bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating IL‐6 Concentrations and Abdominal Adipocyte Isoproterenol‐stimulated Lipolysis in Women
Authors: Morisset Anne‐Sophie , Huot Céline , Légaré Denis , Tchernof André 
Published: May 2008

Objective: To examine the association of plasma interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) concentrations with adiposity and fat cell metabolism in women.Methods and Procedures: Omental (OM) and subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue samples were obtained from 48 healthy women (age: 47 ± 5 years, BMI: 26.9 ± 5.3 kg/m2) undergoing gynecological surgeries. Total and visceral adiposity were assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and computed tomography, respectively. Measures of adipocyte lipolysis (basal, isoproterenol‐, forskolin‐, and cyclic dibutyryl‐adenosine monophosphate (AMP)‐stimulated) and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity were obtained. Plasma IL‐6 was measured by radioimmunoassay.Results: Plasma IL‐6 was positively correlated with total body fat mass (r = 0.32, P < 0.05), SC adipose tissue area (r = 0.35, P < 0.05), SC adipocyte diameter (r = 0.30, P < 0.05), and a trend was observed with visceral adipose tissue area (r = 0.20, P < 0.07). Plasma IL‐6 was positively correlated with glycerol released in response to isoproterenol (10−5 to 10−8 mol/l) by isolated SC (0.31 ≤ r ≤ 0.65, P < 0.05) and OM (0.36 ≤ r ≤ 0.40, P < 0.02) adipocytes, independent of menopausal status. No correlation was found with LPL activity. A subsample of women with high plasma IL‐6 (n = 10) was matched with women with low plasma IL‐6 (n = 10) for total body fat mass. OM adipocyte glycerol release in response to isoproterenol (10−5 to 10−8 mol/l) was higher in the subsample of women with elevated plasma IL‐6 (P ≤ 0.07).Discussion: We observed that OM lipolysis was significantly higher in women with elevated plasma IL‐6 for a similar body fat mass and menopausal status. These results suggest that higher circulating IL‐6 concentrations are associated with increased isoproterenol‐stimulated lipolysis especially in OM abdominal adipocytes in women.
Evaluation of Urinary Oxalate Levels in Patients Receiving Gastrointestinal Lipase Inhibitor
Authors: Sarica Kemal , Akarsu Ersin , Erturhan Sakip , Yagci Faruk , Aktaran Sebnem , Altay Bulent 
Published: May 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the possible effects of a gastrointestinal lipase inhibitor “Orlistat (Xenical)” on the intestinal absorption of oxalate and thereby on the urinary levels of oxalate excretion in overweight patients.Methods and Procedures: Long‐term follow‐up data of 95 cases (57 men, 38 women; M/W= 1.5) were documented. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. While the patients in group I (n = 55) were treated with orlistat (Xenical) for 6 months, patients in group II (n = 40) received no specific medication. Calcium, oxalate, and citrate levels were determined in a 24‐h urine collection from each patient. To evaluate the significance in the groups as well as the differences between the two groups, ANOVA test was performed and the results were given as mean ± s.d.Results: Comparative evaluation of urinary oxalate levels during 3‐month follow‐up clearly showed that urinary oxalate excretion significantly increased in 34/55 patients (61.8%) in the first group (P < 0.05). Of these 34 patients, 30 (88.2%) continued to have increased urinary oxalate excretion during 6‐month follow‐up (P = 0.001). However, our data did not show any significant effect of this medication on urinary citrate and calcium levels during 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up evaluation (P = 0.05).Discussion: Our results suggest that increased intestinal absorption of dietary oxalate due to this type of medication in obese patients could make a substantial contribution to urinary oxalate excretion and may increase the risk of stone formation.
Cardiovascular Risk in 26,008 European Overweight Children as Established by a Multicenter Database
Authors: I'Allemand Dagmar , Wiegand Susanna , Reinehr Thomas , Müller Jörg , Wabitsch Martin , Widhalm Kurt , Holl Reinhard ,   APV‐Study Group
Published: May 2008

