bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐THC cannabinoids inhibit prostate carcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo: pro‐apoptotic effects and underlying mechanisms
Authors: De Petrocellis Luciano , Ligresti Alessia , Schiano Moriello Aniello , Iappelli Mariagrazia , Verde Roberta , Stott Colin G , Cristino Luigia , Orlando Pierangelo , Di Marzo Vincenzo 
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSECannabinoid receptor activation induces prostate carcinoma cell (PCC) apoptosis, but cannabinoids other than Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which lack potency at cannabinoid receptors, have not been investigated. Some of these compounds antagonize transient receptor potential melastatin type‐8 (TRPM8) channels, the expression of which is necessary for androgen receptor (AR)‐dependent PCC survival.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHWe tested pure cannabinoids and extracts from Cannabis strains enriched in particular cannabinoids (BDS), on AR‐positive (LNCaP and 22RV1) and ‐negative (DU‐145 and PC‐3) cells, by evaluating cell viability (MTT test), cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, by FACS scans, caspase 3/7 assays, DNA fragmentation and TUNEL, and size of xenograft tumours induced by LNCaP and DU‐145 cells.KEY RESULTSCannabidiol (CBD) significantly inhibited cell viability. Other compounds became effective in cells deprived of serum for 24 h. Several BDS were more potent than the pure compounds in the presence of serum. CBD‐BDS (i.p.) potentiated the effects of bicalutamide and docetaxel against LNCaP and DU‐145 xenograft tumours and, given alone, reduced LNCaP xenograft size. CBD (1–10 µM) induced apoptosis and induced markers of intrinsic apoptotic pathways (PUMA and CHOP expression and intracellular Ca2+). In LNCaP cells, the pro‐apoptotic effect of CBD was only partly due to TRPM8 antagonism and was accompanied by down‐regulation of AR, p53 activation and elevation of reactive oxygen species. LNCaP cells differentiated to androgen‐insensitive neuroendocrine‐like cells were more sensitive to CBD‐induced apoptosis.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSThese data support the clinical testing of CBD against prostate carcinoma.LINKED ARTICLE This article is commented on by Pacher et al., pp. 76–78 of this issue. To view this commentary visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2012.02121.x
Clinical Significance of Induced Atrial Tachycardia After Termination of Longstanding Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Using a Stepwise Approach
Authors: NAGAMOTO YASUTSUGU , PARK JAE‐SEOK , TANUBUDI DANIEL , KO YIU‐KWAN , BAN JI‐EUN , KWAK JAE‐JIN , CHOI JONG‐IL , LIM HONG‐EUY , PARK SANG‐WEON , KIM YOUNG‐HOON 
Published: May 2012

Induced Atrial Tachyarrhythmia During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation. Introduction: The utility of inducibility test of atrial tachycardia (AT) in patients with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (AF; LPAF) is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of induced AT and the impact of their ablation on the clinical outcome.
Methods:
In 194 patients with LPAF (>1 year) who underwent catheter ablation (pulmonary vein isolation with substrate ablation), an inducibility test was performed after AF termination.
Results:
AT was induced in 108 (56%) patients (induced AT group); neither AT nor AF was inducible in 37 (19%, noninduction group). During 39 ± 21 months, AT recurred in 30 patients (28%), AF in 19 (17%), and no arrhythmia in 56 (52%) among induced AT group, although there was a recurrence of AT in 9 (24%, P = 0.68), AF in 6 (16%, P = 0.85), and no arrhythmia in 22 (60%, P = 0.42) among noninduction group (P = NS). Note that 10 patients with repeated ablation in induced AT group revealed 8 different and 2 similar recurrent ATs compared to the induced ATs at first session. The mean cycle length of induced AT that terminated by ablation (271 ± 64 ms) was longer than that without (249 ± 58 ms, P < 0.05). In induced AT group, AT recurrence rate in patients who achieved AT termination by ablation was lower than those without termination (5% vs 36%, P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
ATs that are inducible after LPAF termination do not necessarily become clinical AT. However, patients who achieved noninducibility of AT by ablating slower cycle length of AT had better outcomes. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1171–1178, November 2012)
Light‐activated nanofibre textiles exert antibacterial effects in the setting of chronic wound healing
