bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of the p38 MAPK pathway in IL‐13‐induced mucous cell metaplasia in mouse tracheal epithelial cells
Authors: FUJISAWA Tomoyuki , IDE Kyotaro , HOLTZMAN Michael j. , SUDA Takafumi , SUZUKI Kenichiro , KUROISHI Shigeki , CHIDA Kingo , NAKAMURA Hirotoshi 
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  IL‐13 has been shown to play a pivotal role in mucous cell metaplasia, which is an important feature of the pathogenesis of asthma. However, the signalling pathways evoked by IL‐13 in airway epithelial cells remain unclear. This study investigated the signalling mechanism of IL‐13‐induced mucous cell metaplasia in primary cultures of mouse tracheal epithelial cells (mTEC).Methods:  mTEC were cultured in an air–liquid interface system in the presence or absence of IL‐13. Goblet cell hyperplasia was evaluated quantitatively by immunofluorescent staining for MUC5AC, which is a major component of airway mucins. Western blotting was used to assess activation of the signalling molecules, signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. MUC5AC gene expression was measured by RT‐PCR.Results:  IL‐13 induced mucous cell metaplasia for 7–14 days in mTEC. IL‐13 phosphorylated STAT6 within 20 min, whereas it induced delayed phosphorylation of p38 MAPK 36–48 h after stimulation. In contrast, ERK1/2 was constantly activated and was not enhanced by IL‐13. An inhibitor of p38 MAPK (SB202190) suppressed mucous cell differentiation in a concentration‐dependent manner. In STAT6 knockout mice, IL‐13 failed to induce mucous cell metaplasia and activate p38 MAPK. Cycloheximide also diminished activation of p38 MAPK and induction of MUC5AC mRNA expression by IL‐13.Conclusions:  The p38 MAPK pathway is involved in IL‐13‐induced mucous cell metaplasia and MUC5AC mRNA regulation in mTEC. In addition, p38 MAPK phosphorylation may require STAT6‐dependent de novo protein synthesis induced by IL‐13.
Longitudinal study of airway dimensions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using computed tomography
Authors: OHARA Tadashi , HIRAI Toyohiro , SATO Susumu , TERADA Kunihiko , KINOSE Daisuke , HARUNA Akane , MARUMO Satoshi , NISHIOKA Michiyoshi , OGAWA Emiko , NAKANO Yasutaka , HOSHINO Yuma , ITO Yutaka , MATSUMOTO Hisako , NIIMI Akio , MIO Tadashi , CHIN Kazuo , MURO Shigeo , MISHIMA Michiaki 
Published: March 2008

Background and objective:  Chest CT has been widely used for the evaluation of structural changes in lung parenchyma and airways in cross‐sectional studies. There has been no report on the annual changes in airway dimensions as assessed by CT in COPD patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the annual changes in airway dimensions and lung attenuation using CT in patients with COPD and to evaluate the correlations among annual changes in CT measurements and pulmonary function.Methods:  Eighty‐three men with COPD had completed five annual assessments of CT scans and pulmonary function tests over 4 years. Airway dimensions of the basal segment bronchi and lung attenuation on CT images were analysed in 38 subjects in whom the same airway could be measured at least three times, including at entry and at the end of the study.Results:  Mean annual decline in FEV1 was 21 mL/year. Annual changes in the percentage of low attenuation areas were not significantly correlated with decline in FEV1. On the other hand, annual changes in the percentage of wall area (WA%/year) were significantly inversely correlated with annual changes in FEV1 (r = −0.363, P = 0.025), whereas WA%/year did not differ among severity stages at entry and did not correlate with baseline FEV1.Conclusions:  The results showing that annual changes in airway thickening correlated with annual decline in air flow limitation suggests the importance of treatment of airway inflammation in COPD. CT is a useful tool for quantitative estimation not only of emphysema but also of airway lesions in longitudinal studies.
