bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EKLF and KLF2 have compensatory roles in embryonic β-globin gene expression and primitive erythropoiesis
Authors: Basu Priyadarshi , Lung Tina K. , Lemsaddek Wafaa , Sargent Thanh Giang , Williams David C. , Basu Mohua , Redmond Latasha C. , Lingrel Jerry B , Haar Jack L. , Lloyd Joyce A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe Krüppel-like C2/H2 zinc finger transcription factors (KLFs) control development and differentiation. Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF or KLF1) regulates adult β-globin gene expression and is necessary for normal definitive erythropoiesis. KLF2 is required for normal embryonic Ey- and βh1-, but not adult βglobin, gene expression in mice. Both EKLF and KLF2 play roles in primitive erythroid cell development. To investigate potential interactions between these genes, EKLF/KLF2 double-mutant embryos were analyzed. EKLF−/−KLF2−/− mice appear anemic at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) and die before E11.5, whereas single-knockout EKLF−/− or KLF2−/− embryos are grossly normal at E10.5 and die later than EKLF−/−KLF2−/− embryos. At E10.5, Ey- and βh1-globin mRNA is greatly reduced in EKLF−/−KLF2−/−, compared with EKLF−/− or KLF2−/− embryos, consistent with the observed anemia. Light and electron microscopic analyses of E9.5 EKLF−/−KLF2−/− yolk sacs, and cytospins, indicate that erythroid and endothelial cells are morphologically more abnormal than in either single knockout. EKLF−/−KLF2−/− erythroid cells are markedly irregularly shaped, suggesting membrane abnormalities. EKLF and KLF2 may have coordinate roles in a common progenitor to erythroid and endothelial cells. The data indicate that EKLF and KLF2 have redundant functions in embryonic β-like globin gene expression, primitive erythropoiesis, and endothelial development.
Inference of transcriptional regulation using gene expression data from the bovine and human genomes
Authors: Zadissa Amonida , McEwan John C , Brown Chris M 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Background
Gene expression is in part regulated by sequences in promoters that bind transcription factors. Thus, co-expressed genes may have shared sequence motifs representing putative transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs). However, for agriculturally important animals the genomic sequence is often incomplete. The more complete human genome may be able to be used for this prediction by taking advantage of the expected evolutionary conservation in TFBSs between the species.

Results
A method of de novo TFBS prediction based on MEME was implemented, tested, and validated on a muscle-specific dataset.
Muscle specific expression data from EST library analysis from cattle was used to predict sets of genes whose expression was enriched in muscle and cardiac tissues. The upstream 1500 bases from calculated orthologous genes were extracted from the human reference set. A set of common motifs were discovered in these promoters. Slightly over one third of these motifs were identified as known TFBSs including known muscle specific binding sites. This analysis also predicted several highly statistically significantly overrepresented sites that may be novel TFBS.
An independent analysis of the equivalent bovine genomic sequences was also done, this gave less detailed results than the human analysis due to both the quality of orthologue prediction and assembly in promoter regions. However, the most common motifs could be detected in both sets.

Conclusion
Using promoter sequences from human genes is a useful approach when studying gene expression in species with limited or non-existing genomic sequence. As the bovine genome becomes better annotated it can in turn serve as the reference genome for other agriculturally important ruminants, such as sheep, goat and deer.
Nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium in 11 expressed resistance candidate genes in Lolium perenne
Authors: Xing Yongzhong , Frei Uschi , Schejbel Britt , Asp Torben , Lübberstedt Thomas 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Background
Association analysis is an alternative way for QTL mapping in ryegrass. So far, knowledge on nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium in ryegrass is lacking, which is essential for the efficiency of association analyses.

