bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrin-linked kinase is responsible for Ca2+-independent myosin diphosphorylation and contraction of vascular smooth muscle
Authors: Wilson David P. , Sutherland Cindy , Borman Meredith A. , Deng Jing Ti , MacDonald Justin A. , Walsh Michael P. 
Published: December 2005

Smooth muscle contraction is activated by phosphorylation at Ser-19 of LC20 (the 20 kDa light chains of myosin II) by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent MLCK (myosin light-chain kinase). Diphosphorylation of LC20 at Ser-19 and Thr-18 is observed in smooth muscle tissues and cultured cells in response to various contractile stimuli, and in pathological circumstances associated with hypercontractility. MLCP (myosin light-chain phosphatase) inhibition can lead to LC20 diphosphorylation and Ca2+-independent contraction, which is not attributable to MLCK. Two kinases have emerged as candidates for Ca2+-independent LC20 diphosphorylation: ILK (integrin-linked kinase) and ZIPK (zipper-interacting protein kinase). Triton X-100-skinned rat caudal arterial smooth muscle was used to investigate the relative importance of ILK and ZIPK in Ca2+-independent, microcystin (phosphatase inhibitor)-induced LC20 diphosphorylation and contraction. Western blotting and in-gel kinase assays revealed that both kinases were retained in this preparation. Ca2+-independent contraction of calmodulin-depleted tissue in response to microcystin was resistant to MLCK inhibitors [AV25 (a 25-amino-acid peptide derived from the autoinhibitory domain of MLCK), ML-7, ML-9 and wortmannin], protein kinase C inhibitor (GF109203X) and Rho-associated kinase inhibitors (Y-27632 and H-1152), but blocked by the non-selective kinase inhibitor staurosporine. ZIPK was inhibited by AV25 (IC50 0.63±0.05 μM), whereas ILK was insensitive to AV25 (at concentrations as high as 100 μM). AV25 had no effect on Ca2+-independent, microcystin-induced LC20 mono- or di-phosphorylation, with a modest effect on force. We conclude that direct inhibition of MLCP in the absence of Ca2+ unmasks ILK activity, which phosphorylates LC20 at Ser-19 and Thr-18 to induce contraction. ILK is probably the kinase responsible for myosin diphosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells and tissues.
The nematode-trapping efficacy of two chlamydospore-forming fungi against Haemonchus contortus in sheep
Authors: Chauhan J.B. , Sanyal P.K. , Subramanian R.B. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAn in vitro study was carried out to determine efficacy of Indian isolates of the nematode-trapping fungi Arthrobotrys musiformis and Duddingtonia flagrans to capture infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus. These fungi have previously been screened and selected for their survival in the gastrointestinal tract of sheep without losing growth and nematode capturing potential. Following the feeding of chlamydospores of these two fungi alone or in combination in sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus, coprocultures were set up to enumerate the infective third stage larvae. The number of larvae captured from faeces of fungus-fed sheep was significantly higher compared with fungus-unfed controls irrespective of the fungus used. The fungal combination produced no antagonistic effect and thus can be used as efficiently as the fungi alone in the biological control of animal parasitic nematodes.
Soil-transmitted helminths and haemoglobin status among Afghan children in World Food Programme assisted schools
Authors: Gabrielli A.F. , Ramsan M. , Naumann C. , Tsogzolmaa D. , Bojang B. , Khoshal M.H. , Connolly M. , Stothard J.R. , Montresor A. , Savioli L. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn recent years there have been major socio-economic changes within Afghanistan such that the present public health burden of soil-transmitted helminths (STH), especially that within school-aged children, remains to be determined. A baseline parasitological survey was therefore carried out in four defined areas of Afghanistan to better assess the distribution, prevalence and intensity of STH infections prior to a nationwide de-worming campaign beginning within World Food Programme assisted schools. A cross-sectional examination of 1001 children aged between 8 and 15 years old revealed that approximately half (47.2%) were infected with at least one STH. Infections with Ascaris lumbricoides were most widespread (40.9%) and elevated prevalences were detected in urban environments; for example, schoolchildren in Kabul were more likely to be infected (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.6–3.0) than elsewhere and these infections were often of higher intensity (OR=7.6, 95% CI 4.9–11.8). Trichuris trichiura (9.9%) and hookworms (0.7%), previously unknown from Afghanistan, were encountered. The blood haemoglobin concentration of surveyed children was also assessed: 4% resulted to be anaemic (Hb<11 g dl−1), and 0.4% to be severely anaemic (Hb<7 g dl−1).
