bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of antibodies for quantitative determination of spiggin protein levels in male and female three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Authors: Berg Håkan , Scherbak Nikolai , Liimatta Harri , Hoffmann Erik , Karlsson Johnny , Olsson Per-Erik 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Spiggin is an adhesive glycoprotein produced in the kidney of sticklebacks during the breeding season and is subsequently secreted into the urinary bladder from where it is employed for nest building. Since the production of the protein has been shown to be under androgenic control, spiggin has been suggested to be a useful biomarker for androgenic substances in the environment. In this study, two polyclonal spiggin antibodies based on synthetic peptides and one polyclonal antibody directed against native spiggin have been characterized. The antibodies ability to identify spiggin was investigated by quantitative immunoassay. For both peptide antibodies the quantification range was determined to be between 1 and 80 ng spiggin and determination of renal spiggin levels from immature and mature males displayed a 15-fold increase in total spiggin content of the kidney resulting in a 6-fold increase in male kidney weight due to hypertrophy. The kidney somatic index (KSI) was found to correlate well with the total renal spiggin content and therefore it appears that KSI in sticklebacks could be used as an initial method to identify substances displaying androgenic effects. Furthermore, western blot analysis revealed that the polyclonal antibodies recognize different spiggin isoforms and that spiggin can be detected in the urinary bladder and kidney of both males and female sticklebacks. In order to develop a quantitative detection method for native spiggin it is necessary to produce a standard that can be used in a bioassay. Due to the adhesive and polymerization characteristics of spiggin the protein is difficult to use as a standard in bioassays. So far spiggin has been shown to exist in at least 14 isoforms, all of which contain polymerization domains. To overcome the solubility problem we have produced recombinant spiggin gamma, with only one polymerization domain, that can be expressed in E. coli. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the polyclonal antibodies were able to detect recombinant spiggin gamma protein in bacterial cell lysate, suggesting that it may be developed into a useful source of standard spiggin to be used for quantitative determination of androgen induced spiggin production in sticklebacks.
Noisy splicing, more than expression regulation, explains why some exons are subject to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay
Authors: Zhang Zhenguo , Xin Dedong , Wang Ping , Zhou Li , Hu Landian , Kong Xiangyin , Hurst Laurence D 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background

Nonsense-mediated decay is a mechanism that degrades mRNAs with a premature termination codon. That some exons have premature termination codons at fixation is paradoxical: why make a transcript if it is only to be destroyed? One model supposes that splicing is inherently noisy and spurious transcripts are common. The evolution of a premature termination codon in a regularly made unwanted transcript can be a means to prevent costly translation. Alternatively, nonsense-mediated decay can be regulated under certain conditions so the presence of a premature termination codon can be a means to up-regulate transcripts needed when nonsense-mediated decay is suppressed.

Results

To resolve this issue we examined the properties of putative nonsense-mediated decay targets in humans and mice. We started with a well-annotated set of protein coding genes and found that 2 to 4% of genes are probably subject to nonsense-mediated decay, and that the premature termination codon reflects neither rare mutations nor sequencing artefacts. Several lines of evidence suggested that the noisy splicing model has considerable relevance: 1) exons that are uniquely found in nonsense-mediated decay transcripts (nonsense-mediated decay-specific exons) tend to be newly created; 2) have low-inclusion level; 3) tend not to be a multiple of three long; 4) belong to genes with multiple splice isoforms more often than expected; and 5) these genes are not obviously enriched for any functional class nor conserved as nonsense-mediated decay candidates in other species. However, nonsense-mediated decay-specific exons for which distant orthologous exons can be found tend to have been under purifying selection, consistent with the regulation model.

Conclusion

We conclude that for recently evolved exons the noisy splicing model is the better explanation of their properties, while for ancient exons the nonsense-mediated decay regulated gene expression is a viable explanation.
Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 CRF07_BC strains circulating in the Xinjiang Province of China
Authors: Ma Liying , Guo Yanfang , Yuan Lin , Huang Yang , Sun Jianping , Qu Shuiling , Yu Xiaoling , Meng Zhefeng , He Xiang , Jiang Shibo , Shao Yiming 
Published: May 2009

Abstract

Background
HIV-1 CRF07_BC recombinant previously circulated mainly among the intravenous drug users (IDUs) in Xinjiang province of China and is currently spreading in the entire country. The aim of this study is to characterize the genotypic and phenotypic properties of HIV-1 CRF07_BC isolates in comparison with those of the subtype B' (Thailand B) which is prevalent in the former plasma donors (FPDs) in China.

