bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serodiagnostic potential of chemically synthesized glycosphingolipid antigens in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for alveolar echinococcosis
Authors: Yamano K. , Hada N. , Yamamura T. , Takeda T. , Honma H. , Sawada Y. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIn the serodiagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis, the detection of specific reactions against not only protein but also carbohydrate antigen is useful and both antigens supplement each other. Though recombinant protein antigens have recently advanced, the preparation of carbohydrate antigen still depends on extraction from crude antigens. In the latter case, it is not conventional to obtain carbohydrate antigen as a single component for examination and research. Therefore, chemically synthesized carbohydrate antigens were prepared for serodiagnosis by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Four antigens with the structure of glycosphingolipids from Echinococcus multilocularis were examined and one antigen, Galβ1-6(Fucα1-3)Galβ1-6Galβ1-ceramide, was found to show significant serodiagnostic potential in differentiating alveolar from cystic echinococcosis.
Evaluation of broad-spectrum anthelmintic activity in a novel assay against Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and T. sigmodontis in the gerbil Meriones unguiculatus
Authors: Ostlind D.A. , Cifelli S. , Mickle W.G. , Smith S.K. , Ewanciw D.V. , Rafalko B. , Felcetto T. , Misura A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe gerbil Meriones unguiculatus, infected with three species of nematodes, each located in a separate part of the gastrointestinal tract, provided a reliable laboratory assay for the evaluation of broad-spectrum anthelmintic activity. Gerbils harbouring 6-day-old infections of Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and T. sigmodontis were given selected broad-spectrum anthelmintics by gavage. Three benzimidazoles, thiabendazole, oxfendazole and albendazole, a tetrahydropyrimidine, morantel, an imidazothiazole, levamisole hydrochloride, a macrocyclic lactone, ivermectin and an experimental natural product, paraherquamide, were active against all three nematodes at various dosages. Trichostrongylus colubriformis was most sensitive to levamisole hydrochloride, morantel, thiabendazole and paraherquamide whereas ivermectin, oxfendazole and albendazole were more effective against H. contortus. All compounds were active against the caecal nematode T. sigmodontis although it was less sensitive than T. colubriformis. Haemonchus contortus was more sensitive than T. sigmodontis to all anthelmintics tested except thiabendazole.
Pinusolide and 15‐methoxypinusolidic acid attenuate the neurotoxic effect of staurosporine in primary cultures of rat cortical cells
Authors: Koo K A , Lee M K , Kim S H , Jeong E J , Kim S Y , Oh T H , Kim Y C 
Published: December 2006

Background and purpose:Apoptosis is a fundamental process required for neuronal development but also occurs in most of the common neurodegenerative disorders. In an attempt to obtain an anti‐apoptotic neuroprotective compound from natural products, we isolated the diterpenoids, pinusolide and 15‐MPA, from B. orientalis and investigated their neuroprotective activity against staurosporine (STS) ‐induced neuronal apoptosis. In addition, we determined the anti‐apoptotic mechanism of these compounds in rat cortical cells.Experimental approach:Primary cultures of rat cortical cells injured by STS were used as an in vitro assay system. Cells were pretreated with pinusolide or 15‐MPA before exposure to STS. Anti‐apoptotic activities were evaluated by the measurement of cytoplasmic condensation and nuclear fragmentation. The levels of cellular peroxide, malondialdehyde (MDA) and [Ca2+]i, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and caspase‐3/7, were measured.Key results:Pinusolide and 15‐MPA, at a concentration of 5.0 ìM, reduced the condensed nuclei and rise in [Ca2+]i that accompanies apoptosis induced by 100 nM STS. Pinusolide and 15‐MPA also protected the cellular activity of SOD, an antioxidative enzyme reduced by STS insult. Furthermore, the overproduction of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation induced by STS was significantly reduced in pinusolide and 15‐MPA treated cells. In addition, pinusolide and 15‐MPA inhibited STS‐induced caspase‐3/7 activation.Conclusions and Implications:These results show that pinusolide and 15‐MPA protect neuronal cells from STS‐induced apoptosis, probably by preventing the increase in [Ca2+]i and cellular oxidation caused by STS, and indicate that they could be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 65–71. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706944
Fourier Transform Spectroscopy of the B2Σ-X2Σ Transition of BaH
