bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Variants in Absence Epilepsy: A Contextual Consideration of Calcium Current Kinetics
Authors: Lagrange Andre 
Published: May 2006

Functional Characterization and Neuronal Modeling of the Effects of Childhood Absence Epilepsy Variants of Cacna1h, a T-Type Calcium Channel Vitko I, Chen Y, Arias JM, Shen Y, Wu XR, Perez-Reyes E J Neurosci 2005;25(19):4844-4855 Sequencing of the T-type Ca2+ channel gene CACNA1H revealed 12 nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were found only in childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) patients. One SNP, G773D, was found in two patients. The present study reports the finding of a third patient with this SNP, as well as analysis of their parents. Because of the role of T-channels in determining the intrinsic firing patterns of neurons involved in absence seizures, it was suggested that these SNPs might alter channel function. The goal of the present study was to test this hypothesis by introducing these polymorphisms into a human Cav3.2a cDNA and then study alterations in channel behavior using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. Eleven SNPs altered some aspect of channel gating. Computer simulations predict that seven of the SNPs would increase firing of neurons, with three of them inducing oscillations at similar frequencies, as observed during absence seizures. Three SNPs were predicted to decrease firing. Some CAE-specific SNPs (e.g., G773D) coexist with SNPs also found in controls (R788C); therefore, the effect of these polymorphisms were studied. The R788C SNP altered activity in a manner that would also lead to enhanced burst firing of neurons. The G773D–R788C combination displayed different behavior than either single SNP. Therefore, common polymorphisms can alter the effect of CAE-specific SNPs, highlighting the importance of sequence background. These results suggest that CACNA1H is a susceptibility gene that contributes to the development of polygenic disorders characterized by thalamocortical dysrhythmia, such as CAE.
Why Do Some Schools Group by Ability?
Authors: VanderHart Peter G. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract.  This article explores the reasons that schools choose to group their students by ability. A mathematical model suggests that high diversity of achievement and a large number of students in a school will cause a school to be more likely to group. Less legitimately, some schools may choose to use ability grouping to segregate students by race or class within a school.The data used in this study come from the 1992 NAEP 8th grade Mathematics Assessment. Cross‐tabulations suggest that ability grouping is correlated with diversity of student achievement, the number of students, racial diversity, and low levels of poverty. The mean achievement of students and school spending levels do not have much correlation with the schools’ tracking decisions. Logit regressions indicate that the number of students in a school and its racial diversity are most important, and that other factors (most notably the diversity of achievement) are not. These results lend credence to those who suggest that grouping is not necessarily done for academic reasons, but rather is a subtle way to segregate by race or class.
Integration of nucleic acid amplification test results into hepatitis C virus supplemental serologic testing algorithms: implications for donor counseling and revision of existing algorithms
Authors: Kleinman Steven H. , Stramer Susan L. , Brodsky Jaye P. , Caglioti Sally , Busch Michael P. 
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND:  The routine use of hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) donor screening assays has provided an opportunity for revision of the current HCV supplemental testing algorithm, which requires that recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) be performed on every HCV enzyme immunoassay (EIA)‐repeat‐reactive donation. The FDA has approved variance requests to use a new algorithm that eliminates the need to perform RIBA when HCV NAT results are reactive. Data are provided in support of this new algorithm.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  HCV EIA (including signal‐to‐cutoff optical density ratio), RIBA, and NAT data were compiled from 33.2 million donations screened over an approximately 4‐year period by the American Red Cross and Blood Systems Laboratories. Further, donations having specific combinations of HCV EIA, RIBA, and minipool (MP) NAT results were evaluated, with more sensitive individual‐donation (ID) NAT, to construct improved counseling messages for donors.RESULTS:  Of 47,041 EIA‐repeat‐reactive donations, 49.3 percent were RIBA‐positive, 17.1 percent RIBA‐indeterminate, and 33.5 percent RIBA‐negative. NAT‐reactive rates were 79.2, 2.5, and 0.18 percent for RIBA‐positive, ‐indeterminate, and ‐negative donations, respectively. The new algorithm classified an additional 1 percent of donations as HCV‐infected while at the same time detecting all infections classified as HCV‐infected under the current algorithm. An additional 2.4 percent of RIBA‐positive, MP NAT–nonreactive donations were reactive when a frozen‐thawed aliquot was retested by ID NAT.CONCLUSION:  Integrating HCV NAT results with RIBA results for purposes of donor notification allows more appropriate counseling messages to be given to EIA‐repeat‐reactive donors. The new HCV supplemental algorithm is an acceptable alternative to the current algorithm because it provides equivalent or superior accuracy in formulating donor counseling messages and may also result in reduced costs and more timely notification of infected donors.
