bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Function of a TGF‐β inducible nuclear protein in the silk gland in Bombyx mori
Authors: Wang J‐L. , Zhang Y‐P. , Gu Y‐Y. , Wang J‐X. , Zhao X‐F. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA TGF‐β inducible nuclear protein 1 (BmTINP1) was cloned from silkworm, Bombyx mori. Polyclonal antibodies against BmTINP1 were produced and subsequently used in immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry analyses. The immunoblotting analyses demonstrated that BmTINP1 was specifically expressed in the anterior silk gland (ASG) and the middle silk gland (MSG) but not in the posterior silk gland (PSG). There were two bands that suggested the existence of an isoform of BmTINP1. The expression profiles of BmTINP1 in ASGs and MSGs were similar, and they manifested a high level of expression throughout the period during which silk gland grew exponentially. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that BmTINP1 was translocated from the nucleus into the cytoplasm when larvae developed from the 4th‐HCS into the 5th instar. 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) promotes the translocation, while the methoprene [a juvenile hormone (JH) analog] restrains the process. Our findings indicate that BmTINP1 is involved in silk produce along with the rapid growth of ASGs and MSGs during the last instar larvae, and the process could be regulated by hormones via control of BmTINP1 translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
Implementing family‐focused HIV care and treatment: the first 2 years’ experience of the mother‐to‐child transmission ‐plus program in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Tonwe‐Gold B. , Ekouevi D. K. , Bosse C. A. , Toure S. , Koné M. , Becquet R. , Leroy V. , Toro P. , Dabis F. , El Sadr W. M. , Abrams E. J. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryObjectives  To describe a family‐focused approach to HIV care and treatment and report on the first 2 years experience of implementing the mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT)‐plus program in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.Program  The MTCT‐plus initiative aims to enrol HIV‐infected pregnant and postpartum women in comprehensive HIV care and treatment for themselves and their families.Main outcomes  Between August 2003 and August 2005, 605 HIV‐infected pregnant or postpartum women and 582 HIV‐exposed infants enrolled. Of their 568 male partners reported alive, 52% were aware of their wife’s HIV status and 30% were tested for HIV; 53% of these tested partners were found to be HIV‐infected and 78% enrolled into the program. Overall only 10% of the women enrolled together with their infected partner. On the other hand, the program involved half of the seronegative men who came for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) in the care of their families. Of 1624 children <15 years reported alive by their mothers (excluding the last newborn infants of the most recent pregnancy systematically screened for HIV), only 10.8% were brought in for HIV testing, of whom 12.3% were found to be HIV‐infected.Lessons learned and challenges  The family‐focused model of HIV care pays attention to the needs of families and household members. The program was successful in enrolling HIV women, their partners and infants in continuous follow‐up. However engaging partners and family members of newly enrolled women into care involves numerous challenges such as disclosure of HIV status by women to their partners and family members. Further efforts are required to understand barriers for families accessing HIV services as strategies to improve partner involvement and provide access to care for other children in the households are needed in this West African urban setting.
Aedes aegypti in Jamaica, West Indies: container productivity profiles to inform control strategies
Authors: Chadee D. D. , Huntley S. , Focks D. A. , Chen A. A. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryObjective  To describe the Aedes aegypti container profile in the three parishes of Portland, St. Anns and St. Catherine, Jamaica.Method  Traditional stegomyia and pupae per person indices.Results  A total of 8855 containers were inspected. A. aegypti were breeding in 19.2% of the 4728 containers in Portland, in 6.7% of the 2639 containers in St. Ann, and in 27.2% of the 1488 containers in Tryhall Heights, St. Catherine. Container types differed between Portland (P > 0.02) on one hand and St. Ann and Tryhall Heights, St. Catherine on the other hand: there were with no vases or potted plants with water saucers in St. Ann and St. Catherine. A. aegypti were breeding in more containers in St. Catherine (38%) (38% in wet season and 21% in the dry season) than in Portland (19%) or St. Ann (6%), both of which had more containers but A. aegypti breeding in fewer: 17.7% and 11.2% in the wet and 20.4% and 3.5% in the dry seasons respectively. The daily production of adult mosquitoes in the three study sites was 1.51, 1.29 and 0.66 adult female mosquitoes per person in Portland, St. Ann and St. Catherine during the dry season and 1.12, 0.23 and 1.04 female mosquitoes per person in the wet season respectively.Conclusion  All three communities are at risk for dengue outbreaks and vector control should concentrate on reducing the mosquito populations from the most productive containers before a new dengue virus serotype is introduced into Jamaica.