Toxicity of cadmium and zinc mixtures to the decaudized cercarial life span of Diplostomum spathaceum
Authors: Morley N.J. , Crane M. , Lewis J.W. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe effects of cadmium and zinc mixtures at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10,000 μg l−1 on the life-span of decaudized cercarial bodies (cercariae that have shed their tails) of Diplostomum spathaceum (Trematoda: Diplostomatidae) was investigated. Cercariae were exposed to metal mixtures of equal and unequal concentrations, and a low-dose pre-treatment followed by a high-dose exposure mixtures. Metal mixtures demonstrated variable effects on decaudized cercariae either by increasing or reducing their life-span compared to single metal exposures dependent on concentration and the type of mixed metal treatment. Prolonged exposure to equal metal mixtures at low concentrations (0.1–100 μg l−1) resulted in a reduction in the life-span of decaudized cercariae at 0.1 and 100 μg l−1 in those individuals decaudized during the initial 24 h exposure period compared with those decaudized during the final 24 h period of cercarial survival, whilst in controls there was no significant life-span change between the two time periods. Decaudized cercariae which were exposed to low concentrations (0.1–100 μg l−1) of equal metal mixtures were also evaluated for their role as an indicator of larval ‘fitness’ for migrating through the tissues of their target fish host for those individuals decaudized during the initial 24 h exposure period, and demonstrated only a limited change in their life-span compared to control and single metal exposures. The importance of metal mixtures in parasite establishment in the fish host is discussed.
Haustorially Expressed Secreted Proteins from Flax Rust Are Highly Enriched for Avirulence Elicitors
Authors: Catanzariti Ann-Maree , Dodds Peter N. , Lawrence Gregory J. , Ayliffe Michael A. , Ellis Jeffrey G. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractRust fungi, obligate biotrophs that cause disease and yield losses in crops such as cereals and soybean (Glycine max), obtain nutrients from the host through haustoria, which are specialized structures that develop within host cells. Resistance of flax (Linum usitatissimum) to flax rust (Melampsora lini) involves the induction of a hypersensitive cell death response at haustoria formation sites, governed by gene-for-gene recognition between host resistance and pathogen avirulence genes. We identified genes encoding haustorially expressed secreted proteins (HESPs) by screening a flax rust haustorium-specific cDNA library. Among 429 unigenes, 21 HESPs were identified, one corresponding to the AvrL567 gene. Three other HESPs cosegregated with the independent AvrM, AvrP4, and AvrP123 loci. Expression of these genes in flax induced resistance gene–mediated cell death with the appropriate specificity, confirming their avirulence activity. AvrP4 and AvrP123 are Cys-rich proteins, and AvrP123 contains a Kazal Ser protease inhibitor signature, whereas AvrM contains no Cys residues. AvrP4 and AvrM induce cell death when expressed intracellularly, suggesting their translocation into plant cells during infection. However, secreted AvrM and AvrP4 also induce necrotic responses, with secreted AvrP4 more active than intracellular AvrP4, possibly as a result of enhanced formation of endoplasmic reticulum–dependent disulfide bonds. Addition of an endoplasmic reticulum retention signal inhibited AvrM-induced necrosis, suggesting that both AvrM and AvrP4 can reenter the plant cell after secretion in the absence of the pathogen.
