bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Escherichia coli K‐12 possesses multiple cryptic but functional chaperone–usher fimbriae with distinct surface specificities
Authors: Korea Charalampia‐Georgia , Badouraly Réana , Prevost Marie‐Christine , Ghigo Jean‐Marc , Beloin Christophe 
Published: March 2010

SummaryCommensal and pathogenic Escherichia coli adherence to host and environmental surfaces is mediated by a variety of adhesins. Although extensively studied as a model bacterium, 34% of the genes in the E. coli K‐12 genome have no known function. We hypothesized that some of them may correspond to functional adhesins. We characterized E. coli K‐12 ycb, ybg, yfc, yad, yra, sfm and yeh operons, which display sequence and organizational homologies to type 1 fimbriae exported by the chaperone/usher pathway. We showed that, although these operons are poorly expressed under laboratory conditions, six of them are nevertheless functional when expressed, and promote adhesion to abiotic and/or epithelial cell surfaces. While the studied fimbriae display different binding specificities, we obtained evidence of synergy/interference with other adhesins such as Ag43 or type 1 fimbriae. We showed that their expression is under the negative control of H‐NS and, except for yad, subjected to cAMP receptor protein‐mediated activation and carbon catabolite repression. These results therefore demonstrate that ycb, yfc, yad, yra, sfm and yeh operons encode cryptic but functional fimbriae adhesins whose expression following environmental modifications could contribute to E. coli's ability to adhere to and colonize a wide diversity of surfaces in its various ecological niches.
Activity, abundance and diversity of nitrifying archaea and bacteria in the central California Current
Authors: Santoro Alyson E. , Casciotti Karen L. , Francis Christopher A. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryA combination of stable isotope and molecular biological approaches was used to determine the activity, abundance and diversity of nitrifying organisms in the central California Current. Using 15NH4+ incubations, nitrification was detectable in the upper water column down to 500 m; maximal rates were observed just below the euphotic zone. Crenarchaeal and betaproteobacterial ammonia monooxygenase subunit A genes (amoA), and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes of Marine Group I Crenarchaeota and a putative nitrite‐oxidizing genus, Nitrospina, were quantified using quantitative PCR. Crenarchaeal amoA abundance ranged from three to six genes ml−1 in oligotrophic surface waters to > 8.7 × 104 genes ml−1 just below the core of the California Current at 200 m depth. Bacterial amoA abundance was lower than archaeal amoA and ranged from below detection levels to 400 genes ml−1. Nitrification rates were not directly correlated to bacterial or archaeal amoA abundance. Archaeal amoA and Marine Group I crenarchaeal 16S rRNA gene abundances were correlated with Nitrospina 16S rRNA gene abundance at all stations, indicating that similar factors may control the distribution of these two groups. Putatively shallow water‐associated archaeal amoA types (‘Cluster A’) decreased in relative abundance with depth, while a deep water‐associated amoA type (‘Cluster B’) increased with depth. Although some Cluster B amoA sequences were found in surface waters, expressed amoA gene sequences were predominantly from Cluster A. Cluster B amoA transcripts were detected between 100 and 500 m depths, suggesting an active role in ammonia oxidation in the mesopelagic. Expression of marine Nitrosospira‐like bacterial amoA genes was detected throughout the euphotic zone down to 200 m. Natural abundance stable isotope ratios (δ15N and δ18O) in nitrate (NO3‐) and nitrous oxide (N2O) were used to evaluate the importance of nitrification over longer time scales. Using an isotope mass balance model, we calculate that nitrification could produce between 0.45 and 2.93 µmol m−2 day−1 N2O in the central California Current, or approximately 1.5–4 times the local N2O flux from deep water.
Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone increase fracture risk in women and men with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Aubert R. E. , Herrera V. , Chen W. , Haffner S. M. , Pendergrass M. 
