bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Astrocyte control of fetal cortical neuron glutathione homeostasis: up‐regulation by ethanol
Authors: Rathinam Mary Latha , Watts Lora Talley , Stark Avishay A. , Mahimainathan Lenin , Stewart Jennifer , Schenker Steven , Henderson George I. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractEthanol increases apoptotic neuron death in the developing brain and at least part of this may be mediated by oxidative stress. In cultured fetal rat cortical neurons, Ethanol increases levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within minutes of exposure and reduces total cellular glutathione (GSH) shortly thereafter. This is followed by onset of apoptotic cell death. These responses to Ethanol can be blocked by elevating neuron GSH with N‐acetylcysteine or by co‐culturing neurons with neonatal cortical astrocytes. We describe here mechanisms by which the astrocyte‐neuron γ‐glutamyl cycle is up‐regulated by Ethanol, enhancing control of neuron GSH in response to the pro‐oxidant, Ethanol. Up to 6 days of Ethanol exposure had no consistent effects on activities of γ‐glutamyl cysteine ligase or glutathione synthetase, and GSH content remained unchanged (p < 0.05). However, glutathione reductase was increased with 1 and 2 day Ethanol exposures, 25% and 39% for 2.5 and 4.0 mg/mL Ethanol by 1 day, and 11% and 16% for 2.5 and 4.0 mg/mL at 2 days, respectively (p < 0.05). A 24 h exposure to 4.0 mg/mL Ethanol increased GSH efflux from astrosoyte up to 517% (p < 0.05). Ethanol increased both γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase expression and activity on astrocyte within 24 h of exposure (40%,p = 0.05 with 4.0 mg/mL) and this continued for at least 4 days of Ethanol treatment. Aminopeptidase N activity on neurons increased by 62% and 55% within 1 h of Ethanol for 2.5 and 4.0 mg/mL concentration, respectively (p < 0.05), remaining elevated for 24 h of treatment. Thus, there are at least three key points of the γ‐glutamyl cycle that are up‐regulated by Ethanol, the net effect being to enhance neuron GSH homeostasis, thereby protecting neurons from Ethanol‐mediated oxidative stress and apoptotic death.
Postsynaptic recruitment of Dendrin depends on both dendritic mRNA transport and synaptic anchoring
Authors: Kremerskothen Joachim , Kindler Stefan , Finger Indra , Veltel Stefan , Barnekow Angelika 
Published: February 2006

AbstractSynaptic plasticity and memory formation involve remodeling of the postsynaptic cytoskeleton, a process that is in part based on both local translation of dendritic mRNAs and synaptic recruitment of newly synthesized proteins. The postsynaptic component Dendrin that is encoded by a dendritically localized mRNA is thought to modulate the structure of the synaptic cytoskeleton. However, molecular mechanisms that control extrasomatic Dendrin mRNA transport and postsynaptic protein recruitment are unknown. The data presented here reveal that Dendrin interacts with the cytoskeletal components α‐actinin and Maguk with inverted orientation (MAGI) or synaptic scaffolding molecule (S‐SCAM). The latter retains Dendrin in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells and prevents its nuclear import. Furthermore in neurons, postsynaptic clustering of Dendrin requires dendritic targeting of its messenger RNA (mRNA), a process that is mediated by a sequence motif within the 3′ untranslated region. In summary our finding suggest that postsynaptic recruitment of Dendrin appears to critically depend on both local protein synthesis and association with the synaptic scaffolding protein MAGI/S‐SCAM. Its nuclear localization capacity further points to a function in retrograde signaling from the synapse to the nucleus.
