bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interference of quorum sensing in Pseudomonas syringae by bacterial epiphytes that limit iron availability
Authors: Dulla Glenn F. J. , Krasileva Ksenia V. , Lindow Steven E. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryLeaf surfaces harbour bacterial epiphytes that are capable of influencing the quorum sensing (QS) system, density determination through detection of diffusible signal molecules, of the plant‐pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) which controls expression of extracellular polysaccharide production, motility and other factors contributing to virulence to plants. Approximately 11% of the bacterial epiphytes recovered from a variety of plants produced a diffusible factor capable of inhibiting the QS system of Pss as indicated by suppression of ahlI. Blockage of QS by these interfering strains correlated strongly with their ability to limit iron availability to Pss. A direct relationship between the ability of isogenic Escherichia coli strains to sequester iron via their production of different siderophores and their ability to suppress QS in Pss was also observed. Quorum sensing induction was inversely related to iron availability in culture media supplemented with iron chelators or with FeCl3. Co‐inoculation of interfering strains with Pss onto leaves increased the number of resultant disease lesions over twofold compared with that on plants inoculated with Pss alone. Transposon‐generated mutants of interfering strains in which QS inhibition was blocked did not increase disease when co‐inoculated with Pss. Increased disease incidence was also not observed when a non‐motile mutant of Pss was co‐inoculated onto plants with QS interfering bacteria suggesting that these strains enhanced the motility of Pss in an iron‐dependent manner, leading to an apparent increase in virulence of this pathogen. Considerable cross‐talk mediated by iron scavenging apparently occurs on plants, thereby altering the behaviour of bacteria such as Pss that exhibit important QS‐dependent traits in this habitat.
Distinct oligomeric forms of thePseudomonas aeruginosaRetS sensor domain modulate accessibility to the ligand binding site
Authors: Vincent Florence , Round Adam , Reynaud Aline , Bordi Christophe , Filloux Alain , Bourne Yves 
Published: June 2010

SummaryBacterial two‐component regulatory systems (TCSs) sense environmental stimuli to adapt the lifestyle of microbial populations. For many TCSs the stimulus is a ligand of unknown chemical nature.Pseudomonas aeruginosautilizes the closely related RetS and LadS sensor kinases to switch between acute and chronic infections. These sensor proteins antagonistically mediate biofilm formation through communication with a central TCS, GacA/GacS. Recently, it was shown that RetS modulates the GacS sensor activity by forming RetS/GacS heterodimers. LadS and RetS are hybrid sensors with a signalling domain consisting of a 7‐transmembrane (7TMR) region and a periplasmic sensor domain (diverse intracellular signalling module extracellular 2, DISMED2). The 2.65 Å resolution crystal structure of RetS DISMED2, called RetSp, reveals three distinct oligomeric states capable of domain swapping. The RetSp structure also displays two putative ligand binding sites. One is equivalent to the analogous site in the structurally‐related carbohydrate binding module (CBM) but the second site is located at a dimer interface. These observations highlight the modular architecture and assembly of the RetSp fold and give clues on how homodimerization of RetS could be modulated upon ligand binding to control formation of a RetS/GacS heterodimer. Modelling the DISMED2 of LadS reveals conservation of only one ligand binding site, suggesting a distinct mechanism underlying the activity of this sensor kinase.
Protein oxidation and aggregation in UVA‐irradiated Escherichia coli cells as signs of accelerated cellular senescence
Authors: Bosshard Franziska , Riedel Kathrin , Schneider Thomas , Geiser Carina , Bucheli Margarete , Egli Thomas 
Published: June 2010

SummarySolar disinfection (SODIS) is a simple drinking water treatment method that improves microbiological water quality where other means are unavailable. It makes use of the deleterious effect of solar irradiation on pathogenic microbes and viruses. A positive impact on health has been documented in several epidemiological studies. However, the molecular mechanisms damaging cells during this simple treatment are not yet fully understood. Here we show that protein damage is crucial in the process of inactivation by sunlight. Protein damages in UVA‐irradiated Escherichia coli cells have been evaluated by an immunoblot method for carbonylated proteins and an aggregation assay based on semi‐quantitative proteomics. A wide spectrum of structural and enzymatic proteins within the cell is affected by carbonylation and aggregation. Vital cellular functions like the transcription and translation apparatus, transport systems, amino acid synthesis and degradation, respiration, ATP synthesis, glycolysis, the TCA cycle, chaperone functions and catalase are targeted by UVA irradiation. The protein damage pattern caused by SODIS strongly resembles the pattern caused by reactive oxygen stress. Hence, sunlight probably accelerates cellular senescence and leads to the inactivation and finally death of UVA‐irradiated cells.
