bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do Contrastingly Colored Unripe Fruits of the Neotropical Tree Ardisia nigropunctata Attract Avian Seed Dispersers?
Authors: Amsberry Lindsay K. , Steffen John E. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTVisual cues in fruit displays from foliage, accessory structures, and ripe fruit color are known to be important in attracting bird seed dispersers to ripe fruit, but the role of color in unripe fruit has not been thoroughly studied. Here, we tested the effects of unripe fruit presence and fruit abundance by offering fruit of a Neotropical tree, Ardisia nigropunctata (Myrsinaceae), in bunches of mixed unripe and ripe fruit and bunches of all‐ripe fruit. Additionally, foraging bird species identification and behavior information was collected. Contrary to expectation, birds removed more fruit from all‐ripe bunches with the most fruit than from contrastingly colored fruit bunches. We therefore discuss alternate explanations for unripe fruit colors in mixed bunches.
Characterization of ryanodine receptors in rat colonic epithelium
Authors: Prinz G. , Diener M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAim:  Functional evidence suggests the presence of two types of intracellular Ca2+ channels responsible for the release of Ca2+ from Ca2+‐stores, i.e. inositol‐1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3R) and ryanodine receptors (RyR), in rat colonic epithelium. Generally, three ryanodine receptor isoforms (RyR1–RyR3) are known; however, the type of RyR at this epithelium is unknown and was the focus of the present study.Methods:  RyRs were characterized by molecular biological and immunohistochemical methods in the rat colon.Results:  A transcript of RyR1 was found in mRNA from colonic crypts. In contrast, RyR2 and RyR3 were found in their corresponding reference tissues, but not in the cDNA from colonic crypts suggesting a predominant expression of the RyR1 isoform in this epithelium.In order to characterize the subcellular localization of RyR1, immunohistochemical experiments were performed. They showed that RyR1 is present in the lamina epithelialis mucosae and smooth muscle cells and is distributed equally along the whole crypt axis with no difference between surface and crypt cells. A double staining with IP3R3, the dominant cytoplasmic isoform of IP3Rs in this epithelium, revealed that there is only little colocalization of the two receptor subtypes within the epithelial cells. Furthermore, the epithelium is equipped with the enzyme CD38 responsible for the production of cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose, the physiological agonist of RyR.RyRs are known to be activated by changes in the redox state. The oxidant, monochloramine evoked a ruthenium red‐sensitive Ca2+ release all over the crypt axis. This release was unaffected by prior stimulation of IP3 receptors with ATP (and vice versa).Conclusion:  The present data suggest a functional separation of IP3‐ and ryanodine receptor‐carrying Ca2+ stores in the colonic epithelium.
Common Polymorphisms in the MDM2 and TP53 Genes and the Relationship between TP53 Mutations and Patient Outcomes in Glioblastomas
Authors: Zawlik Izabela , Kita Daisuke , Vaccarella Salvatore , Mittelbronn Michel , Franceschi Silvia , Ohgaki Hiroko 
Published: May 2008

Abstract MDM2 SNP309 is associated with younger age of tumor onset in patients with Li‐Fraumeni syndrome, and TP53 codon 72 polymorphism decreases its apoptotic potential. Glioblastomas frequently show genetic alterations in the TP53 pathway. In the present study, we assessed MDM2 SNP309 in 360 glioblastomas, and correlated these with patient age and survival, as well as other alterations in the TP53 pathway. Frequencies of the MDM2 SNP309 T/T, T/G and G/G genotypes in glioblastomas were 40%, 46% and 14%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that MDM2 SNP309 G/G allele was significantly associated with favorable outcome in female glioblastoma patients (hazard ratio 0.54; 95% CI = 0.32–0.92). There was a significant association between MDM2 SNP309 G alleles and TP53 codon 72 Pro/Pro in glioblastomas. Glioblastoma patients with TP53 codon 72 Pro/Pro genotype were significantly younger than Arg/Arg carriers (mean 50.2 vs. 56.1 years; P = 0.018). Multivariate analysis showed that those with TP53 codon 72 Arg/Pro allele had significantly shorter survival than those with Arg/Arg allele (hazard ratio 1.35; 95% CI = 1.07–1.71). Detailed analyses revealed that TP53 codon 72 Pro allele was significantly associated with shorter survival among patients with glioblastomas carrying a TP53 mutation, and among those treated with surgery plus radiotherapy.
