bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nucleic acid aptamers as antithrombotic agents: Opportunities in extracellular therapeutics
Authors: Povsic Thomas , Cohen Mauricio , Rusconi Christopher , Sullenger Bruce , Becker Richard 
Published: February 2010

SummaryAntithrombotic therapy for the acute management of thrombotic disorders has been stimulated and guided actively by our current understanding of platelet biology, coagulation proteases, and vascular science. A translatable platform for coagulation, based soundly on biochemistry, enzymology and cellular events on platelets and tissue factor-baring cells, introduces fundamental constructs, mechanistic clarity, and an unparalleled opportunity for accelerating the development and clinical investigation of both disease- and patient-specific therapies. In the current review, we build upon and expand substantially our observations surrounding nucleic acids as antithrombotic agents.
Hithpael and Niphal in Biblical Hebrew: Semantic and Morphological Overlap
Authors: Baden Joel S. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe well-established semantic overlap between the niphal and hithpael in Biblical Hebrew is explained by the morphological similarities between the two stems in the imperfect form in the consonantal text. This claim is supported by a statistical analysis indicating that the first root consonant of some verb classes has assimilated rather than undergone metathesis more commonly than has previously been thought.
“. . . A Mighty Hunter before YHWH”: Genesis 10:9 and the Moral-Theological Evaluation of Nimrod
Authors: Hom Mary Katherine Y. H. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe key to interpreting in Gen 10:9 lies not so much in ,but , which posits a relation between Nimrod and YHWH that expresses the superlative with regard to the strength of Nimrod’s abilities. Connections between Gen 10:8-12 and 11:1-9 reinforce a negative assessment of Nimrod’s character.
Languages of Identity and Obligation: Daniel as Bilingual Book
Authors: Portier-Young Anathea E. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractSociolinguistics provides a theoretical framework for viewing the bilingualism of the book of Daniel as a deliberate rhetorical strategy. The author(s) of Daniel began their discourse in Hebrew, switched to Aramaic, and concluded in Hebrew to move its audience to a recognition of a new context in which the claims of empire had dissolved and claims of covenant alone remained. In so doing, the author(s) invited the audience to find their place within the world of the visions, forsaking a stance of collaboration with the reigning Seleucid empire in order to adopt a posture of resistance rooted in covenant.
Zechariah’s Vision of the Ephah (Zech. 5:5-11)
Authors: Assis Elie 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe vision of the ephah (Zech. 5:5-11) is probably the most obscure of all of Zechariah’s visions. Its symbolic meaning is not mentioned, and the prophet himself does not comprehend it. Some commentators hold that the prophecy is a rebuke to the Judeans, others hold that the intention is to foretell the fall of Judah’s enemies. All interpretations of the vision do not address the problem, namely that wickedness will be reestablished in Shinar and will not be eliminated as expected. Why would the prophet propose that a house be built for the sinner outside the land rather than inflict on wickedness the punishment prescribed in other biblical sources? The thesis advanced in this paper is that the vision of the ephah is an anti-Samaritan prophecy. The woman in the ephah represents the Samaritans; the vision foresees their return to their original home in Babylon, where their temple would be erected. This interpretation provides a full explanation of the tension between the reference to the woman as wickedness and her happy ending in her permanent home in the Land of Shinar. The prophet wanted to advance the theological argument that the ultimate solution of the dispute between the two groups would be for the Samaritans to build their own house, that is, their own separate temple, in Shinar—their original historical homelands, and far away from Yehud.
From 'International' to 'Transnational' Environmental Law? A Legal Assessment of the Contribution of the 'Equator Principles' to International Environmental Law
Authors: Ong David 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis article assesses the contribution of a 'transnational', non-State actor agreement, namely, the 'Equator Principles', in terms of its possible contribution to both the making and implementation of international environmental law. It examines the provenance of the 'Equator Principles', as well as how far these Principles purport to interpret and apply important international environmental principles. While several formal difficulties remain to be overcome, this article considers the case for the inclusion of significant transnational, non-State actors like the Equator Banks and their agreements, such as the 'Equator Principles', within the international legal system as a further and alternative means of implementing these important environmental principles.
Infection of the Colon of the Rhesus Monkey by Spiral-Shaped Organisms
Authors: Zeller J. , Takeuchi A. 
Published: January 2010

