bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mesangial cell complement receptor 1‐related protein y limits complement‐dependent neutrophil accumulation in immune complex glomerulonephritis
Authors: Bao Lihua , Wang Ying , Chen Peili , Sarav Menaka , Haas Mark , Minto Andrew W. , Petkova Miglena , Quigg Richard J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe absence of complement receptor 1 (CR1) related gene/protein y (Crry) leads to embryonic lethality as a result of unrestricted complement activation and concomitant neutrophil infiltration. Here we used Crry−/−C3+/− mice to investigate the role of Crry in the pathogenesis of immune complex glomerulonephritis (GN). After 3 weeks of immunization with horse spleen apoferritin, six of nine Crry−/− C3+/− mice and none of the six control C3+/− mice developed proliferative GN (P = 0·010). After 5 weeks of immunization, GN scores in Crry−/− C3+/− mice were 0·67 ± 0·22 mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM), compared with 0·32 ± 0·16 in C3+/− mice. Glomerular hypercellularity was attributable to neutrophil infiltration in mice with GN (1·7 ± 0·3/glomerulus) compared with those without GN (0·4 ± 0·1/glomerulus) (P = 0·001). Absent staining for α‐smooth muscle actin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen suggested that mesangial cell proliferation did not play a significant role in this model. Serum C3 levels in Crry−/− C3+/− mice were approximately 20% and 30% those of wild‐type mice and C3+/− mice, respectively. To determine whether this acquired hypocomplementaemia was relevant to this GN model system, Crry−/− C3+/− mouse kidneys were transplanted into wild‐type mice followed by immunization with apoferritin for 1 or 2 weeks. Surprisingly, none of the Crry−/− C3+/− mouse kidneys developed GN at these early time‐points, indicating that increasing circulating C3 levels several‐fold did not increase susceptibility to GN. Renal expression of decay‐accelerating factor was not different among any of the groups studied. Thus, our data indicate that mesangial cell Crry limits complement activation and subsequent neutrophil recruitment in the setting of local immune complex deposition.
Binding immunoglobulin protein‐treated peripheral blood monocyte‐derived dendritic cells are refractory to maturation and induce regulatory T‐cell development
Authors: Corrigall Valerie M. , Vittecoq Olivier , Panayi Gabriel S. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryBinding immunoglobulin protein (BiP) has been shown previously to have immunomodulatory functions. Herein we investigated whether BiP could affect the differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells (DCs) and thence the development of regulatory T cells. Peripheral blood monocyte‐derived DCs were matured with lipopolysaccharide in the presence or absence of BiP. DC development and T‐cell changes were monitored by flow cytometry and regulatory T‐cell function was measured by uptake of tritiated thymidine. More BiP‐treated DCs (DC(BiP)s) expressed amounts of intracellular indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) and cell surface leucocyte immunoglobulin‐like receptor subfamily B member 1 (LILRB1), retained CD14 expression but down‐regulated expression of human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR and CD86, and produced copious amounts of interleukin (IL)‐10, when compared with control DCs. T cells co‐cultured with DC(BiP)s developed regulatory function with increased surface expression of CD4+ CD25hi CD27hi but with no concomitant increase in forkhead box P3 (Foxp3). These T cells also showed significantly higher levels of intracellular cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)‐4. The latter could be inhibited by the presence of the IDO inhibitor 1 methyl tryptophan. The addition of neutralizing anti‐IL‐10 antibody or the specific mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 inhibitor SB203580 reversed the inhibition of DC differentiation by BiP. In conclusion, BiP is an immunomodulator able to arrest inflammation through induction of tolerogenic DCs and subsequent generation of T regulatory cells.
The sensitivity of a PDA‐based psychomotor vigilance task to sleep restriction in 10‐year‐old girls
Authors: PETERS JACQUELINE D. , BIGGS SARAH N. , BAUER KATIE M. M. , LUSHINGTON KURT , KENNEDY DECLAN , MARTIN JAMES , DORRIAN JILLIAN 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe impact of sleep restriction on sustained attention in children has not been well quantified. To address this shortcoming, this study tested the sensitivity of a 5‐min personal digital assistant‐psychomotor vigilance task (PDA‐PVT) to sleep restriction in 14 female children [mean (SD) age = 10.6 ± 0.3 years]. The children underwent PDA‐PVT trials at regular intervals both before and after a sleep restriction (5 h time‐in‐bed) and a control (10 h time‐in‐bed) condition. Sleep restriction was associated with longer mean response times and increased number of lapses. These results are consistent with findings in the adult literature suggesting an association between inadequate sleep and impaired functioning. In conclusion, the 5‐min PDA‐PVT is sensitive to sleep restriction in pre‐adolescent female children supporting the utility of the PDA‐PVT for examining the impact of sleep deprivation on daytime functioning in children.