Results
11 expressed disease resistance candidate (R) genes including 6 nucleotide binding site and leucine rich repeat (NBS-LRR) like genes and 5 non-NBS-LRR genes were analyzed for nucleotide diversity. For each of the genes about 1 kb genomic fragments were isolated from 20 heterozygous genotypes in ryegrass. The number of haplotypes per gene ranged from 9 to 27. On average, one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was present per 33 bp between two randomly sampled sequences for the 11 genes. NBS-LRR like gene fragments showed a high degree of nucleotide diversity, with one SNP every 22 bp between two randomly sampled sequences. NBS-LRR like gene fragments showed very high non-synonymous mutation rates, leading to altered amino acid sequences. Particularly LRR regions showed very high diversity with on average one SNP every 10 bp between two sequences. In contrast, non-NBS LRR resistance candidate genes showed a lower degree of nucleotide diversity, with one SNP every 112 bp. 78% of haplotypes occurred at low frequency (<5%) within the collection of 20 genotypes. Low intragenic LD was detected for most R genes, and rapid LD decay within 500 bp was detected.

Conclusion
Substantial LD decay was found within a distance of 500 bp for most resistance candidate genes in this study. Hence, LD based association analysis is feasible and promising for QTL fine mapping of resistance traits in ryegrass.
Use of the novel contact heat evoked potential stimulator (CHEPS) for the assessment of small fibre neuropathy: correlations with skin flare responses and intra-epidermal nerve fibre counts
Authors: Atherton Duncan D , Facer Paul , Roberts Katherine M , Misra V Peter , Chizh Boris A , Bountra Chas , Anand Praveen 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Background
The Contact Heat Evoked Potential Stimulator (CHEPS) rapidly stimulates cutaneous small nerve fibres, and resulting evoked potentials can be recorded from the scalp. We have studied patients with symptoms of sensory neuropathy and controls using CHEPS, and validated the findings using other objective measures of small nerve fibres i.e. the histamine-induced skin flare response and intra-epidermal fibres (IEF), and also quantitative sensory testing (QST), a subjective measure.

Methods
In patients with symptoms of sensory neuropathy (n = 41) and healthy controls (n = 9) we performed clinical examination, QST (monofilament, vibration and thermal perception thresholds), nerve conduction studies, histamine-induced skin flares and CHEPS. Skin punch biopsies were immunostained using standard ABC immunoperoxidase for the nerve marker PGP 9.5 or the heat and capsaicin receptor TRPV1. Immunoreactive IEF were counted per length of tissue section and epidermal thickness recorded.

Results
Amplitudes of Aδ evoked potentials (μV) following face, arm or leg stimulation were reduced in patients (e.g. for the leg: mean ± SEM – controls 11.7 ± 1.95, patients 3.63 ± 0.85, p = 0.0032). Patients showed reduced leg skin flare responses, which correlated with Aδ amplitudes (rs = 0.40, p = 0.010). In patient leg skin biopsies, PGP 9.5- and TRPV1-immunoreactive IEF were reduced and correlated with Aδ amplitudes (PGP 9.5, rs = 0.51, p = 0.0006; TRPV1, rs = 0.48, p = 0.0012).

Conclusion
CHEPS appears a sensitive measure, with abnormalities observed in some symptomatic patients who did not have significant IEF loss and/or QST abnormalities. Some of the latter patients may have early small fibre dysfunction or ion channelopathy. CHEPS provides a clinically practical, non-invasive and objective measure, and can be a useful additional tool for the assessment of sensory small fibre neuropathy. Although further evaluation is required, the technique shows potential clinical utility to differentiate neuropathy from other chronic pain states, and provide a biomarker for analgesic development.
Improvements in survival of the uncemented Nottingham Total Shoulder prosthesis: a prospective comparative study
Authors: Rosenberg Nahum , Neumann Lars , Modi Amit , Mersich Istvan J , Wallace Angus W 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Background
The uncemented Nottingham Total Shoulder Replacement prosthesis system (Nottingham TSR) was developed from the previous BioModular® shoulder prosthesis taking into consideration the causes of the initial implant's failure.
We investigated the impact of changes in the design of Nottingham TSR prosthesis on its survivorship rate.

