bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of zinc deficiency on oral and periodontal diseases in rats
Authors: Orbak R. , Kara C. , Özbek E. , Tezel A. , Demir T. 
Published: November 2006

Background and Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations of oral and periodontal tissues in zinc‐deficient rats compared with control rats.Material and Methods:  The study was carried out on 14 Sprague‐Dawley rats, cessation of lactation on the 24th day after birth. Rats were randomly divided into two groups. Group I rats were fed with a zinc‐deficient diet and group II rats were fed with a zinc‐containing diet. At the end of the fourth week on experimental diets, alterations of the oral tissues in both groups were recorded. In addition, the gingival index (GI‐Löe‐Silness), plaque index (PI‐Silness‐Löe) and periodontal pocket depth scores were recorded in order to assess periodontal tissue health in the rats. Then, blood samples were taken and the serum zinc levels measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. At the end of the experiment, oral tissue samples were investigated by light microscopy. Finally, the results of the two groups were compared by using the Student's t‐test.Results:  The effects of zinc deficiency were observed at 10–16 d in rats. Although body weight, body length and tail length were retarded in zinc‐deficient rats, they were advanced in rats fed with a zinc‐containing diet. The mean plaque index and gingival index for group II rats were significantly lower than for group I rats (p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference regarding pocket depth between the two groups of rats (p > 0.05). Aphthous ulcer was often seen in the study group, where it was observed on the alveolar mucosa with a high rate of 29.9%. According to histological findings, there was no difference related to the epithelial keratinization of the hard palate between the two groups. However, hyperkeratosis was found on the dorsal surface of the tongue in zinc‐deficient rats.Conclusion:  The findings indicated that oral health was better in group II rats (those fed with a zinc‐containing diet) than in group I (zinc‐deficient) rats. Hyperkeratinization was more prominent in zinc‐deficient rats. We suggest that zinc deficiency is a potential risk factor for oral and periodontal diseases.
Calciphylaxis: no therapeutic concepts for a poorly understood syndrome?
Authors: Meissner Markus , Gille Jens , Kaufmann Roland 
Published: November 2006

SummaryCalciphylaxis is a very uncommon and severe disease which mainly appears in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. It presents with ischemia and necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous adipose tissue, muscles and rarely viscera.The pathogenetic mechanisms inducing calciphylaxis are for the most part unknown.The mortality rate of 80% in the first year is very high. Patients experience marked pain, recurrent infections and the constant risk of secondary sepsis. Even multidisciplinary therapeutic strategies are limited, although there are recent case reports providing promising new therapeutic options including sodium thiosulfate and cinacalcet. This review summarizes the important aspects of diagnosis, pathogenesis, prevention and the possible therapeutic strategies of this intriguing, rare and often fatal disease.
Improved Cryopreservation of Sperm of Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula)
Authors: Horváth ÁKos , Urbányi Béla , Mims Steven D. , Bean William B. , Gomelsky Boris , Tiersch Terrence R. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract Experiments were performed to improve protocols for sperm cryopreservation of paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), a species for which there has been limited study. The first experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of two extenders (modified Tsvetkova’s extender: mT and modified Hanks’ balanced salt solution: mHBSS) in combination with methanol (MeOH) and dimethyl sulfoxide in two concentrations (5 and 10%) on the postthaw motility and fertilization rates of cryopreserved sperm. The highest postthaw motility (85 ± 5%) was observed when sperm were frozen using mT extender with 10% MeOH as cryoprotectant. Extenders (P = 0.0018) and cryoprotectants (P = 0.0040) each had a significant effect on the postthaw motility of paddlefish sperm. The highest fertilization (80 ± 3%) was found when eggs were fertilized with sperm frozen with mT extender in combination with 10% MeOH. However, there was no significant difference among fertilization rates when MeOH was used as a cryoprotectant in either concentration or in combination with either mT or mHBSS extenders. In the second experiment, 4000 eggs were fertilized with the pooled contents of five straws of thawed sperm (total volume of 1.25 mL) using mT extender in combination with 5% MeOH, and hatch rates as high as 79 ± 5% were observed. A third experiment was also conducted to clarify the role of MeOH concentration; however, no significant difference was found among fertilization and hatch rates when either 5 or 10% MeOH was used as a cryoprotectant. These results suggest that MeOH is a safe and reliable cryoprotectant for freezing of paddlefish sperm and obtaining viable postthaw sperm for consistent fertilization and hatch rates. Further, this experimental protocol is relatively simple and applicable for commercial hatchery production of paddlefish.
