bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester on visfatin and apelin in lean and overweight (cafeteria diet-fed) rats
Authors: Pérez-Echarri Nerea , Pérez-Matute Patricia , Marcos-Gómez Beatriz , Martínez J. Alfredo , Moreno-Aliaga María J. 
Published: August 2008

Previous studies have demonstrated that then-3 fatty acid EPA improves insulin resistance induced by high-fat diets. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of visfatin and apelin in the insulin-sensitising effects of EPA ethyl ester. The effects of EPA on muscle and adipose GLUT mRNA, as well as on liver glucokinase (GK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity, were investigated. Male Wistar rats fed on a standard diet or a high-fat cafeteria diet were daily treated by oral administration with EPA ethyl ester (1 g/kg) for 5 weeks. A significant decrease (P < 0·01) in white adipose tissue (WAT) visfatin mRNA levels was found in the cafeteria-fed rats, which was reversed by EPA administration (P < 0·05). Moreover, a negative relationship was observed between homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) and the visfatin:total WAT ratio. In contrast, cafeteria-diet feeding caused a significant increase (P < 0·01) in apelin mRNA in visceral WAT. EPA increased (P < 0·01) apelin gene expression, and a negative relationship between HOMA index with visceral apelin mRNA and serum apelin:total WAT ratio was also observed. EPA treatment did not induce changes in skeletal muscle GLUT1, GLUT4 or insulin receptor mRNA levels. Neither liver GK and G6Pase activity nor the GK:G6Pase ratio was modified by EPA. These data suggest that somehow the insulin-sensitising effects of EPA could be related to its stimulatory action on both visfatin and apelin gene expression in visceral fat, while changes in skeletal muscle GLUT, as well as in hepatic glucose production, are not likely to be the main contributing factors in the improvement in insulin resistance induced by EPA.
Nematodes from Swainson's spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii and an Orange River francolin Scleroptila levaillantoides in Free State Province, South Africa, with a description of Tetrameres swainsonii n. sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae)
Authors: Junker K. , Davies O.R. , Jansen R. , Crowe T.M. , Boomker J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractFive Swainson's spurfowl collected in Free State Province, South Africa, were examined for helminth parasites, and the nematodes Acuaria gruveli, Cyrnea parroti, Gongylonema congolense, Subulura dentigera, Subulura suctoria and a new Tetrameres species were recovered. Their respective prevalence was 100, 20, 80, 20, 20 and 20%. These nematodes are all new parasite records for Swainson's spurfowl, and Acuaria gruveli constitutes a new geographical record as well. A single specimen of Cyrnea eurycerca was found in an Orange River francolin, representing a new host and geographical record for this parasite. The new species, for which the name Tetrameres swainsonii is proposed, can be differentiated from its congeners by a combination of the following characters of males: two rows of body spines, a single spicule which is 1152–1392 μm long, and eight pairs of caudal spines arranged in two ventral and two lateral rows of four spines each. The single female has the globular shape typical of the genus.
Toxoplasmaand reaction time: role of toxoplasmosis in the origin, preservation and geographical distribution of Rh blood group polymorphism
Authors: NOVOTNÁ M. , HAVLÍČEK J. , SMITH A. P. , KOLBEKOVÁ P. , SKALLOVÁ A. , KLOSE J. , GAŠOVÁ Z. , PÍSAČKA M. , SECHOVSKÁ M. , FLEGR J. 
Published: August 2008

SUMMARYThe RhD protein which is theRHDgene product and a major component of the Rh blood group system carries the strongest blood group immunogen, the D-antigen. This antigen is absent in a significant minority of the human population (RhD-negatives) due toRHDdeletion or alternation. The origin and persistence of this RhD polymorphism is an old evolutionary enigma. Before the advent of modern medicine, the carriers of the rarer allele (e.g. RhD-negative women in the population of RhD-positives or RhD-positive men in the population of RhD-negatives) were at a disadvantage as some of their children (RhD-positive children born to pre-immunized RhD-negative mothers) were at a higher risk of foetal or newborn death or health impairment from haemolytic disease. Therefore, the RhD-polymorphism should be unstable, unless the disadvantage of carriers of the locally less abundant allele is counterbalanced by, for example, higher viability of the heterozygotes. Here we demonstrated for the first time that amongToxoplasma-free subjects the RhD-negative men had faster reaction times than Rh-positive subjects and showed that heterozygous men with both the RhD plus and RhD minus alleles were protected against prolongation of reaction times caused by infection with the common protozoan parasiteToxoplasma gondii. Our results suggest that the balancing selection favouring heterozygotes could explain the origin and stability of the RhD polymorphism. Moreover, an unequal prevalence of toxoplasmosis in different countries could explain pronounced differences in frequencies of RhD-negative phenotype in geographically distinct populations.
