bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increase in intracellular pH induces phosphorylation of axonemal proteins for activation of flagellar motility in starfish sperm
Authors: Nakajima Ayako , Morita Masaya , Takemura Akihiro , Kamimura Shinji , Okuno Makoto 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYIncreased intracellular pH ([pH]i) activates dynein in sea urchin and mammalian sperm and induces activation of flagellar motility. It is thought that cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation is associated with motility activation through increasing [pH]i, but little attention has been given to the cAMP-independent phosphorylation also induced by the[pH]i increase. The present study demonstrates that the increase in[pH]i in starfish sperm induces the phosphorylation of axonemal proteins and activation of flagellar motility independently of cAMP. Flagellar motility of intact sperm was activated when the [pH]i was raised by addition of NH4Cl. Histidine, which is known to activate motility of starfish sperm, also raised the [pH]i during the motility activation. In addition, motility of demembranated sperm flagella was activated in a pH-dependent manner without cAMP. These results indicate that in starfish sperm it is the increase in [pH]i that induces activation of flagellar motility. Moreover, phosphorylation of axonemal proteins (of molecular mass 25, 32 and 45 kDa) was observed during the pH-dependent and cAMP-independent motility activation of demembranated sperm. This suggests that the increase in [pH]i regulates flagellar motility via cAMP-independent phosphorylation of axonemal proteins.
Transepithelial transport of fluorescent p-glycoprotein and MRP2 substrates by insect Malpighian tubules: confocal microscopic analysis of secreted fluid droplets
Authors: Leader J. P. , O'Donnell M. J. 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYTransport of fluorescent substrates of p-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) by insect Malpighian tubules was examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Isolated tubules of the cricket Teleogryllus commodus accumulated the MRP2 substrate Texas Red in the cells and lumen at concentrations up to 20 and 40 times,respectively, those in the bathing medium. Quantitative CLSM analysis of fluorochrome transport in some cricket tubules and all Drosophilatubules was not practical because of interfering effects of concretions in the cells and lumen. Samples of fluid secreted by tubules set up in Ramsay assays were therefore collected in hollow rectangle glass capillaries. Transepithelial dye flux was calculated as the product of fluid secretion rate(measured in the Ramsay assay) and dye concentration (measured by CLSM of the fluid samples). Dose–response curves for transport and the ratio of dye concentration in the secreted fluid to that in the bathing medium (S/M) were determined for Texas Red as well as for P-gp substrates (rhodamine 123,daunorubicin), the organic anion fluorescein and the organic cation quinacrine. Transepithelial transport of Texas Red was reduced by the MRP2 inhibitors MK571 and probenecid. Transport of daunorubicin was reduced by the P-gp inhibitors verapamil and quinacrine and also by the organic cation tetraethylammonium. The results indicate the presence of P-gp-like and MRP2-like transporters in the Malpighian tubules of both species.
The insecticide pymetrozine selectively affects chordotonal mechanoreceptors
Authors: Ausborn Jessica , Wolf Harald , Mader Wolfgang , Kayser Hartmut 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYPymetrozine is a neuroactive insecticide but its site of action in the nervous system is unknown. Based on previous studies of symptoms in the locust, the feedback loop controlling the femur–tibia joint of the middle leg was chosen to examine possible targets of the insecticide. The femoral chordotonal organ, which monitors joint position and movement, turned out to be the primary site of pymetrozine action, while interneurons,motoneurons and central motor control circuitry in general did not noticeably respond to the insecticide. The chordotonal organs associated with the wing hinge stretch receptor and the tegula were influenced by pymetrozine in the same way as the femoral chordotonal organ, indicating that the insecticide affects chordotonal sensillae in general. Pymetrozine at concentrations down to 10–8 mol l–1 resulted in the loss of stimulus-related responses and either elicited (temporary) tonic discharges or eliminated spike activity altogether. Remarkably, pymetrozine affected the chordotonal organs in an all-or-none fashion, in agreement with previous independent studies. Other examined sense organs did not respond to pymetrozine, namely campaniform sensillae on the tibia and the subcosta vein,hair sensillae of the tegula (type I sensillae), and the wing hinge stretch receptor (type II sensillae).