Antifibrotic activity of anisodamine in vivo is associated with changed intrahepatic levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and its inhibitor tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases‐2 and transforming growth factor β1 in rats with carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver injury
Authors: Luo Lin , Zhou Ailing 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  To investigate the protective effects and the mechanism of anisodamine on deposition of extracellular matrix in experimental liver fibrosis.Methods:  Experimental liver fibrosis was produced by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4). The preventive group was treated for 10 weeks with anisodamine 7.0 mg/kg per day i.p. injection. Two therapeutic groups were treated for 6 weeks by anisodamine 7.0 or 14.0 mg/kg per day i.p. injection. Studies were made at CCL4 administration on the 10th weekend. Serum biochemical indices and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (HYP) in livers were compared. The expression of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) was observed by immunohistochemistry. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐2 (TIMP2) mRNA in livers and the ratio of MMP2 and TIMP2 was measured. The proteins of MMP2 in liver were determined by gelatin zymography.Results:  The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ‐glutamyltransferase and hyaluronic acid of liver fibrosis rats improved significantly by treatment with anisodamine. The contents of MDA and HYP in liver decreased and the expressions of TGF‐β1 were inhibited by treatment with anisodamine. The levels of MMP2 and TIMP2 mRNA and the protein of MMP2 in livers were significantly reduced in the anisodamine preventive group and therapeutic groups. The expression ratios of MMP2 and TIMP2 mRNA were adjusted in treated groups.Conclusion:  Anisodamine can inhibit hepatic fibrosis.
Enhanced survival and function of neural stem cells‐derived dopaminergic neurons under influence of olfactory ensheathing cells in parkinsonian rats
Authors: Shukla Shubha , Chaturvedi Rajnish Kumar , Seth Kavita , Roy Neeta Singh , Agrawal Ashok Kumar 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTransplantation of neural stem cell (NSC)‐derived dopamine (DA) neurons is associated with low survival of cells, which could be due to limited striatal innervations and uneven distribution of graft because of its dense neuronal core, limited host–graft interaction, poor axonal outgrowth, lack of continuous neurotrophic factors supply, and an absence of cell adhesion molecules mediated appropriate developmental cues. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC) express a variety of growth factors and cell adhesion molecules and promote axonal regrowth and functional recovery in spinal cord injury in animal models and patients. In the present study, we explored the possibility to increase the survival, function, axonal outgrowth and striatal reinnervation of NSC by co‐grafting with OEC in 6‐OHDA lesioned parkinsonian rats. In the presence of OEC, significantly enhanced survival of NSC‐derived DA neurons and axonal fiber outgrowth was evident in the striatum of NSC+OEC co‐grafted rats at 24 weeks post‐grafting as compared with NSC alone grafted rats. The increased survival of NSC and their striatal reinnervation was further manifested in the form of significant and substantial restitution of motor function and neurochemical recovery in the co‐grafted group. Significant enhanced expression of p75NTR (from OEC) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) (from NSC) confirmed the co‐localization and survival of both types of cells at the transplantation site in co‐grafted rats. Co‐grafting results co‐related well with our in vitro studies, which suggest that OEC not only significantly increase survival, neurite outgrowth and DA release of NSC‐derived DA neuron but also protect against 6‐OHDA neurotoxicity in co‐culture conditions. These results collectively suggest that OEC increase the survival and function of transplanted NSC in 6‐OHDA lesioned parkinsonian rats.
