bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Nothapodytes nimmoniana, a medicinally important tree from the Western Ghats, India
Authors: RAMESHA B. T. , SRIRAMA R. , RAVIKANTH G. , RAVISHANKAR K. V. , DAYANANDAN S. , SREEJAYAN N. , VASUDEVA R. , GANESHAIAH K. N. , UMA SHAANKER R. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract Nothapodytes nimmoniana is a medicinally important tree species that occur in the Western Ghats, a megadiversity hotspot in southern India. Inner stem bark of the tree contains an important anti‐cancer alkaloid, camptothecin for which the natural population of the tree is heavily harvested. In this paper, we report the isolation and characterization of eight polymorphic microsatellite loci using enrichment hybridization protocol. Analysis of 36 individuals representing two populations revealed three to 12 alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.21 to 0.94 for the two populations. None of the loci tested showed linkage disequilibrium. These markers are invaluable for evaluating the genetic structure and assessing the genetic impacts of harvesting of N. nimmoniana in the Western Ghats to formulate strategies for conservation of the species.
Identification and characterization of microsatellite loci in Intsia palembanica (Leguminosae), a valuable tropical timber species
Authors: WONG K. N. , TAN W. L. , CHEW F. T. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractWe present 25 polymorphic microsatellite loci for Intsia palembanica, a highly valued timber species in the Indo‐Malayan region, Australia and western Pacific islands. Microsatellite loci were tested for polymorphism across a total of 76 individuals from three natural populations from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. The average number of alleles for these microsatellites was 12.1 per locus, ranging from four to 19. The observed heterozygosity within the natural populations ranged from 0.01 to 0.96. The markers will enable us to evaluate the spatial–temporal population genetic structure and gene flow dynamics among populations. They can also be used for tracking and tracing wood from legally logged concessions.
Detection of
Wolbachia
Bacteria in Multiple Organs and Feces of the Triatomine Insect
Rhodnius pallescens
(Hemiptera, Reduviidae)
Authors: Espino C. I. , Gómez T. , González G. , do Santos M. F. Brazil , Solano J. , Sousa O. , Moreno N. , Windsor D. , Ying A. , Vilchez S. , Osuna A. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