Abrogation of the resistance of choline-induced Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence to sub-MIC erythromycin by ethanol
Authors: Katri Nava , Garber Nachman Chaim , Kilfin Gillar , Gilboa-Garber Nechama 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Despite Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibiotic resistance, erythromycin (ERM, a macrolide) at subinhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) reduces its pathogenicity. We assessed ERM effects on P. aeruginosa in cultures containing choline (Ch) without and with 1% ethanol (Et) addition. Ch, as an osmoprotectant, increases the following virulence factors (VIFs): lectins (haemagglutination); proteases (casein and elastin lysis); haemolytic phospholipase C (PLC-H; haemolysis); pyocyanin (pigment o.d.) and autoinducers (violacein bioassay). Ethanol also increases lectins, proteases, pyocyanin, autoinducers and rhamnolipid (RHAL; haemolysis) formation, but reduces Ch-induced PLC and protease (elastase) activities. ERM has been shown to totally suppress the Et-induced VIFs, whereas partially reducing the Ch-induced ones. Unexpectedly, ERM combination with 1% Et dramatically annuls the Ch-induced factors. Et contribution might be attributed to its effect on cell membrane, displaying synergism with ERM, whereas antagonizing Ch osmoprotective potential and shifting gene expression. This information is worth further molecular investigation and clinical consideration for skin infection therapy.
Case-Control Study of Clinical Features of Influenza in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Babcock Hilary M. , Merz Liana R. , Dubberke Erik R. , Fraser Victoria J. 
Published: August 2008

Background.The symptoms of influenza infection in outpatients are well described. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition of an influenza-like illness (ILI) includes fever and cough or sore throat. Few data exist on the clinical presentation of influenza in hospitalized patients, which may be distinct from the clinical presentation of influenza in ambulatory patients because of underlying medical conditions and medications.Design.Retrospective case-control study.Setting.A 1,250-bed urban teaching hospital.Patients.A total of 369 patients were admitted to the general medicine wards during 3 consecutive influenza seasons (2001-2004): 123 case patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza that was diagnosed during routine medical care and 246 control patients with active surveillance culture results negative for influenza.Methods.Data on demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and signs and symptoms were obtained from a review of the medical records of the case and control patients. Analysis included stratified analysis and logistic regression.Results.Cough, coryza, sore throat, and fever were more common in patients with influenza infection. The CDC's definition of an ILI had a sensitivity of 43% and specificity of 86% in the study population, with a crude odds ratio (OR) of 4.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8-7.8). The sensitivity of the CDC's definition of an ILI decreased to 21% among asthmatic patients, who had similar rates of fever and/or ILI with or without influenza. By logistic regression, ILI was strongly associated with influenza infection in patients without asthma (adjusted OR, 7.5 [95% CI, 4.1-13.7]) but not in patients with asthma (adjusted OR, 1.1 [95% CI, 0.13-10]). The positive predictive value of an ILI in asthmatic patients was 50%.Conclusions.The CDC's definition of an ILI lacks sensitivity among hospitalized patients, and the presence of an ILI is not associated with influenza infection in asthmatic patients.
