bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interactions of the 67 kDa laminin receptor and its precursor with laminin
Authors: Fatehullah Aliya , Doherty Caroline , Pivato Géraldine , Allen George , Devine Lynda , Nelson John , Timson David J. 
Published: August 2009

The 67LR (67 kDa laminin receptor) enables cells to interact with components of the extracellular matrix. The molecule is derived from the 37LRP (37 kDa laminin receptor precursor); however, the precise molecular mechanism of this conversion is unknown. Recombinant 37LRP, expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli, bound to human laminin in a SPR (surface plasmon resonance) experiment. 67LR isolated from human breast-cancer-derived cells in culture was also shown to bind to laminin by SPR. However, the kinetics of association are qualitatively different. 37LRP, but not 67LR, binds to heparan sulfate. The binding of 37LRP to heparan sulfate did not affect the interaction of 37LRP with laminin. In contrast, heparan sulfate reduces the extent of binding of laminin to 67LR. Taken together, these results show that 37LRP has some of the biological activities of 67LR, even prior to the conversion event. However, the conversion affects the sites of interaction with both laminin and heparan sulfate.
Quantifying cancer progression with conjunctive Bayesian networks
Authors: Gerstung Moritz , Baudis Michael , Moch Holger , Beerenwinkel Niko 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMotivation: Cancer is an evolutionary process characterized by accumulating mutations. However, the precise timing and the order of genetic alterations that drive tumor progression remain enigmatic.Results: We present a specific probabilistic graphical model for the accumulation of mutations and their interdependencies. The Bayesian network models cancer progression by an explicit unobservable accumulation process in time that is separated from the observable but error-prone detection of mutations. Model parameters are estimated by an Expectation-Maximization algorithm and the underlying interaction graph is obtained by a simulated annealing procedure. Applying this method to cytogenetic data for different cancer types, we find multiple complex oncogenetic pathways deviating substantially from simplified models, such as linear pathways or trees. We further demonstrate how the inferred progression dynamics can be used to improve genetics-based survival predictions which could support diagnostics and prognosis.Availability: The software package ct-cbn is available under a GPL license on the web site cbg.ethz.ch/software/ct-cbnContact: moritz.gerstung@bsse.ethz.ch
Haemodynamic and arrhythmic effects of moderately cold (22°C) water immersion and swimming in patients with stable coronary artery disease and heart failure
Authors: Schmid Jean‐Paul , Morger Cyrill , Noveanu Markus , Binder Ronald K. , Anderegg Matthias , Saner Hugo 
Published: August 2009

AimsData on moderately cold water immersion and occurrence of arrhythmias in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients are scarce.Methods and resultsWe examined 22 male patients, 12 with CHF [mean age 59 years, ejection fraction (EF) 32%, NYHA class II] and 10 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) without CHF (mean age 65 years, EF 52%). Haemodynamic effects of water immersion and swimming in warm (32°C) and moderately cold (22°C) water were measured using an inert gas rebreathing method. The occurrence of arrhythmias during water activities was compared with those measured during a 24 h ECG recording. Rate pressure product during water immersion up to the chest was significantly higher in moderately cold (P = 0.043 in CHF, P = 0.028 in CAD patients) compared with warm water, but not during swimming. Rate pressure product reached 14200 in CAD and 12 400 in CHF patients during swimming. Changes in cardiac index (increase by 5–15%) and oxygen consumption (increase up to 20%) were of similar magnitude in moderately cold and warm water. Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) increased significantly in moderately cold water from 15 ± 41 to 76 ± 163 beats per 30 min in CHF (P = 0.013) but not in CAD patients (20 ± 33 vs. 42 ± 125 beats per 30 min, P = 0.480). No ventricular tachycardia was noted.ConclusionPatients with compensated CHF tolerate water immersion and swimming in moderately cold water well. However, the increase in PVCs raises concerns about the potential danger of high‐grade ventricular arrhythmias.
