bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of CD2‐associated protein in albumin overload‐induced apoptosis in podocytes
Authors: He Fang‐Fang , Zhang Chun , Chen Shan , Deng Bing‐Qing , Wang Hui , Shao Ning , Tian Xiu‐Juan , Fang Zhan , Sun Xi‐Feng , Liu Jian‐She , Zhu Zhong‐Hua , Meng Xian‐Fang 
Published: February 2011

AbstractProteinuria is a well‐established exacerbating factor of chronic kidney diseases. However, the harmful effects of protein overload on podocytes and the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the effects of high concentrations of albumin on podocytes and investigated the role of CD2AP (CD2‐associated protein) in albumin overload‐induced podocyte apoptosis. Conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of BSA. In addition, CD2AP eukaryotic expression vector or siRNA (small interfering RNA) was transfected into podocytes before they were exposed to BSA. Podocyte apoptosis, expressions of active caspase‐3 (p17) and CD2AP, and the distribution of F‐actin cytoskeleton were detected by flow cytometry, Western‐blot analysis and fluorescent staining respectively. It was found that exposure of podocytes to BSA induced podocyte apoptosis in a concentration‐dependent manner that was accompanied by up‐regulation of active caspase‐3, the disruption of F‐actin cytoskeleton, and decreased expression of CD2AP. Transfection of CD2AP eukaryotic expression vector into podocytes increased CD2AP expression, partially restored F‐actin distribution, blocked active caspase‐3 expression and inhibited podocyte apoptosis. In contrast, transfection of CD2AP siRNA deteriorated the above changes induced by BSA. It is concluded that protein overload induces podocyte apoptosis via the down‐regulation of CD2AP and subsequent disruption of cytoskeleton of podocytes, and CD2AP may play an important role in protein overload‐induced podocyte injury.
Cell‐surface nucleolin is involved in lipopolysaccharide internalization and signalling in alveolar macrophages
Authors: Wang Yi , Mao Mei , Xu Jian‐cheng 
Published: February 2011

AbstractC23 (nucleolin) shuttling between the nucleus, cytoplasm and cell surface has been implicated in controlling regulatory processes and may play a role in pathogen infection and autoimmune diseases. It has been reported that cell surface‐expressed C23 on THP‐1 monocytes is involved in the inflammatory response induced by LPS (lipopolysaccharide). This study investigates whether C23 is a membrane receptor for LPS during LPS‐induced AMs (alveolar macrophages) activation. First, using immunofluorescence and microscopy, we detected the expression of C23 on the surface of AMs. Second, using LPS affinity columns, we demonstrated that C23 directly binds to LPS. Third, we found that LPS colocalized with C23 on both the cell surface and in the cytoplasm. Finally, knockdown of C23 expression on the cell surface using siRNA (small interfering RNA) led to significant reductions in the internalization of LPS, in LPS‐induced NF‐κB (nuclear factor κB)–DNA binding and in the protein expression of TNF (tumour necrosis factor)‐α and IL‐6 (interleukin‐6). These findings provide evidence that cell‐surface C23 on AMs may serve as a receptor for LPS and are essential for internalization and transport of LPS. Furthermore, C23 participates in the regulation of LPS‐induced inflammation of AMs, which indicates that cell‐surface C23 is a new and promising therapeutic target for the treatment of bacterial infections.
Putative Arabidopsis homologues of metazoan coiled‐coil cytoskeletal proteins
Authors: Gardiner John , Overall Robyn , Marc Jan 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes about 386 proteins with coiled‐coil domains of at least 50 amino acids in length. In mammalian systems, many coiled‐coil proteins are part of various cytoskeletal networks including intermediate filament protein, actin‐binding proteins and MAP (microtubule‐associated proteins). Immunological evidence suggests that some of these cytoskeletal proteins, such as lamins, keratins and tropomyosins, may be conserved in Arabidopsis. However, coiled‐coil proteins are of low complexity, and thus, traditional sequence comparison algorithms, such as BLAST may not detect homologies. Here, we use the PROPSEARCH algorithm to detect putative coiled‐coil cytoskeletal protein homologues in Arabidopsis. This approach reveals putative intermediate filament protein homologues of filensin, lamin and keratin; putative actin‐binding homologues of ERM (ezrin/radixin/moesin), periplakin, utrophin, tropomyosin and paramyosin, and putative MAP homologues of restin/CLIP‐170 (cytoplasmic linker protein‐170). We suggest that the AtFPP (Arabiopsis thaliana filament‐like plant protein) and AtMAP70 (Arabidopsis microtubule‐associated protein 70) families of coiled‐coil proteins may, in fact, be related to lamins and function as intermediate filament proteins.
The cellular level of TRIM31, an RBCC protein overexpressed in gastric cancer, is regulated by multiple mechanisms including the ubiquitin—proteasome system
Authors: Sugiura Takeyuki 
Published: February 2011

