bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lipid phosphate phosphatase-1 regulates lysophosphatidic acid-induced calcium release, NF-κB activation and interleukin-8 secretion in human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: ZHAO Yutong , USATYUK Peter V. , CUMMINGS Rhett , SAATIAN Bahman , HE Donghong , WATKINS Tonya , MORRIS Andrew , SPANNHAKE Ernst Wm. , BRINDLEY David N. , NATARAJAN Viswanathan 
Published: January 2005

LPA (lysophosphatidic acid), a potent bioactive phospholipid, elicits diverse cellular responses through activation of the G-protein-coupled receptors LPA1–LPA4. LPA-mediated signalling is partially regulated by LPPs (lipid phosphate phosphatases; LPP-1, -2 and -3) that belong to the phosphatase superfamily. This study addresses the role of LPPs in regulating LPA-mediated cell signalling and IL-8 (interleukin-8) secretion in HBEpCs (human bronchial epithelial cells). Reverse transcription–PCR and Western blotting revealed the presence and expression of LPP-1–3 in HBEpCs. Exogenous [3H]oleoyl LPA was hydrolysed to [3H]-mono-oleoylglycerol. Infection of HBEpCs with an adenoviral construct of human LPP-1 for 48 h enhanced the dephosphorylation of exogenous LPA by 2–3-fold compared with vector controls. Furthermore, overexpression of LPP-1 partially attenuated LPA-induced increases in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, phosphorylation of IκB (inhibitory κB) and translocation of NF-κB (nuclear factor-κB) to the nucleus, and almost completely prevented IL-8 secretion. Infection of cells with an adenoviral construct of the mouse LPP-1 (R217K) mutant partially attenuated LPA-induced IL-8 secretion without altering LPA-induced changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, phosphorylation of IκB, NF-κB activation or IL-8 gene expression. Our results identify LPP-1 as a key regulator of LPA signalling and IL-8 secretion in HBEpCs. Thus LPPs could represent potential targets in regulating leucocyte infiltration and airway inflammation.
A highly acid-stable and thermostable endo-β-glucanase from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus
Authors: HUANG Yiwei , KRAUSS Gerhard , COTTAZ Sylvain , DRIGUEZ Hugues , LIPPS Georg 
Published: January 2005

The thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 encodes three hypothetic endo-β-glucanases, SSO1354, SSO1949 and SSO2534. We cloned and expressed the gene sso1949 encoding the 334 amino acids containing protein SSO1949, which can be classified as a member of glycoside hydrolase family 12. The purified recombinant enzyme hydrolyses carboxymethylcellulose as well as cello-oligomers, with cellobiose and cellotriose as main reaction products. By following the hydrolysis of a fluorescently labelled cellohexaoside under a wide variety of conditions, we show that SSO1949 is a unique extremophilic enzyme. This archaeal enzyme has a pH optimum of approx. pH 1.8 and a temperature optimum of approx. 80 °C. Furthermore, the enzyme is thermostable, with a half-life of approx. 8 h at 80 °C and pH 1.8. The thermostability is strongly pH-dependent. At neutral pH, the thermal inactivation rate is nearly two orders of magnitude higher than at pH 1.8. Homology modelling suggests that the catalytic domain of SSO1949 has a similar fold to other mesophilic, acidophilic and neutral cellulases. The presence of a signal peptide indicates that SSO1949 is a secreted protein, which enables S. solfataricus to use cellulose as an external carbon source. It appears that SSO1949 is perfectly adapted to the extreme environment in solfataric pools. A cellulolytic enzyme with such a combination of stability and activity at high temperatures and low pH has not been described so far and could be a valuable tool for the large-scale hydrolysis of cellulose under acidic conditions.
The interaction of carbohydrate-binding modules with insoluble non-crystalline cellulose is enthalpically driven
Authors: BORASTON Alisdair B. 
Published: January 2005

