bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Nε‐Ethyllysine in Human Plasma Proteins by Gas Chromatography–Negative Ion Chemical Ionization/Mass Spectrometry as a Biomarker for Exposure to Acetaldehyde and Alcohol
Authors: Mabuchi Ryota , Kurita Aya , Miyoshi Noriyuki , Yokoyama Akira , Furuta Takumi , Goda Toshinao , Suwa Yoshihide , Kan Toshiyuki , Amagai Takashi , Ohshima Hiroshi 
Published: February 2012

BackgroundNε‐ethyllysine (NEL) is a major stable adduct formed by the reaction of acetaldehyde (AA) with lysine residues in proteins. However, its occurrence and levels in biological specimens and its relationship with AA/alcohol exposure‐associated disorders have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we have developed a sensitive and specific method to quantitate NEL levels in human plasma proteins.MethodsThe method consists of (1) purification of the protein fraction of interest by Sephadex G‐15 to remove low molecular substances, (2) hydrolysis of proteins with Pronase E in the presence of stable isotope–labeled internal standards, (3) derivatization of amino acids with pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) bromide, and (4) quantification of the PFB derivatives of NEL and l‐lysine using gas chromatography–negative ion chemical ionization/mass spectrometry in a selected ion monitoring mode.ResultsUsing the above method, the NEL levels in human plasma proteins obtained from 10 each of control subjects and alcoholic patients were measured. NEL was detected in all samples analyzed, the average level of NEL in the plasma proteins of alcoholic patients (1.17 ± 0.36 NEL/1,000 l‐lysine) being significantly higher than that of control subjects (0.26 ± 0.07 NEL/1,000 l‐lysine).ConclusionsThe method could be applied to molecular epidemiological studies to investigate possible associations between the NEL levels in human tissue proteins and human diseases associated with exposure to AA and alcohol.
Ethanol Tolerance and Withdrawal Severity in High Drinking in the Dark Selectively Bred Mice
Authors: Crabbe John C. , Colville Alexandre M. , Kruse Lauren C. , Cameron Andy J. , Spence Stephanie E. , Schlumbohm Jason P. , Huang Lawrence C. , Metten Pamela 
Published: February 2012

BackgroundMouse lines are being selectively bred in replicate for high blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) achieved after limited access of ethanol (EtOH) drinking early in the circadian dark phase. High Drinking in the Dark‐1 (HDID‐1) mice are in selected generation S21, and the replicate HDID‐2 line in generation S14. Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms are 2 of the 7 diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence. Withdrawal severity has been found in mouse studies to be negatively genetically correlated with EtOH preference drinking.MethodsTo determine other traits genetically correlated with high DID, we compared naïve animals from both lines with the unselected, segregating progenitor stock, HS/Npt. Differences between HDID‐1 and HS would imply commonality of genetic influences on DID and these traits.ResultsFemale HDID‐1 and HDID‐2 mice tended to develop less tolerance than HS to EtOH hypothermia after their third daily injection. A trend toward greater tolerance was seen in the HDID males. HDID‐1, HDID‐2, and control HS lines did not differ in the severity of acute or chronic withdrawal from EtOH as indexed by the handling‐induced convulsion (HIC). Both HDID‐1 and HDID‐2 mice tended to have greater HIC scores than HS regardless of drug treatment.ConclusionsThese results show that tolerance to EtOH's hypothermic effects may share some common genetic control with reaching high BECs after DID, a finding consistent with other data regarding genetic contributions to EtOH responses. Withdrawal severity was not negatively genetically correlated with DID, unlike its correlation with preference drinking, underscoring the genetic differences between preference drinking and DID. HDID lines showed greater basal HIC scores than HS, suggestive of greater central nervous system excitability.
Long Distance Conduction of Vasodilation: A Passive or Regenerative Process?
Authors: HILL CARYL E. 
Published: February 2012