Addressing the Dilemmas of Measuring Amylose in Rice
Authors: Fitzgerald Melissa A. , Bergman Christine J. , Resurreccion Adoracion P. , Möller Jürgen , Jimenez Rosario , Reinke Russell F. , Martin Margrit , Blanco Pedro , Molina Federico , Chen Ming‐Hsuan , Kuri Victoria , Romero Marissa V. , Habibi Fatemeh , Umemoto Takayuki , Jongdee Supanee , Graterol Eduardo , Reddy K. Radhika , Bassinello Priscila Zaczuk , Sivakami Rajeswari , Rani N. Shobha , Das Sanjukta , Wang Ya Jane , Indrasari Siti Dewi , Ramli Asfaliza , Ahmad Rauf , Dipti Sharifa S. , Xie Lihong , Lang Nguyen Thi , Singh Pratibha , Toro Dámaso Castillo , Tavasoli Fatemeh , Mestres Christian 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAmylose content is a parameter that correlates with the cooking behavior of rice. It is measured at the earliest possible stages of rice improvement programs to enable breeders to build the foundations of appropriate grain quality during cultivar development. Amylose is usually quantified by absorbance of the amylose‐iodine complex. The International Network for Quality Rice (INQR) conducted a survey to determine ways that amylose is measured, reproducibility between laboratories, and sources of variation. Each laboratory measured the amylose content of a set of 17 cultivars of rice. The study shows that five different versions of the iodine binding method are in use. The data show that repeatability was high within laboratories but reproducibility between laboratories was low. The major sources of variability were the way the standard curve was constructed and the iodine binding capacity of the potato amylose used to produce the standard. Reproducibility is much lower between laboratories using a standard curve of potato amylose alone compared with those using calibrated rice cultivars. This study highlights the need to standardize the way amylose is measured, and presents research avenues for doing so.
Tocopherol and Tocotrienol Content in Commercial Wheat Mill Streams
Authors: Engelsen Merete M⊘ller , Hansen Åse 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTThe content of tocopherols and tocotrienols, collectively known as vitamin E (tocols), was determined in fractions of roller‐milled wheat grains. The results showed that vitamin E components are present in all major flour fractions of wheat, but that the vitamin E content and composition differed significantly between fractions. The total content of vitamin E, calculated as alpha‐tocopherol equivalents, changed from 16.1 mg α‐TE/g in wheat grain to 12.2 mg α‐TE/g in roller‐milled wheat flour. The germ fraction had the highest content of tocopherols, and the content of α‐tocopherol (195.2 μg/g) was 16 times higher (on average) than in any other fraction. The content of tocotrienols was distributed more uniform in the wheat grain with the highest content in the bran fractions, and the content of β‐tocotrienol was higher than the content of α‐tocopherol in all milling fractions except the wheat germ. The content of β‐tocotrienol was 24.1 μg/g in wheat grain, 25.3–31.0 μg/g in the bran fractions, and 14.3–21.9 μg/g in the fractions of endosperm. Overall, germ and fine bran fractions represent good sources of vitamin E and might be used in breadmaking.
Live-Cell Imaging Reveals Periarbuscular Membrane Domains and Organelle Location in Medicago truncatula Roots during Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis
Authors: Pumplin Nathan , Harrison Maria J. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
In the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, the fungal symbiont colonizes root cortical cells, where it establishes differentiated hyphae called arbuscules. As each arbuscule develops, the cortical cell undergoes a transient reorganization and envelops the arbuscule in a novel symbiosis-specific membrane, called the periarbuscular membrane. The periarbuscular membrane, which is continuous with the plant plasma membrane of the cortical cell, is a key interface in the symbiosis; however, relatively little is known of its composition or the mechanisms of its development. Here, we used fluorescent protein fusions to obtain both spatial and temporal information about the protein composition of the periarbuscular membrane. The data indicate that the periarbuscular membrane is composed of at least two distinct domains, an “arbuscule branch domain” that contains the symbiosis-specific phosphate transporter, MtPT4, and an “arbuscule trunk domain” that contains MtBcp1. This suggests a developmental transition from plasma membrane to periarbuscular membrane, with biogenesis of a novel membrane domain associated with the repeated dichotomous branching of the hyphae. Additionally, we took advantage of available organelle-specific fluorescent marker proteins to further evaluate cells during arbuscule development and degeneration. The three-dimensional data provide new insights into relocation of Golgi and peroxisomes and also illustrate that cells with arbuscules can retain a large continuous vacuolar system throughout development.