Objective: Although the obesity epidemic is progressing in European children too, there is no consensus on the population‐specific prevalence of comorbidities or efficient diagnostic strategies. Therefore, weight‐related risk factors, their interrelationship, and association with biological parameters were assessed in a large group of overweight (OW) children, documented by an electronic database.Methods and Procedures: Data of 26,008 children (age 12.6 ± 2.9 years, 56% females) presented for OW (BMI > 90th percentile) or obesity (>97th percentile) in 98 specialized centers were evaluated using a simple software (Adipositas Patienten Verlaufsbeobachtung (APV)) for standardized longitudinal documentation. After local anonymization, data were transmitted for central analysis including multiple logistic regression.Results: A total of 5.9% of the children were normal weight, 41% obese (OB), and 37% extremely OB (>99.5th percentile, XXL; 41% of the girls). In 50%, at least one risk factor and in 11% a cluster of two were found, comprising increased blood pressure (BP): 35.4%, dyslipidemia: 32% (total cholesterol: 14.1%, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol: 15.8%, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol: 11.1%, triglycerides: 14.3%), impaired glucose tolerance (IGtT): 6.5% and suspicion of diabetes: 0.7%. The degree of OW was inversely associated with HDL‐cholesterol and directly with clustered risk factors, impaired glucose metabolism, increased BP and triglycerides (odds ratios (ORs) XXL vs. normal = 6.15, >10, 4.3, 3.0 and 2.5, respectively), but not with LDL‐cholesterol.Discussion: In a very large cohort of young Europeans risk factors for cardiovascular (CV) diseases are frequently found, related to the degree of OW and tend to cluster, thus a comprehensive screening is justified in all OW or OB children. Electronic patient documentation is feasible in a large obesity care network.
Alkaline Phosphatase Treatment of Phosphopeptides: On-Probe Dephosphorylation after MALDI-MS Analysis
Authors: Steen Hanno , Stensballe Allan , Jensen Ole N. 
Published: May 2008

INTRODUCTIONThe use of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase allows identification of phosphopeptides in a mixture of predominantly nonphosphopeptides. Using a MALDI-MS instrument, the masses of peptides are acquired both before and after alkaline phosphatase treatment, which removes phospho-moieties from serine, threonine, and/or tyrosine. (Any peptide whose mass decreases by 80 Da, or a multiple thereof, is a phosphopeptide.) An advantage of using MALDI-MS for these experiments is that the peptide ions produced tend to be singly charged rather than multiply charged (as with ESI), thus making the interpretation easier. This protocol describes on-probe dephosphorylation following MALDI-MS analysis.
Karyotyping Mouse Cells
Authors: Nagy Andras , Gertsenstein Marina , Vintersten Kristina , Behringer Richard 
Published: May 2008

INTRODUCTIONThe majority of mouse chromosome preparations for banding are now made by air-drying and, in essence, require the production of a cell suspension as a starting point. Some samples such as blood cultures, ascitic fluids, or cells growing in suspension will already be in suspension; others, such as bone marrow, solid tumors, or cells growing as attached layers in culture must be converted to suspensions. The basic steps in karyotyping and banding embryonal carcinoma cells are outlined below.
Cutting Sections of Paraffin-Embedded Tissues
Authors: Fischer Andrew H. , Jacobson Kenneth A. , Rose Jack , Zeller Rolf 
Published: May 2008

INTRODUCTIONThis protocol describes the sectioning of tissues embedded in paraffin blocks. Paraffin sections require extensive fixation and processing steps but provide superior morphology compared with other sectioning methods. Sectioning paraffin blocks requires experience and should be learned from an experienced researcher, if possible.
Preparation of Slides and Coverslips for Microscopy
Authors: Fischer Andrew H. , Jacobson Kenneth A. , Rose Jack , Zeller Rolf 
Published: May 2008

