bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crocetin inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and tumor progression in a xenograft mouse model
Authors: Dhar Animesh , Mehta Smita , Dhar Gopal , Dhar Kakali , Banerjee Snigdha , Van Veldhuizen Peter , Campbell Donald R. , Banerjee Sushanta K. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Crocetin, a carotenoid compound derived from saffron, has long been used as a traditional ancient medicine against different human diseases including cancer. The aim of the series of experiments was to systematically determine whether crocetin significantly affects pancreatic cancer growth both in vitro and/or in vivo. For the in vitro studies, first, MIA-PaCa-2 cells were treated with crocetin and in these sets of experiments, a proliferation assay using H3-thymidine incorporation and flow cytometric analysis suggested that crocetin inhibited proliferation. Next, cell cycle proteins were investigated. Cdc-2, Cdc-25C, Cyclin-B1, and epidermal growth factor receptor were altered significantly by crocetin. To further confirm the findings of inhibition of proliferation, H3-thymidine incorporation in BxPC-3, Capan-1, and ASPC-1 pancreatic cancer cells was also significantly inhibited by crocetin treatment. For the in vivo studies, MIA-PaCa-2 as highly aggressive cells than other pancreatic cancer cells used in this study were injected into the right hind leg of the athymic nude mice and crocetin was given orally after the development of a palpable tumor. The in vivo results showed significant regression in tumor growth with inhibition of proliferation as determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in the crocetin-treated animals compared with the controls. Both the in vitro pancreatic cancer cells and in vivo athymic nude mice tumor, apoptosis was significantly stimulated as indicated by Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. This study indicates that crocetin has a significant antitumorigenic effect in both in vitro and in vivo on pancreatic cancer. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(2):315–23]
Gender Influences Cerebral Vascular Responses to Angiotensin II Through Nox2-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: De Silva T. Michael , Broughton Brad R.S. , Drummond Grant R. , Sobey Christopher G. , Miller Alyson A. 
Published: February 2009

Background and Purpose—We tested whether gender influences cerebrovascular responses to angiotensin II (AngII) and the role(s) of Nox2.Methods and Results—AngII-stimulated superoxide (O2−) production by cerebral arteries from male and female wild-type (WT) and Nox2−/−mice was measured using lucigenin- or L-012–enhanced chemiluminescence. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production was measured using Amplex Red fluorescence. Western Blotting was used to measure expression of Nox2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), angiotensin receptors (AT1and AT2), and superoxide dismutases (SOD1–3). Immunofluorescence was used to localize Nox2 in middle cerebral arteries (MCA). Vascular responses to AngII were assessed in a perfusion myograph. AngII-stimulated O2−and H2O2production by cerebral arteries from female WT mice was ≈75% to 85% lower than in males (P<0.05). O2−production was ≈60% lower in Nox2−/−versus WT males (P<0.05), whereas Nox2 deletion did not affect O2−production in females. Expression of Nox2, eNOS, AT receptors, and SOD isoforms was similar between genders. Nox2 immunofluorescence was similarly localized in adventitial and endothelial cells of MCA from both genders. AngII elicited smaller contractions of MCA from females vs males (P<0.05). Contractions were reduced in male, but not female, Nox2−/−mice (P<0.05). The SOD mimetic, tempol, potentiated contractions to AngII in male WT mice (P<0.05), whereas the SOD/catalase mimetic, EUK-134, virtually abolished contractions (P<0.05).Conclusions—AngII-stimulated O2−and H2O2production are greater in cerebral arteries from male versus female mice, and are associated with greater contractions to AngII mediated by H2O2. These gender differences are dependent on the expression of Nox2.
Variation in erythrocyte size between juveniles and adults of Odontophrynus americanus
Authors: Grenat Pablo R. , Bionda Clarisa , Salas Nancy E. , Martino Adolfo L. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Differences in erythrocyte size between tadpoles and adults have been found
in numerous anuran species but there are no references about erythrocyte
size of juveniles. We measured the size of red blood cells and nuclei of
juvenile and adult individuals of Odontophrynus americanus. Erythrocyte and
nuclear size of juvenile were significantly smaller than the corresponding
sizes of adults. The erythrocytes of juvenile O. americanus were comparable
in size to the erythrocytes of adult O. cordobae. We discuss about the
possibility of correctly distinguishing juvenile O. americanus (tetraploid)
from adult O. cordobae (cryptic diploid counterpart) specimens using
erythrocytes. We also discuss possible causes of variation.
