bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mapping phosphoproteins in Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Authors: Su Hsun-Cheng , Hutchison Clyde A , Giddings Morgan C 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Little is known regarding the extent or targets of phosphorylation in mycoplasmas, yet in many other bacterial species phosphorylation is known to play an important role in signaling and regulation of cellular processes. To determine the prevalence of phosphorylation in mycoplasmas, we examined the CHAPS-soluble protein fractions of Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma pneumoniae by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), using a combination of Pro-Q Diamond phosphoprotein stain and 33P labeling. Protein spots that were positive for phosphorylation were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting using MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry.

Results
We identified a total of 24 distinct phosphoproteins, about 3% and 5% of the total protein complement in M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium, respectively, indicating that phosphorylation occurs with prevalence similar to many other bacterial species. Identified phosphoproteins include pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha and beta subunits, enolase, heat shock proteins DnaK and GroEL, elongation factor Tu, cytadherence accessory protein HMW3, P65, and several hypothetical proteins. These proteins are involved in energy metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, translation/transcription and cytadherence. Interestingly, fourteen of the 24 phosphoproteins we identified (58%) were previously reported as putatively associated with a cytoskeleton-like structure that is present in the mycoplasmas, indicating a potential regulatory role for phosphorylation in this structure.

Conclusion
This study has shown that phosphorylation in mycoplasmas is comparable to that of other bacterial species. Our evidence supports a link between phosphorylation and cytadherence and/or a cytoskeleton-like structure, since over half of the proteins identified as phosphorylated have been previously associated with these functions. This opens the door to further research into the purposes and mechanisms of phosphorylation for mycoplasmas.
Professional quality of life and organizational changes: a five-year observational study in Primary Care
Authors: Martin-Fernandez Jesus , Gomez-Gascon Tomas , Beamud-Lagos Milagros , Cortes-Rubio Jose Alfonso , Alberquilla-Menendez-Asenjo Angel 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Background
The satisfaction and the quality of life perceived by professionals have implications for the performance of health organizations. We have assessed the variations in professional quality of life (PQL) and their explanatory factors during a services management decentralization process.

Methods
It was designed as a longitudinal analytical observational study in a Health Area in Madrid, Spain. Three surveys were sent out during an ongoing management decentralization process between 2001 and 2005. The professionals surveyed were divided into three groups: Group I (97.3% physicians), group II (92.5% nurses) and group III (auxiliary personnel). Analysis of the tendency and elaboration of an explanatory multivariate model was made. The PQL -35 questionnaire, based on Karasek's demand-control theory, was used to measure PQL. This questionnaire recognizes three PQL dimensions: management support (MS), workload (WL) and intrinsic motivation (IM).

Results
1444 responses were analyzed. PQL increased 0.16 (CI 95% 0.04 – 0.28) points in each survey. Group II presents over time a higher PQL score than group I of 0.38 (IC 95% 0.18 – 0.59) points. There is no difference between groups I and III.
For each point that MS increases, PQL increases between 0.44 and 0.59 points. PQL decreases an average of between 0.35 and 0.49 point, for each point that WL increases.
Age appears to have a marginal association with PQL (CI 95% 0.00 – 0.02), as it occurs with being single or not having a stable relationship (CI 95% 0.01 – 0.41). Performing management tasks currently or in the past is related to poorer PQL perception (CI 95% -0.45 – -0.06), and the same occurs with working other than morning shifts (CI 95% -0.03 – -0.40 points).
PQL is not related to sex, location of the centre (rural/urban), time spent working in the organization or contractual situation.

Conclusion
With the improvement in work control and avoiding increases in workloads, PQL perception can be maintained despite deep organizational changes at the macro-management level. Different professional groups experience different perceptions depending on how the changes impact their position in the organization.
Laboratory methods to improve SELDI peak detection and quantitation
Authors: Rollin Dominique , Whistler Toni , Vernon Suzanne D 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Protein profiling with surface-enhanced laser desorption-ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS) is a promising approach for biomarker discovery. Some candidate biomarkers have been identified using SELDI-TOF, but validation of these can be challenging because of technical parameters that effect reproducibility. Here we describe steps to improve the reproducibility of peak detection.

Methods
SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry was performed using a system manufactured by Ciphergen Biosystems along with their ProteinChip System. Serum from 10 donors was pooled and used for all experiments. Serum was fractionated with Expression Difference Mapping kit-Serum Fractionation from the same company and applied to three different ProteinChips. The fractionations were run over a one month period to examine the contribution of sample batch and time to peak detection variability. Spectra were processed and peaks detected using the Ciphergen Express software and variance measured.

Results
Experimental parameters specific to the serum fraction and ProteinChip, including spot protocols (laser intensity and detector sensitivity) were optimized to decrease peak detection variance. Optimal instrument settings, regular calibration along with controlled sample handling and processing nearly doubled the number of peaks detected and decreased intensity variance.