Published: March 2010

Aim: The objectives of the study were to determine whether thiazolidinedione (TZD) use is associated with an increased risk of fracture in men and women with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to compare the effects of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. Materials and Methods: A research database of integrated pharmacy and medical claims was analysed using Cox models adjusted for age, gender, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, osteoporosis, stroke, prior fracture and chronic disease score. Patients were followed for 540 days. Results: There was a 39% higher [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.32–1.46] incidence of fractures in men and women exposed to a TZD (n = 69047; age = 56 ± 5 years; 59% men; 48% rosiglitazone) compared with that in control patients (n = 75352; age = 56 ± 5 years; 51% men). Men treated with a TZD had a higher likelihood of fracture than control patients (adjusted HR rosiglitazone, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.38–1.56; adjusted HR pioglitazone, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.34–1.52). The HRs associated with pioglitazone (adjusted HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.34–1.52) and rosiglitazone (adjusted HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.38–1.56) were almost identical. TZD use was associated with a higher fracture risk in women aged above and below 50 years and in men aged above 50 years. Conclusions: Our findings add support to the growing literature that TZD treatment is associated with an increased risk of fractures in both men and women, that effects of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are similar and that fracture risk is increased even in younger women.
Vitamin E (α‐tocopherol) supplementation enhances nitric oxide production in penile tissue of diabetic rats
Authors: Tronchini Eleandro A. , De Miranda Neto Marcilio H. , Zanoni Jacqueline N. 
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of 0.1% and 2% vitamin E (α‐tocopherol) supplementation on the expression of nitric oxide (NO) in penile tissue of rats with experimentally induced diabetes mellitus (DM).MATERIALS AND METHODSIn all, 30 male rats were divided into six groups: normoglycaemic (NG), NG treated with 0.1% vitamin E (NGE1), NG treated with 2% vitamin E (NGE2), DM, DM treated with 0.1% vitamin E (DME1), and DM treated with 2% vitamin E (DME2). After 120 days the rats were killed, and penile tissue was collected and processed for neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) immunohistochemistry to determine areas of nNOS‐immunoreactive varicosities.RESULTSnNOS‐immunoreactive varicosities in DME2 rats were similar to those of controls (NG) and controls supplemented with vitamin E (NGE1 and NGE2). Varicosity sizes in the NGE1 group were similar to the DM rats with no vitamin E supplementation.CONCLUSIONSupplementation with 2% vitamin E had a positive effect on areas of nNOS‐immunoreactive varicosities of penile tissue in DM rats.
Association of percentage of tumour burden removed with debulking nephrectomy and progression‐free survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with vascular endothelial growth factor‐targeted therapy
Authors: Barbastefano Juan , Garcia Jorge A. , Elson Paul , Wood Laura S. , Lane Brian R. , Dreicer Robert , Campbell Steven C. , Rini Brian I. 
Published: March 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo determine if the fractional percentage of tumour volume (FPTV) removed with debulking nephrectomy was associated with progression‐free survival (PFS) after subsequent targeted therapy, as a debulking nephrectomy is the standard of care in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), but there are few data.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute Urologic Oncology database was retrospectively reviewed from 2005 to 2008 to identify patients with mRCC who had undergone debulking nephrectomy followed by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐targeted therapy, defined as sunitinib‐, sorafenib‐ or bevacizumab‐based therapy. FPTV was calculated as the largest diameter of the primary tumour divided by the total tumour burden (as per the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, RECIST) through investigator re‐review of imaging. PFS was defined from the start date of systemic therapy to disease progression per RECIST criteria.RESULTSForty‐six patients were identified (80% men, median age 61 years, all clear cell histology and 67% with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0). Patients received treatment with bevacizumab ± interleukin‐2 (18), sunitinib (14), sorafenib (11) or sunitinib + bevacizumab (three). The median diameter of the primary tumour was 10.0 cm. The median (range) FPTV removed was 95 (80–99)%. In univariable analysis, the FPTV removed (P= 0.002) and normal haemoglobin level (P= 0.04) were associated with improved PFS. In multivariable analysis, the FPTV removed (P < 0.001), male gender (P= 0.001) and corrected calcium (P= 0.05) were independent predictors of PFS.CONCLUSIONA greater percentage of tumour burden removed at debulking nephrectomy is significantly associated with improved PFS on subsequent VEGF‐targeted systemic therapy.
