bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The bile acid receptor TGR5 (Gpbar‐1) acts as a neurosteroid receptor in brain
Authors: Keitel Verena , Görg Boris , Bidmon Hans J. , Zemtsova Irina , Spomer Lina , Zilles Karl , Häussinger Dieter 
Published: July 2010

AbstractTGR5 (Gpbar‐1) is a membrane‐bound bile acid receptor in the gastrointestinal tract and immune cells with pleiotropic actions. As shown in the present study, TGR5 is also expressed in astrocytes and neurons. Here, TGR5 may act as a neurosteroid receptor, which is activated by nanomolar concentrations of 5β‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one and micromolar concentrations of 5β‐pregnan‐3α‐17α‐21‐triol‐20‐one and 5α‐pregnan‐3α‐ol‐20‐one (allopregnanolone). TGR5 stimulation in astrocytes and neurons is coupled to adenylate cyclase activation, elevation of intracellular Ca2+ and the generation of reactive oxygen species. In cultured rat astrocytes, TGR5 mRNA is downregulated in the presence of neurosteroids and ammonia already at concentrations of 0.5 mmol L−1. Furthermore, TGR5 protein levels are significantly reduced in isolated rat astrocytes after incubation with ammonia. A marked downregulation of TGR5 mRNA is also found in cerebral cortex from cirrhotic patients dying with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) when compared with brains from noncirrhotic control subjects. It is concluded that TGR5 is a novel neurosteroid receptor in brain with implications for the pathogenesis of HE. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Injury and differentiation following inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV in rat oligodendrocytes
Authors: Ziabreva Iryna , Campbell Graham , Rist Julia , Zambonin Jessica , Rorbach Joanna , Wydro Mateusz M. , Lassmann Hans , Franklin Robin J. M. , Mahad Don 
Published: July 2010

AbstractOligodendrocyte lineage cells are susceptible to a variety of insults including hypoxia, excitotoxicity, and reactive oxygen species. Demyelination is a well‐recognized feature of several CNS disorders including multiple sclerosis, white matter strokes, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, and disorders due to mitochondrial DNA mutations. Although mitochondria have been implicated in the demise of oligodendrocyte lineage cells, the consequences of mitochondrial respiratory chain defects have not been examined. We determine the in vitro impact of established inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV or cytochrome c oxidase on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and mature oligodendrocytes as well as on differentiation capacity of OPCs from P0 rat. Injury to mature oligodendrocytes following complex IV inhibition was significantly greater than to OPCs, judged by cell detachment and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes, although viability of cells that remained attached was not compromised. Active mitochondria were abundant in processes of differentiated oligodendrocytes and MMP was significantly greater in differentiated oligodendrocytes than OPCs. MMP dissipated following complex IV inhibition in oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, complex IV inhibition impaired process formation within oligodendrocyte lineage cells. Injury to and impaired process formation of oligodendrocytes following complex IV inhibition has potentially important implications for the pathogenesis and repair of CNS myelin disorders. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Yield and costs of direct and stepped screening for depressive symptoms in subjects aged 75 years and over in general practice
Authors: van der Weele Gerda M , de Waal Margot WM , van den Hout Wilbert B , van der Mast Roos C , de Craen Anton JM , Assendelft Willem JJ , Gussekloo Jacobijn 
