bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mutational analysis of hypoxia‐related genes HIF1α and CUL2 in common human cancers
Authors: PARK SANG WOOK , CHUNG NAK GYUN , HUR SOO YOUNG , KIM HO SHIK , YOO NAM JIN , LEE SUG HYUNG 
Published: November 2009

Park SW, Chung NG, Hur SY, Kim HS, Yoo NJ, Lee SH. Mutational analysis of hypoxia‐related genes HIF1α and CUL2 in common human cancers. APMIS 2009; 117: 880–5.Hypoxia is a general feature of solid cancer tissues. Hypoxia upregulates hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) that transactivates downstream genes and contributes to cancer pathogenesis. HIF1α is upregulated not only by hypoxia but also by genetic alterations in HIF1α‐related genes, including VHL. Cullin 2 (CUL2) interacts with the trimeric VHL‐elongin B‐elongin C complex and plays an essential role in the ubiquitinated degradation of HIF1α. The aim of this study was to explore whether HIF1α and CUL2 genes are somatically mutated, and contribute to HIF1α activation in common human cancers. For this, we have analyzed the coding region of oxygen‐dependent degradation domain of HIF1α in 47 colon, 47 gastric, 47 breast, 47 lung, and 47 hepatocellular carcinomas, and 47 acute leukemias by a single‐strand conformation polymorphism assay. In addition, we analyzed mononucleotide repeat sequences (A8) in CUL2 in 55 colorectal and 45 gastric carcinomas with microsatellite instability (MSI). We found one HIF1α mutation (p.Ala593Pro) in the hepatocellular carcinomas (1/47; 2.1%), but none in other cancers. We found two CUL2 frameshift mutations in colon cancers (p.Asn292MetfsX20), which were exclusively detected in high MSI cancers (4.9%; 2/41). Our data indicate that somatic mutation of HIF1α is rare in common cancers, and somatic mutation of CUL2 occurs in a fraction of colorectal cancers (colorectal cancers with high MSI). The data suggest that neither HIF1α nor CUL2 mutation may play a central role in HIF1α activation in gastric, colorectal, breast, lung and hepatocellular carcinomas, and acute leukemias.
Prevalence, phenotypic and genetic characteristics of prolyliminopeptidase‐negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Sweden during 2000–2007
Authors: JOHANSSON EMMA , FREDLUND HANS , UNEMO MAGNUS 
Published: November 2009

Johansson E, Fredlund H, Unemo M. Prevalence, phenotypic and genetic characteristics of prolyliminopeptidase‐negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Sweden during 2000–2007. APMIS 2009; 117: 900–4.In Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture diagnostics, species confirmation is commonly performed using commercial biochemical tests relying on prolyliminopeptidase (PIP) activity. It was previously shown that one PIP‐negative strain was mainly globally transmitted during 2000–2004. The aims were to investigate the prevalence and phenotypic and genetic characteristics of PIP‐negative N. gonorrhoeae isolates in Sweden during 2000–2007. Gonococcal isolates (n = 1230) cultured in Sweden during 2000–2007 were characterized using PIP screening, antibiogram, serovar determination, pip and porB gene sequencing, and N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG‐MAST). Fifteen (1.2%) of the isolates were PIP‐negative. Of those, 13 (87%) were indistinguishable to the previously described globally transmitted strain, i.e. displayed serovar IB‐4 (Bpyvut), similar antibiograms, ST210 (n = 10)/ST292 (n = 3) and contained an identical single nucleotide pip gene deletion. Wherever high reliance is placed on PIP activity for N. gonorrhoeae species confirmation, changes in the diagnostic strategies may need to be considered and/or monitoring of the PIP activity is crucial.
Fibrillar IgA deposition in dermatitis herpetiformis – an underreported pattern with potential clinical significance
Authors: Ko Christine J. , Colegio Oscar R. , Moss Jeremy E. , McNiff Jennifer M. 
Published: November 2009

