bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel human polyomaviruses—Re‐emergence of a well known virus family as possible human carcinogens
Authors: zur Hausen Harald 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPolyomaviruses belong to a family of DNA tumorviruses that frequently cause cancer upon inoculation into heterologous hosts. The rhesus monkey virus SV40 and mouse polyomavirus have been studied in particular detail. Two members of the polyomavirus family, BK and JC viruses, were identified as human pathogens more than 30 years ago. Both are oncogenic when inoculated into newborn rodents. Their possible role in human cancers has been intensively investigated; conclusive results are, however, still missing. During the past year 3 new members of the polyomavirus family have been identified in humans, KI, WU, and MC‐Polyomavirus. Whereas the first 2 were only found in respiratory fluids of children with respiratory infections and in healthy individuals, the third virus was found to be specifically linked to Merkel tumors, a rare human cancer of neuroendocrine origin. The positive Merkel cells contain viral DNA in an integrated and clonal form, suggesting an involvement of this virus in the etiology of those tumors. This article will summarize the results of recent polyomavirus isolations from humans and animals and also address the potential role of members of this virus family in other human malignancies. It also makes reference to observations of polyomavirus‐like particles in other conditions, particularly in hair‐follicle cell‐related proliferations. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Excessive Phosphorus Loading to Dal Lake, India: Implications for Managing Shallow Eutrophic Lakes in Urbanized Watersheds
Authors: Ul Solim Sabah , Wanganeo Ashwani 
Published: April 2008

AbstractExtensive watershed development has resulted in excessive total phosphorus (TP) loads to Dal Lake, a high altitude Himalayan lake known for its tourism and economic potential. External and internal TP loads of 5 and ∼1 g m–2 yr–1, respectively, were estimated for the lake. These loading rates are high in relation to the lake's critical tolerance range of 0.1–0.2 g m–2 yr–1, and, over time, have resulted in severe eutrophication in view of extremely high macrophyte biomass (average = 3.2 kg m–2‐fresh weight) and bottom sediment enrichment (79 tons of TP reserves which contribute 88% of the annual TP budget). This study emphasizes the importance of external TP load reduction as a primary management objective to counteract internal TP loading and P storage within bottom sediments resulting from historic anthropogenic loads. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Environmental Heterogeneity and Morphological Variability in Pisidium subtruncatum (Sphaeriidae, Bivalvia)
Authors: Funk Andrea , Reckendorfer Walter 
Published: April 2008

AbstractOn the example of P. subtruncatum, a widely distributed bivalve, we studied the relationship between environmental and morphological variability. The main questions addressed were: (1) are there differences in shell morphology between different populations, (2) are they dependent on sediment composition, hydrology or water chemistry, (3) are there differences in morphological variability between stable and unstable environments. Measurements of specimen from nine sampling sites showed high variability in shell shape and size. Length‐height relation, symmetry, width and dry weight of the shell all varied significantly. Shell shape was significantly correlated with sediment composition and dependent on hydrological connectivity, with higher, asymmetric shells occurring in sandy sediments and lower, rounded shells in muddy sediments. Analysis of intrapopulation morphometric variation showed that variability is higher in habitats with high temporal and spatial environmental variability and lower in habitats with low or reduced environmental heterogeneity. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fluctuations of Testate Amoebae Populations (Rhizopoda) in Plankton from Different Environments on the Upper Paraná River Floodplain, Brazil
Authors: Mucio Alves Geziele , Amodêo Lansac‐Tôha Fábio , Mayumi Takahashi Érica , Machado Velho Luiz Felipe 
Published: April 2008