Published: July 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo examine yield and costs of two screening methods for depressive symptoms in subjects ≥75 years in general practice.MethodsIn 73 general practices of 12.144 registered subjects ≥75 years 10.681 could be invited for screening. In the first 31 practices we invited 3797 subjects for direct screening which implied an invitation by letter followed by a home visit to administer the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS‐15). In the remaining 42 practices 6884 subjects were invited for stepped screening which implied that the GDS‐15 was sent by post, followed by a home visit only if the self‐administered GDS‐15‐score was ≥ 4 points. Being screen‐positive for depressive symptoms was defined as an interviewer‐administered GDS‐15‐score ≥5 points. Screening costs were estimated based on results in this study.ResultsOf all registered subjects 707 (5.8%) were already being treated for depression. The yield of direct screening was higher than of stepped screening (2.6% versus 1.9%, p = 0.009), with similar yields for subjects aged 75–79 years and for subjects aged ≥80 years. In a standard GP‐practice with 160 subjects ≥75 years estimated total screening costs are about twice as high for direct screening than for stepped screening. Estimated costs per screen positive subject are €350 for direct screening and €250 for stepped screening.ConclusionDirect screening has a higher yield, but is also more time consuming and more expensive. Whether the extra yield is clinically relevant and worth the extra costs, will depend on the subsequent treatment effect.Trial registration: www.controlled‐trials.com/ISRCTN 71142851 Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional phenotyping of successful aging in long‐term memory: Preserved performance in the absence of neural compensation
Authors: Düzel Emrah , Schütze Hartmut , Yonelinas Andrew P. , Heinze Hans‐Jochen 
Published: July 2010

AbstractWe investigated whether preservation of encoding‐related brain activity patterns in older age reflects successful aging in long‐term memory. Using a statistical matching technique, we identified groups of healthy older adults with different degrees of Functional Activity Deviation during Encoding (FADE) from young adults in a memory network comprising hippocampal, temporal, occipital, and retrosplenial regions. High FADE scores were associated with impairment in recollection, abnormal activity in the default mode network, and lower gray matter density in bilateral ventral prefrontal cortex and left rhinal cortex; a constellation previously associated with increased risk for dementia. Low FADE scores functionally phenotyped successful aging because recollection was well preserved and there was no evidence for compensatory prefrontal activation. Thus, for some individuals successful aging in long‐term memory reflects the preservation of a functionally specific memory network, and can occur in the absence of compensatory brain activity. ©2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Emerging roles of prostanoids in T cell‐mediated immunity
Authors: Sakata Daiji , Yao Chengcan , Narumiya Shuh 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThree distinct subsets of T helper (Th) cells, Th1, Th2, and Th17, not only contribute to host defense against pathogens, but also cause many types of immune diseases. Differentiation and functions of these T cell subsets are mainly regulated by specific cytokines. Intriguingly, recent studies have revealed that prostanoids including various types of prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane (TX) are also involved in these processes. Prostanoids exert their actions by binding to their specific receptors. They include PGD receptor, EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 subtypes of PGE receptor, PGF receptor, PGI receptor, and TX receptor. From many in vitro findings, prostanoids, especially PGE2, were traditionally believed to be an immunosuppressant. However, studies using mice deficient in each type or subtype of prostanoid receptors and their selective agonists and antagonists have revealed that prostanoids collaborate with cytokines, and critically regulate T cell proliferation, differentiation and functions. Recent studies have revealed that PGE2 facilitates Th1 cell differentiation and Th17 cell expansion in collaboration with IL‐12 and IL‐23, respectively, and that these PGE2 actions contribute to development of immune diseases mediated by these Th subsets. Furthermore, studies using the receptor‐deficient mice have also revealed that other prostanoids including PGD2 and PGI2 contribute to regulation of immune diseases of the Th2 type such as allergic asthma. These findings shed a new light on the roles of prostanoids in T cell‐mediated immunity and immune diseases. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(8): 591–596, 2010.
