bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlates of decline in gross motor capacity in adolescents with cerebral palsy in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels III to V: an exploratory study
Authors: BARTLETT DOREEN J , HANNA STEVEN E , AVERY LISA , STEVENSON RICHARD D , GALUPPI BARBARA 
Published: February 2010

Aim  To explore associations between clinical variables and decline in motor capacity in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP).Method  Participants included 76 males and 59 females, whose mean age at the beginning of the study was 14 years 6 months (SD 2.4, range 11.6–17.9); 51 at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level III, 47 at level IV, and 37 at level V. Ninety‐six participants had tetraplegia, 32 had diplegia, and one had hemiplegia. Types of motor disorder were spastic n=98; mixed, n=11; dystonic, n=9; hypotonic, n=7; and ataxic n=3 (seven participants were not classified). Reliable raters collected data annually for 4 years on anthropometric characteristics, the Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure, as well as the Gross Motor Function Measure, 66 items (GMFM‐66); participants or their parents reported on health status (using the Health Utilities Questionnaire), pain, and exercise participation (using measures developed for this study). The predicted drop in GMFM‐66 scores after childhood was calculated using data on the same children from an earlier study. Correlations were calculated between the drop in GMFM‐66 scores and the average and change scores of the clinical variables (the alpha level for statistical significance of this exploratory study was 0.10).Results  The drop in GMFM‐66 score was significantly correlated with limitations in range of motion (r=0.42) and spinal alignment (r=0.28), and pain (r=0.16). Increases in triceps skinfold (r=−0.19), mid‐arm circumference (r=−0.23), and the ratio of mid‐arm circumference to knee height (r=−0.23) were associated with less decline.Interpretation  Preventing range‐of‐motion limitations and pain experiences and optimizing nutrition might contribute to less decline in the gross motor capacity of adolescents with CP. Further investigation is required to clarify the role other factors that contribute to maintained function over time.
Impaired transactivation of the human CYP2J2 arachidonic acid epoxygenase gene in HepG2 cells subjected to nitrative stress
Authors: Cui Pei H , Lee Andy C , Zhou Fanfan , Murray Michael 
Published: February 2010

Background and purpose:  Human cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) generates epoxyfatty acids that modulate cellular apoptosis and proliferation. CYP2J2 regulation has not been intensively studied but induction of the activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) subunit c‐fos mediates CYP2J2 down‐regulation in hypoxia, a component of ischaemic injury. Decreased CYP2J2 expression may contribute to tissue injury.Experimental approach:  HepG2 cells were treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to induce nitrative stress, which has been associated with inflammation and infection in liver and other tissues. CYP2J2 protein and mRNA expression were evaluated by immunoblotting and real‐time PCR respectively. The role of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinases in CYP2J2 dysregulation was assessed using specific inhibitors and dominant negative MAP kinase expression plasmids. CYP2J2‐luciferase reporter constructs and electromobility shift assays (EMSAs) were used to identify SNP‐regulated regions in the CYP2J2 gene.Key results:  Cytochrome P450 2J2 was down‐regulated by SNP while the AP‐1 proteins c‐jun and c‐fos were up‐regulated; inhibition of p38 and ERK MAP kinases normalized their expression. The gene elements at −105/−95 and −56/−63 were required for the down‐regulation of CYP2J2 induced by nitrative stress.Conclusions and implications:  p38 and ERK MAP kinases transduce stress stimuli that down‐regulate CYP2J2. Targeting these kinases may prevent the loss of CYP2J2 and epoxy‐fatty acids that protect cells against deleterious stresses.