Uterine evaluation and gestation diagnosis in owl monkey (Aotus azarai infulatus) using the B mode ultrasound
Authors: Monteiro Frederico O B , De Koivisto Marion B , Vicente Wilter R R , De Amorim Carvalho Reinaldo , Whiteman Christina W , Castro Paulo H G , Maia Celsemy E 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground  Gynecological and obstetrical ultrasonography has become an indispensable tool in the routine management, health evaluation and research on captive non‐human primates.Methods  Ultrasound was used to evaluate the uterus and estimate the gestation of owl monkeys. Twelve couples were selected, where five were primiparous and seven multiparous females from the National Primate Center reproductive colony, Ananindeua‐PA, Brazil. The procedures were carried out using the GE® Logiq 100 MP, equipped with a 7.5 MHz linear probe.Results  The females showed a simple uterus, of elongated shape, regular outline and homogeneous echogenic texture. In the uterine measurements craniocaudal diameter, dorsoventral diameter and uterine volume (UV), significant differences were identified (P < 0.05) between ultrasound examinations of primiparous and multiparous females. The UV showed a positive correlation with the number of births. The gestational sac and the embryonic echo were visible between 28 and 38 days after mating. Between 48 and 68 days after mating, embryonic death was identified in all the gestations.Conclusions  The chemical (use of tranquilizers) and husbandry factors (capture stress) may be related to the prenatal death. The establishing methods of conditioning the female to the ultrasonographic exam may offer a solution to this problem.
1139939111 TLR6 protects first trimester trophoblast cells from TLR2/TLR1 mediated apoptosis
Authors: Abrahams VM , Aldo PB , Romero R , Mor G 
Published: May 2006

Introduction:  Increased trophoblast apoptosis has been observed in pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. The factors promoting this cell death are unknown. Trophoblasts express Toll‐like receptors (TLR), enabling them to recognize microorganisms. In response to the TLR2 ligand peptidoglycan (PDG), trophoblasts undergo apoptosis suggesting that gram‐positive bacteria may promote trophoblast apoptosis. The objective of this study was to characterize the cellular mechanism by which TLR2 induces apoptosis. We report the role of TLR6 in the regulation of TLR2 mediated apoptosis following ligation by PDG.Methods:  First trimester trophoblast cell lines express TLR1 and TLR2 but lack TLR6 and are sensitive to PDG‐mediated apoptosis. Three stable transfectants were made to express either a TLR1 dominant negative (TLR1‐DN), a TLR2 dominant negative (TLR2‐DN) or full length TLR6. Cells were treated with PDG (40 μg/mL) after which cell viability, caspase‐3 activity and cytokine production were evaluated.Results:  Trophoblasts expressing the TLR2‐DN showed a 57.4 ± 1.2% inhibition in PDG‐induced caspase‐3 activity compared with wildtype cells, while the TLR1‐DN inhibited PDG‐induced caspase‐3 activity by 61.6 ± 1.1%. Expression of TLR6 by trophoblasts, reversed PDG‐mediated apoptosis as shown by reduced caspase‐3 activity (77.6 ± 1.2%) and increased cytokine production.Conclusion:  These results suggest that a gram‐positive bacterial infection during pregnancy may promote trophoblast apoptosis via TLR2/TLR1 heterodimers. Expression of TLR6, however, may protect the trophoblast from PDG‐induced apoptosis and instead promote an inflammatory response. These findings shed new light on the mechanisms by which infection may affect placental function and pregnancy outcome.
