bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel variants related to TT virus distributed widely in China*
Authors: Luo Kangxian , He Haitang , Liu Zhihua , Liu Dingxie , Xiao Hong , Jiang Xiaojing , Liang Weifang , Zhang Lian 
Published: August 2002

AbstractTTV is a DNA virus with high genetic heterogeneity. To investigate the novel isolates of the virus, blood samples were collected from subjects who lived in various parts of China and suffered from hepatitis or were asymptomatic carriers. Nested PCR was carried out to amplify a 3.2‐kb fragment using primers deduced from the prototype TTV (TA278). The ten entire 3.2‐kb nt sequences were aligned with isolate TA278, SANBAN, TUS01, and SENV retrieved from GenBank, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed by Neighbor‐Joining method. The analysis indicated that five novel variants of the present study have not been described before, and all TTV‐related isolates could be classified into three groups. The isolate TCHN‐A, B and TUS01 were included in a group, and the remaining novel isolates together with SANBAN and TA278 clustered into another group, while SEN virus formed a distinct group. The genetic distances of the five novel variants were 0.5507–0.8476 to TA278, 0.4635–0.7877 to SANBAN, 0.6064–0.7834 to TUS01 and 0.6936–0.8236 to SENV. Of these novel variants, the ORF1 consisted of 426–772 aa and ORF2 of 141–156 aa. The nt identities of ORF1 and ORF2 between those variants and TA278, SANBAN, and TUS01 were 46.1–60.8 and 48.7–63.6%, and those of aa sequences were only 27.1–52.4 and 28.9–45.5%, respectively. The first 65 aa of ORF1 were rich in arginine and most conserved with homology of 56.5–70.0%. There was a hypervariable region from aa 286 to 403 with merely 17.7–27.0% of identity. Despite a low aa identity between TA278 and the variants, they have similar hydrophilicity profiles of ORF1. There were 2–10 N‐glycosylation motifs found in these variants. In conclusion, despite the high divergence, sequences of all these isolates shared common genome organisation, ORF structure, hydrophilicity patterns, and some potential motifs with TTV prototype. It is suggested that various TTV and TTV‐related isolates belong to a very large and complex family, which remains to be studied. J. Med. Virol. 67:118–126, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential effects of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug flurbiprofen and its nitric oxide‐releasing derivative, nitroflurbiprofen, on prostaglandin E2, interleukin‐1β, and nitric oxide synthesis by activated microglia
Authors: Ajmone‐Cat Maria Antonietta , Nicolini Alessia , Minghetti Luisa 
Published: August 2002

AbstractIncreasing experimental, clinical, and epidemiological studies point to the pivotal role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases and to the protective effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) therapies. Nonetheless, NSAID long‐term therapies are limited by their significant adverse effects on gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Nitroflurbiprofen (NO‐flurbiprofen) belongs to a novel class of antiinflammatory agents obtained by derivatization of conventional NSAIDs with a nitric oxide (NO)‐releasing moiety, which strongly reduces their untoward side effects without altering the antiinflammatory effectiveness. The recent evidence of neuroprotective effects of NO‐NSAIDs in animal models of chronic brain inflammation prompted us to investigate the activities of NO‐flurbiprofen and its parent molecule flurbiprofen on activated rat microglia, the brain resident macrophages. We found that NO‐flurbiprofen was as potent as flurbiprofen in preventing prostaglandin E2 synthesis in lipopolysaccharide‐activated microglial cultures. At variance with previous observations on peripheral macrophages is that NO‐flurbiprofen did not show any additional capacity to inhibit interleukin‐1β synthesis compared with flurbiprofen. Moreover, NO enhanced the expression of the inducible NO synthase; this effect was most likely attributable to the NO released from the drug, as suggested by experiments performed in the presence of the NO donor Deta‐NONOate, which similarly to NO‐flurbiprofen is characterised by a slow and long‐lasting release. Our findings indicate that NO‐NSAIDs may differently affect peripheral and brain macrophages. Given their potential therapeutic role in brain inflammation, further in vivo and in vitro studies are required to understand fully their mechanism of action in the CNS. J. Neurosci. Res. 66:715–722, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mitochondrial impairment in the cerebellum of the patients with progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Park Larry C.H. , Albers David S. , Xu Hui , Lindsay J. Gordon , Beal M. Flint , Gibson Gary E. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractAbnormalities in energy metabolism and oxidative stress accompany many neurodegenerative diseases, including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Previously, we showed decreased activities of a mitochondrial enzyme complex, α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC), and marked increases in tissue malondialdehyde levels in post‐mortem superior frontal cortex from the patients with PSP. The current study demonstrates that KGDHC is also significantly diminished (−58%) in the cerebellum from patients with PSP (n = 14), compared to age‐matched control brains (n = 13). In contrast to cortex, markers of oxidative stress, such as malondialdehyde, tyrosine nitration or general protein carbonyl modification, did not increase in cerebellum. Furthermore, the protein levels of the individual components of KGDHC did not decline. The activities of two other mitochondrial enzymes were measured to determine whether the changes in KGDHC were selective. The activity of aconitase, a mitochondrial enzyme with an iron/sulfur cluster, is also significantly diminished (−50%), whereas glutamate dehydrogenase activity is unchanged. The present results suggest that the interaction of metabolic impairment and oxidative stress is region‐specific in PSP brain. In cerebellum, reductions in KGDHC occur in the absence of increases in common measures of oxidative stress, and may underlie the metabolic deficits and contribute to pathological and clinical manifestation related to the cerebellum in patients with PSP. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phosphatidylinositol kinase enzymes regulate the retrograde axonal transport of NT‐3 and NT‐4 in sympathetic and sensory neurons
Authors: Bartlett Selena E. , Reynolds Anna J. , Weible Michael , Hendry Ian A. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractPhosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐kinase) and phosphatidylinositol 4‐kinase (PI4‐kinase) enzymes are an important family of signaling molecules that have been implicated in the regulation of intracellular vesicle trafficking. It has previously been shown that PI3‐kinase and PI4‐kinase enzymes regulate neuronal survival and the retrograde axonal transport of nerve growth factor in sympathetic and sensory neurons. We have extended these studies to examine the role these enzymes play in the regulation of the retrograde axonal transport of neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) and neurotrophin‐4 (NT‐4) in sympathetic and sensory neurons in vivo. Wortmannin (0.1 nmol/eye), a PI3‐kinase and PI4‐kinase antagonist, reduced the amount of 125I‐NT‐3 retrograde transport in sympathetic neurons by approximately 50% and 125I‐NT‐4 in sympathetic neurons by approximately 40% and sensory neurons by approximately 20%. The PI3‐kinase antagonist LY294002 (100 nmol/eye) reduced the retrograde axonal transport of 125I‐NT‐4 in sympathetic and sensory neurons, and 125I‐NT‐3 in sympathetic neurons. Phenylarsine oxide (PAO), a PI4‐kinase antagonist, significantly inhibited 125I‐NT‐4 retrograde axonal transport in sympathetic and sensory neurons. These results show that wortmannin‐sensitive PI3‐kinases and PI4‐kinases may be involved in NT‐3 and NT‐4 retrograde axonal transport. The retrograde axonal transport of neurotrophic factors in sympathetic and sensory neurons in vivo appears to depend upon the activation of different receptors and second messenger cascades at the nerve terminal. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase in Huntington's disease
Authors: Deckel A. Wallace 
Published: August 2002

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) is a biologically active inorganic molecule produced when the semiessential amino acid l‐arginine is converted to l‐citrulline and NO via the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS). NO is known to be involved in the regulation of many physiological processes, such as control of blood flow, platelet adhesion, endocrine function, neurotransmission, neuromodulation, and inflammation, to name only a few. During neuropathological conditions, the production of NO can be either protective or toxic, dependent on the stage of the disease, the isoforms of NOS involved, and the initial pathological event. This paper reviews the properties of NO and NOS and the pathophysiology of Huntington's disease (HD). It discusses ways in which NO and NOS may interact with the protein product of HD and reviews data implicating NOS in the neuropathology of HD. This is followed by a synthesis of current information regarding how NO/NOS may contribute to HD‐related pathology and identification of areas for potential future research. J. Neurosci. Res. 64:99–107, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of estrogen receptor (ER)‐α and ‐β immunoreactivity in hippocampal cell cultures with special attention to GABAergic neurons
