bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of impaired baroreflex sensitivity in Wistar rats fed a high-fat and -carbohydrate diet
Authors: Ai Jing , Liang Feng , Zhou Hongyu , Zhao Jing , Wang Ning , Zhu Songling , Yang Baofeng 
Published: March 2010

Both high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets have been considered in association with the impairment of baroreflex sensitivity. However, the mechanisms are unclear. In the present study, the effects of a complex high-fat and high-carbohydrate diet (HFCD) on baroreflex circuitry were investigated. A HFCD emulsion was formulated and orally administered to rats for 30 d. Rats were then anaesthetised and baroreflex sensitivity was measured following intravenous injection of phenylephrine (PE) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at various doses. Morphological changes of the brainstem were detected by transmission electron microscopy. Baroreflex sensitivity-associated gene and protein expression was determined by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. We found that: (1) the HFCD significantly attenuated heart rate responses to arterial blood pressure (ABP) increases induced by PE, but had no effect on heart rate responses to ABP decreases induced by SNP; (2) the HFCD induced medullary sheath thickening, myelinated nerve atrophy and hyaloplasm dissolving; (3) protein levels of substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, GlutR2 and γ-aminobutyric acid A receptors were all markedly decreased in the brainstems of rats administered with the HFCD. These findings conclude that a HFCD could impair the baroreflex sensitivity of rats. Remodelled morphology and decreased neurotransmitters and receptors in the domains of the nucleus tractus solitarii and nucleus ambiguus are participating in this process.
Taenia solium: current understanding of laboratory animal models of taeniosis
Authors: FLISSER A. , ÁVILA G. , MARAVILLA P. , MENDLOVIC F. , LEÓN-CABRERA S. , CRUZ-RIVERA M. , GARZA A. , GÓMEZ B. , AGUILAR L. , TERÁN N. , VELASCO S. , BENÍTEZ M. , JIMENEZ-GONZALEZ D. E. 
Published: March 2010

SUMMARYNeurocysticercosis is a public health problem in many developing countries and is the most frequent parasitic disease of the brain. The human tapeworm carrier is the main risk factor for acquiring neurocysticercosis. Since the parasite lodges only in the human intestine, experimental models ofTaenia soliumtaeniosis have been explored. Macaques, pigs, dogs, cats and rabbits are unsuccessful hosts even in immunodepressed status. By contrast, rodents are adequate hosts since tapeworms with mature, pregravid and, in some cases, gravid proglottids develop after infection. In this review, information that has been generated with experimental models of taeniosis due toT. soliumis discussed. Initially, the use of the model for immunodiagnosis of human taeniosis and evaluation of intervention measures is summarized. Next, descriptions of tapeworms and comparison of hamsters, gerbils and other mammals as experimental models are discussed, as well as data on the humoral immune response, the inflammatory reaction and the production of cytokines associated to Th1 and Th2 responses in the intestinal mucosa. Finally, evaluation of protection induced against the development of tapeworms by recombinantT. soliumcalreticulin in hamsters is summarized and compared to other studies.
A Geological Link between the Facilis Monument at Colchester and First-century Army Tombstones from the Rhineland Frontier
Authors: Hayward K.M.J. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTFor the first time petrological and geochemical analysis of the Marcus Favonius Facilis legionary tombstone at Colchester (RIB 200) was undertaken to determine its geological source. The results show the material to be identical with samples obtained from the Middle Jurassic quarries at Norroy-lès-Pont-à-Mousson of Eastern France. Rather than quarrying what became the more accessible native freestone outcrop between Humberside and Dorset, stone-masons based at Claudian Colchester were instead relying upon established continental materials from the Rhineland provinces. In this short article, petrological analysis has also been used to establish a geological link between this tombstone and the material used for funerary monuments at the pre-invasion legionary base of Facilis (and of legio XX) at Neuss.
VILBIAM (RIB 154): Kidnap or Robbery?