Authors: O Appelblad  , L-E Berg  , L Klynning  , J W C Johns  
Published: December 2006

TheB2Σ-X2Σ band system of gaseous barium hydride in the wave length region 8900-11200 Å has been examined in absorption using a King furnace. The spectrum has been obtained by means of Fourier transform spectroscopy. Seven bands have been rotationally analyzed. Term values and molecular constants of theB2Σ andX2Σ states have been determined by standard least-squares analysis. The following molecular constants have been derived (cm-1):TeωeωexeωeyeBeαe104×DeB2Σ+11092.5931088.89815.4710.02373.268790.070611.1585X2Σ+0.1168.43314.6110.02763.382260.065681.1234
A Diffusible Signal from Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Elicits a Transient Cytosolic Calcium Elevation in Host Plant Cells
Authors: Navazio Lorella , Moscatiello Roberto , Genre Andrea , Novero Mara , Baldan Barbara , Bonfante Paola , Mariani Paola 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
The implication of calcium as intracellular messenger in the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis has not yet been directly demonstrated, although often envisaged. We used soybean (Glycine max) cell cultures stably expressing the bioluminescent Ca2+ indicator aequorin to detect intracellular Ca2+ changes in response to the culture medium of spores of Gigaspora margarita germinating in the absence of the plant partner. Rapid and transient elevations in cytosolic free Ca2+ were recorded, indicating that diffusible molecules released by the mycorrhizal fungus are perceived by host plant cells through a Ca2+-mediated signaling. Similar responses were also triggered by two Glomus isolates. The fungal molecules active in generating the Ca2+ transient were constitutively released in the medium, and the induced Ca2+ signature was not modified by the coculture of germinating spores with plant cells. Even ungerminated spores were able to generate the signaling molecules, as proven when the germination was blocked by a low temperature. The fungal molecules were found to be stable to heat treatment, of small molecular mass (&lt;3 kD), and, on the basis of extraction with an organic solvent, partially lipophilic. Evidence for the specificity of such an early fungal signal to the AM symbiosis is suggested by the lack of a Ca2+ response in cultured cells of the nonhost plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and by the up-regulation in soybean cells of genes related to Medicago truncatula DMI1, DMI2, and DMI3 and considered essential for the establishment of the AM symbiosis.
Discrimination in the Dark. Resolving the Interplay between Metabolic and Physical Constraints to Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Activity during the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Cycle
Authors: Griffiths Howard , Cousins Asaph B. , Badger Murray R. , von Caemmerer Susanne 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
A model defining carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C) for crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants was experimentally validated using Kalanchoe daigremontiana. Simultaneous measurements of gas exchange and instantaneous CO2 discrimination (for 13C and 18O) were made from late photoperiod (phase IV of CAM), throughout the dark period (phase I), and into the light (phase II). Measurements of CO2 response curves throughout the dark period revealed changing phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) capacity. These systematic changes in PEPC capacity were tracked by net CO2 uptake, stomatal conductance, and online Δ13C signal; all declined at the start of the dark period, then increased to a maximum 2 h before dawn. Measurements of Δ13C were higher than predicted from the ratio of intercellular to external CO2 (p i/p a) and fractionation associated with CO2 hydration and PEPC carboxylations alone, such that the dark period mesophyll conductance, g i, was 0.044 mol m−2 s−1 bar−1. A higher estimate of g i (0.085 mol m−2 s−1 bar−1) was needed to account for the modeled and measured Δ18O discrimination throughout the dark period. The differences in estimates of g i from the two isotope measurements, and an offset of −5.5‰ between the 18O content of source and transpired water, suggest spatial variations in either CO2 diffusion path length and/or carbonic anhydrase activity, either within individual cells or across a succulent leaf. Our measurements support the model predictions to show that internal CO2 diffusion limitations within CAM leaves increase Δ13C discrimination during nighttime CO2 fixation while reducing Δ13C during phase IV. When evaluating the phylogenetic distribution of CAM, carbon isotope composition will reflect these diffusive limitations as well as relative contributions from C3 and C4 biochemistry.