Discovery and Characterization of a Novel Lachrymatory Factor Synthase inPetiveria alliaceaand Its Influence on Alliinase-Mediated Formation of Biologically Active Organosulfur Compounds
Authors: Musah Rabi A. , He Quan , Kubec Roman 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA novel lachrymatory factor synthase (LFS) was isolated and purified from the roots of the Amazonian medicinal plant Petiveria alliacea. The enzyme is a heterotetrameric glycoprotein comprised of two α-subunits (68.8 kD each), one γ-subunit (22.5 kD), and one δ-subunit (11.9 kD). The two α-subunits are glycosylated and connected by a disulfide bridge. The LFS has an isoelectric point of 5.2. It catalyzes the formation of a sulfine lachrymator, (Z)-phenylmethanethial S-oxide, only in the presence of P. alliacea alliinase and its natural substrate, S-benzyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide (petiveriin). Depending on its concentration relative to that of P. alliacea alliinase, the LFS sequesters, to varying degrees, the sulfenic acid intermediate formed by alliinase-mediated breakdown of petiveriin. At LFS:alliinase of 5:1, LFS sequesters all of the sulfenic acid formed by alliinase action on petiveriin, and converts it entirely to (Z)-phenylmethanethial S-oxide. However, starting at LFS:alliinase of 5:2, the LFS is unable to sequester all of the sulfenic acid produced by the alliinase, with the result that sulfenic acid that escapes the action of the LFS condenses with loss of water to form S-benzyl phenylmethanethiosulfinate (petivericin). The results show that the LFS and alliinase function in tandem, with the alliinase furnishing the sulfenic acid substrate on which the LFS acts. The results also show that the LFS modulates the formation of biologically active thiosulfinates that are downstream of the alliinase in a manner dependent upon the relative concentrations of the LFS and the alliinase. These observations suggest that manipulation of LFS-to-alliinase ratios in plants displaying this system may provide a means by which to rationally modify organosulfur small molecule profiles to obtain desired flavor and/or odor signatures, or increase the presence of desirable biologically active small molecules.
The Role of Specific Tomato Volatiles in Tomato-Whitefly Interaction
Authors: Bleeker Petra M. , Diergaarde Paul J. , Ament Kai , Guerra José , Weidner Monique , Schütz Stefan , de Both Michiel T.J. , Haring Michel A. , Schuurink Robert C. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Bemisia tabaci (whitefly) infestations and the subsequent transfer of viruses are the cause of severe losses in crop production and horticultural practice. To improve biological control of B. tabaci, we investigated repellent properties of plant-produced semiochemicals. The mix of headspace volatiles, collected from naturally repellent wild tomato accessions, influenced B. tabaci initial choice behavior, indicating a role for plant semiochemicals in locating host plants. A collection of wild tomato accessions and introgression lines (Solanum pennellii LA716 × Solanum lycopersicum ‘Moneyberg’) were extensively screened for attractiveness to B. tabaci, and their headspace profiles were determined by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Correlation analysis revealed that several terpenoids were putatively involved in tomato-whitefly interactions. Several of these candidate compounds conferred repellence to otherwise attractive tomato plants when applied to the plant's branches on paper cards. The sesquiterpenes zingiberene and curcumene and the monoterpenes p-cymene, α-terpinene, and α-phellandrene had the strongest effects in free-choice bioassays. These terpenes also elicited a response of receptors on the insect's antennae as determined by electroantennography. Conversely, the monoterpene β-myrcene showed no activity in both assays. B. tabaci apparently uses, besides visual cues, specific plant volatile cues for the initial selection of a host. Altering whitefly choice behavior by manipulation of the terpenoid composition of the host headspace may therefore be feasible.