AbstractFluctuations in temporal and spatial abundance are remarkable features of all animal populations. Regional synchrony of local population dynamics has been verified in several studies. This study investigated the existence of coherent patterns in temporal fluctuations of the principal testate amoebae population abundance in plankton from the upper Paraná river floodplain in Brazil. Testate amoebae sampling was carried out every three months, from February 2000 to November 2002, and twice in 2003. Sampling occurred in 12 environments associated with three different rivers. Samples were obtained at the subsurface of the pelagic region, using a motorized pump and a 68 μm mesh plankton net. Ninety–three testate amoebae species from eight families were identified. The families Difflugiidae, Arcellidae, and Centropyxidae had the greatest number of species. Arcella conica, A. discoides, A. vulgaris, Centropyxis aculeata, C. ecornis, Difflugia gramen, D. pseudogramen and Cucurbitella dentata were the most abundant species, and they were chosen for spatial synchrony analysis. No coherent pattern of abundance fluctuation was found, in any of the floodplain environments studied. Nevertheless, when analyzing only the channels, spatial synchrony was observed to Centropyxis ecornis. Mantel tests showed that the synchrony level, as identified by Spearman and Pearson correlations, was not correlated to geographic distance between environments. We conclude that regional factors in the Upper Paraná River floodplain are not the main determinants of the population dynamics of testate amoebae. The high floodplain heterogeneity seems determine a great relevance of local factors. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Abundance, Species Composition and Spatial Distribution of Planktonic Rotifers and Crustaceans in Lake Ziway (Rift Valley, Ethiopia)
Authors: Dagne Adamneh , Herzig Alois , Jersabek Christian D. , Tadesse Zenebe 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSpecies composition, abundance, and spatial distribution of rotifer and crustacean zooplankton were studied in Lake Ziway from late April to early July 2004. A total of 49 rotifer species was recorded, with Anuraeopsis fissa, Brachionus angularis, Filinia novaezealandiae, and Trichocerca ruttneri being numerically dominant. Variation in abundance was extremely high, ranging from 2 to 1000+ individuals per litre. There was no significant difference in the distribution of rotifer species between inshore and offshore regions. Crustacean species richness was low, with only five cladoceran and three copepod species occurring in the open water. Moina micrura and Diaphanosoma excisum dominated the cladoceran community, whereas Thermocyclops decipiens was the dominant copepod. Although numerically dominant (75%), rotifers accounted for less than 30% of mean total zooplankton biomass. Peak abundance of crustaceans was observed in May and June, following the onset of the rainy season and increased phytoplankton production. Variation in the spatial distribution of crustacean species was neither observed horizontally between inshore and offshore areas nor vertically in the highly turbid and wind exposed deeper part of the lake. On the other hand, Moina micrura varied significantly in size between inshore and offshore areas. Adult M. micrura dominated offshore, whereas juveniles were more abundant inshore, suggesting a predominantly littoral selective predation on large and adult crustaceans by fish. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Alumina ceramic particles, in comparison with titanium particles, hardly affect the expression of RANK‐, TNF‐α‐, and OPG‐mRNA in the THP‐1 human monocytic cell line
Authors: Bylski David , Wedemeyer Christian , Xu Jie , Sterner Thomas , Löer Franz , von Knoch Marius 
Published: April 2008

AbstractParticle‐induced osteolysis is the most frequent cause of aseptic loosening after total joint replacement. We performed a study to illuminate the effect of ceramic particles with different diameters and concentrations on the mRNA expression of certain key regulators in particle‐induced aseptic osteolysis (RANK, RANKL, OPG, and TNF‐α) in THP‐1 macrophage‐like cells. Titanium particles were used as a positive control. RNA was analyzed by quantitative RTPCR. Our results demonstrate that alumina ceramic particles, regardless of particle size, caused only slight upregulations of RANK, TNF‐α, and OPG mRNA, whose levels were significantly lower in comparison with those of titanium particles (p < 0.05). The continuous increasing tendency to time and particle‐dependent mRNA expression of all the parameters stimulated by titanium particles was not found after stimulation with ceramic materials. Even after the concentration of ceramic particles was increased, only a mild upregulation of mRNA expression was found. Furthermore, we observed that the bioinert properties of ceramic particles did not change much in diameters ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 μm. At most of the measuring time points, there was no significant difference between the reactions of the large and small particles in this range. Our results support the theory about the relative bioinert properties of alumina ceramic particles. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
A multi center study of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis therapy for ulcerative colitis—Clinical efficacy and production of interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist
Authors: Takeda Hiroaki , Suzuki Yasukuni , Takeda Yuji , Nishise Shoichi , Fukui Tadahisa , Fujishima Shoichiro , Orii Tomohiko , Otake Sayaka , Sato Takeshi , Suzuki Koji , Nakamuara Yukiko , Kawata Sumio 
Published: April 2008

AbstractGranulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis (GCAP) is a useful strategy for intractable ulcerative colitis, but its mechanisms of therapy is not fully explained. Previously, depleting activated granulocytes and monocytes (GMs) and modifying product of proinflammatory cytokines had been proposed. In addition, activated GMs are releasing anti‐inflammatory cytokines, interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) that may contribute to the clinical efficacy of GCAP therapy. Hence, to investigate contribution of IL‐1ra as well as to confirm clinical efficacy of this therapy based on clinical activity index (CAI), we performed a multicenter study. Twenty‐five of 38 (65.8%) patients achieved remission state (CAI ≤ 4) and two of 38 (5.3%) revealed clinical improvement. Almost effective cases significantly decreased CAI even at 3rd session of GCAP. Plasma level of IL‐1ra from outflow of the GCAP column at 30 min was significantly increased rather than inflow. Median exact elevated level of IL‐1ra was 221 pg/ml and median of increasing ratio was 1.6 times. Furthermore, the responsive patients, who well released the IL‐1ra at outflow more than 100 pg/ml compared with inflow, tended to show clinical effectiveness. While, the increased ratio of IL‐1ra in effective cases did not differ from ineffective cases, and there were no significant relationship with improvement of CAI score. These conflict results suggest that the increase of IL‐1ra at outflow is not a direct factor to the clinical improvement, but the induction of clinical improvement is accompanied by the release of IL‐1ra. The IL‐1ra may be involved in the multiple steps for the improvement induced by GCAP. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sympathectomy alters bone architecture in adult growing rats
Authors: Pagani F. , Sibilia V. , Cavani F. , Ferretti M. , Bertoni L. , Palumbo C. , Lattuada N. , De Luca E. , Rubinacci A. , Guidobono F. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSympathetic nervous system (SNS) fibres and α‐ and β‐receptors are present in bone, indicating that the SNS may participate in bone metabolism. The importance of these observations is controversial because stimulation or inhibition of the SNS has had various effects upon both anabolic and catabolic activity in this tissue. In this study we evaluated the effects of pharmacological sympathectomy, using chronic treatment of maturing male rats with 40 mg of guanethidine/kg i.p., upon various parameters in bone. Double labelling with tetracycline injection was also performed 20 and 2 days before sacrifice. Bone mass, mineral content, density and histomorphometric characteristics in different skeletal regions were determined. Bone metabolic markers included urinary deoxypyridinoline and serum osteocalcin measurements. Guanethidine significantly reduced the accretion of lumbar vertebral bone and of mineral content and density, compared to controls. Femoral bone mineral content and density were also significantly reduced, compared to controls. Histomorphometric analyses indicated these effects were related to a reduction of cortical bone and mineral apposition rate at femoral diaphysials level. Both markers of bone metabolism were reduced in controls as they approached maturity. Guanethidine significantly decreased serum osteocalcin compared to controls, while urinary deoxypyridinoline was unchanged. These data indicate that guanethidine‐induced sympathectomy caused a negative balance of bone metabolism, leading to decreased mass by regulating deposition rather than resorption during modeling and remodeling of bone. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 2155–2164, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparing the transcriptional profile of mesenchymal cells to cardiac and skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Akavia Uri David , Veinblat Olga , Benayahu Dafna 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMarrow‐derived stroma cells (MSCs) can differentiate into multiple lineages including myogenic cells. However, the molecular mechanisms that direct MSCs to each differentiation pathway are poorly understood. Our study was designed to gain insights into the potential regulatory pathways that may assist in defining MSC commitment and differentiation properties. This will delineate the similarities or differences in the expression of genes between several cell types of mesenchymal origin. In this study, we established in vitro models, which allow following the discrete stages of differentiation of cardio‐ and myogenic‐cells compared with MSC. Gene expression of each cell type at several stages of their differentiation path was evaluated by means of Affymetrix Gene Chips. Bioinformatic clustering of genes confirmed that with time in culture the myogenic cells ceased proliferating and commenced with differentiation. The expression profile analysis revealed the similarity and differences between myogenic cells and MSCs. This research compared at the molecular levels snapshots of gene expression patterns and elaborated on the overlap or differences between the analyzed cellular systems. Our results shed light on gene profiles of cells throughout their differentiation pathways. Establishing the gene signature of the differentiation process of cells that belong to several mesenchymal lineages may contribute to the understanding of molecular pathways that underlay mesenchymal tissue remodeling. J. Cell. Physiol. 