bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proteins from extremophiles as stable tools for advanced biotechnological applications of high social interest
Authors: Champdoré Marcella de , Staiano Maria , Rossi Mosè , D'Auria Sabato 
Published: November 2006

Extremophiles are micro-organisms adapted to survive in ecological niches defined as ‘extreme’ for humans and characterized by the presence of adverse environmental conditions, such as high or low temperatures, extreme values of pH, high salt concentrations or high pressure. Biomolecules isolated from extremophiles possess extraordinary properties and, in particular, proteins isolated from extremophiles represent unique biomolecules that function under severe conditions, comparable to those prevailing in various industrial processes.
In this article, we will review some examples of recent applications of thermophilic proteins for the development of a new class of fluorescence non-consuming substrate biosensors for monitoring the levels of two analytes of high social interest, such as glucose and sodium.
Insect walking is based on a decentralized architecture revealing a simple and robust controller
Authors: Cruse Holk , Dürr Volker , Schmitz Josef 
Published: November 2006

Control of walking in rugged terrain requires one to incorporate different issues, such as the mechanical properties of legs and muscles, the neuronal control structures for the single leg, the mechanics and neuronal control structures for the coordination between legs, as well as central decisions that are based on external information and on internal states.Walking in predictable environments and fast running, to a large degree, rely on muscle mechanics. Conversely, slow walking in unpredictable terrain, e.g. climbing in rugged structures, has to rely on neuronal systems that monitor and intelligently react to specific properties of the environment. An arthropod model system that shows the latter abilities is the stick insect, based on which this review will be focused.An insect, when moving its six legs, has to control 18 joints, three per leg, and therefore has to control 18 degrees of freedom (d.f.). As the body position in space is determined by 6 d.f. only, there are 12 d.f. open to be selected. Therefore, a fundamental problem is as to how these extra d.f. are controlled. Based mainly on behavioural experiments and simulation studies, but also including neurophysiological results, the following control structures have been revealed. Legs act as basically independent systems. The quasi-rhythmic movement of the individual leg can be described to result from a structure that exploits mechanical coupling of the legs via the ground and the body. Furthermore, neuronally mediated influences act locally between neighbouring legs, leading to the emergence of insect-type gaits. The underlying controller can be described as a free gait controller. Cooperation of the legs being in stance mode is assumed to be based on mechanical coupling plus local positive feedback controllers. These controllers, acting on individual leg joints, transform a passive displacement of a joint into an active movement, generating synergistic assistance reflexes in all mechanically coupled joints. This architecture is summarized in the form of the artificial neural network,Walknet, that is heavily dependent on sensory feedback at the proprioceptive level. Exteroceptive feedback is exploited for global decisions, such as the walking direction and velocity.
Combination chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant for enteropathy‐associated T cell lymphoma
Authors: Bishton Mark J. , Haynes Andrew P. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryEnteropathy‐associated T cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare entity associated with coeliac disease, with a poor prognosis due to perforation and gastro‐intestinal bleeding during treatment, and a high relapse risk. Six patients were treated with two cycles of IVE (ifosphamide, etoposide, epirubicin), followed by two cycles of high‐dose methotrexate (3 g/m2) with folinic acid rescue and a BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) autograft. Enteral feeding was given throughout treatment. Four patients remain alive in complete remission at 1·83–4·32 years; two have relapsed. Given the historically poor outcome in these patients, this regimen appears very promising in the treatment of EATL.
Trinucleotide repeat dynamic mutation identifying susceptibility in familial and sporadic chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Auer Rebecca L. , Dighiero Guillaume , Goldin Lynn R. , Syndercombe‐Court Denise , Jones Christopher , McElwaine Suzanne , Newland Adrian C. , Fegan Christopher D. , Caporaso Neil , Cotter Finbarr E. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryChronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) has a strong hereditary component, but an understanding of predisposition genes is poor. Anticipation with familial CLL has been reported, although the molecular mechanism is unknown. Expansion of trinucleotide repeat sequences underlies anticipation observed in neurodegenerative disease. A polymerase chain reaction‐based assay was used to analyse the stability of ten CCG‐ and CAG‐trinucleotide repeat tracts in 18 CLL families and 140 patients with the sporadic form of the disease. The study suggests that anticipation, if it occurs in CLL, is not linked to CCG‐ and CAG‐repeat expansion, however, variation in repeat length at certain loci (FRA16A) may permit identification of susceptible family members. In addition, polymorphisms with prognostic significance were identified. These were high length (but not expanded) repeats at FRA11B (P = 0·01), ATXN1 (P = 0·032) and ATXN3 (P = 0·022), all associated with poor risk disease.
