bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate autoreceptors respond to low and high agonist concentrations by facilitating, respectively, exocytosis and carrier‐mediated release of glutamate in rat hippocampus
Authors: Luccini Elisa , Musante Veronica , Neri Elisa , Raiteri Maurizio , Pittaluga Anna 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPresynaptic NMDA autoreceptors regulating glutamate release have rarely been investigated. High‐micromolar N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) was reported to elicit glutamate release from hippocampal synaptosomes in a Ca2+‐independent manner by reversal of excitatory amino acid transporters. The aim of this work was to characterize excitatory amino acid release evoked by low‐micromolar NMDA from glutamatergic axon terminals. Purified rat hippocampal synaptosomes were prelabelled with [3H]D‐aspartate ([3H]D‐ASP) and exposed in superfusion to varying concentrations of NMDA in the presence of 1 μM glycine. The release of [3H]D‐ASP and also that of endogenous glutamate provoked by 10 μM NMDA were external Ca2+ dependent and sensitive to the NMDA channel blocker MK‐801 but insensitive to the glutamate transporter inhibitor DL‐TBOA, which, on the contrary, prevented the Ca2+‐independent release evoked by 100 μM NMDA. The NMDA (10 μM) response was blocked by 1 nM Zn2+ and 1 μM ifenprodil, compatible with the involvement of a NR1/NR2A/NR2B assembly, although the presence of two separate receptor populations, i.e., NR1/NR2A and NR1/NR2B, cannot be excluded. This response was strongly antagonized by submicromolar (0.01–1 μM) concentrations of kynurenic acid and was mimicked by quinolinic acid (1–100 μM) plus 1 μM glycine. Finally, the HIV‐1 protein gp120 potently mimicked the NMDA coagonists glycine and D‐serine, being significantly effective at 30 pM. In conclusion, glutamatergic nerve terminals possess NMDA autoreceptors mediating different types of release when activated by different agonist concentrations: low‐micromolar glutamate would potentiate glutamate exocytosis, whereas higher glutamate concentrations would also provoke carrier‐mediated release. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Humidity parameters from temperature: test of a simple methodology for European conditions
Authors: Andersson‐Sköld Yvonne , Simpson David , Ødegaard Viel 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAtmospheric water content is important for local and regional climate, and for chemical processes of soluble and solute species in the atmosphere. Further, vapour pressure deficit (D) is one of the key controls on the opening of stomata in plants and is thus an important force for evapotransporation, plant respiration and biomass production and for the uptake of harmful pollutants such as ozone through the stomata.Most meteorological stations typically measure both temperature and relative humidity (RH). However, even if recorded at finer time resolution, it is usually the daily or often monthly means of RH which are published in climate reports. Unfortunately, such data cannot be used to obtain the changes in RH or vapour pressure deficit over the day, as this depends strongly on the diurnal temperature variation during the day and not upon the mean temperature.Although RH typically changes significantly over the day, the ambient vapour pressure is often remarkably constant. Here a simple method to estimate diurnal vapour pressure is evaluated, based upon an assumed constant vapour pressure, and that recorded minimum temperatures approximate dew‐point temperatures. With a knowledge of only temperature, we will show that day to day estimates of vapour pressure, humidity and especially D, can be made with reasonable accuracy. This methodology is tested using meteorological data from 32 sites covering a range of locations in Europe. Such a simple methodology may be used to extract approximate diurnal curves of vapour pressures from published meteorological data which contains only minimum temperatures for each day, or where humidity data are not available. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
