bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin‐6 inhibits cell proliferation in a rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Moran Diarmuid M. , Mayes Nicholas , Koniaris Leonidas G. , Cahill Paul A. , McKillop Iain H. 
Published: March 2005

Abstract:Background: Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) plays a critical role in normal hepatic growth and liver regeneration. The aims of the present study are to determine the expression of components of IL‐6 signaling in an in vivo model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and address the role of IL‐6 signaling in the progression of HCC.Methods: An in vivo rat HCC model was established and IL‐6 receptor (IL‐6R) and downstream signaling pathway expression and activity were determined in HCC and normal liver specimens. Tumorigenic HCC cells from resected HCC samples and normal hepatocytes were then isolated and cultured in the presence and absence of recombinant human IL‐6 (rhIL‐6).Results: HCC specimens demonstrated decreased IL‐6Rα/gp130 expression as compared with the normal liver. In contrast, HCC samples had significantly increased IL‐6 messenger RNA expression and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)3 activity. Using in vitro cell cultures, we demonstrated that IL‐6 stimulated STAT3 and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) activity in both HCC cells and isolated hepatocytes. However, while STAT3 activation profiles were similar, IL‐6 stimulated ERK activity in a biphasic manner in HCC cells and a monophasic, sustained ERK activation in hepatocytes. In HCC cells, a significant induction of cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors, p21waf1/cip1 and p27Kip1 occurred, an effect that was not observed in normal hepatocytes. Finally, we established that IL‐6 acted to inhibit serum‐stimulated DNA synthesis and cell mitogenesis in HCC cells in vitro.Conclusions: These data demonstrate altered expression of components of IL‐6 signaling in HCC in vivo. IL‐6 treatment of HCC cells inhibits serum‐stimulated mitogenesis, possibly via differences in activation profiles of intracellular signaling pathways and their effect on CDK inhibitor expression/activity.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in refractory ascites: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Deltenre P. , Mathurin P. , Dharancy S. , Moreau R. , Bulois P. , Henrion J. , Pruvot F. R. , Ernst O. , Paris J. C. , Lebrec D. 
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a more effective treatment for refractory ascites than large volume paracentesis (LVP), but the magnitude of its effect in terms of control of ascites, encephalopathy and survival has not been established.Aim: This meta‐analysis compare TIPS to LVP in terms of control of ascites at 4 and 12 months, encephalopathy and survival at 1 and 2 years.Results: Five randomized controlled trials involving 330 patients were included. In the TIPS group, control of ascites was more frequently achieved at 4 months (66% vs 23.8%, mean difference: 41.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 29.5–53.2%, P<0.001) and 12 months (54.8% vs 18.9%, mean difference: 35%, 95% CI: 24.9–45.1%, P<0.001), whereas encephalopathy was higher (54.9% vs 38.1%, mean difference: 17%, 95% CI: 7.3–26.6%, P<0.001). Survival at 1 year (61.7% vs 56.5%, mean difference: 3.2%, 95% CI: −14.7 to 21.9%) and 2 years (50% vs 42.8%, mean difference: 6.8%, 95% CI: −10 to 23.6%) were not significantly different.Conclusions: TIPS is a more effective treatment for refractory ascites than LVP. However, TIPS increase encephalopathy and does not improve survival.
Bone morphology and vascularization of untreated and guided bone augmentation‐treated rabbit calvaria: evaluation of an augmentation model
Authors: Slotte Christer , Lundgren Dan , Sennerby Lars 
Published: March 2005

