bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Precipitation assessment of a superensemble forecast over South‐East Asia
Authors: Mahmud Mastura , Ross R.S. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractA superensemble forecast that consists of six operational general circulation models is tested to simulate weather parameters over the equatorial South‐East Asian region. The forecast technique, developed at Florida State University, is a unique ensemble that has proved to be one of the better prognosticators for weather forecasting. In this paper, the root mean square errors of the superensemble precipitation for a case of a severe tropical rainfall event during the winter monsoon of 2001 were smaller than the other global operational member or ensemble models used, indicating a skilled forecast. This trait is also reflected in the equitable threat score which indicates the association of the common rainfall threshold distribution between the forecast and observed best rainfall analysis from the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) and Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) dataset, where although it is slightly underpredicted for light rain thresholds, its results are still superior to other individual member or even the ensemble mean forecasts. Higher correlation between the superensemble forecast and the observed is maintained for up to 3‐day forecasts, which indicates its potential as a reliable and good forecast tool for predicting equatorial precipitation. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
A dynamic α‐β inter‐subunit agonist signaling complex is a novel feedback mechanism for regulating L‐type Ca2+ channel opening
Authors: Zhang Rong , Dzhura Igor , Grueter Chad E. , Thiel William , Colbran Roger J. , Anderson Mark E. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTL‐type Ca2+ channels are macromolecular protein complexes in neurons and myocytes that open in response to cell membrane depolarization to supply Ca2+ for regulating gene transcription and vesicle secretion and triggering cell contraction. L‐type Ca2+ channels include a pore‐forming α and an auxiliary β subunit, and α subunit openings are regulated by cellular Ca2+ through a mechanism involving the Ca2+‐sensing protein calmodulin (CaM) and CaM binding motifs in the α subunit cytoplasmic C terminus. Here we show that these CaM binding motifs are “autoagonists” that increase α subunit openings by binding the β subunit. The CaM binding domains are necessary and sufficient for the α subunit C terminus to bind the β subunit in vitro, and excess CaM blocks this interaction. Addition of CaM binding domains to native cardiac L‐type Ca2+ channels in excised cell membrane patches increases openings, and this agonist effect is prevented by excess CaM. Recombinant LTCC openings are also increased by exogenous CaM binding domains by a mechanism requiring the β subunit, and excess CaM blocks this effect. Thus, the bifunctional ability of the α subunit CaM binding motifs to competitively associate with the β subunit or CaM provides a novel paradigm for feedback control of cellular Ca2+ entry.
A Graded Model of Dietary Zinc Deficiency: Effects on Growth, Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐I, and the Glucose/Insulin Axis in Weanling Rats
Authors: Hall Andrew G , Kelleher Shannon L , Lönnerdal Bo , Philipps Anthony F 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTObjective:Severe zinc (Zn) deficiency inhibits growth, insulin storage and release. Mild or moderate Zn deficiency may also have profound physiological effects that are not outwardly evident. We examined the effects of graded levels of low Zn intake on growth, insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and glucose homeostasis in weanling rats.Methods:Weanling rats were fed ad libitum for 3 weeks with diets containing different Zn levels: very low Zn, low Zn or mildly low Zn; there was also a control group and an additional group was pair‐fed to very low Zn rats. Growth and food intake were recorded. Serum Zn, IGF‐I, IGF binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3), serum insulin and glucose, tissue Zn and jejunal sucrase activity were measured. Relative liver IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 mRNA levels were quantified.Results:Serum and tissue Zn were significantly lower in rats fed very low Zn (compared with pair‐fed animals and controls) and low Zn (compared with controls). Growth was significantly lower in rats fed very low Zn and pair‐fed animals (compared with controls) and in those fed very low Zn (compared with pair‐fed animals). Liver IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 mRNA levels were higher in low Zn animals compared with controls. Serum IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 levels were not affected by diet. Serum glucose was significantly higher in rats fed very low Zn than in pair‐fed animals (191 ± 28 vs 99 ± 5 mg/dL, respectively). Sucrase activity was lower in rats fed very low Zn than in pair‐fed animals or controls and a linear relationship was observed between serum glucose and insulin (r = 0.65, P < 0.01) in pair‐fed animals and controls but not in Zn‐deficient groups.Conclusion:Severe Zn deficiency was associated with hyperglycemia and relative hypoinsulinemia. Mild degrees of Zn deficiency also altered glucose metabolism, suggesting that Zn intake may be a sensitive regulator of glucose homeostasis.
