bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxalate-inducible AMBP gene and its regulatory mechanism in renal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: GREWAL Jasjit S. , TSAI Jeng Y. , KHAN Saeed R. 
Published: April 2005

The AMBP [A1M (α1-microglobulin)/bikunin precursor] gene encodes two plasma glycoproteins: A1M, an immunosuppressive lipocalin, and bikunin, a member of plasma serine proteinase inhibitor family with prototypical Kunitz-type domain. Although previously believed to be constitutively expressed exclusively in liver, the present study demonstrates the induction of this gene by oxalate in porcine proximal tubular LLC-PK1 cells and rat kidney. In liver, the precursor protein is cleaved in the Golgi network by a furin-like enzyme to release constituent proteins, which undergo glycosylation before their export from the cell. In the renal tubular cells, A1M and bikunin co-precipitate, indicating lack of cleavage of the precursor protein. As the expression of the AMBP gene is regulated by A1M-specific cis elements and transcription factors, A1M protein was studied as a representative of AMBP gene expression in renal cells. Oxalate treatment (500 μM) resulted in a time- and dose-dependent induction of A1M protein in LLC-PK1 cells. Of the four transcription factors, HNF-4 (hepatocyte nuclear factor-4) has been reported previously to be a major regulator of AMBP gene expression in liver. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assay, supershift assay, immunoreactivity assay and transfection-based studies showed the presence of an HNF-4 or an HNF-4-like protein in the kidney, which can affect the expression of the AMBP gene. In situ hybridization and immunocytochemical studies showed that the expression of this gene in kidney was mainly restricted to cells lining the renal tubular system.
Characterization of the promoters of Epsilon glutathione transferases in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae and their response to oxidative stress
Authors: DING Yunchuan , HAWKES Nicola , MEREDITH Janet , EGGLESTON Paul , HEMINGWAY Janet , RANSON Hilary 
Published: April 2005

Epsilon class GSTs (glutathione transferases) are expressed at higher levels in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes that are resistant to DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] than in insecticide-susceptible individuals. At least one of the eight Epsilon GSTs in this species, GSTe2, efficiently metabolizes DDT to DDE [1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)ethane]. In the present study, we investigated the factors regulating expression of this class of GSTs. The activity of the promoter regions of GSTe2 and GSTe3 were compared between resistant and susceptible strains by transfecting recombinant reporter constructs into an A. gambiae cell line. The GSTe2 promoter from the resistant strain exhibited 2.8-fold higher activity than that of the susceptible strain. Six polymorphic sites were identified in the 352 bp sequence immediately upstream of GSTe2. Among these, a 2 bp adenosine indel (insertion/deletion) was found to have the greatest effect on determining promoter activity. The activity of the GSTe3 promoter was elevated to a lesser degree in the DDT-resistant strain (1.3-fold). The role of putative transcription-factor-binding sites in controlling promoter activity was investigated by sequentially deleting the promoter constructs. Several putative transcription-factor-binding sites that are responsive to oxidative stress were present within the core promoters of these GSTs, hence the effect of H2O2 exposure on the transcription of the Epsilon GSTs was investigated. In the DDT-resistant strain, expression of GSTe1, GSTe2 and GSTe3 was significantly increased by a 1-h exposure to H2O2, whereas, in the susceptible strain, only GSTe3 expression responded to this treatment.
Probing the Origins of Voids in the Distribution of Galaxies
Authors: Ord Louise M. , Kunz Martin , Mathis Hugues , Silk Joseph 
Published: April 2005

AbstractIf the voids that we see today in the distribution of galaxies existed at recombination, they will leave an imprint on the cosmic microwave background (CMB). On the other hand, if these voids formed much later, their effect on the CMB will be negligible and will not be observed with the current generation of experiments. In this paper, presented at the 2004 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Astronomical Society of Australia, we discuss our ongoing investigations into voids of primordial origin. We show that if voids in the cold dark matter distribution existed at the epoch of decoupling, they could contribute significantly to the apparent rise in CMB power on small scales detected by the Cosmic Background Imager (CBI) Deep Field. Here we present our improved method for predicting the effects of primordial voids on the CMB in which we treat a void as an external source in the cold dark matter (CDM) distribution employing a Boltzmann solver. Our improved predictions include the effects of a cosmological constant (Λ) and acoustic oscillations generated by voids at early times. We find that models with relatively large voids on the last scattering surface predict too much CMB power in an Einstein–de Sitter background cosmology but could be consistent with the current CMB observations in a ΛCDM universe.
