bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of peripheral blood natural killer cell cytotoxicity in patients with myasthenia gravis treated with plasmapheresis
Authors: Chien P. J. , Yeh J. H. , Chiu H. C. , Hsueh Y. M. , Chen C. T. , Chen M. C. , Shih C. M. 
Published: May 2011

Background and purpose:  Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder that may involve natural killer (NK) cells. Although NK cells are part of the innate immune system, they also influence adaptive immune responses. Double‐filtration plasmapheresis (DFP) is an effective therapy for MG crisis. Thus, we examined the effects of DFP on the cytotoxicity of NK cells.Methods:  A total of 20 patients with MG and 16 healthy controls were recruited for the study. Ficoll‐Paque‐isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and K562 cells were used as the effector and target cells, respectively. NK cell cytotoxicity was analyzed using flow cytometry immediately before and after DFP and upon course completion.Results:  Double‐filtration plasmapheresis treatment decreased significantly the NK cell cytotoxicity in patients with MG, especially in good responders, those who were positive for acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies, and those receiving immunosuppressants.Conclusions:  The decrease in NK cell cytotoxicity after DFP and the decline of AChR antibody titer were observed in good responders indicating that this could benefit patients with MG.
Optimizing the risk estimation after a transient ischaemic attack – the ABCDE⊕ score
Authors: Engelter S. T. , Amort M. , Jax F. , Weisskopf F. , Katan M. , Burow A. , Bonati L. H. , Hatz F. , Wetzel S. G. , Fluri F. , Lyrer P. A. 
Published: May 2011

Background and purpose:  The risk of stroke after a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) can be predicted by scores incorporating age, blood pressure, clinical features, duration (ABCD‐score), and diabetes (ABCD2‐score). However, some patients have strokes despite a low predicted risk according to these scores. We designed the ABCDE+ score by adding the variables ‘etiology’ and ischaemic lesion visible on diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) –‘DWI‐positivity’– to the ABCD‐score. We hypothesized that this refinement increases the predictability of recurrent ischaemic events.Methods:  We performed a prospective cohort study amongst all consecutive TIA patients in a university hospital emergency department. Area under the computed receiver‐operating curves (AUCs) were used to compare the predictive values of the scores with regard to the outcome stroke or recurrent TIA within 90 days.Results:  Amongst 248 patients, 33 (13.3%, 95%‐CI 9.3–18.2%) had a stroke (n = 13) or a recurrent TIA (n = 20). Patients with recurrent ischaemic events more often had large‐artery atherosclerosis as the cause for TIA (46% vs. 14%, P < 0.001) and positive DWI (61% vs. 35%; P = 0.01) compared with patients without recurrent events. Patients with and those without events did not differ with regard to age, clinical symptoms, duration, blood pressure, risk factors, and stroke preventive treatment. The comparison of AUCs [95%CI] showed superiority of the ABCDE+ score (0.67[0.55–0.75]) compared to the ABCD2‐score (0.48[0.37–0.58]; P = 0.04) and a trend toward superiority compared to the ABCD‐score (0.50[0.40–0.61]; P = 0.07).Conclusion:  In TIA patients, the addition of the variables ‘etiology’ and ‘DWI‐positivity’ to the ABCD‐score seems to enhance the predictability of subsequent cerebral ischaemic events.
Muscle cells and motoneurons differentially remove mutant SOD1 causing familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Onesto Elisa , Rusmini Paola , Crippa Valeria , Ferri Nicola , Zito Arianna , Galbiati Mariarita , Poletti Angelo 
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 266–280.AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motoneuronal disease which occurs in sporadic or familial forms, clinically indistinguishable. About 15% of familial ALS cases are linked to mutations of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene that may induce misfolding in the coded protein, exerting neurotoxicity to motoneurons. However, other cell types might be target of SOD1 toxicity, because muscle‐restricted expression of mutant SOD1 correlates with muscle atrophy and motoneurons death. We analysed the molecular behaviour of mutant SOD1 in motoneuronal NSC34 and muscle C2C12 cells. We found that misfolded mutant SOD1 clearance is much more efficient in muscle C2C12 than in motoneuronal NSC34 cells. Mutant SOD1 forms aggregates and impairs the proteasome only in motoneuronal NSC34 cells. Interestingly, NSC34 cells expressing mutant SOD1 are more sensitive to a superoxide‐induced oxidative stress. Moreover, in muscle C2C12 cells mutant SOD1 remains soluble even when proteasome is inhibited with MG132. The higher mutant SOD1 clearance in muscle cells correlates with a more efficient proteasome activity, combined with a robust autophagy activation. Therefore, muscle cells seem to better manage misfolded SOD1 species, not because of an intrinsic property of the mutant protein, but in function of the cell environment, indicating also that the SOD1 toxicity at muscle level may not directly depend on its aggregation rate.
