bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mesothelin, a possible target for immunotherapy, is expressed in primary AML cells
Authors: Steinbach Daniel , Onda Masanori , Voigt Astrid , Dawczynski Kristin , Wittig Susan , Hassan Raffit , Gruhn Bernd , Pastan Ira 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground:  Mesothelin is a promising candidate for tumor‐specific therapy because of its limited expression in normal tissues and high expression in several cancers. The expression of the protein mesothelin in hematological malignancies has not yet been analyzed. SS1(dsFv)PE38 is a recombinant anti‐mesothelin immunotoxin which is undergoing clinical evaluation in patients with mesothelin‐expressing tumors.Methods and Results:  In this study we show that the mesothelin protein is expressed in leukemic cells from children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This finding was confirmed by western blot, immunocytochemistry and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Despite the expression of mesothelin, the patient samples were not sensitive to immunotoxin SS1(dsFv)PE38 in MTT assays.Conclusions:  Primary AML cells express mesothelin but SS1(dsFv)PE38 is not active in killing these cells. Other approaches that utilize mesothelin as a target might be more effective and should be tested against AML cells.
Nutrition, oral health and the young child
Authors: Naidoo Sudeshni , Myburgh Neil 
Published: September 2007

AbstractOral health is integral to general health and essential to well‐being and quality of life. Socio‐behavioural and environmental factors play a significant role in oral disease and oral health. Dental caries is a global disease with few populations exempt from its effects. In developing countries, as development increases so does dental caries and children are at the forefront of the disease disadvantage. There is a growing need to identify high caries risk groups accurately to commence prevention from a young age. The effect of early intervention in childhood on general and dental health with both population and high‐risk approaches also needs examining. As an educational tool, the paediatric food‐based dietary guidelines may play a significant role in nutrition and oral health interventions. This paper provides information on nutrition, including access to fluoride and use of sugar. Oral health concerns, such as early childhood caries, which are important for the young child, are also discussed.
Effects of Marjoram Volatile Oil and Grape Seed Extract on Ethanol Toxicity in Male Rats
Authors: El‐Ashmawy Ibrahim M. , Saleh Amal , Salama Osama M. 
Published: September 2007

Abstract: Natural dietary antioxidants are extensively studied for their ability to protect cells from miscellaneous damages. Marjoram volatile oil (Origanum majoranaL., Lamiaceae) and grape seed extract (Vitis viniferaL., Vitaceae) are potent antioxidants. Effects of administration of marjoram volatile oil or grape seed extract on oral administration of ethanol, simultaneously, daily for 10 weeks were studied through determining epididymal spermatozoal analysis, serum testosterone level, weight and histopathological examination of testis, liver and brain. Glutathione level and lipid peroxidation content as malondialdehyde in the testis, liver and brain were measured. The repeated intake of a great amount of ethanol (10 ml/kg body weight, 25% v/v) was followed by fertility disturbances with low sperm count, impaired sperm motility and decrease in serum testosterone level. Moreover, ethanol toxicity induced significant alterations in the histological structures of the testis, liver and brain. The results revealed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in the level of glutathione in the testis, liver and brain in the ethanol‐treated group. However, co‐administration of the extracts of protective plants resulted in minimizing the hazard effects of ethanol toxicity on male fertility, liver and brain tissues. It may be concluded that marjoram volatile oil and grape seed extract are useful herbal remedies, especially for controlling oxidative damages.
Efficient production of transgenic Alstroemeria plants by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Kim J.B. , Raemakers C.J.J.M. , Jacobsen E. , Visser R.G.F. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractA highly efficient and reproducible protocol was developed to obtain transgenic Alstroemeria plants by combining Agrobacterium tumefaciens with friable embryogenic callus (FEC). To develop this transformation method, factors such as infection time, cocultivation period, effect of acetosyringone (AS), different dilution concentrations of the bacterium and temperature during cocultivation were evaluated. A protocol was developed in which transient GUS expression activity was observed ranging from 25% to 55% out of the cocultivated FEC cultures, when FEC cultures were infected for 30 min with 50 μM AS, 1:10 dilution of bacteria, and then cocultivated at 24°C in the dark for 7 days with Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 (pTOK233) that carried gus, nptII and hpt genes. Seven independent experiments produced a total of 1300 transformed somatic embryos with shoots from 3.5 g of FEC. Of these germinated embryos, 50% developed into plants in vitro. Thus, on average, 500 mg of FEC infected with A. tumefaciens produced approximately 80–100 transgenic plants within 6–8 months via a selection process with 2.5–20 mg L−1 hygromycin. Additionally, transformation was also performed with Agrobacterium strain AGL1 (containing the uidA and ppt genes), and this showed that luciferase‐based selection was less detrimental to the transgenic lines than was herbicide‐based selection. The transformation efficiency was 18.6% for the luciferase‐based selection and 7.6% for the PPT‐based selection, although with luciferase‐based selection, more false positives were obtained (about a quarter of the lines were escapes). The nptII and uidA genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction analysis in nine of the 19 tested lines. The results indicate that the system developed here can be used as an alternative to particle bombardment of Alstroemeria.
Morphogenesis of Pistillate Flowers of Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Cercidiphyllaceae)
Authors: Yan Xiao‐Ling , Ren Yi , Tian Xian‐Hua , Zhang Xiao‐Hui 
Published: September 2007

