bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contrasting landscape epidemiology of two sympatric rabies virus strains
Authors: BARTON HEATHER D. , GREGORY ANDREW J. , DAVIS ROLAN , HANLON CATHLEEN A. , WISELY SAMANTHA M. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractViral strain evolution and disease emergence are influenced by anthropogenic change to the environment. We investigated viral characteristics, host ecology, and landscape features in the rabies‐striped skunk disease system of the central Great Plains to determine how these factors interact to influence disease emergence. We amplified portions of the N and G genes of rabies viral RNA from 269 samples extracted from striped skunk brains throughout the distribution of two different rabies strains for which striped skunks were the reservoir. Because the distribution of these two strains overlapped on the landscape and were present in the same host population, we could evaluate how viral properties influenced epidemiological patterns in the area of sympatry. We found that South Central Skunk rabies (SCSK) exhibited intense purifying selection and high infectivity, which are both characteristics of an epizootic virus. Conversely, North Central Skunk rabies (NCSK) exhibited relaxed purifying selection and comparatively lower infectivity, suggesting the presence of an enzootic virus. The host population in the area of sympatry was highly admixed, and skunks among allopatric and sympatric areas had similar effective population sizes. Spatial analysis indicated that landscape features had minimal influence on NCSK movement across the landscape, but those same features were partial barriers to the spread of SCSK. We conclude that NCSK and SCSK have different epidemiological properties that interact differently with both host and landscape features to influence rabies spread in the central Great Plains. We suggest a holistic approach for future studies of emerging infectious diseases that includes studies of viral properties, host characteristics, and spatial features.
Septal and lateral wall localization of PBP5, the major D,D‐carboxypeptidase of Escherichia coli, requires substrate recognition and membrane attachment
Authors: Potluri Lakshmiprasad , Karczmarek Aneta , Verheul Jolanda , Piette Andre , Wilkin Jean‐Marc , Werth Nadine , Banzhaf Manuel , Vollmer Waldemar , Young Kevin D. , Nguyen‐Distèche Martine , Den Blaauwen Tanneke 
Published: June 2010

SummaryThe distribution of PBP5, the major D,D‐carboxypeptidase in Escherichia coli, was mapped by immunolabelling and by visualization of GFP fusion proteins in wild‐type cells and in mutants lacking one or more D,D‐carboxypeptidases. In addition to being scattered around the lateral envelope, PBP5 was also concentrated at nascent division sites prior to visible constriction. Inhibiting PBP2 activity (which eliminates wall elongation) shifted PBP5 to midcell, whereas inhibiting PBP3 (which aborts divisome invagination) led to the creation of PBP5 rings at positions of preseptal wall formation, implying that PBP5 localizes to areas of ongoing peptidoglycan synthesis. A PBP5(S44G) active site mutant was more evenly dispersed, indicating that localization required enzyme activity and the availability of pentapeptide substrates. Both the membrane bound and soluble forms of PBP5 converted pentapeptides to tetrapeptides in vitro and in vivo, and the enzymes accepted the same range of substrates, including sacculi, Lipid II, muropeptides and artificial substrates. However, only the membrane‐bound form localized to the developing septum and restored wild‐type rod morphology to shape defective mutants, suggesting that the two events are related. The results indicate that PBP5 localization to sites of ongoing peptidoglycan synthesis is substrate dependent and requires membrane attachment.
