bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complex evolutionary history and diverse domain organization of SET proteins suggest divergent regulatory interactions
Authors: Zhang Liangsheng , Ma Hong 
Published: April 2012

Summary
Plants and animals possess very different developmental processes, yet share conserved epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, such as histone modifications. One of the most important forms of histone modification is methylation on lysine residues of the tails, carried out by members of the SET protein family, which are widespread in eukaryotes.
We analyzed molecular evolution by comparative genomics and phylogenetics of the SET genes from plant and animal genomes, grouping SET genes into several subfamilies and uncovering numerous gene duplications, particularly in the Suv, Ash, Trx and E(z) subfamilies.
Domain organizations differ between different subfamilies and between plant and animal SET proteins in some subfamilies, and support the grouping of SET genes into seven main subfamilies, suggesting that SET proteins have acquired distinctive regulatory interactions during evolution. We detected evidence for independent evolution of domain organization in different lineages, including recruitment of new domains following some duplications.
More recent duplications in both vertebrates and land plants are probably the result of whole‐genome or segmental duplications. The evolution of the SET gene family shows that gene duplications caused by segmental duplications and other mechanisms have probably contributed to the complexity of epigenetic regulation, providing insights into the evolution of the regulation of chromatin structure.
Natural variation in GA1 associates with floral morphology in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Brock Marcus T. , Kover Paula X. , Weinig Cynthia 
Published: April 2012

Summary
The genetic architecture of floral traits is evolutionarily important due to the fitness consequences of quantitative variation in floral morphology. Yet, little is known about the genes underlying these traits in natural populations. Using Arabidopsis thaliana, we examine molecular variation at GIBBERELLIC ACID REQUIRING 1 (GA1) and test for associations with floral morphology.
We examined full‐length sequence in 32 accessions and describe two haplotypes (comprising four nonsynonymous polymorphisms) in GA1 that segregate at intermediate frequencies. In 133 A. thaliana accessions, we test for genotype–phenotype associations and corroborate these findings in segregating progenies.
The two common GA1 haplotypes were associated with the length of petals, stamens, and to a lesser extent style‐stigma length. Associations were confirmed in a segregating progeny developed from 19 accessions. We find analogous results in recombinant inbred lines of the Bayreuth × Shahdara cross, which differ only at one of 4 SNPs, suggesting that this SNP may contribute to the observed association.
Assuming GA1 causally affects floral organ size, it is interesting that adjacent petal and stamen whorls are most strongly affected. This pattern suggests that GA1 could contribute to the greater strength of petal–stamen correlations relative to other floral‐length correlations observed in some Brassicaceous species.
Caloric restriction may reverse age‐related autonomic decline in humans
Authors: Stein Phyllis K. , Soare Andreea , Meyer Timothy E. , Cangemi Roberto , Holloszy John O. , Fontana Luigi 
Published: April 2012