Please cite this paper as Hill CE. Long distance conduction of vasodilation: a passive or regenerative process? Microcirculation 19: 379‐390, 2012.AbstractThe mechanism enabling coordination of the resistance of feed arteries with microcirculatory arterioles to rapidly regulate tissue blood flow in line with changes in metabolic demand has preoccupied scientists for a quarter of a century. As experiments uncovered the underlying electrical events, it was frequently questioned how vasodilation could conduct over long distances without appreciable attenuation. This perspective reviews the data pertinent to this phenomenon and provides evidence that this remarkable response could be made possible by a simple mechanism based on the steep relationship between membrane potential and calcium entry demonstrated by the voltage‐dependent calcium channels which mediate the control of vascular tone in vivo.
Phylogenetic Position of the Adeleorinid Coccidia (Myzozoa, Apicomplexa, Coccidia, Eucoccidiorida, Adeleorina) Inferred Using 18S rDNA Sequences
Authors: Barta John R. , Ogedengbe Joseph D. , Martin Donald S. , Smith Todd G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractInvestigating the evolutionary relationships of the major groups of Apicomplexa remains an important area of study. Morphological features and host‐parasite relationships continue to be important in the systematics of the adeleorinid coccidia (suborder Adeleorina), but the systematics of these parasites have not been well‐supported or have been constrained by data that were lacking or difficult to interpret. Previous phylogenetic studies of the Adeleorina have been based on morphological and developmental characters of several well‐described species or based on nuclear 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences from taxa of limited taxonomic diversity. Twelve new 18S rDNA sequences from adeleorinid coccidia were combined with published sequences to study the molecular phylogeny of taxa within the Adeleorina and to investigate the evolutionary relationships of adeleorinid parasites within the Apicomplexa. Three phylogenetic methods supported strongly that the suborder Adeleorina formed a monophyletic clade within the Apicomplexa. Most widely recognized families within the Adeleorina were hypothesized to be monophyletic in all analyses, although the single Hemolivia species included in the analyses was the sister taxon to a Hepatozoon sp. within a larger clade that contained all other Hepatozoon spp. making the family Hepatozoidae paraphyletic. There was an apparent relationship between the various clades generated by the analyses and the definitive (invertebrate) host parasitized and, to lesser extent, the type of intermediate (vertebrate) host exploited by the adeleorinid parasites. We conclude that additional taxon sampling and use of other genetic markers apart from 18S rDNA will be required to better resolve relationships among these parasites.
Transvaginal color Doppler sonography predicts ovarian interstitial fibrosis and microvascular injury in women with ovarian endometriotic cysts
Authors: QIU JUN‐JUN , LIU MAN‐HUA , ZHANG ZHONG‐XIN , CHEN LI‐PING , YANG QI‐CHANG , LIU HONG‐BING 
Published: February 2012

