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Increased Tendency (increased + tendency)
Selected AbstractsPlatelet-derived growth factor receptors expressed in response to injury of differentiated vascular smooth muscle in vitro: effects on Ca2+ and growth signalsACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2001A. Lindqvist Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the intact vascular wall are differentiated for contraction, whereas the response to vascular injury involves transition towards a synthetic phenotype, with increased tendency for proliferation. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is thought to be important for this process. We investigated expression and functional coupling of PDGF receptors (PDGFRs) , and , in rat tail arterial rings kept in organ culture, in order to capture early events in the phenotypic transition. In freshly dissected rings no PDGFR immunoreactivity was found in medial VSMCs, whereas PDGFR , was detected in nerve fibres. After organ culture for 1,4 days PDGFR , and , as well as phospholipase C,2 (PLC,2), known to couple to PDGFR, were expressed in VSMCs within 100 ,m of the cut ends. Calponin, a marker for the contractile phenotype, was decreased near the injured area, suggesting that cells were in transition towards synthetic phenotype. In these cells, which showed functional Ca2+ -release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, PDGF-AB (100 ng mL,1) had no effect on [Ca2+]i, whereas cultured VSMCs obtained from explants of rat tail arterial rings responded to PDGF-AB with an increase in [Ca2+]i. However, PDGFR within the cultured rings coupled to growth signalling pathways, as PDGF-AB caused a tyrphostin AG1295-sensitive activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 and of [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Thus, early expression of PDGFR in VSMC adjacent to sites of vascular injury coincides with signs of dedifferentiation. These receptors couple to growth signalling, but do not activate intracellular Ca2+ release. [source] Behavior of Corophium volutator (Crustacea, Amphipoda) exposed to the water-accommodated fraction of oil in water and sedimentENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2008Cornelia Kienle Abstract We investigated the short-term effects of the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of weathered Forties crude oil on the behavior of Corophium volutator in the Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor® (MFB). When exposing C. volutator to 25 and 50% WAF in aqueous exposures, hyperactivity with an additional increase in ventilation was detected, whereas exposure to 100% WAF led to hypoactivity (narcosis). In a sediment exposure with 100% WAF, there was an increased tendency toward hyperactivity. In a pulse experiment, hyperactivity appeared at and after a 130-min exposure to 50% WAF in a majority of cases. Our experiments suggest that the behavior of C. volutator as measured in the MFB may be an appropriate parameter for coastal monitoring. [source] Comparative analysis of triacylglycerol composition, melting properties and polymorphic behavior of palm oil and fractionsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Sabine Braipson-Danthine Abstract Palm oil is without doubt the most widely fractionated oil. Dry fractionation is based on differences in the melting points of triacylglycerols (TAG) which will crystallize selectively during the cooling process. Unfortunately, limitations due to intersolubility, closely linked to polymorphism, induce formation of co-crystals at each crystallization step. For this reason, only restricted TAG enrichments are observed. In this work, a series of samples (24) of palm oil, solid and liquid fractions (stearins, mid fractions, oleins and superoleins) have been selected and examined in terms of TAG composition (by HPLC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) melting profile and variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction pattern. Three major endotherms [low-melting, high-melting and very high-melting peaks (LMP, HMP and VHMP)] are detected in the DSC melting profiles (5,°C/min). The VHMP is only recorded for palm stearin which contains more SSS components. The HMP contribution is weak for palm olein and even not observed for palm super oleins. The LMP is usually made up of UUU, SUU and SUS components; SUS components are observed in both LMP and HMP; the HMP is also made up of some SSS, except for palm oleins and super oleins. Sub-,2, sub-,1, ,, ,'2, ,'1 and , polymorphic forms are recorded; the LMP components preferentially crystallize in sub-,2, sub-,1 and ,,forms; the HMP components generally crystallize in ,'2 and ,'1, with a tendency to exhibit ,,crystals, depending on the SSS content. Components of the VHMP have an increased tendency to stabilize in the ,,form; in view of the results, we can assume that there is a clear relationship between TAG composition, melting properties and polymorphic behavior and of palm oil and fractions. [source] TEMPORAL VARIATION IN DIVERGENT SELECTION ON SPINE NUMBER IN THREESPINE