bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional analysis of Streptococcus pyogenes nuclease A (SpnA), a novel group A streptococcal virulence factor
Authors: Chang Ann , Khemlani Adrina , Kang HaeJoo , Proft Thomas 
Published: January 2011

SummaryStreptococcus pyogenes nuclease A (SpnA) is a recently discovered DNase that plays a role in virulence as shown in a mouse infection model. SpnA is the only cell wall‐anchored DNase found in S. pyogenes thus far and shows a unique protein architecture. The C‐terminal nuclease domain contains highly conserved catalytic site and Mg2+ binding site residues. However, expression of the SpnA nuclease domain alone resulted in a soluble, but enzymatically inactive protein. We found that at least two out of three oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide‐binding fold motifs found in the N‐terminal domain are required for SpnA activity, probably contributing to substrate binding. Using a combination of a spnA deletion mutant and a Lactococcus lactis‘gain‐of‐function’ mutant, we have shown that SpnA promotes survival in whole human blood and in neutrophil killing assays and this is, at least in part, achieved by the destruction of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). We observed higher frequencies for anti‐SpnA antibodies in streptococcal disease patient sera (79%, n = 19) compared with sera from healthy donors (33%, n = 9) suggesting that SpnA is expressed during infection. Detection of anti‐SpnA antibodies in patient serum might be useful for the diagnostic of post‐streptococcal diseases, such as acute rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis.
Prevalence of anger attacks in depressive and anxiety disorders: Implications for their construct?
Authors: Painuly Nitesh Prakash , Grover Sandeep , Gupta Nitin , Mattoo Surendra K. 
Published: January 2011

Aims:  The present study explores anger attacks in depressive and anxiety disorders for their prevalence and some of the clinical and psychosocial correlates.Methods:  The sample comprised of patients with ICD‐10‐diagnosed depressive and anxiety disorders (n = 328). All the subjects were given a demographic and clinical profile sheet, the Irritability Depression Anxiety Scale, World Health Organization Quality of Life – BREF Version and the Anger Attack Questionnaire. Using the Anger Attack Questionnaire they were divided into two groups – with anger attacks (n = 170) and without anger attacks (n = 158) – in order to study the differential profile of the two groups.Results:  Anger attacks were associated with more anxiety and irritability, and poorer quality of life. Frequency of anger attacks had a positive correlation with depression, irritability and aggression, and a negative correlation with education, income, and quality of life. Panic attacks, somatic anxiety and psychological domain of quality of life predicted the categorization of subjects into those with and without anger attacks.Conclusion:  Anger attacks are common among depressive and anxiety disorder cases and have a negative impact on quality of life. Status of anger attacks as either linked to anxiety and/or depression, or as an independent syndrome needs further study.
Effects of constraint‐induced movement therapy on neurogenesis and functional recovery after early hypoxic‐ischemic injury in mice
Authors: RHA DONG‐WOOK , KANG SEONG‐WOONG , PARK YOON‐GHIL , CHO SUNG‐RAE , LEE WON TAEK , LEE JONG EUN , NAM CHUNG MO , HAN KYUNG HWA , PARK EUN SOOK 
Published: January 2011

Aim  Constraint‐induced movement therapy (CIMT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for improving affected upper limb function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). However, little is known about the changes in the brain that are induced by CIMT. This study was designed to investigate these changes and behavioural performance after CIMT intervention in mice with neonatal hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury.Method  We utilized the neonatal hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury model established in mice pups. Three weeks after the injury, the mice were randomly assigned to the following three groups: the control group (n=15), the enriched‐environment group (n=17), and the CIMT with an enriched‐environment group (CIMT‐EE, n=15). 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected daily to label proliferating cells during the 2 weeks of intervention.Results  The CIMT‐EE group showed better fall rate in the horizontal ladder rung walking test (mean 5.4%, SD 3.6%) than either the control (mean 14.3%, SD 7.3%; p=0.001) or enriched‐environment (mean 12.4%, SD 7.7%; p=0.010) groups 2 weeks after the end of intervention. The CIMT‐EE group also showed more neurogenesis (mean 7069 cells/mm3, SD 4017 cells/mm3) than either the control group (mean 1555 cells/mm3, SD 1422 cells/mm3; p<0.001) or enriched‐environment group (mean 2994 cells/mm3, SD 3498 cells/mm3; p=0.001) in the subventricular zone. In the striatum, neurogenesis in the CIMT‐EE group (mean 534 cells/mm3, SD 441 cells/mm3) was greater than in the control group (mean 95 cells/mm3, SD 133 cells/mm3; p=0.001).Interpretation  There was CIMT‐EE enhanced neurogenesis in the brain along with functional benefits in mice after early hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury. This is the first study to demonstrate the effects of CIMT on neurogenesis and functional recovery after experimental injury to an immature brain.