Authors: Arenbergerova Monika , Arenberger Petr , Bednar Marek , Kubat Pavel , Mosinger Jiri 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe maintenance of an aseptic environment for chronic wounds is one of the most challenging tasks in the wound‐healing process. Furthermore, the emergence of antibiotic‐resistant bacterial strains is on the rise, rendering conventional treatments less effective. A new antibacterial material consisting of a polyurethane Tecophilic™ nanofibre textile (NT) that was prepared by electrospinning and doped by a tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) photosensitizer activated by visible light was tested for use in wound beds and bandages. In vitro experiments were performed to assess the antibacterial activity of the textile against three bacterial strains. Furthermore, the new textile was tested in 162 patients with chronic leg ulcers. A complete inhibition of in vitro growth of the three tested bacterial strains was observed on the surface of NTs that had been illuminated with visible light and was clinically demonstrated in 89 patients with leg ulcers. The application of the textiles resulted in a 35% decrease in wound size, as assessed via computer‐aided wound tracing. Wound‐related pain, which was estimated using a visual analogue scale, was reduced by 71%. The results of this trial reveal that the photoinactivation of bacteria through the photosensitized generation of short‐lived, highly reactive singlet oxygen O2(1Δg) results in relatively superficial antibacterial effects in comparison with standard antiseptic treatment options. Thus, such treatment does not interfere with the normal healing process. This method therefore represents a suitable alternative to the use of topical antibiotics and antiseptics and demonstrates potentially broad applications in medicine.
Betel‐quid and oral submucous fibrosis: a cross‐sectional study in Hunan province, China
Authors: Zhang Shan‐Shan , Li Wen‐Hui , Gao Yi‐Jun , Liu Zhi‐Wen , Liu Lin , Tang Jie‐Qing , Ling Tian‐You 
Published: May 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 748–754Background:  The development of betel‐quid (BQ) processing industry in Hunan has increased the usage of this substance and may produce significant health consequences. However, the update data for the prevalence of BQ chewing and its effect on oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) are limited.Methods:  A population‐based survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence of BQ chewing and OSF in Hunan. A questionnaire interview and an oral examination were conducted. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to study the effect of socio‐demographic characteristics on area‐specific behaviors of BQ chewing.Results:  A total of 2356 subjects participated in this survey, with a 78.5% of response rate. The lifetime prevalence of BQ chewing was 16.2% (2.9% for ex‐chewers and 13.3% for current‐chewers). The findings from multivariate logistic regression model showed that a higher prevalence of this habit was among individuals who were males, urban residents, 15–49 years old, educated for 9–12 years, smokers, and drinkers. Male chewers occupied a fairly higher percentage of the combined use of tobacco and/or alcohol (86.1–87.5%) than the non‐chewers (50.6–56.7%). The overall prevalence of OSF was 1.0%. Compared with the subjects without OSF (1.7–23.2%), a significantly higher proportion of OSF patients were a current‐chewer (62.3% in men and 100.0% in women).Conclusions:  BQ chewing is a vital risk factor for OSF in Hunan. A high prevalence of BQ chewing found among the younger cohort (15–49 years old) is an urgent warning for this oral premalignant disorder.
Changes in oral cytokeratin expression in HIV‐infected subjects with long‐term use of HAART
Authors: Nittayananta W , Mitarnun W , Talungchit S , Sriplung H 
Published: May 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 793–801Objectives:  The objectives of this study were to determine (i) the expression of oral cytokeratins (CKs) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected subjects compared with non‐HIV controls, (ii) the oral CK expression in the subjects with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) compared with those without HAART, and (iii) factors associated with the expression of oral CKs.Materials and methods:  Oral tissues from buccal mucosa were obtained by punched biopsy in HIV‐infected subjects with and without HAART, and non‐HIV individuals. The samples were processed for immunohistochemical studies of CK1, CK13, CK14, CK16, and involucrin. The staining intensity was scored and recorded. Logistic regression analysis and multi‐way ANOVA test were performed.Results:  The expression of CK13, CK14, and CK16 was found to be significantly different between HIV‐infected subjects and non‐HIV individuals (P < 0.05). The expression of those CKs was also significantly different between those who were and were not on HAART (P < 0.05). No significant difference between the groups was observed regarding CK1 and involucrin.Conclusions:  Oral epithelial cell differentiation as marked by the CK expression is affected by HIV infection and use of HAART. CKs may be the useful biomarkers to identify HIV‐infected subjects who are at risk of malignant transformation of the oral mucosa because of HIV infection and HAART.
