bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The autoinducer synthase LqsA and putative sensor kinase LqsS regulate phagocyte interactions, extracellular filaments and a genomic island of Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Tiaden André , Spirig Thomas , Sahr Tobias , Wälti Martin A. , Boucke Karin , Buchrieser Carmen , Hilbi Hubert 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe amoebae‐resistant opportunistic pathogen Legionella pneumophila employs a biphasic life cycle to replicate in host cells and spread to new niches. Upon entering the stationary growth phase, the bacteria switch to a transmissive (virulent) state, which involves a complex regulatory network including the lqs gene cluster (lqsA‐lqsR‐hdeD‐lqsS). LqsR is a putative response regulator that promotes host–pathogen interactions and represses replication. The autoinducer synthase LqsA catalyses the production of the diffusible signalling molecule 3‐hydroxypentadecan‐4‐one (LAI‐1) that is presumably recognized by the sensor kinase LqsS. Here, we analysed L. pneumophila strains lacking lqsA or lqsS. Compared with wild‐type L. pneumophila, the ΔlqsS strain was more salt‐resistant and impaired for the Icm/Dot type IV secretion system‐dependent uptake by phagocytes. Legionella pneumophila strains lacking lqsS, lqsR or the alternative sigma factor rpoS sedimented more slowly and produced extracellular filaments. Deletion of lqsA moderately reduced the uptake of L. pneumophila by phagocytes, and the defect was complemented by expressing lqsA in trans. Unexpectedly, the overexpression of lqsA also restored the virulence defect and reduced filament production of L. pneumophila mutant strains lacking lqsS or lqsR, but not the phenotypes of strains lacking rpoS or icmT. These results suggest that LqsA products also signal through sensors not encoded by the lqs gene cluster. A transcriptome analysis of the ΔlqsA and ΔlqsS mutant strains revealed that under the conditions tested, lqsA regulated only few genes, whereas lqsS upregulated the expression of 93 genes at least twofold. These include 52 genes clustered in a 133 kb high plasticity genomic island, which is flanked by putative DNA‐mobilizing genes and encodes multiple metal ion efflux pumps. Upon overexpression of lqsA, a cluster of 19 genes in the genomic island was also upregulated, suggesting that LqsA and LqsS participate in the same regulatory circuit.
Are clinical practical guidelines (CPGs) useful for health services and health workforce planning? A critique of diabetes CPGs
Authors: Leach M. J. , Segal L. 
Published: February 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 570–577 (2010)AbstractAims  Chronic disease management is increasingly informed by clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). However, their implementation requires not only knowledge of guideline content by clinicians and practice processes that support implementation, but also a health workforce with the capacity to deliver care consistent with CPGs. This has a health services planning as well as a health workforce dimension. However, it is not known whether CPGs are described in a way that can inform health services and health workforce planning and potentially drive better quality care. This study aimed to ascertain whether CPGs are useful for health service and health workforce planning.Methods  This question was explored taking diabetes mellitus as a case study. A systematic search of Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL and Scopus was carried out to identify all CPGs relating to the management of diabetes mellitus in the primary healthcare setting. The search was limited to guidelines published in the English language between 2003 and 2009. The quality of guidelines was assessed against a subset of criteria set by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) collaboration.Results  Seventy‐five diabetes‐related CPGs were identified, of which 27 met the inclusion criteria. In terms of quality, many guidelines adopted evidence‐based recommendations for diabetes care (59%) and most were endorsed by national authorities (70%). With regards to coverage of 17 identified subpopulations, guidelines were generally selective in the populations they covered. Whilst many provided adequate coverage of common complications and comorbidities, approaches to management for those with reduced capacity for effective diabetes self‐care were largely absent, except for indigenous populations.Conclusions  Clinical practice guidelines are potentially useful for health services and health workforce planning, but would be more valuable for this purpose if they contained more detail about care protocols and specific skills and competencies, especially for subpopulations who would be expected to have reduced capacity for effective self‐care. If service planning ignores these subgroups that tend to require more resource‐intensive management, underprovision of services is likely.
Comparison of insulin lispro protamine suspension and insulin detemir in basal‐bolus therapy in patients with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Chacra A. R. , Kipnes M. , Ilag L. L. , Sarwat S. , Giaconia J. , Chan J. 