Phylogeography of the endangered black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) and conservation implications for other chelonians
Authors: Gong Shiping , Shi Haitao , Mo Yunming , Auer Markus , Vargas-Ramírez Mario , Hundsdörfer Anna K. , Fritz Uwe 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Known-locality samples of Geoemyda spengleri from three Chinese provinces
(Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan) and northern Vietnam provide clear evidence for
phylogeographic structure in a southern Chinese chelonian species. Within
southern China two clades of mitochondrial haplotypes from east and west of
the Xi Jiang together form the sister group to haplotypes from northern
Vietnam. Turtles from Hainan Island harbour haplotypes of the same clade as
turtles from Guangxi, 400 km distant. These findings suggest that
phylogeographic differentiation may have once existed in other
co-distributed, highly endangered chelonian species. The possibility of
phylogeographic structure should be considered in any in-situ and ex-situ
conservation program for Chinese chelonians.
Water, stream morphology and landscape: complex habitat determinants for the fire salamander Salamandra salamandra
Authors: Manenti Raoul , Ficetola Gentile Francesco , De Bernardi Fiorenza 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Understanding the relationship between environmental features and species
distribution is a key step for successful habitat conservation. In
semiaquatic amphibians, the features of both breeding sites and the
surrounding upland habitat can play important roles. We evaluated the
relative role of (1) stream morphology, (2) biotic features of water, and
(3) composition of landscape surrounding wetlands, for the distribution of
the fire salamander, Salamandra salamandra. We determined the presence of
larvae in 132 localities, and we used an information-theoretic approach to
build species distribution models. We then used variance partitioning to
evaluate the relative importance of environmental variables. A model
including both stream and landscape features explained a large proportion of
variation. Larvae were associated to heterogeneous and shallow streams, with
scarce periphyton, rich macrobenthos communities characteristic of
oligotrophic water, and surrounded by woodlands. Variance partitioning
showed that stream morphology was the parameter with the largest independent
effect, but most of variation was explained by the combined effect of
multiple variables, suggesting a strong interplay among biotic and abiotic
features in determining species distribution. The complementation between
multiple elements, such as wetlands and landscape features, can be the key
of a correct understanding of distribution of semi-aquatic amphibians.
Comparative anatomy, homologies and evolution of mandibular, hyoid and hypobranchial muscles of bony fish and tetrapods: a new insight
Authors: Diogo Rui 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe Osteichthyes, including bony fishes and tetrapods, is a highly speciose group of vertebrates, comprising more than 42000 living species. The anatomy of osteichthyans has been the subject of numerous comparative studies, but these mainly concern osteological structures; much less attention has been paid to muscles. In fact, the most detailed and comprehensive myological comparative analyses that were actually based on a direct observation of representatives of various major osteichthyan groups were provided various decades by authors such as Luther, Kesteven and principally Edgeworth. The present work provides an updated discussion of the homologies and evolution of the osteichthyan mandibular, hyoid and hypobranchial muscles, based on the author's own analyses and on a survey of the literature, both old and recent. The risks of discussing muscle homologies on the basis of a single line of evidence, even when it concerns innervation or development, is emphasized. It is stressed than only by taking into consideration various lines of evidence (e.g. developmental biology, comparative anatomy, functional morphology, paleontology, molecular biology, experimental embryology, innervation and/or phylogeny) it is possible to establish well-grounded hypotheses of muscle homology.
