bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A
selC
-Associated Genomic Island of the Extraintestinal Avian Pathogenic
Escherichia coli
Strain BEN2908 Is Involved in Carbohydrate Uptake and Virulence
Authors: Chouikha Iman , Germon Pierre , Brée Annie , Gilot Philippe , Moulin-Schouleur Maryvonne , Schouler Catherine 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACT

The complete nucleotide sequence and genetic organization of a new genomic island (AGI-3) isolated from the extraintestinal avian pathogenic
Escherichia coli
strain BEN2908 is reported. This 49,600-bp island is inserted at the
selC
locus and contains putative mobile genetic elements such as a phage-related integrase gene, transposase genes, and direct repeats. AGI-3 shows a mosaic structure of five modules. Some of these modules are present in other
E. coli
strains and in other pathogenic bacterial species. The gene cluster
aec-35
to
aec-37
of module 1 encodes proteins associated with carbohydrates assimilation such as a major facilitator superfamily transporter (Aec-36), a glycosidase (Aec-37), and a putative transcriptional regulator of the LacI family (Aec-35). The
aec-35
to
aec-37
cluster was found in 11.6% of the tested pathogenic and nonpathogenic
E. coli
strains. When present, the
aec-35
to
aec-37
cluster is strongly associated with the
selC
locus (97%). Deletion of the
aec-35-aec-37
region affects the assimilation of seven carbohydrates, decreases the growth rate of the strain in minimal medium containing galacturonate or trehalose, and attenuates the virulence of
E. coli
BEN2908 for chickens.
Regulation of the Glucosyltransferase (
gtfBC
) Operon by CovR in
Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Biswas Saswati , Biswas Indranil 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus mutans
is an important etiological agent of dental caries in humans. The extracellular polysaccharides synthesized by cell-associated glucosyltransferases (encoded by
gtfBC
) from sucrose have been recognized as one of the important virulence factors that promote cell aggregation and adherence to teeth, leading to dental plaque formation. In this study, we have characterized the effect of CovR, a global response regulator, on glucosyltransferase expression. Inactivation of
covR
in strain UA159 resulted in a marked increase in the GtfB and GtfC proteins, as analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With the use of a transcriptional reporter system of a single chromosomal copy of the P
gtfB
-
gusA
and P
gtfC
-
gusA
fusions, we confirmed the transcriptional regulation of these promoters by CovR. By in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assays with purified CovR protein, we showed that CovR regulates these promoters directly. DNase I footprinting analyses suggest that CovR binds to large regions on these promoters near the transcription start sites. Taken together, our results indicate that CovR negatively regulates the expression of the
gtfB
and
gtfC
genes by directly binding to the promoter region.
Ubiquitination of p53 at Multiple Sites in the DNA-Binding Domain
Authors: Chan Wan Mui , Mak Man Chi , Fung Tsz Kan , Lau Anita , Siu Wai Yi , Poon Randy Y.C. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
The tumor suppressor p53 is negatively regulated by the ubiquitin ligase MDM2. The MDM2 recognition site is at the NH2-terminal region of p53, but the positions of the actual ubiquitination acceptor sites are less well defined. Lysine residues at the COOH-terminal region of p53 are implicated as sites for ubiquitination and other post-translational modifications. Unexpectedly, we found that substitution of the COOH-terminal lysine residues did not diminish MDM2-mediated ubiquitination. Ubiquitination was not abolished even after the entire COOH-terminal regulatory region was removed. Using a method involving in vitro proteolytic cleavage at specific sites after ubiquitination, we found that p53 was ubiquitinated at the NH2-terminal portion of the protein. The lysine residue within the transactivation domain is probably not essential for ubiquitination, as substitution with an arginine did not affect MDM2 binding or ubiquitination. In contrast, several conserved lysine residues in the DNA-binding domain are critical for p53 ubiquitination. Removal of the DNA-binding domain reduced ubiquitination and increased the stability of p53. These data provide evidence that in addition to the COOH-terminal residues, p53 may also be ubiquitinated at sites in the DNA-binding domain. (Mol Cancer Res 2006;4(1)15–25)
