bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intramolecular electron transfer in laccases
Authors: Farver Ole , Wherland Scot , Koroleva Olga , Loginov Dmitry S. , Pecht Israel 
Published: July 2011

Rate constants and activation parameters have been determined for the internal electron transfer from type 1 (T1) to type 3 (T3) copper ions in laccase from both the fungusTrametes hirsutaand the lacquer treeRhus vernicifera, using the pulse radiolysis method. The rate constant at 298 K and the enthalpy and entropy of activation were 25 ± 1 s−1, 39.7 ± 5.0 kJ·mol−1and −87 ± 9 J·mol−1·K−1for the fungal enzyme and 1.1 ± 0.1 s−1, 9.8 ± 0.2 kJ·mol−1and −211 ± 3 J·mol−1·K−1for the tree enzyme. The initial reduction of the T1 site by pulse radiolytically producedradicals was direct in the case ofT. hirsutalaccase, but occured indirectly via a disulfide radical inR. vernicifera. The equilibrium constant that characterizes the electron transfer from T1 to T3 copper ions was 0.4 forT. hirsutalaccase and 1.5 forR. verniciferalaccase, leading to full reduction of the T1 site occurring at 2.9 ± 0.2 electron equivalents forT. hirsutaand 4 electron equivalents forR. verniciferalaccase. These results were compared with each other and with those for the same process in other multicopper oxidases, ascorbate oxidase andStreptomyces coelicolorlaccase, using available structural information and electron transfer theory.Database Protein structure data forTrametes hirsutalaccase are available in the wwPDB database under the accession number3FPX. Sequence references areQ94ID0forRhus verniciferalaccase andB2L9C1forTrametes hirsutalaccase
Plasmids containing NRSE/RE1 sites enhance neurite outgrowth of retinal ganglion cells via sequestration of REST independent of NRSE dsRNA expression
Authors: Koch Jan C. , Barski Elisabeth , Lingor Paul , Bähr Mathias , Michel Uwe 
Published: July 2011

Repressor element‐1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is a transcriptional repressor of neuron‐specific genes that binds to a conserved DNA element, the neuron restrictive silencer element (NRSE/RE1). Interestingly, increased REST activity is found in several neurological diseases like Huntington’s disease and cerebral ischemia. Recently, it was shown that NRSE dsRNA, a double‐stranded non‐coding RNA can bind to REST during a defined period of neuronal differentiation, and thereby changes REST from a transcriptional repressor to an activator of neuron‐specific genes. Here, we analyzed the effects of NRSE dsRNA expression in primary retinal ganglion cells. We found that NRSE dsRNA expression vectors significantly enhance neurite outgrowth even when axonal degeneration is induced by neurotrophin deprivation. Transfection of HEK cells with NRSE dsRNA‐expressing vectors altered their morphology leading to the formation of thin processes and induced the expression of neurofilament‐68. Surprisingly, control vectors containing REST‐binding sites, but not expressing NRSE dsRNA, resulted in the same effects, also in the retinal ganglion cell model. Reporter assays and retention of REST in the cytoplasm with a labeled NRSE/RE1‐containing plasmid incapable of entering the nucleus suggest that sequestration of REST in the cytoplasm is the reason for the observed effects. No evidence for a biological function of NRSE dsRNA could be found in these models. We conclude that sequestration of REST leads to enhanced neurite outgrowth in retinal ganglion cells and that an increased activity of REST, as it is found in several neurodegenerative diseases, can be effectively modulated by sequestration of REST with plasmids containing NRSE/RE1 sites.Database
The Nucleotide sequence data are available in the GenBank database under the accession numbers AY640629, HQ416701, AY640633, HQ416702, HQ416703, HQ416704, HQ416705, HQ416706, HQ416707, HQ416708 and HQ416709
English Proficiency and Latino Participation in U.S. Elections
Authors: PARKIN MICHAEL , ZLOTNICK FRANCES 
Published: July 2011

