bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
If you want to know, ask: Assessing the needs and experiences of graduate students
Authors: Nesheim Becki Elkins , Guentzel Melanie J. , Gansemer‐Topf Ann M. , Ross Leah Ewing , Turrentine Cathryn G. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIn order to design effective interventions for working with graduate and professional students, educators must first assess students' needs and experiences. This chapter highlights the importance of assessment in graduate and professional education and offers insights gained from three studies.
zu Cywiński, Z. : Formänderungsgrößenverfahren mittig gedrückter dünnwandiger Stäbe mit einfach und doppeltsymmetrischen offenen Querschnitten.
Authors: Hanf Manfred 
Published: September 2006

Abstract[Stahlbau 74 H. 12, S. 916–924 (2005), http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/stab.200590221]
Combined use of two transcriptional reporters improves signalling assays for G protein‐coupled receptors in fission yeast
Authors: Das Anamika , Forfar Rachel , Ladds Graham , Davey John 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe biochemical and genetic tractability of yeasts make them ideal hosts for the analysis of signalling from G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). Selected modifications to the strains allow the introduction of non‐yeast components, while signal‐dependent expression of reporter genes provides growth selection or enzyme read‐out as assays for signalling. One issue with such systems is reporter expression in the absence of stimulation, usually because of spontaneous activation of intracellular signalling components and/or incomplete repression of the signal‐dependent promoter. This limits the difference between reporter activity in the presence and absence of stimulation, often referred to as the signal : background ratio. In an effort to extend the applicability of the yeast system, we generated a Schizosaccharomyces pombe strain containing pheromone‐dependent reporters for both growth selection and β‐galactosidase production. Simultaneous use of the two reporters provided several advantages over strains expressing only one reporter, particularly when coupled to the use of a competitive inhibitor of the nutritional reporter. For example, the β‐galactosidase signal : background ratio following stimulation with 10−6 M P‐factor increased from 35 for a strain containing a single lacZ reporter to almost 2500 for the double reporter. The sensitivity of the system was also improved, with higher signal : background ratios allowing detection of lower concentrations of P‐factor. Although we have used Sz. pombe and focused on GPCR‐based induction of β‐galactosidase, the principles described can be applied to other yeasts, different signalling pathways and alternative reporters. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cell surface characterization of Yarrowia lipolytica IMUFRJ 50682
Authors: Amaral P. F. F. , Lehocky M. , Barros‐Timmons A. M. V. , Rocha‐Leão M. H. M. , Coelho M. A. Z. , Coutinho J. A. P. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIn the present work, the surface characteristics of a wild‐type strain of Yarrowia lipolytica (IMUFRJ50682) were investigated. Six different methods to characterize cell surfaces—adhesion to polystyrene; hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC); microbial adhesion to solvents (MATS) test; zeta potential; microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) test; and contact angle measurement (CAM)—were employed to explain the cell surface behaviour of Y. lipolytica (IMUFRJ50682). This Y. lipolytica strain presents significant differences at the cell surface compared with another Y. lipolytica strain (W29) previously reported in the literature. The main difference is related to the higher cell adhesion to non‐polar solvents. The proteins present on the cell wall of Y. lipolytica IMUFRJ50682 seem to play an important role in these particular surface characteristics because of the consistent reduction of this yeast hydrophobic character after the action of pronase on its cell wall. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Involvement of protein kinases in self‐organization of the rhythm of protein synthesis by direct cell—cell communication
Authors: Brodsky Vsevolod Y. , Zvezdina Natalia D. , Fateeva Valentina I. , Malchenko Ludmila A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractPrimary cultures of rat hepatocytes grown on slides were studied in serum‐free medium. Ultradian protein synthesis rhythm was used as a marker of synchronization of individual oscillations, resulting in the formation of a common rhythm of the cell population, i.e. cell—cell self‐organization. Dense synchronous and sparse non‐synchronous cultures were used to estimate effect of protein kinase activity on the kinetics of protein synthesis. Treatment of dense cultures with the inhibitors H7 (40 μM) or H8 (25 μM) resulted in a loss of the protein synthesis rhythm, a suppression of the cell—cell self‐organization. Stimulation of protein kinase activity with either 0.5 or 1.0 μM phorbol 12‐miristate‐13‐acetate (PMA) or 10 μM forskolin caused the appearance of the synthetic rhythm in non‐synchronous sparse cultures under otherwise normal conditions. Inhibition of protein kinase activity with H7 resulted in signal factors, such as gangliosides and phenylephrine, failing to initiate this rhythm in sparse cultures. Activation of protein kinase activity with PMA shifted the phase pattern of the protein synthesis rhythm. Thus, according to our previous and the new data, protein kinase activity and consequently protein phosphorylation is the crucial step of sequence of processes resulting in synchronization during self‐organization of cells in producing a common rhythm in the population. The general pathway can be presented as follows: signaling of gangliosides or other calcium agonists → efflux of calcium ion from intracellular stores, with elevation of calcium concentration in the cytoplasm → activation of protein kinases → protein phosphorylation → synchronization of individual oscillations in protein synthesis rates → induction of a common rhythm throughout this population. The data have been discussed concerning similarity of the direct cell—cell communication and the cell self‐organization in cultures and in organism.
Immunoglobulin alpha heavy chain derived from human epithelial cancer cells promotes the access of S phase and growth of cancer cells
Authors: Zheng Hui , Li Ming , Liu Haidan , Ren Wei , Hu Duo‐sha , Shi Ying , Tang Ming , Cao Ya 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIt is generally believed that under normal conditions only B lymphocytes express immunoglobulin. Interestingly, our previous work demonstrated that epithelial cancer tissues and cancer cell lines also express Ig alpha heavy chain. So we further analyzed the potential function of cancer‐derived Ig alpha heavy chain. Here we show that blockade of cancer‐derived Ig alpha suppressed the growth and viability of cancer cells. And cancer‐derived Ig alpha promotes the malignant proliferation ability of cancer cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Ig alpha protein increases the access percentage of S phase from the early mitosis of synchronized cancer cells. Our findings support the important role of cancer‐derived Ig alpha as a growth promoter of cancer cells, and reveal a novel molecular mechanism for growth and proliferation of cancer cells.
Effects of small interference RNA against PTP1B and TCPTP on insulin signaling pathway in mouse liver: Evidence for non‐synergetic cooperation
Authors: Xu Jianfeng , Li Lin , Hong Jie , Huang Weida 
Published: September 2006

