bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New adipokines vaspin and omentin. Circulating levels and gene expression in adipose tissue from morbidly obese women
Authors: Auguet Teresa , Quintero Yunuen , Riesco David , Morancho Beatriz , Terra Ximena , Crescenti Anna , Broch Montserrat , Aguilar Carmen , Olona Montserrat , Porras José Antonio , Hernandez Mercè , Sabench Fátima , del Castillo Daniel , Richart Cristóbal 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Vaspin and omentin are recently described molecules that belong to the adipokine family and seem to be related to metabolic risk factors. The objectives of this study were twofold: to evaluate vaspin and omentin circulating levels and mRNA expression in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues in non-diabetic morbidly obese women; and to assess the relationship of vaspin and omentin with anthropometric and metabolic parameters, and other adipo/cytokines.

Design
We analysed vaspin and omentin circulating levels in 71 women of European descent (40 morbidly obese [BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2] and 31 lean [BMI ≤ 25]). We assessed vaspin and omentin gene expression in paired samples of visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue from 46 women: 40 morbidly obese and 6 lean. We determined serum vaspin and plasma omentin levels with an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and adipose tissue mRNA expression by real time RT-PCR.

Results
Serum vaspin levels in the morbidly obese were not significantly different from those in controls. They correlated inversely with levels of lipocalin 2 and interleukin 6. Vaspin mRNA expression was significantly higher in the morbidly obese, in both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue.
Plasma omentin levels were significantly lower in the morbidly obese and they correlated inversely with glucidic metabolism parameters. Omentin circulating levels, then, correlated inversely with the metabolic syndrome (MS). Omentin expression in visceral adipose tissue was significantly lower in morbidly obese women than in controls.

Conclusions
The present study indicates that vaspin may have a compensatory role in the underlying inflammation of obesity. Decreased omentin circulating levels have a close association with MS in morbidly obese women.
Validation of the post sleep questionnaire for assessing subjects with restless legs syndrome: results from two double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled clinical trials
Authors: Canafax Daniel M , Bhanegaonkar Abhijeet , Bharmal Murtuza , Calloway Michael 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundBecause of the subjective nature of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) symptoms and the impact of these symptoms on sleep, patient-reported outcomes (PROs) play a prominent role as study endpoints in clinical trials investigating RLS treatments. The objective of this study was to validate a new measure, the Post Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), to assess sleep dysfunction in subjects with moderate-to-severe RLS symptoms.MethodsPooled data were analyzed from two 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of gabapentin enacarbil (N = 540). At baseline and Week 12, subjects completed the PSQ and other validated health surveys: IRLS Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Medical Outcomes Study Scale-Sleep (MOS-Sleep), and RLS-Quality of Life (RLSQoL). Pooled data were usedpost hocto examine the convergent, divergent, known-group validity and the responsiveness of the PSQ.ResultsConvergent validity was demonstrated by significant correlations between baseline PSQ items and total scores of IRLS, POMS, RLSQoL, and the MOS-Sleep Scale (p ≤ 0.007 each). Divergent validity was demonstrated through the lack of significant correlations between PSQ items and demographic characteristics. Correlations (p < 0.0001) between RLS severity groups and PSQ items demonstrated known-group validity. Mean changes in investigator- and subject-rated CGI-I scores for each PSQ item (p < 0.0001) demonstrated the PSQ's responsiveness to patient change as reported by their care provider.ConclusionsAlthough these analyses were potentially limited by the use of clinical trial data and not prospective data from a study conducted solely for validation purposes, the PSQ demonstrated robust psychometric properties and is a valid instrument for assessing sleep and sleep improvements in subjects with moderate-to-severe RLS symptoms.Trial RegistrationThis study analyzed data from two registered trials,NCT00298623andNCT00365352.
Echium acanthocarpum hairy root cultures, a suitable system for polyunsaturated fatty acid studies and production
Authors: Cequier-Sánchez Elena , Rodríguez Covadonga , Dorta-Guerra Roberto , Ravelo Ángel G , Zárate Rafael 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
The therapeutic and health promoting role of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) from fish, i.e. eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) are well known. These same benefits may however be shared by some of their precursors, the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as stearidonic acid (SDA, 18:4 n-3). In order to obtain alternative sources for the large-scale production of PUFAs, new searches are being conducted focusing on higher plants oils which can contain these n-3 and n-6 C18 precursors, i.e. SDA and GLA (18:3n-6, γ-linolenic acid).

