bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thrombospondin-1: An Islet Endothelial Cell Signal of Importance for β-Cell Function
Authors: Olerud Johan , Mokhtari Dariush , Johansson Magnus , Christoffersson Gustaf , Lawler Jack , Welsh Nils , Carlsson Per-Ola 
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE
Loss of thrombospondin (TSP)-1 in pancreatic islets has been shown to cause islet hyperplasia. This study tested the hypothesis that endothelial-derived TSP-1 is important for β-cell function.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Islet function was evaluated both in vivo and in vitro. Messenger RNA and protein expression were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The role of endothelial-derived TSP-1 for β-cell function was determined using a transplantation design in which recipient blood vessels either were allowed to grow or not into the transplanted islets.

RESULTS
TSP-1–deficient mice were glucose intolerant, despite having an increased β-cell mass. Moreover, their islets had decreased glucose-stimulated insulin release, (pro)insulin biosynthesis, and glucose oxidation rate, as well as increased expression of uncoupling protein-2 and lactate dehydrogenase-A when compared with control islets. Almost all TSP-1 in normal islets were found to be derived from the endothelium. Transplantation of free and encapsulated neonatal wild-type and TSP-1–deficient islets was performed in order to selectively reconstitute with TSP-1–positive or –negative blood vessels in the islets and supported that the β-cell defects occurring in TSP-1–deficient islets reflected postnatal loss of the glycoprotein in the islet endothelial cells. Treatment of neonatal TSP-1–deficient mice with the transforming growth factor (TGF)β-1–activating sequence of TSP-1 showed that reconstitution of TGFβ-1 activation prevented the development of decreased glucose tolerance in these mice. Thus, endothelial-derived TSP-1 activates islet TGFβ-1 of importance for β-cells.

CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates a novel role for endothelial cells as functional paracrine support for pancreatic β-cells.
Genetic Defect in Phospholipase Cδ1 Protects Mice From Obesity by Regulating Thermogenesis and Adipogenesis
Authors: Hirata Masayuki , Suzuki Mutsumi , Ishii Rika , Satow Reiko , Uchida Takafumi , Kitazumi Tomoya , Sasaki Tsutomu , Kitamura Tadahiro , Yamaguchi Hideki , Nakamura Yoshikazu , Fukami Kiyoko 
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE
Regulation of obesity development is an important issue to prevent metabolic syndromes. Gene-disrupted mice of phospholipase Cδ1 (PLCδ1), a key enzyme of phosphoinositide turnover, seemed to show leanness. Here we examined whether and how PLCδ1 is involved in obesity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Weight gain, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic rate in PLCδ1−/− mice were compared with PLCδ1+/− littermate mice on a high-fat diet. Thermogenic and adipogenetic potentials of PLCδ1−/− immortalized brown adipocytes and adipogenesis of PLCδ1-knockdown (KD) 3T3L1 cells, or PLCδ1−/− white adipose tissue (WAT) stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) cells, were also investigated.

RESULTS
PLCδ1−/− mice showed marked decreases in weight gain and mass of epididymal WAT and preserved insulin sensitivity compared with PLCδ1+/− mice on a high-fat diet. In addition, PLCδ1−/− mice have a higher metabolic rate such as higher oxygen consumption and heat production. When control immortalized brown adipocytes were treated with thermogenic inducers, expression of PLCδ1 was decreased and thermogenic gene uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) was upregulated to a greater extent in PLCδ1−/− immortalized brown adipocytes. In contrast, ectopic expression of PLCδ1 in PLCδ1−/− brown adipocytes induced a decrease in UCP expression, indicating that PLCδ1 negatively regulates thermogenesis. Importantly, accumulation of lipid droplets was severely decreased when PLCδ1-KD 3T3L1 cells, or PLCδ1−/− WAT SVF cells, were differentiated, whereas differentiation of PLCδ1−/− brown preadipocytes was promoted.

