bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deducing topology of protein-protein interaction networks from experimentally measured sub-networks
Authors: Yang Ling , Vondriska Thomas M , Han Zhangang , MacLellan W Robb , Weiss James N , Qu Zhilin 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Protein-protein interaction networks are commonly sampled using yeast two hybrid approaches. However, whether topological information reaped from these experimentally-measured sub-networks can be extrapolated to complete protein-protein interaction networks is unclear.

Results
By analyzing various experimental protein-protein interaction datasets, we found that they are not random samples of the parent networks. Based on the experimental bait-prey behaviors, our computer simulations show that these non-random sampling features may affect the topological information. We tested the hypothesis that a core sub-network exists within the experimentally sampled network that better maintains the topological characteristics of the parent protein-protein interaction network. We developed a method to filter the experimentally sampled network to result in a core sub-network that more accurately reflects the topology of the parent network. These findings have fundamental implications for large-scale protein interaction studies and for our understanding of the behavior of cellular networks.

Conclusion
The topological information from experimental measured networks network as is may not be the correct source for topological information about the parent protein-protein interaction network. We define a core sub-network that more accurately reflects the topology of the parent network.
Synchrony between orientation-selective neurons is modulated during adaptation-induced plasticity in cat visual cortex
Authors: Ghisovan Narcis , Nemri Abdellatif , Shumikhina Svetlana , Molotchnikoff Stephane 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Visual neurons respond essentially to luminance variations occurring within their receptive fields. In primary visual cortex, each neuron is a filter for stimulus features such as orientation, motion direction and velocity, with the appropriate combination of features eliciting maximal firing rate. Temporal correlation of spike trains was proposed as a potential code for linking the neuronal responses evoked by various features of a same object. In the present study, synchrony strength was measured between cells following an adaptation protocol (prolonged exposure to a non-preferred stimulus) which induce plasticity of neurons' orientation preference.

Results
Multi-unit activity from area 17 of anesthetized adult cats was recorded. Single cells were sorted out and (1) orientation tuning curves were measured before and following 12 min adaptation and 60 min after adaptation (2) pairwise synchrony was measured by an index that was normalized in relation to the cells' firing rate. We first observed that the prolonged presentation of a non-preferred stimulus produces attractive (58%) and repulsive (42%) shifts of cell's tuning curves. It follows that the adaptation-induced plasticity leads to changes in preferred orientation difference, i.e. increase or decrease in tuning properties between neurons. We report here that, after adaptation, the neuron pairs that shared closer tuning properties display a significant increase of synchronization. Recovery from adaptation was accompanied by a return to the initial synchrony level.

Conclusion
We conclude that synchrony reflects the similarity in neurons' response properties, and varies accordingly when these properties change.
Analytical approaches to detect maternal/fetal genotype incompatibilities that increase risk of pre-eclampsia
Authors: Parimi Neeta , Tromp Gerard , Kuivaniemi Helena , Nien Jyh Kae , Gomez Ricardo , Romero Roberto , Goddard Katrina AB 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackgroundIn utero interactions between incompatible maternal and fetal genotypes are a potential mechanism for the onset or progression of pregnancy related diseases such as pre-eclampsia (PE). However, the optimal analytical approach and study design for evaluating incompatible maternal/offspring genotype combinations is unclear.MethodsUsing simulation, we estimated the type I error and power of incompatible maternal/offspring genotype models for two analytical approaches: logistic regression used with case-control mother/offspring pairs and the log-linear regression used with case-parent triads. We evaluated a real dataset consisting of maternal/offspring pairs with and without PE for incompatibility effects using the optimal analysis based on the results of the simulation study.ResultsWe identified a single coding scheme for the incompatibility effect that was equally or more powerful than all of the alternative analysis models evaluated, regardless of the true underlying model for the incompatibility effect. In addition, the log-linear regression was more powerful than the logistic regression when the heritability was low, and more robust to adjustment for maternal or fetal effects. For the PE data, this analysis revealed three genes, lymphotoxin alpha (LTA), von Willebrand factor (VWF), and alpha 2 chain of type IV collagen (COL4A2) with possible incompatibility effects.ConclusionThe incompatibility model should be evaluated for complications of pregnancy, such as PE, where the genotypes of two individuals may contribute to the presence of disease.
Idiopathic central precocious puberty in girls: presentation factors
Authors: Prété Géraldine , Couto-Silva Ana-Claudia , Trivin Christine , Brauner Raja 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between premature thelarche and precocious puberty in girls who develop breasts before the age of 8 years. We evaluated the frequencies of the signs associated with breast development and the factors influencing the presentation of girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP).