Fruit and fibre: the nutritional value of figs for a small tropical ruminant, the blue duiker (Cephalophus monticola)
Authors: Kendrick Erin L. , Shipley Lisa A. , Hagerman Ann E. , Kelley Lauren M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractTropical forests throughout the world are home to a guild of small ruminants that consume fruit as a substantial portion of their diet. Because the rumen is relatively inefficient at digesting nonstructural carbohydrates and only slowly digests cellulose, the feeding adaptations of frugivorous ruminants are enigmatic. We examined the nutritional value of wild figs to blue duikers, one of the smallest and most frugivorous ruminants, through chemical analyses and a series of digestion trials with six species of wild African figs. These figs were high in fat, protein, cell wall, lignin and Ca : P ratios, low in sugar and starch, and high in unextractable, fibre‐bound tannins when compared with many other fruits. The fibre‐bound tannins and protein caused protein digestibility and nitrogen balance to be consistently low or negative. The high fibre content of the figs allowed duikers to only digest 30–60% of energy contained in the figs. However, duikers were able to consume enough digestible energy to maintain body mass during 4‐day trials. Therefore, a ruminant digestive system is beneficial to mammals eating high fibre, high‐tannin tropical fruit like figs, especially if the mammal is small enough to harvest a sufficient amount to meet its daily energy requirements and has adaptations for reducing the effects of tannins on protein digestibility.
Characterization of the methylation status of five imprinted genes in sheep gametes
Authors: Colosimo A. , Di Rocco G. , Curini V. , Russo V. , Capacchietti G. , Berardinelli P. , Mattioli M. , Barboni B. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryGenomic imprinting is a mammalian developmental process that uses epigenetic mechanisms to induce monoallelic and parental‐specific expression of particular autosomal genes. A crucial epigenetic event consists of DNA methylation of CpG‐islands, which become differentially methylated regions (DMRs) on the maternal and paternal alleles during oogenesis or spermatogenesis (germline DMRs). By contrast, somatic DMRs are acquired after fertilization. While there are several studies referring to methylation acquisition within germline DMRs in the mouse and human, a comparable methylation analysis of orthologous sequences is still lacking in sheep. To identify germline DMRs, this study analysed the methylation status of the available CpG‐islands of five ovine imprinted genes (H19, IGF2R, DLK1, DIO3 and BEGAIN) in mature spermatozoa and in female gametes at different stages of their follicle growth, including in vitro matured oocytes. The 5′‐end CpG‐island of H19 showed a full methylation in spermatozoa and an absent methylation in growing and fully grown oocytes. The intron 2 CpG‐island of IGF2R was unmethylated in male gametes, while it showed a high level of methylation in early stages of oogenesis. The promoter CpG‐islands of DLK1 and DIO3 were found to be unmethylated both in spermatozoa and oocytes. Finally, the exon 9 CpG‐island of BEGAIN was hypermethylated in mature male gametes, while it showed an almost complete methylation only in late stages of oocyte development. Our findings suggest that DNA methylation establishment during early stages of sheep oogenesis and subsequent in vitro maturation is gene‐specific and that, of the five genes investigated, only the CpG‐islands of H19 and IGF2R might represent ovine germline DMRs.
Isolation of Y‐ and X‐linked SCAR markers in yellow catfish and application in the production of all‐male populations
Authors: Wang D. , Mao H.‐L. , Chen H.‐X. , Liu H.‐Q. , Gui J.‐F. 
Published: August 2009

SummarySex controls have been performed in some farmed fish species because of significant growth differences between females and males. In yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), adult males are three times larger than female adults. In this study, six Y‐ and X‐linked amplified fragment length polymorphism fragments were screened by sex‐genotype pool bulked segregant analysis and individual screening. Interestingly, sequence analysis identified two pairs of allelic genes,Pf33andPf62. Furthermore, the cloned flanking sequences revealed several Y‐ and X‐specific polymorphisms, and four Y‐linked or X‐linked sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) primer pairs were designed and converted into Y‐ and X‐linked SCAR markers. Consequently, these markers were successfully used to identify genetic sex and YY super‐males, and applied to all‐male population production. Thus, we developed a novel and simple technique to help commercial production of YY super‐males and all‐male populations in the yellow catfish.