Methods
Survivorship analyses of three types of uncemented total shoulder arthroplasty prostheses (BioModular®, initial Nottingham TSR and current Nottingham TSR systems with 11, 8 and 4 year survivorship data respectively) were compared. All these prostheses were implanted for the treatment of disabling pain in the shoulder due to primary and secondary osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Each type of the prosthesis studied was implanted in consecutive group of patients – 90 patients with BioModular® system, 103 with the initial Nottingham TSR and 34 patients with the current Nottingham TSR system.
The comparison of the annual cumulative survivorship values in the compatible time range between the three groups was done according to the paired t test.

Results
The 8-year and 11-year survivorship rates for the initially used modified BioModular® uncemented prosthesis were relatively low (75.6% and 71.7% respectively) comparing to the reported survivorship of the conventional cemented implants. The 8-year survivorship for the uncemented Nottingham TSR prosthesis was significantly higher (81.8%), but still not in the desired range of above 90%, that is found in other cemented designs. Glenoid component loosening was the main factor of prosthesis failure in both prostheses and mainly occurred in the first 4 postoperative years. The 4-year survivorship of the currently re-designed Nottingham TSR prosthesis, with hydroxylapatite coating of the glenoid baseplate, was significantly higher, 93.1% as compared to 85.1% of the previous Nottingham TSR.

Conclusion
The initial Nottingham shoulder prosthesis showed significantly higher survivorship than the BioModular® uncemented prosthesis, but lower than expected. Subsequently re-designed Nottingham TSR system presented a high short term survivorship rate that encourages its ongoing use
Paraganglioma of the greater omentum: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Archontovasilis Fotios , Markogiannakis Haridimos , Dikoglou Christina , Drimousis Panagiotis , Toutouzas Konstantinos G , Theodorou Dimitrios , Katsaragakis Stilianos 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Background
Extra-adrenal, intra-abdominal paraganglioma constitutes a rare neoplasm and, moreover, its location in the greater omentum is extremely infrequent.

Case presentation
A 46-year-old woman with an unremarkable medical history presented with an asymptomatic greater omentum mass that was discovered incidentally during ultrasonographic evaluation due to menstrual disturbances. Clinical examination revealed a mobile, non-tender, well-circumscribed mass in the right upper and lower abdominal quadrant. Blood tests were normal. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed a huge (15 × 15 cm), well-demarcated, solid and cystic, heterogeneously enhanced mass between the right liver lobe and right kidney. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a large mass in the greater omentum. The tumor was completely excised along with the greater omentum. Histopathology offered the diagnosis of benign greater omentum paraganglioma. After an uneventful postoperative course, the patient was discharged on the 4th postoperative day. She remains free of disease for 2 years as appears on repeated CT scans as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and scintigraphy performed with radiotracer-labeled metaiodobenzyl-guanidine (MIBG) scans.

Conclusion
This is the second reported case of greater omentum paraganglioma. Clinical and imaging data of patients with extra-adrenal, intra-abdominal paragangliomas are variable while many of them may be asymptomatic even when the lesion is quite large. Thorough histopathologic evaluation is imperative for diagnosis and radical excision is the treatment of choice. Since there are no definite microscopic criteria for the distinction between benign and malignant tumors, prolonged follow-up is necessary.
Microarray-based gene expression profiles in multiple tissues of the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Xia Qingyou , Cheng Daojun , Duan Jun , Wang Genhong , Cheng Tingcai , Zha Xingfu , Liu Chun , Zhao Ping , Dai Fangyin , Zhang Ze , He Ningjia , Zhang Liang , Xiang Zhonghuai 
Published: August 2007

AbstractWe designed and constructed a genome-wide microarray with 22,987 70-mer oligonucleotides covering the presently known and predicted genes in the silkworm genome, and surveyed the gene expression in multiple silkworm tissues on day 3 of the fifth instar. Clusters of tissue-prevalent and tissue-specific genes and genes that are differentially expressed in different tissues were identified, and they reflect well major tissue-specific functions on the molecular level. The data presented in this study provide a new resource for annotating the silkworm genome.
Complement C5a anaphylatoxin is an innate determinant of dendritic cell-induced Th1 immunity toMycobacterium bovisBCG infection in mice
Authors: Moulton Rachel A , Mashruwala Mary Anne , Smith Amanda K , Lindsey Devin R , Wetsel Rick A , Haviland David L , Hunter Robert L , Jagannath Chinnaswamy 
Published: August 2007