Propagation of giant migrating contractions between the small intestine, cecum and colon during radiation
Authors: Otterson M. F. , Leming S. C. , Fox C. J. , Moulder J. E. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground  Radiation increases the frequency of small intestinal and colonic giant migrating contractions (GMCs). These contractions contribute to the diarrhea and cramping after radiation therapy and are coordinated with one another across the ileocolonic (IC) junction.Methods  We investigated the coordination of contractile activity between the small intestine, cecum and colon in five canines following circumferential myotomy on the ileum at the IC junction and compared it to intact animals. Studies were performed before and during a radiation schedule.Key Results  Myotomy increased the frequency of small intestinal GMCs prior to irradiation. In intact animals, the duration and amplitude of cecal GMCs decreased when multiple contractions occurred in rapid succession. This is in contrast to small intestinal and colonic GMCs and suggests a different mechanism of propagation for GMCs within the cecum. Ileal myotomy dramatically decreased the frequency of propagating radiation‐induced colonic GMCs. The total number of colonic GMCs was not altered. Colonic contractile activity was disrupted in intact animals during irradiation. However, after ileal myotomy, irradiation did not affect the pattern of colonic contractile states. Diarrhea in irradiated animals with myotomy started earlier than intact animals. This may be related to the frequency of small intestinal GMCs.Conclusions & Inferences  Our findings suggest importance of the enteric neural connections at the IC region to contractile disorders of both the small and large intestine. The anatomic relationship between the canine IC junction is similar to the human ileo‐appendiceal‐colonic region and surgical manipulations of this area may likewise affect human contractile activity.
Molecular analysis of ureide accumulation under drought stress in Phaseolus vulgaris L.
Authors: ALAMILLO JOSEFA M. , DÍAZ‐LEAL JUAN LUÍS , SÁNCHEZ‐MORAN MA. VICTORIA , PINEDA MANUEL 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTUnder water deficit, ureidic legumes accumulate ureides in plant tissues, and this accumulation has been correlated with the inhibition of nitrogen fixation. In this work we used a molecular approach to characterize ureide accumulation under drought stress in Phaseolus vulgaris. Accumulation of ureides, mainly allantoate, was found in roots, shoots and leaves, but only a limited transient increase was observed in nodules from drought‐stressed plants. We show that ureide accumulation is regulated at the transcriptional level mainly through induction of allantoinase (ALN), whereas allantoate amidohydrolase (AAH), involved in allantoate degradation, was slightly reduced, indicating that inhibition of this enzyme, key in ureide breakdown in aerial tissues, is not the main cause of allantoate accumulation. Expression of the ureide metabolism genes analysed in this study was induced by abscisic acid (ABA), suggesting the involvement of this plant hormone in ureide accumulation. Moreover, we observed that increases of ureide levels in P. vulgaris drought‐stressed tissues were similar in non‐nodulated, nitrate‐fed plants, and in plants cultured under nitrogen‐fixation conditions. Our results indicate that ureide accumulation in response to water deficit is independent from de novo synthesis of ureides in nodules, and therefore uncoupled from nitrogen fixation.
Mechanisms independent of abscisic acid (ABA) or proline feedback have a predominant role in transcriptional regulation of proline metabolism during low water potential and stress recovery
Authors: SHARMA SANDEEP , VERSLUES PAUL E. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTProline accumulation in response to abiotic stress is controlled partially by transcriptional regulation of key enzymes including Δ1‐pyrroline‐carboxylate synthetase1 (P5CS1), proline dehydrogenase (ProDH), ornithine amino transferase (OAT) and Δ1‐pyrroline‐carboxylate dehydrogenase (P5CDH). For these genes, the role of abscisic acid (ABA), role of feedback regulation by high proline and the mechanisms of gene regulation upon stress release remain unclear. An ABA‐deficient (aba2‐1) mutant, mutants deficient in proline accumulation (p5cs1), as well as double mutants deficient in both, were used to determine the importance of these factors in transcriptional regulation of proline metabolism. Upregulation of P5CS1 by low water potential was less dependent on ABA than that of stress‐marker genes used for comparison. ProDH downregulation by low water potential and upregulation by stress release was not impaired in aba2‐1, p5cs1 or p5cs1/aba2‐1 compared with wild type despite differing ABA and proline levels in these mutants. Thus, ProDH is a model for characterization of novel regulatory mechanisms associated with low water potential and stress recovery. Both OAT and P5CDH were upregulated during low water potential. This contrasts with previous salt stress experiments and raises questions about the flux of metabolites through proline metabolism under low water potential when high levels of proline accumulate.
