bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast progenitor cells are recruited into the myocardium prior to the development of myocardial fibrosis
Authors: Sopel Mryanda , Falkenham Alec , Oxner Adam , Ma Irene , Lee Timothy D.G. , Légaré Jean‐Francois 
Published: January 2012

SummaryUsing an established model of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis after angiotensin II (AngII) infusion, our aim was to characterize the early cellular element involved in the development of myocardial fibrosis in detail. Male Lewis rats were infused with saline or AngII (0.7 mg/kg per day) for up to seven days. Collagen deposition and cellular infiltration were identified by histology stains. Infiltrating cells were grown in vitro and examined by flow cytometry and immunostaining. Chemokine expression was measured using qRT‐PCR. AngII infusion resulted in multifocal myocardial cellular infiltration (peak at three days) that preceded collagen deposition. Monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)‐1 transcripts peaked after one day of AngII exposure. Using a triple‐labelling technique, the infiltrating cells were found to express markers of leucocyte (ED1+), mesenchymal [α‐smooth muscle actin (SMA)+] and haematopeotic progenitor cells (CD133+) suggesting a fibroblast progenitor phenotype. In vitro, ED1+/SMA+/CD133+ cells were isolated and grown from AngII‐exposed animals. Comparatively few cells were cultured from untreated control hearts, and they were found to be ED1−/SMA+/CD133−. We provide evidence that myocardial ECM deposition is preceded by infiltration into the myocardium by cells that express a combination of haematopoietic (ED1, CD133) and mesenchymal (SMA) cell markers, which is a characteristic of the phenotype of fibroblast precursor cells, termed fibrocytes. This suggests that fibrocytes rather than (as is often presumed) leucocytes may have effector functions in the initiation of myocardial fibrosis.
Abiotic stress‐inducible receptor‐like kinases negatively control ABA signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Tanaka Hidenori , Osakabe Yuriko , Katsura Shogo , Mizuno Shinji , Maruyama Kyonoshin , Kusakabe Kazuya , Mizoi Junya , Shinozaki Kazuo , Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki Kazuko 
Published: January 2012

SummaryMembrane‐anchored receptor‐like protein kinases (RLKs) recognize extracellular signals at the cell surface and activate the downstream signaling pathway by phosphorylating specific target proteins. We analyzed a receptor‐like cytosolic kinase (RLCK) gene, ARCK1, whose expression was induced by abiotic stress. ARCK1 belongs to the cysteine‐rich repeat (CRR) RLK sub‐family and encodes a cytosolic protein kinase. The arck1 mutant showed higher sensitivity than the wild‐type to ABA and osmotic stress during the post‐germinative growth phase. CRK36, an abiotic stress‐inducible RLK belonging to the CRR RLK sub‐family, was screened as a potential interacting factor with ARCK1 by co‐expression analyses and a yeast two‐hybrid system. CRK36 physically interacted with ARCK1 in plant cells, and the kinase domain of CRK36 phosphorylated ARCK1 in vitro. We generated CRK36 RNAi transgenic plants, and found that transgenic plants with suppressed CRK36 expression showed higher sensitivity than arck1‐2 to ABA and osmotic stress during the post‐germinative growth phase. Microarray analysis using CRK36 RNAi plants revealed that suppression of CRK36 up‐regulates several ABA‐responsive genes, such as LEA genes, oleosin, ABI4 and ABI5. These results suggest that CRK36 and ARCK1 form a complex and negatively control ABA and osmotic stress signal transduction.
Activation of cardiac M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors has cardioprotective effects against ischaemia‐induced arrhythmias
Authors: Wang Shu , Han Hong‐Mei , Jiang Ya‐Nan , Wang Chao , Song Hao‐Xin , Pan Zhen‐Yu , Fan Kai , Du Juan , Fan Yu‐Hua , Du Zhi‐Min , Liu Yan 
Published: January 2012

Summary

Increasing evidence indicates the important roles of M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M3 mAChR) in the regulation and maintenance of cardiac function and heart disease. In the present study, we investigated whether the M3 mAChR mediates the cardioprotection against ischaemia‐induced arrhythmias and the mechanisms involved.