Adaptive microclimatic structural and expressional dehydrin 1 evolution in wild barley, Hordeum spontaneum, at ‘Evolution Canyon’, Mount Carmel, Israel
Authors: YANG ZUJUN , ZHANG TAO , BOLSHOY ALEXANDER , BEHARAV ALEXANDER , NEVO EVIATAR 
Published: March 2009

Abstract‘Evolution Canyon’ (ECI) at Lower Nahal Oren, Mount Carmel, Israel, is an optimal natural microscale model for unravelling evolution in action highlighting the twin evolutionary processes of adaptation and speciation. A major model organism in ECI is wild barley, Hordeum spontaneum, the progenitor of cultivated barley, which displays dramatic interslope adaptive and speciational divergence on the ‘African’ dry slope (AS) and the ‘European’ humid slope (ES), separated on average by 200 m. Here we examined interslope single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sequences and the expression diversity of the drought resistant dehydrin 1 gene (Dhn1) between the opposite slopes. We analysed 47 plants (genotypes), 4–10 individuals in each of seven stations (populations) in an area of 7000 m2, for Dhn1 sequence diversity located in the 5′ upstream flanking region of the gene. We found significant levels of Dhn1 genic diversity represented by 29 haplotypes, derived from 45 SNPs in a total of 708 bp sites. Most of the haplotypes, 25 out of 29 (= 86.2%), were represented by one genotype; hence, unique to one population. Only a single haplotype was common to both slopes. Genetic divergence of sequence and haplotype diversity was generally and significantly different among the populations and slopes. Nucleotide diversity was higher on the AS, whereas haplotype diversity was higher on the ES. Interslope divergence was significantly higher than intraslope divergence. The applied Tajima D rejected neutrality of the SNP diversity. The Dhn1 expression under dehydration indicated interslope divergent expression between AS and ES genotypes, reinforcing Dhn1 associated with drought resistance of wild barley at ‘Evolution Canyon’. These results are inexplicable by mutation, gene flow, or chance effects, and support adaptive natural microclimatic selection as the major evolutionary divergent driving force.
Dual localization of fumarase is dependent on the integrity of the glyoxylate shunt
Authors: Regev‐Rudzki Neta , Battat Emil , Goldberg Israel , Pines Ophry 
Published: March 2009

SummaryFumarase and aconitase in yeast are dual localized to the cytosol and mitochondria by a similar targeting mechanism. These two tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes are single translation products that are targeted to and processed by mitochondrial processing peptidase in mitochondria prior to distribution. The mechanism includes reverse translocation of a subset of processed molecules back into the cytosol. Here, we show that either depletion or overexpression of Cit2 (cytosolic citrate synthase) causes the vast majority of fumarase to be fully imported into mitochondria with a tiny amount or no fumarase in the cytosol. Normal dual distribution of fumarase (similar amounts in the cytosol and mitochondria) depends on an enzymatically active Cit2. Glyoxylate shunt deletion mutations (Δmls1, Δaco1 and Δicl1) exhibit an altered fumarase dual distribution (like in Δcit2). Finally, when succinic acid, a product of the glyoxylate shunt, is added to the growth medium, fumarase dual distribution is altered such that there are lower levels of fumarase in the cytosol. This study suggests that the cytosolic localization of a distributed mitochondrial protein is governed by intracellular metabolite cues. Specifically, we suggest that metabolites of the glyoxylate shunt act as ‘nanosensors’ for fumarase subcellular targeting and distribution. The possible mechanisms involved are discussed.