Authors: Russell Paul 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTThe formvilbiamhas been long known from the earliest of the Bath curse tablets to have been discovered. It has usually, but with some reservations, been regarded as a female personal name. If so, then, this curse tablet (RIB154) is the only one to record the theft of a person. It is suggested here thatvilbia, rather than being a personal name, is the term for some form of sharp-pointed object. It is further argued that it may be of Celtic origin and may have a Celtic reflex in Middle Welshgwlf.
Understanding numbers in London, British Library, Harley 3271
Authors: Anlezark Daniel 
Published: March 2010

AbstractLondon, British Library, Harley 3271 is a composite manuscript designed for use in teaching Latin, and contains Ælfric's Grammar beside other pedagogical works. The book also contains a large number of miscellaneous items, and fourteen scribal hands. Many of the texts point to the usual interests of the Anglo-Saxon scholar in computus and prognostics, while others suggest an interest in the tradition of numerical notes. The items written by Scribe C, the only one whose stints are spread throughout the blank space of the composite volume, point to a combined interest in education, numbers and the Jewish people.
Numerical composition and Beowulf: a reconsideration
Authors: Kisor Yvette 
Published: March 2010

AbstractDiscussions of the structure of Beowulf that consider the sections of the poem disposed according to specific mathematical ratios are among the most frequently contested and least accepted by the larger scholarly community. This article examines several theories advocating numerical composition in light of both scholarship that describes structural patterns in the poem and editorial practice. Much agreement is found among theories from widely differing theoretical camps, clustering particularly around the first sections of the poem; however, such agreement does not consistently extend to specific numerical ratios. Further, the significance of such numerical correspondences as can be shown to exist has not been reliably demonstrated.
The application of the first order system transfer function for fitting The California Verbal Learning Test Learning Curve
Authors: STEPANOV IGOR I. , ABRAMSON CHARLES I. , WOLF OLIVER T. , CONVIT ANTONIO 
Published: March 2010

AbstractVery few attempts have been made to apply a mathematical model to the learning curve in the California Verbal Learning Test list A immediate recall. Our rationale was to find out whether modeling of the learning curve can add additional information to the standard CVLT-II measures. We applied a standard transfer function in the form Y = B3*exp(-B2*(X-1))+B4*(1-exp(-B2*(X-1))), where X is the trial number; Y is the number of recalled correct words, B2 is the learning rate, B3 is readiness to learn and B4 is ability to learn. The coefficients of the model were found to be independent measures not duplicating standard CVLT-II measures. Regression analysis revealed that readiness to learn (B3) and ability to learn (B4) were significantly (p < .05) higher in a group of healthy participants than in a group of participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the learning rate (B2) did not differ (p > .2). The proposed model is appropriate for clinical application and as a guide for research and may be used as a good supplemental tool for the CVLT-II and similar memory tests. (JINS, 2010, 16, 443–452.)
Associations between weight perceptions, weight control and body fatness in a multiethnic sample of adolescent girls
Authors: Duncan J Scott , Duncan Elizabeth K , Schofield Grant 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to examine the interactions between weight perceptions, weight control behaviours and body fatness in a multiethnic sample of adolescent girls.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingGirls from European (37·7 %), Pacific Island (21·6 %), East Asian (15·8 %), Maori (10·2 %) and South Asian (9·6 %) populations and from other ethnicities (5·0 %).SubjectsA sample of 954 girls aged 11–15 years participated in the study. BMI was derived from height and weight, whereas body fat (BF) was determined from hand-to-foot bioimpedance measurements. Weight perceptions, weight control behaviours and pubertal stage were assessed by questionnaire.ResultsBody size and fatness varied significantly across ethnic groups. Although few differences in weight perceptions were observed between BMI and %BF percentile groups, a relatively high degree of weight misclassification was evident across all BF categories. The number of girls trying to lose weight exceeded those who perceived themselves as being overweight, with the magnitude of the difference dependent on ethnicity. Of the girls trying to lose weight, the combination of dieting and exercise was the most common weight loss practice; however, a substantial proportion reported neither exercise nor dieting. Weight status perception was a stronger predictor of weight loss intent than actual BF when controlling for all other factors.ConclusionsInterventions and educational campaigns that assist girls in recognising a state of excess BF are a priority for all ethnic groups to increase the likelihood that behavioural changes necessary to combat widespread overweight and obesity are adopted.