Heat Stress Induces an Aggregation of the Light-Harvesting Complex of Photosystem II in Spinach Plants
Authors: Tang Yunlai , Wen Xiaogang , Lu Qingtao , Yang Zhipan , Cheng Zhukuan , Lu Congming 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
Whole spinach (Spinacia oleracea) plants were subjected to heat stress (25°C–50°C) in the dark for 30 min. At temperatures higher than 35°C, CO2 assimilation rate decreased significantly. The maximal efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry remained unchanged until 45°C and decreased only slightly at 50°C. Nonphotochemical quenching increased significantly either in the absence or presence of dithiothreitol. There was an appearance of the characteristic band at around 698 nm in 77 K fluorescence emission spectra of leaves. Native green gel of thylakoid membranes isolated immediately from heat-stressed leaves showed that many pigment-protein complexes remained aggregated in the stacking gel. The analyses of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting demonstrated that the aggregates were composed of the main light-harvesting complex of PSII (LHCIIb). To characterize the aggregates, isolated PSII core complexes were incubated at 25°C to 50°C in the dark for 10 min. At temperatures over 35°C, many pigment-protein complexes remained aggregated in the stacking gel of native green gel, and immunoblotting analyses showed that the aggregates were composed of LHCIIb. In addition, isolated LHCII was also incubated at 25°C to 50°C in the dark for 10 min. LHCII remained aggregated in the stacking gel of native green gel at temperatures over 35°C. Massive aggregation of LHCII was clearly observed by using microscope images, which was accompanied by a significant increase in fluorescence quenching. There was a linear relationship between the formation of LHCII aggregates and nonphotochemical quenching in vivo. The results in this study suggest that LHCII aggregates may represent a protective mechanism to dissipate excess excitation energy in heat-stressed plants.
Functional Analysis of SPINDLY in Gibberellin Signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Silverstone Aron L. , Tseng Tong-Seung , Swain Stephen M. , Dill Alyssa , Jeong Sun Yong , Olszewski Neil E. , Sun Tai-ping 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) SPINDLY (SPY) protein negatively regulates the gibberellin (GA) signaling pathway. SPY is an O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) with a protein-protein interaction domain consisting of 10 tetratricopeptide repeats (TPR). OGTs add a GlcNAc monosaccharide to serine/threonine residues of nuclear and cytosolic proteins. Determination of the molecular defects in 14 new spy alleles reveals that these mutations cluster in three TPRs and the C-terminal catalytic region. Phenotypic characterization of 12 spy alleles indicates that TPRs 6, 8, and 9 and the catalytic domain are crucial for GA-regulated stem elongation, floral induction, and fertility. TPRs 8 and 9 and the catalytic region are also important for modulating trichome morphology and inflorescence phyllotaxy. Consistent with a role for SPY in embryo development, several alleles affect seedling cotyledon number. These results suggest that three of the TPRs and the OGT activity in SPY are required for its function in GA signal transduction. We also examined the effect of spy mutations on another negative regulator of GA signaling, REPRESSOR OF ga1-3 (RGA). The DELLA motif in RGA is essential for GA-induced proteolysis of RGA, and deletion of this motif (as in rga-Δ17) causes a GA-insensitive dwarf phenotype. Here, we demonstrate that spy partially suppresses the rga-Δ17 phenotype but does not reduce rga-Δ17 or RGA protein levels or alter RGA nuclear localization. We propose that SPY may function as a negative regulator of GA response by increasing the activity of RGA, and presumably other DELLA proteins, by GlcNAc modification.