Methods
353 girls monitored 0.9 ± 0.7 year after the onset of CPP.

Results
The age at CPP was < 3 years in 2%, 3–7 years in 38% and 7–8 years in 60% of cases. Pubic hair was present in 67%, growth rate greater than 2 SDS in 46% and bone age advance greater than 2 years in 33% of cases. Breast development was clinically isolated in 70 (20%) cases. However, only 31 of these (8.8% of the population) had a prepubertal length uterus and gonadotropin responses to gonadotropin releasing hormone and plasma estradiol. The clinical picture of CPP became complete during the year following the initial evaluation.
25% of cases were obese. The increase in weight during the previous year (3.7 ± 1.4 kg) and body mass index were positively correlated with the statural growth and bone age advance (P < 0.0001).
There was no relationship between the clinical-biological presentation and the age at puberty, the interval between the onset of puberty and evaluation, or the presence of familial CPP.

Conclusion
The variation in presentation of girls with CPP does not depend on their age, interval between the onset and evaluation, or familial factors. This suggests that there are degrees of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian activation that are not explained by these factors.
Simultaneous adrenal and extra-adrenal myelolipoma – an uncommon incident: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Zieker Derek , Königsrainer Ingmar , Miller Stephan , Vogel Ulrich , Sotlar Karl , Steurer Wolfgang , Königsrainer Alfred , Lehmann Thorsten G 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Background
Extra-adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumours. Other soft tissue tumours such as well-differentiated liposarcomas appear morphological almost identical. Preoperative imaging and especially biopsy are important tools to diagnose these lesions.

Case presentation
We report a very seldom case of a simultaneous myelolipoma of the adrenal gland in association with an extra-adrenal myelolipoma in an 75-year-old man. With a review of the literature we describe and discuss the aetiology, differential diagnosis and treatment of patients with respect to adrenal and extra-adrenal lesions.

Conclusion
The appearance of a simultaneous adrenal and extra-adrenal myelolipoma is a rare incident. We conclude that such lesions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a fat-containing tumour in the retroperitoneal tissue/compartment.
Conditional Deletion of the Retinoblastoma (Rb) Gene in Ovarian Granulosa Cells Leads to Premature Ovarian Failure
Authors: Andreu-Vieyra Claudia , Chen Ruihong , Matzuk Martin M. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe retinoblastoma protein (RB) regulates cell proliferation and survival by binding to the E2F family of transcription factors. Recent studies suggest that RB also regulates differentiation in a variety of cell types, including myocytes, neurons, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. Rb mutations have been found in ovarian cancer; however, the role of RB in normal and abnormal ovarian function remains unclear. To test the hypothesis that loss of Rb induces ovarian tumorigenesis, we generated an ovarian granulosa cell conditional knockout of Rb (Rb cKO) using the Cre/lox recombination system. Rb cKO females showed 100% survival and no ovarian tumor formation through 9 months of age, but they developed progressive infertility. Prepubertal Rb cKO females showed increased ovulation rates compared with controls, correlating with increased follicle recruitment, higher Fshr and Kitl mRNA levels, and lower anti-Müllerian hormone levels. In contrast, the ovulation rate of 6-wk-old females was similar to that of controls. Morphometric analysis of Rb cKO ovaries from 6-wk-old and older females showed increased follicular atresia and apoptosis. Rb cKO ovaries and preantral follicles had abnormal levels of known direct and indirect target genes of RB, including Rbl2/p130, E2f1, Ccne2, Myc, Fos, and Tgfb2. In addition, preantral follicles showed increased expression of the granulosa cell differentiation marker Inha, decreased levels of Foxl2 and Cyp19a1 aromatase, and abnormal expression of the nuclear receptors Nr5a1, Nr5a2, and Nr0b1. Taken together, our results suggest that RB is required for the temporal-specific pattern of expression of key genes involved in follicular development.
Minireview: The Wnt Signaling Pathway Effector TCF7L2 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Jin Tianru , Liu Ling 
Published: July 2008