Syn‐deformational migmatites and magmatic‐arc metamorphism in the Xolapa Complex, southern Mexico
Authors: CORONA‐CHÁVEZ P. , POLI S. , BIGIOGGERO B. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe Xolapa Complex (XC) is the largest plutonic and metamorphic mid‐crustal basement unit in Mexico and represents an ancient continental magmatic‐arc. A complete range from metatexite to diatexite migmatitic structures has been produced during a single high‐grade metamorphic event. However, structural relics reveal the existence of early Cpx + Pl + Qtz ± Opx and Grt + Opx + Pl + Qtz ± Cpx pre‐migmatitic metamorphic assemblages. Field relationships and microstructural observations allow us to constrain five pre‐, syn‐ and post‐migmatitic deformational phases. It is argued that migmatitic structures and minor anatectic granites were developed during ductile recumbent folding and shear structures related to the D2–D3 phases. Late post‐migmatitic ductile‐brittle deformation is evidenced by the development of NNE trending transpressional thrusting (D4), and E–W left‐lateral mylonitic shear zones (D5). Biotite‐breakdown melting in felsic rocks and amphibole‐breakdown melting in mafic rocks, as well as geothermobarometric results, indicate that metamorphism took place at temperatures from 830 to 900 °C and pressures ranging from ≥6.3 to 9.5 kbar. Late migmatitic assemblages equilibrated in the highest temperature range along a clockwise P–T path. The relationships between the large diversity of migmatitic structures and the progressive production of melt suggest that feedback relations prevailed as a time‐marker during a contractional regime. Deformation, metamorphism, and plutonism of the XC show that this terrane evolved as a north‐east‐verging thrust system with synkinematic metamorphism and partial melting, during the Late Cretaceous – Palaeogene. The tectonothermal history of XC is analogous to a Cordilleran metamorphic magmatic‐arc formed in an accretionary tectonic framework. This new model provides constraints on the exhumation mechanism and thermal evolution of southern Mexico.
Age‐Dependent Relationships Among Pain, Depressive Symptoms, and Functional Disability in Youth With Recurrent Headaches
Authors: Lewandowski Amy S. , Palermo Tonya M. , Peterson Catherine C. 
Published: February 2006

Objective.—To assess age differences associated with depressive symptoms and functional disability in children and adolescents with recurrent headache.Background.—Research has indicated that psychological factors, especially depression, are related to the extent and nature of functional disability experienced from headaches. There is a lack of research examining how age impacts the relationship between pain, psychological factors, and activity restriction in children and adolescents with recurrent headache.Methods.—Seventy‐seven participants from a pediatric neurology clinic completed self‐report measures of pain intensity, depressive symptoms, and functional disability.Results.—Findings demonstrated a significant positive correlation between pain and functional disability, and depressive symptoms and functional disability for children. Correlations for adolescents failed to reach significance. Functional disability emerged as a mediator between headache pain and depressive symptoms for children but not for adolescents.Conclusions.—Results indicate potentially important age differences when examining the impact of functional disability on depressive symptoms in this sample. Findings suggest that functional disability may contribute to depressive symptoms differently for children versus adolescents with recurrent headache. Age‐specific interventions that differentially focus on the specific roles that pain, depressive symptoms, and disability have for children and adolescents with recurrent headache may be warranted.
Acupuncture for Chronic Headaches—An Epidemiological Study
Authors: Melchart Dieter , Weidenhammer Wolfgang , Streng Andrea , Hoppe Andrea , Pfaffenrath Volker , Linde Klaus 
Published: February 2006

Objective.—To investigate the characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing acupuncture treatment for chronic headaches under conditions of routine care provided within the framework of statutory health insurance in Germany. Furthermore, we investigated correlations between different outcomes.Patients and Methods.—Patients with migraine, episodic or chronic tension‐type headache (TTH), or several other forms of chronic headache (cluster, vascular, drug‐induced headache; other specific headaches) treated with acupuncture (mean number of sessions 8.6 ± 3.0) were included into an observational study. Detailed questionnaires including questions on headache days and instruments measuring disability (Pain Disability Index) and quality of life (SF‐36) were completed before treatment, after treatment, and at 6 months after inclusion.Results.—A total of 2022 patients (732 with migraine, 351 with episodic and 440 with chronic TTHs, and 499 with other diagnoses) treated by 1418 physicians were included in the main analysis. Sociodemographic and baseline characteristics differed considerably in the four diagnostic groups. Statistically highly significant and clinically relevant improvements were seen for all clinical outcome measures in all diagnostic groups. In 52.6% of patients headache frequency decreased by at least 50% compared to baseline. The comparison of headache frequency, pain intensity, and generic outcome measures showed that some of these outcomes correlate only weakly.Conclusions.—In this epidemiological study, headache patients reported clinically relevant improvements after receiving acupuncture. Randomized trials performed in parallel to this study confirm the relevant overall effect, however, the effect may largely be due to potent unspecific needling and placebo effects.
