bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationships between food quality and fitness in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and its distribution over habitats on the Red Sea coastal plain of Sudan
Authors: Van Huis A. , Woldewahid G. , Toleubayev K. , Van Der Werf W. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe effect of millet, Pennisetum typhoideum Rich. (Poaceae), leaf nitrogen content on fitness parameters of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forsk. (Orthoptera: Acrididae), was studied under laboratory conditions. Locusts reared on high‐nitrogen leaves were larger, developed faster, had higher survival, reproduced more and earlier, and showed greater synchronization than those fed on low‐nitrogen leaves. Active and passive cannibalism contributed to mortality when locusts were reared on low‐nitrogen leaves, but not when reared on high‐nitrogen leaves. Elevated leaf nitrogen content of host plants increased net reproduction and intrinsic rate of increase, and lowered generation time. The findings show that nitrogen content of host plants affects the potential for population increase in the desert locust. Leaf samples of common plant species were collected in the Heliotropium arbainense (Fresen.) (Boraginaceae) and Panicum turgidum (Forssk.) (Poaceae) plant communities on the Red Sea coastal plain of Sudan during the winters of 1999 and 2000. The levels of leaf nitrogen in host plants were comparable to those in the laboratory studies and consistently higher in plant samples from the Heliotropium community than in samples from the Panicum community. Both in 1999 and 2000, locust densities were much higher in the Heliotropium than in the Panicum plant community. It should be assessed whether the desert locust would be attracted to sites where host plants have high leaf nitrogen content, as this would not only increase their fitness, but also the likelihood of gregarization and outbreaks.
Genetic variation in growth and development time under two selection regimes inLeptinotarsa decemlineata
Authors: Lyytinen Anne , Lindström Leena , Mappes Johanna 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIt is possible to predict the potential range of a species on the basis of its ecological characteristics and those of the invaded ecosystem. The existence of genetic variation indicates a species’ potential to respond to new environmental conditions, thus facilitating its success as an invader. Accordingly, evolutionary and ecological approaches are needed to identify the factors explaining both species’ range and their potential to invade new areas. We combined these two approaches and studied whether genetic variation in life‐history traits under abiotic (temperature) and biotic (host plant) selection pressures contributes to the potential range expansion ofLeptinotarsa decemlineataSay (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). We reared full‐sib families ofL. decemlineatafrom the current northernmost European population at 15 °C (temperature below that in the current range) and 25 °C (optimal temperature) and on three potato varieties. We monitored development time, adult weight and larval‐to‐adult survival, and estimated the amount of heritable variance. The development time and adult weight of progenies were more variable between than within families. Thus, there was genetic variability in traits relevant to the ability to adapt to a colder environment (i.e., accelerate development and become heavier) allowing range expansion further north in Europe, even though low temperature increased beetle mortality. Temperature strongly affected all traits measured. Potato variety, in turn, did not strongly affect beetles’ performance. Beetle ability to adapt to a cool environment was further enhanced by the fact that size was not constrained by fast development. The results showed that beetle populations possess genetic variation allowing a response to temperature and thus have the evolutionary potential to adapt and spread beyond their current range.
Effect of food deprivation on attractiveness of food sources, containing natural and artificial sugar and protein, to three African fruit flies: Ceratitis cosyra, Ceratitis fasciventris, and Ceratitis capitata
Authors: Manrakhan Aruna , Lux Slawomir Antoni 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe effects of food deprivation, age, and mating status on the responses of three fruit fly species, Ceratitis cosyra (Walker), Ceratitits fasciventris (Bezzi), and Ceratitits capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) to natural and artificial sugar and protein food sources were investigated. Natural food sources included guava [Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae)] juice (a common host fruit for all three fruit fly species) and bird faeces (farm chicken). Artificial food sources included molasses (obtained from a local sugar factory) and a locally produced protein bait (the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology yeast). In all species studied, sugar deprivation of immature (1–2‐day‐old) male and female flies increased their response to food odours, although it did not change their