INTRODUCTIONIt is imperative that the slides and coverslips used in fluorescence microscopy procedures be extremely clean. Although coverslips look clean, especially when a new box is first opened, they may have a thin film of grease on them that will not allow tissue culture cells to adhere well and that may interfere with some processing steps in certain protocols. Therefore, coverslips should routinely be washed with acid or base solutions to rid them of this film. Commercial precleaned slides are also likely to be dirty and must be washed prior to use. This protocol describes various approaches for cleaning slides and coverslips and sterilizing them for cell culture, as well as methods for subbing slides. In the subbing procedure, slides are coated with gelatin, aminoalkylsilane, or poly-L-lysine solution to promote the adhesion of cells or tissues to the glass surface. Gelatin or aminoalkylsilane is usually used for tissue sections or small organisms, whereas poly-L-lysine is routinely used for cultured cells.
Fixation and Permeabilization of Cells and Tissues
Authors: Fischer Andrew H. , Jacobson Kenneth A. , Rose Jack , Zeller Rolf 
Published: May 2008

INTRODUCTIONFluorescence microscopy is used to visualize specific cellular components in as native a state and organization as possible. This article describes some of the main issues that must be considered when cells and tissues are fixed and permeabilized. To preserve cellular structure, the specimen is fixed chemically to retain the cells or tissue in a state as near to life as possible by rapidly terminating all enzymatic and other metabolic activities to minimize post-fixation changes. Sample fixation is one of the most crucial steps in assuring the accuracy of detection protocols and is therefore decisive in determining the subsequent success or failure of a given experiment. Underfixation of the sample leads to poor morphological preservation and/or loss of signal, whereas overfixation may lead to fixation artifacts, loss of signal, and/or increased nonspecific background signals (“noise”). An ideal fixative should preserve a given antigen in a fashion that reflects the in vivo situation with respect to its distribution (no diffusion or rearrangement). Ideally, cell morphology should be preserved, the antigen of interest should remain accessible to the probe, and the fixation should cause minimal denaturation of the antigen. However, several of these goals are mutually incompatible, and therefore, a compromise must be attained.
Activated Expression of anArabidopsisHD-START Protein Confers Drought Tolerance with Improved Root System and Reduced Stomatal Density
Authors: Yu Hong , Chen Xi , Hong Yuan-Yuan , Wang Yao , Xu Ping , Ke Sheng-Dong , Liu Hai-Yan , Zhu Jian-Kang , Oliver David J. , Xiang Cheng-Bin 
Published: May 2008

AbstractDrought is one of the most important environmental constraints limiting plant growth and agricultural productivity. To understand the underlying mechanism of drought tolerance and to identify genes for improving this important trait, we conducted a gain-of-function genetic screen for improved drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. One mutant with improved drought tolerance was isolated and designated as enhanced drought tolerance1. The mutant has a more extensive root system than the wild type, with deeper roots and more lateral roots, and shows a reduced leaf stomatal density. The mutant had higher levels of abscisic acid and Pro than the wild type and demonstrated an increased resistance to oxidative stress and high levels of superoxide dismutase. Molecular genetic analysis and recapitulation experiments showed that the enhanced drought tolerance is caused by the activated expression of a T-DNA tagged gene that encodes a putative homeodomain-START transcription factor. Moreover, overexpressing the cDNA of the transcription factor in transgenic tobacco also conferred drought tolerance associated with improved root architecture and reduced leaf stomatal density. Therefore, we have revealed functions of the homeodomain-START factor that were gained upon altering its expression pattern by activation tagging and provide a key regulator that may be used to improve drought tolerance in plants.
Changes to the Oil Export Structure of OPEC Member Countries — an Analysis with the Gini Coefficient
Authors: Dahmani Atmane 
Published: May 2008

This paper’s goal is to analyse the impact of changes to the oil export structure on economic growth in OPEC Member Countries. The Gini coefficient has been applied simultaneously as a measure of the annual changes in the structure of per capita oil exports, as well as of the annual share of oil exports among Member Countries.The analysis consists of a calculation of the concentration coefficients, a determination of their trend and an identification of the factors most influencing observed changes to the oil export structure in these countries.As a result, we find that economic growth, crude oil production, proven reserves, imports and time are the major factors influencing changes to the oil export structure. Considering the changed structure, in the context of differences in oil export distribution, we observe that economic growth and production have a positive impact on the distribution of oil exports and that proven reserves and imports have a negative impact.
Priorities for Electric Energy Utilisation Research in the USA
Authors: Gellings Clark W. 
Published: May 2008