The Roosevelt Corollary
Authors: RICARD SERGE 
Published: February 2006

This article argues that in his annual message of December 6, 1904, Theodore Roosevelt enunciated not a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine but an entirely new principle which epitomized his “big stick” view of foreign relations: the United States was to act as sole policeman of the Western Hemisphere and deny the European powers any right of interference in what it regarded as its rightful “zone of influence,” given Washington's obvious supremacy in that part of the world at the dawn of the twentieth century. An initially defensive dictum had therefore been turned into an aggressive policy by a man who had long pondered over America's standing and role in the world. Strictly speaking, it was a “perversion” of Monroe's original intent, but fundamentally it reflected a new, innovative conception of security and defense, as well as changing geopolitical conditions.The catalysts of that drastic mutation were the necessary protection of the projected isthmian canal and Germany's aggressiveness in the Caribbean. In time the United States would tighten its grip on some of its “sister republics” and incur the charge of imperialism by developing a “protectorate policy” that belied its oft‐proclaimed commitment to self‐determination. Repeated interventions in the name of law and order would leave an enduring legacy of anti‐Americanism in South America. The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine would guide hemispheric diplomacy throughout World War II and during the Cold War, assurances to the contrary notwithstanding.
Activation of theTorpedonicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Authors: Kapur Ankur , Davies Martin , Dryden William F. , Dunn Susan M.J. 
Published: February 2006

TheTorpedonicotinic acetylcholine receptor is a heteropentamer (α2βγδ) in which structurally homologous subunits assemble to form a central ion pore. Viewed from the synaptic cleft, the likely arrangement of these subunits is α–γ–α–δ–β lying in an anticlockwise orientation. High affinity binding sites for agonists and competitive antagonists have been localized to the α–γ and α–δ subunit interfaces. We investigated the involvement of amino acids lying at an adjacent interface (γ–α) in receptor properties. RecombinantTorpedoreceptors, expressed inXenopusoocytes, were used to investigate the consequences of mutating αArg55 and γGlu93, residues that are conserved in most species of the peripheral nicotinic receptors. Based on homology modeling, these residues are predicted to lie in close proximity to one another and it has been suggested that they may form a salt bridge in the receptor's three‐dimensional structure (Sineet al. 2002J Biol Chem277,29 210–29 223). Although substitution of αR55 by phenylalanine or tryptophan resulted in approximately a six‐fold increase in the EC50value for acetylcholine activation, the charge reversal mutation (αR55E) had no significant effect. In contrast, the replacement of γE93 by an arginine conferred an eight‐fold increase in the potency for acetylcholine‐induced receptor activation. In the receptor carrying the double mutations, αR55E‐γE93R or αR55F‐γE93R, the potency for acetylcholine activation was partially restored to that of the wild‐type. The results suggest that, although individually these residues influence receptor activation, direct interactions between them are unlikely to play a major role in the stabilization of different conformational states of the receptor.
TNF‐857 polymorphism in Israeli Jewish patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Fidder Herma H. , Heijmans Roel , Chowers Yehuda , Bar‐Meir Simon , Avidan Benjamin , Pena A. Salvador , Crusius J. Bart A. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryTumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α is an important pro‐inflammatory cytokine that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The promoter TNF‐857 C→T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is functional through the binding to the transcription factor octamer transcription factor‐1 (OCT‐1). In order to investigate the frequency of this SNP in Israeli Jewish IBD patients, we analysed a cohort of well‐characterized patients, 153 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 78 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 188 healthy controls individually matched for age, sex and ethnicity. Forty‐one per cent of the patients were of Ashkenazi and 48% were of non‐Ashkenazi background. The remaining 11% were of mixed Ashkenazi–non‐Ashkenazi background. Patients and controls were genotyped for the TNF‐857 SNP by Taqman technology. Stratification for the CARD15 Arg702Trp, Gly908Arg and Leu1007fsinsC mutations took place in 136 CD patients.Carrier frequency of TNF‐857T between CD and controls (36% vs. 40%; P = 0.556; OR: 1.18, 95% CI 0.74–1.88), or between UC and controls (41% vs. 37%; P = 0.743; OR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.45–1.62) did not differ significantly. Neither did stratifying for the presence of at least one of the common CARD15 mutations result in a significant difference between CD and controls. No associations were found between TNF‐857T and CD phenotype as defined by the Vienna classification, perianal disease or extra‐intestinal disease irrespective of CARD15 carrier status. In conclusion, it appears that TNF‐857 SNP does not contribute to susceptibility of IBD, neither does it define the phenotype of CD in Israeli Jewish IBD patients.