Enhanced T-Cell Expression of RANK Ligand in Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Sandberg Wiggo J. , Yndestad Arne , Øie Erik , Smith Camilla , Ueland Thor , Ovchinnikova Olga , Robertson Anna-Karin L. , Müller Fredrik , Semb Anne G. , Scholz Hanne , Andreassen Arne K. , Gullestad Lars , Damås Jan Kristian , Frøland Stig S. , Hansson Göran K. , Halvorsen Bente , Aukrust Pål 
Published: January 2006

Objective—Based on its role in inflammation and matrix degradation, we hypothesized a role for osteoprotegerin (OPG), RANK, and RANK ligand (RANKL) in coronary artery disease.Methods and Results—We examined the expression of various members of the OPG/RANKL/RANK axis in patients with stable and unstable angina and in the atherosclerotic lesions of apolipoprotein E–deficient (apoE−/−) mice. Our findings were: (1) Serum levels of OPG were raised in patients with unstable angina (n=40), but not in those with stable angina (n=40), comparing controls (n=20); (2) mRNA levels of RANKL were increased in T-cells in unstable angina patients accompanied by increased expression of RANK in monocytes; (3) strong immunostaining of OPG/RANKL/RANK was seen within thrombus material obtained at the site of plaque rupture during acute myocardial infarction; (4) OPG/RANKL/RANK was expressed in the atherosclerotic plaques of apoE−/−mice, with RANKL located specifically to the plaques; and (5) RANKL enhanced the release of monocyte chemoattractant peptide-1 in mononuclear cells from unstable angina patients, and promoted matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in vascular smooth muscle cells.Conclusions—We show enhanced expression of the OPG/RANKL/RANK system both in clinical and experimental atherosclerosis, with enhanced T-cell expression of RANKL as an important feature of unstable disease.
Biological Determinants of and Reference Values for Plasma Interleukin-8, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1, Epidermal Growth Factor, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: Results from the STANISLAS Cohort
Authors: Berrahmoune Hind , Lamont John V , Herbeth Bernard , FitzGerald Peter S , Visvikis-Siest Sophie 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground: Interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are known to be involved in various diseases related to inflammation, vascular remodeling, or growth deregulation. In addition, increases in plasma concentrations of these cytokines appear to provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information. We therefore investigated which factors most strongly influence the biological variations of plasma IL-8, MCP-1, EGF, and VEGF concentrations.Methods: We used the Evidence® biochip array analyzer to quantify plasma IL-8, MCP-1, EGF, and VEGF concentrations in a subsample of 304 children (age range, 4–17 years) and 540 adults (age range, 18–55 years) from the STANISLAS family study. We also calculated reference intervals for the 4 cytokines.Results: We found the following associations with plasma marker concentrations: Age, neutrophil count, and glucose concentration were positively associated with IL-8 concentrations in children and adults, as were smoking and platelet count in adults. MCP-1 concentrations were associated with age and smoking in both children and adults, monocyte count in children, and sex and hematocrit in adults. EGF concentrations were associated with platelet count in children and monocyte count and glucose in adults. VEGF concentrations were associated with age in children and adults and platelet count and alanine aminotransferase activity in adults.Conclusion: Our results for IL-8, MCP-1, EGF, and VEGF may be useful for interpretation of patients’ laboratory results and for understanding the regulation of concentrations of these cytokines in physiologic conditions.