Natural cellulose exists as a composite of cellulose forms, which can be broadly characterized as crystalline or non-crystalline. The recognition of both of these forms of cellulose by the CBMs (carbohydrate-binding modules) of microbial glycoside hydrolases is important for the efficient natural and biotechnological conversion of cellulosic biomass. The category of CBM that binds insoluble non-crystalline cellulose does so with an affinity approx. 10–20-fold greater than their affinity for cello-oligosaccharides and/or soluble polysaccharides. This phenomenon has been assumed to originate from the effects of changes in configurational entropy upon binding. The loss of configurational entropy is thought to be less profound upon binding to conformationally restrained insoluble non-crystalline cellulose, resulting in larger free energies of binding. However, using isothermal titration calorimetry, it is shown that this is not the case for the high-affinity interactions of CcCBM17 (the family 17 CBM from EngF of Clostridium cellulovorans) and BspCBM28 (the family 28 CBM from Cel5A of Bacillus species 1139) with regenerated cellulose, an insoluble preparation of primarily non-crystalline cellulose. The enhanced free energy of binding of non-crystalline cellulose relative to cello-oligosaccharides is by virtue of improved enthalpy, not entropy.
Lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation in patients affected by Hodgkin′s lymphoma
Authors: Morabito F. , Cristani M. , Saija A. , Stelitano C. , Callea V. , Tomaino A. , Minciullo P. L. , Gangemi S. 
Published: January 2005

A dysregulation of the redox homoeostasis has been reported in various neoplastic disorders. Malondialdehyde/4‐hydroxy‐2,3‐nonenal (MDA/HNE) and protein carbonyl groups represent in vivo indexes of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, respectively, suitable to investigate radical‐mediated physio‐pathological conditions.We evaluated MDA/HNE and protein carbonyl groups in sera of untreated Hodgkin′s lymphoma (HL) patients in advanced disease stages, in order to quantify the oxidative stress.HL patients displayed significantly higher levels of both MDA/HNE and protein carbonyl groups as compared with healthy controls.This is the first evidence that a strong increase in HL is one of the most common haematological malignancies, representing approximately 30% of all lymphomas in the circulating protein carbonyl content in HL. These findings may contribute to a better definition of the redox homoeostasis dysregulation in HL.
Production of interferon‐γ by natural killer cells and aging in chronic human schistosomiasis
Authors: Speziali E. , Bethony J. , Martins-Filho O. , Fraga L. A. O. , Lemos D. S. , Souza L. J. , Correa-Oliveira R. , Faria A. M. C. 
Published: January 2005

BACKGROUNG: Aging is associated with several alterations in the phenotype, repertoire and activation status of lymphocytes as well as in the cytokine profile produced by these cells. As a lifelong condition, chronic parasitic diseases such as human schistosomiasis overlaps with the aging process and no systematic study has yet addressed the changes in immune response during infection with Schistosoma mansoni in older individuals.Aim: Herein we study the influence of immunological alterations brought about by senescence in the course of schistosomiasis.Materials and methods: Individuals 10‐95 years of age, from both sexes, from an endemic area for S. mansoni infection were matched by intensity of infection as measured by egg counts. We analyzed, as a parameter, cytokine expression by lymphocytes and natural killer cells after in vitro stimulation with soluble egg antigen and soluble worm antigen using flow cytometry.Results: We demonstrated that the frequency of CD16+ interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ)+ natural killer cells in negative individuals over the age of 70 years is significantly higher than in positive individuals after in vitro stimulation with S. mansoni antigen extracts. The frequency of these cells is increased in all individuals over the age of 50 years and only declines in positive individuals after 70 years of age. Analysis of either CD4? or CD8? cells after antigen stimulation show no significant increase in frequency of IFN‐γ in negative or in positive individuals of this age group, suggesting that the effect on CD16+ cells is not T‐cell dependent.Conclusion: Since production of IFN‐γ has been related to resistance to schistosome infection, our data suggest that age‐associated changes in CD16+ cells may play a role in controlling infection intensity in the elderly in S. mansoni endemic areas of Brazil.
Role of type I interferon in the bacillus Calmette‐Guérin‐induced expression of CXCL10 from human monocytes
Authors: Samperio Patricia Méndez , Trejo Artemisa , Miranda Elena 
Published: January 2005