Effect of Photoperiod on Feeding, Intraperitoneal Fat, and Insulin‐like Growth Factor‐I in Sunshine Bass*
Authors: Davis Kenneth B. , McEntire Matthew 
Published: November 2006

Abstract The length of the photoperiod has been implicated as affecting growth of sunshine bass. This study was done to determine if photoperiod length might affect insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), which is a major hormonal regulator of growth in fish. Growth, feed conversion, peritoneal fat content, and plasma concentrations of IGF‐I of sunshine bass were compared on fish held on a short (8 h) or a long (16 h) photoperiod, or after the fish were switched from one photoperiod to the other. Fish were fed daily to apparent satiation for up to 5 wk and were not fed for the last 2 wk of the experiment. Body weight and intraperitoneal fat content increased for the first 2 wk of the experiment and then remained steady for the remainder of the experiment, and feed consumption decreased from 3.5% during the first 2 wk to about 1.5% for the second 2 wk and finally to only 1% during the last week of feeding. Plasma IGF‐I concentrations fell steadily during the entire experiment and was at the lowest level during the last 2 wk when the fish were not fed. There was no consistent effect of the photoperiod in any of the conditions; however, feeding and IGF‐I concentrations were affected by fish density.
Comparison of Pond Production Efficiency, Fatty Acid Profiles, and Contaminants in Litopenaeus vannamei Fed Organic Plant‐based and Fish‐meal‐based Diets
Authors: Browdy Craig , Seaborn Gloria , Atwood Heidi , Davis D. Allen , Bullis Robert A. , Samocha Tzachi M. , Wirth Ed , Leffler John W. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract Reduction or elimination of fish meal and fish oil from aquaculture diets can help to reduce the potential for contamination and dependence of the industry on pelagic fisheries while improving economic competitiveness. However, fish oil provides important omega‐3 (n‐3) fatty acids (FAs) essential to shrimp health and beneficial to humans. This study evaluated an organic, plant‐based diet formulated to replace fish meal and fish oil with plant proteins and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) produced by algal fermentation. Shrimp cultured in replicate outdoor ponds at 25/m2 were fed either a diet composed of organically produced plant ingredients or a conventional commercial fish‐meal‐based feed. No significant differences were found in production parameters between the conventional fish‐meal‐based diet and the plant‐based diet (production: 4594 and 4592
kg/ha; harvest size: 18.7 and 19.2
g; survival: 93 and 88%; and feed conversion ratio: 1.4 and 1.3, respectively). At harvest, shrimp were analyzed for 147 chemical contaminants and 71 FAs. Contaminant levels were negligible for shrimp raised on both diets. The fish meal and fish oil diet provided significantly higher quantities of eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA than the plant‐based diet, and the shrimp fed the conventional diet reflected this with higher levels of these beneficial FAs in edible tissues. Differences between feeds and shrimp tissues suggest that essential n‐3 FAs may accumulate in shrimp tissues over time or that natural pond productivity may play a role in providing supplemental nutrition. Shrimp raised on the two diets and wild‐caught shrimp are clearly distinguishable by their FA profiles. Compared to alternative protein sources like beef, pork, or chicken, differences in lipid profiles of shrimp raised on either diet may be insignificant because both offer increased human health benefits.
