bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The decrease of expression of ryanodine receptor sub‐type 2 is reversed by gentamycin sulphate in vascular myocytes from mdx mice
Authors: Morel Jean‐Luc , Dabertrand Fabrice , Fritz Nicolas , Henaff Morgana , Mironneau Jean , Macrez Nathalie 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe mdx mouse, a model of the human Duchenne muscular dystrophy, displays impaired contractile function in skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles. We explored the possibility that ryanodine receptor (RYR) expression could be altered in vascular muscle. The three RYR sub‐types were expressed in portal vein myocytes. As observed through mRNA and protein levels, RYR2 expression was strongly decreased in mdx myocytes, whereas RYR3 and RYR1 expression were unaltered. The use of antisense oligonucleotide directed against RYR sub‐types indicated that caffeine‐induced Ca2+ response and Ca2+ spark frequency depended on RYR2 and RYR1. In mdx mice, caffeine‐induced Ca2+ responses were decreased in both amplitude and maximal rate of rise, and the frequency of Ca2+ sparks was also strongly decreased. The gentamycin treatment was able to increase both the expression of RYR2 and the caffeine‐induced Ca2+ response to the same level as that observed in wild‐type mice. Taken together, these results confirm that both RYR1 and RYR2 are required for vascular Ca2+ signalling and indicate that inhibition of RYR2 expression may account for the decreased Ca2+ release from the SR in mdx vascular myocytes. Finally, we suggest that gentamycin can restore the Ca2+ signalling in smooth muscle from mdx mice by increasing RYR2 and dystrophin expression. These results may help explain the reduced efficacy of contraction in vascular myocytes of mdx mice and Duchenne muscular dystrophy–afflicted patients. Gentamycin treatment could be a good therapeutic tool to restore the vascular function.
Endostatin induces autophagy in endothelial cells by modulating Beclin 1 and β‐catenin levels
Authors: Nguyen Tri Minh Bui , Subramanian Indira V. , Xiao Xue , Ghosh Goutam , Nguyen Phan , Kelekar Ameeta , Ramakrishnan S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractEndostatin is a well‐characterized endogenous inhibitor of angiogenesis that affects cell proliferation and migration by inhibiting integrin and Wnt‐mediated signalling pathways. Here, we show that endothelial cells treated with native and P125A‐endostatin activate autophagy. Because autophagy can either be protective or induce programmed cell death, experiments were carried out to understand the signalling pathways leading to autophagy in endothelial cells. P125A‐endostatin treatment increased the levels of Beclin 1, a crucial molecule in vesicle nucleation and autophagy. The treatment also reduced the levels of Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xL and β‐catenin; however, progressively increasing amounts of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL were found to be complexed with Beclin 1. Increased β‐catenin and Wnt‐mediated signalling reduced Beclin 1 levels and rescued endothelial cells from endostatin‐induced autophagy. Finally, knocking down Beclin 1 levels by RNA interference decreased autophagy and accelerated caspase activation in endostatin‐treated cells. These studies suggest that endothelial cells may initiate autophagy as a survival response to limit the effects of angiogenesis inhibitors. Thus, interfering with autophagy can potentiate the effects of endostatin by promoting a switch to apoptosis.