AbstractObjectives: Cranial vault is widely used in experimental models on membranous bone healing in general, guided bone augmentation (GBA) studies being one example. To our knowledge, however, few studies on the characteristics of the untreated calvaria regarding bone density, vessel topography, and their intra/interindividual variations and associations are available. The aims of this investigation were to (1) map the large vessel topography of the skull vault, (2) describe the parietal bones of the adult rabbit histologically and morphometrically, and (3) histologically compare untreated parietal bone with parietal bone that had been treated with a GBA device.Material and methods: Ten adult untreated rabbits were microangiographed. General anesthesia was induced and the mediastinum was opened. Heparin and lidocaine were injected in the aorta followed by perfusion with India ink. After death, en bloc biopsies of the skull vault including the overlying soft tissues and dura mater were taken. The specimens were cleared with the Spalteholtz technique, microscopically examined, and digitally imaged. Thereafter, circular biopsies were harvested to obtain decalcified sections. In addition, sections from 14 GBA‐treated rabbit skulls (of the same race, sex and age as the untreated animals) served as reference specimens for comparison. Histomorphometric examinations were carried out.Results: In the cleared specimens, all parietal bones were found to be supplied by one major branch of the meningeal artery. From each of these, separate branches supplied the dura wherein a fine vessel network covered the bone. No major vessels were found in the supracalvarial soft tissue. Numerous fine vessels were found within the periosteum and dura entering the cortical plates. The decalcified sections of the parietal bones revealed an outer and inner cortical plate enveloping a diploic space containing bone trabeculae, marrow tissue and larger sinusoids. Hollow connections were frequently found in both the outer and inner cortical plates in both the untreated and the GBA‐treated specimens. These connections contained marrow tissue that extended to the periosteum and the dura. The morphometric measurements revealed similar proportions of cortical, trabecular, and marrow areas in the right and left untreated bones. The area of the outer cortical plate was significantly larger than the area of the inner cortical plate. Bone density was similar in the right and left untreated and GBA‐treated specimens, as was the frequency and width of hollow connections through the cortical bone plates.Conclusions: The symmetry between the left and right parietal bones concerning the large vessel topography and the histomorphometric parameters assessed was high. Hollow connections in the cortical plates were frequently found. The bilateral use of the parietal bones is suggested to be reliable in experimental GBA models regarding the blood supply and bone quality.
Linkage mapping of four chicken calpain genes
Authors: OKUMURA Fumihiko , SHIMOGIRI Takeshi , SHINBO Yoko , YOSHIZAWA Kanako , KAWABE Kotaro , MANNEN Hideyuki , OKAMOTO Shin , CHENG Hans H. , MAEDA Yoshizane 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTCalpains are intracellular Ca2+‐dependent proteases and enzymes that contribute to growth and meat quality. In the present study, we identified polymorphisms in four calpain genes (CAPN1, CAPN2, CAPN3, and CAPN1.5) expressed ubiquitously in chicken using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism, and mapped them using two backcross families (East Lansing (EL) and Kobe University (KU)). CAPN2 and CAPN1.5 mapped to two locations on chromosome 3 about 30 cM apart, while CAPN3 mapped to chromosome 5. CAPN1 was linked to a previously unlinked microsatellite marker LEI0140 to form a new linkage group called E66. CAPN2 and CAPN3 extend the amount of conserved synteny between chicken chromosome 3 and human chromosome 1, and between chicken chromosome 5 and human chromosome 15, respectively. Although CAPN2, CAPN3, and CAPN1.5 were found in the University of California Santa Cruz chicken genome browser gateway, CAPN1 and LEI0140 were not in specific genomic positions.
Allele frequencies of the extension locus encoding the melanocortin‐1 receptor in Japanese and Korean cattle
Authors: SASAZAKI Shinji , USUI Munehiro , MANNEN Hideyuki , HIURA Chihiro , TSUJI Soichi 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTIn order to estimate the influence of the Extension (E) locus in cattle coat color, the melanocortin‐1 receptor (MC1R) gene in Japanese Black, Japanese Brown and Korean (Hanwoo) cattle were sequenced. The sequences of the coding region revealed three alleles (ED, E+ and e), which were previously reported. Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism was performed to investigate the gene frequencies of the three breeds. Japanese Black was almost composed of ED and E+ individuals, ED = 0.481 and E+ = 0.514, and no homozygous e/e, therefore that is consistent with the hypothesis that ED and E+ induce black pigment synthesis. Allele frequencies between Japanese Brown and Hanwoo were obviously different; however, recessive red e allele frequency was 0.038 for Japanese Brown and 0.948 for Hanwoo, even though both breeds have quite similar coat colors (ranging from yellowish brown to dark brown including a red coat color). This result suggested that other genes are also associated with a coat color of red and brown in cattle.
Regulation of Major Cellulosomal Endoglucanases of
Clostridium thermocellum
Differs from That of a Prominent Cellulosomal Xylanase
Authors: Dror Tali W. , Rolider Adi , Bayer Edward A. , Lamed Raphael , Shoham Yuval 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