Published: February 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 563–569 (2010)AbstractAims  The efficacy of two basal insulins, insulin lispro protamine suspension (ILPS) and insulin detemir, was compared in basal‐bolus regimens in Type 1 diabetes.Methods  In this 32‐week, multinational, parallel‐group, randomized, controlled trial, adult patients with Type 1 diabetes received ILPS or insulin detemir, injected twice daily (before breakfast and bedtime) and prandial insulin lispro three times daily. The primary outcome was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to endpoint.Results  Least squares mean (±se) changes in HbA1c were similar between groups, meeting non‐inferiority (margin, 0.4%): −0.69 ± 0.07% for ILPS and −0.59 ± 0.07% for insulin detemir [between‐treatment difference −0.10%; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.29, 0.10]. Standard deviation of fasting blood glucose was similar (non‐inferiority margin 0.8 mmol/l): 2.74 ± 0.14 mmol/l for ILPS and 2.38 ± 0.14 mmol/l for insulin detemir (CI −0.03, 0.75). Patients on ILPS gained more weight (1.59 ± 0.23 kg vs. 0.62 ± 0.24 kg; CI 0.34, 1.60; margin 1.5 kg). Weight‐adjusted daily total and prandial insulin doses were lower for ILPS (prandial insulin, 0.38 ± 0.01 U/kg/day for ILPS, 0.44 ± 0.01 U/kg/day for insulin detemir; P = 0.004); daily basal insulin dose was similar. All hypoglycaemia incidence and rate and nocturnal hypoglycaemia incidence were similar between groups; nocturnal hypoglycaemia rate was lower for insulin detemir (mean ± sd 0.79 ± 1.23 for ILPS, 0.49 ± 0.85 for insulin detemir; P = 0.001). Severe hypoglycaemia rate was 0.03 ± 0.11 for ILPS and 0.02 ± 0.10 for insulin detemir (P = 0.37).Conclusions  ILPS‐treated patients with Type 1 diabetes achieved similar glycaemic control as insulin detemir‐treated patients after 32 weeks. Glucose variability was similar. While weight gain and nocturnal hypoglycaemia rate were statistically higher with ILPS, the clinical relevance is unclear.
One‐year follow‐up of untreated obese white children and adolescents with impaired glucose tolerance: high conversion rate to normal glucose tolerance1
Authors: Kleber M. , Lass N. , Papcke S. , Wabitsch M. , Reinehr T. 
Published: February 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 516–521 (2010)AbstractAims  Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is regarded at risk factor for later diabetes. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors for outcome of IGT in obese children and adolescents.Methods  We prospectively examined 79 obese white children and adolescents (mean age 13.1 ± 2.1 years, 51% female, 76% pubertal) with IGT. Anthropometrics, 2‐h glucose in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids, blood pressure, waist circumference and pubertal stage were determined at baseline and 1 year later.Results  At follow‐up, 32% of the children continued to have IGT, 66% converted to normal glucose metabolism, one child had impaired fasting glucose and one child developed Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Children with improvement of IGT had significantly lower weight, waist circumference, triglycerides, 2‐h glucose during OGTT and HbA1c at baseline compared with children who continued to have IGT. In the children whose glucose tolerance became normal, weight fell, and serum insulin concentrations, HOMA, lipids and blood pressure improved. They were also more likely to enter the late or post‐pubertal stage than children who continued to have IGT.Conclusions  Predictive factors for the frequent normalization of IGT in obese children and adolescents were lower weight, HbA1c and 2‐h glucose levels in OGTT at baseline, as well as a reduction of weight and entering late puberty stages during follow‐up. Cardiovascular risk factors and HOMA improved along with the improvement of IGT, supporting an association between IGT, insulin resistance and features of the metabolic syndrome.