AbstractTRIM (tripartite motif) family proteins, comprising RING finger, B‐box and coiled‐coil domains, are involved in various cellular processes including tumour development and antiviral response. One of the family proteins, TRIM31, was originally identified as a gene induced by growth‐suppressive retinoid. Our previous study showed that TRIM31 is up‐regulated in stomach cancer and that TRIM31 protein possesses the common features of the TRIM protein family, for example, ubiquitin ligase activity and homo‐oligomerization tendency. Interestingly, TRIM31 negatively regulates growth of certain cell types despite its overexpression in gastric cancer tissues. We herein demonstrated that upon exogenous expression in 293 cells, TRIM31 is polyubiquitylated, which promotes its degradation in the proteasome pathway. The proteasome‐mediated degradation of endogenous TRIM31 was further confirmed in AsPC‐1 pancreatic cancer cells. Thus, this posttranslational modification governs the intracellular abundance of TRIM31, which is also dependent on inducible transcription as well as alternative splicing. The complicated control of the intracellular TRIM31 protein level may relate to its seemingly contradictory behaviours in the cancer pathology or the urgent response to viral infection.
Adipogenic differentiation and EGFP gene transfection of amniotic fluid‐derived stem cells from goat fetus at terminal gestational age
Authors: He Xiao‐Ying , Zheng Yue‐Mao , Qiu Shuang , Qi Ying‐Pei , Zhang Yong 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe aims of this study were to determine whether stem cells could be isolated from amniotic fluid of goat fetus at terminal gestational age and to determine if these stem cells could differentiate into adipogenic cells and be transfected with a reporter gene, EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein). The stem cells were isolated from amniotic fluid of goat fetus at terminal gestational age, induced to differentiate into adipogenic cells in vitro and transfected with the EGFP gene using lipofection. Markers associated with undifferentiated AFS (amniotic fluid‐derived stem) cells were tested by RT (reverse transcription)‐PCR. The results demonstrated that AFS cells could be isolated from amniotic fluid of goat fetus at terminal gestational age and could differentiate into adipogenic cells. The EGFP gene was transfected into AFS cells successfully. EGFP gene transfection efficiency of the three groups of transgenic AFS cells were 26.0, 29.9 and 30.5%, respectively. Both transgenic and wild‐type AFS cells could express Hes1 (hairy and enhancer of split 1), Oct4 (octamer‐binding protein 4) and Nanog.
Administration of an acylated GLP-1 and GIP preparation provides added beneficial glucose-lowering and insulinotropic actions over single incretins in mice with Type 2 diabetes and obesity
Authors: Gault Victor A. , Kerr Barry D. , Harriott Patrick , Flatt Peter R. 
Published: February 2011

The present study examined the glucose-lowering and insulinotropic properties of acylated GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) peptides in Type 2 diabetes and obesity. GLP-1, GIP, Liraglutide, N-AcGIP(Lys37Myr) (N-acetylGIP with myristic acid conjugated at Lys37), a simple combination of both peptides and a Lira–AcGIP preparation [overnight preparation of Liraglutide and N-AcGIP(Lys37Myr)] were incubated with DPP-IV (dipeptidyl peptidase-IV) to assess peptide stability, and BRIN–BD11 cells were used to evaluate cAMP production and insulin secretion. Acute glucose-lowering and insulinotropic actions were evaluated in Swiss TO mice. Subchronic studies on glucose homoeostasis, insulin secretion, food intake and bodyweight were evaluated in ob/ob mice. Liraglutide, N-AcGIP(Lys37Myr), a simple combination of both peptides and the Lira–AcGIP preparation demonstrated improved DPP-IV resistance (P&lt;0.001), while stimulating cAMP production and insulin secretion (1.4–2-fold; P&lt;0.001). The Lira–AcGIP preparation was more potent at lowering plasma glucose (20–51% reduction; P&lt;0.05–P&lt;0.001) and stimulating insulin secretion (1.5–1.8-fold; P&lt;0.05–P&lt;0.001) compared with Liraglutide and N-AcGIP(Lys37Myr) or a simple peptide combination. Daily administration of the Lira–AcGIP preparation to ob/ob mice lowered bodyweight (7–9%; P&lt;0.05), food intake (23%; P&lt;0.05) and plasma glucose (46% reduction; P&lt;0.001), while increasing plasma insulin (1.5–1.6-fold; P&lt;0.001). The Lira–AcGIP preparation enhanced glucose tolerance, insulin response to glucose and insulin content (P&lt;0.05–P&lt;0.001). These findings demonstrate that a combined preparation of the acylated GLP-1 and GIP peptides Liraglutide and N-AcGIP(Lys37Myr) markedly improved glucose-lowering and insulinotropic properties in diabetic obesity compared with either incretin mimetic given individually.
Molecular jamming—The cystine slipknot mechanical clamp in all-atom simulations
Authors: Pepłowski Łukasz , Sikora Mateusz , Nowak Wiesław , Cieplak Marek 
Published: February 2011