AbstractMetabolic deregulation accompanying type II diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance in peripheral tissues (liver, muscle, and adipose), mediated by impairments in insulin receptor (IR) signaling. Two closely‐related protein tyrosine phosphatases, PTP1B and TCPTP both showed abilities to negatively regulate insulin receptor signaling. In order to test whether these two phosphatases can act synergistically, hydrodynamic injection was applied to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) of PTP1B and/or TCPTP to mouse liver. By measuring insulin‐sensitive reporter gene expression and plasma glucose of diabetic mice, we found siRNA of PTP1B or TCPTP alone can sensitize insulin signal transduction, but combined treatment of both siRNAs had no better effects than siRNA of PTP1B. These results suggested siRNA of PTP1B and TCPTP can strengthen insulin signaling, but their effects do not appear to be synergistic in mouse liver.
Characterization and expression of amphioxus ApoD gene encoding an archetype of vertebrate ApoD proteins⋆
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhang Shicui , Liu Zhenhui , Li Hongyan , Wang Yongjun , Jiang Shengjuan 
Published: September 2006

AbstractHere we report a homologue of the apolipoprotein D gene (AmphiApoD) in amphioxus, Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense, the first such finding in a basal chordate cephalochordate. The main features of the protein predicted from AmphiApoD are characteristic of the apolipoprotein D. Phylogenetic analysis places AmphiApoD at the base of the phylogenetic tree, suggesting that AmphiApoD is the archetype of the vertebrate ApoD genes. Both whole mount in situ hybridization and Northern blotting and RT—PCR as well as in situ hybridization histochemistry reveal that AmphiApoD is expressed in tissues derived from mesoderm and endoderm including notochord and hind‐gut, which contrasts with the strong expression patterns of ApoD genes in the ectodermal derivatives in mammals and birds. The expression profiles of the ApoD gene may have been changed to be expressed in the endo‐mesodermal derivatives in amphioxus after the vertebrate and cephalochordate lineages diverged; alternatively, the ApoD gene may first have been expressed in the endo‐mesoderm during embryogenesis in the last common ancestor of all chordates, and subsequently came to be expressed in the ectodermal derivatives of vertebrates including mammals and birds.
vasa‐related genes and their expression in stem cells of colonial parasitic rhizocephalan barnacle Polyascus polygenea (Arthropoda: Crustacea: Cirripedia: Rhizocephala)
Authors: Shukalyuk Andrey I. , Golovnina Kseniya A. , Baiborodin Sergei I. , Gunbin Konstantin V. , Blinov Alexander G. , Isaeva Valeria V. 
Published: September 2006