The Effects of Far‐red Light on Plant Growth and Flavonoid Accumulation in Brassica napus in the Presence of Ultraviolet B Radiation
Authors: Gerhardt Karen E. , Lampi Mark A. , Greenberg Bruce M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractFlavonoid induction is regulated by complex signal transduction pathways involving cryptochrome, phytochrome and UVB photoreceptors. Previously, we identified the UVB‐inducible flavonoids in Brassica napus cv. Topas leaves and showed that UVA affected accumulation of the quercetin (Q) and kaempferol (K) glycosides (Wilson et al. [2000] Photochem. Photobiol. 73, 678–684). In this study, we examined the effects of far‐red light (FR, 700–780 nm) on UVB‐mediated flavonoid accumulation in B. napus. Plants were grown under photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm, 150 μmol m−2 s−1) plus a moderate level of FR (35 μmol m−2 s−1) for 14 days, and then transferred to five different irradiation regimes (PAR ± [UVA + UVB] + moderate, intermediate or low fluence FR) for 4 days. Kinetics of flavonoid accumulation were assessed via HPLC. Accumulation of flavonoids, in general, was suppressed by increasing the amount of FR in the spectrum. Furthermore, addition of UVB (290–320 nm) to the spectrum altered the flavonoid composition by causing significant changes in the quantities of individual flavonoids. The relative levels of acylated K glycosides were diminished whereas the relative levels of nonacylated Q glycosides increased dramatically. With UVB exposure there was a five‐fold increase in the Q:K ratio. In contrast, increasing the level of FR in the presence of UVB decreased the Q:K ratio by half.
Probing Pineal‐specific Gene Expression with Transgenic Zebrafish†
Authors: Kojima Daisuke , Dowling John E. , Fukada Yoshitaka 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe pineal gland of zebrafish (Danio rerio) contains light‐sensitive photoreceptor cells and plays an important role in the neuroendocrine system. The zebrafish exorhodopsin gene encodes a pineal‐specific photoreceptive protein, whose promoter region harbors a cis‐acting element, pineal expression‐promoting element (PIPE), directing pineal‐specific gene expression. For in vivo genetic studies on PIPE‐binding proteins and their regulatory mechanisms, we generated a transgenic zebrafish line, Tg(P20‐rh/P:gfp), that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the zebrafish rhodopsin promoter fused with 20 PIPE repeats. In Tg(P20‐rh/P:gfp) fish, PIPE‐dependent gene expression is visualized by GFP fluorescence in the pineal gland along with PIPE‐independent GFP signals in the retinal rod photoreceptors. The transgenic fish exhibit detectable and reproducible GFP fluorescence in the larval pineal gland by 5 days postfertilization. Antisense morpholino‐mediated knock‐down of a pineal transcription factor gene, otx5, suppresses pineal GFP expression in the transgenic line. In a pilot screen of N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea‐treated fish of the GFP transgenic line, we isolated potential dominant mutations that cause attenuation of pineal GFP fluorescence with a marginal effect on the retinal GFP signal. The results suggest that the Tg(P20‐rh/P:gfp) line will be useful for detecting deficits in PIPE‐dependent gene expression in the pineal gland.