Myocardial ischaemia was established in Wistar rats by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Rats were treated with choline chloride (an M3 mAChR agonist; 10 mg/kg, i.v.) 10 min before occlusion. In addition, 4‐diphenylacetoxy‐N‐methylpiperidine‐methiodide (4‐DAMP; 0.12 μg/kg, i.v.) was administered 5 min before choline in the 4‐DAMP‐treated group. Ischaemia‐induced arrhythmias were evaluated in each group for a period of 1 h after occlusion. After 24 h occlusion, protein and mRNA levels of L‐type Ca2+ channels and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) were determined.
Ischaemia‐induced arrhythmias following coronary artery occlusion were diminished by choline and this effect was reversed in the 4‐DAMP‐treated group. In vitro, the effects of myocardial ischaemia were simulated by incubating isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes with Tyrode's solution (pH 6.8). Intracellular Ca2+ overload was confirmed and this was decreased by choline. Furthermore, choline reduced the L‐type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) compared with cardiomyocytes incubated in Tyrode's solution (pH 6.8) alone. Choline reduced the ‘ischaemia’‐induced upregulated expression of L‐type Ca2+ channels and NCX at both the protein and mRNA level.
Based on these results, choline has an obvious protective effect against ischaemia‐induced arrhythmias that is mediated via activation of cardiac M3 mAChR, which reduces Ca2+ overload mediated by L‐type Ca2+ channels and the NCX.
An astrocyte‐specific enhancer of the aquaporin‐4 gene functions through a consensus sequence of POU transcription factors in concert with multiple upstream elements
Authors: Abe Yoichiro , Ikeshima‐Kataoka Hiroko , Goda Wakami , Niikura Takako , Yasui Masato 
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 899–912.AbstractAquaporin‐4, a predominant water channel in the brain, is specifically expressed in astrocyte endfeet and plays a central role in water homeostasis, neuronal activity, and cell migration in the brain. It has two dominant isoforms called M1 and M23, whose mRNA is driven by distinct promoters located upstream of exons 0 and 1 of the aquaporin‐4 gene, respectively. To identify cis‐acting elements responsible for the astrocyte‐specific transcription of M1 mRNA, the promoter activity of the 5′‐flanking region upstream of exon 0 in primary cultured mouse astrocytes was examined by luciferase assay, and sequences, where nuclear factors bind, were identified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. An astrocyte‐specific activity enhancing transcription from the M1 promoter was observed within ∼2 kb from the transcriptional start sites of M1 mRNA. At least five elements clustered within the 286‐bp region were found to function as a novel astrocyte‐specific enhancer. Among the five elements, a consensus sequence of Pit‐1/Oct/Unc‐86 (POU) transcription factors was indispensable to the astrocyte‐specific enhancer since disruption of the POU motif completely abolished the enhancer activity in astrocytes. However, the POU motif alone had little activity, indicating the requirement for cooperation with other upstream elements to exert full enhancer activity.
Pharmacological maintenance of protein homeostasis could postpone age‐related disease
Authors: Alavez Silvestre , Lithgow Gordon J. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryOver the last 10 years, various screens of small molecules have been conducted to find long sought interventions in aging. Most of these studies were performed in invertebrates but the demonstration of pharmacological lifespan extension in the mouse has created considerable excitement. Since aging is a common risk factor for several chronic diseases, there is a reasonable expectation that some compounds capable of extending lifespan will be useful for preventing a range of age‐related diseases. One of the potential targets is protein aggregation which is associated with several age‐related diseases. Genetic studies have long indicated that protein homeostasis is a critical component of longevity but recently a series of chemicals have been identified in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans that lead to the maintenance of the homeostatic network and extend lifespan. Herein we review these interventions in C. elegans and consider the potential of improving health by enhancing protein homeostasis.
Herpes Simplex I virus impairs regenerative outcomes of periodontal regenerative therapy in intrabony defects. A pilot study
Authors: Bertoldi Carlo , Pellacani Chiara , Lalla Michele , Consolo Ugo , Pinti Marcello , Cortellini Pierpaolo , Cossarizza Andrea 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAimTo evaluate the impact of herpesvirus type‐1 and ‐2 on the clinical outcomes of periodontal regenerative procedures in isolated deep intrabony pockets, in an experimental population with no detectable periodontal pathogens.Materials and MethodsSeventeen periodontal intraosseous defects in 17 moderate‐to‐advanced periodontitis patients were treated with regenerative therapy and amelogenins. Microbiological evaluation was performed at baseline (after the completion of initial therapy) and at 1 year to exclude the presence of periodontal pathogens. Herpesviruses‐1 and ‐2 DNA were quantified in the pocket tissues associated to the intrabony defect using molecular assays. Clinical attachment level (CAL), probing pocket depth (PPD) and gingival recession (REC) were recorded at baseline and at 1 year.ResultsAfter 1 year, the 17 defects resulted in significant CAL gain, PPD reduction and REC increase. HSV‐1 was detected in five patients. Herpesvirus‐2 was never found. The two subpopulations positive or negative to herpesvirus‐1 were homogeneous at baseline. At 1 year, the five herpesvirus‐1 positive patients resulted in lower amounts of CAL‐gain and PPD reduction and greater amount of REC with respect to the 12 herpesvirus‐1 negative patients.ConclusionsThe presence of herpesvirus‐1 at baseline is associated with poor clinical outcomes following regenerative therapy.