Abstractvasa (vas)‐related genes are members of the DEAD‐box protein family and are expressed in the germ cells of many Metazoa. We cloned vasa‐related genes (PpVLG, CpVLG) and other DEAD‐box family related genes (PpDRH1, PpDRH2, CpDRH, AtDRHr) from the colonial parasitic rhizocephalan barnacle Polyascus polygenea, the non‐colonial Clistosaccus paguri (Crustacea: Cirripedia: Rhizocephala), and the parasitic isopodan Athelgis takanoshimensis (Crustacea: Isopoda). The colonial Polyascus polygenea, a parasite of the coastal crabs Hemigrapsus sanguineus and Hemigrapsus longitarsis was used as a model object for further detailed investigations. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that PpVLG and CpVLG are closely related to vasa‐like genes of other Arthropoda. The rest of the studied genes form their own separate branch on the phylogenetic tree and have a common ancestry with the p68 and PL10 subfamilies. We suppose this group may be a new subfamily of the DEAD‐box RNA helicases that is specific for parasitic Crustacea. We found PpVLG and PpDRH1 expression products in stem cells from stolons and buds of internae, during asexual reproduction of colonial P. polygenea, and in germ cells from sexually reproducing externae, including male spermatogenic cells and female oogenic cells.
Cell surface overexpression of αvβ5 integrin impedes αvβ3‐mediated migration of the human ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line IGROV1
Authors: Maubant Sylvie , Leroy‐Dudal Johanne , Carreiras Franck , Deslandes Edwige , Duigou Françoise , Staedel Cathy , Gauduchon Pascal 
Published: September 2006

AbstractHuman ovarian surface epithelium and epithelial tumors express integrin αvβ5, which can interact with vitronectin. In addition, in vitro acquisition of cisplatin resistance by αvβ3‐expressing IGROV1 cells is accompanied by cell‐surface expression of integrin αvβ5. To further explore the role of αvβ5 in ovarian carcinoma cells, IGROV1 cells were stably transfected with a human β5 integrin cDNA construct, and three β5 transfectant clones were selected for the expression of αvβ5 integrin at their cell surface. Despite a delayed entry in the exponential phase of growth, β5‐transfectant cells kept a proliferation ability similar to that of parental cells, while their growth rate was hindered in the presence of an anti‐αvβ5 blocking antibody. Only simultaneous blockade of αvβ3 and αvβ5 by specific antibodies impeded the adhesion to vitronectin of β5 transfectants and of the β5‐expressing cisplatin‐resistant variant IGROV1‐R10, suggesting that the two heterodimers cooperated in the regulation of this process. Cell surface expression of αvβ5 resulted in an attenuation of αvβ3‐mediated migration on vitronectin. αvβ5 participated to migration events in the absence of exogenous growth factors only in one transfectant clone and in IGROV1‐R10 cells. Finally, the response to cisplatin was not significantly modified in β5 transfectants when compared to IGROV1 parental cells.
Expression of PTEN and Akt phosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide‐treated NIH3T3 cells
Authors: Okamura Hirohiko , Yoshida Kaya , Sasaki Eiko , Qiu Lihong , Amorim Bruna Rabelo , Morimoto Hiroyuki , Haneji Tatsuji 
Published: September 2006