A Phase II safety and effect on time to tumor progression study of intratumoral light infusion technology using talaporfin sodium in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Kujundžić M. , Vogl T.J. , Stimac D. , Rustemović N. , Hsi R. Alex , Roh M. , Katičić M. , Cuenca R. , Lustig R.A. , Wang S. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesTwenty‐seven patients with refractory liver metastases from colorectal cancer took part in a Phase II study of the light infusion technology™ (Litx™) light‐activated drug/device system to assess safety and evaluate time to tumor progression (TTP).MethodsLitx™ consists of the light‐activated drug, talaporfin sodium (LS11), activated intratumorally by a catheter‐like array of light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). After placement of the array via ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) guidance, LS11 was administered intravenously, followed 15–60 min later by light infusion for 2.8 hr. Patients were assessed for adverse events and tumor response using physical examination, laboratory values, and CT scan evaluation over a period of 60 days.ResultsThe observed occurrence of Litx™ treatment‐related adverse events was minimal and cumulative toxicity did not occur when combined with chemotherapy. Assessment of TTP and tumor response rate, although statistically non‐robust, suggest potential improvement.ConclusionsThe Litx™ system was shown to be safe for treating liver metastases from colorectal cancer and there was no cumulative toxicity when combined with standard systemic therapy. Preliminary assessments of TTP and tumor response rate justify further evaluation in a Phase III follow‐up study. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96:518–524. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intrathecal rituximab treatment for pediatric post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder of the central nervous system
Authors: van de Glind Gretha , de Graaf Siebold , Klein Christoph , Cornelissen Marlies , Maecker Britta , Loeffen Jan 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPost‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) in the central nervous system (CNS) has a poor prognosis. New therapeutic approaches should be explored. We report our experience with intrathecal administration of rituximab in a 10‐year‐old kidney allograft recipient with PTLD in the CNS. After standard treatment had failed, we tried to treat the patient by administering rituximab directly into the cerebral ventricle through an Omaya reservoir, in addition to conventional intrathecal and systemic chemotherapy. This strategy resulted in a disappearance of clinical symptoms and a negative positron emission tomogram. Intrathecal administration of rituximab may be a feasible approach in children with PTLD in the CNS. However, its specific role in our patient remains uncertain. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:886–888. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The conformation of the extracellular binding domain of Death Receptor 5 in the presence and absence of the activating ligand TRAIL: A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Wassenaar Tsjerk A. , Quax Wim J. , Mark Alan E. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe Death Receptor 5 (DR5), a member of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily of receptors, triggers apoptosis (programmed cell death) when stimulated by its tridentate ligand TRAIL. Until recently it was generally assumed that the activation of DR5 resulted from the recruitment of three independent receptor units, leading to the trimerization of intracellular domains. However, there is mounting evidence to suggest that, in the absence of ligand, such cytokine receptors primarily reside as preformed complexes. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations of the TRAIL‐DR5 complex, the unbound receptor trimer and individual receptor monomers are compared to gain insight in the mechanism of activation. The results suggest that, in the absence of TRAIL, DR5 has a strong propensity to self‐associate and that this is primarily mediated through interactions of the membrane proximal domains. The association of the free receptors leads to a loss of the threefold symmetry found within the receptor‐ligand complex. The simulations suggest that the primary role of TRAIL is to induce threefold‐symmetry within the DR5 complex and to constrain the receptor to a specific conformation. The implications of this in terms of the mechanism by which the receptor switches from an inactive to an active state are discussed. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Operons and the effect of genome redundancy in deciphering functional relationships using phylogenetic profiles