Adenosine A2A receptors control neuroinflammation and consequent hippocampal neuronal dysfunction
Authors: Rebola Nelson , Simões Ana Patrícia , Canas Paula M. , Tomé Angelo R. , Andrade Geanne M. , Barry Claire E. , Agostinho Paula M. , Lynch Marina A. , Cunha Rodrigo A. 
Published: January 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 117, 100–111.AbstractThe blockade of adenosine A2A receptors (A2AR) affords a robust neuroprotection in different noxious brain conditions. However, the mechanisms underlying this general neuroprotection are unknown. One possible mechanism could be the control of neuroinflammation that is associated with brain damage, especially because A2AR efficiently control peripheral inflammation. Thus, we tested if the intracerebroventricular injection of a selective A2AR antagonist (SCH58261) would attenuate the changes in the hippocampus triggered by intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that induces neuroinflammation through microglia activation. LPS administration triggers an increase in inflammatory mediators like interleukin‐1β that causes biochemical changes (p38 and c‐jun N‐terminal kinase phosphorylation and caspase 3 activation) contributing to neuronal dysfunction typified by decreased long‐term potentiation, a form of synaptic plasticity. Long‐term potentiation, measured 30 min after the tetanus, was significantly lower in LPS‐treated rats compared with control‐treated rats, while SCH58261 attenuated the LPS‐induced change. The LPS‐induced increases in phosphorylation of c‐jun N‐terminal kinase and p38 and activation of caspase 3 were also prevented by SCH58261. Significantly, SCH58261 also prevented the LPS‐induced recruitment of activated microglial cells and the increase in interleukin‐1β concentration in the hippocampus, indicating that A2AR activation is a pivotal step in mediating the neuroinflammation triggered by LPS. These results indicate that A2AR antagonists prevent neuroinflammation and support the hypothesis that this mechanism might contribute for the ability of A2AR antagonists to control different neurodegenerative diseases known to involve neuroinflammation.
Twelve testable hypotheses on the geobiology of weathering
Authors: BRANTLEY S. L. , MEGONIGAL J. P. , SCATENA F. N. , BALOGH‐BRUNSTAD Z. , BARNES R. T. , BRUNS M. A. , VAN CAPPELLEN P. , DONTSOVA K. , HARTNETT H. E. , HARTSHORN A. S. , HEIMSATH A. , HERNDON E. , JIN L. , KELLER C. K. , LEAKE J. R. , MCDOWELL W. H. , MEINZER F. C. , MOZDZER T. J. , PETSCH S. , PETT‐RIDGE J. , PREGITZER K. S. , RAYMOND P. A. , RIEBE C. S. , SHUMAKER K. , SUTTON‐GRIER A. , WALTER R. , YOO K. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractCritical Zone (CZ) research investigates the chemical, physical, and biological processes that modulate the Earth’s surface. Here, we advance 12 hypotheses that must be tested to improve our understanding of the CZ: (1) Solar‐to‐chemical conversion of energy by plants regulates flows of carbon, water, and nutrients through plant‐microbe soil networks, thereby controlling the location and extent of biological weathering. (2) Biological stoichiometry drives changes in mineral stoichiometry and distribution through weathering. (3) On landscapes experiencing little erosion, biology drives weathering during initial succession, whereas weathering drives biology over the long term.(4) In eroding landscapes, weathering‐front advance at depth is coupled to surface denudation via biotic processes.(5) Biology shapes the topography of the Critical Zone.(6) The impact of climate forcing on denudation rates in natural systems can be predicted from models incorporating biogeochemical reaction rates and geomorphological transport laws.(7) Rising global temperatures will increase carbon losses from the Critical Zone.(8) Rising atmospheric PCO2 will increase rates and extents of mineral weathering in soils.(9) Riverine solute fluxes will respond to changes in climate primarily due to changes in water fluxes and secondarily through changes in biologically mediated weathering.(10) Land use change will impact Critical Zone processes and exports more than climate change. (11) In many severely altered settings, restoration of hydrological processes is possible in decades or less, whereas restoration of biodiversity and biogeochemical processes requires longer timescales.(12) Biogeochemical properties impart thresholds or tipping points beyond which rapid and irreversible losses of ecosystem health, function, and services can occur.