β‐N‐Oxalyl‐l‐α,β‐diaminopropionic acid regulates mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling by down‐regulation of phosphatidylethanolamine‐binding protein 1
Authors: Jammulamadaka Nalini , Burgula Sandeepta , Medisetty Rajesh , Ilavazhagan Govindan , Rao S. L. N. , Singh Surya S. 
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 176–186.Abstractβ‐N‐Oxalyl‐l‐α,β‐diaminopropionic acid (l‐ODAP) an α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐ methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor agonist activates protein kinase C in white leghorn chick brain. The current study focuses on the protein kinase C downstream signaling targets associated with l‐ODAP excitotoxicity in SK‐N‐MC human neuroblastoma cells and white leghorn male chick (Gallus domesticus) brain extracts. l‐ODAP treatment in SK‐N‐MC cells (1.5 mM) and chicks (0.5 mg/g body weight) results in a decreased expression and increased phosphorylation of phosphatidylehthanolamine‐binding protein 1 (PEBP1) up to 4 h which however, returns to normal by 8 h. d‐ODAP, the non‐toxic enantiomer however, did not affect PEBP1 levels in either chick brain or SK‐N‐MC cells. Decreased PEBP1 expression correlated with subsequent activation of Raf‐1, MEK and ERK signaling components of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascade and nuclear translocation of hypoxia inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) in chick brain nuclear extracts and SK‐N‐MC cells. SK‐N‐MC cells over‐expressing PEBP1 inhibited nuclear translocation of HIF‐1α when treated with l‐ODAP, indicating that down‐regulation of PEBP1 is responsible for HIF‐1α stabilization and nuclear localization. Excitotoxicity of l‐ODAP may thus be the result of phosphorylation and down‐regulation of PEBP1, a crucial signaling protein regulating diverse signaling cascades. l‐ODAP induced convulsions and seizures in chicks could be the result of a hypoxic insult to brain.
rho1 GABAC receptors are expressed in fibrous and cartilaginous layers of chick sclera and located on sclera fibroblasts and chondrocytes
Authors: Cheng Zhen‐Ying , Chebib Mary , Schmid Katrina L. 
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 281–287.Abstractrho1 GABAC receptor antagonists inhibit myopia in chick but the site of this effect is not known. The sclera ultimately determines the shape and size of the globe and thus an untested possibility is that GABA agents have a scleral mechanism. Whether rho1 GABAC receptors are expressed and located in chick sclera is unknown. Real‐time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to determine whether rho1 GABAC receptors are expressed and located in chick fibrous and cartilaginous sclera. Both layers of the chick sclera were positive for rho1 GABAC receptor mRNA (PCR) and protein (western blot) expression and labeling was observed in both fibroblasts and chondrocytes of the fibrous and cartilaginous layers (immunohistochemistry). These investigations clearly show that chick sclera possesses rho1 GABAC receptors. The sclera is thus a potential previously unrecognized site for activity of rho1 GABAC agents.
Ocular Blood Flow Analysis Detects Microvascular Abnormalities in Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Authors: QUINN CATHERINE E. , HAMILTON PAUL K. , McCANN AARON J. , AGNEW CHRISTINA E. , MILLAR AULEEN M. , LOCKHART CHRISTOPHER J. , HARBINSON MARK T. , McVEIGH GARY E. 