preference for the type of odour (protein or sugar). Protein deprivation of mature (14–17‐day‐old) male and female flies also increased their response to food odours compared to protein‐fed flies. Protein‐deprived females were highly attracted to odours from protein sources in particular. Odours from natural food sources, guava juice, and chicken faeces, were more attractive to food‐deprived flies than were odours from artificial sugar and protein sources. Attraction to food odours increased significantly with increasing age for protein‐deprived females of all species. For males and females of all species, nutritional state was a more important factor than mating status in influencing responses of flies to food odours. Practical implications of these findings are discussed in terms of strategies for fruit fly control using food baits.
Calcium phosphate surfaces promote osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Müller Petra , Bulnheim Ulrike , Diener Annette , Lüthen Frank , Teller Marianne , Klinkenberg Ernst‐Dieter , Neumann Hans‐Georg , Nebe Barbara , Liebold Andreas , Steinhoff Gustav , Rychly Joachim 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAlthough studies in vivo revealed promising results in bone regeneration after implantation of scaffolds together with osteogenic progenitor cells, basic questions remain how material surfaces control the biology of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). We used human MSC derived from bone marrow and studied the osteogenic differentiation on calcium phosphate surfaces. In osteogenic differentiation medium MSC differentiated to osteoblasts on hydroxyapatite and BONITmatrix®, a degradable xerogel composite, within 14 days. Cells revealed a higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and increased RNA expression of collagen I and osteocalcin using real‐time RTPCR compared with cells on tissue culture plastic. To test whether material surface characteristics alone are able to stimulate osteogenic differentiation, MSC were cultured on the materials in expansion medium without soluble additives for osteogenic differentiation. Indeed, cells on calcium phosphate without osteogenic differentiation additives developed to osteoblasts as shown by increased ALP activity and expression of osteogenic genes, which was not the case on tissue culture plastic. Because we reasoned that the stimulating effect on osteogenesis by calcium phosphate surfaces depends on an altered cell–extracellular matrix interaction we studied the dynamic behaviour of focal adhesions using cells transfected with GFP labelled vinculin. On BONITmatrix®, an increased mobility of focal adhesions was observed compared with cells on tissue culture plastic. In conclusion, calcium phosphate surfaces are able to drive MSC to osteoblasts in the absence of osteogenic differentiation supplements in the medium. An altered dynamic behaviour of focal adhesions on calcium phosphate surfaces might be involved in the molecular mechanisms which promote osteogenic differentiation.
Post‐collection,pre‐measurement variables affecting VEGF levels in urine biospecimens
Authors: Hayward Robert M. , Kirk Melissa J. , Sproull Mary , Scott Tamalee , Smith Sharon , Cooley‐Zgela Theresa , Crouse Nancy S. , Citrin Deborah E. , Camphausen Kevin 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAngiogenesis, the development and recruitment of new blood vessels, plays an important role in tumour growth and metastasis.Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important stimulator of angiogenesis.Circulating and urinary VEGF levels have been suggested as clinically useful predictors of tumour behaviour, and investigations into these associations are ongoing.Despite recent interest in measuring VEGF levels in patients, little is known about the factors that influence VEGF levels in biospecimens. To begin to address this question, urine samples were collected from patients with solid tumours undergoing radiotherapy and healthy volunteers.Four factors were examined for their effects on VEGF concentrations as measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay: time from sample collection to freezing, number of specimen freeze–thaw cycles, specimen storage tube type and the inclusion or exclusion of urinary sediment. The results of this study indicate that time to freeze up to 4 hrs, number of freeze–thaw cycles between one and five, and different types of polypropylene tubes did not have statistically significant effects on measured urinary VEGF levels. Urinary sediment had higher VEGF levels than supernatant in five of six samples from healthy patients.It is not clear whether there is an active agent in the sediment causing this increase or if the sediment particles themselves are affecting the accuracy of the assay.Therefore, we recommend centrifuging urine, isolating the supernatant, and freezing the sample in polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes or cryogenic vials within 4 hrs of collection.In addition, we recommend the use of samples within five freeze–thaw cycles.
Clathrin‐independent internalization and recycling
Authors: Gong Qiang , Huntsman Christopher , Ma Dzwokai 
Published: March 2008

