bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum antibody responses to Wolbachia surface protein in patients with human lymphatic filariasis
Authors: Shiny Chandanapurath , Krushna Nagampalli S.A. , Archana Bairavasundaram , Farzana Begum , Narayanan Rangarajan B. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT Wolbachia surface protein (WSP), which is the most abundantly expressed protein of Wolbachia from the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi, was chosen for the present study. B‐cell epitope prediction of the WSP protein sequence indicates a high antigenicity, surface probability and hydrophilicity by DNA STAR software analysis. ProPred analysis suggests the presence of HLA class II binding regions in the WSP protein that contribute to T‐cell responses and isotype reactivity. In order to validate these findings, the gene coding for endosymbiont WSP was PCR‐amplified from the genomic DNA of the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi and cloned in T‐7 expression vector pRSET‐A. Western blot and ELISA at the total IgG level with recombiant WSP indicated a significantly elevated reactivity in CP compared to MF, EN and NEN individuals. Isotype ELISA also suggested an elevated reactivity in CP patients at the IgG1 level. In contrast, WSP‐specific IgG4 levels were found to be elevated in MF patients compared to CP and EN. Besides this, WSP‐specific IgE levels indicated an elevated reactivity in CP and MF patients compared to normals. Observations from ELISA supported the in silico predictions that indicate the presence of B‐ and T‐cell epitopes. Hence, a combinatorial approach of in silico predictions and wet‐lab studies provides interesting insights into the role of Wolbachia proteins in filarial pathogenesis.
A single dose of intravenous esomeprazole decreases gastric secretion in healthy volunteers
Authors: NICHITA C. , ABDOU A. E.‐W. , MAERTEN P. , HERRANZ M. , MOURET N. , THALMANN C. , MICHETTI P. F. , DORTA G. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBackground  Data suggest that esomeprazole decreases gastric secretion.Aims  To assess the effect of a single i.v. esomeprazole dose on gastric secretion volume 3 h after drug administration, as a primary endpoint, and to evaluate, as secondary endpoints, the reduction 1 and 5 h after dosing; time when the gastric pH was <2.5 and esomeprazole’s safety.Methods  In all, 23 healthy Helicobacter pylori‐negative volunteers (10 men, 13 women, mean age 28.2 ± 6) participated in this single‐centre, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, 2‐way, single‐dose cross‐over study. In different sessions, volunteers received i.v. either esomeprazole 40 mg or placebo. An inserted double‐lumen nasogastric tube perfused and aspirated gastric liquid. Mechanical fractioned aspiration measured secretion volume; aliquot spectrophotometry assessed gastric secretion volume lost to the duodenum.Results  Three hours post‐i.v. esomeprazole, average gastric secretion decreased by 77.6% (vs. baseline) compared to placebo. Values 1 and 5 h after dosing were 73.5% and 74.5%. Five hours after esomeprazole, the gastric pH was <2.5 3.9% of the time and 73.3% after placebo (P < 0.002). Esomeprazole was well‐tolerated. No serious adverse events occurred.Conclusions  Intravenous esomeprazole decreases gastric secretions. The potential clinical impact in averting bronchoaspiration during anaesthesia induction and in intensive care patients should be investigated in further studies.
Long‐term process evaluation of a school‐based programme for overweight prevention
Authors: Muckelbauer R. , Libuda L. , Clausen K. , Kersting M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground  The epidemic increase in childhood overweight demands effective and also feasible prevention programmes. A school‐based environmental and educational intervention focusing on the promotion of water consumption was found to be effective for overweight prevention in children. Process evaluation and long‐term surveillance are necessary to evaluate the feasibility and sustainability of the intervention programme in a school setting.Methods  Process evaluation was conducted during the intervention period (one school year) and a 19‐month follow‐up after the intervention trial on the prevention of overweight in 17 elementary schools. Data were collected through measuring the water flow of water fountains installed in schools, and questionnaires and interviews were administered to teachers and headmasters of intervention schools. Main outcomes were implementation of the intervention components, behavioural modification of the children concerning water consumption, and teacher and headmaster attitudes towards the intervention.Results  Eleven out of 17 intervention schools maintained the water fountains until 19‐month follow‐up. The mean water flow of the fountains decreased initially, but remained stable after the during the follow‐up period. The implementation rate of the educational units by teachers varied between the units from 13% to 84%. Teachers graded the overall concept of the intervention as good, continuously during the intervention and follow‐up period. The majority of teachers organized the water supply of the fountains on the class level during the intervention period but not during the follow‐up.Conclusions  The long‐term process evaluation showed that the combined educational and environmental intervention has potential for sustained modifications in the beverage consumption habits of children. It also identified barriers and promoting factors of a sustainable and feasible implementation of the preventive programme in a school setting.