Hyperserotonergic phenotype after monoamine oxidase inhibition in larval zebrafish
Authors: Sallinen Ville , Sundvik Maria , Reenilä Ilkka , Peitsaro Nina , Khrustalyov Denis , Anichtchik Oleg , Toleikyte Gabija , Kaslin Jan , Panula Pertti 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSerotonin (or 5‐hydroxytryptamine; 5‐HT) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) are involved in several physiological functions and pathological conditions. We show that the serotonergic system and its development in zebrafish are similar to those of other vertebrates rendering zebrafish a good model to study them. Development of MAO expression followed a similar time course as the 5‐HT system. MAO expression and activity were located in or adjacent to serotonergic nuclei and their targets, especially in the ventral hypothalamus. MAO mRNA was detected in the brain from 24 h post‐fertilization and histochemical enzyme activity from 42 h post‐fertilization. Deprenyl (100 μM) decreased MAO activity 34–74% depending on the age. Inhibition of MAO by deprenyl strongly increased 5‐HT but not dopamine and noradrenaline levels. Deprenyl decreased 5‐HT‐immunoreactivity in serotonergic neurons and induced novel ectopic 5‐HT‐immunoreactivity neurons in the diencephalon in a manner dependent on 5‐HT uptake. Deprenyl administration decreased locomotion, altered vertical positioning and increased heart rate. Treatment withp‐chlorophenylalanine normalized 5‐HT levels and rescued the behavioral alteration, indicating that the symptoms were 5‐HT dependent. These findings suggest that zebrafish MAO resembles mammalian MAO A more than MAO B, metabolizing mainly 5‐HT. Applications of this model of hyperserotonergism include pharmacological and genetic screenings.
Evidence for lysophosphatidic acid 1 receptor signaling in the early phase of neuropathic pain mechanisms in experiments using Ki‐16425, a lysophosphatidic acid 1 receptor antagonist
Authors: Ma Lin , Matsumoto Misaki , Xie Weijiao , Inoue Makoto , Ueda Hiroshi 
Published: February 2009

AbstractLysophosphatidic acid is a bioactive lipid mediator with neuronal activities. We previously reported a crucial role for lysophosphatidic acid 1 receptor‐mediated signaling in neuropathic pain mechanisms. Intrathecal administration of lysophosphatidic acid (1 nmol) induced abnormal pain behaviors, such as thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, A‐fiber hypersensitization, and C‐fiber hyposensitization, all of which were also observed in partial sciatic nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain. Ki‐16425 (30 mg/kg, i.p.), a lysophosphatidic acid 1 receptor antagonist, completely blocked lysophosphatidic acid‐induced neuropathic pain‐like behaviors, when administered 30 min but not 90 min before lysophosphatidic acid injection, suggesting that Ki‐16425 is a short‐lived inhibitor. The blockade of nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain by Ki‐16425 was maximum as late as 3 h after the injury but not after this critical period. The administration of Ki‐16425 at 3 h but not at 6 h after injury also blocked neurochemical changes, including up‐regulation of voltage‐gated calcium channel α2δ‐1 subunit expression in dorsal root ganglion and reduction of substance P expression in the spinal dorsal horn. All of these results using Ki‐16425 suggest that lysophosphatidic acid 1 receptor‐mediated signaling which underlies the development of neuropathic pain works at an early stage of the critical period after nerve injury.
Casein kinase II contributes to the synergistic effects of BMP7 and BDNF on Smad 1/5/8 phosphorylation in septal neurons under hypoglycemic stress
Authors: Chaverneff Florence , Barrett John 
Published: February 2009

J. Neurochem. (2009) 109, 733–743.AbstractThe combination of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) and neurotrophins (e.g. brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF) protects septal neurons during hypoglycemic stress. We investigated the signaling mechanisms underlying this synergistic protection. BMP7 (5 nM) increased phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of BMP‐responsive Smads 1/5/8 within 30 min in cultures of rat embryonic septal neurons. BDNF (100 ng/mL) enhanced the BMP7‐induced increase in phospho‐Smad levels in both nucleus and cytoplasm; this effect was more pronounced after a hypoglycemic stress. BDNF increased both Akt and Erk phosphorylation, but pharmacological blockade of these kinase pathways (with wortmannin and U0126, respectively) did not reduce the Smad phosphorylation produced by the BMP7 + BDNF combination. Inhibitors of casein kinase II (CK2) activity reduced the (BMP7 + BDNF)‐induced Smad phosphorylation, and this trophic factor combination increased CK2 activity in hypoglycemic cultures. These findings suggest that BDNF can increase BMP‐dependent Smad phosphorylation via a mechanism requiring CK2.