Conclusion
This report assesses the variation across fractionated sera processed over a one-month period. The optimizations reported decreased the variance and increased the number of peaks detected.
Endocytosis, recycling, and degradation of unoccupied FcεRI in human basophils
Authors: MacGlashan Donald W 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPrevious studies about basophils and mast cells identified the ability of IgE to up-regulate FcεRI expression by a process that depends on stabilization of the surface receptor by IgE. However, the mechanism of loss from the cell surface, when unoccupied, is not known. The current studies have examined whether unoccupied FcεRI on basophils is lost by shedding or endocytosis. IgE was dissociated partially from purified human basophils to augment loss of the unoccupied receptor, and comparisons were made between basophils ± IgE resensitization prior to 1-day culture. Incubation did not result in a detectable receptor in culture supernatants. However, in the presence of IL-3, although total cell surface expression decreased by 30% (relative to resensitized cells), FcεRI from whole cell lysates was not statistically different between the two conditions. Incubation for 18 h without IL-3 resulted in the same loss from the cell surface but equivalent loss in whole cell lysates. This degradation process was reversible with Bafilomycin A. There was also evidence that the internalized receptor could be recycled. After the initial 18-h down-regulation, the receptor could be found partially restored to the cell surface if IgE were added back to the culture ± cycloheximide. Loss of the unoccupied receptor, as well as accumulation of the receptor under the influence of IgE, was found to be insensitive to the presence of a src-family kinase inhibitor, PP1. These studies establish that the unoccupied receptor is lost by a process of endocytosis, partially recycled to the cell surface, and ultimately degraded by a lysosomal mechanism.
Mesenchymal stem cells fail to trigger effector functions of cytotoxic T lymphocytes
Authors: Rasmusson Ida , Uhlin Michael , Le Blanc Katarina , Levitsky Victor 
Published: July 2007

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), isolated from adult human bone marrow, have immunomodulatory properties. The functional outcomes of MSCs–CTL interactions remain poorly characterized. In this study, we demonstrate that MSCs remain resistant to CTL lysis, even after pulsing with the specific synthetic peptide at high concentrations, in spite of surface expression of the relevant MHC class I allele. MSCs were also much less sensitive to lysis by an allo-specific CTL clone as compared with HLA-matched lymphoblastoid cell lines. MSCs induced CD25 up-regulation, albeit at relatively low levels, and were unable to induce CD3 or CD8 down-regulation at the surface of CTLs. MSCs also failed to induce IFN-γ and TNF-α production by the CTLs. Furthermore, peptide-pulsed MSCs were inefficient in stimulating tyrosine phosphorylation in specific CTLs. Our results demonstrate that MSCs induce only an abortive activation program in fully differentiated, effector CTLs, which does not involve activation of major CTL effector functions. These data may have important implications for the development of therapeutic strategies based on administration of in vitro-expanded MSCs.
MD-2 as the target of curcumin in the inhibition of response to LPS
Authors: Gradišar Helena , Keber Mateja Manček , Pristovšek Primož , Jerala Roman 
Published: July 2007

AbstractCurcumin is the main constituent of the spice turmeric, used in diet and in traditional medicine, particularly across the Indian subcontinent. Anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition of LPS signaling are some of its many activities. We show that curcumin binds at submicromolar affinity to the myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD-2), which is the LPS-binding component of the endotoxin surface receptor complex MD-2/TLR4. Fluorescence emission of curcumin increases with an absorbance maximum shift toward the blue upon the addition of MD-2, indicating the transfer of curcumin into the hydrophobic environment. Curcumin does not form a covalent bond to the free thiol group of MD-2, and C133F mutant retains the binding and inhibition by curcumin. The binding site for curcumin overlaps with the binding site for LPS. This results in the inhibition of MyD88-dependent and -independent signaling pathways of LPS signaling through TLR4, indicating that MD-2 is one of the important targets of curcumin in its suppression of the innate immune response to bacterial infection. This finding, in addition to the correlation between the dietary use of curcumin and low incidence of gastric cancer in India, may have important implications for treatment and epidemiology of chronic inflammatory diseases caused by bacterial infection.
Carcinogenic Hypergastrinemia: Signet-Ring Cell Carcinoma in a Patient with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 with Zollinger-Ellison’s Syndrome
Authors: Schott Matthias , Sagert Cornelia , Willenberg Holger S. , Schinner Sven , Ramp Uwe , Varro Andrea , Raffel Andreas , Eisenberger Claus , Zacharowski Kai , Perren Aurel , Scherbaum Werner A. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Context: Gastric neuroendocrine tumors are rare neoplasms that originate from gastric enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the oxyntic mucosa. Gastrin and its derivates have been reported to regulate epithelial cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Mutations in the epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin) gene have been shown to be associated with the occurrence of diffuse gastric carcinomas in affected families.
Objective: In this study we investigated the histopathological and molecular findings in the gastrointestinal wall of a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 with malignant duodenal gastrinoma and multiple gastric ECL cell tumors, who additionally developed a signet-ring cell carcinoma of the stomach.
Design and Patient: Biopsies from the gastrointestinal tract of a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 were immunostained for vesicular monoamine transporter-2 and E-cadherin. Nonamidated gastrin products were measured in the serum of the patient using antibodies that react with progastrin, Gly-extended, and amidated gastrins. Genetic analyses were performed to exclude germ-line mutations within the E-cadherin gene.
Results: Immunohistochemical studies of gastric ECL cell tumors showed a largely diminished E-cadherin expression in comparison to gastric surface mucosa cells and a loss of E-cadherin expression in the cells of the signet-ring carcinoma. Detailed biochemical measurements revealed progastrin concentrations that were approximately 20%, and Gly-gastrin concentrations that were approximately 10% the amidated gastrin concentrations in plasma. Molecular analyses revealed no E-cadherin germ-line mutation.
Conclusion: Our immunohistochemical studies might suggest that the gastrinoma-associated excessive progastrin tissue concentrations led to diminished expression of E-cadherin within the gastric mucosa and promoted tumor development of a signet-ring cell carcinoma.
Steam-turbine casing flanges: A three-dimensional photoelastic study
Authors: McKenzie H W , White D J , Snell S 
Published: July 2007

