bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Auxin stimulates DWARF4 expression and brassinosteroid biosynthesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chung Yuhee , Maharjan Puna M. , Lee Oksun , Fujioka Shozo , Jang Suyoun , Kim Bokyung , Takatsuto Suguru , Tsujimoto Masafumi , Kim Hobang , Cho Seoae , Park Taesung , Cho Hyunwoo , Hwang Ildoo , Choe Sunghwa 
Published: February 2011

SummaryBrassinosteroids (BRs) are growth‐promoting steroidal hormones. Despite the importance of BRs in plant biology, the signal that initiates BR biosynthesis remains unknown. Among the enzymes involved in BR biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), DWARF4 catalyzes the rate‐determining step. Through both the histochemical analysis of DWF4pro:GUS plants and the direct measurement of endogenous BR content, we discovered that BR biosynthesis is stimulated by auxin. When DWF4pro:GUS was subjected to auxin dose–response tests and a time‐course analysis, GUS activity started to increase at an auxin concentration of 10 nm, rising noticeably after 1 h of auxin treatment. In addition, the analysis of the DWF4pro:GUS line in BR‐ and auxin‐mutant backgrounds revealed that the induction by auxin requires auxin‐signaling pathways but not BRs, which implies that auxin signaling directly controls BR biosynthesis. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that auxin inhibits the binding of the transcriptional repressor, BZR1, to the DWF4 promoter. A microarray analysis that was designed to examine the transcriptomes after treatment with auxin alone or auxin plus brassinazole (a BR biosynthetic inhibitor) revealed that genes previously characterized as being auxin responsive are not properly regulated when BR biosynthesis is disrupted by brassinazole. Therefore, our results support the idea that auxin regulates BR biosynthesis, and that auxin thus relies on synthesized BRs for some of its growth‐promoting effects in Arabidopsis.
Chronic kidney disease growth factors in renal fibrosis
Authors: Boor Peter , Floege Jürgen 
Published: January 2011

Summary1. The common pathological alteration in virtually every progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) is renal fibrosis.2. This review focuses on some growth factors, which are particularly well‐established in contributing to fibrosis, such as the profibrotic, transforming growth factor‐β, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), as well as the antifibrotic, bone morphogenic protein 7. The role of other growth factors is only starting to emerge (e.g. platelet‐derived growth factor), and the role of yet others remains unclear (e.g. vascular endothelial growth factor).3. Whether circulating or excreted, growth factors might serve as biomarkers of renal fibrosis and CKD remains largely unanswered.4. Animal studies suggest that manipulation of growth factors might be an effective treatment option for patients with renal fibrosis and CKD. So far, only inhibition of CTGF is being tested in patients with diabetic nephropathy.
Bibliometrics as politics: the case of emerging disciplines
Authors: Traynor Michael 
Published: February 2011

TRAYNOR M. (2011) Bibliometrics as politics: the case of emerging disciplines. International Nursing Review58, 26–27Academic nurses are increasingly turning to bibliometrics to assess the state and status of research publication in nursing in countries around the world. Early bibliometric studies were carried out by Cattell as part of a project to advance research in psychology in the early decades of the 20th century. There are some echoes in nursing's moves to increase its standing over the last 40 years. The interpretation of bibliometric studies can reveal embedded values about academic disciplinary activity and normative views of scientific work. Patterns of publishing by nurse academics appear increasingly to resemble those in biomedicine as a whole.
‘I'm not a computer person’: Negotiating participation in academic Discourses
Authors: Lohnes Watulak Sarah 
Published: February 2011