Intestinal spirochetosis, an infection of the mucosa by spiral-shaped organisms, was studied in clinically normal rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) by histology, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The incidence of intestinal spirochetosis was 42% in 221 monkeys. Spiral organisms stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) appeared as a broad basophilic haze on the colonic surface and were strongly positive by the Warthin-Starry stain. Spiral-shaped bacteria include two structurally different organisms: spirochetes and flagellated microbes. They intimately populated the brush border of the surface of the epithelium of the large intestine. They were absent in the crypts and in the small intestine. Infection by spirochetes produced no alteration of cytocomponents of the underlying host structures. Spirochetes and flagellates infrequently penetrated beyond the brush border into the epithelial cytoplasm and also into the lamina propria. Even in cases where invasion was documented, no inflammatory response was found.
Mucosal Microhernias in the Nonhuman Primate Colon: Their Role in the Pathogenesis of Colonic Disease
Authors: Scott G. B. D. 
Published: January 2010

Microhernias of colonic mucosal glands through the muscularis mucosae are common in human and nonhuman primate colons, and are related to submucosal lymphoid nodules. In nonhuman primates they have been shown to play an important role in the spread of inflammatory diseases from the lamina propria to the submucosa by allowing the infective agents to pass through the muscularis mucosae. The lymphoid tissue of the alimentary tract is composed predominantly of B lymphocytes and produces humoral antibodies. This property of the lymphoid component of these microhernias may thus play a significant role in determining which infective colonic diseases penetrate into the submucosa and which remain largely confined to the lamina propria.
Critical roles for c-Myb in lymphoid priming and early B-cell development
Authors: Greig Kylie T. , de Graaf Carolyn A. , Murphy James M. , Carpinelli Marina R. , Pang Swee Heng Milon , Frampton Jon , Kile Benjamin T. , Hilton Douglas J. , Nutt Stephen L. 
Published: February 2010

Abstractc-Myb is a transcription factor with functions in many hematopoietic lineages. c-Myb–deficient mice display reduced numbers of B cells; however, it is unknown what role c-Myb plays in B lymphopoiesis because no critical target genes have been identified in the B-cell lineage. We demonstrate that conditional deletion of c-Myb in B-cell progenitors completely abolishes B-cell development. c-Myb is required for lymphoid progenitors to respond to the cytokines interleukin-7 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin; in the absence of sufficient c-Myb activity, mice display a B lymphopenia that closely resembles that observed in interleukin-7 receptor α–deficient animals. Analysis of the multipotent progenitor compartment indicates that c-Myb is also required for up-regulation of multiple lymphoid-associated genes, including Il7r, and for the subsequent development of the common lymphoid progenitor population. These data show that c-Myb plays a critical role in the regulatory pathways governing lymphoid specification and early B-cell differentiation.
Notch signaling distinguishes 2 waves of definitive hematopoiesis in the zebrafish embryo
Authors: Bertrand Julien Y. , Cisson Jennifer L. , Stachura David L. , Traver David 
Published: January 2010

AbstractRecent studies have revealed that definitive hematopoiesis in vertebrates initiates through the formation of a non–self-renewing progenitor with limited multilineage differentiation potential termed the erythromyeloid progenitor (EMP). EMPs are specified before hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which self-renew and are capable of forming all mature adult blood lineages including lymphoid cells. Despite their differences, EMPs and HSCs share many phenotypic traits, making precise study of their respective functions difficult. Here, we examine whether embryonic specification of EMPs requires Notch signaling as has been shown for HSCs. In mindbomb mutants, which lack functional Notch ligands, we show that EMPs are specified normally: we detect no significant differences in cell number, gene expression, or differentiation capacity between EMPs purified from wild-type (WT) or mindbomb mutant embryos. Similarly N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT), a chemical inhibitor of Notch receptor activation, has no effect on EMP specification. These studies establish that HSCs are the only hematopoietic precursor that requires Notch signaling and help to clarify the signaling events underlying the specification of the 2 distinct waves of definitive hematopoiesis.
Rapid determination of tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme activities in biological samples
Authors: Goncalves Sergio , Paupe Vincent , Dassa Emmanuel P , Brière Jean-Jacques , Favier Judith , Gimenez-Roqueplo Anne-Paule , Bénit Paule , Rustin Pierre 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Background
In the last ten years, deficiencies in tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCAC) enzymes have been shown to cause a wide spectrum of human diseases, including malignancies and neurological and cardiac diseases. A prerequisite to the identification of disease-causing TCAC enzyme deficiencies is the availability of effective enzyme assays.