216: 663–672, 2008, © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic upregulation of matriptase‐2 reduces the aggressiveness of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and affects FAK and paxillin localisation
Authors: Sanders Andrew J. , Parr Christian , Martin Tracey A. , Lane Jane , Mason Malcolm D. , Jiang Wen G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe cellular function and the role of matriptase‐2 in cancer progression are poorly understood. This study assesses the importance of this protease in prostate cancer cell lines. Two prostate cancer cell lines, PC‐3 and DU‐145, previously displaying minimal expression of matriptase‐2, were forced to over‐express matriptase‐2 using a human mammalian expression construct. Over‐expression of matriptase‐2 significantly reduced the invasive capacity and significantly slowed the migration rates of PC‐3 and DU‐145 cells in vitro. Similarly, PC‐3 cells containing the matriptase‐2 expression plasmid were dramatically less able to survive, grow and develop into noticeable tumours, compared to control PC‐3 cells containing an empty plasmid alone, following subcutaneous inoculation into CD1 nude mice. This trend was observed throughout the experiment, becoming apparent after the initial reading on day 7 (P = 0.0002) and continuing to the experimental end point at day 27 (P = 0.0002). Enhanced matriptase‐2 levels were also seen to correlate with increased fluorescent staining of the paxillin and FAK adhesion molecules, where a greater extent of these molecules were localised to the focal adhesion complexes. This data suggests a suppressive role for matriptase‐2 in the invasion and migration of prostate cancer cells in vitro and also in their development and growth in vivo, highlighting the potential of this molecule to interfere with key stages of metastasis. Furthermore, the data presented implies a possible connection between matriptase‐2 and the paxillin and FAK adhesion molecules which may ultimately contribute to the reduced migration rates seen in this study. J. Cell. Physiol. 216: 780–789, 2008, © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Heparin inhibits BMP‐2 osteogenic bioactivity by binding to both BMP‐2 and BMP receptor
Authors: Kanzaki Shin , Takahashi Tetsu , Kanno Takahiro , Ariyoshi Wataru , Shinmyouzu Kouhei , Tujisawa Toshiyuki , Nishihara Tatsuji 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHeparin demonstrates several kinds of biological activities by binding to various extracellular molecules and plays pivotal roles in bone metabolism. However, the role of heparin in the biological activity of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) remains unclear. In the present study, we examined whether heparin has the effects on osteoblast differentiation induced by BMP‐2 in vitro and also elucidated the precise mechanism by which heparin regulates bone metabolism induced by this molecule. Our results showed that heparin inhibited alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization in osteoblastic cells cultured with BMP‐2. Heparin was found to suppress the mRNA expressions of osterix, Runx2, ALP and osteocalcin, as well as phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 and p38 MAPK. Further, heparin bound to both BMP‐2 and BMP receptor (BMPR). These results suggest that heparin suppresses BMP‐2‐BMPR binding, and inhibits BMP‐2 osteogenic activity in vitro. J. Cell. Physiol. 216: 844–850, 2008, © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nucleic acid sensor for insecticide detection
Authors: Solanki Pratima R. , Prabhakar Nirmal , Pandey M. K. , Malhotra B. D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractNucleic acid sensor based on polyaniline (PANI) has been fabricated by covalently immobilizing double stranded calf thymus (dsCT) DNA onto perchlorate (ClO−4)‐doped PANI film deposited onto indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO) glass plate using 1‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐3‐ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) chemistry. These dsCT‐DNA‐PANI‐ClO4/ITO and PANI‐ClO4/ITO electrodes have been characterized using square wave voltammetry, electrochemical impedance, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier‐transform‐infrared (FTIR) measurements. This disposable dsCT‐DNA‐PANI‐ClO4/ITO bioelectrode, stable for about 4 months, can be used to detect cypermethrin (0.005 ppm) and trichlorfon (0.01 ppm) in 30 and 60 s, respectively. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling an active conformation for linear peptides and design of a competitive inhibitor for HMG‐CoA reductase