CONCLUSIONS
PLCδ1 has essential roles in thermogenesis and adipogenesis and thereby contributes to the development of obesity.
Transcriptional Profiling of Diabetic Neuropathy in the BKS db/db Mouse
Authors: Pande Manjusha , Hur Junguk , Hong Yu , Backus Carey , Hayes John M. , Oh Sang Su , Kretzler Matthias , Feldman Eva L. 
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE
A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of diabetic neuropathy (DN) is essential for the design of mechanism-based therapies. We examined changes in global gene expression to define pathways regulated by diabetes in peripheral nerve.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Microarray data for 24-week-old BKS db/db and db/+ mouse sciatic nerve were analyzed to define significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs); DEGs were further analyzed to identify regulated biological processes and pathways. Expression profile clustering was performed to identify coexpressed DEGs. A set of coexpressed lipid metabolism genes was used for promoter sequence analysis.

RESULTS
Gene expression changes are consistent with structural changes of axonal degeneration. Pathways regulated in the db/db nerve include lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor signaling, apoptosis, and axon guidance. Promoter sequences of lipid metabolism–related genes exhibit evidence of coregulation of lipid metabolism and nervous system development genes.

CONCLUSIONS
Our data support existing hypotheses regarding hyperglycemia-mediated nerve damage in DN. Moreover, our analyses revealed a possible coregulation mechanism connecting hyperlipidemia and axonal degeneration.
Glycation of LDL by Methylglyoxal Increases Arterial Atherogenicity
Authors: Rabbani Naila , Godfrey Lisa , Xue Mingzhan , Shaheen Fozia , Geoffrion Michèle , Milne Ross , Thornalley Paul J. 
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE
To study whether modification of LDL by methylglyoxal (MG), a potent arginine-directed glycating agent that is increased in diabetes, is associated with increased atherogenicity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Human LDL was isolated and modified by MG in vitro to minimal extent (MGmin-LDL) as occurs in vivo. Atherogenic characteristics of MGmin-LDL were characterized: particle size, proteoglycan-binding, susceptibility to aggregation, LDL and non-LDL receptor–binding, and aortal deposition. The major site of modification of apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) modification was investigated by mass spectrometric peptide mapping.

RESULTS
MGmin-LDL contained 1.6 molar equivalents of MG modification—mostly hydroimidazolone—as found in vivo. MGmin-LDL had decreased particle size, increased binding to proteoglycans, and increased aggregation in vitro. Cell culture studies showed that MGmin-LDL was bound by the LDL receptor but not by the scavenger receptor and had increased binding affinity for cell surface heparan sulfate–containing proteoglycan. Radiotracer studies in rats showed that MGmin-LDL had a similar fractional clearance rate in plasma to unmodified LDL but increased partitioning onto the aortal wall. Mass spectrometry peptide mapping identified arginine-18 as the hotspot site of apoB100 modification in MGmin-LDL. A computed structural model predicted that MG modification of apoB100 induces distortion, increasing exposure of the N-terminal proteoglycan–binding domain on the surface of LDL. This likely mediates particle remodeling and increases proteoglycan binding.

CONCLUSIONS
MG modification of LDL forms small, dense LDL with increased atherogenicity that provides a new route to atherogenic LDL and may explain the escalation of cardiovascular risk in diabetes and the cardioprotective effect of metformin.
Body Weight, Not Insulin Sensitivity or Secretion, May Predict Spontaneous Weight Changes in Nondiabetic and Prediabetic Subjects
Authors: Rebelos Eleni , Muscelli Elza , Natali Andrea , Balkau Beverley , Mingrone Geltrude , Piatti Piermarco , Konrad Thomas , Mari Andrea , Ferrannini Ele ,   on behalf of the RISC Study Investigators
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have found that high insulin sensitivity predicts weight gain; this association has not been confirmed. Our aim was to systematically analyze metabolic predictors of spontaneous weight changes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
In 561 women and 467 men from the Relationship Between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease (RISC) cohort (mean age 44 years, BMI range 19–44 kg/m2, 9% impaired glucose tolerance) followed up for 3 years, we measured insulin sensitivity (by a euglycemic clamp) and β-cell function (by modeling of the C-peptide response to oral glucose and by acute insulin response to intravenous glucose).