Monitoring microbial redox transformations of metal and metalloid elements under high pressure using in situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy
Authors: PICARD A. , DANIEL I. , TESTEMALE D. , KIEFFER I. , BLEUET P. , CARDON H. , OGER P. M. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractX‐ray absorption spectroscopy is a well‐established method for probing local structural and electronic atomic environments in a variety of systems. We used X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy for monitoring in real‐time conditions selenium reduction in situ in live cultures of Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 under high hydrostatic pressure. High‐quality XANES data show that Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 reduces selenite Se(IV) to red elemental selenium Se(0) up to 150 MPa without any intermediate redox state. MR‐1 reduces all selenite provided (5–10 mm) between 0.1 and 60 MPa. Above 60 MPa the selenite reduction yield decreases linearly with pressure and the activity is calculated to stop at 155 ± 5 MPa. The analysis of cultures recovered after in situ measurements showed that the decrease in activity is linked to a decrease in viability. This study emphasizes the promising potential of XANES spectroscopy for real‐time probing in situ microbial redox transformations of a broad range of metal and metalloid elements in live samples, including under high hydrostatic pressure.
Vascular responses to 8‐nitro‐cyclic GMP in non‐diabetic and diabetic mice
Authors: Tokutomi Yoshiko , Kataoka Keiichiro , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Nakamura Taishi , Fukuda Masaya , Nako Hisato , Toyama Kensuke , Dong Yi‐Fei , Ahmed Khandaker Ahtesham , Sawa Tomohiro , Akaike Takaaki , Kim‐Mitsuyama Shokei 
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 8‐Nitroguanosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (8‐nitro‐cGMP), formed nitric oxide (NO)‐dependently, is a physiological second messenger, yet little is known about its role in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases. To study the pharmacological activity of 8‐nitro‐cGMP in diabetic mice, we compared its effects on vascular reactivity of aortas from non‐diabetic and diabetic mice.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Vascular tension recording was performed in thoracic aortic rings from wild‐type (C57BL/6), non‐diabetic db/+ and obese/diabetic db/db mice. Endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) uncoupling and superoxide were tested by Western blot and dihydroethidium fluorescence respectively.KEY RESULTS 8‐Nitro‐cGMP, at concentrations up to 10 µM, enhanced phenylephrine‐induced contractions in aortas from C57BL/6 and db/+ mice, but not from db/db mice. This enhancement was not observed with 8‐bromo‐cGMP. Pretreatment of aortas from C57BL/6 and db/+ mice with l‐NAME (100 µM), superoxide dismutase (100 U·mL−1) or tiron (1 mM), abolished 8‐nitro‐cGMP‐induced enhancement of the phenylephrine contraction. In 8‐nitro‐cGMP (10 µM)‐treated C57BL/6 aortas, eNOS dimer/monomer ratio was significantly decreased and vascular superoxide production increased, suggesting that 8‐nitro‐cGMP‐induced superoxide production via eNOS uncoupling may mediate the enhancement of the phenylephrine contraction. At higher concentrations (>10 µM), 8‐nitro‐cGMP produced relaxation of the phenylephrine‐contracted aortas from C57BL/6, db/+ and db/db mice. The 8‐nitro‐cGMP‐induced relaxation in db/db mouse aortas was found to be resistant to a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, zaprinast (1 µM).CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The vasodilator effect of 8‐nitro‐cGMP may contribute to amelioration of the vascular endothelial dysfunction in diabetic mice, representing a novel pharmacological approach to prevent the complications associated with diabetes.