Authors: Moreno‐Hagelsieb Gabriel , Janga Sarath Chandra 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPhylogenetic profiles (PPs) are one of the most promising methods for predicting functional relationships by genomic context. The idea behind PPs is that if the products of two genes have a functional interdependence, the genes should both be either present or absent across genomes. One of the main problems with PPs is that evolutionarily close organisms tend to share a higher number of genes resulting in the overscoring of PP‐relatedness. The proper measure of the overscoring effect of evolutionary redundancy requires examples of both functionally related genes (positive gold standards) and functionally unrelated genes (negative gold standards). Since experimentally verified functional interactions are only available for a few model organisms, there is a need for an alternative to gold standards. The presence of operons (polycistronic transcription units formed of functionally related genes) in prokaryotic genomes offers such an alternative. Genes in operons are located next to each other in the same DNA strand, and thus their presence should result in a higher proportion of predicted functional interactions among adjacent genes in the same strand than among adjacent genes in opposite strands. Under the preceding principle, we present a confidence value (CV) designed for evaluating predictions of functional interactions obtained using PPs. We first show that the CV corresponds to a positive predictive value calculated using experimentally known operons and further validate operon predictions based on this CV in other organisms using available microarray data. Then, we use a fixed CV of 0.90 as a reference to compare PP predictions obtained using different nonredundant genome datasets filtered at varying thresholds of genomic similarity. Our results demonstrate that nonredundant genome datasets increase the number of high‐quality predictions by an average of 20%. Confidence values as those presented here should help compare other strategies and scoring systems to use phylogenetic profiles and other genomic context methods for predicting functional interactions. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the role of large conformational changes in the fidelity of DNA polymerase β
Authors: Xiang Yun , Goodman Myron F. , Beard William A. , Wilson Samuel H. , Warshel Arieh 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe relationships between the conformational landscape, nucleotide insertion catalysis and fidelity of DNA polymerase β are explored by means of computational simulations. The simulations indicate that the transition states for incorporation of right (R) and wrong (W) nucleotides reside in substantially different protein conformations. The protein conformational changes that reproduce the experimentally observed fidelity are significantly larger than the small rearrangements that usually accompany motions from the reactant state to the transition state in common enzymatic reactions. Once substrate binding has occurred, different constraints imposed on the transition states for insertion of R and W nucleotides render it highly unlikely that both transition states can occur in the same closed structure, because the predicted fidelity would then be many orders of magnitude too large. Since the conformational changes reduce the transition state energy of W incorporation drastically they decrease fidelity rather than increase it. Overall, a better agreement with experimental data is attained when the R is incorporated through a transition state in a closed conformation and W is incorporated through a transition state in one or perhaps several partially open conformations. The generation of free energy surfaces for R and W also allow us to analyze proposals about the relationship between induced fit and fidelity. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The targets of CAPRI rounds 6–12
Authors: Janin Joël 
Published: August 2007

AbstractSix protein–protein complexes and two homodimeric proteins involved in a variety of biological processes were offered as targets to CAPRI by crystallographers in Rounds 6–12. CAPRI predictor groups had to predict their structure by docking the free proteins, which they did with a degree of success that depended largely on the amplitude of the conformation changes. In one case at least, the prediction pointed to alternative possibilities of interactions in the crystal of a complex, showing that docking methods have value even when there is an experimental structure. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of wave‐like spatial structure in the SSVEP: Comparison of simultaneous EEG and MEG
Authors: Thorpe Samuel Garrett , Nunez Paul L. , Srinivasan Ramesh 
Published: August 2007