A framework of children's hand skills for assessment and intervention
Authors: Chien C‐W. , Brown T. , McDonald R. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground  Hand skill development or mastery has a huge influence on children's early development and participation in everyday activities. Assessment of difficulties with children's hand skills typically involves a systematic process considering all potential factors that may impact on hand skills. This helps identify key hand skill difficulties and select specific interventions that are relevant to the individual child. This paper describes the development of the Children's Hand Skills Framework (CHSF) that can be used as a conceptual guide to analyse and describe children's hand skills in the assessment and intervention process.Methods  A comprehensive literature review of the existing hand skill models and instruments was conducted to develop the CHSF content, and experts' reviews via an evaluation feedback questionnaire were used as a means to validate the CHSF.Results  The literature review revealed that the functional repertoire of children's hand skills can be divided into six distinct categories. Manual gesture and body contact hand skills are two categories, in which the hands do not make contact with any object. Arm–hand use, adaptive skilled hand use and bimanual use are object‐related hand skill categories where the hands do contact objects. The final category is related to the general quality of children's hand skills. Each of the six hand skill categories can be further broken down into three to seven subcategories. The feedback from the experts further demonstrated high levels of agreement for the inclusion of the CHSF subcategories.Conclusions  The CHSF offers a helpful guide to comprehensively describe the complexity of children's hand skills in the assessment process and has the potential to enhance and promote communication about functional use of children's hand skills among professionals. The CHSF is also conceptually compatible with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, providing a holistic consideration of both children's hand skills and relevant International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health factors for further assessment and intervention planning.
Course of behaviour problems of children with cerebral palsy: the role of parental stress and support
Authors: Sipal R. F. , Schuengel C. , Voorman J. M. , Van Eck M. , Becher J. G. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground Cerebral palsy (CP) is a well‐recognized neurodevelopmental condition persisting through the lifespan. In many individuals with CP, motor disorders are accompanied by other disturbances, including emotional and behavioural problems. Little is known on the course of such problems, also in relation to possible exacerbating or mitigating factors. Aims of this study were to test whether parental stress and support, apart from the severity of CP of the child, played a significant role in the course of behaviour problems.Method The participants aged 9, 11 and 13 were assessed (baseline) and followed up after 1, 2 and 3 years. Situational and relational sources of support and stress for the primary caregiver were rated with a questionnaire: (CBCL), behaviour problems with the Child Behaviour Checklist. Physicians rated motor ability using the Gross Motor Function Classification System.Results Behaviour problems of children with CP started significantly higher than in the general population, but diminished over the 3‐year period. Older children showed less problems overall, and girls showed less externalizing problems than boys. Children with the most severe CP had more externalizing problems; effects on internalizing problems were not significant. Across time, an excess of stress vs. support related to parents' socio‐economic and living situation and to parents' social relationships was positively related to total behaviour problems, internalizing and externalizing behaviours of children.Conclusions Levels of behaviour problems are elevated but diminish during adolescence for children with CP. Severity of CP plays a role as well as the family context in terms of the stress and support that caregivers experience.