This article focuses on how the ability to speak and read English affects Latino citizens' participation in U.S. elections, and evaluates the extent to which this language barrier might be overcome by living in a community with a relatively large Latino population and having access to registration materials and ballots in Spanish. Using data primarily from the Pew Hispanic Center, we find that the inability to speak and read English hinders registration and turnout among Latino citizens. While the language barrier to turnout is mitigated by several factors, the barrier to registration is more intractable. These results have implications for researchers and practitioners interested in the political participation of this increasingly prominent group. In particular, understanding the role of English proficiency is a critical first step in thinking about policy prescriptions that will bring into the political process a growing number of Latino citizens, particularly those with limited English skills.Este estudio se enfoca en cómo las habilidades de hablar y leer el ingles afectan la participación de ciudadanos latinos en las elecciones estadounidenses, y evalúa la medida en que esta barrera del idioma podría ser superada viviendo en una comunidad con una población latina relativamente grande y teniendo acceso a materiales de registro electoral y boletas en español. Usando datos principalmente del Pew Hispanic Center, encontramos que la baja habilidad para hablar y leer en inglés obstaculiza el registro y participación entre ciudadanos de origen latino. Mientras que la barrera del lenguaje para ejercer el derecho al voto es mitigada al vivir en una comunidad con una población latina relativamente grande y con acceso a boletas bilingües, la barrera para inscribirse en el registro de electores es más restrictiva. Estos resultados tienen implicaciones para investigadores, practicantes, y legisladores interesados en la participación política de este grupo cada vez más prominente de electores. Entender el papel del dominio de el inglés es, particularmente, un primer paso crítico para pensar recetas de políticas que incorporen en el proceso político un creciente número de ciudadanos latinos, especialmente aquellos con un limitado dominio del idioma inglés.
Membrane cycling after the excess retrieval mode of rapid endocytosis in mouse chromaffin cells
Authors: Perez Bay A. E. , Belingheri A. V. , Álvarez Y. D. , Marengo F. D. 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Aim:  After exocytosis, neuroendocrine cells and neurones keep constant the plasma membrane and the releasable vesicle pools by performing endocytosis and vesicular cycling. Patch‐clamp capacitance measurements on chromaffin cells showed that strong Ca+2 entry activates excess retrieval: a rapid endocytosis process that retrieves more membrane than the one fused by preceding exocytosis. The main purpose of the present experiments was to study the recycling pathway that follows excess retrieval, which is unknown.
Methods:  Membrane recycling after exocytosis–endocytosis can be studied by fluorescence imaging assays with FM1‐43 (Perez Bay et al. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2007; 293, C1509). In this work, we used this assay in combination with fluorescent dextrans and specific organelle‐targeted antibodies to study the membrane recycling after excess retrieval in mouse chromaffin cells.
Results:  Excess retrieval was observed after the application of high‐K+ or cholinergic agonists during 15 or 30 s in the presence of FM1‐43. We found that the excess retrieval membrane pool (defined as endocytosis–exocytosis) was associated with the generation of a non‐releasable fraction of membrane (up to 30% of plasma membrane surface) colocalizing with the lysosomal compartment. The excess retrieval membrane pool followed a saturable cytosolic Ca2+ dependency, and it was suppressed by inhibitors of L‐type Ca2+ channels, endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and PKC.
Conclusion:  Excess retrieval is not associated with the cycling of releasable vesicles, but it is related to the formation of non‐releasable endosomes. This process is activated by a concerted contribution of Ca2+ entry through L‐channels and Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum.
Molecular and physiological properties of bacteriophages from North America and Germany affecting the fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora
Authors: Müller Ina , Lurz Rudi , Kube Michael , Quedenau Claudia , Jelkmann Wilhelm , Geider Klaus 
Published: July 2011

