bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abnormalities of axonal excitability are not generalized in early multifocal motor neuropathy
Authors: Cappelen‐Smith Cecilia , Kuwabara Satoshi , Lin Cindy S.‐Y. , Burke David 
Published: November 2002

AbstractThe clinical and neurophysiological features of multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) indicate selective involvement of motor axons, but pathological abnormalities in sensory axons suggest a more widespread disease process. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the focal abnormalities are associated with widespread subclinical abnormalities in motor axons. Threshold tracking was used to measure excitability properties (stimulus‐response curves, strength‐duration properties, recovery cycle, and threshold electrotonus) of the median nerve in five patients with MMN with lesions proximal to the site of testing. Patients were compared with 25 healthy controls. The changes in excitability indices were similar to those in controls, and in one patient there was no alteration after treatment with intravenous gammaglobulin. In this patient, indices of axonal excitability were also measured before, during, and after ischemia of the arm for 10 min. Again no differences were detected. This study provides no evidence for a generalized subclinical abnormality in MMN, at least when disease duration is less than 6 years. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 26: 769–776, 2002
Electromyography of human cricopharyngeal muscle of the upper esophageal sphincter
Authors: Ertekin Cumhur , Aydogdu Ibrahim 
Published: November 2002

AbstractThe cricopharyngeus (CP) is a striated muscle sphincter situated at the pharyngoesophageal junction. The upper esophageal sphincter is comprised of the striated CP muscle and nonmuscular components at the level of the cricoid cartilage. This review describes the basic anatomy and physiology of the CP muscle, its central and peripheral relationship, methods of investigating it, and electrophysiological properties related to deglutition. The main function of the CP muscle is to control flow between the pharynx and esophagus. The CP sphincter muscle is tonically contracted at rest and relaxes during swallowing, belching, and vomiting. Electromyography (EMG) of the CP sphincter muscle has been undertaken frequently in a variety of subhuman species with the aim of understanding deglutition, whereas it has seldom been reported in healthy human subjects and patients. Increased knowledge of the physiology and anatomy of the human CP sphincter muscle is not only important scientifically but is necessary for advancing the diagnosis and treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia, for which neurological causes are responsible in 80% of cases. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 26: 729–739, 2002
In vivo analysis of end‐plate noise of human extensor digitorum brevis muscle after intramuscularly injected botulinum toxin type A
Authors: Van Putten M.J.A.M. , Padberg M. , Tavy D.L.J. 
Published: November 2002

AbstractTo evaluate changes occurring in the neuromuscular junction after injection with botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoTx), three healthy volunteers were injected with 10 U BoTx in the right extensor digitorum brevis muscle. In agreement with previous observations, amplitude of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) decreased to ∼30% of the initial value at ∼day 8 and slowly returned to baseline values around day 250. Values of the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) open time were determined by spectral analysis of end‐plate noise and from single exponential fits to the decay phase of individual miniature end‐plate potentials (MEPPs). At baseline, the mean channel open times determined by end‐plate noise analysis and the exponential fits were 1.1 ± 0.2 ms and 1.20 ± 0.04 ms, respectively. After BoTx injection, initially no end‐plate noise could be recorded. From day 9 onwards, however, a gradual recurrence of end‐plate noise was observed, with mean channel open times of∼2–5 ms, being maximal between days 20 to 140. In addition, the shape of many recorded MEPPs was different from the typical fast rising MEPPs observed at baseline. After day 80, end‐plate noise gradually returned to normal and mean channel open times decreased slowly to baseline values. Our findings reflect the changed AChR characteristics of newly formed neuromuscular junctions, which are created after BoTx injection and gradually removed after restoration of the original neuromuscular junctions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 26: 784–790, 2002
SK channels are necessary but not sufficient for denervation‐induced hyperexcitability
Authors: Jacobson David , Herson Paco S. , Neelands Torben R. , Maylie James , Adelman John P. 
Published: November 2002

