bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphophenotypic characteristics of intralymphatic cancer and stromal cells susceptible to lymphogenic metastasis
Authors: Matsumura Yuki , Ishii Genichiro , Aokage Keiju , Kuwata Takeshi , Hishida Tomoyuki , Yoshida Junji , Nishimura Mitsuyo , Nagai Kanji , Ochiai Atsushi 
Published: March 2012

The intravessel microenvironment has significant effects on cancer metastasis. The aim of the present study was to determine how the morphologic and immunophenotypic features of cancer cells and infiltrating stromal cells within the permeated lymphatic vessels are associated with lymphogenic metastasis. A total of 137 primary lung adenocarcinoma patients with extratumoral lymphatic permeations were examined. Morphologically, the floating cancer nests within the permeated lymphatic vessels were divided into two types: Type A, consisting of a single large cancer nest; and Type B, consisting of multiple small cancer nests. We compared the clinicopathologic characteristics and the immunophenotypes of the cancer cells and infiltrating stromal cells between the Type A and Type B nests. Eleven of 54 Type A patients (20%) had intrapulmonary metastases, compared with 36 of 83 Type B patients (43%; P = 0.006). Immunohistochemically, Type B cancer cells expressed significantly higher levels of CD44 than Type A cancer cells (mean scoresAUTHOR: Scores ‐ what is this score? Is it the number of cells expressing CD44 or the concentration of CD44 or some other type of scoring system? 43.0 vs 20.5, respectively) and E‐cadherin (60.5 vs 31.5, respectively), but lower levels of Geminin (11.9% vs 20.3%, respectively) and cleaved caspase 3 (2.4% vs 7.8%AUTHOR: 11.9% vs 20.3%, respectively) and cleaved caspase 3 (2.4% vs 7.8%, – what do the percentages here refer to? The number of cells expressing geminin and caspase 3? The levels of these factors? Please clarify., respectively). Moreover, a significantly larger number of CD204‐positive macrophages were present within the cancer‐permeated lymphatic vessels in Type B patients than in Type A patients (mean number 9.5 vs 4.6, respectively). The present study reveals that intralymphatic cancer cell and stromal cell phenotypes are susceptible to lymphogenic metastasis, suggesting that lymphogenic metastasis may be affected by the intralymphatic microenvironment they create. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 1342–1347)
Ecological impacts of desert plantation forests on biodiversity
Authors: Farahat Emad , Linderholm Hans W. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis investigation involves the comparison of the diversity of understorey vegetation of four desert planted forests with the adjacent desert areas. Spatial and temporal variations in species composition and structure were compared, and alpha and beta diversities were compared for the field data collected from sampled sites. The diversity of native desert species decreased from 66% in desert areas to 44% of the total recorded plants inside the forests. Meanwhile, the percentage of agricultural weed species increased in forests to >twofold more than that recorded in desert areas. Plant communities in forest stands shared <50% of their species with adjacent vegetation in desert stands. The percentage of variation in species composition was >340% in some forests compared with the desert areas. Alpha diversity and β‐diversity were significantly higher in forest stands than in the desert. Spatial and temporal variations in species diversity were correlated with type of tree canopy and irrigation system. Planted forests had significant negative effects on the diversity of native desert shrubs and trees. Using flood irrigation and more spacing between trees might help in conserving the floristic diversity of desert shrubs and trees at the forest floor.