Mapping of the lingual immune system reveals the presence of both regulatory and effector CD4+ T cells
Authors: Mascarell L. , Lombardi V. , Zimmer A. , Louise A. , Tourdot S. , Van Overtvelt L. , Moingeon P. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryBackground
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is safe and reduces both symptoms and medication requirements in patients with type I respiratory allergies. Nonetheless, immune mechanisms underlying SLIT need to be further documented.Objective
A detailed characterization of the lingual immune system was undertaken in mice, to investigate the presence of tolerogenic and pro‐inflammatory mechanisms.Methods
Immune cells were characterized in lingual tissues from BALB/c mice using immunohistology and flow cytometry. Resident CD4+ T cells were sorted and toll‐like receptor (TLR) expression profiles as well as functional characterization were assessed by RT‐PCR, T cell suppressive assays and cytokine gene expression, respectively.Results
Eosinophils and mast cells were only detected in submucosal tissues. No NK, NK‐T, γ/δ, CD8+ T cells, nor B‐lymphocytes were detected. Potential antigen presenting cells include various subsets of dendritic cells (CD207+ Langerhans cells, CD11b+CD11c+ myeloid cells and 120G8+ plasmacytoid DCs) together with F4/80+ macrophages. Noteworthy, both CD103− and CD103+ CD4+ T cells expressing TLR2 and TLR4 receptors are present along the lamina propria, in vicinity of myeloid CD11b+CD11c± dendritic cells. Such resident lingual CD4+ T lymphocytes comprise both suppressive T cells as well as cells with memory/effector functions (i.e. expressing IFNγ, IL4, IL10 and IL17 genes following stimulation), irrespective of the presence of the mucosal addressing marker CD103.Conclusion
The sublingual route is pertinent to induce antigen‐specific tolerance, due to (i) limited numbers of pro‐inflammatory cells, rather located in submucosal tissues, (ii) co‐localization of APCs and resident CD4+ T cells with regulatory functions. Since the oral immune system can also elicit pro‐inflammatory effector responses, the cytokine milieu in which allergens are presented by sublingual APCs needs to be controlled during immunotherapy (e.g. with adjuvants) in order to favour tolerance over inflammation.
The phenology mismatch hypothesis: are declines of migrant birds linked to uneven global climate change?
Authors: Jones Tim , Cresswell Will 
Published: August 2009

Summary1. Migrant bird populations are declining and have been linked to anthropogenic climate change. The phenology mismatch hypothesis predicts that migrant birds, which experience a greater rate of warming in their breeding grounds compared to their wintering grounds, are more likely to be in decline, because their migration will occur later and they may then miss the early stages of the breeding season. Population trends will also be negatively correlated with distance, because the chances of phenology mismatch increase with number of staging sites.2. Population trends from the Palaearctic (1990–2000) and Nearctic (1980–2006) were collated for 193 spatially separate migrant bird populations, along with temperature trends for the wintering and breeding areas. An index of phenology mismatch was calculated as the difference between wintering and breeding temperature trends.3. In the Nearctic, phenology mismatch was correlated with population declines as predicted, but in the Palaearctic, distance was more important. This suggests that differential global climate change may be responsible for contributing to some migrant species’ declines, but its effects may be more important in the Nearctic.4. Differences in geography and so average migration distance, migrant species composition and history of anthropogenic change in the two areas may account for the differences in the strength of the importance of phenology mismatch on migrant declines in the Nearctic and Palaearctic.
From mTOR to cognition: molecular and cellular mechanisms of cognitive impairments in tuberous sclerosis
Authors: Ehninger D. , De Vries P. J. , Silva A. J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground  Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is a multi‐system disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 gene and is often associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms, including intellectual disability, specific neuropsychological deficits, autism, other behavioural disorders and epilepsy.Method  Here, we review evidence from animal models of TSC for the role of specific molecular and cellular processes in the pathogenesis of cognitive, developmental and epilepsy‐related manifestations seen in the disorder.Results  Recent evidence shows that, in animal models, disinhibited mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signalling substantially contributes to neuropsychiatric phenotypes, including cognitive deficits and seizures. We discuss potential pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the cognitive phenotypes of TSC and present implications regarding mTOR inhibitor‐based treatments for TSC‐related neuropsychiatric features.Conclusions  Results suggest that reversing the underlying molecular deficits of TSC with rapamycin or other mTOR inhibitors could result in clinically significant improvements of cognitive function and neurological symptoms, even if treatments are started in adulthood.