Translational regulation of GluR2 mRNAs in rat hippocampus by alternative 3′ untranslated regions
Authors: Irier Hasan A. , Shaw Renee , Lau Anthony , Feng Yue , Dingledine Raymond 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2) subunit determines many of the functional properties of the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionate subtype of glutamate receptor. The roles of untranslated regions (UTRs) in mRNA stability, transport, or translation are increasingly recognized. The 3′ end of the GluR2 transcripts are alternatively processed to form a short and long 3′UTR, giving rise to two pools of GluR2 mRNA of 4 and 6 kb in length, respectively, in the mammalian brain. However, the role of these alternative 3′UTRs in GluR2 expression has not been reported. We demonstrate that in the cytoplasm of rat hippocampus, native GluR2 mRNAs bearing the long 3′UTR are mostly retained in translationally dormant complexes of ribosome‐free messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP), whereas GluR2 transcripts bearing the short 3′UTR are predominantly associated with actively translating ribosomes. One day after pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE), the levels of both long and short GluR2 transcripts were markedly decreased in rat hippocampus. However, GluR2 mRNAs bearing the long 3′‐UTRs were shifted from untranslating mRNP complexes to ribosome‐containing complexes after SE, pointing to a selective translational derepression of GluR2 mRNA mediated by the long 3′UTR. InXenopusoocytes, expression of firefly luciferase reporters bearing alternative GluR2 3′UTRs confirmed that the long 3′UTR is sufficient to suppress translation. The stability of reporter mRNAs in oocytes was not significantly influenced by alternative 5′ or 3′UTRs of GluR2 over the time period examined. Overall, our findings that the long 3′UTR of GluR2 mRNA alone is sufficient to suppress translation, and the evidence for seizure‐induced derepression of translation of GluR2 via the long 3′UTR strongly suggests that a regulatory signaling mechanism exists that differentially targets GluR2 transcripts with alternative 3′UTRs.
Targeting V1A‐vasopressin receptors with [Arg6, D‐Trp7,9, NmePhe8]‐substance P (6‐11) identifies a strategy to develop novel anti‐cancer therapies
Authors: MacKinnon Alison C. , Tufail‐Hanif Uzma , Wheatley Mark , Rossi Adriano G. , Haslett Christopher , Seckl Michael , Sethi Tariq 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose:  The anti‐cancer agent [Arg6, D‐Trp7,9, NmePhe8]‐substance P (6‐11) (SP‐G) modulates gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) and arginine vasopressin signalling in small cell lung cancer cells leading to growth arrest and apoptosis. We have shown that SP‐G acts as a biased agonist at GRP receptors. This work examines the hypothesis that SP‐G acts as a biased agonist at the V1A vasopressin receptor.Experimental approach:  The human V1A receptor was expressed in CHO‐K1 cells. Extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) activation and intracellular Ca2+ were measured using activation state‐specific antibodies and Fura‐2‐AM respectively. The effect of SP‐G on tumourigenicity was assessed by colony assay.Key results:  In V1A receptor expressing cells, SP‐G caused a sustained activation of ERK via a stimulation of V1A receptor coupling to Gi. Inhibition of Gi with Pertussis toxin attenuated the inhibition by SP‐G of the growth of CHO‐K1 cells stably expressing the V1A receptor. Chimeric V1A receptors containing the second or third intracellular loop of the V2 receptor were capable of binding vasopressin and SP‐G but had altered ability to activate phospholipase C (PLC) and ERK. The second intracellular loop of the V1A receptor was essential for vasopressin‐stimulated PLC and ERK activation but not for SP‐G‐induced ERK activation.Conclusions and implications:  This work provides mechanistic insight, for biased agonists at V1A receptors and highlights a potential role for such agents as anti‐cancer agents.