Binding of GTPγ[35S] is regulated by GDP and receptor activation. Studies with the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor
Authors: McDonald John , Lambert David G 
Published: February 2010

Background and purpose: We have examined the effects of ligand efficacy and receptor density on the binding of guanosine 5′‐[γ‐thio]triphosphate (GTPγS) and GDP to the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide receptor (NOP)‐coupled G‐proteins.Experimental approach: In GTPγ[35S] binding experiments, using stable (CHOhNOP) and inducible (CHOINDhNOP) recombinant human and rat NOP we have measured: (i) ligand‐specific GDP requirements; (ii) the effects of receptor density on guanine nucleotide affinity/capacity; and (iii) the effect of ligand efficacy on GTPγS association kinetics.Key results: GTPγS competition curves were shallow and modelled by high‐ and low‐affinity components that were relatively consistent between cell types and tissue preparations. In the presence of 1 µM N/OFQ a high‐affinity GDP binding site was also present, but the fraction of total binding was reduced. In an efficacy‐dependent manner, the partial agonists [F/G]N/OFQ(1‐13)NH2([Phe1ψ(CH2‐NH)Gly2]‐nociceptin(1‐13)NH2) and naloxone benzoylhydrazone both reduced the fraction of high‐affinity sites for GDP (relative to basal). While the pIC50for high‐affinity GDP binding site did not decrease in the presence of 1 µM N/OFQ, N/OFQ produced a significant reduction in pIC50for the low‐affinity site. Agonist‐mediated decrease in affinity for GDP binding was efficacy‐dependent. GDP displayed three affinities: high, conserved in the presence and absence of ligand; intermediate, present as a low fraction under basal conditions; low (efficacy‐dependent), present during receptor activation representing the majority of binding.Conclusions and implications: The affinity of GTPγ[35S] was regulated by GDP and receptor activation caused increased binding of GTPγ[35S] through a reduction in GDP affinity.
Depressive Symptoms in Middle Age and the Development of Later‐Life Functional Limitations: The Long‐Term Effect of Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Covinsky Kenneth E. , Yaffe Kristine , Lindquist Karla , Cherkasova Elena , Yelin Edward , Blazer Dan G. 
Published: February 2010

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether middle‐aged persons with depressive symptoms are at higher risk for developing activity of daily living (ADL) and mobility limitations as they advance into older age than those without.DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.SETTING: The Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative sample of people aged 50 to 61.PARTICIPANTS: Seven thousand two hundred seven community living participants in the 1992 wave of the HRS.MEASUREMENTS: Depressive symptoms were measured using the 11‐item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D 11), with scores of 9 or more (out of 33) classified as significant depressive symptoms. Difficulty with five ADLs and basic mobility tasks (walking several blocks or up one flight of stairs) was measured every 2 years through 2006. The primary outcome was persistent difficulty with ADLs or mobility, defined as difficulty in two consecutive waves.RESULTS: Eight hundred eighty‐seven (12%) subjects scored 9 or higher on the CES‐D 11 and were classified as having significant depressive symptoms. Over 12 years of follow‐up, subjects with depressive symptoms were more likely to reach the primary outcome measure of persistent difficulty with mobility or difficulty with ADL function (45% vs 23%, Cox hazard ratio (HR)=2.33, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.06–2.63). After adjusting for age, sex, measures of socioeconomic status, comorbid conditions, high body mass index, smoking, exercise, difficulty jogging 1 mile, and difficulty climbing several flights of stairs, the risk was attenuated but still statistically significant (Cox HR=1.44, 95% CI=1.25–1.66).CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms independently predict the development of persistent limitations in ADLs and mobility as middle‐aged persons advance into later life. Middle‐aged persons with depressive symptoms may be at greater risk for losing their functional independence as they age.
Inter‐connection between mitochondria and HIFs
Authors: Tormos Kathryn V. , Chandel Navdeep S. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract

Introduction
Oxidative phosphorylation
Hypoxic activation of HIFs
Mitochondria regulate HIFs
Hypoxia decreases cellular ATP utilization to diminish mitochondrial respiration
HIF‐1 regulates mitochondrial respiration
HIF‐2 regulates mitochondrial oxidative stress
Conclusion

The transcription factors hypoxia inducible factors 1 and 2 (HIF‐1 and HIF‐2) regulate multiple responses to physiological hypoxia such as transcription of the hormone erythropoietin to enhance red blood cell proliferation, vascular endothelial growth factor to promote angiogenesis and glycolytic enzymes to increase glycolysis. Recent studies indicate that HIFs also regulate mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial oxidative stress. Interestingly, mitochondrial metabolism, respiration and oxidative stress also regulate activation of HIFs. In this review, we examine the evidence that mitochondria and HIFs are intimately connected to regulate each other resulting in appropriate responses to hypoxia.
The role of caspase‐2 in stress‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Bouchier‐Hayes Lisa 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Caspase function
Caspase‐2: Initiator or executioner caspase?