AbstractSince the relationship between TCF7L2 (also known as TCF-4) polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus was identified in 2006, extensive genome-wide association examinations in different ethnic groups have further confirmed this relationship. As a component of the bipartite transcription factor β-catenin/TCF, TCF7L2 is important in conveying Wnt signaling during embryonic development and in regulating gene expression during adulthood. Although we still do not know mechanistically how the polymorphisms within the intron regions of TCF7L2 affect the risk of type 2 diabetes, this transcriptional regulator was shown to be involved in stimulating the proliferation of pancreatic β-cells and the production of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 in intestinal endocrine L cells. In this review, we introduce background knowledge of TCF7L2 as a component of the Wnt signaling pathway, summarize recent findings demonstrating the association between TCF7L2 polymorphisms and the risk of type 2 diabetes, outline experimental evidence of the potential function of TCF7L2 in pancreatic and intestinal endocrine cells, and present our perspective views.
Formation of Incompletely Condensed Oligosilsesquioxanes by Hydrolysis of Completely Condensed POSS via Reshuffling
Authors: Li Ze , Kawakami Yusuke 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Cyclic 1,3,5,7-tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)tetraphenyltetrasilsesquioxane (T4OTMS), 3,7,14-tris(trimethylsilyl)heptaphenyltricyclo[7.3.3.15,11]heptasilsesquioxane (T7OTMS), and 5,11,14,17-tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)octaphenyltetracyclo[7.3.3.33,7]octasilsesquioxane (DDT8OTMS) were found to be formed by the hydrolysis of completely condensed polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) followed by trimethylsilyl (TMS)-capping. The reaction was shown to be a reshuffling process by the scrambling of substitutents in co-hydrolysis of differently substituted POSS.
Promoting Effect of Coexisting H2O on the Activity of Ir/WO3/SiO2 Catalyst for the Selective Reduction of NO with CO
Authors: Haneda Masaaki , Hamada Hideaki 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
The catalytic activity of Ir/WO3/SiO2 for the selective reduction of NO with CO (CO-SCR) in the presence of excess O2 was significantly increased by the presence of coexisting H2O, whereas NO reduction hardly occurred in the absence of H2O. Coexisting H2O plays an important role preventing catalyst deactivation caused by oxidation of the catalytically active Ir sites at high temperatures.
Spontaneous Multiple Heterostructure Formation in Cadmium–Tellurium Nanowire Arrays and Its Optical Properties
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Genqiang , Li Xiaoguang 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
The high quality CdTe/Te multiple heterostructure nanowire arrays were successfully fabricated by a nano-confined precipitation process. The optical properties of the as-obtained CdTe/Te heterostructure nanowires are systematically investigated, which demonstrate the strong coupling of electronic bands in CdTe/Te heterojunction.
Intra-Bone Marrow Injection of Donor Bone Marrow Cells Suspended in Collagen Gel Retains Injected Cells in Bone Marrow, Resulting in Rapid Hemopoietic Recovery in Mice
Authors: Shi Ming , Adachi Yasushi , Shigematsu Akio , Koike-Kiriyama Naoko , Feng Wei , Yanai Seji , Yunze Cui , Lian Zhe-Xiong , Li Juan , Ikehara Susumu 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
We have recently developed an innovative bone marrow transplantation (BMT) method, intra-bone marrow (IBM)-BMT, in which donor bone marrow cells (BMCs) are injected directly into the recipient bone marrow (BM), resulting in the rapid recovery of donor hemopoiesis and permitting a reduction in radiation doses as a pretreatment for BMT. However, even with this IBM injection, some of the injected BMCs were found to enter into circulation. Therefore, we attempted to modify the method to allow the efficient retention of injected BMCs in the donor BM. The BMCs of enhanced green fluorescent protein transgenic mice (C57BL/6 background) were suspended in collagen gel (CG) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and these cells were then injected into the BM of irradiated C57BL/6 mice. The numbers of retained donor cells in the injected BM, the day 12 colony-forming units of spleen (CFU-S) counts, and the reconstitution of donor cells after IBM-BMT were compared between the CG and PBS groups. The number of transplanted cells detected in the injected BM in the CG group was significantly higher than that in the PBS group. We next carried out CFU-S assays. The spleens of mice in the CG group showed heavier spleen weight and considerably higher CFU-S counts than in the PBS group. Excellent reconstitution of donor hemopoietic cells in the CG group was observed in the long term (&gt;100 days). These results suggest that the IBM injection of BMCs suspended in CG is superior to the injection of BMCs suspended in PBS.