AbstractDuring acquired immunity to Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) infection in mice, dendritic cells (DCs) present mycobacterial antigens to naive T cells to prime an immune response. Complement C5a (anaphylatoxin) secreted by mycobacteria-infected macrophages regulates IL-12p70 production. As IL-12p70 regulates Th1 immunity against mycobacteria in mice, we examined the effects of C5a on IL-12p70 secretion by murine DCs and Th1 immunity. DCs cultured from C5-deficient (C5−/−) and -sufficient (C5+/+) mice were infected with BCG in the presence or absence of the C5a peptide. ELISA showed that C5−/− DCs secreted less IL-12p70 (600 pg/mL vs. 100 pg/mL) than C5+/+ DCs, and they secreted more IL-10. Using immunophenotyping, reduced CD40 expression was found on C5−/− DCs after BCG infection. BCG-primed DCs were then cocultured with naive or BCG-immune T cells to differentiate them into IFN-γ-secreting Th1 T cells. Coincident with increased IL-12p70 levels, BCG-primed C5+/+ DCs cocultured with naive or immune C5+/+ T cells showed a larger increase in CD4+ IFN-γ/CD8+ IFN-γ+ T cells compared with cocultured DCs and T cells from C5−/− mice. Thus, BCG-primed C5+/+ DCs were better able to drive a Th1 response. Furthermore, BCG aerosol-infected C5−/− mice showed reduced CD4 and CD8 IFN-γ-secreting T cells in the lungs, concurrent with an increased growth of BCG. Thus, C5a, an innate peptide, appears to play an important role in the generation of acquired immune responses in mice by regulating the Th1 response through modulation of IL-12p70 secretion from DCs.
Hypoxia causes an increase in phagocytosis by macrophages in a HIF-1α-dependent manner
Authors: Anand Rahul J , Gribar Steven C , Li Jun , Kohler Jeff W , Branca Maria F , Dubowski Theresa , Sodhi Chhinder P , Hackam David J 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPhagocytosis is the process by which microbial pathogens are engulfed by macrophages and neutrophils and represents the first line of defense against bacterial infection. The importance of phagocytosis for bacterial clearance is of particular relevance to systemic inflammatory diseases, which are associated with the development of hypoxia, yet the precise effects of hypoxia on phagocytosis remain largely unexplored. We now hypothesize that hypoxia inhibits phagocytosis in macrophages and sought to determine the mechanisms involved. Despite our initial prediction, hypoxia significantly increased the phagocytosis rate of particles in vitro by RAW264.7 and primary peritoneal macrophages and increased phagocytosis of labeled bacteria in vivo by hypoxic mice compared with normoxic controls. In understanding the mechanisms involved, hypoxia caused no changes in RhoA-GTPase signaling but increased the phosphorylation of p38-MAPK significantly. Inhibition of p38 reversed the effects of hypoxia on phagocytosis, suggesting a role for p38 in the hypoxic regulation of phagocytosis. Hypoxia also significantly increased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in macrophages, which was reversed after p38 inhibition, suggesting a link between p38 activation and HIF-1α expression. It is striking that small interfering RNA knockdown of HIF-1α reversed the effects of hypoxia on phagocytosis, and overexpression of HIF-1α caused a surprising increase in phagocytosis compared with nontransfected controls, demonstrating a specific role for HIF-1α in the regulation of phagocytosis. These data indicate that hypoxia enhances phagocytosis in macrophages in a HIF-1α-dependent manner and shed light on an important role for HIF-1α in host defense.
Sounds from the Past the Acoustics of Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrasa
Authors: El-Khateeb Ahmed Ali , Ismail Mostafa Refat 
Published: August 2007

The Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrasa is considered to be stylistically the most compact and unified of all of Cairo's Islamic monuments. Beside its main function as a place for prayer, its design also allows separate schools for teaching the four Sunni rites; both functions imply the importance of phonological cognition and intelligibility of speech. The acoustical environment within the main Iwan of the Madrasa and Mosque of Sultan Hassan has been investigated and examined through field measurements and room simulation utilizing ODEON to assess the degree of speech intelligibility. The significance of acoustical performance within this space is highlighted in relation to form and texture. Criteria for good acoustics are compared with the spatial requirements and design guidelines. Although field measurements show high reverberation time and echoes at some of the points examined, it does not badly affect the ability of worshipers to follow and understand clearly what is said either in the Mihrab, a half cylinder directed to the Holy Ka'aba in Macca, or Minber (Pulpit). On the contrary it adds the depth and width required for this kind of spiritual performance.
Production of Aluminum-Silicon Carbide Composites Using Powder Metallurgy at Sintering Temperatures Above the Aluminum Melting Point
Authors: Khairaldien W. M. , Khalil A. A. , Bayoumi M. R. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
The extensive utilization of aluminum reinforced with silicon carbide in different structural applications has motivated the need to find a cost effective technological production method for these composites. Homogeneity, machinability, and interfacial reaction of the constituents represent the significant problems pertaining to these composites. Production of a homogenous, high strength, and net-shape structural components made from aluminum-silicon carbide composites can be achieved using powder metallurgy (PM) technology. In the present work the problem of low strength of the aluminum-silicon carbide produced by powder metallurgy is solved by raising the sintering temperature of the composite above the melting temperature of the aluminum. This method produces a local fusing and welding of the aluminum particles. Using aluminum powder with a thick oxide layer surrounding the particles prevents the total melting of the composite. Green compacted specimens containing 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt % silicon carbide were prepared. Samples from each composition were sintered at 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, and 900°C separately, while other specimens were left without sintering for comparison. Microstructure examination, a microhardness test, and a compression test were carried out for each of the 49 combinations of SiC contents and sintering temperatures to study the effect of sintering temperature and SiC contents on the composite properties and to detect the optimum sintering temperature for each SiC weight percent. Generally the results show the tendency for both strength and ductility to increase upon increase in the sintering temperature. These specific sintering temperature levels are found to be 650°C for the aluminum with no silicon carbide content, 700°C for composites containing both 5 and 10 wt % SiC, 750°C for composites containing 15 wt % SiC, 800°C for composites containing 20 wt % SiC, 850°C for composites containing 25 wt % SiC, and 900°C for composites containing 30 wt % SiC.
Endoglin Is Not Critical for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Engraftment and Reconstitution but Regulates Adult Erythroid Development
Authors: Moody Jennifer L. , Singbrant Sofie , Karlsson Göran , Blank Ulrika , Aspling Marie , Flygare Johan , Bryder David , Karlsson Stefan 
Published: August 2007

AbstractEndoglin is a transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) accessory receptor recently identified as being highly expressed on long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). However, little is known regarding its function in these cells. We have used two complementary approaches toward understanding endoglin's role in HSC biology: one that efficiently knocks down expression via lentiviral-driven short hairpin RNA and another that uses retroviral-mediated overexpression. Altering endoglin expression had functional consequences for hematopoietic progenitors in vitro such that endoglin-suppressed myeloid progenitors (colony-forming unit-granulocyte macrophage) displayed a higher degree of sensitivity to TGF-β-mediated growth inhibition, whereas endoglin-overexpressing cells were partially resistant. However, transplantation of transduced bone marrow enriched in primitive hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells revealed that neither endoglin suppression nor endoglin overexpression affected the ability of stem cells to short-term or long-term repopulate recipient marrow. Furthermore, transplantation of cells altered in endoglin expression yielded normal white blood cell proportions and peripheral blood platelets. Interestingly, decreasing endoglin expression increased the clonogenic capacity of early blast-forming unit-erythroid progenitors, whereas overexpression compromised erythroid differentiation at the basophilic erythroblast phase, suggesting a pivotal role for endoglin at key stages of adult erythropoietic development.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.