Harnessing Aquatic Yeasts For Developing A New Generation of Sunscreens
Authors: Braganca Hycienth , Kamat Nandkumar 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAround 100 yeast genera and 800 species have been isolated and characterized. Nagahama (2006) has reviewed yeast biodiversity in freshwater, marine and deep-Sea Environments. Our work aims at systematic biodiversity assessment of freshwater aquatic yeasts from Goa with major focus on carotenogenic basidiomycetes yeasts which on exposure to potentially damaging levels of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) accumulate photoprotective compounds (PPC) such as mycosporine-glutaminol-glucoside (myc-glu-glu, peak absorption at 309-310nm) that server as sunscreens and /or antioxidant. These yeasts are a potential source of a particularly diverse family of such substances, collectively referred to as mycosporine- like amino-acids (MAAs). This paper presents the potential of exploiting MAAs to develop a new generation of ecofriendly sunscreens.
The TA-p73 functions as a Lung tumor suppressor by increasing the expression of miRNA, let-7
Authors: Boominathan Lakshmanane 
Published: March 2010

AbstractI have previously proposed that TA-p73-depenedent tumor suppressor pathway could inhibit the development of lung adenocarcinoma. This hypothesis is strongly supported by a recent finding showing that TA-p73 specific knockout mice are prone to lung adenocarcinoma. However, the p73-dependent tumor suppressor pathway remains ill defined. It has been shown that let-7 cluster is highly expressed in normal lung. Loss of let-7 expression: a) is common in Non-small cell lung carcinoma; and b) enhances lung tumor formation, indicating that it could function as a lung tumor suppressor. Based on these facts, I hypothesized that let-7 could be a transcriptional target of p73. To confirm this hypothesis, I have analyzed the let-7 cluster promoters using TRASFAC bioinformatics software. This analysis suggests that Let-7c contains three perfect p53-RE half-sites and five nearly perfect p53RE sites. In addition, other let-7 cluster miRNAs appear to contain several p53-REs, suggesting that Let-7 miRNA cluster could be a transcriptional target of p73/p63/p53. Furthermore, negative regulators of let-7 biogenesis, such as lin-28, c-myc and DCAMKL-1, are suppressed by p53-miRs, such as let-7, miR-145, miR-34, miR-15/16, miR-103/107 and miR-221, suggesting that TA-p73/p63/p53, by suppressing the expression of lin-28, c-myc and DCAMKL-1, it could increase the expression of let-7. By increasing the expression of let-7, TA-p73 could suppress the expression of its targets, such as N/H/K-ras, HMGA2, Cyclins, MCMs, BUBs, and CDCs; thereby it could inhibit the initiation of lung tumors. Together, this study proposes for the first time the TA-p73/p63-let-7-INK4a/ARF as a lung tumor suppressor pathway.
G-less Cassette In Vitro Transcription Using HeLa Cell Nuclear Extracts
Authors: Carey Michael F. , Peterson Craig L. , Smale Stephen T. 
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTIONThe G-less cassette is a 365-nucleotide (nt) segment of DNA lacking guanine (G) residues on the nontemplate strand. In principle, a full-length transcript can be generated in an in vitro reaction lacking GTP, an omission that leads to suppression of most random, nonspecific transcription throughout the plasmid. This method, like runoff transcription, generates radiolabeled RNA products, directly bypassing the necessity and extra time required to perform primer extension or other indirect mRNA product measurements. Unlike runoff transcription, which requires a cleaved end, the G-less assay can be performed on a circular, supercoiled plasmid, which in many systems is a more efficient template. In practice, most crude systems, such as HeLa nuclear extracts, contain low amounts of contaminating GTP that lead to small amounts of background transcription and occasionally can cause random upstream transcription to read through the G-less cassette. To minimize these artifacts, the reaction generally contains 3′-O-Me-GTP, a chain-terminating analog of GTP that causes transcription to cease when it is incorporated into a growing transcript, much like the dideoxy analogs used in DNA sequencing. The reaction products are cleaved with T1 RNase, which cleaves RNAs at G residues, further reducing background transcription; the G-less mRNA remains intact, whereas small random RNAs are digested.