Photophysical and Photodynamical Study of Fluoroquinolone Drug Molecule in Bile Salt Aggregates
Authors: Thakur Raina , Mallick Arabinda , Chakraborty Anjan 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPhotophysical properties of two widely used antibiotic fluoroquinolone drugs, namely Norfloxacin (NOR) and Ofloxacin (OFL) have been investigated in biomimicking environments formed by bile salts. Experimental results demonstrate that photophysical enhancement and fall of a particular prototropic species are sensitive to the excitation wavelength in bile salt aggregates. Excitation at shorter wavelengths reveals quenching of fluorescence of these fluoroquinolone with addition of sodium deoxycholate (NaDC), sodium taurocholate (NaTC) and sodium glycodeoxycholate (NaGDC). On the contrary, we observe a steady increase in the fluorescence intensity with a continuous redshift upon excitation at longer wavelength. The experimental results were rationalized in terms of the fact that, neutral and zwitterionic species of fluoroquinolone molecules in bile salt aggregates are selectively excited at shorter wavelength while the cationic form of fluoroquinolone molecules are excited at longer wavelength. The excess hydronium ions in the hydrophilic surface of bile salt aggregates convert the neutral species of NOR and OFL into cationic species causing an enhancement in the emission intensity. We found that NaGDC and NaTC because of the conjugate head group are more effective in converting the neutral species of fluoroquinolones into a cationic species than NaDC. The quenching order is in accordance with hydrophobicity indices of bile salt.
Prevalence, risk factors and clinical signs predictive for equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in aged horses
Authors: MCGOWAN T. W. , PINCHBECK G. P. , MCGOWAN C. M. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryReasons for performing study: Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is an ageing‐related neurodegenerative disorder. The prevalence and risk factors for PPID using seasonally adjusted basal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations in aged horses have not been previously reported.Objectives: To determine the prevalence, risk factors and clinical signs predictive for PPID in a population of horses aged ≥15 years in Queensland, Australia.Methods: Owner‐reported data was obtained using a postal questionnaire distributed to an equestrian group. A subgroup of surveyed owners were visited and a veterinary physical examination performed on all horses aged ≥15 years. Blood samples were analysed for basal plasma alpha melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) and ACTH concentrations, routine haematology and selected biochemistry. Aged horses with elevations above seasonally adjusted cut‐off values for basal plasma ACTH were considered positive for PPID. Positive horses were compared with their aged counterparts to determine risk factors and clinical signs associated with PPID.Results: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction was prevalent in aged horses (21.2%) despite owners infrequently reporting it as a known or diagnosed disease or disorder. Numerous clinical or historical signs were associated with an increased risk of PPID in the univariable model, but only age (odds ratio (OR) 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–1.25, P<0.001) and owner‐reported history of hirsutism (OR 7.80; 95% CI 3.67–16.57, P<0.001) remained in the final multivariable model. There were no routine haematological or biochemical variables supportive of a diagnosis of PPID.Conclusions and potential relevance: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction occurs commonly in aged horses despite under‐recognition by owners. The increased risk of PPID with age supports that this is an ageing associated condition. Aged horses with clinical or historical signs consistent with PPID, especially owner‐reported hirsutism (delayed shedding and/or long hair coat), should be tested and appropriate treatment instituted.
Relevance of Bacteroidales and F-Specific RNA Bacteriophages for Efficient Fecal Contamination Tracking at the Level of a Catchment in France
Authors: Mauffret Aourell , Caprais Marie-Paule , Gourmelon Michèle 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

The relevance of three host-associated
Bacteroidales
markers (HF183, Rum2Bac, and Pig2Bac) and four F-specific RNA bacteriophage genogroups (FRNAPH I to IV) as microbial source tracking markers was assessed at the level of a catchment (Daoulas, France). They were monitored together with fecal indicators (
Escherichia coli
and enterococci) and chemophysical parameters (rainfall, temperature, salinity, pH, and turbidity) by monthly sampling over 2 years (
n
= 240 water samples) and one specific sampling following an accidental pig manure spillage (
n
= 5 samples). During the 2-year regular monitoring, levels of
E. coli
, enterococci, total F-specific RNA bacteriophages, and the general
Bacteroidales
marker AllBac were strongly correlated with one another and with Rum2Bac (
r
= 0.37 to 0.50,
P
< 0.0001). Their correlations with HF183 and FRNAPH I and II were lower (
r
= 0.21 to 0.29,
P
< 0.001 to
P
< 0.0001), and HF183 and enterococci were associated rather than correlated (Fisher's exact test,
P
< 0.01). Rum2Bac and HF183 enabled 73% of water samples that had ≥2.7 log
10
most probably number (MPN) of
E. coli
/100 ml to be classified. FRNAPH I and II enabled 33% of samples at this contamination level to be classified. FRNAPH I and II complemented the water sample classification obtained with the two
Bacteroidales
markers by an additional 8%. Pig2Bac and FRNAPH III and IV were observed in a small number of samples (
n
= 0 to 4 of 245). The present study validates Rum2Bac and HF183 as relevant tools to trace fecal contamination originating from ruminant or human waste, respectively, at the level of a whole catchment.
