In this work, we describe a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for Y. ruckeri based on the internal fragment sequence of six housekeeping genes. This MLST scheme was applied to 103 Y. ruckeri strains from diverse geographic areas and hosts as well as environmental sources. Sequences obtained from this work were deposited and are available in a public database (http://publmst.org/yruckeri/). Thirty different sequence types (ST) were identified, 21 of which were represented by a single isolate, evidencing high genetic diversity. ST2 comprised more than one‐third of the isolates and was most frequently observed among isolates from trout. Two major clonal complexes (CC) were identified by eBURST analysis showing a common evolutionary origin for 94 isolates forming 21 STs into CC1 and for 6 isolates of 6 STs in the CC2. It was also possible to associate some unique ST with isolates from recent outbreaks in vaccinated salmonid fish.
Glycaemic efficacy of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors as add‐on therapy to metformin in subjects with type 2 diabetes—a review and meta analysis
Authors: Deacon C. F. , Mannucci E. , Ahrén B. 
Published: April 2012

Aims: During recent years, two strategies of incretin‐based therapy [glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonism and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibition] have entered the market for pharmacological management of type 2 diabetes. A main indication for this therapy is as add‐on to on‐going metformin therapy in subjects with type 2 diabetes who have insufficient glycaemic control with metformin alone. The aim of this study was to compare improvements in glycaemic control and changes in body weight, as well as adverse events, in comparable studies with incretin‐based therapy as add‐on to metformin.Methods: Studies having a duration of 16–30 weeks were identified from PubMed.Results: A total of 27 study groups in 21 studies fulfilled the criteria of examining incretin‐based therapy as add‐on to metformin at clinically recommended doses in patients with type 2 diabetes for 16–30 weeks; 7 of these used a short‐acting GLP‐1 receptor agonist (exenatide BID), 7 used longer acting GLP‐1 receptor agonists (liraglutide or exenatide LAR), whereas 14 studies examined DPP‐4 inhibitors. In all studies, incretin‐based therapy reduced HbA1c concentrations. The reduction in HbA1c was significantly greater in study groups with long‐acting GLP‐1 receptor agonists than with the other two groups (both p < 0.001), whereas there were no differences between exenatide BID and DPP‐4 inhibitors. Across all study groups, there was a negative linear correlation between baseline HbA1c and change in HbA1c (r = −0.70; p < 0.001). Fasting glucose also fell significantly more in study groups given liraglutide or exenatide LAR than in those given exenatide BID or DPP‐4 inhibitors (both p < 0.001). Furthermore, body weight was reduced by a similar extent in the two groups with GLP‐1 receptor agonists and was not significantly altered in the groups with DPP‐4 inhibitors. Lipids, blood pressure and heart rate were not reported consistently, which did not allow general conclusions. Adverse events were rare, apart from increased incidence of nausea and vomiting with GLP‐1 receptor agonists.Conclusion: Incretin‐based therapy efficiently improves glycaemia when added to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes, and within 16–30 weeks there is a more pronounced reduction in HbA1c with long‐acting GLP‐1 receptor agonists (liraglutide and exenatide LAR) than with exenatide BID and DPP‐4 inhibitors, although the magnitude of the effect is dependent on the baseline values. Both strategies appear to be associated with a very low risk of adverse events, including hypoglycaemia. Finally, the injectable GLP‐1 receptor agonists also reduce body weight (whereas the DPP‐4 inhibitors are weight neutral) but are also associated with a greater incidence of gastrointestinal side effects and a tendency to increase heart rate.