The effect of lathyrism on dentin structure of the rat incisors: a morphometric and scanning electron microscopic investigation
Authors: El Rouby Dalia Hussein , Bashir Maha Hassan , Korany Nahed Sedky 
Published: February 2010

J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39: 424–430Background:  The present study was designed to study the effect of β‐aminopropionitrile (β‐APN), present in Lathyrus sativus grass pea consumed in drought prone areas, on dentin of the continuously erupting rat incisors.Methods:  Eighteen adult male rats were used. In the experimental group (18 rats), lathyrism was induced by a once daily subcutaneous administration of β‐APN for 40 days. The maxillary and mandibular incisors were examined ultrastructurally and morphometrically.Results:  The mean number of patent tubules, the mean area, perimeter and the area percent of the tubules were analyzed. Ultrastructurally, the dentinal tubules of both coronal and radicular dentin in the lathyritic group were narrower or even obliterated compared with those in the control. The coronal and radicular dentin of the lathyritic group exhibited an irregular lattice of non‐mineralized small branching collagen fibrils obliterating the dentinal tubules. The mean number of patent tubules in the control and lathyritic groups revealed an insignificant difference. The mean area of the tubules showed a statistically significant difference in lathyritic radicular dentin (P = 0.0353). The percentage of the total surface area of the dentinal tubules significantly decreased in the radicular dentin of the lathyritic group (P = 0.024).Conclusions:  These findings indicated a deleterious effect of lathyrism on dentin, with a possible negative impact on developing teeth integrity.
Anthropometric correlates of lipoprotein profile and blood pressure in high BMI African American children
Authors: Raman A , Sharma S , Fitch MD , Fleming SE 
Published: February 2010

AbstractObjective:  To explore the association of anthropometric indices with lipoprotein profile and blood pressure as risk factors of cardiovascular disease, in African American (AA) children.Methods:  A cross‐sectional analysis was carried out on children aged 9–13 years with BMI >85th percentile. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, % body fat and blood pressure [systolic (sBP) and diastolic (dBP)] were measured. Fasting plasma levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), intermediate density lipoprotein cholesterol (IDL‐C) and very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL‐C) were analysed.Results:  After accounting for age, gender and pubertal status of the child, multiple linear regression models showed that waist circumference and BMIz were strong predictors for lipoprotein variables. In independent analysis, waist circumference and BMI z‐scores were found to be interdependently associated with TG, LDL‐C:HDL‐C ratio, VLDL‐C and sBPz. However, for HDL‐C, TG:HDL‐C ratio and dBPz, waist circumference was independently and more strongly associated with these risk factors than BMI.Conclusion:  Waist circumference was a stronger predictor for lipoprotein variables and blood pressure in high BMI AA children than other anthropometric indices, and may be adequate as a screening test to identify children who are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Representation of ecosystem services by tiered conservation strategies
Authors: Eigenbrod Felix , Anderson Barbara J. , Armsworth Paul R. , Heinemeyer Andreas , Gillings Simon , Roy David B , Thomas Chris D , Gaston Kevin J. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractIn human‐dominated regions, protected areas are complemented by other conservation strategies (e.g., restrictive zoning, incentive payments) to maintain biodiversity and other ecosystem services. These strategies are often not mutually exclusive, with many areas covered by multiple (tiered) management strategies. However, it is not known whether tiering increases (or decreases) representation of ecosystem services. Here, we compare the representation of four ecosystem services by areas protected by both tiered and single conservation strategies (protected areas, restrictive zoning, and incentive payments to landowners) in a human‐dominated region (England). Tiering always coincided with the highest levels of stored carbon, sometimes coincided with high biodiversity and agricultural production, but never coincided with high recreational value. We also show that tiering is common in England and biased towards upland areas. Future evaluations of the effectiveness of conservation strategies should consider the degree of overlap of the different strategies fully to understand which are most effective.
Characterization of a Novel LysM Domain from
Lactobacillus fermentum
Bacteriophage Endolysin and Its Use as an Anchor To Display Heterologous Proteins on the Surfaces of Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Hu Shumin , Kong Jian , Kong Wentao , Guo Tingting , Ji Mingjie 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

The endolysin Lyb5, from
Lactobacillus fermentum
temperate bacteriophage φPYB5, showed a broad lytic spectrum against Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria. Sequence analysis revealed that the C terminus of the endolysin Lyb5 (Ly5C) contained three putative lysin motif (LysM) repeat regions, implying that Ly5C was involved in bacterial cell wall binding. To investigate the potential of Ly5C for surface display, green fluorescent protein (GFP) was fused to Ly5C at its N or C terminus and the resulting fusion proteins were expressed in
Escherichia coli
. After being mixed with various cells
in vitro
, GFP was successfully displayed on the surfaces of
Lactococcus lactis
,
Lactobacillus casei
,
Lb. brevis
,
Lb. plantarum
,
Lb. fermentum
,
Lb. delbrueckii
,
Lb. helveticus
, and
Streptococcus thermophilus
cells. Increases in the fluorescence intensities of chemically pretreated
L. lactis
and
Lb. casei
cells compared to those of nonpretreated cells suggested that the peptidoglycan was the binding ligand for Ly5C. Moreover, the pH and concentration of sodium chloride were optimized to enhance the binding capacity of GFP-Ly5C, and high-intensity fluorescence of cells was observed under optimal conditions. All results suggested that Ly5C was a novel anchor for constructing a surface display system for lactic acid bacteria (LAB). To demonstrate the applicability of the Ly5C-mediated surface display system, β-galactosidase (β-Gal) from
Paenibacillus
sp. strain K1, replacing GFP, was functionally displayed on the surfaces of LAB cells via Ly5C. The success in surface display of GFP and β-Gal opened up the feasibility of employing the cell wall anchor of bacteriophage endolysin for surface display in LAB.