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Potential for Cardiovascular Repair
Authors: Psaltis Peter J. , Zannettino Andrew C.W. , Worthley Stephen G. , Gronthos Stan 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Cellular therapy for cardiovascular disease heralds an exciting frontier of research. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are present in adult tissues, including bone marrow and adipose, from which they can be easily isolated and cultured ex vivo. Although traditional isolation of these cells by plastic adherence results in a heterogeneous composite of mature and immature cell types, MSCs do possess plasticity of differentiation and under appropriate in vitro culture conditions can be modified to adopt cardiomyocyte and vascular cell phenotypic characteristics. In vivo preclinical studies have demonstrated their capacity to facilitate both myocardial repair and neovascularization in models of cardiac injury. The mechanisms underlying these effects appear to be mediated predominantly through indirect paracrine actions, rather than direct regeneration of endogenous cells by transdifferentiation, especially because current transplantation strategies achieve only modest engraftment of cells in the host myocardium. Currently, published clinical trial experience of MSCs as cardiac therapy is limited, and the outcomes of ongoing studies are keenly anticipated. Of relevance to clinical application is the fact that MSCs are relatively immunoprivileged, potentially enabling their allogeneic therapeutic use, although this too requires further investigation. Overall, MSCs are an attractive adult-derived cell population for cardiovascular repair; however, research is still required at both basic and clinical levels to resolve critical areas of uncertainty and to ensure continued development in cell culture engineering and cell transplantation technology.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Postnatal Expansion of the Pancreatic β-Cell Mass Is Dependent on Survivin
Authors: Jiang Yuying , Nishimura Wataru , Devor-Henneman Deborah , Kusewitt Donna , Wang Haijuan , Holloway Michael P. , Dohi Takehiko , Sabo Edmond , Robinson Michael L. , Altieri Dario C. , Sharma Arun , Altura Rachel A. 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—Diabetes results from a deficiency of functional β-cells due to both an increase in β-cell death and an inhibition of β-cell replication. The molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects in susceptible individuals are mostly unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether a gene critical for cell division and cell survival in cancer cells, survivin, might also be important for β-cells.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We generated mice harboring a conditional deletion of survivin in pancreatic endocrine cells using mice with a Pax-6-Cre transgene promoter construct driving tissue-specific expression of Cre-recombinase in these cells. We performed metabolic studies and immunohistochemical analyses to determine the effects of a mono- and biallelic deletion of survivin.
RESULTS—Selective deletion of survivin in pancreatic endocrine cells in the mouse had no discernible effects during embryogenesis but was associated with striking decreases in β-cell number after birth, leading to hyperglycemia and early-onset diabetes by 4 weeks of age. Serum insulin levels were significantly decreased in animals lacking endocrine cell survivin, with relative stability of other hormones. Exogenous expression of survivin in mature β-cells lacking endogenous survivin completely rescued the hyperglycemic phenotype and the decrease in β-cell mass, confirming the specificity of the survivin effect in these cells.
