bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of excitatory neuronal cell death by cell‐permeable calcineurin autoinhibitory peptide
Authors: Terada Hiroaki , Matsushita Masayuki , Lu Yun‐Fei , Shirai Takeshi , Li Sheng‐Tian , Tomizawa Kazuhito , Moriwaki Akiyoshi , Nishio Shinsaku , Date Isao , Ohmoto Takashi , Matsui Hideki 
Published: November 2003

AbstractIn glutamate‐mediated excitatory neuronal cell death, immunosuppressants (FK506, Cys‐A) are powerful agents that protect neurons from apoptosis. Immunosuppressants inhibit two types of enzyme, calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein phosphatase (calcineurin: CaN), and peptidyl‐prolylcis‐trans‐isomerase (PPIase) activity such as the FKBP family. In this study, we used a protein transduction approach to determine the functional role of CaN and to produce a potential therapeutic agent for glutamate‐mediated neuronal cell death. We created a novel cell‐permeable CaN autoinhibitory peptide using the 11 arginine protein transduction domain. This peptide was highly efficient at transducing into primary culture neurons, potently inhibited CaN phosphatase activities, and inhibited glutamate‐mediated neuronal cell death. These results showed that CaN plays an important role in excitatory neuronal cell death and cell‐permeable CaN autoinhibitory peptide could be a new drug to protect neurons from excitatory neuronal death.
Activation of Rho GTPases by synaptic transmission in the hippocampus
Authors: O'Kane E. M. , Stone T. W. , Morris B. J. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractRas‐related GTPases of the Rho family, such as RhoA and RhoB, are well‐characterised mediators of morphological change in peripheral tissues via their effects on the actin cytoskeleton. We tested the hypothesis that Rho family GTPases are involved in synaptic transmission in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. We show that GTPases are activated by synaptic transmission. RhoA and RhoB were activated by low frequency stimulation, while the induction of long‐term potentiation (LTP) by high frequency stimulation was associated with specific activation of RhoB via NMDA receptor stimulation. This illustrates that these GTPases are potential mediators of synaptic transmission in the hippocampus, and raises the possibility that RhoB may play a role in plasticity at hippocampal synapses during LTP.
Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in a neotropical wood‐quail, Odontophorus leucolaemus
Authors: Hale Amanda M. , Hughes Colin R. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractWe developed a set of nine polymorphic microsatellite loci for black‐breasted wood‐quail, Odontophorus leucolaemus. We screened 50 individuals from Monteverde, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica and found that locus‐specific allelic diversity ranges from two to 15 alleles (mean 10.2) and observed heterozygosity ranges from 0.24 to 0.96 (mean 0.78). These markers appear to be useful in other members of the Odontophorus genus.
Seven polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci from the red‐spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
Authors: Croshaw Dean A. , Glenn Travis C. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractWe describe polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers and amplification conditions for seven microsatellite DNA loci isolated from the red‐spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens). Primers were tested on 16 individuals from two populations on the Savannah River Site in Aiken County, South Carolina. We detected six to 10 alleles per locus and an overall observed heterozygosity range of 0.31–0.81. Despite low heterozygosity at two of the seven loci, the high polymorphic information contents (from 0.54 to 0.85) of these markers render them useful for future studies of the behavioural and population ecology of this common salamander.
Novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for paternity analysis in the red‐capped robin (Petroica goodenovii: Aves)
Authors: Dowling D. K. , Adcock G. J. , Mulder R. A. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractSeven microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the red‐capped robin Petroica goodenovii, using nonradioactive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based techniques to screen an enriched genomic library. Five loci showed no evidence of null alleles and were variable [mean heterozygosity (HE) = 0.440, mean number of alleles = 8]. Cross‐amplification using primers for microsatellites in Phylloscopus occipitalis and Emberiza schoeniclus yielded another two polymorphic loci. The combined set of five red‐capped robin and two cross‐amplified loci are suitable for paternity assignment (exclusion probability for seven unlinked loci = 0.9760).
Polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in the mangrove tree Avicennia alba
Authors: Teixeira S. , Arnaud‐Haond S. , Duarte C. M. , Serrão E. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractLike most species of mangrove trees of the genus Avicennia, A. alba is widely distributed among tropical and subtropical coasts around the world. Mangroves play an essential role in ecosystem dynamics but are reported to be regressing as human pressure increases on coastal zones. Hypervariable genetic markers are useful for population genetics studies, to estimate the level of impact and the populations potential for recovery. Microsatellite markers for A. alba were obtained by screening a partial genomic library enriched for microsatellite dinucleotide repeats. Among 20 primer pairs defined, six amplified polymorphic microsatellites with a satisfying level of variability.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci for population studies of the bicolor damselfish, Stegastes partitus (Pomacentridae)
Authors: Williams D. A. , Purcell J. , Hughes C. R. , Cowen R. K. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe extent of dispersal between populations of Caribbean reef fish remains largely unknown. Resolution of this issue is critical for managing populations and designing marine reserves. As part of a larger study of reef fish dispersal, we developed and characterized 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus), an abundant reef fish found throughout the Caribbean. These loci will be useful for population genetic and relatedness studies of this species and also appear to be useful in other Caribbean members of the Pomacentridae.
A simple method for isolation of microsatellites from the Japanese squirrel, Sciurus lis, without constructing a genomic library
Authors: Shibata K. , Bandoh K. , Yaekashiwa N. , Matsuzaka T. , Tamate H. B. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractWe developed a simple and easy method to isolate microsatellites without screening genomic libraries by hybridization. The method requires only three basic techniques: polymerase chain reaction, DNA cloning and sequencing. We applied this method to develop microsatellite markers for the Japanese squirrel and isolated 45 clones that contained repetitive sequences. Among the 22 clones that we tested further, we found 11 diagnostic microsatellite loci that are applicable to the molecular ecological study of Japanese squirrels.
A cheap, reliable and rapid method of extracting high‐quality DNA from plants
Authors: Mogg R. J. , Bond J. M. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractHere we describe a rapid method for extracting DNA from plant material using a microtitre plate system. This extraction procedure has been tested using three species, Brassica napus, Brassica napus/rapa hybrids and Arum maculatum, stored frozen, in silica gel or used fresh. The length of storage was between 7 days and 2 years, and in all cases high molecular weight DNA was reliably purified. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, using multiplex and single product amplification, inter simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) and microsatellites, was always reliable. This method combines the speed of commercial 96‐well plate methods with the economies associated with readily available laboratory chemicals.
Summary: The Science of Genealogy by Genetics
Authors: Johnston Josephine , Thomas Mark 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACTThis summary lays out the basic science and methodology used in genetic testing that investigates historical population migrations and the ancestry of living individuals. The genetic markers used in this testing, and the distinction between Y‐chromosome, mitochrondial and autosomes analysis, are explained and the shortcomings of these methodologies are explored.
Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Rautelin Hilpi , Lehours Philippe , Mégraud Francis 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT Numerous studies are still published on diagnostic tests for Helicobacter pylori, essentially for noninvasive tests. The urea breath test is applied in different types of patients, and there are attempts to have quicker and simpler protocols. Stool tests using monoclonal antibodies are now evaluated while serology is still a subject of interest. The progress in PCR (multiplex PCR, real‐time PCR) has also stimulated the research in this area of invasive tests, in order to get insight into virulence factors, macrolide susceptibility and to detect H. pylori in nonconventional specimens.
Model for the Onset of Fibrillation Following Coronary Artery Occlusion
Authors: KEENER JAMES P. 