Effects of corticosterone and 2,3,7,8‐tetrachloro‐ dibenzo‐p‐dioxin on epididymal antioxidant system in adult rats
Authors: Dhanabalan S. , D'cruz S.C. , Mathur P.P. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract2,3,7,8‐Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD), an endocrine disruptor, causes epididymal toxicity by inducing oxidative stress. Glucocorticoids have been found to influence TCDD action in vitro and in vivo. The present experiments were set up to analyze the effects of TCDD on rat epididymal antioxidant system under the influence of increased corticosterone level. Adult male Wistar/NIN rats (70–80 days old) numbering 24 (six per group) were used in the study. Corticosterone (3 mg/kg body weight per day) or TCDD (100 ng/kg body weight per day) were administered or coadministered to rats for 15 days. Treatment with corticosterone or TCDD decreased the levels of serum testosterone significantly. In caput, corpus, and cauda fractions, administration of corticosterone or TCDD increased the levels of lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide and decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase significantly. Coadministration of corticosterone and TCDD to rats decreased the levels of serum testosterone significantly as compared with rats treated with TCDD alone. In caput, corpus, and cauda fractions, the levels of lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide were increased and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were decreased significantly as compared with rats treated with TCDD alone. Stress, characterized by increased glucocorticoid levels and activity, may enhance TCDD‐induced epididymal toxicity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 24:242–249, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.20332
Lipopolysaccharide directly stimulates aldosterone production via toll‐like receptor 2 and toll‐like receptor 4 related PI3K/Akt pathway in rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells
Authors: Huang Hsin‐Lei , Chiang Ming‐Fu , Lin Chia‐Wen , Pu Hsiao‐Fung 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe level of circulating endotoxin is related to the severity of cardiovascular disease. One of the indexes for the prognosis of cardiovascular disease is the plasma aldosterone level. Recently, the Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐regulated receptors, were found not only to mediate the inflammatory response but also to be important in the adrenal stress response. Whether LPS via TLRs induced aldosterone production in adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) cells was not clear. Our results suggest that LPS‐induced aldosterone secretion in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner and via TLR2 and TLR4 signaling pathway. Administration of LPS can enhance steroidogenesis enzyme expression such as scavenger receptor‐B1 (SR‐B1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc) enzyme. LPS‐induced SR‐B1 and StAR protein expression are abolished by TLR2 blocker. Furthermore, we demonstrated that phosphorylation of Akt was elevated by LPS treatment and reduced by TLR2 blockers, TLR4 blockers, and LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor). Those inhibitors of PI3K/Akt pathways also abolish LPS‐induced aldosterone secretion and SR‐B1 protein level. In conclusion, LPS‐induced aldosterone production and SR‐B1 proteins expression are through the TLR2 and TLR4 related PI3K/Akt pathways in adrenal ZG cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 872–880, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparative study of the bactericidal effect of photocatalytic oxidation by TiO2 on antibiotic‐resistant and antibiotic‐sensitive bacteria
Authors: Tsai Ting‐Mi , Chang Hsin‐Hou , Chang Kia‐Chih , Liu Yu‐Lin , Tseng Chun‐Chieh 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND: In recent decades, the increase in antibiotic‐resistant bacteria has become one of the most significant problems in public health. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has the potential to inactivate antibiotic‐resistant bacteria.RESULTS: In this study, TiO2 that had been activated by ultraviolet A (UV‐A) irradiation was used to inactivate the following three antibiotic‐resistant bacteria in suspension: methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), multidrug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) and vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE). For comparison, the following antibiotic‐sensitive strains were used as controls: S. aureus (MSSA), A. baumannii (MDSAB), E. faecalis (VSE), Escherichia coli and the bacteriophage MS2. Results demonstrated that MSSA and MRSA were equally susceptible to TiO2 photocatalysis, and the susceptibility of MDRAB was double that of MDSAB (P < 0.05). The susceptibility of VSE was 2.4 times that of VRE (P < 0.05). The results obtained from multiple regression analysis indicated that TiO2 reaction time had the greatest influence on microbial survival following TiO2 exposure in the presence of UV‐A.CONCLUSION: The development of antibiotic resistance does not appear to be correlated to increased resistance to TiO2 photocatalysis, but TiO2 in the presence of UV‐A still effectively reduces the number of antibiotic‐resistant microbes in suspension by 1–3 logs. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