Immobilization of Cr(VI) and Its Reduction to Cr(III) Phosphate by Granular Biofilms Comprising a Mixture of Microbes
Authors: Nancharaiah Y. V. , Dodge C. , Venugopalan V. P. , Narasimhan S. V. , Francis A. J. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

We assessed the potential of mixed microbial consortia, in the form of granular biofilms, to reduce chromate and remove it from synthetic minimal medium. In batch experiments, acetate-fed granular biofilms incubated aerobically reduced 0.2 mM Cr(VI) from a minimal medium at 0.15 mM day
−1
g
−1
, with reduction of 0.17 mM day
−1
g
−1
under anaerobic conditions. There was negligible removal of Cr(VI) (i) without granular biofilms, (ii) with lyophilized granular biofilms, and (iii) with granules in the absence of an electron donor. Analyses by X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) of the granular biofilms revealed the conversion of soluble Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) analysis of the Cr-laden granular biofilms demonstrated similarity to Cr(III) phosphate, indicating that Cr(III) was immobilized with phosphate on the biomass subsequent to microbial reduction. The sustained reduction of Cr(VI) by granular biofilms was confirmed in fed-batch experiments. Our study demonstrates the promise of granular-biofilm-based systems in treating Cr(VI)-containing effluents and wastewater.
Impact of Endochitinase-Transformed White Spruce on Soil Fungal Biomass and Ectendomycorrhizal Symbiosis
Authors: Stefani Franck O. P. , Tanguay Philippe , Pelletier Gervais , Piché Yves , Hamelin Richard C. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTThe impact of transgenic white spruce [Picea glauca(Moench) Voss] containing the endochitinase gene (ech42) on soil fungal biomass and on the ectendomycorrhizal fungiWilcoxinaspp. was tested using a greenhouse trial. The measured level of endochitinase in roots of transgenic white spruce was up to 10 times higher than that in roots of nontransformed white spruce. The level of endochitinase in root exudates of three of fourech42-transformed lines was significantly greater than that in controls. Analysis soil ergosterol showed that the amount of fungal biomass in soil samples from control white spruce was slightly larger than that in soil samples fromech42-transformed white spruce. Nevertheless, the difference was not statistically significant. The rates of mycorrhizal colonization of transformed lines and controls were similar. Sequencing the internal transcribed spacer rRNA region revealed that the root tips were colonized by the ectendomycorrhizal fungiWilcoxinaspp. and the dark septate endophytePhialocephala fortinii. Colonization of root tips byWilcoxinaspp. was monitored by real-time PCR to quantify the fungus present during the development of ectendomycorrhizal symbiosis inech42-transformed and control lines. The numbers ofWilcoxinamolecules in the transformed lines and the controls were not significantly different (P> 0.05, as determined by analysis of covariance), indicating that in spite of higher levels of endochitinase expression, mycorrhization was not inhibited. Our results indicate that the higher levels of chitinolytic activity in root exudates and root tissues fromech42-transformed lines did not alter the soil fungal biomass or the development of ectendomycorrhizal symbiosis involvingWilcoxinaspp.
