bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Translation initiation with GUC codon in the archaeon Halobacterium salinarum: implications for translation of leaderless mRNA and strict correlation between translation initiation and presence of mRNA
Authors: Srinivasan Gayathri , Krebs Mark P. , RajBhandary Uttam L. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryWe have investigated whether anticodon sequence mutant of an archaeal initiator tRNA can initiate protein synthesis using reporter genes carrying mutations in the initiation codon. Halobacterium salinarum was used as the model organism and the bacterio‐opsin gene (bop), which encodes the precursor of the protein component of the purple membrane protein bacterio‐opsin (Bop), was chosen as the reporter. We demonstrate that a CAU to GAC anticodon sequence mutant of Haloferax volcanii initiator tRNA can initiate Bop protein synthesis using GUC as the initiation codon in H. salinarum. We generated four mutant bop genes, each carrying the AUG to GUC initiation codon mutation, with or without a compensatory mutation to maintain a predicted stem‐loop structure at the 5′‐end of the bop mRNA, and with or without mutations to test translation initiation at a site corresponding to the amino terminus of mature bacterio‐opsin. H. salinarum chromosomal recombinants containing these mutant genes were phenotypically Pum– (purple membrane negative). Upon transformation with a plasmid carrying the mutant initiator tRNA gene, only strains designed to maintain the bop mRNA stem‐loop structure produced Bop and were phenotypically Pum+ as indicated by purple colony colour, and immunoblotting and spectral analysis of cell extracts. Thus GUC can serve as an initiation codon in archaea and the stem‐loop structure in the bop mRNA is important for translation. Interestingly, for the same mutant mRNA, only transformants that produce Bop protein contain bop mRNA. These results suggest either a strong coupling between translation and mRNA stability or strong transcriptional polarity in H. salinarum.
Generalized calcinosis cutis associated with probable leptospirosis in a dog
Authors: MUNDAY JOHN S. , BERGEN DAVID J. , ROE WENDI D. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract A 6.5‐year‐old male German Shepherd acutely developed renal and hepatic disease. Serology revealed high concentrations of antibodies againstLeptospira copenhageni, and a presumptive diagnosis of leptospirosis was made. The dog was successfully treated with antibiotics and supportive care over a 12‐day period. Sixty‐two days after the initial presentation, alopecia predominantly involving the dorsum and perineal areas developed. The skin lesions expanded over a 20‐day period. Histology revealed generalized calcinosis cutis with follicular atrophy. An injection of 0.01 mg kg−1dexamethasone suppressed serum cortisol concentrations. No treatment was given and lesions resolved over the following 30 days. This is the third case of generalized calcinosis cutis that has developed in an adult dog after severe systemic disease. Both previous cases developed calcinosis cutis in association with blastomycosis. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of generalized calcinosis cutis in an adult dog in association with a presumptive bacterial infection.
Alterations of epidermal proliferation and cytokeratin expression in skin biopsies from heavy draught horses with chronic pastern dermatitis
Authors: GEBUREK FLORIAN , OHNESORGE BERNHARD , DEEGEN ECKEHARD , DOELEKE RENATE , HEWICKER‐TRAUTWEIN MARION 
Published: November 2005

Abstract  We report the historical, clinical and histopathological characteristics of skin lesions in biopsies from 37 heavy draught horses with chronic pastern dermatitis. The skin lesions were divided into four macroscopic groups: scaling (group I, n = 5), hyperkeratotic and hyperplastic plaque‐like lesions (group II, n = 14), nodular skin masses (group III, n = 16) and verrucous skin lesions (group IV, n = 2). The principal histological findings were hyperkeratosis and epidermal hyperplasia. There was a gradual increase in epidermal hyperplasia from groups I to IV, suggesting that the lesions represent different stages of disease. In all cases, there was perivascular dermatitis dominated by T lymphocytes with an increase in MHC class II‐positive dendritic‐like cells. Immunohistochemical labelling for cytokeratins CK5/6(4), CK10 and CK14 indicated a change in their expression pattern. This correlated with the degree of epidermal hyperplasia, indicating abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes. There was a statistically significant correlation between the severity of skin lesions and several other factors including increasing age, increasing cannon circumference, prominence of anatomical structures such as fetlock tufts of hairs, ergots and chestnuts, and bulges in the fetlock region.