AbstractSteady‐state visual‐evoked potentials/fields (SSVEPs/SSVEFs) are used in cognitive and clinical electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetoencephalogram (MEG) studies because of their excellent signal‐to‐noise ratios and relative immunity to artifact. Steady‐state paradigms are also used to characterize preferred frequencies of dynamic neocortical processes. In this study, SSVEPs and SSVEFs were simultaneously recorded while subjects viewed checkerboard patterns alternating (black to white, white to black) with fixed driving frequency between 2 and 20 Hz. Distinct peaks in SSVEP/SSVEF power were observed in the theta (4–8 Hz) and upper alpha (10–14 Hz) bands. A distinct peak in SSVEP power was also observed in the beta band (between 15 and 20 Hz) which had no counterpart in the MEG. One‐dimensional spatial spectra indicate that distinct large‐scale source distributions contribute to SSVEP power in the upper alpha band in the form of long wavelength (λ>20 cm) traveling waves propagating from occipital to prefrontal electrodes. In the beta band, spatial spectra and SSVEF indicate that long‐wavelength source distributions over posterior and anterior regions form standing wave patterns. These results suggest that simple models of SSVEP based on a single dipole source in the occipital lobe are inadequate to explain the dynamic spatial patterns of SSVEP magnitude and phase. Theoretical models of SSVEP should include multiple local and distributed sources and exhibit both traveling and standing wave dynamics. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Perioperative Allogeneic Red Blood Cell Transfusion on the Immune‐Inflammatory Response After Colorectal Cancer Resection
Authors: Ydy Lenuce Ribeiro Aziz , Slhessarenko Natasha , de Aguilar‐Nascimento José Eduardo 
Published: August 2007

AbstractCytokines play an important role in the acute‐phase response to trauma. Few studies have analyzed the effects of allogeneic blood transfusion containing packed red blood cells (RBCs) on the early postoperative immune/inflammatory response after colorectal resection for cancer This study investigated whether allogeneic RBC transfusion influences the postoperative immune/inflammatory response of patients submitted to large bowel resection due to cancer. A total of 26 patients—15 men and 11 women, with a median age of 56.5 years (range 24–87 years)—were prospectively studied. Blood samples were obtained preoperatively and on the first and fourth postoperative days for C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and IL‐10 assays and for CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte counts. Transfused (≥3 and <3 units), and nontransfused patients were compared. Both IL‐6 and IL‐10 increased postoperatively in transfused patients (p < 0.01). The serum IL‐6 level was higher in patients receiving ≥3 units of RBCs (p < 0.01). CRP increased postoperatively unrelated to blood transfusion. The CD8 count decreased (p < 0.04) in transfused subjects, whereas CD4 decreased (p < 0.01) only in major‐transfusion patients. Perioperative allogeneic RBC transfusion enhances the inflammatory systemic response and decreased immunity in patients submitted to colorectal resection for cancer.
Effects of the bisphosphonate ibandronate on hyperalgesia, substance P, and cytokine levels in a rat model of persistent inflammatory pain
Authors: Bianchi Mauro , Franchi Silvia , Ferrario Paolo , Sotgiu Maria Luisa , Sacerdote Paola 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe anti‐inflammatory and analgesic properties of different bisphosphonates have been demonstrated in both animal and human studies. Ibandronate is a third‐generation bisphosphonate effective in managing different types of bone pain. In this study we investigated its effects in a standard pre‐clinical model of inflammatory pain. We evaluated the effects of a single injection of different doses (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0mg/kg i.p.) of ibandronate on inflammatory oedema and cutaneous hyperalgesia produced by the intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in the rat hind‐paw. In addition, we measured the effects of this drug (1.0mg/kg i.p.) on hind‐paw levels of different pro‐inflammatory mediators (PGE‐2, SP, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β). We also measured the levels of SP protein and of its mRNA in the ipsilateral dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Ibandronate proved able to reduce the inflammatory oedema, the hyperalgesia to mechanical stimulation, and the levels of SP in the inflamed tissue as measured 3 and 7 days following CFA‐injection. This drug significantly reduced the levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β only on day 7. On the other hand, the levels of PGE‐2 in the inflamed hind‐paw were unaffected by the administration of this bisphosphonate. Finally, ibandronate blocked the overexpression of SP mRNA in DRG induced by CFA‐injection in the hind‐paw.These data help to complete the pharmacodynamic profile of ibandronate, while also suggesting an involvement of several inflammatory mediators, with special reference to substance P, in the analgesic action of this bisphosphonate.
Is the goal of mastication reached in young dentates, aged dentates and aged denture wearers?