Elongation‐related functions of LEAFY COTYLEDON1 during the development of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Junker Astrid , Mönke Gudrun , Rutten Twan , Keilwagen Jens , Seifert Michael , Thi Tuyet Minh Nguyen , Renou Jean‐Pierre , Balzergue Sandrine , Viehöver Prisca , Hähnel Urs , Ludwig‐Müller Jutta , Altschmied Lothar , Conrad Udo , Weisshaar Bernd , Bäumlein Helmut 
Published: March 2012

SummaryThe transcription factor LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1) controls aspects of early embryogenesis and seed maturation in Arabidopsis thaliana. To identify components of the LEC1 regulon, transgenic plants were derived in which LEC1 expression was inducible by dexamethasone treatment. The cotyledon‐like leaves and swollen root tips developed by these plants contained seed‐storage compounds and resemble the phenotypes produced by increased auxin levels. In agreement with this, LEC1 was found to mediate up‐regulation of the auxin synthesis gene YUCCA10. Auxin accumulated primarily in the elongation zone at the root–hypocotyl junction (collet). This accumulation correlates with hypocotyl growth, which is either inhibited in LEC1‐induced embryonic seedlings or stimulated in the LEC1‐induced long‐hypocotyl phenotype, therefore resembling etiolated seedlings. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed a number of phytohormone‐ and elongation‐related genes among the putative LEC1 target genes. LEC1 appears to be an integrator of various regulatory events, involving the transcription factor itself as well as light and hormone signalling, especially during somatic and early zygotic embryogenesis. Furthermore, the data suggest non‐embryonic functions for LEC1 during post‐germinative etiolation.
Potential impacts of climatic change on southern African birds of fynbos and grassland biodiversity hotspots
Authors: Huntley Brian , Barnard Phoebe 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim  To examine potential impacts of climatic change on bird species richness of the fynbos and grassland biomes, especially on species of conservation concern, and to consider implications for biodiversity conservation strategy.Location  Southern Africa, defined for this study as South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.Methods  Climate response surfaces were fitted to model relationships between recorded distributions and reporting rates of 94 species and current bioclimatic variables. These models were used to project species’ potential ranges and reporting rates for future climatic scenarios derived from three general circulation models for 30‐year periods centred on 2025, 2055 and 2085. Results were summarized for species associated with each biome and examined in detail for 12 species of conservation concern.Results  Species richness of fynbos and grassland bird assemblages will potentially decrease by an average of 30–40% by 2085 as a result of projected climatic changes. The areas of greatest richness are projected to decrease in extent and to shift in both cases. Attainment of projected shifts is likely to be limited by extent of untransformed habitat. Most species of conservation concern are projected to decrease in range extent, some by > 60%, and to decrease in reporting rate even where they persist, impacts upon their populations thus being greater than might be inferred from decreases in range extent alone. Two species may no longer have any areas of suitable climatic space by 2055; both already appear to be declining rapidly.Main conclusions  Species losses are likely to be widespread with most species projected to decrease in range extent. Loss of key species, such as pollinators, may have far‐reaching implications for ecosystem function and composition. Conservation strategies, and identification of species of conservation concern, need to be informed by such results, notwithstanding the many uncertainties, because the certainties of climatic change make it essential that likely impacts not to be ignored.
Adult‐Directed and Peer‐Directed Respect for Authority: Relationships With Aggressive and Manipulative Behavior
Authors: Clemans Katherine H. , Graber Julia A. , Bettencourt Amie F. 
Published: March 2012

This study investigated whether respect for adult and peer authority are separate attitudes which have distinct relationships with aggressive and manipulative behavior. Items assessing admiration for and obedience toward parents, teachers, popular students, and friend group leaders were administered to 286 middle school students (M age = 12.6 years). Factor analysis revealed two primary factors which corresponded to adult‐directed and peer‐directed respect orientations. Results suggested that adult‐directed respect was associated with lower levels of aggression and social manipulation, whereas peer‐directed respect was associated with higher levels of these behaviors. The role of peer‐directed respect as a risk factor for negative social behavior in adolescence is discussed.