SummaryFor possible control of fire blight affecting apple and pear trees, we characterized Erwinia amylovora phages from North America and Germany. The genome size determined by electron microscopy (EM) was confirmed by sequence data and major coat proteins were identified from gel bands by mass spectroscopy. By their morphology from EM data, φEa1h and φEa100 were assigned to the Podoviridae and φEa104 and φEa116 to the Myoviridae. Host ranges were essentially confined to E. amylovora, strains of the species Erwinia pyrifoliae, E. billingiae and even Pantoea stewartii were partially sensitive. The phages φEa1h and φEa100 were dependent on the amylovoran capsule of E. amylovora, φEa104 and φEa116 were not. The Myoviridae efficiently lysed their hosts and protected apple flowers significantly better than the Podoviridae against E. amylovora and should be preferred in biocontrol experiments. We have also isolated and partially characterized E. amylovora phages from apple orchards in Germany. They belong to the Podoviridae or Myoviridae with a host range similar to the phages isolated in North America. In EM measurements, the genome sizes of the Podoviridae were smaller than the genomes of the Myoviridae from North America and from Germany, which differed from each other in corresponding nucleotide sequences.
Anthropogenic habitat alteration induces rapid morphological divergence in a native stream fish
Authors: Franssen Nathan R. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAnthropogenic habitat alteration creates novel environments that can alter selection pressures. Construction of reservoirs worldwide has disturbed riverine ecosystems by altering biotic and abiotic environments of impounded streams. Changes to fish communities in impoundments are well documented, but effects of those changes on native species persisting in reservoirs, which are presumably subjected to novel selective pressures, are largely unexplored. I assessed body shape variation of a native stream fish in reservoir habitats and streams from seven reservoir basins in the Central Plains of the USA. Body shape significantly and consistently diverged in reservoirs compared with stream habitats within reservoir basins; individuals from reservoir populations were deeper‐bodied and had smaller heads compared with stream populations. Individuals from reservoir habitats also exhibited lower overall shape variation compared with stream individuals. I assessed the contribution of genotypic divergence and predator‐induced phenotypic plasticity on body shape variation by rearing offspring from a reservoir and a stream population with or without a piscivorous fish. Significant population‐level differences in body shape persisted in offspring, and both populations demonstrated similar predator‐induced phenotypic plasticity. My results suggest that, although components of body shape are plastic, anthropogenic habitat modification may drive trait divergence in native fish populations in reservoir‐altered habitats.
Museum genomics: low‐cost and high‐accuracy genetic data from historical specimens
Authors: ROWE KEVIN C. , SINGHAL SONAL , MACMANES MATTHEW D. , AYROLES JULIEN F. , MORELLI TONI LYN , RUBIDGE EMILY M. , BI KE , MORITZ CRAIG C. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractNatural history collections are unparalleled repositories of geographical and temporal variation in faunal conditions. Molecular studies offer an opportunity to uncover much of this variation; however, genetic studies of historical museum specimens typically rely on extracting highly degraded and chemically modified DNA samples from skins, skulls or other dried samples. Despite this limitation, obtaining short fragments of DNA sequences using traditional PCR amplification of DNA has been the primary method for genetic study of historical specimens. Few laboratories have succeeded in obtaining genome‐scale sequences from historical specimens and then only with considerable effort and cost. Here, we describe a low‐cost approach using high‐throughput next‐generation sequencing to obtain reliable genome‐scale sequence data from a traditionally preserved mammal skin and skull using a simple extraction protocol. We show that single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the genome sequences obtained independently from the skin and from the skull are highly repeatable compared to a reference genome.
Mid‐term outcomes of contoured plating for comminuted fractures of the olecranon
Authors: Wang You‐hua , Tao Ran , Xu Hua , Cao Yi , Zhou Zhen‐yu , Xu Shui‐zhu 
Published: July 2011

Objective:  To evaluate the mid‐term outcomes of contoured plating for comminuted fractures of the olecranon.Methods:  Twenty eight patients were available for analysis. Their mean age was 41 years (range, 25 to 61 years). Associated fractures were of the coronoid process in three, radial head in four, and both in three patients. A plate and screw system was used to stabilize comminuted fractures of the olecranon in all cases. Coronoid fractures were stabilized according to the fracture patterns. Displaced radial head fractures were treated with either mini‐screw fixation or radial head replacement. Because of the severity of their fractures, 12 patients underwent primary bone grafting.Results:  Primary stability was achieved in 25 of 28 cases. There were no cases of non‐union. The mean time to union was 15 weeks (range, 12–22 weeks). The mean range of flexion of the elbow was from 14° to 125°, with 65° of pronation and 74° of supination. The end results were 6 excellent, 16 good, 4 fair and 2 poor, based on the Broberg and Morrey scale. The excellent plus good rate was 78.6%.Conclusion:  Favorable mid‐term outcomes can be achieved by contoured plating of complex, comminuted fractures of the olecranon.
Short‐term clinical observation of the Dynesys neutralization system for the treatment of degenerative disease of the lumbar vertebrae
Authors: Hu Yong , Gu Yong‐jie , Xu Rong‐ming , Zhou Lei‐jie , Ma Wei‐hu 
Published: July 2011