Results
The establishment of the novel Echium acanthocarpum hairy root cultures represents a powerful tool in order to research the accumulation and metabolism of fatty acids (FAs) in a plant particularly rich in GLA and SDA. Furthermore, this study constitutes the first example of a Boraginaceae species hairy root induction and establishment for FA studies and production. The dominant PUFAs, 18:2n-6 (LA, linoleic acid) and 18:3n-6 (GLA), accounted for about 50% of total FAs obtained, while the n-3 PUFAs, 18:3n-3 (ALA, α-linolenic acid) and 18:4n-3 (SDA), represented approximately 5% of the total. Production of FAs did not parallel hairy root growth, and the optimal productivity was always associated with the highest biomass density during the culture period. Assuming a compromise between FA production and hairy root biomass, it was determined that sampling times 4 and 5 gave the most useful FA yields. Total lipid amounts were in general comparable between the different hairy root lines (29.75 and 60.95 mg/g DW), with the major lipid classes being triacylglycerols. The FAs were chiefly stored in the hairy roots with very minute amounts being released into the liquid nutrient medium.

Conclusions
The novel results presented here show the utility and high potential of E. acanthocarpum hairy roots. They are capable of biosynthesizing and accumulating a large range of polyunsaturated FAs, including the target GLA and SDA fatty acids in appreciable quantities.
Rectal gel application of Withania somnifera root extract expounds anti-inflammatory and muco-restorative activity in TNBS-induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Pawar Pankaj , Gilda Suhit , Sharma Siddhesh , Jagtap Suresh , Paradkar Anant , Mahadik Kakasaheb , Ranjekar Prabhakar , Harsulkar Abhay 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundInflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is marked with chronic inflammation of intestinal epithelium driven by oxidative stress. Traditional treatments with plant extracts gained renewed interest due to their ability to ameliorate the multi factorial conditions like inflammation. We investigated the beneficial effects ofWithania somniferain Trinitro Benzyl Sulfonic Acid (TNBS) induced experimental IBD through a rectally applicable formulation.MethodsThe study included (i) preparation of gel formulation from aqueousWithania somniferaroot extract (WSRE), (ii) biochemical assays to determine its performance potential, (iii) testing of formulation efficacy in TNBS-induced IBD rat model, and (iv) histo-patholgical studies to assess its healing and muco-regenerative effect in IBD-induced rats. For this purpose, concentration dependant antioxidant activity of the extracts were evaluated using biochemical assays like (a) inhibition of lipid peroxidation, (b) NO scavenging, (c) H2O2scavenging, and (d) ferric reducing power assay.ResultsThe extract, at 500 μg/ml, the highest concentration tested, showed 95.6% inhibition of lipid peroxidation, 14.8% NO scavenging, 81.79% H2O2scavenging and a reducing capacity of 0.80. The results were comparable with standard antioxidants, ascorbic acid and curcumin. WSRE treatment positively scored on histopathological parameters like necrosis, edema, neutrophil infiltration. The post treatment intestinal features showed restoration at par with the healthy intestine. In view of these results, gel formulation containing an aqueous extract ofW. somnifera, prepared for rectal application was tested for its anti-inflammatory activity in TNBS-induced rat models for IBD. Commercially available anti-inflammatory drug Mesalamine was used as the standard in this assay.ConclusionsDose of the rectal gel applied at 1000 mg of WSRE per kg rat weight showed significant muco-restorative efficacy in the IBD-induced rats, validated by histo-pathological studies.
Innate immunity and monocyte-macrophage activation in atherosclerosis
Authors: Shalhoub Joseph , Falck-Hansen Mika A , Davies Alun H , Monaco Claudia 
Published: April 2011