Fast‐track barium enema: meeting the two‐week wait rule for patients with suspected colorectal cancer
Authors: Glancy D. G. , Card M. , Sylvester P. A. , Thomas M. G. , Durdey P. , Callaway M. , Virjee J. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractObjectives  To meet the introduction of the two‐week wait (TWW) rule for patients with suspected colorectal cancer, a fast‐track barium enema (FTBE) service was set up. This study was conducted to evaluate the success of this approach in preparation for meeting the forthcoming targets on waiting times to treatment from referral and diagnosis.Methods  All patients were offered a double‐contrast barium enema within two‐weeks, except those with a palpable rectal mass. FTBE were double‐reported by specialist gastrointestinal radiologists. Patients with a suspected malignancy were booked for an urgent staging CT and outpatient appointment, whilst the remaining patients were referred back to their general practitioner with a report. Prospective data were collected and two 16‐month periods analysed.Results  Three hundred and nine patients had a FTBE over the first 16‐month period and 277 (89.6%) were seen within two‐weeks. Mean times from initial referral to staging CT and first outpatient appointment were 30.7 and 36.0 days, respectively. Cancer was confirmed histologically in 32 (10.4%) patients. Of 267 patients without a malignancy, 46 (17.2%) were referred back to the colorectal outpatient or endoscopy service within 6‐months. The number of referrals increased with time from a mean of 19.3 per month in the first period to 27.8 in the second, but the percentage with a suspected malignancy remained similar at 13.6% and 10.1%, respectively.Conclusion  FTBE diagnosed malignancy accurately and facilitated rapid staging. The TWW target was met in almost 90% of patients, whilst the impact on the colorectal outpatient and endoscopy service was minimized.
Skipped spawning in female iteroparous fishes
Authors: Rideout Rick M , Rose George A , Burton Margaret P M 
Published: April 2005

AbstractIt is often assumed that iteroparous fishes spawn annually once reaching sexual maturity, but this is not always the case. This paper reviews available information on skipped spawning in female teleost fishes. All instances of non‐annual spawning are described as one of three types (retaining, reabsorbing, resting), depending on where in the normal spawning cycle development has been interrupted. Retaining ripe eggs is caused by conditions experienced during the spawning season (fish density, mate availability, pollution), whereas failure to start vitellogenesis (resting) or the breakdown of all oocytes that enter into vitellogenesis (reabsorbing) is caused by factors experienced prior to the spawning season (primarily temperature and poor nutrition). It is speculated that the relative shortage of data on non‐annual spawning may be because of difficulties in identifying non‐reproductive individuals. In an attempt to rectify this situation, the criteria needed to identify females undergoing the three forms of spawning omission are presented in terms of external appearance of gonads, gonad indices, and histological analysis. The energy saved by not spawning in a poor year may lead to increased survival and the probability of spawning in subsequent years. As the cumulative number of progeny gained by surviving to spawn in multiple subsequent years outweighs the number of progeny lost by not spawning in a given single year, occasional omission of spawning may constitute an adaptive trait in long‐lived iteroparous fishes.