Objective:  To explore the safety and short‐term efficacy of the posterior approach of the Dynesys dynamic neutralization system for degenerative disease of the lumbar vertebrae.Methods:  From March 2008 to March 2010, 32 cases of degenerative lumbar vertebral disease, 19 men and 13 women, (mean age 58 ± 5.2, range, 43–78 years), were treated with posterior laminectomy and Dynesys internal fixation. All patients had a history of over 3 months waist or leg pain that had not been relieved by conservative treatment. There were 10 cases of single lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion, 14 of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, 5 of degenerative lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis, and 3 of recurrent lumbar disc protrusion after surgery. A visual analogue score (VAS) was used for pain assessment, and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) for functional evaluation of clinical outcomes.Results:  All patients were followed up for 6–23 months (mean, 16.4 ± 5.5 months). Forty‐one segments in 32 patients were stabilized; 23 cases (71.9%) underwent single‐segmental stabilization, and 9 (28.1%) two‐segmental stabilization. VAS of leg pain, root and low back pain was significantly improved postoperatively. The ODI improved from preoperative 69% ± 12.6% to postoperative 28% ± 15.7% (P < 0.001). On the stabilized segment and adjacent segments above and below, the range of movement showed no statistical difference; no loosening of screws, cord and polyester spacer occurred.Conclusion:  The Dynesys dynamic neutralization system combined with decompression can achieve satisfactory short‐term clinical results in lumbar degenerative disease. This procedure system not only reduces back and leg pain, but also preserves the mobility of fixed segments, minimizes tissue injury and avoids taking bone for spinal fusion.
Weight loss amelioration of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis linked to shifts in hepatic ceramide expression and serum ceramide levels
Authors: Promrat Kittichai , Longato Lisa , Wands Jack R. , de la Monte Suzanne M. 
Published: July 2011

Aim:  Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with increased hepatic insulin resistance. Ceramides and other toxic sphingolipids promote inflammation, lipotoxicity and insulin resistance; however, the role of ceramides in the pathogenesis of NASH has not been determined. This study characterizes expression of ceramide‐related genes in human livers with NASH and examines the effects of weight loss on NASH and pro‐ceramide gene expression in liver.Methods:  Liver biopsies were obtained to assess the histopathological status of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease/NASH prior to and following completion of a 1‐year course of implementing either lifestyle changes or a standard enrichment protocol designed to encourage weight loss. Liver biopsy samples were used to measure pro‐ceramide gene expression by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis (qRT–PCR), and serum was used to measure ceramide immunoreactivity.Results:  At baseline, serine palmitoyltransferase (SPTLC)2 (P = 0.02) and ceramide synthase (CER)1 (P = 0.001) mRNA transcripts were less abundantly expressed in livers with NASH relative to normal controls. After weight loss (average 9.3%), SPTLC1 (P = 0.005) and uridine diphosphate glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) (P = 0.001) expression significantly declined while CER1 increased (P = 0.001) among subjects randomized to the lifestyle change subgroup. Reductions in calorie and fat consumption were significantly correlated with changes in ceramide‐related gene expression. Finally, both net and relative reductions in serum ceramide levels were significantly greater in the lifestyles compared with the standard enrichment (control) protocol group (both P < 0.005).Conclusion:  NASH is associated with increased insulin resistance and altered ceramide gene expression in liver. Weight loss‐mediated reversal of NASH is associated with reduced pro‐ceramide gene expression in liver.
Meta‐analysis of alcohol consumption and risk of extrahepatic bile system cancer
Authors: Kan He‐Ping , Huang Yu‐Qi , Tan Yong‐Fa , Zhou Jie 
Published: July 2011