Published: May 2011

Please cite this paper as: Quinn, Hamilton, McCann, Agnew, Millar, Lockhart, Harbinson and McVeigh (2011). Ocular Blood Flow Analysis Detects Microvascular Abnormalities in Impaired Glucose Tolerance. Microcirculation 18(7), 532–540.AbstractObjective:  Waveform analysis has been used to assess vascular resistance and predict cardiovascular events. We aimed to identify microvascular abnormalities in patients with IGT using ocular waveform analysis. The effects of pioglitazone were also assessed.Methods:  Forty patients with IGT and 24 controls were studied. Doppler velocity recordings were obtained from the central retinal, ophthalmic, and common carotid arteries, and sampled at 200 Hz. A discrete wavelet‐based analysis method was employed to quantify waveforms. The RI was also determined. Patients with IGT were randomized to pioglitazone or placebo, and measurements were repeated after 12‐week treatment.Results:  In the ocular waveforms, significant differences in power spectra were observed in frequency band 4 (corresponding to frequencies between 6.25 and 12.50 Hz) between groups (p < 0.05). No differences in RI occurred. No association was observed between waveform parameters and fasting glucose or insulin resistance. Pioglitazone had no effect on waveform structure, despite significantly reducing insulin resistance, fasting glucose, and triglycerides (p < 0.05).Conclusions:  Analysis of ocular Doppler flow waveforms using the discrete wavelet transform identified microvascular abnormalities that were not apparent using RI. Pioglitazone improved glucose, insulin sensitivity, and triglycerides without influencing the contour of the waveforms.
Differential expression of toll‐like receptor mRNAs in recurrent aphthous ulceration
Authors: Gallo Camila , Barros Fabiana , Sugaya Norberto , Nunes Fabio , Borra Ricardo 
Published: May 2011

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 80–85Background:  Toll‐like receptors (TLR) are membrane proteins that recognize conserved molecules derived from bacterial, viral, fungal or host tissues. They are responsible for promoting the production of cytokines and chemokines, increasing the expression of costimulatory molecules and influencing the T Helper response (Th) toward either a Th1 or Th2 profile, thereby modulating the regulatory T cell response and controlling the integrity of the epithelial barrier. The key factors responsible for increased susceptibility to recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) are unclear, and because TLRs are involved in both immune regulation and control of the epithelial barrier, a deficiency in TLR activity is likely to cause increased susceptibility.Methods:  We investigated the gene expression of TLRs one through 10 in tissue samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of RAU patients in comparison to healthy controls using real‐time quantitative reverse transcription PCR.Results:  The analysis of mRNA expression levels in oral lesion showed significant (P < 0.01) overexpression of the TLR2 (∼6‐fold) gene and decreased expression of the TLR3 (∼5‐fold) and TLR5 (∼6‐fold) genes in comparison with healthy oral mucosa. The analysis of mRNA expression in PBMC indicated a down‐regulation of TLR5 gene expression in the cells from RAU patients (P < 0.05; ∼2‐fold).Conclusion:  Our results support the hypothesis that a subset of RAU patients has fewer TLR expression that have been tentatively implicated in anti‐inflammatory effects. This derangement of TLR gene expression may cause an overlay exuberant inflammation reaction in situations where normal individuals are resistant.
Perceptions of community trust and safety – consequences for children’s well‐being in rural and urban contexts
Authors: Eriksson Ulrika , Hochwälder Jacek , Sellström Eva 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  To explore the associations between subjective well‐being and perceptions of community trust and safety amongst children in rural and urban areas.Methods:  The study used self‐reported data from the 2001/2002 Swedish cross‐national WHO study Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children. The sample consisted of 3852 children aged 11–15 years, living in different residential areas. Bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression were performed.Results:  The results indicated that a greater proportion of children in urban areas perceived low community trust and safety, compared with children in rural areas. Further, the multivariate analysis revealed that perceived community trust and safety significantly impacts upon children’s subjective well‐being in both rural and urban contexts.Conclusion:  Children’s perceptions of trust and safety have different magnitudes in urban and rural areas. The associations of perceptions of community trust and safety for children’s subjective well‐being are relevant in both urban and rural areas. As perceptions of low trust and safety in the community seem to be related to low subjective well‐being, efforts to encourage community trust and safety should be included amongst the key priorities in community health promotion.