Introduction
Clathrin‐dependent internalization
Clathrin‐independent internalization
Macropinocytosis
Caveolae‐dependent internalization
Clathrin‐and‐caveolae‐independent internalization
Pericentrion, a novel PKC‐dependent recycling endosomal structure
Clathrin‐independent pathways in neuronal cells
Summary

AbstractThe functionality of receptor and channel proteins depends directly upon their expression level on the plasma membrane. Therefore, the ability to selectively adjust the surface level of a particular receptor or channel protein is pivotal to many cellular signalling events. The internalization and recycling pathway plays a major role in the regulation of protein surface level, and thus has been a focus of research for many years. Although several endocytic pathways have been identified, most of our knowledge has come from the clathrin‐dependent pathway, while the other pathways remain much less well defined. Considering that clathrin‐independent internalization may account for as much as 50% of the total endocytic activity in the cell, the lack of such knowledge constitutes a major gap in our efforts to understand how different internalization pathways are utilized and co‐ordinated. Recent studies have provided valuable insights into this area, yet many more questions still remain. In this review, we will give a panoramic introduction to the current knowledge of various internalization and recycling pathways, with an emphasis on the latest findings that have broadened our view of the clathrin‐independent pathways. We will also dedicate one section to the emerging studies of the clathrin‐independent internalization pathways in neuronal cells.
Mef2c is an essential regulatory element required for unique expression of the cardiac‐specific CARK gene
Authors: Wang Hu , Chen Chen , Song Xiaodong , Chen Jingzhou , Zhen Yisong , Sun Kai , Hui Rutai 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe cardiac ankyrin repeat kinase (CARK) gene, also named TNNI3K for its interaction with cardiac troponin I, is both a unique expression and heart‐enriched gene. To understand the mechanisms of CARK gene expression and regulation, we first cloned the full‐length mRNA sequence and mapped the transcription start site of the mouse CARK gene and characterized its promoter regions. Two transcriptional isoforms of the CARK gene were identified in mouse heart tissue. Truncation analysis of the CARK promoter identified a minimal 151 bp region that has strong basal transcription activity. Mutational analysis revealed five conserved cis‐acting elements in this 151‐bp long minimal promoter. Mutational and loss‐of‐functional analysis and co‐transfection studies indicated that MEF2 binding region is the most critical cis‐acting element in the CARK promoter, and CARK transcription level can be down‐regulated by MEF2C antisense. Binding to the MEF2 sites by Mef2c protein was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and competition and supershift electrophoretic mobility shift assays.
Protein prenylation in glucose‐induced insulin secretion from the pancreatic islet β cell: a perspective
Authors: Kowluru Anjaneyulu 
Published: March 2008

Insulin secretion – a simplified view
Endogenous GTP and its binding proteins are important for GSIS
G‐proteins undergo post‐translational modifications
Data accrued from studies involving generic inhibitors of protein prenylation
Data accrued from studies involving site‐specific inhibitors of protein prenylation
Data accrued from studies involving over‐expression of inactive mutants of PPTases
What are the functional consequences of prenylation in the islet β cell?
How are PPTases regulated by glucose in the islet?
Conclusions and future directions

AbstractInsulin secretion from the pancreatic β cell is regulated principally by the ambient concentration of glucose. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the stimulus – secretion coupling of glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) remain only partially understood. Emerging evidence from multiple laboratories suggests key regulatory roles for GTP‐binding proteins in the cascade of events leading to GSIS. This class of signalling proteins undergoes a series of requisite post‐translational modifications (e.g. prenylation) at their C‐terminal cysteines, which appear to be necessary for their targeting to respective membranous sites for optimal interaction with their respective effector proteins. This communication represents a perspective on potential regulatory roles for protein prenylation steps (i.e. protein farnesylation and protein geranylgeranylation) in GSIS from the islet β cell.Possible consequences of protein prenylation and potential mechanisms underlying glucose‐induced regulation of prenylation, specifically in the context of GSIS, are also discussed.
Pleomorphism of the nuclear envelope in breast cancer: a new approach to an old problem
Authors: Bussolati Gianni , Marchiò Caterina , Gaetano Laura , Lupo Rosanna , Sapino Anna 
Published: March 2008

