bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuropeptide Y family of peptides: Structure, anatomical expression, function, and molecular evolution
Authors: Cerdá-Reverter José Miguel , Larhammar Dan 
Published: April 2011

Evolutionary relationships between neuroendocrine peptides are often difficult to resolve across divergent phyla due to independent duplication events in different lineages. Thanks to peptide purification and molecular cloning in many different species, the situation is beginning to clear for the neuropeptide Y (NPY) family, which also includes peptide YY (PYY), the tetrapod pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and the fish pancreatic peptide Y (PY). It has long been assumed that the first duplication to occur in vertebrate evolution generated NPY and PYY, as both of these are found in all gnathostomes as well as lamprey. Evidence from other gene families show that this duplication was probably a chromosome duplication event. The origin of a second PYY peptide found in lamprey remains to be explained. Our recent cloning of NPY, PYY and PY in the sea bass proves that fish PY is a separate gene product. We favour the hypothesis that PY is a duplicate of the PYY gene and that it may have occurred late in fish evolution, as PY has so far only been found in acanthomorph fishes. Thus, this duplication seems to be independent of the one that generate PP from PYY in tetrapods, although both tetrapod PP and fish PY are expressed in the pancreas. Studies in the sea bass and other fish show that PY, in contrast to PP, is expressed in the nervous system. We review the literature on the distribution and functional aspects of the various NPY-family peptides in vertebrates. Key words: neuropeptide Y, pancreatic polypeptide, fish pancreatic peptide, gene duplication.
Basic mechanisms of secretion: sorting into the regulated secretory pathway
Authors: Blázquez Mercedes , Shennan Kathleen I 
Published: April 2011

Targeting proteins to their correct cellular location is crucial for their biological function. In neuroendocrine cells, proteins can be secreted by either the constitutive or the regulated secretory pathways but the mechanism(s) whereby proteins are sorted into either pathway is unclear. In this review we discuss the possibility that sorting is either an active process occurring at the level of the trans-Golgi network, or that sorting occurs passively in the immature granules. The possible involvement of protein-lipid interactions in the sorting process is also raised.Key words: lipid rafts, regulated secretory pathway, secretion, sorting receptors, sorting signals, trans-Golgi network.
Comparative protection against oxyradicals by three flavonoids on cultured endothelial cells
Authors: Zeng Ling-Hua , Wu Jun , Fung Beverly , Tong Jeffrey H , Mickle Donald , Wu Tai-Wing 
Published: April 2011

Oxygen-derived free radicals are known to injure the endothelium of aorta in diverse disorders. In this study we compared the cytoprotective effects of three flavonoids against oxyradical damage to porcine aortic endothelial cells in vitro. Cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells were exposed to oxyradicals generated by xanthine oxidase - hypoxanthine (XO-HP). The cytoprotective activities of morin, quercetin, and catechin on these systems were compared using established morphologic criteria. The results in the XO-HP system showed that morin at 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mM delayed cell necrosis to 27.4 ± 1.3, 46.8 ± 1.8, and longer than 70 min, respectively, compared with 12.0 ± 1.3 min in the control group. These degrees of protection were significantly stronger than those provided by quercetin and catechin at corresponding concentrations (p < 0.01). Morin and quercetin were moderate inhibitors of xanthine oxidase on the basis of the oxygen consumption rate, whereas catechin at the same concentrations had little inhibitory effect. The data from uric acid formation and cytochrome c reduction were consistent with the oxygen consumption measurement for the three flavonoids. Key words: flavonoids, oxyradicals, aortic endothelial cells.
The role of amino acid neurotransmitters in the regulation of pituitary gonadotropin release in fish
Authors: Trudeau V L , Spanswick D , Fraser E J , Larivière K , Crump D , Chiu S , MacMillan M , Schulz R W 
Published: April 2011

Both glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are involved in pituitary hormone release in fish. Glutamate serves 2 purposes, both as a neurotransmitter and as a precursor for GABA synthesis. Glutamate can be catabolized to GABA by the actions of 2 distinct but related enzymes, glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) and GAD67. They derive from 2 different genes that likely arose from an early gene duplication prior to the emergence of teleosts more than 400 million years ago. There is good evidence for the involvement of GABA in luteinizing hormone (LH) release in fish. The mechanism of GABA action to stimulate LH release appears to be a combination of effects on GnRH release, potentiation of gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) action, and in some cases directly at the LH cell. These actions appear to be dependent on such factors as sex or sex steroid levels, and there may also be species differences. Nevertheless, the stimulatory effects of GABA on LH are present in at least 4 fish species. In contrast, convincing data for the inhibitory effects of GABA on LH release have only been observed in 1 fish species. The sites and mechanisms of action of amino acid neurotransmitters on LH release have yet to be fully characterized. Both N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and S-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) type glutamate receptors are likely to have important roles. We suggest that it is a receptor similar to the GABAA type which mediates the effects of GABA on LH release in fish, at least partially acting on the GnRH neuron, but likely directly acting at the gonadotroph as well. GABA may also be involved in regulating the release of other pituitary hormones in fish, namely follicle stimulating hormone (FSH = GTH-I), prolactin, and growth hormone. Based on the findings described in this review, a working model for the involvement of glutamate and GABA in the regulation of LH release in teleost fish is proposed. Key words: glutamate, GABA, luteinizing hormone, muscimol, patch clamp electrophysiology, reproduction, fish.
Giant thermomechanical effect in normal liquid 3He
Authors: Sawkey D L , Deptuck D , Greenwood D , Harrison J P 
Published: April 2011