Results
We developed three assays that measure the full set of TCAC enzymes. One assay relies on the sequential addition of reagents to measure succinyl-CoA ligase activity, followed by succinate dehydrogenase, fumarase and, finally, malate dehydrogenase. Another assay measures the activity of α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase followed by aconitase and isocitrate dehydrogenase. The remaining assay measures citrate synthase activity using a standard procedure. We used these assays successfully on extracts of small numbers of human cells displaying various severe or partial TCAC deficiencies and on frozen heart homogenates from heterozygous mice harboring an SDHB gene deletion.

Conclusion
This set of assays is rapid and simple to use and can immediately detect even partial defects, as the activity of each enzyme can be readily compared with one or more other activities measured in the same sample.
Computational identification of rare codons of Escherichia coli based on codon pairs preference
Authors: Wu Xianming , Wu Songfeng , Li Dong , Zhang Jiyang , Hou Lin , Ma Jie , Liu Wanlin , Ren Daming , Zhu Yunping , He Fuchu 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Background
Codon bias is believed to play an important role in the control of gene expression. In Escherichia coli, some rare codons, which can limit the expression level of exogenous protein, have been defined by gene engineering operations. Previous studies have confirmed the existence of codon pair's preference in many genomes, but the underlying cause of this bias has not been well established. Here we focus on the patterns of rarely-used synonymous codons. A novel method was introduced to identify the rare codons merely by codon pair bias in Escherichia coli.

Results
In Escherichia coli, we defined the "rare codon pairs" by calculating the frequency of occurrence of all codon pairs in coding sequences. Rare codons which are disliked in genes could make great contributions to forming rare codon pairs. Meanwhile our investigation showed that many of these rare codon pairs contain termination codons and the recognized sites of restriction enzymes. Furthermore, a new index (Frare) was developed. Through comparison with the classical indices we found a significant negative correlation between Frare and the indices which depend on reference datasets.

Conclusions
Our approach suggests that we can identify rare codons by studying the context in which a codon lies. Also, the frequency of rare codons (Frare) could be a useful index of codon bias regardless of the lack of expression abundance information.
Mechano-transduction in periodontal ligament cells identifies activated states of MAP-kinases p42/44 and p38-stress kinase as a mechanism for MMP-13 expression
Authors: Ziegler Nelli , Alonso Angel , Steinberg Thorsten , Woodnutt Dale , Kohl Annette , Müssig Eva , Schulz Simon , Tomakidi Pascal 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Background
Mechano-transduction in periodontal ligament (PDL) cells is crucial for physiological and orthodontic tooth movement-associated periodontal remodelling. On the mechanistic level, molecules involved in this mechano-transduction process in PDL cells are not yet completely elucidated.

