bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Yeast involved in fermentation of Coffea arabica in East Africa determined by genotyping and by direct denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis
Authors: Masoud Wafa , Bjørg Cesar Lene , Jespersen Lene , Jakobsen Mogens 
Published: April 2004

AbstractSamples of Coffea arabica were collected during the different stages of the fermentation from two production sites in Tanzania. The yeasts community was identified by genotyping using ITS–PCR and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene. For confirmation, denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR‐amplified 26S rRNA gene was performed to detect yeast directly from coffee samples without cultivation. Yeast counts were in the range 4.0 × 104 − 5.0 × 107 CFU/g with an increase during fermentation. Three yeasts species were dominant. The predominant yeast found during fermentation and drying was Pichia kluyveri. Pichia anomala was found in high numbers during drying of coffee beans. Hanseniaspora uvarum was the predominant yeast during fermentation but decreased during drying. Kluyveromyces marxianus, Candida pseudointermedia, Issatchenkia orientalis, Pichia ohmeri and Torulaspora delbrueckii occurred in concentrations of 103 CFU/g or below in coffee samples. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida xestobii were not isolated by cultivation, but by the DGGE technique. A good agreement was found between the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene and sequencing of the DGGE bands. Sequences of yeast isolates determined in this study have been deposited in the GenBank database under Accession Nos AY305664–AY305669 and AY305672–AY305683. Sequences of DGGE bands have also been deposited in the GenBank database under Accession Nos AY314789–AY314802. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Candida glabrata Ste20 is involved in maintaining cell wall integrity and adaptation to hypertonic stress, and is required for wild‐type levels of virulence
Authors: Calcagno Ana‐Maria , Bignell Elaine , Rogers Thomas R. , Canedo Mariana , Mühlschlegel Fritz A. , Haynes Ken 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe conserved family of fungal Ste20 p21‐activated serine‐threonine protein kinases regulate several signalling cascades. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ste20 is involved in pheromone signalling, invasive growth, the hypertonic stress response, cell wall integrity and binds Cdc42, a Rho‐like small GTP‐binding protein required for polarized morphogenesis. We have cloned the STE20 homologue from the fungal pathogen Candida glabrata and have shown that it is present in a single copy in the genome. Translation of the nucleotide sequence predicts that C. glabrata Ste20 contains a highly conserved p21‐activated serine–threonine protein kinase domain, a binding site for G‐protein β subunits and a regulatory Rho‐binding domain that enables the kinase to interact with Cdc42 and/or Rho‐like small GTPases. C. glabrata Ste20 has 53% identity and 58% predicted amino acid similarity to S. cerevisiae Ste20 and can complement both the nitrogen starvation‐induced filamentation and mating defects of S. cerevisiae ste20 mutants. Analysis of ste20 null and disrupted strains suggest that in C. glabrata Ste20 is required for a fully functional hypertonic stress response and intact cell wall integrity pathway. C. glabrata Ste20 is not required for nitrogen starvation‐induced filamentation. Survival analysis revealed that C. glabrata ste20 mutants, while still able to cause disease, are mildly attenuated for virulence compared to reconstituted STE20 cells. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The trehalose pathway and intracellular glucose phosphates as modulators of potassium transport and general cation homeostasis in yeast
Authors: Mulet Jose M. , Alejandro Santiago , Romero Carlos , Serrano Ramón 
Published: April 2004

AbstractTrk, encoded by the partially redundant genes TRK1 and TRK2, is the major potassium transporter of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This system is specific for potassium and rubidium but, by reducing the electrical membrane potential of the plasma membrane, Trk decreases the uptake of toxic cations such as lithium, calcium, aminoglycosides and polyamines, which are transported by other systems. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies indicate that TPS1, a gene encoding trehalose‐6‐phosphate synthase and known to modulate glucose metabolism, activates Trk and reduces the sensitivity of yeast cells to many toxic cations. This effect is independent of known regulators of Trk, such as the Hal4 and Hal5 protein kinases and the protein phosphatase calcineurin. Mutants defective in isoform 2 of phosphoglucomutase (pgm2) and mutants defective in isoform 2 of hexokinase (hxk2) exhibit similar phenotypes of reduced Trk activity and increased sensitivity to toxic cations compared with tps1 mutants. In all cases Trk activity was positively correlated with levels of glucose phosphates (glc‐1‐P and glc‐6‐P). These results indicate that Tps1, like Pgm2 and Hxk2, increases the levels of glucose phosphates and suggest that these metabolites, directly or indirectly, activate Trk. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of Yarrowia lipolytica for the expression of human cytochrome P450 CYP1A1