The absence of mitochondrial DNA diversity among common laboratory inbred mouse strains
Authors: Dai Ji-gang , Min Jia-xin , Xiao Ying-bin , Lei Xia , Shen Wen-hao , Wei Hong 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYMitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which exhibits a maternal inheritance and a high rate of evolution, has been widely used as a genetic marker when analyzing maternal lineage and inferring phylogenetic relationships among species. In this study, mtDNA variations among four classical (BALB/c, C3H, C57BL/6J and DBA/2) and three Chinese (TA2, 615 and T739) inbred strains of laboratory mice were analyzed by PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism) and PCR-SSCP (polymerase chain reaction coupled with single-stranded conformational polymorphism) techniques. PCR-RFLP analyses on 46 restriction sites revealed no variations in mtDNA D-loop(displacement loop), tRNAMet+Glu+Ile and ND3 (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3) gene fragments in these strains. Furthermore, PCR-SSCP analyses demonstrated no variations in D-loop 5′ and 3′ end fragments in them. In view of enormous polymorphisms in mtDNA among mice and dramatic differences in nuclear genomes of these seven strains, our findings were surprising. However, in light of the maternal inheritance of mtDNA, the results indicate that the three Chinese strains, including TA2, T739 and 615,and the four classical strains, share a common maternal lineage.
Flight behaviour during foraging of the social waspVespula vulgaris(Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and four mimetic hoverflies (Diptera:Syrphidae)Sericomyia silentis,Myathropa florea,Helophilussp. andSyrphussp.
Authors: Golding Y. C. , Edmunds M. , Ennos A. R. 
Published: December 2005

SUMMARYMany hoverfly species show specific or non specific morphological resemblance to wasps (Vespula sp.) and it has been suggested that they also show similar flight behaviour. In this study we therefore compared the flight behaviour of wasps with that of four mimetic hoverflies, Sericomyia silentis, Myathropa florea, Helophilus sp. and Syrphus sp., by filming insects while they were foraging on an artificial array of flowers. Films were analysed to determine the routes taken, time spent hovering and flight speed. Of the four flies, only the non specific mimic, Syrphus, showed similar flight behaviour to the wasps; it flew more slowly, and with more roundabout routes than the other flies, hesitating before landing. These results suggest that in hoverflies there is little reason to expect strict correlation between morphological and behavioural mimicry; insects may acquire the similarities to their model more-or-less independently.
Sensitive and Inexpensive Molecular Test for Falciparum Malaria: Detecting Plasmodium falciparum DNA Directly from Heat-Treated Blood by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification,
Authors: Poon Leo LM , Wong Bonnie WY , Ma Edmund HT , Chan Kwok H , Chow Larry MC , Abeyewickreme Wimal , Tangpukdee Noppadon , Yuen Kwok Y , Guan Yi , Looareesuwan Sornchai , Peiris JS Malik 
Published: December 2005

AbstractBackground: Malaria is one of the most important parasitic infections in humans. A sensitive diagnostic test for malaria that could be applied at the community level could be useful in programs to control the disease. The aim of the present work was to develop a simple, inexpensive molecular test for Plasmodium falciparum.Methods: Blood was collected from controls (n = 100) and from patients diagnosed with falciparum malaria infection (n = 102), who were recruited to the study. Heat-treated blood samples were tested by a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for P. falciparum. Results were interpreted by a turbidity meter in real time or visually at the end of the assay. To evaluate the assay, DNA from these samples was purified and tested by PCR. Results from the LAMP and PCR assays were compared.Results: The LAMP assay detected P. falciparum directly from heat-treated blood. The quantitative data from the assay correlated to the parasite counts obtained by blood-film microscopic analyses. When we used the PCR assay as the comparison method, the sensitivity and specificity of the LAMP assay were 95% and 99%, respectively.Conclusions: Unlike PCR, the LAMP assay does not require purified DNA for efficient DNA amplification, thereby reducing the cost and turnaround time for P. falciparum diagnosis. The assay requires only basic instruments, and assay positivity can be verified by visual inspection.