Extracellular Proteins in Pea Root Tip and Border Cell Exudates
Authors: Wen Fushi , VanEtten Hans D. , Tsaprailis George , Hawes Martha C. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractNewly generated plant tissue is inherently sensitive to infection. Yet, when pea (Pisum sativum) roots are inoculated with the pea pathogen, Nectria haematococca, most newly generated root tips remain uninfected even though most roots develop lesions just behind the tip in the region of elongation. The resistance mechanism is unknown but is correlated spatially with the presence of border cells on the cap periphery. Previously, an array of &gt;100 extracellular proteins was found to be released while border cell separation proceeds. Here we report that protein secretion from pea root caps is induced in correlation with border cell separation. When this root cap secretome was proteolytically degraded during inoculation of pea roots with N. haematococca, the percentage of infected root tips increased from 4% ± 3% to 100%. In control experiments, protease treatment of conidia or roots had no effect on growth and development of the fungus or the plant. A complex of &gt;100 extracellular proteins was confirmed, by multidimensional protein identification technology, to comprise the root cap secretome. In addition to defense-related and signaling enzymes known to be present in the plant apoplast were ribosomal proteins, 14-3-3 proteins, and others typically associated with intracellular localization but recently shown to be extracellular components of microbial biofilms. We conclude that the root cap, long known to release a high molecular weight polysaccharide mucilage and thousands of living cells into the incipient rhizosphere, also secretes a complex mixture of proteins that appear to function in protection of the root tip from infection.
SEF, a New Protein Required for Flowering Repression in Arabidopsis, Interacts with PIE1 and ARP6
Authors: March-Díaz Rosana , García-Domínguez Mario , Florencio Francisco J. , Reyes José C. 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
The SWR1/SRCAP complex is a chromatin-remodeling complex that has been shown to be involved in substitution of histone H2A by the histone variant H2A.Z in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and animals. Here, we identify and characterize SERRATED LEAVES AND EARLY FLOWERING (SEF), an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) homolog of the yeast SWC6 protein, a conserved subunit of the SWR1/SRCAP complex. SEF loss-of-function mutants present a pleiotropic phenotype characterized by serrated leaves, frequent absence of inflorescence internodes, bushy aspect, and flowers with altered number and size of organs. sef plants flower earlier than wild-type plants both under inductive and noninductive photoperiods. This correlates with strong reduction of FLOWERING LOCUS C and MADS-AFFECTING FLOWERING4 transcript levels and up-regulation of FLOWERING LOCUS T and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 gene expression. The sef phenotype is similar to that of the photoperiod-independent early flowering1 (pie1) and the actin-related protein 6 (arp6) mutants. PIE1 and ARP6 proteins are also homologs of SWR1/SRCAP complex subunits. Analysis of sef pie1 double mutants demonstrates genetic interaction between these two genes. We also show physical interactions between SEF, ARP6, and PIE1 proteins. Taken together, our data indicate that SEF, ARP6, and PIE1 might form a molecular complex in Arabidopsis related to the SWR1/SRCAP complex identified in other eukaryotes.
Conservation of the Salt Overly Sensitive Pathway in Rice
Authors: Martínez-Atienza Juliana , Jiang Xingyu , Garciadeblas Blanca , Mendoza Imelda , Zhu Jian-Kang , Pardo José M. , Quintero Francisco J. 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
The salt tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa) correlates with the ability to exclude Na+ from the shoot and to maintain a low cellular Na+/K+ ratio. We have identified a rice plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchanger that, on the basis of genetic and biochemical criteria, is the functional homolog of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) salt overly sensitive 1 (SOS1) protein. The rice transporter, denoted by OsSOS1, demonstrated a capacity for Na+/H+ exchange in plasma membrane vesicles of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells and reduced their net cellular Na+ content. The Arabidopsis protein kinase complex SOS2/SOS3, which positively controls the activity of AtSOS1, phosphorylated OsSOS1 and stimulated its activity in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, OsSOS1 suppressed the salt sensitivity of a sos1-1 mutant of Arabidopsis. These results represent the first molecular and biochemical characterization of a Na+ efflux protein from monocots. Putative rice homologs of the Arabidopsis protein kinase SOS2 and its Ca2+-dependent activator SOS3 were identified also. OsCIPK24 and OsCBL4 acted coordinately to activate OsSOS1 in yeast cells and they could be exchanged with their Arabidopsis counterpart to form heterologous protein kinase modules that activated both OsSOS1 and AtSOS1 and suppressed the salt sensitivity of sos2 and sos3 mutants of Arabidopsis. These results demonstrate that the SOS salt tolerance pathway operates in cereals and evidences a high degree of structural conservation among the SOS proteins from dicots and monocots.