Authors: Nthangeni M. B. , Urban P. , Pompon D. , Smit M. S. , Nicaud J.‐M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCytochromes P450 constitute a superfamily of haem‐thiolate mono‐oxygenases that are involved in the oxidative metabolism of lipophilic subtrates. These enzymes require association with cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) to achieve optimal activities. We have expressed human cytochrome P450 CYP1A1 under the POX2 promoter (pPOX2–CYP1A1) in Y. lipolytica, with or without overproduction of Y. lipolytica CPR expressed under the ICL promoter (pICL–CPR) or the POX2 promoter (pPOX2–CPR). Activity of cytochrome CYP1A1 was analysed by conversion of hydroxyresorufin to resorufin. Strain JMY330 and JMY330–CPR present no activity, the monocopy cytochrome CYP1A1 integrant JMY331 and JMY331–CPR derivatives present an average activity of 32.0 pM/min/dw and 48.3 and 64.6 pM/min/dw for pICL–CPR and pPOX2–CPR, respectively. Increase of CPR expression resulted in about two‐fold higher activity. The multicopy 1A1 integrant JMY339 and JMY339–CPR derivatives present an activity of 129 pM/min/dw and 815–1845 pM/min/dw, respectively. Increase of CPR expression resulted in 6.3–12.8‐fold higher activity, depending on the CPR transformant. We observed a 50‐fold increase of activity between the monocopy integrant JMY331 as compared to the multicopies integrant JMY339–CPR in which CPR was overexpressed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transcriptional and post‐translational regulation of neutral trehalase in Schizosaccharomyces pombe during thermal stress
Authors: Paredes Vanessa , Franco Alejandro , Madrid Marisa , Soto Teresa , Vicente‐Soler Jero , Gacto Mariano , Cansado José 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a heat shock enhances transcription of the ntp1+ gene, encoding the hydrolytic enzyme neutral trehalase. As compared to wild‐type cells, cells devoid of the MAP kinase Sty1p showed a strong decrease in ntp1+ expression induced by the temperature upshift, indicating that the stress‐activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathway regulates the expression of this gene during heat shock. The transcription factor Atf1p, which is the main downstream target for Sty1p in the SAPK pathway, appears to be involved in such control, since ntp1+ expression under heat shock proved to be significantly blocked in atf1+‐disrupted cells. Serial deletion and point mutation analyses of the ntp1+ promoter, as well as electrophoretic mobility shift assays, revealed the existence of a CRE‐like element as the target for Atf1p‐mediated expression under thermal stress. The relevance of two putative HSE elements located in the ntp1+ promoter was also investigated for their potential role in regulating ntp1+ transcription during heat shock. The results support a model in which heat‐induced Atf1p binding to the CRE‐like element favours the subsequent interaction of the heat shock factor (HSF) with HSE elements in the ntp1+ promoter. Unlike what happens under osmostress or oxidative treatments, Sty1p has no role in the post‐translational activation of neutral trehalase induced by heat shock in the fission yeast. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lines of arrested growth in bone and age estimation in a small primate: Microcebus murinus
Authors: Castanet J. , Croci S. , Aujard F. , Perret M. , Cubo J. , de Margerie E. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn primates, age determination using lines of arrested growth (LAGs) from bones has rarely been attempted, and the reliability of these structures has never been experimentally validated. In order to test skeletochronology in primates, LAGs were studied mainly in the long bones of known age Microcebus murinus, a small primate, whose potential longevity may reach 12 years. LAGs were extensively studied in 43 males and 23 females ranging from juveniles to 11‐year‐old adults. All individuals were born and reared in captivity. Some young individuals were injected with fluorescent dyes to quantify bone growth rates. LAGs in the diaphysis of the tibia are well correlated with age and this skeletal element appears to be the best for assessing skeletochronology in Microcebus murinus. There is strong evidence that the seasonal cycle of photoperiodicity is more important than age alone in producing LAGs.