BACKGROUND: The proinflammatory chemokine CXCL10, in addition to its chemotactic properties, is also involved in the stimulation of natural killer and T‐cell migration in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. In this study, our experiments were designed to determine the role of interferon (IFN)‐αβ in the production of CXCL10 by human monocytes infected with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG).Methods: The concentrations of CXCL10 in culture supernatants of monocytes infected with M. bovis BCG were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. CXCL10 mRNA levels were determined by the reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction method.Results: We have shown the induction of CXCL10 following infection with M. bovis BCG in a dose‐dependent and time‐dependent manner. Importantly, the secretion of CXCL10 in response to M. bovis was increased by IFN‐α. These results were further confirmed by the fact that the addition of an anti‐IFN‐αβ neutralizing antibody completely reversed the stimulatory effect, whereas an isotype‐matched control antibody had no significant effect on CXCL10 secretion. It is important to note that no significant effect of type I IFN on CXCL8 production in M. bovis‐infected monocytes was observed. This was consistent with the finding by the reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction method that treatment with anti‐IFN‐α/β antibodies potentially inhibited CXCL10 mRNA levels, whereas no significant effect was observed on CXCL8 mRNA. Moreover, in THP‐1 monocytes and THP‐1 macrophages, the addition of exogenous IFN‐α stimulated CXCL10 secretion.Conclusions: Collectively, these results indicate that the type I IFN may play an important role to modulate the expression of CXCL10 in M. bovis BCG infection. Studies on M. bovis‐induced chemokine secretion could provide important insight into the regulation of the immune response against tuberculosis.
No effects of ozonated autohemotherapy on inflammation response in hemodialyzed patients
Authors: Tylicki Leszek , Biedunkiewicz Bogdan , Rachon Dominik , Nieweglowski Tomasz , Hak Lukasz , Chamienia Andrzej , Debska-Slizien Alicja , Aleksandrowicz Ewa , Mysliwska Jolanta , Rutkowski Boleslaw 
Published: January 2005

BACKGROUND: Ozone as a strong oxidant may induce an inflammatory response.Aim: The hypothesis was verified as to whether ozonated autohemotherapy using an ozone dose in therapeutic range changes the plasma concentration of C‐reactive protein and interleukin‐6, markers of inflammation.Methods: In a controlled, single‐blind, cross‐over study, 12 chronically hemodialyzed patients with peripheral arterial disease were exposed to nine sessions of autohemotherapy with blood exposure to oxygen as a control followed by nine sessions of ozonated autohemotherapy with an ozone concentration of 50 μg/ml.Results: There was no statistical difference between C‐reactive protein levels at baseline (1.53±1.01 mg/l), after nine sessions of control autohemotherapy (1.48±0.96 mg/l), and after nine sessions of ozonated autohemotherapy (1.55±0.84 mg/l). There was also no statistical difference between the interleukin‐6 serum concentration at baseline (438±118 pg/ml), after nine sessions of control autohemotherapy (444±120 pg/ml), and after nine sessions of ozonated autohemotherapy (466±152 pg/ml).Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that ozonated autohemotherapy using an ozone concentration of 50 μg/ml does not induce an inflammatory response.
Relatives’ experiences of critical care
Authors: Hughes Felicity , Bryan Karen , Robbins Ian 
Published: January 2005