Altered expression of the tetraspanin CD81 on B and T lymphocytes during HIV-1 infection
Authors: Meroni L , Milazzo L , Menzaghi B , Mazzucchelli R , Mologni D , Morelli P , Broggini V , Adorni F , Galli M , Riva A 
Published: November 2006

SummaryCD81 is a member of the tetraspan superfamily and plays a role in immune responses and in hepatitis C virus (HCV) pathogenesis. We analysed CD81 cell surface and mRNA expression in different lymphocytic subpopulations in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, HCV and dually infected subjects. CD81 cell surface expression was evaluated with fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis; mRNA quantification was performed with semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). CD81 cell surface expression on CD4+ T lymphocytes was significantly different by analysis of variance (anova) test (P &lt; 0·001), with reduced expression in HIV-1+ patients. In B lymphocytes, higher cell surface expression was present in HIV-1, in HCV and in dually infected subjects compared to healthy controls. CD81 expression on B lymphocytes showed a positive correlation with plasma HIV-RNA. CD81 mRNA levels in B lymphocytes were significantly higher in HIV-1+ patients compared to healthy controls. The potential consequence of the down-regulation of CD81 in CD4+ cells during HIV-1 infection in conjunction with diverted CD28, CD4 and CD3 expression is the disruption of T cell function. Increased CD81 expression on B lymphocytes might explain the higher prevalence of lymphoproliferative disorders in HIV-1 and HCV infection. Up-regulation of CD81 mRNA on CD4+ T cells indicates that down-regulation of CD81 occurs at the post-transcriptional/translational level.
IL-10 produced by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells emerge as a putative immunoregulatory mechanism to counterbalance the monocyte-derived TNF-α and guarantee asymptomatic clinical status during chronic HTLV-I infection
Authors: Brito-Melo G E A , Peruhype-Magalhães V , Teixeira-Carvalho A , Barbosa-Stancioli E F , Carneiro-Proietti A B F , Catalan-Soares B , Ribas J G ,   GIPH, Martins-Filho O A 
Published: November 2006

SummaryAlthough it is believed widely that distinct patterns of the host immune response are associated with the outcome of chronic human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-I) infection toward asymptomatic or symptomatic neurodegenerative myelopathy (HAM/TSP), the exact mechanism underlying these immunological events still remains unknown. In this study, we have evaluated the cytokine pattern [interleukin (IL)-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-4 and IL-10] of innate and adaptive immunity cells present at the peripheral blood from non-infected (NI) and HTLV-I infected individuals [asymptomatic (AS), oligosymptomatic (OL) and HAM/TSP-HT], following in vitro short-term incubation in the absence/presence of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) pan-leucocyte stimulation. In the absence of PMA stimulation, our data demonstrate that despite the overall immunological profile of AS mimicry that observed for NI, the high frequency of IL-12+ neutrophils and TNF-α+ monocytes are also a hallmark of this group of individuals. However, the outstanding positive correlation between the high frequency of TNF-α+ monocytes and high levels CD4+ IL-10+ and CD8+ IL-10+ T cells suggests the establishment of immunoregulatory mechanisms that guarantee their asymptomatic clinical status. On the other hand, OL and HT did not present any association between the high frequency and TNF-α+ neutrophils and monocytes and this immunoregulatory profile at their adaptive immunity cells. Upon PMA-index analysis, high levels of type 1 CD4+ T cells, as well as higher IFN-γ/IL-10 and TNF-α/IL-10 ratios, were observed in HT, and re-emphasize the role of Th1-cytokines from CD4+ cells to HTLV-I immunity and disease. Moreover, increasing frequency of CD8+ IFN-γ+ and CD8+ TNF-α+ cells were observed in the HT, which corroborates the marked inflammatory profile underlying this pathological condition and the role of CD8+ T cells in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP.