Authors: Mishellany-Dutour Anne , Renaud Johanne , Peyron Marie-Agnès , Rimek Frank , Woda Alain 
Published: August 2007

The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of age and dentition status on masticatory function. A three-arm case–control study was performed. Group 1 (n 14) was composed of young fully dentate subjects (age 35·6 ± 10·6 years), group 2 (n 14) of aged fully dentate subjects (age 68·8 ± 7·0 years) and group 3 (n 14) of aged full denture wearers (age 68·1 ± 7·2 years). Mastication adaptation was assessed in the course of chewing groundnuts and carrots to swallowing threshold. Particle size distribution of the chewed food, electromyographic (EMG) activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles during chewing, and resting and stimulated whole saliva rates were measured. Aged dentate subjects used significantly more chewing strokes to reach swallowing threshold than younger dentate subjects (P < 0·05), with increased particle size reduction, longer chewing sequence duration (P < 0·05) and greater total EMG activity (P < 0·05) for both groundnuts and carrots. In addition, aged denture wearers made significantly more chewing strokes than aged dentate subjects (P < 0·001) to reach swallowing threshold for groundnuts. Particle size reduction at time of swallowing was significantly poorer for denture wearers than for their aged dentate counterparts, despite an increase in chewing strokes, sequence duration and EMG activity per sequence. Masticatory function was thus adapted to ageing, but was impaired in denture wearers, who failed to adapt fully to their deficient masticatory apparatus.
Genetic variation and correlation among yield and quality traits in cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.)
Authors: JAFARI A. , NASERI H. 
Published: August 2007

SUMMARYThe objective of the present research was to study the genetic variability for total dry matter (DM) yield, tiller number, heading date and three quality traits, namely content of digestible dry matter (DDM), water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and crude protein (CP), in cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.). Twenty-five parents were randomly chosen from a genetically broad-based population, and their respective half-sib (HS) families were generated. Clonally-propagated parents and their HS family seeds were grown as individual plants using a randomized complete block design with two replications in Alborz Research Center, Karaj, Iran, during 2002–04. The results of combined analyses over 2 years showed significant variances between clonal parents for all traits except CP. In the HS generation, between-family variances were only significant for tiller number, heading date and WSC. Clone×year (S2GY) and family×year (S2FY) interactions were significant for all traits except for WSC in HS families. The estimates of broad-sense heritability (h2b) were moderate to high for all traits (h2b=0·37–0·69), except CP. Narrow-sense heritability (h2n) estimates from analyses of progenies and from regression of HS progenies on parents (h2op) were moderate, relatively the same values as h2b for heading date, tiller number and WSC, which suggested that additive genetic variance was the main component controlling these traits. For DM yield and DDM, h2n and h2op estimates were low, whereas h2b estimates were moderate, which suggested that both additive and non-additive gene effects played an important role in the genetic regulation of these traits. Genetic correlations among CP with both WSC and DDM were generally negative, whereas WSC was positively correlated with DDM and tiller number. The genetic correlation among DM yield with DDM was weak and inconsistent and, in general, negative. DM yield had negative and positive correlation with heading date and tiller number, respectively. It was concluded that there was significant variation and moderate heritability for most traits in the cocksfoot populations evaluated to improve yield and quality traits. Selection for high WSC is a means to improve quality in general. The data also indicate that response to combined selection for both DDM and DM yield should be possible. Selection for DDM alone could result in reduction in yield.
Naseptin® and peanut oil: a survey of practitioners' awareness in the UK
Authors: Abed T , Farhat S , Watters G 
Published: August 2007

AbstractObjective:The aim of this study was to determine how aware ENT practitioners are that Naseptin® (Alliance), widely used in ENT practice, contains peanut oil and to what extent this is conveyed to patients.Methods:A questionnaire was sent out to all ENT practitioners registered with the British Association of Otolaryngologists.Result:Analysis of the data confirmed that Naseptin cream is widely used in ENT practice and showed that although most practitioners are aware that Naseptin cream contains refined peanut oil (arachis oil) (74.3 per cent of consultants and 93.6 per cent of registrars) not all ask their patients whether they are allergic to peanuts (62.6 per cent of consultants and 87.3 per cent of registrars).Conclusion:The results suggest that more should be done to raise awareness amongst practitioners that Naseptin cream contains peanut oil and should be avoided in patients with a peanut allergy, as recommended by national guidelines. The use of Naseptin cream when contraindicated may have medicolegal implications.