Challenge studies of European stocks of redfin perch, Perca fluviatilis L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), with epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus
Authors: Ariel E , Jensen B Bang 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA challenge model for comparison of the virulence of epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) to European stocks of redfin perch, Perca fluviatilis L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), was tested. The model investigated intraperitoneal (IP), bath and cohabitation routes at 10, 15 and 20 °C for 5–6 g fish and 15 °C for 20 g perch. In the IP challenges of perch, significant mortality occurred at 15 °C and 20 °C. In challenge trials for rainbow trout, significant mortalities were observed in IP and bath challenges at 20 °C. The mortality observed in IP challenged 20 g perch was not significantly different from that recorded for 6 g fish challenged IP. No significant mortality was observed in any other treatment groups. Re‐isolation of ranavirus was confirmed by IFAT and was consistently associated with dead or moribund fish in the trial groups challenged with EHNV. The findings indicate that EHNV does not pose a high risk for wild perch and trout populations in Europe by natural exposure. Mortality appears to be primarily a function of environmental factors, with temperature playing an important role, and not just the presence of the virus in the fish.
Antigenic differences of the scuticociliate Miamiensis avidus from Japan
Authors: Song J‐Y , Sasaki K , Okada T , Sakashita M , Kawakami H , Matsuoka S , Kang H‐S , Nakayama K , Jung S‐J , Oh M‐J , Kitamura S‐I 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn Japan and Korea, outbreaks of scuticociliatosis have frequently occurred in Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Morphological observations and small subunit rRNA gene sequences have shown that the causative agent of scuticociliatosis in the flounder is Miamiensis avidus (syn. Philasterides dicentrarchi). In this study, we elucidated the antigenic differences between six Japanese M. avidus isolates as an initial step toward developing an effective vaccine against the disease. Four Japanese flounder isolates (IyoI, Nakajima, JF05To and Mie0301 isolates), one spotted knifejaw, Oplegnathus punctatus, isolate (SK05Kyo), and one ridged‐eye flounder, Pleuronichthys cornutus, isolate (RF05To) were subjected to serological analysis. Antisera against IyoI, SK05Kyo, Nakajima and Mie0301 isolates were raised in rabbits and used for immobilization assays and Western blotting. Immobilization assays showed that the six isolates could be divided into three groups, tentatively designated serotype I for IyoI, JF05To, RF05To, SK05Kyo, serotype II for Nakajima and serotype III for Mie0301. Western blotting results supported these three serotypes, with marked similarities in the banding profiles of IyoI, JF05To, RF05To and SK05Kyo isolates, which were distinct from the Nakajima and Mie0301 isolates. Three isolates, IyoI, Nakajima and Mie0301 that were selected as representatives of each serotype, were highly pathogenic to Japanese flounder by experimental infection. Based on these findings, we propose that there are at least three M. avidus serotypes in Japan.
Photooxidation technology for correlated light and electron microscopy
Authors: MEIßLITZER‐RUPPITSCH C. , RÖHRL C. , NEUMÜLLER J. , PAVELKA M. , ELLINGER A. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryThe combination of the capabilities of light microscopical techniques with the power of resolution of electron microscopy along with technical advances has led to a gradual decline of the gap between classical light and electron microscopy. Among the correlative techniques using the synergistic opportunities, photooxidation methods have been established as valuable tools for visualizing cell structures at both light and electron microscopic level. Fluorescent dyes are used to oxidize the substrate diaminobenzidine, which in its oxidized state forms fine granular precipitates. Stained with osmium, the diaminobenzidine precipitates are well discernible in the electron microscope, thus labelling and defining the cellular structures, which at light microscopy level are recorded by fluorescent probes. The underlying photooxidation reaction is based on the excitation of free oxygen radicals that form upon illumination of fluorochromes; this is a central step in the procedure, which mainly influences the success of the method. This article summarizes basic steps of the technology and progresses, shows efforts and elaborated pathways, and focuses on methodical solutions as to the applicability of different fluorochromes, as well as conditions for fine structural localizations of the reaction products.