Measurements are presented of the thermomechanical coefficient of normalliquid 3He confined in a porous plug preplated with four monolayersof 4He. These nonmagnetic monolayers displace the magnetic solid-like3He monolayers that are adjacent to the pore surfaces when the plugis filled with pure 3He. In the low-temperature limit (T <= 10mK) the coefficient can be described by Δ P/Δ T ~ s/6vwhere Δ P is the pressure difference across the plug generated bythe temperature difference Δ T, and s and v are the molarentropy and molar volume. This low-temperature limit corresponds to thecondition d <<lq where d is the pore diameter and lq isthe bulk liquid 3He quasiparticle mean free path; that is, thequasiparticles are predominantly boundary scattered in the pores. Themeasured coefficient is half that calculated by Edwards Culman and He. When compared with this new experimental result for the 4He-platedporous plug, the earlier result for pure liquid 3He is strikinglylarger (by up to 30x at 2~mK). This enhancement is reminiscent ofthe giant thermopowers measured in Kondo and other dilute magneticalloys. It is speculated that the enhanced thermomechanical coefficientfor pure liquid 3He is due to magnetic scattering of the 3Hequasiparticles by the two magnetic solid-like 3He monolayers adjacentto the pore surfaces. PACS Nos.: 67.55.-s and 67.55.Hc
Effects of cyclic freezing and thawing on volume changes and permeabilities of soft fine-gained soils
Authors: Eigenbrod K D 
Published: April 2011

Soft, fine-grained soils were exposed to cyclic one-dimensional, open-system freezing and thawing, resulting in maximum volume changes of up to 30%, depending on the initial moisture content and plasticity of the clay as well as on the rate of freezing. A linear relationship between the net volume changes subsequent to freezing and thawing and the liquidity index prior to freezing and thawing was obtained. This correlation is not unique, but depends on rate and mode of freezing. Thus, settlements from freezethaw consolidation in the field can be predicted from such tests if the rate and mode of freezing are the same as in the field. During cyclic freezing and thawing the soils became fissured and jointed, resulting for most clays in large increases in their bulk permeabilities, which increased with an increasing number of freezethaw cycles, often by more than two orders of magnitude. For some materials, however, little change in permeability occured. Key words: cyclic freezethaw, clays, freezethaw consolidation, permeability, volume changes.
Fluctuations in aqueous methanol, ethanol, and propan-1-ol: amplitude and wavelength of fluctuation
Authors: Koga Y 
Published: April 2011

Density, heat capacity, and isentropic compressibility data for aqueous methanol, ethanol, and propan-1-ol by Benson's group were used to evaluate two kinds of fluctuations; mean-square fluctuation densities; and (mean-square) normalized fluctuations, respectively, in volume, entropy, and cross (entropy/volume) effect. The mean-square fluctuation densitiesprovide measures for the amplitude (intensity) of the fluctuation, while the normalized fluctuations contain information regarding the wavelength (extensity) of the fluctuation. Furthermore, their composition derivatives, the partial molar fluctuationsof alcohols were calculated. These quantities signify the effect of additional solute on the respective fluctuations. These data were interpreted in terms of mixing schemes learned earlier in this laboratory by using the data of excess partial molar enthalpy, entropy, and volume, and the respective alcohol-alcohol interaction functions, i.e., the composition derivatives of partial molar quantities. Key words: aqueous methanol, ethanol, and propan-1-ol;fluctuation density; normalized fluctuation; partial molar fluctuations of alcohol.
New abietane diterpenoids from the cones of Larix kaempferi
Authors: Ohtsu Hironori , Tanaka Reiko , In Yasuko , Matsunaga Shunyo , Tokuda Harukuni , Nishino Hoyoku 
Published: April 2011