At least two types of
Wolbachia
bacteria were detected in wild and insectarium-raised
Rhodnius pallescens
, a natural vector of
Trypanosoma cruzi
and
Trypanosoma rangeli. Wolbachia
was detected in all the organs and tissues studied and in the feces, and this provided a methodological advantage for determining the presence of this endosymbiont in this host, obviating the need to kill the specimens. The occurrence of trypanosomatids in wild individuals was also studied.
Continued Protein Synthesis at Low [ATP] and [GTP] Enables Cell Adaptation during Energy Limitation
Authors: Jewett Michael C. , Miller Mark L. , Chen Yvonne , Swartz James R. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTOne of biology's critical ironies is the need to adapt to periods of energy limitation by using the energy-intensive process of protein synthesis. Although previous work has identified the individual energy-requiring steps in protein synthesis, we still lack an understanding of the dependence of protein biosynthesis rates on [ATP] and [GTP]. Here, we used an integratedEscherichia colicell-free platform that mimics the intracellular, energy-limited environment to show that protein synthesis rates are governed by simple Michaelis-Menten dependence on [ATP] and [GTP] (KmATP, 27 ± 4 μM;KmGTP, 14 ± 2 μM). Although the system-level GTP affinity agrees well with the individual affinities of the GTP-dependent translation factors, the system-levelKmATPis unexpectedly low. Especially under starvation conditions, when energy sources are limited, cells need to replace catalysts that become inactive and to produce new catalysts in order to effectively adapt. Our results show how this crucial survival priority for synthesizing new proteins can be enforced after rapidly growing cells encounter energy limitation. A diminished energy supply can be rationed based on the relative ATP and GTP affinities, and, since these affinities for protein synthesis are high, the cells can adapt with substantial changes in protein composition. Furthermore, our work suggests that characterization of individual enzymes may not always predict the performance of multicomponent systems with complex interdependencies. We anticipate that cell-free studies in which complex metabolic systems are activated will be valuable tools for elucidating the behavior of such systems.
Lagging-Strand DNA Replication Origins Are Required for Conjugal Transfer of the Promiscuous Plasmid pMV158
Authors: Lorenzo-Díaz Fabián , Espinosa Manuel 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe promiscuous streptococcal plasmid pMV158 is mobilizable by auxiliary plasmids and replicates by the rolling-circle mechanism in a variety of bacterial hosts. The plasmid has two lagging-strand origins,ssoAandssoU, involved in the conversion of single-stranded DNA intermediates into double-stranded plasmid DNA during vegetative replication. Transfer of the plasmid also would involve conversion of single-stranded DNA molecules into double-stranded plasmid forms in the recipient cells by conjugative replication. To test whether lagging-strand origins played a role in horizontal transfer, pMV158 derivatives defective in one or in bothsso's were constructed and tested for their ability to colonize new hosts by means of intra- and interspecies mobilization. Whereas eitherssosupported transfer between strains ofStreptococcus pneumoniae, only plasmids that had an intactssoUcould be efficiently mobilized fromS. pneumoniaetoEnterococcus faecalis. Thus, it appears thatssoUis a critical factor for pMV158 promiscuity and that the presence of a functionalssoplays an essential role in plasmid transfer.
Function and Regulation of Class I Ribonucleotide Reductase-Encoding Genes in Mycobacteria
Authors: Mowa Mohube B. , Warner Digby F. , Kaplan Gilla , Kana Bavesh D. , Mizrahi Valerie 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) are crucial to all living cells, since they provide deoxyribonucleotides (dNTPs) for DNA synthesis and repair. In
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, a class Ib RNR comprising
nrdE
- and
nrdF2
-encoded subunits is essential for growth in vitro. Interestingly, the genome of this obligate human pathogen also contains the
nrdF1
(Rv1981c) and
nrdB
(Rv0233) genes, encoding an alternate class Ib RNR small (R2) subunit and a putative class Ic RNR R2 subunit, respectively. However, the role(s) of these subunits in dNTP provision during
M. tuberculosis
pathogenesis is unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that
nrdF1
and
nrdB
are dispensable for the growth and survival of
M. tuberculosis
after exposure to various stresses in vitro and, further, that neither gene is required for growth and survival in mice. These observations argue against a specialist role for the alternate R2 subunits under the conditions tested. Through the construction of
nrdR
-deficient mutants of
M. tuberculosis
and
Mycobacterium smegmatis
, we establish that the genes encoding the essential class Ib RNR subunits are specifically regulated by an NrdR-type repressor. Moreover, a strain of
M. smegmatis
mc
2
155 lacking the 56-kb chromosomal region, which includes duplicates of
nrdHIE
and
nrdF2
, and a mutant retaining only one copy of
nrdF2
are shown to be hypersensitive to the class I RNR inhibitor hydroxyurea as a result of depleted levels of the target. Together, our observations identify a potential vulnerability in dNTP provision in mycobacteria and thereby offer a compelling rationale for pursuing the class Ib RNR as a target for drug discovery.
OryR Is a LuxR-Family Protein Involved in Interkingdom Signaling between PathogenicXanthomonas oryzaepv. oryzae and Rice
Authors: Ferluga Sara , Venturi Vittorio 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTXanthomonas oryzaepv. oryzae, the causal agent of bacterial leaf blight in rice, contains a regulator that is encoded in the genome, designated OryR, which belongs to theN-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL)-dependent quorum-sensing LuxR subfamily of proteins. However, we previously reported thatX. oryzaepv. oryzae does not make AHLs and does not possess a LuxI-family AHL synthase and that the OryR protein is solubilized by a compound present in rice. In this study we obtained further evidence that OryR interacts with a rice signal molecule (RSM) and that the OryR concentration increases when rice is infected withX. oryzaepv. oryzae. We also describe three OryR target promoters which are regulated differently: (i) the neighboring proline iminopeptidase (pip) virulence gene, which is positively regulated by OryR in the presence of the RSM; (ii) theoryRpromoter, which is negatively autoregulated independent of the RSM; and (iii) the 1,4-β-cellobiosidasecbsAgene, which is positively regulated by OryR independent of the RSM. We also found that the RSM for OryR is small, is not related to AHLs, and is not able to activate the broad-range AHL biosensorAgrobacterium tumefaciensNT1(pZLQR). Furthermore, OryR does not regulate production of the quorum-sensing diffusible signal factor present in the genusXanthomonas. Therefore, OryR has unique features and is an important regulator involved in interkingdom communication between the host and the pathogen.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Rhodobacter sphaeroides
KD131
Authors: Lim Si-Kyu , Kim Sang Jun , Cha Sun Ho , Oh You-Kwan , Rhee Hae-Jin , Kim Mi-Sun , Lee Jeong K. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Rhodobacter sphaeroides
is a purple nonsulfur photosynthetic bacterium that is considered a possible source of H
2
production.
R. sphaeroides
KD131, which was isolated from sea mud in South Korea, was found to produce high levels of H
2
. Here we report the complete and annotated genome sequence of
R. sphaeroides
KD131.
A 12-week aerobic training programme reduced plasmatic allantoin in adolescents with Down syndrome: Table 1
Authors: Rosety-Rodriguez M , Rosety I , Fornieles-Gonzalez G , Diaz A , Rosety M , Ordonez F J 
Published: November 2008