Frequency of ASCA Seropositivity in Children with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Condino Adria A , Hoffenberg Edward J , Accurso Frank , Penvari Chureeporn , Anthony Meg , Gralla Jane , O'Connor Judith A 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTObjective:To determine the frequency of anti‐Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) seropositivity in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and correlate ASCA with clinical features.Methods:Prospective study of children with CF aged 2 to 21 years enrolled from The Children's Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Center. Exclusion criteria included Crohn disease, immunodeficiency or immunoglobulin A deficiency. The frequency of ASCA (ASCA immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G) was measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit provided by Inova, Inc. (San Diego, CA). The CF Foundation database was queried for clinical data on ASCA seropositive patientsResults:Seventeen (20.7%) of 82 patients were seropositive for ASCA. Of these, eight had immunoglobulin A antibodies, six had immunoglobulin G antibodies and three had both. ASCA seropositivity in CF patients was significantly greater than the general population (20.7% versus 4%, P < 0.0001), using an exact binomial test on a single proportion. The 95% confidence limits around our observed proportion were 12.6% to 31.1%. Of 17 ASCA positive patients, 1 (5.8%) had a history of meconium ileus, 14 (82.4%) had ΔF508 gene mutation, 9 (52.9%) had positive sputum cultures for fungal organisms, and 17 (100%) had an ideal body weight % ≥85%.Conclusion:Patients with CF have a higher frequency of ASCA seropositivity than the general population. When evaluating CF patients for Crohn disease, ASCA should be used with caution. The reasons for higher ASCA seropositivity in CF patients are unknown, but may include exposure to fungal organisms via intestinal or pulmonary sources.
HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 90C Is a Bona Fide Hsp90 That Interacts with Plastidic HSP70B in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Willmund Felix , Schroda Michael 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
We report on the molecular and biochemical characterization of HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 90C (HSP90C), one of the three Hsp90 chaperones encoded by the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genome. Fractionation experiments indicate that HSP90C is a plastidic protein. In the chloroplast, HSP90C was localized to the soluble stroma fraction, but also to thylakoids and low-density membranes containing inner envelopes. HSP90C is expressed under basal conditions and is strongly induced by heat shock and moderately by light. In soluble cell extracts, HSP90C was mainly found to organize into dimers, but also into complexes of high molecular mass. Also, heterologously expressed HSP90C was mainly found in dimers, but tetramers and fewer monomers were detected, as well. HSP90C exhibits a weak ATPase activity with a Km for ATP of approximately 48 μm and a kcat of approximately 0.71 min−1. This activity was inhibited by the Hsp90-specific inhibitor radicicol. In coimmunoprecipitation experiments, we found that HSP90C interacts with several proteins, among them plastidic HSP70B. The cellular concentration of HSP70B was found to be 2.9 times higher than that of HSP90C, giving a 4.8:1 stoichiometry of HSP70B monomers to HSP90C dimers. The strong inducibility of HSP90C by heat shock implies a role of the chaperone in stress management. Furthermore, its interaction with HSP70B suggests that, similar to their relatives in cytosol and the endoplasmic reticulum, both chaperones might constitute the core of a multichaperone complex involved in the maturation of specific client proteins, e.g. components of signal transduction pathways.