Published: November 2003

Introduction: It is the hypothesis of this article that the onset of fibrillation following a coronary artery occlusion is a direct consequence of the spatial inhomogeneity of chemical processes that occur following the occlusion. In particular, the localized increase of extracellular potassium and decrease of ATP availability lead to an increase of resting potential in the affected cells. This difference in potential between affected cells and normal cells drives a current, the “current of injury,” which may drive oscillations in the border zone, a “border zone arrhythmia.” The border zone arrhythmia may drive a “breakup instability” (related to the action potential duration restitution instability) in the surrounding tissue, leading to self‐sustained fibrillation. Methods and Results: In this article, we present a mathematical model demonstrating this transition from normal to fibrillatory dynamics, describing the general conditions under which this transition occurs and showing in a simple ionic model the way in which spatial inhomogeneity alone can initiate self‐sustained reentrant activity. Conclusion: Using general arguments and numerical simulations with generic models of excitable media, we have demonstrated that a spatial region with an elevated resting potential surrounded by a spatial region wherein action potentials are foreshortened can drive a breakup instability, leading to the rapid initiation of a fibrillatory state. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 1225‐1232, November 2003)
Right Ventricular Outflow Versus Apical Pacing in Pacemaker Patients with Congestive Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: STAMBLER BRUCE S. , ELLENBOGEN KENNETH A. , ZHANG XIAOZHENG , PORTER THOMAS R. , XIE FENG , MALIK RAJESH , SMALL ROY , BURKE MARTIN , KAPLAN ANDREW , NAIR LAWRENCE , BELZ MICHAEL , FUENZALIDA CHARLES , GOLD MICHAEL , LOVE CHARLES , SHARMA ARJUN , SILVERMAN RUSSELL , SOGADE FELIX , VAN NATTA BRUCE , WILKOFF BRUCE L. ,   ROVA Investigators
Published: November 2003

Introduction: Prior studies suggest that right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing has deleterious effects. Whether the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) is a more optimal site for permanent pacing in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) has not been established. Methods and Results: We conducted a randomized, cross‐over trial to determine whether quality of life (QOL) is better after 3 months of RVOT than RVA pacing in 103 pacemaker recipients with CHF, left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (LV ejection fraction ≤ 40%), and chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). An additional aim was to compare dual‐site (RVOT + RVA, 31‐ms delay) with single‐site RVA and RVOT pacing. QRS duration was shorter during RVOT (167 ± 45 ms) and dual‐site (149 ± 19 ms) than RVA pacing (180 ± 58 ms, P < 0.0001). At 6 months, the RVOT group had higher (P = 0.01) role‐emotional QOL subscale scores than the RVA group. At 9 months, there were no significant differences in QOL scores between RVOT and RVA groups. Comparing RVOT to RVA pacing within the same patient, mental health subscale scores were better (P = 0.03) during RVOT pacing. After 9 months of follow‐up, LVEF was higher (P = 0.04) in those assigned to RVA rather than RVOT pacing between months 6 and 9. After 3 months of dual‐site RV pacing, physical functioning was worse (P = 0.04) than during RVA pacing, mental health was worse (P = 0.02) than during RVOT pacing, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class was slightly better (P = 0.03) than during RVOT pacing. There were no other significant differences between RVA, RVOT and dual‐site RV pacing in QOL scores, NYHA class, distance walked in 6 minutes, LV ejection fraction, or mitral regurgitation. Conclusion: In patients with CHF, LV dysfunction, and chronic AF, RVOT and dual‐site RV pacing shorten QRS duration but after 3 months do not consistently improve QOL or other clinical outcomes compared with RVA pacing. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 1180‐1186, November 2003)
An Arsenate Reductase from
Synechocystis
sp. Strain PCC 6803 Exhibits a Novel Combination of Catalytic Characteristics
Authors: Li Renhui , Haile January D. , Kennelly Peter J. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

The deduced protein product of open reading frame
slr0946
from
Synechocystis
sp. strain PCC 6803, SynArsC, contains the conserved sequence features of the enzyme superfamily that includes the low-molecular-weight protein-tyrosine phosphatases and the
Staphylococcus aureus
pI258 ArsC arsenate reductase. The recombinant protein product of
slr0946
, rSynArsC, exhibited vigorous arsenate reductase activity (
V
max
= 3.1 μmol/min · mg), as well as weak phosphatase activity toward
p
-nitrophenyl phosphate (
V
max
= 0.08 μmol/min · mg) indicative of its phosphohydrolytic ancestry. pI258 ArsC from
S. aureus
is the prototype of one of three distinct families of detoxifying arsenate reductases. The prototypes of the others are Acr2p from
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and R773 ArsC from
Escherichia coli.