Activity and composition of methanotrophic bacterial communities in planted rice soil studied by flux measurements, analyses ofpmoAgene and stable isotope probing of phospholipid fatty acids
Authors: Shrestha Minita , Abraham Wolf‐Rainer , Shrestha Pravin Malla , Noll Matthias , Conrad Ralf 
Published: March 2008

SummaryMethanotrophs in the rhizosphere of rice field ecosystems attenuate the emissions of CH4into the atmosphere and thus play an important role for the global cycle of this greenhouse gas. Therefore, we measured the activity and composition of the methanotrophic community in the rhizosphere of rice microcosms. Methane oxidation was determined by measuring the CH4flux in the presence and absence of difluoromethane as a specific inhibitor for methane oxidation. Methane oxidation started on day 24 and reached the maximum on day 32 after transplantation. The total methanotrophic community was analysed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) and cloning/sequencing of thepmoAgene, which encodes a subunit of particulate methane monooxygenase. The metabolically active methanotrophic community was analysed by stable isotope probing of microbial phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA‐SIP) using13C‐labelled CH4directly added to the rhizospheric region. Rhizospheric soil and root samples were collected after exposure to13CH4for 8 and 18 days. Both T‐RFLP/cloning and PLFA‐SIP approaches showed that type I and type II methanotrophic populations changed over time with respect to activity and population size in the rhizospheric soil and on the rice roots. However, type I methanotrophs were more active than type II methanotrophs at both time points indicating they were of particular importance in the rhizosphere. PLFA‐SIP showed that the active methanotrophic populations exhibit a pronounced spatial and temporal variation in rice microcosms.
Fluorescent properties of c‐type cytochromes reveal their potential role as an extracytoplasmic electron sink in Geobacter sulfurreducens
Authors: Esteve‐Núñez Abraham , Sosnik Julian , Visconti Pablo , Lovley Derek R. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryA novel fluorescence technique for monitoring the redox status of c‐type cytochromes in Geobacter sulfurreducens was developed in order to evaluate the capacity of these extracytoplasmic cytochromes to store electrons during periods in which an external electron acceptor is not available. When intact cells in which the cytochromes were in a reduced state were excited at a wavelength of 350 nm, they fluoresced with maxima at 402 and 437 nm. Oxidation of the cytochromes resulted in a loss of fluorescence. This method was much more sensitive than the traditional approach of detecting c‐type cytochromes via visible light absorbance. Furthermore, fluorescence of reduced cytochromes in individual cells could be detected via fluorescence microscopy, and the cytochromes in a G. sulfurreducens biofilm, remotely excited with an optical fibre, could be detected at distances as far as 5 cm. Fluorescence analysis of cytochrome oxidation and reduction of the external electron acceptor, anthraquinone‐2,6‐disulfonate, suggested that the extracytoplasmic cytochromes of G. sulfurreducens could store approximately 107 electrons per cell. Independent analysis of the haem content of the cells determined from analysis of incorporation of 55Fe into cytochromes provided a similar estimate of cytochrome electron‐storage capacity. This electron‐storage capacity could, in the absence of an external electron acceptor, permit continued electron transfer across the inner membrane sufficient to supply the maintenance energy requirements for G. sulfurreducens for up to 8 min or enough proton motive force to power flagella motors for G. sulfurreducens motility. The fluorescence approach described here provides a sensitive method for evaluating the redox status of Geobacter species in culture and/or its environments. Furthermore, these results suggest that the periplasmic and outer‐membrane cytochromes of Geobacter species act as capacitors, allowing continued electron transport, and thus viability and motility, for Geobacter species as they move between heterogeneously dispersed Fe(III) oxides during growth in the subsurface.
Relationship between assemblages of mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria on grass roots
Authors: Singh Brajesh K. , Nunan Naoise , Ridgway Karyn P. , McNicol Jim , Young J. Peter W. , Daniell Tim J. , Prosser James I. , Millard Peter 
Published: March 2008

SummarySoils support an enormous microbial diversity, but the ecological drivers of this diversity are poorly understood. Interactions between the roots of individual grass species and the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and bacteria in their rhizoplane were studied in a grazed, unimproved upland pasture. Individual root fragments were isolated from soil cores, DNA extracted and used to identify plant species and assess rhizoplane bacterial and AM fungal assemblages, by amplifying part of the small‐subunit ribosomal RNA gene, followed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. For the first time we showed that AM fungal and bacterial assemblages are related in situ and that this relationship occurred at the community level. Principal coordinate analyses of the data show that the AM fungi were a major factor determining the bacterial assemblage on grass roots. We also report a strong influence of the composition of the plant community on AM fungal assemblage. The bacterial assemblage was also influenced by soil pH and was spatially structured, whereas AM fungi were influenced neither by the bacteria nor by soil pH. Our study shows that linkages between plant roots and their microbial communities exist in a complex web of interactions that act at individual and at community levels, with AM fungi influencing the bacterial assemblage, but not the other way round.