Principles and approaches to abate seabird by‐catch in longline fisheries
Authors: Gilman Eric , Brothers Nigel , Kobayashi Donald R. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractMortality in longline fisheries is a critical global threat to most albatross and large petrel species. Here we identify key principles and approaches to identify and achieve broad use of effective seabird by‐catch avoidance methods. Despite the availability of highly effective and cost‐saving seabird avoidance methods, few longline fleets employ them. Given the political context and capacity of management authorities of the majority of longline fisheries, it is critical to identify seabird avoidance strategies that are not only highly effective, but are also economically viable and commercially practical. Adoption of an international performance standard for longline baited hook–sink rate, and prescribing minimum gear weighting designs that meet this standard that are achievable by all longline fisheries, would be an important step forward towards resolving low use of seabird avoidance methods by vessels, including those in illegal, unregulated and unreported fisheries. Due to differences between fleets, no single seabird avoidance measure is likely to be effective and practical in all longline fisheries. Therefore, testing of seabird avoidance methods in individual fleets is needed to determine efficacy and economic viability. Longline fishers should directly participate in these trials as they have a large repository of knowledge and skills to effectively develop and improve seabird by‐catch avoidance techniques, and this provides industry with a sense of ownership for uptake of effective by‐catch reduction methods. Establishing protected areas containing seabird colonies and adjacent waters within a nation's EEZ can be an expedient method to address seabird by‐catch. However, establishing high seas marine protected areas to restrict longline fishing in seabird foraging areas, which would require extensive and dynamic boundaries and large buffer zones, may not be a viable short‐term solution because of the extensive time anticipated to resolve legal complications with international treaties, to achieve international consensus and political will, and to acquire requisite extensive resources for surveillance and enforcement. Analysis of results of research on seabird avoidance methods reveals that the most reliable comparisons of the efficacy of alternative strategies are from comparing the effectiveness of methods tested in a single experiment. Benefits from standardizing the reporting of seabird by‐catch rates to account for seabird abundance are described. To provide the most precise inputs for seabird population models, estimates of seabird mortality in longline fisheries should account for seabird falloff from hooks before hauling, delayed mortality of seabirds caught but freed from gear, and mortality caused by hooks discarded in offal.
Production of biologically active human interleukin‐4 in transgenic tobacco and potato
Authors: Ma Shengwu , Huang Yan , Davis Antonelle , Yin Ziqin , Mi Qingsheng , Menassa Rima , Brandle James E. , Jevnikar Anthony M. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryInterleukin‐4 (IL‐4) is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a key regulatory role in the immune system. Recombinant human IL‐4 (rhIL‐4) offers great potential for the treatment of cancer, viral and autoimmune diseases. Unfortunately, the high production cost of IL‐4 associated with conventional expression systems has, until now, limited broader clinical testing, particularly with regard to the more convenient and safer oral delivery of IL‐4 as opposed to parenteral injection in patients. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of transgenic plants for the cost‐effective production of rhIL‐4. IL‐4 expression vectors with different modifications under the control of a constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV 35S) promoter were introduced into tobacco by Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation. Transgenic tobaccos expressing various levels of rhIL‐4 protein were generated. Higher expression was achieved through IL‐4 retention in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), with the maximal accumulation being approximately 0.1% of total soluble protein (TSP) in the leaves. No improvement in expression was further achieved by replacing the native signal peptide of IL‐4 with the plant signal peptide. The best rhIL‐4‐expressing vector shown in tobacco was selected and further transferred into potato plants. The analysis of transgenic tubers also revealed various levels of rhIL‐4, with the highest being 0.08% of TSP. Sensitive in vitro T‐cell proliferation assays showed that plant‐derived rhIL‐4 retained full biological activity. These results suggest that plants can be used to produce biologically active rhIL‐4 and probably many other mammalian proteins of medical significance. Moreover, the production of plants expressing rhIL‐4 will enable the testing of plant rhIL‐4 by oral delivery for the treatment of clinical diseases.
The gene for fragrance in rice
Authors: Bradbury Louis M. T. , Fitzgerald Timothy L. , Henry Robert J. , Jin Qingsheng , Waters Daniel L. E. 