Functions of caspase‐2
Measuring caspase‐2 activation during apoptosis
Caspase‐2 activation platforms
Regulation of caspase‐2 activation
Caspase‐2 in disease
Concluding remarks
Caspase‐2 is the most evolutionarily conserved of all the caspases, yet it has a poorly defined role in apoptotic pathways. This is mainly due to a dearth of techniques to determine the activation status of caspase‐2 and the lack of an abnormal phenotype in caspase‐2 deficient mice. Nevertheless, emerging evidence suggests that caspase‐2 may have important functions in a number of stress‐induced cell death pathways, in cell cycle maintenance and regulation of tumour progression. This review discusses recent advances that have been made to help elucidate the true role of this elusive caspase and the potential contribution of caspase‐2 to the pathology of human diseases including cancer.
Evaluation of 316 narrow diameter implants followed for 5–10 years: a clinical and radiographic retrospective study
Authors: Arιsan Volkan , Bölükbaşι Nilüfer , Ersanlι Selim , Özdemir Tayfun 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjectives: Narrow diameter implants (NDIs; diameter >3.75 mm) are useful in replacement of missing incisor teeth and when the bucco‐lingual width of the edentulous crest is insufficient. The present study evaluated the success and survival rates, peri‐implant parameters, mechanical and prosthetic post‐loading complications of NDIs followed over a 10‐year period.Material and methods: Three hundred and sixteen NDIs were inserted into 139 patients and restored with 120 prostheses. Clinical and radiographic assessment data were collected during recall visits. Implant success (SC), cumulative survival rate (CSR), marginal bone loss (MBL), peri‐implant conditions and prosthetic complications were assessed. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, Kaplan–Meier survival curves with the log‐rank test and life table analysis were used to evaluate the outcome of NDIs within comparable subgroups. MBL and peri‐implant parameters measured annually were further analyzed.Results: The mean follow‐up time was 9.1 years (range: 60–124 months). Twelve implants were lost in the healing phase and two during function. The mean MBL in the maxilla and the mandible was 1.32 ± 0.13 and 1.28 ± 0.3 mm, respectively, after 10 years. SC and CSR were 91.4% and 92.3%, respectively, after 124 months. Smoking and posterior localization were associated with an increased risk of failure. Cement loosening (16.8%) was the most common prosthetic complication. No implants were fractured.Conclusions: NDIs can be used with confidence where a regular diameter implant is not suitable. MBL around NDIs occurred predominantly within 2 years of loading and was minimal thereafter. Further studies are required to clarify the possible risks associated with smoking and posterior placement. To cite this article:
Arιsan V, Bolukbasι N, Ersanlι S, Ozdemir T. Evaluation of 316 narrow diameter implants followed for 5–10 years: a clinical and radiographic retrospective study. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 296–307. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2009.01840.x
Serum levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D in mothers of Swedish and of Somali origin who have children with and without autism
Authors: Fernell Elisabeth , Barnevik‐Olsson Martina , Bågenholm Gunnel , Gillberg Christopher , Gustafsson Sven , Sääf Maria 
Published: February 2010

AbstractAim:  To analyse serum levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D in mothers of Somali origin and those of Swedish origin who have children with and without autism as there is a growing evidence that low vitamin D impacts adversely on brain development.Method:  Four groups of mothers were invited to participate; 20 with Somali origin with at least one child with autism, 20 with Somali origin without a child with autism, 20 of Swedish origin with at least one child with autism and 20 with Swedish origin without a child with autism. Two blood samples were collected from each individual; during autumn and spring.Results:  Between 12 and 17 mothers from the different groups accepted to participate, both groups of mothers of Somali origin had significantly lower values of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D compared with Swedish mothers. The difference of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D between mothers of Somali origin with and without a child with autism was not significant.Conclusion:  Our findings of low vitamin D levels in Somali women entail considerable consequences in a public health perspective. The observed tendency, i.e. the lowest values in mothers of Somali origin with a child with autism was in the predicted direction, supporting the need for further research of vitamin D levels in larger samples of Somali mothers of children with and without autism.