Healthy human salivary glands contain a DHEA‐sulphate processing intracrine machinery, which is deranged in primary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Spaan Michelle , Porola Pauliina , Laine Mikael , Rozman Blaz , Azuma Masayuki , Konttinen Yrjö T. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSjögren's syndrome (SS) patients have low salivary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androgen biomarker levels, but high salivary oestrogen levels. The hypothesis was that the healthy glands contain DHEA‐sulphate processing intracrine machinery; the local androgen/oestrogen imbalance suggests that this is disarranged in SS. Indirect immunofluorescence and quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) of steroid sulphatase, sulfotransferase, 3β‐ and 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3β‐ and 17β‐HSD), 5α‐reductase and aromatase were performed for labial salivary glands of healthy controls and persons with SS. In control acini steroid sulphatase and sulfotransferase immunoreactivities were located in the basolateral cell parts. 3β‐ and 17β‐HSD formed strong, interrupted bands along the basal cell parts. 5α‐reductase was mainly located in acinar cell nuclei and aromatase in the apical cell membrane. All enzymes were more widespread in ducts. In SS, steroid sulphatase was weak and deranged, 3β‐ and 17β‐HSD had lost their strict basal acinar cell localization and 5α‐reductase was mainly found in the cytoplasm of the acinar cells, whereas aromatase showed similar staining in SS and controls. qRT‐PCR of labial salivary glands disclosed all corresponding enzyme mRNAs with the levels of 3β‐HSD in SS being the lowest. Healthy tubuloacinar epithelial cells contain complete intracrine machineries for DHEA(‐sulphate) pro‐hormone processing. These enzymes have in healthy acini an organized architecture, which corresponds with DHEA uptake from the circulation, nuclear site of production of the active dihydrotestosterone (DHT) end product and production of oestrogens into saliva for export to ductal and oral epithelial cells. SS is characterized by low 3β‐HSD levels, which together with impaired subcellular compartmentalization of HSDs and 5α‐reductase may explain the low local DHT and androgen biomarker levels in SS.
Modulation of cardiac ionic homeostasis by 3‐iodothyronamine
Authors: Ghelardoni Sandra , Suffredini Silvia , Frascarelli Sabina , Brogioni Simona , Chiellini Grazia , Ronca‐Testoni Simonetta , Grandy David K. , Scanlan Thomas S. , Cerbai Elisabetta , Zucchi Riccardo 
Published: February 2009

Abstract3‐iodothyronamine (T1AM) is a novel endogenous relative of thyroid hormone, able to interact with trace amine‐associated receptors, a class of plasma membrane G protein‐coupled receptors, and to produce a negative inotropic and chronotropic effect. In the isolated rat heart 20–25 μM T1AM decreased cardiac contractility, but oxygen consumption and glucose uptake were either unchanged or disproportionately high when compared to mechanical work. In adult rat cardiomyocytes acute exposure to 20 μM T1AM decreased the amplitude and duration of the calcium transient. In patch clamped cardiomyocytes sarcolemmal calcium current density was unchanged while current facilitation by membrane depolarization was abolished consistent with reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium release. In addition, T1AM decreased transient outward current (Ito) andIK1background current. SR studies involving 20 μM T1AM revealed a significant decrease in ryanodine binding due to reduced Bmax, no significant change in the rate constant of calcium‐induced calcium release, a significant increase in calcium leak measured under conditions promoting channel closure, and no effect on oxalate‐supported calcium uptake. Based on these observations we conclude T1AM affects calcium and potassium homeostasis and suggest its negative inotropic action is due to a diminished pool of SR calcium as a result of increased diastolic leak through the ryanodine receptor, while increased action potential duration is accounted for by inhibition ofItoandIK1currents.
The anti‐angiogenic factor PEDF is present in the human heart and is regulated by anoxia in cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts
Authors: Rychli Kathrin , Kaun Christoph , Hohensinner Philipp J. , Dorfner Adrian J. , Pfaffenberger Stefan , Niessner Alexander , Bauer Michael , Dietl Wolfgang , Podesser Bruno K. , Maurer Gerald , Huber Kurt , Wojta Johann 
Published: February 2009

AbstractCardiac diseases such as myocardial infarction and heart failure are among the leading causes of death in western societies. Therapeutic angiogenesis has been suggested as a concept to combat these diseases. The biology of angiogenic factors expressed in the heart such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well studied, whereas data on anti‐angiogenic mediators in the heart are scarce. Here we study the expression of the anti‐angiogenic factor pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) in the human heart and in human cardiac cells. PEDF expression could be detected in human cardiac tissue on the protein and mRNA levels. PEDF mRNA levels were significantly lower in explanted human ischemic hearts as compared to healthy hearts. Our in vitro experiments showed that human adult cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts constitutively secrete PEDF. In addition to anoxic conditions, cobalt chloride, 2,2′dipyridyl and dimethoxally glycine, which stabilize hypoxia inducible factor‐α decreased PEDF expression. Furthermore we show that PEDF inhibits VEGF‐induced sprouting. We have identified PEDF in healthy and ischemic human hearts and we show that PEDF expression is down‐regulated by low oxygen levels. Therefore, we suggest a role for PEDF in the regulation of angiogenesis in the heart and propose PEDF as a possible therapeutic target in heart disease.