Serum levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, oral health and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Zhou Xuan , Han Jing , Song Yiqing , Zhang Jing , Wang Zuomin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAimTo evaluate the associations of serum 25‐Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels with periodontal health and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Material and MethodsWe conducted a case–control study of 193 COPD patients and 181 controls. Their periodontal status and lung function were examined, and serum 25(OH)D levels were measured.ResultsMean serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly lower in the COPD group than in the controls (32.1 versus 35.8 nmol/l; p = 0.002). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were positively correlated with lung function among non‐smokers and negatively correlated with plaque index (PLI) among former smokers. After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, season and smoking status, periodontal indexes were significantly associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations (number of remaining teeth among all groups; probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding index, PLI and alveolar bone loss among COPD group). Lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly associated with an increased risk of COPD among former smokers (Odd ratio 4.11; 95% confidence interval 1.47–11.5; p = 0.007) after adjustment for periodontal indexes and other variables.ConclusionsLower serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly associated with poor periodontal health and an increased risk of COPD.
Twelve‐hour daytime observation of voiding pattern in newborns <4 weeks of age
Authors: Chen Yan , Wen Jian Guo , Li Yan , Li Yi Dong , Li Zhen Zhen , Konttinen Yrjö T 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim:  To investigate the voiding pattern in <4‐week‐old newborns by 12‐h daytime observation periods.Methods:  Twenty‐one healthy 1‐ to 28‐day‐old newborns were included (10 full term, 11 preterm). The 12‐h free voiding parameters, including voiding frequency (VF), voiding volume (VV), post‐voiding residual volumes (PRV) and status at voiding (awake/sleep), were recorded at day 1, 4, 7, 14 and 28 after birth.Results:  Voiding was recorded 778 times. VF increased in the full‐term and preterm newborns between day 4 and 7, decreased in preterms between day 14 and 28, but remained higher than in the full terms. VV increased twice in full terms and once in preterms during 28 days and PRV fluctuated. In contrast, VV was higher in the full term than in the preterms at days 4, 7, 14 and 28. PRV was higher at days 4 and 28. Interrupted voiding was less frequent in the full term than in the preterms.Conclusion:  Voiding pattern in the preterms differed in many ways from that of the full‐term newborns. Frequent interrupted and incomplete voiding pattern in the preterm newborns indicates a disrupted coordination of the detrusor–sphincter and a delayed maturation of the neural micturition centre.
Effects of domperidone on QTc interval in infants
Authors: Vieira MC , Miyague NI , Van Steen K , Salvatore S , Vandenplas Y 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAim:  To prospectively evaluate the effects of oral domperidone on the QTc interval in infants.Methods:  Infants (0–1 year) with a diagnosis of gastro‐oesophageal reflux (GOR) disease were included. A 12‐lead electrocardiography (ECG) was performed in all infants at baseline and 1 h after the intake of domperidone after 7–14 days; the corrected QTc interval was calculated by one investigator (MV) according to Bazett’s formula.Results:  Forty‐five infants were enroled in this study. The mean gestational age was of 38.6 weeks (35.5–42.0), and the mean age at the start of domperidone was 75.3 days (19–218 days). No statistically significant difference in corrected QTc was observed between baseline and the second ECG (0.389 ± 0.02 vs. 0.397 ± 0.31; p 0.130)). A trend was observed regarding gender: Although there was no difference in QTc change in girls (p 0.622), there was a strong trend in boys (p 0.051). Two infants (both boys) had a clinically significant QTc prolongation (>460 msec) without symptoms. The Spearman correlation test showed no relation between the QTc change and age (r: −0.05822; p 0.7284). There was no relation between domperidone dosage and QTc change.Conclusion:  Overall, the group‐analysis showed no statistical significant difference in QTc duration induced by domperidone. However, 2/45 (4.4%) infants had a prolonged QTc interval (>460 msec) induced by domperidone. As a consequence, QTc measurement should be recommended in routine in infants when domperidone is started.