Ammonium‐dependent respiratory increase is dependent on the cytochrome pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana shoots
Authors: HACHIYA TAKUSHI , WATANABE CHIHIRO K. , BOOM CAROLINA , THOLEN DANNY , TAKAHARA KENTARO , KAWAI‐YAMADA MAKI , UCHIMIYA HIROFUMI , UESONO YUKIFUMI , TERASHIMA ICHIRO , NOGUCHI KO 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTOxygen uptake rates are increased when concentrated ammonium instead of nitrate is used as sole N source. Several explanations for this increased respiration have been suggested, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. To investigate possible factors responsible for this respiratory increase, we measured the O2 uptake rate, activity and transcript level of respiratory components, and concentration of adenylates using Arabidopsis thaliana shoots grown in media containing various N sources. The O2 uptake rate was correlated with concentrations of ammonium and ATP in shoots, but not related to the ammonium assimilation. The capacity of the ATP‐coupling cytochrome pathway (CP) and its related genes were up‐regulated when concentrated ammonium was sole N source, whereas the ATP‐uncoupling alternative oxidase did not influence the extent of the respiratory increase. Our results suggest that the ammonium‐dependent increase of the O2 uptake rate can be explained by the up‐regulation of the CP, which may be related to the ATP consumption by the plasma‐membrane H+‐ATPase.
Keep on growing under drought: genetic and developmental bases of the response of rosette area using a recombinant inbred line population
Authors: TISNÉ SÉBASTIEN , SCHMALENBACH INGA , REYMOND MATTHIEU , DAUZAT MYRIAM , PERVENT MARJORIE , VILE DENIS , GRANIER CHRISTINE 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTVariation in leaf development caused by water deficit was analysed in 120 recombinant inbred lines derived from two Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, Ler and An‐1. Main effect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and QTLs in epistatic interactions were mapped for the responses of rosette area, leaf number and leaf 6 area to water deficit. An epistatic interaction between two QTLs affected the response of whole rosette area and individual leaf area but only with effects in well‐watered condition. A second epistatic interaction between two QTLs controlled the response of rosette area and leaf number with specific effects in the water deficit condition. These effects were validated by generating and phenotyping new appropriate lines. Accordingly, a low reduction of rosette area was observed for lines with a specific allelic combination at the two interacting QTLs. This low reduction was accompanied by an increase in leaf number with a lengthening of the vegetative phase and a low reduction in individual leaf area with low reductions in epidermal cell area and number. Statistical analyses suggested that responses of epidermal cell area and number to water deficit in individual leaves were partly caused by delay in flowering time and reduction in leaf emergence rate, respectively.
Characterization of Immune Responses Following Intranasal Immunization with the Mycobacterium bovis CFP‐10 Protein Expressed by Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium
Authors: Zhang H. , Wen K. , Shen J. , Geng S. , Huang J. , Pan Z. , Jiao X. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractCulture filtrate protein 10 (CFP‐10) from Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is an immunodominant T‐cell antigen expressed during the early stages of infection. Because lungs are most commonly associated with primary M. bovis infections, specific immunity at this site is desirable for protection. Therefore, in this study, immune responses generated in mouse lung, spleen and Peyer’s patches were examined following intranasal (i.n.) immunization with Salmonella typhimurium– expressing CFP‐10. Cells harvested from the lungs and Peyer’s patches of immunized mice and then stimulated with CFP‐10 produced significant levels of IFN‐γ and these mice developed elevated serum IgG and lung IgA anti‐CFP‐10 responses, suggesting that this approach induced potent anti‐CFP‐10 mucosal immunity. Our study demonstrates that i.n. administration of CFP‐10 expressed by S. typhimurium represents an effective way to induce efficient immune response to M. bovis antigen.