Experimental selective elevation of renal medullary blood flow in hypertensive rats: evidence against short‐term hypotensive effect
Authors: Bądzyńska B. , Sadowski J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAimRenal medullary blood flow (MBF) can be selectively increased by intrarenal or systemic infusion of bradykinin (Bk) in anaesthetized normotensive rats. We reproduced this effect in a number of rat models of arterial hypertension and examined whether increased perfusion of the renal medulla can cause a short‐term decrease in blood pressure (BP) that is not mediated by increased renal excretion and depletion of body fluids.MethodsIn uninephrectomized Sprague–Dawley rats, BP was elevated to approx. 145 mmHg by acute i.v. infusion of noradrenaline (NA) or angiotensin II (Ang II) (groups 1, 2), 2‐week exposure to high‐salt diet (3), high‐salt diet + chronic low‐dose infusion of Ang II using osmotic minipumps (4) or chronic high‐dose Ang II infusion on normal diet (5). Uninephrectomized spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) were also examined (6,7). To selectively increase medullary perfusion, in anaesthetized rats, bradykinin was infused during 30–75 min into the renal medullary interstitium or intravenously.Results and ConclusionBradykinin increased outer‐ and inner‐medullary blood flow (laser‐Doppler fluxes) by 10–20% in groups (1, 2), by 30–50% in groups (3, 4, 5) and approx. 20% in SHR (6, 7). The concurrent increase in total renal blood flow (Transonic probe) was < 3%. A minor (<3%) decrease in BP was seen only in rats acutely rendered hypertensive by NA or Ang II infusions; however, the decreases in BP and increases in medullary perfusion were not correlated. Thus, there was no evidence that in hypertensive rats, substantial selective increases in medullary perfusion can cause a short‐term decrease in BP.
EXPLORING THE INFORMATION PRACTICES OF PEOPLE WITH END‐STAGE KIDNEY DISEASE
Authors: Bonner Ann , Lloyd Annemaree 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYThis small exploratory study sought to understand how people with End‐Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) experience the information environment and what information practices they employ in order to inform the decisions they make in relation to treatment and care. Using a constructivist methodology, in‐depth interviews were conducted with five people who were receiving haemodialysis in two small satellite dialysis units located in regional and rural communities in New South Wales, Australia. Thematic analysis revealed two types of patients. The first type appears to adopt a received view of information, who do not question their condition; and passively accept information. In the other type, patients were found to be engaged; they actively identified their information needs and quickly learned what that they needed to ask and who to ask. Knowing the information practices of people with ESKD is useful for nephrology nurses when providing patient education.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEPRESSION, CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HAEMODIALYSIS
Authors: Bornivelli Christina , Aperis Georgios , Giannikouris Ioannis , Paliouras Christos , Alivanis Polichronis 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYIn this paper, we investigated the incidence of depression and its relation to clinical, laboratory parameters and sleep disorders in 45 haemodialysis (HD) patients. They were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 29) had no depression, whereas Group B (n = 16) had clinically assessed depression. Subjects were compared in terms of socioeconomic, clinical, laboratory parameters and presence of sleep disorders. Groups were matched for age, sex, family status, education, self‐esteem, coffee and alcohol consumption, psychiatric history, time on HD and laboratory (serum urea, creatinine, electrolytes, iron, albumin and lipids) parameters. Group B demonstrated significantly lower haemoglobin levels (11.13 ± 1.69 and 12.23 ± 1.31 g/dl, respectively; p < 0.01) and higher C‐Reactive Protein (CRP) levels (1.82 ± 1.73 and 0.83 ± 0.6 mg/dl, respectively; p < 0.005) compared to Group A. Additionally, strong correlation was observed when Hamilton Depression Scale scores were related to haemoglobin (r =−0.30, p < 0.05), CRP (r = 0.38, p < 0.001) and AIS scores (r = 0.54, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, depression seems to be related to high CRP, low haemoglobin levels and sleep disorders.
PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH END‐STAGE RENAL DISEASE
Authors: Martiny Camila , de Oliveira e Silva Adriana Cardoso , Neto José Pedro Simões , Nardi Antonio Egidio 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYPsychiatric disorders in patients with end‐stage renal disease are associated with poor prognosis and quality of life. The goal of this study is to investigate the association between psychiatric disorders and renal disease in patients undergoing dialysis treatment, compared with other chronic diseases, appreciating the demographic status of these patients. Sixty‐nine patients participated in a diagnostic interview and gave socio‐demographic data. The population was composed of 55% men aged 19–77 years with an average age of 50 years (95% CI = 47–54 years). The prevalence of psychiatric disorders found in this study (46.6%) was compared with that found in patients with asthma, polycystic ovary syndrome and HIV‐positive. Moreover, the prevalence of the four most common psychiatric disorders which were identified among patients on dialysis were also the subject of comparison between them and others. These results demonstrate the relationship between the various psychiatric disorders and are compatible with other research studies.