Photoelastic tests have been made on simplified three-dimensional models of a steam-turbine casing subjected to bolt preload and internal pressure. An examination was made of the flange interface-pressure distribution between adjacent bolt holes for two different values of bolt pitch. The results revealed that for both bolt pitches investigated in these tests, the minimum interface pressure at the inner edge occurred at a position corresponding to the bolt centre-line. The maximum interface pressure occurred on the inner edge at the mid-pitch position for the small pitch and on the inner edge at a distance of approximately one-quarter of the pitch from the bolt centre-line for the large pitch. The overall flange interface-pressure distribution had a minimum at a position approximately mid-way between two adjacent bolts and one-third of the flange width from the inner edge. It has been verified from these tests that the determination of flange parameters using the two-dimensional design curves described in an earlier paper is valid for practical designs of flange.
Planning and financing Manchester Metrolink
Authors: Tyson W. J. 
Published: July 2007

The process of planning Metrolink, the light railway in Greater Manchester can be traced back to the early 1970s when more ambitious proposals for a full-scale rail tunnel under central Manchester were rejected by the Government. Several attempts were made to improve the local rail network by remedying one of its main drawbacks: poor penetration of the central area In the early 1980s the planning process which resulted directly in Metrolink commenced. This examined a range of options for the rail network and rail links including light rail. Gradually many of the constraints on light rail operation on-street in the centre of the city were removed or reduced in scale and the light rail option with street running connecting two converted BR lines, which retained their exclusive right of way, was developed and adopted. At this point the work on justification and funding started. This initially involved estimating potential patronage from a county-wide transportation model and using the results as the basis of a social cost-benefit analysis of the scheme. This was necessary to support an application for a central government grant. The application was submitted at the time of local government reorganization, deregulation and the Government's increasing interest in privatization. In consequence it was necessary, at the request of the Government, to examine ways of bringing private sector funding into the project. After intensive investigation the Design, Build, Operate and Maintain scheme was devised and agreed. This formed the basis of the contract for which five consortia initially competed. The successful consortium (GEC-Alsthom, Mowlem, AMEC) were selected to design and build the system and to operate and maintain it for 15 years. Private funding for the operating rights for 15 years. This came in the form of a payment they made process required further extensive evaluation work and at the final stages a change in the criteria for government grant required yet another appraisal to be carried out before the public sector funding was finally agreed.
Parapet refurbishment of the North Bridge, Edinburgh
Authors: Saldanha D. , Mendelson R. C. 
Published: July 2007

The North Bridge is situated in the centre of Edinburgh and spans Waverley Station and Market Street. The present bridge was constructed in 1894-96 to replace the previous masonry arch structure. The most common defect found during the present bridge assessment programme has been with respect to parapet capacities. This equally applied to the North Bridge where the remedial works required to the defective parapets involved close consultations with numerous parties and the adoption of materials not commonly utilized in bridge construction. This Paper describes the particular circumstances relating to the refurbishment of the North Bridge and some alternative methods of achieving an aesthetically acceptable solution while complying, where possible, with SB10/74.
Pavement construction on the M40 Banbury Bypass Contract 4
Authors: Fison D. G. 
Published: July 2007