Immunohistochemical Localization of Distinct Angiotensin II AT1 Receptor Isoforms in the Kidneys of the Sprague‐Dawley Rat and the Desert Rodent Meriones Crassus
Authors: Al‐Qattan K. K. , Al‐Akhawand S. J. , Mansour M. H. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryEmploying a purified lgG fraction of a polyclonal anti‐AT1 receptor anti‐body, raised against a synthetic octapeptide encompassing residues 14–21 of the first extracellular domain of the AT1 polypeptide, selective AT1 receptor expression was immunohistochemically demonstrable within renal structures in Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats and the desert rodent Meriones crassus. In both animal models, prominent AT1 receptor labelling was evident in renal vascular elements, particularly cortical inter‐lobular arteries (IA) as well as vasa recta bundles in the inner stripe of the outer medulla. Less intense labelling was observed among peritubular capillary endothelia within the deep cortex, and at both the outer stripe and the inter‐bundle regions of the inner stripe of the outer medulla. The binding of the anti‐peptide anti‐body was, however, lacking among glomeruli and, except for the intense labelling confined to basement membranes of Bowman's capsule of deep nephrons, was virtually absent in all renal tubular structures of both animal models. Structural assessment of the expressed AT1 receptors by two‐dimensional Western blotting revealed that a spectrum of structurally distinct AT1 receptor isoforms is expressed in the renal tissues of both animal models. This spectrum was constituted by isoforms of equal size (70 kDa) but distinct pls in SD rats, and of both different sizes (67–73 kDa) and isoelectric points in M. crassus. In either species, the charge and/or size heterogeneity of AT1 receptor isoforms may be attributed in part to differential post‐translational glycosylation mechanisms of the AT1 receptor polypeptide backbone. The potential for the differential glycosylation state of AT1 receptors to alter recognition properties may add another level of complexity to tissue‐specific and/or species‐specific mechanisms underlying angiotensin II interactions in the kidney.
EFFECT OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE LITHOTRIPSY AND ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT ON SYMPTOMS AND PANCREATIC FUNCTION IN PANCREATOLITHIASIS
Authors: Tada Tomoko , Ukita Takeo , Maetani Iruru , Sakai Yoshihiro , Igarashi Yoshinori 
Published: December 2005

Aims:  To investigate the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) combined with endoscopic treatment for pancreatolithiasis and assess the pancreatic functions after treatment.Patients:  Forty‐eight cases with pancreatolithiasis in the main pancreatic duct (MPD) treated by ESWL combined with endoscopic treatments were investigated.Methods:  The disappearance rate of abdominal symptoms, the frequency of admission for acute exacerbation of pancreatitis before and after treatment, the relationship of removal of pancreatic stones with recurrence and stricture of the MPD, and pancreatic functions before and after treatment were examined.Results:  Treatment for pancreatolithiasis improved symptoms in 95.1% and significantly reduced the frequency of admission for 1 year from 1.4 to 0.2 on average. Pancreatic stones were excellently eliminated in 93.8%. Even in cases complicated with the stricture of MPD, combination with endoscopic techniques provided treatment efficacy comparable to that in cases without such complications. The Bentiromide test significantly improved within 3 months after treatment. It improved 1–2 and 2–3 years after treatment but there was no significant difference. Endocrine functions were maintained in 93.6%, 74.3%, 66.7%, and 64.3% within 3 months, 1–2 years, 2–3 years, and 3 or more years, respectively, after treatment.Conclusions:  ESWL combined with endoscopic treatment provides comparable treatment efficacy in cases with and without stricture of the MPD. Treatment for pancreatolithiasis is useful for not only alleviating abdominal symptoms but also maintaining pancreatic exocrine function and management of the diabetes.
RELATION BETWEEN RESPIRATORY SUPPRESSION FROM SEDATION DURING ENDOSCOPY AND VITAL CAPACITY
Authors: Tomiki Yuichi , Shinmura Koji , Kasamaki Shinji , Terai Kiyoshi , Maeda Tsutomu , Takeda Ryohei , Takahashi Makoto , Yaginuma Yukihiro , Sakamoto Kazuhiro , Nakajima Takashi , Kamano Toshiki , Hayashida Yasuo 
Published: December 2005

Background:  Respiratory suppression is observed during endoscopy under sedation. If respiratory suppression can be predicted before endoscopy, incidental complications can conceivably be prevented. In the present study, we focused on the relation between respiratory suppression from sedation and lung function.Methods:  A total of 211 patients underwent respiratory function tests before the surgical operation and gave written informed consent individually to participate in this study. We investigated the relation between respiratory suppression from sedation and lung function. During the endoscopic procedure, when blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) fell to below 90%, the patient was evaluated as ‘respiratory suppression present’.Results:  Sedation lowered SpO2 by an average of 6.0%, and was significantly lower than the prior to sedation blood oxygen saturation (PreSpO2). Compared to patients with SpO2 maintained up to 90%, patients with SpO2 fallen below 90% were significantly older, shorter in stature, lighter in bodyweight, and more commonly female. Furthermore, respiratory suppression from sedation was influenced by vital capacity (VC) and PreSpO2. Multivariate analysis was performed, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve constructed for the respiratory suppression prediction model based on age, height, VC and PreSpO2 yielded area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79. As VCpredict can be calculated from age and height, the three variables of age, height and VC in the above model were substituted with VCpredict resulting in a two‐factor model based on VCpredict and PreSpO2. The ROC curve of the two‐factor model had AUC of 0.77, which was slightly decreased but by no means inferior.Conclusion:  Predicting respiratory suppression from VCpredict and PreSpO2 is clinically relevant with the additional benefit of simplicity.