1141249685 MyD88‐positive ovarian cancer cells regulate monocyte migration and differentiation
Authors: Alvero A , Mor G 
Published: May 2006

Background:  The presence of immune infiltrate in tumor sites has been thought to represent an immune response against the tumor. However, new evidences indicate that these immune cells may be supporting tumor growth rather than inhibiting it. Previously, we described a sub‐group of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells that express TLR‐4 and MyD88 and produce several cytokines and chemokines. We hypothesize that EOC cells could recruit immune cells and induce their differentiation toward tumor‐supporting immune cells. The objective of this study is to determine the consequence of an activated TLR‐4‐MyD88 signaling pathway on migration and differentiation of the monocyte‐like THP‐1 cells.Materials and Methods:  R182 (MyD88‐positive) and CP70 (MyD88‐negative) EOC cells were incubated in the presence or absence of 10 μg/mL LPS for 48 hr and cell‐free conditioned media (CM) was prepared. THP‐1 cells were incubated in 50% CM for 24 hr. Cytokine profile (IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12, MIF, MCP‐1, GROα, RANTES, IFNγ, and TNFα) of cell‐free supernatants and THP‐1 lysates was characterized using Beadlyte Human Multicytokine kit and xMAP technology. Migration assay was performed using QCM 24‐well Colorimetric Cell Migration Assay kit.Results:  THP‐1 cells migrate towards R182‐ and CP70‐CM equally. However, enhanced migration was observed towards CM from LPS‐treated‐R182 (45%) than towards CM from LPS‐treated CP70 (9%). When incubated with CM from LPS‐treated‐R182, THP‐1 cells express a cytokine profile characteristic of M2 macrophages (high levels of MCP‐1, MIF and IL‐6). This was not observed when THP‐1 was incubated with LPS alone or with CM from LPS‐treated–CP70.Conclusion:  In the present study we demonstrate that EOC cells have the capacity to attract THP‐1 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that MyD88+ EOC cells are able to differentiate THP‐1 cells into growth‐promoting macrophages and establish a pro‐tumor environment that can induce cancer cell proliferation. Our data suggest that cancer cells have the ability to attract and ‘educate’ immune cells to support its growth.
1141478634 Amniochorion secretes chemotactic signals for leukocytes during human labor
Authors: Gomez N , Estrada‐Gutierrez G , Giono Cerezo S , Vega‐Sanchez R , Vadillo‐Ortega F 
Published: May 2006

Objective:  Leukocytes arriving to choriodecidua during labor are capable to secrete cytokines and collagenases that may play a role in extracellular matrix degradation leading to the rupture of amniochorion. The aim of this work was to study the role of amniochorion in the active recruitment of leukocytes through production of specific chemokynes during labor.Methods:  Amniochorion explants were obtained from women at term with spontaneous labor (n = 4) and subjected to cesarean section without labor (n = 4). Explant cultures were carried out during 24 hr and an homogenate including the culture media was made after this period. Cell free extracts were tested in Boyden chambers for chemotaxis using leukocytes from maternal blood obtained from women with (n = 2) and without labor (n = 2). Attracted cells were analyzed by flow cytometry for count and immunophenotype. Chemokynes were identified in the extracts using a commercial chemiarray.Results:  All tested amniochorion extracts induced chemotaxis for leukocytes; however, those from labor tissues induced a higher chemotactic activity than the correspondent non‐in‐labor tissues (P = 0.003). Chemotactic effect was higher over leukocytes from labor women (P = 0.001). More than 80% of the attracted cells were polymorphonuclears in all cases. IL‐8 was the main chemokyne found in all extracts; however its concentration was increased in extracts from labor.Conclusions:  Fetal membranes induced chemotaxis for leukocytes and this condition is enhanced by the presence of labor. Amniochorion under active labor secretes IL‐8 which induces a preferential chemotaxis for polymorphonuclears. Infiltration of these cells in choriodecidua during labor may play a role in the amniochorion degradation associated to rupture.