Structural and biochemical characteristics of various white adipose tissue depots
Authors: Wronska A. , Kmiec Z. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIt is now widely accepted that white adipose tissue (WAT) is not merely a fuel storage organ, but also a key component of metabolic homoeostatic mechanisms. Apart from its major role in lipid and glucose metabolism, adipose tissue is also involved in a wide array of other biological processes. The hormones and adipokines, as well as other biologically active agents released from fat cells, affect many physiological and pathological processes. WAT is neither uniform nor inflexible because it undergoes constant remodelling, adapting the size and number of adipocytes to changes in nutrients’ availability and hormonal milieu. Fat depots from different areas of the body display distinct structural and functional properties and have disparate roles in pathology. The two major types of WAT are visceral fat, localized within the abdominal cavity and mediastinum, and subcutaneous fat in the hypodermis. Visceral obesity correlates with increased risk of insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases, while increase of subcutaneous fat is associated with favourable plasma lipid profiles. Visceral adipocytes show higher lipogenic and lipolytic activities and produce more pro‐inflammatory cytokines, while subcutaneous adipocytes are the main source of leptin and adiponectin. Moreover, adipose tissue associated with skeletal muscles (intramyocellular and intermuscular fat) and with the epicardium is believed to provide fuels for skeletal and cardiac muscle contraction. However, increased mass of either epicardial or intermuscular adipose tissue correlates with cardiovascular risk, while the presence of the intramyocellular fat is a risk factor for the development of insulin resistance. This review summarizes results of mainly human studies related to the differential characteristics of various WAT depots.
New Betaproteobacterial Rhizobium Strains Able To Efficiently Nodulate Parapiptadenia rigida (Benth.) Brenan
Authors: Taulé Cecilia , Zabaleta María , Mareque Cintia , Platero Raúl , Sanjurjo Lucía , Sicardi Margarita , Frioni Lillian , Battistoni Federico , Fabiano Elena 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Among the leguminous trees native to Uruguay,
Parapiptadenia rigida
(Angico), a Mimosoideae legume, is one of the most promising species for agroforestry. Like many other legumes, it is able to establish symbiotic associations with rhizobia and belongs to the group known as nitrogen-fixing trees, which are major components of agroforestry systems. Information about rhizobial symbionts for this genus is scarce, and thus, the aim of this work was to identify and characterize rhizobia associated with
P. rigida
. A collection of Angico-nodulating isolates was obtained, and 47 isolates were selected for genetic studies. According to enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR patterns and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of their
nifH
and 16S rRNA genes, the isolates could be grouped into seven genotypes, including the genera
Burkholderia
,
Cupriavidus
, and
Rhizobium
, among which the
Burkholderia
genotypes were the predominant group. Phylogenetic studies of
nifH
,
nodA
, and
nodC
sequences from the
Burkholderia
and the
Cupriavidus
isolates indicated a close relationship of these genes with those from betaproteobacterial rhizobia (beta-rhizobia) rather than from alphaproteobacterial rhizobia (alpha-rhizobia). In addition, nodulation assays with representative isolates showed that while the
Cupriavidus
isolates were able to effectively nodulate
Mimosa pudica
, the
Burkholderia
isolates produced white and ineffective nodules on this host.
High-Resolution Two-Locus Clonal Typing of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Weissman Scott J. , Johnson James R. , Tchesnokova Veronika , Billig Mariya , Dykhuizen Daniel , Riddell Kim , Rogers Peggy , Qin Xuan , Butler-Wu Susan , Cookson Brad T. , Fang Ferric C. , Scholes Delia , Chattopadhyay Sujay , Sokurenko Evgeni 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is usually based on the sequencing of 5 to 8 housekeeping loci in the bacterial chromosome and has provided detailed descriptions of the population structure of bacterial species important to human health. However, even strains with identical MLST profiles (known as sequence types or STs) may possess distinct genotypes, which enable different eco- or pathotypic lifestyles. Here we describe a two-locus, sequence-based typing scheme for
Escherichia coli
that utilizes a 489-nucleotide (nt) internal fragment of
fimH
(encoding the type 1 fimbrial adhesin) and the 469-nt internal
fumC
fragment used in standard MLST. Based on sequence typing of 191 model commensal and pathogenic isolates plus 853 freshly isolated clinical
E. coli
strains, this 2-locus approach—which we call CH (
fum

C

/
fim

H

) typing—consistently yielded more haplotypes than standard 7-locus MLST, splitting large STs into multiple clonal subgroups and often distinguishing different within-ST eco- and pathotypes. Furthermore, specific CH profiles corresponded to specific STs, or ST complexes, with 95% accuracy, allowing excellent prediction of MLST-based profiles. Thus, 2-locus CH typing provides a genotyping tool for molecular epidemiology analysis that is more economical than standard 7-locus MLST but has superior clonal discrimination power and, at the same time, corresponds closely to MLST-based clonal groupings.