Abstract Floral morphogenesis and the development of Cercidiphyllum japonicum Sieb. et Zucc. were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the pistillate inflorescences were congested spikes with the flowers arranged opposite. Great differences between the so‐called “bract” and the vegetative leaf were observed both in morphogenesis and morphology. In morphogenesis, the “bract” primordium is crescent‐shaped, truncated at the apex and not conduplicate, has no stipule primordium at the base but does have some inconspicuous teeth in the margin that are not glandular. The leaf primordium is triangular, cycloidal at the apex, conduplicate, has two stipule primordia at the base, has one gland‐tooth at the apex occurring at first and some gland‐teeth in the margin that occur later. In morphology, the “bract” is also different to the vegetative leaf in some characteristics that were also illustrated in the present paper. Based on the hypothesis that the bract is more similar to the vegetative leaf than the tepal, we considered that the so‐called “bract” of C. japonicum might be the tepal of the pistillate flower in morphological nature. Therefore, each pistillate flower contains a tepal and a carpel. We did not find any trace of other floral organs in the morphogenesis of the pistillate flower. Therefore we considered that the unicarpellate status of extant Cercidiphyllum might be to highly reduce and advance characteristics that make the extant Cercidiphyllum isolated from both fossil Cercidiphyllum‐like plants and its extant affinities.
Direct effects of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor ramiprilat on adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes
Authors: Helmig S. , Schuckenböhmer P. , Heger J. , Euler G. , Piper H. M. , Schlüter K.‐D. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAim:  Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors like ramiprilat bind to ACE expressed on the cell surface of endothelial cells and induce cell‐specific signalling including the activation of activator protein (AP)‐1. The present study addressed the question whether ramiprilat exerts a similar effect on adult ventricular cardiomyocytes, i.e. activates the AP‐1 or modifies contractile performance. It was further aimed to decide whether such effects depend on bradykinin receptors or whether they are directly mediated via ACE.Methods:  Adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated and cultured. mRNA expression of ACE was investigated by RT‐PCR, AP‐1 activation by gel mobility shift assays, and cardiac contractile performance by electrical pacing of isolated cells and analysis of cell shortening via a line‐camera.Results:  Cardiomyocytes stably express ACE. Ramiprilat increased maximal contraction velocity and shortened the time‐to‐peak of contraction. In contrast to effects evoked by bradykinin, such effects caused by ramiprilat were not attenuated by HOE 140, a bradykinin‐receptor antagonist. These effects were also not attenuated in the presence of l‐nitro‐arginine, used to mimic bradykinin‐dependent signalling. In cardiomyocytes, bradykinin but not ramiprilat activated AP‐1. Ramiprilat activates AP‐1 in endothelial cells that are known to respond to ramiprilat in this way.Conclusion:  Ramiprilat exerts direct, bradykinin‐receptor independent effects on cardiomyocytes that improve cellular function without a corresponding effect on AP‐1 activation or induction of AP‐1 dependent effects. This newly described effect of ramiprilat may contribute to the protective effects seen by application of ACE inhibitors.
Ostracism: The Kiss of Social Death
Authors: Williams Kipling D. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractTo be ostracized is to be ignored and excluded. How does ostracism affect individuals? Considerable research has now shown that the initial (reflexive) reactions to even the most minimal forms of ostracism are painful and distressing. Fundamental needs of belonging, self‐esteem, control, and meaningful existence are thwarted; sadness and anger increase. These effects emerge despite individual differences or situational factors that should lead logically to easy dismissal. With time to appraise the ostracism episode, individuals become differentially sensitized based on (i) the specific needs that are thwarted, (ii) their own individual differences, and (iii) their assessment of who ostracizes and why. These differences lead to need‐restorative behaviors that range from being overly socially attentive and susceptible to influence to being aggressive and antisocial.
Pulmonary manifestations of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Vahid Bobbak , Machare‐Delgado Enrique , Marik Paul E 
Published: September 2007