MRI verified STN stimulation site – gait improvement and clinical outcome
Authors: Johnsen E. L. , Sunde N. , Mogensen P. H. , Østergaard K. 
Published: March 2010

Background:  Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is effective in alleviating Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms (tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia) and may improve gait and postural impairment associated with the disease. However, improvement of gait is not always as predictable as the clinical outcome. This may relate to the type of gait impairment or localization of the active DBS contact.Methods:  The active contact was visualized on peri‐operative magnetic resonance imaging in 22 patients with idiopathic PD, consecutively treated with bilateral STN DBS. Stimulation site was grouped as either in the dorsal/ventral STN or medial/lateral hereof and anterior/posterior STN or medial/lateral hereof. The localization was compared with relative improvement of clinical outcome (UPDRS‐III). In 10 patients, quantitative gait analyses were performed, and the improvement in gait performance was compared with stimulation site in the STN.Results:  Of 44 active contacts, 77% were inside the nucleus, 23% were medial hereof. Stimulation of the dorsal half improved UPDRS‐III significantly more than ventral STN DBS (P = 0.02). However, there were no differences between anterior and posterior stimulation in the dorsal STN. Step velocity and length improved significantly more with dorsal stimulation compared with ventral stimulation (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02). Balance during gait was also more improved with dorsal stimulation compared with ventral stimulation.Conclusions:  Deep brain stimulation of the dorsal STN is superior to stimulation of the ventral STN. Possible different effects of stimulation inside the nucleus underline the need for exact knowledge of the active stimulation site position to target the most effective area.
Assisted Voluntary Return of Irregular Migrants: Policy and Practice in the Slovak Republic
Authors: Stančová Kateřina 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAssisted voluntary return (AVR) is a new approach to return of irregular immigrants aiming at combating unlawful migration, and thus strengthening national immigration systems. AVR lowers risks of the violation of human rights and preserves migrants’ dignity and safety. In addition, it carries fewer political and financial costs. AVR of irregular immigrants is an integral part of migration management in some European countries, including the Slovak Republic. This paper provides a general understanding of the issue of irregular migration and an analysis of policies and practices in assisted voluntary return of irregular migrants in the Slovak Republic. The paper concludes with a discussion of the major issues that need to be addressed in order to achieve sustainable and effective AVR management.
Modelling species distribution at multiple spatial scales: gibbon habitat preferences in a fragmented landscape
Authors: Gray T. N. E. , Phan C. , Long B. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractConservation of Indochinese primates is hampered by a lack of knowledge of species ecology, habitat preferences and, locally, distribution. Predictive distribution and habitat suitability models, using predictors known to affect the distribution of similar species elsewhere, may, therefore be of great benefit to conservationists within the region. Yellow‐cheeked crested gibbon Nomascus gabriellae is an IUCN‐listed endangered primate distributed east of the Mekong River in Cambodia, southern Vietnam, and possibly southern Lao PDR. Within Cambodia, yellow‐cheeked crested gibbon are naturally restricted to evergreen forest fragments within a landscape matrix of deciduous dipterocarp and semi‐evergreen forests. During the 2008 dry season, auditory surveys for yellow‐cheeked crested gibbon were conducted within Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, Mondulkiri province, Cambodia. Predictive distribution models, in which variables were included at the scale at which they best explained gibbon occurrence (multi‐grain models), were constructed to examine the species' habitat associations and tolerance of habitat fragmentation within the wildlife sanctuary. Gibbon occupancy (ϕ) was higher in evergreen (0.43±0.26–0.62) than in semi‐evergreen forest (0.21±0.09–0.4), with gibbon presence constrained by a critical amount of evergreen forest within 5 km radius of listening posts. Three patches of optimal habitat within Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary were identified. These, and connecting habitats, should be the target of increased enforcement effort to limit hunting and habitat conversion. Similar multi‐grain models are likely to be valuable for conservationists within mosaic habitats as they can facilitate identification of the minimum suitable fragment size for species of conservation concern.