RESULTS
Insulin sensitivity was similar in weight gainers (top 20% of the distribution of BMI changes), weight losers (bottom 20%), and weight stable subjects across quartiles of baseline BMI. By multiple logistic or linear regression analyses controlling for center, age, sex, and baseline BMI, neither insulin sensitivity nor any β-cell function parameter showed an independent association with weight gain; this was true in normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance, and whether subjects progressed to dysglycemia or not. Baseline BMI was significantly higher in gainers (26.1 ± 4.1 kg/m2) and losers (26.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2) than in weight stable subjects (24.8 ± 3.8 kg/m2, P &lt; 0.0001 for both gainers and losers). Baseline waist circumference (or equivalently, BMI or weight) was a positive, independent predictor of both weight gain and weight loss (odds ratio 1.48 [95% CI 1.12–1.97]) in men and (1.67 [1.28–2.12]) in women. In men only, better insulin sensitivity was an additional independent predictor of weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS
Neither insulin sensitivity nor insulin secretion predicts spontaneous weight gain. Individuals who have attained a higher weight are prone to either gaining or losing weight regardless of their glucose tolerance.
Salsalate Attenuates Free Fatty Acid–Induced Microvascular and Metabolic Insulin Resistance in Humans
Authors: Chai Weidong , Liu Jia , Jahn Linda A. , Fowler Dale E. , Barrett Eugene J. , Liu Zhenqi 
Published: May 2011

OBJECTIVE
Insulin recruits muscle microvasculature, thereby increasing endothelial exchange surface area. Free fatty acids (FFAs) cause insulin resistance by activating inhibitor of κB kinase β. Elevating plasma FFAs impairs insulin’s microvascular and metabolic actions in vivo. Whether salsalate, an anti-inflammatory agent, prevents FFA-induced microvascular and/or metabolic insulin resistance in humans is unknown.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Eleven healthy, young adults were studied three times in random order. After an overnight fast, on two occasions each subject received a 5-h systemic infusion of Intralipid ± salsalate pretreatment (50 mg/kg/day for 4 days). On the third occasion, saline replaced Intralipid. A 1 mU/kg/min euglycemic insulin clamp was superimposed over the last 2-h of each study. Skeletal and cardiac muscle microvascular blood volume (MBV), microvascular flow velocity (MFV), and microvascular blood flow (MBF) were determined before and after insulin infusion. Whole body glucose disposal rates were calculated from glucose infusion rates.

RESULTS
Insulin significantly increased skeletal and cardiac muscle MBV and MBF without affecting MFV. Lipid infusion abolished insulin-mediated microvascular recruitment in both skeletal and cardiac muscle and lowered insulin-stimulated whole body glucose disposal (P &lt; 0.001). Salsalate treatment rescued insulin’s actions to recruit muscle microvasculature and improved insulin-stimulated whole body glucose disposal in the presence of high plasma FFAs.

CONCLUSIONS
High plasma concentrations of FFAs cause both microvascular and metabolic insulin resistance, which can be prevented or attenuated by salsalate treatment. Our data suggest that treatments aimed at inhibition of inflammatory response might help alleviate vascular insulin resistance and improve metabolic control in patients with diabetes.
Saxifrago Ferdinandi-Coburgi-Seslerietum Actarovii - A New Association from the Subalpine Belt of the Slavianka (Orvilos) MTS. (Bulgaria)
Authors: Karakiev Todor , Tzonev Rossen 
Published: May 2011

Saxifrago Ferdinandi-Coburgi-Seslerietum Actarovii - ANew Association from the Subalpine Belt of the Slavianka (Orvilos) MTS. (Bulgaria)The paper discusses the phytosociological and syntaxonomical position of the dry subalpine grasslands in the Slavianka (Alibutoush, Orvilos) Mts. (South-Western Bulgaria, Northern Greece). A new associationSaxifrago ferdinandi-coburgi-Seslerietum actaroviiass. nova has been established as a result of the phytosociological study. It is considered as an endemic vegetation unit from the calcareous subalpine terrains in the Central Balkan Peninsula high mountains (Southwestern Bulgaria, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Northern Greece). The new syntaxon belongs to the allianceEdrajantho-SeslerionHorvat 1949. A comparison with related syntaxa from other calcareous mountains from Northern Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is discussed.
Impact of riparian trees shade on aquatic plant abundance in conservation islands
Authors: Ali Magdi , Hassan Samar , Shaheen Abdel-Samei 
Published: May 2011