1141644472 Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption and Ionization (SELDI) mass spectrometry for investigation of human embryo conditioned IVF culture medium
Authors: Neubeck S , Koehn S , Poehlmann TG , Bleul A , Von Eggeling F , Starker W , Hoppe I , Markert UR 
Published: May 2006

Introduction:  The human pre‐implantation embryo metabolism is still widely unknown. Mass spectrometry is a very sensitive proteomic method to detect the entire spectrum of molecules in samples below 1 μL. Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption Ionisation – Time Of Flight (SELDI – TOF) mass spectrometry is a further advanced method to reduce overlapping signals from different substances.Material and Methods:  A total of 22 different pre‐implantation embryo supernatants (10 μL each) from 16 different single‐cultured embryos were analyzed. From 6 embryos, supernatants were obtained both at day 3 and 5. Embryo stage was defined by microscopy. Different stages including arrested embryos, 4‐ or 8‐cell stage, early and expanded blastocysts were investigated. SELDI combines a chip‐based separation technology with mass spectrometry. All samples were fractioned by applying six different pH milieus and then exposed to chips with six differently coated surfaces. All fractions were analyzed on a mass spectrometer type ProteinChip System, Series 4000 (Ciphergen Biosystems, Inc.).Results:  By comparing the protein profiles of the analyzed embryos the implemented bioinformatic software was able to classify blinded samples correctly into groups of embryos as defined by microscopy. The use of IMAC‐chips (copper‐coated) and CM10‐chips (cation‐exchange) led to highest resolution of peaks. Although the masses of numerous molecules in culture media are assessed by this method, the exact definition of substances needs application of further techniques.Conclusions:  These first SELDI mass spectrometric analyses of embryo culture media demonstrate the capability of discriminating different stages of human pre‐implantation embryos by their protein expression profiles.
1142292807 Expression of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in women with idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion and implantation failure: 3‐color flow cytometric analysis
Authors: Lee S , Kwak‐Kim J , Gilman‐Sachs A 
Published: May 2006

Introduction:  A population of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells is thought to regulate alloreactive T cells in many autoimmune diseases. Lack of Treg cells resulted in abortions in mice and transfer of them prevented miscarriage. FOXP3 is now considered the most specific marker for Treg cells. In this study, we investigated whether levels of peripheral blood Treg cells in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) of unknown etiology or with repeated implantation failures (IF) are different from those of normal fertile women.Materials and Methods:  Non‐pregnant women with a history of idiopathic RSA or repeated IF were enrolled in the study group (n = 15) and non‐pregnant fertile females served as controls (n = 7). A flow cytometry assay was used. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and stained with appropriate monoclonal antibodies that identify Treg cells: for surface markers, such as anti‐CD4 and anti‐CD25, and for intracellular marker, anti‐FOXP3.Results:  The proportions of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cells were significantly different between the patients and controls, 1.5% versus 2.4%, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, an alteration in the expression of surface CD25 was noted after permeabilization of PBMC which allows antibodies to enter the cells and bind to FOXP3. The mean percentage of CD25+ cells before permeabilization, 9.9 + 4.8%, was decreased to 5.3+3.5% after permeabilization (P < 0.01). The ratios of CD4+CD25+/CD4+ between the surface and the intracellular staining also decreased by 46% (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cells were significantly lower in the patients with idiopathic RSA or multiple IF than in the controls. Permeabilization for intracellular staining induces a decrease in expression of surface markers.