Plutonium (IV) complexation with citric and alginic acids at low PuTconcentrations
Authors: Kantar Cetin , Honeyman Bruce D. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryThe conditional stability constants for trace-level concentrations of Pu(IV) complexing with citric and alginic acids were determined at pH 4 and an ionic strength of 0.1 M NaCl using an ion-exchange technique. The results of these experiments were analyzed with: 1) the graphical Schubert's approach, 2) a non-linear simulation of ‘Schubert’-type data, and 3) an affinity distribution approach to describe the alginic acid. Analysis of the results of ion-exchange data for Pu(IV)-citric acid systems using Schubert's method indicates the formation of a 1 : 1 Pu-citrate complex with a stability constant (log β1,1) of 16.536 ± 0.015 atI= 0.1 M. Alginic acid exhibits a strong affinity for plutonium and, unlike citric acid, the experimental results were interpreted as a mixture of 1 : 2 and 1 : 3 Pu : alginic acid complexes using non-linear Schubert's analysis of ion-exchange data; average conditional stability constants (log β) of 13.479 ± 0.057 and 14.755 ± 0.305 atI= 0.1 M NaCl, respectively, were determined. The results from the ion-exchange experiments were also modeled based on a non-electrostatic, discrete ligand approach in which alginic acid is conceptualized as being composed of a suite of monoprotic acids, HLi, of arbitrarily-assigned pKa(i)values (e.g., 2, 4, 6 and 8). The experimental ion-exchange data were best described by postulating complexation reactions between Pu(IV) and the model ligands L2(pKa= 4) and L3(pKa= 6), forming the species Pu(L2)22+and Pu(L3)3+, indicating that the Pu(IV) binding by alginic acid occurs mainly through carboxylic groups under the experimental conditions studied.
Early Response of Endogenous Adult Neural Progenitor Cells to Acute Spinal Cord Injury in Mice
Authors: Ke Yan , Chi Liying , Xu Renshi , Luo Chun , Gozal David , Liu Rugao 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Adult neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are an attractive source for functional replacement in neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic injury to the central nervous system (CNS). It has been shown that transplantation of neural stem cells or NPCs into the lesioned region partially restores CNS function. However, the capacity of endogenous NPCs in replacement of neuronal cell loss and functional recovery of spinal cord injury (SCI) is apparently poor. Furthermore, the temporal and spatial response of endogenous adult NPCs to SCI remains largely undefined. To this end, we have analyzed the early organization, distribution, and potential function of NPCs in response to SCI, using nestin enhancer (promoter) controlled LacZ reporter transgenic mice. We showed that there was an increase of NPC proliferation, migration, and neurogenesis in adult spinal cord after traumatic compression SCI. The proliferation of NPCs detected by 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and LacZ staining was restricted to the ependymal zone (EZ) of the central canal. During acute SCI, NPCs in the EZ of the central canal migrated vigorously toward the dorsal direction, where the compression lesion is generated. The optimal NPC migration occurred in the adjacent region close to the epicenter. More significantly, there was an increased de novo neurogenesis from NPCs 24 hours after SCI. The enhanced proliferation, migration, and neurogenesis of (from) endogenous NPCs in the adult spinal cord in response to SCI suggest a potential role for NPCs in attempting to restore SCI-mediated neuronal dysfunction.
Murine Embryonic Stem Cells Secrete Cytokines/Growth Modulators That Enhance Cell Survival/Anti-Apoptosis and Stimulate Colony Formation of Murine Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells
Authors: Guo Ying , Graham-Evans Barbara , Broxmeyer Hal E. 