AbstractIntroduction:  Peripheral T‐cell lymphomas (PTCL) represent approximately 10% of non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas. Pulmonary involvement is an uncommon manifestation of this heterogeneous group of malignancies.Methods:  Report of a case.Results:  This case report describes a 75‐year‐old man with fever, weight loss, anemia, enlargement of spleen and liver, atypical lymphocytes and pulmonary nodules. Lung biopsy showed lymphocytic infiltration of the lung parenchyma. T‐cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement by polymerase chain reaction confirmed the diagnosis of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma. Unfortunately, the patient died because of refractory and aggressive disease.Conclusion:  Pulmonary and pleural involvement are seen in patients with PTCL and usually carry a poor prognosis. The subject of pulmonary involvement in peripheral T‐cell lymphoma is discussed.Please cite this paper as: Vahid B, Machare‐Delgado E and Marik PB. Pulmonary manifestations of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma: case report and review of the literature. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2007; 1:114–117.
Physiological Ecology of
Stenoxybacter acetivorans
, an Obligate Microaerophile in Termite Guts
Authors: Wertz John T. , Breznak John A. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

Stenoxybacter acetivorans
is a newly described, obligately microaerophilic β-proteobacterium that is abundant in the acetate-rich hindgut of
Reticulitermes
. Here we tested the hypotheses that cells are located in the hypoxic, peripheral region of
Reticulitermes flavipes
hindguts and use acetate to fuel their O
2
-consuming respiratory activity in situ. Physical fractionation of
R. flavipes
guts, followed by limited-cycle PCR with
S. acetivorans
-specific 16S rRNA gene primers, indicated that cells of this organism were indeed located primarily among the microbiota colonizing the hindgut wall. Likewise, reverse transcriptase PCR of hindgut RNA revealed
S. acetivorans
-specific transcripts for acetate-activating enzymes that were also found in cell extracts (acetate kinase and phosphotransacetylase), as well as transcripts of
ccoN
, which encodes the O
2
-reducing subunit of high-affinity
cbb
3
-type cytochrome oxidases. However,
S. acetivorans
strains did not possess typical enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle (isocitrate lyase and malate synthase A), suggesting that they may use an alternate pathway to replenish tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates or they obtain such compounds (or their precursors) in situ. Respirometric measurements indicated that much of the O
2
consumption by
R. flavipes
worker larvae was attributable to their guts, and the potential contribution of
S. acetivorans
to O
2
consumption by extracted guts was about 0.2%, a value similar to that obtained for other hindgut bacteria examined. Similar measurements obtained with guts of larvae prefed diets to disrupt major members of the hindgut microbiota implied that most of the O
2
consumption observed with extracted guts was attributable to protozoans, a group of microbes long thought to be “strict anaerobes.”
Genetically Closely Related but Phenotypically Divergent
Trichoderma
Species Cause Green Mold Disease in Oyster Mushroom Farms Worldwide
Authors: Komoń-Zelazowska Monika , Bissett John , Zafari Doustmorad , Hatvani Lóránt , Manczinger László , Woo Sheri , Lorito Matteo , Kredics László , Kubicek Christian P. , Druzhinina Irina S. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