STICKLEBACKEVOLUTION, Issue 12 2002T. E. Reimchen Abstract., Short-term temporal cycles in ecological pressures, such as shifts in predation regime, are widespread in nature yet estimates of temporal variation in the direction and intensity of natural selection are few. Previous work on threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) has revealed that dorsal and pelvic spines are a defense against gape-limited predators but may be detrimental against grappling insect predators. In this study, we examined a 15-year database from an endemic population of threespine stickleback to look for evidence of temporal shifts in exposure to these divergent predation regimes and correlated shifts in selection on spine number. For juveniles, we detected selection for increased spine number during winter when gape-limited avian piscivores were most common but selection for decreased spine number during summer when odonate predation was more common. For subadults and adults, which are taken primarily by avian piscivores, we predicted selection should generally be for increased spine number in all seasons. Among 59 comparisons, four selection differentials were significant (Bonferroni corrected) and in the predicted direction. However, there was also substantial variability in remaining differentials, including two examples with strong selection for spine reduction. These reversals were associated with increased tendency of the fish to shift to a benthic niche, as determined from examination of stomach contents. These dietary data suggest that increased encounter rates with odonate predation select for spine reduction. Strong selection on spine number was followed by changes in mean spine number during subsequent years and a standard quantitative genetic formula revealed that spine number has a heritable component. Our results provide evidence of rapid morphological responses to selection from predators and suggest that temporal variation in selection may help maintain variation within populations. Furthermore, our findings indicate that variable selection can be predicted if the agents of selection are known. [source] Biogenesis of the yeast frataxin homolog Yfh1pFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 11 2000Tim44-dependent transfer to mtHsp70 facilitates folding of newly imported proteins in mitochondria Tim44 is an essential component of the mitochondrial inner membrane protein import machinery. In this study we asked if Tim44 is of relevance in intramitochondrial protein folding. We investigated the role of Tim44 in the biogenesis of the authentic mitochondrial protein Yfh1p, the yeast homolog of mammalian frataxin, which was recently implicated in Friedreich ataxia. After inactivation of Tim44, binding of mitochondrial heat shock protein (mtHsp)70 to translocating Yfh1p and subsequent folding to the native state was nearly completely blocked. Residual amounts of imported Yfh1p showed an increased tendency to aggregate. To further characterize the functions of Tim44 in the matrix, we imported dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) as a model protein. Depletion of Tim44 allowed import of DHFR, although folding of the newly imported DHFR was delayed. Moreover, the depletion of Tim44 caused a strongly reduced binding of mtHsp70 and Mge1 to the translocating polypeptide. Subsequent dissociation of mtHsp70 from imported DHFR was delayed, indicating that mtHsp70,substrate complexes formed independently of Tim44 differ from the complexes that form under the control of Tim44. We conclude that Tim44 not only plays a role in protein translocation but also in the pathways of mitochondrial protein folding. [source] The Spectrum of Myositis Ossiticans in HaemophiliaHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 2 2004G. V. Massey Summary., Myositis ossificans (MO) refers to non-neoplastic heterotopic soft tissue ossification that can have several aetiologies. Broadly it can be classified into three categories based on aetiology [1]. MO traumatica, the most common form occurs secondary to acute or chronic trauma. MO can also be associated with neurological disorders and in rare cases is congenital. The latter (progressive MO) is a genetic disorder in which congenital osseous abnormalities are associated with progressive soft tissue calcification. Despite an increased tendency to soft tissue bleeds, MO has been rarely reported in haemophilia. We treated three adolescents with haemophilia and MO of varying degrees of severity and outcome. [source] Back to the Future: Middle Molecules, High Flux Membranes, and Optimal DialysisHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2003Raymond C. Vanholder Middle molecules can be defined as compounds with a molecular weight (MW) above 500 Da. An even broader definition includes those molecules that do not cross the membranes of standard low-flux dialyzers, not only because of molecular weight, but also because of protein binding and/or multicompartmental behavior. Recently, several of these middle molecules have been linked to the increased tendency of uremic patients to develop inflammation, malnutrition, and atheromatosis. Other