Focused ion beam‐scanning electron microscope: exploring large volumes of atherosclerotic tissue
Authors: HEKKING L.H.P. , LEBBINK M.N. , DE WINTER D.A.M. , SCHNEIJDENBERG C.T.W.M. , BRAND C.M. , HUMBEL B.M. , VERKLEIJ A.J. , POST J.A. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryAtherogenesis is a pathological condition in which changes in the ultrastructure and in the localization of proteins occur within the vasculature during all stages of the disease. To gain insight in those changes, high‐resolution imaging is necessary. Some of these changes will only be present in a small number of cells, positioned in a ‘sea’ of non‐affected cells. To localize this relatively small number of cells, there is a need to first navigate through a large area of the sample and subsequently zoom in onto the area of interest. This approach enables the study of specific cells within their in vivo environment and enables the study of (possible) interactions of these cells with their surrounding cells/environment. The study of a sample in a correlative way using light and electron microscopy is a promising approach to achieve this; however, it is very laborious and additional ultrastructural techniques might be very valuable to find the places of interest.In this report we show that the focused ion beam‐scanning electron microscope is a powerful tool to study biological specimens in a correlative way. With this microscope one can scan for the area of interest at low magnification, in this case the atherosclerotic plaque, and subsequently zoom in, for further analysis on an ultrastructural level, rendering valuable and detailed two‐ and three‐dimensional information of, in this case, the endothelial cells and the vessel wall. Moreover, in combination with pre‐embedment labelling of surface exposed antigens, the method allows insight into the 3D distribution of these markers.
Comparative analysis of complete orthologous centromeres from two subspecies of rice reveals rapid variation of centromere organization and structure
Authors: Wu Jianzhong , Fujisawa Masaki , Tian Zhixi , Yamagata Harumi , Kamiya Kozue , Shibata Michie , Hosokawa Satomi , Ito Yukiyo , Hamada Masao , Katagiri Satoshi , Kurita Kanako , Yamamoto Mayu , Kikuta Ari , Machita Kayo , Karasawa Wataru , Kanamori Hiroyuki , Namiki Nobukazu , Mizuno Hiroshi , Ma Jianxin , Sasaki Takuji , Matsumoto Takashi 
Published: August 2009

SummaryCentromeres are sites for assembly of the chromosomal structures that mediate faithful segregation at mitosis and meiosis. This function is conserved across species, but the DNA components that are involved in kinetochore formation differ greatly, even between closely related species. To shed light on the nature, evolutionary timing and evolutionary dynamics of rice centromeres, we decoded a 2.25‐Mb DNA sequence covering the centromeric region of chromosome 8 of an indica rice variety, ‘Kasalath’ (Kas‐Cen8). Analysis of repetitive sequences in Kas‐Cen8 led to the identification of 222 long terminal repeat (LTR)‐retrotransposon elements and 584 CentO satellite monomers, which account for 59.2% of the region. A comparison of the Kas‐Cen8 sequence with that of japonica rice ‘Nipponbare’ (Nip‐Cen8) revealed that about 66.8% of the Kas‐Cen8 sequence was collinear with that of Nip‐Cen8. Although the 27 putative genes are conserved between the two subspecies, only 55.4% of the total LTR‐retrotransposon elements in ‘Kasalath’ had orthologs in ‘Nipponbare’, thus reflecting recent proliferation of a considerable number of LTR‐retrotransposons since the divergence of two rice subspecies of indica and japonica within Oryza sativa. Comparative analysis of the subfamilies, time of insertion, and organization patterns of inserted LTR‐retrotransposons between the two Cen8 regions revealed variations between ‘Kasalath’ and ‘Nipponbare’ in the preferential accumulation of CRR elements, and the expansion of CentO satellite repeats within the core domain of Cen8. Together, the results provide insights into the recent proliferation of LTR‐retrotransposons, and the rapid expansion of CentO satellite repeats, underlying the dynamic variation and plasticity of plant centromeres.
A hairpin RNA construct residing in an intron efficiently triggered RNA‐directed DNA methylation in tobacco
Authors: Dalakouras Athanasios , Moser Mirko , Zwiebel Michèle , Krczal Gabi , Hell Rüdiger , Wassenegger Michael 
Published: August 2009

SummarySo far, conventional hairpin RNA (hpRNA) constructs consisting of an inverted repeat (IR) of target promoters directly introduced into an expression cassette have been used to mediate de novo DNA methylation. Transcripts of such constructs resemble mRNA molecules, and are likely to be exported to the cytoplasm. The presence of hpRNAs in the cytoplasm and the nucleus may account for the simultaneous activation of post‐transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) and RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM). We hypothesized that by retaining hpRNAs in the nucleus, efficient induction of only RdDM may be achieved. Thus, we introduced into tobacco a transgene containing an intron into which an IR of a target promoter was inserted. The intronic hpRNA initiated highly specific cis‐ and trans‐methylation, but did not induce PTGS. No spreading of methylation into sequences flanking the region of homology between the hpRNA and the target DNA was detectable. The efficient methylation‐directing activity of the intronic hpRNA may indicate a previously unrecognized role of introns, potentially regulating gene expression at the transcriptional level.