AbstractInnate inflammation is a hallmark of both experimental and human atherosclerosis. The predominant innate immune cell in the atherosclerotic plaque is the monocyte-macrophage. The behaviour of this cell type within the plaque is heterogeneous and depends on the recruitment of diverse monocyte subsets. Furthermore, the plaque microenvironment offers polarisation and activation signals which impact on phenotype. Microenvironmental signals are sensed through pattern recognition receptors, including toll-like and NOD-like receptors thus dictating macrophage behaviour and outcome in atherosclerosis. Recently cholesterol crystals and modified lipoproteins have been recognised as able to directly engage these pattern recognition receptors. The convergent role of such pathways in terms of macrophage activation is discussed in this review.
A compact model for magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) switched by thermally assisted Spin transfer torque (TAS + STT)
Authors: Zhao Weisheng , Duval Julien , Klein Jacques-Olivier , Chappert Claude 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThermally assisted spin transfer torque [TAS + STT] is a new switching approach for magnetic tunnel junction [MTJ] nanopillars that represents the best trade-off between data reliability, power efficiency and density. In this paper, we present a compact model for MTJ switched by this approach, which integrates a number of physical models such as temperature evaluation and STT dynamic switching models. Many experimental parameters are included directly to improve the simulation accuracy. It is programmed in the Verilog-A language and compatible with the standard IC CAD tools, providing an easy parameter configuration interface and allowing high-speed co-simulation of hybrid MTJ/CMOS circuits.
Butterfly eyespot serial homology: enter the Hox genes
Authors: Hombría James Castelli-Gair 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Hox genes modify serial homology patterns in many organisms, exemplified in vertebrates by modification of the axial skeleton and in arthropods by diversification of the body segments. Butterfly wing eyespots also appear in a serial homologous pattern that, in certain species, is subject to local modification. A paper in EvoDevo reports the Hox gene Antp is the earliest known gene to have eyespot-specific expression; however, not all Lepidoptera express Antp in eyespots, suggesting some developmental flexibility.
See research article: http://www.evodevojournal.com/content/2/1/9
Expression of constitutively active erythropoietin receptor in pyramidal neurons of cortex and hippocampus boosts higher cognitive functions in mice
Authors: Sargin Derya , El-Kordi Ahmed , Agarwal Amit , Müller Michael , Wojcik Sonja M , Hassouna Imam , Sperling Swetlana , Nave Klaus-Armin , Ehrenreich Hannelore 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBackgroundErythropoietin (EPO) and its receptor (EPOR) are expressed in the developing brain and their transcription is upregulated in adult neurons and glia upon injury or neurodegeneration. We have shown neuroprotective effects and improved cognition in patients with neuropsychiatric diseases treated with EPO. However, the critical EPO targets in brain are unknown, and separation of direct and indirect effects has remained difficult, given the role of EPO in hematopoiesis and brain oxygen supply.ResultsHere we demonstrate that mice with transgenic expression of a constitutively active EPOR isoform (cEPOR) in pyramidal neurons of cortex and hippocampus exhibit enhancement of spatial learning, cognitive flexibility, social memory, and attentional capacities, accompanied by increased impulsivity. Superior cognitive performance is associated with augmented long-term potentiation of cEPOR expressing neurons in hippocampal slices.ConclusionsActive EPOR stimulates neuronal plasticity independent of any hematopoietic effects and in addition to its neuroprotective actions. This property of EPOR signaling should be exploited for defining novel strategies to therapeutically enhance cognitive performance in disease conditions.
Effects of in ovo electroporation on endogenous gene expression: genome-wide analysis
Authors: Farley Emma K , Gale Emily , Chambers David , Li Meng 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background

In ovo electroporation is a widely used technique to study gene function in developmental biology. Despite the widespread acceptance of this technique, no genome-wide analysis of the effects of in ovo electroporation, principally the current applied across the tissue and exogenous vector DNA introduced, on endogenous gene expression has been undertaken. Here, the effects of electric current and expression of a GFP- containing construct, via electroporation into the midbrain of Hamburger-Hamilton stage 10 chicken embryos, are analysed by microarray.