Effect of Multiple‐batch Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Stocking Density and Feeding Rate on Water Quality, Production Characteristics, and Costs
Authors: Southworth Brent E. , Engle Carole R. , Stone Nathan 
Published: November 2006

Abstract To quantitatively define relationships among stocking densities, feeding rates, water quality, and production costs for channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, grown in multiple‐batch systems, twelve 0.1‐ha earthen ponds were stocked at 8,600, 17,300, 26,000, or 34,600 fingerlings/ha along with 2,268 kg/ha of carryover fish. Fish in all ponds were fed daily to apparent satiation using 32% protein floating feed. Temperature and dissolved oxygen in each pond were monitored twice daily; pH weekly; nitrite‐N, total ammonia nitrogen, and Secchi disk visibility every 2 wk; nitrate‐N, chlorophyll a, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand monthly; and chloride every other month. The costs of producing channel catfish at different stocking densities were estimated. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) as a result of stocking density among treatment means of (1) gross or net yields, (2) mean weights at harvest, and (3) growth or survival of fingerlings (24–36%) and carryover fish (77–94%). Mean and maximum daily feeding rates ranged from 40 to 53 kg/ha/d and 123 to 188 kg/ha/d, respectively, and feed conversion ratios averaged 1.75. There were no differences in any feed‐related parameter as a result of density. Water quality variables showed few differences among densities at samplings and no differences when averaged across the production season. Yield of fingerlings increased as stocking density increased with significant differences between the two highest and the two lowest stocking densities. Breakeven prices were lower at the higher stocking densities as a result of the higher yield of understocked fish and similar mean individual fish weights produced at these higher stocking densities. Overall, varying stocking densities of fingerlings in multiple‐batch systems had little effect on production efficiency and water quality. Additional research on managing the population structure of carryover fish in commercial catfish ponds may be warranted.
Views of Jihad Throughout History
Authors: Afsaruddin Asma 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe Arabic term jihad has primarily come to mean “armed struggle/combat” and is frequently translated into English as “holy war.” But a close scrutiny of the occurrence of this term in the Qur’an and in early hadith literature demonstrates that this exclusive understanding of the term cannot be supported for the earliest period of Islam (roughly mid‐seventh through the late eighth centuries). The essay traces the transformations in the meanings of jihad– and the related concepts of martyr and martyrdom – from the earliest period of Islam through the late medieval period and down to our present time.
Opening New Doors: The Jewish Women's Experience in the Early American West, 1848–1930
Authors: Abrams Jeanne 
Published: November 2006

Abstract Opening New Doors examines the lives of Jewish women in the early American West to provide a deeper understanding of their diverse roles. Given the still‐forming social landscape, beginning with the 1848 Gold Rush, Jews were able to integrate more fully into local communities than they had in the East. Jewish women in the West took advantage of the unsettled nature of the region to “open new doors” for themselves in ways often not yet possible elsewhere in the country. As the stories of the Jewish women in this study demonstrate, they played an integral role in settling America's western frontier as well as promoting Jewish continuity as they built new lives in a region that offered them a host of expanded possibilities.
Analysis of the Cytosolic Domains of the Hepatitis B Virus Envelope Proteins for Their Function in Viral Particle Assembly and Infectivity
Authors: Blanchet Matthieu , Sureau Camille 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope proteins have the ability to assemble three types of viral particles, (i) the empty subviral particles (SVPs), (ii) the mature HBV virions, and (iii) the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) particles, in cells that are coinfected with HBV and HDV. To gain insight into the function of the HBV envelope proteins in morphogenesis of HBV or HDV virions, we have investigated subdomains of the envelope proteins that have been shown or predicted to lie at the cytosolic face of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane during synthesis, a position prone to interaction with the inner core structure. These domains, referred to here as cytosolic loops I and II (CYL-I and -II, respectively), were subjected to mutagenesis. The mutations were introduced in the three HBV envelope proteins, designated small, middle, and large (S-HBsAg, M-HBsAg, and L-HBsAg, respectively). The mutants were expressed in HuH-7 cells to evaluate their capacity for self-assembly and formation of HBV or HDV virions when HBV nucleocapsid or HDV ribonucleoprotein, respectively, was provided. We found that SVP-competent CYL-I mutations between positions 23 and 78 of the S domain were permissive to HBV or HDV virion assembly. One mutation (P29A) was permissive for synthesis of the S- and M-HBsAg but adversely affected the synthesis or stability of L-HBsAg, thereby preventing the assembly of HBV virions. Furthermore, using an in vitro infection assay based on the HepaRG cells and the HDV model, we have shown that particles coated with envelope proteins bearing CYL-I mutations were fully infectious, hence indicating the absence of an infectivity determinant in this region. Finally, we demonstrated that the tryptophan residues at positions 196, 199, and 201 in CYL-II, which were shown to exert a matrix function for assembly of HDV particles (I. Komla-Soukha and C. Sureau, J. Virol.