The performance of US hospitals as reflected in risk‐standardized 30‐day mortality and readmission rates for medicare beneficiaries with pneumonia
Authors: Lindenauer Peter K. , Bernheim Susannah M. , Grady Jacqueline N. , Lin Zhenqiu , Wang Yun , Wang Yongfei , Merrill Angela R. , Han Lein F. , Rapp Michael T. , Drye Elizabeth E. , Normand Sharon‐Lise T. , Krumholz Harlan M. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBACKGROUND:Pneumonia is a leading cause of hospitalization and death in the elderly, and remains the subject of both local and national quality improvement efforts.OBJECTIVE:To describe patterns of hospital and regional performance in the outcomes of elderly patients with pneumonia.DESIGN:Cross‐sectional study using hospital and outpatient Medicare claims between 2006 and 2009.SETTING:A total of 4,813 nonfederal acute care hospitals in the United States and its organized territories.PATIENTS:Hospitalized fee‐for‐service Medicare beneficiaries age 65 years and older who received a principal diagnosis of pneumonia.INTERVENTION:None.MEASUREMENTS:Hospital and regional level risk‐standardized 30‐day mortality and readmission rates.RESULTS:Of the 1,118,583 patients included in the mortality analysis 129,444 (11.6%) died within 30 days of hospital admission. The median (Q1, Q3) hospital 30‐day risk‐standardized mortality rate for patients with pneumonia was 11.1% (10.0%, 12.3%), and despite controlling for differences in case mix, ranged from 6.7% to 20.9%. Among the 1,161,817 patients included in the readmission analysis 212,638 (18.3%) were readmitted within 30 days of hospital discharge. The median (Q1, Q3) 30‐day risk‐standardized readmission rate was 18.2% (17.2%, 19.2%) and ranged from 13.6% to 26.7%. Risk‐standardized mortality rates varied across hospital referral regions from a high of 14.9% to a low of 8.7%. Risk‐standardized readmission rates varied across hospital referral regions from a high of 22.2% to a low of 15%.CONCLUSIONS:Risk‐standardized 30‐day mortality and, to a lesser extent, readmission rates for patients with pneumonia vary substantially across hospitals and regions and may present opportunities for quality improvement, especially at low performing institutions and areas. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Ontogeny of the collar cord: Neurulation in the hemichordateSaccoglossus kowalevskii
Authors: Kaul Sabrina , Stach Thomas 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe chordate body plan is characterized by a central notochord, a pharynx perforated by gill pores, and a dorsal central nervous system. Despite progress in recent years, the evolutionary origin of each of theses characters remains controversial. In the case of the nervous system, two contradictory hypotheses exist. In the first, the chordate nervous system is derived directly from a diffuse nerve net; whereas, the second proposes that a centralized nervous system is found in hemichordates and, therefore, predates chordate evolution. Here, we document the ontogeny of the collar cord of the enteropneustSaccoglossus kowalevskiiusing transmission electron microscopy and 3D‐reconstruction based on completely serially sectioned stages. We demonstrate that the collar cord develops from a middorsal neural plate that is closed in a posterior to anterior direction. Transversely oriented ependymal cells possessing myofilaments mediate this morphogenetic process and surround the remnants of the neural canal in juveniles. A mid‐dorsal glandular complex is present in the collar. The collar cord in juveniles is clearly separated into a dorsal saddle‐like region of somata and a ventral neuropil. We characterize two cell types in the somata region, giant neurons and ependymal cells. Giant neurons connect via a peculiar cell junction that seems to function in intercellular communication. Synaptic junctions containing different vesicle types are present in the neuropil. These findings support the hypotheses that the collar cord constitutes a centralized element of the nervous system and that the morphogenetic process in the ontogeny of the collar cord is homologous to neurulation in chordates. Moreover, we suggest that these similarities are indicative of a close phylogenetic relationship between enteropneusts and chordates. J. Morphol., 2010. ©2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphology and function of the reproductive system of representatives of the genus Uca
Authors: Lautenschlager Agnes D. , Brandis Dirk , Storch Volker 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe morphology of the reproductive organs of three species of fiddler crabs, Uca ecuadoriensis, Uca c.f. forcipata, and Uca tangeri were investigated to subsequently produce a model of their mode of operation. Vulva, vagina, and spermatheca in females, and the first and second gonopods in males were examined by applying histological techniques and electron microscopy. In all three species, vulva and vagina conform to the concave type, and the spermatheca complies with the ventral type. The tissue of the oviduct orifice is enlarged and bulges into the lumen of the spermatheca. Differences between the three species are apparent in the organization of the spermatheca, especially in the distribution and structure of glandular epithelium: In U. ecuadoriensis and U. c.f. forcipata the largest proportion of the spermathecal wall is lined with cuticle and only a small area consists of glandular epithelium, while in U. tangeri almost