The expression of scaffoldin-anchoring genes and one of the major processive endoglucanases (CelS) from the cellulosome of
Clostridium thermocellum
has been shown to be dependent on the growth rate. For the present work, we studied the gene regulation of selected cellulosomal endoglucanases and a major xylanase in order to examine the previously observed substrate-linked alterations in cellulosome composition. For this purpose, the transcript levels of genes encoding endoglucanases CelB, CelG, and CelD and the family 10 xylanase XynC were determined in batch cultures, grown on either cellobiose or cellulose, and in carbon-limited continuous cultures at different dilution rates. Under all conditions tested, the transcript levels of
celB
and
celG
were at least 10-fold higher than that of
celD
. Like the major processive endoglucanase CelS, the transcript levels of these endoglucanase genes were also dependent on the growth rate. Thus, at a rate of 0.04 h
−1
, the levels of
celB
,
celG
, and
celD
were threefold higher than those obtained in cultures grown at maximal rates (0.35 h
−1
) on cellobiose. In contrast, no clear correlation was observed between the transcript level of
xynC
and the growth rate—the levels remained relatively high, fluctuating between 30 and 50 transcripts per cell. The results suggest that the regulation of
C. thermocellum
endoglucanases is similar to that of the processive endoglucanase
celS
but differs from that of a major cellulosomal xylanase in that expression of the latter enzyme is independent of the growth rate.
SarA Is an Essential Positive Regulator of
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Biofilm Development
Authors: Tormo María Ángeles , Martí Miguel , Valle Jaione , Manna Adhar C. , Cheung Ambrose L. , Lasa Iñigo , Penadés José R. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus epidermidis
biofilm formation is associated with the production of the polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA)--poly-
N
-acetylglucosamine polysaccharide (PNAG) by the products of the
icaADBC
operon. Recent evidence indicates that SarA, a central regulatory element that controls the production of
Staphylococcus aureus
virulence factors, is essential for the synthesis of PIA/PNAG and the ensuing biofilm development in this species. Based on the presence of a
sarA
homolog, we hypothesized that SarA could also be involved in the regulation of the biofilm formation process in
S. epidermidis
. To investigate this, we constructed nonpolar
sarA
deletions in two genetically unrelated
S. epidermidis
clinical strains, O-47 and CH845. The SarA mutants were completely defective in biofilm formation, both in the steady-state conditions of a microtiter dish assay and in the flow conditions of microfermentors. Reverse transcription-PCR experiments showed that the mutation in the
sarA
gene resulted in downregulation of the
icaADBC
operon transcription in an IcaR-independent manner. Purified SarA protein showed high-affinity binding to the
icaA
promoter region by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Consequently, mutation in
sarA
provoked a significant decrease in the amount of PIA/PNAG on the cell surface. Furthermore, heterologous complementation of
S. aureus sarA
mutants with the
sarA
gene of
S. epidermidis
completely restored biofilm formation. In summary, SarA appeared to be a positive regulator of transcription of the
ica
locus, and in its absence, PIA/PNAG production and biofilm formation were diminished. Additionally, we present experimental evidence showing that SarA may be an important regulatory element that controls
S. epidermidis
virulence factors other than biofilm formation.
Insights on Evolution of Virulence and Resistance from the Complete Genome Analysis of an Early Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Strain and a Biofilm-Producing Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Strain
Authors: Gill Steven R. , Fouts Derrick E. , Archer Gordon L. , Mongodin Emmanuel F. , DeBoy Robert T. , Ravel Jacques , Paulsen Ian T. , Kolonay James F. , Brinkac Lauren , Beanan Mauren , Dodson Robert J. , Daugherty Sean C. , Madupu Ramana , Angiuoli Samuel V. , Durkin A. Scott , Haft Daniel H. , Vamathevan Jessica , Khouri Hoda , Utterback Terry , Lee Chris , Dimitrov George , Jiang Lingxia , Qin Haiying , Weidman Jan , Tran Kevin , Kang Kathy , Hance Ioana R. , Nelson Karen E. , Fraser Claire M. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
is an opportunistic pathogen and the major causative agent of numerous hospital- and community-acquired infections.
Staphylococcus epidermidis
has emerged as a causative agent of infections often associated with implanted medical devices. We have sequenced the ∼2.8-Mb genome of
S. aureus
COL, an early methicillin-resistant isolate, and the ∼2.6-Mb genome of
S. epidermidis
RP62a, a methicillin-resistant biofilm isolate. Comparative analysis of these and other staphylococcal genomes was used to explore the evolution of virulence and resistance between these two species. The
S. aureus
and
S. epidermidis
genomes are syntenic throughout their lengths and share a core set of 1,681 open reading frames. Genome islands in nonsyntenic regions are the primary source of variations in pathogenicity and resistance. Gene transfer between staphylococci and low-GC-content gram-positive bacteria appears to have shaped their virulence and resistance profiles. Integrated plasmids in
S. epidermidis
carry genes encoding resistance to cadmium and species-specific LPXTG surface proteins. A novel genome island encodes multiple phenol-soluble modulins, a potential
S. epidermidis
virulence factor.
S. epidermidis
contains the
cap
operon, encoding the polyglutamate capsule, a major virulence factor in
Bacillus anthracis
. Additional phenotypic differences are likely the result of single nucleotide polymorphisms, which are most numerous in cell envelope proteins. Overall differences in pathogenicity can be attributed to genome islands in
S. aureus
which encode enterotoxins, exotoxins, leukocidins, and leukotoxins not found in
S. epidermidis
.
The
relA
Homolog of
Mycobacterium smegmatis
Affects Cell Appearance, Viability, and Gene Expression
Authors: Dahl John L. , Arora Kriti , Boshoff Helena I. , Whiteford Danelle C. , Pacheco Sophia A. , Walsh Olaus J. , Lau-Bonilla Dalia , Davis William B. , Garza Anthony G. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