Comparison of the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Japanese patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ohta M. , Babazono T. , Uchigata Y. , Iwamoto Y. 
Published: June 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 1017–1023 (2010)AbstractAims  The relationship between type of diabetes and risk of chronic kidney disease has not been studied in detail. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Japanese adults with diabetes, with a particular emphasis on the comparison of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.Methods  We studied 3,575 Japanese patients with diabetes, 504 with Type 1 (mean ± SD age 38 ± 13 years; 350 women and 154 men) and 3071 with Type 2 diabetes (60 ± 13 years; 1187 women and 1884 men). Prevalence rates of albuminuria [urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (≥ 30 mg/g], decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2) and chronic kidney disease (defined as albuminuria and/or decreased eGFR) were compared between the two diabetic groups.Results  The prevalence of albuminuria was higher in Type 2 than Type 1 diabetic patients by both Fisher’s exact test (36.1 vs. 15.9%, P < 0.001) and multivariate logistic regression analysis [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.482, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.050–2.091, P = 0.025]. The prevalence of decreased eGFR was also higher in Type 2 diabetic patients (25.2 vs. 7.9%, P < 0.001); however, the statistical significance disappeared after adjusting for covariates, including age (OR = 0.656, 95% CI = 0.395–1.088, P = 0.102). The prevalence of chronic kidney disease was also higher in Type 2 diabetic patients (46.0 vs. 19.1%, P < 0.001); however, the statistical significance disappeared in the multivariate analysis.Conclusions  Type 2 diabetic patients are more than twice as likely as Type 1 diabetic patients to have chronic kidney disease due to an age‐independent higher prevalence of albuminuria and age‐dependent decreased eGFR.
Speed of processing, anticipation, inhibition and working memory in bilinguals
Authors: Bonifacci Paola , Giombini Lucia , Bellocchi Stéphanie , Contento Silvana 
Published: June 2010

AbstractLiterature on the so‐called bilingual advantage is directed towards the investigation of whether the mastering of two languages fosters cognitive skills in the non‐verbal domain. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the bilingual advantage in non‐verbal skills could be best defined as domain‐general or domain‐specific, and, in the latter case, at identifying the basic cognitive skills involved. Bilingual and monolingual participants were divided into two different age groups (children, youths) and were tested on a battery of elementary cognitive tasks which included a choice reaction time task, a go/no‐go task, two working memory tasks (numbers and symbols) and an anticipation task. Bilingual and monolingual children did not differ from each other except for the anticipation task, where bilinguals were found to be faster and more accurate than monolinguals. These findings suggest that anticipation, which has received little attention to date, is an important cognitive domain which needs to be evaluated to a greater extent both in bilingual and monolingual participants.
Space matters: The impact of formal learning environments on student learning
Authors: Brooks D. Christopher 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe objective of this research is to identify the relationship between formal learning spaces and student learning outcomes. Using a quasi‐experimental design, researchers partnered with an instructor who taught identical sections of the same course in two radically different formal learning environments to isolate the impact of the physical environment on student learning. The results of the study reveal that, holding all factors excepting the learning spaces constant, students taking the course in a technologically enhanced environment conducive to active learning techniques outperformed their peers who were taking the same course in a more traditional classroom setting. The evidence suggests strongly that technologically enhanced learning environments, independent of all other factors, have a significant and positive impact on student learning.