Summary• This exploratory study investigates relatives’ overall experiences of the critical care environment and how staff perceived these experiences• Traditionally, research in Critical Care concentrated on patients’ psychological well‐being or relatives’ immediate needs. There is little research that addresses the relative's overall experience of events• Critical Care Units are possibly the most daunting units in hospitals. Having a family member admitted to a Critical Care Unit could qualify as a traumatic‐enough stressor to induce post‐traumatic stress symptoms in relatives• A convenience sample of eight relatives and five staff participated in the study. The study used qualitative methods and drew on techniques of grounded theory• While staff perceived relatives’ experiences accurately; issues arose, from both staff and relatives perspective, with regard to accurate dissemination of information• Further research into the communication processes used within Critical Care Units is required in addition to developing best practice in this area
When the unreal becomes real: family members’ experiences of cardiac arrest
Authors: Weslien Marita , Nilstun Tore , Lundqvist Anita , Fridlund Bengt 
Published: January 2005

Summary• The aim of this study was to provide insight into family members’ experiences related to cardiac arrest• Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews with 17 family members approximately 5–34 months after the cardiac arrest of a relative. As the focus was on the family members’ experiences seen from a holistic perspective, content analysis was chosen for the study• When the event occurred to the patient, family members realized the need for assistance and managed to initiate first actions• When the emergency medical service arrived, family members responded to stress and forgot their own needs• When the staff took over at the hospital, family members not only received sympathy but also encountered professional distancing• Because their experiences vary widely, the encounter has to be developed through a comforting, sympathetic and respectful dialogue in consideration for individuals’ preferences
Kinetic therapy positively influences oxygenation in patients with ALI/ARDS
Authors: Rance Martine 
Published: January 2005

Summary• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a fulminant form of respiratory failure, with diverse aetiology, despite technological advances in intensive care medicine; mortality rates remain 50–70%• Costs associated with the management of patients in intensive therapy unit (ITU) are very high; therefore, the requirement for those working in critical care to provide evidence‐based practice is mandatory• One area of investigation is that kinetic therapy improves pulmonary complications in critically ill patients by positively influencing oxygenation and gaseous exchange• Whilst kinetic therapy does appear to be an effective therapy in ITU, there are inconsistencies in reported findings, and thus, clearly a need for further research into this innovative therapy to maximize its potential
Simulating the East African wildebeest migration patterns using GIS and remote sensing
Authors: Musiega Douglas E. , Kazadi Sanga‐Ngoie 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe Serengeti–Mara ecosystem in East Africa is a spectacular natural heritage endowed with diverse fauna and flora. The presence of the seasonally migrating wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) is a major boost for tourism. This migration however has enormous impacts to the ecosystem. Consequently efforts at monitoring the herd's migration trends and patterns remain a challenge to wildlife managers and ecologists in the region. In this paper, the relative influence of vegetation (normalized difference vegetation index), landscape and relief on herds migration routes are investigated and the migration routes simulated using GIS and remote sensing techniques. The results are compared with the annual mean route taken by the herds, as determined by radio tracking over the 1995–1997 period. Green vegetation availability is shown to be the major criterion in route choice. It is also shown that during the dry season phases of the migration (western trek, western corridor), the herd endures complex relief (complexity quantified based on slope and inter‐visibility) in the search for greener grass. During the season of abundance (southern trek), relief becomes critical in making route choices, with herds avoiding difficult terrain, notwithstanding their relatively more abundant vegetation. The method proposed in this paper is viable for rapid prediction of approximate routes for the migrating wildebeest in different climatic conditions.
Genetic variability in natural populations of Arabidopsis thaliana in northern Europe
Authors: STENØIEN HANS K. , FENSTER CHARLES B. , TONTERI ANNI , SAVOLAINEN OUTI 
Published: January 2005