A lineage‐specific centromere retrotransposon in Oryza brachyantha
Authors: Gao Dongying , Gill Navdeep , Kim Hye‐Ran , Walling Jason G , Zhang Wenli , Fan Chuanzhu , Yu Yeisoo , Ma Jianxin , SanMiguel Phillip , Jiang Ning , Cheng Zhukuan , Wing Rod A. , Jiang Jiming , Jackson Scott A. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryMost eukaryotic centromeres contain large quantities of repetitive DNA, such as satellite repeats and retrotransposons. Unlike most transposons in plant genomes, the centromeric retrotransposon (CR) family is conserved over long evolutionary periods among a majority of the grass species. CR elements are highly concentrated in centromeres, and are likely to play a role in centromere function. In order to study centromere evolution in the Oryza (rice) genus, we sequenced the orthologous region to centromere 8 of Oryza sativa from a related species, Oryza brachyantha. We found that O. brachyantha does not have the canonical CRR (CR of rice) found in the centromeres of all other Oryza species. Instead, a new Ty3‐gypsy (Metaviridae) retroelement (FRetro3) was found to colonize the centromeres of this species. This retroelement is found in high copy numbers in the O. brachyantha genome, but not in other Oryza genomes, and based on the dating of long terminal repeats (LTRs) of FRetro3 it was amplified in the genome in the last few million years. Interestingly, there is a high level of removal of FRetro3 based on solo‐LTRs to full‐length elements, and this rapid turnover may have played a role in the replacement of the canonical CRR with the new element by active deletion. Comparison with previously described ChIP cloning data revealed that FRetro3 is found in CENH3‐associated chromatin sequences. Thus, within a single lineage of the Oryza genus, the canonical component of grass centromeres has been replaced with a new retrotransposon that has all the hallmarks of a centromeric retroelement.
CNI1/ATL31, a RING‐type ubiquitin ligase that functions in the carbon/nitrogen response for growth phase transition in Arabidopsis seedlings
Authors: Sato Takeo , Maekawa Shugo , Yasuda Shigetaka , Sonoda Yutaka , Katoh Etsuko , Ichikawa Takanari , Nakazawa Miki , Seki Motoaki , Shinozaki Kazuo , Matsui Minami , Goto Derek B. , Ikeda Akira , Yamaguchi Junji 
Published: August 2009

SummaryPlants are able to sense and respond to changes in the balance between carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) metabolite availability, known as the C/N response. During the transition to photoautotrophic growth following germination, growth of seedlings is arrested if a high external C/N ratio is detected. To clarify the mechanisms for C/N sensing and signaling during this transition period, we screened a large collection of FOX transgenic plants, overexpressing full‐length cDNAs, for individuals able to continue post‐germinative growth under severe C/N stress. One line, cni1‐D (carbon/nitrogen insensitive 1‐dominant), was shown to have a suppressed sensitivity to C/N conditions at both the physiological and molecular level. The CNI1 cDNA encoded a predicted RING‐type ubiquitin ligase previously annotated as ATL31. Overexpression of ATL31 was confirmed to be responsible for the cni1‐D phenotype, and a knock‐out of this gene resulted in hypersensitivity to C/N conditions during post‐germinative growth. The ATL31 protein was confirmed to contain ubiquitin ligase activity using an in vitro assay system. Moreover, removal of this ubiquitin ligase activity from the overexpressed protein resulted in the loss of the mutant phenotype. Taken together, these data demonstrated that CNI1/ATL31 activity is required for the plant C/N response during seedling growth transition.