Adherence of Staphylococcus intermedius to corneocytes of healthy and atopic dogs: effect of pyoderma, pruritus score, treatment and gender
Authors: SIMOU CHRISI , THODAY KEITH L. , FORSYTHE PETER J. , HILL PETER B. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract  Staphylococcal pyoderma occurs commonly in atopic dogs. Some studies have suggested that adherence of staphylococci to corneocytes of atopic dogs and humans is higher than to corneocytes of healthy individuals. This hypothesis and possible differences resulting from the presence or absence of pyoderma, the severity of pruritus or the effect of treatment or gender, were studied. Adherent bacteria (Staphylococcus intermedius) were quantified by computerized image analysis on corneocytes collected from healthy or atopic dogs using double‐sided adhesive tape. The adherence of S. intermedius to the corneocytes of atopic dogs was significantly greater than to those of healthy dogs (P = 0.005). Furthermore, adherence was significantly greater in dogs with high levels of pruritus compared to those with low scores. No significant differences were found between atopic dogs with no history of pyoderma, atopic dogs with a history of pyoderma and atopic dogs with pyoderma at the time of sampling (P = 0.068), suggesting that factors other than adherence are necessary for clinical pyoderma to develop. Treatment did not generally influence the adherence of S. intermedius to corneocytes of atopic dogs and there was no gender difference in adherence in either healthy or atopic dogs.
Water Use Efficiency, Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Biomass Production of Two Sugar Beet Varieties Under Well‐Watered and Dry Conditions
Authors: Rytter R.‐M. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractTwo sugar beet (Beta vulgaris sp.) varieties, which were supposed to differ in drought tolerance, were exposed to drought stress in a growth chamber and a container experiment in field. The aim was to test for (i) differences between the varieties in water use efficiency (WUE), biomass production and distribution and (ii) the relationship between WUE and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ), and between biomass production and Δ. Significant differences in WUE were detected between plants of well‐watered and drought treatments in both experiments, but not between the varieties. Production losses due to drought were large for both varieties in both experiments. Losses in the growth chamber were up to 50 % of plant dry weight and the corresponding value in the field was 24 %, when plants were given 60 and 30 %, respectively, of the full‐watered treatments. Significant negative correlations between WUE and Δ were found, but not between biomass production and Δ, when both varieties were included. Negative correlations between WUE and Δ were also found for each variety separately. The results suggest that Δ estimates from leaf tissue of sugar beet may provide a useful tool for genetic selection of drought‐tolerant sugar beet varieties.
Water Stress‐induced Injury to Reproductive Phase in Chickpea: Evaluation of Stress Sensitivity in Wild and Cultivated Species in Relation to Abscisic Acid and Polyamines
Authors: Nayyar H. , Kaur S. , Smita  , Singh K. J. , Dhir K. K. , Bains T. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractChickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is more sensitive to water stress during its reproductive growth and consequently experiences substantial yield loss. Wild species being relatively tolerant to abiotic stresses offer a potential gene source for incorporation of drought tolerance in cultivated species. In the present study, the differential stress sensitivity of wild (Cicer reticulatum Ladiz.) and cultivated species (C. arietinum) was evaluated by subjecting the plants of both the species to water stress for 14 days during the reproductive phase and examined for stress injury, endogenous status of polyamines (PA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Comparatively, the cultivated species experienced higher stress injury (assessed as electrolyte leakage, 2,3,5‐triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reduction ability, chlorophyll loss) as well as decreased leaf water potential (Ψw; −2.48 MPa) than the wild species (−1.98 MPa). The stressed plants of cultivated species lost more number of flowers (62 %) and pods (65 %) when compared with the unstressed ones while those of wild species showed 30 % and 44 % loss, respectively. The number of infertile pods was significantly more in stressed plants of cultivated species than in those of wild species. The endogenous status of PA revealed that putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) levels accumulated to a higher extent in the cultivated species relative to the wild species until the eighth day of stress, and thereafter, the wild species had significantly higher levels of PA. In contrast, ABA levels increased to a higher extent in the wild species until the eighth day of stress and declined subsequently to a greater degree than the cultivated species. The injury to reproductive growth appeared to accentuate with reduction in leaf Ψw that was coupled with depletion of PA in both the species, especially in the cultivated one. Exogenous application of 10 mm PUT partially alleviated the damage to reproductive growth by increasing the leaf water status and chlorophyll content while decreasing the ABA content, which resulted in improvement of retention of flowers and pods, particularly in the cultivated species.