Enrichment of Microbial Electrolysis Cell Biocathodes from Sediment Microbial Fuel Cell Bioanodes
Authors: Pisciotta John M. , Zaybak Zehra , Call Douglas F. , Nam Joo-Youn , Logan Bruce E. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

Electron-accepting (electrotrophic) biocathodes were produced by first enriching graphite fiber brush electrodes as the anodes in sediment-type microbial fuel cells (sMFCs) using two different marine sediments and then electrically inverting the anodes to function as cathodes in two-chamber bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). Electron consumption occurred at set potentials of −439 mV and −539 mV (versus the potential of a standard hydrogen electrode) but not at −339 mV in minimal media lacking organic sources of energy. Results at these different potentials were consistent with separate linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) scans that indicated enhanced activity (current consumption) below only ca. −400 mV. MFC bioanodes not originally acclimated at a set potential produced electron-accepting (electrotrophic) biocathodes, but bioanodes operated at a set potential (+11 mV) did not. CO
2
was removed from cathode headspace, indicating that the electrotrophic biocathodes were autotrophic. Hydrogen gas generation, followed by loss of hydrogen gas and methane production in one sample, suggested hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. There was abundant microbial growth in the biocathode chamber, as evidenced by an increase in turbidity and the presence of microorganisms on the cathode surface. Clone library analysis of 16S rRNA genes indicated prominent sequences most similar to those of
Eubacterium limosum
(
Butyribacterium methylotrophicum
),
Desulfovibrio
sp. A2,
Rhodococcus opacus
, and
Gemmata obscuriglobus
. Transfer of the suspension to sterile cathodes made of graphite plates, carbon rods, or carbon brushes in new BESs resulted in enhanced current after 4 days, demonstrating growth by these microbial communities on a variety of cathode substrates. This report provides a simple and effective method for enriching autotrophic electrotrophs by the use of sMFCs without the need for set potentials, followed by the use of potentials more negative than −400 mV.
Influence of Adhesion and Bacteriocin Production by Lactobacillus salivarius on the Intestinal Epithelial Cell Transcriptional Response
Authors: O'Callaghan John , Buttó Ludovica F. , MacSharry John , Nally Kenneth , O'Toole Paul W. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

Lactobacillus salivarius
strain UCC118 is a human intestinal isolate that has been extensively studied for its potential probiotic effects in human and animal models. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of
L. salivarius
UCC118 on gene expression responses in the Caco-2 cell line to improve understanding of how the strain might modulate intestinal epithelial cell phenotypes. Exposure of Caco-2 cells to UCC118 led to the induction of several human genes (
TNFAIP3
,
NFKBIA
, and
BIRC3
) that are negative regulators of inflammatory signaling pathways. Induction of chemokines (CCL20, CXCL-1, and CXCL-2) with antimicrobial functions was also observed. Disruption of the UCC118 sortase gene
srtA
causes reduced bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells. Transcription of three mucin genes was reduced significantly when Caco-2 cells were stimulated with the Δ
srt
A derivative of UCC118 compared to cells stimulated with the wild type, but there was no significant change in the transcription levels of the anti-inflammatory genes. UCC118 genes that were significantly upregulated upon exposure to Caco-2 cells were identified by bacterial genome microarray and consisted primarily of two groups of genes connected with purine metabolism and the operon for synthesis of the Abp118 bacteriocin. Following incubation with Caco-2 cells, the bacteriocin synthesis genes were transcribed at higher levels in the wild type than in the Δ
srtA
derivative. These data indicate that
L. salivarius
UCC118 influences epithelial cells both through modulation of the inflammatory response and by modulation of intestinal cell mucin production. Sortase-anchored cell surface proteins of
L. salivarius
UCC118 have a central role in promoting the interaction between the bacterium and epithelial cells.