The worldwide commercial production of the oyster mushroom
Pleurotus ostreatus
is currently threatened by massive attacks of green mold disease. Using an integrated approach to species recognition comprising analyses of morphological and physiological characters and application of the genealogical concordance of multiple phylogenetic markers (internal transcribed spacer 1 [ITS1] and ITS2 sequences; partial sequences of
tef1
and
chi18-5
), we determined that the causal agents of this disease were two genetically closely related, but phenotypically strongly different, species of
Trichoderma
, which have been recently described as
Trichoderma pleurotum
and
Trichoderma pleuroticola.
They belong to the Harzianum clade of
Hypocrea/Trichoderma
which also includes
Trichoderma aggressivum
, the causative agent of green mold disease of
Agaricus
. Both species have been found on cultivated
Pleurotus
and its substratum in Europe, Iran, and South Korea, but
T. pleuroticola
has also been isolated from soil and wood in Canada, the United States, Europe, Iran, and New Zealand.
T. pleuroticola
displays pachybasium-like morphological characteristics typical of its neighbors in the Harzianum clade, whereas
T. pleurotum
is characterized by a gliocladium-like conidiophore morphology which is uncharacteristic of the Harzianum clade. Phenotype MicroArrays revealed the generally impaired growth of
T. pleurotum
on numerous carbon sources readily assimilated by
T. pleuroticola
and
T. aggressivum
. In contrast, the Phenotype MicroArray profile of
T. pleuroticola
is very similar to that of
T. aggressivum
, which is suggestive of a close genetic relationship. In vitro confrontation reactions with
Agaricus bisporus
revealed that the antagonistic potential of the two new species against this mushroom is perhaps equal to
T. aggressivum
. The
P. ostreatus
confrontation assays showed that
T. pleuroticola
has the highest affinity to overgrow mushroom mycelium among the green mold species. We conclude that the evolutionary pathway of
T. pleuroticola
could be in parallel to other saprotrophic and mycoparasitic species from the Harzianum clade and that this species poses the highest infection risk for mushroom farms, whereas
T. pleurotum
could be specialized for an ecological niche connected to components of
Pleurotus
substrata in cultivation. A DNA BarCode for identification of these species based on ITS1 and ITS2 sequences has been provided and integrated in the main database for
Hypocrea/Trichoderma
(
www.ISTH.info
).
Impact of Feed Supplementation with Antimicrobial Agents on Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens,Clostridium perfringensandEnterococcusCounts, and Antibiotic Resistance Phenotypes and Distribution of Antimicrobial Resistance Determinants inEscherichia coliIsolates
Authors: Diarra Moussa S. , Silversides Fred G. , Diarrassouba Fatoumata , Pritchard Jane , Masson Luke , Brousseau Roland , Bonnet Claudie , Delaquis Pascal , Bach Susan , Skura Brent J. , Topp Edward 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTThe effects of feed supplementation with the approved antimicrobial agents bambermycin, penicillin, salinomycin, and bacitracin or a combination of salinomycin plus bacitracin were evaluated for the incidence and distribution of antibiotic resistance in 197 commensalEscherichia coliisolates from broiler chickens over 35 days. All isolates showed some degree of multiple antibiotic resistance. Resistance to tetracycline (68.5%), amoxicillin (61.4%), ceftiofur (51.3%), spectinomycin (47.2%), and sulfonamides (42%) was most frequent. The levels of resistance to streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin were 33.5, 35.5, and 25.3%, respectively. The overall resistance levels decreased from day 7 to day 35 (P< 0.001). Comparing treatments, the levels of resistance to ceftiofur, spectinomycin, and gentamicin (except for resistance to bacitracin treatment) were significantly higher in isolates from chickens receiving feed supplemented with salinomycin than from the other feeds (P< 0.001). Using a DNA microarray analysis capable of detecting commonly found antimicrobial resistance genes, we characterized 104 tetracycline-resistantE. coliisolates from 7- to 28-day-old chickens fed different growth promoters. Results showed a decrease in the incidence of isolates harboringtet(B),blaTEM, sulI, andaadAand class 1 integron from days 7 to 35 (P< 0.01). Of the 84 tetracycline-ceftiofur-resistantE. coliisolates, 76 (90.5%) were positive forblaCMY-2. The proportions of isolates positive forsulI,aadA, and integron class 1 were significantly higher in salinomycin-treated chickens than in the control or other treatment groups (P< 0.05). These data demonstrate that multiantibiotic-resistantE. coliisolates can be found in broiler chickens regardless of the antimicrobial growth promoters used. However, the phenotype and the distribution of resistance determinants inE. colican be modulated by feed supplementation with some of the antimicrobial agents used in broiler chicken production.
Plasmodium falciparum
Sir2: an Unusual Sirtuin with Dual Histone Deacetylase and ADP-Ribosyltransferase Activity
Authors: Merrick Catherine J. , Duraisingh Manoj T. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