Methods of labeling skin surgical specimens
Authors: Kneilling Manfred , Breuninger Helmut , Kastl Andrea , Heeg Peter , Häfner Hans Martin , Röcken Martin , Möhrle Matthias 
Published: February 2009

Summary Background: Accurate pre‐operative or intra‐operative labeling of the skin is often necessary to mark exactly the surgical excision lines. Pre‐operative “unsterile” permanent skin labeling systems are needed for example for vein and sentinel lymph node surgery; here the dyes must resist two surgical skin disinfection procedures. In contrast, excision borders are labeled during surgery using a “sterile” skin marking system. Methods: Many commercial and non‐commercial pre‐ and intra‐operative skin‐labeling systems are available, such as autologous patient blood, fluorescence triphenylmethane dyes and commercial skin markers. The available skin marking systems have specific advantages and disadvantages. We review the different labeling systems, offering guidelines to help choose a cost‐effective system appropriate for a given surgical procedure. Results: The Edding® permanent markers 400 und 3000 are well suited for preoperative skin labeling and less expensive than commercial skin labeling systems. Autologous patient blood and eosin are well suited for intra‐operative labeling and are most cost effective. Eosin Y is widely used and well suited for labeling of dark skin, bone, cartilage, and muscle tissue and spares the expense of expensive commercial skin markers. Conclusion: Knowledge of the many commercial and non‐commercial pre‐ and intra‐operative skin labeling systems and their advantages and disadvantages helps to reduce the use of relatively expensive commercial skin markers.
Can soil seed banks contribute to the restoration of dune slacks under conservation management?
Authors: Plassmann Katharina , Brown Nigel , Jones M. Laurence M. , Edwards‐Jones Gareth 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestions: Does the soil seed bank resemble the former early successional stages of a dune slack system more than the established later successional vegetation? Does it have the potential to contribute to the conservation of a highly endangered habitat?Location: Dune slacks at Newborough Warren, UK.Methods: The composition of the soil seed bank in two depth layers was determined using the seedling emergence method between March 2004 and April 2005. Long‐term monitoring data on the floristic composition of the established vegetation were obtained from the national conservation agency, and additional monitoring was undertaken in 2003. Floristic composition, seed weights, seed longevity of component species and Ellenberg indicator values were used to compare the seed bank and established vegetation.Results: The soil seed bank was diverse and contained typical dune slack species, species of early successional stages and species of conservation interest. A comparison between the composition of the seed bank and historical data on the composition of the established vegetation showed that the seed bank reflects earlier successional stages more closely than the current aboveground vegetation. This study increases the scarce information currently available on the seed bank ecology of several species, including two orchid species.Conclusions: The soil seed bank can be expected to contribute to vegetation change after disturbance. Stimulation of germination from the seed bank through management may contribute to the conservation of both characteristic and threatened species typical of dune slacks.
Landscape metrics indicate differences in patterns and dominant controls of ribbon forests in the Rocky Mountains, USA
Authors: Bekker Matthew F. , Clark Jess T. , Jackson Mark. W. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractQuestion: Do landscape metrics reflect differences in dominant factors controlling ribbon forest patterns among sites?Location: West Flattop Mountain, Glacier National Park, Montana (Flattop); Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming (Medicine Bow); Park Range, Colorado (Park Range).Methods: High‐resolution aerial photography was used to delineate ribbon forest patches, and to calculate landscape metrics to distinguish between long, narrow, regular patterns expected from strong microtopographic control, and smaller, more compact, and variable patterns expected from wind‐snowdrift interactions.Results: All but two metrics were significantly different (P<0.05) among the three sites. The rank and magnitude of differences indicated that ribbons at Flattop and Park Range are more similar to each other than to those at Medicine Bow. Flattop ribbons were also more elongated, narrower and less variable than those at Park Range, suggesting differences in the type and strength of structural control. Previous research showed that Flattop ribbons occupy regular lithologic ridges, while our observations of ribbons and analysis of geologic maps suggests weaker and less consistent microtopographic control at Park Range, and dominant wind‐snowdrift interactions with little to no microtopographic influence at Medicine Bow.Conclusions: Landscape metrics indicate differences in pattern among sites that reflect differences in dominant factors influencing ribbon forest development and maintenance. Explanations of ribbon forest dynamics are site‐specific and are more complex than is currently recognized. The sites vary in the level of endogenous versus exogenous control of ribbon patterns, and consequently in the sensitivity of this phenomenon to climate.