AbstractSkeletal muscle hyperexcitability is characteristically associated with denervation. Expression of SK3, a small conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channel (SK channel) in skeletal muscle is induced by denervation, and direct application of apamin, a peptide blocker of SK channels, dramatically reduces hyperexcitability. To investigate the role of SK3 channels in denervation‐ induced hyperexcitability, SK3 expression was manipulated using a transgenic mouse that harbors a tetracycline‐regulated SK3 gene. Electromyographic (EMG) recordings from anterior tibial (AT) muscle showed that denervated muscle from transgenic or wild‐type animals had equivalent hyperexcitability that was blocked by apamin. In contrast, denervated skeletal muscle from SK3tTA mice lacking SK3 channels showed little or no hyperexcitability, similar to results from wild‐type innervated skeletal muscle. However, innervated skeletal muscle from SK3tTA mice containing SK3 channels did not show hyperexcitability. The results demonstrate that SK3 channels are necessary but not sufficient for denervation‐induced skeletal muscle hyperexcitability. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 26: 817–822, 2002
Prenatal diagnosis of the Dandy‐Walker malformation and ventriculomegaly associated with partial trisomy 9p and distal 12p deletion
Authors: Chen Chih‐Ping , Chang Tung‐Yao , Shih Jin‐Chung , Lin Shuan‐Pei , Lin Chen‐Ju , Wang Wayseen , Lee Chen‐Chi , Town Dai‐Dyi , Pan Chen‐Wen , Tzen Chin‐Yuan 
Published: November 2002

AbstractObjectivesTo present the prenatal diagnosis and perinatal findings of partial trisomy 9p and distal 12p deletion.Methods and resultsAmniocentesis was performed at 17 gestational weeks due to a balanced reciprocal translocation t(9;12)(p11.2;p13.3) in the mother. The father's karyotype was normal. The family had a 5‐year‐old daughter with a Dandy‐Walker malformation and a trisomy 9p syndrome. Cytogenetic analysis of the cultured amniotic fluid cells revealed a 46,XY,der(12)t(9;12)(p11.2;p13.3)mat karyotype with partial monosomy 12p(12pter→p13.3) and partial trisomy 9p(9pter→p11.2). Sonographic examination of the fetal brain and skull showed bilateral ventriculomegaly, brachycephaly and a Dandy‐Walker malformation with an enlarged cisterna magna and absence of the cerebellar vermis. The pregnancy was terminated subsequently. At autopsy, the proband manifested agenesis of the cerebellar vermis and a typical trisomy 9p phenotype.ConclusionFetuses with partial trisomy 9p(9pter→p11.2) may present a Dandy‐Walker malformation and ventriculomegaly on prenatal ultrasound in the second trimester. A dosage effect of genes located on 9pter→p11.2 may be associated with the abnormal development of the central nervous system in patients with partial or complete trisomy 9. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytogenetic analysis of human blastocysts
Authors: Clouston Hazel J. , Herbert Mary , Fenwick Jeanette , Murdoch Alison P. , Wolstenholme John 
Published: November 2002

AbstractThe human blastocyst is key to understanding the aetiology of constitutional chromosome abnormalities in our species.ObjectivesTo investigate the range and incidence of chromosome abnormalities in a large series of human blastocysts, using classic cytogenetic techniques.MethodsUsing thymidine, cell division is synchronized in spare five‐to‐eight‐day‐old human blastocysts generated by IVF. A simple acetic acid disaggregation step produces discrete metaphases for G‐band analysis. Subsequent FISH analysis of both metaphase and interphase nuclei allows further exploration of an abnormality detected by G‐banding, including the investigation of any mosaicism.ResultsA total of 438 blastocysts have been prepared. Where analysis was possible, 3% appeared polyploid (mainly tetraploid), 29% were diploid : tetraploid mosaics and 68% were uniformly diploid. Abnormalities observed include triploidy, trisomy 16, trisomy 2, trisomy for unidentifiable D‐group chromosome, mosaic trisomy 3, and mosaic trisomy 3 and trisomy 7.ConclusionComparison of results with existing data from both first trimester pregnancies and cleavage stage embryos suggests significant loss of haploid and monosomic embryos, as well as loss of some trisomies, prior to the blastocyst stage. It appears that the general range and incidence of most main groups of constitutional abnormalities observed in the first trimester (including mosaic forms) are in place by the blastocyst stage. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zanclea (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) species from Bunaken Marine Park (Sulawesi Sea, Indonesia)
Authors: Puce S , Cerrano C. , Boyer M. , Ferretti C. , Bavestrello G. 
Published: November 2002