Published: December 2005

Abstract
Stromal cell–derived factor (SDF)-1/CXCL12, released by murine embryonic stem (ES) cells, enhances survival, chemotaxis, and hematopoietic differentiation of murine ES cells. Conditioned medium (CM) from murine ES cells growing in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) was generated while the ES cells were in an undifferentiated Oct-4 expressing state. ES cell–CM enhanced survival of normal murine bone marrow myeloid progenitors (CFU-GM) subjected to delayed growth factor addition in vitro and decreased apoptosis of murine bone marrow c-kit+lin− cells. ES CM contained interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-10, IL-11, macrophage-colony stimulating factor (CSF), oncostatin M, stem cell factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, as well as a number of chemokines and other proteins, some of which are known to enhance survival/anti-apoptosis of progenitors. Irradiation of ES cells enhanced release of some proteins and decreased release of others. IL-6, FGF-9, and TNF-α, not detected prior to irradiation was found after ES cells were irradiated. ES cell CM also stimulated CFU-GM colony formation. Thus, undifferentiated murine ES cells growing in the presence of LIF produce/release a number of biologically active interleukins, CSFs, chemokines, and other growth modulatory proteins, results which may be of physiological and/or practical significance.
Recent advances in color vision research
Authors: Buchanan‐Smith Hannah M. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe remarkable variation in color vision both among and within primate species is receiving increasing attention from geneticists, psychophysicists, physiologists, and behavioral ecologists. It is known that color vision ability affects foraging behavior. Color vision is also likely to have implications for predation avoidance, social behavior, mate choice, and group dynamics, and should also influence the choice of stimuli for cognitive experiments. Therefore, understanding the color vision of a study species is important and of particular significance to scientists studying species with polymorphic color vision (most platyrrhines and some strepsirrhines). The papers in this issue were inspired by a symposium held during the 20th Congress of the International Primatological Society at Turin, Italy, in August 2004. The aim of the symposium was to bring together research from a range of disciplines, using recent methodological advances in molecular, modeling, and experimental techniques, to help elucidate the evolution, ecological importance, and distribution of color vision genotypes and phenotypes. The symposium achieved its aim, and as with most research in expanding disciplines, there are surprises and many questions still to be answered. Further advances will be made using a combination of different approaches involving analyses at the level of molecu1es, types of cell and neural networks, detailed and long‐term field work, modeling, and carefully controlled experimentation. Am. J. Primatol. 67:393–398, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative use of color vision for frugivory by sympatric species of platyrrhines
Authors: Stoner Kathryn E. , Riba‐Hernández Pablo , Lucas Peter W. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractAtelesspp. andAlouattaspp. are often sympatric, and although they are mainly frugivorous and folivorous, respectively, they consume some of the same fruit species. However, they differ in terms of color vision, which is thought to be important for fruit detection.Alouattaspp. have routine trichromatic color vision, whileAtelesspp. presents the classic polymorphism of platyrrhines: heterozygous females have trichromatic color vision, and males and homozygous females have dichromatic vision. Given these perceptual differences, one might expectAlouattaspp. to consume more reddish fruits thanAtelesspp., since trichromats have an advantage for detecting fruits of that hue. Furthermore, sinceAtelesspp. have up to six different color vision phenotypes, as do most other platyrrhines, they might be expected to include fruits with a wider variety of hues in their diet thanAlouattaspp. To test these hypotheses we studied the fruit foraging behavior of sympatricAlouatta palliataandAteles geoffroyiin Costa Rica, and modeled the detectability of fruit via the various color vision phenotypes in these primates.We found little similarity in fruit diet between these two species (Morisita=0.086). Furthermore, despite its polymorphism,A. geoffroyiconsumed more reddish fruits thanA. palliata, which consumed more greenish fruits. Our modeling results suggest that most fruit species included in the diet ofA. geoffroyican be discriminated by most color vision phenotypes present in the population. These findings show that the effect of polymorphism in platyrrhines on fruit detection may not be a disadvantage for frugivory. We suggest that routine trichromacy may be advantageous for other foraging tasks, such as feeding on young leaves. Am. J. Primatol. 67:399–409, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Color vision in marmosets and tamarins: behavioral evidence
Authors: Pessoa Daniel M.A. , Tomaz Carlos , Pessoa Valdir F. 