Abstract Objective. To determine novel predictors of ovarian interstitial fibrosis and microvascular injury associated with ovarian endometriotic cysts (OECs). Design. Case‐control study. Setting. The gynecology unit of an affiliated hospital in China. Population. Women <40 years of age with OECs or benign ovarian tumors (controls). Methods. Transvaginal color Doppler sonography was performed preoperatively to detect ovarian interstitial flow. Postoperatively, expressions of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1), as well as microvessel density in ovarian interstitial, were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Main outcome and measures. Ovarian interstitial flow and expressions of TGF‐β1, TSP‐1, and microvessel density. Results. Compared with controls, ovarian interstitial flow in the study group was decreased and arterial spectra indicated significantly higher resistance indices. Microvessel density was reduced, but TGF‐β1 and TSP‐1 were elevated in the study group. There was a positive correlation between TGF‐β1 and TSP‐1. There were negative correlations between TGF‐β1 and microvessel density, and between TSP‐1 and microvessel density. Microvessel density and resistance indices were negatively correlated, whereas the correlations of TGF‐β1 and TSP‐1 with resistance indices were positive. Conclusions. Resistance indices are consistent with pathological indices. Changes in resistance indices in ovaries with endometriosis are related to interstitial fibrosis and microvascular injury.
A.actinomycetemcomitans‐induced periodontal disease promotes systemic and local responses in rat periodontium
Authors: Bezerra Beatriz de Brito , Andriankaja Oelisoa , Kang Jun , Pacios Sandra , Bae Hyung Jin , Li Yu , Tsiagbe Vincent , Schreiner Helen , Fine Daniel H. , Graves Dana T. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAimTo characterize the histologic and cellular response to A. actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) infection.Material & MethodsWistar rats infected with Aa were evaluated for antibody response, oral Aa colonization, loss of attachment, PMN recruitment, TNF‐α in the junctional epithelium and connective tissue, osteoclasts and adaptive immune response in local lymph nodes at baseline and 4, 5 or 6 weeks after infection. Some groups were given antibacterial treatment at 4 weeks.ResultsAn antibody response against Aa occurred within 4 weeks of infection, and 78% of inoculated rats had detectable Aa in the oral cavity (p < 0.05). Aa infection significantly increased loss of attachment that was reversed by antibacterial treatment (p < 0.05). TNF‐α expression in the junctional epithelium followed the same pattern. Aa stimulated high osteoclast formation and TNF‐α expression in the connective tissue (p < 0.05). PMN recruitment significantly increased after Aa infection (p < 0.05). Aa also increased the number of CD8+ T cells (p < 0.05), but not CD4+ T cells or regulatory T cells (Tregs) (p > 0.05).ConclusionAa infection stimulated a local response that increased numbers of PMNs and TNF‐α expression in the junctional epithelium and loss of attachment. Both TNF‐α expression in JE and loss of attachment was reversed by antibiotic treatment. Aa infection also increased TNF‐α in the connective tissue, osteoclast numbers and CD8+ T cells in lymph nodes. The results link Aa infection with important characteristics of periodontal destruction.
Photodynamic Antifungal Chemotherapy†
Authors: Calzavara‐Pinton Piergiacomo , Rossi M. Teresa , Sala Raffaella , Venturini Marina 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe growing resistance against antifungal drugs has renewed the search for alternative treatment modalities, and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) seems to be a potential candidate. Preliminary findings have demonstrated that dermatophytes and yeasts can be effectively sensitized in vitro and in vivo by administering photosensitizers (PSs) belonging to four chemical groups: phenothiazine dyes, porphyrins and phthalocyanines, as well as aminolevulinic acid, which, while not a PS in itself, is effectively metabolized into protoporphyrin IX. Besides efficacy, PDT has shown other benefits. First, the sensitizers used are highly selective, i.e., fungi can be killed at combinations of drug and light doses much lower than that needed for a similar effect on keratinocytes. Second, all investigated PSs lack genotoxic and mutagenic activity. Finally, the hazard of selection of drug resistant fungal strains has been rarely reported. We review the studies published to date on antifungal applications of PDT, with special focus on yeast, and aim to raise awareness of this area of research, which has the potential to make a significant impact in future treatment of fungal infections.
Changing clothes easily: connexin41.8 regulates skin pattern variation
Authors: Watanabe Masakatsu , Kondo Shigeru 
Published: February 2012

SummaryThe skin patterns of animals are very important for their survival, yet the mechanisms involved in skin pattern formation remain unresolved. Turing’s reaction–diffusion model presents a well‐known mathematical explanation of how animal skin patterns are formed, and this model can predict various animal patterns that are observed in nature. In this study, we used transgenic zebrafish to generate various artificial skin patterns including a narrow stripe with a wide interstripe, a narrow stripe with a narrow interstripe, a labyrinth, and a ‘leopard’ pattern (or donut‐like ring pattern). In this process, connexin41.8 (or its mutant form) was ectopically expressed using the mitfa promoter. Specifically, the leopard pattern was generated as predicted by Turing’s model. Our results demonstrate that the pigment cells in animal skin have the potential and plasticity to establish various patterns and that the reaction–diffusion principle can predict skin patterns of animals.
Localization of replicated DNA‐containing sites in preimplantation bovine embryo in relation to the onset of RNA synthesis
Authors: Kopečný Václav , Fulka Josef , Pivko Juraj , Petr Jaroslav 
Published: February 2012