Results
Twelve HIV-1 CRF07_BC variants were isolated from the blood of the HIV-1-infected IDUs in Xinjiang province, and 20 subtype B' isolates were obtained from the FPDs in Anhui and Shanxi provinces of China. All the CRF07_BC viruses utilized CCR5 co-receptor, whereas 12 subtype B' viruses were R5-tropic, and the remaining B' isolates were dual (R5X4) tropic. CRF07_BC viruses had lower net charge value in the V3 loop and exhibited slower replication kinetics than subtype B' viruses. The number and location of the potential N-linked glycosylation sites in V1/V2 and the C2 region of the CRF07_BC viruses were significantly different from those of the subtype B' viruses.

Conclusion
The HIV-1 CRF07_BC recombinant strains with relatively lower net charges in the V3 loop exclusively utilize CCR5 co-receptor for infection and exhibit slow replication kinetics in the primary target cells, suggesting that CRF07_BC may be superior over B' and other HIV-1 subtypes in initiating infection in high-risk population. These findings have molecular implications for the adaptive evolution of HIV-1 circulating in China and the design of tailored therapeutic strategy for treatment of HIV-1 CRF07_BC infection.
Identification of novel genetic susceptibility loci for Behçet's disease using a genome-wide association study
Authors: Fei Yiping , Webb Ryan , Cobb Beth L , Direskeneli Haner , Saruhan-Direskeneli Güher , Sawalha Amr H 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Behçet's disease is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that remains incompletely understood. Herein, we perform the first genome-wide association study in Behçet's disease.

Methods
Using DNA pooling technology and the Affymetrix 500K arrays, we identified possible candidate gene associations with Behçet's disease in a cohort of 152 Behçet's disease patients and 172 healthy ethnically matched controls. Genetic loci that were identified in the pooling study were genotyped in patients and controls using TaqMan genotyping technology.

Results
We identified genetic associations between Behçet's disease and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in KIAA1529, CPVL, LOC100129342, UBASH3B, and UBAC2 (odds ratio = 2.04, 2.26, 1.84, 1.71, and 1.61, respectively; P value = 4.2 × 10-5, 1.0 × 10-4, 3.0 × 10-4, 1.5 × 10-3, and 5.8 × 10-3, respectively). Among the associated SNPs, the Behçet's disease-risk allele in rs2061634 leads to substitution of serine to cysteine at amino acid position 995 (S995C) in the KIAA1529 protein.

Conclusions
Using an unbiased whole-genome genetic association approach, we identified novel candidate genetic loci that are associated with increased susceptibility for Behçet's disease. These findings will help to better understand the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease and identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
Immunohistochemical characterization of subtypes of male breast carcinoma
Authors: Ge Yimin , Sneige Nour , Eltorky Mahmoud A , Wang Zhiqin , Lin E , Gong Yun , Guo Ming 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Male breast cancer accounts for around 1% of all breast cancer cases but the incidence has risen in recent years. This study aimed to classify the molecular subtypes of male breast cancers based on the expression profile of immunomarkers and to evaluate their association with clinicopathological features and expression patterns of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB).

Methods
A total of 42 cases of male breast carcinoma were examined retrospectively using immunostains for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6), EGFR, and NF-κB. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression was evaluated by immunostaining and confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).

Results
The luminal A subtype was the most common subtype in male breast cancer (83%, 35/42), which was followed by the luminal B subtype (17%, 7/42). Basal-like and HER2+/ER- subtypes were not identified in this group. All carcinomas expressed ER and 67% of them were PR+. High nuclear grades were more common in the luminal B subtype (71%, 5/7) than in the luminal A subtype (34%, 12/35). The luminal B subtype carcinomas expressed EGFR (42%, 3/7) and NF-κB (57%, 4/7) more frequently than the luminal A subtype did (17%, 6/35 and 37%, 13/35, respectively).

Conclusions
In our study group, luminal A and B subtypes were the major subtypes of male breast carcinoma. The immunophenotypical features of male breast cancer differ from those of its female counterpart. Luminal B subtype tended to have high nuclear grade and more frequent expression of EGFR and NF-κB.
Effective delivery of evidence-informed practice
Authors: Eccles Colleen 
Published: May 2009