Developmental complexity of arabinan polysaccharides and their processing in plant cell walls
Authors: Verhertbruggen Yves , Marcus Susan E. , Haeger Ash , Verhoef René , Schols Henk A. , McCleary Barry V. , McKee Lauren , Gilbert Harry J. , Paul Knox J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryPlant cell walls are constructed from a diversity of polysaccharide components. Molecular probes directed to structural elements of these polymers are required to assay polysaccharide structures in situ, and to determine polymer roles in the context of cell wall biology. Here, we report on the isolation and the characterization of three rat monoclonal antibodies that are directed to 1,5‐linked arabinans and related polymers. LM13, LM16 and LM17, together with LM6, constitute a set of antibodies that can detect differing aspects of arabinan structures within cell walls. Each of these antibodies binds strongly to isolated sugar beet arabinan samples in ELISAs. Competitive‐inhibition ELISAs indicate the antibodies bind differentially to arabinans with the binding of LM6 and LM17 being effectively inhibited by short oligoarabinosides. LM13 binds preferentially to longer oligoarabinosides, and its binding is highly sensitive to arabinanase action, indicating the recognition of a longer linearized arabinan epitope. In contrast, the binding of LM16 to branched arabinan and to cell walls is increased by arabinofuranosidase action. The presence of all epitopes can be differentially modulated in vitro using glycoside hydrolase family 43 and family 51 arabinofuranosidases. In addition, the LM16 epitope is sensitive to the action of β‐galactosidase. Immunofluorescence microscopy indicates that the antibodies can be used to detect epitopes in cell walls, and that the four antibodies reveal complex patterns of epitope occurrence that vary between organs and species, and relate both to the probable processing of arabinan structural elements and the differing mechanical properties of cell walls.
Stability of floral specialization in Trollius europaeus in contrasting ecological environments
Authors: IBANEZ S. , DUJARDIN G. , DESPRÉS L. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractSpecialization of some plants on seed‐eating pollinators is intriguing, especially when co‐pollinators exclusively feeding on nectar are also present. We examined the stability of the morphological specialization of Trollius europaeus (L.) globeflowers with respect to Chiastocheta (Pokorny) flies by artificially opening the flowers. In the montane and subalpine environments studied, other visitors contributed 2% and 28% of all the visits, respectively, and visited open flowers nearly eight times more often than closed flowers, but in both environments their contribution to pollination did not compensate for Chiastocheta aversion against open phenotypes. Net seed set (female success) was slightly higher (+4%) and pollen export (male success) was much higher (+85%) for closed than open flowers. Selection in favour of the closed phenotype was even more intense in patches where open phenotypes were most common, precluding the evolution of open flowers in the study populations.
ASTRAGALOSIDE IV ATTENUATES HYPOXIA‐INDUCED CARDIOMYOCYTE DAMAGE IN RATS BY UPREGULATING SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE‐1 LEVELS
Authors: Hu Jiong‐Yu , Han Jian , Chu Zhi‐Gang , Song Hua‐Pei , Zhang Dong‐Xia , Zhang Qiong , Huang Yue‐Sheng 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARY

Astragaloside IV (AST‐IV) is purified from a natural plant product. Previous studies have shown that AST‐IV has anti‐oxidant activity. In the present study, we investigated the effect and mechanism of action AST‐IV on rat cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxic conditions (up to 12 h).
Cardiomyocytes were prepared from neonatal rats and cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions in the absence or presence of AST‐IV (12.5, 25 or 50 µg/mL). Cell viability, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, activity and expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD)‐1 (mRNA and protein levels determined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively) and reactive oxygen species (ROS; determined by 2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate) were investigated under these culture conditions. Intracellular localization of AST‐IV was tested using fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labelled AST‐IV.
Hypoxic culture reduced the viability of cardiomyocytes, which was improved following treatment with 25 or 50 µg/mL AST‐IV. Under hypoxic conditions, MDA levels were double those under control conditions. Astragaloside IV (25 and 50 µg/mL) dose‐dependently reduced the increase in MDA seen in hypoxic cardiomyocytes.
Fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labelled AST‐IV entered cardiomyocytes and was localized mainly within the cytoplasm.
Under hypoxic conditions, SOD‐1 activity was decreased, but mRNA and protein expression increased, compared with normoxia. Following treatment with 25 µg/mL AST‐IV, SOD‐1 activity and expression were increased under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The ROS scavenging effect of AST‐IV was abolished in the presence of the SOD inhibitor sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate (25 µmol/L).
These in vitro results show that AST‐IV protects cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress‐mediated injury under hypoxic conditions. A major part of this action is achieved by upregulation of SOD‐1 content and activity within the cell cytoplasm.