AbstractWhile there is little doubt that technology is, in many ways, central to the college student experience today, the expectations of students and colleges vis‐à‐vis technology may not always be the same. This research explores the role of technology in the lives of today's college students, particularly within the institutional context of the university, and asks the question: What role does technology play in a freshman college student's participation in the academic Discourse of her institution? This paper focuses on the Discourse analysis of one student, Nichole, a focal participant in a semester‐long, qualitative study of 34 undergraduate students at a university in the northeastern United States. Nichole's general dislike of technology places her in opposition to assumptions about the ‘typical’ Net Gen student; results indicated that the ways in which Nichole used technology in her personal life conflicted with her participation in the pro‐technology academic Discourse of her institution. For Nichole, the disconnect between the institutional expectations for technology use and her personal technology practices resulted in the need to negotiate another layer of complexity on the path to academic success.
THE DYNAMIC RELATION BETWEEN RETURNS, TRADING VOLUME, AND VOLATILITY: LESSONS FROM SPILLOVERS BETWEEN ASIA AND THE UNITED STATES
Authors: Gębka Bartosz 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the dynamic relationship between index returns, return volatility, and trading volume for eight Asian markets and the US. We find cross‐border spillovers in returns to be non‐existent, spillovers in absolute returns between Asia and the US to be strong in both directions, and spillovers in volatility to run from Asia to the US. Trading volume, especially on the Asian markets, depends on shocks in domestic and foreign returns as well as on volatility, especially those shocks originating in the US. However, only weak evidence is found for trading volume influencing other variables. In the light of the theoretical models, these results suggest sequential information arrivals, with investors being overconfident and applying positive feedback strategy. Furthermore, new information causes price volatility to rise due to differences in its interpretation among traders, but the subsequent market reaction takes the form of adjustment in price level, not volatility. Lastly, the intensity of cross‐border spillovers seems to have increased following the 1997 crisis, which we interpret as evidence of increased noisiness in prices and diversity in opinions about news originating abroad. Our findings might also help to understand the nature of financial crises, to predict their further developments and consequences.
Effect of Myoglobin from Eastern Little Tuna Muscle on Lipid Oxidation of Washed Asian Seabass Mince at Different pH Conditions
Authors: Thiansilakul Yaowapa , Benjakul Soottawat , Richards Mark P. 
Published: February 2011

Abstract:  The effect of pH (6.0, 6.5, and 7.0) on lipid oxidation in washed Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) mince mediated by oxymyoglobin from the dark muscle of little Eastern tuna (Euthynnus affinis) during 8 d of refrigerated storage was studied. Metmyoglobin formation and discoloration increased with increasing storage time and the changes were more pronounced at lower pH. The highest lipid oxidation and off‐odor development were observed when myoglobin was incorporated in washed mince at pH 6.0. At low pH, oxidation of myoglobin took place and lipid oxidation in washed mince was enhanced. This was concomitant with the increased fishy and rancid off odor in the sample containing myoglobin, especially at pH 6.0. Washed mince containing myoglobin at pH 6.0 had 1‐octen‐3‐ol and hexanal as the major volatile compounds. Thus, postmortem pH and myoglobin played an essential role in lipid oxidation and off odor in fish muscle during the extended storage.Practical Application:  Myoglobin plays a role in the color of fish muscle. The change of myoglobin affects not only consumer acceptability, but also lipid oxidation as well as odor. The control of pH of muscle could be a potential means to lower the lipid oxidation mediated by myoglobin. As a consequence, the prime quality of fish with a negligible fishy odor could be maintained during postharvest handling or storage.
Effects of Supplemental UV‐A on the Development, Anatomy and Metabolite Production of Phyllanthus tenellus Cultured In Vitro
Authors: Victório Cristiane Pimentel , Leal‐Costa Marcos Vinicius , Schwartz Tavares Eliana , Machado Kuster Ricardo , Salgueiro Lage Celso Luiz 
Published: January 2011

Abstract Phyllanthus tenellus is widely used for its antiviral, analgesic and hepatoprotective properties. Although the production of several chemical classes of secondary metabolites is influenced by UV radiation, particularly phenolic compounds, we also know that UV radiation can result in anatomical and developmental damage. However, the morphological, anatomical and phytochemical changes in response to UV‐A exposure are generally understudied in the Phyllanthaceae. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of UV‐A radiation on plant development and leaf anatomy, as well as the production of secondary metabolites and the contents of carotenoids and chlorophylls a and b, in P. tenellus. To accomplish this, in vitro cultures of P. tenellus were maintained for 60 days under white light (WL) and WL plus UV‐A radiation. Results showed different phenotypic responses under additional UV‐A, such as high phenolic metabolite production, increasing dimensions of abaxial epidermis and thickness of palisade parenchyma. Compared to plants cultured under WL, UV‐A radiation caused damage to plant morphogenesis, including a reduced number of branches and shoots, consequently reducing the rate of proliferation. On the other hand, geraniin, ellagic acid and carotenoid contents increased after UV‐A exposure, indicating that this light source is an important resource for inducing phenolic compounds.
Acid pump antagonist‐provoked HSP27 dephosphorylation and accentuation rescues stomach from indomethacin‐induced damages
Authors: OCK Chan Young , LIM Yun Jeong , KIM Yoon Jae , CHUNG Jun Won , KWON Kwang An , KIM Ju Hyun , HAHM Ki Baik 
Published: January 2011