Published: December 2005

AbstractHere we demonstrate differences in the relative performance of 15 callitrichids tested in a series of color visual discrimination experiments. Munsell color chips were chosen as stimuli based on their use in earlier experiments with human dichromats. We show behavioral evidence for the existence of four distinct kinds of color‐vision phenotypes, each of which has slightly different color discrimination abilities. The different phenotypes may offer different advantages. The data are in accordance with the existence of a visual polymorphism in callitrichids. Am. J. Primatol. 67:487–495, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular characterization of a pre‐Columbian mummy and in situ coprolite
Authors: Luciani Stefania , Fornaciari Gino , Rickards Olga , Labarga Cristina Martínez , Rollo Franco 
Published: December 2005

AbstractThe history of Homo sapiens dispersal around the world and inherent interpopulation contacts and conflicts has given rise to several transitions in his relationships with the natural world, with the final result of changes in the patterns of infectious disease (McMichael [2001] Ecosystem Health 7:107–115). Of particular interest, in this context, is the contact between Amerindians and Europeans that started at the end of the 15th century, and the resulting exchange of microbes. We successfully recovered ancient DNA from a pre‐Columbian mummy from Cuzco (Peru), radiocarbon‐dated to 980–1170 AD, for which consistent mtDNA amplifications and sequences were obtained. The analysis of mtDNA revealed that the mummy's haplogroup was characteristic of Native American populations. We also investigated a sample of feces directly isolated from the intestines of the mummy, using a polymerase chain reaction system designed to detect the broadest spectrum of bacterial DNAs. The analysis of results, following a criterion of “paleoecological consistency” (Rollo and Marota [1998] Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. [Biol.] 354: 111–119), demonstrated that some vestiges of the original microbial flora of the feces were preserved. In particular, we were able to identify the DNA of Haemophylus parainfluenzae, thus suggesting that this recently recognized pathogen was present in precontact Native Americans. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fusion, electrical conductivity, thermal, and mechanical properties of rigid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/carbon black (CB) composites
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Ho , Li Hsin‐Chiung , Teng Chih‐Chun , Yang Chien‐Hsin 
Published: December 2005

AbstractRigid and conductive poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/carbon black (CB) composites were prepared in a Haake torque rheometer. The results illustrate that the fusion torque of the PVC/CB composite is increased as the amount of CB is increased. Both the fusion percolation threshold and the fusion time of PVC/CB composites are decreased when the amount of CB is increased. Two major weight loss stages are observed in the TGA curve of PVC/CB composite. The first thermal degradation onset temperature (Tonset1) of PVC/CB composite is decreased as the amount of CB is increased. Both the first and second weight loss stages (ΔY1 and ΔY2) of PVC/CB composites are decreased as the amount of CB is increased. The surface resistivity of PVC/CB composite remains almost constant up to 6 parts per hundred unit weight of resin (phr) CB. When the amount of CB in PVC/CB composite is increased from 6 to 15 phr, the surface resistivity of PVC/CB composite is dramatically decreased from 1010 Ω/sq to 104 Ω/sq. Because of the addition of CB, the rigidity of PVC/CB composite is increased and thus the mechanical properties, such as yield strength, tensile strength, and the Young's modulus, are improved. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Microstructure analysis of methyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate copolymers by two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy. II
Authors: Brar A. S. , Singh Gurmeet , Shankar Ravi 
Published: December 2005

AbstractIn the present article, a comprehensive two‐dimensional heteronuclear multi bond correlation (HMBC) spectral analysis of methyl acrylate (A)/methyl methacrylate (B) copolymers is reported. The methylene carbon and methine carbon resonances assigned from the 2D HSQC spectroscopy were established by analyzing the two and three bond order couplings with α‐methyl protons, methylene protons, and methine protons. Quaternary carbon resonances of the B unit were assigned by investigating the two bond order couplings with α‐methyl protons and methylene protons. Assignments of carbonyl carbon resonances based on the analysis of three bond couplings with α‐methyl protons and methylene protons are reported. The analyses present comprehensive assignments of the carbonyl carbon resonances showing the critical contribution of 2D HMBC spectroscopy in the indirect analysis of carbon resonances. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006