The Formin Homology 1 Domain Modulates the Actin Nucleation and Bundling Activity of Arabidopsis FORMIN1
Authors: Michelot Alphée , Guérin Christophe , Huang Shanjin , Ingouff Mathieu , Richard Stéphane , Rodiuc Natalia , Staiger Christopher J. , Blanchoin Laurent 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
The organization of actin filaments into large ordered structures is a tightly controlled feature of many cellular processes. However, the mechanisms by which actin filament polymerization is initiated from the available pool of profilin-bound actin monomers remain unknown in plants. Because the spontaneous polymerization of actin monomers bound to profilin is inhibited, the intervention of an actin promoting factor is required for efficient actin polymerization. Two such factors have been characterized from yeasts and metazoans: the Arp2/3 complex, a complex of seven highly conserved subunits including two actin-related proteins (ARP2 and ARP3), and the FORMIN family of proteins. The recent finding that Arabidopsis thaliana plants lacking a functional Arp2/3 complex exhibit rather modest morphological defects leads us to consider whether the large FORMIN family plays a central role in the regulation of actin polymerization. Here, we have characterized the mechanism of action of Arabidopsis FORMIN1 (AFH1). Overexpression of AFH1 in pollen tubes has been shown previously to induce abnormal actin cable formation. We demonstrate that AFH1 has a unique behavior when compared with nonplant formins. The activity of the formin homology domain 2 (FH2), containing the actin binding activity, is modulated by the formin homology domain 1 (FH1). Indeed, the presence of the FH1 domain switches the FH2 domain from a tight capper (K d ∼3.7 nM) able to nucleate actin filaments that grow only in the pointed-end direction to a leaky capper that allows barbed-end elongation and efficient nucleation of actin filaments from actin monomers bound to profilin. Another exciting feature of AFH1 is its ability to bind to the side and bundle actin filaments. We have identified an actin nucleator that is able to organize actin filaments directly into unbranched actin filament bundles. We suggest that AFH1 plays a central role in the initiation and organization of actin cables from the pool of actin monomers bound to profilin.
Differential expression of chemokine receptors on human IgA+ and IgG+ B cells
Authors: Johansson C , Ahlstedt I , Furubacka S , Johnsson E , Agace W W , Quiding-Järbrink M 
Published: July 2005

SummaryOrgan-specific lymphocyte homing is dependent on the expression of tissue-specific homing receptors and selected chemokine receptors. During the effector phase of an immune response, IgA and IgG antibody-secreting cells (ASC) are differently distributed in the body. Still, B cell expression of L-selectin and the mucosal homing receptor integrin α4β7 is not related to the isotype produced, but only to the site of antigen encounter. In this study, we examined if differences in chemokine responsiveness between IgA+ and IgG+ B cells could explain their different tissue localization. Circulating CD19+ B cells were isolated and their expression of IgA, IgG, and selected chemokine receptors was determined by flow cytometry. Few Ig+ cells expressed CCR2, CCR3, or CCR9, and there was no difference in the expression of these receptors between IgA+ and IgG+ cells. In contrast, CCR4, CCR5, and CXCR3 was expressed on significantly more IgG+ than IgA+ cells. The function of chemokine receptors on memory B cells and ASC was then tested in the transwell system. IgG+ memory cells migrated to a higher extent than IgA+ cells towards the CXCR3 ligand CXCL11/I-TAC, while there was only a small migration towards the CCR4 ligand CCL17/TARC and the CCR9 ligand CCL25/TECK. ASC migrated poorly to all chemokines tested. In conclusion, this study shows that IgG+ and IgA+ memory B cells have a differential expression of the Th1 associated chemokine receptor CXCR3, as well as of CCR4 and CCR5. In contrast, none of the studied chemokine receptors was preferentially expressed by IgA+ cells.
Expression of Toll-like receptor 9 and response to bacterial CpG oligodeoxynucleotides in human intestinal epithelium
Authors: Pedersen G , Andresen L , Matthiessen M W , Rask-Madsen J , Brynskov J 
Published: July 2005

Summary
Recognition of repeat CpG motifs, which are common in bacterial, but not in mammalian, DNA, through Toll-like receptor (TLR)9 is an integral part of the innate immune system. As the role of TLR9 in the human gut is unknown, we determined the spectrum of TLR9 expression in normal and inflamed colon and examined how epithelial cells respond to specific TLR9 ligand stimulation. TLR9 expresssion was measured in human colonic mucosal biopsies, freshly isolated human colonic epithelial cells and HT-29 cells by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction or Western blotting. Colonic epithelial cell cultures were stimulated with a synthetic CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), exhibiting strong immunostimulatory effects in B cells. Interleukin (IL)-8 secretion was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB) activity by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and IkB phosphorylation by Western blotting. TLR9 mRNA was equally expressed in colonic mucosa from controls (n = 6) and patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease disease (n = 13). HT-29 cells expressed TLR9 mRNA and protein and responded to CpG-ODN (P &lt; 0·01), but not to non-CpG-ODN stimulation, by secreting IL-8, apparently in the absence of NF-kB activation. Primary epithelial cells isolated from normal human colon expressed TLR9 mRNA, but were completely unresponsive to CpG-ODN stimulation in vitro. In conclusion, differentiated human colonic epithelial cells are unresponsive to TLR9 ligand stimulation in vitro despite spontaneous TLR9 gene expression. This suggests that the human epithelium is able to avoid inappropriate immune responses to luminal bacterial products through modulation of the TLR9 pathway.