Three species belonging to the genus Zanclea: Zanclea divergens, Zanclea tipis, sp. nov. and Zanclea exposita, sp. nov. have been described as epizoic of bryozoan from the coral reef of the Bunaken Marine Park (Sulawesi Sea, Indonesia). The record of Z. divergens is the second after its description from Papua New Guinea. Zanclea tipis is characterized by a polymorphic colony and a medusa with very extended exumbrellar pouches. Zanclea exposita shows a naked hydrorhiza creeping on the surface of the bryozoan skeleton.An evolutionary trend among the Zancleidae, from species epibionts of algae and bivalve shells with the hydrorhiza covered by perisarc to species symbiotic with bryozoan with a naked hydrorhiza, is discussed.
Faith as doxastic venture
Authors: BISHOP JOHN 
Published: November 2002

A ‘doxastic venture’ model of faith – according to which having faith involves believing beyond what is rationally justifiable – can be defended only on condition that such venturesome believing is both possible and ethically acceptable. I show how a development of the position argued by William James in ‘The will to believe’ can succeed in meeting these conditions. A Jamesian defence of doxastic venture is, however, open to the objection that decision theory teaches us that there can be no circumstances in which ‘the evidence does not decide’, so a fortiori no occasion to permit belief on a ‘passional’ basis. I argue that this objection does not apply to certain ‘framework principles’ such as those presupposed by the framework of theistic belief and practice, and that there are good grounds for preferring a doxastic venture model of faith over a more austere alternative (advocated by Richard Swinburne) according to which reasonable faith cannot be more than the commitment to act on the assumption, with any (non-negligible) degree of confidence, that God exists and is to be trusted.
Rhodanobactersp. Strain BPC1 in a Benzo[a]pyrene-Mineralizing Bacterial Consortium
Authors: Kanaly Robert A. , Harayama Shigeaki , Watanabe Kazuya 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACTA bacterial consortium which rapidly mineralizes benzo[a]pyrene when it is grown on a high-boiling-point diesel fuel distillate (HBD) was recovered from soil and maintained for approximately 3 years. Previous studies have shown that mobilization of benzo[a]pyrene into the supernatant liquid precedes mineralization of this compound (R. Kanaly, R. Bartha, K. Watanabe, and S. Harayama, Appl. Environ. Microbiol.66:4205-4211, 2000). In the present study, we found that sterilized supernatant liquid filtrate (SSLF) obtained from the growing consortium stimulated mineralization of benzo[a]pyrene when it was readministered to a consortium inoculum without HBD. Following this observation, eight bacterial strains were isolated from the consortium, and SSLF of each of them was assayed for the ability to stimulate benzo[a]pyrene mineralization by the original consortium. The SSLF obtained from one strain, designated BPC1, most vigorously stimulated benzo[a]pyrene mineralization by the original consortium; its effect was more than twofold greater than the effect of the SSLF obtained from the original consortium. A 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and biochemical tests identified strain BPC1 as a member of the genusRhodanobacter, whose type strain,Rhodanobacter lindaniclasticusRP5557, which was isolated for its ability to grow on the pesticide lindane, is not extant. Strain BPC1 could not grow on lindane, benzo[a]pyrene, simple hydrocarbons, and HBD in pure culture. In contrast, a competitive PCR assay indicated that strain BPC1 grew in the consortium fed only HBD and benzo[a]pyrene. This growth of BPC1 was concomitant with growth of the total bacterial consortium and preceded the initiation of benzo[a]pyrene mineralization. These results suggest that strain BPC1 has a specialized niche in the benzo[a]pyrene-mineralizing consortium; namely, it grows on metabolites produced by fellow members and contributes to benzo[a]pyrene mineralization by increasing the bioavailability of this compound.
Purification and Characterization of Carbazole 1,9a-Dioxygenase, a Three-Component Dioxygenase System of
Pseudomonas resinovorans
Strain CA10
Authors: Nam Jeong-Won , Nojiri Hideaki , Noguchi Haruko , Uchimura Hiromasa , Yoshida Takako , Habe Hiroshi , Yamane Hisakazu , Omori Toshio 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

The carbazole 1,9a-dioxygenase (CARDO) system of
Pseudomonas resinovorans
strain CA10 consists of terminal oxygenase (CarAa), ferredoxin (CarAc), and ferredoxin reductase (CarAd). Each component of CARDO was expressed in
Escherichia coli
strain BL21(DE3) as a native form (CarAa) or a His-tagged form (CarAc and CarAd) and was purified to apparent homogeneity. CarAa was found to be trimeric and to have one Rieske type [2Fe-2S] cluster and one mononuclear iron center in each monomer. Both His-tagged proteins were found to be monomeric and to contain the prosthetic groups predicted from the deduced amino acid sequence (His-tagged CarAd, one FAD and one [2Fe-2S] cluster per monomer protein; His-tagged CarAc, one Rieske type [2Fe-2S] cluster per monomer protein). Both NADH and NADPH were effective as electron donors for His-tagged CarAd. However, since the
k
cat
/