Coexistent Psoriasis and Bullous Pemphigoid Responding to Mycophenolate Mofetil Monotherapy
Authors: Rallis Efstathios , Anyfantakis Vasileios 
Published: May 2008

A 73‐year‐old woman with a 50‐year history of psoriasis was referred to our clinic with a 4‐month duration of tense bullae on erythematous base and erosions localized on her lower extremities and torso (Figure 1A). Neither the oral nor the ocular mucosa had been involved. The lesions were intensively pruritic, significantly affecting the quality of her life. At the time of the examination, the patient presented with psoriatic plaques with adherent scales confined on the scalp (Figure 2A). According to the patient's history, her limited psoriasis was partially controlled with occasional topical medications (topical corticosteroids, calcipotriol, and tar shampoo). She also had insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus, asthmatic bronchitis, and partially controlled hypertension with hyperlipidemia. A biopsy specimen was taken from lesional skin on her feet, and a histological examination showed a subepidermal blister with an inflammatory cell infiltrate in the upper dermis. No drugs were incriminated, and diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid was confirmed by Western immunoblotting of serum. Laboratory investigation revealed mild thrombocytopenia of 110,000/mm3, cholesterol 279 mg/dL, and triglycerides 210 mg/dL. The patient could not tolerate prednisolone and cyclosporine because of hypertension and diabetes, or azathioprine because of the mild thrombocytopenia; she did not consent to receiving biologics. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was then considered a choice. The patient agreed, and she was initially administered 1000 mg/d. After 2 weeks, the dosage increased to 1000 mg twice a day because of the formation of new blisters. Within 8 weeks of treatment with MMF 2000 mg/d, marked improvement was observed and her pruritus resolved. Complete remission of bullous pemphigoid and psoriasis was achieved within 3 and 4 months, respectively. Routine laboratory studies were performed before treatment and every month during therapy, and MMF was tolerated without side effects. The treatment was continued for 6 months with no subsequent relapse of the dermatoses (Figure 1B and Figure 2B). A, Dispersed bullae on erythematous base on the feet. B, Complete clearing 6 months after the initiation of mycophenolate mofetil. image A, Psoriatic plaques with adherent scales and erosions. B, Complete clearing 6 months after the initiation of mycophenolate mofetil. image
Erdheim‐Chester Disease With Cutaneous Features in an Indian Patient
Authors: Garg Taru , Chander Ram , Gupta Tanvi , Mendiratta Vibhu , Jain Manjula 
Published: May 2008

A 60‐year‐old Indian woman presented with multiple asymptomatic, firm swellings over the face that had been progressively increasing for the past 3.5 years. She complained of dry cough and dyspnea of 2 years' duration, which was diagnosed as interstitial lung disease (ILD) based on chest radiography and high‐resolution computed tomography. Apart from occasional backaches, the patient had no other systemic complaints. The results of the general physical examination was normal, with no lymphadenopathy. Cutaneous examination revealed multiple (5) firm, yellowish to skin‐colored well‐defined nodules with irregular margins ranging in size from 1× 1 cm to 4×8 cm present over the left periorbital region and right jawline, with overlying telangiectasias on the skin (Figure 1). On examination of the chest, she had generalized rhonchi and crepts; the remainder of the systemic examination results were normal. Fine needle aspiration cytology from the nodule in the periorbital area revealed a dispersed population of spindle cells, numerous foam cells, and giant cells suggestive of xanthogranuloma. Histopathology from the nodule on the jawline showed abundant foamy histiocytes in the dermis with few multinucleated giant cells and lymphocytes (Figure 2). The foamy histiocytes were periodic acid‐Schiff‐positive. On immunohistochemistry, histiocytes were CD68‐positive. Findings of routine investigations including hemogram, peripheral blood smear, and blood chemistry were normal. Radiography of the lumbosacral spine showed mixed osteolytic and osteosclerotic lesions involving L5‐S1, the left sacroiliac joint, and the left iliac blade. Findings from radiography of the long bones and skull were normal. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomographic scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed areas of osteolysis, with marginal sclerosis present bilaterally that involved the iliac blades and the right half of the sacrum. A methylene diphosphate bone scan revealed increased tracer uptake seen at the fifth lumbar vertebrae, bilateral sacroiliac bone, and left iliac bone and areas of photopenia in sacrum. Bone marrow aspiration from the sternum showed normal cells with a normal erythroid‐to‐myeloid ratio. Ultrasonographic B scanning of the eyes showed no retro‐orbital involvement. Erdheim‐Chester disease was diagnosed in this patient on the basis of diagnostic histopathology, radiologic features involving bones, and ILD and treatment with 40 mg oral prednisolone daily was started. Surgical debulking of her skin lesions was planned, but the patient refused due to her worsening ILD. Photograph showing xanthomatous coalescing nodules with overlying telangiectasias and crusted fine needle aspiration cytology site. image Photomicrograph showing foamy histiocytes, giant cells, and lymphocytes (hematoxylin and eosin stain, original magnification ×40). image