Results
In the present study we show by western blot (WB) analysis and/or indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) that mechanical strain modulates the amount of the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-13, and induces non-coherent modulation in the amount and activity of signal transducing molecules, such as FAK, MAP-kinases p42/44, and p38 stress kinase, suggesting their mechanistic role in mechano-transduction. Increase in the amount of FAK occurs concomitant with increased levels of the focal contact integrin subunits β3 and β1, as indicated by WB or optionally by IIF. By employing specific inhibitors, we further identified p42/44 and p38 in their activated, i.e. phosphorylated state responsible for the expression of MMP-13. This finding may point to the obedience in the expression of this MMP as extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling executioner from the activation state of mechano-transducing molecules. mRNA analysis by pathway-specific RT-profiler arrays revealed up- and/or down-regulation of genes assigning to MAP-kinase signalling and cell cycle, ECM and integrins and growth factors. Up-regulated genes include for example focal contact integrin subunit α3, MMP-12, MAP-kinases and associated kinases, and the transcription factor c-fos, the latter as constituent of the AP1-complex addressing the MMP-13 promotor. Among others, genes down-regulated are those of COL-1 and COL-14, suggesting that strain-dependent mechano-transduction may transiently perturbate ECM homeostasis.

Conclusions
Strain-dependent mechano-/signal-transduction in PDL cells involves abundance and activity of FAK, MAP-kinases p42/44, and p38 stress kinase in conjunction with the amount of MMP-13, and integrin subunits β1 and β3. Identifying the activated state of p42/44 and p38 as critical for MMP-13 expression may indicate the mechanistic contribution of mechano-transducing molecules on executioners of ECM homeostasis.
Transcriptome analysis reveals absence of unintended effects in drought-tolerant transgenic plants overexpressing the transcription factor ABF3
Authors: Abdeen Ashraf , Schnell Jaimie , Miki Brian 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Background
Plants engineered for abiotic stress tolerance may soon be commercialized. The engineering of these plants typically involves the manipulation of complex multigene networks and may therefore have a greater potential to introduce pleiotropic effects than the simple monogenic traits that currently dominate the plant biotechnology market. While research on unintended effects in transgenic plant systems has been instrumental in demonstrating the substantial equivalence of many transgenic plant systems, it is essential that such analyses be extended to transgenic plants engineered for stress tolerance. Drought-tolerant Arabidopsis thaliana were engineered through overexpression of the transcription factor ABF3 in order to investigate unintended pleiotropic effects. In order to eliminate position effects, the Cre/lox recombination system was used to create control plant lines that contain identical T-DNA insertion sites but with the ABF3 transgene excised. This additionally allowed us to determine if Cre recombinase can cause unintended effects that impact the transcriptome.

Results
Microarray analysis of control plant lines that underwent Cre-mediated excision of the ABF3 transgene revealed only two genes that were differentially expressed in more than one plant line, suggesting that the impact of Cre recombinase on the transcriptome was minimal. In the absence of drought stress, overexpression of ABF3 had no effect on the transcriptome, but following drought stress, differences were observed in the gene expression patterns of plants overexpressing ABF3 relative to control plants. Examination of the functional distribution of the differentially expressed genes revealed strong similarity indicating that unintended pathways were not activated.

Conclusions
The action of ABF3 is tightly controlled in Arabidopsis. In the absence of drought stress, ectopic activation of drought response pathways does not occur. In response to drought stress, overexpression of ABF3 results in a reprogramming of the drought response, which is characterized by changes in the timing or strength of expression of some drought response genes, without activating any unexpected gene networks. These results illustrate that important gene networks are highly regulated in Arabidopsis and that engineering stress tolerance may not necessarily cause extensive changes to the transcriptome.
An evolved ribosome-inactivating protein targets and kills human melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Cheung Melissa C , Revers Leigh , Perampalam Subodini , Wei Xin , Kiarash Reza , Green David E , Abdul-Wahid Aws , Gariépy Jean 
Published: February 2010

Abstract

Background
Few treatment options exist for patients with metastatic melanoma, resulting in poor prognosis. One standard treatment, dacarbazine (DTIC), shows low response rates ranging from 15 to 25 percent with an 8-month median survival time. The development of targeted therapeutics with novel mechanisms of action may improve patient outcome. Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) such as Shiga-like Toxin 1 (SLT-1) represent powerful scaffolds for developing selective anticancer agents. Here we report the discovery and properties of a single chain ribosome-inactivating protein (scRIP) derived from the cytotoxic A subunit of SLT-1 (SLT-1A), harboring the 7-amino acid peptide insertion IYSNKLM (termed SLT-1AIYSNKLM) allowing the toxin variant to selectively target and kill human melanoma cells.