In the human malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
, a member of the sirtuin family has been implicated in the epigenetic regulation of virulence genes that are vital to malaria pathogenesis and persistence. This eukaryotic sirtuin, PfSir2, is divergent in sequence from those characterized thus far and belongs to the phylogenetic class that contains primarily eubacterial and archaeal sirtuins. PfSir2 cofractionates with histones in blood-stage parasites, and the recombinant enzyme efficiently deacetylates the N-terminal tails of histones H3 and H4. In addition, PfSir2 can ADP-ribosylate both histones and itself, an activity that is minimal or absent in most sirtuins with significant deacetylase activity. Strikingly, the deacetylase activity of PfSir2 is dependent on its ADP-ribosylation. Finally, although PfSir2 is not affected by established sirtuin inhibitors, it can be completely inhibited by nicotinamide, a natural product of the sirtuin reaction. This study shows that PfSir2 has the appropriate characteristics to be a direct regulator of chromatin structure in
P. falciparum
. It also raises the significant possibility that both ADP-ribosylation and deacetylation of histones could be sirtuin-regulated modulators of chromatin structure in this species.
Multiple Modes of Chromatin Configuration at Natural Meiotic Recombination Hot Spots in Fission Yeast
Authors: Hirota Kouji , Steiner Walter W. , Shibata Takehiko , Ohta Kunihiro 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

The
ade6-M26
meiotic recombination hot spot of fission yeast is defined by a cyclic AMP-responsive element (CRE)-like heptanucleotide sequence, 5′-ATGACGT-3′, which acts as a binding site for the Atf1/Pcr1 heterodimeric transcription factor required for hot spot activation. We previously demonstrated that the local chromatin around the
M26
sequence motif alters to exhibit higher sensitivity to micrococcal nuclease before the initiation of meiotic recombination. In this study, we have examined whether or not such alterations in chromatin occur at natural meiotic DNA double-strand break (DSB) sites in
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
. At one of the most prominent DSB sites,
mbs1
(
m
eiotic
b
reak
s
ite 1), the chromatin structure has a constitutively accessible configuration at or near the DSB sites. The establishment of the open chromatin state and DSB formation are independent of the CRE-binding transcription factor, Atf1. Analysis of the chromatin configuration at CRE-dependent DSB sites revealed both differences from and similarities to
mbs1
. For example, the
tdh1
+
locus, which harbors a CRE consensus sequence near the DSB site, shows a meiotically induced open chromatin configuration, similar to
ade6-M26
. In contrast, the
cds1
+
locus is similar to
mbs1
in that it exhibits a constitutive open configuration. Importantly, Atf1 is required for the open chromatin formation in both
tdh1
+
and
cds1
+
. These results suggest that CRE-dependent meiotic chromatin changes are intrinsic processes related to DSB formation in fission yeast meiosis. In addition, the results suggest that the chromatin configuration in natural meiotic recombination hot spots can be classified into at least three distinct categories: (i) an Atf1-CRE-independent constitutively open chromatin configuration, (ii) an Atf1-CRE-dependent meiotically induced open chromatin configuration, and (iii) an Atf1-CRE-dependent constitutively open chromatin configuration.
The Pinholin of Lambdoid Phage 21: Control of Lysis by Membrane Depolarization
Authors: Park Taehyun , Struck Douglas K. , Dankenbring Chelsey A. , Young Ry 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

The phage 21 holin, S
21
, forms small membrane holes that depolarize the membrane and is designated as a pinholin, as opposed to large-hole-forming holins, like S
λ
. Pinholins require secreted SAR endolysins, a pairing that may represent an intermediate in the evolution of canonical holin-endolysin systems.