Impact of riparian trees shade on aquatic plant abundance in conservation islandsTemperature, acidity, light conditions, total dissolved salts, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, submerged macrophytes and shade and sun path directions were measured at 23 sites along the River Nile banks withaAcacia niloticagrowing at water's edge around the First Cataract Conservation Islands.Ceratophyllum demersumandPotamogeton crispuswere common in the shaded and unshaded zones,Myriophyllum spicatumandVallisneria spiraliswere found only in the unshaded zone andAzolla filiculoidesonly in the shaded zone. Banks of the sites surveyed were oriented to five directions (NW, SE, NE, SW, N). There is a significant difference in both the type and density of submerged plants growing under the shade of riparian trees (Acacia nilotica) as compared to unshaded areas. Water column irradiance is the most influential variable dictating the distribution of submerged plants. The area of the shade provided by riparian trees was affected by environmental and/or plant variables. Environmental variables comprised the daily course of the exposition to sun; and plant variables included the area of the tree crown, the height of the tree and geographical position of the tree in relation to sun exposition. Trees on the west bank of the islands at the SW-NE direction have the highest shading effect. The management of tree vegetationmight control incoming solar radiation affecting submerged macrophytes.
Phytoplankton Composition and Abundance Assessment in the Nador Lagoon (Mediterranean Coast of Morocco)
Authors: Elmadani Faid , Chiaar Abderrahim , Chafi Abdelhafid 
Published: May 2011

Phytoplankton Composition and Abundance Assessment in the Nador Lagoon (Mediterranean Coast of Morocco)We evaluated phytoplankton abundance, composition and trophic state of the Nador lagoon (Morocco) on the basis of data taken in the period November 2007 to August 2008. Sampling was performed at 11 stations (bottle samples at 0.5 m depth and horizontal plankton net tows with mesh size of 20 μm). Among seven identified phytoplankton classes, diatoms and dinoflagellates dominated with 133 and 169 species, respectively. Frequent phyto-plankton blooms were contributed by one to three species in the lagoon. Abundance and seasonality of phytoplankton characterized the Nador lagoon as a highly eutrophicated environment.
Ecological conditions, flora and vegetation of a large doline in the Mecsek Mountains (South Hungary)
Authors: Bátori Zoltán , Gallé Róbert , Erdős László , Körmöczi László 
Published: May 2011

Ecological conditions, flora and vegetation of a large doline in the Mecsek Mountains (South Hungary)Vegetation-environment relationships were investigated in a large doline of the Mecsek Mts (South Hungary). To reveal the vegetation pattern, we collected vegetation data and environmental variables along a 243 m long transect. Atotal of 144 vascular plant species and 4 vegetation types were identified in the doline. We found that both the species composition and the vegetation pattern are significantly influenced by air temperature, air humidity, soil moisture and altitude. Our results confirm the putative temperature and vegetation inversion in the doline.
Hyaluronic Acid Levels Predict Increased Risk of Non-Aids Death in Hepatitis-Coinfected Persons Interrupting Antiretroviral Therapy in the Smart Study
Authors:   The SMART Study Group
Published: May 2011

Background In the SMART study, HIV–viral-hepatitis-coinfected persons were, compared with HIV-monoinfected persons, at higher risk of non-AIDS death if randomized to the antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption strategy. We hypothesized that a marker of liver fibrosis, hyaluronic acid (HA), would be predictive of development of non-AIDS-related outcomes in coinfected participants in the SMART study. Methods All participants positive for HCV RNA or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and with stored plasma samples were included ( n=675). Plasma samples were tested for HA (normal range 0–75 ng/ml) at baseline and months 6, 12 and 24 during follow-up in the drug conservation (DC; interrupt ART until CD4+ T-cell count <250) group and the viral suppression (VS; continued use of ART) group. Time to non-AIDS death was investigated using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results Overall, 52 (31 in DC and 21 in VS) coinfected participants died during follow-up. Coinfected participants who were randomized to the DC group with baseline HA>75 ng/ml had a cumulative risk of non-AIDS death of 24.6% after 36 months of follow-up compared with 9.3% for participants randomized to the VS group ( P=0.005), while the cumulative risk for coinfected participants with HA≤75 ng/ml was 4.1% (DC) and 4.7% (VS; P=0.76). The change in HA from baseline to month 24 was 8.3 ng/ml and 4.7 ng/ml in the DC and VS group ( P=0.56), respectively. Conclusions Interruption of ART was particularly unsafe in HIV–hepatitis-coinfected individuals if plasma HA was increased. HA changed very little during follow-up and was not influenced by differences in CD4+ T-cell count or HIV viral load.
Quelques éléments relatifs à l'influence de la violence en Colombie sur la structure et l'évolution de la famille en Colombie
Authors: Rojas Rafael 
Published: May 2011