Results
SLT-1AIYSNKLM was able to kill 7 of 8 human melanoma cell lines. This scRIP binds to 518-A2 human melanoma cells with a dissociation constant of 18 nM, resulting in the blockage of protein synthesis and apoptosis in such cells. Biodistribution and imaging studies of radiolabeled SLT-1AIYSNKLM administered intravenously into SCID mice bearing a human melanoma xenograft indicate that SLT-1AIYSNKLM readily accumulates at the tumor site as opposed to non-target tissues. Furthermore, the co-administration of SLT-1AIYSNKLM with DTIC resulted in tumor regression and greatly increased survival in this mouse xenograft model in comparison to DTIC or SLT-1AIYSNKLM treatment alone (115 day median survival versus 46 and 47 days respectively; P values < 0.001). SLT-1AIYSNKLM is stable in serum and its intravenous administration resulted in modest immune responses following repeated injections in CD1 mice.

Conclusions
These results demonstrate that the evolution of a scRIP template can lead to the discovery of novel cancer cell-targeted compounds and in the case of SLT-1AIYSNKLM can specifically kill human melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo.
Polysaccharide from Fuzi (FPS) Prevents Hypercholesterolemia in Rats
Authors: Huang Xiongqing , Tang Juan , Zhou Qin , Lu Hanping , Wu Yiling , Wu Weikang 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Background and aim
Polysaccharide from fuzi (FPS), a Chinese herbal medicine extract, has been demonstrated to exert lipid lowering affects. In this study we examined potential mechanisms underlying this affect, specifically alterations in expression of the LDL-receptor (LDL-R), 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase and cytochrome P450 7α-1 (CYP7α-1), using a rat model of hypercholesterolemia.

Methods and results
Male rats were fed either a normal or high cholesterol (HC) diet for two-weeks. Half of the rats on the HC diet were orally gavaged with FPS (224 mg/kg, 448 mg/kg or 896 mg/kg diet) daily. Serum lipid levels were quantified at end of the study period as were liver levels of LDL-R protein and mRNA expression of CYP7α-1 and HMG-CoA. Serum cholesterol and LDL-C concentrations were significantly elevated from control in HC rats, but not in those treated with FPS (P < 0.05). LDL-R expression was significantly decreased in the HC group compared to control (P < 0.05), but significantly increased in the FPS group (P < 0.05). HMG-CoA mRNA levels were significantly increased in the HC group compared both other groups (P < 0.05), while CYP7α-1 expression was significantly higher in the FPS group compared to both other groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion
These findings suggest that the cholesterol lowering effect of FPS in hypercholesteremic rats is caused at least in part by increased hepatic LDL-R and CYP7α-1 expression and decreased HMG-CoA expression. Further study is needed to determine precisely where and how FPS exerts these effects. FPS offers potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.
Solitary adrenal metastasis from invasive ductal breast cancer: an uncommon finding
Authors: Liu Xiao-Jiao , Shen Peng , Wang Xin-Feng , Sun Ke , Sun Fei-Fei 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Background
Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast usually metastasizes to the lungs, liver, bones and brain. Solitary adrenal metastasis is extremely rare. Due to the rarity of this condition, the optimal treatment is unclear. We report the first case of IDC of the breast metastasizing solely to the adrenal gland after a modified radical mastectomy but having a long-term disease-free survival while treated merely by a left adrenalectomy.

Case presentation
A 64-year-old woman was found a left adrenal mass on a follow- up visit two years after taking a right modified radical mastectomy for the breast cancer. She was subsequently given a left adrenalectomy. Postoperative histopathology findings were compatible with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast. Due to the patient's refusal, no further treatments were offered after the adrenalectomy. The patient now is still alive and has no sign of relapse. Survival time after taking the right modified radical mastectomy and the left adrenalectomy is more than five years and three years, respectively.

Conclusion
This is the first case of a patient with solitary, metachronous adrenal metastasis from IDC of the breast to be reported. For patients in this condition, complete removal of metastasized organ may translate into survival benefit.