ObjectiveTo assess the influence of a 12-week training programme on plasmatic levels of allantoin, an in vivo marker for oxidative stress, in adolescents with Down syndrome. This finding would be of great interest, since oxidative damage has been proposed as a pathogenic mechanism of several pathologies in this population.MaterialsTo reach this goal, 31 male adolescents with Down syndrome (16.3 (1.1) years; 155.2 (5.7) cm; 70.8 (4.5) kg) performed a 12-week training programme, three sessions per week, consisting of warm-up (15 min) followed by a main part (20–35 min (increasing 5 min each 3 weeks)) at a work intensity of 60–75% of peak heart rate (increasing by 5% each 3 weeks) and then a cool-down period (10 min). According to previous studies, it should be emphasised that the maximal heart rate for individuals with Down syndrome was predicted by the equation HRmax = 194.5–(0.56 age). The control group included seven age-, sex- and BMI-matched adolescents with trisomy 21 that did not perform any training programme. The levels uric acid and allantoin were assayed in plasma by HPLC. This protocol was approved by an institutional ethics committee.ResultsWhen compared with baseline, plasmatic levels of allantoin were decreased significantly (22.09 (1.62) vs 18.74 (1.38) μmol/l; p<0.001) after being exercised. Furthermore, the allantoin/uric acid ratio was decreased significantly (0.071 (0.006) vs 0.059 (0.004); p<0.05). On the contrary, no changes were reported in controls.ConclusionA 12-week aerobic programme significantly reduced oxidative damage expressed in terms of plasmatic allantoin content in adolescents with Down syndrome. Further studies on this topic are required.
AGENT BASED DATA STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION IN DATA WAREHOUSES
Authors: KOLSI NADER , ABDELLATIF ABDELAZIZ , GHEDIRA KHALED 
Published: November 2008

The data warehouse (DWH) is usually presented as a centralized database. In this paper, we propose a new approach to manage data storage and distribution in a data warehouse environment. This approach deals with the dynamic data distribution of the DWH on a set of servers. The data distribution that we consider is different from the "classical" one which depends on the data use. The distribution in our approach consists in distributing data when the server reaches its storage capacity limit. This distribution assures the scalability and exploits the storage and processing resources available in the organization using the data warehouse. It is worth noting that our approach is based on a multi-agent model mixed with the scalability distribution proposed by the Scalable Distributed Data Structures. The proposed multi-agent model is composed of stationary agent classes: Client, Dispatcher, Domain and Server, and a mobile agent class called Messenger. These agents collaborate and interact to achieve automatically the storage, the splitting (distribution), the redirection and the access operations on the distributed data warehouse. In this paper, we demonstrate the improvements obtained when we have used the multi-agent system and the Messenger agents in the data storage operation.
Syndecan-1 plasma levels during coronary artery bypass surgery with and without cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Svennevig K , Hoel TN , Thiara AS , Kolset SO , Castelheim A , Mollnes TE , Brosstad F , Fosse E , Svennevig JL 
Published: November 2008