Diets of little owls and long-eared owls in Northwestern China
Authors: Zhao Wei , Shao Mingqin , Song Sen , Liu Naifa 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
We compared diets of little owls (Athene noctua) and long-eared owls (Asio otus) in the Minqin Desert in northwestern China. Based on prey numbers, little owls fed mainly on mammals (51.0%) and beetles (46.9%), whereas long-eared owl fed almost exclusively on mammals (96.4%). Based on biomass, both species fed mainly on mammals. Mus musculus, Cricetulus barabensis and Meriones meridianus were the three most common mammals taken by both species. Seasonal variation was found in the diets of both species. Food niche breadth was 3.4 for little owls vs 2.9 for long-eared owls. Dietary overlap between the two species was 49.6%, but varied from 4.0% in April to 96% in January. Dietary overlap of mammals was 97.9%, indicating that both owls fed on similar rodent assemblages. Mean mass of prey was 25.8 ± 22.7 g for long-eared owls and 15.5 ± 22.7 g for little owls. The mean length of tibias of mammals in pellets also indicted that, on average, long-eared owls (18.1 ± 5.6 mm) took larger prey than little owls (16.2 ± 4.7 mm).
A comparative study of testis follicles in species of Triatoma (Hemiptera, Triatominae)
Authors: Freitas Simone , Santos-Mallet Jacenir , Costa Jane , Souza Ana Lúcia , Serrão José , Gonçalves Teresa 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn order to determine the existence of differentiation in the lengths of the testis follicles between three species and one subspecies of Triatoma a detailed morphometric analysis was carried out. Captures were performed at different sites where the species were described: Caicó, state of Rio Grande do Norte (T. brasiliensis), Petrolina, state of Pernambuco (T. brasiliensis macromelasoma), Juazeiro, state of Bahia (T. juazeirensis) and Espinosa, state of Minas Gerais (T. melanica). The records of the lengths of the testis follicles were submitted to statistic analysis. Results showed that all Triatoma studied have seven follicles in the testis, following the Triatominae pattern, which present different lengths. The morphometric data indicate the separation of the species in three groups: T. brasiliensis, T. melanica, and T. juazeirensis+T. brasiliensis macromelasoma. The obtained results are in agreement with other previous morphologic, ecologic, genetic, molecular, and phylogeographic studies, corroborating the importance of the morphometry on the testis follicles for taxonomic studies of triatomines.
Paradoxical effects of IFN-γ in graft-versus-host disease reflect promotion of lymphohematopoietic graft-versus-host reactions and inhibition of epithelial tissue injury
Authors: Wang Hui , Asavaroengchai Wannee , Yong Yeap Beow , Wang Min-Guang , Wang Shumei , Sykes Megan , Yang Yong-Guang 
Published: February 2009

AbstractInterferon-γ (IFN-γ) inhibits graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in lethally irradiated mice receiving allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) but promotes lethality in unirradiated and sublethally irradiated recipients. We investigated the role of IFN-γ in GVHD in sublethally irradiated B6D2F1 recipients of B6 allo-HCT. B6D2F1 mice receiving wild-type B6 splenocytes alone died rapidly, whereas those receiving wild-type B6 splenocytes plus marrow survived long-term. Mice in both groups showed rapid elimination of host hematopoietic cells but minimal parenchymal tissue injury. However, mice receiving allo-HCT from IFN-γ–deficient donors died rapidly regardless of whether donor marrow was given, and they exhibited severe parenchymal injury but prolonged survival of host hematopoietic cells. IFN-γ plays a similar role in another model involving delayed B6 donor leukocyte infusion (DLI) to established mixed allogeneic (B6→BALB/c) chimeras. IFN-γ promotes DLI-mediated conversion from mixed to full donor chimerism while attenuating GVHD. Importantly, IFN-γ enhances graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects in both models. Our data indicate that previously reported IFN-γ–induced early mortality in allo-HCT recipients is due to augmentation of lymphohematopoietic graft-versus-host reaction (LGVHR) and can be avoided by providing an adequate source of donor hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Furthermore, the magnitude of GVL is correlated with the strength of LGVHR, and IFN-γ reduces the potential of this alloreactivity to cause epithelial tissue GVHD.