Expression of Bacterial GshF in Pichia pastoris for Glutathione Production
Authors: Ge Shaolin , Zhu Taicheng , Li Yin 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT
Conventionally, two consecutive enzymatic reactions catalyzed by γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase and glutathione synthetase are most commonly used for glutathione production. Here we demonstrate that bacterial bifunctional GshF can be used for glutathione production in a eukaryotic system without accumulation of the intermediate γ-glutamylcysteine.
Gene Cloning, Purification, and Characterization of a Novel Peptidoglutaminase-Asparaginase from Aspergillus sojae
Authors: Ito Kotaro , Matsushima Kenichiro , Koyama Yasuji 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

Glutaminase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of
l
-glutamine to
l
-glutamate, and it plays an important role in the production of fermented foods by enhancing the umami taste. By using the genome sequence and expressed sequence tag data available for
Aspergillus oryzae
RIB40, we cloned a novel glutaminase gene (As
gahA
) from
Aspergillus sojae
, which was similar to a previously described gene encoding a salt-tolerant, thermostable glutaminase of
Cryptococcus nodaensis
(CnGahA). The structural gene was 1,929 bp in length without introns and encoded a glutaminase, AsGahA, which shared 36% identity with CnGahA. The introduction of multiple copies of As
gahA
into
A. oryzae
RIB40 resulted in the overexpression of glutaminase activity. AsGahA was subsequently purified from the overexpressing transformant and characterized. While AsGahA was located at the cell surface in submerged culture, it was secreted extracellularly in solid-state culture. The molecular mass of AsGahA was estimated to be 67 kDa and 135 kDa by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration chromatography, respectively, indicating that the native form of AsGahA was a dimer. The optimal pH of the enzyme was 9.5, and its optimal temperature was 50°C in sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). Analysis of substrate specificity revealed that AsGahA deamidated not only free
l
-glutamine and
l
-asparagine but also C-terminal glutaminyl or asparaginyl residues in peptides. Collectively, our results indicate that AsGahA is a novel peptidoglutaminase-asparaginase. Moreover, this is the first report to describe the gene cloning and purification of a peptidoglutaminase-asparaginase.
Isolation of a Gene Responsible for the Oxidation of
trans
-Anethole to
para
-Anisaldehyde by Pseudomonas putida JYR-1 and Its Expression in Escherichia coli
Authors: Han Dongfei , Ryu Ji-Young , Kanaly Robert A. , Hur Hor-Gil 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

A plasmid, pTA163, in
Escherichia coli
contained an approximately 34-kb gene fragment from
Pseudomonas putida
JYR-1 that included the genes responsible for the metabolism of
trans
-anethole to protocatechuic acid. Three Tn
5
-disrupted open reading frame 10 (ORF 10) mutants of plasmid pTA163 lost their abilities to catalyze
trans
-anethole. Heterologously expressed ORF 10 (1,047 nucleotides [nt]) under a T7 promoter in
E. coli
catalyzed oxidative cleavage of a propenyl group of
trans
-anethole to an aldehyde group, resulting in the production of
para
-anisaldehyde, and this gene was designated
tao
(

t

rans
-
a
nethole
o
xygenase). The deduced amino acid sequence of TAO had the highest identity (34%) to a hypothetical protein of
Agrobacterium vitis
S4 and likely contained a flavin-binding site. Preferred incorporation of an oxygen molecule from water into
p
-anisaldehyde using
18
O-labeling experiments indicated stereo preference of TAO for hydrolysis of the epoxide group. Interestingly, unlike the narrow substrate range of isoeugenol monooxygenase from
Pseudomonas putida
IE27 and
Pseudomonas nitroreducens
Jin1, TAO from
P. putida
JYR-1 catalyzed isoeugenol,
O
-methyl isoeugenol, and isosafrole, all of which contain the 2-propenyl functional group on the aromatic ring structure. Addition of NAD(P)H to the ultrafiltered cell extracts of
E. coli
(pTA163) increased the activity of TAO. Due to the relaxed substrate range of TAO, it may be utilized for the production of various fragrance compounds from plant phenylpropanoids in the future.