Distribution of Intact and Core Membrane Lipids of Archaeal Glycerol Dialkyl Glycerol Tetraethers among Size-Fractionated Particulate Organic Matter in Hood Canal, Puget Sound
Authors: Ingalls Anitra E. , Huguet Carme , Truxal Laura T. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT
There is great interest in the membrane lipids of archaea (glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers [GDGTs]) as tracers of archaeal biomass because of their utility as paleoproxies and because of the biogeochemical importance of archaea. While core GDGTs (formed by hydrolysis of polar head groups of intact GDGTs after cell death) are appropriate for paleostudies, they have also been used to trace archaeal populations. Also, despite the small size (0.2 by 0.7 μm) of cultivated marine archaea, 0.7-μm glass-fiber filters (GFFs) are typically used to collect GDGTs from natural waters. We quantified both core and intact GDGTs in free-living (0.2- to 0.7-μm), suspended (0.7- to 60-μm), and aggregate (>60-μm) particle size fractions in Puget Sound (Washington State). On average, the free-living fraction contained 36% of total GDGTs, 90% of which were intact. The intermediate-size fraction contained 62% of GDGTs, and 29% of these were intact. The aggregate fraction contained 2% of the total GDGT pool, and 29% of these were intact. Our results demonstrate that intact GDGTs are largely in the free-living fraction. Because only intact GDGTs are present in living cells, protocols that target this size fraction and analyze the intact GDGT pool are necessary to track living populations in marine waters. Core GDGT enrichment in larger-size fractions indicates that archaeal biomass may quickly become attached or entrained in particles once the archaea are dead or dying. While the concentrations of the two pools were generally not correlated, the similar sizes of the core and intact GDGT pools suggest that core GDGTs are removed from the water column on timescales similar to those of cell replication, on timescales of days to weeks.
Comparison of Gull Feces-Specific Assays Targeting the 16S rRNA Genes of Catellicoccus marimammalium and Streptococcus spp
Authors: Ryu Hodon , Griffith John F. , Khan Izhar U. H. , Hill Stephen , Edge Thomas A. , Toledo-Hernandez Carlos , Gonzalez-Nieves Joel , Santo Domingo Jorge 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Two novel gull-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were developed using 16S rRNA gene sequences from gull fecal clone libraries: a SYBR green assay targeting
Streptococcus
spp. (gull3) and a hydrolysis TaqMan assay targeting
Catellicoccus marimammalium
(gull4). The objectives of this study were to compare the host specificity of a previous
C. marimammalium
qPCR assay (gull2) with that of the new markers and to examine the presence of the three gull markers in environmental water samples from different geographic locations. Most of the gull fecal samples tested (
n
= 255) generated positive signals with the gull2 and gull4 assays (i.e., >86%), whereas only 28% were positive with gull3. Low prevalence and abundance of tested gull markers (0.6 to 15%) were observed in fecal samples from six nonavian species (
n
= 180 fecal samples), whereas the assays cross-reacted to some extent (13 to 31%) with other (nongull) avian fecal samples. The gull3 assay was positive against fecal samples from 11 of 15 avian species, including gull. Of the presumed gull-impacted water samples (
n
= 349), 86%, 59%, and 91% were positive with the gull2, the gull3, and the gull4 assays, respectively. Approximately 5% of 239 non-gull-impacted water samples were positive with the gull2 and the gull4 assays, whereas 21% were positive witg the gull3 assay. While the relatively high occurrence of gull2 and gull4 markers in waters impacted by gull feces suggests that these assays could be used in environmental monitoring studies, the data also suggest that multiple avian-specific assays will be needed to accurately assess the contribution of different avian sources in recreational waters.