Suspended Embryo Mount for Imaging Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Mohler William A. , Isaacson Ariel B. 
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTIONThis protocol describes the preparation of Caenorhabditis elegans embryos for four-dimensional (4D) imaging. Embryos are excised from gravid hermaphrodites and allowed to adhere directly to a poly-L-lysine-coated coverslip. The coverslip is then used to create a slide chamber in which the embryos are suspended in buffer. These suspended mounts are better for 4D recordings than agar mounts because, although agar mounts produce more uniformly oriented embryos, evaporation from the agar pads tends to shift the embryos gradually over time. 4D spatial registration with suspended mounts is quite stable, and it is possible to digitally reorient embryos within the recorded volume of the three-dimensional (3D) stack during post-processing of the data.
Preparation and Orcein Staining of Mitotic Chromosomes from Drosophila Larval Brain
Authors: Pimpinelli Sergio , Bonaccorsi Silvia , Fanti Laura , Gatti Maurizio 
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTIONIn this protocol, larval brains from Drosophila are incubated in vitro with colchicine, treated with hypotonic solution, fixed, and squashed in aceto-orcein. This procedure provides a large number of well-spread metaphase figures (200-400 per brain) that can be analyzed for chromosome morphology, the presence of chromosome aberrations, and the degree of ploidy.
Chromosome Banding of Mitotic Chromosomes from Drosophila Larval Brain: Figure 1.
Authors: Pimpinelli Sergio , Bonaccorsi Silvia , Fanti Laura , Gatti Maurizio 
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTIONThe classical chromosome-banding techniques developed for mammalian chromosomes do not differentiate the euchromatic arms of Drosophila mitotic chromosomes. However, some of these techniques produce a sharp and highly reproducible banding of Drosophila heterochromatin. For example, the use of quinacrine-, Hoechst-, and N-banding differentiates Drosophila heterochromatin into 61 cytological entities, allowing precise localization of heterochromatic breakpoints. These banding techniques can also be successfully used to differentiate mitotic heterochromatin of various Drosophila and mosquito species. Here we present protocols routinely used in our laboratories for chromosome banding, including the use of Hoechst, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), quinacrine, and Giemsa stains.
Immunoelectron Microscopy Analysis of Recombinant Baculovirus Display Viruses
Authors: Mäkelä Anna R. , Ernst Wolfgang , Grabherr Reingard , Oker-Blom Christian 
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTIONThe baculovirus expression vector system has been used extensively to produce numerous proteins originating from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic sources. In addition to easy cloning techniques and abundant viral propagation, the system’s insect cell environment provides eukaryotic post-translational modification machinery. The baculovirus display vector system provides a number of advantages over prokaryotic systems, allowing the combination of genotype with phenotype, enabling presentation of foreign peptides or even complex proteins on the baculoviral envelope or capsid. Baculoviruses permit larger gene insertions, are easily propagated, and can be grown to high titers. Furthermore, surface modifications of the viral capsid enable specific targeting. This strategy can be used to enhance viral binding and entry to a wide variety of both dividing and nondividing mammalian cells, as well as to produce antibodies against the displayed antigen. In addition, the technology should enable modifications of intracellular behavior, i.e., trafficking of recombinant “nanoparticles,” a highly relevant feature for studies of targeted gene or protein delivery. After generating the display viral stock, it is important to confirm the presence and functionality of the displayed peptides or proteins on the viral particles before proceeding to further experiments. Accordingly, infected insect cells and budded virions can be analyzed by a variety of methods using appropriate antibodies. This protocol describes a standard immunoelectron microscopy technique in detail.