A new podocarpane diterpene, 7α,15-dihydroxypodocarp-8(14)-en-13-one (1) and eight new abietane diterpenes, abiet-8(14)-en-7α,13β,15,18-tetraol (2), 7α,13β,15-trihydroxyabiet-8(14)-en-18-oic acid (3), 13β,18-dihydroxyabiet-8(14)-en-7-one (4), 13β,15,18-trihydroxyabiet-8(14)-en-7-one (5), 7-oxo-13β-methoxyabiet-8(14)- en-18-oic acid (7), abiet-8(14)-en-7α,12α,13β,18-tetraol (8), 7α,12α,13β-trihydroxyabiet-8(14)-en-18-oic acid (9), and abiet-8(14)-en-7α,12α,13β,15,18-pentaol (10) were isolated from the CHCl3 extract of the cones of Larix kaempferi. Their structures were determined on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence. The inhibitory effects of compounds 1-4 and 7-9 on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by the tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), were examined for a primary screening for anti-tumor promotors. Key words: Larix kaempferi, Pinaceae, cones, abietane, EBV-EA.
Reliability of Prehospital Real-Time Cellular Video Phone in Assessing the Simplified National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in Patients With Acute Stroke
Authors: Gonzalez Manuel A. , Hanna Nicholas , Rodrigo Maria E. , Satler Lowell F. , Waksman Ron 
Published: April 2011

Background and Purpose—
The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is the gold standard to assess patients with acute stroke. We aimed to examine the feasibility and reliability of prehospital real-time cellular video phone (VP) in performing the NIHSS.

Methods—
Forty physicians prospectively performed a simplified NIHSS (sNIHSS) on a standardized patient remotely using VP with the assistance of a bedside emergency medical technician and later performed a bedside examination. We tested the hypothesis that there is high reliability between these 2 methods. Physicians were timed and sNIHSS scores were recorded. Finally, physicians were asked to rate the VP technology.

Results—

A total of 480 pair comparisons of the sNIHSS scores between the VP and bedside examination were generated. After adjusting for the physician's specialty, level of training, and certification status, there was a strong positive linear correlation (
r
=0.97,
P
<0.01) between the 2 methods with high average physician reliability (0.99; 95% CI, 0.992 to 0.995). The mean sNIHSS scores using VP and bedside examination were not different (6.82±1.06 versus 6.63±0.98;
P
=0.08). The mean time to perform the sNIHSS using VP was approximately 38 seconds longer than the bedside examination (3.38±0.77 versus 2.93±0.83 minutes;
P
=0.006).

Conclusions—
The VP is a feasible, reliable, and timely tool with the potential for remotely assessing the sNIHSS for patients presenting with acute stroke and may expedite the initial evaluation and treatment strategies.
Using Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator to Treat Acute Ischemic Stroke in China
Authors: Wang Yilong , Liao Xiaoling , Zhao Xingquan , Wang David Z. , Wang Chunxue , Nguyen-Huynh Mai N. , Zhou Yong , Liu Liping , Wang Xianwei , Liu Gaifen , Li Hao , Wang Yongjun 
Published: April 2011

Background and Purpose—
Little is known about intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) use in China. By accessing the Chinese National Stroke Registry (CNSR), the rate of intravenous rtPA use was reviewed. We specifically examined the issues of prehospital and in-emergency department delay and compared them with the published data from developed countries.

Methods—
Funded by Chinese government, CNSR is the only nationwide stroke registry that includes 132 urban hospitals. All patients eligible for intravenous rtPA were included for analysis. We then compared the onset-to-needle time and door-to-needle time in the emergency department in China with those in developed countries.

Results—
From September 2007 to August 2008, 14 702 patients with ischemic stroke were entered into CNSR. Among 11 675 patients with known time of stroke onset, 2514 (21.5%) presented to the emergency department within 3 hours, 1469 (12.6%) were eligible for thrombolytic treatment, and 284 (2.4%) were finally treated, 181 (1.6%) of them with intravenous rtPA. The median onset-to-needle time was 180 (interquartile range, 150 to 228) minutes; the median door-to-needle time was 116 (interquartile range, 70 to 150) minutes; the median imaging-to-needle time was 90 (interquartile range, 60 to 129) minutes. Patients who were younger, presented to the emergency department quicker, with higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, having higher income, and better education had a better chance of receiving intravenous rtPA.

Conclusions—
Approximately 1 in 5 patients with stroke presenting within 3 hours received thrombolytic therapy. The onset-to-needle time, door-to-needle time, and especially imaging-to-needle time were significantly longer than those in developed countries. Reducing prehospital and in-emergency department response time would help increase intravenous rtPA use in China.
Importance of Independent Measurement of Width and Length of Lateral Meniscus During Preoperative Sizing for Meniscal Allograft Transplantation
Authors: Yoon Jung-Ro , Kim Taik-Sun , Wang Joon-Ho , Yun Ho-Hyun , Lim Hyungtae , Yang Jae-Hyuk 
Published: April 2011