SummaryCaloric restriction (CR) retards aging in laboratory rodents. No information is available on the effects of long‐term CR on physiologic markers of aging and longevity in humans. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a marker for cardiac autonomic functioning. The progressive decline in HRV with aging and the association of higher HRV with better health outcomes are well established. Heart rate variability assessment is a reliable tool by which the effects of CR on autonomic function can be assessed. Time‐ and frequency‐domain analyses compared 24‐h HRV in 22 CR individuals aged 35–82 years and 20 age‐matched controls eating Western diets (WD). The CR group was significantly leaner than the WD group. Heart rate was significantly lower, and virtually, all HRV values were significantly higher in the CR group than in the WD group (P < 0.002). Heart rate variability in the CR individuals was comparable with published norms for healthy individuals 20 years younger. In addition, when differences in heart rate (HR) and HRV between CR and WD were compared with previously published changes in HRV induced in healthy adults given atenolol, percent differences in each measure were generally similar in direction and magnitude and suggested declines in sympathetic and increases in parasympathetic modulation of HR and increased circadian variability associated with CR. These findings provide evidence that CR has direct systemic effects that counter the expected age‐associated changes in autonomic function so that HRV indexes in CR individuals are similar to those of individuals 20 years younger eating WDs.
Changes in neuronal DNA content variation in the human brain during aging
Authors: Fischer Hans‐Georg , Morawski Markus , Brückner Martina K. , Mittag Anja , Tarnok Attila , Arendt Thomas 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe human brain has been proposed to represent a genetic mosaic, containing a small but constant number of neurons with an amount of DNA exceeding the diploid level that appear to be generated through various chromosome segregation defects initially. While a portion of these cells apparently die during development, neurons with abnormal chromosomal copy number have been identified in the mature brain. This genomic alteration might to lead to chromosomal instability affecting neuronal viability and could thus contribute to age‐related mental disorders. Changes in the frequency of neurons with such structural genomic variation in the adult and aging brain, however, are unknown. Here, we quantified the frequency of neurons with a more than diploid DNA content in the cerebral cortex of normal human brain and analyzed its changes between the fourth and ninth decades of life. We applied a protocol of slide‐based cytometry optimized for DNA quantification of single identified neurons, which allowed to analyze the DNA content of about 500 000 neurons for each brain. On average, 11.5% of cortical neurons showed DNA content above the diploid level. The frequency of neurons with this genomic alteration was highest at younger age and declined with age. Our results indicate that the genomic variation associated with DNA content exceeding the diploid level might compromise viability of these neurons in the aging brain and might thus contribute to susceptibilities for age‐related CNS disorders. Alternatively, a potential selection bias of “healthy aging brains” needs to be considered, assuming that DNA content variation above a certain threshold associates with Alzheimer′s disease.
Platelets increase survival of adenocarcinoma cells challenged with anticancer drugs: mechanisms and implications for chemoresistance
Authors: Radziwon‐Balicka A , Medina C , O'Driscoll L , Treumann A , Bazou D , Inkielewicz‐Stepniak I , Radomski A , Jow H , Radomski MW 
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cancer cells grow without the restraints of feedback control mechanisms, leading to increased cancer cell survival. The treatment of cancer is often complicated by the lack of response to chemotherapy leading to chemoresistance and persistent survival of tumour cells. In this work we studied the role of platelets in chemotherapy‐induced cancer cell death and survival.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Human adenocarcinoma cells, colonic (Caco‐2) and ovarian (59 M) cells, were incubated with 5‐fluorouracil (1–300 µg·mL−1) or paclitaxel (1–200 µg·mL−1) in the presence or absence of platelets (1.5 × 108 mL−1) for 1, 24 or 72 h. Following incubation, cancer cells were harvested and cell survival/death was assayed using flow cytometry, Western blotting, real‐time PCR, TaqMan® Gene Expression Assays and proteomics.KEY RESULTS Human platelets increased the survival of colonic and ovarian adenocarcinoma cells treated with two standard anticancer drugs, 5‐fluorouracil and paclitaxel. In the presence of platelets, cancer cells up‐regulated anti‐apoptotic and down‐regulated pro‐apoptotic genes, increased the number of cells in the synthesis of DNA and decreased the number in the quiescent phase, increased expression of cyclins, DNA repair proteins and MAPKs. The analysis of platelet‐Caco‐2 secretome demonstrated the release of the chemokine RANTES, thrombospondin‐1, TGF‐β and clusterin. Finally, human recombinant RANTES and thrombospondin‐1 improved survival of Caco‐2 cells challenged with paclitaxel.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These data demonstrate that platelets increase adenocarcinoma cells survival, proliferation and chemoresistance to standard anticancer drugs. Modulating cancer cell–platelet interactions may offer a new strategy to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy.
Islam in China: From Silk Road to Separatism
Authors: Jones‐Leaning Melanie , Pratt Douglas 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIslam came to China via the Silk Road, the great trading route beginning in the ancient Chinese capital of Xian. Islam flourished during the brutal but religiously tolerant Mongol Yuan dynasty. Harsh repressive measures were employed against the rebellious Muslims of the Qing dynasty. Islam has survived the tumultuous 20th century and has experienced a revival in the new millennium. Following a brief historical overview, including some of China's relevant history of insurrection, rebellion and reforms, the nature of the Muslim community in China, along with pressing contemporary issues, will be outlined and discussed.
Sulthiame add‐on therapy in children with focal epilepsies associated with encephalopathy related to electrical status epilepticus during slow sleep (ESES)
Authors: Fejerman Natalio , Caraballo Roberto , Cersósimo Ricardo , Ferraro Stella Maris , Galicchio Santiago , Amartino Hernán 
Published: April 2012