Aim:  Alcohol consumption increases the risk of liver cancer. However, there is still controversy regarding alcohol consumption and the risk of extrahepatic bile system cancer (EBSC). We performed a meta‐analysis to provide an overview of the relevant studies and gain more robust estimates of the relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of EBSC.Methods:  Relevant studies published between January 1966 and October 2010 were identified by searching Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Studies were selected using a priori defined criteria. The strength of the relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of EBSC was assessed by adjusted odds ratio (OR).Results:  A total of 113 767 participants from 10 studies (nine case–control studies and one cohort study) were identified in this meta‐analysis. The studies provided adjusted overall OR estimates for drinkers versus non‐/low drinkers, leading to a pooled adjusted OR of 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.72–0.94, P for heterogeneity = 0.194, I2 = 27.2%). The overall adjusted OR of hospital‐based studies and population‐based studies were 0.80 (95% CI = 0.65–0.99, P = 0.260) and 0.79 (95% CI = 0.64–0.98, P = 0.119), respectively. For the heavy drinkers, the adjusted OR significance increased to 1.58 (95% CI = 0.97–2.57, P for heterogeneity = 0.055, I2 = 65.4%), but it had no statistical significance.Conclusion:  There is evidence that moderate alcohol consumption lowers the risk of EBSC compared with non‐/low alcohol consumption, but not heavy alcohol consumption. Further multicenter and better controlled studies are required to confirm these findings.
Diagnostic value of hepatic intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 expression in Egyptian infants with biliary atresia and other forms of neonatal cholestasis
Authors: Ghoneim Enas M. , Sira Mostafa M. , Abd Elaziz Azza M. , Khalil Fatma O. , Sultan Mervat M. , Mahmoud Ahmed B. 
Published: July 2011

Aim:  The diagnosis of biliary atresia (BA) is challenging as no single preoperative test is 100% accurate, especially for distinguishing it from other causes of neonatal cholestasis (NC). Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) elevation was reported in BA as a part of the immune‐mediated inflammatory process. The use of ICAM‐1 as a discriminative tool between BA and other causes of NC has never been addressed before. This study was to evaluate the diagnostic potentials of ICAM‐1 in BA versus other forms of NC.Methods:  For this purpose, serum ICAM‐1 (sICAM‐1) and ICAM‐1 expression, in liver biopsy using immunohistochemistry, were estimated in 30 patients with BA and compared to that in 20 patients with other forms of NC. sICAM‐1 levels were compared to that in 20 healthy controls.Results:  sICAM‐1 levels were significantly higher in BA (1055.9 ± 230.2 ng/mL) than that in cholestasis (604.8 ± 194.8 ng/mL) and the control groups (158.9 ± 78.7 ng/mL) (P < 0.0001). A cut‐off value of 793.8 ng/mL had 86.7% sensitivity and 95% specificity in discriminating the BA from the cholestasis group. The biliary expression score of ICAM‐1 at a cut‐off value of 110 could discriminate between BA and other causes of NC with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Neither serum levels nor liver expression of ICAM‐1 scores correlated with disease severity or with fibrosis stage.Conclusion:  These results suggest that ICAM‐1 has a diagnostic value in patients with BA and would be a promising helpful tool when investigating patients with NC.
Serum and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Endothelin‐1 Concentrations as Diagnostic Biomarkers of Canine Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Krafft E. , Heikkilä H.P. , Jespers P. , Peeters D. , Day M.J , Rajamäki M.M. , Mc Entee K. , Clercx C. 
Published: July 2011

Background: Diagnosis of canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is challenging. Endothelin‐1 (ET1) is a biomarker of IPF in humans, but whether ET1 can detect and differentiate IPF from other canine respiratory diseases is unknown.
Objective: To evaluate whether measurement of the concentration of ET1 in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) can be used to distinguish canine IPF from chronic bronchitis (CB) and eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP).
Animals: Twelve dogs with IPF, 10 dogs with CB, 6 dogs with EBP, 13 privately owned healthy West Highland White Terriers (WHWT), and 9 healthy Beagle dogs.
Methods: Prospective, case control study. ET1 concentration was determined by ELISA in serum and in BALF.
Results: No significant difference in serum ET1 concentration was detected between healthy Beagle dogs and WHWT. Serum ET1 concentration was higher in dogs with IPF (median interquartile range; 2.32 pg/mL, 2.05–3.38) than healthy Beagle dogs (1.28, 1.07–1.53; P < .001), healthy WHWT (1.56, 1.25–1.85; P < .001), dogs with EBP (0.94 0.68–1.01; P = .001), and dogs with CB (1.54 0.74–1.82; P = .005). BALF ET1 concentration was below the detection limit in healthy WHWT and in dogs with CB, whereas it was measurable in all dogs with IPF. A cut‐off serum concentration of 1.8 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 81.2% for detection of IPF, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.818.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Serum ET1 can differentiate dogs with IPF from dogs with EBP or CB. ET1 can be detected in BALF of dogs with IPF.