Widespread distribution of a unique marine protistan lineage
Authors: Cuvelier Marie L. , Ortiz Alejandra , Kim Eunsoo , Moehlig Heike , Richardson David E. , Heidelberg John F. , Archibald John M. , Worden Alexandra Z. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryUnicellular eukaryotes (protists) are key components of marine food webs, yet knowledge of their diversity, distributions and respective ecologies is limited. We investigated uncultured protists using 18S rRNA gene sequencing, phylogenetic analyses, specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes and other methods. Because few studies have been conducted in warm water systems, we focused on two Atlantic subtropical regions, the Sargasso Sea and the Florida Current. Cold temperate waters were also sampled. Gene sequences comprising a unique eukaryotic lineage, herein termed ‘biliphytes’, were identified in most samples, whether from high‐ (30°C) or from low‐ (5°C) temperature waters. Sequences within this uncultured group have previously been retrieved from high latitudes. Phylogenetic analyses suggest biliphytes are a sister group to the cryptophytes and katablepharids, although the relationship is not statistically supported. Bootstrap‐supported subclades were delineated but coherence was not obvious with respect to geography or physicochemical parameters. Unlike results from the initial publication on these organisms (therein ‘picobiliphytes’), we could not detect a nucleomorph, either visually, or by targeted primers. Phycobilin‐like fluorescence associated with biliphyte‐specific FISH‐probed cells supports the hypothesis that they are photosynthetic. Our data indicate the biliphytes are nanoplanktonic in size, averaging 4.1 ± 1.0 × 3.5 ± 0.8 μm (±SD) for one probed group, and 3.5 ± 0.9 × 3.0 ± 0.9 μm (±SD) for another. We estimate biliphytes contributed 28 (±6)% of the phytoplanktonic biomass in tropical eddy‐influenced surface waters. Given their broad thermal and geographic distribution, understanding the role these protists play in biogeochemical cycling within different habitats is essential.
Systematic position of Lythriini revised: transferred from Larentiinae to Sterrhinae (Lepidoptera, Geometridae)
Authors: ÕUnap Erki , Viidalepp Jaan , Saarma Urmas 
Published: March 2008

The tribe Lythriini is a small group of diurnally active geometrid moths consisting of a single Palaearctic genus Lythria with five species. The systematic placement of Lythriini has remained controversial: though traditionally it has been placed into the subfamily Larentiinae, a number of morphological characters link this tribe with the subfamily Sterrhinae. A molecular phylogenetic study was conducted to verify the systematic position of Lythriini, using sequences of both mitochondrial and nuclear genes: elongation factor 1α (EF‐1α), wingless (wgl), 28S rRNA expansion segment D2 (28S D2), cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) (a total of 3784 bp). Phylogenetic analysis reliably demonstrated that Lythriini belong to the subfamily Sterrhinae. Therefore, we propose to remove tribe Lythriini from Larentiinae and unite it with Sterrhinae. Moreover, our analysis supports the monophyly of both Sterrhinae and Larentiinae. However, although both morphological data and interspecific genetic distances insinuated that Lythria cruentaria and L. sanguinaria are sister species, the latter formed a clade of sister taxa together with L. purpuraria.