Dermatitis herpetiformis has characteristic clinical and histopathologic findings. A fibrillar pattern of IgA deposition on direct immunofluorescence in dermatitis herpetiformis is underreported. Here, we describe three patients with the fibrillar pattern of IgA deposition on direct immunofluorescence examination that initially misled diagnosis in one of the three. Interestingly, two of the three patients lacked anti‐transglutaminase and anti‐endomysial antibodies but had a clinical course typical of dermatitis herpetiformis. Dermatitis herpetiformis may have a fibrillar rather than granular pattern of IgA deposition on direct immunofluorescent microscopy, and patients with this pattern of immunoglobulin deposition may lack circulating autoantibodies.Ko CJ, Colegio OR, Moss JE, McNiff JM. Fibrillar IgA deposition in dermatitis herpetiformis—an underreported pattern with potential clinical significance.
Bortezomib restores stroma‐mediated APO2L/TRAIL apoptosis resistance in multiple myeloma
Authors: Perez Lia E. , Parquet Nancy , Meads Mark , Anasetti Claudio , Dalton William 
Published: November 2009

AbstractObjectives:  Hematopoietic stroma promotes resistance to immune control by APO2L/TRAIL in multiple myeloma (MM) cells in part by increasing synthesis of the anti‐apoptotic protein c‐FLIP. Here, we tested whether bortezomib can reverse the APO2L/TRAIL environmental mediated‐immune resistance (EM‐IR).Material and methods:  MM cell lines (RPMI 8226 and U266) and CD138+ patient’s MM cells were directly adhered to HS5 stroma exposed to HS5 or bone marrow stroma of patients with MM released soluble factors in a transwell system. Cells were treated with either APO2L/TRAIL (10 ng/mL), bortezomib (10 nm) or both.Results:  Pretreatment with bortezomib effectively overcomes APO2L/TRAIL apoptosis resistance in myeloma cell lines and in CD138+ cells while directly adhered or in transwell assay. Bortezomib was not cytotoxic to HS5 stroma cells and only altered monocyte chemotactic protein‐2‐3 and IL‐10 levels in the stroma‐myeloma milieu. Factors released by HS5 stroma increased expression of c‐FLIP, induced STAT‐3 and ERK phosphorylation and reduced DR4 receptor expression in MM cells. HS5 stroma‐released factor(s) induced NF‐κB activation after 20 h exposure in association with an enhanced c‐FLIP transcription. Bortezomib effectively reduced c‐FLIP protein expression without affecting other proteins. Bortezomib also increased DR4 and DR5 expression in the presence of stroma.Conclusions:  These findings provide the rationale to combine bortezomib and APO2L/TRAIL to disrupt the influence of the stroma microenvironment on MM cells.
Genetic transformation of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) by visually screening cells expressing green fluorescent protein
Authors: Himuro Yasuyo , Gondo Takahiro , Yamakawa Kazutomi , Akashi Ryo 
Published: November 2009

AbstractLuminescent proteins, such as the green fluorescent protein (GFP) from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria, have proven to be powerful tools in plant genetic transformation and gene expression studies due to their excellent sensitivity and rapid response. GFP has also the significant advantage that it does not require a substrate, and its expression can be detected in real time in living cells by light excitation. Therefore, GFP has been used as a reliable reporter for plant transformation. In this study, the plasmid modified pBI221 (pBI0809) containing the gfp reporter gene under control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter was introduced into mature seed‐derived embryogenic calli by particle bombardment. Sectors containing embryogenic calli with strong GFP fluorescence were identified using a fluorescence viewing system. Cell‐ and tissue‐specific expression of the gfp gene were also investigated in transgenic plants, and stable GFP expression was observed in transgenic calli. As a result of GFP selection, the total time required to produce transgenic calli was reduced by approximately 14 days compared to the time needed when selective agents such as the bar gene are used (50–60 days). Three months after bombardment, regenerated transformants were potted in soil, acclimatized and transferred to the greenhouse. A 480‐bp fragment was amplified and identified as the gfp gene by polymerase chain reaction. The presence of the gfp gene in genomic DNA of three out of nine transgenic bahiagrass lines was confirmed by DNA gel blot hybridization analysis. Transformants showed hybridization patterns suggesting that the gfp gene was present in three copies per regenerant. The GFP expression could be visually detected in all tissues such as leaves, leaf sheaths, anthers and pollen. Overall, the gfp gene can be utilized not only as a reporter gene, but also as a visual selectable marker for bahiagrass transformation.
Melapia japonica (Ogata) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), new to Korea
Authors: CHOI Sei‐Woong 
Published: November 2009