K
m

for NADH is 22.3-fold higher than that for NADPH in the 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol reductase assay, NADH was supposed to be the physiological electron donor of CarAd. In the presence of NADH, His-tagged CarAc was reduced by His-tagged CarAd. Similarly, CarAa was reduced by His-tagged CarAc, His-tagged CarAd, and NADH. The three purified proteins could reconstitute the CARDO activity in vitro. In the reconstituted CARDO system, His-tagged CarAc seemed to be indispensable for electron transport, while His-tagged CarAd could be replaced by some unrelated reductases.
Effects of Dietary Fat Source and Subtherapeutic Levels of Antibiotic on the Bacterial Community in the Ileum of Broiler Chickens at Various Ages
Authors: Knarreborg Ane , Simon Mary Alice , Engberg Ricarda M. , Jensen Bent Borg , Tannock Gerald W. 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

The effect of dietary fat source (soy oil or a mixture of lard and tallow) and dietary supplementation with antibiotics (a combination of avilamycin at 10 mg kg of feed
−1
and salinomycin at 40 mg kg of feed
−1
) on the bacterial community in the ileum of broiler chickens at different ages (7, 14, 21, and 35 days) was studied using PCR with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis and bacteriological culture. The bacterial origin of fragments in DGGE profiles was identified by sequencing. Bacterial enumeration results, together with PCR-DGGE profiles, showed that the composition of the microflora was age dependent and influenced by dietary fat source and antibiotic supplementation. An increased incidence of streptococci, enterobacteria, and
Clostridium perfringens
with age of the chickens was demonstrated. Lactobacilli and
C. perfringens
were the bacterial groups most strongly affected by the dietary treatments. Moreover, different strains (clonal variants of the alpha-toxin gene) of
C. perfringens
type A were detected in response to age, dietary fat source, and dietary supplementation with antibiotics.
Construction and Evaluation of Plasmid Vectors Optimized for Constitutive and Regulated Gene Expression in
Burkholderia cepacia
Complex Isolates
Authors: Lefebre Matthew D. , Valvano Miguel A. 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

Genetic studies with
Burkholderia cepacia
complex isolates are hampered by the limited availability of cloning vectors and by the inherent resistance of these isolates to the most common antibiotics used for genetic selection. Also, some of the promoters widely employed for gene expression in
Escherichia coli
are inefficient in
B. cepacia
. In this study, we have utilized the backbone of the vector pME6000, a derivative of the pBBR1 plasmid that was originally isolated from
Bordetella bronchiseptica
, to construct a set of vectors useful for gene expression in
B. cepacia
. These vectors contain either the constitutive promoter of the S7 ribosomal protein gene from
Burkholderia
sp. strain LB400 or the arabinose-inducible
P
BAD
promoter from
E. coli
. Promoter sequences were placed immediately upstream of multiple cloning sites in combination with the minimal sequence of pME6000 required for plasmid maintenance and mobilization. The functionality of both vectors was assessed by cloning the enhanced green fluorescent protein gene (e-
gfp
) and determining the levels of enhanced green fluorescent protein expression and fluorescence emission for a variety of clinical and environmental isolates of the
B. cepacia
complex. We also demonstrate that
B. cepacia
carrying these constructs can readily be detected intracellularly by fluorescence microscopy following the infection of
Acanthamoeba polyphaga
.
Cloning and Characterization of
lin
Genes Responsible for the Degradation of Hexachlorocyclohexane Isomers by
Sphingomonas paucimobilis
Strain B90
Authors: Kumari Rekha , Subudhi Sanjukta , Suar Mrutyunjay , Dhingra Gauri , Raina Vishakha , Dogra Charu , Lal Sukanya , van der Meer Jan Roelof , Holliger Christof , Lal Rup 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) has been used extensively against agricultural pests and in public health programs for the control of mosquitoes. Commercial formulations of HCH consist of a mixture of four isomers, α, β, γ, and δ. While all these isomers pose serious environmental problems, β-HCH is more problematic due to its longer persistence in the environment. We have studied the degradation of HCH isomers by
Sphingomonas paucimobilis
strain B90 and characterized the
lin
genes encoding enzymes from strain B90 responsible for the degradation of HCH isomers. Two nonidentical copies of the
linA
gene encoding HCH dehydrochlorinase, which were designated
linA1
and
linA2
, were found in
S. paucimobilis
B90
.
The
linA1
and
linA2
genes could be expressed in
Escherichia coli
, leading to dehydrochlorination of α-, γ-, and δ-HCH but not of β-HCH, suggesting that
S. paucimobilis
B90 contains another pathway for the initial steps of β-HCH degradation. The cloning and characterization of the halidohydrolase (
linB
), dehydrogenase (
linC
and
linX
), and reductive dechlorinase (
linD
) genes from
S. paucimobilis
B90 revealed that they share ∼96 to 99% identical nucleotides with the corresponding genes of
S. paucimobilis
UT26. No evidence was found for the presence of a
linE
-like gene, coding for a ring cleavage dioxygenase, in strain B90. The gene structures around the
linA1
and
linA2
genes of strain B90, compared to those in strain UT26, are suggestive of a recombination between
linA1
and
linA2
, which formed
linA
of strain UT26.
Benzothiazole Degradation by
Rhodococcus pyridinovorans
Strain PA: Evidence of a Catechol 1,2-Dioxygenase Activity
Authors: Haroune Nicolas , Combourieu Bruno , Besse Pascale , Sancelme Martine , Reemtsma Thorsten , Kloepfer Achim , Diab Amer , Knapp Jeremy S. , Baumberg Simon , Delort Anne-Marie 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