5‐HT1Areceptors are involved in the cannabidiol‐induced attenuation of behavioural and cardiovascular responses to acute restraint stress in rats
Authors: Resstel Leonardo B.M. , Tavares Rodrigo F. , Lisboa Sabrina F.S. , Joca Sâmia R.L. , Corrêa Fernando M.A. , Guimarães Francisco S. 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non‐psychotomimetic compound fromCannabis sativawhich induces anxiolytic‐ and antipsychotic‐like effects in rodents. These effects could be mediated by facilitation of the endocannabinoid system or by the activation of 5‐HT1Areceptors. As either of these mechanisms could promote adaptation to inescapable stress, the aim of the present work was to test the hypothesis that CBD would attenuate the autonomic and behavioural consequences of restraint stress (RS). We also investigated if the responses to CBD depended on activation of 5‐HT1Areceptors.Experimental approach: Male Wistar rats received i.p. injections of vehicle or CBD (1, 10 or 20 mg kg−1) and 30 min later were submitted to 60 min of restraint where their cardiovascular responses were recorded. The protocol of the second experiment was similar to the first one except that animals received i.p. injections of the 5‐HT1Areceptor antagonist WAY100635 (0.1 mg kg−1) before CBD treatment and exposure to restraint. 24 h later they were also tested in the elevated plus‐maze (EPM), an animal model of anxiety.Key results: Exposure to RS increased blood pressure and heart rate and induced an anxiogenic response in the EPM 24 h later. These effects were attenuated by CBD. WAY100635 by itself did not change the cardiovascular and anxiogenic response to RS, but blocked the effects of CBD.Conclusion and implications: The results suggest that CBD can attenuate acute autonomic responses to stress and its delayed emotional consequences by facilitating 5‐HT1Areceptor‐mediated neurotransmission.
VIP modulates the pro‐inflammatory maternal response, inducing tolerance to trophoblast cells
Authors: Fraccaroli Laura , Alfieri Julio , Larocca Luciana , Calafat Mario , Roca Valeria , Lombardi Eduardo , Ramhorst Rosanna , Leirós Claudia Pérez 
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose:  Successful embryo implantation is followed by a local pro‐inflammatory and Th1 response, subsequently controlled by a Th2 response. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has anti‐inflammatory effects and promotes tolerogenic/Th2 responses while favouring embryonic development. We investigated the potential regulatory role of VIP on human trophoblast cells, maternal pro‐inflammatory responses and trophoblast‐maternal leukocyte interactions.Experimental approach:  We tested VIP effects directly on a trophoblast cell line (Swan 71 cells) and after co‐culture with maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as models of the feto‐maternal dialogue. We also co‐cultured maternal and paternal PBMCs to test effects of endogenous VIP on maternal alloresponses.Key results:  Swan 71 cells express VPAC1 receptors and VIP induced their proliferation and the expression of leukaemia inhibitor factor, a pro‐implantatory marker. After interaction with trophoblast cells, VIP increased Foxp3, the proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells within maternal PBMCs and transforming growth factor β expression. Also, during the trophoblast‐maternal PBMCs interaction, VIP reduced pro‐inflammatory mediators [interleukin (IL)‐6, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, nitric oxide], while increasing IL‐10. Trophoblast cells produced VIP which dose‐dependently suppressed allomaternal responses, accompanied by reduced expression of the T cell transcription factor, T‐bet.Conclusions and implications:  Vasoactive intestinal peptide induced pro‐implantatory markers and trophoblast cell proliferation, while controlling the initial pro‐inflammatory response, by increasing maternal regulatory T cells and anti‐inflammatory cytokines. As an autocrine regulatory peptide VIP might contribute to fetal survival through two mechanisms; a direct trophic effect on trophoblast cells and an immunomodulatory effect that favours tolerance to fetal antigens.
Estimation of Ship Dry Air Emissions
Authors: DOLPHIN MARTIN J. , MELCER MICHAEL 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe Clean Air Act of 1990 was introduced to achieve and maintain a healthy environment while supporting strong and sustainable economic growth and sound energy policy. The federal regulations that followed require the Maritime shipping industry to work with government agencies to achieve these goals. This paper will estimate the theoretical stack emission from a vessel based on two models used by the maritime industry. The methods being discussed include one presented by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Commission as done by Entec. Both models utilize published Lloyds Register Engineering Services Data to generate emission factors for each approach and therefore may yield good predictors of emissions. These models quantify both criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases. A comparison is made between the two methods with regard to similarity of emission rates from a model vessel. There are four parameters of NOx, SO2, CO2, and HC, which can be compared between the two methods. The values for NO2 in the EPA method would be equivalent to the NOx in the Entec methodology. The SO2 and CO2 values appear to be consistently higher in the EPA model. Hydrocarbon estimates appear to be consistently at least six times higher using the Entec model.