Wolbachia
Infections in the Cimicidae: Museum Specimens as an Untapped Resource for Endosymbiont Surveys
Authors: Sakamoto Joyce M. , Feinstein Julie , Rasgon Jason L. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

Wolbachia
spp. are obligate maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria that infect diverse arthropods and filarial nematodes. Previous microscopic and molecular studies have identified
Wolbachia
in several bed bug species (Cimicidae), but little is known about how widespread
Wolbachia
infections are among the Cimicidae. Because cimicids of non-medical importance are not commonly collected, we hypothesized that preserved museum specimens could be assayed for
Wolbachia
infections. For the screening of museum specimens, we designed a set of primers that specifically amplify small diagnostic fragments (130 to 240 bp) of the
Wolbachia
16S rRNA gene. Using these and other previously published primers, we screened 39 cimicid species (spanning 16 genera and all 6 recognized subfamilies) and 2 species of the sister family Polyctenidae for
Wolbachia
infections using museum and wild-caught material. Amplified fragments were sequenced to confirm that our primers were amplifying
Wolbachia
DNA. We identified 10 infections, 8 of which were previously undescribed. Infections in the F supergroup were common in the subfamily Cimicinae, while infections in the A supergroup were identified in the subfamilies Afrocimicinae and Haematosiphoninae. Even though specimens were degraded, we detected infections in over 23% of cimicid species. Our results indicate that
Wolbachia
infections may be common among cimicids and that archived museum material is a useful untapped resource for invertebrate endosymbiont surveys. The new screening primers listed in this report will be useful for other researchers conducting
Wolbachia
surveys with specimens with less-than-optimum DNA quality.
Inhibition of Plant-Pathogenic Bacteria by Short Synthetic Cecropin A-Melittin Hybrid Peptides
Authors: Ferre Rafael , Badosa Esther , Feliu Lidia , Planas Marta , Montesinos Emili , Bardají Eduard 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTShort peptides of 11 residues were synthesized and tested against the economically important plant pathogenic bacteriaErwinia amylovora,Pseudomonas syringae, andXanthomonas vesicatoriaand compared to the previously described peptide Pep3 (WKLFKKILKVL-NH2). The antimicrobial activity of Pep3 and 22 analogues was evaluated in terms of the MIC and the 50% effective dose (ED50) for growth. Peptide cytotoxicity against human red blood cells and peptide stability toward protease degradation were also determined. Pep3 and several analogues inhibited growth of the three pathogens and had a bactericidal effect at low micromolar concentrations (ED50of 1.3 to 7.3 μM). One of the analogues consisting of a replacement of both Trp and Val with Lys and Phe, respectively, resulted in a peptide with improved bactericidal activity and minimized cytotoxicity and susceptibility to protease degradation compared to Pep3. The best analogues can be considered as potential lead compounds for the development of new antimicrobial agents for use in plant protection either as components of pesticides or expressed in transgenic plants.
Modeling Shifts in Microbial Populations Associated with Health or Disease
Authors: Dalwai F. , Spratt D. A. , Pratten J. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

Stable microbial communities associated with health can be disrupted by altered environmental conditions. Periodontal diseases are associated with changes in the resident oral microflora. For example, as gingivitis develops, a key change in the microbial composition of dental plaque is the ascendancy of
Actinomyces
spp. and gram-negative rods at the expense of
Streptococcus
spp. We describe the use of an in vitro model to replicate this population shift, first with a dual-species model (
Actinomyces naeslundii
and
Streptococcus sobrinus
) and then using a microcosm model of dental plaque. The population shift was induced by environmental changes associated with gingivitis, first by the addition of artificial gingival crevicular fluid and then by a switch to a microaerophilic atmosphere. In addition to the observed population shifts, confocal laser scanning microscopy also revealed structural changes and differences in the distribution of viable and nonviable bacteria associated with the change in environmental conditions. This model provides an appropriate system for the further understanding of microbial population shifts associated with gingivitis and for the testing of, for example, antimicrobial agents.