Results
Both current alone and in combination with exogenous DNA expression have a small but reproducible effect on endogenous gene expression, changing the expression of the genes represented on the array by less than 0.1% (current) and less than 0.5% (current + DNA), respectively. The subset of genes regulated by electric current and exogenous DNA span a disparate set of cellular functions. However, no genes involved in the regional identity were affected. In sharp contrast to this, electroporation of a known transcription factor, Dmrt5, caused a much greater change in gene expression.

Conclusions
These findings represent the first systematic genome-wide analysis of the effects of in ovo electroporation on gene expression during embryonic development. The analysis reveals that this process has minimal impact on the genetic basis of cell fate specification. Thus, the study demonstrates the validity of the in ovo electroporation technique to study gene function and expression during development. Furthermore, the data presented here can be used as a resource to refine the set of transcriptional responders in future in ovo electroporation studies of specific gene function.
Seroprevalence of Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma in Iran
Authors: Jalilvand Somayeh , Shoja Zabihollah , Mokhtari-Azad Talat , Nategh Rakhshandeh , Gharehbaghian Ahmad 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Seroepidemiological surveys show that the prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection mostly varies in various geographical areas and reflects the local incidence of classic and endemic KS, being widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and Mediterranean countries and uncommon in the USA and Northern Europe. In the Middle East only few populations, such as Ashkenazi and Sephardic groups in Israel, have been adequately evaluated for HHV-8 seroprevalence. Among Iranian population a striking higher seroprevalence of HHV8 has been reported among haemodialysis (16.9%), renal transplant recipients (25%) and HIV (45.7%) patients compared to blood donors (2%). Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the rarest cancer in Iran, with an annual age-standardized incidence varying from 0.10 to 0.17 per 100,000 in males and from 0.06 to 0.08 per 100,000 in females. KS, however, is one of the most important malignancies in Iranian renal transplanted patients affecting up to 2.4% of organ recipients. The epidemiology of HHV8 and KS in Iran needs further evaluation. While the high prevalence of HHV-8 antibodies in HIV positive and haemodialysis individuals may be attributed to high-risk sexual behavior and polytransfusions, respectively, unknown determinants may be responsible for high seroprevalence of HHV8 and high incidence of KS in solid organ recipients. A global survey on HHV8 seroprevalence in Iran is mandatory to define co-factors associated with HHV8 infection and KS risk in the general Iranian population and in specific patient groups.
IP6K gene identification in plant genomes by tag searching
Authors: Fassetti Fabio , Leone Ofelia , Palopoli Luigi , Rombo Simona E , Saiardi Adolfo 
Published: April 2011

Abstract

Background
Plants have played a special role in inositol polyphosphate (IP) research since in plant seeds was discovered the first IP, the fully phosphorylated inositol ring of phytic acid (IP6). It is now known that phytic acid is further metabolized by the IP6 Kinases (IP6Ks) to generate IP containing pyro-phosphate moiety. The IP6K are evolutionary conserved enzymes identified in several mammalian, fungi and amoebae species. Although IP6K has not yet been identified in plant chromosomes, there are many clues suggesting its presences in vegetal cells.

Results
In this paper we propose a new approach to search for the plant IP6K gene, that lead to the identification in plant genome of a nucleotide sequence corresponding to a specific tag of the IP6K family. Such a tag has been found in all IP6K genes identified up to now, as well as in all genes belonging to the Inositol Polyphosphate Kinases superfamily (IPK). The tag sequence corresponds to the inositol-binding site of the enzyme, and it can be considered as characterizing all IPK genes. To this aim we applied a technique based on motif discovery. We exploited DLSME, a software recently proposed, which allows for the motif structure to be only partially specified by the user. First we applied the new method on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of plants, where such a gene could have been nested, possibly encrypted and hidden by virtue of the editing and/or trans-splicing processes. Then we looked for the gene in nuclear genome of two model plants, Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa.