Authors: Pak Valeriy V. , Koo Minseon , Kim Min Jung , Yang Hye Jeong , Yun Lyubov , Kwon Dae Young 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis study presents an approach that can be used to search for lead peptide candidates, including unconstrained structures in a recognized sequence. This approach was performed using the design of a competitive inhibitor for 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGR). In a previous design for constrained peptides, a head‐to‐tail cyclic structure of peptide was used as a model of linear analog in searches for lead peptides with a structure close to an active conformation. Analysis of the conformational space occupied by the peptides suggests that an analogical approach can be applied for finding a lead peptide with an unconstrained structure in a recognized sequence via modeling a cycle using fixed residues of the peptide backbone. Using the space obtained by an analysis of the bioactive conformations of statins, eight cyclic peptides were selected for a peptide library based on the YVAE sequence as a recognized motif. For each cycle, the four models were assessed according to the design criterion (“V” parameter) applied for constrained peptides. Three cyclic peptides (FGYVAE, FPYVAE, and FFYVAE) were selected as lead cycles from the library. The linear FGYVAE peptide (IC50 = 0.4 µM) showed a 1200‐fold increase the inhibitory activity compared to the first isolated LPYP peptide (IC50 = 484 µM) from soybean. Experimental analysis of the modeled peptide structures confirms the appropriateness of the proposed approach for the modeling of active conformations of peptides. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation of [b3 − 1 + cat]+ ions from metal‐cationized tetrapeptides containing β‐alanine, γ‐aminobutyric acid or ε‐aminocaproic acid residues
Authors: Osburn Sandra M. , Ochola Sila O. , Talaty Erach R. , Van Stipdonk Michael J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe presence and position of a single β‐alanine (βA), γ‐aminobutyric acid (γABu) or ε‐aminocaproic acid (Cap) residue has been shown to have a significant influence on the formation of bn+ and yn+ product ions from a series of model, protonated peptides. In this study, we examined the effect of the same residues on the formation of analogous [b3 − 1 + cat]+ products from metal(Li+, Na+ and Ag+)‐cationized peptides. The larger amino acids suppress formation of b3+ from protonated peptides with general sequence AAXG (where X = β‐alanine, γ‐aminobutyric acid or ε‐aminocaproic acid), presumably because of the prohibitive effect of larger cyclic intermediates in the ‘oxazolone’ pathway. However, abundant [b3 − 1 + cat]+ products are generated from metal‐cationized versions of AAXG. Using a group of deuterium‐labeled and exchanged peptides, we found that formation of [b3 − 1 + cat]+ involves transfer of either amide or α‐carbon position H atoms, and the tendency to transfer the atom from the α‐carbon position increases with the size of the amino acid in position X. To account for the transfer of the H atom, a mechanism involving formation of a ketene product as [b3 − 1 + cat]+ is proposed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transcription factor Sp1 dysregulation in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Citron Bruce A. , Dennis John S. , Zeitlin Ross S. , Echeverria Valentina 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAltered gene expression occurs in central nervous system disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Transcription factor Sp1 may be involved insofar as it can regulate the expression of several AD‐related proteins, including amyloid precursor protein (APP) and tau. Sp1 could itself be regulated by inflammatory and other factors associated with AD, such as interleukin‐1β. We measured an almost threefold elevation in the number of mRNA molecules of this cytokine in the AD frontal cortex. Sp1 mRNA was found to be up‐regulated in these AD brains (along with Sp1‐regulated COX‐2), and the Sp1 increase was also seen at the protein level by Western immunoblotting. To determine whether this would also occur in transgenic mice developing AD pathology, we examined the expression of Sp1 in the cortex and hippocampus and observed higher levels of Sp1 mRNA and protein. These results indicate that elements of regulatory pathways involving transcription factor Sp1 may be useful targets for therapeutic intervention to prevent or reverse AD. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.