Monitoring Baculovirus-Mediated Efficiency of Gene Delivery
Authors: Mäkelä Anna R. , Ernst Wolfgang , Grabherr Reingard , Oker-Blom Christian 
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTIONThe baculovirus expression vector system has been used extensively to produce numerous proteins originating from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic sources. In addition to easy cloning techniques and abundant viral propagation, the system’s insect cell environment provides eukaryotic post-translational modification machinery. The baculovirus display vector system provides a number of advantages over prokaryotic systems, allowing the combination of genotype with phenotype, enabling presentation of foreign peptides or even complex proteins on the baculoviral envelope or capsid. Baculoviruses permit larger gene insertions, are easily propagated, and can be grown to high titers. Furthermore, surface modifications of the viral capsid enable specific targeting. This strategy can be used to enhance viral binding and entry to a wide variety of both dividing and nondividing mammalian cells, as well as to produce antibodies against the displayed antigen. In addition, the technology should enable modifications of intracellular behavior, that is, trafficking of recombinant “nanoparticles,” a highly relevant feature for studies of targeted gene or protein delivery. Also, the ability to incorporate reporter genes under transcriptional regulation of mammalian promoters enables transduction efficiency to be monitored in mammalian cells in vitro and in tissues in vivo. Luciferase molecules in particular are nontoxic and emit light in direct proportion to their number in mammalian cells. This provides a sensitive and rapid assay for quantification of transgene expression without the need for illumination with an external excitation source.
Determining Single-Molecule Intensity as a Function of Power Density: Figure 1.
Authors: Reck-Peterson Samara L. , Derr Nathan D. , Stuurman Nico 
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTIONWhen performing analysis using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), fluorescence intensity depends linearly on excitation intensity, until the dye spends most of its time in the excited state (i.e., saturation is reached). How much light is seen by the dyes in the sample depends not only on the amount of light exiting the objective but also on the area over which it is spread out. The parameter of interest is the power density, measured in W/cm2. The highest signal-to-noise ratios will be reached when the illumination power just approaches saturation. To determine at what power density a dye is saturated, one should measure fluorescence intensity as a function of power density, as described in this protocol.
Imaging Single Molecular Motor Motility with Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy (TIRFM): Movie 1.
Authors: Reck-Peterson Samara L. , Derr Nathan D. , Stuurman Nico 
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTIONTotal internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) allows fluorescent molecules on or near the plasma membrane to be visualized with a very high signal-to-noise ratio. This strategy has been very successful for imaging molecular machines as they move and do work. We provide here a general protocol for imaging single molecular motors as they move along microtubule tracks. Our protocol is designed for the study of cytoplasmic dynein purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but it represents a general framework for any in vitro single-molecule assay.
Unbiased Identification of Protein-Bait Interactions Using Biochemical Enrichment and Quantitative Proteomics
Authors: Ong Shao-En 
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTIONThe use of recombinant proteins, antibodies, small molecules, or nucleic acids as affinity reagents is a simple yet powerful strategy to study the protein-bait interactions that drive biological processes. However, such experiments are often analyzed by Western blotting, limiting the ability to detect novel protein interactors. Unbiased protein identification by mass spectrometry (MS) extends these experiments beyond the study of pairwise interactions, allowing analyses of whole networks of protein-bait interactions. With the latest advances in MS, it is not uncommon to identify thousands of proteins from complex mixtures. Paradoxically, the improved sensitivity of proteomic analyses can make it more difficult to distinguish bait-specific interactions from the large background of identified proteins. In quantitative proteomics, MS signals from protein populations labeled with stable isotopes such as 13C and 15N can be identified and quantified relative to unlabeled counterparts. Using quantitative proteomics to compare biochemical enrichments with the bait of interest against those obtained with control baits allows sensitive detection and discrimination of specific protein-bait interactions among the large number of nonspecific interactions with beads. Ad hoc optimization of enrichment conditions is minimized, and mild purification conditions preserve secondary or high-order protein-protein interactions. The combination of biochemical enrichment and quantitative proteomics allows rapid characterization of molecular baits with their interacting proteins, providing tremendous insight into their biological mechanisms of action.