New Efficient Recombinant Expression System To Engineer
Candida antarctica
Lipase B
Authors: Emond Stéphane , Montanier Cédric , Nicaud Jean-Marc , Marty Alain , Monsan Pierre , André Isabelle , Remaud-Siméon Magali 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the use of
Yarrowia lipolytica
as a versatile expression host for developing protein engineering approaches to modify the properties of
Candida antarctica
lipase B. A reliable screening protocol was defined and validated using a saturation mutagenesis library, yielding mutants displaying higher catalytic efficiencies than the wild-type enzyme.
Interaction of an Essential
Escherichia coli
GTPase, Der, with the 50S Ribosome via the KH-Like Domain
Authors: Hwang Jihwan , Inouye Masayori 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

Der, an essential
Escherichia coli
tandem GTPase, has been implicated in 50S subunit biogenesis. The
rrmJ
gene encodes a methyltransferase that modifies the U2552 residue of 23S rRNA, and its deletion causes a severe growth defect. Peculiarly, overexpression of Der suppresses growth impairment. In this study, using an
rrmJ
-deletion strain, we demonstrated that two GTPase domains of Der regulate its association with 50S subunit via the KH-like domain. We also identified a region of Der that is critical for its specific interaction with 50S subunit.
A DNA-Binding Peroxiredoxin of
Coxiella burnetii
Is Involved in Countering Oxidative Stress during Exponential-Phase Growth
Authors: Hicks Linda D. , Raghavan Rahul , Battisti James M. , Minnick Michael F. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

Coxiella burnetii
is a Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that resides within the harsh, acidic confines of a lysosome-like compartment of the host cell that is termed a parasitophorous vacuole. In this study, we characterized a thiol-specific peroxidase of
C. burnetii
that belongs to the atypical 2-cysteine subfamily of peroxiredoxins, commonly referred to as bacterioferritin comigratory proteins (BCPs).
Coxiella
BCP was initially identified as a potential DNA-binding protein by two-dimensional Southwestern (SW) blots of the pathogen's proteome, probed with biotinylated
C. burnetii
genomic DNA. Confirmation of the identity of the DNA-binding protein as BCP (CBU_0963) was established by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-tandem time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS). Recombinant
Coxiella
BCP (rBCP) was generated, and its DNA binding was demonstrated by two independent methods, including SW blotting and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs). rBCP also demonstrated peroxidase activity
in vitro
that required thioredoxin-thioredoxin reductase (Trx-TrxR). Both the DNA-binding and peroxidase activities of rBCP were lost upon heat denaturation (100°C, 10 min). Functional expression of
Coxiella bcp
was demonstrated by
trans
-complementation of an
Escherichia coli bcp
mutant, as evidenced by the strain's ability to grow in an oxidative-stress growth medium containing
tert
-butyl hydroperoxide to levels that were indistinguishable from, or significantly greater than, those observed with its wild-type parental strain and significantly greater than
bcp
mutant levels (
P
< 0.05). rBCP was also found to protect supercoiled plasmid DNA from oxidative damage (i.e., nicking)
in vitro
. Maximal expression of the
bcp
gene coincided with the pathogen's early (day 2 to 3) exponential-growth phase in an experiment involving synchronized infection of an epithelial (Vero) host cell line. Taken as a whole, the results show that
Coxiella
BCP binds DNA and likely serves to detoxify endogenous hydroperoxide byproducts of
Coxiella
's metabolism during intracellular replication.
Biochemical Dissection of the ATPase TraB, the VirB4 Homologue of theEscherichia colipKM101 Conjugation Machinery
Authors: Durand Eric , Oomen Clasien , Waksman Gabriel 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTType IV secretion (T4S) systems are involved in several secretion processes, including secretion of virulence factors, such as toxins or transforming molecules, or bacterial conjugation whereby two mating bacteria exchange genetic material. T4S systems are generally composed of 12 protein components, three of which, termed VirB4, VirB11, and VirD4, are ATPases. VirB4 is the largest protein of the T4S system, is known to play a central role, and interacts with many other T4S system proteins. In this study, we have biochemically characterized the protein TraB, a VirB4 homologue from the pKM101 conjugation T4S system. We demonstrated that TraB is a modular protein, composed of two domains, both able to bind DNA in a non-sequence-specific manner. Surprisingly, both TraB N- and C-terminal domains can bind ATP, revealing a new degenerated nucleotide-binding site in the TraB N-terminal domain. TraB purified from the membrane forms stable dimers and is unable to hydrolyze ATP while, when purified from the soluble fraction, TraB can form hexamers capable of hydrolyzing ATP. Remarkably, both the N- and C-terminal domains display ATP-hydrolyzing activity. These properties define a new class of VirB4 proteins.