AbstractA noctuid species, Melapia japonica (Ogata) is reported for the first time from Korea. Five males of Melapia japonica were collected from three islands on the southern sea in Dadohae National Park. Diagnosis of the species is provided with brief descriptions of adults including male genitalia.
Temperature and Ca2+ ion as modulators in cellular immunity of the Sunn pest Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae)
Authors: ZIBAEE Arash , BANDANI Ali Reza , TALAEI‐HASSANLOUEI Reza , MALAGOLI Davide 
Published: November 2009

AbstractEnvironmental conditions in addition to divalent cations may affect the interactions between pathogens and insects. Elucidation of factors which modulate insect immune responses could be a significant part of investigations in this area. In this study, adults of Eurygaster integriceps, as the destructive pest of wheat, were kept at different temperatures in addition to injection with different concentrations of Ca2+ to find the effect on cellular immune reactions against Beauveria bassiana. Results showed that total and differentiate hemocyte numbers, nodule formation and phenoloxidase activity increased with elevation of temperature so that the higher values were obtained at 30 and 40°C at various intervals. Higher concentrations of Ca2+ ion (5 mM) caused an increase in plasmatocyte length and width especially after 60 min. Similar results were observed for nodule formation and phenoloxidase activity of E. integriceps adults after injection by B. bassiana spores and phenoloxidase activity. It is clear from the current study that thermoregulation and Ca2+ ion can positively affect the hemocyte numbers especially plasmatocytes and granulocytes, nodule formation and phenoloxidase activity in E. integriceps. The understanding of modulators of the insect immune response may directly influence novel approaches to obtain safe and effective biological control agents.
Does “Hidden Undercuffing” Occur Among Obese Patients? Effect of Arm Sizes and Other Predictors of the Difference Between Wrist and Upper Arm Blood Pressures
Authors: Doshi Hardik , Weder Alan B. , Bard Robert L. , Brook Robert D. 
Published: November 2009

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:82–88. ©2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Arm size can affect the accuracy of blood pressure (BP) measurement, and “undercuffing” of large upper arms is likely to be a growing problem. Therefore, the authors investigated the relationship between upper arm and wrist readings. Upper arm and wrist circumferences and BP were measured in 261 consecutive patients. Upper arm auscultation and wrist BP was measured in triplicate, rotating measurements every 30 seconds between sites. Upper arm BP was 131.9±20.6/71.6±12.6 mm Hg in an obese population (body mass index, 30.6±6.6 kg/m2) with mean upper arm size of 30.7±5.1 cm. Wrist BP was higher (2.6±9.2 mm Hg and 4.9±6.6 mm Hg, respectively, P<.001); however, there was moderate concordance for the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) strata (κ value=0.27–0.71), and the difference was ≥5 mm Hg in 72% of the patients. The authors conclude that there was poor concordance between arm and wrist BP measurement and found no evidence that “hidden undercuffing” was associated with obesity; therefore, they do not support routine use of wrist BP measurements.
Maintaining a Chinese Nationalism: Patriotic Education, Second‐hand Rose and the Politics of ‘National Conditions’
Authors: Doughty Jonathan 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis article considers the development of China's system of ‘patriotic education’ (aiguozhuyi jiaoyu). It examines Chinese Communist Party (CCP) documents on patriotic education's establishment, along with high‐school (gaozhong) texts used as ‘national conditions’ (guoqing) curricula, in order to demonstrate how subsequent considerations of the development of Chinese nationalist identity must consider various modes of the party‐state's educational apparatus in the ‘teaching’ of nationalism. We may then view from a better vantage how the Chinese party‐state maintains discursive hegemony over the Chinese cultural past – inherited, imagined or otherwise – in its ideological seizure of nationalism, and how this ‘official’ nationalism interacts with and engages other nationalisms of the Chinese nation, such as that found within the vibrant Chinese subculture of yaogun yue (rock and roll).
Global Justice and Territorial Rights
Authors: Meisels Tamar 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis essay considers, and rejects, the proposal that territorial disputes among nations should be settled on the basis of principles of equal distribution. Primarily, it argues that egalitarian principles are applicable only within multilateral relationships and, as far as territory is concerned, only with regard to decisions that involve the relationship between all nations of the world and the entire Earth's surface. In contrast, territorial disputes are bilateral by nature, and concern only a small portion of the globe. As for ‘territorial justice’ on a global scale, the second half of this article questions egalitarian proposals for global justice that deal directly with the distribution of land. Specifically, it rejects the egalitarian contention, advanced most explicitly by Hillel Steiner, that nations' territorial holdings can be appraised objectively in terms of real‐estate value to the exclusion of any national considerations, and divided equally among the world's inhabitants.
National Bodies: The ‘Comfort Women’ Discourse and its Controversies in South Korea
Authors: Varga Aniko 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis article examines how the nationalist discourse crystallising around the ‘comfort women’ issue (women abducted to function as sexual slaves for the Japanese Imperial Army during the Pacific War) in South Korea has eventually rendered individual victims' needs and preferences irrelevant to a larger narrative of an unforgivable offence to national sovereignty. The narrative, constructed socially with the active participation of the Korean government(s), has also linked together past grievances felt towards both Japan and the USA (their people as well as their governments) – albeit the latter appears only covertly, and on a more symbolic level its presence is indicative of the general public mood. What have been lost in the discourse are the very victims of military sexual slavery, whose fate and wellbeing has no longer been the subject of any social interest.
Evaluation of a new in‐clinic test system to detect feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus infection
Authors: Sand Christina , Englert Theresa , Egberink Herman , Lutz Hans , Hartmann Katrin 
Published: November 2009