A recent survey of 17 134 proteins has identified a new class of proteins which are expected to yield stretching induced force peaks in the range of 1 nN. Such high force peaks should be due to forcing of a slip-loop through a cystine ring, i.e., by generating a cystine slipknot. The survey has been performed in a simple coarse grained model. Here, we perform all-atom steered molecular dynamics simulations on 15 cystine knot proteins and determine their resistance to stretching. In agreement with previous studies within a coarse grained structure based model, the level of resistance is found to be substantially higher than in proteins in which the mechanical clamp operates through shear. The large stretching forces arise through formation of the cystine slipknot mechanical clamp and the resulting steric jamming. We elucidate the workings of such a clamp in an atomic detail. We also study the behavior of five top strength proteins with the shear-based mechanostability in which no jamming is involved. We show that in the atomic model, the jamming state is relieved by moving one amino acid at a time and there is a choice in the selection of the amino acid that advances the first. In contrast, the coarse grained model also allows for a simultaneous passage of two amino acids.
Comparative analysis of the XopD type III secretion (T3S) effector family in plant pathogenic bacteria
Authors: KIM JUNG‐GUN , TAYLOR KYLE W. , MUDGETT MARY BETH 
Published: February 2011

SUMMARYXopD is a type III effector protein that is required for Xanthomonas campestris pathovar vesicatoria (Xcv) growth in tomato. It is a modular protein consisting of an N‐terminal DNA‐binding domain, two ethylene‐responsive element binding factor‐associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) transcriptional repressor motifs and a C‐terminal small ubiquitin‐related modifier (SUMO) protease. In tomato, XopD functions as a transcriptional repressor, resulting in the suppression of defence responses at late stages of infection. A survey of available genome sequences for phytopathogenic bacteria revealed that XopD homologues are limited to species within three genera of Proteobacteria—Xanthomonas, Acidovorax and Pseudomonas. Although the EAR motif(s) and SUMO protease domain are conserved in all XopD‐like proteins, variation exists in the length and sequence identity of the N‐terminal domains. Comparative analysis of the DNA sequences surrounding xopD and xopD‐like genes led to revised annotation of the xopD gene. Edman degradation sequence analysis and functional complementation studies confirmed that the xopD gene from Xcv encodes a 760‐amino‐acid protein with a longer N‐terminal domain than previously predicted. None of the XopD‐like proteins studied complemented Xcv ΔxopD mutant phenotypes in tomato leaves, suggesting that the N‐terminus of XopD defines functional specificity. Xcv ΔxopD strains expressing chimeric fusion proteins containing the N‐terminus of XopD fused to the EAR motif(s) and SUMO protease domain of the XopD‐like protein from X. campestris pathovar campestris strain B100 were fully virulent in tomato, demonstrating that the N‐terminus of XopD controls specificity in tomato.
Distribution of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. (Fabaceae) in Uganda and its relationship to climatic factors
Authors: Mulumba John W. , Lwasa James , Atieno Frederick 
Published: February 2011