Rosiglitazone inhibits Kv4.3 potassium channels by open‐channel block and acceleration of closed‐state inactivation
Authors: Jeong I , Choi BH , Hahn SJ 
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSERosiglitazone is a widely used oral hypoglycaemic agent, which improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. Chronic rosiglitazone treatment is associated with a number of adverse cardiac events. The present study was designed to characterize the effects of rosiglitazone on cloned Kv4.3 potassium channels.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHThe interaction of rosiglitazone with cloned Kv4.3 channels stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was investigated using whole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques.KEY RESULTSRosiglitazone decreased the currents carried by Kv4.3 channels and accelerated the current inactivation, concentration‐dependently, with an IC50of 24.5 µM. The association and dissociation rate constants for rosiglitazone were 1.22 µM−1·s−1and 31.30 s−1respectively. Block by rosiglitazone was voltage‐dependent, increasing in the voltage range for channel activation; however, no voltage dependence was found in the voltage range required for full activation. Rosiglitazone had no effect on either the deactivation kinetics or the steady‐state activation of Kv4.3 channels. Rosiglitazone shifted the steady‐state inactivation curves in the hyperpolarizing direction, concentration‐dependently. The Kifor the interaction between rosiglitazone and the inactivated state of Kv4.3 channels was 1.49 µM, from the concentration‐dependent shift in the steady‐state inactivation curves. Rosiglitazone also accelerated the kinetics of the closed‐state inactivation of Kv4.3 channels. Rosiglitazone did not affect either use dependence or recovery from inactivation of Kv4.3 currents.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONSOur results indicate that rosiglitazone potently inhibits currents carried by Kv4.3 channels by interacting with these channels in the open state and by accelerating the closed‐state inactivation of Kv4.3 channels.LINKED ARTICLEThis article is commented on by Hancox, pp. 496–498 of this issue. To view this commentary visithttp://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01281.x
Update on roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Rabe Klaus F. 
Published: January 2011

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a member of the PDE enzyme superfamily that inactivates cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate, and is the main PDE isoenzyme occurring in cells involved in inflammatory airway disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a preventable and treatable disease and is characterized by airflow obstruction that is not fully reversible. Chronic progressive symptoms, particularly dyspnoea, chronic bronchitis and impaired overall health are worse in those who have frequent, acute episodes of symptom exacerbation. Although several experimental PDE4 inhibitors are in clinical development, roflumilast, a highly selective PDE4 inhibitor, is the first in its class to be licensed, and has recently been approved in several countries for oral, once‐daily treatment of severe COPD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that roflumilast improves lung function and reduces exacerbation frequency in COPD. Furthermore, its unique mode of action may offer the potential to target the inflammatory processes underlying COPD. Roflumilast is effective when used concomitantly with all forms of bronchodilator and even in patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids. Roflumilast thus represents an important addition to current therapeutic options for COPD patients with chronic bronchitis, including those who remain symptomatic despite treatment. This article reviews the current status of PDE4 inhibitors, focusing on the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety of roflumilast. In particular, it provides an overview of the effects of roflumilast on lung function and exacerbations, glucose homoeostasis and weight loss, and the concomitant use of long‐acting beta2‐adrenergic receptor agonists and short‐acting muscarinic receptor antagonists.LINKED ARTICLESThis article is part of a themed issue on Respiratory Pharmacology. To view the other articles in this issue visithttp://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2011.163.issue‐1
Transnational Mothers Crossing the Border and Bringing Their Health Care Needs
Authors: Sternberg Rosa Maria , Barry Charlotte 
Published: January 2011

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of transnational Latina mothers who immigrated to the United States without legal documentation or their children. Design: The study used a qualitative approach to collect data from eight transnational Latina mothers from South Florida during the summer of 2009. Methods: Data were collected using open‐ended questions in one‐on‐one, in‐depth interviews that lasted 1 to 2 hr. Findings: A hermeneutic phenomenological analysis of the data yielded seven essential themes from the participants’ stories: living in extreme poverty, having hope, choosing to walk away from poverty, suffering through the trip to and across the border, mothering from afar, valuing family, and changing personally. Conclusions: The results indicate that transnational Latina mothers find meaning in mothering from afar through embodied sacrifice, suffering, hoping for a better life for their children, and family reunification. These results have implications for healthcare providers, social workers, policy makers, and educators whose professional responsibility is to advocate for, and to enhance the health and social well‐being of, transnational mothers. Clinical Relevance: Although this study focused on transnational Latina mothers in the United States, transnational motherhood is a worldwide phenomenon. Healthcare professionals play an instrumental role in providing culturally specific and evidence‐based care to women who migrate without their children.