toxic actions can also be attributed to the middle molecules. In the present publication we will consider whether improved removal of middle molecules by large pore membranes has an impact on clinical conditions related to the uremic syndrome. The clinical benefits of large pore membranes are reduction of uremia-related amyloidosis; maintenance of residual renal function; and reduction of inflammation, malnutrition, anemia, dyslipidemia, and mortality. It is concluded that middle molecules play a role in uremic toxicity and especially in the processes related to inflammation, atherogenesis, and malnutrition. Their removal seems to be related to a better outcome, although better biocompatibility of membranes might be a confounding factor. [source] Risk factors for neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia: the Cache County StudyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 9 2006M. Steinberg Abstract Objective To investigate the probability of individual neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia patients as a function of eight risk factors. Methods In the Cache County Study, we administered the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) to 328 dementia patients at baseline. Approximately 18 months later, we re-administered the NPI to 184 participants available for follow-up. Generalized estimating equation methods were used to model the probability of individual neuropsychiatric symptoms as a function of: gender, age, education, dementia type and severity, APOE status, time of observation, and general medical health. Results Women showed increased tendency toward anxiety, [odds ratio (OR) 2.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31,3.76] and delusions (OR 2.15, CI 1.22,3.78), but older persons of both sexes showed less tendency toward anxiety. Dementia severity increased the tendency toward hallucinations and agitation (OR 2.42, CI 1.81,3.23) and decreased risk of depression. Positive APOE ,4 status increased the tendency toward aberrant motor behavior (OR 1.84, CI 1.05,3.22). Among dementia diagnoses, those with Alzheimer's disease showed decreased tendency toward agitation (OR 0.58, CI 0.35,0.95), depression (OR 0.56, CI 0.33,0.96) and disinhibition (OR 0.46, CI 0.24,0.88). Later time of observation increased risk of aberrant motor behavior and delusions, and more serious medical comorbidity increased risk of, agitation, irritability, disinhibition, and aberrant motor behavior. Conclusions Gender, age, dementia severity, APOE ,4, dementia diagnosis, time of observation, and general medical health appear to influence the occurrence of individual neuropsychiatric symptoms. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Neutralizing antibody response variation against dengue 3 strainsJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 10 2008Mayling Alvarez Abstract To evaluate the neutralizing antibody activity of a human sera panel against seven strains of the homotypic virus. Sera were collected from DENV-3 immune individuals. Two DENV-3 genotypes and strains isolated at different time-points during the 2000 and 2001,2002 Havana epidemics were included. A panel of 20 late convalescent sera collected 16,18 months after acute illness from DF and DHF patients are studied. These individuals were infected during the 2001,2002 Havana DENV-3 epidemic. All but four sera collected from DF cases had a secondary DENV-1/DENV-3 infection. Sera neutralizing antibody titer against the seven DENV-3 strains were determined by plaque reduction neutralization technique. Sera samples were tested simultaneously. Studied sera showed higher levels of neutralizing antibodies to DENV-3 strains of genotype III compared to genotype V. Interesting, higher levels of neutralizing antibodies were detected to DENV-3 strain isolated at the end of the epidemic 2001,2002. An increased tendency of GMT of neutralizing antibodies according to epidemic evolution was observed for the 2001,2002 outbreak. In general, antibody levels in sera collected from DF cases were higher. Differences in the neutralization capacity of immune DENV-3 sera tested against two homologous genotypes including strains of the same genotype are demonstrated. Observed results suggest that virus changed in the course of the epidemic. The implications of this finding in terms of dengue pathogenesis and vaccine development need to be considered. J. Med. Virol. 80:1783,1789, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occurrence of pharmaceutically acceptable anions and cations in the Cambridge Structural DatabaseJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 10 2005Delia A. Haynes Abstract The occurrence of a number of pharmaceutically acceptable counterions in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) has been investigated. The results have been compared to the occurrence of the same counterions in a list of known pharmaceutical salts. Chloride salts are by far the highest occurring in both groups. The occurrence of hydrates in the structures of salts of pharmaceutically acceptable counterions in the CSD has also been investigated. It was found that salts of these counterions show an increased tendency to hydrate when compared to the database average. The CSD was also searched for co-crystals of the list of pharmaceutically acceptable acids and bases corresponding to the list of counterions used for the salt investigation. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 94:2111-2120, 2005 [source] Core-shell particles with glycopolymer shell and polynucleoside core via RAFT: From micelles to rodsJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 6 2009Samuel Pearson Abstract Amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized via the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerisation of 2-methacrylamido glucopyranose (MAG) and 5,- O -methacryloyl uridine (MAU). Homopolymerisations of both monomers using (4-cyanopentanoic acid)-4-dithiobenzoate (CPADB) proceeded with pseudo first order kinetics in a living fashion, displaying linear evolution of molecular weight with conversion and low PDIs. A bimodal molecular weight distribution was observed for PMAU at low conversions courtesy of hybrid behavior between living and conventional free radical polymerization. This effect was more pronounced when a PMAG macroRAFT agent was chain extended with MAU, however, in both cases, good control was attained once the main RAFT equilibrium was established. A stability study on PMAU found that its hydrolysis is diffusion controlled, and is accelerated at physiological pH compared with neutral conditions. Self-assembly of four block copolymers with increasing hydrophobic (PMAU) block lengths produced micelles, which demonstrated an increased tendency to form rods as the PMAU block length increased. Interestingly, none of the block copolymers were surface-active. An initial assessment of PMAU's ability to bind the nucleoside adenosine through base pairing was highly promising, with DSC measurements indicating that adenosine is fully miscible in the PMAU matrix. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1706,1723, 2009 [source] Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease and a novel mutation in CYBB: First reportAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Baruch Wolach Abstract We report for the first time a child with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) who developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The diagnosis of CGD was made at the age of 4 months, by studies of his neutrophil functions. The superoxide production of the cells was negligible, as was the bactericidal activity. He was found to have a deficiency of the gp91phox subunit of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase, with the X-linked inheritance of the disease. DNA analysis revealed a C nucleotide insertion between C1028 and T1029. This insertion has not been described before and causes a frameshift and a premature stop codon at amino-acid position 347. The mother was found to be a carrier of this mutation. At the age of 16 months, the patient developed T-cell ALL. He was treated for 2 years, and today, 10 years since the diagnosis, he is disease-free. During the course of ALL and later, he suffered from recurrent severe pyogenic infections, but careful detection of the etiological agent and promptly instituted specific treatment resulted in his complete recovery. Although primary immune deficiencies have been reported to have an increased tendency to develop malignancies, until now there have been no reports of CGD patients with ALL. Am. J. Hematol. 80:50,54, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The role of strand 1 of the C ,-sheet in the structure and function of ,1 -antitrypsinPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 12 2001Stephen P. Bottomley Abstract Serpins inhibit cognate serine proteases involved in a number of important processes including blood coagulation and inflammation. Consequently, loss of serpin function or stability results in a number of disease states. Many of the naturally occurring mutations leading to disease are located within strand 1 of the C ,-sheet of the serpin. To ascertain the structural and functional importance of each residue in this strand, which constitutes the so-called distal hinge of the reactive center loop of the serpin, an alanine scanning study was carried out on recombinant ,1 -antitrypsin Pittsburgh mutant (P1 = Arg). Mutation of the P10, position had no effect on its inhibitory properties towards thrombin. Mutations to residues P7, and P9, caused these serpins to have an increased tendency to act as substrates rather than inhibitors, while mutations at P6, and P8, positions caused the serpin to behave almost entirely as a substrate. Mutations at the P6, and P8, residues of the C ,-sheet, which are buried in the hydrophobic core in the native structure, caused the serpin to become highly unstable and polymerize much more readily. Thus, P6, and P8, mutants of ,1 -antitrypsin had melting temperatures 14 degrees lower than wild-type ,1 -antitrypsin. These results indicate the importance of maintaining the anchoring of the distal hinge to both the inhibitory mechanism and stability of