AbstractThe aim of the study was to map the distribution of Acacia senegal and its infraspecific taxa in Uganda and predict its suitable range of occurrence based on climatic factors. The distribution of the infraspecific taxa was analysed for richness, diversity, turnover and reserve selection. Regression analysis was performed to understand the relationship between distribution of the species and climatic variables. Georeferenced species occurrence points were superimposed over temperature and vapour maps. Areas with highest taxa richness, diversity and turnover were mapped and found in the Lake Kyoga basin. The species shows preference for the northern region of the study area with dissimilar climatic pattern from the southern region and the superimposition supported findings. Variety kerensis exhibited narrower climatic, altitudinal and distribution range preference. Temperature seasonality, maximum temperature of warmest month, temperature annual range, mean temperatures of warmest and driest quarters had the highest coefficients of determination (r2 > 0.7) hence most important in influencing species distribution. The most appropriate locations for in situ conservation and for germplasm collection to ensure maximum diversity is secured are found in Wabisi‐Wajala, Kiula, Kyalubanga, Bajo, Kasagala, Kabwika‐mujwalanganda, Maruzi, Moroto and Napak Central Forest Reserves. The study recommends ecological studies to understand status of A. senegal.
Exhaled nitric oxide discriminates children with and without allergic sensitization in a population‐based study
Authors: Yao T‐C , Ou L‐S , Lee W‐I , Yeh K‐W , Chen L‐C , Huang J‐L ,   for the PATCH study group
Published: February 2011

Cite this as: T‐C Yao, L‐S Ou, W‐I Lee, K‐W Yeh, L‐C Chen and J‐L Huang , for the PATCH study group, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 556–564.SummaryBackground
Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) as a biomarker of airway inflammation in children warrants better clarification.Objective
To identify the determinants of FeNO in children and assess the validity of FeNO as a discriminative tool for asthma, rhinitis or allergic sensitization in a population setting.Methods
Children aged 5–18 years (N=1717) were evaluated using online FeNO measurements, questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, pulmonary function tests and total and specific serum IgE.Results
FeNO levels were age‐dependent, with an average increase of 7.4% per year of age. It decreased with increasing body mass index (BMI), estimated at 1.5% decrease per kg/m2. Children with allergic sensitization had elevated FeNO independent of allergic symptoms. In the combined analyses of asthma, rhinitis and allergic sensitization, elevated FeNO levels were confined mainly to children having allergic sensitization. After adjusting for allergic sensitization, a significant association between rhinitis and FeNO remained, but no such association was seen with asthma. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of FeNO at the optimum cut‐off of 28 p.p.b. for diagnosing asthma were 64.3%, 69.9%, 8.8%, and 97.7%, respectively (area under the ROC curve [AUC] 0.67), and were slightly better for diagnosing allergic asthma: 70.0%, 70.4%, 9.0%, 98.3%, respectively (AUC 0.71). FeNO had modest accuracy in discriminating rhinitis with an AUC value of 0.70, and performed better in discriminating allergic rhinitis (AUC 0.78). FeNO was a robust discriminator of allergic sensitization independent of symptoms at a cut‐off of 15.4 p.p.b. (AUC 0.80; sensitivity 72.2%; specificity 71.2%; PPV 76.9%; NPV 65.8%).Conclusion and Clinical Relevance
FeNO measurement discriminates children with and without allergic sensitization independent of allergic symptoms. On the other hand, low FeNO levels in children may help exclude allergic asthma but high levels may be caused by allergic sensitization, older age, rhinitis, and lower BMI, in addition to asthma.
Peripheral blood dendritic cell subtypes are significantly elevated in subjects with asthma
Authors: Spears M. , McSharry C. , Donnelly I. , Jolly L. , Brannigan M. , Thomson J. , Lafferty J. , Chaudhuri R. , Shepherd M. , Cameron E. , Thomson N. C. 
Published: February 2011