Aetiological agents of tinea capitis in Tehran (Iran)
Authors: Bassiri Jahromi Sh. , Khaksar A. A. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryA total of 1568 patients with suspected tinea capitis were examined for causative fungal agents between 1994 and 2001. Laboratory examination confirmed tinea capitis in 209 patients. Males were affected more frequently (67.5%) than females (32.5%) and in both sexes, those who were 3–11 years old, were more infected. Trichophyton violaceum was the most common aetiological agent (37.3%) followed by Trichophyton schoenleinii (21.5%), Microsporum canis (18.6%), Trichophyton verrocosum (14.8%), Trichophyton tonsurans (5.3%), Trichophyton rubrum (1%), Microsporum gypseum (1%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (0.5%). A higher incidence of the disease was found to be correlated with larger family and class size. The findings are discussed in relation to different socioeconomic and hygienic backgrounds of the children.
Candida endocarditis in neonates: report of five cases and review of the literature
Authors: Levy Itzhak , Shalit Itamar , Birk Einat , Sirota Lea , Ashkenazi Shai , German Baruch , Linder Nehama 
Published: November 2005

SummaryCandidal endocarditis is an uncommon and serious complication of invasive Candida infection in neonates. The aim of this study was to further characterise candidal endocarditis in neonates. Between 1995 and 2000, 56 patients were diagnosed with Candida bloodstream infections (CBSI) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. Five of them (9%) developed mycetoma of the right atrium. None of the patients had congenital heart disease or a central venous catheter in the right heart at the time of diagnosis. All were treated with amphotericin B alone or in combination with other antifungals, without surgical intervention. One patient died of the disease and one died later of polymicrobial sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis. A review of the literature since 1980 yielded an additional 25 cases of candidal endocarditis. For the whole sample (n = 30) survival rate was 73.1%. Six of the 10 patients treated with antifungal agents and surgery survived (60%), compared with 13 of the 20 patients treated only medically (65%) (P = 1.0). Candida endocarditis in neonates differs from fungal endocarditis in adults in risk factors, clinical presentation and outcome. As the outcome of surgical and medical treatment are comparable, antifungal therapy alone may be a valid therapeutic option in high‐risk cases.
Comparison of diagnostic methods in the diagnosis of dermatomycoses and onychomycoses
Authors: Panasiti V. , Borroni R. G. , Devirgiliis V. , Rossi M. , Fabbrizio L. , Masciangelo R. , Bottoni U. , Calvieri S. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryDirect microscopic examination of potassium hydroxide (KOH)‐prepared specimens is the simplest, cheapest method used for the diagnosis of mycotic infections of the skin. However, KOH preparations have been reported to have 5–15% of false‐negative results, possibly because of the low visibility of scant, scattered fungal material of the nail scrapings and because the detection of fungal elements depends on the skill of the observer [Arch Dermatol133 (1997) 1317; Clin Microbiol Rev8 (1995) 240]. We compared two different KOH‐based staining methods in order to obtain reliable results in shorter time than expected for cultures. A total of 124 patients with suspect diagnosis of dermatomycosis or onychomycosis were enrolled. Two scrapings from the same lesion of each patient were stained with KOH‐Chlorazole and KOH‐Acridine Orange (AO), respectively; cultural examination of the same specimen was considered as diagnostic gold standard. The two methods showed neither significantly different sensitivity nor specificity; however, for onychomycoses, we observed a slightly higher sensitivity for KOH‐Chlorazole and a higher specificity for KOH‐AO. We suggest the use of both techniques in order to improve detection of fungal infection, especially for onychomycoses.
Long‐term glycaemic efficacy and weight changes associated with thiazolidinediones when added at an advanced stage of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bell D. S. H. , Ovalle F. 