Aβ promotes Alzheimer’s disease‐like cytoskeleton abnormalities with consequences to APP processing in neurons
Authors: Henriques Ana Gabriela , Vieira Sandra Isabel , Da Cruz e Silva Edgar F. , Da Cruz e Silva Odete A. B. 
Published: March 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 761–771.AbstractAβ is proteolytically produced from the Alzheimer’s amyloid precursor protein (APP). Major properties attributed to Aβ include neurotoxic effects that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease neurodegeneration. However, Aβ can also affect APP processing and trafficking that, in neurons, is anterogradelly transported via microtubules in a kinesin‐associated manner. Herein we show that Aβ can induce accumulation of intracellular sAPP in primary neuronal cultures. Subcellular fractionation studies and immunofluorescence analysis revealed that upon Aβ exposure sAPP retention was localized to cytoskeleton associated vesicular structures along the neurite processes, positive for an APP N‐terminal antibody and negative for an APP C‐terminal antibody. These vesicular structures were also positive for kinesin light chain 1 (KLC). We confirm that Aβ alters both actin and microtubule networks. It increases F‐actin polymerization and we report for the first time that Aβ decreases α‐tubulin acetylation. The use of cytoskeleton associated drugs partially reversed the Aβ‐induced effects on sAPP secretion. The data here presented show that Aβ causes intracellular sAPP retention by inducing alterations in the cytoskeleton network, thus contributing to impaired APP/sAPP vesicular transport. Moreover, the data strengthens the hypothesis that Aβ‐induces neurodegeneration and provides a potential mechanism of action, as impaired vesicular and axonal transport have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease pathology.
Spatially‐explicit sensitivity analysis for conservation management: exploring the influence of decisions in invasive alien plant management
Authors: Roura‐Pascual Núria , Krug Rainer M. , Richardson David M. , Hui Cang 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAim  Decision‐support models have considerable potential for guiding management strategies when problems are complex. The robustness of such decision‐making processes is rarely evaluated, and the influence of decision criteria (or factors) in management decisions is seldom considered. We present a framework for a spatially‐explicit sensitivity analysis by using a scheme developed to provide objective guidelines, in the form of static priority maps, for managing woody invasive alien plants (IAPs).Location  The Cape Floristic Region, South Africa.Methods  The model included seven factors related to management history, fire risk, and the age, identity, density and spread of IAPs. Each factor had a weight associated that reflected its relative importance in prioritizing areas for clearing. We changed these factor weights using three approaches of sensitivity analysis and assessed the effect of these changes on the spatial structure of the resulting priority maps in three different management regions.Results  Different outcomes arose depending on the importance given to different factors. Priority maps were most sensitive to the fire‐related factors, suggesting that fire is both a crucial driver of invasion in fynbos and an overriding determinant of management options. The factor ‘area burnt recently’ provided crucial information for the effective clearing of IAPs. The sensitivity of the model to changes in other factors was more context specific: levels of sensitivity were highly dependent on different features of the landscape, especially the spatial heterogeneity of particular factors.Main conclusions  By clarifying the importance of factors in shaping priority maps, the sensitivity analysis framework enabled us to identify the necessary factors to produce outcomes matching a pre‐selected management strategy. This is important for cost‐efficient management, as acquisition and curation of data is expensive. This spatially‐explicit sensitivity analysis is, thus, recommended to evaluate the robustness and generality of selected management strategies, and validate the assumptions derived from decision‐making protocols.