Ecomorphological indicators of feeding behaviour in the bears (Carnivora: Ursidae)
Authors: Sacco Tyson , Van Valkenburgh Blaire 
Published: April 2004

AbstractPatterns of morphological variation in the skulls of extant bears were studied as they relate to diet and feeding behaviour. Measurements of craniodental features were used to compute indices that reflect dietary adaptations of the dentition and biomechanical properties of the skull, jaw and related musculature. Species were classified as either carnivores, omnivores, herbivores or insectivores. Differences among dietary groups were assessed with analysis of variance and discriminant factor analysis. Results demonstrated significant morphological separation among all four groups. Carnivores were distinguished by, among other features, molar size reduction, flexible mandibles and, most surprisingly, relatively small carnassial blades. In contrast, herbivores displayed, among other features, large molar grinding areas, rigid mandibles and large carnassial blades. The insectivorous sloth bear was characterized by extreme reduction of the post‐canine teeth. As expected, omnivores tended to have morphology intermediate between that of carnivorous and herbivorous ursids. Comparison with previous studies revealed that bears exhibit a different set of morphological specializations for diet than other carnivoran groups. Carnivorous ursids, for example, were found to share aspects of craniodental morphology with omnivorous canids. The relatively weak adaptations for carnivory observed in bears may be the result of selection for the ability to cope with temporal fluctuations in dietary components. The giant pandaAiluropoda melanoleucawas found to have a relatively stiff jaw and great mechanical advantage of the jaw‐closing muscles, features previously observed in carnivorous canids and unexpected in this herbivorous bear. Comparison of patterns of morphological variation and patterns of phylogenetic relationships among species revealed surprisingly strong congruence between morphology and phylogenetics.
Apparent movement in a visual display: the ‘passing cloud’ of Octopus cyanea (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)
Authors: Mather Jennifer A. , Mather D. Lynn 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe tremendous capacity of the chromatophore system in cephalopod skin to change its colour across space and time has allowed these animals to produce complex visual displays to conspecific and heterospecific targets, including the aptly‐named ‘passing cloud’. This display has been suggested as an interspecies communication, but it has not been investigated in detail. Octopus cyanea produced dark passing clouds during hunting of crab prey, typically after a web‐over capture attempt. Clouds moved not randomly but forward along the mantle, over the head and down the outstretched arm web, and were often accompanied by white margins that enhanced their appearance by intensity contrast. This visual display is presumed to be a startle attempt, producing apparent movement by selective sequential chromatophore expansion to induce a crab to move without the drawback of motion by the octopus itself.
Multi‐slice computed tomography urography after diuretic injection in children with urinary tract dilatation
Authors: Koşucu P. , Ahmetoğlu A. , İmamoğlu M. , Çay A. , Özdemir O. , DinÇ H. , Koşucu M. , Sari A. , Saruhan H. , Gümele H. R. 
Published: April 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the potential use of multi‐slice computed tomography urography (MSCTU) after diuretic injection in children with urinary tract dilatation. Material and Methods: MSCTU was performed in 19 patients (11 boys, 8 girls, mean age 5.4 years) with suspicion of urinary tract obstruction and dilatation. Furosemide, 1 mg/kg, was injected 3 min before contrast material administration and followed by a bolus of 30 ml of physiologic saline solution immediately after application of contrast material. Excretory‐phase images were obtained through the abdomen and pelvis beginning 10 min after initiation of the injection of contrast material. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume rendering (VR) images were post‐processed to obtain urographic views. Results: MSCTU revealed pathology in 16 of 19 patients, while 3 patients had normal findings. Ureteropelvic obstruction was found in 4 patients, obstructive megaureter in 8. Both ureteropelvic obstruction and obstructive megaureter were disclosed in 1 patient, partial ureteral duplication in 1 patient, and both complete ureteral duplication and ureterocele in 2 patients. In all patients, MIP and VR images could satisfactorily show the pathologies of the urinary tract. The estimated effective average doses of MSCTU were higher than IVU. Conclusion: Preliminary results of furosemide‐enhanced MSCTU demonstrated consistently dilated urinary tracts, obstruction levels, and underlying pathologies better than US and IVU.