Identification of tyrosine kinase, HCK, and tumor suppressor, BIN1, as potential mediators of AHI-1 oncogene in primary and transformed CTCL cells
Authors: Kennah Erin , Ringrose Ashley , Zhou Liang L. , Esmailzadeh Sharmin , Qian Hong , Su Ming-wan , Zhou Youwen , Jiang Xiaoyan 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAHI-1 is an oncogene often targeted by provirus insertional mutagenesis in murine leukemias and lymphomas. Aberrant expression of human AHI-1 occurs in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) cells and in CD4+CD7− Sezary cells from patients with Sezary syndrome. Stable knockdown of AHI-1 using retroviral-mediated RNA interference in CTCL cells inhibits their transforming activity in vitro and in vivo. To identify genes involved in AHI-1–mediated transformation, microarray analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes in AHI-1–suppressed CTCL cells. Fifteen up-regulated and 6 down-regulated genes were identified and confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Seven were further confirmed in a microarray analysis of CD4+CD7− Sezary cells from Sezary syndrome patients. HCK and BIN1 emerged as new candidate cooperative genes, with differential protein expression, which correlates with observed transcript changes. Interestingly, changes in HCK phosphorylation and biologic response to its inhibitor, dasatinib, were observed in AHI-1–suppressed or –overexpressed cells. The tumor suppressor BIN1 physically interacts with MYC in CTCL cells, which also exhibit differential MYC protein expression. In addition, aberrant expression of alternative splicing forms of BIN1 was observed in primary and transformed CTCL cells. These findings indicate that HCK and BIN1 may play critical roles in AHI-1–mediated leukemic transformation of human CTCL cells.
CS1 promotes multiple myeloma cell adhesion, clonogenic growth, and tumorigenicity via c-maf–mediated interactions with bone marrow stromal cells
Authors: Tai Yu-Tzu , Soydan Ender , Song Weihua , Fulciniti Mariateresa , Kim Kihyun , Hong Fangxin , Li Xian-Feng , Burger Peter , Rumizen Matthew J. , Nahar Sabikun , Podar Klaus , Hideshima Teru , Munshi Nikhil C. , Tonon Giovanni , Carrasco Ruben D. , Afar Daniel E. H. , Anderson Kenneth C. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
CS1 is highly expressed on tumor cells from the majority of multiple myeloma (MM) patients regardless of cytogenetic abnormalities or response to current treatments. Furthermore, CS1 is detected in MM patient sera and correlates with active disease. However, its contribution to MM pathophysiology is undefined. We here show that CS1 knockdown using lentiviral short-interfering RNA decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2, AKT, and STAT3, suggesting that CS1 induces central growth and survival signaling pathways in MM cells. Serum deprivation markedly blocked survival at earlier time points in CS1 knockdown compared with control MM cells, associated with earlier activation of caspases, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and proapoptotic proteins BNIP3 and BIK. CS1 knockdown further delayed development of MM tumor and prolonged survival in mice. Conversely, CS1 overexpression promoted myeloma cell growth and survival by significantly increasing myeloma adhesion to bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and enhancing myeloma colony formation in semisolid culture. Moreover, CS1 increased c-maf–targeted cyclin D2-dependent proliferation, -integrin β7/αE-mediated myeloma adhesion to BMSCs, and -vascular endothelial growth factor-induced bone marrow angiogenesis in vivo. These studies provide direct evidence of the role of CS1 in myeloma pathogenesis, define molecular mechanisms regulating its effects, and further support novel therapies targeting CS1 in MM.
Molecular mimicry of host sialylated glycans allows a bacterial pathogen to engage neutrophil Siglec-9 and dampen the innate immune response
Authors: Carlin Aaron F. , Uchiyama Satoshi , Chang Yung-Chi , Lewis Amanda L. , Nizet Victor , Varki Ajit 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
Human neutrophil Siglec-9 is a lectin that recognizes sialic acids (Sias) via an amino-terminal V-set Ig domain and possesses tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs in its cytoplasmic tail. We hypothesized that Siglec-9 recognizes host Sias as “self,” including in cis interactions with Sias on the neutrophil's own surface, thereby dampening unwanted neutrophil reactivity. Here we show that neutrophils presented with immobilized multimerized Siaα2-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc units engage them in trans via Siglec-9. The sialylated capsular polysaccharide of group B Streptococcus (GBS) also presents terminal Siaα2-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc units, and similarly engages neutrophil Siglec-9, dampening neutrophil responses in a Sia- and Siglec-9–dependent manner. Reduction in the neutrophil oxidative burst, diminished formation of neutrophil extracellular DNA traps, and increased bacterial survival are also facilitated by GBS sialylated capsular polysaccharide interactions with Siglec-9. Thus, GBS can impair neutrophil defense functions by coopting a host inhibitory receptor via sialoglycan molecular mimicry, a novel mechanism of bacterial immune evasion.