Prognosis of Ischaemic Stroke is Improving Similarly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes as in Nondiabetic Patients in Finland
Authors: Winell Klas , Pääkkönen Rauni , Pietilä Arto , Reunanen Antti , Niemi Marja , Salomaa Veikko 
Published: January 2011

Background Case fatality of first ischaemic stroke has improved markedly during the past two decades. Aims To investigate whether stroke patients with type 2 diabetes have shared this favourable development. Methods Nation-wide registers were used to identify all patients with type 2 diabetes in Finland during 1988–2002. All first ischaemic strokes among them and also among all nondiabetic persons were identified from the National Hospital Discharge Register and the Causes of Death Register. Trends over time were calculated, for age-standardised case fatality of first stroke events, separately for two time periods: 0–27 and 28–364 days after the onset of stroke. These trends were compared between patients with type 2 diabetes and nondiabetic patients. Results Altogether, 23097 first-ever ischaemic strokes were recorded among 222 940 persons with type 2 diabetes. The 28 day case fatality was 1·1–1·3 times higher, and the one-year case fatality of 28 day survivors was 1·4–2·2 times higher in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with nondiabetic patients. A significant decline in case fatality trends was observed, but the trends did not differ between type 2 diabetes and nondiabetic patients. Conclusions The study revealed a positive development in survival after the first stroke event in persons with type 2 diabetes, similar to the development in nondiabetic persons. However, the level of case fatality has remained higher in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Development of novel microsatellite markers to identify the different invasive lineages in theCorbiculacomplex and to assess androgenesis
Authors: PIGNEUR L. ‐M. , RISTERUCCI A. ‐M. , DAUCHOT N. , LI X. , VAN DONINCK K. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractReliable markers are needed to identify the lineages in the invasive clam genusCorbicula. Previous studies have demonstrated that mitochondrial (mt) DNA poorly resolvesCorbiculaphylogeny, owing to its androgenetic reproductive mode. Moreover, hybridization and mitochondrial/nuclear mismatches occur. We developed the first eleven polymorphic markers to detect these phenomena and to investigate the nuclear identity ofCorbiculapopulations. These microsatellite loci revealed three main lineages in Western Europe. One locus allowed rapid discrimination of these three lineages on agarose gel, saving time and money. Moreover, the eleven markers were successfully cross‐amplified in the invasiveCorbiculalineages found in North America.
COI‐based DNA barcoding of Arcoida species (Bivalvia: Pteriomorphia) along the coast of China
Authors: FENG YANWEI , LI QI , KONG LINGFENG , ZHENG XIAODONG 
Published: January 2011

AbstractDNA barcoding is a promising tool for the rapid and unambiguous identification of species. Some arcoid species are particularly difficult to distinguish with traditional morphological identification owing to phenotypic variation and the existence of closely related taxa. Here, we apply DNA barcoding based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI) to arcoid species collected from the coast along China. Combining morphology with molecular data indicates the 133 specimens of Arcoida could be assigned to 24 species. Because of the deep genetic divergence within Tegillarca granosa, there was an overlap between genetic variation within species and variation between species. Nevertheless, NJ and Bayesian trees showed that all species fell into reciprocally monophyletic clades with high bootstrap values. Our results evidence that the COI marker can efficiently identify species, correct mistakes caused by morphological identification and reveal genetic differentiation among populations within species. This study provides a clear example of the usefulness of barcoding for arcoid identification. Furthermore, it also lays a foundation for other biological and ecological studies of Arcoida.