Roles of conserved arginines in ATP‐binding domains of AAA+ chaperone ClpB from Thermus thermophilus
Authors: Yamasaki Takashi , Nakazaki Yosuke , Yoshida Masasuke , Watanabe Yo‐hei 
Published: May 2011

ClpB, a member of the expanded superfamily of ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities (AAA+), forms a ring‐shaped hexamer and cooperates with the DnaK chaperone system to reactivate aggregated proteins in an ATP‐dependent manner. The ClpB protomer consists of an N‐terminal domain, an AAA+ module (AAA‐1), a middle domain, and a second AAA+ module (AAA‐2). Each AAA+ module contains highly conserved WalkerA and WalkerB motifs, and two arginines (AAA‐1) or one arginine (AAA‐2). Here, we investigated the roles of these arginines (Arg322, Arg323, and Arg747) of ClpB from Thermus thermophilus in the ATPase cycle and chaperone function by alanine substitution. These mutations did not affect nucleotide binding, but did inhibit the hydrolysis of the bound ATP and slow the threading of the denatured protein through the central pore of the T. thermophilus ClpB ring, which severely impaired the chaperone functions. Previously, it was demonstrated that ATP binding to the AAA‐1 module induced motion of the middle domain and stabilized the ClpB hexamer. However, the arginine mutations of the AAA‐1 module destabilized the ClpB hexamer, even though ATP‐induced motion of the middle domain was not affected. These results indicated that the three arginines are crucial for ATP hydrolysis and chaperone activity, but not for ATP binding. In addition, the two arginines in AAA‐1 and the ATP‐induced motion of the middle domain independently contribute to the stabilization of the hexamer.Structured digital abstract
TClpB binds to TClpB by molecular sieving (View Interaction 1, 2)
Monitoring the Metabolic Status of Geobacter Species in Contaminated Groundwater by Quantifying Key Metabolic Proteins with Geobacter-Specific Antibodies
Authors: Yun Jiae , Ueki Toshiyuki , Miletto Marzia , Lovley Derek R. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Simple and inexpensive methods for assessing the metabolic status and bioremediation activities of subsurface microorganisms are required before bioremediation practitioners will adopt molecular diagnosis of the bioremediation community as a routine practice for guiding the development of bioremediation strategies. Quantifying gene transcripts can diagnose important aspects of microbial physiology during bioremediation but is technically challenging and does not account for the impact of translational modifications on protein abundance. An alternative strategy is to directly quantify the abundance of key proteins that might be diagnostic of physiological state. To evaluate this strategy, an antibody-based quantification approach was developed to investigate subsurface
Geobacter
communities. The abundance of citrate synthase corresponded with rates of metabolism of
Geobacter bemidjiensis
in chemostat cultures. During
in situ
bioremediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater the quantity of
Geobacter
citrate synthase increased with the addition of acetate to the groundwater and decreased when acetate amendments stopped. The abundance of the nitrogen-fixation protein, NifD, increased as ammonium became less available in the groundwater and then declined when ammonium concentrations increased. In a petroleum-contaminated aquifer, the abundance of BamB, an enzyme subunit involved in the anaerobic degradation of mono-aromatic compounds by
Geobacter
species, increased in zones in which
Geobacter
were expected to play an important role in aromatic hydrocarbon degradation. These results suggest that antibody-based detection of key metabolic proteins, which should be readily adaptable to standardized kits, may be a feasible method for diagnosing the metabolic state of microbial communities responsible for bioremediation, aiding in the rational design of bioremediation strategies.