SummaryBackground
Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for the processing of antigens, T lymphocyte priming and the development of asthma and allergy. Smokers with asthma display altered therapeutic behaviour and a reduction in endobronchial DC CD83 expression compared with non‐smokers with asthma. No information is available on the impact of smoking on peripheral blood DC profiles.Objective
Determine peripheral blood DC profiles in subjects with and without asthma with differing smoking histories.Methods
Forty‐three asthmatics (17 smokers, nine ex‐smokers and 17 never–smokers) and 16 healthy volunteers (nine smokers and seven never–smokers) were recruited. Spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide and venesection was performed. DC elution was by flow cytometry via the expression of DC surface markers [plasmacytoid (pDC) (BDCA‐2, CD303), type 1 conventional (cDC) (BDCA‐1, CD1c), and type 2 cDC (BDCA‐3, CD141)].Results
Subjects with asthma displayed increases in all DC subtypes compared with normal never‐smokers: [type 1 cDCs – asthma [median% (IQR)]: 0.59% (0.41, 0.74), normal never‐smokers: 0.35% (0.26, 0.43), P=0.013]; type 2 cDCs – asthma: 0.04% (0.02, 0.06), normal never‐smokers: 0.02% (0.01, 0.03), P=0.008 and pDCs – asthma: 0.32% (0.27, 0.46), normal never‐smokers: 0.22% (0.17, 0.31), P=0.043, and increased pDC and type 1 cDCs compared with normal smokers. Smoking did not affect DC proportions in asthma. Cigarette smoking reduced pDC proportions in normal subjects [normal never–smokers: 0.22% (0.17, 0.31); normal smokers: 0.09% (0.08, 0.15), P=0.003].Conclusions and Clinical Relevance
This study shows for the first time that subjects with asthma display a large increase in peripheral blood DC proportions. Cigarette smoking in asthma did not affect the peripheral blood DC profile but did suppress pDC proportions in non‐asthmatic subjects. Asthma is associated with a significant increase in circulating DCs, reflecting increased endobronchial levels and the importance of DCs to the development and maintenance of asthma. (Clinical trials.gov identifier: NCT00411320) Cite this as: M. Spears, C. McSharry, I. Donnelly, L. Jolly, M. Brannigan, J. Thomson, J. Lafferty, R. Chaudhuri, M. Shepherd, E. Cameron and N. C. Thomson, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 665–672.
The health concerns and behaviours of primigravida: comparing advanced age pregnant women with their younger counterparts
Authors: Loke Alice Yuen , Poon Chung Fan 
Published: February 2011

Aim.  This study was to describe and compare the health concerns, behaviours and anxiety of advanced age pregnant women (35 years and older) with their younger counterparts.Background.  Women have specific health concerns and behaviours during pregnancy. Delayed childbearing has an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and advanced age pregnant women may have more health concerns than younger ones.Design.  A cross‐sectional study.Method.  Primigravidae Chinese women aged 35 or older (n = 47) and 188 younger than aged 35 were recruited in February and March of 2005 by convenient sampling from the antenatal clinic of a regional hospital in Hong Kong to complete a questionnaire.Findings.  Advanced age pregnant women when compared with their counterparts were more likely to have tertiary education (42·6% vs. 28·7%) and a higher family monthly income of Hong Kong $40 001 or more (40·5% vs. 15·4%). They were more likely to be concerned the possibility of miscarriage (63·8% vs. 45·9%) and the physical demands of caring for the newborn (61·7% vs. 45·4%) but were more likely to take up healthy behaviours such as ‘eating nutritious food’ (100%) and avoiding ‘wearing tight clothing and high‐heel shoes’(100%). Advanced age women were more likely to be concerned about their ‘recovery after childbirth’ (63·8% vs. 42·7%), Down’s syndrome (70·2% vs. 37·8%) and structural defects of their foetus (78·7% vs. 54·1%).Conclusion.  The results of this study provide a background for improving prenatal care catering for the specific health concerns of the advanced aged and promotion of health behaviours among younger pregnant women.Relevance to clinical practice.  Antenatal, obstetric and community health nurses have the responsibility to provide education and support services catering to the special concerns of pregnant women at different ages. Health professionals should promote the prime time for childbearing and deliver messages regarding the potential problems associated with later childbearing at premarital counselling.
Mode of administration only has a small effect on data quality and self‐reported health status and emotional distress among Swedish adolescents and young adults
Authors: Wettergren Lena , Mattsson Elisabet , von Essen Louise 
Published: February 2011

Aims.  The aims were to investigate potential effects of mode of administration on response rate, internal consistency, completeness of data, floor and ceiling effects and interaction effects of mode of administration, gender and age on self‐reported health status and emotional distress among Swedish adolescents and young adults.Design.  A cross‐sectional comparative study.Methods.  Using a stratified quota sampling scheme, 840 adolescents and young adults (aged 13–23 years) were randomly chosen from the general population. Participants were randomised according to mode of administration, telephone interview or postal questionnaire.Results.  The telephone mode resulted in a higher response rate than the postal mode and fewer men than women participated in the postal mode. Mode of administration only had a small effect on self‐reports. The youngest adolescents did, in some respects, respond to the modes in a reverse pattern than the older participants.Conclusion.  The findings support the use of the SF‐36 and the HADS among persons 16–23 years of age. The strengths and weaknesses of a telephone and a postal mode to collect self‐report data are discussed.Relevance for clinical practice.  Nurses should consider the findings of this study, e.g. when using self‐reports to screen for health status and emotional distress and when designing research studies.