The "etiome": identification and clustering of human disease etiological factors
Authors: Liu Yueyi I , Wise Paul H , Butte Atul J 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to human diseases. Most common diseases are influenced by a large number of genetic and environmental factors, most of which individually have only a modest effect on the disease. Though genetic contributions are relatively well characterized for some monogenetic diseases, there has been no effort at curating the extensive list of environmental etiological factors.

Results
From a comprehensive search of the MeSH annotation of MEDLINE articles, we identified 3,342 environmental etiological factors associated with 3,159 diseases. We also identified 1,100 genes associated with 1,034 complex diseases from the NIH Genetic Association Database (GAD), a database of genetic association studies. 863 diseases have both genetic and environmental etiological factors available. Integrating genetic and environmental factors results in the "etiome", which we define as the comprehensive compendium of disease etiology. Clustering of environmental factors may alert clinicians of the risks of added exposures, or synergy in interventions to alter these factors. Clustering of both genetic and environmental etiological factors puts genes in the context of environment in a quantitative manner.

Conclusion
In this paper, we obtained a comprehensive list of associations between disease and environmental factors using MeSH annotation of MEDLINE articles. It serves as a summary of current knowledge between etiological factors and diseases. By combining the environmental etiological factors and genetic factors from GAD, we computed the "etiome" profile for 863 diseases. Comparing diseases across these profiles may have utility for clinical medicine, basic science research, and population-based science.
Comparative genomic analyses of nickel, cobalt and vitamin B12 utilization
Authors: Zhang Yan , Rodionov Dmitry A , Gelfand Mikhail S , Gladyshev Vadim N 
Published: February 2009

Abstract

Background
Nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) are trace elements required for a variety of biological processes. Ni is directly coordinated by proteins, whereas Co is mainly used as a component of vitamin B12. Although a number of Ni and Co-dependent enzymes have been characterized, systematic evolutionary analyses of utilization of these metals are limited.

Results
We carried out comparative genomic analyses to examine occurrence and evolutionary dynamics of the use of Ni and Co at the level of (i) transport systems, and (ii) metalloproteomes. Our data show that both metals are widely used in bacteria and archaea. Cbi/NikMNQO is the most common prokaryotic Ni/Co transporter, while Ni-dependent urease and Ni-Fe hydrogenase, and B12-dependent methionine synthase (MetH), ribonucleotide reductase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase are the most widespread metalloproteins for Ni and Co, respectively. Occurrence of other metalloenzymes showed a mosaic distribution and a new B12-dependent protein family was predicted. Deltaproteobacteria and Methanosarcina generally have larger Ni- and Co-dependent proteomes. On the other hand, utilization of these two metals is limited in eukaryotes, and very few of these organisms utilize both of them. The Ni-utilizing eukaryotes are mostly fungi (except saccharomycotina) and plants, whereas most B12-utilizing organisms are animals. The NiCoT transporter family is the most widespread eukaryotic Ni transporter, and eukaryotic urease and MetH are the most common Ni- and B12-dependent enzymes, respectively. Finally, investigation of environmental and other conditions and identity of organisms that show dependence on Ni or Co revealed that host-associated organisms (particularly obligate intracellular parasites and endosymbionts) have a tendency for loss of Ni/Co utilization.

Conclusion
Our data provide information on the evolutionary dynamics of Ni and Co utilization and highlight widespread use of these metals in the three domains of life, yet only a limited number of user proteins.