BAH1/NLA, a RING-Type Ubiquitin E3 Ligase, Regulates the Accumulation of Salicylic Acid and Immune Responses toPseudomonas syringaeDC3000
Authors: Yaeno Takashi , Iba Koh 
Published: August 2008

AbstractSalicylic acid (SA) is a primary factor responsible for exerting diverse immune responses in plants and is synthesized in response to attack by a wide range of pathogens. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) sid2 mutant is defective in a SA biosynthetic pathway involving ISOCHORISMATE SYNTHASE1 (ICS1) and consequently contains reduced levels of SA. However, the sid2 mutant as well as ICS-suppressed tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) still accumulate a small but significant level of SA. These observations along with previous studies suggest that SA might also be synthesized by another pathway involving benzoic acid (BA). Here we isolated a benzoic acid hypersensitive1-Dominant (bah1-D) mutant that excessively accumulated SA after application of BA from activation-tagged lines. This mutant also accumulated higher levels of SA after inoculation with Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000. Analysis of the bah1-D sid2 double mutant suggested that the bah1-D mutation caused both ICS1-dependent and -independent accumulation. In addition, the bah1-D mutant showed SA-dependent localized cell death in response to P. syringae pv tomato DC3000. The T-DNA insertional mutation that caused the bah1-D phenotypes resulted in the suppression of expression of the NLA gene, which encodes a RING-type ubiquitin E3 ligase. These results suggest that BAH1/NLA plays crucial roles in the ubiquitination-mediated regulation of immune responses, including BA- and pathogen-induced SA accumulation, and control of cell death.
Dynamic Proteomic Analysis Reveals a Switch between Central Carbon Metabolism and Alcoholic Fermentation in Rice Filling Grains
Authors: Xu Sheng Bao , Li Tang , Deng Zhu Yun , Chong Kang , Xue Yongbiao , Wang Tai 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAccumulation of reserve materials in filling grains involves the coordination of different metabolic and cellular processes, and understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the interconnections remains a major challenge for proteomics. Rice (Oryza sativa) is an excellent model for studying grain filling because of its importance as a staple food and the available genome sequence database. Our observations showed that embryo differentiation and endosperm cellularization in developing rice seeds were completed approximately 6 d after flowering (DAF); thereafter, the immature seeds mainly underwent cell enlargement and reached the size of mature seeds at 12 DAF. Grain filling began at 6 DAF and lasted until 20 DAF. Dynamic proteomic analyses revealed 396 protein spots differentially expressed throughout eight sequential developmental stages from 6 to 20 DAF and determined 345 identities. These proteins were involved in different cellular and metabolic processes with a prominently functional skew toward metabolism (45%) and protein synthesis/destination (20%). Expression analyses of protein groups associated with different functional categories/subcategories showed that substantially up-regulated proteins were involved in starch synthesis and alcoholic fermentation, whereas the down-regulated proteins in the process were involved in central carbon metabolism and most of the other functional categories/subcategories such as cell growth/division, protein synthesis, proteolysis, and signal transduction. The coordinated changes were consistent with the transition from cell growth and differentiation to starch synthesis and clearly indicated that a switch from central carbon metabolism to alcoholic fermentation may be important for starch synthesis and accumulation in the developmental process.
Genetic Variation for Lettuce Seed Thermoinhibition Is Associated with Temperature-Sensitive Expression of Abscisic Acid, Gibberellin, and Ethylene Biosynthesis, Metabolism, and Response Genes
Authors: Argyris Jason , Dahal Peetambar , Hayashi Eiji , Still David W. , Bradford Kent J. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractLettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Salinas’) seeds fail to germinate when imbibed at temperatures above 25°C to 30°C (termed thermoinhibition). However, seeds of an accession of Lactuca serriola (UC96US23) do not exhibit thermoinhibition up to 37°C in the light. Comparative genetics, physiology, and gene expression were analyzed in these genotypes to determine the mechanisms governing the regulation of seed germination by temperature. Germination of the two genotypes was differentially sensitive to abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA) at elevated temperatures. Quantitative trait loci associated with these phenotypes colocated with a major quantitative trait locus (Htg6.1) from UC96US23 conferring germination thermotolerance. ABA contents were elevated in Salinas seeds that exhibited thermoinhibition, consistent with the ability of fluridone (an ABA biosynthesis inhibitor) to improve germination at high temperatures. Expression of many genes involved in ABA, GA, and ethylene biosynthesis, metabolism, and response was differentially affected by high temperature and light in the two genotypes. In general, ABA-related genes were more highly expressed when germination was inhibited, and GA- and ethylene-related genes were more highly expressed when germination was permitted. In particular, LsNCED4, a gene encoding an enzyme in the ABA biosynthetic pathway, was up-regulated by high temperature only in Salinas seeds and also colocated with Htg6.1. The temperature sensitivity of expression of LsNCED4 may determine the upper temperature limit for lettuce seed germination and may indirectly influence other regulatory pathways via interconnected effects of increased ABA biosynthesis.