Structurally diverse amphiphiles exhibit biphasic modulation of GABAAreceptors: similarities and differences with neurosteroid actions
Authors: Chisari M , Shu H‐J , Taylor A , Steinbach JH , Zorumski CF , Mennerick S 
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose: Some neurosteroids, notably 3α‐hydroxysteroids, positively modulate GABAAreceptors, but sulphated steroids negatively modulate these receptors. Recently, other lipophilic amphiphiles have been suggested to positively modulate GABA receptors. We examined whether there was similarity among the actions of these agents and the mechanisms of neurosteroids. Significant similarity would affect theories about the specificity of steroid actions.Experimental approach: Xenopus laevisoocytes were challenged with Triton X‐100, octyl‐β‐glucoside, capsaicin, docosahexaenoic acid and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), along with different GABA concentrations.Key results: These compounds have both positive and negative effects on GABA currents, which can be accentuated according to the degree of receptor activation. A low GABA concentration (1 µM) promoted potentiation and a high concentration (20 µM) promoted inhibition of current, except for SDS that inhibited function even at low GABA concentrations. Amphiphile inhibition was characterized by enhanced apparent desensitization and by weak voltage dependence, similar to pregnenolone sulphate antagonism. We then tested amphiphile effects on mutated receptor subunits that are insensitive to negative (α1V256S) and positive (α1Q241L or α1N407A/Y410F) steroid modulation. Negative regulation by amphiphiles was nearly abolished in α1V256S‐mutated receptors, but potentiation was unaffected. In α1Q241L‐ or α1N407A/Y410F‐mutated receptors, potentiation by amphiphiles remained intact.Conclusions and implications: Structurally diverse amphiphiles have antagonist actions at GABAAreceptors very similar to those of sulphated neurosteroids, while the potentiating mechanisms of these amphiphiles are distinct from those of neurosteroid‐positive modulators. Thus, such antagonism at GABAAreceptors does not have a clear pharmacophore requirement.
Effects of the calcium sensitizer OR‐1896, a metabolite of levosimendan, on post‐infarct heart failure and cardiac remodelling in diabetic Goto–Kakizaki rats
Authors: Louhelainen Marjut , Merasto Saara , Finckenberg Piet , Vahtola Erik , Kaheinen Petri , Levijoki Jouko , Mervaala Eero 
Published: March 2010

Background and purpose: Levosimendan is a novel, short half‐life calcium sensitizer used as pharmacological inotropic support in acute decompensated heart failure. After oral administration, levosimendan is metabolized to OR‐1855, which, in rats, is further metabolized into OR‐1896. OR‐1896 is a long‐lasting metabolite of levosimendan sharing the pharmacological properties of the parent compound.Experimental approach: Effects of oral OR‐1896 treatment on post‐infarct heart failure and cardiac remodelling were assessed in diabetic Goto–Kakizaki (GK) rats, an animal model of type II diabetes. Myocardial infarction (MI) was produced to GK rats by coronary ligation. Twenty‐four hours after MI or sham operation, the rats were randomized into four groups: (i) MI; (ii) MI + OR‐1896 treatment; (iii) sham; and (iv) sham + OR‐1896. Cardiac function and markers of cardiac remodelling were assessed 1, 4 and 12 weeks after MI.Key results: OR‐1896 increased ejection fraction and fractional shortening in GK rats with MI. OR‐1896 ameliorated post‐infarct cardiac hypertrophy, and prevented the MI‐induced increase in cardiac mRNA for atrial natriuretic peptide, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and connective tissue growth factor, markers of pressure/volume overload, inflammation and fibrosis respectively. OR‐1896 also suppressed mRNA for senescence‐associated p16INK4Aand p19ARF. The beneficial effects of OR‐1896 were more prominent at week 12 than at week 4. OR‐1896 did not influence systolic blood pressure, blood glucose level, myocardial infarct size or cardiovascular mortality.Conclusions and implications: Oral treatment with calcium sensitizer OR‐1896 protects against post‐infarct heart failure and cardiac remodelling in experimental model of type II diabetes.