OBJECTIVE:  Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are crucial for the maintenance of cellular integrity during normal cell growth as well as pathophysiological conditions. While acting as molecular chaperones with their folding activities, HSPs play a cytoprotective role to rescue epithelial cells from several gastric damages including non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Helicobacter pylori. Since the exact relationship between HSP27 phosphorylation and biological function remains unknown in NSAID‐induced gastropathy, we hypothesized that revaprazan, a novel acid pump antagonist, can secure significant cytoprotection from NSAID damages through HSP27 accentuation.METHODS:  We evaluated protective actions of revaprazan against either in vivo animal model of indomethacin induced gastropathy or in vitro cell model focused on HSP27 expression and activation.RESULTS:  Indomethacin induced significant cytotoxicities accompanied with phosphorylated HSP27 and attenuated levels of HSP27 in the in vitro cell experiment and revaprazan administration protected stomach from indomethacin‐induced gastric damages in accordance with HSP27 dephosphorylation in the in vivo animal experiment. HSP27 siRNA abolished these cytoprotective privileges of revaprazan. Indomethacin, 40 mg/kg, po, administration provoked significant levels of gastric damages accompanied with decrement in HSP27, while rats administrated with revaprazan prior to indomethacin imposed the accentuation of HSP27, of which levels were significantly correlated with the prevention of the indomethacin‐induced gastric damages.CONCLUSION:  HSP27 phosphorylation with resultant decrease in HSP27 level was one of the mechanisms of indomethacin‐induced cytotoxicity, of which post‐translational modifications were prevented with revaprazan administration in the presence of indomethacin. Therefore, acid pump antagonist could be a choice for the prevention of NSAID‐induced gastropathy backed up with distinctive cytoprotective action beyond acid suppressor.
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism and ulcerative colitis susceptibility in Han Chinese
Authors: PEI Feng Hua , WANG Yan Jun , GAO Shan Ling , LIU Bing Rong , DU Ya Ju , LIU Wei , YU Hong Ying , ZHAO Li Xia , CHI Bao Rong 
Published: January 2011

OBJECTIVE:  Specific polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been associated with genetic susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in different ethnic populations.METHODS:  A total of 218 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 251 healthy controls were genotyped for VDR gene polymorphisms using PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) assay. VDR gene polymorphisms (Apa I, Taq I, Bsm I and Fok I) were analyzed for both genotypic and phenotypic susceptibilities.RESULTS:  Among the four examined VDR gene polymorphisms, the Bsm I polymorphism showed a slightly higher distribution in our study population than that in the previous studies. We also found that the increased frequency of the Bb genotype of the Bsm I VDR gene polymorphism was associated with UC in Han Chinese, as compared with healthy controls (28.4% vs. 18.7%, χ2 = 6.044, P = 0.014, OR = 1.739, 95% CI = 1.122–2.697). Moreover, Bsm I polymorphic allele (B) frequency was significantly increased in the UC cases, as compared to the healthy controls (14.7% vs. 7.8% χ2 = 6.222, P = 0.013; OR = 1.670, 95% CI = 1.113–2.506). In contrast, the other three VDR gene polymorphisms (Apa I, Taq I and Fok I) were not associated with UC susceptibility in the Han Chinese cohort. In addition, none of these four VDR polymorphisms had statistical association with clinicopathological parameters of these UC patients.CONCLUSION:  This study demonstrated a probable association of the Bsm I polymorphism of the VDR gene with ulcerative colitis susceptibility in Han Chinese.
Short‐term study of infliximab treatment for Crohn's disease in China
Authors: ZHENG Jia Ju , ZHI Pang , WANG Yu Ming , ZHU Fan , GU Wei , XING Yi Chen , ZHOU Chun Li , SHEN Bi Wu 
Published: January 2011