“LONG LIVE THE WEEDS AND THE WILDERNESS YET”: REFLECTIONS ON A SECULAR AGE
Authors: HAUERWAS STANLEY , COLES ROMAND 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWhile we are deeply appreciative of Taylor's A Secular Age, we nonetheless worry that his use of the immanent/transcendent duality may introduce a certain kind of Christian Constantinianism that he wants to disavow. In particular, we worry that the immanent/transcendent duality is far too formal in its character. In order to develop this concern, we draw on Talal Asad's account of the secular to suggest how liturgy may provide an alternative way of understanding as well as challenging Taylor's worries about “the immanent frame.”
THE RESPONSE OF A THEOLOGIAN TO CHARLES TAYLOR'S A SECULAR AGE
Authors: BAUM GREGORY 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe author of this article confirms Charles Taylor's thesis that despite the growing spread of unbelief in modern society, i) religion remains an independent variable, ii) a creative “back and forth” continues to occur between secular wisdom and religious faith, and iii) the difference between these two does not necessarily produce opposition between them. The author also agrees with the importance Taylor attaches to the emergence of immanent humanism. Yet the author disagrees with Taylor's account of contemporary culture and religion as expressions of people's quest of identity; the article demonstrates instead that religion participates in all contemporary social movements.
Social Inclusion through Participation: the Case of the Participatory Budget in São Paulo
Authors: HERNÁNDEZ‐MEDINA ESTHER 
Published: June 2010

AbstractOne of the largest urban centers in the world, the Brazilian city of São Paulo is characterized by high levels of socio‐economic inequality and political polarization, significantly complicating issues of urban governance. Despite being designed to partially address these problems, São Paulo's participatory budget (PB) was bounded by its urban context, institutional design and the relative strength of the political actors involved. The article analyzes a mechanism created within the PB to incorporate historically disadvantaged groups, or ‘socially vulnerable segments’, during the Workers' Party administration of 2001–04. The segments methodology constitutes an intriguing example of how affirmative action can be used to improve decision‐making processes and address social exclusion in urban contexts. In particular, the segments served as a ‘counterpublic’ within the PB, helping activists representing the segments to develop strategies influencing the city's urban and social policy.Résumé L’un des plus grands centres urbains du monde, São Paulo au Brésil, se caractérise par des niveaux élevés d’inégalité socio‐économique et de polarisation politique, ce qui complique considérablement les enjeux de la gouvernance urbaine. Bien que conçu en partie pour traiter ces problèmes, le budget participatif appliquéà São Paulo était contraint par son contexte urbain, son modèle institutionnel et la puissance relative des acteurs politiques impliqués. L’article analyse un mécanisme créé au sein du système de budget participatif dans le but d’intégrer des groupes traditionnellement désavantagés, ou ‘segments socialement vulnérables’, pendant l’administration municipale du Parti des Travailleurs de 2001 à 2004. La méthodologie des segments constitue une illustration intéressante de la manière dont une action antidiscriminatoire peut servir à améliorer des processus de décision et intervenir sur l’exclusion sociale dans des contextes urbains. Les segments ont notamment agi en ‘contre‐public’ dans le budget participatif, aidant les militants qui représentaient les segments àélaborer des stratégies visant à influencer les politiques urbaines et sociales de la ville.
A survey and analysis of the role of molecular chaperone proteins and imidazole‐containing dipeptide‐based compounds as molecular escorts into the skin during stress, injury, water structuring and other types of cutaneous pathophysiology
Authors: Babizhayev M. A. , Nikolayev G. M. , Nikolayeva J. G. , Yegorov Y. E. 