The role of desmopressin in bilateral and simultaneous inferior petrosal sinus sampling for differential diagnosis of ACTH‐dependent Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Machado Marcio Carlos , De Sa Sandra Valeria , Domenice Sorahia , Fragoso Maria Candida B. Villares , Puglia Paulo , Pereira Maria Adelaide Albergaria , De Mendonça Berenice Bilharinho , Salgado Luiz Roberto 
Published: November 2006

SummaryObjective   Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS) with corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation is currently the gold standard test for the differential diagnosis of ACTH‐dependent Cushing's syndrome. Reports on the use of desmopressin in this approach are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of desmopressin during BIPSS in a cohort of patients with ACTH‐dependent Cushing's syndrome.Design   A retrospective case‐record study.Patients   Fifty‐six patients with confirmed ACTH‐dependent Cushing's syndrome underwent BIPSS with desmopressin stimulation when presenting negative pituitary tumour imaging.Measurements   Central to peripheral (CEN:PER) ACTH gradient, lateralization of the ACTH source and surgical tumour confirmation were evaluated.Results   A CEN:PER ACTH gradient was found in 40 patients under basal conditions (CEN:PER ≥ 2) and in 47 patients after desmopressin stimulation (CEN:PER ≥ 3). Ectopic ACTH‐producing tumours (three lung carcinoid tumour, one thymus carcinoid tumour and one thymus hyperplasia) were confirmed in five out of nine patients without the CEN:PER ACTH gradient, and four cases were false negative for Cushing's disease. Lateralization (IPS:IPS ≥ 1·4) was observed in 80·8% of patients under basal conditions (38/47) and in 97·8% after desmopressin (46/47), and it was surgically confirmed in 78·7%. There were no false‐positive cases. Sensitivity and specificity were 92·1% and 100%, respectively.Conclusions   Desmopressin improves the differential diagnosis of ACTH‐dependent Cushing's syndrome by amplifying the CEN:PER and IPS:IPS ACTH gradients, and is therefore a useful ACTH secretagogue in BIPSS.
Ultraviolet B screening potential is higher in two cosmopolitan moss species than in a co‐occurring Antarctic endemic moss: implications of continuing ozone depletion
Authors: DUNN JODIE L. , ROBINSON SHARON A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractConcentrations of UVB (ultraviolet B) absorbing pigments and anthocyanins were measured in three moss species, over a summer growing season in Antarctica. Pigment concentrations were compared with a range of climatic variables to determine if there was evidence that pigments were induced by UVB radiation, or other environmental parameters, and secondly if there were differences between species in their pigment responses. Significant seasonal differences in the potential UVB screening pigments were found, with the two cosmopolitan species Bryum pseudotriquetrum and Ceratodon purpureus appearing better protected from the potentially damaging effects of ozone depletion than the Antarctic endemic Schistidium antarctici. B. pseudotriquetrum accumulated the highest concentration of UVB screening pigments and showed positive associations between UVB radiation and both UVB absorbing and anthocyanin pigments. The negative associations between water availability measures and UVB absorbing and anthocyanin pigments also suggest that B. pseudotriquetrum is well protected in the desiccated state. This could offer B. pseudotriquetrum an advantage over the other species when high UVB radiation coincides with low temperatures and low water availability, thus limiting physiological activity and consequently, active photoprotective and repair mechanisms. As these pigments could act as either direct UVB screens or antioxidants, the results suggest that B. pseudotriquetrum is best equipped to deal with the negative effects of increased exposure to UVB radiation due to ozone depletion. The most exposed species, C. purpureus, has intermediate and stable concentrations of UVB absorbing pigments suggesting it may rely on constitutive UVB screens. Anthocyanin pigments were more responsive in this species and could offer increased antioxidant protection during periods of high UVB radiation. S. antarctici appears poorly protected and showed no evidence of any UV photoprotective response, providing additional evidence that this endemic is more vulnerable to climate change.