Background: Successful meniscus transplantation depends on an accurate sizing of the meniscal allograft. Although accurate sizing of the meniscal allograft is crucial during meniscus transplantation, the accuracy of meniscal measurement methods is still in debate. Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between the width and length of the lateral meniscus. These anatomic dimensions were also evaluated in the context of the patient’s height, weight, gender, and body mass index (BMI). Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Ninety-one samples of fresh lateral meniscus were obtained during total knee arthroplasty. The samples were obtained carefully without injuring the meniscus itself and the bony attachment sites. For each lateral meniscus, the anatomic dimensions (width [LMW] and length [LML]) were recorded. The height, weight, gender, and BMI of the patients were also recorded. The Pearson correlation and multivariate and linear regression analysis were applied for each variable. The accuracy was defined as those measures that fell within 10% of the original size. A P value ≤ .05 was considered significant. Results: The mean LMW was 30.7 mm (standard deviation [SD] = 3.5) and 27.0 mm (SD = 2.6) for men and women, respectively. The mean LML was 33.7 mm (SD = 4.3) and 30.8 mm (SD = 2.6) for men and women, respectively. Thirty-nine samples (42.5%) showed LMW measurements within a 10% difference of LML, whereas 50 samples (55%) showed an LMW greater than a 10% difference of LML. Although there were correlations between LML with LMW in men and correlations between weight and LMW with LML in women, the accuracy for the derived linear regression formulas was 3%, 9%, and 12%, respectively. Conclusion: The length cannot be predicted accurately from the width of the lateral meniscus. The height, weight, gender, and BMI failed to estimate the dimensions of the lateral meniscus. Therefore, it is essential to measure the width and length separately and match it with the allograft with other size measuring methods. Clinical Relevance: This study emphasizes the importance of measuring the width and length of the lateral meniscus independently during preoperative sizing for a meniscal allograft transplantation procedure. The height, weight, gender, and body mass index may not be reliable parameters for estimating the size of the meniscus.
Expression variability of co-regulated genes differentiates Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains
Authors: Carreto Laura , Eiriz Maria F , Domingues Inês , Schuller Dorit , Moura Gabriela R , Santos Manuel AS 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundSaccharomyces cerevisiae(Baker's yeast) is found in diverse ecological niches and is characterized by high adaptive potential under challenging environments. In spite of recent advances on the study of yeast genome diversity, little is known about the underlying gene expression plasticity. In order to shed new light onto this biological question, we have compared transcriptome profiles of five environmental isolates, clinical and laboratorial strains at different time points of fermentation in synthetic must medium, during exponential and stationary growth phases.ResultsOur data unveiled diversity in both intensity and timing of gene expression. Genes involved in glucose metabolism and in the stress response elicited during fermentation were among the most variable. This gene expression diversity increased at the onset of stationary phase (diauxic shift). Environmental isolates showed lower average transcript abundance of genes involved in the stress response, assimilation of nitrogen and vitamins, and sulphur metabolism, than other strains. Nitrogen metabolism genes showed significant variation in expression among the environmental isolates.ConclusionsWild type yeast strains respond differentially to the stress imposed by nutrient depletion, ethanol accumulation and cell density increase, during fermentation of glucose in synthetic must medium. Our results support previous data showing that gene expression variability is a source of phenotypic diversity among closely related organisms.
Highly frequent promoter methylation and PIK3CA amplification in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Authors: Ji Meiju , Guan Haixia , Gao Cuixia , Shi Bingyin , Hou Peng 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Genetic and epigenetic alterations have been identified frequently in lung cancer, such as promoter methylation, gene mutations and genomic amplification. However, the interaction between genetic and epigenetic events and their significance in lung tumorigenesis remains poorly understood.

Methods
We determined the promoter methylation of 6 genes and PIK3CA amplification using quantitative methylation-specific PCR (Q-MSP) and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively, and explore the association of promoter methylation with PIK3CA amplification in a large cohort of clinically well-characterized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Results
Highly frequent promoter methylation was observed in NSCLC. With 100% diagnostic specificity, excellent sensitivity, ranging from 45.8 to 84.1%, was found for each of the 6 genes. The promoter methylation was associated with histologic type. Methylation of CALCA, CDH1, DAPK1, and EVX2 was more common in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) compared to adenocarcinomas (ADC). Conversely, there was a trend toward a higher frequency of RASSF1A methylation in ADC than SCC. In addition, PIK3CA amplification was frequently found in NSCLC, and was associated with certain clinicopathologic features, such as smoking history, histologic type and pleural indentation. Importantly, aberrant promoter methylation of certain genes was significantly associated with PIK3CA amplification.

Conclusions
Our data showed highly frequent promoter methylation and PIK3CA amplification in Chinese NSCLC population, and first demonstrated the associations of gene methylation with PIK3CA amplification, suggesting that these epigenetic events may be a consequence of overactivation of PI3K/Akt pathway.