Dasymetric Mapping for Estimating Population in Small Areas
Authors: Mennis Jeremy 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA dasymetric map depicts a statistical surface, most commonly population density, as a set of simply connected regions, such that variation within each region is minimized and the region boundaries approximate the steepest escarpments of the surface. Dasymetric mapping has its roots in early thematic mapping of population, but has recently been taken up by researchers focusing on areal interpolation and population estimation using remote sensing. The process of dasymetric mapping typically involves the disaggregation of population data encoded in choropleth map form using an ancillary spatial data set, most commonly either an area‐class map or satellite image. The functional relationship between the ancillary data and the statistical surface being mapped may be specified a priori by the researcher or estimated using a variety of statistical techniques. Challenges facing dasymetric mapping research include handling spatio‐temporal data and the development of standardized and accessible methods.
Mitochondrial ATP‐Synthase in the Entorhinal Cortex Is a Target of Oxidative Stress at Stages I/II of Alzheimer's Disease Pathology
Authors: Terni Beatrice , Boada Jordi , Portero‐Otin Manuel , Pamplona Reinald , Ferrer Isidro 
Published: February 2009

AbstractOxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several proteins have been identified as targets of oxidative damage in AD dementia (usually stages V/VI of Braak) and in subjects with mild cognitive impairment associated with middle stages of AD pathology (stage IV of Braak). In this study, we investigate whether brain proteins are locally modified by oxidative stress at the first stages of AD‐related pathology when morphological lesions are restricted to the entorhinal and transentorhinal cortices of neurofibrillary pathology (stages I/II of Braak). Using a proteomic approach, we show that the α subunit of the mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐synthase is distinctly lipoxidized in the entorhinal cortex at Braak stages I/II compared with age‐matched controls. In addition, ATP‐synthase activity is significantly lower in Braak stages I/II than age‐matched control, while electron transport chain, expressed by the mitochondrial complex I activity, remains not affected. This is the first study showing oxidative damage in the first stage, and clinically silent period, of AD‐related pathology characterized by entorhinal and transentorhinal tauopathy.
Eastern Asian endemic seed plant genera and their paleogeographic history throughout the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: MANCHESTER Steven R. , CHEN Zhi‐Duan , LU An‐Ming , UEMURA Kazuhiko 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe review the fossil history of seed plant genera that are now endemic to eastern Asia. Although the majority of eastern Asian endemic genera have no known fossil record at all, 54 genera, or about 9%, are reliably known from the fossil record. Most of these are woody (with two exceptions), and most are today either broadly East Asian, or more specifically confined to Sino‐Japanese subcategory rather than being endemic to the Sino‐Himalayan area. Of the “eastern Asian endemic” genera so far known from the fossil record, the majority formerly occurred in Europe and/or North America, indicating that eastern Asia served as a late Tertiary or Quaternary refugium for taxa. Hence, many of these genera may have originated in other parts of the Northern Hemisphere and expanded their ranges across continents and former sea barriers when tectonic and climatic conditions allowed, leading to their arrival in eastern Asia. Although clear evidence for paleoendemism is provided by the gymnosperms Amentotaxus, Cathaya, Cephalotaxus, Cunninghamia, Cryptomeria, Glyptostrobus, Ginkgo, Keteleeria, Metasequoia, Nothotsuga, Pseudolarix, Sciadopitys, and Taiwania, and the angiosperms Cercidiphyllum, Choerospondias, Corylopsis, Craigia, Cyclocarya, Davidia, Dipelta, Decaisnea, Diplopanax, Dipteronia, Emmenopterys, Eucommia, Euscaphis, Hemiptelea, Hovenia, Koelreuteria, Paulownia, Phellodendron, Platycarya, Pteroceltis, Rehderodendron, Sargentodoxa, Schizophragma, Sinomenium, Tapiscia, Tetracentron, Toricellia, Trapella, and Trochodendron, we cannot rule out the possibility that neoendemism plays an important role especially for herbaceous taxa in the present‐day flora of Asia, particularly in the Sino‐Himalayan region. In addition to reviewing paleobotanical occurrences from the literature, we document newly recognized fossil occurrences that expand the geographic and stratigraphic ranges previously known for Dipelta, Pteroceltis, and Toricellia.