‘GATEWAY CITIES’ IN ECONOMIC GLOBALISATION: HOW BANKS ARE USING BRAZILIAN CITIES
Authors: ROSSI ELIANA C. , TAYLOR PETER J. 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to explore the concept of gateway cities as it applies under conditions of contemporary economic globalisation. A case study of Brazilian cities within domestic and global banking circles is used to show that city gateway functions in Brazil are more complex than is generally supposed. Principle components analysis of banking activity across both leading Brazilian cities and world cities generates six ‘common’ banking location strategies comprising separate subnets of cities: there are three largely regional strategies, two transnational strategies, and one national strategy. Although Sao Paulo is confirmed as the dominant gateway city in Brazil, the city subsets show a range of uses of cities by banks in Brazil including a Curitiba subnet emerging as an incipient strategy that actually bypasses Sao Paulo. The general finding is that under conditions of contemporary globalisation concentration and dispersion processes in Brazil are operating simultaneously.
Capacity of People with Intellectual Disabilities to Consent to Take Part in a Research Study
Authors: Dye Linda , Hare Dougal Julian , Hendy Steve 
Published: December 2006

Background  Within the context of current legislation relating to mental capacity in adults, the capacity of people with intellectual disabilities to consent to take part in research studies and the impact of different forms of information provision was experimentally investigated.Materials and methods  A questionnaire measure of ability to consent to take part in this research study was administered individually to participants. A total of 102 participants with intellectual disabilities were recruited from three day services for adults with intellectual disabilities. Consent information appertaining to taking part in an actual research project was presented to participants and their capacity assessed using a questionnaire. Three experimental conditions were used:

Control (n = 34) – consent information was presented followed by the questionnaire.
Section (n = 34) – consent information was broken into sections and the appropriate questions were asked following each section.
Photograph (n = 34) – consent information was accompanied by six colour photographs, followed by the questionnaire.

Participants also completed measures of memory ability, verbal ability and non‐verbal problem‐solving ability.Results  Seventeen participants withdrew from the study at some point. Of the remaining 85 participants, no significant differences in ability to consent scores were found between the experimental conditions. Using this measure, only five participants (5.9%) were deemed able to consent, i.e. scored the minimum required on each aspect of consent.Conclusions  The validity and usefulness of the current dichotomous concept of consent is challenged as only a small proportion of participants were deemed able to consent.
Assessment and management of the severely polytraumatized small animal patient
Authors: Crowe Dennis T. (Tim) 
Published: December 2006

AbstractObjective: To review the current recommendations for the care of the seriously injured polytraumatized small animal patient, including team organization and facility readiness; scene assessment and care; transport; and hospital assessment and care.Data sources: Original research articles, scientific reviews, book chapters, and clinical experience.Human data synthesis: The care of the seriously injured patient is demanding and requires adequate preparation, rapid access to organized resources and equipment, and skilled personnel. Second in urgency only to stabilization of the airway and breathing is shock. In many, surgical intervention to provide improved and continued stability is required. Evidence is provided by data published comparing survival for humans with high injury scores being cared for at level I trauma centers compared with small rural hospitals. Personal experience as a member of an emergency medical team in the care of multiple injured human patients in both level I trauma centers and small hospitals is also used in this review.Veterinary data synthesis: Publications reporting large clinical series of seriously injured dogs and cats are minimal. Experimental animal models of shock caused by blood loss and the study of various organ injuries and their management are numerous. These and 35 years of the author's experience in managing severely injured dogs and cats (estimated to be >750) is also used in this review for generation of guidelines.Conclusions: Guidelines for care of severe multiple injury patients are presented and are recommended to be used in clinical veterinary medical practice to improve outcome.