The probability of Gleason score upgrading between biopsy and radical prostatectomy can be accurately predicted
Authors: Capitanio Umberto , Karakiewicz Pierre I , Jeldres Claudio , Briganti Alberto , Gallina Andrea , Suardi Nazareno , Cestari Andrea , Guazzoni Giorgio , Salonia Andrea , Montorsi Francesco 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe objective of this study was to test the external validity of a previously developed nomogram for the prediction of Gleason score upgrading (GSU) between biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP). The study population consisted of 973 assessable patients treated with RP at a tertiary care institution. The accuracy of the nomogram was quantified with the receiver operating characteristics curve‐derived area under the curve. The performance characteristics (predicted vs observed rate of GSU) were tested within a calibration plot. Overall, GSU was recorded in 39.8% (n = 387) of patients at RP. Of patients with GSU, 70 (18.1%), 23 (5.9%) and 32 (8.3%), respectively, had extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion and lymph node invasion. The accuracy of the nomogram was 74.9% (confidence interval 72.1–77.6%). The model tended to underestimate the observed rate of GSU and the discordance between the predicted and observed rate of GSU ranged from −7 to +10%. The current tool represents the most accurate method of predicting GSU between biopsy and RP. Nonetheless it is not perfect and its performance characteristics should be known prior to its use in clinical decision‐making.
Urinary calreticulin in the diagnosis of bladder urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Kageyama Susumu , Isono Takahiro , Matsuda Shinjiro , Ushio Yoshihiro , Satomura Shinji , Terai Akito , Arai Yoichi , Kawakita Mutsushi , Okada Yusaku , Yoshiki Tatsuhiro 
Published: March 2009

Objectives:  To evaluate the potential suitability of calreticulin (CRT) as a urinary marker for bladder cancer.Methods:  Urine specimens were collected from patients with histologically confirmed bladder urothelial carcinoma (Group 1; n = 109), urological patients without urothelial carcinoma (Group 2; n = 60), and non‐urological patients (Group 3; n = 40). We developed an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure using commercially available anti‐CRT mono/polyclonal antibodies, and then measured the concentration of urinary CRT.Results:  Urinary CRT concentration of group 1 was significantly higher than group 2 and 3 (Mann–Whitney U‐test, P < 0.001). Groups 2 and 3 were joined together and considered as a non‐bladder cancer group (n = 100), and a cutoff value (2.85 ng/mL) was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the curve were 67.9%, 80.0%, and 0.742, respectively. The overall sensitivity of voided urine cytology (VUC) was 39.0% (n = 105), and the sensitivity of urinary CRT was significantly superior to VUC (McNemar test, P < 0.001). Higher sensitivity was observed especially in Ta, G1‐2, and ≤3 cm tumors.Conclusions:  Urinary CRT may be useful for diagnosis of bladder urothelial cancer. However, given that its specificity is relatively low, further evaluation in larger series is needed to define its clinical usefulness.
Clinical applications of wavefront aberrometry – a review
Authors: Maeda Naoyuki 
Published: March 2009

AbstractOne of the most powerful clinical applications of aberrometry is wavefront‐guided refractive surgery. This concept led to a paradigm shift in refractive error correction, and the same ideas were applied to design the power and shape of intraocular and contact lenses. Other applications are the diagnosis of irregular astigmatism and the assessments of the optical quality of the eye. Because the higher‐order aberrations of the eye are expressed as the total root mean square errors, a set of coefficients for the Zernike terms, Strehl ratio, point spread functions, modulation transfer functions, and other types of metrics can be determined, hence the deterioration in the quality of vision can be easily estimated. Simulations of the retinal images are also useful to understand some of the symptoms in patients with irregular astigmatism. With corneal topographic analyses, the origin of irregular astigmatism from the cornea or internally, or both, can be specified by aberrometry.
Optical coherence tomography of the retina and optic nerve – a review
Authors: Sakata Lisandro M , DeLeon‐Ortega Julio , Sakata Viviane , Girkin Christopher A 
Published: March 2009

AbstractOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is a rapid non‐contact method that allows in vivo imaging of the retina, optic nerve head and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL). Since its introduction in Ophthalmology approximately a decade ago, the use of this technology has disseminated into the clinical practice. OCT has proven to be a useful ancillary tool for assessing retinal diseases because of its capability to provide cross‐sectional images of the retina, and also to perform quantitative analysis of retinal morphology. In glaucoma, the OCT represents one of the methods capable of documenting and analysing optic disc and RNFL morphology in attempt to diagnose and monitor glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Recently, the spectral domain OCT became available, a new technique that allowed major improvements particularly regarding image acquisition speed and image resolution. Future studies will address how these major technological advances will impact the use of the OCT in research and clinical practice.