Authors: Su Jun‐Da , Qiu Jian , Zhong Yong‐Ping , Li Xiao‐Yue , Wang Jian‐Wen , Chen Yi‐Zhang 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis study investigated the expression patterns of estrogen receptor‐α (ERα) and ‐β (ERβ) in the cultured hippocampal cells of neonatal rats by combined application of cell culture and immunocytochemistry. The results revealed that the expression difference between ERα and ERβ seemed to be not obvious in the cultured hippocampal cells of neonatal rats. Moreover, immunoreactivity for either ERα or ERβ was observed to be localized in the majority of not only neurons but also astrocytes. The coexpression of both ERα and ERβ in the same individual cell was also demonstrated by the double‐label immunocytochemistry. Western blot analysis showed that immunoreactivity for ERα in the neonatal hippocampal tissues was much higher than in the adult (became rather weak), although there was not such a great difference of immunoreactivity for ERβ. The data also provide direct evidence for the expression of ER subtypes within GABAergic neurons in hippocampal cell cultures and suggest that estrogen's effect on the hippocampus may be mediated at least in part by its ER‐containing GABAergic neurons. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:396–402, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vitamin E suppression of microglial activation is neuroprotective
Authors: Li Yuekui , Liu Ling , Barger Steven W. , Mrak Robert E. , Griffin W. Sue T. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractNeurotoxic microglial–neuronal interactions have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, and vitamin E has been shown to have direct neuroprotective effects. To determine whether vitamin E also has indirect neuroprotective effects through suppression of microglial activation, we used a microglial–neuronal coculture. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment of a microglial cell line (N9) induced a time‐dependent activation of both p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor‐κB (NFκB), with consequent increases in interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and nitric oxide (NO) production. Differentiated neuronal cells (PC12 cells treated with nerve growth factor) exhibited marked loss of processes and decreased survival when cocultured with LPS‐activated microglia. Preincubation of microglia with vitamin E diminished this neurotoxic effect, independently of direct effects of the antioxidant on the neuronal cells. Microglial NO production and the induction of IL‐1α and TNFα expression also were attenuated by vitamin E. Such antiinflammatory effects of vitamin E were correlated with suppression of p38 MAPK and NFκB activation and were mimicked by an inhibition of either p38 MAPK (by SB203580) or NFκB (by decoy oligonucleotides). These results suggest that, in addition to the beneficial effects of providing direct antioxidant protection to neurons reported by others, vitamin E may provide neuroprotection in vivo through suppression of signaling events necessary for microglial activation. J. Neurosci. Res. 66:163–170, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regional temperature variability in the European Alps: 1760–1998 from homogenized instrumental time series
Authors: Böhm Reinhard , Auer Ingeborg , Brunetti Michele , Maugeri Maurizio , Nanni Teresa , Schöner Wolfgang 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis paper investigates temperature variability in the Alps and their surroundings based on 97 instrumental series of monthly mean temperatures. A discussion of the initial homogenizing procedure illustrates its advantages and risks. A comparison of the homogenized series with the original series clearly shows the necessity to homogenize. Each of the original series had breaks (an average of five per series) and the mean of all series was systematically biased by non‐climatic noise. This noise has subdued the long‐term amplitude of the temperature evolution in the region by 0.5 K. The relatively high spatial resolution of the data enabled a regionalization within the study area of 680 000 km2 into six sub‐regions based