The glycocalyx covering the endothelium is shed during ischemia and reperfusion. The shedding is accompanied by increased levels of the glycocalyx component syndecan-1 in the circulation. Our aim was to compare plasma levels of syndecan-1 in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), with or without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Syndecan-1 plasma concentrations were measured in patients undergoing CABG on-pump (n = 22) or off-pump (n = 22). The syndecan-1 concentration increased significantly from 29.5 ± 4.6 ng/mL at baseline to 98.7 ± 9.8 ng/mL (p < 0.01) after the start of CPB or 30 minutes after the induction of anesthesia in the off-pump group. There were no significant differences in peak syndecan-1 plasma concentrations between on-pump and off-pump patients. Plasma levels of syndecan-1 increased significantly during CABG, with or without the use of CPB. There were no significant differences in syndecan-1 concentrations in the two groups.
Increased arterial stiffness correlated with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Shang Q , Tam LS , Li EKM , Yip GWK , Yu CM 
Published: November 2008

To evaluate the relationships between arterial stiffness, disease activity and end-organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), non-invasive vascular assessments were made on 32 female SLE patients and 32 female normal controls. The patients had significantly increased brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) (13.06 ± 1.79 vs. 11.50 ± 1.00 m/s; P < 0.001), heart-ankle PWV (8.98 ± 1.16 vs. 7.88 ± 0.73 m/s; P < 0.001), carotid augmentation index (AI) (21.6 ± 17.2% vs. 5.4 ± 14.0%; P = 0.001) and carotid intima-medial thickness (IMT) (0.753 ± 0.132 vs. 0.644 ± 0.092 mm; P = 0.002) when compared with controls. The disease activity and organ damage were evaluated by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and systemic lupus international collaborating clinics (SLICC) damage index. Patients with active disease (SLEDAI ≥ 3) had significantly higher carotid AI (34.4 ± 9.7% vs. 17.8 ± 17.3%, P < 0.05) than stable ones (SLEDAI < 3) and those with organ damage (SLICC ≥ 1) had significantly higher heart-ankle PWV (9.69 ± 1.13 vs. 8.61 ± 1.02 m/s, P < 0.05) than those with SLICC = 0. After making adjustments for age, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure, carotid AI was found to show correlation with SLEDAI and haPWV with SLICC. A carotid AI value of 33.3% identified SLEDAI ≥ 3 with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 80%, whereas a heart-ankle PWV value of 9.0 m/s identified SLICC ≥ 1 with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 67%. In conclusion, SLE was an independent risk factor of sub-clinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness may identify the presence of active disease.
Accelerated atherosclerosis is independent of feeding high fat diet in systemic lupus erythematosus–susceptible LDLr−/− mice
Authors: Braun NA , Wade NS , Wakeland EK , Major AS 
Published: November 2008

Individuals suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are predisposed to accelerate cardiovascular disease. Our laboratory has recently developed an animal model of SLE-accelerated atherosclerosis. We have shown that, following 8 weeks feeding high fat Western diet, radiation chimeras consisting of SLE-derived haematopoietic cells transferred to low-density lipoprotein (LDL)r−/− mice (LDLr. Sle) have increased atherosclerosis compared with C57Bl/6 bone marrow recipients (LDLr.B6). However, this feeding regimen resulted in significant mortality in SLE-susceptible mice compared with controls with surviving animals having extremely elevated serum cholesterol (>500 mg/dL) and increased serum markers of kidney pathology. To test the hypothesis that SLE-associated autoimmune dysregulation can exacerbate atherosclerosis under more mild serum cholesterol conditions (approximately 200 mg/dL), we examined SLE and lesion development in radiation chimeras fed either a normal chow or high fat Western diet for 8 weeks. High fat fed LDLr. Sle mice exhibited increased mortality and were significantly more hypertensive. LDLr. Sle mice had greater titres of antibodies against dsDNA, oxLDL and phospholipid compared with controls. Lupus-susceptibility increased the atherosclerotic lesions and the percentage of CD4+ T cells in the lesions of proximal aortas, independent of diet. These data show that increased dyslipidemia resulting from high-fat feeding can exacerbate autoimmunity and associated vascular complications. Conversely, they also show that autoimmune dysregulation can accelerate atherosclerosis in LDLr-deficient animals independent of feeding high fat diet. Collectively this study provides additional evidence that the accelerated atherosclerosis observed in SLE is autoimmune associated.
Acupuncture for systemic lupus erythematosus: a pilot RCT feasibility and safety study
Authors: Greco CM , Kao AH , Maksimowicz-McKinnon K , Glick RM , Houze M , Sereika SM , Balk J , Manzi S 
Published: November 2008