AbstractIn routine practice, nuclear pleomorphism of tumours is assessed by haematoxylin staining of the membrane‐bound heterochromatin. However, decoration of the nuclear envelope (NE) through the immunofluorescence staining of NE proteins such as lamin B and emerin can provide a more objective appreciation of the nuclear shape. In breast cancer, nuclear pleomorphism is one of the least reproducible parameters to score histological grade, thus we sought to use NE proteins to improve the reproducibility of nuclear grading. First, immuno‐fluorescence staining of NE as well as confocal microscopy and three‐dimensional reconstruction of nuclei in cultured cells showed a smooth and uniform NE of normal breast epithelium in contrast to an irregular foldings of the membrane and the presence of deep invaginations leading to the formation of an intranuclear scaffold of NE‐bound tubules in breast cancer cells. Following the above methods and criteria, we recorded the degree of NE pleomorphism (NEP) in a series of 273 invasive breast cancers tested by immunofluorescence. A uniform nuclear shape with few irregularities (low NEP) was observed in 135 cases or, alternatively, marked folds of the NE and an intranuclear tubular scaffold (high NEP cases) were observed in 138 cases. The latter features were significantly correlated (P‐value <0.002) with lymph node metastases in 54 histological grade 1 and in 173 cancers with low mitotic count. Decoration of the NE might thus be regarded as a novel diagnostic parameter to define the grade of malignancy, which parallels and enhances that provided by routine histological procedures.
The glucocorticoid receptor signalling in breast cancer
Authors: Moutsatsou Paraskevi , Papavassiliou Athanasios G. 
Published: March 2008

Introduction
Concluding remarks

AbstractGlucocorticoids (GCs) are provided as co‐medication with chemotherapy in breast cancer, albeit several lines of evidence indicate that their use may have diverse effects and in fact may inhibit chemosensitivity. The molecular basis of GC‐induced resistance to chemotherapy in breast cancer remains poorly defined. Recent researchers, in an attempt to clarify some aspects of the underlying pathways, provide convincing evidence that GCs induce effects that are dependent upon the glucocorticoid‐receptor (GR)‐mediated transcriptional regulation of specific genes known to play key roles in cellular/tissue functions, including growth, apoptosis, differentiation, metastasis and cell survival. In this review, we focus on how GC‐induced chemoresistance in breast cancer is mediated by the GR, unravelling the molecular interplay of GR signalling with other signalling cascades prevalent in breast cancer. We also include a detailed description of GR structure and function, summarizing data gained during recent years into the mechanism(s) of the cross‐talk between the GR and other signalling cascades and secondary messengers, via which GCs exert their pleiotropic effects.
Expression of the NF‐κB inhibitor ABIN‐3 in response to TNF and toll‐like receptor 4 stimulation is itself regulated by NF‐κB
Authors: Verstrepen Lynn , Adib‐Conquy Minou , Kreike Marja , Carpentier Isabelle , Adrie Christophe , Cavaillon Jean‐Marc , Beyaert Rudi 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAlthough the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)‐dependent gene expression is critical to the induction of an efficient immune response to infection or tissue injury, excessive or prolonged NF‐κB signalling can contribute to the development of several inflammatory diseases. Therefore, the NF‐κB signal transduction pathway is tightly regulated by several intracellular proteins. We have previously identified A20‐binding inhibitor of NF‐κB activation (ABIN)‐3 as an lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐inducible protein in monocytes that negatively regulates NF‐B activation in response to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and LPS. Here we report that ABIN‐3 expression is also up‐regulated upon TNF treatment of monocytes and other non‐myeloid cell types. We also found a significantly enhanced expression of ABIN‐3 in monocytes of sepsis patients, which is restored to control levels by corticotherapy. To further understand the transcriptional regulation of ABIN‐3 expression, we isolated the human ABIN‐3 promoter and investigated its activation in response to TNF and LPS. This revealed that the LPS‐ and TNF‐inducible expression of ABIN‐3 is dependent on the binding of NF‐κB to a specific B site in the ABIN‐3 promoter. Altogether, these data indicate an important role for NF‐κB‐dependent gene expression of ABIN‐3 in the negative feedback regulation of TNF receptor and toll‐like receptor 4 induced NF‐κB activation.
Intravital multi‐photon microscopy reveals several levels of heterogeneity in endocytic uptake by mouse renal proximal tubules
Authors: Caplanusi A. , Parreira K.S. , Lima W. Rezende , Marien B. , Van Der Smissen P. , De Diesbach P. , Devuyst O. , Courtoy P.J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractUnderstanding renal function requires one to integrate the structural complexity of kidney nephrons and the dynamic nature of their cellular processes. Multi‐photon fluorescence microscopy is a state‐of‐the‐art imaging technique for in vivo analysis of kidney tubules structure and function in real time. This study presents visual evidence for several levels of heterogeneity of proximal tubular endocytic uptake in the superficial renal mouse cortex and illustrates the potential of multi‐photon microscopy for providing a comprehensive and dynamic portrayal of renal function.
microRNAs: a new emerging class of players for disease diagnostics and gene therapy
Authors: Zhang Baohong , Farwell M. A. 
Published: March 2008