Published: November 2005

Objective:  To describe the outcome of 35 patients with type 2 diabetes prospectively followed for 6 years after the addition of a thiazolidinedione (TZD) to a failing regimen of a sulphonylurea and metformin – triple oral therapy.Methods:  Study patients were assessed for the need for the addition of insulin to their regimen, and follow‐up clinical and laboratory findings were analysed.Results:  At a mean follow‐up of 72 ± 1.5 months (range 53–80), 18 (51%) of patients remained well controlled on triple oral therapy with a mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) value of 6.9 ± 0.2% (upper limit of normal 6.2%). In 17 other patients, triple oral therapy failed and the use of insulin was necessary after a mean duration of 38 (range 18–68) months. The mean HbA1c in these patients was 8.0 ± 0.3%. The group that was maintained on triple oral therapy gained 15.2 ± 1.9 lbs over the 6‐year study which was significantly higher than the baseline weight. Alternatively, the group that failed and had insulin added to their therapy gained 20.2 ± 4.5 lbs over the same period which was also significantly different from baseline but not from the triple oral therapy group. Although after 3 years a trend towards weight loss occurred in the triple oral therapy group, the insulin‐added group continued to gain weight. Stimulated C‐peptide levels increased significantly in the triple therapy group from 3.6 ± 0.9 to 4.3 ± 1.2 ng/ml and had not increased or decreased non‐significantly from 3.7 ± 0.8 to 3.2 ± 0.6 ng/ml at the time of insulin initiation in the insulin‐requiring group.Conclusion:  When used late in the course of type 2 diabetes, TZDs result in improved and prolonged glycaemic control which persisted for a median time of 6 years. Weight gain with TZDs peaks and then plateaus (and even trends downwards) at 3 years, although the addition of insulin to a failing oral therapy regimen results in a further and continuing weight gain in spite of inferior glycaemic control. Continuing glycaemic control with triple oral therapy is dependent on preservation or augmentation of endogenous insulin production.
Attainment of glycaemic goals in type 2 diabetes with once‐, twice‐, or thrice‐daily dosing with biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 (The 1‐2‐3 study)
Authors: Garber A. J. , Wahlen J. , Wahl T. , Bressler P. , Braceras R. , Allen E. , Jain R. 
Published: November 2005

Aim:  This observational study in patients with type 2 diabetes failing oral agent therapy with or without basal insulin was conducted to assess whether addition and self‐titration of biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 (BIAsp 30) could achieve American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)/International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) glycemic targets (HbA1c≤6.5 and <7%).Methods:  Enrolled patients (n = 100, HbA1c≥7.5 and ≤10%) were ≥18 years of age, had diabetes ≥12 months and had received a stable antidiabetic regimen for at least 3 months [minimum of two oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) or at least one OAD plus once‐daily basal insulin ≤60 U]. Patients discontinued prior basal insulin and added one injection of BIAsp 30 (12 U or 70–100% of prior basal insulin dose within 15 min of dinner initiation). Patients self‐titrated their BIAsp 30 dose with investigator guidance every 3 or 4 days to achieve pre‐breakfast fasting blood glucose (FBG) of 80–110 mg/dl. At 16 weeks, a pre‐breakfast injection of 6 U of BIAsp 30 was added if week 15 HbA1c exceeded 6.5%; the added dose was titrated to achieve pre‐dinner BG of 80–110 mg/dl. After an additional 16 weeks, 3 U of pre‐lunch BIAsp 30 was added if HbA1c exceeded 6.5%. This added dose was adjusted based on 2‐h post‐lunch BG to achieve postprandial glucose of 100–140 mg/dl. Subjects achieving an HbA1c≤6.5% at 15 and 31 weeks completed the study at weeks 16 and 32 respectively.Results:  Addition of once‐daily BIAsp 30 before dinner enabled 21% of the patients to achieve AACE and IDF targets (HbA1c≤6.5%) and 41% to achieve ADA targets (HbA1c <7%). With two daily injections of BIAsp 30, these glycaemic goals were achieved by 52 and 70% of subjects. With three daily BIAsp 30 injections, 60% of patients achieved HbA1c≤6.5%, and 77% achieved HbA1c <7.0%.Conclusions:  This clinical trial demonstrates that initiation of once‐daily BIAsp 30 to type 2 diabetes patients poorly controlled on various OAD regimens was an effective treatment approach for achieving glycaemic goals. Additional patients safely achieved these goals by increasing the number of BIAsp 30 injections from one to two, and then, if uncontrolled, from two to three doses per day. Eventually, most patients previously uncontrolled on OADs with or without basal insulin were controlled by the addition and vigorous titration of BIAsp 30 to oral agent therapy.