Anaerobic redox cycling of iron by freshwater sediment microorganisms
Authors: Weber Karrie A. , Urrutia Matilde M. , Churchill Perry F. , Kukkadapu Ravi K. , Roden Eric E. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryThe potential for microbially mediated anaerobic redox cycling of iron (Fe) was examined in a first‐generation enrichment culture of freshwater wetland sediment microorganisms. Most probable number enumerations revealed the presence of significant populations of Fe(III)‐reducing (approximately 108 cells ml−1) and Fe(II)‐oxidizing, nitrate‐reducing organisms (approximately 105 cells ml−1) in the freshwater sediment used to inoculate the enrichment cultures. Nitrate reduction commenced immediately following inoculation of acetate‐containing (approximately 1 mM) medium with a small quantity (1% v/v) of wetland sediment, and resulted in the transient accumulation of NO2− and production of a mixture of gaseous end‐products (N2O and N2) and NH4+. Fe(III) oxide (high surface area goethite) reduction took place after NO3− was depleted and continued until all the acetate was utilized. Addition of NO3− after Fe(III) reduction ceased resulted in the immediate oxidation of Fe(II) coupled to reduction of NO3− to NH4+. No significant NO2− accumulation was observed during nitrate‐dependent Fe(II) oxidation. No Fe(II) oxidation occurred in pasteurized controls. Microbial community structure in the enrichment was monitored by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of polymerase chain reaction‐amplified 16S rDNA and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction‐amplified 16S rRNA, as well as by construction of 16S rDNA clone libraries for four different time points during the experiment. Strong similarities in dominant members of the microbial community were observed in the Fe(III) reduction and nitrate‐dependent Fe(II) oxidation phases of the experiment, specifically the common presence of organisms closely related (≥ 95% sequence similarity) to the genera Geobacter and Dechloromonas. These results indicate that the wetland sediments contained organisms such as Geobacter sp. which are capable of both dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction and oxidation of Fe(II) with reduction of NO3− to NH4+. Our findings suggest that microbially catalysed nitrate‐dependent Fe(II) oxidation has the potential to contribute to a dynamic anaerobic Fe redox cycle in freshwater sediments.
Role of coordinated molecular alterations in the development of androgen‐independent prostate cancer: an in vitro model that corroborates clinical observations
Authors: SHI YAN , CHATTERJEE SUNANDA J. , BRANDS FRANK H. , SHI SHAN‐RONG , POOTRAKUL LLANA , TAYLOR CLIVE R. , DATAR RAM , COTE RICHARD J. 
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of potential downstream targets of HER‐2/neu, including the cell‐cycle regulator p27, proliferation‐associated protein Ki‐67, apoptosis inhibitor Bcl‐2, and signal‐transduction molecule Akt (which is associated with cell survival), as the development of androgen‐independent prostate cancer (AIPC) in patients who are initially responsive to androgen‐ablation therapy (AAT) is a significant clinical problem.PATIENTS AND METHODSEarlier studies showed that high levels of HER‐2/neu tyrosine kinase receptor expression as assessed by immunohistochemistry were significantly associated with the development of AIPC, and we hypothesised that HER‐2/neu overexpression provides an alternative proliferative stimulus upon androgen depletion. We established a unique clinical model system, comprising patients who received no AAT, or who had preoperative AAT, or those with advanced tumours resistant to AAT. To test our hypothesis in vitro, we stably transfected full‐length HER‐2/neu cDNA in androgen‐responsive LNCaP cells and examined the effects of HER‐2/neu overexpression on cell proliferation, apoptosis, androgen‐receptor activation, and Akt phosphorylation upon androgen deprivation by using immunohistochemistry and Western blot technique.RESULTSp27 expression was initially induced on exposure to AAT, and significantly decreased in AIPC (P < 0.001). There was also a significant increase in the Ki‐67 index in AIPC (P = 0.001). Elevated Bcl‐2 expression was closely associated with AAT (P = 0.002), suggesting that Bcl‐2 expression is induced on initial exposure to AAT. Further, Bcl‐2 expression was highest in hormone‐resistant cancers (P < 0.001). Using the HER‐2/neu transfected cell‐line model, we confirmed the mechanistic basis of the clinical observations which elucidate the pathway leading to HER‐2/neu‐mediated androgen independence. On androgen deprivation, the HER‐2/neu transfected