THE STUDY OF OPTIMUM OPERATING CONDITIONS OF EXTRUDED SNACK FOOD WITH TOMATO POWDER
Authors: HUANG RONG‐CHENG , PENG JINCHYAU , LU FUNG‐JOU , LUI WAI‐BUN , LIN JENSHINN 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT Tomatoes are an integral part of diets worldwide. Many population studies have established a link between dietary intake of tomato, a major source of a carotenoid antioxidant, lycopene, and reduced risk of chronic diseases. Response surface methodology was used to analyze the effect of screw speed (X1), moisture content (X2) and tomato powder content (X3) on the objective attributes (radial expansion ratio [Y1], bulk density [Y2], degree of gelatinization [DG], water absorption index [WAI] and hardness [Y5]) of an extruded snack food with tomato powder. A Box‐Behnken design was used to develop models for the objective responses. The experiments were performed at 100C with the following: feed rate, 19.2 kg/h; X1, 250 rpm; and die diameter, 3.98 mm. Individual contour plots of the different responses were overlaid. Regions meeting 3.22 optimum Y1, 0.13‐g/cm Y2, 81.25% DG, 5.12‐g gel/g dry weight WAI and 35.43‐N Y5 were identified at 12.5 and 25% X2 and X3, respectively.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE ULTRAVIOLET INACTIVATION OF ESCHERICHIA COLI K12 IN APPLE JUICE AND A MODEL SYSTEM*
Authors: MURAKAMI EDGAR G. , JACKSON LAUREN , MADSEN KEVIN , SCHICKEDANZ BRIAN 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT Ultraviolet (UV) light has been used successfully for years to sterilize water and was recently approved as an acceptable irradiation treatment for the processing of juice. Although there is considerable information on the efficacy of UV processing in the treatment of water, limited data are available on its efficacy in fluid food systems. The objectives of this work were to determine the effects of apple‐juice properties on the UV inactivation of Escherichia coli K12 and the interdependence of intensity and time on the efficacy of UV light. Results showed that absorbance (A) and suspended solids (SS) affected UV inactivation, while pH and dissolved solids did not. Concerning the interdependence of intensity and time, intensity levels can only be changed without sacrificing effectiveness at a limited range of intensity and dose levels. This means that the range of the intensity level of the actual UV reactor must be considered in process‐parameter determination.
OPTIMIZATION OF NATTOKINASE PRODUCTION CONDUCTION USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
Authors: WANG DJA‐SHIN , TORNG CHAU‐CHEN , LIN I‐PING , CHENG BOR‐WEN , LIU HUI‐RONG , CHOU CHAO‐YU 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT Natto has attracted worldwide attention because of its health benefits and long history in Japanese food. It has been found that a potent fibrinolytic enzyme named nattokinase, which is extracted from natto, is able to prevent atherosclerosis. The production of nattokinase may be influenced by various factors such as temperature, shaking speed, volume of medium, fermentation time and so forth. Three‐step response surface methodology was applied to obtain the optimal operation conditions of the fermentation process in order to maximize the nattokinase yield. The three major steps are described as follows. First, the important factors for fermentation were identified by L8 orthogonal array experiment. The chosen factors were temperature (37 or 45C), shaking speed (110 or 150 rpm), volume of medium (80 or 120 mL), Brix of wheat bran extract (1.5 or 3°), Brix of soy meal extract (1 or 2°), glucose concentration (0.6 or 1.2%) and fermentation time (24 or 36 h). Second, a regression equation was established between the response (i.e., the enzyme activity) and the two statistically significant factors (i.e., the volume of medium and fermentation time). Third, the optimal solutions for the volume of medium and fermentation time were obtained based on the response surface of the regression equation. According to the response surface analysis, the optimal operation conditions for the fermentation process should be 80 mL and 37.0817 h for the volume of medium and the fermentation time, respectively, which resulted in 459.11 FU/mL as the predicted enzyme activity.