OBJECTIVE:  To determine the effectiveness and safety of short‐term treatment of infliximab (IFX) in a group of Chinese patients with active Crohn's disease (CD).METHODS:  Patients with established diagnosis of active CD were treated with IFX intravenously with a dose of 5 mg/kg at week 0, 2, 6. Clinical assessments were performed at baseline (week 0) and every week after IFX infusion until 8 weeks after the induction dose.RESULTS:  Fourteen patients (nine male, five female) with a mean age of 29.7 years (range from 15 to 65 years) were included in the analysis. The mean subjective scores were decreased from 2.85 ± 0.57 at baseline to 1.3 ± 0.4 at week 14 (P < 0.05). The mean Harvey‐Bradshaw index was 7.9 ± 1.5 at baseline and 2.3 ± 1.0 at week 14. The levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C‐reactive protein, total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were significantly improved during the 14‐week period. Colonoscopy showed a remarkable improvement. Mild and transient adverse events including skin itching, headache and elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase were each observed in one patient. Severe anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia at week 27 after three infusions of IFX were observed in one patient.CONCLUSIONS:  Treatment with three infusions of IFX at a dose of 5 mg/kg was effective for induction of remission for active CD patients who failed to respond to conventional therapies. Study of long‐term efficacy and safety of IFX therapy is warranted for further investigations.
Correlation of the expression of toll‐like receptors in monocyte‐derived dendritic cells with prognosis of chronic severe hepatitis B
Authors: LI Ning , CHEN Ming Quan , QIAN Zhi Ping , ZHU Meng Qi , LI Qian , ZHENG Jian Ming , WANG Xin Yu , SHI Guang Feng 
Published: January 2011

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to measure the expression of toll‐like receptors (TLR) in monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (MoDC) from chronic severe hepatitis B (CSHB), to assess the contribution of TLRs in CSHB.METHODS: Peripheral blood was collected from 40 CSHB patients, 30 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and 30 healthy individuals who served as healthy controls (HCs). Purified monocytes were isolated by a combination of Histopaque‐1.077 and CD14 Microbeads. MoDCs were induced with granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and interleukin‐4 for 6 days from CD14+monocytes. The expression of TLRs in MoDC was measured using real‐time PCR and flow cytometry.RESULTS: The expressions of TLR‐1, ‐2, ‐7 were significantly higher in MoDC of CSHB than that of HCs, of which the level of TLR‐3 was decreased. Particularly in CSHB patients, the TLR‐3 expression was further decreased compared to CHB patients. In non‐survival CSHB patients, TLR‐3 level was significantly decreased, while TLR‐2 expression was dramatically increased. Linear correlation analysis demonstrated significant correlations between TLR‐3 level and disease severity markers (total bilirubin, prothrombin activity, creatinine, white blood cell count, and maximum volume of ascitic fluid) in individual CSHB patients.CONCLUSIONS: TLR‐2 and TLR‐3 may be involved in the pathogenesis of CSHB, and TLR‐3 may influence the prognosis of CSHB.
Identification of Anaplasma spp. Rickettsia Isolated from Horses from Clinical Disease Cases in Poland
Authors: Adaszek Ł. , Winiarczyk S. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryThis study was aimed at determining the cause of the diseases in five horses exhibiting symptoms of fever, joint oedema and ataxia and thrombocytopenia. The PCR technique revealed the presence in the blood of 16S RNA Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. genetic material. DNA amplification with primers EHR 521 and EHR 747 gave a product with a size of 247 bp. The sequence of the PCR product obtained showed a 97.6–99.6% similarity with a sequence of a fragment of 16S RNA Anaplasma phagocytophilum, gene number EU 090186 from GenBank. Intravenous administration of oxytetracycline at a dose of 8 mg/kg of body mass for 7 days resulted in a gradual recovery.
Role of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
LamB Porin in Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: García-Sureda Laura , Juan Carlos , Doménech-Sánchez Antonio , Albertí Sebastián 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT

To investigate the contribution of LamB in
Klebsiella pneumoniae
antimicrobial resistance, we determined the MICs of various antibiotics and the frequency of mutation to increased cefoxitin or meropenem resistance of the strains CSUB10S (expressing only OmpK36), CSUB10R (lacking OmpK35 and OmpK36), and their derived isogenic insertion-duplication mutants deficient in LamB. Expression of LamB was indispensable in order for CSUB10S to lose OmpK36 and become resistant to cefoxitin, while in CSUB10R, LamB deficiency promoted increased resistance to carbapenem.
Successful Treatment of Old World Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused by
Leishmania infantum
with Posaconazole
Authors: Paniz Mondolfi A. E. , Stavropoulos C. , Gelanew T. , Loucas E. , Perez Alvarez A. M. , Benaim G. , Polsky B. , Schoenian G. , Sordillo E. M. 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT

Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis is a widespread and potentially disfiguring protozoal infection that is endemic in the Mediterranean basin, Africa, and parts of Asia. Human infection is caused by several species of
Leishmania
parasites, such as
Leishmania infantum
. Available systemic and topical treatments vary in efficacy and are often unjustified due to their toxicity. We report on a case that was treated with posaconazole, a drug typically considered an antifungal agent but which also targets specific metabolic pathways of the parasite.
Development of an Antivirulence Drug against
Streptococcus mutans
: Repression of Biofilm Formation, Acid Tolerance, and Competence by a Histidine Kinase Inhibitor, Walkmycin C
Authors: Eguchi Yoko , Kubo Norihiro , Matsunaga Hiroko , Igarashi Masayuki , Utsumi Ryutaro 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT

Two-component signal transduction systems (TCSs) in prokaryotes often regulate gene clusters that induce pathogenicity, and thus they have frequently been proposed as potential drug targets for attenuating the virulence of pathogens. The pathogenic potential of
Streptococcus mutans
, the major etiological pathogen of dental caries, is also regulated by its TCSs. The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of a histidine kinase (HK) inhibitor against two major virulence factors of
S. mutans
: biofilm formation and acid tolerance. Walkmycin C (WKM C), an HK inhibitor isolated from the screening of inhibitors against WalK HK in
Bacillus subtilis
, inhibited the
in vitro
autophosphorylation activity of three purified
S. mutans
HKs, i.e., VicK, CiaH, and LiaS. Although
S. mutans
does not have any essential HK but only an essential response regulator, VicR, WKM C showed an MIC of 6.25 μg/ml. This inhibitory effect of WKM C suggests that blocking the autophosphorylation of multiple HKs may inhibit phosphotransfer to VicR from VicK and other HKs. When WKM C was added at sub-MIC levels, the cells formed abnormal biofilms and also showed a defect in competence. When the cells were pretreated with WKM C, an increase in acid sensitivity was observed. Our results show that WKM C represses two pathogenic phenotypes of
S. mutans
, indicating the possibility of developing histidine kinase inhibitors into antivirulence drugs.
Fecal Bacteroidales Diversity and Decay in Response to Variations in Temperature and Salinity
Authors: Schulz Christopher J. , Childers Gary W. 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT

Bacteroidales
are attractive as water quality indicators because of their potential to discern sources of fecal pollution, and it is presumed that these bacteria do not multiply outside their host organisms. The persistence of a fecal
Bacteroidales
marker was monitored over 14 days in river water microcosms that varied in temperature from 10°C to 30°C and salinity from 0‰ to 30‰ by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Decay rates were estimated and compared to the results of other studies examining the survival and persistence of
Bacteroidales
markers by converting decay rates from other studies to a common decay rate unit. The log-linear decay rates estimated in this work ranged from −0.18 to −1.31 ln(
C

T

/
C
0
) day
−1
, where
C

T

is the threshold cycle and
C
0
is the concentration of cells at time zero, which is comparable to findings in previous studies. Salinity had a positive effect on
Bacteroidales
marker persistence, while decay was more rapid at higher temperatures. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries generated from microcosm samples indicated that most of the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) and phylogenetic diversity was found within samples and not between samples, indicating at least qualitatively that diverse lineages persist and likely have similar survival characteristics under most of the conditions examined. It was noted that the samples at higher salinities also had the smallest amount of diversity between samples as well as the lowest decay rates. This research also highlights the need for a repository of raw survival and persistence data if more sophisticated models of decay are to be employed and compared between different studies.
Field Detection of
Schistosoma japonicum
Cercariae in Environmental Water Samples by Quantitative PCR
Authors: Worrell Caitlin , Xiao Ning , Vidal Jorge E. , Chen Lin , Zhong Bo , Remais Justin 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACT

A species-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was combined with two novel water-sampling methods and compared with the mouse bioassay for the quantitative detection of
S. japonicum
in surface waters. The novel methods were capable of capturing cercariae and, with subsequent analysis through qPCR, detecting the presence of a minimum of 1 cercaria.