Wallenberg's lateral medullary syndrome: diffusion‐weighted imaging findings
Authors: Kitis O. , Calli C. , Yunten N. , Kocaman A. , Sirin H. 
Published: April 2004

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of diffusion‐weighted imaging in patients with Wallenberg's lateral medullary syndrome. Material and Methods: Thirteen patients with Wallenberg's lateral medullary syndrome were examined with conventional and echoplanar diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in a 1.5 T magnetic resonance unit. MR examinations were obtained in the acute or subacute stage of clinical syndrome, and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) was considered to be positive for infarction when an increase in signal was seen on b=1000 s/mm2 images in the posterolateral medullary localization. Results: DWIs were positive in 12 patients in the acute or subacute stages of this clinical syndrome. A false‐negative result was obtained in only one patient examined within the first day, 10 h after onset of the symptoms. In the visual evaluation of the DWI, the contrast between normal and infarcted brainstem area was better in the high b‐value images than in the apparent diffusion coefficient map images. Conclusion: DWI is a valuable technique for examining patients presenting with the signs and symptoms of Wallenberg's syndrome and high b‐value images can provide complementary data to T2‐weighted images. However, because most of our case group were in either the acute or subacute stage, true sensitivity of the method in the hyperacute stage of the syndrome remains unclear.
Multidetector computed tomography diagnosis of adult elbow fractures
Authors: Haapamaki V. V. , Kiuru M. J. , Koskinen S. K. 
Published: April 2004

Purpose: To assess acute phase multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings in elbow traumas. Material and Methods: Fifty‐six patients (32 M, 24 F, age 16 to 88 years, mean 44 years) underwent MDCT of the elbow due to an acute trauma during a time period of 34 months. Results: A total of 65 fractures and 3 main fracture types were established: 16 (25%) ulnar coronoid process fractures, 13 (20%) radial head fractures, and 12 (18%) humeral supracondylar fractures. Three main injury mechanisms were falling (38 (68%) patients), falling from high places (6 (11%) patients), and traffic accidents (5 (9%) patients). In 6 (11%) patients, MDCT revealed 13 occult fractures in the elbow joint compared to primary radiography. In four (7%) patients a displaced fracture fragment was detected in primary radiography, but the origin of the fragment was unclear. In all four cases, MDCT revealed the origin of the fragment. Conclusion: Radiography remains the primary imaging modality in elbow trauma, but in complex fracture patterns, where the extent of the fractures and the position or origin of dislocated fragments is not clear by radiography, the MDCT is a recommended complementary examination.
Radiological spectrum of late sequelae of corrosive injury to upper gastrointestinal tract. a pictorial review
Authors: Nagi B. , Kochhar R. , Thapa B. R. , Singh K. 
Published: April 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the radiological spectrum of sequelae of corrosive acid and alkali injury to the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract using barium contrast examination. Material and Methods: Barium contrast radiographic films of 155 patients with a history of corrosive ingestion, acid in 120 and alkali in 35 patients with grade 2b and 3 injury on initial endoscopy, were retrospectively evaluated. Barium contrast examination of the upper GI tract was performed in the course of follow‐up, beyond 3 weeks of corrosive ingestion. Results: The esophagus was involved in 131 patients and the stomach in 74. Fifty patients had simultaneous involvement of esophagus and stomach. Radiological findings in the esophagus were solitary or multiple strictures of varying length, intramural pseudodiverticula, and carcinoma in long‐standing corrosive injury. The stomach showed cicatrization, predominantly involving the antrum, linitis plastica type deformity with multiple pseudodiverticula. There was no difference in the radiological findings as to the type of corrosive ingested. Conclusion: Barium examination of the upper GI tract is useful in the evaluation of late sequelae of corrosive injury (acid/alkali). There was no difference in the radiological findings as to the type of corrosive ingested. Thus, contrary to general belief, we found that acid and alkali damage both the esophagus and the stomach with equal degree of severity.