Résumé La violence est un facteur destructeur aux niveaux social, familial et individuel. Elle détruit les potentialités de construction de la subjectivité et de l’intersubjectivité et menace de manière pathologique la structure familiale. Elle nous confronte aux processus de déshumanisation, probablement de non-humanisation. L’article illustre ces idées avec l’exemple de la Colombie. Mais la violence en Colombie, malgré certaines particularités, n’est pas un fait culturel de cette contrée ; le processus est universel, car il reste de l’ordre de l’humain.
La fœtalisation de Louis Bolk
Authors: Levivier Marc 
Published: May 2011

Résumé De 1938 à 1975, Lacan s’est fidèlement référé à une théorie dite de la « fœtalisation ». À chaque fois, il s’agissait pour lui de trouver un appui ou une confirmation biologique au caractère prématuré de la naissance chez l’homme (dont on connaît l’importance dans la construction du « stade du miroir »). Après un rappel des références faites par Lacan à cette théorie, cet article en présente son auteur, l’anatomiste hollandais L. Bolk, sa genèse puis en expose les principales caractéristiques, il en esquisse enfin la réception dans le milieu psychanalytique.
Mathématiques et théologie : l'infini chez Nicolas de Cues
Authors: Celeyrette Jean 
Published: May 2011

Résumé L’usage par Nicolas de Cues du thème de l’infini pour caractériser la divinité et la place éminente des mathématiques dans sa doctrine semblent autoriser un rapprochement avec Duns Scot. Dans cette contribution on tente de montrer les profondes différences entre les deux entreprises et plus généralement l’originalité du Cusain par rapport à la scolastique du xiv e siècle. En revanche sa postérité leibnizienne est peu contestable.
The Arithmetic of Genus Two Curves with (4,4)-Split Jacobians
Authors: Bruin Nils , Doerksen Kevin 
Published: May 2011

Abstract In this paper we study genus 2 curves whose Jacobians admit a polarized (4, 4)-isogeny to a product of elliptic curves. We consider base fields of characteristic different from 2 and 3, which we do not assume to be algebraically closed. We obtain a full classification of all principally polarized abelian surfaces that can arise from gluing two elliptic curves along their 4-torsion, and we derive the relation their absolute invariants satisfy.As an intermediate step, we give a general description of Richelot isogenies between Jacobians of genus 2 curves, where previously only Richelot isogenies with kernels that are pointwise defined over the base field were considered.Our main tool is a Galois theoretic characterization of genus 2 curves admitting multiple Richelot isogenies.
ANALYSIS OF STIFFNESS VARIATIONS IN CONTEXT OF STRAIN-, STRESS-, AND ENERGY-CONTROLLED PROCESSES
Authors: Mars W. V. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract
In compounded material systems, such as rubber, a wide range of properties can be achieved by design. This flexibility poses a challenge–how to balance stiffness against other considerations, such as energy dissipation under dynamic loading, fatigue, etc. Negotiating this balance requires that adequate account be taken of how a given mechanical input (i.e., strain, stress, energy) is controlled, and how other mechanical outputs vary as the stiffness changes. We outline here a simple analysis by which these considerations can be managed. The analysis is based on a novel split of the elasticity law into work-conjugate parts: one representing generally that which is to be held constant, and the other representing that which occurs in reaction to imposed control. The split gives rise to a scalar parameter suitable for quantifying the degree to which a given 1D mechanical process is strain-, energy-, or stress-controlled. The physical sense of the parameter is illustrated through the example of a two-spring system, where one spring represents the subject material, and the other represents the mechanical environment in which the material operates. The example shows that the parameter concisely summarizes the effects of the environment on the operating conditions of the material. We also provide a simple example illustrating how the parameter can be used to rank the fatigue performance of a set of compounds, taking into account the stiffness and the test control mode.