OPINIONS OF RESEARCHERS BASED IN THE UK ON RECRUITING SUBJECTS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES INTO RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS
Authors: NEWTON SAM K. , APPIAH‐POKU JOHN 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTBackground:  Explaining technical terms in consent forms prior to seeking informed consent to recruit into trials can be challenging in developing countries, and more so when the studies are randomized controlled trials. This study was carried out to examine the opinions of researchers on ways of dealing with these challenges in developing countries.Methods:  Recorded in‐depth interviews with 12 lecturers and five doctoral students, who had carried out research in developing countries, at a leading school of public health in the United Kingdom. A purposive, snowballing approach was used to identify interviewees.Results:  Researchers were divided on the feasibility of explaining technical trials in illiterate populations; the majority of them held the view that local analogies could be used to explain these technical terms. Others were of the opinion that this could not be done since it was too difficult to explain technical trials, such as randomized controlled trials, even to people in developed countries.Conclusion:  Researchers acknowledged the difficulty in explaining randomized controlled trials but it was also their perception that this was an important part of the ethics of the work of scientific research involving human subjects. These difficulties notwithstanding, efforts should be made to ensure that subjects have sufficient understanding to consent, taking into account the fact that peculiar situations in developing countries might compound this difficulty.
Clarithromycin with low dose dexamethasone and thalidomide is effective therapy in relapsed/refractory myeloma
Authors: Morris T. C. M. , Kettle P. J. , Drake M. , Jones F. C. G. , Hull D. R. , Boyd K. , Morrison A. , Clarke P. , O’Reilly P. , Quinn J. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryA combination of clarithromycin, low dose of thalidomide and low dose dexamethasone was used in a phase II study to treat patients with relapsed and refractory myeloma. Thirty patients received clarithromycin 250 mg twice daily and thalidomide 50 mg at night on an ongoing basis with 4‐d pulses of 10 mg dexamethasone given monthly. Eight patients had permitted escalation of thalidomide dosage up to 200 mg daily. The combination was well tolerated and could be given to elderly, infirm and severely cytopenic patients. Response rates were high, with 89% achieving at least 50% reduction in paraprotein and a 96% overall response rate. Although clarithromycin has only minimal anti‐myeloma properties when used as a single agent, its combination with thalidomide and dexamethasone appears very effective, allowing these to be used in lower and more tolerable doses with good clinical effects.
Effect of polyphenol and pH on cocoa Maillard‐related flavour precursors in a lipidic model system
Authors: Noor‐Soffalina S. S. , Jinap S. , Nazamid S. , Nazimah S. A. H. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryPolyphenol and pH influence the flavour quality of cocoa beans during roasting. Amino acids and reducing sugars are flavour precursors in cocoa beans, which develop into cocoa‐specific aroma through Maillard reactions during roasting. A central composite design was applied to determine the combined effect of polyphenol and pH on the flavour precursors during cocoa roasting at 120 °C for 45 min using a lipidic model system. Polyphenol was added at 40, 80 and 120 g kg−1and pH was adjusted to 4.5, 6 and 7.5. The response surface methodology revealed that a lower concentration of amino acids and reducing sugars was obtained at higher polyphenol concentration (120 g kg−1) and lower pH value (4.5). Based on the constraints set, the best polyphenol concentration of 43–58 g kg−1and pH of 7.0–7.5 was found to be optimum for the formation of flavour precursors in this lipidic model study.