Key Enzymes Enabling the Growth of Arthrobacter sp. Strain JBH1 with Nitroglycerin as the Sole Source of Carbon and Nitrogen
Authors: Husserl Johana , Hughes Joseph B. , Spain Jim C. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Flavoprotein reductases that catalyze the transformation of nitroglycerin (NG) to dinitro- or mononitroglycerols enable bacteria containing such enzymes to use NG as the nitrogen source. The inability to use the resulting mononitroglycerols limits most strains to incomplete denitration of NG. Recently,
Arthrobacter
strain JBH1 was isolated for the ability to grow on NG as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen, but the enzymes and mechanisms involved were not established. Here, the enzymes that enable the
Arthrobacter
strain to incorporate NG into a productive pathway were identified. Enzyme assays indicated that the transformation of nitroglycerin to mononitroglycerol is NADPH dependent and that the subsequent transformation of mononitroglycerol is ATP dependent. Cloning and heterologous expression revealed that a flavoprotein catalyzes selective denitration of NG to 1-mononitroglycerol (1-MNG) and that 1-MNG is transformed to 1-nitro-3-phosphoglycerol by a glycerol kinase homolog. Phosphorylation of the nitroester intermediate enables the subsequent denitration of 1-MNG in a productive pathway that supports the growth of the isolate and mineralization of NG.
Molecular Epidemiology of Brucella abortus Isolates from Cattle, Elk, and Bison in the United States, 1998 to 2011
Authors: Higgins James , Stuber Tod , Quance Christine , Edwards William H. , Tiller Rebekah V. , Linfield Tom , Rhyan Jack , Berte Angela , Harris Beth 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

A variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) protocol targeting 10 loci in the
Brucella abortus
genome was used to assess genetic diversity among 366 field isolates recovered from cattle, bison, and elk in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) and Texas during 1998 to 2011. Minimum spanning tree (MST) and unweighted-pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) analyses of VNTR data identified 237 different VNTR types, among which 14 prominent clusters of isolates could be identified. Cattle isolates from Texas segregated into three clusters: one comprised of field isolates from 1998 to 2005, one comprised of vaccination-associated infections, and one associated with an outbreak in Starr County in January 2011. An isolate obtained from a feral sow trapped on property adjacent to the Starr County herd in May 2011 clustered with the cattle isolates, suggesting a role for feral swine as
B. abortus
reservoirs in Starr County. Isolates from a 2005 cattle outbreak in Wyoming displayed VNTR-10 profiles matching those of strains recovered from Wyoming and Idaho elk. Additionally, isolates associated with cattle outbreaks in Idaho in 2002, Montana in 2008 and 2011, and Wyoming in 2010 primarily clustered with isolates recovered from GYA elk. This study indicates that elk play a predominant role in the transmission of
B. abortus
to cattle located in the GYA.
Heterologous Expression of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Ring-Hydroxylating Dioxygenase Genes from a Novel Pyrene-Degrading Betaproteobacterium
Authors: Singleton David R. , Hu Jing , Aitken Michael D. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

A betaproteobacterium within the family
Rhodocyclaceae
previously identified as a pyrene degrader via stable-isotope probing (SIP) of contaminated soil (designated pyrene group 1 or PG1) was cultivated as the dominant member of a mixed bacterial culture. A metagenomic library was constructed, and the largest contigs were analyzed for genes associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolism. Eight pairs of genes with similarity to the α- and β-subunits of ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases (RHDs) associated with aerobic bacterial PAH degradation were identified and linked to PG1 through PCR analyses of a simplified enrichment culture. In tandem with a ferredoxin and reductase found in close proximity to one pair of RHD genes, six of the RHDs were cloned and expressed in
Escherichia coli
. Each cloned RHD was tested for activity against nine PAHs ranging in size from two to five rings. Despite differences in their predicted protein sequences, each of the six RHDs was capable of transforming phenanthrene and pyrene. Three RHDs could additionally transform naphthalene and fluorene, and these genotypes were also associated with the ability of the
E. coli
constructs to convert indole to indigo. Only one of the six cloned RHDs was capable of transforming anthracene and benz[
a
]anthracene. None of the tested RHDs were capable of significantly transforming fluoranthene, chrysene, or benzo[
a
]pyrene.