AbstractTen populations of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana were collected along a north–south gradient in Norway and screened for microsatellite polymorphisms in 25 loci and variability in quantitative traits. Overall, the average levels of genetic diversity were found to be relatively high in these populations, compared to previously published surveys of within population variability. Six of the populations were polymorphic at microsatellite loci, resulting in an overall proportion of polymorphic loci of 18%, and a relatively high gene diversity for a selfing species (HE = 0.06). Of the overall variability, 12% was found within populations. Two of six polymorphic populations contained heterozygous individuals. Both FST and phylogenetic analyses showed no correlation between geographical and genetic distances. Haplotypic diversity patterns suggested postglacial colonization of Scandinavia from a number of different sources. Heritable variation was observed for many of the studied quantitative traits, with all populations showing variability in at least some traits, even populations with no microsatellite variability. There was a positive association between variability in quantitative traits and microsatellites within populations. Several quantitative traits exhibited QST values significantly less than FST, suggesting that selection may be acting to retard differentiation for these traits.
Colonization history of the high‐arctic pink‐footed gooseAnser brachyrhynchus
Authors: RUOKONEN M. , AARVAK T. , MADSEN J. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractPopulation structure and phylogeography of the pink‐footed goose,Anser brachyrhynchusBaillon 1833, was studied using mtDNA control region sequences (221 bp) from 142 individuals. Present breeding areas of the species in Greenland, Iceland, and Svalbard were largely covered by ice during the late Pleistocene. In pairwise comparisons φSTestimates showed significant differentiation among eastern and western populations, whereas sampling localities within both areas were not differentiated. The mtDNA data indicate that the populations have separated recently (less than 10 000 years ago) and present breeding areas were colonized from one refugial population. The levels of haplotype and nucleotide diversity were approximately five times higher for the eastern population compared to the western population and suggest that the latter was colonized by a subset of eastern birds. Time to the most recent common ancestor of the species is 32 000–46 000 years, i.e. the present mtDNA variation of the pink‐footed goose has accumulated during the last 0.1 My. Estimates of the long‐term female effective population size (5400–7700 for the eastern population) imply that the refugial population of the pink‐footed goose has been large. Tundra habitats were more extensive in cold periods of the late Pleistocene than today and may have sustained population sizes that allowed the accumulation of extant genetic polymorphism. It is not probable that the postulated small refugial areas in the high latitudes had a significant role in maintaining this diversity.
Tracking the invasive history of the green alga Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides
Authors: PROVAN JIM , MURPHY SUSAN , MAGGS CHRISTINE A. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe spread of nonindigenous species into new habitats is having a drastic effect on natural ecosystems and represents an increasing threat to global biodiversity. In the marine environment, where data on the movement of invasive species is scarce, the spread of alien seaweeds represents a particular problem. We have employed a combination of plastid microsatellite markers and DNA sequence data from three regions of the plastid genome to trace the invasive history of the green alga Codium fragile ssp. tomentosoides. Extremely low levels of genetic variation were detected, with only four haplotypes present in the species’ native range in Japan and only two of these found in introduced populations. These invasive populations displayed a high level of geographical structuring of haplotypes, with one haplotype localized in the Mediterranean and the other found in Northwest Atlantic, northern European and South Pacific populations. Consequently, we postulate that there have been at least two separate introductions of C. fragile ssp. tomentosoides from its native range in the North Pacific.
Isolation by distance and post‐glacial range expansion in the rough‐skinned newt, Taricha granulosa
Authors: KUCHTA SHAWN R. , TAN AN‐MING 
Published: January 2005

AbstractAllozymes and mitochondrial DNA sequences were used to examine the phylogeographical history of the rough‐skinned newt, Taricha granulosa, in western North America. Nineteen populations were analysed for allozyme variation at 45 loci, and 23 populations were analysed for cytochrome b sequence variation. Both data sets agree that populations in the southern part of the range are characterized by isolation by distance, whereas northern populations fit the expectations of a recent range expansion. However, the northern limit of isolation by distance (and the southern limit of range expansion) is located in Oregon State by the mtDNA data, and in Washington State by the allozyme data. Nevertheless, both data sets are consistent with the known Pleistocene history of western North America, with phylogenetically basal populations in central and northern California, and a recent range expansion in the north following the retreat of the Cordilleran ice sheet 10 000 years ago. Additionally, a population in Idaho, previously considered introduced from central California based on morphometric analyses, possesses a distinct mtDNA haplotype, suggesting it could be native. The relevance of these results for Pacific Northwest biogeography is discussed.