Performance of Antibodies against Tissue Transglutaminase for the Diagnosis of Celiac Disease: Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zintzaras Elias , Germenis Anastasios E. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT
A meta-analysis of studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for antibodies against tissue transglutaminases (tTG) of various origins in celiac disease (CD) diagnosis was carried out. Twenty-one studies, with untreated CD patients and healthy/CD-free controls, were included in the meta-analysis. The diagnostic accuracy was estimated using a summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve and pooled sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp). Multiple assays within a study were treated by considering all the assays within a study and by analyzing the most popular assay (i.e., the commercial anti-tTTG ELISA most frequently utilized in the papers in which multiple assays were included). The SROC curve indicated the absence of heterogeneity, and the superiority of recombinant human tTG (rh-tTG) and purified human tTG (ph-tTG) compared to guinea pig-tTG (gp-tTG). The sensitivities (most popular assay) for rh-tTG, ph-tTG, and gp-tTG were 94%, 90%, and 92%, respectively, and the specificities were 97%, 92%, and 96%, respectively. A sensitivity analysis (exclusion of studies with bias) altered the results of ph-tTG: Se, 95%; Sp, 98%. The sensitivities (all individual assays) for rh-tTG, ph-tTG, and gp-tTG were 94%, 94%, and 91%, respectively, and the specificities were 95%, 94%, and 89%, respectively. Human tTG ELISA is sensitive and specific, and it can be used for mass screening. Sensitivity analysis showed that ph-tTG might perform better.
Performance of a Time-Resolved Fluorescence Immunoassay for Measuring Varicella-Zoster Virus Immunoglobulin G Levels in Adults and Comparison with Commercial Enzyme Immunoassays and Merck Glycoprotein Enzyme Immunoassay
Authors: Maple P. A. C. , Gray J. , Breuer J. , Kafatos G. , Parker S. , Brown D. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTHighly sensitive and specific, quantitative assays are needed to detect varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunoglobulin G in human sera, particularly for determining immune status and response following vaccination. A time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) has been developed, and its performance was compared to that of two commercial enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and Merck glycoprotein EIA (gpEIA). The TRFIA had equivalent sensitivity (97.8%) and high specificity (93.5%) in relation to gpEIA. A commercial (Behring) EIA compared favorably with TRFIA in terms of sensitivity (98.4%) but had lower specificity (80.7%). Another commercial EIA (Diamedix) had high specificity (97.1%) but low sensitivity (76.4%) compared to TRFIA if equivocal test results were treated as negative for VZV antibody. A novel feature of the TRFIA was that the cutoff was generated using population mixture modeling and was expressed in mIU/ml, as the assay was calibrated using the British standard VZV antibody.
The Probiotic Bacterium
Lactobacillus casei
Induces Activation of the Gut Mucosal Immune System through Innate Immunity
Authors: Galdeano C. Maldonado , Perdigón G. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT

The mechanisms by which probiotic bacteria affect the immune system are unknown yet, but many of them are attributed to an increase in the innate or in the acquired immune response. To study the influence of the probiotic bacterium
Lactobacillus casei
in the expression of receptors involved in the innate immune response, this bacterium was orally administered to BALB/c mice. After, they were sacrificed; the small intestine and intestinal fluids were collected to measure secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) specific for
L. casei
. Mononuclear cells from Peyer's patches were isolated to determine the CD-206 and TLR-2 receptors. In histological slices we determined the number of IgA
+
, CD4
+
, CD8
+
, and CD3
+
cells and two cytokines (interleulin-5 [IL-5] and IL-6). CD-206 and TLR-2 increased with respect to the untreated control. We did not observe an increase in the T population or in the IL-5-positive cells. IgA
+
cells and IL-6-producing cells increased after 7 days of
L. casei
administration. We did not find specific antibodies against
L. casei
. The main immune cells activated after oral
L. casei
administration were those of the innate immune response, with an increase in the specific markers of these cells (CD-206 and TLR-2), with no modification in the number of T cells.