on principal component analysis of the monthly series. Long‐term temperature evolution proved to be highly similar across the region—thus making a mean series (averaged over all 97 single series) representative of the study area. Trend analysis (based on progressive forward and backward Mann–Kendall statistics and on progressive analysis of linear regression coefficients) was performed on seasonal and annual series. The results diverge from those of global datasets. This is mainly due to the extension of the 240‐year Alpine dataset by 100 years prior to the mid‐19th century, and also due to the advantages of a dense and homogenized regional dataset. The long‐term features include an initial decrease of the annual and seasonal series to a minimum followed by a positive trend until 1998. The minima are 1890 for the entire year and winter, 1840 for spring and 1920 for summer and autumn, respectively. The initial decreasing trend is more evident in spring and summer, less in autumn and smallest in winter. The mean annual temperature increase since 1890 in the Alps is 1.1 K, which is twice as much as the 0.55 K in the respective grid boxes of the most frequently used global dataset of the Climatic Research Unit (CRU), University of East Anglia. To enable an easier and more systematic handling of the dataset, these data have been interpolated to a 1°×1° longitude–latitude grid. The 105 low‐elevation and 16 high‐elevation grid point series are widely available without restrictions for scientific research and can be obtained from the authors. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society
Relationships between dinoflagellate cyst assemblages in surface sediment and hydrographic conditions in the Bering and Chukchi seas
Authors: Radi Taoufik , Vernal Anne de , Peyron Odile 
Published: August 2002

AbstractPalynological analyses were performed on 52 surface sediment samples from the eastern part of the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea in order to document the regional distribution of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages and their relationship with sea‐surface conditions. The assemblages present a relatively high species diversity (20 taxa are recovered routinely), especially in the Bering Sea, where they are dominated by Operculodinium centrocarpum and the cyst of Pentapharsodinium dalei accompanied mainly by Spiniferites elongatus s.l., Spiniferites ramosus, Impagidinium pallidum, Brigantedinium spp., Islandinium minutum, Selenopemphix quanta, Selenopemphix nephroides, Quinquecuspis concreta and the cyst of Polykrikos kofoidii. The percentages of the main taxa vary with latitude, and principal component analysis shows that the distribution of assemblages is closely related to hydrographic conditions, notably the seasonal duration of sea‐ice cover and the sea‐surface temperature in February. The dinoflagellate cyst assemblages from the Bering Sea differ significantly from those of subarctic seas of the North Atlantic, with respect to their species composition and relationships with sea‐surface conditions. In particular, the occurrence of the cyst of Polykrikos kofoidii and Quinquecuspis concreta and the positive correlation between the percentages of Operculodinium centrocarpum and the extent of sea‐ice, constitute peculiar features in the Bering Sea assemblages. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Late Weichselian and Holocene sediment flux and sedimentation rates in Andfjord and Vågsfjord, North Norway
Authors: Plassen Liv , Vorren Tore O. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractLate Weichselian and Holocene sediment flux and sedimentation rates in a continental‐shelf trough, Andfjord, and its inshore continuation, Vågsfjord, North Norway, have been analysed. The study is based on sediment cores and high‐resolution acoustic data. Andfjord was deglaciated between 14.6 and 13 14C kyr BP (17.5 and 15.6 calibrated (cal.) kyr BP), the Vågsfjord basin before 12.5 14C kyr BP (14.7 cal. kyr BP), and the heads of the inner tributary fjords about 9.7 14C kyr BP (11.2 cal. kyr BP). In Andfjord, five seismostratigraphical units are correlated to a radiocarbon dated lithostratigraphy. Three seismostratigraphical units are recognised in Vågsfjord. A total volume of 23 km3 post‐glacial glacimarine and marine sediments was mapped in the study area, of which 80% are of Late Weichselian origin. Sedimentation rates in outer Andfjord indicate reduced sediment accumulation with increasing distance from the ice margin. The Late Weichselian sediment flux and sedimentation rates are significantly higher in Vågsfjord than Andfjord. Basin