Microsurgical varicocelectomy for infertile men with oligospermia: differential effect of bilateral and unilateral varicocele on pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Baazeem Abdulaziz , Boman Jason M. , Libman Jamie , Jarvi Keith , Zini Armand 
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of two groups of oligospermic men with varicocele, one having a varicocelectomy (group 1) and the other electing not to have surgery (group 2), as varicocele represents the most common factor associated with male infertility and most reports indicate that varicocelectomy has a beneficial effect on male fertility and pregnancy outcome.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed consecutive oligospermic men who had microsurgical varicocelectomy (233, group 1) between September 1996 and January 2002 and a consecutive group of oligospermic men with varicoceles who elected not to have surgery (127, group 2). The outcome measures included changes in semen variables, partner pregnancy rates (assisted and unassisted) and use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART).RESULTSThe mean sperm concentration and motility increased significantly after varicocelectomy (P < 0.05). The natural pregnancy rate in group 1 (38%) was higher than in group 2 (30%). The use of ART was significantly greater in group 2 than group 1. In the subset of couples with bilateral varicocele, the natural pregnancy rate was significantly higher in group 1 than group 2 (48% vs 15%, respectively, P = 0.008).CONCLUSIONSThis study suggests that the natural pregnancy rate is higher after varicocelectomy than in those not having surgery, although the difference was not statistically significant. However, in the subset of couples with bilateral varicocele, the spontaneous pregnancy rates were significantly higher after surgery.
Preclinical characterization of WAY‐211612: a dual 5‐HT uptake inhibitor and 5‐HT1Areceptor antagonist and potential novel antidepressant
Authors: Beyer CE , Lin Q , Platt B , Malberg J , Hornby G , Sullivan KM , Smith DL , Lock T , Mitchell PJ , Hatzenbuhler NT , Evrard DA , Harrison BL , Magolda R , Pangalos MN , Schechter LE , Rosenzweig‐Lipson S , Andree TH 
Published: March 2009

Background and purpose: As a combination of 5‐HT selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with 5‐HT1Areceptor antagonism may yield a rapidly acting antidepressant, WAY‐211612, a compound with both SSRI and 5‐HT1Areceptor antagonist activities, was evaluated in preclinical models.Experimental approach: Occupancy studies confirmed the mechanism of action of WAY‐211612, while itsin vivoprofile was characterized in microdialysis and behavioural models.Key results: WAY‐211612 inhibited 5‐HT reuptake (Ki = 1.5 nmol·L−1; KB = 17.7 nmol·L−1) and exhibited full 5‐HT1Areceptor antagonist activity (Ki = 1.2 nmol·L−1; KB = 6.3 nmol·L−1; Imax100% in adenyl cyclase assays; KB = 19.8 nmol·L−1; Imax100% in GTPγS). WAY‐211612 (3 and 30 mg·kg−1, po) occupied 5‐HT reuptake sites in rat prefrontal cortex (56.6% and 73.6% respectively) and hippocampus (52.2% and 78.5%), and 5‐HT1Areceptors in the prefrontal cortex (6.7% and 44.7%), hippocampus (8.3% and 48.6%) and dorsal raphe (15% and 83%). Acute or chronic treatment with WAY‐211612 (3–30 mg·kg−1, po) raised levels of cortical 5‐HT approximately twofold, as also observed with a combination of an SSRI (fluoxetine; 30 mg·kg−1, s.c.) and a 5‐HT1Aantagonist (WAY‐100635; 0.3 mg·kg−1, s.c). WAY‐211612 (3.3–30 mg·kg−1, s.c.) decreased aggressive behaviour in the resident‐intruder model, while increasing the number of punished crossings (3–30 mg·kg−1, i.p. and 10–56 mg·kg−1, po) in the mouse four‐plate model and decreased adjunctive drinking behaviour (56 mg·kg−1, i.p.) in the rat scheduled‐induced polydipsia model.Conclusions and implications: These findings suggest that WAY‐211612 may represent a novel antidepressant.