Suppression of Cyclin D1 by Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 via Direct Mechanism Inhibits the Proliferation and 5-Fluorouracil–Induced Apoptosis of A549 Cells
Authors: Wen Wen , Ding Jin , Sun Wen , Wu Kun , Ning Beifang , Gong Wenfeng , He Guoping , Huang Shanna , Ding Xinyu , Yin Peipei , Chen Lei , Liu Qiong , Xie Weifen , Wang Hongyang 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) and cyclin D1 are both key mediators of cell growth and proliferation in normal and cancer cells. However, the interrelation between HIF and cyclin D1 remains unclear. In the present study, we observed the inverse correlation between cyclin D1 and HIF-1 in hypoxia condition. Overexpression of the dominant negative mutant of HIF-1α (DN-HIF) significantly enhanced cyclin D1 expression upon hypoxia or arsenite exposure, suggesting the negative regulation of cyclin D1 by HIF-1. Furthermore, we found that the impairment of HIF-1 increased cyclin D1 expression in A549 pulmonary cancer cells, which in turn promoted G1-S cell cycle transition and cell proliferation. Cyclin D1 expression was increased in s.c. xenograft of DN-HIF stably transfected A549 cells in nude mice compared with that of control cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that HIF-1 was able to directly bind to the promoter region of cyclin D1, which indicates that the negative regulation of cyclin D1 by HIF-1 is through a direct mechanism. Inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC) by pretreatment of cells with trichostatin A or specific knockdown of HDAC7 by its shRNA antagonized the suppression of cyclin D1 by HIF-1, suggesting that HDAC7 is required for HIF-1–mediated cyclin D1 downregulation. Moreover, we found that 5-fluorouracil–triggered apoptosis of DN-HIF–transfected A549 cells was reduced by sicyclin D1 (cyclin D1–specific interference RNA) introduction, suggesting that clinical observation of HIF-1 overexpression–associated chemoresistance might be, at least partially, due to the negative regulation of cyclin D1. Cancer Res; 70(5); 2010–9
Modulating Tumor Vasculature through Signaling Inhibition to Improve Cytotoxic Therapy
Authors: Maity Amit , Bernhard Eric J. 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a key factor in cancer treatment response. Recent work has shown that changes in the tumor vasculature can be achieved by inhibiting tumor cell signaling, resulting in enhanced tumor oxygenation. These changes could promote responses to both chemo- and radiation therapy. Cancer Res; 70(6); 2141–5
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C Induces Lymphangitic Carcinomatosis, an Extremely Aggressive Form of Lung Metastases
Authors: Das Suvendu , Ladell Daniel S. , Podgrabinska Simona , Ponomarev Vladimir , Nagi Chandandeep , Fallon John T. , Skobe Mihaela 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
The lymphatic system is an important pathway for tumor dissemination to the lymph nodes, but to which extent it contributes to the formation of distant metastases remains unknown. We report that induction of lymphangiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) at the secondary site, in the lung, facilitates expansion of already disseminated cancer cells throughout the lung tissue. By using orthotopic spontaneous metastasis models in nude mice, we show that VEGF-C expression by tumor cells altered the pattern of pulmonary metastases from nodular to diffuse and facilitated disease progression. Metastases expressing VEGF-C were tightly associated with the airways, in contrast to the control cells that were scattered in the lung parenchyma, throughout the alveolar region. VEGF-C induced lung lymphangiogenesis and promoted intralymphatic spread of metastases in the lung and formation of tumor emboli in the pulmonary arteries. This pattern of metastasis corresponds to lymphangitic carcinomatosis metastatic phenotype in human cancer patients, an extremely aggressive pattern of pulmonary metastases. In accordance, pulmonary breast cancer metastases from patients which were classified as lymphangitic carcinomatosis showed high levels of VEGF-C expression in cancer cells. These data show that VEGF-C promotes late steps of the metastatic process and identify the VEGF-C/VEGF receptor-3 pathway as the target not only for prevention of metastases, but also for treatment of established metastatic disease. Cancer Res; 70(5); 1814–24