Over the past 25 years, the role of electric power has grown steadily in both scope and importance. Developments in key technologies, such as electric lighting, motors, computers and telecommunications, have continuously reshaped American life and the productivity of its commercial and industrial foundation. As technology advances, electricity accounts for a progressively larger share of total energy consumption.Even 25 years ago, the electric power industry acknowledged that research and development goals must relate to society’s ability to use electric energy to ascertain a better way of life and an enhanced environment. Included were specific goals in energy utilisation research.Today the technology underpinning the electricity enterprise — from production to end‐use — is undergoing change at a pace and scope unmatched since the dawn of commercial electrification. The electric power industry’s structure, institutions and policies are now being transformed as well. Looking ahead, these technical and institutional transformations are expected to continually expand the value and role for electricity.Today’s focus on research and development has widened and solidified and can now be categorised by two visions: (1) concerning electrification and economic growth, and (2) concerning electrification for the quality of life and national security.
Investigation of the porcine MUC13 gene: isolation, expression, polymorphisms and strong association with susceptibility to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4ab/ac
Authors: Zhang B. , Ren J. , Yan X. , Huang X. , Ji H. , Peng Q. , Zhang Z. , Huang L. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryEnterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4ab and F4ac are major determinants of piglet diarrhoea. The locus for the ETEC F4ab/ac receptor has been mapped to SSC13q41. MUC13 is a transmembrane mucin expressed predominantly in the epithelial surface of the gastrointestinal tract and the MUC13 gene was assigned to SSC13q41, supporting it as a positional candidate gene for the ETEC F4ab/ac receptor. We herein determined the complete 2679‐bp cDNA of pig MUC13, and proved that it was most highly expressed in the jejunum and moderately expressed in the trachea, stomach and liver. Furthermore, 13 MUC13 polymorphisms were identified in 19 founder animals of a White Duroc × Erhualian resource population, and a total of 727 F2 animals with in vitro ETEC F4ab/ac adhesion phenotypes in this population were genotyped for three identified MUC13 polymorphisms including c.576C>T, c.908A>G and c.935A>C. The transmission disequilibrium test showed that the MUC13 alleles and haplotypes were significantly associated with susceptibility/resistance to ETEC F4ab/ac, especially between haplotype [C;G;A] and susceptibility to ETEC F4ac (P = 8.0e‐18). Animals inheriting this haplotype were predominantly susceptible to ETEC F4ac (n = 291/303). Moreover, nearly all animals homozygous for haplotype [T;G;C] (n = 39/41) and a majority of those with the [C;A;A]/[T;G;C] haplotype pair (n = 79/88) were resistant to ETEC F4ab. Our results indicated that MUC13 is in strong linkage disequilibrium with the ETEC F4ab/ac receptor locus and provided potential markers for selection of ETEC F4ab/ac‐resistant animals in the pig breeding scheme.
Discovery and evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for Haliotis midae: a targeted EST approach
Authors: Bester A. E. , Roodt‐Wilding R. , Whitaker H. A. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryIn this study, we describe the first set of SNP markers for the South African abalone, Haliotis midae. A cDNA library was constructed from which ESTs were selected for the screening of SNPs. The observed frequency of SNPs in this species was estimated at one every 185 bp. When characterized in wild‐caught abalone, the minor allele frequencies and FST estimates for every SNP indicated that these markers may potentially be useful for population analysis, parentage assignment and linkage mapping in Haliotis midae. No linkage disequilibrium was observed between SNPs originating from different EST sequences. These SNPs, together with additional SNPs currently being developed, will provide a useful complementary set of markers to the currently available genetic markers in abalone.
RADIATION DEPIGMENTATION OF MOUSE HAIR: A STUDY OF FOLLICULAR MELANOCYTE POPULATIONS