Introduction
Roles of miRNAs in human disease and miRNAs as a novel biomarker for cancer and disease diagnostics
miRNAs as new targets for gene therapy
Concluding remarks and future perspectives

AbstractmicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of non‐protein‐coding small RNAs, which regulate the expression of more than 30% protein‐coding genes. The unique expression profiles of different miRNAs in different types of cancers and at different stages in one cancer type suggest that miRNAs can function as novel biomarkers for disease diagnostics and may present a new strategy for miRNA gene therapy. Anti‐miRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) have been employed to inhibit specific miRNA expression in vitro and in vivo for investigational and clinical purposes. Although miRNA‐based diagnostics and gene therapy are still in their infancy, their huge potentials will meet our need for future disease diagnostics and gene therapy. High efficient delivery of miRNAs into targeted sites, designing accurate anti‐miRNA/ASOs, and related biosafety issues are three major challenges in this field.
The myofibroblast: phenotypic characterization as a prerequisite to understanding its functions in translational medicine
Authors: Eyden B. 
Published: March 2008

Introduction
The evolving definition of the myofibroblast: promoting an understanding of biology and pathology
The myofibroblast in fibrotic conditions, tumour stroma and tissue engineering – a therapeutic target in translational medicine
Conclusions

AbstractThe phrase ‘translational research’conveys the idea of the pursuit of applications for the treatment of human disease.The myofibroblast, long known for having a role in wound‐healing, and for its presence in fibrotic conditions and tumour stroma, is becoming a focus for translational research, not least through its increasingly documented role as a tumour‐promoting cell.In fibroproliferative conditions, cancer and tissue engineering, the myofibroblast, derived partly and possibly from circulating bone‐marrow‐derived cells and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transformation, is attracting great attention.In cancer, this cell was initially regarded as a barrier to tumour dissemination, but there is now a growing body of evidence to indicate that it is an active participant in tumour progression.While the involvement of the myofibroblast in these pathological processes is pushing the myofibroblast into the limelight of translational medicine as a target for potential anti‐fibrotic and anti‐cancer therapy, there are still numerous indications from the literature that the myofibroblast is a poorly understood cell in terms of its differentiation.Partly, this is due to a failure to appreciate the contribution of electron microscopy to understanding the nature of this cell.This paper, therefore, is devoted to detailing the principal phenotypic characteristics of the myofibroblast and promotes the argument that understanding how the myofibroblast carries out its roles in normal biological and in pathological processes will be enhanced by a sound understanding of its cellular differentiation, which in turn arguably demands a significant ultrastructural input.