AbstractPTEN is a tumor suppressor gene encoding a phosphatase, and it negatively regulates cell survival mediated by the phosphoinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐Kinase)‐Akt pathway. To elucidate PTEN expression and its effect on the PI3‐kinase‐Akt pathway in fibroblasts and macrophages, we investigated the expression of PTEN and the phosphorylation status of Akt in NIH3T3 and RAW264.7 cells treated with LPS. Phosphorylation of Akt was induced by LPS treatment in a dose‐dependent manner in RAW264.7 cells, but not in NIH3T3 cells. LPS induced the expression of PTEN in a dose and time‐dependent manner in NIH3T3 cells (0–1 μg/ml, 0–6 h). However, LPS did not stimulate PTEN expression in RAW264.7 cells. These data indicate the existence of diverse mechanisms for PTEN expression and Akt activation in fibroblasts and macrophages. RNA interference using double‐stranded RNA specific for the PTEN gene reduced both mRNA and protein levels of PTEN in NIH3T3 cells treated or not with LPS. The phosphorylation status of Akt in NIH3T3 cells stimulated with LPS did not change when the PTEN expression had been inhibited by RNA interference. The present results suggest that the up‐regulation of PTEN expression by LPS is not involved in the activation of Akt in NIH3T3 cells. PTEN expression might be involved in the diverse inflammatory responses to LPS in fibroblasts and macrophages.
Palatal Implants: A New Approach for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Walker Regina P. , Levine Howard L. , Hopp Martin L. , Greene David , Pang Kenny 
Published: September 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short‐term safety and efficacy of palatal implants in patients with mild and moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGA prospective, non‐randomized study conducted at 5 clinical sites. Three polyester implants were placed in the soft palate under local anesthesia during a single‐stage office procedure. Polysomnography was conducted at baseline and 90 days post‐procedure. Subjective quality of life data were collected.RESULTSFifty‐three patients were evaluated; the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 25.0 ± 13.9 to 22.0 ± 14.8 events/hour (P = 0.05). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) decreased from 11.0 ± 5.1 to 6.9 ± 4.5 (P < 0.001), and the snore score decreased from 7.9 ± 2.1 to 4.0 ± 3.0 (P < 0.001). No serious complications occurred during the study.CONCLUSIONPalatal implants can be an effective initial low morbidity treatment option for patients diagnosed with mild to moderate OSA.
Obliteration of the tympanomastoid cavity: long term results of the Rambo operation
Authors: Kos M-I , Chavaillaz O , Guyot J-P 
Published: September 2006

Introduction: Radical mastoidectomy and tympanomastoid obliteration with fat tissue, also called the Rambo operation, is proposed to those patients suffering chronic middle-ear disease, with or without cholesteatoma, who have no useful hearing in an ear which cannot be kept dry despite all conservative treatment.Methods: We analysed retrospectively a series of 46 patients operated upon in our department. Information recorded included the surgical indications, surgical observations, post-operative care and complications. All patients were invited to comment on their long term anatomical and functional results and to express their degree of satisfaction with the procedure.Results: Recurrent infectious episodes were observed in seven cases. Residual cholesteatoma were observed in three cases. After treatment, these patients did not present with further complications. One case presented with multiple episodes of infection with recurrences of cholesteatoma and finally had the obliterated cavity transformed into an open cavity again. For most of the patients, in the long term (i.e. one to 23 years post-operatively (mean eight years)), the operation resulted in a dry ear, ending the need for frequent consultations to clean and disinfect diseased ears or open cavities.Conclusion: Obliteration of the tympanomastoid cavity, as proposed by Tom Rambo, shortens considerably the post-operative care period, in comparison with canal wall down mastoidectomy, and is therefore indicated if no serviceable hearing can be expected. In the long term, the rate of complications is low and patients are satisfied.
Visualization of a high protein concentration in the cochlea of a patient with a large endolymphatic duct and sac, using three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Sugiura M , Naganawa S , Sato E , Nakashima T 
Published: September 2006

Objective: To evaluate the inner ear of a patient with an enlarged vestibular aqueduct and acute hearing deterioration, using three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3D FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Background: Three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI has been recently developed to detect haemorrhage and high concentrations of protein. Application of this method to inner-ear diseases has not been fully described.Method: We used 3D FLAIR MRI to evaluate a patient with an enlarged vestibular aqueduct and acute hearing deterioration.Results: On 3D FLAIR MRI, this patient had high signals in the endolymphatic duct and sac, the vestibule and the cochlea and was diagnosed as having a high protein concentration in the inner ear. These high signal areas were not detected by T1- and T2-weighted MRI.Conclusion: This is the first published case in which a high protein concentration in the cochlea of a patient with an enlarged vestibular aqueduct was detected by 3D FLAIR MRI. These findings strongly supported the theory of the pathophysiology of hearing deterioration in patients with an enlarged vestibular aqueduct, which states that hyperosmolar fluid in the enlarged endolymphatic sac refluxes into the cochlea, resulting in damage to the hair cells. Thus, these finding may help clarify the cause of hearing deterioration in the presence of a large endolymphatic duct and sac.
A key role for the subunit SUR2B in the preferential activation of vascular KATP channels by isoflurane
Authors: Fujita H , Ogura T , Tamagawa M , Uemura H , Sato T , Ishida A , Imamaki M , Kimura F , Miyazaki M , Nakaya H 
Published: September 2006