Composition and Variability of Biofouling Organisms in Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plants
Authors: Zhang Minglu , Jiang Sunny , Tanuwidjaja Dian , Voutchkov Nikolay , Hoek Eric M. V. , Cai Baoli 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) membrane biofouling remains a common challenge in the desalination industry, but the marine bacterial community that causes membrane fouling is poorly understood. Microbial communities at different stages of treatment processes (intake, cartridge filtration, and SWRO) of a desalination pilot plant were examined by both culture-based and culture-independent approaches. Bacterial isolates were identified to match the genera
Shewanella
,
Alteromonas
,
Vibrio
, and
Cellulophaga
based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The 16S rRNA gene clone library of the SWRO membrane biofilm showed that a filamentous bacterium,
Leucothrix mucor
, which belongs to the gammaproteobacteria, accounted for nearly 30% of the clone library, while the rest of the microorganisms (61.2% of the total clones) were related to the alphaproteobacteria. 16S rRNA gene terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis indicated that bacteria colonizing the SWRO membrane represented a subportion of microbes in the source seawater; however, they were quite different from those colonizing the cartridge filter. The examination of five SWRO membranes from desalination plants located in different parts of the world showed that although the bacterial communities from the membranes were not identical to each other, some dominant bacteria were commonly observed. In contrast, bacterial communities in source seawater were significantly different based on location and season. Microbial profiles from 14 cartridge filters collected from different plants also revealed spatial trends.
The Genotype of the Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Gene (
CCaMK
) Determines Bacterial Community Diversity in Rice Roots under Paddy and Upland Field Conditions
Authors: Ikeda Seishi , Okubo Takashi , Takeda Naoya , Banba Mari , Sasaki Kazuhiro , Imaizumi-Anraku Haruko , Fujihara Shinsuke , Ohwaki Yoshinari , Ohshima Kenshiro , Fukuta Yoshimichi , Eda Shima , Mitsui Hisayuki , Hattori Masahira , Sato Tadashi , Shinano Takuro , Minamisawa Kiwamu 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

The effects of the
Oryza sativa
calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase
OsCCaMK
genotype (dominant homozygous [D], heterozygous [H], recessive homozygous [R]) on rice root-associated bacteria, including endophytes and epiphytes, were examined by using a
Tos17
rice mutant line under paddy and upland field conditions. Roots were sampled at the flowering stage and were subjected to clone library analyses. The relative abundance of
Alphaproteobacteria
was noticeably decreased in R plants under both paddy and upland conditions (0.8% and 3.0%, respectively) relative to those in D plants (10.3% and 17.4%, respectively). Population shifts of the
Sphingomonadales
and
Rhizobiales
were mainly responsible for this low abundance in R plants. The abundance of
Anaerolineae
(
Chloroflexi
) and
Clostridia
(
Firmicutes
) was increased in R plants under paddy conditions. The abundance of a subpopulation of
Actinobacteria
(
Saccharothrix
spp. and unclassified
Actinosynnemataceae
) was increased in R plants under upland conditions. Principal coordinate analysis revealed unidirectional community shifts in relation to
OsCCaMK
gene dosage under both conditions. In addition, shoot length, tiller number, and plant weight decreased as the
OsCCaMK
gene dosage decreased under upland conditions. These results suggest significant impacts of
OsCCaMK
on both the diversity of root-associated bacteria and rice plant growth under both paddy and upland field conditions.
Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane in Sediments of Lake Constance, an Oligotrophic Freshwater Lake
Authors: Deutzmann Jörg S. , Schink Bernhard 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) with sulfate as terminal electron acceptor has been reported for various environments, including freshwater habitats, and also, nitrate and nitrite were recently shown to act as electron acceptors for methane oxidation in eutrophic freshwater habitats. Radiotracer experiments with sediment material of Lake Constance, an oligotrophic freshwater lake, were performed to follow
14
CO
2
formation from
14
CH
4
in sediment incubations in the presence of different electron acceptors, namely, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, or oxygen. Whereas
14
CO
2
formation without and with sulfate addition was negligible, addition of nitrate increased
14
CO
2
formation significantly, suggesting that AOM could be coupled to denitrification. Nonetheless, denitrification-dependent AOM rates remained at least 1 order of magnitude lower than rates of aerobic methane oxidation. Using molecular techniques, putative denitrifying methanotrophs belonging to the NC10 phylum were detected on the basis of the
pmoA
and 16S rRNA gene sequences. These findings show that sulfate-dependent AOM was insignificant in Lake constant sediments. However, AOM can also be coupled to denitrification in this oligotrophic freshwater habitat, providing first indications that this might be a widespread process that plays an important role in mitigating methane emissions.