Regulation of nuclear factor‐κB in intestinal epithelial cells in a cell model of inflammation
Authors: Homaidan Fadia R. , Chakroun Iman , El-sabban Marwan E. 
Published: April 2004

Background: Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), an inflammatory cytokine whose levels are elevated in inflamed mucosa, causes part of its effect on intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) through inducing ceramide production.Aim: To study the role of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), a pro‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic factor, in IL‐1‐ treated IEC.Methods: NF‐κB activity and levels of apoptotic proteins were assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and RNA‐protection assay, respectively.Results: IL‐1 and ceramide, which have been shown to partially mediate IL‐l effects on IEC, activated NF‐κB levels significantly. This activation was due to a decrease in IκB‐α and IκB‐β protein levels. Moreover, the ratio of mRNA levels of anti‐apoptotic to pro‐apoptotic proteins was significantly increased in IL‐1‐treated IEC.Conclusion: NF‐κB may play a key role in the regulation of the expression of pro‐inflammatory and/or apoptotic genes in inflammatory bowel disease, making this protein an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.
Influence of ionic and non‐ionic radiographic contrast media on leukocyte adhesion molecules
Authors: Vermeiren Guy L. J. , Willems Roel , Claeys Marc J. , Vrints Chris , Slegers Herman , Jorens Philippe G. 
Published: April 2004

Background: Many papers have focused on the importance of granulocytes in the process of reperfusion and ischemia. Most of the clinical studies measured several parameters of this process during and after coronary angiography, without taking into account the effect of the radiographic contrast media (RCM) used during this procedure.Materials and methods: We performed a randomized patient study (n = 37) to evaluate the effect of ionic and non‐ionic RCM on granulocyte adhesion during coronary angiography. We also evaluated the influence of the ionicity and osmolarity of the different substances on granulocyte adhesion molecules in in vitro experiments.Results: The osmolarity of patient serum samples increased from 302±1 to 309±1 mOsm/kg (P < 0.05) after infusion of RCM. The CD11b expression in the samples of the non‐ionic RCM treated group increased from 221±21 MFI to 377±30 MFI (P < 0.05) measured as the absolute mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), yet did not alter significantly in the ionic RCM group. In contrast, the in vitro experiments showed a reduction of the CD11b expression from 360±70 MFI to 149±30 MFI (P < 0.05) in the ionic RCM group.Conclusions: The upregulation of adhesion molecules was significantly reduced in vivo with ionic RCM, while ionic substances caused opposite effects in vitro. This effect should be taken into account when performing leukocyte functional analysis of samples taken during angiography.
Histamine mediates the pro‐inflammatory effect of latex of Calotropis procera in rats
Authors: Shivkar Yatin M. , Kumar Vijay L. 
Published: April 2004

Introduction: Calotropis procera is known to produce contact dermatitis and the latex of this plant produces intense inflammation when injected locally. However, the precise mode of its pro‐inflammatory effect is not known. In present study we have pharmacologically characterized the inflammation induced by latex of C. procera in a rat paw edema model and determined the role of histamine in latex‐induced inflammation.Methods: Inflammation was induced in the hind paw of rats by injecting different doses of dried latex (DL) of C. procera. The inhibitory effect of phenylbutazone, dexamethasone, celecoxib, cyproheptadine, chlorpheniramine and compound 48/80 on edema volume was evaluated and compared with that against carrageenan. The histamine content of DL was measured fluorometrically.Results: DL produced dose‐dependent inflammation of the rat paw. Cyproheptadine and chlorpheniramine effectively inhibited DL‐induced inflammation (90%; P < 0.01), while anti‐inflammatory drugs phenylbutazone, dexamethasone and celecoxib were more effective against carrageenan‐induced inflammation. Depletion of mast cell histamine by compound 48/80 produced a significant decrease in DL‐induced inflammation as compared with carrageenan (50% versus 25%). DL was also found to contain about 6 μg/g of histamine.Conclusions: Thus, our study shows that the biogenic amines play a significant role in C. procera latex‐induced inflammation and antihistaminic drugs could be effectively used to inhibit inflammatory response elicited by exposure to latex.