Background and purpose:It has been postulated that isoflurane, a volatile anaesthetic, produces vasodilatation through activation of ATP‐sensitive K+ (KATP) channels. However, there is no direct evidence for the activation of vascular KATP channels by isoflurane. This study was conducted to examine the effect of isoflurane on vascular KATP channels and compare it with that on cardiac KATP channels.Experimental approach:Effects of isoflurane on KATP channels were examined in aortic smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes of the mouse using patch clamp techniques. Effects of the anaesthetic on the KATP channels with different combinations of the inward rectifier pore subunits (Kir6.1 and Kir6.2) and sulphonylurea receptor subunits (SUR2A and SUR2B) reconstituted in a heterologous expression system were also examined.Key results:Isoflurane increased the coronary flow in Langendorff‐perfused mouse hearts in a concentration‐dependent manner, which was abolished by 10 μM glibenclamide. In enzymically‐dissociated aortic smooth muscle cells, isoflurane evoked a glibenclamide‐sensitive current (i.e. KATP current). In isolated mouse ventricular cells, however, isoflurane failed to evoke the KATP current unless the KATP current was preactivated by the K+ channel opener pinacidil. Although isoflurane readily activated the Kir6.1/SUR2B channels (vascular type), the volatile anesthetic could not activate the Kir6.2/SUR2A channels (cardiac type) expressed in HEK293 cells. Isoflurane activated a glibenclamide‐sensitive current in HEK293 cells expressing Kir6.2/SUR2B channels.Conclusion and implications:Isoflurane activates KATP channels in vascular smooth muscle cells and produces coronary vasodilation in mouse hearts. SUR2B may be important for the activation of vascular‐type KATP channels by isoflurane.British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 149, 573–580. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706891
Inhibition by α‐Tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC) of Pre‐Sympathetic Parvocellular Neurones in the Paraventricular Nucleus of Rat Hypothalamus
Authors: Womack M D , Pyner S , Barrett‐Jolley R 
Published: September 2006

Background and Purpose:α‐tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC) is an endogenous neuroactive steroid which increases in plasma and brain concentration during stress. It has both positive and negative modulatory effects on GABA activated GABAA currents, dependent upon the dose. We investigated the effects of THDOC on spinally‐projecting “pre‐sympathetic” neurones in the parvocellular subnucleus of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), to determine whether it activates or inhibits these neurones, and by what mechanism.Experimental Approach:Rat spinally‐projecting (parvocellular) PVN neurones were identified by retrograde labelling and the action of THDOC investigated with three modes of patch‐clamp: cell‐attached action current, whole‐cell voltage‐clamp and cell‐attached single‐channel recording.Key Results:In cell‐attached patch mode, parvocellular neurones fired action potentials spontaneously with an average frequency of 3.6±1.1Hz. Bath application of THDOC reduced this with an EC50 of 67nM (95% confidence limits: 54 to 84nM), Hill coefficient 0.8±0.04, n=5. In whole‐cell patch‐clamp mode, pressure ejection of GABA evoked inward currents. These were clearly GABAA currents, since they were inhibited by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline, and reversed near the chloride equilibrium potential. THDOC significantly potentiated GABAA currents (1μM THDOC: 148±15% of control, n=5, p≤0.05, ANOVA). Single‐channel analysis showed no differences in conductance or corrected mean open times in the presence of 1μM THDOC.Conclusions and Implications:THDOC inhibited parvocellular neuronal activity without showing any evidence of the bidirectional activity demonstrated previously with cultured hypothalamic neurones. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that THDOC acts by potentiating the post‐synaptic activity of endogenously released GABA.British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 149, 600–607. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706911