Published: June 2010

SynopsisMolecular chaperone, heat shock proteins (HSPs), stabilizes intracellular processes of cells under stress. Little is known about the role of molecular chaperone proteins in the skin pathology, rejuvenation and wound healing, or whether their expression is altered by environmental and physiological stress to the skin or systemic disease. The focus of this study was to examine the role of molecular chaperone proteins in the skin’s local response to wounding, skin ageing and a range of skin diseases. Free radicals, one form of insult, induce or contribute to adverse effects on the skin, including erythema, oedema, wrinkling, photoaging, inflammation, autoimmune reactions, hypersensitivity, keratinization abnormalities, preneoplastic lesions and skin cancer. A unified view of the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of the skin age‐related pathology conditions has led to the search for molecular and chemical chaperones that can slow, arrest or revert disease progression. Specific alpha‐crystallin domains and pharmacological imidazole‐containing dipeptide chaperone molecules are now emerging that link our biophysical insights with developed skin therapeutic techniques. In this article, we discuss the molecular nature of the stress signals, the mechanisms that underlie activation of the heat shock response, the role of molecular chaperone proteins as skin protective molecules, and strategies for pharmacologically active chaperone molecules and their imidazole‐containing dipeptide inducers as regulators of the skin stress response. We discuss how impairment in protein hydration may cause ultrastructural, mechanical and biochemical changes in structural proteins in the aged skin. We have pioneered the molecular chaperone protein activated therapeutic or cosmetic platform to enable simultaneous analysis of water‐binding and structuring characteristics for biology of skin ageing and skin disease‐related pathways. This cutting‐edge technology has improved the way that proteins hydrate in photoaged skin. The mechanisms of skin diseases, ageing, cellular, and signalling pathways mediated by targeting with molecular chaperone protein(s) in patented formulations with imidazole containing dipeptide (N‐acetylcarnosine, carcinine, carnosine) are also discussed within this review.
Response to distress in infants at risk for autism: a prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Hutman Ted , Rozga Agata , DeLaurentis Angeline D. , Barnwell Jenna M. , Sugar Catherine A. , Sigman Marian 
Published: June 2010

Background:  Infants and preschoolers with ASD show impairment in their responses to other people’s distress relative to children with other developmental delays and typically developing children. This deficit is expected to disrupt social interactions, social learning, and the formation of close relationships. Response to distress has not been evaluated previously in infants with ASD earlier than 18 months of age.Methods:  Participants were 103 infant siblings of children with autism and 55 low‐risk controls. All children were screened for ASD at 36 months and 14 were diagnosed with ASD. Infants’ responsiveness to distress was evaluated at 12, 18, 24, and 36 months. An examiner pretended to hit her finger with a toy mallet and infants’ responses were video‐recorded. Attention to the examiner and congruent changes in affect were coded on four‐point Likert scales.Results:  Cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses confirm that the ASD group paid less attention and demonstrated less change in affect in response to the examiner’s distress relative to the high‐risk and low‐risk participants who were not subsequently diagnosed with ASD. Group differences remained when verbal skills and general social responsiveness were included in the analytic models.Conclusions:  Diagnostic groups differ on distress response from 12 to 36 months of age. Distress‐response measures are predictive of later ASD diagnosis above and beyond verbal impairments. Distress response is a worthwhile target for early intervention programs.
Bcl11A/CTIP1 mediates the effect of the glutamate receptor on axon branching and dendrite outgrowth
Authors: Kuo Ting‐Yu , Chen Chiung‐Ya , Hsueh Yi‐Ping 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1381–1392.AbstractWhile neuronal activity regulates neurite outgrowth and branching, the details of the underlying mechanisms are still largely unclear. This study investigated the effect of the glutamate receptors on neuritogenesis using cultured hippocampal neurons. At 3–4 days in vitro, NMDA treatment promoted axon branching but not primary axon extension. In contrast, blockade of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) by AP5 treatment enhanced primary axon extension. NMDAR activation also increased dendrite number and total dendrite length. These results suggest that NMDAR controls axon and dendrite morphogenesis. A previous study demonstrated that knockdown of the zinc finger transcription factor B cell lymphoma 11A‐long (Bcl11A‐L) reduces deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) and microtubule‐associated protein (MAP) 1b expression, thereby promoting axon branching. Here, glutamate stimulation down‐regulated the levels of the Bcl11A‐L, DCC, MAP1b, and MAP2c proteins. Over‐expression of either Bcl11A‐L or DCC countered the effect of NMDA or glutamate on axon branching and dendrite outgrowth, indicating that the Bcl11A‐L/DCC pathway is an important downstream effector of glutamate receptors in neurite arborization. Because knockdown of Bcl11A‐L did not down‐regulate MAP2c, our results suggest that glutamate receptors also use a Bcl11A‐L‐independent pathway to control dendrite outgrowth. To summarize, this study reveals novel pathways downstream of glutamate receptors that regulate axon and dendrite arborization.