Habitual snoring is associated with elevated hemoglobin A1c levels in non‐obese middle‐aged adults
Authors: JOO SOONJAE , LEE SEUNGMIN , CHOI HUIMAHN A. , KIM JINKWAN , KIM EUNHEE , KIMM KUCHAN , KIM JEHYEONG , SHIN CHOL 
Published: November 2006

AbstractHemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is an indicator of long‐term glycemic control. The purpose of this study was to determine whether habitual snoring is associated with increased HbA1c levels in non‐obese and normoglycemic middle‐aged men and women. A total of 6981 subjects (3362 men and 3619 women) aged 40–69 years from the Korean Health and Genome Study were examined for the study. Each participant received a comprehensive physical examination as well as a set of questions pertaining to demographic characteristics and snoring frequency. Habitual snoring was defined as a snoring frequency of ≥4 days week−1. After adjusting for age, abdominal obesity, and other confounding covariates, male habitual snorers showed a 1.69‐fold excess [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–2.19] odds of having a high HbA1c level. Similarly, premenopausal women with habitual snoring had a 2.31 times (95% CI 1.22–4.39) significantly higher odds of having elevated HbA1clevels compared with non‐snorers. This association was not found in postmenopausal women. Multivariate analysis revealed that male habitual snorers aged 40–50 had a 2.08‐fold excess (95% CI 1.40–3.09) risk of having an elevated HbA1c level. In male habitual snores over 50, the strength of association was attenuated. Our findings based on cross‐sectional data support a hypothesis that habitual snoring is associated with impaired glucose tolerance even in non‐obese and normoglycemic men and premenopausal women. However, as waist circumference as an index of abdominal obesity (visceral adiposity) in the present study may only partially represent the effect of visceral fat, there may be a residual confounding from visceral obesity in our result. Longitudinal follow‐up studies are necessary to confirm the association between sleep‐disordered breathing and impaired glucose tolerance and to examine the causal relationship in a healthy population without obesity and diabetes.
Age and individual variability in performance during sleep restriction
Authors: BLIESE PAUL D. , WESENSTEN NANCY J. , BALKIN THOMAS J. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe effect of sleep loss on reaction time (RT) performance varies as a function of age, with RTs of older subjects typically showing less decrement (relative to rested baseline) than those of younger subjects. In the current paper, we examined the nature of this relationship in a 7‐day sleep restriction study. The number of repeated measures made it possible to model both intra‐individual trajectories over days and individual differences in these trajectories. Results revealed (a) consistent individual differences in RT patterns over time after controlling for experimental design effects; (b) less cumulative RT decline among older individuals regardless of the degree of sleep restriction; and (c) consistent individual variability in performance patterns even after accounting for the effects of age.
Temazepam at high altitude reduces periodic breathing without impairing next‐day performance: a randomized cross‐over double‐blind study
Authors: NICKOL ANNABEL H. , LEVERMENT JULIETTE , RICHARDS PAUL , SEAL PHILIPPA , HARRIS GREG A. , CLELAND JENIFER , DUBOWITZ GERALD , COLLIER DAVID J. , MILLEDGE JAMES , STRADLING JOHN R. , MORRELL MARY J. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe aim of the study was to examine the efficacy and safety of temazepam on nocturnal oxygenation and next‐day performance at altitude. A double‐blind, randomized, cross‐over trial was performed in Thirty‐three healthy volunteers. Volunteers took 10 mg of temazepam and placebo in random order on two successive nights soon after arrival at 5000 m, following a 17‐day trek from 410 m. Overnight SaO2 and body movements, and next‐day reaction time, maintenance of wakefulness and cognition were assessed. Compared with placebo, temazepam resulted in a reduction in periodic breathing from a median (range) of 16 (0–81.3)% of the night to 9.4 (0–79.6)% (P = 0.016, Wilcoxon's signed‐rank test), associated with a small but significant decrease in mean nocturnal SaO2 from 78 (65–84)% to 76 (64–83)% (P = 0.013). There was no change in sleep latency (P = 0.40) or restlessness (P = 0.30). Temazepam had no adverse effect on next‐day reaction time [241 (201–380) ms postplacebo and 242 (204–386) ms post‐temazepam], maintenance of wakefulness (seven trekkers failed to maintain 40 min of wakefulness postplacebo, and four post‐temazepam), cognition or acute mountain sickness. At high altitude temazepam reduces periodic breathing during sleep without an adverse effect on next‐day reaction time, maintenance of wakefulness or cognition. The 2% reduction in mean SaO2 post‐temazepam is likely to be predominantly because of acclimatization, as by chance more trekkers took temazepam on the first night (19 versus 14). We conclude that at high altitude temazepam is effective in reducing periodic breathing, and is safe to use, without any adverse effect upon next‐day performance.