Tacrolimus‐Induced Hyperpigmentation in a Patch of Vitiligo
Authors: De Dipankar , Kanwar Amrinder Jit 
Published: May 2008

A 10‐year‐old boy had vitiligo vulgaris involving limited areas and was prescribed topical tacrolimus ointment (0.03%), as the lesions were present in the infraorbital area in addition to other areas including the arms, thighs, and around the knees and ankles. Within 2 months of starting treatment, he had evidence of diffuse repigmentation of all the patches of vitiligo. Two months later, all the lesions repigmented completely with excellent color matching except those in the infraorbital area. The parents were anxious due to brownish hyperpigmentation in the previous patch of vitiligo in infraorbital area (Figure). He had no irritation or burning sensation in the areas of application. There was no history of photosensitivity. The patient was applying tacrolimus once at night, and no photoprotection was advised. Due to location of the lesion in the infraorbital area, a cosmetically important site, the parents did not consent for punch biopsy. The hyperpigmentation was temporary, with reappearance of depigmentation within 1 month of discontinuing topical tacrolimus application. Brownish hyperpigmentation in the site of previous vitiligo patch. image
Arterial Stiffness and Vascular Load in Heart Failure
Authors: Ooi Henry , Chung William , Biolo Andreia 
Published: May 2008

“Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.”—Lao Tzu, 6th century BC Vascular load is an important determinant of ventricular function. This is particularly true of the failing heart, which is exquisitely load‐sensitive. Vascular load comprises 2 major components: resistive load, which arises primarily at the arteriolar resistance vessels, and pulsatile load, which is primarily determined by aortic stiffness and early return of reflected waves from the periphery to the heart. Assessment of pulsatile load is gaining increasing prominence as evidence grows of a significant pathophysiologic role for arterial stiffness in cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. Assessment of arterial stiffness and vascular load is reviewed here. The importance of optimal ventricular‐vascular coupling to maximize the efficiency of cardiac ejection is discussed. Current knowledge of arterial stiffness, vascular load, and ventricular‐vascular coupling in systolic heart failure and in heart failure with a normal ejection fraction (“diastolic failure”) is described. Reducing aortic stiffness may form an important future therapeutic target in patients with heart failure.
Potent In Vitro Antifungal Activities of Naturally Occurring Acetylenic Acids
Authors: Li Xing-Cong , Jacob Melissa R. , Khan Shabana I. , Ashfaq M. Khalid , Babu K. Suresh , Agarwal Ameeta K. , ElSohly Hala N. , Manly Susan P. , Clark Alice M. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT

Our continuing effort in antifungal natural product discovery has led to the identification of five 6-acetylenic acids with chain lengths from C
16
to C
20
: 6-hexadecynoic acid (compound 1), 6-heptadecynoic acid (compound 2), 6-octadecynoic acid (compound 3), 6-nonadecynoic acid (compound 4), and 6-icosynoic acid (compound 5) from the plant
Sommera sabiceoides
. Compounds 2 and 5 represent newly isolated fatty acids. The five acetylenic acids were evaluated for their in vitro antifungal activities against
Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Trichophyton mentagrophytes
, and
Trichophyton rubrum
by comparison with the positive control drugs amphotericin B, fluconazole, ketoconazole, caspofungin, terbinafine, and undecylenic acid. The compounds showed various degrees of antifungal activity against the 21 tested strains. Compound 4 was the most active, in particular against the dermatophytes
T. mentagrophytes
and
T. rubrum
and the opportunistic pathogens
C. albicans
and
A. fumigatus
, with MICs comparable to several control drugs. Inclusion of two commercially available acetylenic acids, 9-octadecynoic acid (compound 6) and 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (compound 7), in the in vitro antifungal testing further demonstrated that the antifungal activities of the acetylenic acids were associated with their chain lengths and positional triple bonds. In vitro toxicity testing against mammalian cell lines indicated that compounds 1 to 5 were not toxic at concentrations up to 32 μM. Furthermore, compounds 3 and 4 did not produce obvious toxic effects in mice at a dose of 34 μmol/kg of body weight when administered intraperitoneally. Taking into account the low in vitro and in vivo toxicities and significant antifungal potencies, these 6-acetylenic acids may be excellent leads for further preclinical studies.