The modification of metabolic pathways to allow for a dormant lifestyle appears to be an important feature for the survival of pathogenic bacteria within their host. One regulatory mechanism for persistent
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
infections is the stringent response. In this study, we analyze the stringent response of a nonpathogenic, saprophytic mycobacterial species,
Mycobacterium smegmatis
. The use of
M. smegmatis
as a tool for studying the mycobacterial stringent response was demonstrated by measuring the expression of two
M. tuberculosis
genes,
hspX
and
eis
, in
M. smegmatis
in the presence and absence of

rel
Msm

. The stringent response plays a role in
M. smegmatis
cellular and colony formation that is suggestive of changes in the bacterial cell wall structure.
Crystal Structure of the Terminal Oxygenase Component of Cumene Dioxygenase fromPseudomonas fluorescensIP01
Authors: Dong Xuesong , Fushinobu Shinya , Fukuda Eriko , Terada Tohru , Nakamura Shugo , Shimizu Kentaro , Nojiri Hideaki , Omori Toshio , Shoun Hirofumi , Wakagi Takayoshi 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTThe crystal structure of the terminal component of the cumene dioxygenase multicomponent enzyme system ofPseudomonas fluorescensIP01 (CumDO) was determined at a resolution of 2.2 Å by means of molecular replacement by using the crystal structure of the terminal oxygenase component of naphthalene dioxygenase fromPseudomonassp. strain NCIB 9816-4 (NphDO). The ligation of the two catalytic centers of CumDO (i.e., the nonheme iron and Rieske [2Fe-2S] centers) and the bridging between them in neighboring catalytic subunits by hydrogen bonds through a single amino acid residue, Asp231, are similar to those of NphDO. An unidentified external ligand, possibly dioxygen, was bound at the active site nonheme iron. The entrance to the active site of CumDO is different from the entrance to the active site of NphDO, as the two loops forming the lid exhibit great deviation. On the basis of the complex structure of NphDO, a biphenyl substrate was modeled in the substrate-binding pocket of CumDO. The residues surrounding the modeled biphenyl molecule include residues that have already been shown to be important for its substrate specificity by a number of engineering studies of biphenyl dioxygenases.
Transcriptome Analysis ofShewanella oneidensisMR-1 in Response to Elevated Salt Conditions
Authors: Liu Yongqing , Gao Weimin , Wang Yue , Wu Liyou , Liu Xueduan , Yan Tinfeng , Alm Eric , Arkin Adam , Thompson Dorothea K. , Fields Matthew W. , Zhou Jizhong 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTWhole-genomic expression patterns were examined inShewanella oneidensiscells exposed to elevated sodium chloride. Genes involved in Na+extrusion and glutamate biosynthesis were significantly up-regulated, and the majority of chemotaxis/motility-related genes were significantly down-regulated. The data also suggested an important role for metabolic adjustment in salt stress adaptation inS. oneidensis.
Epidemiology of acute coronary syndromes in a Mediterranean country; aims, design and baseline characteristics of the Greek study of acute coronary syndromes (GREECS)
Authors: Pitsavos Christos , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B , Antonoulas Antonis , Zombolos Spyros , Kogias Yannis , Mantas Yannis , Stravopodis Peter , Kourlaba Georgia , Stefanadis Christodoulos ,   for the GREECS Study Investigators
Published: March 2005