Pharmacologic Evidence for Abnormal Thalamocortical Functioning in GABAA Receptor β3 Subunit–Deficient Mice, a Model of Angelman Syndrome
Authors: Handforth Adrian , DeLorey Timothy M. , Homanics Gregg E. , Olsen Richard W. 
Published: November 2005

Summary:  Purpose:γ‐Aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAAr) subunit β3–deficient mice model Angelman syndrome by displaying impaired learning, abnormal EEG with interictal spikes and slowing, myoclonus, and convulsions. The β3‐subunit deficiency causes a failure of intrathalamic reticular nucleus inhibition, leading to abnormally synchronized thalamocortical oscillations. We postulated that this pathophysiology underlies the abnormal cortical EEG and triggers interictal spikes and seizures, but extrathalamic regions also contribute to interictal spikes and seizures, so that the EEG slowing should reveal an absence‐like response profile, whereas spikes and seizures have dual responsiveness to absence and partial‐seizure drugs. Methods: Recording electrodes were implanted over the parietal cortices of wild‐type, heterozygotes, and homozygous null mice. In each experiment, EEG was recorded for 45 min, either drug or vehicle administered, and EEG recorded for another 3 h. Each EEG was scored for slow‐wave activity, interictal spikes, and seizures by a reader blinded to treatments. Results: Interictal spiking and percentage of time in EEG slowing in heterozygotes were increased by the proabsence drug baclofen (GABAB‐receptor agonist), whereas CGP 35348 (GABAB‐receptor antagonist) had the opposite effect. The antiabsence drug ethosuximide markedly suppressed EEG slowing and interictal spiking in heterozygote and null mice. Broad‐spectrum clonazepam and valproate were more effective on interictal spiking than on EEG slowing, and fosphenytoin suppressed only interictal spiking. Conclusions: The results suggest that this model of Angelman syndrome, although not expressing typical absence seizures, is characterized by hypersynchronous thalamocortical oscillations that possess absence‐like pharmacologic responsiveness and promote EEG slowing, interictal spikes, and convulsive seizures.
Epileptogenesis and Reduced Inward Rectifier Potassium Current in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex‐1–Deficient Astrocytes
Authors: Jansen Laura A. , Uhlmann Erik J. , Crino Peter B. , Gutmann David H. , Wong Michael 
Published: November 2005

Summary:  Purpose: Individuals with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) frequently have intractable epilepsy. To gain insights into mechanisms of epileptogenesis in TSC, we previously developed a mouse model of TSC with conditional inactivation of the Tsc1 gene in glia (Tsc1GFAPCKO mice). These mice develop progressive seizures, suggesting that glial dysfunction may be involved in epileptogenesis in TSC. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that impairment of potassium uptake through astrocyte inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels may contribute to epileptogenesis in Tsc1GFAPCKO mice. Methods: Kir channel function and expression were examined in cultured Tsc1‐deficient astrocytes. Kir mRNA expression was analyzed in astrocytes microdissected from neocortical sections of Tsc1GFAPCKO mice. Physiological assays of astrocyte Kir currents and susceptibility to epileptiform activity induced by increased extracellular potassium were further studied in situ in hippocampal slices. Results: Cultured Tsc1‐deficient astrocytes exhibited reduced Kir currents and decreased expression of specific Kir channel protein subunits, Kir2.1 and Kir6.1. mRNA expression of the same Kir subunits also was reduced in astrocytes from neocortex of Tsc1GFAPCKO mice. By using pharmacologic modulators of signalling pathways implicated in TSC, we showed that the impairment in Kir channel function was not affected by rapamycin inhibition of the mTOR/S6K pathway, but was reversed by decreasing CDK2 activity with roscovitine or retinoic acid. Last, hippocampal slices from Tsc1GFAPCKO mice exhibited decreased astrocytic Kir currents, as well as increased susceptibility to potassium‐induced epileptiform activity. Conclusions: Impaired extracellular potassium uptake by astrocytes through Kir channels may contribute to neuronal hyperexcitability and epileptogenesis in a mouse model of TSC.