Background:Many in‐house tests for the diagnosis of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection are licensed for use in veterinary practice. A new test with unknown performance has recently appeared on the market.Objectives:The aims of this study were to define the efficacy of a new in‐clinic test system, the Anigen Rapid FIV Ab/FeLV Ag Test, and to compare it with the current leading in‐clinic test, the SNAP Kombi Plus FeLV Antigen/FIB Antibody Test.Methods:Three‐hundred serum samples from randomly selected healthy and diseased cats presented to the Clinic of Small Animal Medicine at Ludwig Maximilian University were tested using both the Anigen Rapid Test and the SNAP Kombi Plus Test. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for both tests using Western blot as the gold standard for verification of FIV infection and PCR as the gold standard for FeLV infection.Results:The presence of antibodies against FIV was confirmed by Western blot in 9/300 samples (prevalence 3%). FeLV DNA was detected by PCR in 15/300 samples (prevalence 5%). For FIV infection the Anigen Rapid Test had a sensitivity of 88.9%, specificity of 99.7%, positive predictive value of 88.9%, and negative predictive value of 99.7%. For FeLV infection, the Anigen Rapid Test had a sensitivity of 40.0%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 96.9%. Diagnostic accuracy was similar to that of the SNAP Kombi Plus Test.Conclusion:The new Anigen Rapid FIV Ab/FeLV Ag Test performed very well and can be recommended for use in veterinary practice.
Hypogammaglobulinemia in Racing Alaskan Sled Dogs
Authors: McKenzie E. , Lupfer C. , Banse H. , Hinchcliff K. , Love S. , Nelson, Jr S. , Davis M. , Payton M. , Pastey M. 
Published: November 2009