Adipocyte Fatty Acid–Binding Protein Is a Plasma Biomarker Closely Associated with Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Xu Aimin , Wang Yu , Xu Jian Yu , Stejskal David , Tam Sidney , Zhang Jialiang , Wat Nelson MS , Wong Wai Keung , Lam Karen SL 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground: Adipocyte fatty acid–binding protein (A-FABP) is traditionally thought to be a cytosolic fatty acid chaperone expressed in adipocytes. Mice with targeted disruption of the A-FABP gene exhibit a striking phenotype with strong protection from insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and atherosclerosis. The clinical relevance of these findings remains to be confirmed.Methods: We used tandem mass spectrometry–based proteomic analysis to identify proteins secreted from adipocytes and present in human serum. We measured serum A-FABP concentrations in 229 persons (121 men and 108 women; age range, 33–72 years), including 100 lean [body mass index (BMI) &lt;25 kg/m2] and 129 overweight/obese individuals (BMI &gt;25 kg/m2) selected from a previous cross-sectional study.Results: A-FABP was released from adipocytes and was abundantly present in human serum. Mean (SD) circulating concentrations of A-FABP were significantly higher in overweight/obese than in lean persons [32.3 (14.8) vs 20.0 (9.8) μg/L; P &lt;0.001]. Age- and sex-adjusted serum A-FABP concentrations correlated positively (P &lt;0.005) with waist circumference, blood pressure, dyslipidemia, fasting insulin, and the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index. Moreover, we observed a significant increase in A-FABP concentrations corresponding with increases in the number of components of the metabolic syndrome (P &lt;0.05).Conclusions: A-FABP is a circulating biomarker closely associated with obesity and components of the metabolic syndrome, and measurement of serum concentrations of A-FABP might be useful for clinical diagnosis of obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular disorders.
Photobleaching of Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide and the Development of Highly Fluorescent Lesions in Rat Basophilic Leukemia Cells During Multiphoton Microscopy
Authors: Tiede LeAnn M. , Nichols Michael G. 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTEndogenous reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence provides an intrinsic indicator of the cellular metabolic state, but prolonged monitoring is limited by photobleaching and/or phototoxicity. Multiphoton excitation of NADH by ultrashort, 740‐nm laser pulses provides a significant improvement over UV excitation by eliminating peripheral photobleaching; however, molecules within the subfemtoliter excitation volume remain susceptible. We have investigated the photophysical mechanisms responsible for multiphoton photobleaching of NADH in living cells to permit the imaging technique to be optimized. The loss of fluorescence because of multiphoton photobleaching was measured by repetitively imaging individual planes within rat basophilic leukemia cells. The photobleaching rate was proportional to the fourth power of the laser intensity. Based on these measurements, we propose a double‐biphotonic, four‐photon photobleaching mechanism and estimate the quantum yield of photobleaching of intracellular NADH to be 0.0073 ± 0.0002 by this mechanism. In addition to photobleaching, the development of bright, punctate fluorescent lesions can also be observed. The frequency of lesion formation also increased approximately as the fourth power of the laser intensity after an intensity‐dependent threshold number of images had been exceeded. The consequences for two‐photon metabolic imaging are discussed.
Ghrelin against alendronate-induced gastric damage in rats
Authors: Íşeri S Ö , Şener G , Yüksel M , Contuk G , Çetinel Ş , Gedik N , Yeğen B Ç 
Published: January 2006

Alendronate sodium, a primary amino bisphosphonate, is widely used in the treatment of various diseases that are associated with bone resorption, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis and Paget’s disease of bone. Although the adverse effects of biphosphonates on the gastrointestinal system have been demonstrated in experimental and clinical studies, the exact mechanisms underlying this damage are not clear yet. Ghrelin, a 28 amino acid peptide produced predominantly by the stomach, was shown to exert a potent protective action on the stomach of rats exposed to ethanol or stress.
Our objective was to evaluate the possible anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ghrelin against alendronate-induced gastric damage. Wistar albino rats were administered alendronate (20 mg/kg) by gavage for 4 days, along with either ghrelin (10 ng/kg per day) or saline given i.p. After decapitation, stomach tissues were removed for the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and tissue collagen content, while the extent of tissue damage was analyzed microscopically. Formation of reactive oxygen species was determined by chemiluminesence using a luminol probe in fresh gastric tissues. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and lactate dehydrogenase levels were assessed in trunk blood.
Oral administration of alendronate-induced significant gastric damage, accompanied by increased MPO activity, collagen content, MDA and luminol levels (P< 0.01–P< 0.001), while tissue GSH was decreased (P< 0.01). On the other hand, ghrelin treatment reversed these alterations (P< 0.05–P<0.001) as well as elevating serum TNF-α levels significantly (P< 0.001).