80:
4648-4655, 2006), were dispensable for both assembly and infectivity of HBV virions.
Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus Leader Protein Amino Acid Residue 57 Regulates Subgroup-Specific Virus Growth on BHK-21 Cells
Authors: Takano-Maruyama Masumi , Ohara Yoshiro , Asakura Kunihiko , Okuwa Takako 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Strains of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) are divided into two subgroups, TO and GDVII. TMEV strains show subgroup-specific virus growth and cell tropism and induce subgroup-specific diseases. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we demonstrated that the amino acid at position 57 of the leader protein (L
57
), which is located at the most N-terminal part of the polyprotein, regulates subgroup-specific virus growth on BHK-21 cells. Further study suggested that L
57
may regulate viral RNA encapsidation, although it does not affect the synthesis of viral proteins or the assembly of viral intermediates.
Indolopyridones Inhibit Human Immunodeficiency Virus Reverse Transcriptase with a Novel Mechanism of Action
Authors: Jochmans Dirk , Deval Jérôme , Kesteleyn Bart , Van Marck Herwig , Bettens Eva , De Baere Inky , Dehertogh Pascale , Ivens Tania , Van Ginderen Marcia , Van Schoubroeck Bertrand , Ehteshami Maryam , Wigerinck Piet , Götte Matthias , Hertogs Kurt 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTWe have discovered a novel class of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors that block the polymerization reaction in a mode distinct from those of the nucleoside or nucleotide RT inhibitors (NRTIs) and nonnucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs). For this class of indolopyridone compounds, steady-state kinetics revealed competitive inhibition with respect to the nucleotide substrate. Despite substantial structural differences with classical chain terminators or natural nucleotides, these data suggest that the nucleotide binding site of HIV RT may accommodate this novel class of RT inhibitors. To test this hypothesis, we have studied the mechanism of action of the prototype compound indolopyridone-1 (INDOPY-1) using a variety of complementary biochemical tools. Time course experiments with heteropolymeric templates showed “hot spots” for inhibition following the incorporation of pyrimidines (T>C). Moreover, binding studies and site-specific footprinting experiments revealed that INDOPY-1 traps the complex in the posttranslocational state, preventing binding and incorporation of the next complementary nucleotide. The novel mode of action translates into a unique resistance profile. While INDOPY-1 susceptibility is unaffected by mutations associated with NNRTI or multidrug NRTI resistance, mutations M184V and Y115F are associated with decreased susceptibility, and mutation K65R confers hypersusceptibility to INDOPY-1. This resistance profile provides additional evidence for active site binding. In conclusion, this class of indolopyridones can occupy the nucleotide binding site of HIV RT by forming a stable ternary complex whose stability is mainly dependent on the nature of the primer 3′ end.
Effect of Adenovirus-Mediated RNA Interference on Endogenous MicroRNAs in a Mouse Model of Multidrug Resistance Protein 2 Gene Silencing
Authors: Narvaiza Iñigo , Aparicio Oscar , Vera María , Razquin Nerea , Bortolanza Sergia , Prieto Jesús , Fortes Puri 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTRNA interference with viral vectors that express short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) has emerged as a powerful tool for functional genomics and therapeutic purposes. However, little is known about shRNA in vivo processing, accumulation, functional kinetics, and side effects related to shRNA saturation of the cellular gene silencing machinery. Therefore, we constructed first-generation recombinant adenoviruses encoding different shRNAs against murine ATP-binding cassette multidrug resistance protein 2 (Abcc2), which is involved in liver transport of bilirubin to bile, and analyzed Abcc2 silencing kinetics. C57/BL6 mice injected with these viruses showed significant impairment of Abcc2 function for up to 3 weeks, as reflected by increased serum bilirubin levels. The lack of Abcc2 function correlated with a specific reduction of Abcc2 mRNA and with high levels of processed shRNAs targeting Abcc2. Inhibition was lost at longer times postinfection, correlating with a decrease in the accumulation of processed shRNAs. This finding suggests that a minimal amount of processed shRNAs is required for efficient silencing in vivo. This system was also used to evaluate the effect of shRNA expression on the saturation of silencing factors. Saturation of the cellular silencing processing machinery alters the accumulation and functionality of endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) and pre-miRNAs. However, expression of functional exogenous shRNAs did not change the levels of endogenous miRNAs or their precursors. In summary, this work shows that adenoviral vectors can deliver sufficient shRNAs to mediate inhibition of gene expression without saturating the silencing machinery.