Immune effects of therapy with Adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Vigna-Pérez M , Abud-Mendoza C , Portillo-Salazar H , Alvarado-Sánchez B , Cuevas-Orta E , Moreno-Valdés R , Baranda L , Paredes-Saharopulos O , González-Amaro R 
Published: July 2005

Summary
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Adalimumab on different immune parameters in patients with RA. Adalimumab was administered (40 mg every other week for 26 weeks) to eight patients with RA that were refractory to conventional drug therapy. Peripheral blood samples were obtained at days 0, 15 and 180 of Adalimumab therapy, and the following immune parameters were assessed: Number, phenotype, and function of regulatory T lymphocytes. The induction of apoptosis of immune cells and the in vitro and in vivo reactivity towards M. tuberculosis were also analysed. All patients responded to Adalimumab (ACR response 50–70), and a modest but significant increase in the number and function of regulatory T cells was observed at day 15 of anti-TNF-α therapy. In addition, an increased percent of apoptotic cells was detected in the peripheral blood at day 15 of Adalimumab therapy. Unexpectedly, most of these effects were not further observed at day 180. However, two patients showed a persistent and marked reduction in the reactivity to M. tuberculosis. Although we have found that Adalimumab affects the number and function of regulatory T lymphocytes, and the apoptosis of immune cells, these effects are transient and its possible causal relationship with the therapeutic activity of this biological agent remains to be determined. Nevertheless, the down-regulatory effect of Adalimumab on the reactivity to M. tuberculosis could be related to an enhanced risk of tuberculosis reactivation.
Cardiac regeneration by progenitor cells – bedside before bench?
Authors: Bauersachs J. , Thum T. , Frantz S. , Ertl G. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractRecent experimental and clinical trials give rise to the hope that progenitor cells could replace scar tissue after myocardial infarction with healthy functional myocardium. However, while a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction has been described after progenitor cell transplantation in several clinical trials, long‐term results are lacking, and the mechanisms underlying the improvement of ejection fraction are unclear. Therefore, the efficacy of progenitor cell transplantation after myocardial infarction has not been established, and potential problems may have been underestimated. In‐depth laboratory and animal studies are needed to determine the best cell type, optimal amount of cells, and time point for transplantation. Treatment of patients with progenitor cells outside well controlled prospective trials should be avoided.
Chlamydia LPS and MOMP seropositivity are associated with different cytokine profiles in patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Schumacher A. , Seljeflot I. , Lerkerød A. B. , Sommervoll L. , Otterstad J. E. , Arnesen H. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground  Persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection within atherosclerotic plaques are possible stimulators of inflammation in atherosclerosis. Why the microbe develops persistency in some individuals is unknown, but experimental studies in cell cultures and animals have demonstrated the levels of gamma interferon (IFNγ) and interleukin 10 (IL‐10) to be of crucial importance.Design  We wanted to evaluate whether Chlamydia seropositivity in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) (n = 193) was associated with elevated IFNγ and IL‐10. Two methods for detection of Chlamydia antibodies were included as well as analysis of tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM‐1) and soluble E‐selectin for the evaluation of vascular inflammation.Results  We found that patients with IgA antibodies towards Chlamydia lipopolysaccharide (LPS) had elevated levels of IFNγ (P = 0·048), IL‐10 (P = 0·029), TNFα (P = 0·009) and sE‐selectin (P = 0·045), while Chlamydia LPS IgG seropositivity predicted elevated levels of IL‐10 (P = 0·013). Patients with IgA antibodies towards C. pneumoniae major outer membrane protein (MOMP) without simultaneous LPS IgA seropositivity had lower levels of IFNγ and sVCAM‐1 when compared to patients with Chlamydia LPS IgA alone (P = 0·005 for IFNγ, P = 0·016 for VCAM‐1) and patients with combined Chlamydia MOMP and LPS IgA seropositivity (P = 0·046 and P = 0·013, respectively).Conclusions  In summary, we demonstrated an association between Chlamydia LPS IgA seropositivity and elevated levels of IFNγ, IL‐10, TNFα, sVCAM‐1 and sE‐selectin in CHD patients that might indicate persistent Chlamydia infection and a proinflammatory state. On the other hand, C. pneumoniae MOMP antibodies were not associated with elevated inflammatory markers and might merely be indicative of past infection, possibly with successful microbe clearance.