morphology, the position of the ice front and the timing of deglaciation are assumed to be the reasons for this. Late Weichselian sedimentation rates in Andfjord and Vågsfjord are comparable to modern subpolar glacimarine environments of Greenland, Baffin Island and Spitsbergen. Downwasting of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet, and winnowing of the banks owing to the full introduction of the Norwegian Current, caused very high sedimentation rates in parts of the Andfjord trough at the Late Weichselian–Holocene boundary. Holocene sediment flux and sedimentation rates in Andfjord are about half the amount found in Vågsfjord, and about one‐tenth the amount of Late Weichselian values. A strong bottom current system, established at the Late Weichselian–Holocene boundary, caused erosion of the Late Weichselian sediments and an asymmetric Holocene sediment distribution. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fourier transform Raman spectroscopic study of pigments present in decorative wallpapers of the middle nineteenth century from the Santa Isabel factory (Vitoria, Basque Country, Spain)
Authors: Castro K. , Rodríguez‐Laso M. D. , Fernández L. A. , Madariaga J. M. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractOne of the earliest wallpapers manufactured by the Santa Isabel factory (Vitoria, Basque Country, Spain) (1845) was found at the Torre de los Varona (near Vitoria) during restoration work on the building. As part of this cleaning and restoration work, the identification of the wallpaper's pigments was carried out by Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy. Fragments of paper were set in a sampler kit for planar surfaces. By moving the paper samples, it is possible to locate the laser beam's spot at the point that it is going to be analysed with a spatial resolution of about 0.5 mm. With this method it is possible to map a surface of several square centimetres without the need for an optical microscope. As FT‐Raman analysis is totally non‐destructive, the samples were restored and integrated with the whole wallpaper at the end of the analysis. Small particles of pigment were collected for the analysis of the pink and green colours by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). In both cases, the damage caused by the pigment sampling was minimal and non‐visible. BaSO4, CaCO3, Pb3O4, PbCrO4, PbO, Prussian Blue, gypsum and an organic black pigment were detected. It is important to take into account the laser beam's penetrative power in order to interpret the spectra correctly. The identification of only eight pigments to make 12 different colours, mostly in two different shades, shows the ability of the wallpaper manufacturer to create a rich palette at low cost. This type of primitive industrial decorative work has become real artwork that it is necessary to preserve and restore. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Malignant transformation of “benign” cystic mesothelioma of the peritoneum
Authors: González‐Moreno Santiago , Yan Hui , Alcorn Kirsten W. , Sugarbaker Paul H. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesPeritoneal mesothelioma is being diagnosed with greater accuracy as a result of immunocytochemical analysis. The histological type of peritoneal mesothelioma has a great influence on the natural history of the disease. Benign cystic mesothelioma is a definite clinical entity; however, the absence of a uniform approach to treatment and a lack of long‐term follow‐up of patients seriously hinders an accurate assessment of the disease process.MethodsThe medical history of a patient with a diagnosis of benign peritoneal cystic mesothelioma followed for 10 years is presented. The medical literature of this disease is reviewed.ResultsThe patient was a 36‐year‐old woman initially diagnosed with benign cystic peritoneal mesothelioma; however, after six surgical procedures with the aim of reducing the volume of intraperitoneal fluid and cysts, the disease developed into an aggressive, diffuse malignant mesothelioma. Involvement of abdominal incisions, invasion of lymph nodes, and invasion of the viscera occurred.ConclusionsPeritoneal cystic mesothelioma is a disease in need of careful longitudinal studies in order to better define the clinical course of these patients. This case report along with a literature review suggests caution in the assessment of cystic mesothelioma as a benign process. This patient had a clear malignant transformation of benign cystic mesothelioma to an invasive and potentially lethal process. J. Surg. Oncol. 2002;79:243–251. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.