Efficient Reactivation of Latent Herpes Simplex Virus from Mouse Central Nervous System Tissues
Authors: Chen Shih-Heng , Yao Hui-Wen , Huang Wen-Yen , Hsu Kuei-Sen , Lei Huan-Yao , Shiau Ai-Li , Chen Shun-Hua 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
For decades, numerous ex vivo studies have documented that latent herpes simplex virus (HSV) reactivates efficiently from ganglia, but rarely from the central nervous systems (CNS), of mice when assayed by mincing tissues before explant culture, despite the presence of viral genomes in both sites. Here we show that 88% of mouse brain stems reactivated latent virus when they were dissociated into cell suspensions before ex vivo explant culture. The efficient reactivation of HSV from the mouse CNS was demonstrated with more than one viral strain, viral serotype, and mouse strain, further indicating that the CNS can be an authentic latency site for HSV with the potential to cause recurrent disease.
Stoichiometry of Murine Leukemia Virus Envelope Protein-Mediated Fusion and Its Neutralization
Authors: Ou Wu , Silver Jonathan 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
Envelope glycoproteins (Envs) of retroviruses form trimers that mediate fusion between viral and cellular membranes and are the targets for neutralizing antibodies. Understanding in detail how Env trimers mediate membrane fusion, and how antibodies interfere with this process, is a fundamental problem in biology with practical implications for the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines. We investigated the stoichiometry of Env-mediated fusion and its inhibition by antibody by inserting an epitope from human immunodeficiency virus for a neutralizing antibody (2F5) into the surface (SU) or transmembrane (TM) protein of murine leukemia virus Env, along with point mutations that abrogate SU and TM function but complement one another. We transfected various combinations of these Env genes and investigated Env-mediated cell fusion and its inhibition by 2F5 antibody. Our results showed that heterotrimers with one functional SU molecule were fusion competent in complementation experiments and that one antibody molecule was sufficient to inactivate the fusion function of a trimer when its epitope was in functional SU or TM. 2F5 antibody could also neutralize trimers with the 2F5 epitope in nonfunctional SU or TM, but less efficiently.
RNA- and Virus-Independent Inhibition of Antiviral Signaling by RNA Helicase LGP2
Authors: Komuro Akihiko , Horvath Curt M. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
Antiviral innate immune responses can be triggered by accumulation of intracellular nucleic acids resulting from virus infections. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) can be detected by the cytoplasmic RNA helicase proteins RIG-I and MDA5, two proteins that share sequence similarities within a caspase recruitment domain (CARD) and a DExD/H box RNA helicase domain. These proteins are considered dsRNA sensors and are thought to transmit the signal to the mitochondrial adapter, IPS-1 (also known as MAVS, VISA, or CARDIF) via CARD interactions. IPS-1 coordinates the activity of protein kinases that activate transcription factors needed to induce beta interferon (IFN-β) gene transcription. Another helicase protein, LGP2, lacks the CARD region and does not activate IFN-β gene expression. LGP2 mRNA is induced by interferon, dsRNA treatments, or Sendai virus infection and acts as a feedback inhibitor for antiviral signaling. Results indicate that LGP2 can inhibit antiviral signaling independently of dsRNA or virus infection intermediates by engaging in a protein complex with IPS-1. Experiments suggest that LGP2 can compete with the kinase IKKi (also known as IKKε) for a common interaction site on IPS-1. These results provide the first demonstration of protein interaction as an element of negative-feedback regulation of intracellular antiviral signaling by LGP2.