Conclusions
The analysis we conducted in plant mitochondria provided the negative, though we argue relevant, result that IP6K does not actually occur in vegetable mtDNA. Very interestingly, the tag search in nuclear genomes lead us to identify a promising sequence in chromosome 5 of Oryza sativa. Further analyses are in course to confirm that this sequence actually corresponds to IP6K mammalian gene.
Mining the TRAF6/p62 interactome for a selective ubiquitination motif
Authors: Jadhav Trafina S , Wooten Marie W , Wooten Michael C 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
A new approach is described here to predict ubiquitinated substrates of the E3 ubiquitin ligase, TRAF6, which takes into account its interaction with the scaffold protein SQSTM1/p62. A novel TRAF6 ubiquitination motif defined as [–(hydrophobic)–k–(hydrophobic)–x–x–(hydrophobic)– (polar)–(hydrophobic)–(polar)–(hydrophobic)] was identified and used to screen the TRAF6/p62 interactome composed of 155 proteins, that were either TRAF6 or p62 interactors, or a negative dataset, composed of 54 proteins with no known association to either TRAF6 or p62. NRIF (K19), TrkA (K485), TrkB (K811), TrkC (K602 and K815), NTRK2 (K828), NTRK3 (K829) and MBP (K169) were found to possess a perfect match for the amino acid consensus motif for TRAF6/p62 ubiquitination. Subsequent analyses revealed that this motif was biased to the C-terminal regions of the protein (nearly 50% the sites), and had preference for loops (~50%) and helices (~37%) over beta-strands (15% or less). In addition, the motif was observed to be in regions that were highly solvent accessible (nearly 90%). Our findings suggest that specific Lysines may be selected for ubiquitination based upon an embedded code defined by a specific amino acid motif with structural determinants. Collectively, our results reveal an unappreciated role for the scaffold protein in targeting ubiquitination. The findings described herein could be used to aid in identification of other E3/scaffold ubiquitination sites.
Incorporation and Template Polymerization of Styrene in Single-walled Bilayer Membrane Nanotubes
Authors: Jintoku Hirokuni , Okazaki Yutaka , Ono Shota , Takafuji Makoto , Ihara Hirotaka 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
A facile method is demonstrated for fabricating nanofibrillar polymers using single-walled lipid bilayer nanotubes as templates. The versatility of this method is emphasized by easy incorporation of monomer into nanotubes, sufficient stability of template structures during polymerization, and easy removal of template lipids.
pH Responsive Soft Vesicles through Self-assembly of Peptide β-Turns
Authors: Kar Sudeshna , Pramanik Animesh 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
The meta-aminobenzoic acid-inserted peptide β-turns are found to generate well-structured vesicles from methanol/water solution through molecular self-assembly. Fluorescence microscopy and UV studies reveal that the nanovesicles can encapsulate dye molecules which can be released by addition of acid (at pH 2.0).
Enhanced Solvent Exfoliation of Graphite to Graphene Dispersion in the Presence of Polymer Additive
Authors: Lee Jung Yup , In Insik 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Enhanced solvent exfoliation of graphite to graphene dispersion is simply accomplished in the presence of various polymer additives. Use of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) produces exfoliated graphene dispersion up to concentration of 13 µg mL−1, which is much higher than the concentration of graphene dispersion without polymer stabilizer.
Highly Dichroic and Luminescent Triphenodioxazine Dyes
Authors: Tanaka Toshihiko , Ashida Toru , Matsumoto Shinya 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
We report herein a triphenodioxazine dye, which is highly dichroic and luminescent in liquid crystal (LC). The dye shows remarkable polarization dependence resulting from its high orientational order up to 0.88: the dichroic ratios from its absorption and that from the emission reach 22.1 and 67.7, respectively. Such high order has never been reported for luminescent dyes in LC, thus showing appreciable potential advantage for some applications.