The distribution of embryonic DNA in nuclei of blastomeres of early‐preimplantation cow embryos was studied by autoradiography. Two‐, 4‐, 8‐, and 16‐cell embryos were cultured for 18–20 h in the presence of [methyl‐3H]thymidine to ensure that all replicated embryonic DNA was labeled.In nuclei of blastomeres before the onset of transcription, taking place in the progressed 8‐cell cleavage division of the cow embryo1, labeled DNA was distributed excentrically at the nuclear periphery. After transcription started, the distribution of the labeled DNA was uniform throughout the nucleus.The progressive association of DNA with the nucleolus‐precursor body (NPB) also correlated with the expected onset of rRNA synthesis. The penetration of the labeled DNA into NPB was seen to start contemporaneously with the formation of a big central vacuole in NPB, but remained restricted, at this stage, to a few points of contact with the adjacent nucleolus‐associated chromatin. No labeled DNA was detected inside this big vacuole, still showing a uniform nucleoplasmic texture.The inside of the nucleolus was penetrated by DNA in the next step of nucleologenesis when secondary small vacuoles were formed and when the first signs of nucleolar transcription were detected1. These small vacuoles contained a coarse fibrillar component which was a frequent site of labeled DNA detection.This study of shifts of DNA‐containing sites during transition from maternal to embryonic genome expression correlates closely with previous evidence obtained by a study of genome reactivation which was situated in the late 8‐cell cleavage division of cattle early embryogenesis. It is during this stage, according to the present evidence, that the embryonic DNA occupies the whole of the nucleus, probably due to the extension of the DNA molecule at the onset of transcription. The association of rDNA with the nucleolus‐precursor body leading to the activation of rRNA synthesis is a morphologically well defined process which may reveal, in different experimental systems, the transcription capacity of cattle embryonic genome.
Neutral aminopeptidase: a potential marker enzyme of the amphibian urinary bladder epithelial cell apical membrane
Authors: Tacnet F. , Chevalier J. , Coudrier E. , Berthonaud V. , Ripoche P. 
Published: February 2012

Antidiuretic hormone induces, in the apical plasma membrane of amphibian urinary bladder epithelial cells, the exocytotic insertion of intramembranous particle aggregates that probably contain water channels. Purification of the apical membrane is a way to characterize the aggregates. The isolation of such purified membranous fractions involves the use of specific exogenous or endogenous markers. One of them could be the neutral aminopeptidase (AP), whose activity was detected in urinary bladder. Enrichment in AP activity was observed in plasma membrane preparations compared to cell homogenates (×2.7). However, a large part of the enzyme activity was also recovered in the soluble fraction of the preparation, suggesting large proteolysis of the protein. The enzyme presents a low optimal pH (6.4) and a high specificity for proline‐p‐nitroanilide as compared to the AP present in kidneys and intestines. To localize the protein in the amphibian bladder epithelium, an immunological approach was necessary due to the low activity of the enzyme in this tissue. The low enzymatic activity also prevented the purification of sufficient amounts of the urinary bladder AP as antigen, and we prepared antibodies against purified AP from frog or toad kidneys where the activity is 60 tims higher than in the bladder. The serum specificity was verified by spot immunodetection, Western blot, inhibition capacity of antibodies, and immunoadsorption on a solid support with the renal enzyme. The sera were found to be able to react with native as well as denatured forms of the kidney enzyme. Antibodies cross‐reacted with several peptides of low molecular weight (40–60 kDa) from urinary bladder plasma membrane proteins (Western blot). Immunocytochemical localization of AP was observed on the apical side of toad bladder epithelial cells.In conclusion, neutral aminopeptidase is a potential marker for amphibian urinary bladder apical membranes. However, due to the considerable proteolysis during the membrane preparation, rigorous precautions, such as the use of protease inhibitor to avoid its release in a soluble fraction, should be taken.
Structural and biochemical observations on specialized membranes of the “filter chamber”, a water‐shunting complex in sap‐sucking homopteran insects
Authors: Hubert Jean‐François , Thomas Daniel , Cavalier Annie , Gouranton Jean 
Published: February 2012