There is much support from the UK government for the development and implementation of policy and practice that is based on evidence. For over a decade, Research in Practice (RiP) has developed a web of interconnected strategies for delivering evidence-informed practice to professionals at all levels in children’s services. This article examines why the RiP model has proved sustainable and has grown in size and influence over the past 12 years. The article starts with a brief outline and illustrative examples of RiP’s mechanisms of delivery. Delivery is then explored in relation to the concepts of the individual, the champion, the agency and the network to enable analysis of need and impact at these levels.
Cross-cutting this framework is the argument that an essential factor in RiP’s success has been a move away from traditional evidence-based practice towards the adoption of a pluralistic notion of ‘evidence’ (Blewett, 2007). Furthermore, the use of the term ‘informed’ deliberately places human agency at the heart of decision making. In RiP’s approach, research is a key but not sole determinant of decision making and evidence is inclusive of practice wisdom and service user views. In particular, the development of RiP’s Change Project method is described as a response to deepening engagement with practice. It is argued that engagement with research as a process, rather than the pure transfer of research knowledge, is essential in delivering effective methods of evidence-informed practice.
On media monitoring – the Media for Democracy Monitor (MDM)
Authors: Trappel Josef , Maniglio Tanja 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Do the mass media deliver what contemporary democracies require? This fundamental research question has been discussed for many decades and the body of literature is firmly rooted in the debate following from the Hutchins Commission 1947. In more recent years, monitoring of the relations between democracy and the mass media has concentrated on new or democracies in transition. Fewer monitoring efforts have been undertaken in mature democracies. The following text develops a social science based monitoring instrument for established democracies, the Media for Democracy Monitor (MDM). It has been developed at the University of Zurich and tested in five European countries (Germany, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Portugal, and Switzerland).
Legal framework for media and democracy
Authors: Weber Rolf H. , Grosz Mirina 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
Open discourses and the free formation of opinions through unfettered information flows and communicated diversity of opinion are unthinkable without independent media and essential prerequisites for a functioning democracy. Notwithstanding the importance of the linkage between media and democracy, there is no harmonized framework addressing this issue. By adopting a legal perspective, this study shall outline existing and emerging regulations, with a particular focus on broadcast, print, and online media Two regulatory tiers are distinguished: At the international level, the establishment of aWorld Information Order as well as the human rights perspective intrinsic to the subject matter will be addressed. At the national level, legal approaches to particular tensions accompanying state regulation of the media will be examined.
Fasting insulin has a stronger association with an adverse cardiometabolic risk profile than insulin resistance: the RISC study
Authors: de Rooij Susanne R , Dekker Jacqueline M , Kozakova Michaela , Mitrakou Asimina , Melander Olle , Gabriel Rafael , Guidone Caterina , Højlund Kurt , Murphy Matthew S , Nijpels Giel , _ _ 
Published: May 2009

ObjectiveFasting insulin concentrations are often used as a surrogate measure of insulin resistance. We investigated the relative contributions of fasting insulin and insulin resistance to cardiometabolic risk and preclinical atherosclerosis.Design and methodsThe Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular disease (RISC) cohort consists of 1326 European non-diabetic, overall healthy men and women aged 30–60 years. We performed standard oral glucose tolerance tests and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps. As a general measure of cardiovascular risk, we assessed the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in 1177 participants. Carotid artery intima media thickness (IMT) was measured by ultrasound to assess preclinical atherosclerosis.ResultsFasting insulin was correlated with all elements of the metabolic syndrome. Insulin sensitivity (M/I) was correlated with most elements. The odds ratio for the metabolic syndrome of those in the highest quartile of fasting insulin compared with those in the lower quartiles was 5.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8–10.3, adjusted for insulin sensitivity) in men and 5.1 (2.6–9.9) in women. The odds ratio for metabolic syndrome of those with insulin sensitivity in the lowest quartile of the cohort compared with those in the higher quartiles was 2.4 (95% CI 1.3–4.7, adjusted for fasting insulin) in men and 1.6 (0.8–3.1) in women. Carotid IMT was only statistically significantly associated with fasting insulin in both men and women.ConclusionsFasting insulin, a simple and practical measure, may be a stronger and independent contributor to cardiometabolic risk and atherosclerosis in a healthy population than hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp-derived insulin sensitivity.
Recommended evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas is costly, has high false-positive rates and confers a risk of fatal cancer that is similar to the risk of the adrenal lesion becoming malignant; time for a rethink?
Authors: Cawood T J , Hunt P J , O'Shea D , Cole D , Soule S 
Published: May 2009

ObjectiveTo assess the performance of current clinical recommendations for the evaluation of an adrenal incidentaloma.Design and methodsLiterature review. Electronic databases (Pubmed, Ovid and citation searches from key articles) from 1980 to 2008 were searched. Eligible studies were those deemed most applicable to the clinical scenario of a patient referred to an endocrinologist for assessment of an incidentally detected adrenal mass. Surgical series, histopathological series and oncological series were reviewed and most were excluded.ResultsThe prevalence of functional and malignant lesions presenting as adrenal incidentaloma was similar to that quoted in most reviews, other than a lower incidence of adrenal carcinoma (1.9 vs 4.7%) and metastases (0.7 vs 2.3%). The development of functionality or malignancy during follow-up was rare (<1% becoming functional and 0.2% becoming malignant). During follow-up, false-positive rates of the recommended investigations are typically 50 times greater than true positive rates. The average recommended computed tomography (CT) scan follow-up exposes each patient to 23 mSv of ionising radiation, equating to a 1 in 430 to 2170 chance of causing fatal cancer. This is similar to the chance of developing adrenal malignancy during 3-year follow-up of adrenal incidentaloma.ConclusionCurrent recommendations for evaluation of adrenal incidentaloma are likely to result in significant costs, both financial and emotional, due to high false-positive rates. The dose of radiation involved in currently recommended CT scan follow-up confers a risk of fatal cancer that is similar to the risk of the adrenal becoming malignant. This argues for a review of current guidelines.
Expression of thyroid hormone transporters during critical illness
Authors: Mebis Liese , Paletta Deborah , Debaveye Yves , Ellger Björn , Langouche Lies , D'Hoore André , Darras Veerle M , Visser Theo J , Van den Berghe Greet 
Published: May 2009