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of studying acupuncture in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to pilot test the safety and explore benefits of a standardized acupuncture protocol designed to reduce pain and fatigue. Twenty-four patients with SLE were randomly assigned to receive 10 sessions of either acupuncture, minimal needling or usual care. Pain, fatigue and SLE disease activity were assessed at baseline and following the last sessions. Safety was assessed at each session. Fifty-two patients were screened to enroll 24 eligible and interested persons. Although transient side effects, such as brief needling pain and lightheadedness, were reported, no serious adverse events were associated with either the acupuncture or minimal needling procedures. Twenty-two participants completed the study, and the majority (85%) of acupuncture and minimal needling participants were able to complete their sessions within the specified time period of 5–6 weeks. 40% of patients who received acupuncture or minimal needling had ≥30% improvement on standard measures of pain, but no usual care patients showed improvement in pain. A ten-session course of acupuncture appears feasible and safe for patients with SLE. Benefits were similar for acupuncture and minimal needling.
Hypercomplementemia at relapse in patients with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody
Authors: Doi H , Matsushita T , Isobe N , Matsuoka T , Minohara M , Ochi H , Kira JI 
Published: November 2008

Objective Because Asian patients with opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS) frequently have anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody, complement-mediated disruption of astrocyte foot processes is proposed but not yet proven. We aimed to clarify whether complement consumption occurs at relapse in anti-AQP4 antibody-positive patients. Methods We analyzed serum CH50, C3, C4, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and their relation to clinical phases in 118 MS patients with or without anti-AQP4 antibody. Serum CH50 levels were higher in 24 patients with anti-AQP4 antibody than in 39 OSMS and 54 conventional form of MS (CMS) patients without anti-AQP4 antibody at relapse ( Pcorr < 0.05) but not in remission. The frequency of hypercomplementemia at relapse was also higher in anti-AQP4 antibody-positive patients than in anti-AQP4 antibody-negative CMS patients (70.4% vs 29.0%, Pcorr < 0.05). C3 and C4 levels did not differ significantly among the three groups at relapse. In patients with anti-AQP4 antibody, the coexistence of hypercomplementemia and high CRP values was more common at relapse than in the remission phase (36.0% vs 10.5%, P < 0.05). In patients with extensive central nervous system lesions, hypercomplementemia was significantly more common in anti-AQP4 antibody-positive patients than anti-AQP4 antibody-negative ones (88.9% vs 16.7%, P < 0.01). We consider that hypercomplementemia in anti-AQP4 antibody-positive patients may reflect a systemic inflammatory reaction at relapse.
Examination of Personal Factors in Work Accidents
Authors: Işsever Halim , Özdilli Kürsat , Önen Levent , Tan Oktay , Dişçi Rian , Yardιmcι Oktay 
Published: November 2008

Accidents, by their nature, are sudden events that may cause physical and emotional damage. There are usually several reasons for accidents. In general, the causes of accidents at work may be divided into two. First, unsafe conditions; second, attitudes to the work that cannot be guaranteed. It is the second cause that shows that in spite of good working conditions personal characteristics are very important factors in work accidents. This research examines the effect of personal factors on work accidents in a safe work place where 1200 workers work. Our experimental group of research participants were 50 injured workers who came to the infirmary in May—June 2000. The participants' demographic properties were determined with the help of a questionnaire, then they were given the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), a Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Benton Visual Retention Test, the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI). A control group was formed from 150 randomly chosen workers who worked at the same place. The same tests were administered to the control group with a one to one interview technique. At the end of the evaluations it was found the injured experimental group participants had lower scores in Benton's test, higher scores in the EPQ questions on neuroticism and 24 h general tiredness. Differences between the experimental and control groups were statistically significant ( p<0.05). There were no significant differences for other variables ( p>0.05). As a result, we believe work entrance health examinations should be given more importance for those work places which have a high risk of accidents. Work entrance must depend on evaluation of the personal characteristics of workers.