SummaryPurpose: In children with symptomatic or idiopathic focal epilepsies, their disease may evolve into an epileptic encephalopathy related to continuous spike and wave during slow sleep (CSWS) or electrical status epilepticus during slow sleep (ESES). ESES syndrome implies serious risks of neuropsychologic impairment, and its treatment has frequently been disappointing. The aim of this study is to present our experience using sulthiame as add‐on treatment in 53 patients with ESES syndrome that was refractory to other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).Methods: Neurologic examinations, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and repeated prolonged sleep electroencephalography (EEG) studies were performed in all cases. Data about school achievements and or neuropsychological evaluations were obtained repeatedly during the follow‐up of 1.5–16 years. Sulthiame was added in doses ranging between 5 and 30 mg/kg/day.Key Findings: Since add‐on of sulthiame, 10 of 28 patients in the symptomatic group became seizure free: 4 patients with normal EEG studies and 6 with residual spikes. Nine of 28 patients showed a significant reduction in number of seizures and presented spikes but no ESES on EEG. The other nine cases showed neither clinical nor EEG improvement. A striking result was that 3 of 11 children with unilateral polymicrogyria and ESES syndrome became seizure free, and in another six a significant improvement in frequency of seizures and in EEG abnormalities seemed to be related to the add‐on of sulthiame. Twenty‐one of the 25 patients in the idiopathic group became seizure free and without ESES in <3 months after add on of sulthiame. In two of the patients the changes were seen in a few days.Significance: We understand that sulthiame may be effective as add‐on treatment in children with ESES syndrome.
Neurofilament heavy chain and heat shock protein 70 as markers of seizure‐related brain injury
Authors: Rejdak Konrad , Kuhle Jens , Rüegg Stephan , Lindberg Raija L. P. , Petzold Axel , Sulejczak Dorota , Papuc Ewa , Rejdak Robert , Stelmasiak Zbigniew , Grieb Paweł 
Published: April 2012