The pathway for biodegradation of benzothiazole (BT) and 2-hydroxybenzothiazole (OBT) by
Rhodococcus pyridinovorans
strain PA was studied in detail. The kinetics of biodegradation were monitored by in situ
1
H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in parallel with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Successive oxidations from BT to OBT and then from OBT to dihydroxybenzothiazole were observed. Further insight was obtained by using a mutant strain with impaired ability to grow on BT and OBT. The precise structure of another intermediate was determined by in situ two-dimensional
1
H-
13
C NMR and HPLC-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry; this intermediate was found to be a ring-opening product (a diacid structure). Detection of this metabolite, together with the results obtained by
1
H and
19
F NMR when cells were incubated with 3-fluorocatechol, demonstrated that a catechol 1,2-dioxygenase is involved in a pathway for biodegradation of BTs in this
Rhodococcus
strain. Our results show that catechol 1,2-dioxygenase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activities may both be involved in the biodegradation of BTs depending on the culture conditions.
Composition and Function of Sulfate-Reducing Prokaryotes in Eutrophic and Pristine Areas of the Florida Everglades
Authors: Castro Hector , Reddy K. R. , Ogram Andrew 
Published: November 2002

ABSTRACT

As a result of agricultural activities in regions adjacent to the northern boundary of the Florida Everglades, a nutrient gradient developed that resulted in physicochemical and ecological changes from the original system. Sulfate input from agricultural runoff and groundwater is present in soils of the Northern Everglades, and sulfate-reducing prokaryotes (SRP) may play an important role in biogeochemical processes such as carbon cycling. The goal of this project was to utilize culture-based and non-culture-based approaches to study differences between the composition of assemblages of SRP in eutrophic and pristine areas of the Everglades. Sulfate reduction rates and most-probable-number enumerations revealed SRP populations and activities to be greater in eutrophic zones than in more pristine soils. In eutrophic regions, methanogenesis rates were higher, the addition of acetate stimulated methanogenesis, and SRP able to utilize acetate competed to a limited degree with acetoclastic methanogens. A surprising amount of diversity within clone libraries of PCR-amplified dissimilatory sulfite reductase (DSR) genes was observed, and the majority of DSR sequences were associated with gram-positive spore-forming
Desulfotomaculum
and uncultured microorganisms. Sequences associated with
Desulfotomaculum
fall into two categories: in the eutrophic regions, 94.7% of the sequences related to
Desulfotomaculum
were associated with those able to completely oxidize substrates, and in samples from pristine regions, all
Desulfotomaculum-
like sequences were related to incomplete oxidizers. This metabolic selection may be linked to the types of substrates that
Desulfotomaculum
spp. utilize; it may be that complete oxidizers are more versatile and likelier to proliferate in nutrient-rich zones of the Everglades.
Desulfotomaculum
incomplete oxidizers may outcompete complete oxidizers for substrates such as hydrogen in pristine zones where diverse carbon sources are less available.