cells had higher proliferation rates, lower G1 arrest, inhibited p27 up‐regulation, a lower apoptotic index, and higher Bcl‐2, prostate‐specific antigen and phosphorylated Akt expression than the mock‐transfected LNCaP cells.CONCLUSIONThis study suggests that prostate cancer cells undergo a series of coordinated changes after exposure to AAT, which eventually result in the development of androgen independence. Further, in support of previous results, it appears that a major factor in this process is the induction of HER‐2/neu overexpression, which occurs after initial exposure to AAT. HER‐2/neu may contribute to the development of androgen independence through: (i) maintaining cell proliferation; (ii) inhibiting apoptosis; and/or (iii) inducing AR activation in a ligand‐independent fashion. These effects may be mediated, at least in part, through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
The role of Ni2+‐sensitive T‐type Ca2+ channels in the regulation of spontaneous excitation in detrusor smooth muscles of the guinea‐pig bladder
Authors: YANAI YOSHIMASA , HASHITANI HIKARU , KUBOTA YASUE , SASAKI SHOICHI , KOHRI KENJIRO , SUZUKI HIKARU 
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of Ni2+‐sensitive T‐type Ca2+ channels in the generation of spontaneous excitation of detrusor smooth muscles.MATERIALS AND METHODSIn isolated detrusor smooth muscle bundles of the guinea‐pig bladder, changes in the membrane potential and muscle tension were measured using intracellular microelectrodes and isometric tension recording. Changes in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration were recorded from bundles loaded with the fluorescent dye fura‐PE3.RESULTSDetrusor smooth muscles had two types of spontaneous electrical activity, i.e. individual and bursting action potentials. Ni2+ (30 µm), a blocker for T‐type Ca2+ channels, reduced the frequency of individual action potentials without changing their amplitude. Higher concentrations of Ni2+ (100–300 µm) converted individual action potentials into the bursts, as did apamin (0.1 µm), a blocker of small‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels (SK). They also increased the amplitudes of spontaneous Ca2+ transients and corresponding contractions whilst reducing their frequencies. In preparations which generated bursting action potentials, nifedipine (1 µm) converted action potentials into spontaneous transient depolarizations (STDs), and subsequent applications of Ni2+ (100 µm) abolished STDs. Gadolinium (100 µm) and SKF96365 (10 µm), blockers for nonselective cation channels, and niflumic acid (100 µm), a blocker for Ca2+‐activated Cl– channels, had no effect on either the amplitude or frequency of spontaneous action potentials.CONCLUSIONSThe T‐type Ca2+ channel may have dual roles in generating spontaneous excitation in detrusor smooth muscles. First, activity of these channels may account for the preceding depolarizations that lead to action potentials. Second, Ca2+ influx through T‐type Ca2+ channels may couple functionally to SK channels, contributing to the stability of the resting membrane potential in detrusor smooth muscle. Thus, pharmacological manipulation of T‐type Ca2+ channels in detrusor smooth muscles could be of potential value for treating the overactive bladder.
Leading Indicators for Euro‐area Inflation and GDP Growth*
Authors: Banerjee Anindya , Marcellino Massimiliano , Masten Igor 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn this paper, we evaluate the role of a set of variables as leading indicators for Euro‐area inflation and GDP growth. Our leading indicators are taken from the variables in the European Central Bank's (ECB) Euro‐area‐wide model database, plus a set of similar variables for the US. We compare the forecasting performance of each indicator ex post with that of purely autoregressive models. We also analyse three different approaches to combining the information from several indicators. First, ex post, we discuss the use as indicators of the estimated factors from a dynamic factor model for all the indicators. Secondly, within an ex ante framework, an automated model selection procedure is applied to models with a large set of indicators. No future information is used, future values of the regressors are forecast, and the choice of the indicators is based on their past forecasting records. Finally, we consider the forecasting performance of groups of indicators and factors and methods of pooling the ex ante single‐indicator or factor‐based forecasts. Some sensitivity analyses are also undertaken for different forecasting horizons and weighting schemes of forecasts to assess the robustness of the results.