SummaryPurpose:  Status epilepticus (SE) has deleterious effects on brain tissue, but whether brief recurrent seizures may also damage neurons represents a matter of controversy. Therefore, it remains a central area of epilepsy research to identify individuals at risk where disease progression can be potentially prevented. Biomarkers may serve as tools for such identification. Thus the present study aimed at analyzing the levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP‐70, also designated as HSPA1A) and neurofilament heavy chain protein (NfHSMI35) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with seizures of different severity.Methods:  Forty‐one patients were included, of whom 20 patients had a single generalized tonic–clonic seizure (GTCS) episode (SS), 11 had repetitive GTCS (RS), and 10 experienced convulsive SE. The control group consisted of 18 subjects. HSP‐70 levels were measured using a conventional enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), whereas the NfHSMI35 protein levels were detected by an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay.Key Findings:  Patients with SE (p < 0.001) and RS (p < 0.05) had significantly higher NfHSMI35 levels than controls, and SE was associated with increased concentrations when compared with SS (p < 0.001). NfHSMI35 levels in SS did not differ from controls. Patients with SE had significantly raised HSP‐70 levels compared to RS (p < 0.05), SS (p < 0.05), and controls (p < 0.001). SS and RS did not differ from each or from controls. Levels of NfHSMI35 and HSP‐70 showed a significant correlation (r = 0.34; p = 0.007) in the group of all study subjects, which was not apparent when controls and patients with seizures were considered separately. The correlation between NfHSMI35 and HSP‐70 tended to be inverse in patients with SE, but it did not reach statistical significance (r = −0.3; p > 0.05).Significance:  Studying biochemical markers as additional quantitative tools for the measurement of neuronal damage (especially subclinical), complementary to available techniques of imaging, and clinical assessment might prove useful for identifying patients at risk of accumulating neuronal injury resulting from uncontrolled seizures. NfHSMI35 and HSP‐70 are of potential value as sensitive and specific biomarkers of seizure‐related pathologic events. Future longitudinal studies are needed to monitor such patients by correlating biochemical, neuroimaging, and clinical methods of assessment.
Statistical parametric mapping reveals regional alterations in cannabinoid CB1 receptor distribution and G‐protein activation in the 3D reconstructed epileptic rat brain
Authors: Sayers Katherine W. , Nguyen Peter T. , Blair Robert E. , Sim‐Selley Laura J. , DeLorenzo Robert J. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryPurpose:  The endocannabinoid system is known to modulate seizure activity in several in vivo and in vitro models, and CB1‐receptor activation is anticonvulsant in the rat pilocarpine model of acquired epilepsy (AE). In these epileptic rats, a unique redistribution of the CB1 receptor occurs within the hippocampus; however, an anatomically inclusive analysis of the effect of status epilepticus (SE)–induced AE on CB1 receptors has not been thoroughly evaluated. Therefore, statistical parametric mapping (SPM), a whole‐brain unbiased approach, was used to study the long‐term effect of pilocarpine‐induced SE on CB1‐receptor binding and G‐protein activation in rats with AE.Methods:  Serial coronal sections from control and epileptic rats were cut at equal intervals throughout the neuraxis and processed for [3H]WIN55,212‐2 (WIN) autoradiography, WIN‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS autoradiography, and CB1‐receptor immunohistochemistry (IHC). The autoradiographic techniques were evaluated with both region of interest (ROI) and SPM analyses.Key Findings:  In rats with AE, regionally specific increases in CB1‐receptor binding and activity were detected in cortex, discrete thalamic nuclei, and other regions including caudate‐putamen and septum, and confirmed by IHC. However, CB1 receptors were unaltered in several brain regions, including substantia nigra and cerebellum, and did not exhibit regional decreases in rats with AE.Significance:  This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the regional distribution of changes in CB1‐receptor expression, binding, and G‐protein activation in the rat pilocarpine model of AE. These regions may ultimately serve as targets for cannabinomimetic compounds or manipulation of the endocannabinoid system in epileptic brain.
Tattoos, Piercings, and Alcohol Consumption
Authors: Guéguen Nicolas 
Published: April 2012

ObjectivePrevious studies have found a link between body tattoos or piercings and risky behavior. However, these studies only examined survey data but not real behavior.MethodsYoung men (mean = 20.6 years) and women (mean = 20.2 years) leaving a bar were asked whether they wore tattoos and piercings or not and were requested to breathe into a breathalyzer in order to evaluate their alcohol consumption.ResultsIt was found that participants with piercings and/or tattoos as well as combined piercings and tattoos revealed higher levels of alcohol consumption.ConclusionsPiercings and tattoos could serve as signs of alcohol consumption for educators, parents, and physicians.
Preaching to the Choir? Religious Leaders and American Opinion on Immigration Reform
Authors: Nteta Tatishe M. , Wallsten Kevin J. 
Published: April 2012