Background:Serum immunoglobulin dynamics have not been studied in racing sled dogs, despite hypoglobulinemia having been reported during racing events.Hypothesis/Objectives:Hypoglobulinemia in racing sled dogs is associated with decreases in serum IgA, IgE, IgG, and IgM concentrations during prolonged exercise.Animals:One hundred and fifty‐seven Alaskan sled dogs that successfully completed a 1,000 mile race.Methods:Serum was obtained from 118 sled dogs within 1 month before the race and within 12 hours after completing the race. Serum also was obtained after 4 months of rest from 51 dogs that successfully completed the race, including 12 previously sampled dogs. Serum total protein ([TP]), albumin, and globulin ([Gl]) were measured, and serum IgA, IgE, IgG, and IgM were quantified by ELISA.Results:The proportion of dogs with [Gl] ≤ 2.2 g/dL was significantly greater immediately after racing (38 of 118 dogs, 32.2%) than before racing (21 of 118 dogs, 17.8%,P= .005). Four months after racing, [Gl] was ≤ 2.2 g/dL in 23.5% (12 of 51) of dogs. [IgG] was significantly lower before (8.21 ± 4.95 mg/mL) and immediately after (7.97 ± 5.62) racing compared with 4 months after racing (18.88 ± 5.76). Serum [IgM] and [IgE] were higher and [IgA] was lower before racing compared with immediately after racing.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Sled dogs participating in long‐distance racing have substantial decreases in [IgG] in addition to decreases in [IgM] and [IgE]. The pronounced hypogammaglobulinemia observed in a large proportion of racing sled dogs might predispose them to infectious disease.
Generic and Specific Adaptive Responses ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeto Challenge with Three Distinct Antimicrobial Peptides, Bacitracin, LL-37, and Nisin
Authors: Majchrzykiewicz Joanna A. , Kuipers Oscar P. , Bijlsma Jetta J. E. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTTo investigate the response ofStreptococcus pneumoniaeto three distinct antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), bacitracin, nisin, and LL-37, transcriptome analysis of challenged bacteria was performed. Only a limited number of genes were found to be up- or downregulated in all cases. Several of these common highly induced genes were chosen for further analysis, i.e.,SP0385-SP0387(SP0385-0387herein),SP0912-0913,SP0785-0787,SP1714-1715, and theblpgene cluster. Deletion of these genes in combination with MIC determinations showed that several putative transporters, i.e., SP0785-0787 and SP0912-0913, were indeed involved in resistance to lincomycin and LL-37 and to bacitracin, nisin, and lincomycin, respectively. Mutation of theblpbacteriocin immunity genes resulted in an increased sensitivity to LL-37. Interestingly, a putative ABC transporter (SP1715) protected against bacitracin and Hoechst 33342 but conferred sensitivity to LL-37. A GntR-like regulator, SP1714, was identified as a negative regulator of itself and two of the putative transporters. In conclusion, we show that resistance to three different AMPs inS. pneumoniaeis mediated by several putative ABC transporters, some of which have not been associated with antimicrobial resistance in this organism before. In addition, a GntR-like regulator that regulates two of these transporters was identified. Our findings extend the understanding of defense mechanisms of this important human pathogen against antimicrobial compounds and point toward novel proteins, i.e., putative ABC transporters, which can be used as targets for the development of new antimicrobials.
In Vitro
Potency of CXA-101, a Novel Cephalosporin, against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Displaying Various Resistance Phenotypes, Including Multidrug Resistance
Authors: Bulik Catharine C. , Christensen Henry , Nicolau David P. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

We describe the activity of a novel cephalosporin, CXA-101 (FR26 4205), against a panel of highly resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates collected from U.S. hospitals. CXA-101 demonstrated increased potency against this population of resistant isolates, with activity that is 4- to 10-fold higher than that of comparator agents in each phenotypic category. The addition of tazobactam did not improve its activity. CXA-101 appears to be a promising addition to the category of antipseudomonal β-lactams.
Mutasynthesis of Lincomycin Derivatives with Activity against Drug-Resistant Staphylococci
Authors: Ulanova Dana , Novotná Jitka , Smutná Yvona , Kameník Zdeněk , Gažák Radek , Šulc Miroslav , Sedmera Petr , Kadlčík Stanislav , Plháčková Kamila , Janata Jiří 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

The lincomycin biosynthetic gene
lmbX
was deleted in
Streptomyces lincolnensis
ATCC 25466, and deletion of this gene led to abolition of lincomycin production. The results of complementation experiments proved the blockage in the biosynthesis of lincomycin precursor 4-propyl-
l
-proline. Feeding this mutant strain with precursor derivatives resulted in production of 4′-butyl-4′-depropyllincomycin and 4′-pentyl-4′-depropyllincomycin in high titers and without lincomycin contamination. Moreover, 4′-pentyl-4′-depropyllincomycin was found to be more active than lincomycin against clinical
Staphylococcus
isolates with genes determining low-level lincosamide resistance.