Abstract

Background
The present study GREECS was conducted in order to evaluate the annual incidence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and to delineate the role of clinical, biochemical, lifestyle and behavioral characteristics on the severity of disease. In this work we present the design, methodology of the study and various baseline characteristics of people with ACS.

Methods/Design
A sample of 6 hospitals located in Greek urban and rural regions was selected. In these hospitals we recorded almost all admissions due to ACS, from October 2003 to September 2004. Socio-demographic, clinical, dietary, psychological and other lifestyle characteristics were recorded. 2172 patients were included in the study (76% were men and 24% women). The crude annual incidence rate was 22.6 per 10,000 people and the highest frequency of events was observed in winter. The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.3%. The most common discharged diagnosis for men was Q-wave MI, while for women it was unstable angina.

Discussion
This study aims to demonstrate current information about the epidemiology of patients who suffer from ACS, in Greece.
Factor structure of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in German coronary heart disease patients
Authors: Barth Jürgen , Martin Colin R 
Published: March 2005

Abstract

Background
Depression and anxiety in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) are associated with a poorer prognosis. Therefore the screening for psychological distress is strongly recommended in cardiac rehabilitation. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a widely used screening tool that has demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity for mental disorders.

Methods
We assessed mental distress in in-patient cardiac rehabilitation in Germany. The factor structure of the German language version of the HADS was investigated in 1320 patients with CHD. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to determine the underlying factor structure of the instrument.

Results
Three-factor models were found to offer a superior fit to the data compared to two-factor (anxiety and depression) models. The German language HADS performs similarly to the English language version of the instrument in CHD patients. The German language HADS fundamentally comprises a tri-dimensional underlying factor structure (labelled by Friedman et al. as psychomotor agitation, psychic anxiety and depression).

Conclusion
Despite of clinical usefulness in screening for mental disturbances the construct validity of the HADS is not clear. The resulting scores of the tri-dimensional model can be interpreted as psychomotor agitation, psychic anxiety, and depression in individual patient data or clinical investigations.
The quantitation of buffering action II. Applications of the formal & general approach
Authors: Schmitt Bernhard M 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Background
The paradigm of "buffering" originated in acid-base physiology, but was subsequently extended to other fields and is now used for a wide and diverse set of phenomena. In the preceding article, we have presented a formal and general approach to the quantitation of buffering action. Here, we use that buffering concept for a systematic treatment of selected classical and other buffering phenomena.

Results
H+ buffering by weak acids and "self-buffering" in pure water represent "conservative buffered systems" whose analysis reveals buffering properties that contrast in important aspects from classical textbook descriptions. The buffering of organ perfusion in the face of variable perfusion pressure (also termed "autoregulation") can be treated in terms of "non-conservative buffered systems", the general form of the concept. For the analysis of cytoplasmic Ca++ concentration transients (also termed "muffling"), we develop a related unit that is able to faithfully reflect the time-dependent quantitative aspect of buffering during the pre-steady state period. Steady-state buffering is shown to represent the limiting case of time-dependent muffling, namely for infinitely long time intervals and infinitely small perturbations. Finally, our buffering concept provides a stringent definition of "buffering" on the level of systems and control theory, resulting in four absolute ratio scales for control performance that are suited to measure disturbance rejection and setpoint tracking, and both their static and dynamic aspects.

Conclusion
Our concept of buffering provides a powerful mathematical tool for the quantitation of buffering action in all its appearances.