The M40 Banbury Bypass Contract 4 overlies coal deposits of sufficient size and at a depth that would make mining at a later date possible. The pavement was, therefore, designed with this in mind and a continuously reinforced concrete roadbase was specified as the solution most likely to resist possible future settlement problems. Continuously reinforced concrete roadbases (CRCR) are not new to the UK but are uncommon. The scale of this project, involving in excess of 100 000 m3 of pavement quality concrete laid over 15.8 km, required the Contractor to review his method of operation carefully. In addition the earthworks design called for 600 mm of capping. The Contractor chose to construct a capping layer of 250 mm of lime stabilized material overlaid with 350 mm of selected crushed rock over some 40% of the scheme. Elsewhere, where capping was specified, only selected rock was permitted. Following the completion of the CRCR, heave occurred in the lime stabilized capping layer at various locations along the scheme. The inherent stiffness of the CRCR largely accommodated this though some limited remedial works were necessary which did not delay the opening of the road. This Paper reviews the processes by which the Contractor planned and undertook his works and identifies the reasons behind the successful and rapid execution of the pavement construction.
Localized Gingival Enlargement Associated With Alveolar Process Expansion: Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma Coincident With Central Odontogenic Fibroma
Authors: Silva Cléverson O. , Sallum Antônio Wilson , do Couto‐Filho Carlos Eduardo Gomes , Costa Pereira Alessandro Antônio , Hanemann João Adolfo Costa , Tatakis Dimitris N. 
Published: July 2007

Background: Despite the common occurrence of localized gingival enlargements, which often represent reactive lesions, the temporal and spatial association of such a lesion with a central jaw lesion has not been reported. The purpose of this case report is to present the exceptional combination of a peripheral ossifying fibroma and a central odontogenic fibroma. The differential diagnosis and management of each lesion is reviewed.Methods: A 45‐year‐old black female presented with a chief complaint of a painless protuberance in the left mandible of 1‐year duration. Clinical and radiographic examination revealed a gingival enlargement localized between teeth #21 and #23 and a multilocular radiolucent lesion with radiopaque foci in the same area. Excisional biopsy of the gingival lesion and incisional biopsy of the central lesion were performed, and specimens were submitted for histopathological analysis.Results: Biopsy of the gingival lesion revealed stratified squamous epithelium and highly cellular fibroblastic component presenting central areas of calcification, features consistent with a diagnosis of peripheral ossifying fibroma. The central lesion was characterized by cellular fibrous tissue admixed with rests of odontogenic epithelium and few calcification areas, features consistent with a diagnosis of central odontogenic fibroma/World Health Organization type. Subsequently, the central lesion was enucleated. After 1‐year follow‐up, no recurrence has been observed.Conclusions: The combination of a rare central lesion with a common gingival lesion may present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Clinician awareness regarding the possibility of such a combined presentation and its implications will help to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.
Relationship Between Periodontitis and Diabetes: Lessons From Rodent Studies
Authors: Pontes Andersen Carla C. , Flyvbjerg Allan , Buschard Karsten , Holmstrup Palle 
Published: July 2007

Background:A great amount of investigations have provided evidence that both type 1 and type 2 diabetes increase the risk and severity of periodontitis; several alterations in the diabetic periodontium are likely to be involved. Conversely, periodontitis has been shown to have an impact on diabetes, although less evidence is available on the underlying mechanisms. The association between periodontitis and diabetes has been discussed in several reviews over the past years; however, none has focused on the use and contribution of rodent models.Methods:This review describes the most commonly used rodent models of diabetes, periodontitis, and the association between the two diseases. Further, we summarize the influence of diabetes in the periodontium as well as the effect of periodontitis on diabetes status with special focus on evidence from experimental studies.Results:Rodent studies have confirmed human findings and further increased our knowledge on the alterations in the diabetic periodontium. On the other hand, few rodent investigations have explored the consequences of periodontitis for diabetes. Their results clearly indicate that periodontitis can become a health hazard not only for diabetes but also for prediabetes; the exact mechanisms are still to be unraveled.Conclusions:Findings from rodent studies have been useful in increasing our understanding of periodontitis, diabetes, and their association and hold great promise for future investigations given the wide variety of possibilities for testing biologic hypotheses.
Chondrichthyan microremains from the Givetian of the Aragonian Pyrenees (Spain)
Authors: Liao Jau-Chyn , Ginter Michal , Valenzuela-Rios José Ignacio 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
A Lower and basal Middle varcus Zone (Givetian, Middle Devonian) vertebrate association consisting of chondrichtyan teeth and scales of the genus Phoebodus is documented for the first time from the Aragonian Pyrenees of Spain. This record suggests that different teeth morphologies that were previously treated as separate taxa could be grouped in Phoebodus fastigatus. Moreover, the teeth and scales association is in agreement with the previously reconstructed squamation pattern of this taxon.