Short RNAs in Tomato
Authors: Dalmay Tamas 
Published: February 2010

Abstract Short RNAs are 20–24 nucleotide long non‐coding RNA molecules generated by one of the Dicer‐like enzymes. They recognize specific RNA or DNA sequences and guide the RNA silencing complex to their targets leading to post‐transcriptional or transcriptional gene silencing of the target. Most of our knowledge about short RNAs comes from studying the model species Arabidopsis. Recently, however, several reports emerged about short RNAs in tomato, which is a model plant for fleshy fruit development and ripening. Tomato short RNAs have been sequenced and a database was established. Novel non‐conserved microRNAs were found that showed differential expression between fruit and other tissues, even during fruit development, suggesting that they may play a role in fruit formation. Several target genes were predicted and validated for both conserved and non‐conserved miRNAs and some of these targets are key players in fruit ripening, such as Colourless non‐ripening. The present study reviews the current state of tomato short RNAs research and suggests future directions.
Biosynthesis of Callose and Cellulose by Detergent Extracts of Tobacco Cell Membranes and Quantification of the Polymers Synthesized in vitro
Authors: Cifuentes Carolina , Bulone Vincent , Emons Anne Mie C. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract The conditions that favor the in vitro synthesis of cellulose from tobacco BY‐2 cell extracts were determined. The procedure leading to the highest yield of cellulose consisted of incubating digitonin extracts of membranes from 11‐day‐old tobacco BY‐2 cells in the presence of 1 mM UDP‐glucose, 8 mM Ca2+ and 8 mM Mg2+. Under these conditions, up to nearly 40% of the polysaccharides synthesized in vitro corresponded to cellulose, the other polymer synthesized being callose. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed the occurrence of two types of structures in the synthetic reactions. The first type consisted of small aggregates with a diameter between 3 and 5 nm that associated to form fibrillar strings of a maximum length of 400 nm. These structures were sensitive to the acetic/nitric acid treatment of Updegraff and corresponded to callose. The second type of structures was resistant to the Updegraff reagent and corresponded to straight cellulose microfibrils of 2–3 nm in diameter and 200 nm to up to 5 μm in length. In vitro reactions performed on electron microscopy grids indicated that the minimal rate of microfibril elongation in vitro is 120 nm/min. Measurements of retardance by liquid crystal polarization microscopy as a function of time showed that small groups of microfibrils increased in retardance by up to 0.047 nm/min per pixel, confirming the formation of organized structures.
Nia1 and Nia2 are Involved in Exogenous Salicylic Acid‐induced Nitric Oxide Generation and Stomatal Closure in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hao Fushun , Zhao Shiling , Dong Huan , Zhang Huan , Sun Lirong , Miao Chen 
Published: February 2010

Abstract Phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) plays important roles in plant responses to environmental stress. However, knowledge about the molecular mechanisms for SA affecting the stomatal movements is limited. In this paper, we demonstrated that exogenous SA significantly induced stomatal closure and nitric oxide (NO) generation in Arabidopsis guard cells based on genetic and physiological data. These effects were significantly inhibited by the NO scavenger c‐PTIO, NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor L‐NAME or nitrate reductase suppressor tungstate respectively, implying that NOS and nitrate reductase (NR) participate in SA‐evoked stomatal closing. Furthermore, the effects of SA promotion of stomatal closure and NO synthesis are significantly suppressed in NR single mutants of nia1, nia2 or double mutant nia1/nia2, compared with the wild type plants. This suggests that both Nia1 and Nia2 are involved in SA‐stimulated stomatal closure. In addition, pharmacological experiments showed that protein kinases, cGMP and cADPR are involved in SA‐mediated NO accumulation and stomatal closure induced by SA in Arabidopsis.
Long-range order between the planets in the Solar system
Authors: Bohr Jakob , Olsen Kasper 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The Solar system is investigated for positional correlations between the planets using a logarithmic distance scale. The pair correlation function for the logarithm of the semimajor axis shows a regular distribution with five to seven consecutive peaks, and the Fourier transform hereof shows reciprocal peaks of first and second order. A procedure involving random permutations for the shuffling of the inter-logarithmic distances is employed. This probes for the presence of correlations of longer range than neighbouring planets. The use of permutations is, in particular, a helpful analysis when the number of data points is small. The pair correlation function of the permutated planets lacks the sequence of equidistant peaks, and its Fourier transform has no second-order peak. This analysis demonstrates the existence of longer ranged correlations in the Solar system.