All three have converged upon catalytic mechanisms involving an arsenocysteine intermediate. While SynArsC is homologous to pI258 ArsC, its catalytic mechanism exhibited a unique combination of features. rSynArsC employed glutathione and glutaredoxin as the source of reducing equivalents, like Acr2p and R773 ArsC, rather than thioredoxin, as does the
S. aureus
enzyme. As postulated for Acr2p and R773 ArsC, rSynArsC formed a covalent complex with glutathione in an arsenate-dependent manner. rSynArsC contains three essential cysteine residues like pI258 ArsC, whereas the yeast and
E. coli
enzymes require only one cysteine for catalysis. As in the
S. aureus
enzyme, these “extra” cysteines apparently shuttle a disulfide bond to the enzyme's surface to render it accessible for reduction. SynArsC and pI258 ArsC thus appear to represent alternative branches in the evolution of their shared phosphohydrolytic ancestor into an agent of arsenic detoxification.
Two Paralogous Families of a Two-Gene Subtilisin Operon Are Widely Distributed in Oral Treponemes
Authors: Correia Frederick F. , Plummer Alvin R. , Ellen Richard P. , Wyss Chris , Boches Susan K. , Galvin Jamie L. , Paster Bruce J. , Dewhirst Floyd E. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

Certain oral treponemes express a highly proteolytic phenotype and have been associated with periodontal diseases. The periodontal pathogen
Treponema denticola
produces dentilisin, a serine protease of the subtilisin family. The two-gene operon
prcA-prtP
is required for expression of active dentilisin (PrtP), a putative lipoprotein attached to the treponeme's outer membrane or sheath. The purpose of this study was to examine the diversity and structure of treponemal subtilisin-like proteases in order to better understand their distribution and function. The complete sequences of five
prcA
-
prtP
operons were determined for
Treponema lecithinolyticum, “Treponema vincentii,”
and two canine species. Partial operon sequences were obtained for
T. socranskii
subsp. 04 as well as 450- to 1,000-base fragments of
prtP
genes from four additional treponeme strains. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the sequences fall into two paralogous families. The first family includes the sequence from
T. denticola.
Treponemes possessing this operon family express chymotrypsin-like protease activity and can cleave the substrate
N
-succinyl-alanyl-alanyl-prolyl-phenylalanine-
p
-nitroanilide (SAAPFNA). Treponemes possessing the second paralog family do not possess chymotrypsin-like activity or cleave SAAPFNA. Despite examination of a range of protein and peptide substrates, the specificity of the second protease family remains unknown. Each of the fully sequenced
prcA
and
prtP
genes contains a 5′ hydrophobic leader sequence with a treponeme lipobox. The two paralogous families of treponeme subtilisins represent a new subgroup within the subtilisin family of proteases and are the only subtilisin lipoprotein family. The present study demonstrated that the subtilisin paralogs comprising a two-gene operon are widely distributed among treponemes.