Mitogenic and anti‐apoptotic actions of adipocyte‐derived hormone leptin in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Hoda M. Raschid , Popken Gralf 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVETo investigate the proliferative and anti‐apoptotic effects of leptin on human prostate cancer cells, and the role of related signalling pathways in mediating these actions, as obesity is a possible risk factor for prostate cancer and leptin, an adipocyte‐derived hormone, has mitogenic action in various cell types.MATERIALS AND METHODSTwo human prostate cancer cell lines, DU145 and PC‐3, were treated with leptin (5–100 ng/mL) for up to 48 h. Under serum‐free conditions, cell proliferation was measured using a colorimetric tetrazolium assay and apoptosis by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay measuring cell death. Also, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt was detected by Western blotting, and specific inhibitors of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) (PD98059; 40 µm) and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐K, LY294002; 40 µm) were used to evaluate the role of these signalling pathways.RESULTSLeptin dose‐dependently increased the cell number in both cell lines for up to 48 h of incubation, the mean (sem) percentage of the control being 189 (4.3)% for DU145 and 173 (7.5)% for PC‐3 (100 ng/mL leptin, 48 h; P < 0.01). Leptin also significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells after 24 h of treatment, dose‐dependently caused ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation; pretreatment with inhibitors of MAPK and PI3‐K inhibited these responses.CONCLUSIONThese results show that chronic increases in leptin might enhance the growth of prostate cancer via the MAPK and PI3‐K pathways. Further studies are needed to investigate whether the ability of leptin to stimulate mitogenic/anti‐apoptotic signal transduction pathways could represent a target for anticancer drug discovery.
Conservative management in selected patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma compares favourably with early radical surgery
Authors: Lucas Steven M. , Svatek Robert S. , Olgin Guadencio , Arriaga Yull , Kabbani Wareef , Sagalowsky Arthur I. , Lotan Yair 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVETo compare the outcomes of patients treated for upper tract urothelial carcinoma with either immediate nephroureterectomy (NU) or initial endoscopic management.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe treatments of 108 patients (120 renal units) at the authors’ institution were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups, i.e. those who received immediate NU and those who had conservative initial therapy, which included renal units solely treated with endoscopy with or without delayed NU. Overall and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were compared between the treatment groups.RESULTSThere were 48 low‐grade tumours, of which 27 (56%) were managed conservatively and 21 (44%) by immediate NU. Seven patients treated conservatively had stage or grade progression and had delayed NU. The mean (sd) DSS at 5 years in patients with low‐grade disease was equally good for conservative treatment and immediate NU, at 86.2 (9.1)% vs 87.4 (8.4)% (P = 0.909). There were 68 high‐grade tumours, of which 12 (18%) patients had conservative management and 56 (82%) had immediate NU. Among the former, seven of 12 had a solitary kidney and three had bilateral disease. In patients managed endoscopically, four of 30 (13%) required delayed NU. The DSS for the conservative and immediate NU groups were 68.6 (18.6)% vs 75.0 (8.1)% (P = 0.528).CONCLUSIONManagement with a conservative approach in selected patients provides comparable outcomes to immediate NU in patients with low‐grade disease.
Protein oxidation as a novel biomarker of bladder decompensation
Authors: Kalorin Carmin M. , Mannikarottu Anita , Neumann Paul , Leggett Robert , Weisbrot Joshua , Johnson Arnold , Kogan Barry A. , Levin Robert M. 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVETo measure the degree to which partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) results in oxidative bladder damage, which subcellular components of the bladder are affected and whether these changes correlate with bladder function.MATERIALS AND METHODSIn all, 32 rabbits were divided into four groups. Each group underwent PBOO for 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively. Bladder tissue from each group was homogenized and separated into subcellular fractions via differential centrifugation. The carbonyl content within the subcellular fractions, including the nuclear, mitochondrial, and microsomal pellets, was then quantified by dot blot analysis.RESULTSTotal bladder oxidation increased with duration of obstruction across all subcellular fractions. The largest increase in total oxidation occurred between 4 and 8 weeks. Protein oxidation density in the nuclear and microsomal fractions both showed increases at 2 weeks obstruction, decreases at 4 weeks, and then large increases at 8 weeks. The increase in protein oxidation density between 4 and 8 weeks obstruction was most pronounced in the microsomal fraction.CONCLUSIONSOverall bladder protein oxidation increased with the duration of obstruction and increased at a greater rate during the transition to decompensation. Furthermore, the subcellular fraction that exhibited the most oxidation was the microsomal pellet. The amount of protein oxidation correlated with the functional changes in the bladder.