ObjectiveProlonged critically ill patients have low circulating thyroid hormone (TH) levels without a rise in TSH, a condition labeled ‘the low tri-iodothyronine (T3) syndrome’. Currently, it is not clear whether this represents an adaptive response. We examined the role of TH transporters monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8, also known as SLC16A2) and MCT10 in the pathogenesis of the low T3 syndrome in prolonged critical illness.MethodsA clinical observational study in critically ill patients and an intervention study in an in vivo animal model of critical illness. Gene expression levels of MCT8 and MCT10 were measured by real-time PCR.ResultsIn prolonged critically ill patients, we measured increased MCT8 but not MCT10 gene expression levels in liver and skeletal muscle as compared with patients undergoing acute surgical stress. In a rabbit model of prolonged critical illness, gene expression levels of MCT8 in liver and of MCT10 in skeletal muscle were increased as compared with healthy controls. Treatment of prolonged critically ill rabbits with TH (thyroxine+T3) resulted in a downregulation of gene expression levels of MCT8 in liver and of MCT10 in muscle. Transporter expression levels correlated inversely with circulating TH parameters.ConclusionsThese data suggest that alterations in the expression of TH transporters do not play a major role in the pathogenesis of the ‘low T3 syndrome’ but rather reflect a compensatory effort in response to hypothyroidism.
Use of Hydrogen Peroxide to Improve Golden Shiner Egg Hatchability
Authors: Bozwell Jamie L , Clayton Richard D , Morris Joseph E 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
The efficacy of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in controlling fungal infections (saprolegniasis) in the eggs of golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas was assessed in two experiments. Golden shiner eggs were exposed in a 15-min static bath (21°C) to 0, 50, 100, or 200 mg H2O2/L in the first experiment and to 0, 200, 400, and or 800 mg/L in the second experiment. All treatments were based on the amount of active ingredient (30% active ingredient concentration of H2O2) in a single treatment. Three replicates of each concentration were used in each experiment. The objective was to determine the H2O2 concentration that would result in optimum hatching success. The hatching rate significantly increased in each treatment level until 800 mg/L. The mean ± SE percent egg hatchability was 72.3 ± 8.55% and 68.2 ± 5.03% at 400 and 800 mg/L, respectively. Regression analysis revealed the peak treatment level to be between 400 and 800 mg/L.
Influence of Grow-Out Feed Fatty Acid Composition on Finishing Success in Nile Tilapia
Authors: Trushenski Jesse T , Boesenberg John , Kohler Christopher C 
Published: May 2009

Abstract
The fatty acid (FA) composition of cultured finfish can be tailored by transitioning fish reared on alternative lipid-based, low long-chain polyunsaturated FA (LC-PUFA) content grow-out feeds to high LC-PUFA finishing feeds based on fish oil (FO) before harvest. To determine whether the FA composition of the grow-out feed influences finishing success in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, coconut (CO), grapeseed (GO), linseed (LO), and poultry (PO) oils were evaluated in grow-out feeds with respect to production performance and responsiveness to finishing. The production performance of Nile tilapia was unaffected by application of the various feeding regimes, indicating that this species can effectively utilize CO, GO, LO, PO, and FO in aquafeeds. Implementation of the alternative lipid sources was associated with altered fillet FA composition. Although the differences were not significant in all cases, the levels of FO-associated FAs (e.g., 20:5[n-3] and 22:6[n-3]) were elevated among finished groups relative to their unfinished counterparts. However, the effect of finishing on fillet LC-PUFA content was relatively minor given the considerable retention of LC-PUFAs observed in unfinished groups. The patterns of fillet FA profile change in Nile tilapia appear to support a hypothesis of selective FA metabolism in this species. Our results suggest that attempts to enhance the FA composition of Nile tilapia fillets via finishing may be best served by providing a grow-out feed high in saturated and monounsaturated FAs and low in medium-chain polyunsaturated FAs.