Products Transcribed from Rearranged
rrn
Genes of
Escherichia coli
Can Assemble To Form Functional Ribosomes
Authors: Zaporojets Dmitry , French Sarah , Squires Catherine L. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

To examine the flexibility of rRNA operons with respect to fundamental organization, transcription, processing, and assembly of ribosomes, operon variations were introduced by a plasmid into an
Escherichia coli
strain that has deletions of all chromosomal copies of rRNA genes. In the reconstructed operons, a
Salmonella
intervening sequence (IVS) from 23S helix 45 was introduced into the
E. coli
23S gene at the same position. Three different constructs of the
E. coli
16S gene were then placed wholly within the IVS sequence, and the 16S gene was deleted from its normal position. The resulting plasmids thus had the normal operon promoters and the leader region followed by the 5′ one-third of the 23S gene, the entire 16S gene within the IVS, the last two-thirds of the 23S gene, and the normal end of the operon. The three constructs differed in the amount of 16S leader and spacer regions they contained. Only two of the three constructs, those with redundant leader and spacer antiterminator signals, resulted in viable cultures of the
rrn
deletion strain. Electron micrographs of the variant operon suggest that the 23S rRNA is made in two separate parts which then must form subassemblies before assembling into a functional 50S subunit. Cells containing only the reshuffled genes were debilitated in their growth properties and ribosome contents. The fact that such out of the ordinary manipulation of rRNA sequences in
E. coli
is possible paves the way for detailed analysis of ribosome assembly and evolution.
Genomic Organization and Molecular Characterization of SM1, a Temperate Bacteriophage ofStreptococcus mitis
Authors: Siboo Ian R. , Bensing Barbara A. , Sullam Paul M. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACTThe direct binding ofStreptococcus mitisto human platelets is mediated in part by two proteins (PblA and PblB) encoded by a lysogenic bacteriophage (SM1). Since SM1 is the first prophage ofS. mitisthat has been identified and because of the possible role of these phage-encoded proteins in virulence, we sought to characterize SM1 in greater detail. Sequencing of the SM1 genome revealed that it consisted of 34,692 bp, with an overall G+C content of 39 mol%. Fifty-six genes encoding proteins of 40 or more amino acids were identified. The genes of SM1 appear to be arranged in a modular, life cycle-specific organization. BLAST analysis also revealed that the proteins of SM1 have homologies to proteins from a wide variety of lambdoid phages. Bioinformatic analyses, in addition to N-terminal sequencing of the proteins, led to the assignment of possible functions to a number of proteins, including the integrase, the terminase, and two major structural proteins. Examination of the phage structural components indicates that the phage head may assemble using stable multimers of the major capsid protein, in a process similar to that of phage r1t. These findings indicate that SM1 may be part of a discrete subfamily of theSiphoviridaethat includes at least phages r1t ofLactococcus lactisand SF370.3 ofStreptococcus pyogenes.
Long-Term Survival After High-Dose Salvage Chemotherapy for Germ Cell Malignancies With Adverse Prognostic Variables
Authors: Vaena Daniel A. , Abonour Rafat , Einhorn Lawrence H. 
Published: November 2003

Purpose: Independent prognostic variables for patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) as salvage modality for germ cell tumors (GCT) were previously described, and a score was created. Patients with more than 2 points had a poor prognosis. However, these data were from patients treated from 1984 to 1993, and most received a single HDCT course. In this study, we evaluated outcomes at Indiana University and determined the applicability of the Beyer score to contemporary poor-risk patients. Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who received salvage HDCT between 1988 and 2001 and had at least one of the following characteristics: platinum-refractory or absolutely platinum-refractory GCT, primary mediastinal nonseminomatous GCT (PMNSGCT), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) ≥ 1,000 mU/mL or alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥ 1,000 ng/mL before HDCT. Primary end points were overall and 2-year failure-free survival (FFS). Results: Eighty patients were identified. Fifty-six were platinum refractory, 23 had a Beyer score greater than 2, and 13 had PMNSGCT. Fifty-six patients received two HDCT courses. HDCT included carboplatin and etoposide. Forty-three patients received HDCT as first salvage modality. Median overall survival was 14.7 months. The 2-year FFS was 32%. No relapses have occurred after 2 years from HDCT. Patients with greater than 2 points in the Beyer score, platinum-refractory patients, and patients with HCG ≥ 1,000 mU/mL, AFP ≥ 1,000 ng/mL, and PMNSGCT had 2-year FFS of 30%, 37%, 26%, 18%, and 0%, respectively. Conclusion: Results with PMNSGCT remained poor. However, other patients with poor prognosis should not be denied an attempt at curative salvage HDCT.