Comparison of vildagliptin and acarbose monotherapy in patients with Type 2 diabetes: a 24‐week, double‐blind, randomized trial
Authors: Pan C. , Yang W. , Barona J. P. , Wang Y. , Niggli M. , Mohideen P. , Wang Y. , Foley J. E. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAims  To compare the efficacy and tolerability of the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor, vildagliptin, with the alpha glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose, in drug‐naive patients with Type 2 diabetes.Methods  This multi‐centre, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐arm study compared the efficacy and tolerability of vildagliptin (100 mg daily, given as 50 mg twice daily, n = 441) and acarbose (up to 300 mg daily, given as three equally divided doses, n = 220) during 24‐week treatment in drug‐naive patients with Type 2 diabetes.Results  Monotherapy with vildagliptin or acarbose decreased glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (baseline ≈ 8.6%) to a similar extent during 24‐week treatment. The adjusted mean change from baseline to end‐point (AMΔ) in HbA1c was −1.4 ± 0.1% and −1.3 ± 0.1% in patients receiving vildagliptin and acarbose, respectively, meeting the statistical criterion for non‐inferiority (upper limit of 95% confidence interval for between‐treatment difference ≤ 0.4%). The decrease in fasting plasma glucose was similar with acarbose (−1.5 ± 0.2 mmol/l) and vildagliptin (−1.2 ± 0.1 mmol/l). Body weight did not change in vildagliptin‐treated patients (−0.4 ± 0.1 kg) but decreased in acarbose‐treated patients (−1.7 ± 0.2 kg, P < 0.001 vs. vildagliptin). The proportion of patients experiencing any adverse event (AE) was 35% vs. 51% in patients receiving vildagliptin or acarbose, respectively; gastrointestinal AEs were significantly more frequent with acarbose (25.5%) than vildagliptin (12.3%, P < 0.001). No hypoglycaemia was reported for either group.Conclusions  Vildagliptin is effective and well tolerated in patients with Type 2 diabetes, demonstrating similar glycaemic reductions to acarbose, but with better tolerability.
Thermoregulatory sudomotor dysfunction and diabetic neuropathy develop in parallel in at‐risk feet
Authors: Sun P. C. , Lin H. D. , Jao S. H. , Chan R. C. , Kao M. J. , Cheng C. K. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAims  To establish the longitudinal relationship of foot complications to neuropathy based on a 4‐year follow‐up of diabetic patients stratified by sudomotor dysfunctions.Methods  One hundred and nineteen Type 2 diabetic patients and 36 non‐diabetic subjects were initially registered in the prospective cohort study. Plantar skin temperature and sympathetic skin response (SSR) were used to monitor sympathetic mediated thermoregulation and sudomotor function. Peripheral somatic and central autonomic functions were studied using clinical, nerve conduction and cardiovascular reflex tests. At enrolment, the diabetic patients were classified into one of three groups by the progressive stages of sudomotor dysfunction: SSR+ (SSR present; 49 patients), SSR− (SSR absent; 41 patients) and at‐risk group (SSR absent but with cracked skin involving partial thickness of the dermis; 29 patients).Results  The at‐risk group had 13.4 times (95% confidence interval 1.4–125.7) higher plantar ulceration rates than the other two patient groups during the 4 years. Skin temperature elevation occurred in parallel with development of foot sweating problems. There were no significant differences between the three patient groups in the ratios of abnormal heart rate variation, orthostatic test and clinical neuropathy score at follow‐up. After 4 years of follow‐up, nerve conduction abnormalities were more frequent in the at‐risk and SSR− groups than in the SSR+ group.Conclusions  Early deterioration of small sympathetic fibres could not be quantified accurately by the clinical, somatic and autonomic tests. Assessing skin integrity and sudomotor function in at‐risk individuals identifies early peripheral sympathetic neuropathy, even if the patients have no overt clinical symptoms.