Reliability and validity of the revised Triple C: Checklist of Communicative Competencies for adults with severe and multiple disabilities
Authors: Iacono T. , West D. , Bloomberg K. , Johnson H. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAims  Few tools are available to assess the communication skills of adults with severe and multiple disabilities functioning at unintentional to early symbolic levels. An exception is the Triple C: Checklist of Communicative Competencies. In this study, aspects of support worker and clinician agreement, internal consistency and construct validity of a revised version of the Triple C were explored.Method  Triple C checklists were completed for 72 adults with severe intellectual disabilities (ID) by 118 support workers and stages were assigned by the researchers. Two support workers completed checklists for each of 68 adults with ID. Three researchers also conducted direct observations of 20 adults with ID.Results  The average support worker agreement for items across the five stages of the Triple C ranged from 81% to 87%; agreement for stage assignment based on first and second support worker checklists was moderate to high (k = 0.63). Internal consistency was high (KR20 = 0.97); the stages were found to tap one factor (accounting for ∼74% of variance), interpreted to be unintentional to early symbolic communication. Agreements between stages based on researcher observations and support worker‐completed checklists were 35% and 71% across first and second support workers.Conclusion  The revised Triple C provides a reliable means of gathering data on which to determine the communication skills of adults with severe and multiple disabilities. The results support a collaborative use of the Triple C, such that a speech‐language pathologist or other communication specialist works with a support worker to ensure understanding of the skills observed and development of appropriate intervention strategies.
Imaging amoeboid cancer cell motility in vivo
Authors: PINNER S. , SAHAI E. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe availability of multi‐photon intravital microscopy has recently allowed researchers to start to visualise the dynamic behaviour of cancer cells in vivo. This imaging has revealed that many cancer cells ranging from carcinoma to melanoma move in an amoeboid manner in order to invade surrounding tissue and escape from the primary tumour. This mode on cell motility is extremely rapid and does not require the activity of proteases to degrade the extra‐cellular matrix (ECM). This review details the techniques that are available to study cell motility in vivo and discusses the current knowledge about the mechanisms of amoeboid cell motility.
Mechanisms of actin stress fibre assembly
Authors: NAUMANEN P. , LAPPALAINEN P. , HOTULAINEN P. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryStress fibres are contractile acto‐myosin structures found from many types of non‐muscle cells, where they are involved in adhesion, motility and morphogenesis. Stress fibres typically display a periodic α‐actinin–myosin II pattern and are thus suggested to resemble the sarcomeric actin filament structures of muscle cells. Mammalian cells contain three categories of stress fibres: ventral stress fibres that are attached to focal adhesions at both ends, dorsal stress fibres that are attached to focal adhesions typically at one end and transverse arcs that are curved acto‐myosin bundles, which do not directly attach to focal adhesions. In this review, we discuss the definition of stress fibres, organization of actin filaments and other components within these contractile structures, and the mechanisms of stress fibre assembly.
Roles of cell adhesion molecules nectin and nectin‐like molecule‐5 in the regulation of cell movement and proliferation
Authors: OGITA H. , IKEDA W. , TAKAI Y. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryIn response to chemoattractants, migrating cells form protrusions, such as lamellipodia and filopodia, and structures, such as ruffles over lamellipodia, focal complexes and focal adhesions at leading edges. The formation of these leading edge structures is essential for directional cell movement. Nectin‐like molecule‐5 (Necl‐5) interacts in cis with PDGF receptor and integrin αvβ3, and enhances the activation of signalling molecules associated with these transmembrane proteins, which results in the formation of leading edge structures and enhancement of directional cell movement. When migrating cells come into contact with each other, cell–cell adhesion is initiated, resulting in reduced cell velocity. Necl‐5 first interacts in trans with nectin‐3. This interaction is transient and induces down‐regulation of Necl‐5 expression at the cell surface, resulting in reduced cell movement. Cell proliferation is also suppressed by the down‐regulation of Necl‐5, because the inhibitory effect of Necl‐5 on Sprouty2, a negative regulator of the Ras signalling, is diminished. PDGF receptor and integrin αvβ3, which have interacted with Necl‐5, then form a complex with nectin, which initiates cell–cell adhesion and recruits cadherin to the nectin‐based cell–cell adhesion sites to form stable adherens junctions. The formation of adherens junctions stops cell movement, in part through inactivation of integrin αvβ3 caused by the trans‐interaction of nectin. Thus, nectin and Necl‐5 play key roles in the regulation of cell movement and proliferation.