The findings of the present study suggest that alendronate induces oxidative gastric damage by a local irritant effect, and ghrelin ameliorates this damage by its possible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Analgesic effects of epidural administration of hydromorphone in horses
Authors: Natalini Cláudio C. , Linardi Renata L. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the effects of epidural administration of hydromorphone on avoidance threshold to noxious electrical stimulation of the perineal, sacral, lumbar, and thoracic regions in horses.
Animals—6 healthy adult horses.
Procedure—Horses were assigned to receive hydromorphone (0.04 mg/kg) or a control solution (20 mL of sterile water) administered epidurally into in the first intercoccygeal space. Treatments were administered at time intervals of ≥ 7 days. Electrical stimulation was applied for 6 hours after epidural injection over the dermatomes of the perineal, sacral, lumbar, and thoracic regions, and the avoidance threshold voltage was recorded.
Results—Administration of sterile water did not change the avoidance threshold. Hydromorphone significantly increased the avoidance threshold by 20 minutes after injection, which lasted until 250 minutes after epidural administration in the perineal, sacral, lumbar, and thoracic regions. Profound analgesia (avoidance threshold > 40 V) was achieved only in the perineal region at 60 minutes after epidural administration of hydromorphone. Analgesia for all dermatomes was considered moderate for 250 minutes after epidural injection.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Epidural administration of hydromorphone increases the avoidance threshold to noxious electrical stimulation in the perineal, lumbar, sacral, and thoracic regions in horses for 250 minutes after injection. Hydromorphone epidural administration may prove useful in the management of horses with pain of moderate to mild intensity.
Evaluation of the risk of motor neuron disease in horses fed a diet low in vitamin E and high in copper and iron
Authors: Divers Thomas J. , Cummings John E. , de Lahunta Alexander , Hintz Harold F. , Mohammed Hussni O. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Objective—To determine whether equine motor neuron disease (EMND) could be induced in adult horses fed a diet low in vitamin E and high in copper and iron.
Animals—59 healthy adult horses.
Procedure—Horses in the experimental group (n = 8) were confined to a dirt lot and fed a concentrate low in vitamin E and high in iron and copper in addition to free-choice grass hay that had been stored for 1 year. Control horses (n = 51) were fed a concentrate containing National Research Council–recommended amounts of copper, iron, and vitamin E. The hay fed to control horses was the same as that fed to experimental horses, but it had not been subjected to prolonged storage. Control horses had seasonal access to pasture, whereas experimental horses had no access to pasture. Horses that developed clinical signs of EMND were euthanatized along with an age-matched control horse to determine differences in hepatic concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin A, copper, iron, and selenium.
Results—4 experimental horses developed clinical signs of EMND. Plasma concentrations of vitamin E decreased in all 8 experimental horses. There were no significant changes in plasma concentrations of vitamin A, selenium, and copper or serum concentrations of ferritin. There were no significant differences in those analytes between experimental horses with EMND and experimental horses that did not develop EMND. No control horses developed EMND.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that lack of access to pasture, dietary deficiency of vitamin E, or excessive dietary copper are likely risk factors for EMND.
Expression of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene in malignant mammary gland tumors of dogs
Authors: Kanae Yutaka , Endoh Daiji , Yokota Hiroshi , Taniyama Hiroyuki , Hayashi Masanobu 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Objective—To determine whether changes in expression level of the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on the chromosome 10 (PTEN) gene are associated with malignant transformation in mammary gland tumors in dogs.
Sample Population—Specimens of 5 benign and 8 malignant mammary gland tumors and 2 unaffected mammary glands from dogs.
Procedure—The open reading frame (ORF) sequence of PTEN gene in each specimen was analyzed via a direct-sequencing method; expression levels of PTEN gene were quantified via a competitive reverse transcription (RT)-PCR method.