Interaction between FtsW and penicillin‐binding protein 3 (PBP3) directs PBP3 to mid‐cell, controls cell septation and mediates the formation of a trimeric complex involving FtsZ, FtsW and PBP3 in mycobacteria
Authors: Datta Pratik , Dasgupta Arunava , Singh Anil Kumar , Mukherjee Partha , Kundu Manikuntala , Basu Joyoti 
Published: November 2006

SummaryIn bacteria, biogenesis of cell wall at the division site requires penicillin‐binding protein 3 (PBP3) (or FtsI). Using pull‐down, bacterial two‐hybrid, and peptide‐based interaction assays, we provide evidence that FtsW of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (FtsWMTB) interacts with PBP3 through two extracytoplasmic loops. Pro306 in the larger loop and Pro386 in the smaller loop of FtsW are crucial for these interactions. Fluorescence microscopy shows that conditional silencing of ftsW in Mycobacterium smegmatis prevents cell septation and positioning of PBP3 at mid‐cell. Pull‐down assays and conditional depletion of FtsW in M. smegmatis provide evidence that FtsZ, FtsW and PBP3 of mycobacteria are capable of forming a ternary complex, with FtsW acting as a bridging molecule. Bacterial three‐hybrid analysis suggests that in M. tuberculosis, the interaction (unique to mycobacteria) of FtsZ with the cytosolic C‐tail of FtsW strengthens the interaction of FtsW with PBP3. ftsW of M. smegmatis could be replaced by ftsW of M. tuberculosis. FtsWMTB could support formation of the FtsZ–FtsW–PBP3 ternary complex in M. smegmatis. Our findings raise the possibility that in the genus Mycobacterium binding of FtsZ to the C‐tail of FtsW may modulate its interactions with PBP3, thereby potentially regulating septal peptidoglycan biogenesis.
The FOX hunting system: an alternative gain‐of‐function gene hunting technique
Authors: Ichikawa Takanari , Nakazawa Miki , Kawashima Mika , Iizumi Haruko , Kuroda Hirofumi , Kondou Youichi , Tsuhara Yumi , Suzuki Kumiko , Ishikawa Akie , Seki Motoaki , Fujita Miki , Motohashi Reiko , Nagata Noriko , Takagi Tomoko , Shinozaki Kazuo , Matsui Minami 
Published: November 2006

SummaryWe have developed a novel gain‐of‐function system that we have named the FOX hunting system (Full‐length cDNA Over‐eXpressing gene hunting system). We used normalized full‐length cDNA and introduced each cDNA into Arabidopsis by in planta transformation. About 10 000 independent full‐length Arabidopsis cDNAs were expressed independently under the CaMV 35S promoter in Arabidopsis. Each transgenic Arabidopsis contained on average 2.6 cDNA clones and was monitored under various categories such as morphological changes, fertility and leaf color. We found 1487 possible morphological mutants from 15 547 transformants. When 115 pale green T1 mutants were analyzed, 59 lines represented the mutant phenotypes in more than 50% of the T2 progeny. Characterization of two leaf color mutants revealed the significance of this approach. We also document mutants from several categories and their corresponding full‐length cDNAs.