Dermatitis in a Dairy Herd Caused by Pelodera strongyloides (Nematoda: Rhabditidae)
Authors: Yeruham I. , Perl S. 
Published: July 2005

SummaryA high rate (25%) of infestation of heifers in a dairy cattle herd caused by the saprophytic nematode Pelodera strongyloides is described. Management (crowded) and environmental conditions (moist and filthy) as well as the climate (temperature) apparently favoured the existence and continuation of the nematodes. These infested a large number of heifers by causing dermatitis in skin areas, which were in contact with the contaminated environment. The dermatitis is characterized by a marked thickening of the skin, which became wrinkled and scurfy with alopecia. Pruritus was not observed.
A study of the mechanical and fatigue properties of metallic microwires
Authors: KHATIBI G. , BETZWAR‐KOTAS A. , GRÖGER V. , WEISS B. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTThere is an increasing necessity to record the deformation characteristics of microelements containing freestanding bond wires. The data required are either mechanical or thermal such as Young's moduli, stress–strain values, fatigue‐ and thermal‐strain data, but the nominal strength of a structure changes by scaling its size. Due to this size effect, material data cannot be taken from macrospecimens, thus special testing procedures were introduced. Laser optical sensors based on the speckle correlation technique were applied to determine non‐contacting strain values with high strain resolution. For the mechanical properties tensile tests were used. A special ultrasonic resonance fatigue system is described for testing freestanding microwires.In this study the stress–strain and fatigue response of microwires of Cu with a purity of 99.99+% with diameters between 10 and 125 μm with a typical bamboo structure have been investigated. A size dependence of the yield strength which increased with decreasing diameter was observed, while the fracture elongation showed contrary behaviour. Fatigue life also decreased with reduced diameters.An explanation is presented based on formed oxide layers, strengthening effects by dislocation pile‐ups and a pronounced localization of formed slip steps acting as notches being most dominant in the very thin microwires.
Global Pseudomonas aeruginosa biodiversity as reflected in a Belgian river
Authors: Pirnay Jean‐Paul , Matthijs Sandra , Colak Huri , Chablain Patrice , Bilocq Florence , Van Eldere Johan , De Vos Daniel , Zizi Martin , Triest Ludwig , Cornelis Pierre 
Published: July 2005

SummaryThe biodiversity of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an aquatic environment (the Woluwe River, Brussels, Belgium) was analysed. Surface water was sampled bimonthly over a 1‐year period (2000–2001) at seven sites evenly dispersed over the river. Total bacterial counts were performed and P. aeruginosa strains were isolated on a selective medium. A weighed out sample of 100 randomly chosen presumptive P. aeruginosa isolates was further analysed. A set of data consisting of the nucleotide sequence of the oprL gene, a DNA‐based fingerprint (amplified fragment length polymorphism, AFLP), serotype, pyoverdine type and antibiogram (MICs of 21 clinically relevant antibiotics) was assembled. These data were integrated with those previously obtained for 73 P. aeruginosa clinical and environmental isolates collected across the world. The combined results were analysed and compared using biological data analysis software. Our findings indicate a positive relationship between the extent of pollution and the prevalence of P. aeruginosa. Surprisingly, the Woluwe River P. aeruginosa community was almost as diverse as the global P. aeruginosa population. Indeed, the Woluwe River harboured members of nearly all successful clonal complexes. With the exception of one multidrug‐resistant (MDR) strain, belonging to a ubiquitous and clinically relevant serotype O11 clone, antibiotic resistance levels were relatively low. These findings illustrate the significance of river water as a reservoir and source of distribution of potentially pathogenic P. aeruginosa strains and could have repercussions on antinosocomial infection strategies.