Results—Compared with findings in clinically normal samples, amounts of PTEN mRNA were increased 2- to 4-fold in 4 of the 5 benign mammary gland tumor samples. In contrast, PTEN expression was remarkably low in 4 of the 8 malignant tumor samples (approx 12% to 37% of the level in unaffected mammary gland specimens). Gene amplification via the RT-PCR method with total RNA prepared from malignant tumor samples as a template yielded 3 bands that were smaller than the full-length ORF product of PTEN gene; in 2 of those 3 RT-PCR products, exons 6 and 7 or exons 3 to 8 were absent. No mutation was detected in the full-length ORF product of PTEN gene.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that a decreased level of PTEN gene expression (compared with unaffected mammary gland tissue) is associated with malignancy in canine mammary tumors. Analysis of PTENgene expression level in dogs with mammary gland tumors may provide useful prognostic information.
Cellular composition of bronchial brushings obtained from healthy dogs and dogs with chronic cough and cytologic composition of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from dogs with chronic cough
Authors: Hawkins Eleanor C. , Rogala Allison R. , Large Edward E. , Bradley Julie M. , Grindem Carol B. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Objective—To determine whether bronchial brushings from dogs with chronic cough have increased numbers of goblet cells and WBCs, compared with numbers for healthy dogs, or have differing WBC populations, compared with populations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid obtained from dogs with chronic cough.
Animals—9 healthy dogs and 10 dogs with chronic cough.
Procedure—Specimens were collected by use of bronchoscopy. Cellular composition was determined for brushings, and results from dogs with chronic cough were compared with those from healthy dogs. Cellular composition of brushings was compared with composition of BAL obtained from dogs with chronic cough.
Results—Brushings from healthy dogs contained a median of 2.9 × 106 epithelial cells, comprising 100% epithelial cells (96% ciliated, 3% goblet, and 1% other) and no WBCs. Brushings from dogs with chronic cough had 4.5 × 106 epithelial cells, comprising 93% epithelial cells (86% ciliated, 2% goblet, and 12% other). Dogs with chronic cough had significantly greater percentages of WBCs (7%) and neutrophils (6%), compared with values for healthy dogs. Five dogs with chronic cough had no neutrophilic inflammation evident in BAL, but 4 of these had evidence of neutrophilic inflammation in brushings.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Neutrophils, but not goblet cells, were increased in brushings from dogs with chronic cough. Analysis of bronchial brushings provides information about airway inflammation that differs from that found by examination of BAL in some dogs with chronic cough and is a more sensitive indicator of airway inflammation than cytologic examination of BAL in these dogs.
Comparison of mesenteric lymphadenography performed via surgical and laparoscopic approaches in dogs
Authors: Brisson Brigitte A. , Holmberg David L. , House M. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Objective—To determine whether injection of a mesenteric lymph node with iodinated aqueous contrast medium results in radiographic delineation of the thoracic duct and its branches, ascertain the ideal interval between injection and radiographic imaging, and evaluate mesenteric lymphadenography performed via laparoscopic and surgical approaches in dogs.
Animals—10 adult dogs.
Procedure—In each dog, a right paracostal laparotomy or a right laparoscopic approach was performed to identify a mesenteric lymph node for injection of an iodinated aqueous contrast agent (0.22 mL/kg [81.4 mg of iodine/kg]). Lateral radiographic views were obtained at 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 seconds after injection.
Results—A mesenteric lymph node was identified and injected with contrast medium in each dog. Via paracostal laparotomy, lymph node injection resulted in successful lymphangiographic evaluation in 4 of 5 dogs, whereas via the laparoscopic approach, lymph node injection resulted in successful lymphangio-graphic evaluation in 2 of 5 dogs. In successful radiographic evaluations, injected lymph nodes, mesenteric lymphatics, and the thoracic duct and its branches were delineated. Radiographs obtained at 60 and 120 seconds after injection of contrast medium provided the most detail.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Injection of a mesenteric lymph node directly with contrast medium appears to be a feasible technique for delineation of the thoracic duct and its branches in dogs and might be useful in small animals in which mesenteric lymphatic catheterization can be difficult and lymphangiography is more likely to fail. Refinement of the laparoscopic technique may provide a minimally invasive approach to lymphadenography.