Identification of protein stability determinants in chloroplasts
Authors: Apel Wiebke , Schulze Waltraud X. , Bock Ralph 
Published: June 2010

SummaryAlthough chloroplast protein stability has long been recognised as a major level of post‐translational regulation in photosynthesis and gene expression, the factors determining protein stability in plastids are largely unknown. Here, we have identified stability determinants in vivo by producing plants with transgenic chloroplasts that express a reporter protein whose N‐ and C‐termini were systematically modified. We found that major stability determinants are located in the N‐terminus. Moreover, testing of all 20 amino acids in the position after the initiator methionine revealed strong differences in protein stability and indicated an important role of the penultimate N‐terminal amino acid residue in determining the protein half life. We propose that the stability of plastid proteins is largely determined by three factors: (i) the action of methionine aminopeptidase (the enzyme that removes the initiator methionine and exposes the penultimate N‐terminal amino acid residue), (ii) an N‐end rule‐like protein degradation pathway, and (iii) additional sequence determinants in the N‐terminal region.
The hydroxyproline‐rich glycoprotein domain of the Arabidopsis LRX1 requires Tyr for function but not for insolubilization in the cell wall
Authors: Ringli Christoph 
Published: June 2010

SummaryExtensins, hydroxyproline‐rich repetitive glycoproteins with Ser–Hyp4 motifs, are structural proteins in plant cell walls. The leucine‐rich repeat extensin 1 (LRX1) of Arabidopsis thaliana is an extracellular protein with both a leucine‐rich repeat and an extensin domain, and has been demonstrated to be important for cell‐wall formation in root hairs. lrx1 mutants develop defective cell walls, resulting in a strong root hair phenotype. The extensin domain is essential for protein function and is thought to confer insolubilization of LRX1 in the cell wall. Here, in vivo characterization of the LRX1 extensin domain is described. First, a series of LRX1 extensin deletion constructs was produced that led to identification of a much shorter, functional extensin domain. Tyr residues can induce intra‐ and inter‐molecular cross‐links in extensins, and substitution of Tyr in the extensin domain by Phe led to reduced activity of the corresponding LRX1 protein. An additional function of Tyr (or Phe) is provided by the aromatic nature of the side chain. This suggests that these residues might be involved in hydrophobic stacking, possibly as a mechanism of protein assembly. Finally, modified LRX1 proteins lacking Tyr in the extensin domain are still insolubilized in the cell wall, indicating strong interactions of extensins within the cell wall in addition to the well‐described Tyr cross‐links.
Prolongation of renal allograft survival by anergic cells: advantages and limitations
Authors: Bashuda Hisashi , Shimizu Akira , Uchiyama Masateru , Okumura Ko 
Published: June 2010

Bashuda H, Shimizu A, Uchiyama M, Okumura K. Prolongation of renal allograft survival by anergic cells: advantages and limitations. Clin Transplant 2010: 24 (Suppl. 22): 6–10. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Even in the era of pharmacological calcineurin inhibitors, a current major challenge in organ transplantation remains the development of immunosuppressive regimens that protect against rejection. One potentially effective procedure is the use of donor‐specific anergic T cells generated ex vivo and adoptively transferred back into the recipient after transplantation. In our own work, we first investigated the effect of anergic cells on the prolongation of graft survival in non‐human primates. In six animals, half of the recipients survived for over one yr (all animals died or were killed within eight yr). The cause of death was acute renal failure because of cellular rejection (one), uncontrolled bleeding after renal biopsy (two), hydronephrosis probably because of ureteral stenosis (one), and chronic rejection (one). The remaining animal was killed at the end of the study. No infection, malignancy, or signs of graft versus host disease (GVHD) was observed in any of these monkeys. Except for the one animal that died of acute cellular rejection, there was no evidence of tubular infiltration by mononuclear cells, glomerular damage, or parenchymal necrosis. In all animals surviving for more than one yr, a mild grade of interstitial fibrosis, an increase in mesangial matrix, or glomerulopathy was noted. In two of three monkeys, no vascular narrowing of the luminal area caused by fibrointimal thickening of arteries was noted, and arteriosclerotic change was dominant. In this chapter, we summarize the efficacy and limitations of our strategy.