Published: April 2005

SummaryThe flavour or fragrance of basmati and jasmine rice is associated with the presence of 2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline. A recessive gene (fgr) on chromosome 8 of rice has been linked to this important trait. Here, we show that a gene with homology to the gene that encodes betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BAD) has significant polymorphisms in the coding region of fragrant genotypes relative to non‐fragrant genotypes. The accumulation of 2‐acetyl‐1‐pyrroline in fragrant rice genotypes may be explained by the presence of mutations resulting in a loss of function of the fgr gene product. The allele in fragrant genotypes has a mutation introducing a stop codon upstream of key amino acid sequences conserved in other BADs. The fgr gene corresponds to the gene encoding BAD2 in rice, while BAD1 is encoded by a gene on chromosome 4. BAD has been linked to stress tolerance in plants. However, the apparent loss of function of BAD2 does not seem to limit the growth of fragrant rice genotypes. Fragrance in domesticated rice has apparently originated from a common ancestor and may have evolved in a genetically isolated population, or may be the outcome of a separate domestication event. This is an example of effective human selection for a recessive trait during domestication.
Hobnail haemangioma associated with the menstrual cycle
Authors: Ortiz‐Rey JA , González‐Ruiz A , Miguel P San , Álvarez C , Iglesias B , Antón I 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTWe report the third case in the literature of a hobnail haemangioma with cyclic changes throughout the menstrual cycle in a 36‐year‐old woman, suggesting a hormonal basis for the variations in the tumour. This patient was under oral contraceptive treatment due to ovarian endometriosis, making the clinical diagnosis difficult.
Rosacea and its management: an overview
Authors: Gupta AK , Chaudhry MM 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTBackground  Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects 10% of the population. The prevalence of rosacea is highest among fair‐skinned individuals, particularly those of Celtic and northern European descent. Since a cure for rosacea does not yet exist, management and treatment regimens are designed to suppress the inflammatory lesions, erythema, and to a lesser extent, the telangiectasia involved with rosacea.Objectives  This review outlines the treatment options that are available to patients with rosacea.Methods  Published literature involving the treatment or management of rosacea was examined and summarized.Results  Patients who find that they blush and flush frequently, or have a family history of rosacea are advised to avoid the physiological and environmental stimuli that can cause increased facial redness. Topical agents such as metronidazole, azelaic acid cream or sulfur preparations are effective in managing rosacea. Patients who have progressed to erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular rosacea may benefit from the use of an oral antibiotic, such as tetracycline, and in severe or recalcitrant cases, isotretinoin to bring the rosacea flare‐up under control. Treatment with a topical agent, such as metronidazole, may help maintain remission. Patients with ocular involvement may benefit from a long‐term course of an antibiotic and the use of metronidazole gel. A surgical alternative, laser therapy, is recommended for the treatment of telangiectasias and rhinophyma. Patients with distraught feelings due to their rosacea may consider cosmetic camouflage to cover the signs of rosacea.Conclusions  With the wide variety of oral and topical agents available for the effective management of rosacea, patients no longer need to feel self‐conscious because of their disorder.
Apolipoprotein J (clusterin) activates rodent microglia in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Xie Z. , Harris‐White M. E. , Wals P. A. , Frautschy S. A. , Finch C. E. , Morgan T. E. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractApolipoprotein J (apoJ; also known as clusterin and sulfated glycoprotein (SGP)‐2) is associated with senile plaques in degenerating regions of Alzheimer's disease brains, where activated microglia are also prominent. We show a functional link between apoJ and activated microglia by demonstrating that exogenous apoJ activates rodent microglia in vivo and in vitro. Intracerebroventricular infusion of purified human plasma apoJ (∼4 µg over 28 days) activated parenchymal microglia to a phenotype characterized by enlarged cell bodies and processes (phosphotyrosine immunostaining). In vitro, primary rat microglia were also activated by apoJ, with changes in morphology and induction of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) antigen. ApoJ increased the secretion of reactive nitrogen intermediates in a dose‐dependent manner (EC50 112 nm), which was completely blocked by aminoguanidine (AG), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. However, AG did not block the increased secretion of tumor necrosis factor‐α by apoJ (EC50 55 nm). Microglial activation by apoJ was also blocked by an anti‐apoJ monoclonal antibody (G7), and by chemical cleavage of apoJ with 2‐nitro‐5‐thiocyanobenzoate. The mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase and protein kinase C inhibitors PD98059 and H7 inhibited apoJ‐mediated induction of reactive nitrogen intermediate secretion from cultured microglia. As a functional measure, apoJ‐activated microglia secreted neurotoxic agents in a microglia–neuron co‐culture model. We hypothesize that ApoJ contributes to chronic inflammation and neurotoxicity through direct effects on microglia.
Stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α directly modulates voltage‐dependent currents of the action potential in mammalian neuronal cells
Authors: Guyon A. , Rovère C. , Cervantes A. , Allaeys I. , Nahon J. L. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractStromal cell‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α) is a chemokine whose receptor, CXCR4, is distributed in specific brain areas including hypothalamus. SDF‐1α has recently been found to play important roles in neurons, although direct modulation of voltage‐gated ionic channels has never been shown. In order to clarify this issue, we performed patch‐clamp experiments in fetal mouse hypothalamic neurons in culture. SDF‐1α (10 nm) decreased the peak and rising slope of the action potentials and spike discharge frequency in 22% of hypothalamic neurons tested. This effect was blocked by the CXCR4 antagonist AMD 3100 (1 µm) but not by the metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist MCPG (500 µm), indicating a direct action of SDF‐1α on its cognate receptor. This effect involved a depression of both inward and outward voltage‐dependent currents of the action potential. We confirmed these effects in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH‐SY5Y, which endogenously expresses CXCR4. Voltage‐clamp experiments revealed that SDF‐1α induced a 20% decrease in the peak of the tetrodotoxin‐sensitive sodium current and tetraethylammonium‐sensitive delayed rectifier potassium current, respectively. Both effects were concentration dependent, and blocked by AMD 3100 (200 nm). This dual effect was reduced or blocked by 0.4 mm GTPγS G‐protein pre‐activation or by pre‐treatment with the G‐protein inhibitor pertussis toxin (200 ng/mL), suggesting that it is mediated via activation of a Gi/o protein. This study extends the functions of SDF‐1α to a direct modulation of voltage‐dependent membrane currents of neuronal cells.
Prion protein glycosylation
Authors: Lawson Victoria A. , Collins Steven J. , Masters Colin L. , Hill Andrew F. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), or prion diseases are a group of transmissible neurodegenerative disorders of humans and animals. Although the infectious agent (the ‘prion’) has not yet been formally defined at the molecular level, much evidence exists to suggest that the major or sole component is an abnormal isoform of the host encoded prion protein (PrP). Different strains or isolates of the infectious agent exist, which exhibit characteristic disease phenotypes when transmitted to susceptible animals. In the absence of a nucleic acid genome it has been hard to accommodate the existence of TSE strains within the protein‐only model of prion replication. Recent work examining the conformation and glycosylation patterns of disease‐associated PrP has shown that these post‐translational modifications show strain‐specific properties and contribute to the molecular basis of TSE strain variation. This article will review the role of glycosylation in the susceptibility of cellular PrP to conversion to the disease‐associated conformation and the role of glycosylation as a marker of TSE strain type.
The Immune Response to Human Metapneumovirus Is Associated with Aberrant Immunity and Impaired Virus Clearance in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Alvarez Rene , Tripp Ralph A. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTHuman metapneumovirus (HMPV), recently identified in isolates from children hospitalized with acute respiratory tract illness, is associated with clinical diagnosis of pneumonia, asthma exacerbation, and acute bronchiolitis in young children. HMPV has been shown to cocirculate with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and mediate clinical disease features similarly to RSV. Little is known regarding the pathophysiology or immune response associated with HMPV infection; thus, animal models are needed to better understand the mechanisms of immunity and disease pathogenesis associated with infection. In this study, we examine features of the innate and adaptive immune response to HMPV infection in a BALB/c mouse model. Primary HMPV infection elicits weak innate and aberrant adaptive immune responses characterized by induction of a Th2-type cytokine response at later stages of infection that coincides with increased interleukin-10 expression and persistent virus replication in the lung. Examination of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte and antibody response to HMPV infection revealed a delayed response, but passive transfer of HMPV-specific antibodies provided considerable protection. These features are consistent with virus persistence and indicate that the immune response to HMPV is unique compared to the immune response to RSV.