CONCLUSIONS—Our findings implicate survivin in the maintenance of β-cell mass through both replication and antiapoptotic mechanisms. Given the widespread involvement of survivin in cancer, a novel role for survivin may well be exploited in β-cell regulation in diseased states, such as diabetes.
FTO Variants Are Associated With Obesity in the Chinese and Malay Populations in Singapore
Authors: Tan Jonathan T. , Dorajoo Rajkumar , Seielstad Mark , Sim Xue Ling , Ong Rick Twee-Hee , Chia Kee Seng , Wong Tien Yin , Saw Seang Mei , Chew Suok Kai , Aung Tin , Tai E-Shyong 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE— Association between genetic variants at the FTO locus and obesity has been consistently observed in populations of European ancestry and inconsistently in non-Europeans. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of FTO variants on obesity and type 2 diabetes in Southeast Asian populations.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— We examined associations between nine previously reported FTO single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related traits in 4,298 participants (2,919 Chinese, 785 Malays, and 594 Asian Indians) from the 1998 Singapore National Health Survey (NHS98) and 2,996 Malays from the Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES).
RESULTS— All nine SNPs exhibited strong linkage disequilibrium (r2 = 0.6–0.99), and minor alleles were associated with obesity in the same direction as previous studies with effect sizes ranging from 0.42 to 0.68 kg/m2 (P &lt; 0.0001) in NHS98 Chinese, 0.65 to 0.91 kg/m2 (P &lt; 0.02) in NHS98 Malays, and 0.52 to 0.64 kg/m2 (P &lt; 0.0001) in SiMES Malays after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise. The variants were also associated with type 2 diabetes, though not after adjustment for BMI (with the exception of the SiMES Malays: odds ratio 1.17–1.22; P ≤ 0.026).
CONCLUSIONS— FTO variants common among European populations are associated with obesity in ethnic Chinese and Malays in Singapore. Our data do not support the hypothesis that differences in allele frequency or genetic architecture underlie the lack of association observed in some populations of Asian ancestry. Examination of gene-environment interactions involving variants at this locus may provide further insights into the role of FTO in the pathogenesis of human obesity and diabetes.
Distinct Monocyte Gene-Expression Profiles in Autoimmune Diabetes
Authors: Padmos Roos C. , Schloot Nanette C. , Beyan Huriya , Ruwhof Cindy , Staal Frank J.T. , de Ridder Dick , Aanstoot Henk-Jan , Lam-Tse Wai Kwan , de Wit Harm , de Herder Christian , Drexhage Roos C. , Menart Barbara , Leslie R. David , Drexhage Hemmo A. ,   the LADA Consortium
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVE—There is evidence that monocytes of patients with type 1 diabetes show proinflammatory activation and disturbed migration/adhesion, but the evidence is inconsistent. Our hypothesis is that monocytes are distinctly activated/disturbed in different subforms of autoimmune diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We studied patterns of inflammatory gene expression in monocytes of patients with type 1 diabetes (juvenile onset, n = 30; adult onset, n = 30) and latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult (LADA) (n = 30) (controls subjects, n = 49; type 2 diabetic patients, n = 30) using quantitative PCR. We tested 25 selected genes: 12 genes detected in a prestudy via whole-genome analyses plus an additional 13 genes identified as part of a monocyte inflammatory signature previously reported.RESULTS—We identified two distinct monocyte gene expression clusters in autoimmune diabetes. One cluster (comprising 12 proinflammatory cytokine/compound genes with a putative key gene PDE4B) was detected in 60% of LADA and 28% of adult-onset type 1 diabetic patients but in only 10% of juvenile-onset type 1 diabetic patients. A second cluster (comprising 10 chemotaxis, adhesion, motility, and metabolism genes) was detected in 43% of juvenile-onset type 1 diabetic and 33% of LADA patients but in only 9% of adult-onset type 1 diabetic patients.CONCLUSIONS—Subgroups of type 1 diabetic patients show an abnormal monocyte gene expression with two profiles, supporting a concept of heterogeneity in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes only partly overlapping with the presently known diagnostic categories.