Many homopteran insects feed on plant sap which contains solutes in very low concentration. Their digestive tract presents a complex called the “filter chamber” where the excess dietary water is believed to flow directly from the initial part of the midgut to the terminal part of the midgut and the proximal reions of the Malpighian tubules.Freeze‐fracture experiments carried out on the filter chamber of Cicadella viridis revealed the presence of intramembrane particles on the whole surface of the microvilli and of basal membrane infoldings of the cells.Examination of negatively stained isolated membranes and of freeze‐dried shadowed membranes revealed that the inner surface of the membrane is covered with particles protruding into the cytoplasm; they correspond to the numerous intramembrane particles observed on the P fracture face of the membrane. The outer surface of the membrane exhibits a regular network which corresponds to that observed on the E fracture face.SDS‐PAGE analyses were performed on purified membranes of the filter chambers of C. viridis and Philaenus spumarius. In both cases 2 major components, 25 kDa and 75 kDa, were detected. These 2 components appear to be specific for the filter chambers since they were not found in membranes isolated from the other parts of the midgut.Thus, the membranes of these filter chambers, though to be water‐shunting complexes, possess structural and biochemical peculiarities which are probably related to water permeability.
Coexistence of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone and insulin in cultured fetal rat islets: a light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical study during islet neoformation
Authors: Leduque Patric , Aratan‐Spike Sonia , Scharfmann Raphaël , Basmaciogullari Annié , Czernichow Paul , Dubois Paul‐Marie 
Published: February 2012

Pancreatic thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) is without doubt localized in the insulin‐containing β‐cells. A previous study reported cellular continuity between β‐cells and ducts in cultured fetal rat islets, but it is not known whether these insulin‐containing β‐cells form a cell type that is different from the TRH cells producing insulin. On the other hand, the subcellular coexistence of both peptides as yet remains unresolved.To overcome these problems the present study was conducted, using light microscopic immunocytochemistry, to verify the cellular distribution of TRH in cultured fetal rat islets with particular regard to the interrelationship between β‐cells and ducts, and using electron microscopic double labeling cytochemistry, to study the subcellular distribution of TRH and insulin. Our data show that both TRH and insulin are expressed in the same cells during islet cell neogenesis, and are localized in the same secretory granules. No topographic segregation of their respective immunoreactive moieties are seen within the secretory granule.
Clinical heterogeneity of adult Japanese diabetes depending on titers of glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies
Authors: Aoyama Tomohisa , Ikeda Hiroki , Hamamoto Yoshiyuki , Honjo Sachiko , Nomura Kazuhiro , Wada Yoshiharu , Fujikawa Jun , Hayashino Yasuaki , Fukuhara Shunichi , Koshiyama Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAims/Introduction:  We examined whether levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADAb) might show the clinical heterogeneity of adult Japanese diabetes.Materials and Methods:  In this cross‐sectional study, the serum levels of GADAb were measured in a total of 1857 consecutive adult diabetic patients aged 20 years or older. The patients with positive GADAb, arbitrarily defined as ≥1.5 U/mL, were divided into quartiles according to the number of patients. The age‐ and sex‐matched diabetic patients without GADAb were selected as a control group.Results:  A total of 103 (5.5%) of the diabetic patients had GADAb, and showed higher HbA1c and serum high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, lower body mass index (BMI), urinary C‐peptide immunoreactivity (CPR), serum triglycerides (TG) and uric acid (UA) levels, and lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome than the control group (P < 0.05). Quartiles 3 and 4 (i.e. GADAb ≥4.6 U/mL) showed a higher HbA1c level, lower BMI, urinary CPR, serum TG and UA levels, quartile 2 (2.5 ≤ GADAb < 4.6 U/mL) showed a lower BMI level than the control group (P < 0.05). Among the clinical parameters, we observed significant upward trends for both HbA1c and serum HDL cholesterol levels, and significant downward trends for BMI, serum TG and UA, urinary CPR levels, and prevalence of metabolic syndrome across GADAb quartiles (P < 0.05 for trend).Conclusions:  These results show that the clinical phenotype of adult Japanese diabetes correlates with GADAb levels, and that patients with GADAb (≥2.5 U/mL) show different characteristics from those without GADAb, although further longitudinal studies are required. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2011.00190.x, 2011)