serpins, the inhibitory mechanism being particularly sensitive to any perturbations in this region. The results of this study allow more informed analysis of the effects of mutations found at these positions in disease-associated serpin variants. [source] Memory distrust and acceptance of misinformationAPPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 6 2010Saskia van Bergen Relying on a community sample (N,=,80), the present study examined whether memory distrust is related to an increased tendency to accept misinformation and whether it interacts with passage of time. Participants were shown video footage of an armed robbery. Approximately 30,minutes later, they were asked to describe as accurately as possible what they had seen. Either 1 day or 2 weeks later they were presented with their own statements, to which five misinformation items had been added. The results showed that people suffering from memory distrust accepted more misinformation than those with optimistic beliefs about their memory. In addition, both age and free recall seemed to modulate this relationship. However, memory evaluation did not interact with time interval. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Abnormal differentiation of memory T cells in systemic lupus erythematosusARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2006Ruth D. Fritsch Objective The chemokine receptor CCR7 and the tumor necrosis factor receptor family member CD27 define 3 distinct, progressively more differentiated maturational stages of CD4 memory subpopulations in healthy individuals: the CCR7+,CD27+, the CCR7,, CD27+, and the CCR7,,CD27, populations. The goal of this study was to examine maturational disturbances in CD4 T cell differentiation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), using these phenotypic markers. Methods Phenotypic analysis by flow cytometry, in vitro stimulation experiments, telomere length measurement, and determination of inducible telomerase were carried out. Results In SLE patients, significant increases of CCR7,,CD27, and CCR7,,CD27+ and a reduction of CCR7+,CD27+ CD4 memory T cells were found. In vitro stimulation of SLE T cells showed a stepwise differentiation from naive to CCR7+,CD27+ to CCR7,,CD27+ to CCR7,,CD27,; telomere length and inducible telomerase decreased in these subsets in the same progressive sequence. The in vitro proliferative response of these populations progressively declined as their susceptibility to apoptosis increased. Interestingly, a significant reduction in inducible telomerase was noted in SLE naive and CCR7+,CD27+ CD4+ memory T cells. Additionally, SLE CCR7,,CD27+ and CCR7,, CD27, CD4 memory T cells proliferated poorly in response to in vitro stimulation and underwent significantly more apoptosis than their normal counterparts. Finally, expression of CXCR4 was significantly reduced in all SLE subsets compared with normal. Conclusion Together these data indicate an increased degree of in vivo T cell stimulation in SLE, resulting in the accumulation of terminally differentiated memory T cells with a decreased proliferative capacity and an increased tendency to undergo apoptosis upon stimulation. [source] Impetigo: incidence and treatment in Dutch general practice in 1987 and 2001,results from two national surveysBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2006S. Koning Summary Background, Impetigo is a common skin infection in children. The epidemiology is relatively unknown, and the choice of treatment is subject to debate. Objective, The objective of our study was to determine the incidence and treatment of impetigo in Dutch general practice, and to assess trends between 1987 and 2001. Methods, We used data from the first (1987) and second (2001) Dutch national surveys of general practice. All diagnoses, prescriptions and referrals were registered by the participating general practitioners (GPs), 161 and 195, respectively. Results, The incidence rate of impetigo increased from 16·5 (1987) to 20·6 (2001) per 1000 person years under 18 years old (P < 0·01). In both years, the incidence was significantly higher in summer, in rural areas and in the southern region of the Netherlands, compared with winter, urban areas and northern region, respectively. Socioeconomic status was not associated with the incidence rate. From 1987 to 2001, there was a trend towards treatment with a topical antibiotic (from 43% to 64%), especially fusidic acid cream and mupirocin cream. Treatment with oral antibiotics (from 31% to 14%) and antiseptics (from 11% to 3%) was prescribed less often. Conclusions, We have shown an increased incidence of impetigo in the past decade, which may be the result of an increased tendency to seek help, or increased antibiotic resistance and virulence of Staphylococcus aureus. Further microbiological research on the marked regional difference in incidence may contribute to understanding the factors that determine the spread of impetigo. Trends in prescribing for impetigo generally follow evidence-based knowledge on the effectiveness of different therapies, rather than the national practice guideline. [source] | ||||||||||||||||