Differences in activation of ERK1/2 and p38 kinase in Jnk3 null mice following KA treatment
Authors: De Lemos Luisa , Junyent Fèlix , Verdaguer Ester , Folch Jaume , Romero Rafael , Pallàs Mercè , Ferrer Isisdre , Auladell Carme , Camins Antoni 
Published: June 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1315–1322.AbstractThe MAPK family is formed by extracellular signal‐regulated kinases p38 kinase and stress‐activated protein kinases (SAPK/JNK). There are three genes that encode for three JNK proteins. JNK3 is mainly expressed in the central nervous system and has been related to various processes in that tissue. Specifically, JNK3 plays a crucial role in neuronal death in several neurodegenerative diseases. The activation of this kinase has been described in epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. Different studies have shown that the lack of the Jnk3 gene confers neuroprotection. However, the specific mechanism involved in such neuroprotection has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed the neuroprotection in mice lacking Jnk3 against neuronal death induced by kainic acid. Moreover, we analyzed the activation of different MAPKs. The results revealed that neuronal death was attenuated and different activation/inactivation of p38 and extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 was reported with respect to control. Therefore, the data indicate that the lack of the JNK3 protein modulates other MAPKs and these changes could also have a pivotal role in neuroprotection.
Non‐Rigid Surface Matching and Its Application to Scoliosis Modelling
Authors: Ang Kim‐Siang , Mitchell Harvey L. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThe registration of digital surface topographies has applications in cases requiring comparisons with previously derived data for the purpose of identifying surface change. A spatial data manipulation tool in the form of a non‐rigid surface matching algorithm with new parameters has been investigated, and is aimed at replacing the classical least squares 3D surface matching approach which allows positional fit rather than shape fit. A computer program has been written to implement the matching algorithm. A potential application in the medical field may result from the extensive use of surface topographies of back shapes to monitor scoliosis. So far, the analysis of back shape change to identify scoliotic progress has not been satisfactorily solved. As a contribution to this task, the capacity of the non‐rigid matching algorithm to find the match and simultaneously model the scoliotic deformities has been assessed. Analysis indicates that this new non‐rigid algorithm is an improvement on the classical rigid surface matching approach. The new parameters model and delineate the possible shape changes caused by scoliosis. The results show that this new non‐rigid algorithm not only assures the best positional fit but also the best shape fit.
Use of the parabiotic model in studies of cutaneous wound healing to define the participation of circulating cells
Authors: Song Guodong , Nguyen Dinh T. , Pietramaggiori Giorgio , Scherer Saja , Chen Bin , Zhan Qian , Ogawa Rei , Yannas I.V. , Wagers Amy J. , Orgill Dennis P. , Murphy George F. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTPrevious experimental studies to assess the contribution of blood‐borne circulating (BBC) cells to cutaneous wound healing have relied on discontinuous pulsing of labeled BBC elements or bone marrow transplant protocols. Such approaches do not allow the examination of stable BBC cells that have matured in a physiologically normal host. We have used a parabiotic murine model for cutaneous wound healing to evaluate the relative contribution of stable populations of peripheral blood cells expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgene in otherwise normal animals. Circulating cells (mature and immature) expressing the GFP transgene were easily detected and quantified in wounds of GFP− parabiotic twins during all evaluated stages of the healing response. Using multiple antibody probes, the relative contribution of various subsets of BBC cells could be comparatively assessed. In early wounds, some cells expressing mesenchymal epitopes were documented to be of hematopoietic origin, indicating the utility of this model in assessing cell plasticity in the context of tissue regeneration and repair. Application of this approach enables further investigation into the contribution of peripheral blood in normal and abnormal healing responses.