A case of pregnancy‐induced thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with a kidney allograft recipient
Authors: Iwami Daiki , Harada Hiroshi , Hotta Kiyohiko , Miura Masayoshi , Seki Toshimori , Togashi Masaki , Hirano Tetsuo 
Published: June 2010

Iwami D, Harada H, Hotta K, Miura M, Seki T, Togashi M, Hirano T. A case of pregnancy‐induced thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with a kidney allograft recipient. Clin Transplant 2010: 24 (Suppl. 22): 66–69. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  A 32‐yr‐old female patient, who had been suffering from diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis and a consequent end‐stage renal disease, successfully underwent living‐related ABO‐incompatible kidney transplantation after a desensitization therapy including anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody. Forty‐six months after the transplantation, the recipient became pregnant. At the 17th gestational week, the patient was admitted for the management of pregnancy‐induced hypertension and aggressive deterioration of kidney graft function. At the 21st gestational week, the patient lost her kidney graft and was re‐induced into regular hemodialysis. The patient was also suffering from progressive hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neurologic symptoms with decreased activity of von Willebrand factor‐cleaving protease, a disintegrin‐like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motifs 13 (ADAMTS13). From these findings and a kidney allograft biopsy, the patient was diagnosed as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura concurrent with acute T‐cell‐mediated rejection. The patient immediately underwent plasma exchange as well as steroid pulse therapy. Despite these treatments, thrombocytopenia and intrauterine growth retardation progressed. The patient underwent a caesarian section at the 24th gestational week. Consequently, her platelet count recovered drastically. However, the patient lost her neonate five d after giving a birth, and the patient’s graft function had never recovered.
ABO‐incompatible renal transplantation in Epstein syndrome
Authors: Ogura Masao , Kikuchi Eriko , Kaito Hiroshi , Kamei Koichi , Matsuoka Kentaro , Tanaka Hideaki , Kuroda Tatsuo , Sekine Takashi , Ito Shuichi 
Published: June 2010

Ogura M, Kikuchi E, Kaito H, Kamei K, Matsuoka K, Tanaka H, Kuroda T, Sekine T, Ito S. ABO‐incompatible renal transplantation in Epstein syndrome. Clin Transplant 2010: 24 (Suppl. 22): 31–34. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Epstein syndrome (ES) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease characterized by hereditary nephritis, sensory deafness, and thrombocytopenia. We herein report the case of a 20‐yr‐old man with ES who underwent ABO blood type‐incompatible living‐donor kidney transplantation from his mother. He was given platelet transfusion, and his pre‐operative number of platelets were 108 × 103/μL. After transplantation, urine output and the decrease in serum creatinine (sCr) were within the acceptable ranges. On the seventh post‐operative day (POD), sCr had risen and urine output decreased. Anti‐type A antibody rapidly elevated from <2 times (×2) just before transplantation to 64 times (×64), and the patient required hemodialysis again. Resistance index (RI) by ultrasound increased from an average of 0.5 ∼ 0.6 on POD 1 to an average of 0.7 ∼ 0.8 on POD 7. However, several biopsies (POD 4, 7, and 10) showed no obvious findings of acute rejection except for intense C4d deposition. Because acute antibody‐mediated rejection was not completely ruled out, he was treated with methyl‐prednisolone pulse therapy, plasma exchange, cyclophosphamide, and immunoglobulin. Regardless, his titer of anti‐type A antibody was still high, and he still presented oliguria. We performed an emergent splenectomy. Consequently, the levels of anti‐type A antibody decreased, the RI also dropped to an average of 0.6. However, on POD 19 and 25 (platelets were 27 × 103/μL and 36 × 103/μL), he developed a massive intraperitoneal hematoma around the graft and region of the removed spleen, which pushed the graft out and caused acute tubular necrosis, resulting in anuria. The RI rose to an average of 0.8 ∼ 1.0 after these episodes. He also experienced bleeding from a duodenal ulcer on POD 21. However, his renal function has fully recovered after acute hemodialysis for 35 d. The latest sCr was 1.5 mg/dL with a recovery in RI to 0.6. Although his platelet count was maintained at a minimum of 50 × 103/μL, he had several severe bleeding episodes, concluding that sufficient platelets are necessary after transplantation in ES.