ObjectiveDo the public declarations of religious leaders concerning immigration influence American public opinion on immigration reform?MethodsIn answering this question, we use the 2004 National Politics Study and employ ordered logistic regression techniques to test hypotheses derived from elite opinion theory.ResultsWe find that exposure to elite messages from religious leaders on immigration leads respondents to more strongly support increasing immigration to the United States, allowing immigrants to serve in the military, and allowing immigrants who serve in the military to gain citizenship.ConclusionTaken together, these results provide evidence that members of America's largest religious denominations are communicating support for liberal immigration reforms to their parishioners and, more importantly, that these signals subsequently influence the preferences of the parishioners exposed to these messages.
Transseptal Puncture Through Amplatzer Septal Occluder Device for Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Use of Balloon Dilatation Technique
Authors: CHEN KE , SANG CAIHUA , DONG JIANZENG , MA CHANGSHENG 
Published: April 2012

Transseptal Puncture Through Amplatzer Device. Transseptal puncture is required for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. We report on a 59‐year‐old woman presenting with atrial fibrillation after transcatheter closure of a large‐sized secundum atrial septal defect with an Amplatzer septal occluder. Direct transseptal access through the device was achieved with the aid of an angioplasty balloon and atrial fibrillation was successfully ablated. Such an approach of transseptal puncture can facilitate obtaining left atrial access in complicated intervention procedures.(J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23 pp. 1139‐1141, October 2012)
Public Anthropology in the Field: Balancing Dual Identities as Researcher and Staff Member
Authors: Irvine Mahri 
Published: April 2012

AbstractI explore some of the challenges I have faced as a public anthropologist who fulfills multiple roles as researcher, staff member, and volunteer at a prison reentry organization. I discuss the strategies I used to establish my research agenda with the reentry program, the ethical challenges I face working as an anthropologist and as a staff member, and the benefits of working with an organization. This article may prove useful for students who are in the planning stages of research projects, or for anthropologists considering the rewards and challenges of working with a nonprofit organization.
Optimizing clozapine through clinical decision making
Authors: Falzer P. R. , Garman D. M. 
Published: April 2012

Falzer PR, Garman DM. Optimizing clozapine through clinical decision making.Objective:  Recognizing and incorporating the patient’s own perspective into treatment recommendations are essential to optimizing clozapine use. The study describes how the patient’s perspective influences clinicians’ decision strategies and affects their clozapine recommendations.Method:  Psychiatric trainees examined six case vignettes of varying complexity that included clinical and patient perspective information. They made treatment recommendations guided by a well‐known switching guideline and rated the factors that influenced their recommendations.Results:  The decision to follow the guideline’s switch recommendation was influenced principally by the importance of the patient’s positive symptom profile. The decision to recommend clozapine in lieu of another treatment was influenced principally by the importance of patient’s perspective and patient‐specific clinical information. These factors had a significant combined influence on the clozapine recommendation rate: When clinical factors were moderately important, the rate was 8%. When clinical factors were extremely important, the rate was 22% when the patient’s perspective was moderately important, but 80% when the patient’s perspective was very or extremely important.Conclusion:  A clozapine optimization strategy requires skill in advanced decision making, and specifically in prioritizing the patient’s perspective without diminishing the importance of clinical information. This skill can be developed through practice‐based learning.
Advanced reconstructive technologies for periodontal tissue repair
Authors: Ramseier Christoph A. , Rasperini Giulio , Batia Salvatore , Giannobile William V. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractReconstructive therapies to promote the regeneration of lost periodontal support have been investigated through both preclinical and clinical studies. Advanced regenerative technologies using new barrier‐membrane techniques, cell‐growth‐stimulating proteins or gene‐delivery applications have entered the clinical arena. Wound‐healing approaches using growth factors to target the restoration of tooth‐supporting bone, periodontal ligament and cementum are shown to significantly advance the field of periodontal‐regenerative medicine. Topical delivery of growth factors, such as platelet‐derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor or bone morphogenetic proteins, to periodontal wounds has demonstrated promising results. Future directions in the delivery of growth factors or other signaling models involve the development of innovative scaffolding matrices, cell therapy and gene transfer, and these issues are discussed in this paper.