all of the lining is glandular. Furthermore, the glandular epithelia of the species differ in their histology and ultrastructure: In U. ecuadoriensis it is tubular and multilayered, while in U. c.f. forcipata it is mono‐layered. U. tangeri finally has both forms of this tissue. In the males, the terminal segments of the first gonopod exhibit a tight fit to female organs and narrow, tightly sealed sperm channels. These features suggest a tendency towards minimizing loss of fluids, which can be interpreted as an adaptation to mating on land. The tight fit of male gonopod and female opening seem to be protection from interbreeding, which points toward a strong sexual selection. In the terrestrial environment, these originally aquatic organisms experience serious competition for resources; therefore there is pressure on successful reproduction. According to the current results a model of the process of fertilization and egg‐laying involving the investigated organs was generated. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dual structural color mechanisms in a scarab beetle
Authors: Xu Man , Seago Ainsley E. , Sutherland Tara D. , Weisman Sarah 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe cuticle of a Mycterophallus cetoniine scarab species displays both red iridescence due to a multilayer reflector mechanism and rainbow iridescence due to a superimposed diffraction grating mechanism. This is the first reported example of an animal possessing two independent classes of structural colors arising from interference at the wavelengths of visible light. In this work, the Mycterophallus cuticle is characterized by light microscopy, spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. We compare the cuticle of the Mycterophallus species to two closely related Lomaptera scarab species, one with only a multilayer reflector and the second with only a diffraction grating. We calculate the correspondence between the nanostructural parameters and the optical properties of the Mycterophallus cuticle to determine the relative optical contributions of the two color mechanisms and the interactions between them. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Elucidating the higher‐order structure of biopolymers by structural probing and mass spectrometry: MS3D
Authors: Fabris Daniele , Yu Eizadora T. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractChemical probing represents a very versatile alternative for studying the structure and dynamics of substrates that are intractable by established high‐resolution techniques. The implementation of MS‐based strategies for the characterization of probing products has not only extended the range of applicability to virtually all types of biopolymers but has also paved the way for the introduction of new reagents that would not have been viable with traditional analytical platforms. As the availability of probing data is steadily increasing on the wings of the development of dedicated interpretation aids, powerful computational approaches have been explored to enable the effective utilization of such information to generate valid molecular models. This combination of factors has contributed to making the possibility of obtaining actual 3D structures by MS‐based technologies (MS3D) a reality. Although approaches for achieving structure determination of unknown targets or assessing the dynamics of known structures may share similar reagents and development trajectories, they clearly involve distinctive experimental strategies, analytical concerns and interpretation paradigms. This Perspective offers a commentary on methods aimed at obtaining distance constraints for the modeling of full‐fledged structures while highlighting common elements, salient distinctions and complementary capabilities exhibited by methods used in dynamics studies. We discuss critical factors to be addressed for completing effective structural determinations and expose possible pitfalls of chemical methods. We survey programs developed for facilitating the interpretation of experimental data and discuss possible computational strategies for translating sparse spatial constraints into all‐atom models. Examples are provided to illustrate how the concerted application of very diverse probing techniques can lead to the solution of actual biological systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased sequence coverage of thymine‐rich oligodeoxynucleotides by infrared multiphoton dissociation compared to collision‐induced dissociation
Authors: Parr Carol , Brodbelt Jennifer S. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractInfrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD) of thymine‐rich oligodeoxynucleotides in a linear ion‐trap mass spectrometer affords far more extensive fragmentation than conventional collision‐induced dissociation (CID). For oligodeoxynucleotides containing one non‐thymine base, CID results primarily in cleavage on the 3′ side of the non‐thymine nucleobase, whereas IRMPD results in cleavages between all the nucleobases and thus provides complete sequence coverage. Furthermore, for oligodeoxynucleotides containing a single non‐thymine base, it is shown that the full series of diagnostic sequence ions observed in the IRMPD mass spectra arise from secondary dissociation of the two primary products formed from the initial cleavage site located next to the non‐thymine base. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.