Inactivation of the Type IV Secretion System Reduces the Th1 Polarization of the Immune Response toBrucella abortusInfection
Authors: Rolán Hortensia García , Tsolis Renée M. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTTheBrucella abortustype IV secretion system (T4SS), encoded by thevirBoperon, is essential for establishing persistent infection in the murine reticuloendothelial system. To gain insight into the in vivo interactions mediated by the T4SS, we compared host responses elicited byB. abortuswith those of an isogenic mutant in thevirBoperon. Mice infected with theB. abortus virBmutant elicited smaller increases in serum levels of immunoglobulin G2a, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and interleukin-12p40 than did mice infected with wild-typeB. abortus. Despite equal bacterial loads in the spleen, at 3 to 4 days postinfection, levels of IFN-γ were higher in mice infected with wild-typeB. abortusthan in mice infected with thevirBmutant, as shown by real-time PCR, intracellular cytokine staining, and cytokine levels. IFN-γ-producing CD4+T cells were more abundant in spleens of mice infected with wild-typeB. abortusthan invirBmutant-infected mice. Similar numbers of IFN-γ-secreting CD8+T cells were observed in the spleens of mice infected withB. abortus2308 or avirBmutant. These results suggest that early differences in cytokine responses contribute to a stronger Th1 polarization of the immune response in mice infected with wild-typeB. abortusthan in mice infected with thevirBmutant.
Francisella tularensis
subsp.
tularensis
Schu S4 Disulfide Bond Formation Protein B, but Not an RND-Type Efflux Pump, Is Required for Virulence
Authors: Qin Aiping , Scott David W. , Mann Barbara J. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT

Francisella tularensis
subsp.
tularensis
is a highly virulent bacterium that is a CDC select agent. Despite advancements in the understanding of its biology, details pertaining to virulence are poorly understood. In previous work, we identified a transposon insertion mutant in the FTT0107c locus that was defective in intracellular survival in HepG2 and J77A.1 cells. Here, we report that this mutant was also highly attenuated in vivo. The FTT0107c locus is predicted to encode an ortholog of the disulfide bond formation B protein (DsbB). This designation was confirmed by complementation of an
Escherichia coli dsbB
mutant. This
dsbB
mutant of Schu S4 was highly attenuated in mice, but unlike what has been reported for
Francisella novicida
, intranasal immunization with a sublethal dose did not induce protection against wild-type challenge.
dsbB
was found to be transcribed in an operon with
acrA
and
acrB
, which encode an RND-type efflux pump. However, this pump did not make a significant contribution to virulence because strains with nonpolar deletions in
acrA
and
acrB
behaved like wild-type strain Schu S4 with respect to intracellular growth and in vivo virulence. This result is in contrast to a report that an
acrB
mutant of a live vaccine strain of
F. tularensis
has decreased virulence in mice. Overall, these results demonstrate key differences between the virulence requirements of Schu S4 and less virulent subspecies of
Francisella
. We have shown that DsbB is a key participant in intracellular growth and virulence, and our results suggest that there are critical virulence factors that contain disulfide bonds.
Assessment of exercise capacity and respiratory muscle oxygenation in healthy children and children with congenital heart diseases
Authors: Moalla Wassim , Dupont Grégory , Temfemo Abdou , Maingourd Yves , Weston Matthew , Ahmaidi Said 
Published: May 2008

Muscular and cardiorespiratory dysfunction contributes to exercise intolerance. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to characterize the cardiopulmonary response andrespiratory muscle oxygenation of children with congenital heart diseases (CHD) when compared with those of healthy children. Twelve children with CHD in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III, and 14 healthy children participated in the study. All subjects performed conventional spirographic measurements and a cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), minute ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR), and power output were measured. Oxygenation of respiratory muscles was assessed by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during exercise and recovery. Pulmonary function was normal and no significant difference was found between groups. At rest, CHD patients had cardiorespiratory variables comparable with those of the healthy group. At submaximal intensity (ventilatory threshold) and at peak exercise, power output, HR, VO2, VCO2, and VE were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) in CHD patients. Respiratory muscles deoxygenated during exercise in both groups. However, deoxygenation was more pronounced in the CHD group than in the healthy children from an intensity of 40% up to exhaustion. Likewise, children with CHD showed a slower recovery of oxygenation than healthy children (113.4 ± 17.5 vs. 74.6 ± 13.0 s; p < 0.001). Compared with healthy children, these results demonstrated that children with CHD have reduced performance and present a defected exercise capacity. Children with CHD showed a more pronounced decrease of respiratory muscle oxygenation and slower recovery of oxygen kinetics.