Catalase Overexpression Reduces Lactic Acid-Induced Oxidative Stress in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Abbott Derek A. , Suir Erwin , Duong Giang-Huong , de Hulster Erik , Pronk Jack T. , van Maris Antonius J. A. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

Industrial production of lactic acid with the current pyruvate decarboxylase-negative
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
strains requires aeration to allow for respiratory generation of ATP to facilitate growth and, even under nongrowing conditions, cellular maintenance. In the current study, we observed an inhibition of aerobic growth in the presence of lactic acid. Unexpectedly, the
cyb2
Δ reference strain, used to avoid aerobic consumption of lactic acid, had a specific growth rate of 0.25 h
−1
in anaerobic batch cultures containing lactic acid but only 0.16 h
−1
in identical aerobic cultures. Measurements of aerobic cultures of
S. cerevisiae
showed that the addition of lactic acid to the growth medium resulted in elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To reduce the accumulation of lactic acid-induced ROS, cytosolic catalase (
CTT1
) was overexpressed by replacing the native promoter with the strong constitutive
TPI1
promoter. Increased activity of catalase was confirmed and later correlated with decreased levels of ROS and increased specific growth rates in the presence of high lactic acid concentrations. The increased fitness of this genetically modified strain demonstrates the successful attenuation of additional stress that is derived from aerobic metabolism and may provide the basis for enhanced (micro)aerobic production of organic acids in
S. cerevisiae
.
TaqMan Probe-Based Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection and Discrimination of Class I, II, and III
tfdA
Genes in Soils Treated with Phenoxy Acid Herbicides
Authors: Bælum Jacob , Jacobsen Carsten S. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

Separate quantification of three classes of
tfdA
genes was performed using TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR for 13 different soils subsequent to mineralization of three phenoxy acids. Class III
tfdA
genes were found to be involved in mineralization more often than class I and II
tfdA
genes.
Empirical Testing of 16S rRNA Gene PCR Primer Pairs Reveals Variance in Target Specificity and Efficacy Not Suggested by In Silico Analysis
Authors: Morales Sergio E. , Holben William E. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT
Phylogenetic and “fingerprinting” analyses of the 16S rRNA genes of prokaryotes have been a mainstay of microbial ecology during the last two decades. However, many methods and results from studies that rely on the 16S rRNA gene for detection and quantification of specific microbial taxa have seemingly received only cursory or even no validation. To directly examine the efficacy and specificity of 16S rRNA gene-based primers for phylum-, class-, and operational taxonomic unit-specific target amplification in quantitative PCR, we created a collection of primers based solely on an extensive soil bacterial 16S rRNA gene clone library containing ∼5,000 sequences from a single soil sample (i.e., a closed site-specific library was used to create PCR primers for use at this site). These primers were initially tested in silico prior to empirical testing by PCR amplification of known target sequences and of controls based on disparate phylogenetic groups. Although all primers were highly specific according to the in silico analysis, the empirical analyses clearly exhibited a high degree of nonspecificity for many of the phyla or classes, while other primers proved to be highly specific. These findings suggest that significant care must be taken when interpreting studies whose results were obtained with target specific primers that were not adequately validated, especially where population densities or dynamics have been inferred from the data. Further, we suggest that the reliability of quantification of specific target abundance using 16S rRNA-based quantitative PCR is case specific and must be determined through rigorous empirical testing rather than solely in silico.