Authors: Potten Christopher S. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe radiation depigmentation of mouse hair has been studied by a technique enabling melanocyte per follicle counts to be made. Distributions for normal skin show a large peak corresponding to the zigzag hair type. Changes in the frequency distributions of melanocytes per follicle after irradiation are presented for Strong F and DBA‐1 mice irradiated in anagen or telogen stages of hair growth. These distributions clearly suggest the existence of some precursor cells, and the dose‐response curves obtained by defining radiation survivors as follicles containing more than ten melanocytes gives the sensitivity of these cells to inactivation. D0 values are 180–220 rads. A melanocyte‐melanoblast model is proposed for the follicular melanocyte cycle which can be outlined as follows: The telogen follicle contains a small number of amelanotic melanocytes that survived through catagen. These cells possess the ability to repopulate the follicle with melanocytes. In catagen functional and/or amelanotic melanocytes are lost at random. Genes for dilution (possibly only when modified by other coat colour genes) and radiation both increase the chance of melanocyte loss at catagen by altering the melanocyte‐dermal papilla relationship. One way in which this is affected is by a shortening of the dendrites. A feedback may operate in the follicle so that the full complement of melanocytes is achieved whatever number of melanocytes persists in telogen.
THE EFFECTS OF CYTOSINE ARABINOSIDE ON THE CELL CYCLE OF CULTURED HUMAN LEUCOCYTES: A MICRODENSITOMETRIC AND AUTORADIOGRAPHIC STUDY
Authors: Brehaut Loreen A. , Fitzgerald P. H. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTPHA‐stimulated leucocytes treated with cytosine arabinoside showed a changed uptake of [3H]thymidine, a lowered mitotic index and chromosome damage. Combined autoradiography and Feulgen microdensitometry demonstrated inhibition of DNA synthesis. Cells in the S period of the cell cycle were arrested in their progress, and cells newly entering S accumulated at the beginning of this period. At stronger concentrations these effects on the cell cycle were complicated by the cytotoxic effect of cytosine arabinoside.The inhibition of DNA synthesis is considered in the light of the chromosomal damage and megaloblastic changes caused by cytosine arabinoside, and is compared to the different pattern of DNA arrest found in megaloblastic anaemia.
CLONE SIZE ANALYSIS: A PARAMETER IN THE STUDY OF CELL POPULATION KINETICS
Authors: Nias A. H. W. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe method of clone size analysis is described. Such an analysis provides a measure of the distribution of generation times in a cell population. Treatment by ionizing irradiation leads to perturbation of the generation times of a cell population and such perturbations are shown by changes in the clone size distribution. Distributions were compared after neutron irradiation and β‐irradiation with those after X‐rays; and also between X‐irradiation under aerobic and anoxic conditions. At the same level of cell survival no differences were found between the patterns of cell survival with respect to generation times. Other uses of clone size analysis are discussed.
CONTROL OF GRANULOCYTE PRODUCTION
Authors: Rytömaa T. , Kiviniemi Kyllikki 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTIn normal conditions the granulocytic cell population is prevented from excessive cell proliferation by a humoral mechanism based on a specific feedback inhibitor, granulocytic chalone. In conditions of acute functional demand a tissue‐specific stimulator, granulocytic antichalone, replaces chalone in rat serum.Mature granulocytes contain, and presumably produce, the chalone which is also present in fresh normal serum. Thus, the inhibitor is both humoral and present within the same cell system on which it acts: the action of this chalone is target tissue specific as it only inhibits granulocytic precursor cells in normal rat bone marrow in vitro.Granulocytic chalone and antichalone were partly purified by gel filtration on Sephadex; the elution parameters suggested molecular weights of 4000 and 30,000–35,000, respectively. Granulocytic chalone was not separated from the erythrocytic chalone (present in fresh normal serum and in blood erythrocytes) on Sephadex; however, separation at the cellular level was easily achieved.