Remarkable Ability of Pandoraea pnomenusa B356 Biphenyl Dioxygenase To Metabolize Simple Flavonoids
Authors: Pham Thi Thanh My , Tu Youbin , Sylvestre Michel 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Many investigations have provided evidence that plant secondary metabolites, especially flavonoids, may serve as signal molecules to trigger the abilities of bacteria to degrade chlorobiphenyls in soil. However, the bases for this interaction are largely unknown. In this work, we found that BphAE
B356
, the biphenyl/chlorobiphenyl dioxygenase from
Pandoraea pnomenusa
B356, is significantly better fitted to metabolize flavone, isoflavone, and flavanone than BphAE
LB400
from
Burkholderia xenovorans
LB400. Unlike those of BphAE
LB400
, the kinetic parameters of BphAE
B356
toward these flavonoids were in the same range as for biphenyl. In addition, remarkably, the biphenyl catabolic pathway of strain B356 was strongly induced by isoflavone, whereas none of the three flavonoids induced the catabolic pathway of strain LB400. Docking experiments that replaced biphenyl in the biphenyl-bound form of the enzymes with flavone, isoflavone, or flavanone showed that the superior ability of BphAE
B356
over BphAE
LB400
is principally attributable to the replacement of Phe336 of BphAE
LB400
by Ile334 and of Thr335 of BphAE
LB400
by Gly333 of BphAE
B356
. However, biochemical and structural comparison of BphAE
B356
with BphAE

p4

, a mutant of BphAE
LB400
which was obtained in a previous work by the double substitution Phe336Met Thr335Ala of BphAE
LB400
, provided evidence that other residues or structural features of BphAE
B356
whose precise identification the docking experiment did not allow are also responsible for the superior catalytic abilities of BphAE
B356
. Together, these data provide supporting evidence that the biphenyl catabolic pathways have evolved divergently among proteobacteria, where some of them may serve ecological functions related to the metabolism of plant secondary metabolites in soil.
Impact of Nutritional Factors on the Proteome of Intestinal Escherichia coli: Induction of OxyR-Dependent Proteins AhpF and Dps by a Lactose-Rich Diet
Authors: Rothe Monique , Alpert Carl , Engst Wolfram , Musiol Stephanie , Loh Gunnar , Blaut Michael 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

To study the impact of nutritional factors on protein expression of intestinal bacteria, gnotobiotic mice monoassociated with
Escherichia coli
K-12 were fed three different diets: a diet rich in starch, a diet rich in nondigestible lactose, and a diet rich in casein. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry were used to identify differentially expressed proteins of bacteria recovered from small intestine and cecum. Oxidative stress response proteins such as AhpF, Dps, and Fur, all of which belong to the oxyR regulon, were upregulated in
E. coli
isolates from mice fed the lactose-rich diet. Luciferase reporter gene assays demonstrated that osmotic stress caused by carbohydrates led to the expression of
ahpCF
and
dps
, which was not observed in an
E. coli
Δ
oxyR
mutant. Growth of
ahpCF
and
oxyR
deletion mutants was strongly impaired when nondigestible sucrose was present in the medium. The wild-type phenotype could be restored by complementation of the deletions with plasmids containing the corresponding genes and promoters. The results indicate that some OxyR-dependent proteins play a major role in the adaptation of
E. coli
to osmotic stress. We conclude that there is an overlap of osmotic and oxidative stress responses. Mice fed the lactose-rich diet possibly had a higher intestinal osmolality, leading to the upregulation of OxyR-dependent proteins, which enable intestinal
E. coli
to better cope with diet-induced osmotic stress.
Detection of Human Food-Borne and Zoonotic Viruses on Irrigated, Field-Grown Strawberries
Authors: Brassard Julie , Gagné Marie-Josée , Généreux Mylène , Côté Caroline 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the presence of pathogenic human and zoonotic viruses on irrigated, field-grown strawberries. Norovirus genogroup I, rotavirus, and swine hepatitis E virus genogroup 3 were detected on strawberries, and irrigation water is suspected as the contamination origin.